*Hey guys loved the reviews. They were amazing and made my heart flutter with excitement to read. So this is a long chapter took me forever to write considering it somehow was DELETED and I had to write it all over again. I think I'll update every weekend maybe sooner so be excited. I want lots of reviews so be ready and make sure to read the bottom author's note. Enjoy!*
Rose's POV-
It took two minutes for everyone to barge through my door and make themselves known. Eddie and Mia plop down on the couch and Dimitri and Alberta crowd around the screen with me. Trying to breathe I push both of them away and pull it up on the main flat screen. Everybody watches in silence as I play this week's footage.
"As you can see he just looks like a normal guy walking by nothing out of the ordinary. Then he comes again Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday looking like a jogger. It doesn't look like much but bought to attention you can tell he's scouting. Then boom Friday this dick is on our doorstep trying to see how weak our shit is." I explain.
My heart is still pounding. My hands are trembling slightly and I feel like I want to puke. Dimitri and Alberta look at each other and confirm my darkest fear.
"Caleb O'Conner….damn I thought I'd never see him again in my life." Alberta murmurs while studying the man's face in the video.
"Who is he?" Eddie asks from the couch.
"Works for the Irish Mafia up in Chicago. Family did dealings with mine and then Eddie died and I never saw them again. My guess is daddy dearest lost the luck of the Irish." I explain. "Not a good family to fuck with. Known for their temper."
"You're kidding me right?" Eddie asks running his hand through his hair.
"This is no joke Eddie. You can see it right on the screen." I tell him trying to keep my panic down. Just our luck to have them on our tails.
Anesia isn't taking well to my stress and is kicking around frantically. Moaning in pain quietly I try and get her to settle down by rubbing my stomach. Dimitri and Mia hear me. Dimitri kneels down next to me and settles his hand on my stomach. His hand's radiating heat and I can feel her settle down. Mia comes to stand next to me.
"You're stressing yourself out Rose. It's not good for the baby." She sighs concerned.
"I'm fine. She's fine. I let myself get a little stressed I admit but I'm calming down right now." I tell her while looking into Dimitri's eyes. I can tell he's not buying it. She sends a strong kick suddenly into Dimitri's hand making him jerk in surprise. His eyes flash shock then melt into loving wonder making my heart skip a beat and my breath hitch.
"Maybe you should lie down for a little bit. I know it's been a long day." Alberta suggests.
Looking away from Dimitri I'm surprised to find everyone gathered around me. All of them wearing identical masks of worry. My heart practically melts and I can feel the empty hole disappear completely. I want to lay down. I really really really want to lay down but I need to handle this first. Determination swirls and rises up in me giving me strength.
"No. This needs to be settled. If you want I'll sit on the couch with a blanket and maybe some juice but I'm not leaving." I inform them sternly but still try to compromise. Dimitri nods and picks me up before I can stand and lays me on the love seat covering me with a blanket.
"What do we do?" Mia asks after everyone settles down. I know she's concentrated on the matter at hand but I watch her eyes play a tennis match between Dimitri and I briefly then flash something fast before going away.
"We need PPW." I say laying my arms on the arm and resting my head there tiredly. Anesia slowly starts to settle down.
"PPW?" Eddie questions.
"Plan, prepare, and watch. I don't know what the plan is but we need to prepare for the worst. I suggest getting together bug out bags and make and escape route. Make sure to stash cash along the escape route and in the bags." I explain already thinking of my emergency bag under the bed.
"Whoa this is too fast. Life is moving tooooo fast right now. We need to slow down." Eddie says looking sick.
"We can't afford to right now." Alberta sighs. Dimitri nods in agreement. "Rose I want to know more about your prepare plan."
"Alright…We buy clothes online put them in bags and stick them in lockers with money, fake I.D.'s, papers, everything. These lockers need to be everywhere. Put them in bus stations, train stations, airports, boating places….anywhere. We'll make multiple escape routes throughout the city that way if one's blocked off we have a lot more to fall back on. Like I said about the bags and papers each bag needs three sets of papers and track phones. We also need to agree on safe meeting places that we'll rotate out of on certain dates to confuse anyone on our tail." I map out.
"You are seriously…." Mia starts out only to be cut off.
"Great plan. Needs some solidifying but it can be pulled off. Simple, easy, hard as hell to figure out by an enemy." She says. "We need to get on it. Mia. Rose. Get online and start ordering clothes, bags, and track phones. Eddie get the laptop and start the rotation schedule. I'll go get the papers and Dimitri start on the maps."
Alberta quickly walks out leaving us all in silence. Mia walks over to the computer and pulls up some shopping websites.
"Well is it just me or is this just wayyyyy too stressful." Eddie groans out. "I mean I'm still in my pj's." He gets up and and stretches.
Looking around I see what he means. Eddie, Mia, and I are still in sweats and hoodies. Dimitri is dressed in his usuall jeans and t-shirt but I know for a fact Alberta was slumming it as well. Turing to look at the clock on the entertainment center I'm a little surprised to see it's only one in the afternoon.
"I need to take later shifts." I grumble knowing the only reason I keep getting up so early on the weekends is due to my morning shifts at the bakery. Mia nods in agreement. "What are we going to do about Max?" Everyone in the room freezes.
"He gets here tomorrow right?" Mia asks her eyes wide.
"Yeah so what are we going to do?" I ask again looking at Dimitri. He looks like he's thinking over the problem.
"I'll call mom when I get upstairs. I'll be right back with the laptop." Eddie says walking out.
"We need to be extra careful. The plan stays the same." Dimitri says finally walking down the hallway.
Sighing I look at the clothes Mia is looking through. Winter clothes. Being the girls we are we sort through stylish but cheap clothes. I mean we don't want to drag attention to ourselves. Eddie walks in five minutes later.
"Mom says she's got him covered. We act normal when he gets here tomorrow and then everything is set when we pay off the social worker so they don't come back." He says setting the laptop on the table and sitting down on the couch. No one says anything as we get back to work.
"Mia you're getting me the wrong sizes on some of these things." I tell her after the fifth shirt.
"No I'm not. You're tiny Rose. Once you have the baby you'll look like you were never pregnant in the first place. I mean the only thing that's grown on you are is your chest and stomach." She explains not looking away from the screen.
Nodding I settle down and draw the blanket a little tighter around me. I can hear Dimitri in the kitchen flipping through maps and highlighting things. Eddies fingers are flying across the keys in a rhythm making me tired. Rubbing my eyes we finish our shopping and start on Max and Anesia's clothes. Silence spreads deeper except for the occasional comment on the sizes and things like that.
"So I've noticed you've named the baby." Mia murmmurs after a while. Smiling I nod.
"Well I like the name but I need to go over it with Dimitri." I explain.
"I like the name. It suits her already." He says from the kitchen.
"So Anesia Dani Belikov it is." I sing smiling. Getting up I stretch slightly and walk into the kitchen.
"Hungry?" Dimitri asks looking up. His eyes have a slight smile.
"I just want some juice but a bagel sounds good." I explain. Reaching into the fridge I pull everything out. "You guys want something to eat?" I call out.
"Yeah can we order in some take out?" Eddie asks his fingers not missing a beat on the keys. Looking down at the bag of bagels I can't help but crave some serious Chinese food….like dumplings and orange chicken….
"I'll call now." I rush out searching for the phone. Dimitri slides it towards me not looking up from the maps with a slight smile on his lips.
I quickly take out a menu and set to work. I'm only going to say this once…I am pregnant so it's justified with the amount of food I ordered. Three containers each of orange chicken, sweet and sour chicken and pork, grilled chicken, sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, four of lo mein, four of fried rice, six orders of chicken dumplings (I mean each holds like ten….pregnant….), some fortune cookies, egg rolls, fried wanton, and a ton of fortune cookies. Total…not important.
"So how much?" Mia asks smirking at me after I hang up the phone.
"Not much." I breathe out. Setting the phone next to Dimitri and looking down at the map. He had two exits already.
"I want to go to Boston." I tell him. Everyone looks at me. "That was our original plan. Go to Boston. I bet we have a safe house up there already so lets just move in."
"Rose it's not that simple." Eddie says from the couch.
"Let me reword that. I, Rose Mazur, bought a house with my saved up allowances behind my brothers back under a fake name." I admit loudly.
Silence overtakes the room. Everyone stares at me. I fidget with my hoodie nervously trying to keep calm. Raising his hand Dimitri rubs his pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Well I planned on leaving after high school and I didn't want you guys know where I was." I murmur quietly. "It was my money I could spend it the way I wanted too." I justify.
"You own a house…in Boston?" Mia asks slowly.
"No I own an apartment in Boston." I correct her. "It's a two bedroom, two bath, balcony apartment really close to downtown."
"How does this stuff just work out for you? It's like impossible." Mia wonders.
"My mom was part Irish….maybe some luck rubbed off onto me." I shrug although I kind of wonder how this is possible too…
"…That's really farfetched…this entire thing is farfetched." Mia says looking very disbelieving.
"That's because she's covering up another story." Dimitri says. "It was her mom's old apartment that she used to escape to. It was in the will to be passed down to Rose but Mason insisted it be sold…we never knew who bought it but I guess we do now."
"Well I have a place to go so we'll go there." I huff out.
"Well we have Mason's, Anesia's, Rose's, and my bags done. We just need to do yours." Mia says pulling her hair up into a ponytail. Smiling she takes my hand and drags me back into the living room.
"Mia my apple juice!" I whine/laugh.
"Suck it up woman!" She laughs at me. She drags me down with her on the long couch pulling the wireless keyboard and mouse into her lap.
"Controlling bitch." I mutter.
"Bipolar slut." She mutters back.
"You want to fight?" I ask looking over to her.
"Nah it'll look bad if I whoop a pregnant woman's ass." She replies casually.
…Oh my god that was good! We're both on the couch laughing our asses off while the guys walk around to stare at us with identical looks of confusion on their faces. Controlling our giggles we try to settle down again. Shifting I lay down and use a part of her lap as my pillow. Sighing in content I watch as she goes through the pages on the website fast clicking on clothes like crazy.
"Is she to be a business woman? I ask seeing all the suits.
"It's a cover story that's believable. She's really professional when she wants to be. I mean if I didn't know better I would think she can be head of security or a trainer…even some kind of teacher." She explains.
"I can see that." I agree. Trying to concentrate on what she's saying my eyes start to feel really heavy and…
Sitting up I stretch my arms trying to wake up. I'm so tired. Sleep. That's all I want to do. Getting up again I move off the couch and walk back into the kitchen surprised to find Dimitri put the maps up and is doing the dishes. Open containers of Chinese food were out on the counter. Rubbing my eyes I slowly turn around confused to find everything turned off and everyone gone.
"How long was I out?" I ask Dimitri.
"Well you drifted off at around four and its now…ten." He replies glancing at the clock. I ignore the slight twinge of annoyance.
"Why didn't anybody wake me up?" I ask walking over to a bag on the counter and finding platters of steamed dumplings.
"We all thought you needed the rest. Too much stress can be bad for the baby." He says. I pull down a plate while he's explaining.
"You didn't eat?" I ask seeing only three plates to be washed.
"No I wasn't hungry." He says.
I pull down another plate and take out two forks. I open one of the dumpling container and pop a cold dumpling into my mouth. Cold but still good.
"So what'd I miss while I was out?" I ask sticking the container into the microwave to heat while I serve our plates.
"Not much. We finished the bags, maps, and Alberta came back with the papers and IDs. Then the Chinese food got here and they ate while we went over the dates for the house switching." He explains.
I hum and take out the dumplings. I quickly put Dimitri's plate in the microwave. The kitchen lapses into silence till his is done. Taking it out I hand him his plate and put mine in.
"So are you ready for Mason?" I ask casually.
"About as ready as you are." He says after chewing his food. "Are you nervous?"
"Well we have a house, clothes, toys, food, a bedroom. I mean I don't see why I would be nervous." I ramble. "Oh that reminds me I think we should stop spending so much money. I mean I know you said all the money we've spent hasn't put a dent in the money but I want to spread it into different accounts and start living as normal a life as possible. You know get jobs and raise the kids normally and all that fun stuff."
"I completely understand. You want to talk about why you're so nervous now?" He asks getting straight to the point. I turn around and take out my plate.
"A baby comrade a baby." I tell him hoping it's enough. I shove a fork of chicken into my mouth.
We move into the living room and sit on the couch. Flipping on the TV I surf the channels. No…boring…stupid…maybe…wait! I settle on Batman. When the movie was over we moved back into the kitchen to clean up.
"You know you…" I fade off into silence wishing I never said anything.
"What?" Dimitri asks putting the dishes up.
"Nothing." I tell him.
It was a stupid idea. We're trying to be friends and I'm over here thinking hey you why don't you come back to bed. One minute I'm doing good and the other my heart just jumps right into the matter. Too fast. Too soon.
"What?" He asks again.
"It's nothing I forgot." I tell him as I put everything into the fridge. Closing it I turn around to escape to my bedroom only to find my escape route blocked off by almost 7 feet of Russian.
Dimitri's arms are on either side of my head and his body is almost right against me effectively keeping me pinned to the fridge and keeping me from escape. Trying to calm the way my heart is now pounding against my chest or the way my mind keeps wandering to the warmth his body is producing I look up into his eyes. Not helpful at all. They're darker than usual and now the smell of his aftershave is swamping me…his amazingly intoxicating aftershave.
"What?" Dimitri asks again. My mouth dries up at the way his hair came loose from his hair tie and is now falling around his face.
"Uhhhhh….I you…you don't have to sleep on the couch if you don't want too. You can sleep in bed if you uhh want." I tell him stuttering at the beginning.
He doesn't say anything. He just stares at me. I fidget almost nervously making me want to just push myself off a cliff. When do I, Rose Mazur, ever fidget? Man I'm such a pansy now a days. I need to…
"I mean the couch just looks kind of small…well at least for you…maybe. Look just forget I said anything." I rush out ducking under his arm and practically running to my bedroom.
Sighing angrily at myself I pick up an old shirt of his out of the drawer with some underwear and head over to the bathroom. Turning on the shower I wait for it to warm up and strip. Setting the towel on the rack next to the shower I jump in and let the hot water relax me. No thinking just me the hot water and bed afterwards.
After I'm done I blow dry my hair and finish my other before bed routines. Hanging up my towel I make my way into the room only to stop dead in the doorway.
"You're right about the couch being too small. It's been giving me kinks in my back." Dimitri tells me pulling on some sleeping pants. Snapping out of my shock induced state of stupidity I smile.
"I figured as much." I tell him walking over and pulling back the covers. Out of the corner of my eye I swear I catch him staring at me but when I look up he's pulling the shutters and curtains closed. Looking down I don't see anything wrong with me. I mean the shirt goes down to mid-thigh. It covers everything.
Getting into bed I pull up the covers and he turns off the lights. Shifting I flip my pillow over and start to drift off.
"I'll stay on my side you don't need to worry." Dimitri mutters. My heart drops and I force down the heartache his words cost me. Friends. I mean it's not like he needed to tell me that the space in between us is enough indication. Ignoring the world again I slowly drift back into a fitful sleep.
"Catch me 'Mitri catch me!" I giggle zooming around the corner into the kitchen then out into the hallway and into the living room. I can hear his footsteps somewhere behind me.
Looking around I spy mommy playing the piano. The sunlight filtering through the window makes her red hair look like flames and the soft music floating through the air makes me want to smile. Running over I put my fingers to my lips making her green eyes light up with a smile. Getting down I crawl behind the piano quickly.
I hear footsteps rush into the room and slap my hand over my mouth trying to hide my giggles. The music stops and I can hear my mommy turn in her stool.
"Hey kid what can I help you with?" Mommy asks.
"Have you seen Rose?" Dimitri asks. I can hear him looking around the room and have to hold my breath.
"She actually ran through here like a little tasmanain devil. I told her to slow down but she didn't listen." She laughs out making me smile widely behind my hands. I hear Dimitri leave the room and wait a minute before crawling out as the music starts again. Getting onto the stool I plop a big kiss on mommy's cheek before running back down the hallway and into the kitchen only to be snatched up into the air.
"Gotcha!"
The dream fades away and I slowly wake up. Not bothering to open my eyes I try to stretch only to be held still. Eyes snapping open I try not to groan. Somehow during the night Dimitri and I shifted. Almost like that morning when we had sex for the first time. Dimitri's face was officially pillowed with my chest. His right hand in my hair and his other gripping the thigh draped across his hip. My left hand clutching his hair and my right gripping his shoulder.
"We moved again." Dimitri mutters into my chest. I ignore the burning in my lower belly. My heart speeds up and I have to fight to keep my breath even. Neither of us makes any attempt to move.
"Yeah I can guess that." I say noticing that it's still somewhat dark outside. Probably around 6am.
"What time is Mason getting here?" He asks silently.
I can tell he's trying to keep this as calm as possible but we both know that the others body is reacting kindly to each other. I mean like I said before the last time we were in bed together and the last time we woke up like this…we had sex. It's as simple as that, but we're just friends right now. Doesn't mean I'm not madly in love or insanely attracted to him still.
"Ummmmmm I think around ten." I tell him fighting the shutdown of my brain. Looking at the window I can tell it's raining outside. I try not to gasp when I feel his morning wood against me.
"We should start getting ready." He says as he starts to pull away.
"Ye…yeah." I agree when pulling away involves our lower halves brushing together a little more. Spacing out I push down the urge to straddle him, beg for forgiveness, get back together, and ride him till I pass out. Keeping it friend style.
Mia's POV-
"One more chance baby that's all we're asking for." Mom cries to me from the window. "It'll be like it used to be. Pancakes in the morning and family Friday's. Don't you want that again?"
I wanted that. Key word wanted. I used to stay up crying and hoping they'd change their ways and I would be loved by my parents the way they used to love me. I honestly did but they won't change. I can see that now. Hair limp and greasy hanging down in their gaunt faces with scratch marks all over their arms and dirty ripped clothing hanging off their bony frames. Nothing changed and probably never will.
"I love you." I tell her tears running down my face, and I do. I love my mother. I will always love my mother. No matter how much she hurt me in the past there will always be a place for her in my heart.
"Then why won't you come with us." My father asks.
Because I know. I know if I go with you I'll never survive it. I won't be able to cope. I'll slowly die of the heartbreak you expose me too.
"I can't daddy." I tell them. "I won't."
I watch as their faces turn bright red and try to ignore the name calling and cursing. I lean back into the room and close the window. I can feel it all ready. The overwhelming heartache. Not just one hole spreading open but multiple spots of darkness keeping me from being full. Never full just near empty.
"Mia no more crying."
"Eddie it hurts."
"Wake up Mia no more crying baby. You're breaking my heart."
"Eddie!"
"Wake up Mia…" His voice drifts to me again. "Wake up."
My eyes snap open to find Eddie staring down at me propped up on one elbow. My chest fills with love as my eyes scan over him. His dark short hairs mused from sleep and his dark eyes are sleep filled and gentle. Reaching up I slowly run my fingers over his jaw line.
"I'm fine." I croak out. He frowns slightly and reaches out with his other hand and holds my face swiping away my tears with his thumb.
I can hear the rain hitting the window and the occasional flash of lightning and boom of thunder. The room is dark but getting lighter every minute signaling the morning's arrival. The bed is warm and comfortable and the soft breathing of Eddie is ten time better than my parents yelling in the dream. Eddie's eyes shine with love and his hand moves to my hair stroking it gently before tangling his finger in the blonde locks.
"I love you." He says leaning down and kissing me gently.
No not empty. Never empty. Why? I have Eddie.
Rose's POV-
After Dimitri and I had gotten up I put on some shorts under the t-shirt and made the bed. After finishing with that I stumbled into the kitchen to smell hot chocolate. Smiling sleepily still I happily accepted Dimitri's awesome hot chocolate. Blowing on it gently I take a small sip and sigh contentedly.
"Sorry about this morning." He apologizes.
"It's fine." I tell him trying to move past my own body's reaction.
"We should do a run through of the house to check if there's anything we forgot to do." Dimitri says changing the subject. I nod and pull a checklist out of the junk drawer.
"Thought way ahead of you comrade." I tell him smiling.
Taking a big gulp of the hot chocolate I walk over to the fridge and take out some fruit and yogurt. Bending over I have to reach for the yogurt. Standing back up I close the fridge and turn around.
"You okay?" I ask Dimitri when I find him staring at me strangely.
"Ummm yeah I'm fine." He says looking away taking a gulp of his drink.
Shrugging it off I reach up to get a bowl. It's just out of my reach. Stretching I gasp when the shirt lifts up and the cold counter touches my belly. Pulling back I glare at the bowl in question. Turning around I start to point at the bowl when I find Dimitri right behind me. Staring down at me I for some reason beyond my knowledge blush.
"You mind getting that for me?" I ask him still pointing behind me. Not looking away from me he reaches up and grabs it and puts it on the counter next to me walking forward till I'm pinned to the counter behind me. Bending down he reaches out to tug on an end of my hair. Breath hitching I stand stiff trying not to break the friendship code. He's breaking it though. Yes but….
"Dimitri ummmm…uhhhhh." I can't find my words as he leans down his hand sliding to cup my neck and angle my head up. My heart shoots against my chest and my body starts to tremble. My eyes drift close as I feel his breath on my lips. I grip the counter behind me with both hands and desperately try not to let my legs buckle.
God I'm acting like a sexually frustrated woman. I am! He was gone a month and I we only had sex three times compared to pretty much the everyday thing we had going on before that. Wait no we're doing this right. His lips just slightly brush mine as my eyes snap open to see him rethink quickly as he lowers down onto his knees and lifts up the shirt to kiss my stomach gently. Stroking it twice and saying something in Russian he pulls away and stands back up.
"I forgot to say good morning to her." He said rubbing his neck. I nodded in agreement.
"We-w-well I need to eat and then get ready." I say breathlessly. Turning I grab the bowl and put some yogurt and fruits in it and mix it up. Taking a big bite I listen to Dimitri walk out of the kitchen and hear the shower start. Taking a deep breath I shove another bite into my mouth and walk into the room.
Setting the bowl on the dresser I pull out some dark grey tights and a blue long sleeved button up. Grabbing some light grey calf socks I pick out my cream knitted sweater and suede black boots. Pulling everything on I eat the rest of my breakfast and bring it back into the kitchen setting it into the sink. Grabbing the check list I walk around the house marking things off. By the time Dimitri is out of the shower I'm ready to do my hair, brush my teeth, and deodorize myself.
Quickly brushing my teeth and putting on my deodorant I brush my hair and pull it up to a French braided pony tail. Looking into the mirror I decide I also want some eyeliner. Walking out of the bathroom I hear the phone start to ring. Going into the kitchen I pick it up.
"Hello."
"Hi is this Rose Belikov?" A professional sounding woman asks.
"Depends who's asking?" I chuckle.
"Oh my names Audrey Smith I'm the social worker for Max. I just wanted to say that I'm am about five minutes away. I'm sorry it's earlier than supposed to be but things were cut out of my schedule and well life took over." She laughs.
"Well that's great I'm already dressed and waiting." I tell her feeling my stomach twist and Anesia start to kick. Rubbing my stomach I listen to the social worker talk away about the weather as my eyes meet Dimitri walking into the kitchen. "Well I'll see you when you get here. Okay bye." Hanging up the phone I take a deep breath.
"Max's about three minutes away." I tell him trying not to panic.
"Well I'll go get the money." He says.
"The papers too." I tell him. "The ones that say we're married. She seems to think that." I open up the junk drawer and pull out the two fake wedding bands. Handing one to him I put mine on and try to block the image of us actually being married.
He leaves and I start to pace around the house. Clean, clean, clean, straighten, clean. Just as I'm about to make my way back into the room a buzz interrupts my thoughts. Walking over to the computer I see a rather well dressed woman with a pony tail standing with a bag and car seat in the monitor.
"Hi Audrey we're the second floor." I tell her as I quickly press the lock button and let her in. Turning around I make my way over to the couch and fold up the blanket setting it on the back. Walking towards the door I take one more calming breath before opening it to see Audrey just come up on the landing.
"Hi." I say smiling.
Audrey was a short Asian woman. Her hair was an auburn color and pulled back into a pony tail with her bangs to swept to the side. She was dressed in a nice pair of slacks with some three inch heels. Her top was a white button down with a blue sweater over it. She wore no makeup except for lipstick and some eyeliner. Her dark eyes were honestly quite pretty and she had a very nice and genuine smile. I had a good feeling about her.
"Here come in." I tell her stepping out of the way.
"Thank you. It's so nice to finally meet you. Your father just had so many good things to say about you and I just know that this baby is in the right place." She says walking into the living room and setting the car seat on the coffee table with the bag next to it. The blanket hanging over didn't allow me to glimpse Max yet. Walking to her we both shake hands.
"No it's nice to finally meet you. I can't tell you how excited I've been to hold this little guy." I tell her honestly. Ever since that dream… The door opens and I hear Dimitri walk in. "Well you've already met me but you haven't met my husband yet. Audrey this is Dimitri." I tell her grabbing Dimitri's hand as he comes to stand next to me.
"Oh it's so nice to meet you. I'm your social worker." She says smiling widely shaking Dimitri's hand. The front door opens again and the rest of the family comes in.
"This is actually the rest of our family. My aunt and cousins. They live upstairs." I inform Audrey.
"Oh this is great! A family unit for him to grow up with!" She exclaims clapping her hands excitedly. When we get the introductions settle I give Audrey a tour of the house.
"Well as you can see this is the main area. I've made sure to put corner pads on things low enough for him to hit when he starts to walk, and I've put the child proof plugs in." I show her.
"This is great I can tell you've done your reading." She says.
"Bedroom, bathroom, right down here is Max's room too." I tell her as we pass by Anesia's room.
"What room is this?" She asks stopping in front of it.
"That is our daughter's room" Dimitri says opening the door. Audrey steps in and looks around.
"Wow no one told me you're having a baby." She says smiling softly.
"Yeah she's due around next month." I tell her smiling. I stop and think. "Of course this won't affect my motherly duties with Max. I'll love him all the same. We'll love him all the same."
"I understand I didn't mean to send that message it's just with two babies in the house sometimes that can get a little stressful." She explains.
"I am completely looking forward to it." I tell her.
"Well than I would like to see Mason's room than." She says smiling.
Bringing her to Max's room I let her wander around. Staying in the doorway I watch as she looks through the drawers and checks the crib and what not. Coming up behind me Dimitri wraps his arms around my stomach and places a kiss on the top of my head.
"This is adorable! Before I declare this is a more than fit home for Max to come home too I must ask though if you're financially able." She says looking like she already knows the answers. Dimitri steps forward and hands her the money in the envelope.
"50,000 cash no refunds. We expect no more inspections and for everything to be settled now. I have no doubts Abe already gave you enough but you seem nice and this is where we want this to end." He says politely but professionally.
"Honestly I really do want Max to get a good home and you guys are perfect. The money I like to think of as a bonus that's going to charity anyways." She explains. Walking back out into the living room I find Mia holding a bundle cooing softly at it.
Walking over to her I hold out my arms for the baby. Maneuvering perfectly she sets him down in my arms. Lifting the blanket back I smile down at my son. His hair is a soft down that's color was a dark brown with black intertwined in some places. His skin is a soft tan. Little nose and an adorable smile. His eyes though…his eyes were my favorite feature. They weren't the indigo the picture had shown but a dark blue. Contrasting perfectly with the rest of his features. Though I love him all ready there's something off. My heart melts and I never want to put him down.
"He doesn't really look like my dad." I tell her rocking him softly. Dimitri comes to stand behind me watching Max latch onto a piece of my hair and coo up at me.
When I don't get an answer I look up to see Audrey's face twisted with indecision. My heart nearly stops at that indication. Clutching Max closer to me I take a deep breath.
"Is there something you're not telling us." I ask rocking a little more.
"I … I was told that if you caught on to tell you but what if you don't want him anymore?" She asks twisting nervously now.
"Look I need to know whatever involves my son. So if you don't mind." I tell her giving her my no nonsense look. Nodding she reaches into her bag and produces a large manila envelope.
"I've been told to tell you not to open it until I leave. It's been an honor to meet you and I honestly wish you the best of luck." She tells us before grabbing her bag and leaving quickly. Well that was weird.
Looking down I smile at Max and try to push aside everything else. His eyes stare up at me in wonder and his hand reaches out to touch my face. Grabbing his hand I bring it to my lips and kiss it gently. Even if she told me he wasn't human or Satan incarnate I don't think I'd be able to bring myself to hate him. Everyone stares at Dimitri who's holding the envelope and sits down. Mia and I coo at the baby and pretty much plan how we're going to spoil him. Opening it Dimitri pulls out a letter first.
"My dearest Rosemarie,
I know your life has been one that no parent would wish upon their child. I wish I gave you better, but I can't now. If I could I would go back in time and be there for you and be the father you deserved. I knew you were the smartest in you classes. I knew you did great in self-defense classes and P.E. , but none of that counts if I wasn't at your side like Mason and cradle robbing son of a bitch Belikov was.
I love you Rose whether you choose to believe it or not. I loved both your brother and you so very much and I left to protect you guys. I know it didn't work as well as planned and now because of me you're in more danger than ever, because in your arms right now Rose you are holding not my son but Sean O'Conner's baby. "
Dimitri stops reading and we all stare in silence at the little man in my arms. Fear erupts in my stomach. Why? How?
"HE STOLE THE BABY?!" Eddie shouts startling Max. I quickly rock him so he doesn't cry.
"Don't yell like that you're scaring him." I reprimand him.
"Rose we have a problem. That's not your brother. He's in no way shape or form related to you. You're holding a stolen baby. They're going to murder us for this." Eddie rambles.
"We don't know if he's stolen Eddie. Let Dimitri finish the letter and then we'll decide what to do." Mia says looking just as scared as me. We all look to Dimitri to continue.
"I know you know who Sean is Rose. You're not stupid and we both know what kind of power this man holds in just his pinky finger. Santiago is a joke compared to this man, but you must understand I didn't do it to bring anymore danger upon you. This baby is legally yours Rose. The mother of Max wanted what your own mother wanted for Mason and you and I couldn't not do anything, because I don't lie to you when I say she was practically the spitting image of your mother. She cried to me Rose to let her go so she could raise you guys normally and I wouldn't let her. Instead I drank, and did business while she suffered for it.
I now know it was I who took my wife's life. I pulled the trigger on my son. I put my daughter in danger and is the one making her suffer like I made my love suffer. Mason and your mom wanted you out and that's what Dimitri's doing but I can't seem to let you leave. So this is the chance Rose. This is my chance to save the child in your arms and my own child…my only child. The mother handed all rights over to you and the father unknowingly handed them over too.
Rose he knows now and he's not going to let go. Heirs are everything in a mafia. As his first son Max is in line to take over. I'll talk to him. I'll do everything I can to distract him. For God's sake get out. Hide till it's all over. Then live Rose. Raise him like your own. Raise your daughter like I couldn't. Be the mother your own mom could've been if I hadn't of kept her chained to me. I love you Rose. I love you more than ANYTHING in this world so take the life I'm offering you and be happy because I'll be damned if I kill you too.
Love your old man,
Abe Mazur"
*So what do you people think? I want lots of reviews or I won't bother to update for a LONG time. Give me some thoughts and feelings. I want to know what your reactions were. I have a plan for this whole thing and you best believe it's about to get good. Better than ever and intense. We have our baby boy. We have a mafia. We finally have our father's deep heart wrenching confession. So I'm not going to tell you what's in the next chapter so you better review to find out. Below I included the links for how Roses' belly looks in size. Not a joke my mom was that big with me. Rose's hairstyle and outfit although I did replace the boots. So I hope you enjoyed :D
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