Disclaimer i do not own VA or its characters.

Chapter 29

Adrian POV

I kept a silent watch on Melissa and her emotions tonight. The party was in full swing and she left minutes ago to get some fresh air. I could tell that she was content and happy that the party was going well. Within minutes that happiness turned to confusion as she noticed that something felt a little bit off. She didn't get time to ponder that long and her thoughts were suddenly blanked out. I saw the last images in her mind as I was sucked into her head just before darkness took her.

"NO!" I yelled and ran as fast as I could to where her thoughts showed that she was. Everyone knew that there was something wrong and they looked at me in question. My worst fears have been realized. I was too late to keep them from taking her again. "She's gone. I stated falling to my knees.

"What do you mean gone Adrian?" Lissa asked.

"I was sucked in her head just seconds ago and she was standing right her. I don't know what happened but her vision went dark and I was pushed out of her head." I explained as I looked at the grave faces before me. "Someone took her."

We searched everywhere that we could think of and had the court locked down. Mel was eight months pregnant so we had to find her quickly. I noticed that Shadow was whining at something in the bushed and I go to see what he has found. I find a syringe that looks like it hasn't been there long and I called Dimitri to check it out. Dimitri was put in charge of the guardians that were investigating her disappearance. He took it to get analyzed to see if we could get some information. With the syringe as our only lead to what happened to her all we could do is wait. I went back up to my room and tried to get through to her in her dreams once again.

Mel POV

Dammit I really hate the whole kidnapping thing. I woke up with a really bad headache. I looked around the small room that I was in and I was for once glad that it was a little more homey than the last times. Of course I was in a basement but I already expected that. I tried to move only to realize that I was restrained. I was testing the restraints when the door started to open and I was surprised at what, or rather who, I saw.

"Well Miss Mazur, I must say that it has been a long time since we've seen you. I remember our first meeting like it was yesterday." He said.

"Really, well I'm still trying to forget that unfortunate event." I said proudly. "I could really do without seeing your ugly face right now." He walked up to the bed and grabbed me by the throat.

"Melissa, just like Rose aren't you? Your mouth gets you into trouble." He said and I flinched at the pressure that he was putting around my neck. He released my neck and stepped away but that didn't help my breathing. He used air to make it hard for me to breath and pulled air away causing me to choke. He finally finished with his torture and then approached me again while I was trying to regulate my breathing.

"Why are you doing this? I haven't done anything to you that you didn't deserve."

"You have turned the Moroi from the way we have been for centuries. Guardians are supposed to fight the battles and we are supposed to be protected at all costs. You are the reason that the Moroi at court are passing laws that benefit guardians and all Damphirs. Moroi are superior and we were fine until you came around." He said. I let him rant on and on. Nothing I said would get me out of this at the moment. He leaned in closer to me and I knew what he was going to do but had no way to stop it. I had to guard my baby and keep him safe.

"Let's see how good you taste." He sunk his fangs into my neck and fed from me. As he finished and pulled away, darkness was coming for me. He and his sidekick walked back out the door and I fell into darkness. I could only hope that my little boy would be okay.

The darkness changed to swirls of bright colors and next thing I knew I was in a garden that Adrian and I loved. I spotted him immediately and ran to him.

"Mel, are you ok? Where are you? Have they hurt you?" Adrian rattled out questions and if this weren't life or death I would have thought it funny.

"Woah Adrian, stop. Yes I'm ok and so is the baby. I have been bitten but there aren't any Strigoi here. I was taken by a very angry Moroi. He went to school with Rose and he and his buddy were the ones I had the confrontation with the first day at court." I informed him and he paled a little.

"Wait Mel, are you talking about Jesse Zeklos and Ralf?" He asked angrily. I nodded. The dream started to go fuzzy and began to fade. He kissed me hard on the lips and we whispered our love for each other before I knew it I was back in the room with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I had an idea but I had to do it perfectly in order for it to work.

"Welcome back blood whore." He smirked and I growled at him. Ralf wasn't in the room so this might just work. He got closer to me and looked me straight in my eyes. It's now or never, I thought.

"Jesse, you are going to untie me and show me the way out of here." I said putting as much compulsion in as possible. I was a little weak from blood loss and being eight months pregnant with no access to the blood I needed. He glazed over and immediately untied me. He led me to the door and we were fortunate that we didn't run into Ralf during my escape. Once I was outside one big problem for me was that it was dark and although I had a stake being heavily pregnant was a handicap right now. I opened up my senses to my surroundings and I was cautious even though I didn't sense any Strigoi. I discovered that I was only a few miles away from court but I surely couldn't walk all that way. I tried to send Adrian a message in my mind. (Adrian, I escaped but I'm still a few miles outside of court.) He sent me a message back seconds later. (I'll find you babe. Give me some kind of landmark as soon as you can and we'll come get you.) I continued to walk for a little while until I came to a main road and across the road was a little house that had wards around it. The name 'Baxter' was on the mailbox and I went to the door to see if they would let me use their phone.

Adrian POV

I tried for a while to get through to Mel and when I did, I was furious to learn that it was Jesse Zeklos that had drugged my wife and carted her and our baby off somewhere. He bit her and when I saw the mark and Mel confirmed it I was livid. Once the dream faded I stood up immediately and went to the lounge where everyone was waiting for news. Abe and Janine were there as well, obviously concerned for Mel and the baby. Everyone was waiting expectantly and I had to tell them the news.

"Melissa was not taken by Strigoi, but a royal Moroi that we all know. Rose probably knows him better than the rest." Rose looked confused and I sighed. "Jesse Zeklos, and his little sidekick Ralf. Remember what they did with the Mana club? How they got people to join? Jesse is an air user isn't he?" I said. "She didn't say it but I know that he hurt her with air. He also fed from her."

Minutes later while we were trying to figure out what to do I heard Mel's voice in my head. (Adrian, I escaped but I'm still a few miles outside of court.) I widened my eyes in surprise. I haven't been able to send messages to her from that distance unless I was pulled into her head. I sent her a reply back. (I'll find you babe. Give me some kind of landmark as soon as you can and we'll come get you.) I sent to her. Everyone else looked at me strangely and I explained what she said to me. I waited for Mel to send us a landmark but some of the guardians broke into groups and went looking near court for her. I could only hope that she and the baby would be home safe tonight.

Mel POV

I knocked on the door and it was answered by a tall female guardian with short dark hair and bright blue eyes. She eyed me suspiciously but the suspicion faded when she saw my huge stomach.

"Hello, I was wondering if I could use you phone really quick? I need to get back to court and I want to call my husband. Her eyes widened a little at meeting a guardian that is married. She ushered me in the foyer and I heard voices in the dining room.

"Guardian Rogers, who was at the door?" A tiny Moroi woman asked as she entered the foyer. When her eyes fell on me, she rushed to my side. "My dear what happened to you? Are you hurt?" I almost laughed at her sudden concern but I just smiled slightly at her. My back was hurting rather badly and I was worried that if I didn't get back to court, this baby would be born outside of the wards of court.

"My name is Melissa Mazur Ivashkov and I am the head guardian at the royal court. I wondered if I might use your phone?" Their eyes widened and the Moroi woman nodded and I thanked her. I walked over to the small table that she had indicated the phone was. I reached for it but I was stopped by a searing pain shooting through my body. I clutched my stomach and held the table with my other hand to keep me upright. I noticed a man's hands on me, directing me over to a bedroom. The female guardian and the Moroi woman went about preparing items for delivery. I looked up at the guardian once the contraction lessened. "Call the court and tell them my location. Get Lord Ivashkov here." She nodded and left the room to make the calls I requested while the Moroi woman stayed with me. I hadn't noticed that the man that directed me in here was still sitting beside me, holding onto my hand. He was a Moroi man, similar in age to the Moroi woman. He smiled as his kind eyes met mine.

"This may take a while if this is your first child. I assume that you know what you have to do?"

"Yes and this is certainly not my first. The twins were the worst but my little boy was a lot easier. This one is a little early but I guess the stress of the last few days has something to do with that." I stated and she was both surprised and confused. "I was kidnapped and I managed to escape. They drugged me when they took me and between that and the bites, I don't know what kind of stress that put the baby under." I explained. I cringed as another contraction hit and the guardian came back into the room. I just hoped that Adrian was here in time to see his little boy born.

Adrian POV

We were all sitting around Lissa's suite waiting for any news from Mel. I was really worried that they might not make it back here tonight. I went to the kitchen for some water when I felt extreme pain. I realized that it was Mel having contractions and I was panicked.

"Adrian what is wrong?" Lissa asked.

"Mel. The baby is coming right now." I said through the pain. I was finally able to put my blocks up once the contraction lessened. Just then the phone rang. Lissa came running in with a smile on her face.

"Adrian, she went to the home of a Moroi couple where she went into labor. The guardian just called and gave the directions." Lissa said and we loaded into several SUVs headed for the location the guardian gave us. It wasn't very far, but it felt like it took hours. As we pulled into the drive I ran for the door where the female guardian met us. Abe and Janine were watching the kids while we went to get Mel, so my only concern was her.

I ran to the room that the guardian indicated and replaced the Moroi man that held Mel's hand. I sent a silent thanks for keeping her calm and focused. I kissed Mel's forehead, already beaded with sweat. Her eyes were tired and happy at the same time. A few more pushes and put little boy was crying and wailing. Mel and I both cried tears of joy as she held our little boy.

Hours later I knew she just wanted to sleep but we convinced her that we had to get back to court. I wanted her to get checked out and the baby as well. I had no doubts that these Moroi did everything right to help her deliver, but the stress of the kidnapping and the bites might have hidden effects. We thanked the couple profusely and left for court. Mel and the baby were checked out and were healthy. The doctor made them stay overnight as a precaution.

Jesse and Ralph were both tracked down and arrested for kidnapping and assault on a guardian. Because Mel was the head guardian, they received a stronger punishment. Mel and the baby came home the following day and we named our little boy Jaxson Marcus Mazur Ivashkov. My family was complete. I had a beautiful wife, two bright and beautiful girls, and two handsome and intelligent little boys. I thoroughly spoiled each one of the and we were happy with the life we had here at court. I still hated that Mel carried on with her guardian duties, but I also understood now that this was who she was. She didn't just guard one person from danger, but she guarded everyone with the same and equal conviction. She was like Rose in that way I guess. I still loved Rose but it had morphed into a sisterly love and a respect for what she went through for love. I understood now that I had unintentionally pushed her to try things with me and we both knew who she would pick. Rose and I had a friendly relationship now and even Dimitri and I got along.

I'm not sure what will happen in the future, but for right now I have my family and my growing group of friends. With the people around us, there isn't anything that could hurt us or our children. Mel smiled down at our youngest little boy and I knew that all was right in the world. She fed him and put him to bed while the other children were all playing together. I went to lie in the bed with my wife. I watched her as she drifted to sleep.

Whatever happens later in life, I have this life and I don't intend to waste it. I dream walked with her and wondered what was next in our lives.

XXX Five years laterXXX

Mel POV

Jax is 5 years old today. His older brother Alex is 6 and their sisters are 8. Alyssa and Sophia are the epitome of princesses except Sophia is a little tomboyish and doesn't worry about getting into things. The kids all have their special abilities but Vladimir told me that they wouldn't get powers like mine until they are much older. They all seem to have a knack for spirit but no problems with the darkness. I love my babies so much that I find it hard to send them to the academy. They all love Shadow to death and cried when I told them that he couldn't follow them to the academy. Lissa Rose, Mia, Sonya and I all were crying because we had to send them to the academy. We had the older ones tutored at court until the little ones were ready and we sent them all to St. Vladimir's together. So here we were, the whole gang was here sending their children off to the academy. Adrian and I entered the kids as Moroi because essentially that was what they were. I wanted them to all learn their magic and how to control it. They would be in some classes with Lissa and Christians little girl Anna and their 4 year old Meghan would be around Jax a lot. Eddie and Mia's little boy, along with Sonya's little girl would be in guardian classes. Rose and Dimitri's children would be in guardian classes as well so that none of the kids would be alone. We talked to their teachers and Alberta about them. I asked for Alberta to train my kids some when they were old enough. They were mostly Moroi but I wanted them to be able to protect themselves.

As we went back home, I knew that they were safe but I couldn't help the worry that seeped into me. As a mom, I couldn't understand how I could just leave them at the academy like that. I was lonely for several days without the kids here but it did give me time to be with Adrian like never before. We were always either fighting Strigoi or I was pregnant, or both.

As we lay in bed that night, I tried to think about what our future would be like but it was unwritten. Whatever happens we will do it together. The world has been a lot safer now and I felt confident that the Strigoi wouldn't be as much of a problem anymore. Only time will tell. I snuggled into the bed, curled next to the love of my life. My past no longer plagued my thoughts and the man next to me and my kids are my future.

*I really liked writing this story and I hoped that you enjoyed it. Thanks