I was really bored today so I wrote this chapter.

This is my longest chapter. I always knew my chapters were short so I tried harder to lengthen this one. Anyway, I hope you like it.

PS: I can't remember if I mentioned this in the story so far but Lissa is the Moroi Queen, even if it doesn't seem like it.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Vampire Academy.

When It Comes Down To It Chapter 3

"Hathaway!" I spluttered. This guy couldn't be related to me, not that I could think if a reason why he couldn't be but it had to be impossible. Who could he be, my brother? I highly doubt it. My mom didn't want one kid to begin with...

"Oh man," Anton said, pulling me out of my rant. "I thought you knew." He sent an anxious glance at Peter.

I put my hands on my head and heaved a huge sigh. "Bryer, Cameryn. Why don't you go play over there?"

Bryer scampered away, meanwhile Cameryn opened her mouth to complain, but I efficiently halted her with a glare. They both knew not to mess with me when I sent them a glare, so I tried desperately to not use it around them.

When they were gone, I studied Anton. He was tallish with brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was kind of handsome. He reminded me of somebody. Who was it? I racked my brain, trying to remember.

Finally, I asked the question that I hoped would satisfy my curiosity. "Tell me, who are you?"

"Why don't I show who instead?"

"How can you show me who you are?" I replied coldly, looking him in the eye. I couldn't help but be defensive. A guy showing up and saying he was my relative was a bit suspicious. My mother would've told me, even if we aren't exactly on what people call speaking terms.

Anton raised an eyebrow, a task I have never acquired, almost emphasizing the fact we couldn't be related. "I have someone I want you to meet," Anton replied. "Come on."

I hesitated but I honestly don't think I had the need to be scared of Anton so I reluctantly followed. "My daughters are coming with me. Bryer! Cameryn!"

All four of us headed out, Anton in the lead. He swerved to the right heading to the guardian building. "Where are we going, Mommy?"

I was surprised to find that it was Bryer who had spoken. "I'm not sure, sweetheart. Why don't you ask Anton?" I attempted to mask the tightness in my voice, for my children's sake. I exhaled deeply, and then I realized I've been doing quite a bit of sighing within the past few days.

"Where are we going, Anton?" Bryer asked, turning to Anton.

Anton smiled at her and patted her head softly, "You'll see."

I wasn't really sure why but those actions just really got to me. I could feel my anger boiling over and I think I was about to blow my top. Scratch that, I am going to explode. "Why can't you just answer her! She's 4 years old! She doesn't need all this vagueness!" I felt like swearing and attacking him but managed – barely – to restrain myself.

Anton seemed surprised by this outburst so he quickly grabbed my wrists and held me tightly. I fought him, but by now I was an expert at fighting the darkness that came with spirit. I rapidly overcame it. I pushed Anton away. "I'm fine." Yeah, I thought, I was fine, but the darkness only came like that when Lissa was furious or terrified. I checked the bond and I was immediately sucked into her head.

"What do you mean you're here to check up on Rose!" Lissa screeched angrily, sending spittle into my mother's face. I felt a surge of pride towards Lissa. She wasn't one to yell often, except when she is pregnant.

My mother wiped the spit out of her face then proceeded to speak. "She's my daughter, Princess; I can do as I please. And don't get me wrong I've been observing Rose for a long time."

I couldn't help but feel unnerved by this statement and I could feel that Lissa felt the exact same way. Lissa narrowed her eyes. "The moment you left her, when she desperately needed you, you gave up the right to be called her mother. What gives you the right to stalk her?"

"I was not stalking her. I was simply keeping my eye on her."

Lissa's anger spiked. "It's the same thing! Rose doesn't need you, just leave her alone!"

I bit my lip, Lissa was getting really angry. I stiffened then sucked the darkness right out of her. And with that the fight seemed to go out of Lissa, she was still angry but she couldn't think of anything else to say.

Meanwhile, Janine had closed her eyes. She looked deep in thought. "Please Princess Vasilisa, let me speak to Rose, she needs to meet some people."

Lissa tensed. What if she said the wrong thing? Would Rose hate me if I said yes? What about if I said no? These thoughts flew through Lissa's head at a rate a thousand kilometres per minute. "You may talk to her Guardian Hathaway." I watched as my mother took out a cell phone and began an inaudible conversation. I took this as my cue to leave.

I pulled myself out of her head and came face to face with Cameryn. "Is Aunt Lissy okay?"

"She's fine." I was pretty sure that Janine wasn't going to hurt her. Even if she hated me, she would never hurt Lissa.

"If you're sure your fine, then let's go get my... friend, then we head off to the estate of Princess Vasilisa," Anton said. I looked at him and watched as he returned a cellphone into his back pocket.

Shortly after, we were in the guardian building and standing in front of a door. Anton raised his fist to the door and knocked lightly.

The door flew open and standing in front of me was a woman. She looked to be in her late twenties. She had straight blonde hair that fell just past her shoulders and big blue eyes. She was wearing a light green t-shirt and baggy shorts. "Hey, Anton. What brings you here?"

"Louise, this is Rose. We have to go, now." Anton answered.

"Okay, sure," she said. Louise stepped out of her room. "Oh, who are these little angels?" I followed Louise's gaze which stopped on the twins.

"I'm Cameryn and this is my twin sister Bryer." I held back a chuckle. Cameryn loved pointing out the fact that they were twins, even though it was obvious because they both looked alike.

"I love your names. I am called Louise, but you can call me Lou."

I nodded and continued on my way towards Lissa's house, remembering that they said this was our destination. On the way there, I looked back and forth between Anton and Lou. The two looked alike in facial features, not exactly the same hair and eye colour, but otherwise I would say that they are siblings.

"So, are you two brother and sister?" I eventually asked Anton. He didn't reply right away, so while I waited I watched as Bryer and Cameryn explained their life story to Lou. Lou listened patiently and I couldn't help but admire her. From what I've seen, she was nice, caring, and patient.

"Yes, we're siblings," Anton said.

"You're not much of a talker are you?" I said jokingly, but Anton only gave me a forced smile.

I frowned and sped up. I preferred listening to the others loud and unneeded chatter, then his quiet and uncomfortable silence.

We arrived home fairly quickly and during that time Lou had learned almost all the things you would need to know about the twins, actually it was mostly just Cameryn's life story that Louise had learned about.

I unlocked the door and nearly ran into Lissa. Lissa's eyes widened when she saw the two other dhampirs so Christian stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

"Its fine, Liss. This is Anton and Louise." I told her, but she didn't seem perturbed that there were strangers in her house. She only seemed adamant to tell me one thing, Janine is here.

I nodded and readied myself for an argument. "Girls, go upstairs and clean your rooms, please." I followed the order with a glare, to ensure their agreement. As I watched as they climbed the stairs, I heard a small cough. Turning to find the origin of the cough, I came face to face with my mother.

She gave me a smile and for once she actually looked apologetic. "Can I talk to you in private?"

"Fine." I replied against my better judgement.

I followed her into the front room. The room was one of my favourite. The furniture was fresh and crisp and the room had a good source of light even if I was usually sleeping whenever the sun was out.

"I'm sorry, Rose. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Why should I forgive you? You pushed me away. I had actually thought you might have helped me."

"Please, just hear me out, I did what I did because I was just so upset that you would throw away your whole career as a guardian to become a bloodwhore. I thought you were going to live up to the Hathaway name."

I opened my mouth then snapped it shut. "What do you mean?"

"My mother is strict. She thinks that being a guardian is for the men and that all female dhampirs are to be bloodwhores. I refused, so she disowned me. My sister meanwhile agreed to my mother's wishes. She gave birth to Louise and then Anton. When I was pregnant, my mother wanted me back thinking that I had given up the life of a guardian. I refused to listen to her yet again and gave birth to you. I cut off all ties from my family, including my sister and niece and nephew for your sake. I didn't you to be like them."

"If you cut off all ties, how come Louise and Anton are here?"

My mother smiled. "Louise contacted me after her graduation. She had become a guardian as well. So, I took her under my wing. I was upset with you when you were pregnant because it reminded me so much of my sister. She hadn't wanted to become what she is now. Amber had wanted to be a guardian, but she refused to disappoint our mother."

I looked away. I almost felt bad for my mother. But, I couldn't believe it had taken her this long to tell me why she did what she did. I shrugged. "Do you miss your sister?" I asked.

My mother smiled, not a happy one. "Yes, I've been trying to contact her."

I leaned back into my chair and looked my mother in the eye. "I forgive you, as long as you promise to be a part of the girl's lives."

Janine smiled. "Of course. I had always hoped to have grandchildren."

I returned her smile and then stood up. "I'm going to go catch up with my cousins. Your grandchildren are upstairs cleaning their room." With that I left my mother standing in the room to check on Lissa. I was worried the darkness from her argument with my mother would affect her, especially with her pregnant and all.

Although, I don't think I had anything to worry about because when I walked into the kitchen Lissa was chatting up a storm with Louise and Anton. Christian was nearby, sticking a pan of chicken into the oven.

"I see you've met my cousins, Liss," I said as I approached them.

"Oh, yeah sure," Lissa said quickly, too quickly.

"When did you meet them?" I asked.

Lissa's face turned red. "I'm sorry Rose. But I talked to them on the phone yesterday so I sort of knew they were coming and..."

I laughed. Lissa was nervous, afraid that I would be mad. "It's okay. I can't be mad at you." I turned around and looked at Anton. "Is that why you thought I would know?"

He just nodded and then turned his attention to the brightening sky. "We should be getting back. I have an early shift tomorrow morning." None of us really had a chance to reply because by the time he had finished speaking he was already out the door.

"I guess I should be going too. See you later." Lou added then she too left.

As the front door closed, the oven door was opening. "Rose, go and fetch the twins would you?" Christian ordered. The words had been phrased as a question, but it was more like an order.

"Bryer! Cameryn! Mom! It's time for supper!" I shouted, just to annoy Christian. He seemed to hate when I yelled.

We didn't have to wait long before all three were in the doorway ready to shove their faces with food. We ate dinner in silence, except for the occasional cough or sneeze.

My mom left for home soon after and Brett arrived. He had taken the day off. Brett looked exhausted but I was too tired to care. Shortly after supper, all of us went to bed.

I couldn't think of a better way to end the chapter so I just ended it there.

Do you like it? If you have any suggestions I want to hear (actually, read them but same thing) them. I will take them into consideration, no promises they will make it into the story though.