Hey all! So sorry I have been missing lately, I explain a little at the end of the story, but all I can really do is apologize.

Disclaimer: Still not mine.

Adrian's POV:

I sat on the couch in my apartment with Sydney's head resting in my lap. I ran my hands through her hair gently. I bent down and kissed her temple. "Sydney?"

"Hmmm?"

"I have a little something for you..."

She sat up a little. "You do?"

I pulled out a box and Sydney actually grimaced. My face fell a little "You don't want it?"

"You spend way too much on me."

I shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal to me..."

"It is to me though."

I nodded. "Okay." I set the box down and turned so we were looking at each other. "Let's talk."

"What do you mean?"

"Something is obviously bothering you."

"It's... It's just too much, too soon."

"I don't understand..."

"You saw what I had... Or what I didn't have."

"Yes..."

"Adrian, I lived like that for 20 years. When you..." She took a deep breath. "When you do things like buy me all these gifts, it makes this seem like a fairy tale, and I know fairy tales don't exist..."

"Says who?"

She snorted. "Really?"

"No, I'm serious. Tell me the basic premise of fairy tales..."

"You know."

"I know I do. I want you to tell me though."

She sighed. "Fine. There is usually a pretty girl..."

"We have that."

She blushed. "There is villain..."

"We had that..."

"And a handsome prince that takes care of the villain."

"Okay... Well, it looks like we have all the components, why don't we make our own fairy tale."

"Where does it say the pretty girl is a single mom?"

"She isn't. Her son has a father that loves him very much."

She smiled at me. "I love you."

"I love you too. Now, can I please give you this?"

She sighed. "Fine."

I handed her the box and took her free hand. "Remember that night you were in my room?"

She nodded. "Of course."

"I noticed that something important was missing."

She slowly opened it and tears sprung to her eyes. "Adrian..."

I smiled at her. "There is a story behind this cross."

"Can you tell me?"

"Of course." I took it from her and clasped it around her neck. "It was Nikki's."

It looked like Sydney was about to hyperventilate. "What?"

"It's okay. I talk to my mom and she wanted me to give it to you. She said you reminded her a lot of Nikki."

"But, will your Aunt mind?"

I shrugged. "I don't know and honestly, I don't care."

"No... I can't take this, I'm sorry."

"Please Sydney... You are just as important to me as she was. I want you to know her somehow..."

"But..."

"Please, no buts."

She smiled at me again. "Okay. For you."

"Thank you." I leaned in to kiss her and my phone rang. I sighed and reached for it. "Hello?" I paused as the person on the end spoke. "Okay. I'll be there." I hung up and looked back at Sydney. "I need to go to a meeting, will you and Alexander be okay on your own?"

"Yeah. I think I am going to take a nap with him."

"Okay. I will see you in a little bit." I kissed her gently. "I love you."

"I love you too."

I got up and walk outside of our apartment and looked at Dimitri. "I'm sure you have heard what is going on..."

He smiled at me. "Of course. Are you sure you want to engage the beast?"

"I have to. She can make a lot of people's lives miserable if I let her get her way."

"Well, I wish you the best of luck then."

I smiled back at him. "Thank you."

We made it over to one of the conference halls and I took a deep breath. "I want you to come in with me."

"What?"

"I know I can get somewhat irrational when it comes to Sydney and I may need you to protect the Queen."

Dimitri stopped at looked at me. "Are you sure you are okay to go in there?"

I shook my head. "No, but as I said, I have no choice."

"Should I get Rose? Or Janine? What about Abe? He could help..."

I laughed. "Thank you for the offer, but I need to do this myself."

Dimitri nodded. "Fair enough."

I took a deep breath and opened the door to the conference room. "Aunt Tatiana... What can I do for you?"

I know, this chapter is very short, but I promise you, the next 2 (3?) chapters are going to be long and some what epic!

Again, I am so sorry I have been so MIA. I am going through some life transitions and I hope to have everything back on track soon! (Also, with a new story in July!)

So, Please review and I will see you all soon!