Me:Abe will you do the honors

Abe:She doesn't own Va (turning to me slowly) would you like to?

Me:Like to what?

Abe: Own it, I can make that happen you know.

Me:Um this uncomfortable….Let's just get this party started.

Chapter 8: You gotta do whatcha gotta do

I hadn't really had much of a chance to talk to Abe other than the few hours we spent waiting for Dimitri to be out of surgery,but I know he truly wants to be a part of my life and if we're being honest here I don't mind the thought of him being around as long as he doesn't start to act like my bitch of a mother. So when I sent him an email asking if we could have dinner tonight he had been more than happy to oblige suggesting we take the time to travel just outside the school campus to a cozy little diner he quite enjoyed. I prefer it that anyway less people could hear us talk and spread nasty little rumours. Aside from the fact we were going to break the ice by telling him my mentor seven years, my senior had not only impregnated me but that we had been caught in a very compromising position and needed his help. I was actually feeling kind of excited about tonight, but I still have several classes to attend including the one and only Stans. I really hope I can try to at least not get thrown out in the first ten minutes of class.

Of course Stan has other ideas " Late again Hathaway."

What an ass the bell hasn't even rang yet."Well I beat the bell so no?" I promise I tried not to be snarky but it didn't work.

"Lose the attitude now."

"What Stanny boy can't handle a little competition for attention?"

"Hathaway, do not start with me today."

Alright that pisses me off "Don't start with you? I'm not the jackass lecturing students about being late before the bell has rung."

"That's it out." he points to the door looking rather smug.

Asswhole "Fine." Grabbing my bag I head towards the gym changing into a sports bra and tight leggings stopping to eye myself in the mirror. Running my fingers over my stomach softly. I can almost see a small bump that's not really there. "We'll figure this out little one I promise." taking one last lingering look at myself I head to the track and pound my feet against the soft ground.

The cold air feels good against my skin, caressing it as I make my way around for the third time only to be halted by the sudden surge of nausea. Barely making it to the giant outdoor trash can I lose everything I had for breakfast. The taste in my mouth is awful and I left my water bottle inside, so I guess this little run time is over. Feeling even worse than when I started, I make my way back to the gym where I left my bag, finding that it's still empty. I slide down the wall next to my bag, pulling out my water in one swift motion. The sweet cool of the water washes away the taste in me, making me feel just a little better. My combat class still doesn't start for another twenty minutes, not that it matters. I'm supposed to spend the hour beating the crap out of dummies until Alberta sends me my new training criteria.

The familiar smell of aftershave hits me hard as the doors open "You know one of these days you're going to have to make it through Stans class."

"One of these days Stan is going to have to stop being an ass, he was lecturing me about being late and the bell hadn't even rung yet." I'm already annoyed and I don't need another lecture.

"So why are you just sitting in the corner of the gym?"

I know I'm hormonal tired, and it's a perfectly logical question and I know that so I try not to sound irritated "Because Comrade after running on the track for about three minutes Junior here decided it didn't like breakfast and I left my water bottle in here so I had to come back to wash the nasty taste out of my mouth."

"Oh, Roza I'm sorry it will get better in the next few months I promise." he doesn't seem to hear the sour tone.

"I know I'm just over tired. I didn't sleep very well last night. I thought maybe a good run would wake me up but I guess not." trying to smile I hop up "I'm good Comrade honestly." I don't seem very convincing because I lose my balance jumping up too fast and wobble into the wall.

I can definitely see the smirk in his eyes. "Yes, I can tell you're doing great."

"Alright I'm a little off today but that doesn't mean anything , I'll be fine." I try one last time, knowing where this conversation is heading.

"Come on, go rest during combat class and I'll see you tonight at Abes."

Yep right where I thought we would be. "Come on Dimitri, I'm pregnant, not disabled let me stay.

Weary he eyes me up and down giving me that I'm about to say something you don't like, mentor look. "Roza I know you are fully capable, but I also know that you could be hanging by a thread and still push yourself to finish. You have a fierce determination. It's one of the reasons I love you. It's also the reason I'm saying no. You need to give your body a break, it's working hard, and think about it, have you actually kept much down? It's working on little fuel so go rest Roza, don't forget it's not just you you're pushing right now."

My first reaction is to tell him to screw off and run five miles just to spite him, but his last sentence hits me and I look down defeated "Fine I'll go rest."

Looking around to make sure no one else is around he places a kiss on my lips "I love you Roza. I'll see you tonight."

Feeling like a terrible mother to be, I sonder back to my dorm. He's right and I hate it. I do push myself to the very edge and I've never been good at knowing when I need to stop, but now I have this whole other person sharing my body, not just sharing my body but using it to grow and I can't be throwing myself into studies and practice until I drop. I can't down a Rockstar everytime I feel like I need to sleep. I actually have to sleep. Reaching my door just at the change of class rings through the campus I slide in grateful I didn't run into anyone. Defeated and knowing I need to sleep, I toss off my clothes and pull an oversized tee over my head, before tucking myself into the covers. I need to learn to take it easy and it's going to be so freaking hard. Even right now I'm exhausted, the stress of Tasha, lack of sleep and constant reappearance of food has worn me down, but I'm forcing myself to relax and trying to forget that I'm missing valuable combat moves. I place a hand over my stomach and stroke it protectively. If this is what it takes to keep this little bean safe then I'll do it no matter how hard it is.

The restaurant that Abe has picked is literally as far from what I would expect from him as possible. It's one of those places with antlers over every doorway, cowboy hats and John Wayne quotes litter the walls and the booth we are sitting at has a rustic burlap backing. Dimitri honestly looks thrilled to be here and Abe looks as comfortable as ever with Pavel and the rest of his guardians seated at the table beside us. The menu is also exactly what you're picturing lots of meat in literally every form. Of course Dimitri finds the only dish with a side salad being ever healthy, very different from myself. I order the biggest burger on the menu with a side of onion rings. "So kiz how are you doing?"

Of course he chooses the moment after I dig in to ask me, I can feel Dimitri chuckling beside me, I elbow him as I swallow "First you have to promise not to kill anyone."

Dimitri chokes on his drink, Pavel and the other gaudains are holding back laughter or at least trying and Abe looks somewhere between amused and concerned. "I promise not to kill anyone, but only because you asked so nicely."

Dimitri is still wiping the drink off his shirt from the previous choking fiasco. maybe I can get this out while he's still distracted and can't jump in. "It's really good news if you have the right point of view. " Suddenly I'm very nervous.

It must show because Abe gets serious "What's going on, did someone do something to you? Threaten you? Are you okay?"

"Promise not to tell my mom okay?" he nods with deep concern filling his face and I feel like someone besides Lissa and Dimitri might actually care about me and that gives me the courage I need "I'm pregnant." I blurt it out like ripping a bandaid right?

Any ounce of laughter that was left now speeds away as Abe looks me up and down. I'll give him this he has one hell of a poker face. "Who is the father?"

What a stupid question why would he ev- oh right not supposed to be possible. I dig through my bag for the now worn and read letter passing it to him. "Dimitri is the only person I've ever….. been with. This letter explains a little bit." A strong hand finds mine beneath the table and squeezes.

Abe finishes the letter and hands it back "What does it mean to be shadow kissed?"

His face is still perfectly still as I jump in "A few years ago Lissa and I where on the way back to Lissa's house for the weekend and a drunk driver pulled onto the wrong side of the road it killed everyone in the car but her, including me-"

That poker face I was talking about earlier vanishes "YOU DIED? AND NO ONE TOLD ME!" I can tell he's trying not to bring attention to our table but he is pissed.

"Yes, but Lissa brought me back and I guess she left a piece of her with me? I can hear her thoughts and see things through her. I guess she healed more than I thought she did. I wasn't even thinking about the fact I could get pregnant because normally we wouldn't be able to." my heart is beating a million miles an hour at this point. If he gets angry and decides I'm not worth all this trouble I don't know what we'll do.

Seeing my extreme anxiety, his face softens a little "Kiz I definitely wasn't expecting to become a grandfather so quickly, I'm not nearly old enough," he says winking "But I promised I would be here for you in the future and I intend to keep that promise." He turns to Dimitri who looks a couple shades paler than normal "I may have promised not to kill you but I swear to Vlad if you hurt her I will make you disappear."

"I won't hurt her. I've never wanted to protect someone from harm so much in my life." He whispers, kissing my cheek.

Apparently the answer satisfies Abe because he seems to loosen up again "A little torun to spoil that doesn't sound so bad." his eyes light up at the thought and my heart soars.

I stand up and hug the old man catching him by surprise before he awkwardly hugs me back. "I honestly thought you might think it wasn't worth the trouble and leave."

He looks genuinely saddened but this revelation "I'm sorry no one has been there for you kiz, and I promise you'll never be too much trouble, you can always come to me with anything."

"Thank you Babba." His face lights up at the use of his Turkish name. "There is something we need help with."

"Anything kiz."

"Well Tasha, found us in a…" how do I say this to my father without making the awkward levels skyrocket. "Compromising position she threatened to go to the authorities since I'm not 18 yet. They can make me testify in court, and send Dimitri to jail . I don't know how to fix this."

Abe's eyes move between Dimitri and I " I have a few ideas."