Chapter 33
Lissa walks out of the house with the smash cake on her hands. We all start to sing happy birthday to Rosalie as she puts the cake in front of her daughter. We have come so far. Lissa is the mother of three now, she is getting married in one week and they own a beautiful house. She is a partner in a successful business. Her children are happy and healthy. I'm the mother of two one-month old babies. I live right next door to Lissa in an equally beautiful house. Dimitri and I are in a really good space. My business is doing amazing. The letters from Adrian has stopped coming and it doesn't look like he will be a threat ever again. The warden of the prison assured us that Adrian is on the lowest level of the food chain in prison. Rapist get treated the worst in jail. And he deserves it. We did the tests on our babies and it turns out my little girl holds Adrian's DNA. I thought that knowing who is biologically his would make Dimitri a bit bias, but I was wrong. He loves our babies equally. I want to kick myself for ever thinking Dimitri would treat one of them differently. He is such a good man and he has never given me any reason to believe differently. Lissa and I signed in for mommy and me classes with the twins every Sunday. Christian takes Rosalie with his and Dimitri and they have some fun and we spend time with the twins. Lissa told me how she wishes she took Rosalie when she was born but it was her first child. She didn't know what to do half of the time. well, that is her words. I think she has been a great mother from the start. My parents keep on offering to babysit the twins for us but I just can't seem to leave them alone for more than thirty minutes. Lissa has put Rosalie into the daycare but she is waiting for her twins to be at least three months. We have them at work with us during the day and Lissa keeps an eye on them when I need to go out, but I keep my location shoots to a minimum or I send Angeline. It has only been one month since I gave birth to my babies but life feels better now. Everything just smoothed out once I was discharged from the hospital. I'm still waiting for Dimitri to pop the big question. I know that we need to focus on Lissa's wedding now and that she deserves the spotlight but if he doesn't ask soon after the wedding, I will. My mother told me that men don't have to make all the moves now. Woman are equal to men and they can take the lead every now and then.
"Happy birthday Ro." I give Rosalie a big kiss on the cheek as soon as she blows out the candle with the help of Lissa and Christian. Rosalie digs into the small cake and stuffs her face. Pink icing gets all over her face and her hair. Lissa is going to struggle to get her clean. I walk back to where my mother and father are sitting with my babies in their arms.
"Alexei is hungry dear." My mother informs me. I take my son from her and kiss his cheek. I decided to name him Alexei Belikov. I was going to hyphenate our last names but I already have two surnames and I didn't want my babies to be Hathaway-Mazur-Belikov. It just seemed silly so we are sticking with Belikov. Alexei means defender of man and that is what I want him to be. I want him to be strong and defend the people he holds dear.
"Is Valerie hungry?" I ask. My father holds his finger close to my daughter's mouth and she begins to suck, indicating that she is indeed hungry. Valerie means strong and fierce and that is what I want her to be. I never want her to be as afraid and weak as I was when Adrian took me. I want her to stand up for herself and be sure of her strength. I have learned how to carry both my children without dropping them or looking like a fool. I make my way inside and up the stairs into one of the rooms to feed my babies. I lay Valerie down on the bed and secure her with pillows before I sit down next to her and start to feed Alexei. There is a small knock on the door.
"It's me Roza." Dimitri says. I give him permission to come in, it's not like he hasn't seen me naked before. He sits down next to me and picks Valerie up. She is going to have him wrapped around her little finger until he takes his last breath.
"How are you feeling?" He asks me. I adjust Alexei to be more comfortable before I look at Dimitri.
"I'm happy. My life is great and it makes me happy." Dimitri reaches out and cups my cheek with one of his hands.
"If you are happy then I'm happy. I got a call from my mother. She wants to meet you and her внуков." I raise my eyebrows at him. He knows I can't talk Russian but he loves to speak it anyway to just get me confused.
"Grandchildren." Dimitri clarifies. Well, it makes sense for his family to want to meet us. I'm surprised they haven't asked when he told them about the pregnancy for us to come and visit. I talked with his mother, Olena, very briefly a couple months back. I was taking his phone down to him and she called. I dint want it to go to voice mail so I picked up and we talked for only five minutes. Dimitri has told me so many stories of his family and they seems very nice. He assured me that they will love me almost as much as he does. I'm not sure how true that will be because I'm not good with meeting the family and all that. I do and say a lot of stupid things when I'm nervous.
"When were you thinking about going?" I ask him. Alexei stops drinking from me. I hand him to Dimitri and take Valerie from him. She latches on as soon as she is close to my nipple.
"I don't know. Maybe after Christian and Lissa's wedding? It is close to December and the gym gets very quiet around then. I'll have Celest take over and we will be back in two weeks. Just before Christmas." He has thought this out. Well, that is what Dimitri does. He never just does something on impulse. He needs to plan it and think it over. I on the other hand, jump straight into things without thinking about the risks. I remember when I bought a baby indoor swing for the twins last week, how mad Dimitri was. He didn't find my purchase well thought out. They can only use it in a couple of months but I know he will be grateful for it when they start to use it.
"That could work. Is Christmas the same in Russia as in America?" I ask him. He shakes his head.
"Not really. I mean, we all get together and we exchange gifts and have a big meal together but Christmas is on January 7th." It's odd to think of Christmas on another day instead of 25th of December.
"Okay, how about if we leave after Christmas here and then we will be there for new years and Russian Christmas?" I ask. I would love to see how they did Christmas and have my twins take part in their Russian background.
"That will be fine to. I'll start to organize everything." Dimitri leans forward and gives me a light kiss on my lips. We head back to my god-daughter's first birthday party.
Xxx
I pin a rebel piece of hair back into place. I had to sit still for over an hour to do my hair and I will not let one lock ruin the whole look for me. I look over to Lissa. She is smoothing out her dress while staring into the mirror. She looks incredible. Her dress is a tight fit bright white Vera Wang gown. We had to go through twenty-nine dresses and four bridal stores to get it. The neckline is a sweetheart neckline with small diamonds and pearls decorating the chest area. The rest of the gown is covered in a beautiful lace pattern. And it is strapless. She kept her hair simple with a classical bun and a small tiara holding the veil in place. She looks like a princess.
"Girls, can I come in?" My father asks behind the door. I pull it open and smile at my father. He is dressed nicely in a dark suit with a white shirt and light pink tie. Dimitri and Christian are dressed almost the same. Christian just has a vest on underneath too.
"You two look wonderful." I give my father a small spin, showing off the way my pastel pink dress flows easily. It's also strapless with a round neckline and it goes till mid-shin.
"Thank you, Mr. Mazur." Lissa says. My father lets us know that it is time for Lissa to become Mrs. Dragomir-Ozera. I hand Lissa her bouquet of white roses and pink baby's breath. I'm not surprised she went for pink and white as her wedding colours. Lissa has always been a pink lady. I grab my own bouquet and we head out to the big doors. The traditional wedding march begins to play and I enter the church first. I walk down the aisle just like we practiced at the rehearsal. Dimitri gives me a sweet smile as I stand on the side Lissa will be standing. Christian looks nervous but in a good way. I think he is more nervous about standing in front of a room full of people. He still doesn't do well in social gatherings. Lissa comes through the doors and the whole crowd stands up. Christian starts to tear up as soon as he lays his eyes on his bride. I hope Angeline got some shots of his reaction. I would have done the photography but I decided being her maid of honour is more important and Angeline is very good. My father gives Lissa a kiss on the cheek and shakes Christian's hand before he places Lissa's hand into Christian's. I'm glad my father agreed to give Lissa away. She has no family here except for us. I know it is killing her that her mother and father can't see her today. They would be so proud; I just know it. I have to keep my tears controlled as Lissa and Christian promises to be there for each other and to have and to hold each other through everything in life. I don't want to ugly cry and ruin my face before the pictures. Lissa hired two babysitters for today to look after our twins. She wanted us to be able to fully enjoy today without worrying about our kids. Rosalie will be joining her brothers and cousins after the ceremony.
"I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride Mr. Ozera." I can't keep the tears at bay anymore when Christian kisses Lissa.
"You go girl!" I yell out loud making everyone laugh. This is the happiest day of my life and it's not even my own wedding.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Mr and Mrs Ozera." The priest says and Lissa and Christian starts to walk down the aisle and out of the church to the waiting 'Just Married' car. Dimitri holds out his hand for me and I take it. Together we follow the newlyweds out of the church. A selected few get together at a location Lissa chose for the photographs and we take pictures. I do a few for Lissa and I'm happy with the outcome, it will look even better once it is edited. After that we head back to the place the reception will be held at. Lissa went all out on décor and food, but it is so worth it. The place looks like a fairy-tale.
"It is time for the MOH to give us her speech." The MC announces and I get up to the small stage. I keep the speech small and simple because I know I hate long speeches at weddings and I'm ready for the dance floor to be open.
"Lissa, you are my sister and I just want the best for you. I personally didn't think Christian would be your endgame when I first met him. But now, I can't see you with anyone else. He has proven over and over again that he just wants what is best for you. I'm so grateful for you Christian. You make Lissa happy and that is enough for me. Liss, you look beautiful tonight. Christian, you look very dashing and I know that you will have a long and happy marriage ahead of you." I could have done better but speaking grew harder and harder as I looked at them. I'm so emotional today. After a few more people gave their speeches, we opened up the dance floor. The rest of the night went by really well and as we were greeting Lissa and Christian, I just knew this is not the end of our story. This is just the beginning of our happily ever after.
The sequel will be up in a few days.