Chapter 14: See You Later

RPOV

He is leaving today.

I sat in my bedroom, staring at the photo album I had made for him. I have been working on it for a week straight. Pictures from childhood to now, all of us. The most recent being from this summer. We went everywhere, Galveston, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, even the small towns, Belton, Wichita Falls, Odessa, anywhere the road would take us. Dad gave us pretty much and unlimited account to travel with. We honestly barely touched it, with gas, food and hotels, there was still a lot left.

"Kiz, isn't it time for Dimitri to leave? Shouldn't you be with him."

"I'm scared, Baba." I hardly ever call him, Baba. Only when I was little and hurt or scared of something, much like I am right now.

"Oh, Kizim, there is nothing to worry about. What you and Dimitri have, it's real. As much as it pains me to think about my 16 year old daughter already having found the love of her life, I know you and him will be just fine. He is a good man, let him do what he needs to, to be able to provide a comfortable and beautiful future together."

"I know you're right, but I don't want him to go. I don't want to lose him. We have been through so much, I don't know what will happen and that terrifies me."

"You can never predict the future, Rosemarie. You will worry yourself into an early grave if you try. Trust in your heart, trust in your love together and let the cards fall as they may."

"Thank you, Baba."

"You are most welcome. Now get down there and see your man off to college."

DPOV

"Do you have everything, Dimka?" Mama asked for the hundredth time today. I had packed all week and have checked and rechecked that I had everything I needed. Mine and Ivan's belongs were all loaded into the back of my truck, we would be driving to Vanderbilt today.

"Yes Mama, I've made sure that I would not forget anything."

"You know I just worry, my baby boy is going off to college and I can't stand that you won't be here everyday. This is hard for a parent, one day you will understand."

"I know, Mama, I know. I will be back home for Thanksgiving break before you know it. Then Christmas and New Years, before you can blink it will be all over."

I am the first child to leave home and go to college, none of us ever thought we would get the chance. I worked hard for this, I was not going to let this chance go to waste. I gave my mother and sisters hugs and made my way to the truck. Roza was supposed to be here, but she isn't answering her phone. I have tried to call, text, face-time, nothing. She had seemed okay these last few weeks. We spent the summer going to all sorts of hot spots in the state. Abe had given her a summer allowance that was more than I've ever made in a year. He told us to spare no expense because business was good, and we deserved to make as many memories as we could. With every week that had passed you could tell things were getting tense. She started to close herself off from me. Preparing to have to say goodbye. I continued to tell her it is never goodbye for us, just see you later. I never like the word goodbye, seems so final, like you can't come back from it. I will be back, I have to come back, my whole life is here, wrapped in one person.

"Comrade." Rose's voice came out hoarse and weak. She had been crying, and from the looks of her eyes, crying a lot.

"Oh Roza, please love, don't cry. This isn't goodbye, you know that. I will be back before you know it."

"I know, doesn't mean I have to like it." Wrapping her up in my arm I held on tight. Like she might float away if I loosened just a little. "I don't want to keep you, you need to get on the road if your going to avoid rush hour."

"Just one more minute, please." Nodding into my chest she tightened her hold. I pulled back slightly and lifted her head, cupping her cheeks in both hands I kissed her lightly. "Are you sure you want to wait?" I already knew her answer, but I had to check one more time. I don't want her to feel like she has to say yes, or give up anything for me.

"How many times do I have to tell you Dimitri? Yes, I am sure, I made you a promise and I intend to keep it. Are you having doubts?"

"Never, I just hate feeling like I am holding you back from living a full life. Holding out for me, only to see me a handful of weeks a year. I love you so much, Rose. I want you to be happy."

"Then stop. Stop worrying, stop asking me if I am sure, just stop, Dimitri. I will never choose anyone else. Your stuck with me for the rest of your life. I hope you realize what you've gotten yourself into."

Oh My Roza, My Beautiful Roza, I know exactly what I have gotten myself into. I smiled at her, "What's that?" I just noticed the gift bag she had in her hand.

"Just something for you to have. When you miss home, miss me."

I opened the bag to find a photo book. It had hundreds of pictures, from all ages. I wonder how long it to her to make this, it was the best gift I have ever been given.

"Thank you, Roza. I guarantee I will be looking at it often."

She laughed, though it sounded forced. "It's time to go Comrade, Be safe, Я люблю тебя, Дмитрий Беликов, со всем, что я есть." (I love you Dimitri Belikov, with everything I am.)

I stared at her for a moment, I didn't expect her to say that. Well, I expected her to tell me she loves me, but I did not expect her to say it in my native tongue. She has been asking me for years to teach her Russian, but she only wanted to know the swear and dirty words.

"Where did you learn that?"

"I may have had a little help." Nodding in Mama's direction I caught the glint in my mother's eyes. My family loves Rose just as much as I do, I know they will help her through this. I looked back to Rose and give her one more long kiss. Holding her by the waist securely, as she wrapped her arms around my neck and ran her hands through my hair.

"I have to go, Roza, I love you, so so much. Take care of them for me, please."

"Always."

I gave Mama one more hug and jumped in the truck. Ivan was looking out to where Vika was standing just before, she ran in the house as soon as his door shut. This was going to be just as hard for him as it is for me. But the girls have each other, and he has me, we will all be okay.

"Ready to roll?" I asked.

He cleared his throat, "Yupp, let's get this show on the road."

Author's Note:: So there we have it! End of part one. I intend to have 3 parts, as I said earlier, the second part will have a time jump, simply because there is only so much meaningless events that could fill the time. Since baseball season runs from February to June, the other months would be just schooling, and there isn't much there that would pertain or contribute to what I am trying to accomplish here.

Now for a little fun, What would you like to see happen during Dimitri and Roses time apart? I have the draft for part two complete but I would love to hear ideas from everyone.

I hope you have all enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed writing this. I hope to see everyone continue on this journey with me, Rose and Dimitri.

Much Love,

Katarina