Loved the reviews and your reponse on how I ended the story! I'm so sad to hit the complete button and quite frankly I dont want to. I really hope you like the epilogue and I'm so happy to have wrote this story. Please ENJOY!
EPILOGUE
"Bethany Andrea Belikov and Liam Mason Belikov, get down here, right now!" I exclaimed, waiting to hear their little feet running down the stairs. I was very frustrated as I stared at the vase shattered all over the floor.
They walked in. their heads bowed in shame, and their faces distraught as they waited for me to start ranting at them. I sighed, holding my hand up to my forehead in exasperation. Where was Dimitri when I needed him?
"Yes Mama?" They replied together, their voices trembling. I didn't like it when they were upset because my resolve would crumble in a mere seconds.
"Does one of you want to tell me how this happened?" I asked slowly, pointing at the vase. Both their eyes flickered to the vase before looking down at their feet again.
"I ran into the table when we were playing tag and it fell," Liam said quietly, as if his words were going to get him sent to jail.
"What did I tell you too about playing tag inside the house?" I asked, crossing my arms. They both bit their lips, a trait they acquired from me.
"Not to," they mumbled.
"That's right," I said sternly, staring at them. Bethany's bottom lip started to tremble and I could faintly hear Liam sniffle as if he was crying. Upon seeing my children's upset faces, my will caved in and bent to my knees so I could be their height. "I'm not mad," I whispered, pulling both of their chins up with my fingers.
"You're not?" Bethany asked, her voice shaking. Liam looked at me in the same way as his sister, secretly hoping that they weren't in trouble.
"No, I'm not. But I am upset that you didn't tell me about this sooner, one of could have been hurt by the glass. You have to be more careful inside of the house. When your father gets home you are going to have to apologize to him because he had that vase for a very long time." I told them, my eyes flickering back and forth between the two of them.
"Yes ma'am," they whispered, again in tune with the other.
"I'm really sorry Mommy," Liam stated sadly, looking up at me with his bottom lip stuck out and his eyes watering.
"Me too," Bethany confirmed, the same expression on her features. Their heartbroken features were enough to break me out of tough mother mode and into loving mother who never wanted her babies to be hurt or sad.
"Oh, come here," I said, opening my arms. They both catapulted into me, wrapping their arms around my waist tightly, "its fine. Mommy isn't mad; I'm just scared that one of you could have gotten hurt." I said, clutching them tighter to me.
"Sorry Mama," they replied sadly. I pulled back and wiped the tears off of both of their faces.
"It's okay, but I want both of you to go to your room until I call you down for dinner." I said, kissing both of their foreheads. They nodded and scurried up the stairs quickly. I got up, walking towards the broom closet and grabbing it before heading back towards the living room right when Dimitri walked in the front door.
"What happened?" He asked surprised, looking at the mess. I started sweeping the mess, but he quickly took the broom from me, "let me."
"Our two kids decided to play tag, and Liam knocked it over." I said, leaning against the wall as I watched him clean it.
"You let them go easy again, didn't you?" He said, looking up at me with a small smile. I returned it shrugging my shoulders slightly. "They have you wrapped around their little fingers."
I laughed, tapping on his shoulder, "I wouldn't be talking mister."
"Your right," he agreed, kissing my lips shortly. I pouted as he pulled away, and pulled him down again, planting a more passionate kiss on his lips.
"Mmm, I missed you," I whispered against his lips.
He smiled and pecked me again, "I missed you more."
"I find that highly doubtful." I stated, smirking. He chuckled, picking up the vase remains and carrying it to kitchen to throw away. "You do remember that everyone is coming to dinner tonight." I said, raising my eyebrows.
"Yes Milaya, I remember," he responded, putting the broom away. I smiled at the nickname, loving that after 8 years, we are still as in love as we were when we first met. "What are you thinking about?" He asked, stopping in front of me.
"I'm just remembering the past, more specifically the time we first met." I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I had already fallen in love with you," he whispered smiling.
"Me too…literally," I said, grinning. He laughed at the memory shaking his head.
"I can't believe it has been 8 years," I said, leaning my head on his chest. He made a sound of content in his throat and rested his head on mine.
"Time goes by fast," he replied simply.
"How did we get so lucky? We have a beautiful house by the ocean, two beautiful children, and love that will last a lifetime, and friends and family that would do anything for us." I breathed smiling.
"I don't know, but I'm glad that I met you. I love you Roza," he whispered, pulling my face up so he could kiss my lips.
I heard two giggles behind me, and shook my head, "I thought I told you two to stay in your room?"
"We wanted to do what you said-"
"But I required us to leave our rooms-"
"So we decided that this seemed like a bigger thing to do than stay in our rooms." Bethany concluded, both of them finishing the others sentence.
I raised my eyebrows, putting a hand on my hip, "And what, may I ask, did I tell you two to do that made void the fact that I also told you to stay in your rooms?"
Their eyes flickered to Dimitri and I knew what they wanted to do. Smiling, I stepped away from Dimitri, who looked at them and me confused.
They ran at him, each latching onto one leg as they looked up at him with puppy dog eyes. I snickered as I saw his control start to break at the looks on their faces.
"Daddy I'm sorry for breaking you vase!" Liam exclaimed, pouting out his lip. I taught that boy well.
"And I'm sorry for making Liam play tag with me!" Bethany started, adding the effect of watery eyes to her pout. Oh poor Dimitri…
"Its fine you guys, I'm not mad at you, just try not to do it again, okay?" He said, looking down at them. They nodded their heads fiercely, eyes wide. Dimitri then leaned down and picked both of them up, throwing them over his shoulders.
"Daddy!" They squealed, hitting his back. I laughed at the sight, hurriedly grabbing my camera from where it was charging behind me and snapping a picture.
"Mommy help!" Bethany yelled, begging me with her eyes. I smiled and looked at Dimitri purposely. He sighed and set Bethany down, allowing her to run towards me.
"Wait what about me?" Liam yelled; also giving me a wide-eyed looked. I giggled and shook my head. "Mama!"
"Let him down Uncle Dimi!" None other than Eric Ozera yelled, running into the room and banging on his legs. I was less surprised as I saw Lissa and Christian follow behind him laughing.
Before Eric saw it coming, he was also lifted over his shoulder. Both Lissa and I were laughing as the boys played around, Christian trying to save his son, and Dimitri trying to get away. Once they got tired out, Dimitri let them both down and watched as they ran out of the room, Bethany following.
"Hey Rose, Dimitri, thanks for inviting us for dinner," Lissa said, giving me a hug. I smiled kissing her cheek as I pulled back. I walked over to Christian, slapping the back of his head before also hugging him and moving away.
"What was that for?" He whined, rubbing his head.
"Just felt like it," I stated blandly, smirking.
"Well I feel like-"
"Christian, stop," Lissa said exasperated, giving her husband a look.
"She started it!" He exclaimed, pointing his finger at me.
"You sound like Eric, Chris, are you sure you don't have the brain of a five year old?" I asked, smirking. He lunged at me, but I hide behind Dimitri, sticking my tongue out at him from underneath Dimitri's arm.
Christian gave one look at Dimitri before glaring at me. I giggled and wrapped my arms around Dimitri's back, snuggling into him.
"How about I help you start dinner Rose while the guys go somewhere else and talk," Lissa said, grabbing my arm and tugging me away from Dimitri. I pouted as her as she shooed them out of the room.
"So, how have you been Liss?" I asked, getting the ingredients for spaghetti out of the cupboards. She shrugged, grabbing a bowl.
"I've been good, Eric is starting to act like Chris more and more every day," she sighed smiling.
"Sounds like a big problem," I stated smirking.
"Rose!" She laughed, smacking me on the arm.
"Don't worry, he has the snarky attitude of him, but he has the innocence of an angel. I bet he hasn't been in trouble once." I said, glancing over at her.
"I know," she smiled.
We continued talking about the kids while we fixed up dinner, and Mia and Sydney walked in about half an hour later, also willing to work. I hesitated on letting Sydney help, being as she was 7 months pregnant with Adrian's child.
"Rose, I'm fine!" She exclaimed, swatting my hands away. I held my hands up in surrender before continuing what I was doing and letting her help.
Adrian has changed ever since he asked Sydney to marry him, and he became even more loving when he realized Sydney was pregnant with their first child. He was so happy that all he would do was kiss Sydney and her stomach repeatedly.
Eddie and Mia had already been busy and had their second child four months ago. Mia said Eddie was holding her in the living room while she helped in here. Her name was Elizabeth Marie Castile, and there 4 years old daughter was named Jessica Louise Castile. They were the most adorable children in the whole world, though they couldn't beat my own children.
It was strange how quickly our group expanded and came together over the 8 year period. Each of us were married and had or was expecting kids. I was lucky for having twins, one boy and one girl, but what I haven't told Dimitri yet…was that I was 5 weeks pregnant.
I had brought everyone together so I could tell them at the same time. I knew Dimitri was happy, because he wanted a big family just like the one he was raised into and I loved being a mom so much that having another one sounded perfect.
So all together, Lissa and Christian have been married for 8 years and had Eric a year later which made him 7 now. Two years after Liss got married, Dimitri and I did, and I was 4 months pregnant with the twins at the time so they are both 5, going to be 6 next month.
Mia and Eddie got married 9 months after us and Mia got pregnant during the honeymoon and had their 4 year daughter Jessica 9 months later. She was pregnant during Adrian and Sydney's wedding. Adrian and Sydney have been married for 3 years and are expecting their baby in two months.
It was almost like a crazy house. Jessica was best friends with Bethany, and Eric was best friends with Liam. They all stayed close together and I took pictures of them at every possible moment in time.
They were also very protective of Elizabeth; they all loved her like a little sister.
It had been a great and crazy 8 years I must say. But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I loved my large extended family and was grateful that I had them. They had been with me through my dark times, and never treated me any different since then.
I had finally moved on with my life and everything was right in the world. I was living a happy life and couldn't ask for anything more.
I still kept in contact with John, Doreene, and my boys. I visited them every couple of months with Dimitri and the kids, and both Bethany and Liam fell in love with their other Uncles. Jeremiah had found a girl and they were happily married at 27. Her name was Kristen Harper, and she was a beauty with blonde hair and bright green eyes.
Lucas and Eliza had finally gotten married and had a 6 year old boy named Joshua. He was very energetic and played with his 'cousins' the whole time we would visit.
Blane, surprisingly, manned up and married a girl named Angel. I was surprised that he could find somebody so down to earth and innocent that he had to mature. He loved her a lot.
I have also reconnected with my parents, and they absolutely loved Bethany and Liam. They spoiled their grandchildren greatly and it was hard to separate them at times.
Dimitri's family would either visit us from Russia, or we would go up and visit them. Russia was beautiful and it felt good to be in Dimitri's home town. He showed me the shop that he owned and introduced me to some of the students he taught.
He didn't keep the shop; however, we stayed in America where he now owned a public studio where he taught people self-defense and skills.
I didn't return back to Spirit Magazine, I left it behind in my old life, and now I am a photographer on the side, getting money when asked to take pictures at weddings or birthday parties. It felt like the perfect job.
Artur, Lev, and Denis still modeled and also visited us often. I must say, my children had a lot of uncles who spoiled them and a lot of aunts that did the same. It was the kind of life that I wish I would have had when I was little, and I was happy that my children got to experience such happiness.
I felt hands slide up my arms, rubbing up and down as a warm kiss was planted on my neck. I giggled, popping out of my thoughts as I looked up at Dimitri.
"What were you thinking about so hard?" He asked, pulling me into his chest.
"Everything, you, me, our friends, our life," I whispered smiling. He chuckled and nodded, pushing a strand of hair back.
"We did pretty dang good didn't we?" HE asked smirking. I giggled and kissed his cheek.
"We sure did."
"So," I said over the extremely loud table, making everyone be quiet, "there was a reason that I asked for all of you to be here today."
Dimitri looked up at me smiling, knowing I had something to say. I smiled back at him, grabbing his hand but also looking over to Bethany and Liam who were looking at me with little smiles on their faces.
"I'm pregnant," I said grinning.
All of the girls started screaming and congratulating me and Dimitri lifted me and spun me around before kissing me fiercely. "God, Roza that is amazing."
"I know we are going to have another little one running around pretty soon." I whispered, kissing his lips again. I felt two pairs of arms wrap around my legs and kneeled down to their level.
"So are we going to have a little brother or sister?" They asked together, I nodded my head and they squealed hugging me.
"Great now there are two pregnant women," Christian groaned before flinching as Sydney and I hit him in the back of the head.
"This is perfect," Lissa whispered smiling. I beamed back, looking around at my family before meeting Dimitri's eyes again.
"It sure is," I agreed.
And there you have it, please review and tell me what you have completely thought of the story I can't wait to hear from you! For the last time, thank you for sticking with me and Behind the Camera. We are both happy you enjoyed it!
0.0-MIDNIGHTROSE-0.0 Signing off-