AN: I hope that you all like the chapter. I know that I moved something fast, but I am not done with the gang getting used to each other again. Even the girls will witness some of the struggles that their parents will go through. I also will have Dimitri and Aaliyah spending a bit more time together and him being an overprotective papa.
Chapter 3: Growing Pains
Aaliyah sighed as she heard Tasha talking about the old days and watched her mother's aura growing darker and darker. Dimitri saw her face and frowned, wishing his friend would stop digging up old wounds.
"Did you know your mother was thrown out of the party?" Tasha said, making Aaliyah frown. "Well, knowing my mom, she probably spoke her mind about something and then left, and people assumed she was thrown out." Aaliyah said, her brown eyes telling her she knew more than she did about it. "Well, that was when I saw how brave your mother was…no student would ever dare face strigoi on their own…though she did risk my nephew's life doing so." Tasha said, finally making Rose snap.
"I didn't tell Christian he had to come with me…all I needed was for him to compel the guards…but when that didn't work, he came with me…so please stop trying to make what happened to Mason my fault." Rose snapped, making everyone turn.
Tasha smirked as Adrian and Dimitri shared a look as she leaned over towards Rose. She knew that she still was hurting from it.
"Oh, but it was your fault…he blindly followed you to his death." She replied as Rose stood to attack.
Aaliyah stood and jumped between the two, creating a wall of fire between the two. Christian and Dimitri easily got to them as the teen held up the wall.
"Enough…while you maybe a guest in my family's house, I will not allow you antagonizing my mother into a fight." Aaliyah said, eyeing the woman with a dark look, "leave the past in the past…my mom still is dealing with the trauma of that night and the night that she had turned my father back…don't start something again."
Tasha stared at the soft-spoken teen with shock as she lowered the wall and then rushed after her mother. Dimitri saw her retrieve the bracelet on the top of the refrigerator. It was like the one he saw her wearing when he held her in Russia.
Lissa and Christian stared at her with shock, wondering why she was goading Rose into a fight. Tasha sulked beside her husband, who was equally shocked.
"Why did you do that?" Christian asked as his wife rose to go check on her best friend. "What?" She replied, as if not knowing what she did was wrong. "Why would you do that to her…after everything she did for all of us at one time or another…you had to go and open old wounds that we all carry…you think I don't have nightmares of that day…of seeing Rose shattered like that or the day of the attack on the school…you have no idea what kind of pain she has gone through just to put us first." He snapped, making her frown.
Meanwhile, Rose sat against the gym wall with tears in her eyes as she heard Aaliyah's worried calls outside. As she let the tears fall, she heard Lissa's worried voice in her head.
"Rose, let me in…please." Lissa said, making her sigh.
"Go honey, I have this handled…tell your dad I'm outside." Lissa told Aaliyah, taking the bracelet. "Just make sure she doesn't try to take the darkness from you…she'll hurt herself beating that punching bag." Aaliyah said, making her nod. "I promise." Lissa smiled, making her nod, "And if you need help with controlling anything, I'm here." "Okay." Aaliyah smiled.
She walked back up to the house, seeing her father on the porch. He looked upset, hating that her mother was upset. Aaliyah reached him and smiled softly.
"Will you tell me about that…I've only heard bits from when mom had nightmares." Aaliyah said, making him sigh. "…Walk with me…I'll explain some of this situation to you." Dimitri sighed. "Can we make it a run?" Aaliyah smiled, making him smile.
He knew that she had been kept from many things because of the choices that they all made. Aaliyah never knew of hardships that students faced at the academy or what her mother had to go through.
Once she changed to the capris and crop tank, they left the house. Janine smiled, happy to see them spending time together. Eddie and Mia had taken Lacey out to the mall that day for new shoes and work out gear.
His brown eyes widened when he saw her in the workout gear, reminding him of Rose. His whole world was now changed with the news of having a daughter. Dimitri knew that his mother would be through moon when she learned of having a granddaughter.
"What?" She asked, making him shake his head. "Nothing…just realizing how much you're like your mother." Dimitri said, making her smile. "You'll have to tell me about her sometime." Aaliyah grinned, making him shake his head.
They ran up the road to the spot where Aaliyah and Lacey would stop on the property. It was along a creek that they would cool off in before heading back with their guardian, Jacob. Dimitri saw her climb up the large branch and hang from it with ease. It was another proof that the Moroi were more capable of things than they realized.
"So, what do you want to know?" He asked as she climbed down. "What happened to her friend Mason?" She replied, making him sigh as he thought back to that horrible day when he almost lost her mother.
Meanwhile, Rose and Lissa sat across from each other, neither speaking a word. Lissa could see how their actions hurt her over the years. But at the same time, she felt abandoned as well, even though she understood why she left.
"Were you pregnant with Aaliyah when you returned?" Lissa asked, making her nod. "Yes…I got pregnant with her while I was with him." Rose said, wiping her eyes. "You mean while he was strigoi?" Lissa breathed, making her smirk a little. "Yes…but when we did…it was him…it wasn't the thing that was controlling him…and I know that she is a miracle baby…I think the only reason I had her was because of the bond…and I regret not telling you two…but I had to protect her. Aaliyah would have never survived the testing and you know it." Rose replied, making her nod. "I am so sorry…I never realized that we hurt you that much." Lissa breathed. "And that is alright, we had different paths to take." Rose replied.
Lissa moved to sit next to her, taking her hand, making her smile as she leaned against her best friend.
"You know I was hurt…you didn't tell me anything at all." Lissa told her, making her nod. "I know and I'm sorry." Rose sighed. "It was hard, going through all the court changes alone…you bailed on me and him when we needed you." Lissa sighed. "You made it very clear that you were the only one who could. All I wanted was a chance to talk to him…to tell him about his child." Rose told her. "And I am so sorry for denying both of you that…do you think it would have changed things?" Lissa replied. "I don't know…I would probably be your guardian, but I would have never had the chance to raise my baby girl the amazing person she has become." Rose smiled. "You know, my daughter watches all the competition she competes in…she is going to freak when she learns that I know you guys." Lissa laughed. "Yeah, we'll see how Liyah will take to having to retire should we return to court." Rose replied, making her smile. "Well, she's moiri, so, she might have the chance to compete at St. Vlad's." She suggested. "Uh…they're set to go Rio, Liss…the Olympics." Rose told her, making her eyes widen. "Oh…we'll figure that out…don't worry." She told her.
Meanwhile, Dimitri explained everything to her that happened during the time her mother was in high school. Aaliyah was shocked to hear about everything that her mom kept from her and listened.
"Wait…you said that to mom?" Aaliyah breathed, stunned by what her father said. "I did…I thought that pushing her away, it would protect her." Dimitri said, making her shake her head. "That was epically dumb…mom is still in love with you…but I think you need to work on your stuff." Aaliyah told him. "As do I…and I now realize that my actions deprived me of being around you." He smiled, tucking a curl behind her ear.
Aaliyah shocked him by leaning into his shoulder, making him smile more. He held her close, glad to have the chance again.
"Do you think y'all coming means that I'll have to give up gymnastics?" Aaliyah asked. "I certainly hope not…perhaps we'll see about you girls coming around the court and I'll see if you can use the equipment in the guardian gym…we have all sorts of gymnastics equipment…you'll probably shock a lot of royals." He told her, making her smirk. "As long as you don't send me to St. Vlad's." She replied, making him chuckle. "Don't worry, I would not." He promised.
Just then, the sound of thunder made them look up as the gator rolled up with Cedric and Pavel. They looked amused to see them in the teen's hiding spot.
"Figured we'd find you here…thunderstorms are rolling in." Cedric called. "How bad?" Aaliyah called. "Nasty…you'll have to go get Rose from the gym." He replied as the got in back.
As they drove back up to the house, the storm grew closer and closer. Rose and Lissa were rushing up to the house and dodging the rain drops. Everyone was now home, including Lacey who was watching a movie and doing homework.
"Where did you two go?" Rose asked. "A run…I was asking dad somethings about what you were like when you were around my age." Aaliyah lied, making her mother nod. "I was a hellion…I got into more trouble than I want to admit." Rose said.
"And crushing on her teacher." Lissa teased, making her grin. "I believe it...it's obviously how I'm here." Aaliyah smirked, making Rose gawk as she skipped ahead of them and into the house.
"What were you saying about the sass, Roza?" Dimitri teased, making her groan. "No…please God, don't let her turn out like me." She groaned, making him chuckle. "For all our sake, I pray not as well." Dimitri replied.
A couple hours later, everyone moved down to the rec room on the third level of the house. Aaliyah and Lacey stared out the window, seeing the storm raging. Tasha leaned into Adrian, wondering when it would end. Lissa and Christian sat with Rose and Eddie, playing a card game. Dimitri watched his daughter, sensing the fear radiating off her body. He walked over Rose and asked why.
"Why is she so upset?" He asked quietly in her ear. "They were in an accident with their old coach and team four years ago…a tornado came out of nowhere and rolled the car, killing all but her and Lacey." Rose replied, "She is terrified of storms now."
He nodded, walking over and tapping Aaliyah's shoulder. She jumped almost ten feet in air, making him frown. His eyes softened when she leaned into him, shaking.
"Аля…it's alright." Dimitri said, holding her close. "Sorry…I hate storms." She whispered to his chest. "I am not fond of them either…come, why don't we go upstairs…quiet." He said, making her look at him with slight fear.
He led her upstairs and sat on the sofa. Aaliyah climbed into his lap and leaned into his chest, shaking still. Dimitri smiled, running his finger through her dark waves. She stared at the screen, noticing an old western was on.
"Mama said you loved these." She grinned, making his chest rumble as he laughed. "Did she?" He smirked. "Yeah…only westerns I've ever watched was Young Guns and the second one…that's about it." She replied. "That was a good one, not entirely historically accurate but a good one." Dimitri replied.
An hour later, Rose came up to check on them and smiled brightly. She ran back down to her phone and grinned impishly at Lissa. She raised her eyebrow and shook her head.
Rose went back up the steps and snapped a picture of Aaliyah sleeping soundly on Dimitri's chest, covered up by his duster that had been laying on the back of the sofa. Dimitri was also sleeping, his arm wrapped around the tiny teen, just as peaceful.
She walked over and tapped his shoulder. His dark eyes opened, making her smile as she leaned down and kissed his nose. He smiled as he looked down at Aaliyah.
"Sounds like you might be good to have around during thunderstorms." Rose smiled. "Took her a half an hour just to stop shaking." He said. "I know…I've tried to get her on something for the anxiety, but it messes with her magic really bad." Rose sighed. "Well, now that I know of her, I can help her with some things too." He said, making her smile. "Agreed." She smiled.
He rose a moment later and carried her over to her room. Jacob was sitting in the kitchen with Cedric and Pavel. He smiled at them as they came back down.
"The little princess sleeping?" Cedric asked. "Yes…just come get us if she wakes up." Dimitri replied as they turned on the monitor. "We will…glad there was no panic attack tonight." Pavel said.
They headed back down to the others and saw their friends and Tasha look up. Rose went to the liquor cabinet and poured a shot. Dimitri put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her.
"Are you alright?" He asked. "Yeah…just emotionally burned…I hate seeing my baby so upset like that." She sighed, making Tasha look at her.
"What was wrong with her?" Adrian asked, "Her aura was funky colored." "She was in an accident that killed most of her team and coach four years ago." Rose told him as Eddie and Mia sighed.
"Still can't believe they got them out of that bus, and they didn't end up bonded like you two." Eddie said, making the others frown. "What do you mean?" Lissa asked. "The bus was crushed beneath a semi…everyone died on impact but them…they were in the back of the bus." Rose said, showing them the picture of the bus.
Dimitri's dark eyes widened with horror when he saw the mangled vehicle. How Aaliyah and Lacey survived that wreck, he would never know.
"Were they injured?" Christian asked. "Lacey suffered only minor injuries…she covered Liyah with her body." Eddie said, "Liyah on the other hand…she shouldn't be competing anymore…she has a metal plate in her right arm and six pins in her left knee…Lace pulled her out." "She has no scarring." Tasha said, noticing that when she was in earlier in her shorts and tank top.
"She uses an illusion to cover them…she figured out how using spirit…her arm and leg have scars that are about 18 inches long on each." Rose told her, "the leather cord bracelet is a charm…it hides the scars."
Everyone was silent as they thought about what they had been just told. It made Dimitri want to be a part of her life even more, having heard that she was almost taken from them.
Late that night, Rose and he lay in bed. She slept soundly as he lay awake still processing what she said. He could not get the image of the mangled bus out of his head. It made him want to get up and check on her.
However, just as he sat up, Aaliyah appeared in the doorway. He saw the look on her face as he stood, wondering what was wrong. She looked up at him with tired eyes.
"Аля, what is wrong?" He frowned. "I heard something outside…the neighbor's dogs are going nuts." She replied, making him frown. "Where?" He frowned, standing. "Out by the gym…what the hell was that?" She frowned, hearing glass breaking.
Rose sat right up and pulled the silver stake from under her pillow. She didn't even bother changing as Dimitri kept her behind him. He led her down the hall to the safe room that they had put in place should there ever be an attack. Lacey was up as well, rushing with her and Lissa to the room. Rose gave them a nod as Christian kissed her.
However, when they got down the steps, they all saw who the source of the sound was. There, before them stood Tasha, who no longer had scars on her body from the burns. Dimitri and Christian stared in shock as she dropped Jacob's body to the floor.
"Oops." She purred, making them frown. "Tasha…what are you doing?" Rose gasped. "Isn't it obvious…ruining your fairy tale." She smirked.
"But why…why would you do that after what my parents did?" Christian breathed, stunned. "Because sometimes this isn't about any of you." She smirked, lunging at Rose.
However, both her and Dimitri staked her at the same time, dropping the woman. Christian stared in shock, still not comprehending why his aunt did that. Eddie led him away and Janine and Cedric and Pavel came over.
"What was it?" She frowned. "Tasha turned herself…she must have found the stash we kept in the gym for Aaliyah." Rose frowned, making her nod. "Must have." Janine sighed, "That would be the only way she could stay within the wards."
"Mom…is it safe?" Aaliyah called. "Yes honey…where is Lissa." Rose called.
The blonde led them down the stairs, wondering what had happened herself. Christian pulled her close when she saw the body on the floor as she gasped, stunned.
"Tasha?" Lissa frowned. "She drank all of Aaliyah's blood from the gym…Rose kept it in their cause there wasn't room here." He told her. "Oh my God." She frowned, "Why?" "To kill Rose." He said. "But that…she can't do that." Lissa said, suddenly going into a panic attack.
Rose walked over and pulled her close, letting her get it out. Christian smiled at her, glad that his best friend was back. She smiled back sadly, knowing that their lives were all about to change.
"We have to call the court…they have to know." Rose sighed, making Dimitri nod. "What about Aaliyah?" He asked, making her sigh. "We'll protect her." Rose told him, making him sigh. "We'll make sure she isn't tested." He promised as the teen stared wide eyed.
By dawn, the house was crawling guardians. Aaliyah and Lacey sat with Zmey in the front room, both teary eyed as they watched them leave with their friend. Dimitri walked over to his daughter and knelt, seeing the fear in her eyes.
"Daddy, what happens now?" She asked, making him sigh. "I am not sure darling…but we will protect you." He promised as she leaned against him and hugged him. "I'm scared." She whispered. "So am I." He told her, tucking a curl behind her ear.
Janine walked in and told him they were heading out. He nodded and motioned for the girls to follow. Aaliyah looked at her mom, who was explaining to the guardian what happened. He looked over at the teen at Dimitri's side and saw that she looked just like him.
"I always wondered who her father was." Hans commented, looking at her. "She was conceived before he was turned…that much I know." Rose told him. "I believe it…your mother has told much about her…I'm sure the Queen will want to meet her and talk with you and the princess." He replied.
Three hours later, Aaliyah and Lacey were looking around at the vast complex. Dimitri smiled as he took her hand and walked her over to where they would be staying.
"It's the middle of the night here, you girls will have to get used to the schedule for now." He said. "Okay…what's going to happen now?" She asked.
"I don't know honey, but we'll figure it out…we know that you girls have training to do but we will do everything we can to make sure that you girls compete." Rose said, making her nod.
Once the gang was settled, Rose and Dimitri sat in the living room of his apartment. She leaned into him, realizing that her whole world changed. He held her close, kissing her forehead.
"This is insane." She sighed. "It will be alright, Roza." He replied, making her nod. "I know…I just wish I could press the reset button on this week." She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "What, with Tasha picking the fight?" He asked. "Yeah…but I don't regret us…that is for sure." She smiled. "Nor do I or getting to know my daughter." He replied. "Dad is thinking of letting them stay at his house off court…just so they have normalcy." Rose told her. "That would be wise, especially for Aaliyah…I've noticed she's been quieter with all of us around." He said. "Yeah…never thought her to be a daddy's girl." She smiled, making him grin.
Even they ended up falling asleep on the sofa, waiting for the sun to set and for things to really change for Aaliyah. She would not know what was coming to her or what to do. But, just like gymnastics, all of life's changes came with growing pains.
AN: I hope that everyone likes this chapter. It took a mind of its own today and turned to something better than what I planned originally. I will pick up with Aaliyah and her mother meeting with Queen Tatiana. Also, our favorite dhampir will get her dream job back. Please remember to review.
Аля-Ayla (shortened version of Aaliyah)
