It had been a busy day to say the least and I knew it was no where near over. When you were the carer of a young energetic infant, you never have the luxury to just chill out until that infant is dead to the world in a deep, deep sleep.

'So Momma is really awake?' Rosie asked, wolfing down her spaghetti like she hadn't eaten in days.

'Yes Rosie, for the billionth time, your momma is really awake.' I reassured her. I'm sure she thought this was a dream. I know I still have to pinch myself to make sure this isn't just an illusion created by treacherous sleep. I was still positive that any second I was going to wake up Lissa-less and Dimitri-less.

'Did she ask for me?' Rosie questioned, leaning so far over the table to look at me that her hair was dangling in the spaghetti sauce, turning it an orangey-red.

I leant forward like her and scooped her hair out of her dinner. Now when it was bath time it meant I had to wash her hair as well, great. 'Yes she asked for you. She wants you to go see her tomorrow.'

The door bell went, ringing loudly twice before returning to silence. I didn't move and neither did Rosie, both of us too engrossed in our conversation to get up and answer the door.

'I'll get it I guess.' Dimitri volunteered, removing himself from one of the dining room chairs and making his way to the front of the house.

'So, do you want to go see your momma tomorrow?' I asked, taking Rosie's now empty plate over to the sink and swilling the sauce off before putting it in the dishwasher.

'Am I allowed?' She bounced up and down on her chair excitedly, like her birthday had come early, or she had just been told she was going to Disney world for the week.

'Of course you're allowed, you saw in hospital last week, why wouldn't you be allowed now?'

'I dunno.' She had a thoughtful expression on her face for a while until her features broke out into a smile and she asked excitedly. 'Do you think momma would like it if I drew a picture for her?'

'Yeah, I'm sure she would love it.' I answered, my heart warming at the excitement being projected by this one little girl. She was like a beacon of happiness and it was great to finally see. She was too young to have to put up with the events that have taken place recently in her life and it was good to see that now with Lissa back, she was happy and may get back to some sort of reality.

Rosie scuttled off to her room to retrieve some paper and colouring pens, and in her absence I realised that Dimitri was still at the door. He was taking his time. Thinking about this, my curiosity was peaked and I really wanted to see who was at the door.

'Dimitri, who is it?' I called as I wondered down the hallway to the front door.

As I arrived to where he was stood, I realised why he had taken such a long time.

'Tasha.' I greeted with a civil bob of my head. If she thought I was going to be all pally-pally with her after the yesterday, she had another thing coming.

'Rose.' She replied coldly. Then she turned back to Dimitri who was looking slightly weary. His gorgeous brown eyes had lost their spark, telling me that he had been having this conversation for too long and it was really trying his patience.

'Sorry Tasha, but at the risk of sounding rude.' Then again that has never stopped me before. 'Why are you here?' Instead of beating around the bush, I thought it would be best and just come right out and ask her, there is no point trying to sound welcoming when to be honest, I don't want to welcome her into my home – mine and Dimitri's home.

'I came to ask Dimitri when he was coming back to his guardian duties.' She replied sweetly, doing the whole butter-wouldn't-melt-in-my-mouth charade for Dimitri.

I sighed; this really was beginning to look desperate. He's just moved in with his girlfriend, being at a time of his life where he couldn't be happier, and she comes in doing the jealous other party, trying to fight for a man who was never hers to begin with. You would have thought she would have been more concerned about keeping what little dignity she had left after this trip.

'Tasha, I told you Dimitri wasn't coming back to his position. He's staying here now.' I said sharply, not bothering to come across nice anymore, because to be honest, I just didn't care what she thought about me, I had what she wanted and there was not a damn thing she could do about it.

'Yes, but it wasn't your place to tell me, Dimitri is the one who needs to inform me of his intentions. After all it is he who is guarding me, not you.' She stated smugly, thinking this might win her a few points by being rational.

I was about to say something but Dimitri beat me to it. 'I confirm that what Rose told you is the truth, I am resigning as your guardian. There, now with that finished, I need to go finish my dinner. Bye Tasha.'

He began to shut the door but she put her foot in the way to stop it. 'Wait, wait. I heard something today; I want to know if it is true.' She whispered her voice barely loud enough for us to pick up.

I sighed. 'Fine, I'll bite. What did you hear?' I folded my arms across my chest and leant into Dimitri impatiently, too tired to stand up without support anymore.

'I heard that Lissa woke up today... is it true?' Her face portrayed someone who was actually concerned with the wellbeing of their family, even if it was only family by marriage. Usually I wouldn't buy her games, but with this, I could tell it wasn't a game, she generally wanted to know about Lissa, and to be fair, considering this involved her great-niece; she had a right to know.

'Yes Lissa woke up.' I confirmed, letting no emotion leak into my voice.

'And how is she?'

'As well as can be expected.' Dimitri replied, putting an arm around my shoulders and squeezing gently.

'Did you tell her about Christian?' She asked her voice quivering as she mentioned her nephew's name.

I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself for the grown up act I was about to commit. 'Tasha, if you swear to me, no funny business, and you'll be respectful and polite in our home, then I will invite you in so we can fill you in on what has happened. Rosie is inside drawing Lissa a picture, I'm sure she'd like to see you.'

Tasha looked at me with the first genuine nice look I had seen since she returned and with that I knew she was respecting that this was a big thing for me to do and took a lot for me to allow, and with that look, I knew she was going to behave herself. Just for tonight at least. 'I swear.'

Once we had all settled in the living room, Rosie included – as soon as she saw Tasha, she gave her a huge hug and brought her colouring stuff from the dining room, into the living room, leaning on the coffee table to draw – I filled Tasha in on the day's events.

'Yeah, so we told her everything except that Christian and Karp are after her and Rosie. I will tell her, but not until she is home, she doesn't need anymore stress, and anyway, she is safe here at court, they can't get to her or Rosie.'

'So when Lissa goes home is Rosie going with her?' Tasha asked, stroking the top of Rosie's dark locks.

'We don't know yet. If Lissa is up to it then yes, but if not, she will stay with us until Lissa is better and feels she can cope.' I replied, smiling down at my dazzling goddaughter as if she were the most important thing in the whole world.

'Well, I can move in with Lissa and look after her and Rosie.' Tasha volunteered, not wasting an opportunity to get her hands on the little girl.

'You can suggest it to her' even though I know she wont accept your offer, I tagged on mentally 'but if she doesn't want Rosie home right away I think it will be because she wants to be alone in the place her and Christian lived. It is a lot to come to terms with and she needs time to adjust to the new situation.'

'But surely it's not best to keep mother and daughter apart.' Tasha argued.

'If they are kept apart it will be through no choice of ours' Dimitri said sternly. 'And anyway we are not the ones who should dictate what happens. This is Lissa's choice and Lissa's alone.'

Ah my personal voice of reason. I also didn't miss the fact that he called Liss, Lissa. Thank god he was finally loosening with the whole formality thing when it came to royals.

'Is it possible to see Lissa?'

'Only if you don't mention anything about Christian and his new conquest. She doesn't need to hear that right now and you don't force her into anything she doesn't feel ready to do, even if that means Rosie staying with us for a while longer.'

'Okay, fine.' She stood as if she was itching to go and so something. 'I'm going to head over there now then.' Tasha said, kissing Rosie on the top of her head and making her way to the door.

'Tasha, it is almost sunrise, wouldn't it be better if you wait till later?' Dimitri asked, following her out of the room.

'A little bit of sun isn't going to hurt and it wont get to me too much considering how close Lissa is to where I am staying.' She shrugged.

'Fine, but if she is asleep, don't wake her up.' I warned. The last thing I needed was an overtired hysterical Lissa to look after.

'I won't.' She called, walking out the front door.

'I'm calling Adrian to make sure he knows not to let you anywhere near her if she is asleep.' I yelled after her.

She just waved over her shoulder and I knew me and Tasha would be back to arguing and contending with each other as soon as we saw each other again.

'That was very big of you, you know?' Dimitri whispered, closing the door and wrapping his arms around my waist.

'I know, what can I say, I'm a good person.' I sighed, as if it were hard work being the way I am.

'You acted very mature Roza, I'm proud of you.'

'Don't get too excited yet, I think that is all my maturity used up for the next year.' I laughed, untangling myself from him and going back into the living room in search of my goddaughter.

When I saw her, she let out a big yawn and rubbed her eyes with her hands harshly; transferring any ink she had on them, onto her once clean face. Lovely. 'Bath time now miss, then bed.' I said, grabbing her around the waist and hoisting her onto my hip.

'Aunt Rose.' She argued. 'Cant I have ten more minutes?'

'Nope.'

'Five minutes then?'

'Nope.'

'One?'

I stopped and pretended to think about it for a second. 'Hmm... Nope.' She scowled and folded her arms over her chest stubbornly. If she was on the floor I'm betting she would have stomped her feet as well and done the whole brat attack act.

Dimitri walked over to us and bent down so he was on her eye level, which was pretty much my eye level since I was carrying her. 'I tell you what Rosie. If you go and have a bath and get ready for bed as quickly as you can, without giving Aunt Rose any trouble, then I will come and read you a bedtime story, how does that sound?'

She mulled it over for a second before caving. 'Yep, but I get to pick what story?' She seriously had been with me to much. Her saying she got to pick what story he read, was her way of coming out the situation and still being able to claim that she won. I had taught her well.

Once I had sorted Rosie out and handed her over to Dimitri so that he could put her to bed, I went on my laptop just to have a look at my emails. I expected to have a few since I hadn't checked them since everything had kicked off. I knew I would have some from my mother, some court schedules, since they tended to send you your working times via internet now (the queen had finally welcomed the twenty first century) and I had expected some from Adrian, he always sent me pointless emails about pointless stuff, I think it was his way to kill time and amuse himself. The guy really needs a job.

However what I did find, I didn't expect. It was from an email address that I didn't recognize. At first I thought it was just junk, but when I looked at the subject I realised that it may be more serious that I had originally thought.

Rose,

Did you seriously think I wouldn't find out that you took my child to Russia with you? Please give me more credit than that. I have unending resources that you won't even imagine, and I can get any information I need. Don't underestimate me Rose; you may have been cleverer than me when I was moroi, but now, you can't even begin to imagine the possibilities I have to get one up on you. You won't even be able to imagine what I have in store for you. I know you hate surprises, but trust me, your going to loath this one with a passion, whereas I on the other hand will find nothing but immense pleasure from it. I won't tell you what it is, because I wouldn't want to ruin the paranoia you are undoubtedly feeling, but I will say that what I have in mind for you is going to hurt... a lot.

I am glad though that you will finally be getting what you deserve. Ever since Lissa and I officially became a couple, you have been nothing but a pain, a useless, irritating pain, but I will put an end to that soon. You have always stood in the way of Lissa and I and our dreams. We couldn't be left alone because Lissa was always so worried about what would happen to you. But once I follow through with my plans for Lissa and my Rosie that is all going to change. Lissa will worship me for getting rid of you and of course if I get rid of you I will have to off Belikov also. That shouldn't be a problem though, because I know his weakness... YOU!

I hear that my wife has awoken from her coma. Well, that is good news. I am glad to hear she is back on the road to recovery. Of course as soon as I awaken her she will feel healthier than ever before, not needing the recovery time. And due to the fact that you so kindly sped the process of her waking up along, I will be able to complete my plans much sooner then I anticipated. Thank you Rose, thank you for making yet another screw up. Something tells me though that this will be your last one.

I am coming Rose, and soon. I will regain what is rightfully mine and my family will be back together again, in a better world, in a more deserving world. I look forward to seeing you, it's a shame that you won't feel the same, but you know? There is nothing you can do about it.

Give my regards to Lissa and of course my little daughter and tell her daddy will come and see her soon.

Not long now Rose, I'm counting down the days.

Christian.

I heard a sharp intake of breath and turned around, jumping out of my seat, my laptop falling – luckily – on to the sofa instead of the floor.

I hadn't intended anyone but me to read this, but I guess that idea was out of the window now. The only good thing about the confrontation I was sure I was about to get was that it would take my mind off the disturbing message I had just received.

Dimitri was staring at me with concerned eyes. 'When were you going to tell me?'

I wasn't actually going to tell Dimitri about the email, there was no point in worrying him with this, but I knew he wouldn't be satisfied with my answer so I thought I better lie.

'As soon as I finished reading it.'

'You're lying to me.' He stated without missing a beat.

'No I'm not.' I replied defensively, regretting immediately for going like that because he knew when I got defensive it was because I wasn't being truthful.

'Rose, remember what we said, no lies. We promised each other, no lies.' He sighed, trying to seem all serene but I could see from his expression that he wasn't nearly as calm as he was trying to make me think.

'Fine, we said no lies. But just so you know, that includes you not hiding your emotions from me as well. I can see your pissed off, so you want me to tell the truth, act like a normal pissed off boyfriend, don't stand there all calm when your not, because that is lying to me.'

His eyes darkened and I mentally told myself that now was probably not the best time to rebuke him for his emotional withdrawal when he's having a go at me over something important. 'Why weren't you going to tell me the truth? Don't you trust me?' He snapped. Least he was doing as I ask and letting his anger out. Suppressed fury wasn't going to help either of us.

'Of course I trust you.' I laughed, thinking that maybe I could lighten the atmosphere. 'But it's not as important as the other things we have going on.'

'Don't laugh Rose, this isn't even funny. You need to tell me these things. How am I supposed to trust you when you lie about something as important as your own safety?'

'Look, I wasn't doing this because I didn't trust you; I wasn't going to tell you because I thought I could handle it myself.' I argued, trying to regain some credibility.

He snorted. 'Yeah, and remember what happened last time you did that? Five of your friends including you were held hostage and Mason ended up dead.' He shot at me. The comment hit me like a slap in the face. No, it hit me worse than that, least if he had hit me I could have defended myself, but with this, not so much. For the last five years I had carried the guilt of Mason's death, everyone told me that it wasn't my fault, but I thought differently, I knew it was.

I took a step away from Dimitri and let the hurt leak into my eyes. Of all the people, I never thought Dimitri would be the one to say that to me, not after back at the academy, he had practically drilled it into my head that it wasn't my fault. As soon as he realised what he had said and what he had done to me, pain and regret shot into his eyes. 'Rose, I didn't mean that. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It wasn't your fault.'

I shook my head and sat down on the couch, not looking at him, looking anywhere but him. 'You've had your say now Dimitri, I wont lie to you anymore, next time I get something like the email I'll let you know. It's getting late; you should probably go to bed, it's been a long day.'

I pulled my shoes and socks off and pushed them under the table, I couldn't be bothered to put them away, I'd sort them out tomorrow when I was more awake and didn't want to kill myself over the prospect of tidying up.

'Are you coming with me Rose?' He asked quietly, guilt lacing his words.

I shook my head, still not looking up at him. 'No, I think... I think I'm gonna sleep on the couch tonight.'

I heard his heavy footsteps coming towards me and felt the couch sink under his weight. I still didn't want to look at him, not because what he had said hurt, even though it did, but because what he said was nothing but the truth, hearing it from someone else made me feel all the more worse, even after all this time.

His rough hand grabbed my chin, I tried to shy away but his firm grasp made it impossible. He turned me so I was facing him, but I continued to stare down at the floor. 'Rose, look at me.' He commanded. I did as I was told, something that both of us realised was very uncharacteristic of me. 'This is why I don't let my guard down, because with out it I'm just like you, I don't think, I just speak or do.'

'Yeah, well this is why I lie to you, because you overreact.' I snapped.

'If the roles were reversed, would you want me to tell you?'

I couldn't help it; the answer was obvious so I had to voice it. 'Yes.' I muttered.

He smirked. 'So no more lying?'

'No more lying.' I confirmed.

'I really am sorry for what I said, I shouldn't have.' He whispered, his face inching closer to mine. 'It wasn't your fault. As I said before you made stupid decisions, but it wasn't your fault.'

I just looked at him, not sure how I was supposed to act now.

'Am I forgiven?' He asked in a quiet voice.

I pretended like I had to mull it over then smirked at him. 'Yeah, you are forgiven.'

'Good.' He smiled, pecking me on the lips before grabbing the house phone and dialling.

'What are you doing?'

'Calling the other guardians, they need to know what is happening.'