Twelve

December 26, 2004

Dragomir Estate- East Hampton, New York, USA

Rose

"It's too red," Lissa giggled, referring to the bright red lipstick Rose had just put on. "You look fourteen, not twelve like that."

Rose gave her a wicked smile. She looked almost grown up now. Her body had gained curves and boys had started noticing her. She wondered if Lissa was jealous. Lissa, though very pretty, still had a girl's body not an adolescent one.

"Good."

Lissa rolled her eyes. "Fine, but don't complain if they make you tone it down."

"They won't. Your mom and dad don't like drawing attention to things they consider improper."

"Your mom will probably send you back upstairs to clean off the makeup."

Rose shrugged. "She can try."

"Don't start."

"Start what?"

"Antagonizing your mom."

"I don't! I just want her to spend more time with me instead of with her stupid charges. The only reason she's here is because your parents invited her charge. She only sees me twice a year- once in summer and once for my birthday. I'm with your family more than I'm ever with her."

Lissa hugged her. "I know, but one day you'll spend all of your time with me anyway."

"I'm excited for that."

"We'll travel the world, doing whatever we want."

"What I want now, is dinner."

Giggling, the girls left Lissa's room. The party was already busily in progress when they reached the formal dining room of the Dragomir estate. Everyone under age thirteen was sent to the smaller dining room.

"Hi Natalie," Lissa called out.

Natalie Dashkov turned toward them, flashing them a nervous smile. "Hi Lissa, Rose, you both look great!"

They both thanked her. "My mom bought both of our dresses. Yours is very pretty too."

Natalie held out the skirt and smiled. "Thank you. Your house is so beautifully decorated! I love the lights and garlands."

"I'll be sure to tell my parents. Why don't we go get our seats?"

They took places at the table with the other children, congregating by age. They talked throughout the meal, catching up on how their breaks were going, and talking about their presents.

Afterward, children under ten were sent upstairs while the older children rejoined everyone else in the ballroom.

Prince Eric Dragomir called everyone to attention. His wife was standing at his side. "Everyone, my wife and I want to thank you all for coming. It is a pleasure to celebrate the holidays with you all. We would like to make a special announcement before we continue celebrating. Andre and Vasilisa, please come here."

The two Dragomir children walked to the front of the room. Lissa flashed Rose a big grin. Rose bounced slightly as she stood. She knew the announcement that was coming.

"As we have watched our children grow, they have brought many friends into our home. Two of these friends have been with our son and daughter for years. They are as family to us, and we are excited to announce our intent to have them be guardians to our children when they graduate. David Collins and Rose Hathaway, please come forward. Guardian Hathaway, it would be an honor for you to join us."

They all walked forward to join the Dragomirs.

Eric praised all three of them, and expressed his hopes for the future of his children and their desired guardians.

Janine

"You're lucky," Mike Finn said. "Your daughter will have a place of honor for life."

Janine said nothing, choosing to focus on the ballroom floor below them. Rose was dancing with Victor Dashkov. Janine was proud of Rose, but she also felt a twisting ache inside her.

"But you aren't happy."

"No, I'm not." He let the silence between them grow until she continued. "I'm proud of Rose. I'm glad that she has been honored this way." She looked at Eric and Rhea as they danced. She felt anger and jealousy twist her insides. "But I've lost my baby to them."

He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I don't have a place in her life anymore. She loves them and they love her. We barely talk anymore and when we do, we fight. What can I offer her that the Dragomirs can't?"

"You're her mother."

"Am I? It seems that she'd rather be a Dragomir."

Rose now danced with Andre, laughing with him.

"I don't have a place in her life anymore."

At the end of the night, Janine departed with her Moroi. The Dragomirs very graciously said farewell to Janine before heading back inside. Janine and Rose stood alone together on the doorstep of the Dragomir Estate.

"I'm so proud of you. You were wonderful tonight, and you look so beautiful."

Rose lit up with a smile. "Thank you. Will you be back for my birthday?"

"I hope so."

Rose's smile faltered. "Alright. Well. Stay safe."

"I'll do my best. Keep doing your best in school."

"I will."

Janine touched her daughter's cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too, mom."

They stood there for a moment before stepping apart. Janine watched her daughter turn and walk back inside the Dragomir estate. Her daughter's future was set. She couldn't give her what the Dragomirs could. It would be easier if she just stayed away. Rose turned and flashed her a smile, which Janine reciprocated.

Neither knew that it would be five years before they saw one another again.