Chapter Seven

I stood in front of my wardrobe for about twenty minutes wondering what would be deemed 'appropriate' to wear to a meeting with my mother – a meeting that could result in the very real possibility of Dimitri's death. Why Dimitri would chose now to tell my mom about us, I have absolutely no clue. Waiting a few more months wouldn't kill him, exactly the opposite actually.

Sighing, I picked up my favourite pair of jeans and a red T-shirt. The weather had taken a turn for the better bringing with it unseasonably warm temperatures that were a far cry from the usually chilly Montana spring – summer was truly on its way. I only had about fifteen minutes left before I was due to meet my mom and Dimitri. After a quick blow dry and sliding some shoes on I pocketed my keys and made my way to the gym where Dimitri had planned to meet my mom.

I still wasn't completely convinced that right now was the best time to tell my mother about us. We'd have so many other opportunities to tell my mom, my birthday being one of them. But I trusted Dimitri and his decision. And truth be told the Russian was right about one thing – it would best that my mom heard the news from us. I couldn't even begin to imagine how furious Janine would be if she'd found out about our relationship through the rumor mill. Not that my mom paid much attention to gossip anyway.

My depth of thought had prevented me from realizing how incredibly empty the grounds were. The Academy still hadn't reverted back to the usual nocturnal schedule. After the attack everyone thought it would be best if students were indoors during the 'waking hours' when Strigoi were most likely to attack. This meant that everyone – both Moroi and Dhampir – had to follow the human schedule. Most of the Moroi were understandably annoyed by this while the Dhamps welcomed the change. But even with the heightened security and daytime schedule in place many people still felt that St. Vlad's was still in risk of another attack.

I continued my way to the gym – feeling my heartbeat increase with each step that brought me closer to the inevitable confrontation with my mother. Breathing deeply, trying to calm my fraying nerves, I thought about how close Dimitri and I were to our happily ever after, how happy I was that I'd finally been able to tell Lissa about everything and how in a few short months I'd be a Guardian. All of these things were reasons why I should be one of the happiest people alive, even despite the tragic circumstances of the attack. There was just this one obstacle left in my path to complete and utter happiness.

The entrance to the gym was just up ahead and before I made my way inside, I stop at the door and close my eyes as a last ditch effort to calm myself down and to slip the Guardian mask into place.

"Rose?"

I quickly turn around towards the sound of the voice, only to see my mother looking up at me like I'd grown a third eye. "What are you doing here? Your training session was cancelled today," she said to me.

I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond, "Oh yeah, I know. Dimitri told me."

My mom raised an eyebrow – was I seriously the only freaking person left in this place who couldn't do that? – "So what are you doing here?"

"Umm… I'm here to talk to you," I said nervously.

My mom looked at me expectantly for a few seconds before realizing that I had nothing more to say. "Well, can we talk about it later? I have a meeting with Guardian Belikov right now."

This woman was killing me. How was I supposed to tell her that the reason she was having the meeting in the first place was because of me? Looking nervously down at my feet, I tried to think of a way to tell my mom that I was going to be part of this meeting.

"Yeah, I know. Dimitri invited me along," I said – it wasn't a complete lie. He really had invited me, just not for the reasons she might think.

"Rose," my mother sighed in exasperation,"what did you do this time?"

It was an expected reaction, the only times that my mom had ever needed come into contact with the Academy was when I'd done something wrong. Like the time I dyed the school's swimming pool purple or when Lissa and I had run away.

"Mom, it's seriously not what you think," I told her calmly.

On the outside I was trying to be the epitome cool and collected, inside I was falling apart like the nervous wreck I actually was. She looked at me doubtfully still probably unconvinced that I wasn't in any major trouble. Heck, if I was in her place and had a daughter like me, I would be suspicious of me too. My mom made her way inside the gym while I followed along blindly. I could already feel myself losing the battle to stay calm and keep the Guardian mask in place.

Dimitri was already inside, seated gracefully among the bleachers, with one of his beloved Westerns in his hands. Hearing our approach, he set the book down and stood to greet my mother with a hand shake and a nod of acknowledgement towards me. We shared a knowing look before I broke the gaze, looking back down at my feet. My shoes had suddenly become the most interesting things to look at lately.

"Guardian Hathaway, thank you for taking the time to meet with me," Dimitri said courteously. He truly was a gentleman.

"No need for formalities here, Belikov. Just tell me straight, what has Rose done this time?" My mom replied as we sat on the bleachers.

I tried to look appalled and promptly failed. Admittedly, my mom had every reason to think that I really had done something wrong. And depending on how you looked at it, I guess I kinda did – seducing my hot, older mentor could count as being 'wrong'.

"Janine, I promise you that Rose has done nothing wrong," Dimitri said earnestly," to tell you the truth, it is actually me who is in the wrong."

My mom looked between the two of us, trying to figure out what exactly was happening here. It was in that moment that I decided to swallow my fear and man up, figuratively speaking of course.

"Mom, we have something we need to tell you. You have to promise to listen to everything we have to say before you start throwing punches. And please, please, please remember that I love you very much," I said in one big rush.

My mother continued to look between the two of us before finally setting her gaze towards Dimitri. It was his turn now. Taking a deep breath Dimitri said one of the most terrifying things you could ever possibly say to Janine Hathaway:

"I am deeply in love with your daughter."

I swear on my life, the world stopped moving after he uttered those words.


A big hello to anyone still reading this story!

I know it's been forever since I last updated and I apologize for that. But since my school year is basically over now, I'll have plenty of time to update more often.

I wish that this chapter could have been longer but this is just a kick start to what I have planned. And to be honest, I really have no clue how I want Janine to react to the news… angry, happy, homicidal? Absolutely no clue. So please leave me review or PM me on how you think Janine should react.

Hugs and Russian Vodka,

uncomplicatedButterFLY.