I'm supposed to be preparing for a meeting about my dissertation but screw it. Have a chapter.

Disclaimer: still not mine.

Days until wedding- 8

"So, how was your bachelorette party?!" Viktoria exclaimed almost as soon as the Skype call connected.

"Pretty wild," I laughed, finally free of the dreadful hangover it had caused. It had been a long two days of feeling like shit, but it had been so worth it. "It was a shame you couldn't come."

"I know. You'll just have to give me all the details instead. Don't leave anything out!"

I gave her the rundown of everything I could remember or had been told of by the others, embarrassing parts and all. I even showed her a few of the photos once I figured out how to share them over Skype. Viktoria laughed so hard that Paul came to see what was going on. I don't think he bought our cover story about what was so funny, but anything was better than the truth. I wasn't ready to corrupt him just yet.

"Oh Rose," Viktoria said once Paul had left and she'd caught her breath. "You must have been such a mess the next morning!"

"Yeah, it wasn't pretty. Dimitri gave me a bit of a lecture."

She rolled her eyes. "I hope you ignored it. You've seen what he's like after only a few drinks- he was probably jealous that you could still function after drinking enough to kill him. Besides, wasn't he feeling rough too? I thought his bachelor party was on the same night."

"It was," I assured her. "But it was quite civilised. They went bowling and played pool and visited a games arcade. They also seem to have eaten a lot of bacon fries. Then they had to come and pick us up from wherever the hell we ended up."

"Yeah, that makes sense. Dimitri's not exactly the strip club type."

"None of the group are big drinkers so it worked out well." Well, weren't big drinkers anymore. "They all had a good time- even though Dimitri beat them at every game."

"That's my brother. He's the best."

I was about to inform Viktoria of all the times I'd beaten him at various games, Tournament assault course included, but was interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

"Hold on Vika, I'm just going to see who that is."

I didn't expect to be gone long. Most likely it would be one of the door guards bringing up post- Dimitri had probably ordered more books online again. I kept telling him to get a Kindle, but he insisted on ordering from independent bookstores on the other side of the world. And so, the near-constant deliveries that resulted from is reading addiction continued.

I made sure my stake was in my back pocket before opening the door- a precaution I maintained even when Lissa wasn't around and in need of protecting. It wasn't the dhampir I expected to see, but nor was it a Strigoi. Still, the vampire standing there could be almost as dangerous as one.

"Good morning, kizim." He breezed past me into the hallway and hung up his emerald scarf like he owned the place. Hell, maybe he did. It wouldn't surprise me.

"Um, hey old man." I watched in amazement as he unbuttoned the jacket he wore. Were those real diamonds glittering there? "I… didn't expect to see you today."

He turned to me with a smile that was all fang. "Is a doting father not allowed to drop in and see his beloved daughter before she leaves the country to join another family?"

"Okay…" This was so weird. I decided just to roll with it. "I'm actually on Skype with Viktoria right now. I need to go say goodbye if you're staying…"

"Take your time. I'll go and make us drinks. Do you want a coffee?"

"Ah, green tea."

"Wonderful."

I had the absurd feeling of being a visitor in my own house. Dazed, I went back into my bedroom. On my laptop screen I could see Viktoria scrolling through her phone. When she saw me return, she put it away.

"Everything alright Rose?" She must have noticed the odd look on my face.

"Yeah, it's fine. My dad's just turned up is all. Sorry. Can I call you back later?"

"It's fine," she said standing up. "Dimka was going to call me this evening anyway, I'll see you then."

I apologised again before hanging up and heading to the kitchen to face my father, who was whistling jovially. It was disturbing. I imagined he did the same thing whilst breaking kneecaps.

"So…" I started, leaning against the door frame and watching him pour the drinks. "What was it you wanted?"

"Why does everyone always assume I want something?"

"Because you're zmey. You don't just drop in for tea."

"Very true." He flashed another fanged smile. "I want to spend some quality father-daughter time together. Your schedule said you were free for the rest of the day, and I hoped you wouldn't mind humouring me."

"How did you see my-" I didn't bother finishing the question. A Guardian's schedule was highly classified for security purposes, but a little fact like that wouldn't stop Abe from getting what he wanted. I'd been planning on taking a nap after calling Viktoria- my shift had started at an ungodly hour this morning- but something in Abe's eyes made me hesitant to turn him away. Behind all the casual bluster, there was a vulnerability I rarely saw, like he was truly worried I'd turf him out.

With a sigh, and a heartfelt mental apology to my bed for bailing on our reunion, I relented. "Sure. We can hang out for a couple hours."

Expression brightening, Abe moved our drinks to the table and took a seat. Then he pulled out a pack of cards. "What would you like to play first?"

"Something that doesn't involve gambling the meagre contents of my savings away. You must be full of crooked tricks."

Abe pressed a ring-laden hand to his chest in a theatrical show of being wounded. "I would never cheat against my own flesh and blood. Stealing from family is outside the bounds of even my moral code."

"Sorry," I said, though I wasn't sure if he was being serious.

"Besides, you're much too similar to me for it to be of any use. You'd see right through anything I tried to pull." He said it with such pride that it was actually sweet. "I can teach you how to outsmart others, though?"

He then taught me how to cheat at three different games using a variety of methods. The worst part was that I found myself enjoying it.

"Try them next time you're in Vegas. Always useful for making fast money in a pinch," he'd said with a wink. That confirmed my suspicions that he knew about the whole Victor fiasco. I hoped he hadn't told my mom.

Once I'd assured him that I'd mastered his tricks and that my brain couldn't hold any more criminal secrets today, we switched to less nefarious activities.

If someone had told me three years ago that I'd be sitting at my kitchen table and playing Go Fish with my mobster father, I'd have referred them to the school counsellor for being totally crazy. And yet here I was, talking about wedding decorations and whether his suit would match the colour scheme.

"I think you're more interested in this than mom," I mused as he handed over a queen.

"She never was big on weddings and marriage. Do you have a three?"

"Go fish. True, but I didn't expect you to be the type either."

"On the contrary, kizim. I am a great fan of contracts, and marriage is a most interesting one. Not to mention that I love an excuse to buy a new outfit."

"As if you need an excuse," I scoffed. "Do you have a two?"

He passed it over. "It is a tragedy that you didn't inherit my sense of style."

"A miracle, you mean."

"You wear too much black, even for a Guardian."

"Not as much as mom."

"Your mother is a hopeless case when it comes to fashion. Perhaps you did inherit some of my style after all. You know, when I asked her what your dress was like, she answered 'long and white'."

He sounded incredulous at her lack of other descriptors.

"It's more of an ivory, really," I said. I paused before asking my next question, poised for rejection. "Um, would you like to see it?"

His eyes lit up in the least devilish way I'd ever seen. He was still smiling softly when I returned from Lissa's room with the garment bag over my shoulder.

"You'll have to wait until the wedding to see me wearing it," I warned, "it's a nightmare to get on and off."

He nodded sagely. "I can imagine. The number of times I had to help your mother out of -"

"Finish that sentence and you're banned from the wedding," I threatened. The bastard just laughed, clearly my reaction was what he'd hoped for.

Thankfully, he let it go once the dress was revealed. He let out a low whistle.

"Now that is a lovely gown. I'm glad to see that I won't have to dress down to avoid upstaging you."

I snorted. "Give it your best shot. Nobody outshines Rose Hathaway on her wedding day."

"Indeed. With that dress and the good looks you inherited from me, you'll be the belle of the ball."

"Damn straight I will."

After Abe had inspected the stitching to make sure it was of a high enough standard (I should have guessed he'd be such a fashion snob) he finally allowed me to zip it back up.

"I'm glad it meets your approval. I was starting to worry you'd have the seamstress murdered if you found a flaw."

I turned around, expecting one of his biting comebacks, but instead saw him hastily dabbing his eye with the paisley handkerchief that had been tucked into his breast pocket.

"Abe?" I asked, incredulous.

"Allergies," he said. "Must have been some dust on the garment bag."

With Lissa's meticulous wardrobe maintenance, I highly doubted that.

"You can't bullshit me, old man. I've used that and every other excuse in the book."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Thinking about you walking down the aisle is making me a little emotional. Mock me if you must, but be quick about it."

The witty comment I'd been about to make died on my tongue.

"Abe, hey. I'm not going to be an ass about it. I was just surprised, is all."

"Well, it hardly fits with the image I've cultivated for myself over the years. I'd rather you didn't tell anyone, lest you ruin my reputation."

"I won't say a word," I promised. Honestly, under all the shock I was feeling, a part of me was happy. It as rare I got such a display of parental affection. "Is this why you came to see me today?"

Abe sat down on my bed, seeming weary all of a sudden. "I've missed so much of your life, Rose. This is my first opportunity to act in the way a father should, and I don't want to miss any of it. You've already refused to let me pay or walk you down the aisle."

"It is the 21st century."

"I know, I know. I respect the choices you've made. I just want to make the most of this one role I have to play in your life, kizim."

"You'll always have a role in my life, and you always have. So you might have missed teaching me to ride a bicycle and seeing me off to prom. Whatever. Being a dhampir, not knowing my father never really bothered me that much. It was normal. I'm just grateful to have you in my life now."

It was my mom I had really needed when I was younger; she who had kept me waiting at the gates of St Vladimir's year after year. Still, I cast aside those dark thoughts and focused on the man in front of me. His eyes were damp again. I sat down beside him, shocked but honoured to see this vulnerable side of my father.

"You were there for me in the ways that really mattered, even if I never realised. You followed what I was doing from the other side of the world, reading my school report cards and getting updates from your… associates." 'Spies' was such an ugly word. "That's more interest than some fathers show when their kids live in the same house. I know you were responsible for Dimitri's team finding me in Portland. You came to Russia to make sure I was safe. You got your hands on a shedload of C4 to break me out of jail. I'd have been executed if it wasn't for you, Dad. I think you've done a pretty good job overall. And you gave me this awesome hair."

Abe gave a watery laugh. "We do have awesome hair. But I didn't realise you knew about Portland."

"You're obviously not as stealthy as you think you are." It had actually taken a lot of digging to confirm that hunch, but hey, Abe wasn't the only one who knew how to hack into Guardian records. I pulled him into a hug, and he gripped me back tight.

"I love you, kizim. But tell anyone about this, and I'll let your friends know about that thing that was mentioned in your third grade report card…"

"Okay, maybe you didn't need to keep such a close eye on my school progress after all."

After I'd put the dress back in Lissa's wardrobe and Abe had made us both new drinks, we started a game of Irish snap. After a few rounds, the sound of our hands (and rings) slamming onto the kitchen table and our shouts of pain or victory drew Christian in to see what the fuss was about.

"You're back early," I observed, shuffling the cards in preparation for another round.

"Yeah. My Guardian's busy collecting wedding rings so I've been locked in here for my own safety. Guardian Lowe thought you would be free to protect me if Strigoi attacked, but it seems like you're busy. I suppose I'll just have to die."

"Please do."

"Come now Rosemarie, that's no way to talk to your sovereign," Abe admonished. "Deal him in."

I enjoyed watching Christian's face grow even paler as I made a third stack of cards.

"It's alright, I'll just go watch TV or something." He started edging back towards the door that connected our apartment to the royal suite. "That game sounded quite violent and Lissa will be pissed if I end up with a broken hand before the wedding."

All evidence of Abe's earlier vulnerability was gone as he smirked wolfishly at Christian. "I didn't take you for a coward Ozera." He gestured to the empty chair, flames dancing between his fingers. I could see Christian's competitive streak warring with his sense of self-preservation. The latter was crushed in moments.

"Fine. But don't blame me if your cards end up being turned to a pile of ash."

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Christian gulped visibly before taking a seat. I too felt a little nervous- I was the only one here that didn't have fiery fingertips or an immunity to burns. But I refused to let myself be intimidated by anything to do with Christian, so I threw my shoulders back and slammed down my first card.

After a few turns, I got used to the harmless sparks and Christian got over his fear of bruises. Abe continued to win the most hands; his sharp eyes beating out my dhampir reflexes. Christian, predictably, came last by a long stretch.

It was strange, playing against these two people I'd so strongly disliked when I'd first met them, but it was fun. The three of us were naturally competitive and liked trash talking each other. We were all using words that would throw our respective partners into shame if they'd overheard. It was almost like playing with Eddie and Mason back in the day, but a hundred times more intense.

"I can't believe you've won again!" I exclaimed as Abe's last card ended up on the pile once more.

"Age before beauty, my dear."

"That explains why Christian's so shit then. He has neither."

"Shut up, Rose. I'm older and prettier than you."

"By a whole five months," I scoffed, taking this break form the game to open another bag of potato chips. It seemed Abe liked the sour cream flavour almost as much as me, as he'd demolished the last bag with an appetite uncommon for a Moroi.

"And about five points too. Maybe you can push a six on a good day."

"Want me to mess up that gorgeous face of yours?"

He shrugged. "Lissa would be sad if you did. That makes me immune. And don't talk with your mouth full, it's gross."

"I, on the other hand," interjected Abe, "have no real investment in the current arrangement of your features. I could move them around and not lose a wink of sleep."

Christian grimaced. "Please don't."

I socked him in the shoulder. "How come you're scared by his threats and not mine?"

"Because you've been threatening me for years and nothing's ever come of it. I'm guessing that Abe usually follows through on his promises."

"It is something I pride myself on." He stood up and moved his mug to the sink. "Speaking of which, Rose, I told your mother I'd help her accessorise her wedding outfit this afternoon. I have some ideas which will complement your gown perfectly."

Christian's smirk at the thought of my father as a stylist quickly turned to a frown. "How come he gets to see the dress? Lissa has it under lockdown."

"Because I said so. My dress, my rules. Just don't tell Lissa I said that."

"I won't. She'd probably shoot the messenger. She's scary now she's pregnant."

Once in the corridor and out of sight of Christian, who was scurrying back to his own apartment, Abe surprised me with another hug.

"I probably won't see you before you leave for Baia. Have a safe journey, and remember to get lots of sleep before the big day."

Pulling away, I saw a glint in his eye that betrayed exactly what he thought I may be doing instead of sleeping.

"I'll sleep on the plane," I promised, not confirming nor denying his suspicions. He patted my shoulder before placing his hands in the pockets of his shiny jacket.

"Here," he said, removing a small red box. "Janine said to wait to give this to you, but now seems like the right time."

I took the box from his outstretched hand. It was bigger than the one my engagement ring had been stored in, but I was nevertheless reminded of the moment Dimitri had proposed. I still felt giddy at the memory.

The sight of Abe's gift brought me back to the present. Nestled amongst gleaming white silk lay a delicate gold bangle. The fine strip of metal looped around so that the two ends almost touched, meaning it could be adjusted and would hug my wrist tightly. The gold was lightly engraved with twisting rose vines. When I lifted it out of the box, I saw that the flattened nodes at either end were inlaid with blue glass. Each was a tiny nazar like the one on my necklace.

"It belonged to your grandmother," Abe explained. "She was given it on her wedding day by my father's mother. You don't have to wear it, but I thought you should have it anyway."

I shook my head, struggling to find the right words. Family heirlooms were precious to a girl like me. I had so few of them.

"It's beautiful," I whispered. "Of course I'll wear it."

I put it on, and Abe helped adjust it. The warm gold colour seemed to make my skin glow. Exotic desert princess indeed.

"Did you put the roses on it?" I asked. It was so pretty I didn't even mind the motif, despite my usual hatred for all things rose themed. Plus, it was subtle enough that it wouldn't be seen at first glance.

"It was always like that," Abe said. "Your grandmother's name was Nurgül. In Turkish, that means 'radiant rose'. You were named for her."

"Oh." I could scarcely imagine Abe having a mother, much less one he cared for enough to name his daughter after.

"I wish she could have met you," he sighed. "But she passed soon after you were born."

"Wouldn't she have minded that I was a dhampir?"

"She didn't care. I wrote to tell her that you'd been born and she was overjoyed. My father was not impressed, but then, nothing ever made him happy."

"Sounds like a fun guy," I joked, trying to hide the emotion I felt at discussing the family I had never met.

"Not as much fun as your old man, that's for sure."

I bumped his shoulder with mine. "You're a pretty cool dad, I'll give you that."

He smiled as he headed for the door. "I try."

"Thanks again," I said. "For the bracelet, and for today. It was actually really nice."

"It was. Especially when we got to torment the Ozera boy. He's so easy to rile up it's almost criminal."

"No wonder you enjoy it so much then."

Abe winked as he closed the door. I stood in the hallway for a minute after he left, just absorbing everything that had happened over the past few hours. I couldn't wait to tell Dimitri all about it. But until he came home, I was going to spend some quality time with my beloved bed.

Review and enjoy a nice nap until Dimitri comes to wake you up