The next morning, I woke up to Bailey climbing into bed with me.
"Momma?" She whispered.
"Yeah baby?"
"Are you awake?" I chuckled.
"I am now." She wrapped her little arms around me.
"Whats wrong baby?"
"I had a bad dream." She murmured, burying her head into my chest.
"About what?" I asked, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I had a dream that the strigoi were after me." She whispered. I held her closer.
"Baby.. that's never gonna happen. I'll never ever let a strigoi near you. You know that." She looked up at me.
"Really?" I nodded.
"I'll protect you with my life… the same way I do Lissa." I heard the door open, and smiled.
"Speak of the devil." I said, as she came into my bedroom.
"Goodmorning you two." Her smile fell as she saw Bailey's face. This dream really had her scared.
"Whats wrong Bailey?" She asked, walking over and sitting on the bed next to us.
"I had a bad dream."
"About what?"
"Strigoi." She whispered. Lissa's eyes flew up to me.
"The attack yesterday freaked her out. She's okay." I held Bailey close.
"It'll be okay babe." I murmured. She nodded. I got up and dressed while Liss kept Bailey occupied. Once I was done, I walked out and to Bailey and Liss on the couch.
"So Liss… what are we doing today?"
"I've actually got a meeting about the ball with the Tatiana."
"Oh boy."
"Oh behave." She muttered. I smiled. Adrian knocked on the door. "Come in." I called. He walked in and smiled."Hey. Everything alright?" I nodded.
"Yeah, Everything's fine. Just getting ready to leave for work. You sure you don't mi-" Bailey cut me off by grabbing my arm.
"Mommy… No.. Don't leave me. Please."
"Baby… I'm not going to be that far, and Adrian will be here with you." She shook her head violently, not releasing her death grip on my arm.
"Mommy… Don't leave me." She wrapped her arms around me.
"Alright… Alright. You can come with me." I said. "Don't worry. Its okay." I was actually a bit afraid. She'd never acted like this before. Adrian looked worried and so did Liss. I just held her. I didn't know what to say to make it better, so I just promised I wouldn't leave her.
"Liss ..can she come with us? I don't think its safe to leave her." She nodded.
"Yeah, you can bring her. She's a quiet kid. She wont be to bad." Lissa said, smiling at her. I smiled as Bailey's face lightened ever so slightly. I hated that Bailey was scared. I hated not knowing what to do for her. I hated not knowing what to do to make her happy. Liss, Bailey, and I walked to Tatiana's throne room. The room that would soon be Lissa's throne room. I smiled at the thought of my best friend being queen. With Bailey in tow, we walked in. Tatiana looked surprised to see me, and see what I was towing with me. She'd never seen Bailey before.
"Guardian Hathaway… Princess Vasilisa, and who's this?"
"Tatiana, this is my daughter Bailey Hathaway." She smiled.
"Hello Bailey." She smiled up at Tatiana.
"Hello." She cooed.
"You favor both your mother and father equally. I see them both in you."
"You knew my daddy?" She asked. I looked up at Tatiana, and then she caught on.
"Yes ma'am. I did." Bailey smiled brighter. She loved hearing that the people she was around knew her father, even though she didn't know him herself.
"You wanted to see me Tatiana." Liss said.
"Yes ma'am. About this ball your throwing the day before your coronation, I want you to know that there will be a few new people coming. Some people I invited, and would like you too meet." Liss nodded.
"Also.. Our DJ said he'd be delighted to DJ you're masquerade ball." Liss smiled.
"Great. That means everything is perfect, and ready to go." Tatiana nodded.
"It will be a lot of fun. I just hope you will be able to behave appropriately." I didn't even have to be looking at her to know her eyes had flashed to me, and then back to Liss.
"You have my word. Thank you Tatiana." We turned to leave, but she called my name.
"Rose… Can I speak to you.. Alone for a moment." I nodded.
"Yes ma'am." I said. I turned to Liss. "Take her. Stay close please."
"I will." She said, before taking Bailey's hand and walking to the door. I turned back to Tatiana.
"I was correct right? Guardian Belikov is her father… right?" I nodded.
"Yes ma'am. Your right." She nodded.
"Does.. Does he know?" I shook my head.
"No. He doesn't deserve to know if you ask me. He had sex with me and abandoned me. If he wouldn't have disappeared back to Russia for no real reason… He'd be in his daughters life." Tatiana nodded.
"And your okay? Raising your daughter on your own?" I smiled.
"I'm fine. I have Liss and Christian, and Adrian helping me. Plus.. She's amazing. She doesn't give me much trouble. Except she gets into a lot of fights at daycare."
"Oh God.. Another Rose Hathaway." She said, mocking horror. I laughed.
"She's a good kid." Tatiana nodded.
"She seems like it. She's beautiful." I smiled.
"Thanks."
"Are you ready to take on the responsibility of guarding a queen Rose? You have a daughter. I would understand if you wanted to step down for a little while… Or until Bailey's in school." I shook my head.
"I can protect both of them. I know I have to step up my responsibility. I will. I love Liss and Bailey. I can protect them both equally." She nodded.
"Okay Rose." She said. I smiled and turned to walk away. I walked outside of the throne room to see Bailey and Liss standing against the wall. She raised an eyebrow.
"Everything okay?" I nodded.
"Everything's fine. She was just curious about Bailey." I said, pulling her into my side. She nodded, and smiled.
"Okay." We started back down the hall, towards her room. Adrian met us on the way there.
"Momma?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"Can.. Can we go swimming?" I sighed.
"You promised momma." I laughed."How could I deny that cute little face." I cooed, squeezing her cheeks. Adrian laughed.
"Mind if I join you?" Adrian asked. I snorted.
"It depends, will you be able to keep your hands to yourself?" He chuckled.
"I'll see what I can do." I rolled my eyes.
"Liss… Meet us at the pool. Kay?" She smiled, and nodded.
"Okay. Can Christian come too?" I chuckled.
"No.. Fireboy can't come." She frowned.
"Kidding. Only kidding Lissa." She nodded.
"I'll see you guys there." I took Bailey back to our room. I grabbed her bathing suit and helped her change. I quickly changed, and put on a bathing suit cover up before grabbing towels and taking Baileys hand. We got to the pool right after Christian and Lissa.
"Uncle Christian." Bailey squealed. I laughed as Bailey jumped into his arms.
"Hey sweetheart. How are you?" He said. It was funny that Christian only talked to two people like that. It was my daughter, and my best friend. It was cute. Adrian came in a few seconds behind Bailey and I. I smiled at him. He had on dark blue swim trunks and a white t-shirt. Christian walked over to me.
"Whats up Rose? Haven't seen you much." I shrugged.
"That works two ways bud." He laughed.
"Guess so. I've kind of missed you." I pushed him gently.
"Lies."
"Uncle Christian… Jump in with me." I narrowed my eyes at Christian as he smiled.
"You let my kid drown… you die." He nodded.
"Yes ma'am." He took her hand and led her to the deeper side of the pool.
"Rose… would you like a drink?" Adrian called as he walked to the bar.
"Soda?"
"And what?" He asked, wagging an eyebrow at me. I rolled my eyes.
"Surprise me." He nodded. Liss laughed as she edged her way in. I stood on the side, and watched as Christian took Baileys hand and bailed into the water. I held my breath as the broke the surface. Bailey's laughter filled the room, and I smiled. My baby's laughter was enough to make anyone smile. Adrian touched my shoulder as he handed me my drink.
"Should I be scared?"
"Nope. Its mom approved. I promise." I nodded.
"I trust you… kay?" He smiled and nodded. I took a sip of it, and it actually wasn't that bad. There was a sting to it.. But it wasn't so strong I'd be done with it and topple over. I smiled.
"Very good Ivashkov." He nodded.
"Your welcome." I kissed his cheek, and stripped the dress and walked over to the stairs of the pool. I heard Adrian's breathing stop behind me.
"Breath Adrian." I said, as I swam over to Bailey who Christian was holding above water. I grabbed her and spun her around. She giggled. I turned to see Adrian strip his t-shirt. I couldn't help but notice… the way I always had. He was gorgeous. There was no denying it. He caught me looking, and smiled.
"See something you like?" I laughed.
"Nope. I'm hoping you'll put your clothes back on." He frowned. He was standing by the edge of the pool, so I grabbed his hand and he fell into the water.
"I was just kidding." I said, as he came up. He was frowning.
"Rosemarie Hathaway.. That was not nice."
"And since when have I been a nice person?"
"Birth." Lissa interjected. I smiled.
"Thanks Liss." I said, hugging her. I released Bailey to play on the stairs. Even the most shallow part of the pool was almost above her neck, and I didn't like that, so I made her stay on the stairs unless there was someone to hold her. Christian and Liss were talking about the ball. Christian objected to having it, but when Liss wanted something… she got it.
"Please Christian? I want you to be my escort." She begged. She didn't have to use compulsion on him. All it took was a bat of those eyelashes, and he was caught.
"Oh God.. Fine." He muttered. She giggled, and kissed his lips gently.
"Thank you. I love you."
"Love you too." He grumbled.
"Rose… do-" I cut him off before he could get the question out.
"Adrian… You know I don't do dates. Plus.. I'll have Bailey."
"We can do a threesome." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." I giggled.
"I'll dance with you… yes, but as far as saying you're my date? No.. I want to fly solo.. Like always. You understand.. Right?" He nodded.
"I get it. Just promise me I get a few dances."
"Promise, Promise." He smiled.
"Uncle Adrian… Are you going to dance with me?" Bailey said, splashing in the water by the stairs.
"Of course I will beautiful."
"Bailey.. Your stealing him from me." She stuck her tongue out at me. I laughed.
"You'll get over it." She said. My jaw almost hit the bottom of the pool.
"Bailey Marie Hathaway… Where did you hear that from?" She looked at Adrian, and I turned my glare on him.
"Adrian Ivashkov.." I said. He put his hands up in surrender.
"I don't remember ever saying that.. Rose I'm sorry." I shook my head and turned back to Bailey.
"Sweetheart, don't say that to people. It isn't very nice. Mommy, and Adrian and Us are different, but other people… please don't." Bailey nodded.
"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry mommy." I nodded. We hung out at the pool for awhile, before getting out. As I helped Bailey out, and into a towel, I felt a towel being placed around my shoulders.
"Trust me." I gave him a confused look.
"Your way to tempting." He said, wagging his eyebrows at me. "I don't want to have to take advantage of you." I laughed.
"Whatever." I then pulled my cover up over my head, and around me.
"Better?"
"A little." He admitted. I laughed.
"Goodbye Adrian. Come on Bailey.. Lets go." She took my hand as we walked through the court. We both got showers, and changed into comfy clothes, before passing out on the couch watching Spongebob Squarepants.
