Let me make a note that I realized that I've been saying the Strigoi's name was Helena, when really it's Elena. I feel kind of stupid, but, eh. Let's roll with it, maybe at some point I'll go back and fix it. But, for now, it's staying that way.

So, I'm very sorry about the late update! The end of break started to sneak up on me, and before I knew it, January 1st was here and it's suddenly 2013. I thought it would feel weird going into a new year, but it's really no different. But, this one is pretty good. There's a lot of dialogue, which is pretty much Rose relaying everything that's happened from where I left off in the last chapter over a span of 12 years. Year, big time jump. But I had to have Domika older in order to make the next story work, if I get it up.

Well, here it is: the last (tear tear) chapter of "Where Re You?":

Rose's POV

It's funny how fast time flies when you're miserable and in pain. Not the physical kind of pain, but the emotional and heartbreaking kind. Word of Mason's death swept through Court like a wild fire. Because he died protecting the Queen's daughter, Lissa made it mandatory that everyone show up, because we all no knew one would have come otherwise. There weren't a lot of tears, except my own, Lissa's, Sydney's, and Mia's; other than that, it was pretty quiet.

Lissa made a speech about how Mason died in case someone didn't know. She said his back was turned and a forgotten Strigoi attacked him from behind. That he fought for not only saving the princess and my daughter, but me and Dimitri as well. She left out how I failed to protect him, and how it was partly my fault that he was gone. Partly. The other part was Helena's.

Lissa had to practically drag me up to the podium to make a speech of my own. I didn't want to stand where everyone could see me, and look at me with up-turned noses and looks of disapproval, and even disgust. I was so used to being in the shadows were barely anyone noticed me. They hated what I was, and yet they depended on me to protect them, because I did it once, I can do it as many times as needed in their eyes. Anyway, the speech was short, and I told them I wished it was me in that box, rather than Mason. No one but my friends really disagreed with me there.

Months flew by and it was Domika's birthday, a time to be happy. She was turning 4-years-old, I could hardly be sad about that. Her and Dimitri were the only one's holding me together. They were my support and my anchor from keeping me from going insane. To show her how much I loved her, I bought her what she wanted most: a date with her Daddy. I sent them to a restaurant that I knew she loved, Olive Garden, and paid for the whole thing. They spent a whole night away while I took over Dimitri's shift watching over the royal family. The two of them haven't had a lot of time up until then to bond, and she told me she wanted to be with him and get to know him. That made me smile, because I was so afraid she would resent him for not being there in the beginning, even though it wasn't his fault.

That funny feeling I had about Lissa back in the surgical room with Dimitri became clear when she announced that she was pregnant again, this time with a little boy. The also explained why she couldn't heal Dimitri, she didn't want to risk hurting the baby. Either way, it didn't matter. Everything worked out on its own (with my help). Little Mason Andrew Dragomir Ozera was born on a spring morning, bringing new hope to the Dragomir line. I almost cried when she told me she was naming him Mason; she insisted that since I wasn't having any more kids, someone had to keep him in our hearts.

The next year was when Dimitri and I would send our daughter to one of the most horrid places on earth: St. Vladimir's Academy. At first, I panicked. I didn't want to be like my mother, leaving my baby in a strange place all alone, where she didn't know anyone. Throughout her years in this world so far, I had been there to tell her right from wrong, I was afraid was would make a mistake that she couldn't fix. Dimitri had to remind me that we were going to have to let her make her own mistakes. I had to remind him that she had a power that she couldn't control, and there's no telling what would happen if she lost it. Nonetheless, we sent her to the Academy with high hopes with Andy and Sydney's daughter, Alekz. The three of them had grown close and their bond reminded me that of mine and Lissa's. They would keep each other strong, I knew they would.

Dimitri and I were…well, rather antsy when I came time to drop our girls off at the gates. Lissa couldn't appear personally on school grounds, in fear that there would be some kind of attack. I didn't want to let go of Domika's hand when we walked up to the front doors of the elementary school. I didn't want to let her go just yet, I wasn't ready. But, because Domika was so smart, she knew it had to be done. I kissed each girl on the cheek and promised Domika that I would call her on the little cell phone Dimitri and I got her for this exact occasion. We let the really sweet and kind teacher take my baby away, not for sure knowing when I'd see her again.

Not too long after Mason was born, there was an…accident. We were on our way to the mall for Christmas shopping one night. Adrian suggested that just friends go, so then we could get away from the constant suffocation of the Guardians surrounding us. I agreed, but suggested Dimitri and I be in each car. I had Adrian and Sydney in my car, Christian, Lissa, Mia and Eddie in the other. We were unexpectedly attacked – and I saw I didn't hear anything until it was too late – when a Strigoi slammed into the side of my car. I got a chunk of the door wedged into my side, trapping me to the driver's seat. Adrian was to my right in the back, Sydney and their daughter behind me. The Strigoi collided with the driver's side, so Adrian was okay besides a few bumps and scrapes. Sydney, however, was barely breathing. I will say that Adrian was calmer than me. I was freaking out, basically. Though that could have been because of the pain I was feeling in my side, and it was driving me mad. Before I realized what was happening, Adrian was leaning over Sydney – healing her! I tried to tell him that she was gone, but he wasn't listening. He kept helping her, and in no time at all, her heart was beating again! Adrian brought Sydney back! And from that scary day on, they've been Shadow Kissed. Once my wounds healed, I pulled a clearly shaken Sydney aside and tried to prepare her for all of the changes that being Shadow Kissed was going to bring. Needless to say nothing could really prepare her for the twists and turns, not even from what I've learned all those years of being Shadow Kissed.

For so long, Dimitri and I thought about getting married. I've never wanted that house wife life were I'm home cooking and cleaning while my husband is out working, which is what I thought the life of a married woman was. But watching Lissa go through the motions and seeing her leap over the challenges of being a mother showed me different. But still…marriage couldn't happen for us. We didn't want to waste money and precious time protect Lissa, Christian and their family that we chose to not get married, no matter how much I longed to be called his wife. We swore under an oath to keep all Moroi safe – They Come First.

Over the years of Dimitri being around Court, no one questioned what happened to him after the accident with Victor. He has been beautifully with developing his senses and honing in on them. I couldn't be more proud of him. He pulled through challenges, like when Andy scraped her knew when running around the playground with Domika. I tried to get ot her before Dimitri, but he was closer and he knelt down in front of her, inspected the wound, and patched it up. He did it all with an impassive face, but he did it without a hitch of suspicion. More importantly, he did it without losing control in the slightest. He started moving around court more easily, tuning out people far out in the distance, focusing on hearing strange noises far away. And because this was Dimitri we were talking about, it doesn't surprise me that he's this good at being bad-ass.

Working around being a Guardian and a mother was tough. Sure, Dimitri and I sometimes took shifts watching over Lissa and Christian, but balancing a daughter in the mix was a challenge. But I'm always once to accept those kind of impossible challenges. If one of us was working, the other would make sure to keep our phone on us when Domika called before bed every night. It became tradition for her to call us up and tell us how her day went. But, once she stared getting more and more involved with school, she began to break out of tradition. Pretty soon, and it only took a few years, Domika was only calling us every other day, and then once a week, and the once every two weeks, and then once a month. Yes, I was worried about her and wanted to stay in touch, but she was slowly spacing herself between her past and future life. It broke my heart and warmed my soul all at the same time: my little girl was growing up.

Years of Domika being in school flew by. She, Andy and Alekz were, from what I gathered 'popular' once they reached the end of middle school. Boys offered to walk them to class, carry their books, do their homework…the works. When Domika called to tell me about it all, I warned her to steer clear of those boys, that they'll only break her heart in the end.

About a year after sending Mason off to school at the academy, Lissa announced that she was pregnant again. She was excited I could tell. But once we were alone, she broke out into tears. She said she felt like she replacing her own children by having another child once they were away at school. I understood, mainly because I would agree with almost anything she said if only to make her stop crying. Clear the water works, ask questions later. She was scared that her kids would feel neglected, even though I knew her kids better, and they could never feel that kind of regret toward the mother that gave them everything they ever wanted and did what was best for them. I explained that to Lissa and she felt a little better afterward. So, about 9 months lots of tears and morning sickness, and a baby shower later, Eric and Cecilia Dragomir were born. Twins… and they have Christian's blood running through their veins. Talk about a vacation from paradise.

It's sad, and it probably sounds like we're abandoning her, but…Dimitri and I haven't seen our daughter since we dropped her off on her first day. Sure, we've been able to video chat a few times, and we've talked on the phone countless times, so we've had the chance to see her slowly – yet too quickly – grow up that way. But nothing compares to being able to wrap my daughter in a hug. The day I get to see my daughter in person, is the day I cry since Mason's funeral, I can almost guarantee it. I've been waiting to see her all grown up for almost 12 years. And I couldn't have hoped for that day to come any sooner.

It's now Domika's senior year. Which would make her 17-years-old. The same age I was when I met Dimitri. God, I hope she doesn't run off with the princess and get caught by a Guardian that's 7 years older than her and fall head-over-heels in love him, only to lose him several times before they can truly be happy with a daughter of their own. Lord, spare me…

It was a long car ride, but we finally caught the Academy in our sights. Lissa, Christian and their youngest daughter, Rhea , who was now a year and a half, waited anxiously in the back seat to see their children again. Dimitri was, of course, driving, and I had shot-gun. Sydney, Mia, Adrian, Eddie, and their new Guardian to replace Mason, Kyle Donnon, were in the car behind us. Of course there were about three other SUVs filled with Guardians accompanying us on this trip, what with the Queen visiting the school, but we hardly notice them anymore. They were shadows in a corner, just like they were supposed to be.

When we stepped through the doors, it was like I was walking through time (not literally referencing my daughter's powers to do so physically). I glanced at Dimitri with a wind smile. A look of amusement flashed in his eyes. Lissa walked with her head held high in her beautiful, long and red evening gown. Christian walked alongside her through the halls, dressed in a pair of slacks, nice dress shoes, and a sky blue dress shirt, the dark blue tie pulling his outfit together. In his arms was Rhea, dressed in a cute, pale pink fluffy dress with a flowering head band holding her wild black hair back. Dimitri and I were the only ones accompanying Lissa and Christian down the halls, having arrived from our assigned rooms slightly off schedule. I wore a pair of black slacks, black two inch heels, and a dark brown tank top under a light brown slightly flashy long sleeve top. Dimitri chose to be dressed head to toe in black, much to my dislike. But I was happy knowing I'm the only person here that knew what color his boxer shorts were…

We were to go straight to the dining hall reserved for Moroi visiting their kids, where we were to be properly welcomed by the staff. I'm not sure if Hans was still here, but I'm sure I'd have fun proving him wrong about me not being a good Guardian. Lissa mingled a little, commenting on how great one guest look, then turned to another to complement how great a Guardian someone else's son would be after hearing a forever long story about it.

Dimitri mingled ourselves, greeting past teachers and only friends Dimitri knew that were transferred here, just like he was. When he introduced me as his girlfriend and Lissa's Guardian, the other Guardian's eyes bugged out. But I couldn't tell if it was due to the fact that Dimitri and I were a couple, or if it was because of my reputation. I always get those two confused, because they were both almost a look of complete disbelief.

I was anxious for the party to be over, mainly because I wanted so badly to look for Domika, but also because I hated snobby parties like this. All I wanted was to see my daughter. Was that so much to ask. It did end after a few hours of…nothing. Just boring politics and glass of champagne or two. Dimitri was even man enough to snag a beer and tipped it back easily. God, it was hot when he did that. It's a good thing we'll be off duty a lot of the time here, mainly because there were plenty of Guardians to keep an eye on the Queen and the other royal families.

Lissa caught me by the arm when I went for another drink.

"Rose, save me!" she whispered harshly, pulling us both out a side door and into a small hallway.

I laughed, lazily leaning myself against the wall. "You should have known it would be this bad."

She groaned, smoothing out her gown. "I guess so. I'm just sick of these stuck up people telling me how perfect their son would be for 'the beautiful princess' and how great their daughter is and how she's in the same class as Mason." She groaned aloud again, leaning against the wall opposite of me. "I didn't bring my children into this world for their futures to be decided for them. I want them to make their own decisions, no matter who that person is that my daughter may marry someday. They don't even get a say in what happens in her life. I might for now, but it's her life. And as for Mason…" She sighed. "He's got too much of his father in him to worry about too much."

I rolled my eyes, thinking back at how rebellious Christian used to be back when we went to school here. "yeah. Mason should be okay on his own. He is only there years younger than Andy, but still up there on the girls radar I hear."

She looked up at me, eyes wide. Who told you that? Domika?"

I nodded, laughing at her expression. "Yeah, the last we talked a week ago." I sighed this time. "I've been waiting to see her for…I can't even remember how many years…" 11 years, 306 days, to be exact. Rounded to about 12 years. But who's counting?

She put her hand on my shoulder. I looked back up at her, my eyes having wondered down to the ground at our shoes. "She's here somewhere, they both are. I miss Andy and Mason as much as you miss Domika, and I'm just as anxious to see them. I even miss the twins! Not that I don't love them deeply, but, let's face it, they're a handful. You would know from babysitting them so much." That was true. when they got fussy because they could be with Lissa when she was a meeting, Dimitri would always manage to promote me to babysitting and take them to another room and entertain them. God, love those little devil children…

I smiled. "At least I'm not the only parent wallowing in self-pity. Thanks, Liss."

She stood up from the wall, and I did the same. "What else are sister's for?"

Moments later, Dimitri found us and brought us back to the party. He knew something was up, and when we had a moment to talk, I told him how I couldn't wait to see Domika, and the anxiety that was no doubt radiating from my body was mostly due to that. He understood, of course. He always did.

The party was finally over, and I was free to go look for my daughter. Dimitri and I left Lissa and the others under Kyle's watch and walked hurriedly down the halls. They were empty, for the most part, but a few students were still wondering around, probably heading back to their rooms after a long day. When we didn't catch sight of her after a few minutes of wandering aimlessly, Dimitri suggested that we go to Alberta – I mean, Stan's office – and maybe see if we could find her room. The old geezer wasn't too happy that I in particular had returned to the academy – as sweet as I remember him – but still pointed us in the right direction.

I was in such a hurry, I think Dimitri was the only thing keeping me from running full sprint to Domika's room. He just chuckled and easily held me back with his equal amount of strength, barely keeping me from dragging him down the hallways. We turned one corner that had two Moroi girls whispering as soon as we passed them. Their eyes were on me at first, probably hearing rumors about my "death" and the fact that I went to school here too. Then their giggles and gazes were switched to Dimitri, who gave them a nod of acknowledgement as we passed. That only go the to giggle more. I wasn't sure if I was more surprised or frustrated that girls were still giggling and flaunting themselves over my Dimka, even if they were half his age.

Sensing my uneasy, Dimitri squeezed my hand and whispered low in my ear, "I only have eyes for you, Roza."

I smiled wide, feeling a little flutter in the pit of my stomach. Even after being together for so long, he still got to me in a way no one else did. (So did Christian, but that was in a more annoyed way.)

Finally, we came to the door that Hans directed us to. I was practically jumping with excitement. God, have I missed her. I should be against all rules and laws to separate a daughter from her mother for so long.

From down the hall, we heard our names being called out. Dimitri and I both turned to see a Guardian a vaguely recognized. I think he was a Guardian here when I was still a student. Dimitri's student. He was pretty tall, though my Russian still had a little bit of a height on him. He had blonde hair and watchful, hazel eyes – as vigilant as any other Guardian here.

We said our hellos and exchanged greetings, but my focus was somewhere else. All of my attention was on the Guardian passing by, but my heart was on Domika. And just as I was about to turn back to the door, I heard her voice.

"Mom? Dad?"

I turned around slowly, as if it was just the wind, and I didn't want to scare it away. The more she came into my vision, the more the smile on my face grew; the more my heart swelled with pride seeing how beautiful she was in person for the first time in a long time; and the more my need to hold her in my arms grew.

As tears pricked my eyes, I reached out with a shaky hand – trust me, that doesn't happen often – and touched her cheek, gently brushing away her dark brown hair. I saw her eyes swell with tears too, a smile as big as mine on her face, lighting up the hall.

"Domika…my little girl…" My voice cracked a little, making me sound so weak it was scary, but I didn't care. I missed her so much, I could have died then and there and I wouldn't have cared. I got to see my little girl all grown up.

Something flashed in her eyes. Something I wasn't sure how to react to. She seemed to have zoned out, her eyes unfocused and almost fogged over.

My smile dropped slightly. "Dom…? Is something wrong?"

As soon as she heard my voice again, she snapped out of it, that bright smile returning. She brought her own hand up to mine, covering it and giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's nothing to worry about, Mom. Let's just say I've seen things you have, and I couldn't be happier that you're here to tell me about them."

My brain was so fogged with joy that that I wasn't sure what that meant, but it didn't matter. I had her here now, and I couldn't have been happier, just as she said.

She burst into tears and threw herself into my arms. I wrapped her tightly to me, never wanting to let her go too far away again. I knew it would hurt us both too much. I felt Dimitri behind me, waiting for his turn impatiently. I pulled away from Domika, wiping both of our tears and kissed her on the cheek.

I stepped aside slightly, still sniffling, and took Dimitri's hand, seriously worrying that I might fall over any minute now. He stepped up and reached the other hand up to tilt Domika's chin up, making her look him in the eyes. She sniffled, tears still freefalling. He wiped her tears and seemed to be studying her face, everything that she is since that last time her saw her in person.

Finally, he said, "Как твой русский, маленький?" His Russian was so beautiful, I had forgotten that he had taught her briefly while we video chatted from time to time.

Domika smiled wider and threw her arms around his neck, nearly having to jump to reach that height.

"Я скучал по тебе, папа," she said in perfect Russian. That's my girl.

Dimitri wrapped one arm her tightly around her, still holding mine in his other one. He squeezed it gently, obviously as overjoyed about this as I was. I squeezed his hand as well, and then wrapped my arms and the both of them. Dimitri wrapped his strong arm around my shoulders, pulling his two girls as close as he could.

Finally, we were a family again – we were whole again. And nothing was going to make it any different.

Nothing.

Well, how was it?

I'm sorry again about the very, very late update. I thought I could get a lot done during the holidays, but I was wrong, clearly. Anyway, it's up, and that's what counts, right?

It's been a blast, and I hope you've enjoyed everything that you've read so far. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you on the flip side in the next story.

THANKS FOR READING! R&R

-Aly