Dimitri
It was hard going back to work after the break Lissa forced upon us for her Coronation. Add that and the fact that my daughter, who I was still getting to know was still asleep when I woke up to go to work. At least today was a relatively slow day – Christian didn't have much to do today. I got up as quietly as I could, trying hard not to wake up Roza as she slept peacefully next to me. I made it into the shower and changed before I heard her murmur. I kissed her forehead, watched as she turned over and smiled before leaving. Christian was walking out his door at the same time.
"Morning." He said a little roughly and yawned. He wasn't really a morning person. Why he agreed to have morning meetings I never understood.
"Do you think you're going to get any more Moroi on your side?" I asked as we walked together to the meeting rooms. He shrugged his shoulders.
"It's easier when I can talk to a few at a time – get my point across you know?" I nodded. When we tried to get multiple Moroi in the one room, it was hard for Christian to explain his reasoning for wanting Moroi to help fight Strogoi with the Dhampir, or to at least be able to help. It was proven to work during the attack that claimed Mason's life - it could work better if Moroi were trained.
"I understand. You already have a healthy list of people signed up." Christian smiled as we walked through the doors. When we moved to Court, we knew Lissa was going to be named Queen, so they we assigned houses near the meeting chambers. Lissa was happy about it – Christian not so much. He would prefer to live somewhere away from Court, or at the very least further from the central Royal Meeting Chambers.
When we walked in, Christian went to get a coffee from the trays set up while I made my way towards the wall, stood straight, hands clasped behind my back and staring blankly. The meeting went on until lunch before Christian dismissed everyone. He had made half the people agree to what he was doing but they said they wouldn't public agree until he got at least one royal from every family to agree too. Christian sighed, clenched his jaw. He refused to use the excuse that his wife was Queen and that she agreed, but he didn't want to use that card. At least not until it was a last resort.
"Just one more family." I remind him. He ran his hands through his hair before standing from his chair.
"I just don't see why that's so important – not all Royals have to agree. That's why there are thirteen families, so it's always a majority rule." We walk out.
"It's hard when you hold no power to agree to something. They're finally getting a choice in the new generation. No one has ever been asked to do that but the Royals." Christian nodded in agreement.
"I'll start the classes. I've got the space and the people. Hopefully if they see how many people are willing to help, there'll be a better agreement factor." I nod. He unlocks his door, waves his hand to invite me in. The living room was full of women. My family left before I woke up for work, leaving notes, messages and promises of calls, but Mia, Janine, Alberta, Lissa, Rose and Aly were all sitting around the table, smiling, laughing. Christian cleared his throat. Lissa looked up and smiled.
"I think Aly can tell the future!" She sang and handed Christian over a pregnancy test. Aly clapped her hands, giggled and walked over to me, extending her arms. I picked her up. Christian was staring blankly at the test, dumbfounded.
"I'm going to be a dad?" He asked, his mouth hanging open. Lissa nodded and smiled with tears in her eyes before she ran up to hug Christian. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
"That's crazy!" I rolled my eyes and joined everyone as they laughed at Christian. Rose went into the kitchen and came out with some food and put it on the table before curling her feet under her on the sofa.
She looked over at me and smiled sweetly. I gave her a smile back and sat next to her on the empty couch. She sighed, leaned her back on me and at the food she brought out. Aly tried to take one, but Rose swatted her hand away and gave her, her own food. She ate it happily on my lap.
Janine looked over and smiled before Aly slid of my lap with her food in her lap and walked over to Janine. Rose laughed.
"Don't get offended. She's already learned how to get whatever she wants from her." I rolled my eyes.
"Of course, she did." Aly looked over and smiled, sticking her tongue out as if she knew what we were saying. From what Rose told me – she probably did. We think it has to do with the fact that not only because Rose was Shadow kissed, but it was because I was a Dhampir and her father. It's just a theory, but Rose found some of Shadow Kissed Anna journals and had them back at the house.
Lissa asked Rose to help her in the kitchen just as the doorbell rang. Christian went to answer it and allowed Tasha to walk through the door. She smiled coolly and stared at me.
"Well, isn't this nice? Where Rosemarie? Did she leave her daughter and run away again?" Maybe she did. Maybe, Rose did leave and abandoned Aly. She left and abandoned us, right? I shook my head and forced my eyes to close. When I opened them up again, I could see slightly blank faces before Aly tugged my arm.
"I don't feel well, Daddy." I shut my eyes again and took a deep breath, forcing my mind to focus at the task in front of me. I cleared my throat.
"Where's Mommy's bag?" Aly picked it up and handed it to me. Janine sat up straighter and shook her head while Mia rubbed her eyes and Christian ran his hands quickly through his hair.
"It's all the way for both of them." Aly said. I nodded and looked at the medicine and gave it to her, Aly explaining what to so. "Mommy said I had to go to the hospital if it happened again." I nodded my head about to stand up. Aly smiled and grabbed for Rose's phone.
"Mommy's going to get a good call and feel all better." I looked down at my daughter with a puzzled expression. She giggled and curled up on the couch. It was then I could hear raised voices, a door slamming open and an annoyed Rose storming into the room.
