Rose was asleep now. I had left her to come back downstairs. I knew I was going to have to deal with my mother sooner or later so I figured I would make it sooner. She was in the kitchen cutting vegetables on the counter top.

"She's a very pretty girl, don't you think?" She asked, without looking up from her work.

"Yes, she is." I had not told anyone about Rose or our relationship since my return home. Or that I was even seeing someone, yet alone that I had gotten someone pregnant. I could only imagine what she was thinking about now. There really is no reason that she could possible think that Rose and I are involved other than the fact that we had known each other prior to her coming to Russia. Rose told me that the both of them had not spoken much since she's woken up. The thought of Rose having been attacked gave me shivers. I had no idea that she would plan to travel all this way just to see me. I know I was stupid in the way I had left but after hearing about my grandmother's condition my judgment had been clouded and all I thought about was getting to Baia as soon as possible.

Still, I should have left a note or told someone where I was going. But, like I told Rose, I wasn't ready to face her or anyone else after she had told be what her plans were for our baby. I'm so happy and so relived that she changed her mind. I had been thinking about it this whole time. At my grandmother's funeral, after everyone had left, I had stayed by her gravesite and wanted nothing more than to talk to her about it. I wonder if she would have approved of Rose and I. Would she have been happy for us? I wasn't able to tell her that I was dating someone but knowing her she probably already knew about Rose and the baby.

"It's a shame. So young and yet, she's about to be a mother." She looked up from the cutting board. "Ibrahim Mazur was the one who brought Rose here after her accident. He told me that she had run away from Court without a word to anyone. I suppose the Maroi who got her pregnant didn't want the responsibility. I see it more and more these days, young dhampir women joining the commune."

She didn't know. How could she. "Mama, it's not what you think. Rose is nothing like those women."

"You speak awfully fond of her. How do you two know one another?" She asked.

"I'm the father." I told her. I should have eased into the admission. I was about to tell her that Rose had been my student and that we had started a relationship before this all happened but It just blurted out like that.

"You're the father? What do you mean? What are you saying?"

"I'm her baby's biological father. I know it sounds crazy but I am."

"How is that possible? She's a dhampir?"

"Rose is special. She's not like other dhampir and somehow this was possible. We don't really know for sure how it happened."

"I see." She pursed her lips together in though. Suddenly she looked up at me with a face I remember from my childhood. One that told me I was trouble. "How could you let her travel this far all alone!"

"I didn't know she was coming mama, I swear. I wasn't thinking clearly when I left Court after you told me about babushka. Rose and I had a fight just before and everything just pilled up."

"That's a lazy excuse Dimitri." She shook her head. "Well there's nothing to be done now is there. All we can do is keep her safe. Did she tell you about her condition?"

"Yes... Mama, I know you won't lie to me. How bad it is?"

"It can be really bad Dimitri. She could lose the baby or even herself but it's too early to say. It's not uncommon for woman to have this issue. Most of the time to goes away but for that to happen she will need to stay in bed and rest and not stress too much."

"I'm scared. I don't want to lose her or the baby."

"You really love her don't you?"

"I really do."

Then I will do everything I can to keep both of your girls safe." She said with a small smile.

"Girls? We're having a girl?" I asked with hope. I would love to have a little girl. Then again, I would love to have a boy as well. Either one would be a gift.

"Actually, I'm not sure yet. I only have a small portable ultrasound and was not able to get a clear read on the sex. But Rose seems to think it's a girl."

"Oh." I frowned. It would have been nice to know what we were having but I guess it would be even better to find out with Rose next to me.

"Well, dinner will be ready soon. I know you were already out today but I do need you to get some supplies for me and Rose. I made you a list. It's on the refrigerator." She said, pointing to the note pinned to the door by an old magnet.

"Okay, I'll be back as soon as possible." I said as I grabbed the note and my keys from the hook next to the kitchen entrance.

"Oh and Dimitri," She said quickly. I turned back to her.

"Yes?"

"I'm really happy you have found somebody to love." I could not help but smile.

"Me too." I said before making my way to the car.

I got back home a little less than an hour later. I found my mother in the kitchen again.

"Oh good, you're back. Food is just about done."

"How is Rose doing?" I asked as I put the shopping bags on the counter.

"She's still asleep but she seems to be doing fine. I would hate to wake her up but she really should eat something."

"I'll go see how she's feeling." I grabbed the bouquet of flowers I had bought for Rose from the top of the bag and made my way upstairs. The Bouquet a small arrangement of Azaleas. I wasn't sure if getting her flowers were a good idea but I didn't know what else to do.

I opened the door to the room Rose was in, which happened to be my room. I guess it was the logical room to put her in. All the other rooms were taken by my sisters and my grandmother's, well, it would not have been polite to place a guest in a room where one has passed so recently.

I walked over to my sleeping beauty and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Roza, wake up." I told her softly.

Her eyelids fluttered open and as soon as she saw me she smiled. That smile of hers was everything to me. She was everything to me.

"Wha, what time is it?" She asked.

"Not too late. Did you sleep well?" She nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. Here, I got you these." I lifted the flowers to her and she smiled.

"Aww Dimitri, I love them." She said, putting her nose to them and embracing the scent. "Thank you."

"I'm glad you like them." I said as she sat up and gave me a hug. "You must be hungry. Dinner is ready. Would you like to eat in here?"

"Actually, I would really like to get out of bed for a little if I can. I feel like I've been laying down for too long."

"Okay, but take it easy. I don't want you to push yourself."

"I'll be fine Comrade." That's a name I have not heard in a while. I missed her calling me that. She placed the flowers on the bed and I helped her get up. I'll have to remember to put them in a vase after dinner.

When we made our way downstairs I could hear three extra voices. Oh boy, my sister's are home.