Chapter 26
Today was the day.
Two weeks after getting released from the hospital it was finally the day, I would be receiving my promise mark at the guardian head quarters. After a late start thanks to the baby puking all over my guardian top, I had to quickly change and get the stench off me. Being a mother was both exhausting but rewarding.
"Roza we need to go we have fifteen minutes to be there." Dimitri spoke from the door with Greyson in his carrier. The view of him holding the carrier as his arm muscles rippled holding our son, holding a smirk on his face made me shiver with lust.
Over the past few week, we have been camped in the house. Other than the odd food run or the odd visit from our friends we have been getting well acquainted. Spending time with my family has been a blessing.
"You ready, Hans specifically needed you there so it must be important."
Nodding my head, I grabbed my jacket and keys. Walking to the door, we exited the door and locked up. We walked to the guardian building, thankfully we live close by, so we didn't have far to go.
Walking through the doors we walked into quite a group of people here to see me promise in. There was also other guardian's here probably here to get either a molnija or a zvezda mark from recent missions or ambushes from strigoi's.
Lissa was here with Christian, Adrian and Eddie who also stood talking to Brendan and Jackson.
"Good morning Guardian Hans," I spoke with a bit of a hum to my words, I couldn't help it I was so excited to finally become a Guardian. If I weren't doing something professional, I probably would have broken out int of a bit of a dance. "Let's get this tattoo over with shall we." I bounced on my feet; Hans chucked a bit on my excitement.
"Slow down," Hans spoke before asking Dimitri how much caffeine he had given me this morning.
"There was a reason you were to be here at this time, her majesty has let me know she will make her appearance for a moment before you get the tattoo."
The queen? Why would she come to a silly guardian tattoo ceremony. Why does she suddenly always seem to be taking an interest in my life, a dhampir's life. Great I've got the queens eyes on my back one mess up and I am done for.
"Alright, would you know why she would be coming to see me exactly?" I questioned, before giving Dimitri an odd look. He to looked confused.
"She had not mentioned why, but she will be here any moment so be prepared." Hans replied, before excusing himself to go talk to my father who had just shown up with my mother.
Great.
Why is everyone here, its not like I am getting married or in trouble with the law. Shrugging to myself, I decided now wasn't the time to add stress to myself, I turn to help Dimitri get baby Greyson out of his carrier seat. Taking my jacket off I take him from Dimitri's arms.
Over the last week he has gotten significantly heavier, from all the formula he consumes. Pretty soon my little angel will be walking than next thing you know it a Guardian who leaves me in the blink of an eye. The thought made me sad.
"Miss Hathaway," Queen Tatiana spoke waking through the threshold of the door. Breaking out of my inner thoughts I turn to the queen.
"I believe I owe you a congratulations."
Bowing to her I reply back. "A congratulations is not necessary from you your majesty I am just doing my duty I was trained to do."
"True but doing so is not an easy task, you lose friends and family, whiles some deal with the trauma of the job."
"I understand your majesty trust me; I will be just fine."
"Well, the guardians should be proud to have such a bright guardian in the ranks, as well as Vasilisa on having an extraordinary guard and friend. You have the potential of being a Queen's guard someday, perhaps that could happen. Who knows maybe our favorite princess will have the opportunity to give you that position when she is ready." Making me think for a moment.
Did Tatiana want Lissa as the next queen, if so how and when?
Not replying I felt like it was best to deal with it another day.
Turning to my right she had her attention on someone else.
"Mr. Belikov, would you please come escort me out of the building. There is a few things I would like to discuss with you." Tatiana spoke, glancing to her great nephew. A great nephew who most likely didn't know. Nor Adrian and I have said a thing but that didn't mean he couldn't piece it together or someone else told him.
"Yes, your majesty." Dimitri spoke bowing, handing Greyson to my mother he than follows her out. Following her out the door I went to chat with Jackson and Lissa until the tattoo artist called my name.
"Congratulations Rose for finally becoming a guardian, its about time you know," Guardian Jackson grins before pulling me into a quick hug as I approached her. Letting me go Lissa pulled me into a hug to holding me tightly. "Can't wait to work with you after your maternity leave is up, I am so excited to go to college with you guys."
Taking a second to let it set in, my mouth dropped before I excitedly congratulated her. "Well ill be darned, I am glad she listened to at least one of my amazing advices. Personally, I think she is still mad I turned the other position down, but she listened to my concerns at least." I sighed before I clued into my mistake.
For a few moments I silently pray she didn't clue in and I didn't have to explain on why I didn't tell her.
"What other position?" Lissa asked innocently. Shit. I had completely forgotten to tell her.
"The Queen gave me two options awhile back; guard you like I had originally trained for or work with Guardian Hans in assembling strike force teams to take down strigoi and also train guardians and new guardians on what I know. She gave me the option to stay close to Greyson and raise him till he goes to the academy, I didn't tell you because I wasn't taking the offer."
"Why would you decline that offer Rose, I know you were training to guard me but that's a great offer." She asked looking kind guilty. "I know you promised to stay but that is too good to pass up Rose, why didn't you at least really considered it or talked to me about it. Even if I will feel sad about you not being my guardian but that is something once in a lifetime opportunity, I feel hurt you couldn't tell me or share your big news. I don't want you to feel guilty or anything but its upsetting you didn't want to share it with me even if you were going to decline the offer."
"After what happened at the academy when you left, I took some time to do some soul searching on what I did and my actions. You deserve to put yourself first too, as long as your happy I am happy even if we couldn't always be together."
"Lissa, I know what you're trying to say but that's not what I want right what I can handle. Nor am I matured enough for that right now, you have to understand that is a lot of responsibilities and pressure to handle not to mention they will be older and more experienced. The thought of them being bossed by an eighteen-year-old dhampir girl who still hasn't gotten her promise mark, they won't take me serious." I confessed quietly, so only her and Jackson could hear.
"When Dimitri was still ignoring me, when I thought we were finally were over I had gotten the offer I declined instantly. Tatiana wanted me to think longer and reconsider the offer, thought I had repeatedly told her no I had finally said I would if only she would consider Dimitri her second option for the position. Dimitri has that wisdom, mindset and a past experience of training kick ass guardians." Making them both giggle at my words. "He is the perfect person for the job. Even when he pushed me away, I still thought of him and his future."
Lissa looked at me happily with a bit of tears in her jade green eyes. "I am so happy you found love Rose. I know I don't show it much, but I truly care about you and your future even when I don't show it much. Back at the academy when you were leaving, and you went to Russia you were right; you deserve a life outside mine. You both are perfect, and I am happy for you both. You both deserve it. My nephew deserves it. The thought to help him even if he didn't want to be with you was the most mature and amazing thing, I had ever seen you do, next to always saving my life every other week." She joked, making me chuckle.
"Liss... I… Damn it don't make me cry now, I don't need to be red and blotchy before I get my tattoo." Wiping my eyes, as I blink the tears in my eyes.
"Well, the princess is right Rose, I can't thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to guard her and to work with you. Thank you for everything you have done for me, you have become such a good friend, I am glad to have met you Rose Hathaway. You are truly one of a kind." Jackson spoke happily. "Your father also decided to buy the house a few down from yours a month ago, he recently offered to rent it out to me so my mother and son can be close by you guys."
"That's amazing!" I replied excitedly. "The old man is a champ."
"I am also excited to work with you princess." She told Lissa.
"Enough with the princess title call me Lissa, you will be one of my guardian's as well as a friend and they call me by my name." She corrected making me grin. They both seem to hit it off and I couldn't help but feel relieved.
"Well than call me Laura, the both of you Rose." She emphasised my name, making me laugh. It was my at my lack of using her real name, it was a habit for guardians because we are used to referring to our last names that made her refer to me about using her name.
"So, now that you are joining the team with Eddie, who will be guarding Christian? Also, when I return what will happen to his position?" I questioned. I was ecstatic to have a friend join but I may have ended up put Eddie out of a position and I couldn't do that to him.
"You know me I couldn't do that to him and Christian need's a guardian, so he offered him the position to guard him when you return." She answered making me sigh with relief.
Everything felt perfect, I felt ecstatic at Laura living close by with her son and mother, my healthy baby boy and my budding relationship with Dimitri. Being able to guard Lissa was a blessing as well as having a great support of family and friends around.
Everyone I knew was excelling and finally getting into a place in their life of content and I truly was so happy.
Looking around the room of my friends and family waiting for me to get tattooed as well as other guardians who are getting marked for their recent kills, I spot Guardian Brendan. What didn't cross my mind until now was I had no idea what his plans are or if he is staying with Abe.
"What is happening with Guardian Brendan, Laura?" Who than look over to see him chatting with Christian and Eddie.
"TJ said something about taking his vacation time and going to see family, after he said he is staying with Abe." Making me feel a but guilty, I technically took his partner in crime away. "Did he look for any jobs close by, maybe a court royal will take him?" I asked.
"Nah, he said stuck up royals were not his thing. He didn't want to live a life of misery, at least with Abe he is straight up and not petty and feels comfortable." She replied to me, looking back in his direction again who now had Adrian in their chat she looked a bit guilty. She told me back when I was living with Abe that her and T.J were both pretty close since attending the same academy. Even with everything that she went through he managed to stay in contact or visit until she got back into the field.
Not having much family, she always considered him as the big brother always taking care of her when she was getting in a stable situation while dealing with her loss and divorce.
Moving her eyes from TJ to Adrian I watched her rake her eyes over him for quite a few seconds. With already knowing him from previous interactions makes me wonder if she liked him.
"So, seeing anyone lately Laura, with being on court have you considered dating?" I asked her, letting my eyes flicker between her and Adrian. "Have you even thought about it and double dating with me."
"Oh my gosh that sounds like fun." Lissa spoke excitedly probably thinking about the idea. After my scheming ill ask dimitri to go out wit her and Christian but this was serious and fun.
"N…No I haven't right now I need to focus on moving my family here and guarding the princ… I mean Lissa." She corrected herself.
Looking to the sound of the doors being open I saw Dimitri walk through the doors with a look of surprise on his face and looked a little pale. Excusing my self from the girls I make my way over to him quietly.
What the hell is going on? Hopefully, what ever it was it better be good and not bad; he didn't deserve to be outcasted because he got turned into a soulless vampire.
"Are you alright Comrade you look a little pale?" I asked softly, placing my hand on his shoulders, slightly worried." Did something bad happen usually you don't usually show the look of being spooked."
"Yes, Roza I am alright, she offered me the position you declined. Thank you for mentioning me, thank you for sticking with me even when I was a jerk." He leaned forward a kissed my forehead before pulling me into his arms before sighing deeply.
"You're my jerk so its alright, plus the job was perfect for you. You are the only one I would consider the job. You are an excellent teacher, who trained this badass also you have the experience, plus your older and wiser" I replied. "Did she say anything else?
"She did." He mumbled, before releasing me from his hold to look at me.
"Okay, well what happened?" Silence. "You going to tell me, or do I have to read your mind?" I asked curiously with a wide grin on my face. My curiosity to know if she told him was eating me alive. "Good news is great news, especially in our lives where we are always in danger I need to know. Spill Comrade."
"Well… I wouldn't say its great news but more of a surprising news." He replied thoughtfully, as we walked to a corner in the room.
"How did you not put the pieces together that you and Adrian were related, considering your father's last name is Ivashkov?"
"He wasn't around much, the only time he came around was on odd occasions and he was always drunk or mean. Truthfully, I didn't really have a relationship with him so can you blame me." He answered before giving me true facts, and I wasn't even mad to argue with him. "Besides, you can't really argue because you didn't meet your dad till you turned eighteen, in a foreign country sent by your mother."
"Touché Comrade." I accepted. He definitely got me this time. "But if I didn't go to Russia you wouldn't be here, so you owe me. Right now, that doesn't matter anyways, right now I want to make sure you are alright and how you feel about this position."
'What I am curious about is why you didn't look surprised when I told you." Dimitri spoke, making me feel a bit guilty.
"I had my suspicions when Adrian called you cuz, then Tatiana congratulated me on my pregnancy of her great-great nephew, and I went to correct her that it wasn't Adrian's, she winked before I could say anything. Everything clicked into place after."
"The only reason I didn't say anything was because it was not my place to tell you. Adrian had chances to tell you but didn't, Tatiana may have wanted to keep quiet, so I waited patiently till she revealed or not."
Nodding he knew I was right, even if they couldn't publicly announce him as family due to being a dhampir she at least let him know, but it wasn't my secret and to go against a queen is suicide. One less thing on my mind.
"To have my guardian status back sooner than expected as well as even getting it back in general is a blessing Roza. To be honored with the job position even if its originally your position is exciting and also a blessing and don't deserve. To be close to you guys is all I want, this position pays well as well as being on court with you guys. When you start work, we will figure everything out till then relax while I take care of you."
"Comrade you are perfect for the job and if they couldn't see that they are fools, I believe the job was meant for you I was just the one to discover and help you get there." I replied.
"I love you Rose Hathaway." He speaks loud enough for only me to hear. Not that he wouldn't want people to know he just wasn't public person when displaying his inner feelings. Especially when the people around him are his colleagues and friends. He was the type of man to displays is behind doors away from other eyes.
"Let's get this tattoo done so I can put our son down and we can have a nice relaxing night by the fireplace." He mumbled in my ear, causing me to shiver.
"That's to bad that you can't, we have my party after. "I said with a grin, as the tattoo artist finished a couple guardians who had recent kills. Dimitri groaned at my words the poor guy looked disappointed.
"Besides, I have to wait till he finishes the other guardian and clean up. Have some patience Comrade isn't that what you have always been preaching to me." I joked to him.
"Rose its your turn now." The tattoo artist spoke, turning to the guy I nodded.
"Its time." I spoke excitedly to Dimitri before getting my tattoo.
The process was quick and felt familiar yet addicting. The adrenaline rush you get just before the ink touched your skin, the buzz and vibrations put you in a sort of trance even if it did sting. The prickle of the needles leaves its mark on my body forever, a gallery display of my kills.
The people around me watched around me as I made my permanent vow to protect moroi and kill strigoi. This was a sacred thing guardian achieve, an honor Moroi's in this room would never truly understand.
Casting my eyes up without moving my neck I see the proud look of my friends and family. The look from my mother and Dimitri gave me made me feel proud. They both being well respected guardian's in our world made me feel happy.
Looking to my happy bubbly son in my mothers arms, made my heart soar with pride. Showing him that he can do anything as long as he worked hard for it, I wanted to show him love and everything I never got. Growing up I always envied moroi and dhampirs going home to their families over the holidays at the academy. Not knowing the old man and mom always away I was along at the academy with Alberta and a few staff members. I had no home to go to. My child will have a home he can go to during the holidays and will have a family who supports and loves him as he grows into a man with the guidance of Dimitri and I.
"Alright miss Hathaway all done, with marks already on your neck I had to modify it a bit, but it looks beautifully displayed and incorporated with your other tattoo's." The tattoo artist spoke, then handing me a mirror after he applied ointment on the tattoo.
Getting up from my seat I walk over to the mirror to check it out, there in between my other tattoo's my mark displayed wrapping around it like a vine so beautifully. "Wow, this looks amazing and beautiful. Thank you so much." I thanked the artist.
Turning to my friends and family with a cheesy grin on my face.
After leaving the guardian quarters we moved our little gathering to my house since it was bigger than everyone else's apartments to hold us all in without stepping over each other and being cramped together. Both Liss and Christian quickly rushed home to grab the food dishes Christian put together while Jackson ran out for refreshments.
Walking around my house talking to everyone with my baby in my hands I was enjoying our company. Being around everyone I felt happy and content, don't get me wrong being with just the boys makes me happy but other company is nice once in awhile.
A couple hours later Greyson was bobbing his head against me trying to stay awake, after a long day being passed around from friend to family, he was tired from all of the interaction and fun.
Holding my tired baby in my hands I try to move him more comfortably and head to Dimitri let him have a quick kiss and to say goodnight before I would take him upstairs to retire for the rest of the night while we celebrate a bit longer.
"Good night my 'syn' sweet dreams." Dimitri whispered to him before looking up to me happily.
"I will be down in a few moments." I whispered before leaving the kitchen.
"Rose enjoy the party I will take him up to bed." My mother spoke as I was making my way towards the stairs.
"Its alright mom it will only take a moment, relax with the old man until than." I declined.
Following me upstairs she still simply wanted something else.
"Look Rose about what I said other day please forgive me, I said things I shouldn't have said, and I apologise for my rude words," my mother apologised, glancing down at Greyson as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
No speaking I made sure he fell asleep before I talked, while waiting I quietly tided a few stray belongings that need to be put away.
"I get you feel guilty mom, but you have this tendency not to get the facts before accusing me of things before I can even explain myself, I am eighteen almost nineteen and an adult I don't need you dictating my life anymore."
"Your right I am sorry."
"You come and go from my life whenever you please and try to dictate me and my life like how you expect how I should live it. When you don't even know me besides my medical records or based off what people tell you."
"I understand that now I do…" She tries to speak but I cut her off, I wasn't done talking yet. If there is, anyway, we can get past this she will shut up and listen to me this time I am the boss.
"No, you don't get it mom, you tried to tell me I am making a mistake being with Dimitri who loves me, who I love him back who also wants to be in our child's life as a family something I've always wanted." I whisper yell pulling my mother from the room and grab the monitor before closing his door." You pretty much tried to make me become you, a mother who abandons her child at an academy and make him resent me for not being around and not knowing his father until god knows when he ever finds out. I will never give him that life, he will grow up with love and the feeling of being wanted instead of a burden."
Mom looked hurt, the legendary Janine Hathaway actually looked hurt and I didn't feel happy I felt a bit sad, sad that we keep destroying what relationship we have.
"Rose I am sorry for ever making you feel that way, you were never a burden to me nor your father the reason we made these was because we thought it would be better for you." She explained, as I pulled her into my bedroom. "I was never meant to be a mother I have no maternal instincts and felt like I couldn't properly take care of you and your father's job was to dangerous and always on the go for a child. We never wanted you to hate us."
"I don't hate you I just don't support your decision." I replied. "Look I forgive you for what you said but what I said about if you can't deal with my choices in life, keep your opinion's to yourself and we can live civil for Greyson. We don't have to fight constantly."
"Deal." She replied.
"Alright let's get partying." I joked.
"Rose." Mom groaned behind me as she followed me downstairs.
Walking downstairs with my mother I felt like a weight has been lifted form my shoulders.
Before I could make it to the kitchen I was bombarded with Eddie and Christian.
"What do you two knuckleheads want?" I asked, mom went ahead to the kitchen to Abe leaving me behind with these two.
"Well, we wanted to say congratulations to finally graduating." Eddie spoke happily, whiles Christians nods in agreement.
"That's not necessary guys but thank you." I replied.
"Well yea you dropped out three times in a three-year period." Christian spoke sarcastically.
Laughing at his words he gave me a weird look like he was expecting me to get all mad and threaten him with vile punishments I could do to him. "What Martha Stewart, it was funny because its true, did you really think I was going to get angry at you?"
"Well yeah kind of…" Christian pouted before going to Lissa's side. Eddie and I both laughed at his childness.
"Took you long enough though, Mason would be proud of you for doing it though. With your son and graduating and the queens job proposal he would be proud of you." Eddie spoke warmly, making me feel sad. I felt sad that he wouldn't be with us, but we will always honor him in anyways we can and live for him.
"How did you find out about the job offer?" I asked with a groaned. Eddie chuckled.
"Your boyfriend told me he was proud of how much you have matured into a beautiful mother and guardian." He revealed. "He is right though you have really blossomed into the woman I knew you could be; I really wish he got to see it, but I am always here for you for the both of us." Making me sniffle a bit.
"Thank you, I am glad Greyson has an amazing uncle Eddie who will tell him stories about his uncle Mason who watches over him." I giggled.
"Alright everyone listen up," Abe hollered getting everyone's attention.
Everyone entered the living room, getting comfy a standing Abe looked prepared for everyone to listen.
"I would like to make a toast to Rose or finally graduating and becoming an excellent guardian in the making, eighteen and already has become famous like her mother." Making everyone chuckle. "Anyways what I wanted to say was that I am proud of you for succeeding and showing the world what you are made of you are definitely my child." He spoke proudly making my mom clear her throat. "Oh, and Janine."
Everyone laughed.
"Thank you, old man." I grinned, standing beside him.
Turning to Lissa she pulled something out of her purse.
"Here Rose, open my gift I pretty please." Lissa excitedly bounced in her seat, extending herself to pass it I take it from her hands.
"Lissa you didn't have to get me anything, no one did." I thanked her but felt like a gift was not necessary.
"Rose, shut up and open it." She ordered making everyone laugh.
Handing me the tiny gift bag hesitantly, taking the wrapping paper I glance up at Lissa. She was slightly dancing in her spot with excitement.
Putting my hands in the bag I felt a cold metal touch me. Her gift felt like a piece of jewelry.
Pulling the gift out to look my heart soared.
In my hands was the chotki bracelet. The Dragomir heirloom made specifically for the main guardian to a royal they guard. Lissa had given it to me back at the academy but when I left to save Dimitri, I had given it to her not knowing when or if I will return. Having it returned to me made me a bit emotional, it was the best gift one I will always cherish and protect. I felt honored to wear it.
"Lissa thank you, I felt incomplete ever since I had given you the chotki back when I left for Russia." I spoke making Dimitri slightly flinch at the word Russia.
Everyone had given me gifts even when I never asked for any, one by one I opened them all. The only person who did give one was my mother and Dimitri, which was what ever, but I felt slightly odd about it.
"Here Rose this was my mother's, when she retired many years ago, I had kept it as a trophy to remind me of her, but I felt like you should have it." Mom spoke handing me a wrapped box.
Unwrapping the paper, I had received a wooden box with a handcrafted design on the front of it.
The stake was recently cleaned but customed made since the design was so complex. The design was beautiful there was no way to describe its beauty really.
"This is beautiful, thanks mom." I smiled as I looked at my family heirloom from my mothers side of the family. To have my grandmother stake is quite cool.
During my opening of gifts, I didn't realize Dimitri moved from the couch and was out of my sight.
When I looked up everyone was looking behind me.
Turning around Dimitri was looking at me with a smile.
What's going on?
Roza… there is so many words I want to say to you that I will wait until we are alone, or I will not live past my little speech." Dimitri spoke making me and everyone chuckle. "After every we have gone through as well as my mistakes and harsh words you stayed."
"You are not a flashy woman and not a big fan of public things unless with family and friends, so I thought to do it in our home where I want to raise our children. Right here I want to grow old with you and watch our child grow into
"With your mother and fathers permission I would like to ask your hand in marriage. Roza would you spend the rest of my life with me as my wife, would you take my hand and make many memories in this home." He finishes getting down on his knee, opening the box he had in his pocket.
"Yes, Comrade I will be your wife, but be aware I want to wait until I am in my twenties but yes, I will marry you and grow old and wrinkly." Making him grin, leaning forward to kiss me. Everyone cheered, me I was in a daze looking at my fiancé as he put his family ring Yeva gave me on my finger.
"Of course, Roza."
This was a night I would never forget.