A huge thanks to all the reviewers, you guys really made me smile :)

Thank you especially to Poppy Salvatore-Ozera, my beta reader.

This chapter is a sort of a filler and I am extremely sorry if I didn't reach people's expectations … I wanted to introduce the twins properly but I promise to bring in Dimitri & co into the next chapter.

Richelle Mead owns everything except story line and extra characters.

"Adrian!" I yelled, throwing myself at him. He grinned lazily and welcomed me into his arms.

"Nice to see you too, Little Dhampir," he chuckled. After holding me a little longer than would have been friendly, he stepped back and surveyed me from head to toe. If I didn't know better I would have accused him of checking me out. "Your aura ... It's a purplish, twilight blue".

"Urgh! Tell me something I don't already know," I said rolling my eyes at him. When he didn't say anything I added, "So what does that mean, spirit boy?"

"Hmm," he took his time thinking about it. "The purple represents hurt. And the blue ... Loss? I haven't seen your aura this color for years."

That made sense. I looked away from Adrian and suddenly found the fine grains of sand very interesting. (Today's dream was at a beach). I knew what he meant when he said 'for years', as in since the time Dimitri had left me.

"Rose?"

"Yeah?" I asked, still not looking up at him.

"I called your name about five times," he said

"Sorry ... just tired I suppose." I mumbled. Hah! What a lame excuse! How I could I be tired? I was sleeping for god sake. Unexpectedly, Adrian lifted my chin with his finger so that he could see my face.

"What's up, Rose? Why did the headmistress ask you back? Are you in trouble?" he asked. As he asked his questions, he smiled. I laughed quietly and smiled back – his eyes gleamed as he stared intently. I sighed heavily and spilled the beans: I recounted everything that had happened since we left the court. I didn't feel like I was giving into him, after all that was the whole point of this meeting.

When I had finished, I watched him carefully. At last he spoke.

"So, what's my part in all of this?" he asked. I was surprised that he had caught on so quickly. "I presume there's something you want me to help you out with."

"Adrian", I hesitated. "You don't know how bad I feel for asking you too ... But you're the only person I can go to ..."

I trailed off mid-sentence. Adrian reached his hands out to hold my face. He gently leaned in and kissed my forehead and pulled me into a warm embrace. That embrace felt strangely safe – safer than I had felt for years.

"I will do anything for you," he whispered in my ear. "Whether that is as your boyfriend, as a big brother or even just a best friend. I will always be here for you, no matter what your choice may be".

"I want to – I need to go and face them Adrian. And I will", I said, the determination strong in my voice. "But I don't want any sympathy from them because I am a single mother. That's where you come in. I don't want to hurt you Adrian ..."

"You want me to take the father role in your family?" he said, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes.

"Yes," I whispered, tensed for his reaction. And then suddenly he did something that I was not expecting at all; he burst out laughing. I pulled away so that I was facing him and I looked at him questioningly.

"Little Dhampir - Rose," he said. "Is that all? Is that all you were dreading to ask me?"

"Well, yeah. I do have a few more requests though - like how about you come and stay with me at the academy and stuff like that. Why, what did you think I was going to say?" I said curiously.

"Well, I thought it was going to either be something completely random like you wanting another child and me having to go to a sperm bank but you didn't want to be with me or it was going to be something even more random like murdering someone or I was going o have to lend you money. I just want you to know that I would do any of those things for you, Rose. Any of them. But this – this is easy."

We made a few arrangements for the next day and then parted as I was about to 'wake up'.

I woke up to the usual. From across the hall, I could hear the twins quarrelling about who should go in to the bathroom first. I rolled off my groaning bed and went to break them up.

"But boys take less time, it's a proven fact! Besides you're probably going to spend at least two whole minutes in there!" Mikhail argued.

"I wonder where on earth you get your facts from then," retorted Mika. "You went first yesterday and it's only logical that I go first today."

It was rather entertaining to see my children fighting. However, I wasn't bothered to put up with it today.

"Yes, its Mika's turn today," I yawned hugely and headed back towards my room.

"So not fair!" yelled Mikhail. I ignored him. I could just imagine Mika putting her tongue out. "Just because Mummy's a girl she always sides with you. I hate living in a house full of stupid girls!"

I stopped dead in my tracks and revolved on my feet to give my son the death glare. He literally cringed under my stare.

"Don't you dare use that type of language, Mike, I really can't be bothered to listen to another one of your tantrums today! I have enough on my mind!" I said/yelled in a very strict-motherly voice. I loved having this authority. Actually, I loved having any authority.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, looking down, ashamed. He looked so innocent that I immediately regretted telling him off.

"In any case, I think you'll find a few changes to the bathroom Rota from today on. We're having a new addition to this family." I grinned at him. Both Mikhail and Mika stared at me like I was crazy. I laughed, "Don't worry Mike; you won't be the only boy in this house any more. That's all I'm saying."

I walked back to my room and checked the time. It was five forty-eight. God, what were they doing up so early? Adrian wasn't going to be arriving until about half seven.

I did my bed and laid out my clothes. Then I went to the twin's bedroom and did the same. When I went to the bathroom I found that the twins had gone downstairs. I grabbed a towel from my room and had a quick shower.

All the while I wondered what was happening next door. Everyone was still asleep (as I checked through the bond and I couldn't hear anything) and I wanted it to stay like that. I decided once breakfast was over I'd take the twins to the airstrip to meet up with Adrian.

After hastily drying my hair I went to the top of the stairs. It was unusually quiet. As I crept down the stairs, wincing at the little squeak from the loose floorboards, I was wondering where my quarreling children were. There was no sound coming from the television so I went to the kitchen. As I came closer I could hear rapid whispering. I lightly sighed in relief but soon tensed when I heard what they were talking about.

"You don't think we're getting a baby brother do you?" asked Mikhail. My eyes bulged in their sockets.

"Nah, her tummy is still the same size as it was yesterday …" replied Mika.

I tried stifling my giggles unsuccessfully. Who would guess that four year olds knew anything about babies? I stumbled into the kitchen to find the twins gawking at me. Mikhail quickly inspected me, his eyes lingering on my stomach. I decided not to say anything to suggest that I had heard the brief exchange.

"What would you like for break—" I stopped. I had reached the breakfast table where they were sitting on and the sight alarmed me. There was a glass bowl in the middle and a bunch of random ingredients had been stuffed in. Three whole eggs, sugar cubes, real flowers, and a block of 500g of butter.

The twins followed my gaze and smiled guiltily.

"Happy Birthday Mummy!" They yelled. Mika extended a very large card towards me. It was handmade by the twins; it had flowers on the front and inside it read:

You are a Mother
That truly shines
Bright as a star
In the darkest of times

Knowing you're our Mom
Makes us so proud
You would stand out
In any crowd

You're as bright as the stars
That shine from above

We love you mum

Mika and Mikhail

"I told you we should've drawn a car on the front. See, now you've made her cry," Mikhail said shaking his head. I hadn't noticed the tears forming at my eyes. I lunged at my children and gave them both a gigantic bear-hug.

"You guys are the sweetest kids ever!" I said giving them each a kiss. "You seriously thought of this all by yourselves?"

"Did you like the flowers, mummy?" Mika asked coyly, purposely ignoring my question.

"Uncle Adrian made us promise that we wouldn't tell you that he gave us the idea", shrugged Mikhail. He pretended to zip his mouth and chuck the key over his shoulder. I laughed.

"Mike!" Mika yelled, gritting her teeth.

"What?" Mikhail asked, giving her those big puppy eyes, he said innocently, "Not my fault my fingers automatically cross when I hear the word 'promise'."

As he demonstrated, Mika muttered something but I only caught one word; immature. Once again I looked over at the mess on the table.

"What's this?" I asked raising my eyebrows. "Another one of Adrian's idea?"

"Nope, we thought of the cake ourselves", they chorused. They had obviously inherited their Auntie Lissa's culinary skills. I wondered why they didn't just ask Pyro.

"It was meant to be the second part of our birthday gift to you …" said Mika.

"I don't think there are two children in the whole world that are as adoring and caring as you two!" I exclaimed.

"No we're not; we couldn't even make a simple cake for you!" Mikhail sighed.

"Hey I just thought of a better birthday gift," I said. They both looked up at me willingly. "How about we try and make this whole day argument free?"

"No way!" cried Mike.

"That's impossible!" gasped Mika. I laughed at them.

"So what do you think about going next door for breakfast?" I asked. They nodded enthusiastically. Nobody could resist Christian's cooking.

I looked at my watch; it was still only a quarter to six. I guessed that Lissa and Christian were just waking up now. Then suddenly it came rushing back to me. Dimitri. Tasha. Adrian. Adrian! How could I forget?

"Hey, I've got a little surprise for you. Go get ready to go outside, we have to make a little trip to the airstrip to pick someone up," they exchanged a worried look. I chuckled and called after them, "Dress warm".

Whilst they went off to put on their hats and scarves, I decided to clear away the mess. I had no idea where they had gotten the recipe from but it amused me all the same.

Once I had my own boots and coat on we headed out. I grabbed each of children's hands and they both skipped at my sides. Mikhail and Mika were very much alike in many ways, just as they were very much dis-alike; they both had a cheeky response for anything just like me.

I liked to see Mikhail as a mini-me and Mika as a mini Dimitri. Mikhail had a very bad temper while Mika was more calm and logical about everything.

They had just started at the pre-school at the academy. Their brain cells were extraordinarily fast and they had a very high IQ. This meant that they always acted about double their age. Not so much with Mikhail actually.

I love my children to bits as they were my world now and it makes me sad to watch them grow up. It seemed like they were only in there cot's yesterday! The twins sometimes tag along to the gym with me. I don't want them to get too violent just yet but I taught them enough to take care of themselves if anything, such as bullying, ever occurred. I'm sure they could both take down an adult moroi at the most. Although why any one would mess with a Hathaway, I really didn't know!

We arrived at the airstrip within forty minutes. I checked my watch which read thirty-five past seven. Adrian should be here by now. I scanned the airstrip and spotted the jet in the distance. I walked over to the buggies and told Mika and Mikhail to jump in. We drove to the jet where we found a beaming Adrian.

He gave us all a kiss as I loaded his luggage; this earned him a 'eww' from Mikhail.

"How are my favourite girls doing?" he asked. Mikhail and Adrian couldn't stand each other. Adrian sat next to me at the front and the twins took the rear.

"Urgh," Mikhail groaned. "You won't be the only boy in this house any more."

Mika and I laughed as Mikhail quoted my words in a very good impression of my voice. Adrian simply looked lost and I shook my head at him.

"I guess you get to spend your birthday with me after all!" He winked.

At that moment my phone rang. It was Lissa.

"Hey Liss".

"Rose, where are you guys? Christian's making you a birthday breakfast."

"Urm, well we just picked up Adrian. We'll be there in ten – make that twenty minutes. Tell Pyro I said thanks".

"Sure, see you soon."

I hung up and stopped the buggy. I knew it would actually take five to ten minutes to get back but I wanted to clear a few things with everyone first.

"Okay guys. Bad news. Lissa and Christian have some guests staying over at their house. Until they're gone, we have to set a few rules in our own house. Number one: Adrian will be staying with us until they decide to leave."

"Why does Adrian have to hang around? I mean if you can take down a pack of Strigoi then these guests are going to be hardly any trouble, right mummy? And even if you need any help, then I don't really think its Adrian you're looking for," Mikhail said evenly then smirked. I hate Christian for teaching him how to do his Pyro smirk! Adrian and I started laughing anyway.

"Adrian is going to hang around here whether you like it or not Mike," I said in the most serious tone I could muster.

"Whatever, just let me know if he's annoying you though. I would really love to try out some of the stuff we've been practicing with you in gym, mummy," he said in crude voice.

"That's enough Mike," I said frowning at him. Then an idea suddenly popped into my head, "Keep your cheek until we get back. I think our guests need a little call back to the academy reality."

Soon, after a few more of Mikhail's outbursts, we had everything settled. From now on the twins were known as Mikhail Hathaway Ivashkov and Mika Ivashkov Hathaway. Adrian was just simply 'Daddy'. My kids were smart; I knew we could pull this off. Unless of course someone pissed off Mikhail. Things would go way downhill from there if that happened and that would be one of the most embarrassing and uncomfortable times ever.

When we got back I dumped Adrian's stuff at my house. I quickly drove the buggy back to the school and jogged back. We could've just gone through our Narnia doors but I wasn't too sure who might be on the other side. I grabbed Mikhail's hand and Adrian took Mika's. Adrian slipped his arm around my waist as I knocked on Lissa's door. We looked like a true little family. I could see that Adrian wanted this so bad and it felt so good. I might just give this whole happy family crap a chance.

So what did you guys think?

This is a Rose & Dimitri story but my beta reader thinks I should change it to Rose & Adrian :S

Please review and tell me how you think the pairings should be …