A/N

Hey, guys! You all are the absolute best! This story was originally meant as a surprise for my friend/beta Mitrioselove, it was supposed to be a oneshot but boy am I glad I continued! You all continue to blow me away with your response! Thanks so very much for all the follows, favourites and most of all the reviews! Much love to my guess reviewers, you guys are amazing!

To my beta who I'm sure is pissed at me after this chapter, I still love you, J thank you so much for all the work you put in to my stories, I suppose you just have to trust me, huh? No worries, I'll make it up to you.

How many times do I need to say it? I don't own VA, it belongs to the talented Ritchelle Mead.

In The Rain.

Chapter 4.

Lissa looked at her reflection in the mirror for what had to be the thousandth time. Standing in her old room she could almost imagine that she still lived here key word being imagine. Her mind was able to make believe, to go back to the way things use to be. Her parents were great, they had always been and she held them up on a pedestal but moving out had opened up her eyes and she had gained independence. She had needed it, no matter how hard it had been.

Her parents treated her like a princess and in a way she was just that. The Dragomirs was among twelve of the richest most powerful families and while most of these people flaunted their wealth and power around in people's faces, The Dragomirs were not like that. They chose to help people instead. Even the Ivashkovs flaunted their money.

Hell, Adrian's father and great aunt had to be the worse and Adrian himself was heading down that road. Lissa had feared that he would follow down the same road. Adrian had been so good as a child, growing up he was nothing but sweet and caring. With age though he was becoming greedy and needy, something Lissa had hated. That is, until he met Rose and her friends back in high school.

Rose had changed him in a way that only she could. That was the thing about Rose, she always brought out the best in people. She'd brought fire to his life and showed him that cheating wasn't cool. He was still a party boy, that would never change but he had also settled down. Rose Hathaway was the light of his life he would do anything for that woman. This was why Lissa needed to get going. Messing this up was not an option. She smoothed her hands over her dress, applied a bit of her favorite glittery pink lip gloss and headed out the door and down the stairs.

Downstairs, wonderful smells greeted her and she had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. Hired decorators worked quickly beside the Dragomirs housekeepers moving as fast as vampires on crack as they added the finishing touches to the living room and dining room. Everything looked perfect. Lissa knew her parents were working in the kitchen they had always loved cooking together and when Lissa had asked them about it they had said something about it being something they did as a bonding method. Back then she had scoffed at it but now being in a relationship with a man whom she could not imagine life without, she understood. She understood the need to want to keep the sparks flying and she often found herself in the kitchen beside Christian making dinner or breakfast. Not that she was the best at it, but Christian had been teaching her a lot. She was about to head to the kitchen to tell her parents she was leaving when the door opened bringing in a blast of the chilly Montana Air.

"Aunty Issa!" Her almost two year old niece screamed and broke free of her mother's grip and flew at her practically jumping up and down her chubby arms waving in the air enthusiastically until Lissa picked her up. The little girl giggled and planted kisses all over her aunt's cheeks.

"Hi there Rey." Lissa said with a giggle of her own. Her full name was Areya close to her parent's names, Andre and Andrea but Lissa had called her Rey from day one and now, so did everyone else, along with Reya and Rey-rey. The little girl loved all her nicknames, and Lissa had enjoyed making the girl happy. Her brother walked up to her and wrapped her in a bone crushing hug not caring that she was holding his daughter. His wife followed and from their interaction one would think they never saw each other when in all actuality Andre didn't live far. They saw each other on a regular bases both because he worked at guardian HQ and because the Dragomirs had always been very family oriented.

Lissa walked with them into the kitchen and then she handed Areya over to her mother knowing what was about to come but it had to be done. Areya's bottom lip stuck out in a pout and tears filled her jade green eyes. Areya's eyes were different in that it was not complete jade. It was also flecked with the brownish gold colour of her mother's eyes.

"I have to go," Lissa said. "I have to go pick up Rose, Adrian and Christian for dinner." She also had to do something else her eyes flew to her phone as she looked at the time and nearly swore.

"But it's still a bit early Liss." Andre said and Andrea nodded.

"I know but you know, with the holidays and all the roads will be a bit busy and you know Rose, she won't be late for anything if there's food involved…" Andre grinned and Andrea laughed out right. Her lie had worked, though it was far from the truth.

That whole thing about the roads being busy because of the holidays was bullshit. The apartment complex was not very far from the Dragomir house but Lissa was going further than that and time was ticking. She could not waste another second of her time. The thing about Rose and food though, yeah that was as true as saying the sky was blue, something they all knew well.

"We'll see you later dear. Go on." Her mother said smiling. Even her father's eyes seemed to twinkle with anticipation. Lissa shot her family a smile and turned to head out the kitchen but not before her mother caught her gaze. Her gaze seemed to say that she was telling Andre and the rest of the family what was to go down later that night. Lissa nodded and walked out.

"Aunty Iss! I come? Pease?" That little girl was too cute for her own good.

"Areya!" Her mother admonished from the kitchen doorway, "Come here baby you can't go with aunty Liss."

"Why mama? I go with aunty Iss." Lissa's heart ached in her chest. The girl was right. She went everywhere with her aunt. Lissa crouched in front of the tiny toddler.

"Rey rey, you can't go because this is very important. I will be back very soon but you have to let me go now, ok?"

"Ok." Areya said looking dejected. Lissa kissed her forehead and stood to leave. Andrea shot her an apologetic smile mouthing the words 'she didn't have a nap today'. Lissa shook her head, shot the older woman a smile and practically flew out the door and down the few porch steps before anyone else could stop her.

Austin cursed as he waited impatiently inside the store. He should have been closing up but no, apparently someone could not wait to get something in the dam store but they were fucking late. If he had things his way, he would close up. To fuck with whomever this mysterious client was. It was not his responsibility to sit here and wait for them. No, he had a life to and while it may revolve around this store, his family was far more important. Sitting here doing nothing was pissing him off more than he cared to admit. When the mysterious client showed up though, he was glad he'd waited. Not only was she pretty, but she had just given him enough money to pay off the debts on his house. The house he would have had to vacate soon.

Rose paced a track back and forth in front of the apartment complex as she waited for Lissa. The pacing was both a way to work off some of her agitation and keep warm. The dam mountain air was cold as fuck and really Rose was contemplating going right back inside of her apartment to meet Adrian. She had asked ok, she had more like demanded that he get her some hot chocolate and being the loving man he was he'd done it without argument. Didn't matter that he had to climb back up the stairs, he wanted to make her happy, and Rose knew how to use that to her advantage. An ache built in her chest but she pushed it aside shaking her head. She tugged the fuzzy forest green parka tighter around herself just in time to see Lissa's shiny white Volkswagen beetle with a daisy decal pull up to the curve.

Lissa opened the door for her friend and the sight before her was certainly one to behold. Rose stood there, snowflakes clinging to her long dark mane, cheeks and nose as red as cherries, and wearing a black and white sweater dress but over it a fuzzy parker as green as the Montana forest in spring. A giggle bubbled up and passed her lips before she could stop it. Rose glared wasting no time hopping in the passenger seat and slamming the door shut. Lissa laughed again before calming down.

"Where's Adrian?" She asked just noticing that he was not there.

"Making me hot chocolate," Rose said leaning forward and cranking up the heat a few notches. She rubbed her hands together and shot Lissa another glare. "You know, this is all your fault." She growled. Rose, although she loved the snow, hated being cold.

"This is my fault?" Lissa asked disbelievingly. "How on God's green earth is this my fault? I didn't tell you to wait outside of the building. You could've waited in the lobby, you know. I would have just called you when I got here."

"God, Liss why do you have to be so reasonable and logical?" Rose asked. "It's your dam fault, ok? Don't question why!" Lissa smiled knowing that Rose just wanted someone to blame because Rose Hathaway would never admit that anything could ever be her fault.

"Whatever," She said rolling her eyes and honking the horn while simultaneously flashing the lights.

"Where the hell is your…Never mind, there he is finally." Adrian came flying toward the car two steaming mugs of hot chocolate balanced in each hand.

"Hey cousin," He said opening the back door and holding out a mug to her. Lissa grinned and took the mug from his hand. Rose opened the door and climbed in the back beside her boyfriend leaving the passenger seat empty for Christian. She wasn't in the mood to fight over the seat, not today at least.

"Liss, where's Fireboy?" Rose asked taking her mug from Adrian.

Lissa took a nice long sip from her mug before saying: "At Tasha's. We're heading there now." In her rear-view mirror, Lissa caught the smile that came over both Rose's and Adrian's faces.

"She makes some of the best cookies." Rose said as they pulled onto the road leading to Tasha's place.

"And, she always has Margaritas on hand." Adrian said smirking. He would only care about that, Lissa thought while letting out a sigh. She had really hoped being with Rose would stop the drinking.

"We have no time to spare you guys." Lissa said rolling her eyes again. She was met with glares and then the car went silent except for the Christmas music coming through the speakers of the radio. Understanding dawned when they pulled up to Tasha's house.

Raven hair pulled back in a high yet tight ponytail blew wildly in the freezing air as Tasha took off in a jog toward the shiny white car Christian hot on her heels. They both carried trays of what Lissa suspected was cookies and Adrian's margaritas. Lissa rolled her eyes but smiled fondly and opened the door. Christian hopped in the car much like Rose had and nearly closed the door in Tasha's face.

"Happy holidays Tasha," Lissa said smiling. The others in the back muttered something along the lines with their mouths full. Tasha smiled and returned the sentiment.

"Are you sure you won't come, Aunt Tasha?" Tasha shook her head, but kept a smile on her pretty face.

"You know Christian, while it's really sweet that you worry about me, it can get really annoying." Tasha's face was blank then, completely stoic as she said those words but her ice blue eyes much like Christian's sparkled with mischief.

"Ha, whatever you know you love me for it." Christian said his trade mark smirk fully in place. Lissa rolled her eyes.

"Hey would you guys just shut up about it already? Tasha, you coming or not? I want food!" Rose's sudden outburst was in no way unusual and it made everyone laugh. When they had all sobered Lissa looked at Tasha who still wore a smile on her pretty face.

"Why don't you come along," She said. "My parents won't mind." Tasha shook her head.

"I'm sorry you guys, I would love to but…"

"Good, then please for all that's holy get in the dam car!"

"I wasn't finished, Rose. While I would love to come, I have to go see Ethan, and…" Tasha stopped, took a deep breath and continued in a stronger voice. "Then I have to go visit Ashlia in the shelter." Every single head nodded in understanding.

Ethan was Tasha's dead boyfriend. Rumor had it that they were very much in love but Ethan had met an untimely gruesome death in the line of duty. You wouldn't guess what his line of duty was, yeah, that's right, Ethan Moar was a guardian. He died while trying to save his charge Sonya Karp a wealthy young woman who was very distraught by his death but she was very grateful to him. And as faith would have it, Tasha was now this woman's guardian along with guardian Stevenson because while Sonya was not as wealthy as others and did not need two guardians, Tasha was far wealthier. She was an Ozera, one of the top ranking families and Stevenson was there more for her protection than Sonya's.

Ashlia on the other hand was a beautiful little girl who Tasha was planning on adopting since Tasha had found out only recently that she could not have children. She had been in an accident and many had thought that she was fine say for a purplish scar on her left cheek, but they couldn't be more wrong.

Unknown to Tasha and Ethen, Tasha was pregnant at the time of the accident. She of course lost the baby but the scar tissue in her abdomen was too extensive thus she couldn't have children. She was very close to finally calling Ashlia her daughter though. In about a week or so Ashlia would have a new place to call home and she would be safe at guardian HQ's day-care centre while her mother was at work. With a final wave at Tasha who was heading to her car Lissa pulled back out onto the road and headed for the Dragomir Manor.

"Oh god, aunt Rhea, dinner was amazing." Rose said patting her full belly. She was sprawled on the couch her head resting on Adrian's shoulder while his arms was wrapped around her waist. Everyone chuckled and muttered complements along those lines while Rhea brushed off the compliments.

"Hey Rosie, she didn't cook by herself, you know." Eric Chimed in Andre and Andrea nodded. Rose groaned and snuggled further into Adrian's side.

"Fine, you guys did a great job," She grumbled. "Ug it hurts, Adrian."

"Little flower," Adrian declared. "No one told you to eat so much." Even before he had finished speaking he was rubbing soothing circles on her belly.

"Dessert, anyone?" Andre asked walking out from the kitchen. Rose and Areya both cheered. Everyone else nodded and shot Rose strange looks.

"What," She asked innocently. "I work out."

Some time later while the New Year's Eve party was in full swing. Rose had been having a great time. She loved parties here. It was why she always came. That and the company was amazing. She never thought anything could go wrong here. It was in a way her save haven. But something was about to ruin her mood. Rose caught sight of a brown duster.

Her heart stopped.

She couldn't breathe.

Dimitri was here. Some part of her was pissed at Lissa but another part of her was thrilled. Besides, it was not like Lissa knew about what had happened with her and Dimitri. If she had, she would not have invited him. Lissa in no way would ever encourage what Rose had done. If anything she would have demanded for her to come clean, and if she did not she would do so for her. The thought made her chest ache. As did looking at Dimitri.

Dimitri was standing across the room his arm draped over the shoulders of that new recruit. Rose couldn't remember the girl's first name but she knew that she was Guardian Belikova. That green eyed monster who often reared it's ugly head whenever Dimitri was in close proximity to anyone of the opposite sex reared it's ugly head now and Rose growled. Mine! He is fucking mine! He had to be with the way he held her and made her feel before. She shook her head and ignored that voice in her head. She could not do this, not here and not now. Maybe not ever.

What the hell was wrong with her? Dimitri was not hers. Sure they had fucked like animals but that did not make him hers. And just because they had been working together for the past few weeks did not make him hers nor did the fact that it was becoming harder and harder to avoid jumping him during training. Rose wanted to slap herself; she should not be feeling like this toward Dimitri. Not when she had a boyfriend whom she loved. Adrian made her happy. She would give her life up for his in a heartbeat if it came down to it. The fact that the girl Dimitri currently stood with was pretty was not helping any.

Her brown hair fell in natural loose curls around her shoulders and down her back, she wore a green strapless dress and silver strappy heels. A light jacket was draped over her shoulders. The fact that the dress was strapless made Rose wonder if she wasn't cold until she remembered where she was from, Russia. Familiar brown eyes twinkled as she and Dimitri talked with another new recruit, but Rose couldn't for the life of her understand why those eyes were so familiar. Dimitri and Ms. Barbie doll were talking to a guy Rose had never seen before but one thing was for sure, whoever this guy was, he was hot. Rose was about to go over there and punch Ms Barbie doll but Adrian's voice on the mike stopped her dead in her tracks.

He dedicated a song to her and Rose caught Dimitri's eyes on her for only a second before she was pulled into Adrian's arms and swept out on the dance floor. She couldn't help the spike of anger that shot through her at his interruption but it soon dissipated as the smell of Adrian's cologne surrounded her wrapping her up in a blanket of bliss promising that all was right in the world. Even Dimitri was forgotten as they moved together in that familiar way. It was moments like this that made her remember why she was with Adrian.

They fit so well together. Every move in perfect synchronization. They were graceful and those closest to them all had smiles on their faces. Rose closed her eyes and laid her head against her boyfriend's chest letting his heart beat wash over her. Adrian whispered sweet nothings in her ear and Rose's heart beat instantly picked up. Sparks erupted as his arms went tighter around her waist bringing their bodies closer. Everything faded to background noise. And then it was over.

"Come outside with me love." Adrian whispered. A knowing twinkle in his eyes.

Rose shivered when his lips grazed her ear but she nodded and allowed him to lead her out to the Dragomir's back porch. She had thought they were just going out on the porch but when he led her down the stairs and to the pool her smile grew. It was always beautiful out here at night, but not only that, his arm around her waist felt familiar and in that moment, she hadn't cheated on Adrian, and she didn't want to jump Dimitri's bones whenever she was close to him. No, just then there were just them and their love surrounding them.

Outside, the night was beautiful. Christmas lights twinkled brightly in all different colors making the falling snow sparkle. Despite the darkness of the night, Rose could make out a few stars scattered in the sky. The moment was truly romantic and for the first time since she'd cheated on her boyfriend, Rose felt at peace. Gone was the need to get away from Adrian and in it's absence that feeling that he was made for her. Adrian's lips crashed down on hers as she sat on his lap in one of the chairs surrounding the pool. A small moan slipped passed her lips as his hands slid under her dress massaging her thigh but not going further.

"Adrian," She groaned. "Don't tease." He pulled away entirely and shot her a smirk. Then he stood with her still clinging to him. For a split second Rose thought he was going to throw her straight into the freezing water of the pool but when he set her down on her feet she was utterly confused.

Adrian glanced down at the beautiful exotic princess standing before him. Instantly, his nerves disappeared. She was his. He was doing the right thing here. With a silent prayer to whoever was listening, he walked further in front of her and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Little flower, I love you for everything that you say and do. I love you for the happiness I feel when you are beside me. I love you because when you are near, the whole world is meaningful." Adrian watched as Rose's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. He hated seeing them there even if they were happy ones. God he hoped they were happy ones. He fell to his knees in front of her keeping his eyes locked on hers the whole time. "I don't want to live my life without you so will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

For a long time, nothing happened. Rose just stood there staring at him. His heart pounded in his chest. Had he read the signs wrong? Was he pushing her too far? He knew that she loved him but did she even want to get married? God he felt like an asshole.

"Yes," Her voice was so soft that Adrian thought he'd imagined it.

"Yes?" He asked dumbfounded.

"Yes, Adrian I'll marry you!" Rose screamed jumping into his arms. Her cheeks were wet with tears but that didn't matter. He slipped the ring on her finger and grinned.

"It's beautiful." Rose gasped. Adrian lifted her off the ground and spun her around in the air. Her giggles filled the night warming his heart. Their lips met at the exact moment the fireworks started.

A/N

Ooh! A wedding? Has Rose really made up her mind? Is that seriously what she wants? I thought she wanted the Russian? Before you guys start, keep in mind that the story isn't over yet. Oh no, it's only just getting started. So what do you guys think will happen next? You want to know who Rose ends up with don't you? Well then, review lovelies and Dimitri/Adrian will buy you a ring… ;)

XX

Roza