Holy crap, Ch. 21... This is insane! I didn't even think this idea would take off. Well, I hope you enjoy this!


Rose's POV

I stared at Adrian. "You... Your family?"

Adrian smiled. "Yes, my family. I have told them all about you and they are so excited to meet you."

"You mean laugh at the crippled Dhampir?"

Adrian kissed the top of my head. "No one in my family would ever do that."

"Your, Aunt Tatiana DOES."

"Yeah, I don't really consider her family though. She was my grandmother's, who I never met, sister. My immediate family is nothing like her."

I shook my head a little. "What am I doing? I don't belong in this setting."

Adrian pulled away. "What do you mean?"

"Dhampirs have their place for a reason. We are fertile and we make good warriors. Plus Adrian, if we do have kids, are they Royal? Are they Guardians? There is a HUGE leap."

"Rose, please don't do this. Everyone is supporting us. It can work out. It will."

"Why am I so insecure about this?"

"Rose, you have been hurt by the most important people in your life. You mother, Dimitri, Hugo.... There is only so much hurt a person can take before they stop caring if they are hurt or not." He brushed the hair out of my face. "You on the other hand, keep having faith in what COULD be." He leaned in close and kissed me. He pulled me closer and started to straddle me. This was it. It was going to happen.

"Attention, we are starting our final descent into Portland."

"DAMN IT!"

There was a knock at the door. "Are you okay in there?" It was Tasha.

Adrian let out a low laugh. "Yes, Tasha." He kissed me again. "It will happen Little Dhampir." Another kiss. "Ready to see your children?"

I smiled at him. "Always." I paused for a second. "Do they know about me?"

Adrian nodded. "Lissa, Christian and I told them that you were really hurt, and we hand to remove your leg. AJ seemed to understand, but I am not sure about Mason. I tried to dream walk to him and talk about it, but he got scared when I did."

Panic started to surge through me. "I don't think I can do this."

Adrian lifted me out of the bed and held me in his arms. "Yes, you can. And even if they are scared, it is because they are your children and they worry about you. Once they see you are happy and functioning, they won't care how many appendages you have."

Adrian carried me into the main part of the plane and set me into a seat. I buckled in and looked back at Adrian. "How long are we staying in Portland?"

"Not long at all I'm afraid. We are picking up the Ozeras, and the kids, refueling, and then heading to Romania."

I nodded. "Okay. The sooner we get that over with the better. I felt the plane settle to the ground with a bump. As soon as the movement stopped, I grabbed my crutches and stood up. I wanted to be the first thing my kids saw when that door opened. When it finally did, I smiled widely.

"Mama!!!" Mason ran up the stairs and wrapped his small arms around my good leg. I felt my balance start to go, but Adrian was by my side instantly. "Up Mama!"

I looked at Adrian as he reached down with a smile and lifted my son up. "Why hello Mason! Did you miss me?"

Mason struggled in Adrian's grip. "Mama!"

I sat down in an empty chair and took my son. "Hi little man. How are you today?"

Mason snuggled into my chest and fell asleep almost instantly. I stifled a giggle. "Lissa, did you keep him up all night so this would happen?"

Lissa smiled. "Maybe." She sat down next to me and hugged me. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay... Learning to survive."

Lissa put her hands on my leg, right above the amputation spot. "I'm sorry I couldn't... I mean I should have tried..."

"Lissa, this is NOT your fault. If anyone, it's mine. You all tried to warn me."

"No, it's Daddy's fault. I saw him do it."

I looked over and saw AJ standing there, holding Christian's hand. I smiled. "Hi sweetie."

AJ looked at my face and then where my leg was supposed to be. She turned and ran into one of the bedrooms. Roza blinked for a second and then turned to follow her.

Pain surged through me. I didn't know what was wrong, but I was having trouble finding my breath. I searched for Adrian's hand and squeezed it tight

Adrian squeezed back. "Janine? Why don't you get Mason ready for bed, please?"

My mom nodded. "No problem." I watched them walk away and turned back to Adrian.

Adrian was looking at Lissa. "I think we are going to turn in."

Lissa nodded and looked back at me. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head again. "You didn't..."

Adrian pulled me close. "Rose, let's go to bed."

I looked at him and nodded. "Okay." He lifted me up and carried me into the bedroom.

Wow... So, what do you think is going to happen with the Ivashkovs? I can't wait to go to Nepal and write Lord Szelsky! There is going to be a good back story there. We get to learn why Janine named her daughter Rosemarie.

See you soon!