I woke up the next morning feeling like complete shit. It was great to wake up on your wedding day and feel like this. That's when it hit me. Wedding day. I sat straight up, and looked around to see Bailey standing across the room, grinning at me. She was dressed in a small white dress, sort of like the one she'd worn to the masquerade ball, but a little longer, and it didn't tie around the neck the way that one did. Her hair was curly, but not her normal curly. It hung in little ringlets all around her face, making her dark brown eyes stand out.
"Goodmorning momma." She said. I grinned.
"Well, aren't you just the most beautiful thing to wake up too." I said. She giggled.
"Thank you." She said, her cheeks flushing a little. Liss then walked out of her room in another beautiful white dress, that looked sort of similar to Baileys. It had intricate little patterns all over it. I then realized that Bailey's and Lissa's dresses had the same patterns that my wedding dress had on it.
"God Rose… You look like-" I cut her off.
"Shit?" I tried. She nodded.
"I feel like it." I told her.
"Why?" She asked.
"I don't know." I said.
"You'll look beautiful after I'm done with you. Get up, and put some clothes on, and we've got to get over there. Dimitri will be leaving soon too. We've got to beat them there." She said.
"In that case… I think I'll take my time." I said.
"Rose." She warned. I giggled.
"Kidding." I said. Christian walked out of the bedroom in his tux. I attempted to raise an eyebrow at him.
"Damn Fireboy cleans up nice.." I said. He chuckled, and his cheeks turned a little pink.
"Thanks." He said.
"I've got one good looking best man." I said, winking at Lissa. She chuckled. I went into the bathroom and threw on my shorts, and tank top.
"Ready." I said. They nodded. We drove back to the palace as I liked to call it, and went inside.
"Go upstairs and into that room we were in yesterday. Stay there. That's your chamber. You can't come out of there until the music starts. You understand me. Dimitri's chamber is a downstairs bedroom. Christian will be with him, and Bailey and I will be with you." She said. I took a deep breath, and nodded. I took Bailey's hand and started up the stairs, when I heard a new voice call my name. I knew the voice all too well, but with my back turned, I couldn't figure it out. I jerked Bailey to a stop and turned around, too look down the stairs at the withered face of my mother, Janine Hathaway.
"Mom." I whispered.
"Hey Rose." She said.
"What are you-" I stopped, and looked at Lissa. From her face, I knew who had done it. Dimitri had called her. I released Baileys hand and ran down the stairs, throwing myself into my mothers arms. I hadn't seen her in so long. Not since Dimitri had left. She'd known I was pregnant, but didn't want to watch my life go down hill, so she just ignored me.
"I've missed you." She whispered. I nodded.
"I've missed you too." I said. When I released her, I saw her eyes behind me, on my little girl standing on the steps.
"Is that-?" She started. I nodded.
"That's her." I said.
"Bailey… come here." I said. She slowly descended the stairs, and came to my side.
"Bailey… This is your grandmother… my momma." I said. She looked up into my moms face and smiled.
"Hi." She said, voice sounding so small.
"Hey there little one." My mom said, kneeling down before her. "Its so nice to finally meet you."
"Its nice to meet you too." Bailey said, smiling at her. I saw my mom grinning at her too. That was all she wrote. Bailey had her wrapped. My mom wrapped her arms around Bailey and held her. A few extra tears escaped down my cheeks. I then heard car doors.
"Rose, they're here. Take this upstairs… please." She said. I nodded, and grabbed both of them… dragging them upstairs. I didn't want to. I wanted to wait and see Dimitri, and thank him for doing this for me… but I knew Lissa wouldn't have it. Once in the room upstairs, my mother and Bailey began talking. Liss came in, and started helping me get ready. She first did my hair, making each curl distinct and perfect around my face, and laid out along my shoulder, and then spraying it down with hairspray to keep it from moving. She then started on my make-up, sticking to light colors. The eyeliner was black, and mascara was a mixture of black and glitter, making it look lighter. Foundation and blush made my face glow. The eye shadow was a brownish beige color.
"Okay… I need to go downstairs for a minute and check on Dimitri. Can I trust you to stay right here?" She asked. I threw her a skeptic look.
"Yes Liss. I'm not going anywhere." I said. She nodded. My mother went downstairs to meet Dimitri's family, and Bailey had taken such a liking to her, she asked if she could go with her. So, I paced back and forth alone in my chamber, waiting on Liss to come back up. The bedroom door was left open, and I happened to look out of my peripheral vision to see a figure standing in the hallway. I stopped and stared straight into the hallway. My heart was in my stomach and my jaw hit the floor. I couldn't believe it. I rubbed my eyes, and stared in disbelief.
"Little dhampir." He murmured. He looked scared.
"Adrian." I whispered. He smiled slightly. I took a step forward.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I can leave. I know you told me you didn't want me here… but I had to try. I had to come and ap-" I cut him off, by running to him, and attacking him, jumping into his arms.
"I'm so glad you're here." I said. I was trying to prevent the tears from falling down my face. It was hard, but I managed.
"I'm so sorry Adrian. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hit you. I didn't mean the things I said. I'm so sorry." I whispered. Keeping the tears from falling was a very hard task.
"No… Don't apologize. Its not your fault. I did it. I've been harboring you for a relationship ever since Dimitri was out of the picture and I knew better, but I did it anyway, and then I kept picking at you and egging it on. Its my fault. I got what I deserved. I don't deserve to be here, but I could… I couldn't miss it. You were right. I should be happy for you. If this makes you happy, then that's all I care about." He said. He was out of breath by the time he finished.
"I love you Adrian." I said. "You'll always be my best man."
"I love you too Rose." He said. "I see now… that Dimitri is what you want… so now, I'll love you the right way." I smiled.
"Thank you." I said. He kissed my forehead and smiled. Liss came running up the stairs, eyes wide.
"Adrian.. What are you-?" She smiled.
"I'm so glad you're here." She said, hugging him. He nodded.
"Adrian.. I have a question.. Since you here, and we don't know who Rose's father is… and originally you were the best man, will you walk Rose down the isle?" She said. I turned to him, and he met my eyes.
"Yes. I will." He said. Liss nodded.
"Good. Alright, Rose… Lets get your dress on." She said. I nodded. She pulled me into the room, and shut the door. She helped me slowly pull my clothes off, preventing messing up my hair or make-up, and then slid the dress over me, situating it so it once again hugged every inch of my body. I smiled and walked over to the mirror. I smiled. I looked like a Goddess. She grinned at me.
"You, Rosemarie Hathaway are perfect." She said. As I looked in the mirror, I realized pretty soon, I wouldn't be the same person. I was going to be Rosemarie Belikov, never again to be a Hathaway. I was a new person. I liked the idea, a new start, a new beginning. I smiled.
"Are you ready to do this?" She asked, opening the door to my mother and Bailey. My moms eyes filled with tears the moment she looked at me.
"Rose… you look beautiful." She said. I smiled.
"So do you mom." I said. She grinned. She was wearing a dress similar to the one Bailey and Liss were wearing. Liss went to explaining how things were going to go down with Bailey and how she needed my mom's help for a little bit. Mom agreed of course. Adrian just stood at the end of the railing, waiting for his time to help. Liss ran into the bathroom, and handed me something blue. I looked at it to see it was a garter.
"No.." I said. She nodded.
"Yes." She said. I rolled my eyes and let her help me put it on. She then slid a small tiara looking thing into the top of my hair. I slid into my white high heeled shoes, and stood up nice and tall.
"Now… your completely perfect." She said. I smiled.
"Are you ready? We have five minutes." She said. I nodded.
"Can I go downstairs? Dimitri's outside… right?" I asked. She nodded.
"Yes. We can go downstairs." She said. I nodded, and walked out, and downstairs. Adrian smiled at me.
"You ready Mrs. Belikov." He asked. I nodded.
"I will be." I said. I took a deep breath. Liss ran around and did a few more things before nodding at me.
"We're ready… are you?" She asked. I took another deep breath and nodded.
"I'm ready. Lets do this." I said. She nodded, and the music started. I was so nervous. I didn't realize how scared I was I would fall until I actually had to walk down the isle. Adrian took my arm, and smiled.
"You've got this little dhampir." He said. I nodded. The French doors opened, and we stepped out into the cool air. Dimitri's face was the first one I found. Everyone around him just faded out. I knew Christian was there, and all of his family, but all I could truly see was his beautiful glowing face. I could swear up and down he was the most amazing creature on this earth, or maybe I was just biased. The closer I got, the faster I wanted to walk. It was hard to keep pace with the music when I just really wanted to run to him and throw myself into his arms. I could see the surprise in his eyes from Adrian, but his eyes were only for me in this moment, and were boring into mine. We climbed the stairs, and stopped in front of Dimitri. Adrian kissed my hand, and locked eyes with me for a second, and smiled, taking his place beside Christian. Dimitri took my hands in his and locked eyes with me. I smiled brightly at him, and took a deep breath. He looked like he wanted to laugh at me. Probably thinking about how proud he was that I didn't trip and fall. The minister then started the ceremony. It was a long and drawn out process before we got to the good part, but standing here, staring into Dimitri's big brown eyes, full of love, and passion, I could wait forever. Finally, he got to the exchanging of vows, something I hadn't even really thought about. I wondered if Dimitri had written any out, or even thought about them. I figured if he could make vows up on the spot so could I. I would do this. I knew how much I loved him. It would be each to describe. Dimitri went first, of course. He smiled and took a deep breath before beginning.
"Rosemarie Hathaway, my Roza, my everything. I love you, with everything I am. I'd give up everything I have for you and for our daughter. There aren't really words in the English or any other language that could possibly capture the way I truly feel about you. All I know if that I love you more than anything, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He said. They were words he'd spoken to me a hundred times before, but some how, here in front of everyone they meant so much more. I was smiling like an idiot. Now…it was my turn.
"Dimitri Belikov, my comrade, my world. I've loved you for so long. I've loved you before I was even supposed to love you. We've been through so much together, and still we hold strong. We always will. I've given up everything for you, and for us and our family, and I'd do it a thousand times over. You are everything to me. My lover, my comrade, my best friend, my mentor, and I want to spend the rest of my days with you and only you. We were meant to be together, and that's the way it will always stay." I said, saying the words loud and proud. He grinned at me. The minister looked up, and the French doors opened again, revealing Paul and Bailey carrying each of our rings on two red satin pillows. Bailey's eyes were on my face, knowing she found courage there, I smiled and nodded at her. She looked so poise and graceful, so much like her father. When they reached us, the minister went through the whole do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, and blah blah. When it came to saying the binding words, his voice rang out loud and clear.
"I do." He said, strongly. I grinned. He picked up the ring off the pillow Bailey was holding and slid it onto my ring finger where it would stay for the rest of my life. Then, the minister read the same lines to me, and it was my turn to say the binding words.
"I do." I said, loud and proud. He grinned at me. I took the ring off the pillow Paul was holding and slid it onto Dimitri's ring finger.
"I now pronounce you husband, and wife. You may kiss the bride." He said. I smiled at him, as he pulled me to him, and cupped my face in his hands, and pressed his lips to mine. Our audience erupted into applause. We both pulled away, as he took my hand in his, and we turned towards our audience, staring into the familiar faces of people I knew and loved. My mothers arms were the first to find me, along with Olena's to find her son. I grinned.
"Thank you for coming mom." I said. She smiled.
"I wouldn't have missed it." She said. I nodded. Olena then came over and smiled.
"You look beautiful Roza." She said. I grinned.
"Thank you. So do you Olena." I said. She chuckled.
"Thank you. I'm so glad Dimitri has you." She said. "He's lucky to have you."
"I think of the situation in reverse." I said. She smiled. She moved on, and I hugged and spoke to almost everyone here. One familiar face came up and wrapped her arms around me.
"Alberta… God, I've missed you." I said. She grinned.
"Its good to see you too Rose. You look amazing." She said.
"Thank you. I'm so glad you could come." I said. She nodded.
"I wouldn't have missed it. The academy hasn't been the same since you've graduated." She said, smiling. I chuckled.
"I'm glad to know I had such an impact while I was there." I said. She nodded. She moved on to speak to Dimitri, when another familiar face came up to me. Stan. I smiled.
"Well hello there handsome." I said. He chuckled.
"Haven't changed a bit have you Hathaway?" He asked.
"That's not my name anymore." I said. He nodded.
"Your right. I'm sorry Guardian Belikov." He said. I giggled.
"I've missed you Stan, surprisingly. And yes, your right. I haven't changed." I said. He nodded.
"Good. Congrats Rose. I'm happy for you two." He said. I smiled.
"Thanks Stan." I said. He nodded, and moved on too Dimitri. A few other familiar faces came up to me, and then the last one. Adrian. I smiled.
"Hey Ivashkov." I said. He smiled.
"Hey Little Dhampir." He said. I grinned.
"You look amazing, Rose." He said.
"Thank you. So do you." I said, smoothing out his jacket.
"Congrats Rose. I'm so happy for you." He said.
"Thank you. That's all I've ever wanted to hear you say since I've told you about us getting married." I said. He nodded.
"I know, and I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner." I shook my head.
"Don't." I said. He smiled. I hugged him, and he kissed my forehead. He then turned to Dimitri.
"I'm sorry Dimitri. I've given up. She's yours and she wants you. I can see now that she really loves you, and I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. I'd like it if we could start over, so I can still be in her and Bailey's life." He said, extending his hand. Dimitri nodded, and shook his hand.
"I'd like that. Thank you Adrian." He said. Adrian nodded.
"Congratulations man." He said. Dimitri nodded.
"Thank you." He said, and Adrian walked off. I turned and looked at Dimitri.
"I'm finally yours… forever." I said. He grinned, and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him.
"Your right. Now your never getting rid of me." He said. I giggled.
"Like I said, people get divorces." I said. He chuckled.
"And like I said… You wont be getting rid of me that easily." He said. I smiled.
"I don't think I've gotten the chance to tell you how… utterly and heartbreakingly amazing you look this evening." He said. I smiled my man-eater smile at him.
"Why thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself. I'm surprised I haven't had to beat the women off with a stick." I said. He chuckled.
"I'm sure that's not going to happen." He said. I rolled my eyes.
"You'd be surprised honey." I said. He grinned.
"Rose… Come inside and change so you can be a little more comfortable." Liss called from the French doors. I nodded. I kissed Dimitri, and walked down the stairs and the walkway to her. She took me upstairs, and handed me another flowing white dress, that came down a little below my knees and tied around the neck. It was gorgeous. I smiled.
"Do I ever want to ask how much money you actually spent on my wedding?" I asked. She shook her head.
"Probably not." She said. I nodded.
"Thought so." I said. Once I was ready to go back out, I turned to her, and threw my arms around her.
"This was the most perfect wedding I could have ever imagined. Thank you so very much." I said. She nodded, and held me.
"Your welcome. I love you Rose." She said. I smiled.
"Love you too Liss." I said, before heading back downstairs and out to Dimitri. He took my hand and smiled.
"Welcome back." He said. I grinned. I heard Liss scream over the loud music that it was time for the first dance. I smiled and looked at Dimitri, he grinned and pulled me up onto the platform. He extended a hand and smiled.
"May I have this dance?" He asked. I nodded.
"Why yes… You may." I said. He pulled me too him, and the song 'I'm yours' by The Script came on. I smiled. I loved this song. I'd told Lissa once that I wanted this song played at my wedding.
"So… are you enjoying yourself?" He asked me. I nodded.
"Very much so." I said. He grinned.
"I'm glad." He said. I nodded.
"Me too." I assured him.
"I love you." I whispered.
"As I love you." He murmured.
"Last night… was hell. It was hard being away from you so long." I told him. He chuckled.
"I agree. It took me forever to fall asleep. I'm not used to not having you in my arms." He said. I smiled.
"Well now…It never has to be that way. I'll be in your arms forever." I said. He nodded.
"That's the way I've always wanted it." He said. I nodded in agreement. We swirled around for a little bit longer, before Adrian tapped Dimitri on the shoulder.
"Mind if I cut in?" He asked. Dimitri smiled.
"No. I don't." Dimitri said. He kissed me, and went off to find a new dance partner, which surprisingly enough was his sister Viktoria.
"Enjoying yourself Ivashkov?" I asked. He nodded.
"I'm having a pretty good time." He said.
"I'm glad." I said. He grinned.
"Adrian… what made you come back?" I asked. He looked down, and back up to meet my eyes, with his beautiful green ones full of sincerity.
"Once I got back to court, and sat there, thinking of everything, I realized what an asshole I was. I knew that I didn't want to lose you or Bailey because you are both such a big part of my life. I was finally able to see clearly that you love him, and no one else, and that wasn't going to change. So… I accepted that, boarded a plane, and flew back to beg your forgiveness." He said.
"You didn't beg much." I said. He grinned.
"I could beg some more if you'd like." He said.
"I might like that." I said. He chuckled. I grinned.
"Thank you Adrian." I said. "It wouldn't have been the same without you here." He nodded.
"I know." He said. The song ended, and a new song began. Dimitri then walked back up and grinned.
"My turn." He said. Adrian nodded, and went off to find a new dance partner. I smiled.
"Everything alright?" Dimitri asked. I nodded.
"Just perfect." I whispered, and with that, he whirled me around under the lights of the dance floor on one of the most amazing nights of my life.
