Chapter 51
DPOV
Seeing Roza sitting on that couch had been hard to see, but hearing from Cal that she thought our lives would be better off without her in them is what really tore at my heart. How could she possibly think my life would be better without her in it? My soul wasn't complete without her in my life, by her side. As soon as I'd walked out the door, I knew I was being irrational. I knew it wasn't Tasha's fault, but I couldn't stop my anger at her. Eventually, Lily had put her hand on my cheek, showing me an image of how distraught Tasha was when she heard Roza say that she had been involved. No one was that good an actress that they could have faked it. I had already started getting Lily ready to get changed so I could go and apologise to her, when Cal had knocked on my door.
As soon as he had finished explaining how upset Roza was, I left Lily with him and went to console her, broken hearted that she even thought that way. Lily didn't need to see her Mama this way, so I was glad that Cal had offered to take her to Mia's for a while.
I cannot describe the way I felt when I walked into that room and saw Roza curled up into Lissa like a baby, shaking violently from the sobs. As soon as I replaced Lissa's arms with my own, she told me they would give us some space and go do some research into the charm's reversal spell. The whole time I was sitting there holding my Roza, I kept thinking 'please let them find it.'
Eventually, Roza's sobbing finished and I felt her body relax against mine. I still couldn't believe she thought we were all better off without her in our lives. I made sure she knew exactly how I felt about her. After a few minutes of talk, she finally realized that we were alone in the room. After telling her they were researching, she decided she wanted to join them.
As soon as we rounded the corner, and I saw Lissa coming at us with that grin on her face, I knew my prayers had been answered. Roza didn't see her at first and was shocked when she did, but soon she was joining Lissa in laughing. I stood to the side and watched as all of her family hugged her and told her how much she means to them. I still really can't believe that she doesn't realise how important she is to each of us, all in our different ways. Our lives would be empty without her presence around us. I had seen how it affected them when they thought she had run away. If she keeps having these self doubts, I will have to get Lily to use her magic and show Rose exactly how we all felt, remind her how much we all love her and need her.
At dinner, I made the final arrangements with Cal while Roza was preoccupied with Lily. With Lissa and Cal's help, things were finally coming together.
RPOV
The morning that Oksana was due to return
Today was the day. Hopefully after this afternoon, I can finally move on with my life. Lissa had organised with Dr Olendzki to come in from the Academy to help us. We had already spoken with Oksana and as soon as she arrived we would be heading down to the infirmary. We were going to do it in our apartment, but we decided we were better off at the infirmary in case anything went wrong. Thankfully, the other three Moroi that were involved were at Court and made time in their schedules. At first they were hesitant to believe they had been involved, but once I showed them Tatiana's journal they were horrified. They promised to help in any way they could. They were meeting us at the infirmary as well. Instead of charming the scalpel now, they were going to do it right before Dr Olendzki used it.
While we waited for Oksana and Mark to arrive, we had taken the journal down to Adrian's father. He had promised to take it to the Guardian Council and assured me that Voda would be punished. Her involvement and punishment would be announced in a press conference later today. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be there to watch it happen as I would be in a surgery room with Dr Olendzki, but I didn't mind. My parents were going to go along to witness it for me. I had tried to convince Dimitri to go as well, but he wouldn't leave my side. Lily reluctantly went off with Cal and Mia for the day. Cal said he had to go into town to pick some things up, so he bribed her with presents, otherwise, she wouldn't have gone.
That afternoon
Oksana had just called to advise they were back at Court, so me, Dimitri, Lissa and Adrian were heading to the infirmary to meet Oksana, Mark and Dr Olendzki. No one said a word but the silence was comfortable, not awkward, which I liked. I was nervous, but I didn't have reservations about this like I have in the past. I had a feeling that this would work.
"Hi Rose, how are you feeling? You look like you have lost a little weight since I saw you." Dr Olendzki said with concern written all over her face.
"That could have something to do with my throwing up every morning." I grunted. This caused Lissa and Dimitri to chuckle.
"Why…you aren't…?" Dr Olendzki stuttered.
"No I'm not pregnant. But Lissa is. Somehow, thanks to this stupid charm, not only am I taking all her darkness immediately, I'm also being tortured with her morning sickness and tender boobs." Immediately I felt the guilt flow through the bond.
Sorry Liss, I didn't mean it to sound that bad.
It's ok Rose. Hopefully in a few hours you won't have to anymore.
You'll be glad to know that the morning sickness is getting better. Not so bad anymore, so you'll be ok.
Lissa laughed. "Thanks for dealing with the worst for me"
"Do they do that often?" Dr Olendzki asked Dimitri. He chuckled and nodded.
"All the time; but you do get used to it pretty quickly" Lissa and I looked at each other and shrugged before laughing again.
"Ok, let's get this show on the road." Dr Olendzki said. By now, Oksana and Mark had joined us in the room. In her hand, she had a small bag. Seeing me eye the bag, she told me that it contained some new charmed rings. She knew with the amount of Spirit the three of them would be using, we would all need them. She even had one for Adrian.
As Dr Olendzki gave me the needle to knock me out, Dimitri sat beside me holding my hand and the Moroi all stood together on the opposite side. I had enough time to smile at each of them, tell Dimitri I loved him, before blackness took over.
I woke sometime later feeling like I had just woken from a night of sleep. I didn't hurt anywhere, even thought I had expected to feel some tenderness at least. I looked to my right and saw Dimitri asleep on the chair next to the bed with his head resting on the bed, his hand on mine. Lissa was on my left in a very similar position. No one else was in the room with me. I tried to gently move my hand out from under Dimitri's without waking him, but as soon as it moved, his head shot up.
"Hey, you're awake." He said bringing my hand up to his lips. "How do you feel?"
"I feel great. I'm not sore anywhere that I can feel." I whispered trying not to wake up Lissa. "How did it go?" I suddenly felt nervous, not knowing if I wanted to know the answer or not.
"It went fantastic. We think the charm is now gone. Dr Olendzki is going to do a scan in a few days just to make sure. Lissa ended up being the only one needed to heal you. She was quite adamant that she wanted to try on her own first."
"She can be so stubborn sometimes." I chuckled.
"I am not stubborn." Lissa lifted her head from the bed. Sneaky little shit had been listening to us. "I just wanted to help you for once."
"You are too stubborn, Liss…But thank you. Thank you so much." I said with a few tears forming in my eyes.
"It's nothing Rose. I told you, I would do anything for you." She took hold of my free hand.
"So when can I get out of this bed? How long have I been out?" I asked.
"I'll go and get Dr Olendzki and let her know you're awake. You should be able to leave soon. And you were only out for about four hours."
"Only four hours. Gee, I feel like I've slept for a month. " I laughed.
Lissa walked out to get Dr Olendzki. As soon as they were out, I sat up off the bed and pulled Dimitri up closer, kissing him with everything in me.
"I love you so much." I told him. I had honestly been scared of not waking up and I needed to feel him close to me.
"I love you to my Roza."
Just then, Dr Olendzki and Lissa came back in. After checking my vitals, Dr Olendzki agreed I could head home, as long as I took it easy for a couple of days. No training. I could live with that.
As we walked back to the room, Lissa turned towards me.
"Why are you looking at me like that Liss? You look like you're up to something that I'm not going to like."
"Well…ummm…I have kind of organised a little gathering for tomorrow night; as a celebration for everything."
"Exactly what kind of gathering is it Lissa?" She doesn't organise small gatherings.
"Well ummm, it's more like a concert of sorts. Cal and the other band members have decided to play a few songs for some of the kids here from Court, and then once those kids are gone, we still have the hall for the rest of the night to continue partying."
"Nicola and Kaiden are coming…here?" I asked. I couldn't believe that Lissa and Cal had organised it without me even getting a hint of what they were up to. Then I remembered Dimitri's words yesterday. Cal had been helping him with some things. I turned to him. "You knew? It was your idea?"
He nodded. "I know how much you love the band and don't want to lose touch with them and I know that once we leave for the Academy, you won't see them as much, or get to perform with them. So, we organised for them to come to you and have a last concert together."
"Thank you so much. Both of you." I had no idea he realised how much I missed playing in the band.
"You're welcome babe."
As soon as we walked into our apartment, we were bombarded by everyone running to hug me. I laughed and hugged as many of them as I could at the same time.
"We're so glad it worked Rosie." Christian said, freezing when he realised he'd called me Rosie.
"You know Sparky, I will let it slide this time, but only because I'm so happy." I laughed. Christian let out the breath he was holding before, laughing with me.
For the rest of the afternoon we sat around talking and laughing. You could feel the relief in the air. Around two hours later, my parents walked through the door. Both were smiling like Cheshire cats and when they saw me, somehow, their smiles grew even wider. Both came over and wrapped their arms around me telling me how glad they were that I was ok.
"So how did it go with Voda?" I asked a little hesitantly.
"Great. She has been held accountable for all of her actions and is now being held in the cells. Both Tatiana and Voda will be transported to Tarasov tomorrow, where they will serve life sentences for their actions. They will never be able to bother you, or anyone else, again Rose"
"That's great news."
Just then I heard commotion just outside our room. Abe's face paled at the commotion. It sounded like someone trying to walk down a corridor quietly, to find the quieter they tried to be, the noisier they actually were. This, of course, spiked my curiosity and I started walking towards the door. Before I could pull on the handle though, Cal opened the door and Lily rushed in holding a bag in each hand. Cal and Mia followed them in but didn't shut the door.
"Hey baby, did you have a good day shopping with Uncle Cal and Auntie Mia?" I asked scooping her up in my arms and kissing her cheeks. She giggled and nodded her head, then started telling me all about what was in her bag.
Cal cleared his throat, getting my attention back to him. I couldn't help it, when Lily was in my arms, most of the time everything around me faded away.
"We kind of sort of lied this morning Marie. We did have to go into town, but it was more to pick up someone, rather than something." He said cautiously, obviously waiting for me to blow up at him. He didn't know that Lissa had already told me about the concert. He had obviously gone to collect the other band members from the airport. I handed Lily over to Dimitri, knowing what Nicola would be like if it was her.
"I already know about tomorrow night Cal, Lissa told me….SO, these people you picked up better be…" I didn't get a chance to finish because Nicola ran into the room knocking me over in a huge embrace.
"Marie, it is sooo good to see you. I have missed you so much"
"It's great to see you as well Nic, I have missed all of you. How did you all manage to keep this a secret until today?"
"It's been easy Rose. You've been very distracted for once." Lissa said. "Hi Nicola, it's nice to see you again."
Nicola gave Lissa a small smile then diverted her attention back to me. "So, what's been happening?" I knew she was curious because last time we'd been here, I swore I'd never step foot back here again. They knew bits of what had happened, but not the full story, so I quickly pulled them up to speed. Being Dhampirs themselves, they knew all about the Moroi world.
"I'm glad everything has worked out well for you Marie. We were sad to hear that you were both leaving the band, but we're excited for the show tomorrow night." Kaiden said.
"Thanks guys. I'm glad you could come. This could be the last chance I get to play with you guys, or even see you guys."
"No it won't. You'll still see us, even if we have to come to the Academy and kidnap you for a night!" Nicola laughed.
We went with the group and showed them to their rooms, then helped them get their equipment out of the van.
"So Marie, where can we practice tonight?" Kaiden asked. Shit, I hadn't even thought about that.
"You have been cleared to practise in the hall that the concert is being held in. You can keep all your gear in there and it will be locked up when you leave after practice. It will be safe in there." Lissa came to my rescue.
"Thanks." said Kaiden. "Let's get some practise in hey?" Always the serious one!
We headed down to the hall and helped them set everything up. Only my parents stayed behind. We tuned all of their equipment and tested out the sound system. Once we had finished, we sat down and had a hot chocolate that Dimitri had kindly made for us.
"Mama, can you sing me a song?"
"What song do you want me to sing baby?"
"Have you got a song about me?" I felt Dimitri tense beside me. He probably thought I hadn't written anything about her since she had been back, but while he's been sleeping, I have been.
"Sure do baby. Cal, can you pass me my guitar?"
They didn't have you where I come from How long do you want to be loved I slip in bed when you're asleep How long do you want to be loved As you wander through this troubled world How long do you want to be loved How long do you want to be loved
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I finished the song and looked up to find all the women with tears in their eyes.
"That was beautiful Roza. When did you write that?"
"Over the past few weeks, whenever I couldn't sleep." I said with a smile. Dimitri frowned.
"I didn't know you were having trouble sleeping still." He questioned.
I shrugged my shoulders. "It was no biggie. Besides, writing has always mellowed me out and helped me sleep. Don't stress Comrade. If it was that bad, I would have told you." I said when I saw his horrified face.
"You better." He grunted. I leaned over and kissed him quickly, causing Lily to giggle.
"Ewww Gross!" she said.
"You keep thinking that until your twenty baby ok." I laughed.
"So what other songs can you guys sing? Can we get a little private show tonight before bed?" asked Christian.
I looked around at the band and all of them nodded.
"Why not? We'll do a few before we head to bed. The rest you can wait and hear tomorrow ok." I said. I quickly kissing both Lily and Dimitri and jumped down off stage. Lily climbed onto Dimitri's lap.
"What kind of music do you guys want to hear?" I asked.
"Anything." said Lissa.
"Ok, here goes. You guys wanna try Best Days?"
Blowing out the candles Life hasn't always been a party Age ain't nothing but a number Age ain't nothing but a number I've got sunsets to witness
on another birthday cake
Old enough to look back and laugh at my mistakes
Young enough to look at the future and like what I see
My best days are ahead of me
but mostly it's been good
There's only one or two things that I'd change if I could
I don't get lost in the past or get stuck in some sad memory yah
My best days are ahead of me
Sometimes I have to wonder
What does it really mean
But heeeey I'm still putting it together
I keep getting better
if I keep getting better
I can be whatever I want to be
My best days are ahead of me
Sometimes I have to wonder
What does it really mean
But heeeey I'm still putting it together
I keep getting better
if I keep getting better
I can be whatever I want to be
My best days are ahead of me
dreams to dance with
beaches to walk on
and lovers to kiss
there's a whole lot of world out there
that I can't wait to see
My best days are ahead of me
My best days are ahead of me
"You are amazing Rose." Lissa beamed with pride. Just then, the doors of the hall opened and Abe walked in followed by a small group of people. In an instant, I knew exactly who they were. The family resemblance was too much to try and deny. Now I knew why my parents had stayed behind. Cal must have picked them up as well and dropped them to their rooms.
Standing in front of us, was Dimitri's family.
Songs for this chapter :
Lullabye – Dixie Chicks
My Best Days are Ahead of Me – Danny Gokey
