Posted some new pictures..Rose and Dimitri..Dimitri and Alec, and one of Dimitri in a …towel. ;)

I didn't receive many reviews for my last chapter..Either, (1)..You didn't like it or (2)..you liked it too much, grabbed the nearest guy or girl, and was too busy to review..

So, come on my friends..You really need to review my story…It motivates me. Without your encouragement..Why even write?

Your reviews will play a big deciding factor on whether I continue on with Rose and Dimitri's story…If not, I will epilogue this one and be done.

A couple readers pointed out my mistake. I missed it that Adrian is Romanian. Thanks for the correction…Russian or Romanian..He's still adorable..Right? :D

USUAL DISCLAIMER….I OWN NONE OF THE ORIGINAL VA CHARACTERS OR STORYLINE….THE FAB RICHELLE MEAD DOES..

I DO HOWEVER OWN ETHAN, SOPHIE, ALEC, MARLENA, CHANCE..and THE NEW BREED OF VAMPIRES.

Thanks...

Terri

Chapter 34

Dimitri's POV

This is the first time I have ever gotten to do something like this with Rose. Something that felt so wonderful; having her wake up in my arms after spending the night together. It was a simple action that a lot of people took for granted everyday.

However, after everything Rose and I had been through, all those years we lost together, this basic gesture carried a lot of meaning for me. I would never take a single moment I had with Rose for granted again. Especially one such as this. It has been a long, difficult journey to finally reach this destination.

Yet still, I couldn't help to worry if maybe we moved too fast with the wondrous moment we shared last night. I didn't feel remorseful by any means. Actually, I was beyond elated at the fact we finally were able to come together.

However, I also knew she was still emotionally on edge since Adrian's death and rightfully so. And the last thing I wanted to do was to confuse her even further.

I watched her sleeping. The peaceful look that graced her beautiful face. I Listened to her gentle breaths as she breathed in and out.

When I watched her sleep, all I could feel was an overwhelming need to protect her; protect her from harm, protect her from feeling any hurt. I instinctively stroked her soft hair while my thoughts stirred over all the dangerous things that we faced in our ways of existing.

I wished we could just leave here, leave everything, and start over new. But, knowing Rose, she would never do it.

"Having regrets, Comrade?" My thoughts were immediately diverted to sound of her sleepy voice. I gazed down to see those amazing brown eyes staring up at me.

I gathered her more tightly in my arms while kissing her forehead. "I could never regret a single moment I've spent with you, Roza." I pecked her forehead again "I was just thinking…I am worried about you."

"Me? I feel fine, but." She gave me a wickedly, sexy smile." I could be feeling a whole lot better." She stated with a slightly, teasing implication. I lifted my brow in a questioning manner, not wanting to assume anything. But, I was hoping, while my body stirred with anticipation.

Rose didn't give me a chance to respond when she grabbed me, forcefully colliding our lips together. After a few minutes of intense, arousing kissing, we withdrew our mouths for one another. The laughter that escaped her took on a seductive purr only titillating my desires even further.

"Dimitri, I sincerely hope I don't always have to make the first move every time we are to make love. You know that could give a girl a real complex. I may begin to feel you're not interested, or that I don't entice you." She teased; while pouting those perfect lips.

"That's NOT possible." I growled.

I flipped our positions with a blinding speed and kissed her fiercely. My body instantly ignited with arousing need for a repeat of last night. My hungry mouth smothered her playful giggles.

I couldn't seem to keep my hands from touching, my lips from kissing, and my tongue from tasting her glorious body. I poised myself above her; holding her hands down, controlling the position, while pinning Rose to the bed to only start over where we finished last night.

We laid with our limbs entwined for a few minutes before Rose had to speak her mind. "You know, after having your way with me last night and this morning...you would think a guy could at least feed a girl."

"You didn't give me a chance to feed you. You attacked me, remember? And it didn't seem as though food was on your mind last night or this morning."

I had to chuckle at her. My Roza was the most audacious woman I have ever met. But, I wouldn't have her any other way. She complimented me perfectly. We were so different, yet the same. She began where I ended, completing us as a whole. Remarkable, where I held back, she let loose.

I never completely knew what she was thinking or what she was going to say. So, I figured I better do as she wants. I got up from my bed, took her by the hand to pull up to me. "Come on, Roza. I will make you breakfast."

"You can cook?" She giggled with that sweet, sounding laughter.

I let out an exasperated sigh, rolling my eyes. Always a smart ass comment from my girl. "Just come on, Rose."

MY POV

Dimitri and Rose sat at the kitchen table enjoying breakfast; talking about everything and anything. It was so different from the trials and tribulations they had to endure before. Their being together now was as easy as breathing.

It was comforting to know that there was nothing to stand in their way of being together; no student-teacher roles, and their once controversial age difference was now insignificant.

"Hot chocolate?" Rose smirked while gazing over the top of her mug.

"Do you…" Before Dimitri could finish his question; they heard the sound of keys jiggling in the door lock; to only steal their attention from one another.

Rose gazed at Dimitri with an look of surprise. "Are you expecting someone? Should I go.." She motioned her thumb over her shoulder to signify that maybe she should leave or hide.

Dimitri was just a stumped by his unexpected visitor, but only momentarily, and then he chuckled. "No, Roza. I am not expecting anyone. And NO..you don't have to hide. We are adults.."

"I am telling you, man. I saw him the other…" Ethan said to Alec as they walked in the door of Dimitri's apartment. Ethan stopped talking when he saw the expression cross over his younger brothers face. He averted his gaze to follow the projected path of Alec's widened eyes. He couldn't believe the sight.

Their mother was sitting at the table eating breakfast with his dad. In one of his fathers shirts, no less. Oh shit!

All four of them either stood or sat frozen while they all scrambled internally for some sort of explanation. "What the hell? Please tell me you're just having breakfast. That you spilled something on your clothes and you are wearing Belikov's shirt because your waiting for yours to dry." Alec was

talking a million miles a minute. His mind trying to coherently absorb the scene in front of him.

"Alec…" Rose nervously tried to explain. She was afraid that one wrong word may set him off. Maybe he wasn't ready for his mom to move forward in a new relationship.

He held his hand up to halt her justification to why she sat half-dressed in Dimitri's apartment. "Mom! It's cool. I mean, if you are going to move on I am glad it's with Belikov. Besides, I am sick of all the hot girls at this place drooling over him. Shit, if they are going to drool over anyone, it should be over

me, not him." Dimitri and Rose both gushed out a deep sigh of relief. "HAHA..And to think that two of the most bad ass guardians out there are afraid of my reaction." Alec cockily boasted.

"Alec, it has nothing to do with fear and everything to do with being respectful of your feelings. BIG difference." Dimitri quickly corrected with an amused expression while also deflating Alec's over-inflated ego in the process.

"Yeah, yeah! Whatever. We better get going." Alec said with a dramatic roll of his sparkling, green eyes.

Rose stood up from the table to stand in front of her sons with her palm extended out, wiggling her fingers. "What?" Ethan asked; staring at her hand and shrugging his shoulders.

"Hand them over.." She moved her fingers faster to hurry along her request.

"Hand what over?"

"The keys...you can not be rushing in here whenever you feel like it. We could be occupied.." Rose smiled at at very stupefied Dimitri. "..with work." She quickly added.

"Ah hell no..! It's bad enough I have to see this." Alec pointed at his mother. "I so don't want to hear the damn details..That shit is just…gross." He rapidly shook his head as if to exterminate any thoughts of his mother with a man.

Alec gave Dimitri a glance with what could only be classified as a mixture of being appalled and amusement. "Belikov, are you coming to the gym or not?" He asked with his patience wearing extremely thin.

Dimitri laughed at both of the boys' discomfort. "No, I have to be at the office early. I will meet you after work."

Rose quickly chimed in. "Naah! You are taking me to dinner tonight."

"Jesus christ and so it begins. Another henpecked pussy in the family. Have you two no shame? Like Son, Like father. You two got this shit backwards." Alec throw his hand up in disbelief.

"Language, Alec." Dimitri and Rose scolded; simultaneously.

"I am definitely out of here before this shit starts to rub off on me. Come on, Ethan." Alec demanded while pulling his brothers arm.

Ethan had only said a few words the whole time he had been standing there. All he could do was stare at his parents, eyes shining with approval. He pulled from Alec's grip to walk over to their mom. "I am happy for you." Ethan whispered in her ear before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"See you later, dad." He slapped Dimitri's arm with a congratulatory note to the gesture.

After the door closed behind the boys; Dimitri turned to Rose with an inquiring slant. "We could be occupied?" He laughed at her playful, naughty smile. "You know I do have to go to work sometime today."

Rose wrapped her arms around his waist, embracing him as she rested her head on his chest. He returned the sentiment, running his fingers down her silken hair. "I know. I have to run home to get ready for class anyways." She exhaled a whine and hugged him tighter.

Dimitri kept her tightly secure in his strong arms. "Can I call you later?" His breath saturated her hair to cause her to shiver.

"Of course. Don't all men call their girlfriends from work? I don't remember how this works. It's been a long time." Rose tilted her head back to stare up at him with an amused smirk.

"You're asking me? And I think you are much more than a girlfriend." Dimitri pecked her lips softly.

"Really? How so?" Her brown eyes twinkled with a teasing light, unprepared for what he said next.

"Hopefully you'll find out someday..soon." He murmured so lightly against her lips that Rose wasn't quite sure if she were meant to hear him.

"Are you okay with all of that?" Ethan gave Alec a sideward glance as they walked to the gym for their workout.

"Yeah, fine. I mean if mom is happy so am I." Alec started laughing and nudged Ethan. "I don't need to ask how you feel about it."

"What do you mean?" Ethan furrowed his brow with confusion.

"Dude, you were fucking cheesing like it was christmas morning." Ethan kept his lips in a straight line trying to suppress his grin. "It's okay, Ethan. I mean if mom can't be with my dad..well, I would want her with Belikov. I mean your dad. He's a good dude."

"Thanks, Alec. That means a lot to me."

"Okay..okay! Cut out this mushy brotherly bonding shit and let's get to the gym. I foresee an ass whooping coming your way..big guy." Alec sucker punched Ethan's gut. He took off running out of Ethan's reach before he had a chance for retaliation.

DIMITRI'S POV

"You do know, Belikov, that we will be opening our new headquarters in Russia soon." Abe said; walking into my office.

"Yes, I am aware, Abe. Is there any particular reason to why you are bringing it to my attention...again?" I was nervous, due to the fact that I knew what was coming. I was bracing myself for his request.

"I need you to fly to Russia to organize the staff. Train them." And there it was...Hell!

"No..I can't. I will not leave Rose and the kids." Without any hesitation, I stared Abe straight in the eye and denied him. I knew this was something that he was not used to, but it didn't matter to me. My family mattered to me.

He raised his forehead with a what-are-you-saying expression. "What do you mean you not going? Dimitri, you are the only one I trust with this. Besides, when I am gone, who else is going to help Rose with all of these pressing matters?"

I raked my hands roughly through my hair. He was a real 'syn suka' (son of a bitch). Abe always threw Rose in the mix of things, knowing damned well he would get his way if she were involved in the smallest of details. I couldn't resist and he knew it.

But, I couldn't leave Rose, especially now, with everything finally coming together for us. And unfortunately, I couldn't have her come with me. She will be teaching her mid-term classes after the holiday break and we certainly couldn't remove the twins during their senior year at St. Vlad's.

I was beyond pissed at Abe for asking this of me. "When am I to leave, Abe?" I asked in disappointed tone.

"Two weeks."

I shook my head and heaved a deep sigh of defeat. I pointed at Abe this time to convey the seriousness of the words I directed at him. "If I do this, and something happens to Rose or those children..I swear to you, Abe, I am holding you personally accountable."

He raised his brow again in surprise at my boldness. "You have some 'sharov'..Belikov."

I shrugged with indifference. "Call it what you want. I don't want to leave them. Like I said, if harm comes to any of them; it's your fault."

"What is going to happen to them? They live at the most heavily guarded, warded premises known to our society. It would take an even ballsier prick than you to attempt harm to my daughter or her children on my own territory."

I glared at him, not feeling the need to join in his humorless attempt to lighten my mood. "Take Ethan and Alec with you, Belikov. Rose and Sophie will be safe here with Pavel and myself. I will have them stay with me. Does that help?"

"Somewhat..Why take the boys'?"

"It's a good learning experience for them. You leave January 4th. I will have everything arranged." Abe left without another word. I turned my attention to the view of the mountains outside my window. My only thought was that he better keep Rose and Sophie safe.

Because if he didn't, I would hate to have to kill him. I was only half joking myself at the idea.

ROSE'S POV

"Guardian Hathaway, there is an urgent call for you on line 1." The secretary had announced over my classroom intercom.

"Thank you, Elizabeth." I turned to the curious faces of my students. "I will be right back. Ethan, could you and Jennifer demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of having an opponent who is taller and stronger than you. Stronger doesn't always mean better." I pointed to Jennifer as I started to exit

my classroom. I saw nervousness cross her now, scarlet face at the idea of sparring with Ethan. Poor girl.

"Guardian Hathaway." I said, answering the phone.

"Roza..." I knew of only a few people who called me that, and the voice on the other end of the phone was not one I recognized.

"Dimitri?"

"HAHA..Sorry, no. However, I am much better than he." The man spoke with a silken voice; enticing, and alluring.

"Who is this?"

"Oh Roza, you will soon find out. I didn't get a chance to achieve my main objective the last time I saw you. I miss you. Soon you and I will need to visit and finish where we left off. How is Adrian?" There was a cruel sounding chuckle on the phone.

I swallowed hard. My body started to shake violently with anger. I knew in an instant who this was. "Go to hell, you son of a bitch." I menacing spewed through gritted teeth.

"Now, Roza...Be nice. I could have killed you instead of him. But, no. Your knight in shining armor always seems to arrive at the most inopportune times, inopportune for me at least." Dejan sneered with an sinister laugh. "Alas, do not fret my love, our time to meet is quickly approaching. Now, I must be

going, but do remember, I am close..very, very close. See you soon, Roza."

I hung up the receiver with my hands visibly shaking, nerves raw, and a desire to kill that son of a bitch with my bare hands.

Later that evening, Dimitri had met me for dinner. "I have something to tell you." Ironically, we both said at the same time.

I reached across the table to take Dimitri's hand in mine. "You go first." I smiled at him.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "I have to leave for Russia in two weeks to help set up the new Guardian headquarters."

"Okay..How long with you be gone?" My insides instantly started to flutter at the thought of him leaving me, but hopefully it would only be for a few weeks at the most. I could handle a few weeks, if I had too!

He eyed me with a saddened glance. "Three to six months."

"What? Why so long?"

"You will need to discuss that with Abe. I promise I will get in and out of there as quick as possible. But, that's not all." He laced his finger through mine. My skin tingled where he touched me. God, I was going to miss him.

"What else could there be? As if your leaving me for 6 months isn't bad enough." I looked at him knowing I appeared just as devastated as I felt.

"Abe thinks it best that I take Alec and Ethan with me."

My mind immediately recalled the phone conversation I had earlier with Dejan. It brought me some comfort to know that at least the boys would be safe with Dimitri. Sophie and I would be safe, too. It was only temporary. Anyways, Pavel, dad, and my mom were here with us.

"It might be good for them."

"I need you and Sophie to stay with your parents while I am gone. Can you do that for me?"

I let out a humorless laugh. "I guess."

Dimitri squeezed my hand. "Roza, you're shaking. What's going on?"

"Nothing..I am fine."

"Roza?" Dimitri questioned again, not accepting my answer.

"Really, Dimitri. I am fine." Although I knew I should tell him about Dejan calling me, I couldn't. I can't imagine Dimitri going after him and possibly being killed. And I knew without a doubt if I told Dimitri, he would indeed go looking for Dejan. I couldn't lose him, not when I just got him back.

I couldn't survive the lose. I told myself that as long as I stayed here at the Academy, I would be safe.

It's just me that he is after anyways, right?

I hope you liked this chapter..nothing real exciting..just setting up future ..things..:D

PLEASE REVIEW..

Terri