Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.
RPOV:
After Adrian left, Dimitri and I sat in silence for several long minutes, mulling over everything he said. I was still a bit shell-shocked from everything he had said, but things were slowly evening out in my mind. I could mostly understand where he was coming from in the respect of not deserving to be in Ivan's life. Personally, I didn't want him anywhere near Ivan right now. If that changed at all in the near or far future, I wouldn't hesitate to include Adrian. As things stood right now, I was pretty sure I'd take a shotgun to his head if he came within ten feet of my son. Maybe, when the day finally came that I would allow my son to know his biological father, maybe then I would also be able to forgive him for what he did to me. Right now, though, the wound was too fresh, too raw. I still had nightmares and flashbacks. I still wasn't 110% comfortable around any man other than Dimitri. And Ivan, I realised with a start, but he hardly counted; after all, he was in my stomach.
"Roza?" Dimitri inquired. "Are you alright?"
I nodded absentmindedly, drawing circled on my stomach thoughtfully. Adrian had said to go to him for anything I needed, but I knew I wouldn't. It didn't feel right, and anyway, Lissa, my mom, my dad, they were all there for me. I paused that thought and rewound. Well, my mom was there for me. I didn't know what was going on with Lissa, and my dad...that was a whole another can of worms I didn't feel like prying open at this point in time.
"So, breakfast?"
I nodded, not really paying attention. I focused on the part in Adrian's speech where he had admitted the rape was mostly him, that he was told to simply ruin my life. I gave a sad sigh. Well he had certainly succeeded. Sort of. After all, this pregnancy had not only given me something I had never even thought was a possibility - my son - but also gave me Dimitri. A family I never had, or dreamed I'd ever have. I always thought that I would grow old, watching over Lissa and protecting her and her family, or maybe I'd die in battle, a heroic, lonely death. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I would suffer the worst moment of my life, but get so much love out of it.
Suddenly, I remembered something else Adrian had mentioned - darkness. He had never mentioned it during our time with him and Victor (wince) hadn't said anything about it last year either. But now that he mentioned it, I realised he was right. I thought back to how every time Lissa used magic she would always grow depressed or out of control - until she didn't. Until I was the one out of control and angry. My breath caught at the thought. Was I taking it? Adrian had said it was a darkness that took over his mind, made him go crazy, make his mind fragile. I thought back to all the random outbursts I would get, that toned down a bit, until Adrian was back in the picture. I frowned. I hadn't gotten overly angry in the last month, not since Avery had come back. However, Lissa used magic constantly, when she wasn't drunk, that is. Maybe the alcohol numbed it like it numbed our bond? I sighed, deciding that must be it, since Adrian did the same thing. How was it affecting my child, though? My hands fluttered on my stomach, patting it as if to make sure my baby was okay.
"Roza?"
I stilled my hands, not wanting Dimitri to worry.
"I'm fine," I forced a smile. "Just thinking about what Adrian just told us."
"You shouldn't worry," Dimitri muttered, then said something in Russian under his breath.
"What?" I gave him a questioning look.
Dimitri shook his head, not answering. He instead waved me over to the table where a plate of steaming pancakes slathered in butter and drowned in syrup sat in front of one of the two chairs.
"Wow, Comrade, this is the unhealthiest meal you've cooked me in a long time," I commented happily, digging in.
"Well, I figured you deserved something good after yesterday, and felt that you needed to keep your energy up." His eyes glittered with mischief as he implied that he wasn't exactly talking about my heroic rescue.
My face flamed at the memory. I was having difficulty swallowing as I remembered last night. Even though we hadn't had sex - he was still firm in the belief that we should at least wait until I was eighteen and hopefully graduated - but he had stayed true to his word. He had given me a whole new appreciation for his tongue and proved to me that his sic kissing skills weren't reserved for above the belt only.
"You look lovely with all that color in your cheeks," he murmured, his eyes focused on my face. "Especially in the throes of pleasure." He gave me a wicked smile at that, causing my face to flame even darker.
"Guardian Belikov," I exclaimed in pretend outrage. "Are you being smug?"
Dimitri chuckled, a self-satisfied grin overtaking his face. "No, not all, Roza."
I swallowed, not used to attention like this from him. I bit my lip, suddenly uncertain about last night. I'd been a bit spent after Dimitri was finally done with me, so I'd fallen asleep as soon as Dimitri had joined me on the pillows, meaning he hadn't gotten any pleasure. I looked at him uncertainly, the heat in my cheeks now more of a slow burn of shame. "I - what about, you know, you? I didn't - I mean..." I trailed off, almost sweating from the heat surrounding my body, the kind of heat that came straight from hell, but looking furtively around, a hole didn't open up in the ground, ready to swallow me up whole. Unfortunately. Could this get more awkward?
Dimitri chuckled, causing me to duck my head even more in my mortification, my hair swinging forward to cover my face. I felt very small in that moment, the beginning of tears building up in my chest.
"Oh, Roza, I'm sorry." Dimitri crouched in front of me and brushed my hair away from my face.
Internally, I cursed myself. Where was the Rose Hathaway that didn't give a damn what people thought, that faced things head on, that spoke her mind? Surely, she was buried underneath this sniveling, weak, pathetic pregnant woman!
"Roza, love, there's nothing for you to be embarrassed about." Dimitri took my face into his hands, a soft look upon his usually hard face. "I was perfectly fine knowing I gave you so much pleasure. You don't have to worry so much, milaya." He kissed my nose playfully.
I looked at him shyly. "Really?" I whispered.
Dimitri nodded, grinning. "Yes, absolutely. Seeing you like that, filled with so much pleasure and knowing I was the one to bring it to you..." he trailed off, a faraway look on his face. He blinked, coming back to himself, a grin planting itself on his face once more. "Well, I'll be fine for a long time."
I glanced down, then looked back at him through my eyelashes. Despite being on his knees in front of my chair, he was still taller than me. I leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips, mine sticky from syrup, causing them to stick briefly to each other. I giggled. "Thank you."
Dimitri gave me a full smile, blinding me with its brilliance. "I love seeing you so relaxed," he murmured and leaned forward to kiss me again.
Unfortunately, Ivan chose this moment to shift slightly - right on my bladder. Seeing the pained look on my face, Dimitri leaped away, alarmed.
"What's wrong?" he asked frantically.
I grimaced. "Your son decided that my bladder makes a great seat," I replied drily, standing up to use the small bathroom we had. Thank goodness we didn't have to use an outhouse.
Once I'd finished, I went back out and sat down to continue mt breakfast. Dimitri now had a plate of pancakes in front of him, although his wasn't quite as big as my own. I frowned.
"How come you gave me so much?" I asked.
Dimitri smiled. "Because you're eating for two and you haven't been eating properly for the last month. I'm hoping that the decreased levels of stressed will get you to eat all of it." He had such a hopeful look on his face that I could help but dig in again.
I ended up eating the entire stack of pancakes, plus about two from his own plate, along with two glasses of orange juice. Once I started eating, I realised how ravenous I truly was. Dimitri had to remind me several times to breathe.
After both of us were done, he washed the dishes while I watched from the table.
"You'd make a great housewife," I said dreamily.
Dimitri barked out a laugh, startling me. "A housewife?" He gave me a questioning look over his shoulder.
I nodded. "Mmhmm. You can cook, you can clean, you can even massage. You'll be a great father and housewife while I'm off protecting the Dragomir Princess," I teased him.
He tensed slightly, but decided to ignore the elephant in the room, much like I was. "Oh yeah? So I'm going to stay home and take care of the kids while you're throwing yourself into danger and telling them all about your war stories?" he challenged.
I nodded enthusiastically. "Yup, you got it!" I said happily.
Dimitri rolled his eyes, then turned serious. "Rose-" he began, but I shook my head.
"No, I still need to talk to her. Speaking of..." I relaxed my mind and focused on the bond.
After a few moments, I was able to force myself into Lissa's mind just long enough to see where she was - the infirmary. I came back to my own mind and frowned. "Why is Lissa in the infirmary?" I asked.
"Because she fell from three stories into my arms. She has bruising and a fractured rib," Dimitri explained.
My eyes widened. "Oh."
Dimitri nodded and dried off his hands. "I'm assuming you want to see her?" He raised an eyebrow.
I hesitated, then nodded. If Adrian can come to me and apologize and explain raping me, I can talk to my ex-best friend about the last month, her not believing me, turning her back on me and spreading rumors about me. Hm. Looking at it that way, Adrian's situation didn't look as bad. At least he was being compelled. What was her excuse?
"Alright," Dimitri didn't mention my doubts, which were probably written on my face in red neon. "Let's get dressed."
He helped me into my coat and boots, hat and gloves before putting on his own gear. He was so thoughtful and such a gentleman. I sighed softly. He was simply amazing.
We set off for the infirmary, all the way across campus.
"Yeah, staying all the way over here isn't such a good idea," I muttered.
Dimitri smiled, but didn't respond. After trekking to the edge of the woods, he finally spoke. "Rose, just remember. I'm here."
I nodded, understanding what he was saying. "I love you, Comrade," I whispered, smiling up at him.
Dimitri smiled back at me, his full smiled again. He was doing that a lot lately. Or today, really.
We reached the infirmary much quicker than I had expected. I wasn't at all prepared to see her or knew what to say as we stood outside Lissa's door.
"Rose-" Dimitri started.
"I can do this," I said firmly.
Dimitri gave me an irritated look. "You know, I wish one of these times you would let me finish my sentence," he grumbled.
He looked so adorable at that moment that I couldn't help but giggle again.
"Okay, Grouchy, so sorry. I just know what you're going to say before you say it, so why would I bother letting you waste precious time and air on unneeded words." I gave him a cute smile and watched him cave despite his best efforts to not.
"Alright," he muttered. "Just..." He sighed and shook his head. "Are we going in or not?"
I nodded. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand to knock on the door, only for it to open, revealing Christian.
"Christian!" I cried out in surprise.
"Rose!" he exclaimed. "Oh, my God, Rose, I am so, so sorry!"
Christian looked like he was about to cry at the same time as he wanted to throw himself at my feet and hug me. "I swear to god, he compelled me. I had no control. I swear. I am so, so sorry!" He looked completely torn and I was reminded that we had been good friends after the whole Victor fiasco, despite the fact that we tried to kill each other on the daily basis. He really became my big brother in the last few months after my rape.
I hesitated in forgiving him, but then I remembered again that he had believed me when not even Lissa did. I knew from personal experience that Adrian was good at compulsion, and found myself forgiving him instantly.
"Chris..." I trailed off and simply opened my arms up to him.
His eyes widened, but after a moment's hesitation, Christian stepped towards me. When I didn't drop my arms and turn away, he practically leaped into them, hugging me tightly.
"I'm so sorry, Rose. I'm sorry," he kept mumbling.
"It's okay Christian. It's hard to resist a spirit user's compulsion, I know from experience. I forgive you," I murmured back.
"Thank you, thank you. I'll repay you, I swear." I felt liquid on my neck and realised that Christian was crying.
I was confused about his reaction for a few moments. Yes, we were like siblings, but why was he so concerned about my friendship? For a terrifying moment, I thought that he was still under compulsion and was going to use me, but the truth of the matter hit me. I was one of his only friends, one of the few people who knew him and didn't judge. I was his little sister, and he thought he had lost me. Although that didn't completely explain his tears, his emotional reaction made sense. Sort of.
I was starting to feel uncomfortable when Dimitri finally told Christian to get off of me. Christian instantly stepped away, no questions asked, wiping his face surreptitiously.
"We'll talk later," I promised him.
Christian nodded, looking at me gratefully. "Meet you...somewhere...?"
"Meet me...at my cabin in, oh, say, half an hour?" I guessed.
Christian nodded. "Alright, see you then." He walked out of the infirmary and I turned to the room.
Lissa lay on the bed, propped up by pillows. She had watched the whole moment between Christian and I with a range of emotions on her face. I blocked off the bond, not wanting to know what she was thinking for once.
"Hey, Lissa," I said softly. "Mind if I come in?"
Lissa shook her head, and I walked into the room, Dimitri shadowing me.
I sat in the chair by her bed and an awkward silence ensued. I had no idea how to start this conversation, no idea what to say. How are you feeling? Glad you survived? Wish you hadn't?
"Rose..." Lissa started for me. "I just...I'm sorry!" she cried out, finally letting every bit of control loose. Tears poured from her eyes in great waterfalls. "I have no idea what to say besides that. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't believe you about Adrian, I'm sorry I hung out with him and Avery and turned my back on you and left you and said things and hurt you. You laid your life down for me, risking it and your child's and I was nothing but selfish. I'll understand if you never want to see me or talk to me again! I'll do everything in my power to fix this, so there's no more rumors about you. I don't care if I have to compel -"
"No!" I cut her off fiercely. "No, you will not be using any magic until my child is born. You've leaked enough of your darkness into me already! I have no idea how all of this is effecting Ivan, and until he is born no more magic."
Lissa blinked at me, astonished, then nodded ever so slightly. "O-okay, then. I'll do it the old fashioned way."
"How?" I asked sarcastically. "By commanding them in the name of the Dragomir Princess?"
"If I have to yes," Lissa's voice was level and calm. She looked deadly serious. "I know that can't even begin to heal and fix all the wrongs I've done to you, but I guess it's a start. I understand if you don't want to be my guardian. Or if you do stay my guardian, we'll go wherever you want to. I'll stay at the school if you want. I'll stay in some warded place and not leave it once unless you want to, so you don't have to put your life in danger. You have a family now." I stiffened at that. She can't know, can she? "Your child needs you more than I do. I'll help however I can. I'm sure you'd rather Christian's help but I'm here too. I would have died had it not been for you. Thank you. I forever owe you my life, and not just for that, but for everything you've helped me with. I am so, so sorry, Rose." Lissa looked at me mournfully.
For once, she wasn't expecting forgiveness, and wasn't asking for it. Maybe it was that, or the fact that I was hormonal and missed my best friend, but I found myself forgiving her. Not completely, not at all. What she had done wasn't going to be let go of that easily. But I could see the sacrifices she was making by staying in a protected place. She had always wanted to travel, to see the world before settling down and having a large family, but she was willing to put her own plans on hold so that I could have some time with my son to raise him and protect him without risking my life. I loved her so much for it.
"Lissa..." I sighed. "I love you, Liss. No matter what, you're still my sister. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be forgiving you all the way for a while, but know this: I do forgive you. I know not all of it was your choice, most of it wasn't. But you made the choice to party and get drunk, you made the choice to not believe me. Those are the things I can't forgive yet. But...thank you for allowing me to be with my child while I can be. I'm glad you're okay." I stood up and pressed a kiss on her forehead. I couldn't stay in this room any longer without bursting into tears and hugging and forgiving her for everything, and I couldn't do that just yet. So I left, despite her trying to call me back.
The talk with Christian turned me into a hormonal, emotional mess. He was a great friend after all and was as willing to help me as Lissa and Adrian. I knew he had never liked Adrian, and having been controlled by Adrian for the last month or so had really broken something between him and Lissa. They were still together and in love, but there was a distance like a wound between them. He was hoping that by fixing things with me would fix things between them, but I knew better. They had to work things out on their own, without me.
Fortunately for me, I got the rest of the week off. Even more fortunately for me, the weekend was Valentine's Day. Although I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, Dimitri surprised me with two days away from the Academy, in the city. We stayed at a hotel for two nights and two days. He took me out to dinner and movies, and got me a gorgeous pair of earrings and an adorable teddy bear for Valentine's day. For those two days, it felt as if we were back at the ski lodge, as if we were a normal couple. We took advantage of the hotel's privacy to explore the more physical aspects of our relationship. At the end of the two days, Dimitri was still standing by his 'no sex until you're at least eighteen' but his hold was shaky. I couldn't help but grin at the thought that I was the reason for it. He was so experienced and skilled with his...various body parts, I couldn't say I was frustrated sexually at all. He taught me surprisingly a lot about giving and receiving pleasure, and knowing that we had to go back to the Academy and our old room made me almost sad. The knowledge that I would be in my own bed with Dimitri kept me from being too upset.
However, the fairytale ended as soon as I stepped foot into school on Monday. It seemed with the absence of Avery, the only thing that changed was the fact that no one was openly spitting in my face - or, well, calling me things to my face. Christian and Lissa stood by me, but that didn't mean anyone else did. Mason stood nearby me in class, but stood by his Moroi during lunch, even though it wasn't necessary. Eddie stuck by Mason. Although I knew they were staying away because I hurt Mason and not because of the rumors, it still hurt.
People still spoke behind my back, but having Lissa there made things a little bit better. While I was gone, she apparently had started her 'Operation change people's mind about Rose.' It was turning out surprisingly well, but I couldn't find it in me to care anymore. As long as they weren't openly laughing at me, it was fine. After all, I've always had people saying things about me. I learned to move on with my life.
The next two months seemed to alternately fly and crawl by. Classes and school in general crawled by, but the moments I spent with my family and friends flashed by. On my birthday, Dimitri surprised me with a promise ring. I cried with happiness, then again with sadness as I realised that I couldn't wear it outside of our little bubble of privacy called our room. Dimitri assured me that it was fine and I could wear it on a necklace to keep it with me at all times. The ring itself was gorgeous: a silver band with a line of several small sapphires scattered diagonally across it, with the words 'forever my love' engraved on the opposite side. On the inside, the words 'Roza, you are my heart' was engraved. Dimitri had a matching promise ring, although there wasn't an engraving on the inside. When I asked him about it, he'd simply stated, "I wanted you to choose what was inside."
That weekend, we went to Missoula once more, under the pretense of getting baby supplies - we got those too - and had, 'I love you, Comrade' engraved on the inside of his ring.
While we were waiting for it to be done, we'd gone baby shopping, getting everything we would possibly need, from a crib to clothes to diapers. I kind of wished I had shared this with Lissa, but figured shopping for her baby would make up for it. Plus, this wouldn't be the last time we would need to go shopping for Ivan. Ivan, who came earlier than expected.
I was walking back to our room by myself for once. Things at school had finally calmed down, and surprisingly, most of the dhampirs were, if not talking to me outright, at least friendly. Or maybe it wasn't so surprising; after all, graduation was just around the corner and in just a couple of short months, we would all be in the same boat. Or war, depending on how you looked at it. Dimitri wanted us to go to Russia to see his family for what could be the last time in a while, and while it was okay for me to go. He was now in a meeting with Alberta and Kirova about taking me with him, the reason I was walking back alone.
My thoughts were rudely interrupted when someone yanked me backwards by pulling my shoulder and colliding my back with theirs. I was frozen with fear, wide eyed and my hands instantly flew to my belly protectively.
"Well, well, well. I see your protector is nowhere to be found." I heard his sickening voice whispered in my ear and felt his other hand tightening just below my breasts to keep me unmoving. I knew I should get away, but I was afraid of hurting my child. "Lucky me." I could almost feel his cockiness. The scene when my virginity was roughly taken away from me came back to me and instead of paralyzing me with terror, it angered me in a way I had only felt once before, when I finally confronted Adrian.
Not again, not this fucking time. I thought, letting my instincts and everything Dimitri taught me take over. Rose was finally back out of the pathetic shell.
I elbowed my attacker in the kidneys and the grip on my shoulder loosened. I took that as my opportunity so I grabbed his hand, bent forward and pulled him over my body. Though it was slightly difficult to achieve with my now eight month stomach and not at all safe. His back hit the ground in front of me with such force that his lungs were left empty of air. I restrained him by pinning his arms and legs and then took a good look on his face.
"The thing is Jesse," I said his name in disgust and leaned in. "I don't NEED a protector!" I whispered the last part for a more dramatic effect. My voice was cold and I glared at him like I've never had before while summoning the remains of my control; I wanted to torture him a little.
"Lucky ME!" I screamed in his face and had the pleasure of seeing him scared as if I was a Strigoi.
"What do you have to say now?" I asked him with fake sweetness lacing my every word but he just stared at me and struggled a little, in vain. "What? Cat caught your tongue honey? Awww too bad." That seemed to hit his ego.
"Blood whore," he said right in my face.
Oh no you didn't! I screamed in my mind; maybe out loud too. Whatever control I had managed to gather up disappeared as soon as he said that and my fist came in contact with his face. I had been called that one too many times and he was the lucky one to suffer my rage and pain and suffering. I didn't know for just how long I was screaming 'you son of a bitch' and 'bastard' and how long I was punching and kicking wherever I could, but all too soon, someone tried pulling me off of him. Again - in vain. I escaped out of their grip somehow and turned back to hitting the shit out of Jesse in blind rage.
Then I felt more than two hands pulling me off of the limp body underneath me. I tried escaping again but they had death grips on my arms making it impossible.
"I swear I will kill you Jesse! I swear you bastard I swear!" I was screaming, so loud that my throat started feeling rough. The man holding me back was whispering soothing words to me and soon I realised it was Dimitri with Alberta helping Jesse. They were my bucket of cold water on the face. I stopped struggling and just leaned into his body to stop myself from falling. Exhaustion became the dominant feeling in my body and I started taking in my surroundings.
Right now, three guardians were carrying away an unconscious and extremely bloody Jesse to the infirmary and several students along with Lissa, Christian and Mason were gathered around to see what had happened. I felt concern through the bond and I turned around to face Lissa's worried eyes. If the situation were different I would have laughed in her face and told her that her eyes would pop out. But now all I could do was stare back in astonishment of what I had done.
Dimitri turned me around and asked me what I had been asking myself the past few minutes.
"Rose…" he hesitated "What happened here?" he asked as he and Alberta looked at me with concern and confusion.
"I- I don't know," I exclaimed in pure shock and tried to hold back traitorous tears seeing as most of the school was here now and I didn't want them to see me weak. No need for more rumors spread about me after they'd just died down. "He just- and I- I- I-" I couldn't form a sentence since my body shook with tearless sobs. I felt an odd sensation between my legs, almost like I peed myself, but Alberta muttered something to Dimitri, who carefully lead me to the infirmary, distracting me from my train of thought. Once there, we sat down on the examination table, Dr. Bryar looking over me anxiously as Dimitri sat beside me and Alberta watched from her spot to the side.
"Now, tell us what happened from the beginning," Alberta said. and I nodded. "Good. Doctor, can you hurry up with her hands?" As she said that, I noticed for the first time the throbbing pain on my hands and looked at them to see the skin worn out. Dr. Bryar knelt in front of me and started cleaning and bandaging my hands. I took that as my cue to start explaining as body continued to shake.
"I was walking back to my room when Jesse grabbed me roughly and started talking to me. Then something snapped in me and I felt such anger… But I didn't hit him. I controlled myself somehow and just pinned him to the ground. He didn't stop talking though. I had apparently hit a soft spot because he-" I looked up with a guarded look to see if anyone caught my hesitation. They did.
"He what Rose?" Dimitri asked in an icy tone.
"He called me a blood whore. And then...I think it was spirit darkness. I've been holding it off for so long." The anger in both Alberta's and Dimitri's face was frightening so I continued to take their minds off that. "But then I couldn't hold back anymore. I attacked him and well… you can guess the rest."
By then, I was sobbing. I looked up to see two guardians' faces deep in thought. I also became conscious of the warmth that radiated off of Dimitri's hands to mine. At that moment, a ripping pain emanated from my stomach, causing me to grip Dimitri's hand in a death hold as a scream was torn from my lips.
"Roza?" Dimitri looked at me frantically. "What wrong?!"
I slipped my hand out of his and clutched my stomach, whimpering as the pain ebbed away. "My stomach..."
"Doctor, is there something wrong with the baby?" Dimitri gasped out, looking wild and afraid.
Dr. Bryar opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by another scream from me as the pain hit again.
"Dimitri," I cried out, tears falling from my eyes. "Help. It hurts."
"I believe she is in labor," Dr. Bryar said, already getting ready for the birthing. "Take off her clothes," she commanded Dimitri.
Dimitri nodded without a second thought, and pulled me further up the bed until my head was on the pillow. "Alright, Roza, I'm going to have to take off your pants, so you have to relax for a little bit, alright, sweetheart?" Dimitri smoothed my hair away from my face, looking anxious.
I nodded and carefully relaxed my legs, allowing him to take off my black pants and underwear. My coat, shirt and bra followed, and as soon as they were off, Dr. Bryar was pulling a hospital gown over my head, not allowing my naked body to be visible for more than a second. Another contraction hit, another scream escaped. Dimitri slipped his hand back into mine and stroked my hair soothingly, whispering Russian words into my ear.
Another contraction hit, much sooner than the last.
"They're coming quickly. This will be a quick birth," Dr. Bryar announced, just as another contraction hit on the tail end of the last. "Just a few more and soon you'll be dilated enough to push."
I groaned, the pain getting better of me. And through it all, Dimitri held my hand and soothed me with his voice.
After three hours of labor, Ivan Dimitri Hathaway-Belikov was finally born on April 18.
Even though he was premature by a little over a month, he was fully formed and almost fully grown. He was a little bit underweight, but after spending the next week in the infirmary under the care of nurses, he was doing perfectly fine. Ivan ate a lot, just like him mommy. Unfortunately, Dimitri had to cancel the trip to see his family, but the slight disappoint was made up by the fact that Ivan was finally with us. By sheer luck, Ivan didn't look anything like his father, his features a masculine copy of mine. His eyes were dark brown, like mine, although shoots of green could be seen in the sunlight. His hair was my color and Adrian's texture. All in all, he was a gorgeous baby, and Dimitri and I couldn't get enough of him.
When we took him home for the first time, neither of us were able to tear ourselves away from him. Ivan was simply so precious. No one knew about the fact that I gave Ivan Dimitri's last name - thank God for patient privacy - but Alberta understood on some level that we were more than mentor and student, more than friends even. We never let on that we were and she never asked, but she was much more lenient on me missing class or Dimitri coming into work late due to staying up with Ivan all night.
Since having Dimitri as my mentor, my grades had gone up in everything, especially academics. Since I wasn't able to participate in field experience, I'd been able to get ahead on my studies, so that after Ivan was born, I focused more on getting back in shape and fighting again rather than English and history. Though I wouldn't be able to guard Lissa once I graduated - I was on maternity leave of a sort - I would be able to graduate and be Lissa's guardian in theory.
Dimitri and I had decided that until I was able to guard Lissa - once Ivan was a little older - he would guard her for me, but then ask to be reassigned to being a Court guardian while I guarded Lissa. It wasn't the ideal situation in the least, but it was the best we could do. This way, we still did what we both loved and be able to be together. We were hoping that Dimitri would get assigned to Christian, but it was a pretty tall order.
I sighed happily as I watched my son sleep. Adrian had stopped by to see him, per my request. I felt that he should see the miracle he helped create. Seeing Adrian hold his biological son with tears in his eyes helped me finally forgive him. I could almost thank him for putting me in this situation, or well, thank Avery, because if it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have all the happiness was I filled with now.
Dimitri was sleeping in the bed behind me and Ivan was sleeping in his crib in front of me. My two men. The two men I loved more than anyone in the entire world. Ivan stirred a bit, letting out a little cry. I picked him up before he could let loose his very large lungs and wake Dmitri, who'd just fallen asleep after a long day of work, and unbuttoned my shirt to allow him to feed. I hummed to him gently, swaying a bit. Once he was done, I burped him, then lay him gently back in his crib; he was already asleep.
"I love you, little Ivan," I whispered, then kissed him on the forehead before getting ready for myself.
I had training in the morning, followed by class, with taking care of Ivan filled throughout the day. My life was hectic and busy, worse than before. But I wouldn't do anything to change it.
A/N: Well...can't say I'm not hurt. Did no one like the last chapter? I had so few reviews... :'(
People to thank...: my best friend, Kaylee, who got me writing this chapter with threats of death. Georgia D. Rose for sending in a chapter for the story, the scene in which Rose is attacked by Jesse. Everyone who reviewed. Thank you all!
This is...well, after this, only three more chapters. Maybe. It might be cut down to two. We'll see(:
Please, please, please review and show me that this big a**, 10 page, 6,000+ word chapter was very worth writing!
Thank you(:
xoxoxoxoxo
-Tatiana
