There was nothing to do now but head back to court. Robert and Victor were long gone, and we had to get back behind protection. We arranged a direct flight back to Philadelphia and then would catch a computer flight back to the airport near court. When we finally landed we had a cavalry waiting for us, that included Danella and Raven.
I raced up to them, not bothering to even look at the disappointed faces of my colleagues. I reached out for my daughter "my love, mommy missed you" I said taking her from Danella. Adrian came up beside me and smiled down at her. She giggled in response, bright eyes sweeping over us all. She gave a wide smile that melted my heart.
"Okay, Hathaway, let's go" I looked over to see Hans. I knew when we got back to court that we'd be in trouble, I did at least think I would get some time with my baby girl before being whisked away. A half hour at the least. Danella closed the small space between us however. It was her way of saying time was up. Time to be chewed out by her royal bitchiness.
I wasn't the only one in trouble of course. When we reached court Lissa went into the chamber for casting first. I knew however that she would receive no actual punishment. Not like me and Eddie. Only Adrian escaped any consequences. He went back home with his mother and Raven, telling me he'd take care of getting her dinner before returning her to my home and waiting.
Really, my punishment wasn't as bad as it could have been. My chances of guarding Lissa were sketchy as is. A crazy Vegas weekend wasn't that far out of the realm of possibility for us to try either. We were promptly chewed out by the Queen and Hans, who put us on desk duty. Eddie looked dismayed when Hans spoke about him having a black mark on his record now, but he looked almost sad when Hans practivly said I'd be on desk duty for the rest of my life.
I left and headed home after the tongue lashings were over. When I walked through the door I was met with squeals of joy from the living room. I came to stand in the threshold, between my small kitchen and living room. Adrian was on the floor with Raven, both playing with her stuffed animals. They smiled beams at each other, heartwarming baby babble filled the room as she spoke to him. "Maaamaaa" she giggled catching me out of the corner of her eye. Adrian looked over and smiled.
"I got her to eat and wiped her down, but she still needs a bath" he told me, as he stood and came over to me. I reached out ready to give him a hug. "Thank you,'' I told him. He gave me another smile "it's never a problem, little Dhampir" he leaned down and kissed. My heart ached wondering if he was still dwelling on what he's found out, about the possibility of Dimitri coming back, as slim as it is. I was ready to speak again but he stopped me before I could get the words out.
"Get the little princess ready for bed, and spend some time with her, there's always time to talk later" he said making his way to the door. I looked over at Raven, giving me a gum filled smile, with hints of white. Her teeth were going to start coming in any day now. Her fangs would be first.
Adrian was always watching out for her. Even keeping his feelings at bay, as to not have to witness us fight at all. He really was amazing to her. I thanked him once more, before taking Raven to the bath.
She squealed holding one of the rubber duck toys Lissa had bought her. I was careful to wash the soap out her brown curls, knowing how she hated the water running down her face. I wrapped her in a hooded unicorn towel. Drying her and dressing her in her baby shark pajamas was a complicated matter with her squirming all about. I thanked the heavens for the changing table, a gift from Alberta. Christian and Adrian put it together, along with her crib, a couple of days before we officially graduated, and moved to court.
I sat her in her playpen, letting her lay under her activity gym. She knocked around the dangling animals. I made my way over to my little kitchen, and made myself a sandwich. I looked into the living room watching her play as I ate. She rubbed her eyes, knowing it was almost her bedtime. I sighed, and wondered what I would do in the end. I couldn't let Lissa go for Dimitri. I'd have to kill him.
I just have to hope that eventually Raven would understand, and forgive me.
