A/N: I am so neglecting my other stories at the moment. But I just can't help it! I'm having so much fun working on this one! : D I'm seriously amazed with all of the responses I'm getting for this. I'm just as excited for new chapters as you guys are, except I'm the one who has to actually write them! lol

Okay so back to business, this chapter has three POV's: Adrian, Sydney, and Rose.

I really don't know where I'm going with this whole Adrian & Sydney thing. So if it gets too weird I'll just remove their POVs from the story and focus back on the main couple.

Also if you want it mentioned in the story, do you guys have any ideas for the hunting trip conversation Abe and Dimitri had and what threats Janine would of told to Dimitri about dating Rose? I'm kind of stumped on ideas in that department.

Lastly, towards the end of this chapter there's a few drops of lemon. Or rather you could see it as more of a suggestively sour scene. But just to be safe, I marked it anyway.

Enjoy.


APOV

I woke up having the most awful hangover of my life. My body aches with soreness all over and I can feel shadows in the back of my mind flicker about like a broken street lamp. What the hell happened to me last night? I mentally hear myself groan in annoyance. This has become my usual morning routine. I wake up feeling like shit, slightly fucked up with darkness and completely confused as to where I am.

I take a deep breath before opening my eyes but immediately regret my action as I'm suddenly blinded by bright light. I groan aloud squinting my eyes as I sit up in bed. But my bed, I notice, is shaped like an "L"? Oh shit! I tear my eyes wide open to find myself sitting in a hospital room and clad in only a loose gown. This can't be good.

"Oh good you're awake." I here a familiar voice say. I crane my neck to the left to see my guardians Paul and Dan leaning up against the wall. This is just great. I really don't need Tweedledee and Tweedledum riding my ass right now.

I swallow hard and feel my eyes start to water from how unbelievable sore my throat is. I must of gone too far last night with drinking because I can't remember a thing.

I glare at my guardians in disgust. They must of brought me here when I most likely pasted out somewhere. I should be grateful for their help but I'm not.

You see, when I left the royal court three months ago, I didn't let anyone know where I was going. I simply just left. And of course that plan was short lived. My parents flipped out as usual and sent two guardians to find me. When they did, I not so pleasantly explained to them that I didn't need their services. I wanted to be alone.

And as always they ignored me and phoned the parentals to inform them of my capture. I had a gentle talk with my mother shortly after, letting her know in the most subtle way that I was not going back home anytime soon. I remember hearing my dad angrily shouting in the background. Mumbling on about how much of a failure I am and that they should cut me off. Mom of course started to overreact from his words and so I compromised with them that I'd let Dumb and Dumber stalk me, so long as they didn't interfere with my 'vacation time' and that I'd go back to college in the spring. They calmed down after that but I knew dad was still simmering.

He knew very well that the likelihood of me coming back home and return back to school was a far-fetched fantasy that just wasn't going to happen. Even if I did consent to it verbally.

My life wasn't going anywhere and I didn't see how college or watching my ex-girlfriend slobber over her recycled love toy was going to make things better.

The guardians assigned to me were a real pain in the ass. Once they had initially found me, completely sloshed and tumbling the streets of Prague, they or more like Guardian Dan Livingston, started to repetitively lecture me about returning back home.

I could tell right from the first words that dripped out of his scarred mouth, that the jerk was a hard ass. Very much like another dick I've recently come to hate. Rationality. But I'm not too worried about him nowadays. My babe Vodka slapped him quite nicely with a restraining order. Yeah we don't catch much sight of him lurching around anymore.

Despite my 'agreement' with the parents, my guardians still seemed pretty god damn obsessed with dragging me back home. They would stand by my side like we were joined at the hip, never keeping too much distance between me and my wreckless yet miraculous agenda. I was constantly watched like a hawk and I immensely disliked knowing the fact that they were around even though at times it seemed they weren't there.

But I knew they were. Taking breaks now and then to undoubtedly give the parentals daily updates about my whereabouts and that fact pissed me off to no end. Why the fuck does a grown man need babysitters?

So after the first month, I started to mess around with them. Using compulsion and charms to stall them as I fled from country after country trying to find some peace and quiet and practically desperate to disappear from their radar. And as always, just when I think I'd finally found some alone time for myself, they'd freaking show up.

So that leads us back to right now. I'm trapped in a hospital room with none other than 'Guardian Jackass' and his humble sidekick 'Dipshit'.

"So ladies what brings you to my neck of the woods? Did you miss me that much?" I snap at them.

Paul glares at me as Dan leans off the wall, "You almost killed yourself last night." he dryly states.

"Straight to business huh. Where's your manners? Aren't you going to ask me how I'm feeling first?"

"You had alcohol poisoning and had to get your stomach pumped..." Dan continues to berate me completely ignoring my comments. That doesn't brighten my mood one bit but at least I now know why my throat is so sore.

"You're in a pissy mood today Danny Boy. Did Paulie over there not remove the stick from your ass last night, or do you prefer having it there?"

You could see a flash of anger burn in his eyes before he hid it away with a stone mask.

"Enough with the games Adrian." Paul snaps as he leans off the wall too.

Ah, now it's getting interesting, "Oh did I say something wrong, Paulie? It's okay, you can go feel your man up for comfort. Your secrete's safe with me."

"You little shit!" he shouts lunging for me, but Dan stops him. I'm surprised Paul is even a guardian. He's way too temperamental, but at least he keeps me entertained which my quick wit and snarky charm finds themselves in a pleasurable mood and all too eager to piss him off more.

"Whoa whoa whoa there Paulie. There's no need to get feisty. I know you want me but I just don't swing that way. Why don't you let Danny Boy here lock you back up in your cage to cool down."

His eyes were swirling with rage as he fought the urge to attack me. Oh how I miss these wonderful bonding moments... not!

Dan curtly mumbles something to Paul and he nods his head and he backs up from me.

I should give it rest but I just can't resist one more comment, "Awe that's a good boy. Listen to your master. Since you're being so good, you'll get a treat. Paulie wanna cracker?"

Paul clenches his fists as he growls at me.

Dan stands in front of him, blocking our views. "Lord Ivashkov you need to return back to the royal court. Your health is at risk." I roll my eyes. I've heard this bullshit before. And this is most definitely not the first time this month I've ended up into the hospital with alcohol poisoning.

I glue my eyes to Dan and they soon glaze over, "Why don't you go down to the cafeteria and get yourself something to eat. Forget this ever happened and forget you ever saw me."

His eyes are still a little glazed after I break eye contact, but he soon turns on his heal and begins to leave the room.

Paul charges up to him, and stops him as he yells at me "Oh the fuck you're doing that shit again." he avoids my eyes as he barks, "You're going back this time."

The hell I am. After watching Lissa a few times, I've come to realize I don't need eye contact to compulse someone.

I stretch my concentration and enter both their minds. Both of you are to return back to court. Forget I was ever here. I already feel drained from using this much energy to wield magic when my body is weak, but to my relief they open the room's door and walk right out not sparing me a single look. Good, now where's my pants?

Fifteen minutes later I'm strolling through the emergency room lobby fully clothed and craving a cigarette.

As I make my way through the revolving doors, I swear I see someone familiar walking into the hospital from another entrance. A woman with blonde hair catches my attention.

She turns her head as if I've called her name and looks at me.

Suddenly flashes of last night bursts through my mind. Images of her getting up to leave, me grabbing her arm, the sight of her beautiful body... and then blackness.

I stand frozen for a minute as our eyes lock onto each other's. It's like I'm pulled to her and I feel this small hum of nervousness wash through me. She grimaces as I suspect she felt that too.

I jump completely startled as my phone obnoxiously rings from inside my jeans pocket. I break eye contact with her as I clumsily reach for my phone. "What!" I answer.

"Ivashkov! You never change man. Hey listen, I heard you're in Italy. Want to go clubbing with me tonight? I could use a good wing man." I suppress a groan from the amazingly annoying voice of Brad Cooper. He's a college buddy of mine, and never cease to crate at my nerves from his dirty habits of using women. But the man does know how to have a good time and I'm in desperate need of some booze.

"Yeah sure. Where you at?" I smoothly reply as look up to find the blonde haired woman is gone. I don't understand why, but for some reason that fact makes me feel disappointed...

"Body shots!" I hear Brad's boisterous voice boom from the bar as four women surround him. I try not to let my spine curl at the thought of what he plans to do with them later.

He's a Moroi and the words 'orgy' and 'bloodwhore' are his favorites. Call me whatever you'd like, but only taking blood occasionally and having one or two woman in bed is enough for me. Anymore and that's just too chaotic and filthy.

I turn my attention back to the woman I've been feeling up for the past hour. She's got a nice tight little body with curly black hair and piercing blue eyes. I take a sip of my drink as she rubs up against me and starts to nibbles on neck.

I groan too easily from the touch. I'm so drunk right now, that a couch is starting to look pretty attractive. "Ummph... let's get out of here." miss tight body purrs in my ear.

I grin at her careful not to expose my fangs as I stand up swinging an arm around her, I nuzzle my nose into the crook of her neck as I seductively murmur, "I know just the place..."

Five hours later, I lie awake in a hotel bed with a sleeping naked woman curled up in my arms. I drifted off for maybe an hour after we hooked up. And now I'm starting to feel more sober again.

She's completely sound asleep, so very gently I ease my way out of bed, careful not to wake her. I drape the sheets over her exposed body and start walking around the room looking for my clothes.

After I'm dressed, I write her a note telling her I had a good time and that she's more than welcome to stay in the hotel suite for as long as she likes and to just put it on my tab. I place the note on the pillow next to her and kiss her forehead before heading out.

As I trudge my way to the elevator, I can't help but feel the emptiness inside of me every time I have a one night stand.

Of course I provide the woman I sleep with anything they want. It's not like I've hurt them or anything, but I know it's really just not right. I should be holding myself back for a real relationship instead of lustful one-time-only play dates.

I've had real girlfriends in the past, but they never lasted too long. I always found myself searching for more. But when I met Rose I saw something different in her. I felt my views change. I wanted someone for the long term, someone I could love.

But as I found out, that idea crashed and burned. It's funny how one man's pain, is another man's pleasure...

I thought I was finished with my own vices when I started dating Rose. I wanted to be good for her, even if I knew I was damned to a life of insanity, somehow being with her made the appeal of drugs, alcohol and sport sex seems quizzical and strange. I realized I didn't really need those things to numb spirit's effects. My love for her became my virtue.

I stopped sleeping around, I cut back on my alcohol consumption and to her approval, I broke up with Nicotine.

I could feel the darkness within me stir occasionally with the new changes, but whenever I was around Rose, it didn't bother me too much. I felt safe around her.

But then everything I believed in turned out to be a lie. I finally met the wolf that was hiding underneath her sheep's clothing. She blinded me with the bait of love when all along I was just her prey. Someone to keep around and abuse until the right time came to eat me up. The darkness hidden within me mocked my stupidity as it emerged from it's secret passages and began to choke me.

So after that happened, I decided to run. I packed a bag, order a plane ticket and ran. I ran from the lies I had been told and leaped into the comforts of my vices. Long since forgetting their enemy known as Virtue...

I blinked my eyes and rubbed the back of my neck returning my attention back to where I was at the moment. Riding an the elevator to the hotel's bar. I growled reflexively realizing I had just been sucked into a shadowed thought.

I smirked at myself, I new just what to do to clear up the clouds in my mind. The elevator doors slid open and I almost sprinted my way over to my safe haven of inebriation. Fully stocked with the right kind of woman to drown my troubles away.

I'm staying at a different hotel than last night so hopefully I won't piss security off tonight or black out.

After knocking back three shots of vodka, I order a gin & tonic and lean back against the counter scoping out the room. I feel okay for the time being as I feel the alcohol burn in my stomach, clear my head and warm up my veins. Not too many people are here and as I search the surrounding area, my eyes eventually drift over to a table that has caught my eye.

It was her again. The beautiful blonde alchemist. Seriously, is she trying to date rape me or something? Why is she always coincidentally everywhere I am?

I grab my drink and saunter my way over to her. She seems to be too wrapped up in her book to notice my approach.

I take a seat next to her and she growls, "What do you want?" Oh, okay maybe she wasn't as distracted as I thought.

"You" I tease while fixing her a sly grin. I find myself genuinely excited to see her.

She snaps her book shut and glares at me, "You're a pig..." she trails off as our eyes lock onto each other's.

I feel mesmerized by her deep golden honey eyes. And again like when I saw her at the hospital earlier, I get this feelings of nervousness near her. But now, with being so close to her body, I feel a strange electricity crackle between us. Something I've never felt around someone else before.

I gulp at my now dry throat and without any control I hear my voice softly tell her, "I'm sorry."

Something flashes in her eyes, but she quickly hides it away and breaks eye contact with me. "For what?" she hisses, not able to meet my gaze anymore.

Again, I feel a disappointment from the lack of her attention. "For last night." I quickly explain, composing myself, "I'm so sorry for attacking you. I didn't hurt you did I? I was drunk, I didn't meant to do that." I hope she hears the sincerity in my voice.

She shakes her head. "No. I'm alright." her voice is so cold and threatening. It doesn't match her eyes or her beautiful figure.

Something tells me, she doesn't want me near her, but I decide to ignore it. I find myself wanting to keep talking to her instead. I knock back the rest of my drink before questioning her, "So you're Rose's little alchemist friend, right? What's your name?"

She abruptly stands up from the table. "You need to stop what ever it is you're trying to do." she snaps at me.

I stare at her a little bewildered, what's with the attitude? I cover up my face with a cocky mask as I fey confusion, "I don't think I'm following you on this." then I give her a smoldering stare trying to break the tension between us. "But if you want to go somewhere more private, you can explain it to me in detail."

She eyes widen as her face twists in anger. Shit. I'm only pissing her off more.

"Whoa there Blondie. Calm down. It was just a joke. Besides, a pretty face like that doesn't need any frown lines." I taunt her.

Her hands flex and she pierces me with a cold glare, "Stay. Away. From. Me." she speaks slowly with venom dripping on every word. I don't know why, but I stand up too and take a step towards her. "Fine" I growl before I give a her mischievous grin, "But first tell me your name."

She holds a strong stance conveying the message that I don't intimidate her as she hisses, "Sydney. Now stay away from me Adrian." Her eyes widen after she spoke as if she said too much. But before I could react, she turned her back to me and zips out of the bar.

I stare at her retreating figure longingly. I don't know why she said my name or how she even knows it. She's probably heard it from Rose. But the only thing I really care about in this moment is that when she turned away from me, I began to instantly miss her.

Call me crazy, which I already am, but even though she wants me to steer clear of her I can't help but want to see her again...

SPOV

I turned the corner of a long and narrow hallway as I will my legs to move faster. I can't do this. I can't have feelings for an assignment! Or further more a Moroi!

Alchemists aren't supposed to feel anything towards creatures of the night unless it's tolerance and hatred! Ugh. I loathe even thinking that. "Creatures of the night". It's what my people say all the time, it's so far engrained in my head I never leave room for a second thought to regard them as something else. Something more than just a name and stereotype.

I feel my breathing start to hitch. I slipped up when I called him by his first name instead of his proper title. But I couldn't help myself. Every time I'm near him, every time I see him, I act weird. I can't control myself. Those stunning emerald green eyes pierce right into my soul every time I look into them. But I should know better than to fall for him, after all he has quite the promiscuous reputation amongst his people at the royal court.

I normally don't treat people, even his kind, with so much distain and bitterness. But I had to mask my true feelings. He can't know the attraction I feel around him. The way my heart pounds and my head swirls when he looks at me. I waste time trying to deny the feelings I have for him. I don't even know him all that much yet something wonderful hums inside me every time I see him. Ever since I found out he was my new assignment I've been filled with regret and joy.

I've been avoiding Rose for the last two weeks because of it. It just doesn't feel right watching your friend's ex-boyfriend 24-7 and pretend like it's okay. I'll admit he's pretty cute, maybe even hot but I can't do this. I can't feel something for someone else's damaged goods. Or even more straight to the point, I can't let myself get involved with a Moroi.

I have to keep more of a distance from him from now on, until next week where I'll receive orders for my new assignment. It's surprising really, that it's taken him this long to notice I'm following him.

I pump my legs harder as I make my way out the door of one of the hotel's exits and shake my head of all thought as the night's crisp air wakes me of my musing. I can't have him, plain and simple. It's wrong, yet a voice in my head keeps telling me it's right. I don't know what's going to happen now but one thing was for sure, I knew I could never let him see me again or things would end badly...

RPOV

I'm lying down on a special exam table as Dr. Moscovitz squeezes some jelly-type substance onto my exposed lower stomach. She whipped out a probe and glides it across my skin while gazing at a screen.

One of my hands is resting at my side with one of Dimitri's long arms curled behind my shoulders and his hand is holding mine. My other hand is firmly clasped in his opposite one where our fingers were interlaced.

He stood so close to me that if I shifted a little away from the exams table's back rest, I could lean into his lower chest for support.

I felt nervous when we first got to Dr. Moscovitz's office. Especially when she had me propped up in stirrups to examine my sex organs. But Dimitri was right there with me, holding my hand the whole time and when that part of the exam was over I felt my nerves relax and started to feel a surge of excitement and anticipation course through me. Dimitri flaunted his glowing face towards me before capturing my lips in a quick, sweet kiss.

The encouragement and the closeness of his body made me feel over the moon and so loved. He had brushed the side of my belly with the back of his hand as he murmured sweet and tender nothings in Russian at my ear.

After a minute of staring at the screen Dr. Moscovitz finally spoke.

"Well Rose you're in your first trimester. About 10 weeks in." My eyes widened, I was right about how pregnant I was.

She pointed to the screen, "If you look closely, you can see the fetus's head here... and torso... the limbs are a bit more tricky to see..." as I fix my eyes on the screen, her voice suddenly becomes muffled into the background. I clamped down tightly on Dimitri's hands as my breaths become hitched.

I couldn't believe the sight I saw before me. There was no denying it, I was totally and completely pregnant. My eyes flickered down to my flat stomach and then returned back at the screen in awe. I could see our baby on the screen yet it felt so surreal. I wasn't showing yet and I didn't think he or she would be so developed by now.

I always thought babies at this stage looked like blobs on an ultrasound. But I was so very wrong. You could see in fuzzy details, a very small body. It's form was slightly disproportionate because the head was large. But you could clearly see the baby had arms and legs and a small mid-section.

I was baffled at the sight. I'd never thought in a million years I could ever be so awestruck. It was like I was looking at an actual tiny little alien buried deep within me. The little alien's forehead head was a bit weirdly shaped, but I knew it'd develop more later on. I blinked my eyes a few times as I tried to calm my breathing down.

"Roza what are you thinking?" my russian god whispers in my ear.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen as I replied, "You so impregnated me Comrade. Look at our baby! I've got a creepy sea monkey growing inside me!" He chuckled at my words and I looked up at him to see that he too was captivated by the screen as the widest grin I've ever seen on him spreads across his face.

"Sea monkey?" he questioned as he looked back to me, bending forward and pecking my lips tenderly.

I leaned back smiling as I explain, "Yeah that doesn't really describe him or her too well, Does it? With the oversized head, I'm going with 'alien' instead." I gently prodded my jelly covered belly with my index finger. "E.T. wanna phone home?" I called down to my little alien.

Dimitri burst into laugher as he shakes his head, "Roza..."

Dr. Moscovitz laughs as well as she chimes in, "Glad to see such a humorous and enthusiastic reaction to a first ultrasound. Most couples are too stunned to speak the first time."

I smiled at her playfully, "I think you'll be intrigued by this whole experience. I'm what some people would call 'one of kind'."

She grinned, "Well I certainly hope that's a good thing."

I glanced at Dimitri that had an almost sympathetic look spread across his face as he answered for me, "You have no idea."

"Hey!" I protested and we all lightly laughed at the mock-hurt that colors my face.

As our laughs died down, the doctor fiddled with some knob on the screen, "Okay, now if you listen closely, you can hear the fetus's heart beat picked up from the doppler."

My jaw dropped open, no way. I quickly cleared my mind and adjusted my hearing as the room went quiet. Dimitri leaned in closer as the doctor moved the probe again. And then I heard it.

It was a faint thumping sound that I almost couldn't detect. But is was there, I noticed.

"That's a good, strong beat. This little one's pretty healthy for this stage of the gestation. " The doctor commented.

I robotically nodded my head at her as my mind swirled with emotions. I moved both my hands on either side of my hips. If I looked hard enough I could just make out an almost visible bump raised up in-between my hips. I was overwhelmed in this moment as my heart swells with love at the sound of our baby's heartbeat.

I felt Dimitri's head fall beside mine as he presses his cheek against my mine. I watch as his arms come around my waist and rest on my hands near my hips. His voice was thick with emotion as he spoke, "It's so beautiful Roza."

I felt tears leak from my eyes as I murmur, "It takes my breath away." I tilted my head into his and mold our lips together. The feeling burns my mind with it's intense warmth.

We kissed sweetly with tender care as the motion of our lips conveyed the words we couldn't find in this moment. We broke apart shortly after in synchronization. My eyes swim in his that were lightly glazed with tears and were filled with an eden of unearthly joy and bliss.

When I spoke it was barely above a whisper, "What did I do to be given someone like you. How is it that we're so blessed with this miracle..."

I felt so mature beyond my age as I said that. But that was the best way to put into words the emotions I was feeling right now. I felt a peace had settled between us. I'm not the crazy 'attend mass every sunday' church-go-getter, but I think I felt God in this moment. I felt an inexplicable presence hum between us.

The tears spilt from my soulmate's eyes from my words as he croaked, "It's a miracle in itself that I finally found a goddess like you. Together we created a life so pure as an angel."

To anyone else this might have seemed like very corny almost flakey things to say. But between us it was intimate and perfect. I felt my trust in him bonding onto his soul and the thought of marriage started to sound much more appealing to me now. I wanted to mark him as my own for eternity. So the sooner, the better-

We were broken out of our revery as the doctor cleared her throat to get our attention.

"Sorry" I apologized as I realized me and Dimitri had just been sucked into our own little world.

Dr. Moscovitz gave us a gentle smile, "No it's alright. You two make a beautiful couple. I can see the love you two have for each other. I noticed a ring on your finger are you engaged?"

I smiled proudly, "Yes I am. As of last night."

"Congratulations" she said looking at me and then to Dimitri, "To the both of you. Is it too soon to ask about a wedding date?"

My smile faltered a bit remembering me and Dimitri's chat earlier today, "Not yet. But I'm curious to know, when did we conceive this little monster?" I questioned looking down to my belly.

The doctor removed the probe and wiped my belly clean before and I pulled my shirt back down as she continued, "You're a little over two months pregnant, so conception was around mid-June." I nodded my head. I shared a knowing look with Dimitri, that was when we had sex for the second time after he was changed back. It had been an emotionally healing day for us as we talked about our new lives together and the love we shared. I remember it being a very invigorating experience as we entangled our bodies as one...

The doctor pulled out some weird, fancy wheel thing and spoke again, "This is a pregnancy wheel. It allows me to calculate your due date and a rough estimate of conception. Now based on the information from your last period, I've set your due date. Would you like to know?"

I nodded my head excitedly as I gripped Dimitri hand more tightly. "It's around the second full week of March. Your baby is due on or around Monday the 12th." I smiled widely and looked up at Dimitri. He was staring down at me with so much excitement and joy. He placed a hand on my belly tenderly before he bend down to press his lips on my forehead.

The rest of the appointment went smooth. I was given a bottle of prenatal vitamins and a few informational pamphlets. We scheduled my next visit and left the office hand in hand with big smiles plastered on our faces.

As we walked into the apartment I practically skipped my way over to the fridge to pin the ultrasound pictures on it with magnets as I asked, "So who do you want to tell first? My family or your?"

Dimitri follows me into the kitchen as he visible gulped, "Since we're having dinner with your parents tomorrow I say mine first. Today."

After proudly pinning our baby's ultrasound images, I turned around just in time as Dimitri ropes his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "Why so nervous Comrade? Are you afraid they'll gut you like a fish with the knowledge that you knocked me up?"

He shook his head and closed his eyes, "I know that's what your mother will do."

I gasped at his honesty, but it was was pretty believable. My mother apparently had a nice little 'chat' with Dimitri before she had to leave court and resume her post with her charge. She usually comes to visit once a month on the weekends, but sometimes it turns into one day like this weekend. Her flight lands tomorrow afternoon and she'll be gone Monday morning, so thankfully she missed the hunting trip my father spent with Dimitri. I think zmey secretly planned it that way.

I don't even want to think of what she would of said or done to Dimitri if she had been there. My father's been a bit more accepting of our relationship than my mom. I think he figured mom spooks Dimitri enough all on her own. Especially since he looked a little green and a few shades paler than his normal tan the last time she talked to him.

I sighed and placed my hands on either side of his face, "You'll be fine Dimitri. I love you and I'm not going to be with anyone else. You're a good man and you're going to be an amazing father. I just know it. They'll understand that eventually. Just give them time. Besides, once we tell them we're engaged, maybe they'll loosen up."

Dimitri brought his hand up to cover mine, "I hope so." he whispers as he closes his eyes and moves my hands away from his face to kiss my palms. I stretch up on my tip toes and give him an encouraging kiss.

I then pulled back and jumped up on the kitchen counter. Dimitri quickly follows and walks over to me. He parts my legs and presses himself up against the lower cabinets and my upper torso. He rests his arms on either side of me on the counter while I wrap my legs around his back pushing him even closer to me. I slide my fingers into his hair as he leans forward and tenderly kisses me back.

The worry of my parent's acceptance is long forgotten as his soft and gentle lips start moving in sync with mine until I lick his bottom lip and the kiss becomes passionate and deep. He moves a hand to the hem of my shirt and lifted it up to stroke the skin below my navel a bit aggressively.

M-rated scene:

I softly moan as I feel my core start to moisten. He pulls back from our little make-out session and whispers in my ear, "Roza we need to stop."

I pull back and look at his in disbelief. "What?" I tried to form a look of anger on my face directed for him, but was distracted from the throbbing pulse in between my legs.

He chuckled, "Don't be upset. But-" he stopped to stroke my lower stomach again, tenderly this time, before speaking his next words but that just furthered my arousal, "I just want to hold off on making love for awhile." his voice was a whisper as his eyes met mine sheepishly.

I pull my hands away from him and untangle my legs fully frustrated and flustered, "What! Why?" he's must be crazy. "Is it because I'm pregnant now? Because you know pregnant woman can have sex. Or is it because I'm going to get fat! Do you not want me anymore!" Shit my mood swings are getting worse.

He lifts another hand and caresses my cheek lovingly, "No Roza you've got it all wrong. It's just the opposite. I want you more than ever now. But... I had this dinner planned for you next week to propose." My eyes widened. He did? Okay I definitely just overreacted. I am however, very curious about where he's going with this. I don't see how food has anything to do with me gettin' some lovin'. I look back at Dimitri and smile signaling for him to go on. But still very much aware of my pulsating center as he places both of his hands on the tops on my thighs.

He returns the gesture and continues, "And so since I've already proposed, I still want that night to be special for us. I want to hold off on having sex until next week. I want that night to be memorable for us. I want to make love to you properly and worship you in the way you so much deserve." Awe my man's such a romantic.

Part of what he said excited and thrilled me, however the part of me that was craving him right now protested the thought of not having him for a whole week. "But, I need you right now." I whispered. "I want you to- ughh..." I trail off with a moan as one of his hands slides up my inner thigh to my center where his thumb rubs me with deep circular pressure through the now damp fabric of my sweatpants.

Dimitri chuckles as he brings his mouth up to my ear and flicks my earlobe with his tongue as he seductively whispers, "Mm, yes Roza. I can't make love to you for a week, but if you need me to right now, I can relieve your tension in another way..."

And that other way was quite satisfying. Afterwards, he left me on the kitchen counter panting as he grunted something about having to go make a call. I laughed at his retreating figure and caught sight of the bulge that was at half mast between his legs. Looks like this is going to be a hard week ahead for the both of us.

End of M-rated scene

Later on, I sat perched on Dimitri's lap as he spoke animatedly in Russian to his older sisters. A months after we got back together Dimitri called his family to inform them of his restoration. It was a very tearful reunion, but one I knew meant so much to him and his family. From that day forward Dimitri's mother, Olena, would call us everyday. And once a week his little sister, Viktoria, would set up her web cam and all the sisters would come over to video chat with us.

I was on good terms with his family. They would always claim that they missed me just as much as they did Dimitri. So when we announced we were engaged, they all cheered in delight and demanded that we come to visit.

When they said that Dimitri tensed. Even though he forgave himself, he was still recovering from all that he did as a strigoi. The memories would still haunt him. He put on a brave face at times but I knew he was still hurting. And so when asked to returned to Russia, the placed that where he grew up and the place where he fled to as a strigoi, it stirred up a difficult indecision. He wanted to see his family again, but at the same time, he would have to deal with all his bad memories and so go going home would be hard.

I held his hand in mine firmly as I told them we were too busy with work right now, but would plan to visit later. He looked into my eyes with gratitude as he whispered a thank you before mentioning a possible visit in November for Thanksgiving. That seemed to calm the sisters down, put you could tell they were still impatient to have to wait so long.

So I distracted them with announcing my pregnancy. At first they were stunned before shooting me daggers and speaking rapidly in Russian. I of course didn't understand it, but from the looks on their faces, I could tell Dimitri was explaining to them how it was possible for us to have kids. And after that, their looks morphed from anger to excitement. They were beyond thrilled and started asking a mess of questions.

Olena, that sometimes came over to video chat, started crying with joy as the sisters berated their brother with questions. I loved seeing how relaxed and happy he was when he talked with his family and spoke his native tongue.

I would sometimes be asked a question or be given a congratulations in english, but I really just kept quite and let Dimitri do most of the talking, I felt tired and wanted to go lie down. I promised them all I would call them later and talk more before leaving for the bedroom to take a power-nap.

An hour later I woke up to find myself covered with a blanket and Dimitri lying next to me in bed and reading a western novel. I sat up and yawned. Dimitri placed a bookmark on the current page he was reading before closing it, placing the book down on the nightstand, and pulled me to his chest.

I smiled placing a peck on his lips before he rubbed my back and softly asked, "Do you feel better now?"

"Yup" I responded popping the 'p'. I nuzzled my nose in the crook of his neck before saying, "We have to go tell Lissa."

His hands that were roaming my back tensed as he whispered, "Oh no."

I giggled as I got up, "Oh yes." I stretched my hand out for his as I muttered, "Come on, let's unleash the storm..."

And a storm it was. Lissa whooped, cried, cheered and hugged us both as she muttered "I knew it! I knew your were pregnant. I was so right!" before rushing into a list of things we have to buy before the baby came.

"Liss calm down. I've still got seven months to go and I'm not even showing yet!"

She shook her head at me, "Oh no no no no Rose. You need to be prepared. I'll help you every step of the way cause we all know you love to procrastinate till last minute. You can turn the guest bedroom in the apartment into a nursery! And ahhh! I need to throw you a baby shower! There's so much to do!" she trailed off as her breathing started to go ragged and begins to hyperventilate. If someone walked in and didn't know any better they'd think she was having the baby instead of me. This was typical of Lissa.

I rolled my eyes and guided her over to a couch in her living room where Dimitri and Christian were having a small conversation. Over the last few months those two have became pretty close. Even though he still annoys me, it was nice that Sparky warmed up to Dimitri and respected him more than just his guardian.

"Liss breathe. You're kinda starting to freak me out. " I commented as we took our seats.

"There's no use in saying that to her today. She's had coffee." Christian revealed.

I sent him a glare before hissing, "Hm, and I wonder who gave it to her." Lissa rarely drank coffee and only when she was sleep deprived or stressed. And this was because she gets way too hyper from all the caffeine and starts to crave it like crazy. It was like her own personal crack.

Christian waved his hands nonchalantly "Hey whatever my fiancé wants, is what my fiancé gets."

I laughed menacingly at that, "Ha! Spoken like a true bitch. But I guess you like that right? Being whipped so much? It makes up for what you lack in the-"

I was cut off by Dimitri as he gave me a warning to be nice, "Roza."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine fine. Whatever, but if she goes nutso on you later don't come crying to me."

Christian smirked at me as he quips pointing between me and Dimitri, "Now look who's the one being whipped. You can definitely tell who wears the pants in this relationship."

"Yeah me." I curtly bark as I shoot him a cold glare.

"Okay, okay. Break it up you two you're starting to give me a migraine." Lissa interjects and I look back at her to see she's calm again which a playful grin on her angelic face.

I smile before I speak again, "Sorry Liss. Anyway, I have something else to tell you."

She looks at me curious before I remove my left arm that I've been hiding behind my back. How she never notices I was purposely hiding the view of my left hand this entire time is beyond me, but the moment she saw the ring on my finger she gasped.

"We're engaged!" I proudly announce as Lissa's face lights up before she squeals and hugs me.

"Oh my god!" she gushes as she see scrutinizes my hands. She then looks at Dimitri puzzled, "But I thought you were proposing next week."

My eyes widen, "You knew!" I accuse.

She grimaces guilty as she whispers, "Sorry. I wasn't supposed to tell you anything. He told me after I got suspicious when he asked what size ring you wore. "

I nodded my head in understand before she turned her attention back to me and gave me a look of excitement and anticipation as her set of pleading eyes glazed over in innocence before begging, "Rose you have to let me plan your wedding."

I shook my head, "Oh no, I know you. You'll take it too far. I don't want this to be like a great grand ball instead of a casual get together."

"But-"

"No. Beside, we don't even have a date set yet."

"Please! I can help-"

"Fine." I hear myself saying. I don't want to fight Liss on this, she's family to me and I know planning my wedding is something that would mean a lot to her. She might even come in handy, seeing as she's already planned her own wedding. She's not getting married until she graduates from Leigh, but the perfectionist that she is, has already met with a designer for her dress, stalked down florists, and has commissioned a world renounce chef to cater the event.

I shook my head remembering the multiple binders she was hidden about the house all filled with plans and ideas for the 'great event'.

I look her square in the eye as I speak my next words, "I'm not getting married until after the baby is born. So could you relax for a bit? I haven't even thought about ideas yet."

Lissa smiles at me sympathetically. "I'm so happy for you. But alright. I'll cool down. So when's your due date?"...

The rest of the evening went well, we stayed for dinner and then walked back to the apartment. As I slipped into bed and snuggled into Dimitri's side, I couldn't help but worry about tomorrow night.

We were going to break the news to my parents and I made a silent prayer that they wouldn't trying to kill Dimitri afterwards. Tomorrow was the true test of the strength of our love and happiness. Getting the blessings from my mobster father and lethal guardian mother. Oh joy...


A/N: Sorry to delay Abe & Janine's reactions but I promise you they're coming. I'm working on a DPOV chap as we speak- errr... I mean as I write this note, so expect another update soon. And I'll give you a little hint, it's fluffy like a kitten and contains some hidden tongue-tantalizingly-sour lemon candy. Review.

~Fabulous