Hey guys, here's the next one.

Sorry for the wait, but you know life, things come up all the time.

Anyway, I'll be updating as soon as I can. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Saludos! :)

Chapter 6. - Three Words.

For the tenth time today, the phone rang.

Please let it be a man, I prayed. Out of all the calls I answered as Ivan's assistant, the vast majority were women waiting impatiently to have another "wonderful night" with my boss. That didn't make things easier for me, since I had to become extremely imaginative when it came to the excuses I used. To mix those up would only end up with an angry mob of female suitors at the office, so no pressure really.

I looked out the window from the tiny office that had once been a filing room, and wondered if I had really taken Dimitri's warning about Ivan's whorish ways lightly.

The answer was a definite YES, that was the reason I hadn't even managed to get some lunch, that and the fact that if wasn't for the calls I'd actually enjoy a heck of a lot more the other things I learned.

Deciding I couldn't put off answering the phone, I put an extra ounce cheerfulness into my voice. "Ivan Zeklos's office, how may I help you?"

"Hi! This is Jessie and I was wondering if you could tell your boss that I was extremely thankful for the flowers he sent and that if he could swing by my apartment tonight I would get to show him my consideration in person."

Yeah, it was definitely going to be a long day…

*.*.*.*

I looked up to find Dimitri holding out a takeout bag. "A lot of work today?"

"How did you know?" I cried as I put the laptop aside. "I was just going to finish summarizing the minutes of the last conference for the boss. How was the meeting with prospective clients?"

"The security guard told me you hadn't been down. The meeting went well, mostly because they came recommended from Zelig, so they were definitely on board with us." Dimitri sat down on the edge of my desk "So how's it going on your end?"

I shrugged while I tore into the bag. "Not that bad, I just wish I could have a go at all those presentation cards Ivan hands out and change the number on them. It'd make my life so much easier, but overall I like being here."

"You've lasted much more than the rest of his assistants, there was a time one only lasted two days before quitting and you've already managed three weeks. So I guess he must really appreciate you dealing with his harem."

"I would only hope so," I said biting into the delicious meatball sandwich. "Are you going back to your office?"

It was past six, and that was the usual time he left work. I would usually go with him, and take the rest of my unfinished work home. But today I couldn't do that since I still needed to receive the last minutes from today's meetings from another assistant.

"I'm have to head home, I was going to ask you if you wanted me to take you home. I have to pack."

"Where are you going?" I asked around bites.

"Frankfurt. I would take you with me but you barely managed the flight from Montana, I don't think you'll enjoy a ten hour flight to Germany."

The thought of being in the air for that long gave me chills, and the thought of turbulence just made me want to rush to the nearest bin and puke.

I nodded. "I have to finish this by today, or else Ivan won't be able to understand what the meetings he has tomorrow are all about."

"Don't stay too late. Albert will come pick you up, don't leave without him."

The man had been more careful with our security since the incident at the gala and I couldn't say it bothered me now. It was a safety measure that I appreciated because I knew another meeting with Viktor Dashkov wouldn't be as harmless, since I'd practically left him sterile. And it took my hand a whole week to heal.

"Have a safe flight. We just got married and I don't want to become a widow so quickly. I'm a mobster's daughter, they'll think I did it."

He lifted a brow. "I'll keep that in mind."

Changing the subject, I asked. "Are you taking my boss with you?"

"The only one coming with me is Tasha. I'm sure you'll both pleased to hear that."

I smirked. The woman had been ready to shit bricks when she found out that I'd be working at the office, now she only she only looked mildly displeased. But I was staring to believe that her natural state, when it came to me. She still had her sights on Dimitri, and I wanted to say it didn't bother me but slowly and surely, I felt myself get irritated as she found any pretense to get close to him.

"Yeah, I think Ivan will actually walk the halls freely now." I smiled innocently. "So…"

"What?" he asked, growing suspicious by the second.

"If you'll be in Germany, for how long…"

"A week."

"If you'll be in Germany, for a whole week, what will happen to Wanda?"

"Wanda? Who's she?"

I rolled my eyes. "Your car, I named her Wanda. Do you mind if I drove her?"

"Just the fact that you named him Wanda, proves that you aren't ready for the Cougar."

"That's unreasonable, since you'll be gone and she'll be lonely parked in the garage."

"I can't have you crash her when I just got her remodeled a year ago. So no can do mam', but I'll give you something else." He took out a phone from his suit pocket. "I'll be needing to check up on you so this will assure me that you're where you're supposed to be. My number is on there as well as any other you'll need."

With that he left me alone, and I found myself feeling like I would get bored without him. What the heck was I thinking? I was getting a vacation from the man and I couldn't say I wasn't thrilled at having the entire house to myself.

I continued to work for the rest of the evening on the summary, and then I went into Dimitri's office to pick up some documents that Ivan needed to sign. It was rustically decorated and if it weren't for the amazing view of the city, I would have thought we'd been in someplace southern. I'd figured out the man's western theme was part of his hidden love for the old west.

While I sat in his comfortable chair, I took in the wonderful smell of his cologne and wondered how the heck I was going to handle that damn attraction that was slowly building up between us these past few weeks. Sometimes I felt the need to tackle him to ground and hug him, which was absurd because I wasn't sure he'd let me.

As let myself get lost into weird fantasies, the same phone that Dimitri had just given me started to ring, the man's face was on the screen. I laughed, he was really going to keep his eyes on me.

"You just left, couldn't you wait at least a couple of hours before you checked up on me?"

"It's good I did, you're taking over my office now?"

"I was just getting the measurements for my new desk and the plushy couch I want in the corner."

He laughed. "You can keep it, as long you keep Ivan from burning down the company. I just called to tell you that I'm boarding now and that Albert is down in the parking lot. I'll call you when I get the chance. Don't get into trouble, Roza."

Roza? "Yeah, yeah, I won't. Take care."

*.*.*.*.*

I was looking around the parking lot for the SUV, when I noticed that Albert was actually driving Wanda.

"Evening, Rose, I was told you'd need these." Albert said as he handed me the keys to the car.

"Are you sure? I talked to Dimitri about letting me drive her and he thinks I'll crash her."

"He said to take advantage since he wasn't home and that you served a break." He handed me a folded post-it.

Happy first month, wife.

Don't crash him.

—Your husband.

I couldn't help the giddiness that was slowly spreading through my stomach.

"I can't wait to know how it feels to be on the road again." I said opening the drive's door with the utter respect the vintage car deserved. "Can we take the longer route home?"

"Take as long you'd like, Rose," He said as he slipped into the passenger seat and didn't bat an eye as I burned rubber out of the parking lot.

*.*.*.*.*

"How was your day, mija?" Celia asked she served me a plate of her famous Pozole, which a soup was made from hominy and pork meat. It was the first time I'd be trying it, but from what I'd heard from Albert, it was Celia's specialty.

"It was great," I said as wiped my hands on a napkin. "It would've been better if I didn't have to speak to so many women, but you know Ivan."

"Oh that man, hasn't found the right woman for him. Believe me when he does, he'll fall head over heels and there won't be anything he'll be able to do about it."

"If only that'd be any day soon..." I said as I took a spoonful if the delicious smelling soup, with both Celia and Albert looking at me with curiosity. "This is hands down one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten."

Celia smiled. "You think so? I'm glad you like it, it's our way of making you feel at home."

"Believe me when I tell you that this the most comfortable, I've ever been. Thank you."

We continued to eat in silence, while we watched a soap opera in Spanish and since the acting was so over the top it didn't need any subtitles.

After dinner, I left Celia and Albert watching television downstairs as I retired to our bedroom.

"How depressing," I said noticing that Dimitri's luggage was missing, as well his big form from his favorite spot on the couch. His western books were stacked on the table except the one he was currently reading.

He'd had given me my own phone, which was something I'd missed having, since the one I had was left in my apartment and I was pretty sure that it had ended up in the trash.

I looked at the phone and I dialed the number I knew by heart and hoped that she'd be awake and not too mad to know why I hadn't called.

"Hello," on the second ring, Lissa's voice came through the speaker.

"Hey, Liss, it's me Rose."

There were a few moments of silence, until I heard a door closing. "Sorry, I'm at you parents' house. There was a dinner today and we got invited."

"I'm sorry for not calling earlier," I apologized. "I just wanted to talk to you and let you know that I was doing well and to know if you're okay."

"I know, I talked to your mom after her Skyped with you, she was pretty heartbroken. I'm doing great, more than great really, there's so much you need to know."

"What's going with you?" I asked, feeling like I'd let my best friend down. "Tell me."

She whispered. "I'm pregnant, Rose. I wanted to tell you so badly, but I've been too busy since your father has got Christian doing a lot of things that make me worried. Is it safe if I called you at this number?"

I felt like frozen in place, my best friend was expecting a baby and I wasn't even there to congratulate her. But I guess she knew the way I felt about she children, I loved them secretly, but I was too scared to ever have my own.

"Yes, of course it's safe. Dimitri gave it to me. I have so much to tell you too, Liss." I replied.

"Dang it," she said, trying not to curse. "Rosemarie, you have to tell me everything and I mean EVERYTHING. Got it?"

I laughed at the way she avoided to curse. "Yeah, I'll let you get back to dinner, before anyone starts asking questions."

"Wait! Before you go, are you coming to your father's birthday party?"

"I thought he wasn't up to those, awful parties anymore. Since he'd actually received limbs in a box, that one time."

"Well, he just said that he wanted to celebrate his 55th birthday in company of his family and that his enemies would just have to suffer through seeing him turn a year older. As well as wanting see his daughter and his new son."

I felt ill, I didn't want to return to Montana in the least bit. It would still feel like I was under my father's watchful eye and it was something I wasn't looking forward to. "I don't know, if we'll make it, since Dimitri is very hands on deck with his company. I'll let you know what happens. Bye Liss, love you."

"Love you too, Rose, take care of yourself and I'll call you as soon as possible."

"You take care of yourself and the baby. Bye."

I sighed, how the heck I was going to avoid going back home?

*.*.*.*.*

"Mommy, doesn't wake up." A little voice said, as I felt two small hands hold my cheeks affectionately.

I was too comfortable to wake up, so I turned to the other side and I let myself burrow into the covers.

"Leah," Dimitri's voice was soft and laced with affection. "Careful with your sister. They're both sleeping, mommy and her."

"I wanted to say good morning to my sister, she likes it when I kiss her since she always moves in mommy's tummy."

I turned around and peeked a look at both of them. Leah was an exact replica of her father; the same color of eyes and the mass of curls could only have been inherited from my side of the family.

"We're awake." I said taking them both by surprise and pulling them closer to me. I kissed the top Leah's hair and I snuggled them into the covers with me. "You two must be up to something…since you are so insistent on me waking up."

Dimitri smiled. "We wouldn't dare, you know us."

"You two are like partners in crime and sadly for both of you, I am on to you." I looked at him and laughed. The man was adorable letting Leah do what she wanted, and the best part was that he didn't even know that she had him wrapped around her little finger. Not that I didn't try to let him know that it was okay to tell her no sometimes, otherwise she was going to end up spoiled as hell. He'd only replied that, it was his first child and that she should at least get to be spoiled until her sister arrived.

"We didn't do anything mommy, we promise." she said as she kissed my stomach. "Good morning, Lily."

Damn hormones, I wasn't going to cry. Dimitri looked at me and whispered, "Happy mother's day" before kissing my lips and picking up Leah. "Come on, munchkin, let's let mommy get dressed while we find out what Nana Celia made for breakfast."

"Bye mommy, we love you!" she yelled as she blew me a kiss.

"I love you more," I answered as I continued to rest atop the covers. This was the life I always dreamed and so much more. "And I also love you, jellybean." I said to the tiny human being growing in my belly.

It was amazing and slightly weird to know that I was growing a human baby in my uterus, but after experiencing everything with Leah the first time, now I felt like I could enjoy my pregnancy more since I wasn't that scared of things I now knew were normal for pregnancies. And now Dimitri looked like he could breathe again, since he wasn't up all night worrying about me going into labor.

I changed quickly, or as quickly as my belly allowed me, and managed to get downstairs without losing my breath. That was an accomplishment all on its own.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I finally understood their impatience. The living room was filled with the tight knit circle that was our family. Olena and Yeva where there as well as my sister-in-laws and their children. My mother was holding onto Leah as she came forth and hugged me.

"Happy mother's day, Rosie." She said as she gave me my child.

I kissed her cheek. "Happy mother's day too, mom. I'm such a lousy child that I didn't even knew you were coming to visit."

"It was a surprise from your husband, so don't feel too bad. He made us all promise not to tell you."

"Yes, daddy made us go like this," Leah said as pretended to zip her mouth closed.

"And you have no idea how tough it was to bribe this one not to tell you," Dimitri said while he hugged us from behind. "Do you like your surprise? Lissa's here."

I smiled at my friend. "I love it, thank you, hubby." I said as I kissed him again. "This is a lovely way to spend the day, with all of our family here. I honestly couldn't have wished for more, even if I tried."

"What about your father?" said the menacing voice that belonged to the man I hated the most. Ibrahim Mazur.

I looked at Dimitri for an answer, but one minute he was holding Leah and I, and the next he was lying on the floor with a bullet hole staining his white t-shirt red. I covered Leah's eyes, as she held on to me screaming that her daddy was dead.

I stared in horror as the body of the man I loved, slowly bled out before my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Why do you think, stupid girl, when have I ever let things go the way you planned?"

"Never," I whispered.

"Ding, ding, ding. Now as much as I love these mushy and sentimental gatherings I am here for something much more important."

"What else do you want?!"I yelled. "You've killed the man I love, how much more do you think you can take from me?"

My father came closer to me and I suddenly turned around to see that there wasn't anyone else but us. "I can take everything I want, Rose, because I am your father. Including them."

I couldn't have felt more desperation, as Abe took my little girl from my arms and handed her off to one of his henchmen. "Now, I think she'll behave and learn from her mother's mistakes. To always do as the Zmey tells her to, and to learn her place as my pawn. I am actually planning on her being married to of my associates."

"Who?" I asked wishing that she would find a man just as good as Dimitri and that she'd be saved.

"You him very well...Viktor Dashkov."

I felt myself go numb. "You're despicable and I hope that you suffer for everything you've done to me."

He laughed. "You were always such a weak little thing. It was already bad enough you weren't a boy but to be so pathetic, is a low even for you. I would love to keep you, but you're not even worth having around. Too much risk, but it's better if I send you off with the pathetic excuse for a man, you called your husband."

When I looked up, I found the end of his gun pointing at me. "See you in the next life."

And he pulled the trigger.

I woke up with a start. Dimitri.

I looked around for the phone I'd placed on the nightstand and looked at the time, could I call him? I opened up the messaging app and stared at the tiny green circle next to his name.

He was online. Thank goodness.

Before I could get to write anything, the three grey dots danced around the screen.

Dimitri: What are you doing awake?

Rose: I… Just wanted to check up on you.

Dimitri: Liar. Can't sleep without me?

Rose: A little bit.

Dimitri: I didn't think I caused that much of an impact on you. Here I was thinking that you'd enjoy having the week to yourself enough to wish for me not to come back.

Rose: What are you talking about? You've been gone for a couple of hours and I already miss you.

As I realized what I'd written, I tossed the phone as far from me as I could. I hid under the covers, dreading what Dimitri would respond, if he'd actually do it. At least until I heard the telltale sound of an incoming message.

The butterflies inside my belly tossed and turned. I was grown woman not some foolish teenager, I would look at the message and respond accordingly. Pulling my big girl panties on, I crawled over to the poor phone as I unlocked the screen and read.

Dimitri: Good, because I miss you too.

And because he was still Dimitri.

Dimitri: Go to sleep.

I tossed the phone again, while I squeaked like the foolish teenager I had just said I'd never be. He missed me. If only I could exchange those three words for another, everything would be so different.