Thank you so much for letting me know what you thought! No, they didn't have sex, just a some intense dry humping. I'm so glad you all enjoyed the ending! This chapter is all about some more character development and working into setting up relationships with other characters and setting the stage for future conflict. I won't keep you any longer, so here is the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own any VA characters, just the story .

"You promised Roland."

Opening my eyes, I blink blearily up at the ceiling. Silence greets me and I feel slight confusion filter though me. I could've sworn I heard Karolina. Sitting up I look around the room.

"You can't do this to me again." Karolina's shaky voice drifts from my window.

Getting out of bed and look down out of my window to see Karolina on the phone out back. She's wrapped up but you can see the obvious stress radiating from her. I watch as she shakes her head at whoever is on the other end. I feel my heart clench and frown when I hear a sob break from her.

"Paul needs his father." She cries into the phone. "You promised me you would change. I waited for you to change and now we're having another baby and your_NO!"

I jump at the abrupt raising of her voice. Guilt slithers through me at my eavesdropping but I can't help myself as I sit down on my bench.

"No Roland! You don't get to do this. How am I supposed to explain to Paul that his daddy won't have anything to do with him? How do I explain that to our daughter?"

The desperation in her voice sounds too familiar.

"I need help. It's hard getting things for the kids. There's only so much my family can help me with." She crackles. "Roland, please. We need you…I love you."

"He left me all alone." Mommy slurs from outside the closet. "I loved him and he left me alone."

"I know baby." Jerry's voice answers sympathetically.

"He knocked me up and then left me to deal with her all on my own. How could he do that?!"

"I know baby…here take this. It'll take the edge off."

The back door closing downstairs pulls me back to the present and I listen to sobs echo up the stairs before they disappear altogether. I feel hallow and the voices of my past keep whispering to me from the edges of my mind. Sighing I look at the time and see that there's no way I'm getting back to sleep. Shuffling into the closet I quickly pull on a pair of black jeans and an oversized maroon knit sweater. I rush through brushing my hair and teeth before pulling down one of my shoe boxes. Careful not to be too loud I empty the contents on my bed and pull out a small diary and pen from between my mattress and box spring.

"Ten, twenty, thirty, forty…." I count quietly under my breath as I quickly shuffle money from one hand to the other.

Setting the cash aside I take the time to count out the change and sigh under my breath as I tally it up in my ledger. On average, after tax, I make about $671 every two weeks from my pay check. It was the end of November so that's two paychecks since I've started working so I had $1,342 and some change under my belt and that wasn't even including the tips. If it was a good week I made an average of $300 a week. I was meticulous with storing it away. I rarely ever moved to touch the ever-growing stash knowing that one day I would need it. Sitting down I start adding up the numbers. $2,542 later I'm banding together rolls of $1,000 and putting them into my satchel and storing my ledger back where it came from and ignoring Abe's two grand. Pulling out a pen and paper I set to work.

What did babies need? There were the obvious essentials. Diapers, wipes, clothing of varying sizes, receiving blankets, wash cloths, towels, soap, lotion, butt cream, diaper bag, bottles, Dreft, a baby first aid kit. My pen scribbles across the page faster than I thought possible. The list didn't seem like much but after watching so many mothers struggle I knew that these were the much needed in the beginning. Looking around I realize that I don't have a computer and mutter under my breath. At the sound of the shower my ears perk up and I have to beat down the insistent heat that rises up at the images of our last bathroom encounter fly through my head.

It felt like years and yet it was only two days ago. Yesterday was Thanksgiving and the day had to have been the nicest I'd ever had. Usually I never celebrated it, but this year was different. The whole day people lounged about watching football, playing board games, and laughing. Abe had come over for the holiday and sat in the kitchen as I helped Olena cook up an amount of food that could feed a small country. Not that I'm complaining. After finally being chased from the kitchen I sat on the couch as I finally let myself relax.

"What's your favorite color." Viktoria asks as she colors with Paul on the floor.

"Blue." Dimitri responds from his chair in the corner, without looking up from his book. I try to ignore my heart skipping as I realize he listened to my rant.

"How would you even know that?" Viktoria asks looking shocked.

"I told him." I let her know. "He was walking me home and we got to talking."

"Oh." I see hurt flash across her face and feel guilt flood me.

"Did you know that my favorite animal is a fish." I blurt out.

Viktoria freezes as she looks at me in wonder and then pure happiness. My guilt flushes out and I feel pleased that I could make her happy.

"A fish?" She laughs hysterically. "Really Rose? You couldn't have picked something else?"

"They're quiet and easy to take care of." I shrug smiling at her. "I also like rice pudding."

Her laughter slows down but her smile doesn't diminish. The room falls back into a calming quiet. I listen as Paul takes his picture into the kitchen to show his mother. Yeva hums from her rocking chair as she knits.

"Are you happy Rose?" She asks out of the blue. "You don't seem so sad anymore and you smile more. Are you happy?"

The question blind sides me and I feel myself jerk a little. Looking around the room I meet the eyes of Dimitri. The question has his interest and his gaze bores into mine. Blushing I look away and hope no one notices. Was I happy? I liked my job. I had good grades. I ate at every meal and have a clean and warm house to live in. I've even grown to find myself smiling more than I'd ever had in my life. Puzzled I feel a warm fluttering in my heart that feels out of place but too good to push away. Viktoria's smile starts to diminish but comes back even bigger than before when I nod my head wordlessly.

Moving into my closet I quickly knock on the door before I can change my mind. I patiently wait as the shuffling on the other side of the door gets louder and the lock clicks. Door swinging open I'm met with another beautiful view of Dimitri's chest. Water droplets run down between the lines and grooves of his muscles. Biting my lip, I look up and meet his eyes just in time to see them darken as they zoom in on my mouth.

"Can I help you?" He asks deeply.

"I…Ummm…" I quickly turn around to get my thoughts together. "Get dressed, I need your help."

"Ummm…"
"I need your computer and for you to drive me somewhere."

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"Shopping?" Dimitri asks sounding shocked. "You want me to shop with you?"

"Yes." I tell him simply as we get into the car. I'm eager for the heat to chase away the coldness of the day.

"You do understand it's black Friday?" He inquires raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, but that means I can rack up on some really good savings." I explain sighing. "I'd go with Viktoria but she's already left with Mia and Sydney."

"You'll get run over by people."

"Then I guess it's a good thing you'll be there to watch my back."

He doesn't say anything else as he starts the car and we drive out of town. The roads look icy but Dimitri drives as if it's the middle of summer. The winter wonderland outside my window is beautiful. Icicles hang from frozen trees and a blanket of white snow lays over everything. The world looks so sterile with bursts of color from old red barns, colorful birds that have stuck around, and the Christmas lights hung on houses.

"You like snow?" He asks suddenly. "Or just rain?"

"I like snow the most but rains a close second." I tell him as I look over. He's watching the road but he looks as if he's fighting not to turn and face me. "Something about them both just seem to purify the world. Even if it's only for a little bit."

His face for once looks smooth. Not emotionless smooth, but relaxed…calm. Something about it makes me feel safe. Like nothing can touch me. The feeling is new but I welcome it instead of shoving it away.

"You going to let me in on your plan for today?" He breathes out.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop this morning but I heard your sister out back." I told him. His body stiffens and he nods jerkily.

"He's never been around unless it's to use her." Dimitri steams. "You shouldn't worry about it though. She always manages and the family helps her."

I turn to look outside the window. We're almost five towns away and close to the store I want to be at. I want him to know that I had to help her. I want to explain my overwhelming urge to make sure that Karolina has what she needs.

"I watched someone struggle to raise a baby on her own once. Father was a deadbeat that ditched out. Parents kicked her out. She had no one." I tell him softly without turning. I hear his breathing catch slightly and feel a moment of heat from when he looks at me briefly. "She tried but she just couldn't find her footing, you know? Eventually she grew to resent her baby and left it on the street all alone."

"Roza." He says before getting quiet. "You're not responsible for your mom_."

"I'm not talking about my mom." I snap at him. Before retreating inward.

An ache settles in my chest and I want to scream at the heaviness in my head. It was about my mom. I know I'm not fooling Dimitri but I feel raw.

"My point is that with some help…maybe things could've been different. Maybe she and her kid would've been happy." I tell him pushing past the darkness seeping into my heart.

Warm fingers brush softly against the skin of my lower jaw and neck. Closing my eyes, I savor the way it chases away the chill and soothes the ache. The touch is gone before I want it to be and glancing over I find Dimitri staring straight ahead like normal. The only clue giving him away is the way his knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel tightly.

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"I like westerns." Dimitri says out of nowhere.

Looking up I find him patiently holding the giant stack of baby clothes I've accumulated. The crowds move around him instead of surging into him and I smile softly. As I look back down at coat for Paul I was looking at. I quickly snatch it up after spying someone eying it.

"I like the bread mama bakes. I like the way the air smells in spring. I like teaching." He continues. I walk over to him and smile up. "I don't like cats."

"Do you think this is enough? It's really cheap so I can go get more." I ask and explain.

I grabbed 6 outfit sets for every size starting at newborn and up to six months. One 3 pack of long sleeved onesies for every size up to 6 months. Jackets, socks, beanies, hand mitts, and lots of fleece and flannel footie pajamas. I also made sure to grab plenty of clothes for Paul. Making sure to make outfits as I did so he easily had 10. I made sure to throw shoes and socks into the mix along with some jackets. I wasn't even lying when I said it was cheap.

"I think this will be plenty." Dimitri chuckles at me. Warmth runs down my spine at the sound. "How do you know about Carter's?"

"I had a neighbor that used to work for them. They have these sales all the time. You can seriously stock a whole closet if you know what you're doing." I explain to him.

We stand there in silence again and as we move up in line I find myself throwing hair bands, bows, and a variety of baby toys into the mix.

"Do you really not like cats?" I ask suddenly.

"They shed, the litter smells, and as independent as they are…they're divas." He says flatly.

Something bubbles up inside of me and for the first time in a long time I laugh. The sound seems to take Dimitri by surprise and he watches me with an open mouth. It's just something about the word "divas" coming from him. My laughing is cut short as we make it up to the register. We watch in silence as she scans item after item.

"I made sure to get bigger sizes for Paul. I notice he grows fast." I tell Dimitri as I carefully pull out a wad. I watch as Dimitri's eyes widen and his face becomes stricken. "I've been saving up my money."

The look washes away and I quickly and easily fork out $480 for my purchase. Collecting the bags, I quickly push past the throng of people surging throughout the store before I'm suddenly slammed into and knocked to the floor. Blindsided I try and regain my breath as I'm practically trampled before I'm yanked up by strong hands.

"Rose are you okay?!" Dimitri sounds worried and almost panicked. I quickly wave him off but not too soon after all hell starts to break loose.

"Watch where you're going bitch!" A man snaps at me in a threatening tone. I flip him a bird and the man moves toward me.

"Hey!" Dimitri barks as he pushes past me to go toe to toe with him. The man must see something there because he looks terrified. I grab at Dimitri's arm and start to pull him back.

"Fuck off!" I yell back at the man.

He must decide Dimitri isn't a threat as he pushes past him with his fist extended. Dimitri yanks his arm but not before his knuckles graze along my jaw. Before I know what's happening I watch as Dimitri pulls his arm back and sends a punch into the man's face. I watch the man fly back into the crowd before standing and taking off in the opposite direction of us. Dimitri glances at me in worry before pulling me the rest of the way out of the store. He leads us to the van and stores our bags before spinning on me. I can barely register what's happening as flames erupt along my skin. Dimitri's hands run along my body as he checks for injuries. His fingers are firm and warm as the bend fingers before running up my arms and neck. Cupping my face, I can't help but notice how large his hands are. They reach from my face all the way to the back of my neck. He rotates my head gently before he finally says something.

"Does anything hurt?" He mumbles urgently, looking over my face.

His thumbs run over the place I was grazed and I wince slightly. I watch as Dimitri's face darkens and he lets out an extremely livid sounding line of Russian. My legs feel wobbly as jolts of desire shoot down them in reaction. What can a girl do? Grabbing his shaking hand, I squeeze it gently.

"I'm okay, it's not the first punch I've taken. He hits like a baby." I smirk trying to make lighten the mood.

My words seem to have an opposite reaction as I watch his face grow darker and his body tense enormously. His eyes rake over my face, settling on my lips, then darting to what I'm sure is a bruise, and back up to meet my eyes. Taking a risk, I lean up and push against his chest slightly. My fingers accidently brush the skin of his neck and I feel as if I've been zapped. Dimitri jolts and his hands drop from my face. My skin tingles at the loss of his touch.

"No one should ever touch you like that." He tells me flatly before getting into the van and slamming the door.

I don't get in immediately. Instead I let the cold air clear my senses and gently touch the warm and aching spot on my jawline. Damn the man must've gotten me better than I thought. Sighing in defeat I get in to go home.

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Dimitri's POV-

The ride home is tense. Neither one of us speak a word and Rose opts to look out of the window as she loses herself to her thoughts. I want to say something. To let her know that it's okay, but then I'd be lying to her. I'm angry. I'm angry that I she was right there in my reach and yet she was harmed. I had to watch in horror as people just stepped on her like she wasn't there and then to be punched…My hands tighten on the steering wheel. It was bad enough that she was hurt, it was worse that it wasn't even the first time. The ease in which she brushed it off was unsettling.

Breathing past the anger I try and think about something else. Glancing over I watch as she's lost to thought and gently stroking her bruise. It wasn't going to be pretty. The ugly discoloration had already darkened in color and had veins traveling out from its center. I focus my gaze back on the road.

"We'll put an ice pack on it when we get home." I tell her stiffly. She only hums in response. "If you don't want Karolina to find out about those clothes I would suggest washing them tonight. She's working the late shift and wont' be home. I'll run out for some Dreft before I watch Paul."

She doesn't say anything again and I sigh as we pull into the driveway. Parking and shutting off the car I turn quietly to her, but she gets grabs the bags and gets out. Rushing, I meet her on the porch and stop her before she can go in.

"I'm not mad at you." I tell her firmly. She finally meets my eyes and nods quietly.

"I see you got some shopping done." We both jump at the sound of Abe's voice and annoyance rises in me. His face is once again suspicious. "Did you finally get something for your room?"

"I bought a baby gift for Karolina." Rose says as she turns and lifts the bags.

I'm turning around when Abe's angry voice sounds out.

"What the fuck is that?"

Looking back, I find Abe's normally arrogant face morphed into sheer fury. The look draws me up short and I feel Rose back into me and away from him. Looking down I feel a surge of protectiveness and pull her slightly behind me.

"We were on our way out of the store when we got into an altercation." I tell him. His gaze snaps to me and I watch as his eyes flash dangerously.

"Let Olena know that I won't be able to make it to dinner tonight." He says curtly. "Get some ice on her face."

Without another word, he spins and walks away. Rose's hand grips my arm and the warmth makes me want her to touch me elsewhere. Groaning in my head at the thought I pull away and turn to look down at her. She looks somewhere between cautious and confused.

"Why was he so pissy?" She asks slowly before turning and walking inside.

I want to tell her that he's angry because his daughter is walking around with a bruise the size of Russia on her face. That he's angry because there's nothing he can do about it. He's angry because he wasted his chance to know her and it's biting him in the ass. Instead I stay silent as I follow her into the house to make us some hot chocolate and put ice on her bruise. Before I can reach inside a woman's voice calls to me.

"Dimika!"

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Just some time between the two of them to help develop their relationship! Please leave a review and let me know how you feel.