Author Note: This 'part' of the final chapter is purely Christian Ozera's POV and has multiple time jumps. Where it ends is current time across all POV's and is now a race to the finish line... And to save lives. Some people are going to die, we can't avoid.

Enjoy!

Christian Ozera

"Christian?" I blinked and refocused my attention back to the woman in front of me. Dr. Marc was a therapist- I'd been seeing her for almost 2 months now. "Are you still having the nightmares?"

"It's the same nightmare." I corrected sitting up straighter on the lounge wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans.

"Are you meditating, or yoga?" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes but Dr. Marc just smiled at me as if reading my mind. "You haven't been meditating or doing yoga."

"I tried," It wasn't a complete lie. "My wife kept distracting me."

"And how did she manage that?"

"Have you seen her?" I chuckled recalling the memory of Lissa doing yoga. "The yoga didn't work, and I don't have the tolerance for meditation."

"Where do you feel most at peace?"

"Work? Or in the kitchen." I answered automatically. "I'm a chef."

"That's right," Dr. Marc mused. "Are you currently working?"

"A few nights a week at a friend's restaurant… I considered opening a restaurant but after Liss and I got married I decided to wait."

"Why?"

"Opening a restaurant is a lot of work… We're expecting a baby in less than a month and we're are still newlyweds… Liss and I just want to spend time together before our daughter is born."

"Have you talked to your wife about your nightmare?"

"No."

"Why?"

I picked at the threads on my jeans and shrugged. "I can't."

"You talk to your wife about everything; why is this different?"

"Because of Rose."

"Rose? She was your wife's Guardian?" Marc asked flicking through his notes from our previous appointments. "Ms. Hathaway died in the line of duty."

"She wasn't just a Guardian." I flinched at the tone of my voice as Marc lifted his head and looked at me and opened his mouth. I waved off his apology and continued deciding to focus on the painting behind his desk. "Rose was Lissa's best friend, and she was my best friend too… Her fiancé was a good friend of mine. I introduced them- and later helped him get a foot in the door with her. Dimitri knew that if it came down to a choice of saving Lissa and risking her own life; Rose would always choose Lissa. I knew it too and it helped me sleep at night knowing that as long as Rose was alive- my girl would always come home to me."

"And now?"

"Rose is dead." It wasn't the first time I'd said those words- but it was the first time I'd said them and felt a chill run down my spine. "The nightmare is always the same, Doc. Lissa is taken from me and I am left running around in the dark trying to find her- and when I finally do she's in that parking lot bleeding out next to Rose."

"It is your conscious that haunts you, Mr. Ozera. What you are feeling is similar to survivor's guilt… It's not uncommon and often does manifest in nightmares."

"How do I stop it?"

Dr. Marc leaned forward in his seat staring at me. "If it was as easy as that, Mr. Ozera, I'd be out of a job."

"Christian." I corrected meeting his gaze.

"Christian," Dr. Marc tilted his head. "I'm afraid I don't have a quick fix for you… All I can do is offer my expertise and help you sift through your emotions. In the meantime, I recommend that you confide in your wife about your nightmares- if you feel more comfortable we can set up a meeting and have Lissa join us for a session."

I couldn't help a small cringe at the idea. "I'll consider it."

Dr. Marc settled back into his seat. "And how are things going at home?"

"Delightful." I couldn't help the sarcastic tone of my voice. "Natalie has decided to extend her trip indefinitely, and is going to be living with us until the baby is born."

"Who is Natalie?"

"Natalie Dashkov; Lissa's cousin."

"You two do not get along?"

"I've never had an issue with Natalie, but she was never really around enough to have an issue with but ever since she arrived in Paris it's as if she's going out of her way to piss me off."

"Such as-?" Dr. Marc trailed off as the alarm on his phone went off. "-Time's up. Let's continue this next week."

….timejump...

Dear God, how did I get so lucky?

It was a question I often asked when I caught myself mesmerized by the gorgeous woman asleep next to me… I snuggled in close against Lissa's back until I was in a comfortable spooning position- I ached to reach out and hold her but in the last couple of months of her pregnancy she'd been running at a higher body temperature and couldn't tolerate anything heavier than the bed sheet pulled over her.

I was tempting fate and risking my balls by laying this close- and even more when I reached out and brushed away the pale golden blonde hair from her shoulder. I leaned in and breathed in the smell of her skin and couldn't help a smile.

She smelt of strawberries, my soap, and sex. It'd taken some convincing but once she got started there really was no turning back; I just had to know which buttons to push. Lately, sex was the only way to really wear myself out so I could get a decent night sleep even if it was still plagued by nightmares.

"Christian." I froze my finger curled around the ends of her hair.

"Mhmm, yes love?"

"That tickles."

I bit my lip and buried my face in her hair. "I'm sorry."

Lissa groaned nudging me back as she rolled over onto her back… She raised her tiny hands and rubbed her eyes pouting and fights back a yawn as she asked. "Why are you awake at-" She lifted her head to look at the time on the doc. "-Three AM in the morning!"

I leaned up on my elbow and stared down at her. "I couldn't sleep."

Lissa dropped her hands to her belly and stared up at me with one eye. "Christian! I am so not having sex with you right now."

I couldn't help but laugh as I leaned in and kissed the pout from her lips. "Go back to sleep, Wife. I'll amuse myself."

Lissa shoved at my shoulder and giggled. "Oh, I bet you will."

….timejump...

It's been a month since Natalie Dashkov arrived and I'd be lying if I said that having her in our home was a pleasure. I sympathized with the girl, truly I did, but her attitude towards 'the help' as she referred to the guardian's and house staff was starting to really piss me off.

I cook breakfast for everybody a couple times a week- and since Natalie's arrival with her, 'personal' guardian Irving- nobody wants to come to the main house for breakfast anymore. Grant and Serena lived in the main house but had taken to starting the day earlier so they could eat before Natalie and Irving arrived.

Take this morning for example; Grant hadn't even bothered to join us for breakfast. I couldn't remember the last time that'd happened. Lissa noticed his absence and asked once Natalie and Irving had returned to her room to prepare for a girls shopping trip into the city. No boys allowed; apparently, Irving didn't count.

Call it a hunch but I don't think Grant was too torn up about it… In fact, I'm pretty sure if Serena could have gotten out of it she would have.

Lissa glared up at me as if I was being unreasonable. "She just lost her father."

"It's no excuse to treat our people like shit," I argued not caring if the precious little princess heard me. "She's disrespectful, arrogant, and the guardians aren't the only ones sick of pretending otherwise."

"She's my cousin, Christian!" Lissa snapped.

"And that is the only god damn reason I haven't packed her bags myself, and driven her back to the airport, where I found her!" I'd finally lost it and I couldn't control my anger- I threw the dishes into the sink ignoring the water that sloshed out of the sink and onto the floor.

"Uncle Victor was always there for me, Christian. I'm not going to turn away his daughter while she's grieving his death! Please, please, don't make me."

I stared at my wife and felt my anger begin to fade. I was so pissed- but it wasn't her fault… I wasn't being unreasonable, was I? Lissa's eyes filled with tears and I couldn't stop myself from reaching out and taking her face between my hands as I kissed away her tears before I pressed my lips to hers.

I knew if I pushed it Lissa would ask Natalie to leave- And god, nothing would make me happier to see that woman gone but I wouldn't/couldn't do that to Lissa. "I'm sorry, Liss. I'm sorry. I'm just tired."

Lissa tilted her head back holding onto the front of my shirt. "Are you still not sleeping?"

I sighed shaking my head. "No."

"Is it because of Natalie?"

At this point, I wish that was all it was. "No."

"I'll talk to Natalie about being nicer to the guardian's and staff."

"Thank you." I reluctantly let her go and forced a smile. "Go, get ready for your shopping spree. I'll clean up this mess." I watched Lissa go and turned back to the sink gripping the marble until my knuckles turned white beneath the skin.

Dear God, what the hell is happening to me?

….timejump...

Dear God, what the hell was I thinking when I bought this couch?

I shifted uncomfortably on the couch trying to shift the spring from my back. If I wasn't so pissed off I might have gone to one of the guest bedrooms- oh wait, I can't believe Natalie and her precious Irving have taken up the guest rooms.

I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling and cursed my infuriatingly stubborn hormonal pregnant wife. Dinner had been a disaster! I wouldn't have put it past her to slit my throat at the table- it actually reminded me of the night Dimitri showed up at a family dinner with my Aunt Tasha.

I still didn't know what the hell I'd done to Lissa off but whatever it was it'd been worth throwing wine in my face and storming off to the bedroom and throwing my pillows and blanket in the hallway screaming at me to sleep on the couch.

It wasn't the first night I'd slept on the couch but it'd usually been a result of too much wine at dinner or surrendering the bed to my restless tiny wife who managed to take up every square inch of the bed.

The fight at dinner had been in front of witnesses; Natalie, Irving, Grant, Serena, and a few brave guards who I'd managed to convince to join us for dinner. Lissa called me out for all my shortcomings.

I was selfish. I was arrogant. I was a picky OCD perfectionist. I was narcissistic. I was downright depressing. I was a workaholic and didn't care about her or our baby. Ohhh, and this one was my absolute favorite- I didn't find her attractive anymore, and had turned into a man whore who couldn't keep it in his pants whenever a perky waitress walked by.

My mistake? I laughed- I couldn't remember the last time I laughed so hard. I'd actually snorted wine out my nose I'd laughed so hard.

"Are you laughing at me, Christian Ozera?"

Yes, yes I was! "No, no of course not, baby. I'm fine." Even as I said it I couldn't stop laughing. Grant, Serena, and the rest of the guardian's watched with wide eyes shaking their heads trying to tell me to shut up and start groveling but of course, I just dug myself a deeper hole. "I just think it's a little silly-"

The widening of Grant's eyes told me I'd just said the absolute worst thing I could say, and the wine that'd been thrown in my face immediately following my comment told me he might have been right.

Lissa stood holding her stomach and stormed out of the dining room, I say stormed out but what I actually mean was she waddled out.

Serena handed me a napkin shaking her head. "You're an idiot, Ozera."

Rose would have said the exact same thing.

"What did I do?"

Natalie giggled raising her glass to her lips. "She's just being hormonal."

I finished drying myself off and stood from the table. "Excuse me." I had to step over my pillows, and blanket, to reach the bedroom door and banged on it twice. "Lissa, open the door."

"Go away, Christian!"

"Lissa!"

"I'm going to bed."

"Open the door, Wife."

"Go fuck yourself, Husband."

I still couldn't get comfortable, and with the events of tonight playing on a loop inside my head; I knew I wasn't getting any sleep tonight. I kicked off the blanket and sat up on the couch- I cringed and tried to arch my back to unkink the knot that'd already begun to form in my back.

It is just hormones.

I kept trying to tell myself that's all it was but a nagging voice in the back of my head told me that it was more; I needed to talk to my wife. Note to self: remove all sharp objects from the room. I needed to find out what happened yesterday to set her off.

"Christian?" I tensed at the sound of Natalie's voice. I looked up and found her standing at the end of the couch wearing that damn nightgown. I fought the urge to hand her the blanket to cover herself up. "Are you okay?"

'I'd be better if I knew what the fuck was wrong with my wife.' I thought bitterly as I made sure not to look anywhere else but her face. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"I felt bad." Natalie shrugged. "Do you mind if I sit?" I pulled the blanket back and moved over to make room for her to sit. "Tonight was crazy wasn't it?"

Yeah, it was. "It's just the hormones."

"So, you don't think it's because of her illness?"

"The bipolar? It's not a dirty word, Natalie." Lissa had been diagnosed after High School but it was during our senior year that she'd been admitted to hospital after a particularly bad episode when Rose had found her wandering the campus in nothing but her underwear. Rose had gotten Lissa the help she'd needed when everybody else was content to look the other way. "I don't believe it's related. Lissa doesn't usually act out like that when she's having an episode."

"Ohhh."

"What did you two do today?"

"Just girl stuff." Natalie smiled lifting the blanket to cover her legs. I'd have felt better if I hadn't taken half the blanket to cover myself up. "We spent most of the day at the spa, had a little lunch at the restaurant, and spent the afternoon shopping. Our little princess will be here soon and the holidays aren't too far away."

I groaned and rubbed my hands over my eyes trying to wake myself up… I was so god damn tired lately. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together trying to shake the fog away so I could think. I almost fell off the couch when Natalie reached out and placed her hand on my thigh. "What," I froze staring down at her hand as her thumb began to rub circles just inside my thigh. That's way too close. "Natalie."

"Christian," Natalie sighed inching herself closer. "I know that we've never been close, but I want you to know that I am here for you if you need anything. We're family." I grabbed her hand as she inched closer to my crotch and looked into her eyes as my hand tightened around hers. "Ow, Christian-"

"I'm only going to say this once," I breathed leaning in closer until my eyes were level with hers. Natalie had the same jade green eyes as my wife's but unlike my wife Natalie's eyes were full of lies, scheming, and poison. "You are here only because my wife wishes it. We are not friends, nor are we family, and if I feel the urge to talk I will do so with my wife. Is that understood?"

Natalie cried out and tears began to fall down her eyes. "Yes! Yes, I'm sorry!"

I released her hand and watched as she bolted from the living room.

"Goodnight, Natalie!" I called out as I fell back against the couch.

….timejump...

I felt soft lips on mine as fingers raked through my hair- tugging ever so slightly just the way I liked it. I lifted my head off the pillow and sought out my wife's lips- I opened my eyes smiling up at the sight above me. "Good morning, husband."

"Wife."

Lissa smiled giving me another peck on the lips. "I'm sorry."

I blinked once, twice, three times. "What?"

Lissa stared down at me a frown on her beautiful face. "Are you really going to make me say it twice?"

"I still can't believe you said it once," I smirked catching the fist she'd thrown at me. "I'm curious, wife, what exactly are you apologizing for?" I questioned trying to sit up and groaned at the pain shooting up my spine between my shoulders. "We're burning this goddamn couch."

"I'm sorry for all the horrible and untrue things I said last night," Lissa leaned against the back of the couch running her fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry for making you sleep on this awful couch… I'm awful, Christian. I don't even know why you love me, I'm horrible!"

"Stop." I lifted her quivering chin and kissed those pouty pink lips. "I love you, Liss. Even the crazy hormonal lady that ripped out my heart last night; I am selfish, I am arrogant; I am a little OCD and a perfectionist to boot- and I am very picky about those I let into my life… You hurt my feelings last night when you accused me of being unfaithful. I have never, nor would I ever, jeopardize my relationship with you because baby I am so in love you, it hurts. I love everything about you, Mrs. Vasilisa Dragomir-Ozera."

"You love everything about me?" Lissa sniffled wiping her nose on my shirt.

"Almost everything," I wrinkled my nose as I stared at her. "That was disgusting."

Lissa giggled and tackled me down to the couch. "Shut up, Christian." I chuckled grabbing hold of her waist as I looked up at her. Lissa leaned down and kissed me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. "I love almost everything about you too."

"Almost?" I nibbled on her lip before trailing kisses along her jaw.

Lissa turned her neck to give me better access. "Despite what you might think, Mr. Ozera, you aren't all that perfect either."

I laughed tightening my grip on her thighs as I stood from the couch holding her in my arms as I carried her back to our bed. Lissa wrapped her legs around my waist and kissed me. I kicked our bedroom door shut and carried Lissa to the bed as I laid her down and stripped us out of our clothes. I stepped back and just stared at her for a moment. I couldn't not appreciate the view. "Dear God, you're beautiful."

"Christian," Lissa held out her hand towards me. "Come to me."

"What do you want, Lissa?" I asked as I slid my hand between her thighs and straight to her sensitive wet lips. "Mhmm."

Lissa's grip on my hair tightened as she threw her head back. "You!" Lissa gasped as I thrusted two fingers deep inside her wet pussy. "Christian, please! It's been too long- I need your dick inside of me."

"God, I love it when you talk like that," I growled trailing kisses along her neck towards her breasts. "I hope you don't lose that foul mouth once the baby is born."

"Christian." Lissa hissed. "Stop teasing."

I sucked on her nipples and circled the peak with my tongue making her wither beneath me as her hips thrusted to meet my fingers. I stroked my cock and guided it up and down between her lips. I lifted myself up to look down at her as I removed my fingers from her pussy and lifted them to my mouth sucking off her juices.

Lissa stared up at me with hooded eyes as her eyes almost black with desire. "Get on your knees, Mrs. Ozera." I helped her to her knees on the bed and watched as she bent over her head on her pillow and her legs spread showing me her dripping pussy and perky ass.

I massaged her ass and leaned in licking her from cunt to ass- Lissa squirmed beneath me and moaned loudly into the pillows. I was going to enjoy this. I leaned back aligning my cock with her opening, teasing her entrance and clit, slapping my cock to her lips making her squirm impatiently.

Lissa had just lifted her head to yell at me when I thrusted the full length of my cock between her legs burying myself inside her- she launched forward crying out into the pillow. Her fists twisting in the sheets on either side of her as I pumped in and out.

I placed 1 hand flat on her spine and leaned over her as I kissed her shoulder as I pulled out almost entirely before I filled her to the hilt- both our breaths catching at the sensation of my cock hitting the end of her. "My love."

"Christian." Lissa arched into my touch. "Too much- It's too much- too deep! I-I'm cumming, Christian!"

I reached up sliding my hand into her hair- I pulled her back until she knelt on the bed her hands reaching around to grab my ass as I fucked her. I kissed her ear and nibbled on her earlobe as my free hand traveled across her chest and down her round belly before dipping between her legs where we were joined.

"Come for me, wife." I purred in her ear.

"Together." Lissa begged raising a hand to my hair turning her head to kiss me. I caught her lips hungrily as my pleasure built and built until it was almost unbearable to hold off. "Together."

….timejump...

I was just coming out of the garage when I heard Grant and Serena having an argument in hushed voices as if they were worried they'd be overheard. I could hear music playing somewhere in the house- it wasn't anything I recognized which mean it was most likely Natalie's playlist.

"I don't trust her, Grant." Serena was saying. "The story of what happened to her father and uncle doesn't make any sense!"

"I know!" Grant was staring down the hallway as he spoke to his wife. "I've been trying to get a hold of Dimitri but none of his contacts are answering."

"I'm worried about him."

"Belikov can take care of himself," Grant assured his wife as Serena pulled out her phone as if she could will it to ring.

"Dimitri was going after Victor when he left Paris."

"I know."

"Do you think he killed Victor and Robert?"

"Most likely." Grant reached out and squeezed Serena's shoulders. "If Belikov is alive he'll make contact; eventually. I need your focus here, Serena."

"What's going on?" I asked obviously having surprised them by the looks on their faces. "Okay, seriously? If I was able to sneak up on the two of you something is seriously wrong here."

Serena and Grant shared a look of deep concern before Grant reached into his pocket and handed me a napkin from a restaurant in the city. I recognized Dimitri's handwriting on the napkin and felt my blood run cold.

The men hired to retrieve Vasilisa were hired by Victor Dashkov.

I'm going after him.

Keep them safe.

D.

"What the fuck does this mean?" I asked despite already having a fair idea as certain pieces began to click into place.

"Serena." Grant tilted his head toward the hallway. Serena nodded and disappeared leaving me alone with Grant and the wrinkled napkin. "Christian?"

I raised the napkin as I stared into his eyes. "Is it true? Did Victor-fucking-Dashkov send those assassins after my pregnant wife?"

"Assuming the information given to Dimitri is to be believed; yes."

"Victor Dashkov is responsible for Rose's death?"

"Again; assuming the information-"

"Dimitri Belikov wouldn't kill Victor if the information wasn't reliable." I snapped barely recognizing the edge to my voice. "The answer, Grant, is yes. Victor Dashkov is the reason Rose Hathaway is dead."

"Yes, sir."

"I don't trust Natalie."

"You aren't alone in that, Sir."

"Why?"

"She's a bad actor." Grant shrugged. "Serena believes that Ms. Dashkov is trying too hard to grieve."

"Her father is dead isn't she supposed to grieve?"

"Yes," Grant answered. "though, and this is how Serena described it, it's as if she's reading from a how-to grieve for dummies handbook but keeps losing her place."

"Is she dangerous?"

"I don't know." Grant looked uneasy as he answered.

My blood began to boil as I stared at him. "I suggest you find out, Guardian Grant, or you just might find yourself replaced with somebody who does!"

"Yes, sir."

I stormed out of the garage and headed towards the bedroom. I slammed the bedroom door shut and stalked over to the drawer- I opened it and pulled out my old mobile phone as I searched for Dimitri's number.

"You've reached Dimitri Belikov, leave a message at the beep and I'll get back to you as soon as I can." Beep.

"It's Christian. Call. Me. It's about Natalie Dashkov." I hung up and scrolled through the contacts… Abe, Janine, Mikhail, Pavel... Rose. At the sight of Rose's number, I felt all the air leave me as I sank onto the bed staring at my friend's number.

Dear God, I miss her. "I miss you," I whispered staring at her name. "I wish you were here to tell me what to do." I found myself pressing the call button and raising it to my ear. I knew it was pointless but I needed to hear her voice even if it was just a recording.

"Hey! It's Rose if it's important leave a message. Otherwise, text me. Oh, Christian, if that's you – I drank the last of the milk. Bye."

I found myself laughing as I slid to the floor of the bedroom. "I don't know how you did it, Rose. How you kept us all of us safe and stayed sane. I don't know what I am doing, and I don't know how to protect them. I need you. She needs you. We need you…"

...To Be Continued...

I was thinking it'd be Rose's POV next but it might be a toss-up between Dimitri, Thomas, and Rose. We'll just have to see where these final POV's take us.

I hope you enjoyed this POV segment and will continue to read and review.

P.s. I hope the lack of timetable isn't too annoying.
As I stated at the beginning, as of now we're all roughly at the same point in time.