RPOV

One phone call and two hours later, our nursery was finally complete.

Assembling the crib had been the last item on our to do list, and once the bedding was in place, we stepped back to admire our work.

Personally I found the nautical theme quite soothing, as were the ocean blue walls.

There was a fully stocked changing table sitting adjacent to the rocker, and it offered a nice view from the window. With its wide width and extensive padding, I wouldn't even mind all the sleepless night spent sitting in it.

There was even an adorable little sailboat lamp illuminating one corner, casting just the right amount of light over the crib.

"I feel like were still missing something…" I mused as Dimitri wrapped his arms around me from behind. It wasn't the easy feat it used to be considering I'd tripled in size.

Resting his chin on the top of my head, he laughed softly.

"Just the baby Milaya. He's your missing piece."

My eyes shifted towards the empty crib as my mind tried to picture him sleeping in it. It was something I'd been doing a lot of lately.

The end of a pregnancy is such a strange thing.

You spend the better part of a year learning to adjust to someone living in your body, and then one day you just wake up and it suddenly all ends.

Just like that.

Some tiny person, who you've never even met, emerges from your body and changes your life forever.

That concept alone is scary enough, and that's before you even start considering all the logistics.

Trust me when I tell you, it can drive a person insane.

We stood together in the nursery for a few moments longer before my insatiable stomach spoiled the mood. Dimitri chuckled once more at its noisy impatience before leading me out to the kitchen.

Dinner that night was a quiet affair, and I wasn't even surprised when Dimitri crashed early. He'd been working double shifts like crazy, all in preparation for the baby. Time off wasn't easy for a guardian to come by and he'd need to call in a lot of favors.

In fact, the lovable lug was so exhausted, he had actually fallen asleep with his shoes still on.

Shaking my head in silent laughter, I carefully removed them from his feet. He stirred slightly under my touch, but after some incoherent mumbling, he rolled back over and fell asleep. I paused for a few seconds to gaze at him affectionately and after brushing the hair out of his eyes, I tip toed quietly out of the room.

Unlike my dreaming husband, I was nowhere near ready for sleep, so I searched for a way to pass the time.

It wasn't until the house was completely spotless and every article of baby clothing had been washed, dried, and put away, that I realized it was a pointless endeavor.

I wasn't the only person to receive one of my mother's cryptic letters, and the envelope kept calling to me like a beacon.

Apparently my restless mind would find no peace until I gave in and read the letters.

I knew Dimitri would be fine with me reading his; he's already offered to let me read it. Unlike me, he hadn't procrastinated and opened his soon after receiving it.

When I couldn't avoid it any longer, I retrieved both envelopes from the table and carried them into the nursery.

A gesture like this was out of character for my mom, and the anticipation had my stomach all twisted.

After a few moments of indecision I picked up Dimitri's letter first and then I settled myself into the chair. The envelope shook slightly in my unsteady hands and I had to take a deep breath before opening it.

Here goes nothing…

Dimitri,

If someone had told me 5 years ago that I would be happy to call you my son, I would have told them that I'd sooner turn myself Strigoi.

Not only were you older than Rose, it was inappropriate, and I was so certain you would ruin her life.

Well it pains me to say this, but I feel like I must so…Dimitri, I was wrong.

(Yeah yeah, try not to look so shocked about it. Even Einstein had his days.)

The thing is, not only did you prove me wrong, but you reminded me of something; something I had forgotten long ago.

You see, love is a powerful thing, and there was a time in my life when I knew that; when I believed it.

But then my father died, and I watched that grief destroy my mother.

For most of my life I had regarded her as the strongest woman I know, and then one day she wasn't. The pain of that had completely consumed her until she was nothing more than a shell.

It was then that I promised myself that I would never again let that happen. Ibrahim begged me not to leave him, but I could see no other option. Walking away wasn't about just protecting myself; it was for him and Rose as well. The life of a guardian is a dangerous one, and we live in a constant state of peril. By walking away I honestly thought I was doing them both a favor. I truly believed that.

In my eyes, severing ties to Rose was simply a kindness and it would spare her the future grief of ever losing me. How could she mourn a mother she barely knew?

I know how crazy that must sound to you now, but at the time, it made perfect sense.

I thought my absence would her stronger, and in many ways it has, but it didn't mean that she'd be immune to any pain. Just the opposite actually.

I saw what became of rose in the weeks after she lost you, and I watched helplessly as history repeated itself.

She became a mere shell, just like my mother, and I knew my sacrifice had been for nothing.

Loosing years of my life with Ibrahim and my relationship with Rose; it had all been in vain.

In fact, I'd probably done more harm than good.

That realization brought something with it worse than the shame and guilt combined. It brought remorse; a feeling who's chief characteristic is that nothing can be done about it. Too much time had passed and too much damage had been done.

Or so I thought.

I saw the way Rose fought for you, and your loves unwavering faith. It's that same love that evoked a miracle and it's why you're standing here today.

You are alive Dimitri because Rose willed it so, and she never let anyone tell her otherwise. Your love made her stronger than any of my misguided attempts ever could. She is brave, bold, and beautiful…and it's all because of you.

My pride enabled me from saying it as often as I could, but no mother has ever been more proud.

I am in awe of the woman that my daughter is today, I only wish I had told her that sooner.

As the two of you embark on your own path to parenthood, I ask only one thing: Don't make the same mistakes I did.

Teach your children the true power of love and the strength that comes from believing in it.

I'd tell you it's your job now to look after Rose, but I honestly just don't see the point. You've been looking after Rose since the moment you first met.

You believed in her when no one else did, and for that I will always be grateful.

It's a comfort to know I can leave this world, knowing that my daughter is in good hands.

You are a good man Dimitri, and it's been a privilege to call you my son.

Sincerely,

Janine Hathaway

The tears that been running steadily down my cheeks, now completely obstructed my view. I wiped away at my eyes furiously trying to clear them in an attempt to finish reading her letter.

P.S.

I'm not sure where the two of you stand on baby names, but I'd like to make a suggestion.

I firmly believe that a child's name should have meaning, which is why I am suggesting Sebastian. Not only was it my father's name, but it's the name of a patron saint as well. St. Sebastian is the guardian of soldiers and athletes, which makes it a fitting tribute.

Rose has always been clear on the position of her name, but to me it has always suited her completely.

There wasn't a nurse in the hospital that could resist her beauty, but they learned fast of her prickly disposition. Her beauty has always drawn people in, but our Rose is not without her thorns.

My point is, a person's name gives them something to live up to, so make you give that baby a good one.

I continued to sit in that rocker for over an hour, just reading and re-reading her letter.

There was so much about my mother I could never understand, and all we'd needed was one conversation to clear it up.

Typical…

I knew the reasonable thing was to read the next letter, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

Not yet anyway.

So instead I just there, holding the envelope in my hands until finally, the room began to suffocate me. I thought about waking Dimitri to talk it all out, but settled on escaping to the kitchen.

After so much emotional upheaval today, I was in desperate need of some comfort food.

I rummaged in the cabinets for some sort of treat when I was struck by an unusual craving. After double checking to make sure we had the ingredients on hand, I reluctantly went to work on the batter.

Chocolate chip muffins are a joy to eat, but I've never been thrilled about making them. For a person like me, with a culinary handicap, it's safer to cook things of the instant variety.

As I moved aimlessly around the kitchen, I let my mind wander and tried to ignore the tightening sensations. Braxton Hicks contractions are quite common at this stage of pregnancy and I'd been suffering through them all day.

I guess that's one good thing about being a guardian; I've got an incredibly high threshold for pain.

Let's just hope that comes in handy during labor…

I was vaguely aware that the intensity was growing, but I didn't really think too much of it. With the mixing bowl in one hand, I crossed our large kitchen as I made my way towards the fridge. If it hadn't been for my close proximity, I would have stumbled when a jolt of pain suddenly hit me. Using my free hand that wasn't holding the bowl, I grabbed onto the counter to help steady me.

I was beginning to think the pain might be something more, but as quick as the pain hit me, it had passed. I had just enough time to crack an egg in the bowl before another wave of pain washed over me; this time with more force.

Unlike with the previous one, this pain was slower to pass and I figured it would be wise to wake Dimitri.

I released my grip on the counter to cross the kitchen, but I barely even made it two feet.

The glass mixing bowl I'd been holding shattered onto the floor and my eyes quickly darted down to follow it. There were shards of glass and muffin mix scattered across the ground, but my eyes barely even registered it. I was far too preoccupied with the wetness running down my legs and the puddle of liquid at my feet.

Yep.

It's definitely time to call Dimitri…

Sorry about the late update, I've had a busy week.

What did you think of Janine's letter, and her baby name suggestion? Next chapter will be Rose giving birth to the little guy, and I know you are all anxious to meet him. Any predictions on who he will look like?

Don't forget to review : )