Here it is! The end of the cliff hanger. I am actually surprised this chapter is so long, I figured I could tie this scene up neatly, but nope. I really like how it turned out though.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the characters in this story. I just like to speculate about them. OH! I do own Erik Klein! And Alexander! And the new baby! I guess I have more than I thought I did!

Adrian's POV:

I was floored by that statement. "Excuse me?"

My mother's eyes widened. "Adrian... Pretend I didn't say anything."

"No. I need to know what you meant by 'Not necessarily'."

She took a deep breath. "Let's just say once upon a time, Nathan Ivashkov did the right thing too."

"So, he really isn't my father?"

She shook her head. "No."

I leaned back in my seat and started laughing. There was no way I was awake.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh, I have never been happier. I couldn't live with myself knowing I let my father down, but if he isn't my father, then I don't care." I was quiet for a second. "Who is my father?"

"I want to tell you, I really do, but I don't want to upset anymore families."

"Just please tell me my father isn't Abe Mazur..."

"No, I can guarantee that."

"Good. I couldn't image my ex-lover being my sister."

My mom gave a small smile at that. "You are in the clear."

"Is it someone I have met?"

"Yes."

"Mom, please tell me, I have a right to know. Do you at least know if I have other brothers or sisters?"

"You do have a little brother and a little sister. And you are more like your sister than I could ever imagine."

"More like my sister..." That was when it dawned on me. "Is... Is my sister...?" My mom nodded and that was when I knew exactly who I was. It turned out that Lissa wasn't the last Dragomir after all. "Why didn't you ever say anything? Why didn't you ever try to bring Lissa into our family?"

"Eric was to be married when he and I had our affair and he said he wouldn't claim you. After he died, I spoke with Nathan about bringing Lissa to live with us. She was your sister after all and your father asked me if I just wanted to announce to the world I was a whore."

"I am going to hurt him."

"You will do no such thing."

"Mom, he had no right to say that to you! You were his wife, the mother of his DAUGHTER if not his son."

My mom gave a small smile. "You are so much like Eric. He really was a good guy, just... confused."

"How were you able to go this long without telling me?"

"It was so hard, and then when Tatiana offered you the crown... I knew I couldn't. I couldn't do that to you. I wanted better things for you. Either way, your father was a Royal even if your mother isn't."

"Does Tatiana know?"

"I am sure your father told her. He tells her everything else."

"So, was Nikki his kid?"

"Yes."

"That is the reason he wanted me to save her, he needed at least one heir."

My mom nodded again. "I am sure it is, but Adrian, don't think for one second that I don't think you are special."

I hugged her tight. "I know that. You have done so much for me. How could I not know that?"

She kissed me gently. "I love you."

I smiled back. "I love you too. Now, how would you feel if I took Sydney's last name when I married her?"

My mom let out a small laugh. "I think that would be the very Adrian thing to do."

"Then it is settled. In a few short weeks, I will be Adrian Kohlberg."

My mom smiled. "It suits you perfectly."

"I just don't want anyone to get the illusion that my kids are any part Ivashkov."

"With names like that, I doubt anyone will."

I felt a small rumble and looked up to see Dimitri in the doorway. "Are we descending?"

"We are."

"Okay then, come and sit down, my mother and I have something to tell you before we get to the house... And Dimitri, it is going to blow your mind."

He raised an eyebrow as he buckled his seatbelt. "I must say, I am intrigued."

Sydney's POV:

I was exhausted, but I had to stay awake until Adrian got here. I needed him. Janine stuck her head into the room and I smiled at her. "Hi."

She smiled back. "How are you feeling?"

"Like someone hit me with a baseball bat."

"Yeah, that is usually how it goes."

"I don't recall it hurting this bad with Alexander..."

"And I don't recall it hurting this bad with Rose. We are both older."

I smiled at her. She always knew what to say to keep me from freaking out. I looked over at the little baby on the bed next to me. She had a nursery, but I wasn't ready to put her in there yet. I needed her close to me. I ran my hand over her thick hair and smiled. She had Alexander's eyes. I kissed her gently. "I love you." She gave a small gurgle and I ran a hand over her cheek. "Shhh... It's okay." There was a knock on the door and I looked up. My face instantly broke into a smile. "Adrian."

"Hey gorgeous." He walked over to me. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired and sore."

He crinkled his nose up. "I bet." He kneeled next to the bed and ran his hand over our little girl's body. "She is so tiny."

"I know. Even I was kind of surprised by that."

"So, what is her name?"

"I want you to meet Nicoleta Rose Ivashkov."

He gave me a bright smile. "Thank you."

"I wanted to name her after the two most important women in your life."

"After you and her. You know that right?"

I smiled and nodded. "I know."

He took a deep breath. "There is something else I need to talk to you about."

"What?"

"I want her last name to be Kohlberg."

I pursed my lips. "Are you ashamed of me?"

"No. Never, never in one million years would I be ashamed of you."

"Then why..."

He took a deep breath. "My mom and I had a conversation on the plane and Sydney... She knows."

"So, your mom is ashamed of me?"

"No... UGH... This is coming out all wrong."

"Adrian, just be honest with me. Please."

"Okay, I am NOT an Ivashkov. Nathan is NOT my father. Therefore, I don't want him to have any possible claim to this baby."

"You aren't?"

Adrian shook his head. "Nope."

"Well then, it must have been really hard for Tatiana to stab you in the back like she did." I covered my mouth shocked at the amount of sarcasm in my statement.

Adrian smiled and ran a hand over my face. "Let's not do this today. I just want to hold my little girl. Deal?"

I smiled back. "Deal." I watched as he lifted the baby up from next to me and held her close.

"Hey baby."

Nicoleta started screaming at the top of her lungs. "Adrian..."

He looked at me in alarm. "What's wrong?"

I pulled myself up and reached out for my daughter. "How long has it been since you held a baby?"

"Many years."

I nodded. "Okay." I gently swayed my little girl back and forth. "You're fine. Daddy didn't mean it."

"What did I do?"

"Take off your necklaces. Don't hold her so tight. Don't-" I cut myself off.

"Sydney? What is it?"

"Can you take her?"

"Yeah, let me get my necklace off."

"Take her now." He nodded and slowly took our little girl. I ripped my covers off and jumped out of the bed. "I'm sorry."

"What on Earth are you sorry for?"

"You can have her. Please... Just don't... Don't hurt me this time."

"Sydney, what is my name?"

"Mein Herr."

He stood up and walked to the door. "Mom?" He stepped outside the room and I heard him have a conversation with someone. He came back into the room without Nicoleta and shut the door. "Sydney, come sit with me."

I shook my head. "No."

"Why not?"

"Please just let me go."

"What do you mean, let you go?"

"You said when I replaced the guardians, you would let me go. I replaced them."

Adrian's POV:

My heart broke for Sydney in that moment. What had Erik Klein done to this girl when she had Alexander, who had so many special needs? I walked over to her and gently rubbed her face with my hands. "I love you."

Sydney's eyes seemed to refocus and she looked at me. "Adrian?"

I nodded. "How are you feeling?"

"What happened?"

"You just had a moment. It's okay now though."

She looked around the room. "Where is Nicoleta?"

"She is with my mom. You were really upset and I wanted her somewhere safe."

"Did-Did I hurt her?"

I shook my head. "No, but you really scared me. Are you okay?"

Sydney shook her head and slowly sat on the bed. "I'm sorry."

I wiped her tears that were starting to fall. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I lumped you in with him... That is something to be sorry for."

I sat down next to her and brushed the hair out of her face. "Sydney, sometimes you still act like the 15 year old you were when Alexander was born. That isn't a bad thing, but..." I shrugged. "I don't know, it worries me. Are you ready to do this again?"

Sydney took a deep breath. "I am going to be honest; I am going to need a lot of help..."

"I will not be going anywhere, I promise."

"Did you say your mom was here?"

I nodded. "She is right outside with Nicoleta."

"Do you think you could send her in here? I want to talk to her about something."

"Sure." I kissed Sydney gently. "I love you."

"I know."

It hurt a little that she couldn't say it back, but I also knew it wasn't the time to push it. I just nodded and went out to get my mom. It was going to be a long road for the two of us, but I knew we could get through it. At least... I hoped we could.

As Adrian said, it is going to be a long road! I hope you are all going to come on the trip with me!

What do you think Sydney needs to talk to Daniela about?

Ponder that and I will see you all next week!