Hey all! You were probably wondering where I went weren't you? Well, to be honest, summer just got away from me. I was working and taking care of family things, and writing was just the last thing on my mind. I am about to start classes again, so I will have a better schedule and will be back updating weekly. I promise.

Disclaimer: I own no one except Baby Bela.

Adrian's POV:

I watched as Rose fed Bela a bottle. She was a pro at this, and that kind of worried me. I know I had said I would never be mad at her if she changed her mind, but at this point, I would be lying if I said I would only be hurt a little. I smiled at them. "How are you doing over there?"

She smiled back at me. "He is starting to grow on me a little."

"That's good to know."

"Don't worry Adrian, I don't want to take him from you, it is just nice to know that I am not repulsed every time I look at him."

"I know that, and as I said before, I just want you to be happy."

"Know what would make me happy?"

This time Dimitri looked up. "What?"

"Just let me spend an hour a day with him after school. That way you two can have some time alone and I can bond with him."

Dimitri smiled. "That seems fair."

Rose smiled. "Really?"

"Really. No matter what happens, or who raises him, this little boy is always going to be bonded to you. He is going to be a part of you."

"And Ralf."

"And Ralf, but I don't want you to think about that."

"They tried to get me to press charges."

"Who is they?"

"Kirova."

"Are you?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Why not Rose?"

She looked at the clock and gasped. "I am going to be late for training. Stan is going to kill me."

"Rose? Why not?"

She took a deep breath. "Ralf's family could lay claim to the baby and knowing their contempt for me, they would do that, and I couldn't do that to you."

I stood up and hugged her tight. "Rose... You don't have to protect us."

"I know, but I still have to protect him, and can you imagine what Ralf's family would do? Most Moroi already look at Dhampirs like they are slaves, he would be one."

That was when Dimitri broke in. "Know what? Let's get you to training and then we can discuss this after school okay?"

Rose nodded. "Okay."

"Great. Now, head out. We are already late."

Stan's POV:

I was a little upset, Dimitri promised he would have Rose here on time and they were late. I took a deep breath and tried not to get visually angry Maybe something had happened to make them get delayed. They was when the gym door opened and what I saw shocked me. Rose with a huge smile on her face. I never expected to see that again, but there it was. "Good morning Rose."

"Morning Stan."

"What has you in such a good mood today?"

"I got to feed Bela."

"You did?"

She nodded. "I think he likes me."

"I bet he does. You gave birth to him."

She looked at Dimitri. "Did you want to stay?"

My heart started to beat a little faster. This was going to be like a guardian pissing contest and I had a feeling that Dimitri could one up me.

He smiled. "I have to get some stuff ready for class. Stan can handle you... I think..." He winked at me and laughed. "I'll see you after school, deal?"

She nodded. "Deal."

Dimitri left and I looked at Rose. "What is happening after school?"

"Dimitri is going to help me with my homework and when I get it all done, I get to babysit."

"Well, you really had a turn around last night."

She shrugged. "I don't know, I just... I'm his mom. He needs to know that I love him even if I can't raise him."

I nodded. "That makes sense."

"Do you think I mad the right choice?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you think I could have raised him?"

"I think so, but I don't think you would have been happy."

"No?"

I shook my head. "You would have been a great mother, but I think the problem would have been you would have still wanted to be the same type of guardian as you are now, and you know there was no way that could have happened right?"

"What do you mean?"

"You are out on a picnic with with Lissa and Bela, a Strigoi attacks. Who do you protect?"

"Lissa."

"So you let your child die?"

"They come first."

"Before your own flesh and blood?"

That was when I saw it happened. Something in her face broke and she bolted out of the gym. I sighed. I shouldn't have pushed like that. Almost instantly, the door opened and Dimitri walked in. Looked like I was going to get that pissing contest after all. "Dimitri, what can I do for you?"

"Rose just ran past my room crying. What happened?"

"I think I pushed her a little to far emotionally."

"What. Happened."

"She asked me if I thought she made the right choice about Bela. I told her she probably could have raised him, but wouldn't be the type of guardian she is now. When she asked me what I meant, I made a fictional scenario where she had to pick between Lissa and Bela and she chose Lissa."

"Over Bela?"

I nodded. "When I asked her if she would leave Bela unprotected, she said 'They come first' and I think it suddenly made her realize she gave her baby up because of the Moroi."

Dimitri frowned. "I'm sorry I took it out on you."

"I think I took it out on myself."

"Come on, let's go find her."

"Any ideas where to look?"

"She is probably with Lissa now."

I nodded. "Right. Let's go."

I can only see bad things coming from this, how will Lissa react? Will it make her feel more guilty? I'll see you all next week with all the details!