Epilogue

A/N: I have decided that this is going to be it :D the epilogue! However! Like my other story a love to live for (if you're into Pride and Prejudice you should totally check it out) I will add some one-shots whenever I feel like it :D I hope for those of you who wanted see guardian Lina that this is a compromise, one shots that give you an insight into the future hehe… Okay and with that, the epilogue…

Despite the whole kidnapping thing, I managed to pass my final grading with flying colours and graduate! I was sitting with my fellow classmates in the classic graduation robes, I was even willing to wear the stupid box hat with the annoying tassel thing. The best part was that my whole family was here to witness it, mum, dad, Lissa, Christian, Andre, Mia and Eddie; of course Adrian was also there, sitting in between mum and Lissa and making them blush with his charming smile, it was funny to watch considering they were both married and he was completely taken; honestly he was Adrian and I wouldn't change him for the world. I was sitting next to Sarah and on her left was Alex, or as like to call them the couple of smothering! After I was released from the infirmary they spent their time on either side of me most of the time we were together and that was just based on the orders of Adrian, I had finally gotten them off my back for the last few weeks of school and it felt like a taste of the freedom I was about to receive. Not that I had any idea what was going to happen after this, I was worried sick that I would be shipped away to some random Moroi that needed my guardianship, that I would be shipped away from all the people I love, but all my family seem to be absolutely chilled out about it; this either means they have something up their sleeves and they weren't telling me or they just didn't care – which I highly doubted.

"Karolina Hathaway-Belikov." Suddenly nerves began to chew me up, this was it! I was going to get my promise mark and my certificate, when I walked up the stairs and onto the stage I was nothing but a student, but the moment I walked down the steps; I was Guardian Karolina Hathaway-Belikov. I took a deep breath and got out of seat, the walk seemed to drag on, and my vision almost swam, I began my ascend and prayed to St Vladimir himself that I would not trip. I sat down on the stool and bent my neck, the tingle of the promise mark crated a haze, I closed my eyes and thought of everything that had happened to me this year; it was possibly the strangest year of my life but I wouldn't trade it for the world, sure I almost died a few times but what does that matter when I am about to enter one of the highest risk jobs in our world. Within moments the tattooing was done and I was officially a graduate and guardian, a simple and respectable clap was sent my way and I searched out my parents, for once in their lives they were not standing in the shadows, they were sitting as close as they could get to the front and were gazing at me proudly; I am pretty sure I even saw my dad with tears in his eyes – not that he would ever admit it.

"Woohoo! Go Lina!" I heard Sarah yell from her seat; I grinned at her with my mother's grin and winked. I flicked over my tassel and with a smile, I curtsied, the chapter had closed on my final act as Karolina Hathaway-Belikov, student of St Vlads; it was time for a new one, Karolina Hathaway-Belikov, kickass guardian.

Once the ceremony was over, it was time for the feast of the century and I was surrounded by my family and friends once more; my mum didn't stop trying to hug me and it got to the point where dad had to take her away from me and get her slightly drunk. I jumped when I felt arms weave around my waist, but the scent of cologne that surrounded me alerted me that it was Adrian and I automatically relaxed into his embrace.

"My princess Lina, I have a present for you." I turned around in his arms and smirked.

"Another one? I have warned you about over spending. I am going to get too spoiled." Adrian laughed and handed me an envelope, I looked up at him and quirked my eyebrow.

"One: I will never spend enough money on you, two: I didn't actually spend any money on this particular present; now please open it." I practically ripped the envelope open and read its content.

Dear Miss Karolina Hathaway-Belikov,

I am honored to offer you a lower guardian position within the Royal court. Duties will include shift work on and around the Royal court and being designated to Moroi leaving the premise for local travels.

Yours sincerely

Dimitri Belikov

Head guardian of the Royal Court.

Since when did dad become head guardian? I looked up at Adrian with a massive smile on my face, this was a position; it was starting from the bottom and I would probably get every shift I didn't actually want but it was a job, in the royal court and it was all mine. I jumped and hugged Adrian with all my strength and ran towards my parents.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh my god. Dad when did you become head guardian?" My dad rolled his eyes and smiled gently at me.

"I couple of weeks ago, I wanted it to be a surprise when you got your letter and obviously it was." I hugged them both again and took the time to consider my family. Sarah and Alex, two of my closest friends who I would do anything for, Lissa, Christian and Andre; my surrogate aunt, uncle and cousin and the best I could ask for. Eddie and Mia the cool aunt and uncle that I saw on occasion and yet still adored; Adrian, my guy; my boyfriend who I will love and who will love me for as long as we possibly can, which I hope is forever. Finally my parents Dimitri and Rosmarie Belikov, kickass guardians and two of the best people I have ever known, they will always protect me no matter how old I am, and I will never take that for granted.

My name is Karolina Hathaway-Belikov and it may not be perfect but my family is mine.