A special thanks to those that I couldn't PM. So, thank you for your kind words. :D

Sorry I took me a while to update..I have been dealing with some personal stuff and I can't write

happy when I am not..So..Sorry..It will get better. Hang with me, my friends.

I appreciate your support.

Guys..Who should become King..Dimitri(by marriage);D, Ethan, Or Alec? Serious question…needs serious answer!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Chapter 35

ETHAN'S POV

"Guardian Belikov."

"S Rozhdestvom, papa. (Merry Christmas, dad) Do you have a minute?"

"S Rozhdestvom Hristovym, synok. (Merry Christmas, son)I always have a minute for you, Ethan. What's bothering you?"

I laughed with total amazement that my dad knew me so well in such a short amount of time together. "How do you know something is wrong..Oh, right. Never mind." It finally occurred to me, of course he could feel it. Although I was a little slow today; I always seemed to forget about the bond he and

I shared. It just felt natural as if he were always a part of me. I breathed heavily with a nervous sigh into the receiver. "I am going to ask Marlena to marry me today. AND..I was wondering."

Dimitri chuckled through the line. "AND, you were wondering if you should propose in front of your mother or do it in private."

"Jesus..Am I that transparent?" I joined in with his laughter.

"No..I just know your mother." He laughed again. "I say you propose in front of her. I want to see her face." We both chuckled again at the thought of my mom's expression..it would be priceless. "In all seriousness, I think you should include her. It would make her happy."

The laughter diminished after a few moments and the line settled with a few seconds of silence before anyone spoke again. "You think I am too young, don't you, dad?"

"No, I don't. Your situation is more unusual than most. And you've clearly chosen your path."

I interrupted his thoughts, not really sure what he meant. "What do you mean, my path?"

"Well Ethan, you were born a prince. You're in line for the throne and yet, you choose to become an Elite guardian. Yes, you have more flexibility for your life decisions and it makes things much easier for you and Marlena to have a life together. Whereas, with most guardians that situation would be

scrutinized and highly impropable. I am just saying, if this is what you want…you should do what your heart desires. You are lucky enough to love what you do and are able to be with the one you love, at the same time. No are no real restrictions for the two of you. You're very fortunate."

"What the hell did I just hear you saying? You're going to propose? What the fuck!"

I spun around; shocked to see Alec standing behind me. "Ah..dad. I will see you over at the house. Thanks for everything." I hurried the words into the phone before I received Alec's wrath of anger, and/or disappointment? I couldn't tell. It was probably both.

"Okay." Dimitri briefly laughed and then spoke with a completely serious revelation. "Take it easy on Alec. He sees this as losing you. Remember that."

I hung up the phone to face my only brother. A brother who had a death glare affixed to his face. "Alec, I didn't even hear you come in?" How the hell is that even possible to not feel or hear him!

He disconnected my thoughts with his next words. "Ethan, please tell me you're joking. You're not getting…" He studied my with an intense stare and swallowed hard. "Married?"

I threw my hands out to my side, shrugged, and dropped my hands back to my side. "Yeah, I mean…Why wouldn't I?"

"Dude, you're fucking 19..What's the hurry?"

"Alec..What does age have to do with it? There will never be anyone other than Marlena for me. I know this." I held his scrutinizing stare.

He walked over to me to place his hand on my shoulder. I couldn't help my need to flinch, not really sure what I could expect from Alec. "I guess you're right.I really don't have a choice in this subject anyways. If you're happy that is all that should matter to me or anything else. Besides, Marlena is

smoking hot. I'd bang her.." A sly smirk crossed his mouth as a thought just occurred to him. A thought I wasn't sure I wanted to hear, but I knew he would share it anyways. "I mean, if you'd let me. Didn't mom always say we should share?"

I slapped him in the gut causing him to double over. "That will never happen..and honestly, there is something seriously wrong with you."

Alec gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. "Whatever..I had to try, right?"

"I will see you at mom's in a little while. I have to go pick up Marlena. And, keep your perverse daydreams to yourself, especially where my girlfriend is concerned." I warned with a mock stern look as I walked away from him.

I was completely nervous to do this. What if she says no? What if she thinks we're too young? Was my mom right? Are we too young? It really shouldn't matter to me what others thought, should it? This was Marlena. I loved her and I knew without a doubt this was more then some fleeting romance.

She was the one, no question. Besides, there was no way I could let her leave for Russia without me. And lord knows that's a wholly other issue, especially where my mother was concerned. I couldn't let the woman I loved leave without me. However, I knew my mother's heart would be broken if I left.

Everything was about to suddenly get very complicated, or not. I took a deep, purifying breath and knocked on the door.

MY POV

Everyone gathered into the family room after dinner to exchange their gifts. "I was hoping I could give Marlena her gift first. If you don't mind." Ethan suggested as Rose gazed at a knowing Dimitri with a questioning look. He locked his eyes with Rose's while giving her a heart melting smile.

Ethan kneeled down on one knee in front of Marlena as Rose took in a sharp breath and Sophie tried to conceal an excited squeal. Marlena stared at him, begging for an explanation; when her eyes widened with the sudden realization of what was happening. Ethan was proposing, in front of his family,

making this so much more nerve-wracking for her. He took her hands into his and fixed his chocolate brown eyes with her icy, blue ones. "Marlena," He smiled that gorgeous smile that made her heart race. "The moment I met you, I knew. I knew without a doubt that you were the one for me.

You're amazing beautiful, smart, and have the most wonderful heart. A heart that I always want to belong to only me. I want to spend the rest of our lives making you happy, showing you how much your loved everyday, and making every single one of dreams come true. We can do this together, but only

if you first make my dream come true. Marlena Svetkova, will you make my dream come true by becoming my wife?"

Marlena could only nod as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "Is that a yes?" Ethan ducked his head down and angled himself so he could look up at her face to meet her eyes.

"Yes, Ethan..Yes..." She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him.

"Thank you." He whispered in her hair. Marlena pulled back and crushed her lips to his as the whole family clapped for them. It was a truly loving moment.

Rose wiped her eyes and sobbed loudly. "He gets that romantic side from me." She sobbed again. Everyone started laughing at her outburst. "What? It's true." She questioned as they laughed harder.

Alec pointed at Marlena. "Hey, pretty little chickie..I will only agree to this union under one condition."

Everyone stared at him with mouths agape. Who knew what was going to come out of Alec's mouth. They braced themselves for the worst, especially Ethan, he visibly tensed up. "I get to throw him a bachelor party. AND..I am getting Strippers…HOT ones. Can you handle that, chica? 'Cause if not,

there is no deal."

"Alec, I don't think we will be having a bachelor party anytime soon. We aren't going to get married right away." Ethan immediately tried to interject with a rebuttal.

Alec threw up his hand to silence his brother. "BZZZZ! I'm not talking to you." He turned his full attention back to Marlena while smiling at her. "What's it gonna be?"

Marlena pursed her lips and lowered in brow in defiance. "That's okay..because Sophie and Rose will just have to get me even HOTTER strippers for my bachelorette party."

Alec nodded his head in approval. "Touche…I think I fucking love you. You're alright!"

They all laughed except Rose. "Alec, can you not swear on Christmas!"

Alec gave her a look of pure Are-you-crazy-woman. He waved his over his entire body as a sign of presentation. "Mother..really? God created all this perfection. He could never get mad at it. It's like going against his greatest masterpiece. Geez, woman."

"Shut up, Alec..I am his greatest masterpiece. You were all the left over crap." Sophie chimed in with an eye roll.

"Mom, tell them how special I am." Alec whined to Rose.

"Yes, Alec. You're special alright." Ethan and Sophie said at the same time.

"Whatever..Where are my damn presents? I need something to cheer me up." Alec walked to the tree, sulking.

Later that evening in bed...Rose turned to Dimitri with an questioning look on her face. "What?" A cute, sly smile spread across his lips. He knew that there was trouble brewing just from the expression that graced her beautiful face.

"It's time for some answers?" She matched his smile, but only hers was mischievous.

"Answers?" Dimitri raised his brow with curiosity.

"Yes, answers..Don't play innocent, Comrade. You knew this was coming. Tasha..spill it..NOW!"

"Roza..It's Christmas. Let's not ruin a perfect day."

Rose sat straight up in the bed, throwing her hands on her hips while giving him a death glare. "Are you saying it's that bad that it will ruin my day..or worse yet, my night?"

He cradled her face in his strong hands. "No, Roza..it's just. It was nothing. I was young. It was awkward and nothing..really. There is no comparison to what you and I share. No one has ever touched me the way you have..and no one ever will."

"I want to know…everything."

Dimitri swallowed hard, not really wanting to go over any details with Rose. "What do you want to know?" He finally resigned to her demand.

"When? Where? And how was it?"

Dimitri choked on his laugh. "Really? You aren't serious?"

She folded her arms over her chest and gave him an-I-am-waiting-glare. "Rose…I told you. I was sixteen. We weren't really dating or anything. It was just something that happened."

"Was it any good? How many times? Did you love her?"

Dimitri rubbed his face while thinking of his most appropriate response. He knew damn well no matter what he said, she was going to be pissed. "No..and No!"

Rose scrunched her brow as she pursed her lips. The look itself was comical, but Dimitri valued his life too much to laugh at her. "No? Well, how many times?"

Dimitri gave her astounded glance. "Ahh..Three times, maybe. Roza, it meant nothing to me. I love you. It was sooo long ago."

Rose gave him a dumbfounded look. "Umm hmm..Well, you're stuck with me. Or unless Tasha comes back in town. Who knows maybe you'll miss that old loving feeling and want it again."

Dimitri grabbed her waist and twisted her body to fit under his. "Jealous looks so good on you. Besides, only you get to feel my loving feeling." A slow, sly grin slid across his delicious mouth as he pressed his strong body against hers.

Rose squealed with laughter. "Maybe you better start letting me feel it then." She guided his lips to hers.

"I don't know if I can help you feel my love since I am not a romantic. Isn't that what you said earlier?" Dimitri teased against her lips.

"Well, shut up and convince me of your romantic maneuvers."

"I would love too! But, wouldn't you like to open your christmas present first?"

Rose perked straight up on the bed in a sitting position. "Present? Hell yeah. Give it to me." She held out her hand, laughing.

Dimitri handed her a small velvet box. Rose's heart started to race. Was she ready for this? Maybe she was jumping the gun, maybe it wasn't what she thought it was. Dimitri studied her face. "Is there something wrong?"

She gathered her wits. "Ah, no." She opened the box the reveal a necklace. It was a beautiful blue and white stone with smaller circles of different colors enclosed. Rose stroked it with her finger. "It's beautiful. What kind of stone is it?"

"It's a Siberian tear. It represents who I am. Where I am from. Where a part of our son is from." Dimitri smiled at her while stroking her hair.

"I love it..It's perfect. You're perfect." She breathed as he cradled her cheeks to bring their lips together once again.

Guys..I am really sorry it's so short. I will make it up to you all...I promise.

I didn't want to wait any longer to update...Thanks for your understanding..:D

Terri

The Siberian Tears necklace is a real necklace through Richelle Mead and I believe, Cemetery Catz jewelry. I have no affiliation with them. Nor, do I own anything pertaining to it.

Please don't review me telling me I am wrong on the name..it's on her website..It will correct me if I am wrong...Thanks.