A/N: Hey guys! Here we are with the next chapter :) I hope you guys enjoy it, it's pretty fluffy :P Enjoy the fluff while you can, though, peeps :) hehehehehehe!

Thanks so much to everyone who reveiwed :) you guys are awesome!

CHAPTER Thirty-Two

One Week Later

A week after we brought the triplets home, we set out for none other than St. Vladimir's Academy.

Eddie, Mia, Adrian, Viktoria, Lissa, Christian, Dimitri, the babies and I sat on the private jet for the queen, a.k.a. Lissa. Mom and Dad were staying behind, so they were going to look after the horses for Dimitri and me.

We were going to good ol' St. Vlad's because Lissa had to do some kind of boring queenly business there. I just wanted to see everyone there again, and so did everyone else. Viktoria had never been there before, so she tagged along. It was her March break anyway, so she wasn't missing school. We would only be staying for three days.

I was excited to be able to show the babies to Alberta. Even Kirova. Hell, even Stan. It'll be funny to see his reaction.

I wanted to smell the familiar Montana air, see the place where I grew up again. I wanted to see the gym, where Dimitri and I had spent hours training, where our love grew and blossomed. And most of all see the cabin again. It was such a special place for Dimitri and me.

The flight went by relatively quick. I slept nearly the whole ride, except for when the babies were hungry and stuff like that.

I was grateful to land, because I was hungry and they didn't have much food on the jet. I knew that I could always count on the Academy's cafeteria for good food.

We got our things settled in our rooms in guest housing, and then I began seeking people out. I made sure that the babies were dressed warmly, since it was still pretty cold out. Then I fastened them into their stroller, and we were out.

Dimitri and I pushed the stroller together, since it was big and hard to manoeuvre.

We strolled through the Academy's grounds, stopping to say hello to some students that knew us.

We found Alberta watching over the kids in the cafeteria and eating her dinner. She looked up and smiled when she saw us coming, smiling even wider when she saw the babies.

"They're absolutely gorgeous, guys," she said, setting her food aside. "Can I hold one?"

"Of course. Take your pick," I replied, grinning.

She reached out and took Annika into her arms.

"Which one is this?" she asked.

Dimitri smiled. "That's Annika."

"Look at her eyes," Alberta said, smiling fondly at my daughter. The babies' eyes had changed from crystal blue to Dimitri's chocolate brown. "They're beautiful."

"I know. They're just like Dimitri's," I said, grinning.

"They have your hair though, Rose," she told me, stroking Annika's dark curls. "When did you have them?" she asked.

"Nine days ago," I replied.

"Wow, Rose. You look good for having three babies just over a week ago."

I smiled. "Thanks. It's nice to hear that, because I thought I'd look like a whale. It's good to know that I don't."

Shaking her head in amusement, she began to talk to Annika in baby talk.

I started looking around. I spotted Stan on the far side of the room and grinned.

"I'll be right back," I announced, reaching down to grab Aleksandr. He giggled and grabbed my hair, and I cradled him gently. I made my way over to Stan, who had his back turned to me.

"Oh Staaaaan," I said in a sing-song voice.

Stan froze, and began turning slowly.

I grinned and wiggled my fingers at him.

"For the love of God! What are you doing here?" he asked moodily.

"Now, Stan, I thought that we were past all of the animosity," I chastised him, shaking my finger.

"Yes, because I thought I'd never have to see you again." He did a double take. "Who's kid?" he asked.

"Stan, I'd like you to meet my son, Aleksandr Mason Belikov. His sisters are over with Dimitri and Alberta," I replied sweetly.

"You have kids? What, did you cheat on Belikov?"

I gritted my teeth. "Yes, I have kids, no, I didn't cheat on him."

"Then, what? Did you adopt?"

"No, they are mine and Dimitri's biological children."

Stan snorted. "That's not possible, Hathaway. You know it."

"Stan, you should know by now that I stretch the boundaries of possible."

He nodded. "You do. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at all."

I laughed. "No, you really shouldn't."

"How many do you have, anyway?" he asked, gesturing to Alek.

"Triplets. I had them last week."

"I see. . . . He sure is cute, Rose," he said, smiling at him.

"Would you like to hold him?" I asked.

"Really?"

I nodded. "Sure."

I tucked my son into his arms, and I had to admit that it was funny to see Stan holding a baby. But it was also cute to see up-tight Stan Alto cradling my son. I really never thought I'd see the day.

Stan followed me over to where Dimitri and Alberta sat. She now held Skylar, and Dimitri held Annika. They looked surprised to see Stan holding Aleksandr, but said nothing.

"These are my daughters. Dimitri has Annika and Alberta has Skylar," I told him, grinning.

"Wow, Rose. They're beautiful," Stan said honestly.

I grinned. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

We chatted with Stan and Alberta for a while until they had to get back to their work. Alberta promised that she'd come see us again before we left.

As we were walking back to our room, I spotted Kirova talking to Lissa and Christian.

We walked over to them. Kirova looked . . . happy? . . . to see me.

"Hello Rose, Dimitri," she said, smiling. Whoa. She gestured to the triplets. "These must be the babies that Vasilisa was telling me so much about."

I nodded. "Our little angels," I replied.

"They're adorable," she said. "Is it alright if I hold one?"

"Of course."

She reached down and gently lifted Skylar from the stroller. Skylar giggled and smiled, reaching for Kirova's hair. She tugged on it, and Kirova smiled.

"What's her name?" she asked.

"Skylar," Dimitri replied.

"And the others?"

"The other two are Annika and Aleksandr."

"Such beautiful names for such beautiful children," she said, stroking Skylar's plump cheek. Skylar gurgled at her, smiling a gummy smile.

Kirova gently placed Skylar back in the stroller. "You know, Rose," she began, turning to me. "I never thought that you'd amount to much. I thought that you were just another delinquent student that would eventually end up as a blood whore. But I was wrong. You've done so much, come so far. I mean, you're the captain of the Royal Guard. And somehow, you've also managed to squeeze a family into your life. I couldn't be any prouder of you, Rose. Thank you for proving me wrong," she said sincerely.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Glad to be of service," I replied breezily.

Kirova shook her head in amusement. "Same old Rose."

"You know that you wouldn't want it any other way," I said.

"You're right; I wouldn't."

~VA~

A few hours later, Lissa and I were on our way to Jill's room. Lissa wasn't happy about it, but I was making her go.

"Liss, she's your sister. You can't avoid her forever, you know," I said, casting her a sidelong glance.

"I can try," she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. "We just don't get along, Rose."

"No, because the two of you haven't tried. You just hold grudges against each other for things that are out of your control."

Lissa glared at me for a few seconds, and then sighed. "I can't help it, Rose. She just reminds me that my dad cheated on my mom every time I see her. I do want to try to build a relationship with her, but I don't know how to get past the resentment."

I patted her arm. "You'll figure it out, Liss. I'm sure that Jill would love to get to know you better."

I felt through the bond that she doubted it, but I knew that she was willing to try to work things out with Jill. She knew that I was right.

I knocked lightly on Jill's door.

"Coming," I heard her say from inside.

Her door unlocked and opened, revealing her in her pyjamas. Her light brown hair was slightly messy, like she'd been laying on it, and her jade green eyes were sleepy. She perked up instantly when she saw Lissa and I. She ushered us in, closing the door behind her.

Lissa sat on a comfy looking chair, while I just made myself comfortable on Jill's bed.

Jill sat down beside me. "What are you guys doing here? Not that I'm not happy about it, because I am. Just wondering, you know?"

I smiled. Same old Jill, babbling nervously. "Lissa had some business to do here, and the rest of us kinda tagged along."

She did a double take. "Whoa. Your belly's flat, and hers is round. What gives?" she asked.

I laughed. "I had the babies last week, and Liss is fifteen weeks pregnant," I explained.

"Wow! So, wait . . . does that mean that I'm going to be an aunt?"

Lissa nodded. "Sorry I didn't tell you before. Things were, um, hectic last time we saw each other. But yes, you're going to be an aunt to twins."

Jill's eyes sparkled. She turned back to me. "So where are your babies? Does Dimitri have them?"

I nodded. "Yes, they're sleeping soundly back in our room," I replied, smiling. "You can come over in the morning and see them if you'd like; Dimitri and I will be up."

"I'll totally be there!" she exclaimed, smiling happily. I gave her my room number so that she'd know where to go.

Things went silent. I eyed Lissa meaningfully, and she sighed. "So, Jill," she said, "how have things been lately?"

Jill shrugged. "Everyone's a lot nicer to me, now that I'm a princess. It makes me mad that people are so shallow, though. They never gave me a second glance before, but now, if I told them to jump backwards through a flaming hoop, they'd probably do it. I never know if people like me for me anymore."

Lissa's expression turned sympathetic. "I know what you mean. I lived my whole life like that. But you will know who your real friends are. You can just tell," she said, smiling at me. "And, Jill . . . I'm sorry that your whole life had to change just for me. And . . . I'm sorry I've been so horrible to you. You don't deserve it. If it's okay with you, I'd really like to start over."

Jill smiled like she'd just received a million dollars. "It's all I've wanted since I found out that you were my sister, Lissa."

Lissa opened her arms, and Jill hugged her tightly.

I wanted so badly to say "I told you so", but I didn't want to ruin the moment. I was so happy that they were finally going to work things out.

We sat there and talked for a while so that the sisters could catch up with each other.

When it was finally time to leave, we all promised to see each other the next day.

I walked Lissa to the room she shared with Christian. She'd been feeling much lighter since her epiphany in Jill's room.

"I'm proud of you, Liss," I told her.

She grinned. "You know, Jill's not too bad."

"I told you so!" I trilled, laughing.

Lissa rolled her eyes. "You know, for someone with three children, you're pretty childish."

"Yep," I replied, popping the 'p'.

She opened her door. "Goodnight, Rose," she said.

"Night, Liss. I'll see you in the morning."

Still smiling, she closed her door, and I made my way to my room.

When I got there, I found Dimitri trying to calm a crying Annika.

"Oh thank God," he said upon seeing me. "She's been crying for the past hour and a half. I've tried everything, and she won't stop."

"Give her to me," I told him. He handed her to me, and I saw her face all pinched up as she wailed. "Shh, honey. Mommy's here. Shh," I said soothingly, but she didn't stop. I wracked my brain for lullabies, and then I was hit with a distant memory of my mother singing me one.

"Baby mine, don't you cry. Baby mine, dry your eye. Lay your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine. Little one, when you play, don't you mind what you say. Let those eyes sparkle and shine, never a tear, baby of mine. If they knew sweet little you, they'd end up loving you too. All those same people who scold you, what they'd give just for the right to hold you; From your head to your toes, you're not much, goodness knows. But you're so precious to me, cute as can be, baby of mine." By the time I finished the song, Annika was sound asleep.

Dimitri looked at me, awestruck. "You are so amazing," he breathed. I placed Annika in the travel crib beside her brother and sister, who were also sound asleep. "Where did you hear that lullaby?"

"Mom used to sing it to me when I was little. There were a few others that she sang, but that was the freshest in my mind."

"It's beautiful," he told me, hugging me.

"I'll have to teach it to you sometime," I whispered.

He tipped my chin up and looked deeply into my eyes. His chocolate ones were shining with all of the love he held for me.

"I love you," he said clearly.

"I love you more," I replied, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling his face down to mine. I kissed him fiercely, knotting my fingers in his hair. He gently cupped my jaw as his lips moved in perfect sync with mine.

When we separated for air, he ran his thumb across my lower lip before pressing a soft kiss to my lips once more.

"You're all I could've ever wanted and more, Roza," he whispered.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," I told him.

And so we continued in that perfect moment, not knowing how quickly things could go wrong.

Haha, I think I just hinted ominously at something :)

lol review, please :D They make me sooooooooooo happy!

Until next time!

~Sar~