Vulnerable

Chapter Twenty-Four

Rose's point of view

Tasha encouraged me to have the baby, long story short. She said that I had a living, breathing thing that was inside of me. He or she had a heartbeat and he or she was depending on me for life. After hearing that, I didn't have the heart to abort the baby.

It was 4 days after I found out I was pregnant. Adrian hadn't been around and I was wondering if the rumours that he'd left school were true. I was down in the gym, getting dressed in the change room after practise with Alberta when I heard a knock on the girls bathroom door.

"Rose?" the voice; Adrian's voice, questioned.

I quickly did the button on my pants up and went over, opening the door slowly. I leaned against the door frame and looked up at the man that had fathered the baby I was carrying. "Yeah?" I asked, attitude firm in my voice despite the fact that I was actually glad to see him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for not being around lately. It's a lot to digest."

Thankfully, no one was in the gym but us. I sighed, "And you don't think it's a lot for me to digest, too?" I asked, crossing my arms.

He nodded, "I know it is, Rose."

A long silence passed and he broke it. "Damn, I need a cigarette." he muttered, tasseling his hair.

"I thought you quit?" I asked, shaking my head.

I seen debate going on in his head. "Dammit, Adrian. Just leave."

Adrian sighed. "I did quit, but stress brings back the craving." he paused, "Give me a little credit here. I mean, I'm trying. I stayed with you."

"Unlike my dad, right?" I asked, my voice holding more accusation then it should of considering the fact that I knew it wasn't what he meant.

Adrian didn't say anything. Instead, he just engulfed me into his arms, into a tight, loving embrace.

"I didn't mean that..." I told him, frowning as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

He nodded, "I know."

"It's just that things are crazy right now... They're so, so scary." My voice quivered as I spoke and I inhaled deeply.

He caressed my hair with his free hand, his other one wrapped around my waist keeping our bodies close and having my hormones on over drive was really eating at me. "I'm here, Rose, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

I pulled back a little, looking up at him. "What about the money? I don't have the money to have and raise the baby." I said, gulping.

He chuckled, running his hand that was just on my hair, down my cheek. "Don't worry, I have plenty of money. More then I could ever imagine using. We're going to be okay, Rose. Me, you, and the baby."

Then, I heard the door of the gym shut and I snapped my head over, seeing Alberta stood there, a dumbfounded look on her face.

I wondered how much she heard and Adrian turned as well, releasing me from his arms. "Alberta..."

"A baby?" she asked, striding over. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice strong and firm.

I took a deep breath in, placing one hand mindlessly onto my small bump that wasn't noticeable unless you knew. Then, I realized something. She didn't exactly know anything yet. I rubbed my stomach as though I had a stitch from practise. I looked at her and raised a brow. "Not me," I said, laughing softly as I dropped my hand. I didn't know how convincing I sounded, but I knew by the look on Alberta's face that she would believe me because she wanted to. "Lissa's baby." I only said it because Alberta knew Lissa was pregnant. They had told her to get special accommodations made, and she was more then happy to do so.

Alberta nodded and took a deep breath in. "What about her baby?"

"Adrian and I are going to be babysitting a lot when he or she is born and we were just talking about how we'll manage." I lied, trying to make it convincing.

Adrian gave me a look telling me that she would find out sometime, but sometime just wasn't now and I knew Adrian wouldn't say anything because he wanted to keep me happy with him.

Alberta just nodded, "You guys get going, I have practise in here in the next hour." she said more softly.

I nodded and gave her a small smile before grabbing my bag and going off, hand in hand with Adrian.

When we got outside of the gym, and up to my room, I turned to him. "Are you coming in?" I asked him softly.

He hesitated. "Do you want me to?"

"Only if you want me to."

"Of course I do, Adrian... I love you."

He smiled and leaned down, kissing my forehead. "I love you, too. I'm just trying to give you the space you need."

"I don't need any space. I want you to be with me. I need you with me." I told him softly, unlocking the door.

When we got inside, he locked it behind us and I went over, letting the blinds down, shutting them, and pulling the thick, black drapes over before turning the bedside table lamp on to just warmly light the room. Adrian smiled and sat on the bed. "I'll always be here, whenever you need me." he murmured.

I smiled but didn't go over just yet. I undid my gym bag, putting it on my bed as I shoved my sweaty clothes into the hamper in my room, my water bottle in the bathroom and my hair ties on my dresser. I put the bag under my bed and then went over to my dresser, opening the top drawer, taking out a pair of pyjama short shorts and a white tank top, with a white see-through t-shirt. I felt sweat accumulating on my brow because of the overwhelming warmth in the room. Adrian stood up, taking off his shirt over his head and I marvelled for a few moments on his muscular body.

I felt Adrian's eyes on me as well as I took off my gym pants and t-shirt, revealing my undergarments and I put the shorts on, leaving my shirt off for a moment. I walked over to the mirror and turned side on, seeing the small bump. The hardly noticable bump. I seen Adrian get up off the bed and come over. He went behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, his hands resting where the bump lay. He let his fingers graze over my skin and I looked down, sighing.

"You're beautiful, Rose." He murmured in my ear.

I looked up at him, over my shoulder and smiled softly. "I'm pregnant." I stated.

He chuckled, "And still beautiful. You know, pregnant woman give off this inner beauty; radiance. It's like they glow."

I laughed softly at that. "Sure,"

He grinned, "It's true, whether you believe it or not."

I smiled and after a few short moments I sighed. "Are we really ready for a baby?" I asked, looking in the mirror at us.

He looked in the mirror as well and shook his head. "No, we're not, but I know we can make it work."

I sighed and nodded, "I hope you're right."

--

"Rose!" I heard Lissa's voice squeal through the door as she knocked furiously on it.

I groaned, waking up groggily in Adrian's arms. I looked at the clock, and it was only 3am. I wondered what was so important at this hour and I squirmed out of Adrian's arms as he began to regain consciousness.

I went over to the door, unlocking it and opening it. She came in past me and I shut the door again, raising a brow.

Before I could ask her what was up, she took my hand, placing it on her stomach. "Feel!" she said, smiling brightly.

I laid my hand flat on her progressively bigger bump and after a short moment, I felt it. The baby kicked and Lissa squeezed her eyes tightly, the smile growing if that was all possible. "Isn't it amazing!?" she asked, laughing musically.

I smiled happily and nodded, letting my hand drop. "That's awesome, Liss." I said softly, happy for her. "Do you know if it's a girl or boy?"

Lissa shook her head. "I'm not finding out." she said softly. "We want to be surprised."

I laughed softly, "That's cute. Just buying neutrals then?"

Lissa nodded. "Buying mostly yellows."

I smiled. "That's great, Liss."

She giggled. "Sorry for waking you."

I let a small laugh escape my lips. "It's alright, does Christian know?"

She laughed, "Actually, he felt it and woke me. I'm going to go back now, actually. Let you sleep."

I smiled. "Alright, but I'm so happy for you, Liss."

She hugged me tightly and nodded. "I'm so excited."

"I would be too." I said, my voice breaking softly as I looked to Adrian who was sitting up in bed, leaning against the headboard. He gave me a reassuring smile.

As Lissa pulled back, I smiled and we said goodnight as she left again and I locked the door once more. I turned the light back off after turning it on when she came in. I went over to the fan on the table and turned it on as I took a deep breath in, letting it out slowly. I wiped my forehead of the clamminess and went back over to the bed.

Adrian chuckled, "Rose, it's freezing in here." he said, taking the blanket at the end of the bed and putting that one, as well as the heavy blanket and comforter over him.

I groaned, getting up onto the bed, taking the small blanket I was using and putting it over me, needing something over me to sleep. "It is not."

He grinned and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me to him as I rested my head on his chest. He kissed my cheek. "You are warm." he said, rubbing my arm. "The heat you're giving off is ridiculous." he said, his other arm feeling my forehead and cheeks. "You're warm, but everywhere is, so."

"I don't have a fever." I told him. "I'm just really hot."

He chuckled. "I know you are." he said, winking.

I laughed softly and he held me close, his hand going from my arm to my tummy once more and I fell asleep quickly in his arms.

--

I felt Adrian stir and rub his eyes, which woke me up. I felt rested though, when I woke up and I rubbed my eyes and looked up at him, smiling. "Good morning, handsome." I murmured.

He smiled down at me, kissing my forehead, which had since cooled down nicely. "Good morning, beautiful."

I laughed softly and sat up, a little too quickly. I felt my stomach churn and flip as I coughed. My head started quickly getting clammy and I felt myself get light headed as I reached down, grabbing the garbage bucket.

Adrian was confused and rubbed my back, sitting up as well, behind me as I felt my stomach jolt and I was sick. I groaned when I finally stopped throwing up, putting the garbage bucket onto the floor once more. I leaned back onto Adrian as he wrapped his arms around me and I wiped my mouth in my sleeve, tears an automatic reaction for a reason unknown. He turned me around so I was facing him and he looked a little green himself, but he held me close, wiping the tears away.

After many long moments, I pulled back and sighed. "I'm going to go wash up..." I said softly.

He nodded and leaned into kiss me, but I pulled back. "I was just sick." I told him.

He chuckled. "Fine, I'll wait for you to wash up."

--


"Goodbye," I heard Adrian say as I entered the room, after getting a shower and getting all ready for the day, my straight hair flowing down my shoulders, a pair of black jeans on along with a red tank-top. I remembered Adrian saying he liked me in red.

It took me a minute to notice that he was on the phone. He sighed, "No, just leave me alone."

I wondered who he was talking to, and feeling refreshed, I went over, sitting next to him. He tasselled his hair with his free hand before wrapping it around me. He still had his shirt off, but his jeans were now on. I stayed quiet as he kept the phone to his ear. Being this close I could now hear his aunts voice on the other line.

"You and Rose are not going to be together, Adrian. I want you with royalty."

Adrian groaned, "I really don't care." He started rubbing my arm mindlessly.

Tatiana sighed, "Adrian Peter Ivashkov, I don't want to hear anymore of this."

Adrian looked to me, apologetically. "Rose's pregnant, Aunt Tatiana."

I knew he had to tell her to get her to shut-up, but I also knew now everyone would know and I dreaded the thought. Terrified, actually.

I heard silence on the other line and then, finally, a laugh. "Yeah, sure she is. You wouldn't sleep with her, Adrian."

"Actually, I did. Many times, and she is pregnant. With my child." The first part was just for spite.

"Psh, are you sure it's yours? I mean, she's not exactly the most careful girl."

Adrian shook his head, rolling his eyes. "She lost her virginity to me." And I knew he was only saying it so Tatiana would believe him. And technically, if anyone asked I did lose my virginity to him, because no one could find out about Dimitri and I.

"Adrian, stop this nonsense." There was a frightened edge to her voice.

"I'm sorry, Aunt, but it's true and I love her. I'm going to marry her one day and I swear to god, if I hear that you've told anyone about her pregnancy, I will not take the throne." I wondered if he could actually not take it, but I kept it to myself for now. I never heard him talk in such... disrespect to anyone. Yeah, the sexual innuendos when we first met were sort of disrespectful if you were that uptight Church-going girl who wore turtle necks 24/7, but this was different.

"Adrian you can't do that."

"I can, and I will, so keep your big mouth shut because only her and I, and now you, know." he left Christian out. It was for the best because Tatiana didn't like him much, either. Just because of his parents. Boy could she hold grudges. Then, he flipped the phone shut and sighed, putting it on the bedside table, pulling me close with both arms.

"I'm sorry about that." he murmured. "She called and I figured... it was the only way that she'll leave it all alone, Rose. A child is a strong bond and even she knows that."

I nodded and laid my head on his chest once again.

--

"I'm going to do this," I told myself, taking a deep breath in. I was outside Alberta's office, way after lights out after a day of just resting with Adrian. I needed to talk to her and I knew that she would be in her office doing whatever she did at this hour. I lifted a heavy hand, knocking on her door.

After a few moments, she opened the door and gave me a small, confused smile. "Hello, Rose. Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" she asked.

I nodded, taking a deep breath in. "Can I talk to you?" I asked.

She nodded, ushering me inside, shutting the door behind her. "Of course, what's up?" she asked, sitting in the chair behind her desk, gesturing for me to sit on the opposite side in the chair.

I sat down, playing with my fingers as I took a deep breath in. "I lied to you," I said gently. Only months back, I woud of had no problem lying to her and wouldn't really care if I had to admit it. But Alberta had been great to me and I felt terrible.

"What do you mean?" Alberta asked.

"Yesterday, in the gym. You asked what Adrian and I were talking about a baby for..."

Alberta frowned, looking at me. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

All I could do was nod, tears, thanks to my over active hormones, accumulating in my eyes.

"How far along are you?" she asked, a softness in her voice.

"Almost 8 weeks," she said, her voice quivering.

Alberta's Point Of View.

I wish I could of say I had no clue, but unfortunately, I had known since the talk the three of us had yesterday, I just wanted to believe otherwise. As I looked at her now, she looked exactly like her mother did 17 years ago. She looked terrified, nervous and on edge. Though from the small details I overheard them talking about in the gym, Adrian was going to be there for her, unlike Ibrahim, Rose's dad, had been for her mother. I knew it wouldn't make it any less scary, though.

I remembered Janine and I being fairly good friends. We were around the same age though she was a novice when I was supposed to be graduating. There was somethign about her determination and inner and outer strength that connected us. Gave us a common ground. I remember her having a relationship with Ibrahim . No one thought a lot of it, and eventually, after we had both graduated, she had came to me one day, disoriented and a mess. Something I had yet to see her like.

I remember taking her into my room, us sitting on the couch in my room. Her long brown hair, just like Rose's, draped over her shoulders, pin straight and the trepidation in her eyes was enough to worry me even before she started crying.

She told me she was in big trouble and I asked her what she meant. After she gave me a long, detailed description on how one thing lead to another at first, then it began to become a normal thing for them, she finally got to the part where she admitted to me she was pregnant. I tried to put myself in her position to condole her, but I couldn't imagine what was going through her mind and I remember sitting there, hugging her until she, and I, stopped crying.

I let my guard down a little, now. Trying to be more like a mother figure to her whereas I knew hers wouldn't be much help since she was gone away yet again. Janine and I were still close, but we had our own lives which kept us apart for the duration of our free time.

"Are you sure?" I asked her.

She nodded, "I went to the hospital. I didn't want anyone here finding out. But I hated lying to you and I knew eventually, I'd need your help if you were willing to help me."

"Of course I'm willing to help you, Rose." She was like a daughter to me in a way. I cared about her and her well being. She was everything her mother was, strong, independent, determined, and she would be a great guardian. "And it will stay between us."

She nodded and wouldn't look me in the eye though I could tell she appreciated those words. "Can we still keep up my training?" she asked, softly.

"If you want to, then yes. But when you... you get closer to your due date, I don't think it'll be best."

"What about graduation?" she asked, bringing her gaze to meet mine.

"We're still going to train for a few months, and then when you recover from having the baby, which shouldn't be long at all where you're a dhampir, we can start again. You won't lose much time." I said kindly, getting up and going over to her.

She smiled through her obvious discomfort. "Thank you so much, Alberta." she said as she rose from her seat.

I smiled and to both our surprises, I engulfed her into a hug. "You're welcome, Rose." I said softly. "I hope everything goes smoothly and I'm always here to help, or to just talk." I said, releasing her.

She smiled and nodded, and then, a knock came on my door. I called for them to enter and seen Stan, my fellow guardian. He looked between Rose and I and I knew Rose didn't want anyone else to know. I wondered who exactly knew in the first place besides Adrian and I.

I smiled at him and turned to Rose, my smile dropping, going back into work mode for Stan's eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow morning at 9, sharp in the gym." I told her as she nodded.

We shared a secret smile in our eyes as she nodded and went past Stan, leaving.

It amazed me how much it was like my conversation with Janine, almost 18 years ago.

--

Rose's Point of View

I walked toward the gym the next morning grudgingly. I hoped things wouldn't be awkward, but knew better then to think they would be. Alberta would take into consideration that I was pregnant, but in the long run, she would treat me like all her other students, minus a couple differences as the pregnancy progressed. The bump wasn't noticable unless I wore, well, basically a spandex shirt, which I'd never wear anyway. Even with a tank top you couldn't tell, to which I was grateful for.

I entered the gym, seeing Alberta standing there, waiting by the supply room for me. I walked over slowly, taking a deep breath in, pretending it to be just another, regular day and the night before never happened.

I stopped about a metre away from her and she smiled. "Alright, let's get started, but first, I want you to meet Guardian Nikolai," she said as a man came into view, lounging against the door frame, entering a small office the guardians sometimes used. I only faintly noticed him, keeping my eyes on Alberta's face. "he will be watching our lessons, and other lessons to eventually move up far enough to take over teaching."

Then, I looked over at him, taking in all of his facial features, body structure and eyes. My breathing stopped, my heart beat fading to my understanding.

His almost shoulder length, dark brown hair accompanied his equally dark brown eyes and I found myself inwardly gasping for breath.

He could of been Dimitri's twin.

--

Author's note:
I hope you guys like this chapter. They're progressively getting longer and more things are happening, so I'm trying to put as much needed detail and different scenes in a chapter as possible, without putting too much in to make it more interesting. Also, I'm really trying to get a mixture of characters involved, so I hope it's working. [:

Next chapter will be out soon, hopefully by the end of the month.

Remember,

Review!

~ DramaticField