Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Vampire Academy is not and will never be mine. However, in 2 days I will own the DVD :)

Days until wedding- 30

When I shuffled out of the bedroom the next morning, my barely-awake brain took a moment to register the fact that Lissa was sitting across the breakfast across from Dimitri, staring intently at her computer screen. The tapping noise from her fingers flying across the keyboard was too loud before breakfast. Maybe I was just grouchy as I'd had so little sleep last night.

"Why are you here?" I grumbled. Her chair was pushed out in a way that made getting to the counter really awkward.

"Charming," she said. "Nice to know I'm wanted."

"Hello," I said snarling.

"She hasn't had breakfast yet," Dimitri said by way of explanation. Reaching back to the work surface beside the sink, he brought a bowl of cereal forward and placed it at the empty place at the table. I sat down, grabbing the milk and pouring it before digging into my lucky charms. Lissa and Dimitri shared a look over the top of laptop, but i chose to ignore it. Once my cereal was finished, I was feeling much more sociable.

"So, seriously. What brings you here so early?" I asked Lissa.

"I just realised that we've booked in a day to go dress shopping but that you're a bridesmaid short."

Mental forehead slap. "Of course. We need check if Viktoria can get over here. I'll ask Abe about the plane later." Then I turned to Dimitri. "Do you think your mom would like to come as well? That way she can meet mine before the wedding."

Dimitri nodded, shifting his chair closer. "I was thinking the same thing. It might be a good thing to introduce then to Abe in a more... Personal capacity."

"Yeah, better they see him walking me down the aisle as 'father of the bride' rather than 'local mob boss and alleged criminal."

Dimitri chuckled, leaning down to kiss my cheek as he got up from the table. Unsatisfied, I grabbed his arm and titled my head up for more.

Reluctantly, he pulled away. "My shift starts in half an hour; I have to get ready. Why don't you Skype Vika and ask if she can come? I'll talk to them when I'm dressed."

That drew my attention to the fact that I'd missed my early morning ogling time since Dimitri was wearing a shirt, presumably as Lissa was here. That made me want to join him in that shower, but I also wanted to talk to Viktoria.

"Sure, I'll call them in a minute. Just as soon as I finish this," I promised as I poured another bowl of cereal. Dimitri rolled his eyes. "Don't judge me, Mr. Muesli. I wouldn't have to eat so much if you hadn't made me use so much energy last night."

He sighed in defeat before turning away, and I high-fived Lissa as he disappeared into our bedroom.

"You're so mean to him, Rose."

"I blame you. I only wind him up when you're around, so it's your fault. You're a bad influence on me. "

Lissa snorted in a very un-Queenly way. "We both know that's not true. You're the bad one."

"Right, I forgot, you're the angel. That's why you fell for the 'bad boy'. Though Christian is admittedly a pathetic excuse for one." In all fairness, Christian could be pretty badass when he wanted to be. I'd never admit it, though.

"What does that make Dimitri? The good boy? I think he's too tough for that."

Good question. "Nah, he can be bad." I winked. "But I think he'll always be a bit of a mommy's boy." That reminded me, "speaking of, I have to Skype Russia. Are you staying?"

Lissa nodded. "I need to liaise with my overseas counterpart and see how the decorations are doing."

I left her babbling on about ribbons as I went to grab my laptop and phone. First I pinged off a text to Vika to tell her to get her ass over to a computer, then I set up the Skype connection.

A minute later, the image of a familiar room appeared on the screen, followed by Viktoria's face.

"Hey Roza!"

"Hiya," I relied. "How are you all?"

"Great! Alicia took her first steps yesterday!" Lissa awwed beside me. "Oh, hi Lissa! How's the planning going?" She asked, immediately switching subjects.

"They needed a well-placed kick up the behind, but they've started to actually take everything seriously now."

I pulled a face at that, showing how not-serious I could be.

"That's what sisters are for," Viktoria said, and I knew that if we were still bonded I would have felt Lissa's joy at being acknowledged as my sister like Vika was to Dimitri.

"Alright, if you're done bitching about us, then can we get on with the planning that I was allegedly trying to avoid?" I asked. They both looked sufficiently guilty for me to know they would stay quiet and let me talk. "So, Vika, my dress fitting is next week, and we wanted to get the bridesmaids' dresses done then as well. If I can get Abe's jet, will you be able to come to Court?"

On the screen, Viktoria's image went blurry as she bounced around in her seat. "Yes, definitely! I can finally see Court!"

I smiled at her excitement. "Do you think your mom could come too?"

Viktoria turned away from the screen, yelling something in the general direction of the doorway. Lissa moved away from me a little so that I was the only one in the camera's field of vision. A moment later, Olena appeared.

"Hello Roza! How are you dorogaya?"

I smiled at her calling me sweetheart. "Great, Olena. Perfect. We've finally made a start on the wedding planning, and Dimitri and I were wondering if you and Vika would be able to come to Court next week? I'm going dress shopping, and it would mean so much to me if you would be there." I felt a little self-conscious at saying that. "I'm sure that my mom's never worn a dress in her life, and I need someone who will have an opinion." I joked.

Olena smiled. "Of course I'll be there. After all you've told me, I'm looking forward to meeting your mother. She sounds like an amazing woman."

I pretended to consider that. "Mm, she's alright. I've been trying to teach her social skills, so hopefully you'll get a good conversation out of her."

"Roza, your own social skills are hardly stellar. Teaching other people may be a little hypocritical."

"Well, they worked on you!" I turned to glare at the newcomer to the conversation, but it fell short when I saw Dimitri standing there in just a towel. Amusement danced in his eyes as he spotted my reaction before he leaned down to kiss me.

"Dimka, put some clothes on and get a room!" Viktoria complained. Breaking away from me, Dimitri turned to look at the screen.

"I do have a room- nobody's asking you to look." With that he spun the laptop around so the webcam was facing the kitchen wall before kissing me again.

"Manners indeed," I heard Viktoria mutter as Olena laughed good-naturedly.

"Well, we know when we're not wanted. Just tell us what we need to do to apply for guest housing, and we'll let you go."

This time it was me who pulled away, giving Dimitri a gentle shove so we were a respectful distance apart before turning the laptop back around again.

"There's no need for that, Olena. Guest housing is horrible and the palace has loads of free rooms,"

"Or you could even stay in our guest room, if you were worried about asking Lissa. But she'd be-"

"Really happy to help you out."

Olena looked unsure. "I couldn't impose on you two like that, or ask for special treatment from the Queen."

"She really won't mind," I assured her. "I'll show you."

Turning away from the screen, I hollered across the apartment to where Lissa was now going through the wedding scrapbook on the coffee table. "Lissa! Can Olena and Viktoria stay in palace housing when they visit next week?"

"Of course!" She shouted back, before coming over to us. She dropped down so that her head was almost resting on mine and Dimitri's shoulders. "Hi!"

Viktoria waved back, but Olena looked shocked for an instant before bowing her head. "Your majesty, it's my pleasure to make your acquaintance. But really, I could never ask-"

"You didn't ask," Lissa told her, "we offered. And please, call me Lissa. Rose is a sister to me, which makes Dimitri almost my brother-especially after the wedding- which means that you're practically family too. Please accept our offer."

Olena looked a little stunned at being called family by the Moroi Queen.

"Wait until you meet the rest of my family. They get weirder."

It was after some 'honeymoon practice' that Dimitri and I went into the shared dining room for dinner-courtesy of Christian- and were greeted by a smirking chef.

"Had fun kids?"

"Yep," I chirped as I sat down. "But from your mildly disguised expression your already knew that."

"Honestly, with the noise you were making, is it surprising?"

Dimitri looked slightly embarrassed, as usual. Maybe once we were married he'd get over his 18th century censorship issue.

"Well, if you could hear us working up an appetite, why isn't the food on the table already?"

Christian glared before shuffling off into the kitchen, sparing Dimitri from any further embarrassment. Mission accomplished.

Lissa just watched our exchange with an amused smile. Something about her expression reminded me of what I had been meaning to talk to Dimitri about.

"Comrade, it's less than the Dictator's set number of weeks until the wedding, so we can book time off for the honeymoon." Hans' stupid rules made it so that we hadn't been able to time off beyond the 4 nights we'd said were essential to spent in Russia around the wedding. It would be a wonder if there was any places left at this late notice. "Do you have any ideas on where to go?"

He covered my hand with his just as Christian came in carrying the food. "I don't mind; as long as I'm with you."

Christian made a fake gagging noise which I ignored. "That's sweet, comrade, but not exactly helpful." I then extricated my hand to grab my fork and dig into dinner.

"Somewhere sunny," Dimitri elaborated. "Somewhere warm."

I nodded to confirm his choice whilst I swallowed. "That's something we agree on. I don't mind where, as long as there's a secluded beach and the people can speak English. Oh, and there's normal food available," I added.

Everyone laughed.

"Didn't you always want to go to Hawaii?" Dimitri asked.

I nodded. "Or the Caribbean, either is great." I frowned. "Well, aside from it being hurricane season, that is. But the locals stay there, and we might actually be able to afford it that way."

The subject of cost brought us both down a bit. Whilst our salaries weren't terrible and the apartment was included in mine, the utility prices were high and we had insisted for paying for half the wedding ourselves. Abe had wanted to be all traditional, but I'd insisted that I was a 21st century woman and didn't need the modern equivalent of a dowry for Dimitri to marry me. He'd kicked up a fuss, but had eventually settled down when we promised he could show off his generosity by ferrying guests out on his private jet.

Suddenly, Lissa put her cutlery down and say up straighter. "Hey, I have an idea. You two don't have any clue of what to ask for as wedding gifts, do you?"

Dimitri replied 'no' whilst I said 'food', just to be annoying. Lissa ignored me.

"Well, let Christian and I pay for it wherever you decide to go, and other people can buy things for when you're there; like dinners, cocktails, activities- that way they're spending their money on practical things and you won't have to worry about the cost!"

I pointed my knife at her. "And that, Lissa, is why you're Queen. It's a great idea for everyone else, but we-"

"Couldn't ask you to pay that much," Dimitri finished.

Lissa and Christian rolled their eyes in unison. "Seriously, money is not an issue. Tatiana made lots of good investments on behalf of the Throne, and we barely made a dent in my inheritance money, even with me giving Jill half of the Dragomir estate. You know my parents would have contributed to your wedding Rose."

I began to protest again, but Christian cut me off. "Please, let me have this opportunity to make use of the Ozera fortune on something other than the shallow bullshit my family normally use it for," he begged. "I'd love to see Esmond's face when he sees what the withdrawal from the family account went towards."

I turned to Dimitri. "Well, if they want to give away their money, then it's their choice. Plus, Esmond's face would be hilarious."

Dimitri looked at Lissa and Christian. "Only if you're absolutely sure."

She nodded enthusiastically. "It's the least we can do after everything you've done for us. When do you want to start looking for somewhere to go?"

I shrugged, checking with Dimitri quickly. "Go for the Caribbean, but beyond than that, surprise us."

Lissa clapped her hands in excitement, looking like some weird, overly flamboyant sea lion. Christian looked like he couldn't decide if it was cute or irritating. Since it was Lissa, though, he probably decided on the former.

"Remember Liss, you have to consider all the time they'll be spending in bed; so don't go too crazy thinking of activities."

"For once, I agree with the man. Don't get so hooked on making us do stupid things like bungee jumping that we don't have time for sunbathing and sex. Make sure you set aside at least three hours a day just for that last one."

"Five" We all turned to stare at Dimitri incredulously. "What? That includes recovery time between rounds."

"I'm proud of you, comrade."

He smiled wryly. "Not like it's any worse than what's already been said."

And just like that, progress was made.

Perhaps we could get through the speeches after all.

I know it ended kind of abruptly but I spent like half an hour trying to think of a better ending. I'm still getting back into the swing of writing ALS after my exam hiatus, but fortunately the chapter I've been writing at the moment is better. There'll be a DPOV coming soon, and as I break up from college next week, hopefully I'll have more time to properly write, not just using the notes app on my phone whilst on the train :)

Review and Dimitri will up your 'hours' ;)