A.N: Hey Guys!

So here comes chapter 25 I hope you'll enjoy it!!

Anyway I wanted to tell you that I started to work on another VA story it will be mostly OOC but I still think you might like it (well I'm working on the prologue now so don't expect it to be posted it anytime soon =D)

I also made a new promo for blood promise you can check on my you tube channel ( the link to it is on my profile)

Anyways don't forget to review!!

Love you all

Steffy =D

Chapter 25:

I was sat beside Dimitri in the plane and he kept glancing at me. I knew he wanted to talk to me about something but didn't know how to bring it up.

I was in such a good mood that I smiled and decided to start the chat.

"Thank you." I said sincerely pointing to the seats in front of us. "You didn't have to agree to that." I added knowing I wouldn't have been a bitch if he had refused.

"It's nothing." He said, shrugging it off. "I want you to have what you desire and…he is what you choose…I had to help." He added like it was logical.

"Well, thanks nevertheless…" I said with a warm smile concentrating my attention on my magazine.

About 2 minutes later, he cleared his throat. I rolled my eyes discreetly and closed my magazine again.

"What is it Dimitri?" I asked trying to sound Zen.

"Are you sure you are making the right decision?" He asked almost whispering.

"Not that again…" I said getting annoyed. "I'm sorry but we talked about that. I love him and--"

"No, no I got that unfortunately I got that," he said wincing. "I meant being a guardian…"

I frowned confused.

"I promise I'm not judging here" he said raising his hands in a sort surrender "Well, for as long as I've known you I only heard you saying how bad you wanted to be a guardian…Lissa's guardian in particular and now…" He cocked his head to the side.

I could read the really concern in his face and it was the only thing that stopped me from telling him to 'butt off!'

"You know once you'll sign the exchange slip there is no turning back Rose!" He said seriously looking deep into my eyes. "And once you'll give your resignation there is no chance in Hell for you to be a guardian again," he shook his head vehemently. "The Queen will never allow you to come back." He took my hand, which made me really uncomfortable but I didn't take it back. "I just don't want you to rush into things," he said nicely. "If you need a bit more time just to be sure, I'm sure Ivashkov will be just fine with it." He took a deep breath. "He loves you enough for that" he added reluctantly.

I smiled thinking on how Adrian would accept everything as long as it was making me happy.

"I know that but…" I took my chain out from under my sweater to show it to Dimitri. "We're going to get married." I whispered to him avoiding his eyes.

I saw his hand, which was resting in his thigh tightening into a fist so rigid that his knuckles were whiter than bone.

"That…is well…unexpected." He said the voice stiff.

I finally looked up. I owed him that respect and I needed to show that I perfectly assumed my decisions.

"It's just right, you know…" I smiled tentatively seeing the deep pain that he was doing his best to conceal. "I know deep down that we're made for each other."

Dimitri nodded twisting his lips. "I should have known… The man would have been a fool to let you walk away." He looked away for an instant. "Only a fool could do that." He added so low that I had to thanked my enhance hearing.

We stayed silent for a while as he kept looking away.

"But still…" He started again as we didn't stop talking. "Maybe you can be his guardian till the wedding and then you'll decide." He added with hope in the voice.

"Honestly, why are you pushing me like that Dimitri?" I asked really curious. "Do you expect me to change my mind and let him go?"

"Don't ask questions you are not sure you want the answer to Rose." He said looking deep into my eyes.

"Yeah…don't answer that," I said feeling the flush of uneasiness creep on my cheeks. "But…" I took a deep breath and nodded as I was trying to convince myself that I was doing the right thing. "You need to know the whole truth…" I said trailing off still deciding on what to say.

"Please," he said turning his whole body to face me.

"Well, engagement or not, Adrian or not…I would not have been a guardian anyways," I said with a small smile. "I was going to resign."

He snorted. "Now you are just lying." He said a bit coldly and that set me off… Hormones.

"You listen to me brooding soviet!" I said pointing "I'm no liar ok!" I shook my head "I had a choice to make. Will I be like my mother or like your grandmother?" I said gritting my teeth "all I can say it's that my mother lost!" I added crossing my arms on my chest.

"I don't see what my grandmother has to…" He stop and his body got rigid. He probably realized how he told me that his grandmother used to be a guardian but she stopped when she got pregnant.

I had confirmation when his eyes dropped down to fix my belly intensively like he was trying to activate some kind of X ray vision.

He had his lips pursed and his jaw muscles were bulging. "You…It's…How…When…It's…You…No." He finally said or rather rambled.

"Yes," I said rubbing my belly lovingly. "I'm going to be a mom and," I shook my head. "My baby is a priority always will be so believe me… I'm not sacrificing anything." I smiled blissfully "I'm gaining a full life. Is it different of what I planned? Definitely. DO I regret anything? Not even for a second! I want it all." I added simply.

"It's…That's…." He sighed and rested his head on the headrest closing his eyes.

He didn't say another word for the rest of the trip and a part of me was grateful.

As soon as we landed I gave a quick call to Adrian telling him that Lissa and I were going to meet him in front of the official desk in less than 10 minutes.

Dimitri didn't stop to glance at my belly and me as we made our way there. Well, I knew he would freak out but that was even worse than expected.

When we made it to the office only the persons concerned had the right to go into the room, Adrian and Chris, Lissa and I.

The room was pretty bare. There was a small bald moroi man behind a desk. Everything about him was boring even his voice.

Lissa was standing beside Adrian, Chris and I were standing just behind them.

"Did both parties agreed to this exchange?" Asked the boring little man named apparently judge L Milker.

Chris and I quickly glanced at each other trying to hide our smart-ass smile.

I bet he was imagining just like me telling him 'no moron we didn't agree we just came for fun!' Dickhead!!

After we all said we did agree we all signed the official papers. The Judge signed too and handle two green copies to Adrian and Lissa and the two yellow copies to Chris and I.

We officially changed spot as I went to stand beside Adrian. He playfully winked at me.

"So if we're done…" said the Judge closing his big record book.

I looked into Adrian's Emerald eyes full of love and it reinforced me in my decision.

"Actually there is something more," I said taking the resignation letter out of my bag.

"Well, we'll see you later," said Lissa getting out with Chris.

The judge frowned surprised.

"What is that?" He asked warily.

It's a boat! I thought but kept my mouth shut as I really didn't need to anger him. I looked at him and smiled. "It's my resignation from the guardian listing."

He frowned taking the letter from my hands and quickly reading through it.

"Were you aware of that when you agreed of the exchange?" He asked to Adrian.

"Yes Sir." Said Adrian standing straight.

"Do you agree to that resignation as now you'll be left guardianless?" The judge asked not able to conceal the surprise in his voice.

"Obviously I do sir," said Adrian with his famous smug smile.

"Very well…" Said the Judge shaking his head with disapproval. He took some red papers, made me sign to confirm my wish.

"Well, Miss Hathaway you are now freed of your guarding obligations." He said on a formal tone. "I hope you did make the right choice." He added finalizing the paper work.

"You bet she did!" Said Adrian taking my hand and kissing me quickly making the judge gasp with surprise. "I love you," he said out loud and could see he felt relieved to tell it in front of someone.

"Me too…" He said squeezing his hand.

When we looked at the Judge he had regain his composure already but I could see the curiosity in his eyes.

When we walked outside the others had left. The secretary informed us that they went to have a drink at the Court Cafe.

We walked hand in hand for a little while.

"Oh wait!" He said stopping us at the middle of the path leading to the North building. "We're now free," he said kissing the tip of my nose. "I would love to see the ring at your finger in order to shout to the world that miracles do happen as the most wonderful person in the world accepted to marry me."

I kissed him quickly and reach for the locker of my chain but he brought his hand up to stop me.

"Would you allow me?" He asked.

I nodded as he reached up very gently taking the ring off of my chain and sliding it to my finger.

He kissed it. "It's where it belongs…" He said lovingly.

"I won't remove it ever again," I said sincerely.

"Rose?" I heard my mother call from a distance.

"What the hell is she doing here?" I hissed to Adrian.

"I think my prayers have been heard!" He said chuckling! "I dreamt of confronting her you have no idea," he added with a wink. "You know there is the Queen annual Ball for the beginning of summer in 2 days, Her charge is probably here already."

"Oh...yeah…" I said grimacing as she was getting closer. It was going to get ugly.

"Please let me tell her...please..." He whined like a baby.

"Your funeral," I said whispering "but I can't defend you Adrian…I'm with child," I added pointing to my tummy.

"It's ok," he said cockily. "I run fast!" he added making me laugh.

"Rose…" My mom said finally stopping beside me. I instinctively hide my left hand seeing the disapproval look on her face to see me with Adrian

Seeing the wide grin on his face I knew that thing were really about to turn either bad or hilarious… Well you better run fast I added to myself.

"So, aren't you Lissa's Guardian? Shouldn't you be with her?" she asked ignoring Adrian on purpose which was unbelievably rude. I already got that we wouldn't be a big and loving family but now I was almost scared that she was going to go Carrie on us.

"Well, actually…" I started

"Well, no she isn't." Said Adrian with a chuckle

"Please, Rose," she said pointing at Adrian. "Tell me you didn't trade the spot by Lissa's side to become Lord Ivashkov's Guardian?" She asked gritting her teeth.

"No, I didn't Mother." I said sincerely.

"Firstly, I would love you not to point at me it's rude…" Said Adrian not even offended for a second "and now please…" He flashed her his most beautiful smile. "You don't need to call me Lord Ivashkov anymore since we're almost family."

She narrowed her eyes with suspicion. "What?" She snapped.

"Well…" he tapped his forefinger on his chin pretending to think. "We will actually be family soon so you can call me umm I dunno…" he shrugged "Son, Adrian, buster, buddy, skipper! Oooo I like that 'skipper' is that alright Mom? I can call you mom right?" He asked taking my left hand so she could see the engagement ring.

Don't push her too far Adrian I thought taking a small step to stand closer of him so I could push him out of the way if I needed to.

I saw the muscles on her jaw tighten so hard as she threw me a dark look as I was betraying her to some level.

"Call me mom only once and I'll rip your tongue out do you understand me?" She told him in a low voice. I think that she had trouble speaking so she was mad.

Adrian tsked pretending to be unimpressed but I was pretty sure he was deciding when he will need to break into a run. He looked down to my belly and brought his hand to cup it. "See how Grandma doesn't have a sense of humor?" He asked to my tummy. "I really hope you don't inherit her attitude," he added ignoring her.

I saw the color drain from her face as she started to comprehend what was happening.

"Ok it's time to run now," I whispered to him and he did take a small step back when he saw the expression on her face.

"You stupid little girl!" She shouted to me in pure fury but I was proud enough I didn't move. "You've gotten yourself pregnant?" She asked now her face was almost purple from rage. "I always knew you were stupid but you managed to top that! Married and mother before hitting 19... You should be so proud!" She added with heavy sarcasm.

"She's--" Started Adrian to defend me but I squeezed his hand to make him shush. That was my fight.

"Well, actually I am proud." I said as calmly as I could manage.

"Of course you are!" She snorted. "I knew the whole 'I want to be a great guardian' was just an act! You are just as stupid and naïve than the other girls but you'll regret it eventually and I'll be watching!" She said crossing her arms on her chest.

"Yeah just like you regret me?" I said not able to totally cover up the sadness in my voice. "That's ok you know," I continued as she just kept staring. "I swore to myself to be the exact opposite of you so my… our baby should be just fine. Did I imagine being a mom and a wife by age 19? Of course not! Is that the way I imagined my life would turn out?" I shook my head, "nope but do I regret it? Not for a second. Maybe my life turned out drastically differently of what I imagined it would be but you see if I could go back to when this child was conceived or to the first time I kissed that fantastic man knowing everything I know now well…" I looked at Adrian "I would do exactly the same choice!" I stared straight into her eyes speaking very slowly. "I wouldn't change a thing."

"You are right… Now I do wish I never had you," she spat with angry tears in her eyes. "You have always been a disappointment! As from today I have no child," she added turning around leaving.

To be honest her words did hurt me much more than I expected them to. Seeing her walking out of my life was heartbreaking but I was construing my own family now and it was her choice not to be a part of it.

Adrian wrapped his arms around me and rested his head against mine. "She doesn't mean it Rose… It's only anger talking," he whispered to my ear.

"Yeah she does…" I said taking a deep breath. "Yeah she does." I leaned on him. "But that's ok lucky that only one of us got disavowed if not it would have been a bitch to find a name… I do like 'Bananahammock' it's exotic," I said forcing a chuckle.

Adrian kissed the side of my head not saying anything. He knew I just needed him to be there and he gave it to me.

"I would like if we could keep this little ummm 'outburst' between us I don't want to worry the others you know" I said skimming the skin of his neck with my nose.

He tightened his grip around my waist. "You are always trying to protect and preserve everyone Rose but you shouldn't have to." He sighed. "Who is protecting you?" He asked to himself.

I reached up to kiss his lips. "You are!" I said as it was evident. "And Lissa and Christian and Eddie. You guys are my family…so please…"

He sighed. "Alright my Rose," he took my hand. "Ok let's go meet our 'family' then," he added with a wink.

When we arrived at the café they were all there except Dimitri.

"Where's Dimitri?" I asked sitting down happy to have found an harmless subject.

"Dunno…" Said Christian with a shrug. "The dude was weird and he said he'll met us later on the plane." He shook his head, "He looked like he took a ton of bricks on the head."

"Yeah totally!" Said Eddie agreeing with Christian. "He is always so smug but wow…"

"You told him?" Adrian whispered discreetly to me.

I just nodded.

"Nobody knows where he is?" Asked Adrian.

"Well…I think he went to the chapel," said Chris pointing to the left.

"K…" Said Adrian nodding. "I need to have a word with him."

My hand automatically gripped his.

"It's ok. I'll be right back." He said with a reassuring smile.

I grimaced seeing him leave.

Chris took the seat beside me. "You know…" He said trailing off. "I'm not his guardian anymore and I know the court fairly well. I know how you can hear it all without being seen." He said with a wink.

"Oooo be blessed!!" I almost shouted making the others laugh. "You are ready to satisfy my curious side!"

He nodded as I stood up.

"Come on, let's go pretty boy!" I said tapping my hands together. "We'll be right back."

"Sure you will…" Said Christian chuckling. "Curiosity is a weakness Rose."

"Yeah well, I'll confess while I'm there!" I said shoving Chris for him to move.

Chris took me to a side door and we went up some narrow set of stairs, which led us to the organ, which gave me a very good view on Dimitri sat on a bench. Adrian was standing on the aisle just looking down to him.

"Whatever you hear…you won't comment alright?" I whispered to Chris who nodded sitting beside me.

"What do you want Ivashkov…?" Asked Dimitri looking up. "You've got the girl and the baby… You win!" He added slightly bitter.

"I'm sorry. I really am," said Adrian nicely.

"Why would you be?" Said Dimitri with a snort. "I only tried to ruin your relationship."

"I know what it's like to think I've lost her and it's the kind of pain I don't wish on anyone." He sat down beside Dimitri.

"I really do love her Belikov," said Adrian wholeheartedly. "I know you are feeling sad and I know how you despise me but please believe me when I say that I'll spend every waking moment to make her happy…" His voice was thick with emotion. "You can't even start to comprehend what she means to me…Rose and now the baby… They are my whole world."

Dimitri looked at him. "Maybe…maybe you can be good for her," he said reluctantly. "But break her heart or make her suffer and I can assure you, you'll live to regret it." He said evenly which made his threat much more frightening.

Adrian chuckled, "deal!" He said cheerily. "I'm glad that you care so much about her you know."

"Yeah… You are just so lucky. You managed to get her heart." Said Dimitri much more nicely.

"I know I am… I really do." Said Adrian.

"Well, as long as you know that." Said Dimitri standing up. "Well, the plane should be ready to go. I'll see you there." He added walking to the door.

"Oh, can you ask the pilot if he doesn't mind changing his flight plan a little. I'll have to ask Rose but," Adrian stood up too. "I wanted to take Rose to my parents tonight. After leaving Lissa and you guys back at the Academy."

"Will do but…isn't the Queen at your house?" Asked Dimitri curiously.

"Oh yeah…" Said Adrian who was clearly marveling.

"Man… I would pay to see that!" Said Dimitri chuckling.

"I bet you would!" Said Adrian laughing with him.

Adrian and Dimitri laughing together, me meeting Adrian's parents and facing the Queen! I grimaced…Doomsday was closer than I thought.