This was a tough chapter to write, but its key to the overall plot. Some people may love me after they read this and some will probably hate me. I've gotten a lot of reviews and a lot of people have added my story to their favorites and alerts, thank you it's greatly appreciated!
Richelle Mead owns Vampire Academy not me. This story will have many new characters that all come from my imagination : )
Rose POV
We park and walk up to the house, Melanie is in the pool, Michael is on guard looking very formal, even though we are fully protected, poor guy. Melanie is so formal about the Guardian relationship it's not casual at all like at Tasha and Urie's house. I guess my vacation is over and I'll be in full Guardian mode.
"Chrissy you're back, she squeals." Ugh she's so annoying.
"Rose you need to go change into your Guardian clothes and then we can set up the night time schedule?" Melanie glares at me. Wow what a bitch, what in the hell is Christian doing with this her?
"Um Mel it's OK we are not formal Rose's clothes are fine. What nighttime schedule are you talking about?" Christian says and looks at her a little annoyed.
"No she needs to change your family is gone this is how I do things, more proper. And there are two Guardians so they need to rotate sleeping to protect us, duh!" She looks annoyed Christian doesn't know what she's talking about.
"No we don't its fine. She's not changing and when we sleep they sleep, they are right next to our room and we have wards up, it's fine." Christian is calm, but he is still firm while talking to her. He can be Royal when he wants and knows how to assert his authority.
"No Lord Ozera its fine I'll change." I stomp off and change.
I get back, poor Pyro he looks so defeated, they are working on a night time schedule. The 8 sleeping hours are split in two hour shifts between Michael and myself.
"Oh Rose you're back, here's your copy." OK she is nuts she has her own little generic schedule all printed and she just has to fill in the data for the Guardian names and times. Jeez does Michael need to do this all the time with this crazy bitch?
"Thanks"
"Also we'll be going to dinner, Michael will be near guard and Rose you'll be far guard." Thank god I don't think I could take listening to them all night.
"Christian follow me we need to talk and spend some alone time. Michael, Rose stay in the living room no going outside until we are done." OK she's a control freak and crazy.
Melanie and Christian go to their room. Michael turns on the TV and puts on a surfing show.
"You surf?" He asks me.
"No"
"Want to learn?"
"From you?"
"Yeah. Rose don't look so shocked I surf every chance I get it's my passion. Why do you think I put up with Melanie and don't ask to get transferred, I love being by the beach." Wow this is shocking.
"She gives you time off?" I say very sarcastic and we are both cracking up.
I look at Michael I can totally see him being a surfer. He's actually kind of cute if you take away the gay Guardian uniform Melanie makes him wear. God she is nuts!
"You know what sure that, would be great! But with Crazy's schedule I guess we'll have to wait until we get back to California?"
"I have a plan, if you don't tell I won't tell?" OK he's way cooler than I thought. I guess I just had to get him away from Crazy. That's my new name for Melanie I'll refer to her as Crazy from now on.
"Sure the plan?" Cool a little excitement.
"Well my buddy is going to cover our two late night shifts when the Moroi will be completely asleep, we can sneak off and I'll teach you to surf Hawaii style. But you have to teach me Krav and how to fight better when we get back. Deal?"
"Deal and I want to keep up the surf lessons once we get home OK?"
"You're on Hathaway." I am thrilled maybe surfing will offset Crazy and all her weird antics.
Christian and Crazy come out of their room dressed and ready to go. "We are going to the mall." Crazy announces with so much authority you'd think she was the Queen Bitch Herself.
We get to the mall and I am far guard thank god. Michael and I have ear piece communicators so I can unfortunately hear everything that's going on.
They go right to a high end jewelry store. Crazy is all sweet and flirty with the guy. It's so annoying since she puts off this sweet persona to strangers, but is such a bitch to the Guardians. I focus on calm thoughts to help with my self control. Talia and I started doing yoga, it really helps me focus. Dimitri would be so proud. Just thinking of him and Talia calms me.
I hear the whole conversation, and they are picking up an engagement ring. WTF they're getting engaged. I can't believe she picked out her own engagement ring. If a guy ever proposes to me I'd want him to surprise me with a ring that he bought special just for me. This is not very romantic, nothing like in the movies. I internally sigh as I realize life doesn't have happy endings like Hollywood portrays.
I start to get really pissed thinking about this proposal. Pyro acted like he loved me, what an asshole. Stupid Royal Moroi, I hope he catches himself on fire, dickhead. He's like every other jerk Moroi saying anything and acting all lovey to a Dhampir girl, he just wanted a piece of ass like every other guy. UGH I am so glad I stopped our passionate make out session when I did. I knew he never really cared for me. God why am I so stupid. I think back to Vicki and Rolan in Baia and realize I was just as STUPID. I take all my anger and frustration and channel it into thoughts of Adrian and our dream walk date tonight. God I hope he doesn't pull the same shit with me that Christian did. I hope I am not being naïve and stupid again.
We head home, Pyro and Crazy get ready for their big date. Michael tells me how she would only come to Hawaii for a proposal and picked out the ring before hand and has planned the way Pyro will propose. I wonder if he will get guides and a pop up books when they have sex. Crazy really is a control freak, scary. Glad to see that jerk face user Moroi will get what he deserves by marrying her.
Thankfully I am far guard through the whole proposal, but of coarse I can still hear it all BARF. It's so generic and planned, how sad. I just keep focusing on my thoughts of Adrian and try to be as distant and professional as possible.
We leave the restaurant and get into the car. It's my first time close to them since the proposal so I need to congratulate them, ugh. "Lord Ozera, Melanie congratulations I wish you a lifetime of happiness." I remain distant, but professional.
"Thank you Rose. I know I won't have a title until I marry Christian, but please to be more professional please call me Ms. Melanie as Michael does."
I role my eyes I am in front so they can't see. "Yes Ms. Melanie, I will do that form now on." I have to clinch my fists the urge to punch her is suddenly overwhelming. I focus on my breathing and think of pleasant things to maintain my composure.
Michael let's me take the first sleep shift, he said he's too amped to surf and wouldn't be able to sleep anyway.
I text Adrian: Going to bed come meet me I MISS YOU!!!!
I get a text back right away: See you soon I LOVE YOU!!!
I fall asleep right away, the days events have made me exhausted. I am on the most pristine beach it's so peaceful. I am in a red bikini with a see through black sarong. I look around for my prince charming, all of a sudden warm arms circle me from behind. Adrian...
I turn around and hug him as hard as I can. I pull back to look at him and he does not disappoint. He has on black board shorts and a white denim shirt completed unbuttoned and rolled up at the sleeves. His eyes are striking I forgot how deeply emerald green they are.
I say very calmly. "Hi" I smile at my casualness.
He caresses my check. "Little Dhampir it's been too long I've missed you."
His touch sends warmth throughout my body. This triggers a response that shocks us both.
I jump to him wrap my legs around his waist, clasp my arms around his neck, tangle my hands in his hair and kiss him like it's the last kiss I will ever get in my life. He gasps a little; but quickly responds kisses me back in kind. My whole body is tingling. I am craving his touch like a man dying of thirst craves water.
He pulls a way for a breath, we are both panting a little, he gives met he hugest smile. "Not that I am complaining you can kiss me like that anytime, but what brought this on?"
I pull him to a large cozy cabana bed so I can explain. He senses my need to collect my thoughts and is as always very patient. I lie in his arms, but face him, I need to be eye to eye with him.
"Well I think I am finally ready to really move on and I know you are who I want to be with. I love you Adrian and I wanted to show how I felt." I smile at him and give him a small sweet kiss.
He looks shocked, uh oh is that good or bad? "Little Dhampir you have no idea how long I have waited for you to say that. You have made me the happiest man alive. I love you more than you can ever imagine and I am going to spend my life proving to you that I am worthy of your love."
He kisses me with so much love and passion I am reeling. He loves me, this is right. What I felt with Christian was the Strigoi incident and the island messing with my head. It's Adrian it's always been Adrian. I love him, I know we are meant to be together. My realization of this is life changing, I finally feel like I can be whole again. I can move on from Dimitri and be happy; this is what Tasha was talking about.
I lay with Adrian, we kiss, cuddle and talk about our upcoming visit and what we will do. I love being with him and I feel so at peace.
We both feel the dream fade, as I am being pulled awake he kisses me and says see you soon.
I wake up form my paradise to complete hell. I hear Christian and Melanie going at it, loud much? Geez her annoying voice does not transfer well into a lustful situation. I realize I have a half hour before our surf lesson, but I am not going to wait around and listen to this racket I get up to find Michael. Hearing them celebrate their engagement only confirms my decisions of the past few days and I am blissfully happy at my choices. All my thoughts are on Adrian.
David, Micheal's Guardian friend has already arrived so we head off to surf at our beach. We can still see the house and we have a sanctioned guardian watching the loving couple, we are all safe behind the wards so I feel alright sneaking off. I am a little guilty, but those two are so busy they are not going to know were are ever gone.
We head out and my awesome mood just gets better, I get to learn how to surf!
Christian POV
I can't sleep, I keep thinking how much has happened over the last week. I finally made the commitment to Mel, she is older than me, 21, so this was a must for her. I don't know why women feel they need to be committed by this age, but whatever makes her happy. She is thrilled, at least I can please one women. Rose doesn't want me so this is my consolation prize, but I think we can make each other happy. She just needs to chill a little, I am hoping this commitment I made to her will relax her some.
I decide to get some water, I am parched from mine and Mel's sexual encounter. Sex with her was good, but it felt nothing like I felt with Rose. But maybe Rose was right the Strigoi attack and the island was messing with us. I am not even sure if Rose and I would work out, we're too much alike. The flip side of that argument makes me cringe. Maybe we are alike and are so on the same page that makes us meant to be. I push these thoughts aside, I know I will never be with Rose. I need to move on.
As I walk to the kitchen I see a strange person watching TV. I almost light him on fire then realize he's a guardian.
"Um what the hell is going on here?" I ask him in my authoritative Royal tone and stance I hate so much.
"Sorry Lord Ozera, my name is David Smith. I am a friend on Michael's I am here watching over you and Ms. Melanie while Rose and Michael surf for a few hours. Please don't tell Ms. Melanie, Michael is one of my best friends and I don't want to see him get in trouble." He looks terrified, poor guy, I relax a little to reassure him.
"Oh I see. Don't worry I won't say anything. Where are they surfing?"
"Just out at the house's private beach Rose wouldn't leave the wards." So like Rose, her duty is always a top priority.
"OK thanks. I was getting some water. Relax I'll keep this quiet. Nice to meet you, goodnight." I walk to the patio I want to see Rose surf.
I stay secluded so they can't see me. They look like they are having a blast. It's nice to see Rose relax, she's been so stiff the last few days. I am a little sad I'm not the one she's having fun with. As I am watching them I hear a scream, Melanie.
I run inside and she's freaking out on poor David. "Melanie calm down it's OK."
I explain to her what's going on and she flips out. Michael and Rose come running in, they must have heard the screaming. All 3 guys turn to stare at Rose, she is a goddess and no guy can resist looking at her in her tiny bikini. With her wet hair and tan body she is the sexiest creature to walk this earth I swear. Melanie realizes this and glares at Rose. Uh oh she's pissed.
"Michael what the hell is going on here?"
"Ms. Melanie I am sorr-" He's cut off by Rose.
"Ms. Melanie it's my fault. I begged him to teach me how to surf. I wanted to leave and go to a beach with better waves, but Michael being so concerned for your safety made me stay at the house's beach and even had his friend come to watch over you and Lord Ozera. Please don't be mad at him this is all my fault, I am the one to blame." Rose said this with so much sincerity if I didn't already know the truth I would have believed her. Hmmm this makes think Rose is a better liar than I realized. I wonder if all she told me yesterday was true?
I am pulled from my thoughts by Melanie's continued tirade. "Well I see, I always knew the rumors were true and you were complete trouble. I am NOT about to start my life with Christian with such a horrible and troublesome Guardian. As soon as we get back to LA I am filing a formal complaint at the Guardian field office in San Clemente and get you reassigned." Rose looks panicked.
Oh no she didn't just go there. Rose is only trying to protect Michael and she really did nothing wrong I will not let Melanie do this to Rose's Guardian career. She is the best Guardian out there and Melanie has no right. I am ending this now.
I stay as stern as I can and impose my authority as only a Royal Moroi can. "No. Melanie you are not going to do that. She is MY GUARDIAN and I will not allow it." I am calm, but I can tell I scared everyone with my tone. Rose looks all smug by my words and crosses her arms and glares back at Melanie. I give her a warning glance and she relaxes her stance. She knows better than to push Melanie any further.
Melanie looks at me with complete fury. "What, I am your fiancé how dare you talk to me that way."
I look at her with love and rub her cheek. "I am sorry, but this is not a big deal no harm no foul. The important thing is that you are safe." I continue to caress her cheek and I feel her calm. She glares at Rose and kisses me passionately.
Rose looks stoic, she's in full control now, Guardian mode.
"You're right Christian let's get back to bed." She turns to our Guardians. Michael looks terrified, but relieved. "You two your schedule still applies, understand." They both just nod, Melanie and I head off to our room.
As soon as I shut the door I see her pull out a piece of paper. She's got a guardian complaint form and is filling it out. OK she carries these with her, weird?
"What are you doing?"
"Do you really think I am going to keep that blood whore as your Guardian, she's an embarrassment and we deserve better." I completely disagree with her, but I know telling her that will only make it worse.
"Look Mel. You can fill that out, but I will not turn it in."
"What why?"
"It's not a big deal. Their careers are all they have; we can't ruin them over something so small."
"Fine, but we are filling it out, your signing it and we are keeping it as evidence in case she does something really bad. I am afraid of her and this will reassure me Chrissy." Melanie pouts at me as if to melt me, but it really has no affect.
I know Rose would never loose control so Melanie's fears are unwarranted, but if I appease Melanie this will all go away and Rose's Guardian career will not be harmed. Rose hurt me rejecting me, but I would never wish her any harm.
"OK that is a fair compromise."
She finishes the report and I sign it reluctantly, but I feel it's for the best and will put this issue to rest and appease everyone.
Melanie falls asleep and I head out to check on Rose and Micheal.
Michael is asleep and Rose is watching TV looking very sad.
"Rose are you alright?"
"Lord Ozera, please, its Guardian Hathaway. I need to make sure I am completely by the book or I'll get more complaints lodged against me by your fiancé. I am fine thank you. From the bottom of my heart I swear I NEVER meant you and Ms. Melanie any harm." She truly does look sorry, I hate formal Rose, ugh!
"Rose, I mean Guardian Hathaway cut the crap will you? I know the truth and that you were just covering for Michael, David told me. Its fine I'm not mad. And I calmed Melanie down they'll be no complaint filed don't worry."
She looks relieved, but still sad. "Thank you Lord Ozera." She turns back to the TV and I realize this will be the end of our conversation so I decide to go back to bed.
"Goodnight Guardian Hathaway."
"Goodnight Lord Ozera."
I lie down and try to fall asleep, but it's useless. I realize Melanie snores. I lay wide awake listening to my future thinking about my past wishing sleep will take me.
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