Author's Note: Here you go, folks. Sorry about the wait, and sorry about the shortness of this chapter. I hope you enjoy it. No, I'm not going to make Tasha a snooty witch, because I actually quite like the woman. However, Rose/Dimitri fluff is to be awaited. :D Also, my story, "Love is Sometimes Hard to Catch" is also up on FictionPress. com, so PLEASE go check it out. The level of activity on that site is enough to make me snore. I'll post the link on my profile, so again, please please please please PLEASE! Go check it out... If you ever want to experience Dimitri shirtless again (with Rose) in my fanfics. *insert evil cackle*. Otherwise, the Strigoi will eat him later on, and then he and Rose will never get married, and Sasha will lose her Uncle Dimka. That's a pretty serious consequence, so you guys better go check my story out and review on it. Mwahaha! Anyhoo, enjoy this, and review!
The day was spent in cheerful celebration, and the Christmas Spirit on the campus at St. Vladimir's Academy was so thick, one could cut it with a knife. This was really the first time I'd ever seen this place so happy with the Christmas cheer crap, and I will admit that I was thoroughly enjoying it. Dimitri, Sasha, and I finally all came inside from playing in the snow, and we had the cold, wet, white stuff sticking to us everywhere, laughing as we shook it off and playfully threw it at each other.
"I think Hell just froze over." Dimitri and I looked up to see a dumbfounded Christian and a radiant Lissa staring at us. I grabbed a bit of snow off of Dimitri's jacket, and pitched it at Christian.
"Little ears, Ozera! There are little ears in this hallway!" I exclaimed, pointing down at the top of Sasha's head, as she stood right in front of me. Christian started laughing, and held his hands up in surrender.
"Sorry, Rose. I just didn't think I'd ever see you two get all buddy-buddy again this soon," he exclaimed, and I just rolled my eyes, and scooped Sasha up into my arms, smiling as I stood next to Dimitri.
"Yeah, I know. I had a mentor once who told me that this was the season for forgiveness," I said simply, before a smile spread across my lips. "Mom! Dad!" I called, walking over to my parents with Sasha still on my hip. Janine beat Abe into pulling me into a hug, but I was certainly going to greet my father as well.
"You're looking well, Kizim," Abe noted with a smirk, and I flashed him a cheeky grin, before bringing Sasha around to meet them.
"Mom, Dad, this is my charge, Sasha Rakova. I will be her mentor throughout her education here at St. Vladimir's. Sasha, sweetie, this is Guardian Janine Hathaway, and Mr. Ibraham Mazur," I introduced, and Sasha smiled and waved shyly at them before she buried her face in my shoulder. Personally, I supposed that when she was actually introduced formally, she became shy and quiet… as opposed to her randomly walking up to people and talking to them. Chatting with them a little bit longer, I finally turned around and saw Dimitri staring at me with a sort of uneasy wonder, and I snorted, remembering just how he felt about the infamous Zmey. It was obvious that he couldn't even fathom why I would be cozying up to Abe Mazur anytime soon; but all facts aside, is there any call for surprise? After all, I've made out with a Strigoi countless times before… even if that particular Strigoi was standing here today as a dhampir.
"Hey Dimitri! Come over here, there's someone I'd like you to meet," I teased with a facetious smirk on my face, and the look he gave me told me that he knew how impudent I was being, but regardless, he approached anyway, and stood there awkwardly in front of Abe.
"Ah, the young Mr. Belikov; it has been quite some time, has it not? You were just a boy the last time I saw you," Abe said with an expression that mirrored my own, and I had to fight to keep from laughing when Dimitri coughed uncomfortably.
"Yes… that sounds about right, Zmey," Dimitri confirmed, and finally, I couldn't hold it in anymore and I chuckled, earning a glare from him and a smirk from my father. I smiled and shook my head, before putting my free hand on Abe's shoulder.
"Dimitri, I'd like to introduce you to my father, Abe Mazur," I finally said, and burst out laughing when I saw the startled expression on his face as he looked from me to Abe a few times, and then back to me, the realization suddenly dawning with him.
"Horosho ja budu prokljat!" he exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked at the two of us incredulously. I had no idea what he said, but when Sasha started giggling, I knew that he'd said something I didn't want the little girl in my arms to repeat.
"Belikov, you'd better not be swearing in front of her," I warned him, and this time he started laughing, but it was one of shock.
"I can't believe I didn't see it before," he admitted, and I laughed and play-punched him on the arm.
"Well, now you know. Anyway, my stomach tells me that Lissa has food stashed in one of the lounges…" I said, casting a suspicious look at Lissa, who began to giggle and as a result, it sent everyone else into peals of laughter. Lissa smiled, and took Christian's arm.
"Well Rose, the faster you stop talking, the faster you can test that theory," she told me, and quickly I obeyed, following her into the lounge. Inside, I saw that there was a table laden with enough food to feed a small army… or rather four, hungry dhampirs… which included me. Tasha was already there, using her magic to get the fire going. She managed to create a roaring blaze on the logs there before standing and turning around to face use. Upon seeing me, Tasha grinned, flashing her fangs, and I couldn't help but smile back at her.
"Hey Tasha!" I greeted, stepping into her open arms in a hug, even though I still had Sasha on my hip, with her legs wound around my waist. I had a feeling that she wouldn't let go of me, even if I did try to put her down, but it wasn't something that bothered me.
"Rose, it's so good to see you again! How are you enjoying life here at the academy?" Tasha asked. I smiled and looked down at Sasha for a moment, before looking back up to Tasha's baby blue eyes.
"Things are good here," I explained before motioning to Sasha. "This is my charge, Sasha Rakova. Sasha, this is my friend Tasha Ozera. She's Christian's aunt," I explained gently, brushing some of the chocolate brown curls from Sasha's face as she waved a little and buried her face timidly in my shoulder. Tasha smiled warmly, before motioning at the table.
"Well, let's all not sit here and let the food get cold. Let's eat!" she exclaimed, and I highly agreed.