Hello my lovelies! Firstly, I'm sorry for the long wait! I have no excuse except for the fact that I've been too busy entertaining the family that's visiting from the states to write! Secondly, thank you for all of your reviews, follows and faves! You know I love hearing from you!

I don't own VA and this isn't edited!

I didn't know what love was until I met you.

Chapter 26.

Time froze. The words kept replaying in my head. Christian wasn't just some adopted child; he actually was related to me. Christian was my cousin, not that that was going to change anything between us.

"Shit," I heard him say. Forcing my eyes away from the paper I still held, I looked over at him. His entire body had tensed up, his eyes locked onto the piece of paper in his hand.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice strong. I wasn't sure what I was feeling, wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel. What I was feeling or supposed to feel really didn't matter right now, what Christian felt did.

I would always see Christian as my brother, but how would he take the truth? It was one thing to realize that you were adopted by family, but it was another thing to realize that you had been lied to by said family. As for me, I knew my parents had a good reason for covering up the truth. They had to, because they were good people. That did not mean that I liked that they'd lied to me or to him, for that matter.

"Look for yourself," Christian said; thrusting the paper which I only just realized was his birth certificate in my face. I already knew who Lucas Ozera was, but having the proof in my hands really made it sink in.

"Shit…" I gasped out. He nodded, his eyes not meeting mine. His already pale skin had gone even paler and, I could not help but worry.

"Christian," I said slowly. "Are you ok?"

"Fine," He said. I wasn't sure if he meant it, but I didn't push it. It was more than obvious that he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"I/I have to show you something," I said hesitating slightly.

"What is it, Rose?" Christian asked impatiently. I was about to give him the letter, but Olena chose that moment to call us for lunch.

I'd give it to him right after lunch, I decided. Unfortunately what I wanted and what often happened were always opposites. When Christian and I had gone downstairs, we were both stunned.

"Mom, dad," I said slowly. "What are you guys doing home so early?" My mind was running a mile a minute though I didn't know why. Had they somehow found out what Christian and I had done? Did they know that we knew? My train of thought was cut off when Christian grabbed my hand from under the table.

"Relax," He whispered low enough so that only I heard. He locked eyes with mine briefly ensuring that I got the message.

"We have a surprise for you guys," Mom was saying. Dad sat next to her, a smug smile on his face.

"Yeah?" Christian asked, a bit of bitterness seeping into his voice. I was about to kick him but it seemed I was the only one who picked up on that slight bitterness.

"Yes," Dad confirmed. I glanced around. No one knew. Letting that thought calm me, I focused my attention on my parents and on this oh so grand surprise.

"Well are you guys ever going to tell us what this surprise is?" I asked. I was becoming impatient and from the look on Christian's face, I was not the only one.

"Get in the car and maybe then we'll tell you." I rolled my eyes, but did as told. We'd finished lunch a while ago, but we were only just leaving the house.

"Do you know what this big surprise is?" Christian asked Olena. She shook her head, but I didn't believe her. She was Dimitri's mom and Dimitri was nothing if not cheeky. I knew Olena well enough to know that if she'd been sworn to secrecy we wouldn't be able to get anything out of her and, knowing my parents, I'd bet anything that they'd done exactly that.

It was not until after we'd dropped Olena off at her house with no running with Dimitri that we got a clue as to what this big surprise was. My dad had driven onto the highway some time ago, but now he was turning off onto a very familiar road.

"The lake house?" I asked excitedly. Mom's grin from the front seat was all the confirmation I needed. I let out a squeal that rivaled one of Lissa's, but Christian did not look impressed.

"What's your problem?" I asked, my excitement dimming slightly.

"I don't know, seems weird. There's still something that we don't know!" The idea of another surprise excited me even more so for the rest of the drive I kept my eyes fixed outside the window and tried to stay in my seat rather than explode like I wanted.

It wasn't long until dad was pulling into the drive. I had the door open and was out before the car had fully stopped. The disapproving looks mom and dad gave me didn't really matter as the smell of the lake hit my nostrils.

I sighed, breathing it in. I always loved the smell of this place; it was so fresh and earthy, completely untouched by the pollution of man. Out here nature reigned and I knew that I could get lost in the beauty and tranquility.

"Come on in, Rose." Mom instructed. I'd rather stay out here or walk down to the lake, but there was something about her voice that made me do as told. The moment I stepped inside, I knew why.

Ooooo! So, what do you guys think is going on? Was there really more to that surprise? And how's Christian really? Is he really fine? Let me know!

Review lovelies and Dimitri will write you a letter ;)

XXX

Roza