Chapter 27
A month and a half later.
Today was a special day, today was my nineteenth birthday I was so excited to spend it with Dimitri and Greyson. Being so excited I woke up early hoping it would start off with a bang, literally he was no where to be seen.
Was I happy no! Did it get worse, yes.
See even if my fiancé is not present, I was excited to wake my son only the son of a bitch has my child with him. Now I am sitting on my bed fuming, he better have a good reason why my birthday has been garbage the moment I opened my eyes.
Letting out a yawn I head to the shower before I head to the kitchen for breakfast.
Once I had gotten my cereal ready to eat I than noticed a card on the counter beside what looks to me Dimitri's weird chess piece my old man gave him. Walking around the island I check to see what it was.
\
Roza,
Today is the day you were born, your nineteenth birthday.
I will forever apologize that you will wake up today without Greyson and I will be there as you awoke from your peaceful slumber. We wanted you to sleep in for awhile.
Lissa has offered to take him so don't worry. You will also see him briefly before you are all mine for the evening.
Because of what I have prepared for this special evening takes time, I have come up with a scavenger hunt for you to find me.
Turning the pace over to the other side was more writing.
One thing I love about you,
is that you have this dedication and loyalty to your loved ones as well as your promises. I can never truly take it back but dropping out to fulfill a promise as well as paying your respects and telling my family I honorable. Not many people would carry that out.
A place you could call home if you were ever cold, broke and alone. Where would you go?
Repeating those words over in my head again I couldn't really make a guess, there was a few places I could go. Sighing I make a coffee and relax before I go back to guessing this riddle.
Even when I am not working, he makes me work. Don't get me wrong I love it about him just not when he does it to me. Taking a sip of my coffee it than dawns on me who has the next riddle to Dimitri's birthday scavenger hunt.
Pouring my coffee into a travel mug I grab my jacket, hat and gloves and head to Lissa's after locking the door behind me.
A few moments later I was at Lissa's doorstep.
"Took you long enough, though now I owe Adrian money for losing the bet." Christian says opening the door with Greyson in his hands.
Grabbing my son from his hands I walk into the house clearly ignore him and begin kissing my child all over. "Look at you my handsome man, seeing you have definitely made mama's birthday already." I cooed.
"How nice of you to just walk in," Christian muttered.
"How nice of you to make a bet about me," I countered. "Now about what and with who and don't make me beat it out of you."
"Calm down you two," Lissa spoke entering the living space. "Here is your next clue Rose." Handing me a similar note the last, which resides in my back-jean pocket.
"Thanks, and he made the bet not me I just w ant to know with who and what the bet is all about." Shrugging nonchalantly.
Looking over to Christian she silently pleads to spill the details, cause with a sigh he spills.
"I bet Adrian you would sleep through the day and miss the scavenger hunt for a few bills, he said you would be up before than." Making me internally laugh Adrian suckered the poor guy.
"You did what, Christian that's just rude," Lissa hollered at Christian. "How would you feel if someone did that to you." Making him shrink at his disapproving girlfriend.
1 Rose 0 Christian.
While she argued with him, I played with the cooing baby on my lap before I had to get to the next location.
Looking at Greyson I realized the changes in him already, the precious boy was already larger and much more aware of his surroundings. His brown eyes looked back at me with wonder, the innocence in his eyes made my heart tighten. Selfishly I want to hide him forever from the dark world of Strigoi and being a future guardian. The through of him getting hurt made me sad and wonder how other mother do it with the time came to let their kids attend the academies and train to become guardian.
"Christian Ozera, you apologise, or you will be sleeping on the couch." Lissa's voice spoke snapping me from my inner thoughts.
"Do I really have to its not like I killer her puppy or anything it was an innocent little bet." Christian groaned. "Why isn't Adrian getting yelled at."
"First of all, Adrian isn't my boyfriend," Lissa replied softly. "Second of all just because it was innocent doesn't mean its alright to bet on peoples lives, especially on their birthday. Now apologize."
Giving me a hard look, mumbled an apology. "What was that I didn't hear you." I replied smirking at his unhappy face.
Rose 2 Christian 0
He mumbles it again.
"Sorry what, I am feeling a bit deaf today?" I teased.
"Bitch."
"What!" I repeated.
Christian was fuming. "I am sorry, you evil wench now stop making me repeat myself." Making me laugh.
"Christian!" Lissa gasped, making me bust a gut at how it backlashed on him.
Rose 3 Christian still 0.
Hanging out with them for a bit longer and opening their gifts which was not necessary I knew I had to leave. Putting my present aside I would pick it up when I grab Greyson tomorrow.
Standing up I hand Lissa Greyson and started to get ready to leave, even though I will miss tormenting Christian and my son.
"Have fun and don't worry about coming to get him so early, sleep in." Lissa spoke excitedly, making me nod.
After staying for what felt like forever, I had realised I had only stayed an hour, I pulled the card out for my next location, leaving my child with Christian and Lissa. Standing on their front porch I read Dimitri's next clue.
I love the dedication to give our child something you had never gotten growing up, as your fiancé and love I will promise to show you what you missed. Here and now, I will make sure you both have a play to call home, a family who loves you.
You will find me at a turning point in our lives, this place was a place I took you to celebrate?
Took me to celebrate eh? The only place I could think of was that cute little restaurant owned by dhampirs. It was where Dimitri took me when I got the news from Tatiana that I have graduated, also getting an insanely great job position in one day.
The place will forever be a place I would continue to go to and makes memories with my family and friends. Not having to worry on Moroi stares and gossip this place was perfect place to relax and feel at home.
Stretching my muscles-tired muscles, I began my walk to the restaurant. Right now, being on Moroi time it was technically two am, in our time, it was our afternoon, so it was dark outside with no sun as a source of heat.
That being said it was a beautiful night out, being close to spring now it had finally begun to warm up more with less chilly days from the tail end of winter.
There was currently no wind flow making it a perfect temperature for a walk, and scavenger hunt to find my love.
Humming to a tune and greeting a few people when I walked by them, I had managed to get to the location fairly quickly. After I recovered enough after having Greyson, Dimitri has been easing me back into my training, so this walk was a perfect and quite relieving to have that extra weight off me. Don't get me wrong I love my son; I love having my body to myself.
Turning around the block I see Eddie standing there patiently.
"Castile what are you doing here?" I ask walking up to him.
"Waiting for you actually, I have your next clue from Guardian Belikov." He grinned at me as he handed me the clue.
"Hopefully, you were not out here to long I would hate to see you sick or frozen solid." I spoke genuinely.
"Nah I had some lunch and a hot beverage recently, so I am just fine." He shrugged casually.
Relieved I gave him a quick hug. "That's good I am glad. Thank you for helping him out with it all."
"No problem anything for you. You deserve to be happy and if Belikov wants to woo you and make you happy on your birthday, I will do my best and help him succeed after everything you have went through. This is no big deal I had no plans today anyways."
I felt touched that Dimitri brought a few of my close friends into this birthday quest as well as planning it without me knowing this whole time. My feelings from this morning was now squashed with this feeling of excitement and determination, a determination to find Dimitri. Treating it like one of this lesson in the academy I was going to use my knowledge of what he taught me to find him.
"Oh, and before you go this is for you, I daw this last week and though this would be perfect for you." Eddie replied handing me a tiny, wrapped gift from his inner jacket pocket.
"Thank you, Eddie you didn't need to get me anything its just a birthday." I spoke shrugging.
Eddie shrugged in return. "It was no big deal."
Nodding I open his gift.
Inside was a brand-new blade the had recently came out the guardian's are using to fight strigoi. Lately Tatiana has had been trying to expand guardian resources to make it easier to take down strigoi.
"You are the best thank you so much, how did you score a blade its hard to get them considering its popular?" Thank continued.
"Thank you, I love it." Looking at it in awe.
"It is no big deal I had a pre order for months for a couple, now go and find the next location and I will see you later birthday girl."
Bidding a farewell to Eddie and with my next clue I and prepared to finish this to find him.
I love that bright smile of yours when you are at your happiest, sometimes when I am lucky, I will see that twinkle in your eyes as you light up. Its absolutely breathtaking Roza, you are breathtaking.
Your next location can be described with three words.
Liquor, cigarettes, bloodthirst.
You are getting closer but still more locations to go, I will see you soon.
Chuckling I knew where to go, especially at this time of the day.
Turning around from the direction I was about to go I than head for the Moroi housing.
Knocking on his door ten minutes later I wait for him to answer the door.
"Well, hello Little Dhampir, glad you could finally come and see me even for this," Adrian spoke running his fingers through his hair when he opened the door for me, letting me in. "Though the though of you coming to see me for me is pleasing." He joke, making me roll my eyes.
"Glad to see you too creep." I replied back.
Chuckling he hands me the next clue.
"By the way you won the best asshole, Christian also got his ass reamed by Lissa when he got busted for making the bet with you." I revealed, making Adrian laugh even harder.
"This is just perfect, not only did he lose he got an earful." He rejoiced in his winnings as he went to sit on his sofa. Following hi sat on the love seat, fifteen minutes was alright to spare Adrian before I went to the location.
"Well, if you are to bet on me tell me at least it was something good?" I spoke hoping to get answers.
"Oh, it was and you're not getting the details so nice try." He smirked, making me pout.
"Fine than," I muttered before changing he subject and opening his gift after my reluctant to accept it.
Now it was time to go.
"I will come by and see you later this week." heading towards the door.
As I was leaving all I hear was him yelling you better back at my departure.
Leaving his house, I was in a chipper mood, this birthday was not as bad as I thought it would be.
I love the fact you bared our beautiful baby boy, some day you will bare our last name.
The next person you have met once before, as a guardian with a mutual typed past you will recognise this guardian. Just walk to the guarded ward you always pass there he will be waiting for the next task.
My heart melted at his words, the fact he would tell me one thing he loves about me with the clues made me feel special and loved.
Tucking the note in my pocket like the rest I head for the location.
Once I got to the area the only person there, I knew was Guardian Mikhail Tanner, Mrs. Karps former lover until she went strigoi and disappeared.
Which was a similar past besides Dimitri not turning willingly.
"Hey, Guardian Tanner, how are you on this fine day," I speak softly, walking closer to him.
"I am doing just fine Guardian Hathaway, congratulations on the child and engagement I wish you both well and a happy family." He congratulated before confessing a tiny secret of Dimitri's. "The news spread like wildfire around court, but I was lucky enough to be the first few to know before thanks to Dimitri asking for help on ideas. Also please call me Mikhail."
"Well alright Mikhail call me Rose, thank you I appreciate him having someone he can talk to besides me. He is a quiet guy but sometimes everyone needs a little help, so thank you."
Changing the subject and adding a wide smile I than say.
"So, Guardian Tanner how did you end up suckered into this," I asked curious on how Dimitri got him to sit here for me even while on duty.
"Well, Belikov did promise me something in return, this was something small in the long run so its no big deal." He spoke cheerfully, making me curious. Looking at his happy mood I considered asking what Dimitri promised but decided to ask Dimitri himself later.
"Well, that's great, I appreciate you doing that sorry took so long in arriving I was not expecting my child and fiancé to be missing so I started the day on the wrong foot. Until I realised there was a note on the counter with my name in it." I joked running my fingers through my hair as I babbled like a fool.
Mikhail chucked, reaching into his pocket he pulled my clue to my next location handing it to me. Taking it, I put it in my pocket.
"I could only imagine Rose; a mothers first instinct is her child. Now go and find him he has been working on this for a while and should be ready soon."
Waving goodbye, I find a quiet spot to look at my next clue.
I love how no matter what you never gave up on me. Facing the demon and sins I had caused and still loving me by bringing me back is something I cannot describe with words. Facing anything for you is worth it.
This place will bring back some memories from the last time we were at court before I turned. This place held a future I overcame, but without this path our miracle wouldn't have happened thanks to this 'hoax'.
The fact he made it so simple but used places we been together makes this hunt for him more fun a way to bring the past back in a good way showing me that even though there was pain there was good.
I was off to see a certain hot blond Dhampir and his creepy aunt who tells the future.
Which meant I had to again turn around and head back toward the shopping part of court to Ambrose and Rhonda.
The place I had once called false and fake fortune readings to having dealt with it coming true.
Yes, it wasn't my fortune but Dimitri which led to him losing what he valued most, which at the time we thought it was me but ended up being his soul. Turning into a strigoi and loosing his soul in the process this place now makes me feel weird.
Before I could knock Ambrose opened the door to the Rhonda's tarot and fortune.
"We have been waiting Rose, come in it s a bit chilly out." He spoke letting me in.
Walking in I had a sense of Déjà vu for the last time I was here only Lissa and Dimitri will not be here with me.
"How are you enjoying the mom life?" Ambrose spoke making me groan. The who court really does know.
"The life is great, but I am also excited to get back out there on the field." I answered truthfully.
'Great to see you Rose, would you like a quick reading before you leave here." Rhonda asked casually, making me cringe.
"Oh, hell no, after the last time I am not trying that again." I declined stepping backwards.
"Oh, don't be a spoilsport and sit done and let her do her magic." Ambrose grins, lightly shoving me to the seat.
"Great, my luck I will get the shitty end of the stick again or another problem I do not need right now." I mumbled.
Pulling out the deck and doing everything she did the last time I was here she drew out my three cards.
Giving it a hard look, I still didn't get it. Apart of me didn't want to know, apart of me was scared.
"What does it mean?" I ask.
Pointing to the first card she than says, "This one means that undergoing your past you over came obstacles."
"What about that one." I questioned the card beside it, still sceptical of my luck and odds. So far it was alright but there was still two chances of screwing me over.
"Right now, you are finding out who you are. Speaking from a normal aspect and experience and not the tarot cards you are still a young lady finding your self as well as being a mother and experiencing a life that constantly changes.
This last one was what I was afraid of this one was my future. This woman who foretold Dimitri's future will determine mine.
"This one means you will face new obstacles and many paths but doesn't necessarily mean anything bad. You are getting married, a new job this could mean so many things, but the choice is up to you." She spoke. How does everyone know this about my life?
"How did you guys know about that?" I questioned.
"Well, you are the latest gossip at court, you have become quite popular like your mother." Rhonda chuckled.
Pavel hands me the next clue.
"Thank you for the reading, and it was nice seeing you guys." I spoke saying my goodbyes.
"Come visit it us soon." Spoke Rhonda as she hugged me before I left.
"Now go your young man is waiting for you."
And I did because he was worth it.
I love watching you with our child together interacting. To watch you bloom into a beautiful mother. You have become such am amazing one indeed.
This is the last place to go.
A bloodline, a man who once told me things but instead I ran. A powerful man I had asked for his blessing now for his daughters hand who originally ran from because I realised, I would regret not having you in my life, I got my second chance.
Pulling out my cell phone and texted my mom, wherever she was Abe was he had the next puzzle.
He was my last clue to Dimitri.
Getting my answer, I quickly ran to the royal courtyard were him and my mother were leaving the royal building after a meeting Abe had there with Queen Tatiana.
Running there as fast as I could I needed to get there before he got away. Running like a speeding bullet I flew threw court like a damn strigoi was chasing me.
A few moments later I saw there walking figures walk by a garden.
"Hey old man give me my clue." I yelled running towards him wanting to see Dimitri now.
"Nice to see you to young lady, and slow down before you pass out." Abe replied.
Once I got to them, I stopped walking and tried to catch my breath before I spoke.
"Hi how are you, now hand it over thank you." I smile holding my hand out for my clue.
"Rose don't be so rude to your father and at least make an effort to talk before leaving." My mother retorted.
"Mom I am a mother as well as a grown adult no need to tell me what to do." I replied back.
"Girls no fighting. Rose here is your clue." Abe intervened handing me my note.
"Thank you."
"Now before you go, what are you and the family are doing this weekend." Abe asks randomly. "I will be leaving court and would like a family dinner."
"The weekend sounds great call me later, what are you doing this weekend mother." I asked.
"I will around so be expected to see me there." Making mem nod in agreement.
"Alright then, I will see you later. Bye guys." I say before leaving them.
I love that you are mine.
I love that you are the mother of my child and an already amazing guardian. You are amazing fiancé and soon a fantastic wife.
Come find me Roza…
Because of me this place was once a place of sorrow will now be a place of memories and love.
This place we call home will be a place where I will cherish, love and promise you to have the life you want. This place is where I want to grow old with you a place our children can come and feel safe.
Roza come home.
So, I did. I went home to Dimitri.
I got there in seconds with no effort.
"Took you long enough Roza," Dimitri's voice spoke as soon as I walked into, he doors of our home.
The house was arranged and cleaned, the kitchen table was set, and the stairs were lined with rose pedals. He made the atmosphere romantic and I was happy to come home to a clean home.
"Sorry it was a long trek around court. "I joked. "Though I am curious this promise with Mikhail?"
Dimitri sighed looking all sexy in his high-necked sweater and hair tied back. "I promised with Eddie and Adrian to go with him to save Sonya. I was going to talk to you about it, but I wanted to wait awhile before the mission, so I didn't mention it."
"I am not mad Comrade; I was just curious and didn't want to ask Mikhail he seemed cheerful today." I replied moving my way I not the dining room where he had everything set for dinner.
Giving me a quick kiss and a happy birthday, I sat down at the table waiting for it to finish.
Bringing it out from the kitchen I realised it wasn't something I've had before.
"Its Russian and something Mama used to make a lot, so I wanted to share it with you for your birthday." Dimitri explained.
"Comrade this looks amazing and this is great I couldn't have asked for a better birthday." I thanked, digging into the steaming food.
Sitting down Dimitri and I got to eating and talking. To say it was good was an understatement it was mouth watering.
"So, I have a question, and you can be honest as well as make your own decision in the matter but would like to know." I asked after swallowing my food.
"What is it Roza?"
"Tasha."
"What about her?" He asks cautiously.
"Well, she will be going to Tarasov in a few days, I was wondering if you were going to see her before she was transferred?" As much as I don't like talking about her, she was something we needed to resolve before we can move on in life.
A long-time friend gone psycho trying to kill his child's mother for her own selfish love for him is a sore spot with him.
Taking another bite of his food and not answering I was certain he was not going to talk about her.
"No Roza, I am not going to talk to her before she goes to prison, she made her decision when she tried to kill you and our child despite knowing my true feelings on the matter, she used it for her vile plans. There is nothing I want to say to her."
Nodding I dropped the subject on Tasha, the whole dinner we chatted about dinner plans with Abe and my mom as a family. The whole day was amazing.
When we finished, we both grabbed a hot chocolate and we went to sit on the sofa in the living room, the music was on low. Both wrapping up in a blanket together we both settled on the couch to digest that amazing meal he cooked.
"Before we retire to bed," I spoke with a seductive grin. "We need to lay somethings out even though its my birthday."
Dimitri nodded.
"I was worried about Greyson while I am at Leigh University guarding Lissa Monday to Fridays. With you taking the position him will we incorporate out lives smoothly with him during the weekdays, weekends I will be home." Feeling concerned on the situation I felt like now was a good time to discuss everything and sort it out.
"Roza I will be alright on the weekdays with him, there is day care for the odd hours when I am busy, and I can work something out with Hans. Don't worry so much I will make sure he is taking care of and well provided when your gone and we can video chat when we are both free."
Feeling like a wight has lifted off my chest I felt like we could do this.
"You know its so quiet in here without him, but I miss him already." I say to Dimitri talking about Greyson.
"Me to Roza, he is the best thing besides you to ever come into my life." He agrees. "Not right now but I do want more Roza, that is if you with to have more I do respect your wishes."
"What if it was a one-time deal what if I c ant have another miracle child?" I asked, praying I can have more.
"Well, if we cannot have another like Greyson, we can adopt who needs a home. No matter who they will always be family and be loved the same. Right now, we can settle in and wait till after the wedding before we can make more decisions or when we are both ready."
Oh man I love him, the fact he is so patient and loving makes me feel special. His large heart was what I loved most about him.
"Alright let's go now Roza the night is still young." Dimitri says pulling me up from the couch.
"Wait Comrade before we go up, I have one more question."
"Yeah, what is it?" He answers confused.
"Would you mind explain to me these weird chess pieces you always have in your pocket." I teased, really wanting to know what it means. Thinking back on the times I have seen and still didn't understand why Abe had given it to him and why?
I could remember ever time they were mentioned or shown in front of me.
"Zemy has also asked us to give you this," Throwing something tiny at him. "He said there is two roles to this piece possesses. He never explained what the first one was something you will understand when the time is right.
Catching it Dimitri looks at it, confused he looks up at Jackson showing us what was in his hand.
A chess pieces. Abe gave him the Queen chess piece.
"And the second one?" Dimitri asked.
"You lose, Checkmate." She smirked.
Moving towards Dimitri with her stake and knife in hand, Guardian Brendan moved around them.
What are they up to?
Then there was the time in the interrogation room where he was being questioned about the letters.
Pulling out a red king chess piece than says. "Do you remember what I said in courtroom." Dimitri nodded than pulled the red queen chess piece from his duster pocket and looked down at is as he sat it on the table. Staring at it made me think back to when Guardian Jackson threw to him the night, he was turned back from being a strigoi. She also said something, but I still never understood what she meant.
I had completely forgotten about that until Dimitri sat the chess piece on the table.
"Do you remember what I said to you in that courtroom when I told you what the first role the queen pieces possesses." Abe asked, repeated.
Dimitri nodded. Suddenly I got excited, what could the other purpose of the queen chess piece be?
"That doesn't matter, I've already made up my mind Mr. Mazur." Dimitri replied.
Now I was confused nothing was making sense, obviously there not going to say what he said so now ill be left wondering, again. "I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I will not talk about Rose and I's personal business with you."
Thinking about the chess piece I wanted to know why he has the stupid chess pieces my dad gave to him?
What did those chess pieces mean?
Dimitri smirked, not a large one just a hint of a smirk enough to notice his amusement.
Walking over to his duster he takes out the red queen and king chess piece out of the inner left pocket.
"You really want to know what the second lesson Abe taught me about the purpose of the queen.
Nodding my head, I really wanted to know.
"Abe said the second purpose of the queen is to make sure the king succeeds. Yet the queen has many purposes she is in a league of her own considering she is what ends the game."
"I finally have you Roza, to know you will be my wife is a dream come true." Dimitri spoke. "You are my queen."
Picking up the king and queen chess pieces with a grin I shook them in them at Dimitri before saying. "No Comrade, I believe the correct term is the first rule now." Jokingly.
"And what's that?" Dimitri replied back going along with it.
"Check bitch."