*Steps out of a fog of dust and smoke. * Hey darlings! Guess who has finally resurfaced? I know it has been forever guys I'm sorry! I started writing this ages ago but then my computer crashed! Yes, again as most of you who have been longtime readers are probably saying. On another note, thanks for being the best readers and reviewers a girl can ever ask for! Yes, even when my updates don't come as frequently, you guys are the best because you stick with me, thank you so very much you all make writing fanfiction all the more amazing! I love you all so much!

And obviously, I don't own the Vampire Academy series, or this story would've been done ages ago. Almost 3 years' guys can you believe it? I can't I finished my first ever story in like a matter of months and I don't know what happened after that lol. Anyway, enjoy the chapter lovelies. I do it all for you.

In The Rain.

Chapter 38.

"Oh, crap," Lissa said, startling Rose so much that she would've been on her feet if she wasn't driving and strapped into her seat.

"What?" She asked after checking her mirrors for any sign of danger or pursuit and finding nothing. And wasn't that just annoying? She wouldn't have minded having to give speed, because at this point she was on edge, everything setting her off. Call it paranoia, but ever since Dimitri had left with Christian and the others a couple hours ago that sinking feeling in her stomach from yesterday had returned. It had been absent the whole time she was wrapped up in Dimitri's arms, blissfully ignoring what the new day would bring. That illusion had shattered the moment Dimitri got out of bed this morning, however, and now the feeling in her stomach was back with a vengeance and more intense than before.

"Nothing," Lissa said. "Jeez relax, Rose." Rose glared. Relax? Was this girl insane? How could she relax when her boyfriend and some of her best friends were on a flight to California? How was Lissa even so calm? Christian was on that flight too, after all.

"What's the matter with you?" Lissa asked, turning now to eye Rose curiously. Rose shook her head.

"Me?" She asked. "What's the matter with you? Why the hell are you so calm?"

"Because I don't have a choice," Lissa said. "Of course I'm worried about them, but it's not worth getting so worked up about, is it? Not like we could do anything from here, and they'll be fine, Rose." Rose sighed.

"I know, but I can't exactly help it." Lissa's eyes narrowed.

"I don't need to tell you how stress isn't good for you or the baby, do I?" She asked. Rose shook her head.

"Good now calm the hell down. I know that's easier said than done, trust me, I know-what? What did I say?" Rose's hands were grasping the steering so tightly that her knuckles were turning white, but that wasn't what worried Lissa. No, it was the tears she saw glittering in her eyes. Rose didn't cry, at least not usually.

"The baby," She said, pulling over before Lissa could tell her too. "Did you know that today's that 10th week appointment, Liss? I tried to get Dimitri to stay he was supposed to go to this one with me because he's already missed the first one!"

"Hey, hey," Lissa soothed. "It's ok, Ro I'll come with you if you want, you know."

"But it's not the same!" Rose snapped. Lissa flinched, but she took Rose's hand and squeezed gently. Hormones, she reminded herself. How many times had she snapped at Rose in the past several months? And each time Rose stayed by her side and helped her through whatever she was having a meltdown about. Time to return the favor, even if it was weird to see Rose acting like this.

"I know," Lissa said calmly. "But I can come with you today and then you can make a follow up appointment when Dimitri gets back, ok?"

"Ok," Rose said sniffling. Lissa pulled her in for a hug. "Thanks, Liss." She mumbled hugging her back then pulling away and wiping her face.

"What are best friends for?" She asked giggling. "That's a sight I won't ever get used to, though." Lissa noted, an easy smile sliding onto her face.

"Stupid hormones," Rose said giggling. She started the car again and with a grateful smile flashed in Lissa's direction she pulled back into the morning traffic.

…

Time seemed to be doing 2 things at once. As impossible as it was, time seemed to be dragging by, until every second could be heard by every tick of the clock, but at the same time, the hands of the clock seemed to be speeding by every number too fast. The tick-tock of the clock echoed in his head like a movie on repeat. And yet, Dimitri felt trapped. He'd never really minded long flights, the flight from America to Russia was 10 hours long after all, but this somehow seemed so much longer.

"Jeez Dimitri," Christian complained. "Sit down!" It wasn't the first time the other man had said that. Not that Dimitri could help it, he was doing this because it was his job, but he had left a part of himself back in Montana, a part he wouldn't get back until he was back home in her arms.

And he couldn't really help the worry he felt for her either. Not that she had given him any reason for that. No, not his Roza. She'd looked at him with a smile and kissed him hard with a promise of more when he got back. But he knew her well. He saw the worry that shone in her eyes, saw the vulnerability hidden behind her smile. And he felt the desperation in her kiss, as she asked if he was sure he wouldn't stay with her.

God help him, he'd nearly caved right then and there. The only thing that got him out the door to the SUV was the fact that they were already waiting and Abe would probably have his head if he baled now. Or, he would've been pleased that you were staying behind if the reason was to keep his daughter safe, a voice whispered in the back of his mind. Dimitri ignored it. There was no point on dwelling on it now. Besides, he wouldn't ever know seeing as how they were already airborne.

"For god's sake," Abe snapped. "Belikov, sit down. Someone get him a drink." Someone passed him a glass. Russian vodka would usually have people tipsy after the first couple sips. If they could survive that very first sip, that is. Dimitri knew that was what his boss and colleagues were going for, but he was from Russia. He'd grown up drinking this stuff. So no, it didn't have the same effect, but it did get him to calm down, somewhat. He took his seat and then they struck up conversation to keep him there.

"She'll be fine, you know," Christian said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're worried about her. I'm worried about Lissa too, but at least they got each other, and they got Jill to keep them in the know of what's going on." Dimitri nodded. Christian was right. Putting his worry for her in the back of his mind, he focused on the conversation at hand.

…

"Rosemarie Hathaway?" The receptionist called. Rose glanced up and nodded. "The doctor will see you now." Lissa stood with her and squeezed her hand.

"Just a checkup, remember?" She said as they walked to the other room. "Relax it's all good." Letting her friend's words wash over her, she let her worries fall away and walked into the room.

The doctor's smile was just as warm as she remembered, her eyes just as kind. The checkup flew by, but nothing could've prepared her for the overwhelming burst of emotion that filled her when the baby's heartbeat at last filled the air. Tears slid down her cheeks just like that first time, and she fell more in love with her little angel than she thought possible. Suddenly, she couldn't wait to have her baby in her arms. She couldn't wait for Dimitri to experience this, either.

"Lunch?" Lissa asked afterward. Rose grinned and nodded. "What do you want?"

"Doesn't matter," Rose said. "Whatever you feel like having is fine with me." Lissa smiled and nodded. Maybe it was co-incidence that led them there, but they found themselves in the little café that Rose had met Adrian at that first time after their break up.

…

"Comrade," Rose said picking up the phone. An automatic smile slid onto her face. Lissa rolled her eyes and walked away. But 2 seconds later she was wearing a similar smile, and it was Rose's turn to roll her eyes.

Dimitri smiled when he heard her voice. It was like she had restored that calm that had been missing since he'd left her earlier that morning. "It was so amazing," She was saying, her voice full of excitement and awe as she told him about the doctor's appointment.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there love," He said to her. And he really was. Dam, perhaps he really should've stayed.

"It's ok," Rose said. "Really comrade I don't mind. Besides, I set up another appointment with the doctor for as soon as you get back."

"You really think of everything don't you?" He asked still smiling. Rose giggled. That sound only made his smile grow, and, it made him miss her more.

"It was Lissa's idea actually," She said and then sighed. "I kind of lost it in the car." Now his smile turned into a frown.

"I'm fine," Rose said urgently. It was like she could read his mind, like time and distance meant nothing to them. It didn't dim their connection in the slightest and, Dimitri supposed he should've known that. His feelings for her hadn't faded even when she belonged to someone else. So why in God's name would he think that a trip to California would?

They chatted for a bit longer, Dimitri telling her about the flight to California and soaking up everything she gave him. By the time they at last hung up, both were calmer, a permanent smile seemed forever etched on their faces. No one knew for sure what would go down with the warriors, but Rose knew one thing. Dimitri would come back to her. He wouldn't miss out on the chance to be a father. He would never give up on her. Letting these thoughts comfort her, she jogged over to Lissa who was wearing a similar smile as she wrapped up her call with Christian.

"Man I miss him," She said sliding her phone back into her pocket. Rose put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

"I know, but they need them. You know this would be mission impossible without our guys," She teased. Her attempt to lighten the mood worked and Lissa giggled and nodded. Then so suddenly that Rose flinched and grabbed a blade from her belt, she squealed.

"I know what we need to do!" She said. Rose rolled her eyes because yeah, anything that got Lissa this excited was never a good thing.

"Check in with mom and Jill then finish whatever work we have to?" Rose drawled and Lissa shook her head at her as though she was speaking total and utter nonsense.

"No silly," She said. "Shopping, we need to go shopping!" She squealed and Rose groaned.

"Why?" She asked and Lissa gave her that look again.

"Because," She said slowly, a grin spreading over her face. "We are going to be mommies soon. We need to start preparing, Oh Rose just think of all the many cute outfits and things we can get!"

It wasn't going to be that soon for her, Rose thought. She had 6 and a half months left to go, but Lissa had 5 and a half more, and pointing that out to her wasn't going to do Rose any good. So she sighed and was about to shake her head, but the glowing excitement on Lissa's face made the word lodge in the back of her throat. She was so happy how could Rose possibly say no? She needed this, and maybe it would be good for Rose, too. After all, she had been seeking a distraction all day, and maybe walking through baby stores was exactly what she needed.

"Well? Are you coming?" Lissa asked, a little of her excitement dimming at the lack of response. "Come on, please it could be fun." Rose rolled her eyes, not at all sure about the fun thing, but she nodded.

"Why not? Let's go shop." The squeal that fell out of Lissa's mouth made Rose's ears ring and made some of the other guardians turn around to see what was going on. Among them was Amber, the female of the Joiner Duo. Her husband, Joe, had gone back to California with the guys. Suddenly, Rose had a brilliant idea.

"Hey Amber," She said sweetly. "Want to come shopping with us?" She knew the other woman felt just like she did where shopping with Lissa was concerned, unless her time in California had changed that.

"Please?" Lissa piped in, subtly nudging Rose as if to say I know what you're doing.

"Um," Amber said, her eyes narrowing at Rose who shot her a pleading look, already feeling the sting of refusal. "Yea sure why not." She said instead, making Rose grin.

"Thank you!" She said happily. Amber rolled her eyes and after checking in with Janine, they left, Lissa's excitement never dimming.

Yes, I know it's a little short! Sorry, guys, this was a really hard chapter to write for some reason. So the fact that it's not my best work and more of a filler than anything else aside, please give me some feedback? What do we think is going to happen in California? Is the shopping trip just what the doctor ordered for the girls? Let me know!

Review lovelies and I won't kill anyone, maybe ;) *smirks dubiously. *

XXX

Roza