Chapter 3: Chapter 3

I am loving your responses to the story. Here's how the updates will go, when I send a new chapter to my beta I will then post the chapter I have in inventory. Sorry…I haven't had time to respond to all the reviews, but I swear I appreciate and read every one…thank you so much! If you have a question PM me or put it in a review and I will get back.

Some of you have asked about Rose's tattoo. I posted what the Krav Maga symbol meant, but Rose's tattoo I made up the symbol, that's why it's called fiction : ) I tried to post the Krav Maga symbol since in my head it looks similar to this, but I can't figure it out. Anyone who knows how to do this please PM me.

Bow to my beta Bonkerzrulez! She is an Aussie and she is what puts the special touches on these chapters you all love so much.

I don't own Vampire Academy, its ideas, original characters or story line, unfortunately they belong to the amazing Richelle Mead. She's is wonderful though and allows people like me to play with them.

My Milaya – Chapter 3 Enjoy….

Dimitri POV

I was riding my motorcycle to my job at the grocery story. I worked the swing shift which was afternoon to midnight. This allowed me to spend more quality time with Zander. Today was my last day; I was taking the next two weeks off to spend with my family before I took my new job.

This life I had created for me and my son was nice and comfortable. I had a good job working at the butcher shop in the Baia grocery store and I lived in my mother's house surrounded by my entire family. As nice as it was I felt it was time for a change. Zander was turning 3 tomorrow and he needed to be in preschool with kids his own age. When they called me from European Court about a new Guarding post it was the exact thing I needed. I could still be close to my family, have a job guarding and be close to Zander while he went to school.

I would keep my motorcycle and take it with me, but instead of driving it I would take the train up with Zander. Even though he was old enough to hang on, he was only good for small trips. The European Court was south of Baia by two hours.

Zander's such a good boy, in my life I was unlucky in love, but with my son I was extremely lucky. He was all I could ask for and more. He was smart, polite, liked to play, was well behaved and already a good little fighter. I worked with him a lot and I saw he had a lot of natural abilities.

As I drove through our modest town my thoughts as always went to my Roza. For self preservation I only thought of her when I worked out, ran or rode my bike. It was too difficult to focus on normal day-to-day tasks and also think of her. She was so much more than my true love, it's as if the heavens above said that each person had their soul mate walking around on earth and only the lucky ones actually got to be with them. I was lucky and got to know her, but as I felt sometimes I was being punished by the same deity above that created her, my perfect match, she was not mine to have. I let her go, to protect her, to make sure she would be happy. I sacrificed true love for her happiness being the Princess' Guardian and my selfishness to have a family.

As if loosing her was not punishment enough I lost my partner and mother of my son. I am not sure who I pissed off in the big house, but I try to be the best person possible to make amends. It was too late for me and my true love, but maybe since I paid so dearly my son will have that luck that people dream of their entire lives. Maybe he'll be able to be with his one true love.

I brushed those depressing thoughts aside and imagined what it would be like to have Roza on the back of the bike with me. Her holding onto me as her heavenly scent circled around us. Her silky gorgeous hair blowing in the wind, I imagined a few strands hitting me and sending chills up my spine. I loved her hair, it was gorgeous. The few times I got to hold it in my hands it was like heaven on earth. Pulling up to the store I sighed knowing I'd have to give up my thoughts of Roza until my workout tomorrow morning. Goodbye my sweet Roza, I'll see you again tomorrow. Man I was seriously a mental case if anyone could read my thoughts and hear me say goodbye to thoughts of my lost love, they would put me in a rubber room.

I walked into the store to complete my last day of work and begin my new life as a European Court Guardian.

After work I went home, checked on Zander, took a shower and dropped into bed exhausted. Sleep found me easily and my dreams, as normal, went to her. I woke up to a busy house; it was Zander's big day.

It was still pretty early and I didn't get as near enough sleep as I probably needed. I didn't usually sleep well since most of my dreams starred Roza, thus sleep was not restful for me. I heard my Mom, Yeva, sisters and Paul all downstairs, they were up early to get ready for the party. Zoya, Zander and Sophie were still asleep. Well not Zander anymore, I heard him come into my room.

"Daddy I am thwree today." He held up 3 fingers and jumped up and down on my bed.

I grabbed him and gave him a big hug. "Yes you are big boy. Now go brush your teeth, go potty and have Babushka give you some breakfast."

He gave me a little peck on my lips and ran off. I put on my workout clothes and went down to see the family and have breakfast with Zander.

My momma kissed me. "Good morning Dimka, ready for the big day?"

Zander stood up in his seat and did his cute little shake your booty dance. "Yay yay it's my birthday. I get presents yay yay!"

My momma scolded him. "Zander sit down and eat or you'll get sick moving around with a full stomach."

"Daddy what time is Uncle Christian, Aunt Lissa, Lexi and Annie getting hear?"

I hadn't told my family that I talked to Christian a few weeks ago and they weren't going to be able to make it to Zander's party. I gave him a sympathetic look. "Son they won't be able to come, I am sorry." He looked like he was on the verge of tears, his little chin quivered. "But they sent you lots of gifts and said as soon as we get settled they will come for an extra long visit."

I ruffled his hair and my answer cheered him up a bit. "Okay I see them soon." He shoved the rest of his bellini's in his mouth and finished his juice. "I am done time for my party?"

My sister Karolina laughed at him. "Sorry honey, but you have to wait awhile. You can go play with Paul until it's time okay?"

He ran and gave her a big hug. "Okay Auntie Kiki." He ran off. He had cute little names for all his family. Karolina was Kiki, Sonya Cici and Vikki he called Ikki, Zoya was Zizi, Yeva was Yevi, Sophie was Wewe and Paul was Paulpal. Vikki didn't like Ikki much, but Zander was so irresistible she let him call her that. But if anyone else did it she showed them what it was like to cross Viktoria Belikov.

Karolina shook her head and sighed. "Oh I am going to miss having his little bupkes around here everyday." Everyone looked sad and momma got tears in her eyes.

I gave her a hug. "Momma they are giving me a 3 bedroom apartment so you can come as much as you want. It's only 2 hours and I'll send you money for the train." I looked at everyone. "That goes for all of you, come as often as you'd like we'd love to have you."

Sonya who was the sister that tortured me decided to tease me. "Oh but Dimka what happens if you get a women and she won't want us around." She was kidding, but as soon as she said the words she instantly regretted them. "Dimka I am so sorry I didn't mean to upset you." She gave me a hug.

Viktoria who had no filter decided to speak what everyone was thinking. "Dimka it has been almost 4 years why don't you look her up and find her. You're single now and I am sure she'd love to hear from you." Viktoria waggled her eyebrows.

"Look Viktoria I've told you. I broke her, hurt her and she doesn't want to see me. Alberta and the Princess have asked me not to interfere in her life. She has finally moved on and I can't destroy her happiness. She means too much to me to hurt again." I looked away from them fighting tears; I stared out the kitchen window it had just started snowing.

Everyone was quiet, I went back to the table to finish my breakfast. I noticed Yeva out of the corner of my eye shaking her head at me.

She was mumbling something and I tried to ignore her. Yeva often told me to go to Roza and tell her how I felt, that we were meant to be together. I never listened to her and she was frustrated with me. Everyone sensing my uneasiness let the subject drop.

I went and did my workout starting with a run. I loved my runs they were the best part of my day. When I ran I felt the closest to Roza. During my run I rewarded myself, normally I squashed thoughts of Roza, but in my runs she was with me the whole time. I was such an addict, addicted to her. I was like my neighbour who struggled with a weight problem. As long as she ate good all day she would reward herself with dessert. This is what I did, I put my thoughts of Roza on the back burner and then during my workouts she was all I thought of. My neighbour being naïve always wondered why she never lost weight. Well I was not naïve I knew Roza was the only women for me and I would never love another. I didn't mind feeding my addiction to her since I didn't want anyone else and wouldn't even try for a relationship.

I came in and showered. Once done I went to check on Zander. Momma got him down for a nap before the party. She was definitely a miracle worker he would have never gone down for me; he was so amped for his party.

I feel bad Christian and the Princess can't make it, but I understood. Russia is a long haul for them and I know things were hard, they had to coordinate switching out Rose, and they had school, but still always insisted on coming to Zander and me. If I was a betting man I would say they didn't want me on the same continent as Roza. They were very protective of her and didn't want me near her, since I was the person who broke her. I put my head in my hands, why did I leave her?

No no no no I can't think that way and regret my son, he is my life. My Zander my baby boy. I can't believe he is three, he is growing up so fast.

Thinking back to Christian and Lissa I started to get worried. Maybe something was wrong with Rose and that's why they couldn't come. No I have to be positive, I have faith that if something was wrong with Roza I would feel it and Yeva would warn me. I just hoped that everyone was alright and Zander would get to see them soon.

I had told them I was going back to Guarding, but hadn't got my assignment yet and that I would call them when we got settled. They promised they would come for a nice long visit to make it up to their nephew. Even though technically they were cousins Tasha and Christian were so close he was by default an uncle, which made Lissa an aunt and the babies his cousins. The babies were so cute.

I finished getting ready, and then got Zander up so he wouldn't over sleep and be cranky for his party.

The party was fun and it was good to have the neighbours over and our close friends in Baia. I saw a group of women gossiping in the corner. Apparently I was the Baia bachelor to catch and they were discussing who had dibs. As much as this flattered me I saw no woman more than a friend. No one could compare to my Roza. I wouldn't even attempt a relationship just for casual purposes it wouldn't be fair to the woman. I ignored their whispers and talked with some Guardian friends who were home. Ivan and Simon like me were being assigned to the European Court; the new offensive magic program was the buzz.

It was time for cake. My Momma told Zander to make a wish and blow out his candles. He had a serious look on his face; his eyebrows were scrunched together in deep thought. He nodded to himself and a peaceful look came over his face and he blew out his candles. He looked very happy he was able to blow them all out; I wonder what he wished for?

We finished up the party. Zander and the kids played with his new toys. He got some clothes, but those did not interest him and my Momma put them away. I gave Zander a bath and we played with his new toys and then put them away. He was very neat and liked to keep his toys organized, he was so cute.

As I tucked him into bed he looked sad. "Daddy if I tell you my wish will it not come true?"

"Um I am not sure who told you that?"

"Zizi said if I tell my wish it will not come true."

Hmmmm I wanted to know his wish. "Zander, I am your Daddy you can tell me anything. Zoya was talking about telling everyone, what if you just tell me what you wished for and we will keep it secret."

"Okay Daddy." He clasped his hands together and got a very sweet look on his face. "Daddy I wished for a Mommy that can bake me cookies."

I must have looked very sad. "Daddy are you okay? You have your sad face on."

"Yes Zander I am okay." I was really not, I was devastated.

"I know I have a Mommy in heaven, but I want an everyday Mommy. One that will love me, read to me and make me cookies. Do you think I will get my wish?"

Oh god what do I say. I can't lie to him. "I am not sure Zander, but you have me, Babuska, Yevi and your aunts and cousins and we all love you so much."

"I love you too Daddy." He gave me a big hug and a kiss. I tucked him in and said goodnight.

I went downstairs to get some water. As I was drinking my glass of water and staring into the blizzard happening outside I allowed myself this time to think of Roza. I imagined what it would be like if she was mine again. She could be my wife and Zander's everyday Mom. Although I don't think Roza could make cookies, but Zander is so irresistible I am sure she would learn for him. She was so caring and selfless I know she would be a great Mom.

Trying to get my mind off my Roza I looked around for something to occupy my brain, but all I saw was the liquor cabinet. I hadn't had a drink since before Zander was born and hadn't even thought about having one until tonight. Today was extra hard and with Roza on my mind I was distraught knowing Zander's wish. I wanted to give him a Mommy, but the only women I could be with was Rose and I knew that was out of the question. If I contacted her I know Alberta would have my head and even though the Princess was a Moroi she was a strong one and not someone I would ever cross.

I finished my water and went to bed, not looking or thinking of the alcohol again. Mentally exhausted I fell asleep immediately and my dreams as usual all starred my Roza….

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