~+*+~ CHAPTER 10 ~+*+~

"I'm Roza."

The devastatingly beautiful girl exhales a deep abysmal of breath and her smooth, rose colored lips curve upwards in a wonderful half smile. When the words left her mouth she expected to remember who Roza was. Is. The fleeting smile slips away...Not a memory, not a glimpse, from the past.

She shifts a lock of dark hair behind her ear, fingers grazing her warm bronze skin. "I'm Rose."

Nothing. A bitter tear rolls down my cheek. The trance like stupor shatters into tiny a million pieces. It's pointless trying to remember. The seemingly courageous girl standing in the tall white floor length mirror is a stranger. I assessed myself slowly from head to toe, savoring every inch of my smooth body. Silky brown locks fell down my bare back and framed my face, the tips of my long hair curled up at the ends in natural curls. Dark eyes appraised me wistfully, an epitome of hidden despair.

My slender body was sheathed in an elegant blue summer dress. The thin straps on my shoulders were obscured by my voluminous hair and the bodice hugged me snuggly, a column of tiny blue buttons went down the length and stopped at the feather-light fly away skirt that reached my knees.

I lowered my hand, my blistered fingers grazed the exquisite gold ring hanging from a needle thin string around my neck. For my Roza, I will always love you, those are the words engraved on the shiny gold band. Whoever gave me this ring might have loved me. Might still love me. But more importantly whoever gave me this priceless artifact probably believes I'm dead.

"The river Letha, where the dead go to wash away the memories from their souls...to forget the past."

I'm no longer alone in my mirror's reflection. Sydney leaned against the door frame, a smirk on her crescent shaped lips. So that's where the absurd nickname came from.

"How long have you been standing there?" I turned around and faced her.

She stood before me in a frilly purple dress that reached her knees. The dress was spattered in small pink and purple flowers and somehow managed to bring out the blue in her precocious blue eyes. Her hair sleek blond hair was down for a change and framed her pretty features.

"Not long."

"The river Letha?" I pondered her words quietly, my heart drumming in my chest. "I didn't ask to forget my memories," I spoke with an edge to my voice. I didn't ask for any of this.

She smiled weakly and straightened up. "But in a way, when all you're memories disappear it's kind of like you did die. Ridded your soul of every memory you ever had."

I sighed, my eyes flickered to the mirror. "That was the most depressing chat I've had in a while. What is that? Like Roman philosophy? Because it sucks by the way."

She grinned, a spark in her light eyes. "Greek," she remarked zealously, "Greek mythology."

"Oh," I laughed incredulously, "well sorry I don't share your enthusiasm," I rolled my eyes.

She shrugged one shoulder. "History's in every corner Letha. But right now it's not knowing your own is that what haunts you."

XxxxXxxxX

Lissa

A hint of panic laced his words. "What happened? Are you okay? What are you-oh."

I looked up at him in a daze from the small bathroom floor. The white plastic object in my head trembled slightly. He crouched down so that we were at eye level. Regardless of the proof before him there was a question in his dark blue eyes.

My voice was a low murmur, "I'm pregnant, Christain."

I kept my gaze firmly rested on his shocked one. My answer was all the confirmation he needed because the next thing I knew his hands rested on my shoulders and slid down my arms until they reached my wrists.

"You're pregnant," he whispered.

I shuddered involuntarily and my hand tightened around the narrow object in my curled fingers. I was pregnant...Was this a good thing? A part of Christain lived inside of me now...A slow, delicate smile shifted my lamenting features.

"We're pregnant," a small, happy laugh escaped me. "Christain. We're pregnant."

He laughed, his handsome face came to life with joy. I dropped the pregnancy test, it was the second one I'd taken. Both had resulted positive. His arms reached around for me at the the same moment I buried my face in his chest and wrapped my slender arms around his neck. Despite the grief and sadness that always plagued me I felt like I'd gained a small victory. Christain stroked my hair patiently and I clung to him tighter.

"I love you," I hadn't realized I'd began crying because I was sobbing into his chest.

"Shh," he murmured softly. "I know. I love you, Lissa."

I closed my eyes, hot tears splashed at the corners and ran down my warm cheeks. Oh Rose, I thought, I wish you were here with me.

He pulled me up and brought me to the living room.

"I'm going to get some tea. You're shivering."

I breathed in deeply, to stunned to do anything but smile. Smile and cry and sob. A strange combination, a mixture of profound grief and hope. Hope for something new.

Christain returned a few minutes later. He handed me a cup of hot tea. He was smiling as he stroked my hair behind my ear.

"Are we really doing this?" I whispered. "I mean-We, we're still in college..."

"It's okay. We'll figure it out."

I knew why it was so easy for him to comfort me. How could I go back to school? Rose would be everywhere and nowhere when I needed her.

Christain wrapped an arm around my shoulder and we watched tv silently. While he was flipping through the channels I allowed my mind to wander. A baby. Our baby, I glanced at Christain.

But he wasn't looking at me. His entire body had stiffened. Bewildered and confused I followed his eyes to the television screen.

A scream erupted and it took all my will power to stop.

"Rose."

There on the screen was my best friend, my sister, my other half.

And she was alive.

XxxxXxxxX

I know I rushed this chapter but we all want the reunion scene don't we? At least I think that's what you want...Right? :)

I'm trying so hard to savor Bloodlines & failing miserably. Is anyone else having this problem? Please keep reviews spoiler free. I'm only chapter five. And believe me I want to start where I left off.