Chapter 21: Going to the Chapel

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy

RPOV

"Wake up Rose, it's your wedding day," Lissa's shrill voice woke me from my tumultuous slumber.

"Ugh, do I have to?" I groaned pulling the covers back up over my head.

"Yes you do. It's almost eight. I let you get your beauty rest, but if you're going to be ready by five we have to start now."

I raised my head off the pillow. "That's nine hours Liss. I can be ready in two. Let me sleep." I burrowed myself even deeper into my covers.

"Uh uh no way. We've got a few things planned for today," she said dragging the covers off of me so I was freezing.

"Don't make me get Lexie in here to jump on the bed," she threatened.

"All right, I'm up," I moaned. I hadn't had the best night's sleep. Lissa had insisted that Dimitri had to spend the night away from me since he shouldn't see me until I walked down the aisle. That meant I couldn't sleep in his arms last night and that always made me cranky.

"Okay shower, get dressed and meet me downstairs in twenty minutes," she ordered.

"Yes mam," I said saluting her. She gave me a dirty look before tossing a towel at me.

I took my time in the shower savoring the warmth of the water. When I finished, I opted to towel dry my hair since she was probably planning on yanking at it later on anyways. I threw on jeans and a black sweater pairing the outfit with my fuzzy gray Uggs. Hey I wanted to be comfortable.

"Mommy we made you breakfast," Lexie called as I entered the kitchen to find the table set for twelve with a champagne brunch. Not only that, but all of my friends were here along with Dimitri's other sisters Sonya and Karolina whom I'd never met. If only I'd realized I would be meeting them this morning, I'd have put some more time into my appearance.

"It's so nice to finally meet Dimka's Roza," Karolina greeted me with a smile and a hug. Sonya followed in similar fashion.

"Yes, Dimka and Mama have sent many photos of you and Lexie and Katya, but it's so nice to finally meet all of you in person."

"Same her, Dimitri has told me so much about you and it's a shame it has taken us so long to meet. We were supposed to visit last Easter, but with Katya on the way things just became too hectic," I explained.

We made small talk for a little longer until Lissa called us to attention and forced us to sit down at the table. Alberta, Mia, my mother and Tasha were there as well as the Belikovs.

"I'd like to propose a toast to my best friend who's been like a sister to me all these years," Lissa started. Oh great this was one of those make you cry speeches.

"I'll save my big sappy speech for the reception, but I just wanted to raise a glass to Rose and Dimitri. They've come so far to get to this point and no one deserves happiness more than they do. Cheers!" she said raising her glass.

I lifted my glass along with the rest, but set it back down without sipping it. I'd been really stressed out these last few weeks and had realized too late that I had forgotten to start my new pack of birth control. I had a feeling from the queasiness I'd been experiencing the past few days that we were in for a rocky road this next year.

I hadn't taken a test yet and I hadn't mentioned anything to Dimitri, but I knew I was pregnant. All the signs were there not to mention that we'd been going at it like rabbits since we'd had our last fight. I didn't want him to freak out right before the ceremony so I decided to wait until after the wedding to tell him. I'd already promised him that I wouldn't leave the wards with Lissa and now I had a definitive reason. I knew without a doubt that he would be happy about it. I just hoped we could handle another difficult pregnancy. The last one had been enough to drive us both insane. I cursed myself for not being careful. It was too soon in my opinion, but I wasn't entirely unhappy about it. I really wanted to give Dimitri a son. He said he was happy with daughters, but deep down every man wanted a son.

I sighed as I dreaded telling Lissa that even after the baby was born I would not be able to resume the position as her guardian. I would always worry about her, but now that we had a third child on the way there was no way I could justify putting myself in so much danger and possibly leaving my family without a mother. As much as I felt a duty to protect her, I felt a stronger duty to protect my growing family. I caught Yeva staring at me with a knowing smile. Damn witch and her psychic powers.

After breakfast was over which I hardly touched, the girls surprised me with a shower. I was thoroughly embarrassed as I opened sexy lingere in front of my mother and my future mother in law.

"Oh come on Roza! We all know what animals you are," Viktoria teased as I opened a leopard print see through nighty from her.

"Tell me Adrian did not help you pick this out," I groaned. She busted out laughing hysterically shaking her head. When I got to the last box it was from my mother. I would die if there was something furry or slutty inside. I opened the box carefully like it might jump out and bite me.

Thankfully I pulled out a very pretty pair of dangly pearl earrings with a matching necklace.

"Those are your something borrowed," she said. "Your father gave those to me the day you were born." I looked at her tears forming in my eyes.

"Thank you."

"Wait that's not all," Yeva replied pulling a box out from behind her back.

"This is your something old," she said. I opened the box revealing a very beautiful broach.

"You can pin on your dress," she stated. I hugged her tightly "If dress still fits," she whispered in my ear and then winked at me. I knew she knew. I don't know how, but she knew.

"Your dress is new so that just leaves something blue," Lissa said holding up a small Victoria's Secret box. I opened it revealing a very sexy pair of see through blue panties.

After the mini shower Lissa whisked me upstairs so she could do my hair and make-up, but also so we could have some alone time like we did before she married Sparky.

"Liss, I have something I want to talk to you about," I told her taking a deep breath.

"Okay," she said fastening a pin in my hair.

"What would you think if I asked you to replace me as your guardian," I asked wincing in anticipation of a meltdown.

"I'd say it's about time," she said with a smile. I looked at her confused.

"Rose, don't get me wrong, you are the best guardian out there and there is no one I trust more with my life, but I just can't keep justifying asking you to give up your family for me. It was different before Dimitri came back, but now you two have a family and it makes me so nervous every time we leave the wards. I hate that you guys fight so much because of me too," she added sheepishly.

"You're not mad?" I asked.

"Of course not. I love you. You're my best friend and my sister and that isn't going to change just because you won't be putting yourself in the line of fire for me. You know me better than that," she said.

"Who will you get to replace me?" I asked.

She shrugged. "There are many qualified guardians out there. I will put out my feelers and set up some interviews. You can be there if you want and we can choose together. You can even fight them if you want," she laughed.

"Well I would, but…." I trailed off not knowing if I should tell her until I'd taken a test and told Dimitri.

"What?" she asked curiously.

"Well I'm not totally sure and I haven't said anything to Dimitri, but I think I might be pregnant," I spilled.

Her jaw dropped and I could feel her utter surprise.

"Oh my God! I'm so happy for you Rose," she said hugging me tightly.

"Thanks, but like I said, I'm not one hundred percent positive."

"So let's find out," she said.

"I don't have a test," I argued.

"I do," she said with a blush.

"Wait why?" I asked.

"Well Christian and I have been trying," she admitted.

"Really? Oh Liss that would be so fun if we were both pregnant at the same time," I told her.

"Yea it would, but I'm not sure it will happen. We've been trying for six months now and it's not happening," she said sadly. I could feel her disappointment.

"I'm so sorry. Here I am rambling on about it. Way to stick my foot in my mouth," I groaned. I hadn't meant to throw it in her face.

"No, it's okay. We would be happy to have one more, but if it doesn't happen we're okay with it. We love Andree and he's enough. I just wanted to do this before it's too late," she said.

"What do you mean too late?" I asked. "You're not that old."

"Well, I'm not supposed to tell you, but screw it. You can't tell anyone though."

"I promise," I said crossing my heart.

"Tatiana is stepping down at the end of twenty-twelve and she wants me to run for the throne," she blurted.

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

"What!"

"Shhh, I haven't told Christian yet and I'm not going to until after the new year when Tatiana makes the announcement that she is stepping down. I shouldn't have even told you, but I had to tell someone."

"Ugh, now I feel terrible about resigning. You're going to be an even bigger target now," I groaned.

"No, it's good that you're doing it now. I don't want you to have to leave the wards with me when I go. It's going to be a lot more danger and I will hopefully have an entire royal guard once I get elected."

"You really think you're going to win?" I asked.

She nodded. "Rose the other candidates are so old and stuffy. I know I can do it. I know people will vote for me. I want to change the moroi world for the better and I want you to do it with me," she said.

"What do you mean? What can I do? I won't even be your guardian anymore." It pained me to even say those words.

"Silly Rose, there are lots of jobs that will need to be filled including a new cabinet. If I am Queen the first thing I am going to do is make space on the council and in my cabinet for dhampirs. They need to represented and that is the perfect place for you," she said her eyes gleaming. She really had thought this thing through.

"That would be an honor, but do you think the moroi will resist?"

"Oh well if they do. It's time you guys had rights too," she said with a fierce determination.

"You go girl!" I cheered her on.

"Okay so let's find out for sure," she said rushing home to get the test.

Ten minutes later she was pacing anxiously outside the bathroom door waiting for the results. The timer buzzed signaling the three minute time lapse had expired. I didn't make a move to get up right away and she practically raced for the door.

"Aren't you curious?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I pretty much know the answer," I told her and I did. My breasts were heavy and swollen, I had a massive headache and I'd thrown up twice yesterday.

"Can I?" she asked.

"Be my guest," I told her as she needed no further instruction before rushing into the bathroom. By her excited squeal I was pretty sure the answer was yes. I was carrying Dimitri's child for the third time.

"I'm going to be an Aunt again," she sang.

"Yea yea, I know," I told her with a laugh.

"Now finish making me pretty and don't spill the beans during dinner," I warned.

"My lips are sealed," she said zipping them and tossing away a fake key. I rolled my eyes. There was no way this was staying secret for long.

DPOV

"So you ready dude?" Christian asked as we put the finishing touches on our tuxedos.

"I was born ready to marry Roza," I told him.

"No cold feet?" Adrian asked.

"Not at all," I responded and it was the absolute truth. There was nothing that could keep me from marrying my Roza today. My mother was on Katya duty and Lexie would be walking down the aisle right before Rose. I took a deep breath and glanced at my reflection in the mirror.

"Ready?" Adrian asked holding the door open for me. I was halfway out the door when I realized I'd forgotten the gift I'd gotten for Rose.

"Hey I'll be right behind you. I just have to get something," I told him rushing through the house and down into Lissa and Christian's wine cellar where I'd hidden her gift. I walked into the cooler and fiddled behind the crates until I grasped it in my hand.

I pulled it out of the box and admired it. She was going to love it. I clamped the box shut and headed for the door. Today was going to be the best day of my life.

RPOV

"What's the hold-up Baba? I'm dying in these heels Lissa stuffed me into," I growled rubbing my feet. We were all waiting in the bride's room for the signal to begin the procession.

"I will go find out," he said. My mother had already been seated and the guests were there. Lissa had rushed out after getting a call from Sparky a few minutes ago. I figured it was something with the kids and they were being fussy. She'd get them settled and all would be well.

I huffed in annoyance as five more minutes passed and my father hadn't come back yet.

"Relax Rose, you know Lissa's a drama queen. She's probably throwing a fit over the floral arrangements or something," Mia scoffed looking bored.

I was sucked into Lissa's head before I could block her.

"What do you mean you can't find Dimitri?" she hissed at Christian. Adrian stood next to him looking really worried.

"I don't know. He was right behind us and then he wasn't."

"Did you check the house?"

"We checked them all," Eddie said in a worried tone.

"Just call his cell, maybe he forgot something," she said. I could tell she was freaking out hoping she was blocking me out well enough so I wasn't witnessing this. Too late, I thought.

"He's not answering that either," Adrian said sadly.

"Oh my God, what are we going to tell Rose? She's going to be devastated," Lissa cried in utter hysteria.

"Calm down, you don't know that he's leaving her at the alter," Christian said trying to remain calm.

"He's thirty minutes late to his own wedding. The man has never been late in his life!" she screeched.

"She's right. Someone has to tell Rose," Eddie said.

They all looked at Adrian.

"Oh great send me to break her heart. You know this is going to kill her," he stated.

"This is the worst. I can't believe he would do this to her especially in her condition," Lissa cried in exasperation. Oh great, she was about to spill the beans.

"What condition?" Adrian asked.

"Uh, nothing. Forget I said it," she covered quickly.

"Too late, now spill," he said grabbing her arm.

"Okay okay, Rose is pregnant," she whispered. They gaped at her in utter shock.

"This is not good, not good at all," Adrian groaned rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.

"What the hell is the hold up!" Lissa nearly jumped out of her skin at my father's booming voice.

"Uh, the groom is missing," Lissa squeaked.

The look on my father's face was murderous.

"I knew it! That jerk took my little girl's innocence, played with her heart and is too much of a coward to take responsibility. He will be sorry he was every born when I am through with him," he roared storming out of the hallway. I took that as my queue to leave Lissa's head.

"Roza what's wrong?" Viktoria asked waving her hand in front of my face.

"I told you she was with Lissa. So is everything okay to go?" Mia asked.

"No," I told her my heart constricting in pain. "Everything is not alright." Just as I said that the door opened and Adrian walked in.

"Hey Little Dhampir, you look amazing," he said with a small forced smile.

"Can it Ivashkov, I know why you're here," I told him trying to hold it together.

"You saw?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm so sorry," he said coming forward to embrace me.

"What's going on?" Viktoria asked nervously.

"Yea Mommy why are you sad and where is Daddy?"

"Dimitri is missing," I whispered a single tear trickling down my cheek.

Put away your guns and knives long enough to review okay? Where is Dimitri?