Sorry, it's been a while since I last updated. I got very caught up in my other story. I am going to try to be better and not leave it so long between updates. I have defs not forgotten this story.

Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 8

Where was I?

A forest surrounded me; it was so dark I couldn't see far in front of me. My feet tripping over the foliage on the forest floor. With how silent it was, each snap of twigs and crunch of leaves was amplified.

It felt like something was chasing me. No… Someone.

My ankle was hurting with each step, but I couldn't stop to check it, praying that it would hold up as long as I needed it. I had to escape, I don't know why or where to go, but I had to get away.

"...Roza…"

My blood turned to ice in my veins, a cold sweat breaking out.

I felt the sickness churn in my stomach.

He was close.

"Roza…"

I can't let him get me. I couldn't take him right now; my body was too weak. I didn't want to be turned. I would rather die.

Suddenly I felt his cold body pressed up against my back. His deep voice whispered in my ear, "Roza. I know you're here. You have no chance of running. No chance of hiding."

And then I was falling, a scream tearing from my throat.

I woke up screaming. It felt like I was falling for a second before my back collided with the floor, the scratchy carpet digging into my skin. I was panting, eyes darting around the room frantically.

He was coming for me. He is going to kill me.

Before I could scramble off the ground, footsteps were racing towards me, the darkness of the room making it difficult to see who it was. I crouched instinctively, readying myself to fight for my life.

"Roza!"

His voice made me jerk back, panic shooting through me. He found me.

"I won't let you turn me!" I screamed at him, hands desperately searching around me for a weapon but finding nothing.

Dimitri froze in front of me, a foot of distance between us. Slowly he held his hands up, the action familiar to me. "Roza, it's okay. Just breath," His voice was calming, much softer than it ever was when he spoke to me in that room. "You just had a nightmare."

I had backed away from him as much as I could, my back plastered against the wall, still pressing against it as if I could slip through.

Slowly he reached to the wall beside him, pausing for a moment when my breath hitched. I was confused as to what he was doing until he gripped some material and tugged on it.

He was opening curtains, I realised, watching as golden hues of sunlight poured into the once dark room. My heart skipped a beat as the sun bathed Dimitri's body, and he didn't burn.

Suddenly the events of the last few days came flying back, my breath catching at the knowledge that Dimitri was no longer Strigoi.

He was Dimitri again; he was my Dimitri.

My body deflated, the tension and panic leaving my body. I was still breathing heavily, though it was no longer due to fear. Dimitri must have noticed the change, carefully moving closer to me one step at a time. When I reached out for him, he quickly wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.

I gripped him tightly, relishing in the warmth of his body, nothing like the icy feeling from my dream. Or what I think was a dream.

"Roza," He whispered against me, tone full of concern, no trace of the malice from my dream, "Are you okay? I'm so sorry for scaring you."

I pressed my face into his neck, tightening my hold on him. I felt terrible. I was constantly reminding him of his days as Strigoi, wishing that I could take all his pain from him. "It's okay. I'm okay." I repeated to him, over and over.

Slowly, the desperation of our embrace eased, leaning away from each other but not letting go yet.

His hand stroked down my hair, tucking it behind my ear. "Was it a nightmare, or did you…" He trailed off, but I could guess he was wondering if I had a memory.

I couldn't tell.

I just shook my head, pulling him close again, not wanting to talk about it.

Dimitri obliged, scooping me up in his arms. He returned us both to the bed, pulling the blanket back up to cover us. Because he had opened the blinds, we now sat in light. I realised then that I hadn't seen him in the sunlight since the caves; I had forgotten how much I loved the colour of his eyes mixing with the sunshine, looking like smooth caramel.

I studied his face, the soft shadows cast on it, the way it made his jaw appear more striking, strong. I traced the lines of his face with my fingertips, trailing down to his neck and then to his bare chest, settling over his heart. My mind pictured what he had looked like with a stake through it, the one I had put there.

"Roza," His gentle whisper broke the silence of the room.

"I'm happy that I have you back, I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to stop you, but I'm glad you aren't dead. I had accepted that I was going to live the rest of my life without you, but I'm so thankful that I don't have to." I confessed. I'm sure he had already had this conversation with the me I can't remember.

I wondered what he was like when he was first restored.

What was everyone's reaction to him becoming a dhampir again?

Had I helped him through it all?

There were so many things I wanted to know still, so much I wished I could remember so that I didn't need to make Dimitri relive it again by retelling it all.

But right now, I wanted to just lay in my lover's arms in the sunlight. I laid back against the pillows, tugging Dimitri down with me. He had remained silent, eyes on mine, enjoying my presence just as much as I his.

I would never get past the awe I felt in knowing that I had the man I once thought forever lost. I felt tears gathering in my eyes, staring deep into his as I whispered, "I never want to lose you again."

Softly he pressed his lips to my forehead, then my cheeks, and finally, my lips. "You will always have me, Roza. Always." There was a promise in his tone, the emotion behind it so strong that I felt like the words were branded on my heart.

We laid together like that for a while, the sun setting behind us, staring into each other's eyes as the shadows moved across us until we were left in the darkness again.

It was still some time before we moved, and it was only because our stomachs started to let their needs be known. Dimitri appeared flustered after his made a rather loud noise mid-kiss. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me.

"I think it's trying to tell us something, comrade."

Amusement shone in his eyes, a playfulness in his tone, "And what is it saying?"

Happy to play along, I ducked under the blanket to press my ear against his stomach, feeling the vibrations of his chuckle against my cheek. "I think it's saying pancakes," I paused, pressing close again, "and coffee." I reappeared, taking my spot in his arms again, "That's my expert opinion."

Dimitri hummed in response, squeezing me, "Coffee sounds amazing." With a kiss on my forehead, he was rolling out of bed.

I shielded my eyes against the sudden light when he flipped on the bedside lamp but then became distracted by the sight of his bare back to me. It did wonderful things to me. The cabin flashed in my mind for a moment, biting my lip to stop the moan that wanted to escape.

I never craved sex this much before my first time with Dimitri, my one and only time as far as I could remember. I had always wanted his touch, my body begging for any of the fleeting touches I could gain from him at the academy. But after that night, I wanted to experience it again so badly that I was willing to have sex with Strigoi Dimitri, something I didn't want to dwell on too much.

Was I just as desperate for his touch now? After three years together, did I still feel this burning for him in the pit of my stomach?

If I did, I could only hope that the feeling was mutual.

"What are you thinking about?"

His voice startled me, blinking at him, hoping that my expression hadn't given away my not so family friend thoughts. "Nothing." I squeaked. His smirk made my toes curl.

I quickly rolled to the other side of the bed, needing some distance before I tried to jump him then and there. Thinking of his smirk made me think of his mouth and how good it had felt. And then I started to think of what else it could do…

Stop it, Rose! I scolded myself. I was sounding every bit like the horny teenager I was.

I paused.

Then spun to face Dimitri, "What's the date?"

Dimitri glanced at me as he pulled on a shirt covering up all of that goodness, "March 23rd."

My eyes widened, "I missed my birthday!" I whined, quickly doing the math in my head. Gasping, I was definitely not a teenager anymore. "I missed my twenty-first birthday." My face fell. While I didn't do a lot for my birthdays in the past, mainly because I had no family to celebrate it with, I had been looking forward to this one due solely to the fact I could legally drink.

A sad smile settled on Dimtri's face, "Yes, you did. But I think Lissa is already planning something to make up for it."

That made me feel a little better, but I was still a bit miffed that I had missed it.

"If you want, we could do something together."

My eyes lit up, "Really?"

He gave me a full smile, which was a present in and of itself, "Yes, Roza. What would you like to do?"

I thought it over, "Well, seeing I'm of age, we could -"

"No, we aren't going drinking. The doctors said you should avoid alcohol for a while." Dimitri told me sternly.

I pouted but quickly got over it. It wasn't like I had never experienced it before. My memories of the Russian vodka in Baia was enough to turn my stomach. "Okay, how about a date?"

An eyebrow raised, "A date?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Technically you have never taken me out on a date. I want you to take me on a romantic dinner date." I was grinning by the end.

Dimitri chuckled lightly, "Okay, Rose. I will take you on a romantic dinner date." I was nearly jumping from the excitement.

"When can we go? Can we go tonight? You can show me a little of Court as well."

There was so much affection in his eyes as he watched me, "I suppose I could come up with something for tonight, depending on how you're feeling later today, though." Of course, he was concerned about my wellbeing.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm fine, comrade. Really, good as new."

His eyes narrowed, "We will see. Now, shall I make us some breakfast?"

I stretched out my legs, Dimitri automatically lifting his arms so that I could rest them on his lap, even going the step further and wrapping his fingers around one foot and massaging it. I let out a content sigh.

He chuckled, "Having a good time there?"

I sunk into the pillows closing my eyes, "Definitely." I moaned. I was worried that it would be boring or even awkward staying home all day, but it had been one of the best days. However, that is very likely because I got to spend the whole day with Dimitri.

I wasn't aware that he cooked, let alone that he cooked well. Though with Olena as a mother, I shouldn't be surprised. After eating, we took up spots on the couch, and Dimitri told me stories of our trips to Russia. Apparently, I was still not faring any better with Russian vodka. Dimitri had been laughing as he recounted the tale of me and Viktoria sharing a bottle between us which led to some questionable table dancing that Dimitri had been quick to put an end to.

Any embarrassment I felt was quickly erased by the pure pleasure I felt from hearing his laugh, full-bodied and unrestrained. In ways, it was like being around a completely different person than who I remembered. But over the day, I realised that these parts of him were always there, just held back. Now he didn't have to when with me, and it filled me with so much love seeing that comfort he had with me.

Our affection didn't have to be hidden in the shadows or away from judging eyes anymore. It wasn't stolen moments and touches in the gym while we pretended to be focused on sparring and not the close contact of our bodies.

"You look happy," Dimitri commented, moving to the other foot, hitting a spot that made me groan.

A goofy smile spread across my face, "I am happy."

I was thankful that Dimitri and I had already developed a close relationship when I was eighteen and that it wasn't a love that grew later on. I would hate to think he loved the older me and not the me that I am now.

I tried not to overthink the fact that I was my eighteen-year-old mind and memories in my twenty-one-year-old body. It honestly gave me a headache to think about it, and once I start throwing in other people's feelings about it, it all becomes too much.

But I was also very curious. "Dimitri?" I gained his attention; eyebrow raised, "What am I like?" His brows furrowed in confusion, so I elaborated, "I mean, what am I like now? How have I changed from what I can remember? Like, have I finally managed to achieve your art of Zen and control of my emotions? Or have I finally become better at doing homework now that I'm in college? What's different about me?"

Dimitri continued to rub my feet, a pensive look on his face. "You have learnt some control, though you are still wild at times," He told me with a smile. "You've grown into an amazing guardian, which isn't surprising. Thankfully, you do think more before you jump headfirst into situations, but you do still somehow find trouble easily."

"Hey," I defended, "I don't find trouble. It finds me."

He chuckled, "You search for it just as much." Releasing my feet, he turns to face me, hand resting on my thigh, "You are an amazing woman, Roza. Strong and brave. Everything that you went through for me, even after… The fact that you choose me makes me happy every day."

A distant look settled in his eyes, losing himself to memories again. I brought my hand up to cup his face, stroking the light stubble on his cheeks. The look faded from his eyes, focusing on mine, "I would always choose you, Dimitri."

He turned his face into my hand, lips pressing against my palm, then they started to travel up my arm. I gasped when he sucked at my pulse point before moving further up. His brown eyes darkened, an intense look of wanting in them making me swallow in anticipation.

This was it. Dimitri very clearly wanted me as much as I have been wanting him. And I wanted him bad.

He was studying me; something he saw made him smirk. The look he was giving me was so full of promise, and I wanted all of it. Lips continued to travel up my arm and then across my shoulder and collar bone to the opposite arm. I was thankful that he avoided my neck, not ready to deal with that can of worms.

As he peppered my exposed skin with kisses, his hands ventured up my thighs, his calloused fingers exploring my body. I became breathless, small moans each time he found the perfect spot, spots I wasn't aware of that I liked, but Dimitri has had time to learn them all.

Lips now running along my jaw and up to my ear, pressing a kiss behind my ear, making me shiver. "Roza," He purred against my ear. "Tell me what you want."

I was pretty sure I was incapable of forming words by this point. Any thought that would form would just be lost in the feeling of him touching me, pulling needy sounds from me as his hand disappeared under my shirt.

"Roza, you have to tell me."

Some of the pleasure that clouded my mind cleared, his serious tone pulling me back. I opened my eyes to look into his; he was watching, waiting for my permission. Dimitri had to make sure this was something I wanted.

Taking his face in my hands again, I pulled him forward to cover his lips with mine; it was a short kiss but sweet and passionate. "Dimitri, I -"

A knock startled us both, looking over at the front door as they knocked again.

I squeezed my eyes shut, "Don't you dare stop. They will go away." And if they didn't, I was going to kill whoever was on the other side.

Dimitri was about to lean in again when there was another, more persistent, knock.

"Rosemarie!" My mother's voice floated through the wood door. And just like that, the mood was gone.

I groaned, "I don't care what you say. I hate her."

With one last kiss, Dimitri stood from the couch, grimacing down at himself, "I'll be back in a minute." I shot him a panicked look as he left me on the couch, disappearing into the bedroom.

"Dimitri. Don't leave me alone with her." I hissed, flipping him off as the door closed.

Another knock.

My mother. The cockblock.

Walking to the front door, I mumbled many things under my breath that I was sure Dimitri would frown at and maybe even blush. Glad that I had at least changed out of my pyjamas this morning, so I looked somewhat decent when I opened the door.

On the other side stood my mother, along with Abe and his two guardians.

"I was starting to think you weren't home," Janine commented, eyes giving me a once over before settling on my face, which I'm sure had a scowl.

"We were sleeping," I lied, giving a reason for why Dimitri was still in the bedroom.

We stood in silence.

"Would you like to invite us in, or shall we talk out here?" Abe smirked. He was also studying me.

I stepped aside so that they could enter, one of Abe's guardians following in after him; the other remained out in the hallway. "Make yourselves at home. I would offer you a drink, but I don't know where anything is." I gave them a forced smile.

My parents stood in the middle of the room while I returned to the couch, unsure of what else to do. Dimitri better hurry up and be the mediator between us.

Janine took it all in stride, which was mildly surprising, "That's alright."

What was more surprising was when she helped herself to the kitchen, pulling down a glass and pouring herself a drink of water. She knows where everything is.

Maybe Dimitri wasn't lying when he said we had a good relationship now.

"How are you feeling, Rose?" Abe asked, settling into the seat in the corner of the room by the bookshelf. I noticed he was equally at ease in this space as my mother was.

Other than sexually frustrated? "I'm fine."

"And you have been taking it easy?" Janine asked.

It was strange seeing how much they both cared about me. "Yeah, Dimitri has been making sure that I am not exerting myself too much." I hid my smirk, knowing that we were about to do the very opposite.

Janine joined us, taking the seat next to me. I jumped when her hands grabbed one of mine, but I didn't pull away. "Rose, I wanted to apologise for how I behaved yesterday. When I found out about you being in a car accident, and then I arrived at the hospital to find out you had disappeared… Well, it was a lot. I'd let my emotions take over, and I'm sorry for how I acted."

I hadn't been expecting an apology from the famous Janine Hathaway. I don't think I even got an apology when she punched me in the face. This was uncharted territory for me, "It's okay." I replied weakly, unsure of what else to say. It appeared to be enough, a small smile pulling at the corners of her lips. Just like Dimitri, receiving a smile from Janine was a rare occurrence.

"Well, now that that is taken care of, any luck on regaining those memories?" Abe asked a slight smile of his own aimed towards my mother.

I shrugged, a little disappointed myself that I hadn't remembered anything yet. I was still unsure if the dream was a memory or not, but other than that, nothing.

Janine brushed back some of my hair, "Just give it time. I'm sure it will come back soon."

This was very weird, like being dropped in the twilight zone, but at the same time, I liked it. I had always wished I had a real family, parents that cared for me. It was part of the reason why I loved being around Olena; it was like having a caring maternal mother, and now, here was my mother showing more affection to me than I thought possible.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of the bedroom door opening, Dimitri rejoining us. His hair was damp, hanging loosely around his chin. Someone must have had a cold shower.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." His eyes flicked to mine, trying to figure out if I needed help or not with my parents. I shook my head.

"It's fine, comrade. Did you have a nice shower?" I winked at him, knowing my parents couldn't see me. He kept his face impassive, but I noticed his jaw tighten. It took a lot in me to not keep teasing.

"Yes, Dimitri, it's fine." Abe waved him off, leaning back in the chair and crossing his legs. He continued, "We actually stopped by to ask if we could take you both out for dinner tonight. A little something to make up for Rose's birthday."

While part of me had been looking forward to the dinner date Dimitri had promised me, looking at the hopeful looks on my parent's faces, I couldn't bring myself to turn them down. I glanced at Dimitri; he nodded at me, saying it was my choice. "Dinner would be great. What time?"

"Wonderful, let's say seven. And the usual place."

I hoped Dimitri knew where the usual place was.

Janine gave me another smile, this time relieved. "Well, we will get out of your hair. We'll see you at seven."

After they had left, I was chewing on my thumbnail, nervousness building in me.

Dimitri had led them out and was now leaning against the closed door, watching me, "You don't have to be so worried. You like this place."

"The usual place?" I asked, "Do we go there a lot?"

"Every time your father visits."

"Is that often?"

He shrugged, "He has business everywhere and will sometimes fly in for a night every couple of months. Your mother tends to show up around the same time as well."

My eyes flicked to his, "What were the past disagreements between you and my mom?" I wasn't going to push, but if I was going to be stuck at dinner with them and Dimitri, I needed to know the history.

Dimitri rubbed the back of his neck, "They weren't too pleased when they found out that our relationship started when you were still a student."

I felt the blood drain from my face, "Oh, that." I really hope they didn't know just how far our relationship had gone before he was turned. Dimitri was suddenly in front of me, pulling me into his arms.

"Don't stress over it, Roza. They moved past it. For the most part." I shot him a look. "They just care about your happiness."

I sighed against his chest, embracing him, "Well, it's a good thing that you make me so very happy."

This feel so lighthearted after writing so much for the soulmate story haha
Let me know what you think :D