I DO NOT OWN VA

Chapter four: Surprise

Four weeks...four weeks have passed and nothing has changed. Dimitri is still in a coma, and the stress is taking its toll on me. I haven't been eating the way I should and my body knows. I'm always tired, exhausted really, not to mention the fact half the time I do eat my body rejects it and it ends with me heaving over a toilet or trash can. Classes started again last week, I have fallen into a routine. I wake up and head to the gym so I can run until my legs burn. I shower and change before dragging myself to breakfast and classes, then I race back here and sit in Dimitris' room doing homework. Lots of time Lissa or Eddie will bring me dinner and sit for a while. Eventually I fall asleep and the next day it starts all over. This morning was different , this morning Demitris mother was arriving. She had held off hopeful he would wake up but with so much time passing she wanted to come and see for herself. I was absolutely terrified, I know it sounds ridiculous considering everything going on but meeting the mother of my mentor turned lover was just as fear inducing as the fact the man I loved was drifting farther from me. Lissa had promised to be here when Olena arrived which had eased some fear, but knowing how my mother had reacted brought it right back.

Flashback

My mother has never been very good at comforting and every time we talk for more than a few minutes it ends in a fight. I had no doubt that today would be the same, she sounded genuinely concerned, which was new and I had agreed to leave Dimitris' side for some air.

She looked so nervous to start probably because she knew I wasn't going to take what she had to say well.

"Rose I know you and Guardian Belikov were close but this has to stop you're putting your future at risk people are starting to talk."

Yep not liking anything she is saying she simply doesn't understand. " My future, what the hell do you mean? Classes don't start back up until tomorrow. It's High school people talking is like putting ketchup on fries. Everyone does it pretty much everywhere in the US. I don't care about stupid gossip."

She looks really annoyed, I mean like really annoyed " People are going to think you're nothing more than a little blood whore who had a relationship with her mentor!"

Wow okay that hit hard I can't stop myself the frustration takes over and I start practically screaming. "How dare you call me a bloodwhore. You don't know a thing about me. Not that it's any of your business whatsoever but I have only ever slept with one person and most certainly have never let any man degrade me by drinking from me. You stupid bitch." you would think that would be enough but no I had to deliver the final blow " And just for your information he is more than my mentor." and that ladies and gentleman did it Janie Hathaway was speechless, don't get me wrong she was pissed but speechless.

"You… he WHAT?"

"You heard me, if you decide to actually be a mother for once and maybe help me try and figure out this shitty situation you know where to find me." I walk off back into the infirmary.

End of flashback

The only thing I had gotten from her since then was an email outlining her extreme disappointment and I was terrified Dimitris mom would feel the same way and keep me from Dimitri. I was doing everything I could to prepare, I had actually taken some time this morning to look semi-presentable for the first time in a month. My hair was flowing down my back in loose curls. I wore my best jeans, a plain black tee-shirt, I even went so far as to try and hide the oblivious signs of fatigue with makeup over all I thought I looked fairly presentable. As I waited for Lis I tried to imagine what Dimitri would say if he were awake. Probably something like "Who knew? All it takes to scare the famous Roza is a visit from Mamma, if I had known that I would have used it to my advantage ages ago."

I thought of his smile and the smirk he would have given me before becoming serious. " I love you Roza, mamma knows that and she just wants me to be happy. I'm sure she'll love you" I tried to picture him pulling my chin up and kissing me, but my thoughts were scattered by the opening of the door.

"You look better today." Lis said pulling me into a hug "Are you nervous?"

"Nervous doesn't even begin to cover it. I've never been more anxious in my entire life." I could tell she was trying not to giggle. "What's so funny?"

"It's just you can run into a cave filled with legions of undead blood draining monsters of the night but you're scared to meet your boyfriend's mom?"

"I know I'm ridiculous, but I know how to deal with creepy monsters in the night. I can't really stake Dimitris' mother Liss." that did it she started laughing uncontrollably and I couldn't help but smile I am being stupid. The next few minutes pass slowly as we wait for her to arrive. When she does I am filled with surprise. I'm not sure what I expected Olena to look like but the short feisty women standing in front of me is not it . She has kind eyes the same shade as Dimitris and long salt and pepper hair pulled into a pun at the top of her head. Her accent is much thicker than Comrades as she speaks. "You must be Rose, my son has told me so much about you I feel like I already know you." she pulls me close "I'm only sorry we had to meet like this."

I feel tears fall from her face as I pull away " Me, too." it's only a whisper that escapes. Lissa is standing beside me trying desperately not to be awkward. "Mrs. Belikov, this is Lissa, my best friend."

"Oh please, call me Olena. It's a true pleasure to meet you princess."

"Just Lissa is fine." She truly had a kindness about her that is hard to resist.

I know I should just be grateful that she doesn't hate me but I have to ask true to Rose spirit "Aren't you disappointed or angry at me? I am his student and we did break all the rules. He put his career on the line shouldn't you hate me for that?"

Her eyes are warm and full of light as she answers "Oh, Rose you brought my boy to life, you relight the spark in his soul. He truly loves you, I could never hate the woman who does that to my son."

All I do lately is cry and I hate it but I can't help the couple tears drop. It feels so good to know she doesn't hate me. We all sit as Olena tells us about Dimitris' childhood how he used to play "cowboy", in nothing but his boots and hat. She tells us about the time his sisters dressed him up as a girl when he was a little boy and how much she has missed him since he left. I feel like I'm getting to know a whole other side of Dimitri and collecting some good blackmail for the future. Future I hope we get the chance to have one together. It seems so unfair that just as we gave in and allowed ourselves to love he was taken. It made me shake with frustration and fury. Why did fate have to be so cruel? Why did I never get a chance at happiness every time I feel like I'm close? It slips away. I can feel the darkness clouding in and I know I have to work it before it takes over. Lis must see it too because I hear her in my head. Go I'll explain.

Giving her a grateful look I slip out leaving behind a very confused Olena. Running to the gym not bothering to change I can feel the darkness building clouding my vision and taking away my reason. Its not fucking fair! He is all I wanted and now he's stuck in a stupid ass coma. I turn into the gym and without thinking or wrapping my hands I lay in the punching bag. Pounding as hard as I can. Saving him from the walking dead check but a coma there's nothing I can do and I feel completely and utterly helpless. I can't take sitting here much longer! Watching him slowly fade away, I am completely helpless and that is not something Rose Hathoway takes well. I smash and hit until I'm drenched in and sweat and my knuckles beg for me to stop splitting and cracking. My heart still feels heavy but not as much as before. I can handle the small amount of Darkness left, but I need to tend to my poor hands. What I wouldn't do for some of that salve Dimitri uses on my hands when I go a little insane. I bet he has some in his room but I don't know if I have the courage to see his room again. I think a moment before taking off resolved fierce. I know where he keeps it and it will be just a few minutes. How hard can it really be? Walking through the side door of the teachers quarters I manage to avoid the guardians on patrol, making my way to Dimitris' room. The smell of his aftershave hits me hard, taking my breath away. If I close my eyes I almost see him standing in front of me instead of in a hospital bed across makes my heart ache, I refuse to cry though I'm tired of crying instead I walk in pulling a small metal box from the top shelf and removing the round tin from within. Carefully I tend to my hands wrapping them, before setting the salve in its place. I'm so lost in thought I almost miss the envelope underneath the ointment with my name on it. Somewhere a voice that sounds suspiciously like Dimitri tells me not to snoop, but I ignore it and pull the envelope out.

The first sheet of paper is addressed to Dimitri

Dimitri I hope this finds you well. I 'm glad to hear you are finally listening to your heart. Rose sounds like a lovely girl and I'm glad she makes you so happy. Enclosed is a letter for her. I was able to do some digging and find some more information on being shadow kissed.

-Mark

Behind the first letter is a second page still unfolded and untouched.

Rose,

You might wonder who I am and why in the world I would be writing to you so let me introduce myself.

My name is Mark. I live not far from Dimitris' family in Russia, I consider him a friend and I am grateful you bring him the happiness he truly deserves. I like you am also shadow kissed, my bondmate is my wife. When Dimitri realized this he wrote me asking me all sorts of questions and asking me to send the answers so that he could help you cope with the darkness. I know Rose at times it can be overwhelming but you must not let it take control ever. If you do you might not be able to get it back. One way my wife and I have managed is by using healing charms. Your bondmate can charm a ring or a necklace anything that is pure gold and as you wear the charm the power of the darkness lessens. It will take practice and the charms don't last forever but you and your bondmate will find a way to balance the darkness together. Something else that might interest you is the fact that bringing one back from death or rather bringing a Dhampir back from the dead also heals the genetic mutation that stops a Dhampir from producing with another of the same species. We learned this only recently and it seems rather important considering your relationship with Dimitri. As we gather more information and details I will continue to pass them on to you.

Best wishes

Mark.