I wasn't exactly sure what Dimitri and my mom talked about at breakfast, but I was so happy to wake up wrapped in his arms this morning.

He was awake before me, his hand slipped under my shirt and just under the waistband of my pants. I smiled to myself and rested my hand on his, letting him know I was awake. We lay there until we both needed to get up, but my breakfast with Lissa was probably less entertaining than theirs.

"Are you okay?" Lissa asked over her eggs benedict.

I shrugged and pushed my French toast around my plate, eyeballing my bacon.

"I'm okay, just tired," I said with a small smile.

Lissa furrowed her brows and cut a bite, chewing for a few moments while her eyes flicked around the room. Her eyes narrowed on someone and I turned to look, spotting Ibrahim across the room eating alone.

I huffed and turned back around, looking at Lissa with a clenched smile. Lissa looked just as angry as I did and speared a piece of her breakfast aggressively.

"Where's Christian?"

"Asleep still. I wanted to see how you were doing. I worry about you," Lissa said. It was a little terse, but I didn't take it personally. I knew that her mood wasn't directed at me.

"You don't need to worry about me," I said kindly but Lissa set her utensils down on her plate and folded her hands on the table.

"But I do. You have spent so much time taking care of me, and then you snapped because of the darkness. I rarely would ask you if you were okay, while you were unwillingly syphoning my darkness. Adrian has told me a little bit about auras, and yours is all over the place. I know something else is wrong, please tell me."

I set my fork down and leaned on the table. "All there is to say is that I'm okay, I'm just a little stressed out and just need to figure some things out. I promise I'm okay," I said reaching out and resting my hand on hers. Lissa looked up from my hand and gave me a weak smile.

"I know that you aren't telling me the whole truth, but I'll accept this because it's your life. I just want you to know that I am always here," Lissa said softly.

I nodded and pulled my hand back to finish eating my breakfast, noticing the glances other Moroi were throwing in my direction. If I wasn't so easily irritated lately, it wouldn't have bothered me, but I had to look down at my plate so I didn't say anything to them.

"What time are we flying back?" I mused and reached for my orange juice.

"This afternoon. I think Alberta wants us back at campus as quickly as possible."

I nodded and nibbled on a piece of bacon, casting a glance over my shoulder. I caught a glimpse of Ibrahim looking at me and I narrowed my eyes before looking back.

"That's probably for the best, we don't want to be around that snake for long," I said quietly.

"So Dimitri told you what the name meant."

I looked up at her. "What?"

"Zmey. It means serpent," Lissa said, "But I prefer snake too."

I nodded and set my napkin on the table, unable to eat anymore. I didn't want to be in the same room as him, and there was something about the smell of Lissa's coffee that make my mouth water in a way I didn't like.

"Are you alright? You look a little green?"

I swallowed thickly and gave her a tight smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just ready to get back," I said. Lissa raised her brow at me and I was grateful that she couldn't read auras. Who knew what mine showed and I didn't want to give anything away.

"Right," Lissa said as she wiped her mouth with her napkin and folded it, setting it on the table. As if a bell had been run, our waitress appeared beside us and collected our plates and came back a few moments later with a bill. I thanked Lissa quietly when she insisted on covering the whole bill.

"Please, I like to treat my best friend every once in a while. Besides, last night seemed to be a heavy one for you."

I cocked my head the slightest bit at her and she blushed.

"I overheard part of your conversation last night," Lissa admitted.

I sagged back in my chair. "What?"

"I was hoping that you would tell me yourself, but you know me and secrets, I rarely keep them when it involves someone important," Lissa said quietly as she leaned towards me, "Are you happy about this? Is this why you've been so tired?"

I gave her a tired smile and reached for her hand across the table.

"Thank you for being honest with me about knowing," I said, "And I am as happy as I can be about it. I am still processing everything, but I'm starting to get excited about the experience."

Lissa grinned at me. "If you are happy about it, then I am happy for you! Other than being tired, are you okay?"

I shrugged. "I've been moody and pukey," I chuckled and Lissa looked at me sympathetically.

"I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "It's fine. But um, Dimitri is very excited when he isn't internally freaking out."

Lissa smiled. "He's going to make a really good Dad. And you, are going to make a kick ass Mom. That kid is going to be a hell of a mix."

I chuckled and stood up with her, tucking in my chair. Lissa smiled at me and wrapped her arm around mine, casting a glare across the room as we walked out.

I shifted uncomfortably on the table, the paper crinkling underneath me.

"Your blood pressure is really high, are you feeling okay?" Dr. Olendzki asked.

"Just a little on edge," I admitted, looking over at Alberta with a meek smile. Alberta gave me a soft look and pulled her phone out and typed on it.

"Why don't we wait a minute and wait for Rose to calm down again, then you can get an accurate reading?" Alberta suggested. Dr. Olendzki took the blood pressure cuff off and instead did my weight measurements and temperature.

There was a knock on the door and Alberta opened it. Dimitri poked his head in and spotted me quickly.

"I got a message from Alberta?"

"I figured Rose could use someone to help her feel less on edge while we conduct her appointment," Alberta said with a small smile, canting her head towards me.

I was silently grateful for Alberta. I didn't want to tip anyone off by outright asking for him to be there, but it made me feel better just seeing him. I smiled at him and he closed the door behind him before coming to stand beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder.

Dr. Olendzki waited a few more moments before putting the cuff back on me and taking my blood pressure again. She mused to herself that it was much better now and then typed the information on my file.

"I know that you're measuring around four weeks now, but I want to do an ultrasound to check something," Dr. Olendzki said and moved the partition screen.

I nodded and took the gown she offered me while she moved some things around. I put the gown on and came back on, climbing onto the bed again and placing the blanket over my lap.

"Do you want Alberta and Guardian Belikov to leave?" Dr. Olendzki asked.

I shook my head and she nodded, directing them to come and stand by me. I felt a little uncomfortable getting into the stirrups, but I just looked upwards and then at Dimitri, reaching for his hand for comfort. He took it without hesitation and ran his other hand over the top of my head.

"A little pressure here," Dr. Olendzki said and I grimaced, but the pressure wasn't horrible. Dr. Olendzki didn't say much as she did the exam, but her eyes pinched slightly at the side.

"Hmm."

"What?" Dimitri asked quietly.

"When exactly was the first time," she asked me.

"The night of the attack," I said. Dr. Olendzki nodded her head.

"I originally thought you were around three or four weeks. But I think that Spirit has more play here. You're measuring at seven," she said turning the screen towards us. I craned my neck so I could see and furrowed my brows.

"How is that even possible?"

"I'm not sure," Dr. Olendzki said as she turned the ultrasound off. I grimaced again and then pressed my toes together.

"But there is no way I could be that pregnant," I started, and I could feel myself panic at the uncertainty.

"It's alright, Rose, take a deep breath," Dimitri urged, running his hand over my hair again as he looked down at me. I met his eyes and nodded while swallowing thickly, a shuddering breath coming from my lips.

"Yes, deep breath, Rose. There is no reason to panic. This pregnancy Is not like anything we've ever seen before. It could simply be because it is a Dhampir – Dhampir pregnancy. Don't fret," Dr. Olendzki reassured.

"And the placement?" Alberta asked.

Dr. Olendzki looked at her and a soft look crossed her face. "The embryo has attached at the front of the uterus; I could see the sac. No need to worry about ectopic pregnancy," she explained.

"What is that?" I asked, toying with the blanket.

"It's when the embryo doesn't make its way down the fallopian tube and unto the uterus before implanting after fertilization. The embryo cannot survive as there is no room to grow, and it always ends in miscarriage as the tubes burst," Dr. Olendzki explained as she moved the ultrasound machine away from us.

I turned my head and looked at Alberta, trying to convey with my eyes how horrible I felt without saying it out loud. Alberta gave me a small smile and tapped my hand softly.

"Because of the progression, I want to see you weekly," Dr. Olendzki said as she stood up and washed her hands in the sink.

"Every week?!"

"Yes, I want to measure as much as I can, just to be safe," she said.

"And the specialist?" Dimitri asked.

Dr. Olendzki's eyes flicked between us and then to Alberta. "I want to wait until you measure nine or ten weeks. That way there is more to see, and we can get an accurate reading of things," she explained. I nodded and sat up, adjusting the gown around my hips before standing up and going behind the partition to change again.

The three of them talked while I changed, mostly Dimitri asking questions about things we need to watch for or avoid. I took a few calming breaths before coming out and picked up my book bag and crossed my arms over my chest.

"So if I'm measuring six weeks, does it mean I'll stop puking my brains out soon?"

"Most likely," Dr. Olendzki said, "If not, I can get you a prescription for something to help."

I nodded and took my late slip from her before heading to my theory class. I still wasn't in my combat classes but that was to start today.

The theory class was boring, and I was counting down the minutes until we finished. I bolted out of the class and made it to the smaller gym that was mostly used by the Guardians. When I went in, Alberta was there and with Dimitri. I went to get changed and came out, tying my hair up.

"I look hella bloated," I chuckled as I came to a stop in front of them.

Alberta laughed and Dimitri's eyes flicked to my midsection and a small smile crossed his lips.

"It's not too noticeable. You can always blame it on cheese," Alberta chuckled. I rolled my eyes, remembering the time we found out I had a dairy sensitivity when I ate four pizzas one night and spent the next day puking.

Dimitri jerked his head to the side, and we went out to do our laps, as usual, keeping at a comfortable pace. We didn't talk but it was nice to be out on a run. I felt so pent up lately and I had slept since getting back to the Academy, so I had more energy.

When we got back into the gym, Alberta had set up mats.

"As part of you taking the private lessons in place of your classes, I will be monitoring them and recording whether or not at this stage you would have passed your trials. We will have a Guardian from the panel come in a few weeks to review the notes and watch you spar with a Guardian."

"We have no doubts that you will succeed, but we just want to prepare you," Dimitri said. I nodded and we started going through our warm-ups, the weights and then light sparring. Dimitri showed me different techniques that were designed specifically to protect my abdominal area.

Alberta called out pointers from where she sat. By the end, I was tired but felt good that I had worked up a good sweat. Alberta collected her things as we did our cool-down stretches. Once we were finished I all but flopped onto the mat.

"Sore?" Dimitri asked as he took a long drink from his water bottle and then extended it to me. I took it and gulped some water.

"Yeah. My lower back and hips ache a little bit, but I figured it was from sleeping funny," I said.

Dimitri took his bottle back and set it on the mat before standing by my feet, holding his hand out. I lifted my foot and he grabbed it gently, straightening my leg out before lifting it.

"Your hips will start to move to widen to accommodate the baby, and with how quickly the baby is growing, that may have already started. It's not a surprise to be sore," Dimitri explained as he helped me stretch. I nodded and tried to relax while he stretched my hamstrings. Once he was done that he kneeled on the mat and told me to relax my knees. I did and he gently stretched my hips, pushing my knees towards my chest and then to the sides. The slight burn felt rewarding, and I sighed, feeling my body relax further.

"This is probably why women get pregnant so quickly after having a baby. The men made us feel all limp and happy while we get to watch their muscles," I chuckled and winked at him.

He grunted a laugh and set my feet back on the mats, rubbing his hands over my calves.

"Possibly, but I can't say I'm complaining right now," he said with a smirk.

I hummed and sat up, resting my arms on my knees.

"Did my mom say anything about your family?"

Dimitri sat with his feet planted on either side of my hips, leaning forward like I did.

"She said that a few people who owe her a favour have been watching my family. She said that while Zmey made a big threat, from what she knows, he and my babushka know each other well. She thinks it was more or less to scare me and for me to take him seriously."

I shook my head. "Why does he care?" I whispered, "Honestly, I don't understand what he wants."

"Neither do I, but I don't want to leave you alone either. Especially right now," he said, his finger running against the side of my knee.

"Why? Because I'm carrying spawn?" I teased.

"Please stop calling the baby that," Dimitri said with an exasperated sigh, "But no, not just because of the baby. Because I'm tired of not putting what I need first."

I smiled and rested my chin on my knees. "And what is that exactly?"

Dimitri scooted closer and ran his hands over my back and sides, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

"You. I just need you. I'm a better person because of you," he said softly. I beamed at him and tilted my head up the slightest bit, just so I could brush my lips against his. It was soft and fleeting, but it still made my heart feel full just to have that brush.

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

"About Zmey?"

I shook my head. "No. The baby. How are we going to make this work? I mean, it was one thing being Guardians and you asking for a relocation, but to add a child to the mix. I…I don't know what to do," I admitted. It was a concern I had, but was worried about voicing it.

"I'm not sure, but we have time," Dimitri soothed.

"How much time?" I asked, "With how quickly the baby is growing, we don't know how much time we have."

"Roza, please, don't panic. It's not good for either of you," Dimitri pleaded, rubbing his hands over my arms. I nodded and breathed in slowly through my nose.

"The only thing that I have thought about is, what it is going to be like having a little you or a little me running around," Dimitri said softly.

I smiled at the idea and rested my cheek on my arms. "I hope it's a little you, I was a terror. I'm sure you were a perfect child."

Dimitri's hands shook and I looked up, seeing that he was silently laughing before letting out a loud laugh. I raised my brows at him while he gasped for breath while laughing.

"Roza, I hotwired a car when I was fourteen and then crashed it. Now, it was Ivan's idea, but still, I was nowhere near perfect," Dimitri chuckled, rubbing his hand over his face.

"You, master of discipline, hotwired a car?"

"Among other things. I wasn't perfect. Our child will keep us on our toes for sure," he said with a grin.

Hearing the words from his mouth made a large smile cross my lips. I could feel them stretching and laughing lightly. I had said it and thought about it, but hearing him say it made me giddy.

"I need a shower," I said with a groan as I stood up, stretching my arms over my head.

"Want company?" Dimitri quipped, a smirk on his face.

I raised my brows at him and he gestured to the door that was between the two changing rooms.

"That room is a unisex change room with a lock on the door."

I pondered the thought before shrugging and a grin, walking towards the middle door and grabbing my bag as I went. I heard Dimitri climb to his feet and I giggled to myself when he followed me, locking the door behind us.

Alto kept giving me nasty looks since getting out of detention, and other detentions that were because of my inability to sleep.

It had been two weeks since my initial appointment with Dr. Olendzki, but the morning sickness hadn't diminished. I went looking for her in the staff area. I couldn't wait until tomorrow's appointment.

I knew I wasn't supposed to be in here, but Alberta had said that if there was an emergency, I could come here looking for her or Dimitri if needed. It was unspoken, but I knew that Alberta knew the truth. She never questioned Dimitri being at my appointments, and it was agreed that he kept me calm.

When I slipped into the staff room, I spotted Dr. Olendzki right away, sitting at a table with her food.

"Dr. O.?"

She looked up from her food and her eyes widened.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's not anything scary, um, but I can't stop puking and I'm starting to get dehydrated," I explained shifting on my feet, "And I'm starving, and kind of need to eat."

Dr. Olendzki nodded and stood up. "I ordered a bottle just in case. It's in my room. Stay here, I'll go get it," she said. I nodded and looked around the room. It was really pretty in here for a staff room. It had a Sandringham palace feel to it. Dark panel walls and carvings in the walls. It looked like the rest of the Academy.

I eyeballed the sleeve of crackers on the counter, the wheat thins calling to me. I had started liking them and I constantly wanted them but had a hard time finding them. I walked over and plucked two out of the package, munching on them while I waited.

"I'm not surprised to find you stealing a teacher's food, Hathaway," Alto said as he came out of a room off to the side. I blushed and mumbled an apology.

"Sorry. I can't get enough of them," I mumbled. Alto glared at me out of the corner of his eye.

"You can't be in here," he stated, crossing her arms over his chest.

"I'm just waiting for Dr. Olendzki," I said.

Alto snorted. "And you couldn't wait until she was on duty? You had to harass her while she wasn't working?"

I sighed and shoved the last of my cracker into my mouth, deciding that ignoring him was the best option. Alto grumbled under his breath about my petulant attitude as he walked to where he came from when the doctor came back in, holding a bottle of pills.

"Doxylamine-pyridoxine. Take them in the morning, and make sure you eat something with them. I know that eating is tough but, you have to. And for dehydration, Pedialyte. They give it to kids, so you better get used to the smell," she said as she came in, handing both of them to me. I took it and gave her a soft smile.

"Thank you. I really appreciate this," I said quietly.

Dr. Olendzki nodded and went back to her table. "Make sure you eat dinner! You've lost weight since last week," she said sternly. I nodded and turned around to leave and spotted Alto standing in the doorway, a void look on his face. I stopped for a moment and tucked the pill bottle into my pocket before leaving the room.

It was a rare day when I was wide awake and didn't feel crappy. I had an appointment with Dr. Olendzki the day before and I was now measuring ten weeks while only actually being six weeks along. She said that the progression was slowing down, but that it was time to see the specialist.

And since I was wide awake, I had eaten a larger breakfast than normal, got ready for class and was in my theory class well before the bell. I used the silence to get caught up on some of the work I missed when the door at the back of the room opened.

I glanced behind me and found Alto there. I turned back to my work, groaning to myself. Alto walked past me and dropped something onto my desk as he passed. I sighed quietly and looked to see what he dropped. It was a package of ginger tablets.

I looked at the package before looking up at him, finding him pointedly looking at the supplies he unloaded from his bag. I stood up and brought the tablets with me, setting them on his desk.

"You dropped these," I said before turning away.

"No, I didn't. Those are yours."

I stopped and looked at him. He looked up from his things and picked up the box, throwing it at me.

"Why?"

"Because there is only one reason why you'd be taking Doxylamine-pyridoxine. Those are for when you don't need it anymore," Alto said bluntly.

I took a slow breath and bit my lip. "Then you know," I said quietly.

Alto sighed. "Well, if you know what it looks like, you know. The bag under your eyes, the sudden pull out from physical classing, the constant vomiting and the fact that your face is fuller and that Belikov has been hovering, it wasn't hard for me to figure it out."

I shifted uncomfortably and looked at the box in my hands. "How do you know what it looks like?"

Alto frowned. "I had an unorthodox relationship with a Moroi. She died during childbirth, and the baby," he said, "So, I kind of feel bad for yelling at you for sleeping in my class, but Darcy was practically narcoleptic while pregnant."

I chuckled lightly before frowning. "I'm sorry about Darcy."

Alto gave me a jerking nod. "I won't mention to anyone that I know. If it hasn't gotten around the staff yet, there's a reason. So, I know nothing. But if you need to leave for an emergency or you're going to be sick, just go."

I was dumbstruck. "Thank you?"

"Yeah. Well, I don't want you stinking up my classroom," he said as he went back to his things.