A.N: Hey guys!!

Wow guys!! I was speechless again with the number of reviews!! Big Kudos to you!!

Well for once I don't have much to say ( shocking right)

Well I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review!

Take care xoxo

Chapter 21:

Today was graduation for the Dhampir Novices and I was the lucky valedictorian (heavy sarcasm) but nothing could bring me down today. Nothing at all!

Do you know how sometime you didn't think you wanted something but once you can have it you realize how bad you wanted it? Well that was exactly what was happening to me now.

If you would have asked me last week if I wanted to become a mother, I would have laughed to your face saying that, view from my personal experience, having children was not on my list. However, now that I knew I was expecting a baby, Adrian's baby, I wanted it bad, more than I ever wanted anything else in my all life.

I looked at the clock. I still had 15 minutes before Lissa would come picking me up, as she was proud I was graduating top of my class… A real soccer mom.

I lifted my shirt and looked at my still flat stomach in the mirror, rubbing it lovingly. It was only two days ago since Olendzki told me about the pregnancy but I already loved that baby so, so much.

"I'll do anything to keep you safe." I whispered to my stomach. "I'm going to love you so much. So, so much." I added with a smile.

Olendzki expected me to freak out but it was the complete contrary. I was positively ecstatic! I was 18 and single and I knew it should be the scariest thing ever but deep down I knew it would be ok…we would be ok.

That baby was a part of me and a part of Adrian. It was made with love. It would be perfect!

My friends could see that I was doing a lot better they even said I seemed 'happy' which raised a lot of question but I was not ready to answer to them just yet.

When I came back from Olendzki I laid on the bed for hours imagining how our baby would be. I could imagine a little boy with my dark hair and his beautiful emerald eyes. I really hope that boy or girl it would have his intelligence.

Chris was still there and was going to stay till the moroi graduation next Tuesday but I told him that I couldn't train anymore, that I needed to rest and that a week wouldn't change much anyways but I did it 'cause I was scared for my baby. I didn't want to take any inconsiderate risks and lose my reason for living.

I didn't know exactly what I would do when I would leave the Academy but there were some things I knew for sure. I would not raise this baby the same way my mother raised me. I didn't blame her (well, not that much) but I didn't choose to be born and this baby didn't either so I will not be guardian while letting an institution raise it. No! I won't repeat the past and the mistakes made. However I really didn't want to live in a Dhampir community either. I knew they were not all blood whores of course but I still had a lot against those communities to settle in them so I decided to go and live like a 'human'.

It was the perfect idea! I even saw a TV show a month ago about special occasion bodyguards and they were looking for girls. I knew that with my fighting skills, enhance senses and strength I will have a job immediately. As they said you were paid around $900 a night in LA or in New York. There was this student who was working 2 nights per week, protecting stars during concerts or events.

I could work 2 nights a week too. I mean it would be enough to assure a good future for the baby and once it'd reach the age to go to school I could move in a small town find a little job and raise it with all the love I had in me.

"Mommy is gonna take care of you. You're safe in here," I added smiling to my stomach and not even feeling stupid about it… That's what they called mother instinct I guessed...How Strange it was for me.

I heard a light knock on the door.

"Coming!" I said grabbing the very ugly green graduation gown. We, the novices, always had the very, very ugly ones as the Moroi would probably get the very nice one but we knew it and honestly most of us didn't care.

As soon as I opened the door Lissa pulled me into a bear hug.

"Awww Rose! I'm so so proud of you." She said kissing my cheek loudly. "We knew you would graduate top of the class."

"Thank you Liss," I said still in her arms.

"Ok, let's go. Christian is super excited to see you guys graduating and to hear your speech too," she said with a wink.

I showed her a piece of paper that was folded in two. "It's ready to be read," I said winking back

"I can't believe you didn't show it to me!" She said in mock hurt.

"Ehh the other members of the Audience didn't either," I said chuckling. "I needed to be fair."

"I guess," she said taking my arm walking to the gymnasium where our Graduation took place. There were far more Moroi so their's was taking place outside next Tuesday.

Christian and Lissa were my family today, as I didn't hear from my mom since my birthday and maybe it was for the best I could already see her face if I ever told you I got myself pregnant.

I would get the 'I-told-you-so' speech but the difference between her and I is that she saw me as a complication but I saw my child as a benediction.

But I was pretty sure she wouldn't grasp the concept so it was better for me to just drop the idea to ever talk to her again.

The ceremony went pretty smoothly and I received my diploma by Alberta who hugged me hard.

"I always knew you were exceptional," she simply said letting me the spot in front of the microphone.

I was never shy but I felt self-conscious right now so I tried to find Christian and Lissa's eyes in the room when my eyes stopped on the little red head at the back of the room.

My mom came! I thought somehow pleased.

I let go of her and locked my eyes with Lissa and Christian because well…they were my real family after all!

I started by the usual blah blah I've seen on the teenagers TV shows saying that we should be proud of what we accomplished that a great future full of honor was ahead and all this crap. That whatever obstacle was coming our way, we should face it head high and never back down even if I did somehow felt like a fraud saying those words as I did back down in front of the Queen well…it's not like I had much choice anyways.

I then locked my eyes on my mother and quoted one of Adrian's models. "In conclusion I know it can be scary to be in charge of someone else's life, to have someone more or less depending on you but you shouldn't be afraid to admit it," I said but I was not thinking of a moroi charges when I said those words. I was thinking about the tiny life growing inside of me. "I choose to quote Nelson Mandela, since I thought no one could say it as well as he did. 'I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid. But he who conquers that fear.' I know you'll all do great and use your fears to go above yourself! Thank you," I added as the audience broke into applause.

As soon as I walked off stage I got a triple hug which was officially a first: Lissa, Christian and Eddie.

"Mandela uh?" Asked Christian raising a eyebrows. "Do you even know who he is?"

Lissa gave him a bitch slap and I chuckled.

"It's ok Liss. I wouldn't want my fire boy any other way!" I said seriously. "Why yeah I know who he is" I said before winking…"I found a book about him in your room under your copy of Cosmo girl mag. What was the title already…'How to be a sexy emo chick?' "

"It's ok. You pulled that one." Said Eddie trying his best to contain his laugher. "I'm pretty sure Ralph wouldn't mind giving you a try."

"Yeah well, why don't you try him first? I can see you are dying to!" Said Christian glaring. "I'm sure it will get you some guardian extra credit."

"Really?" Asked Eddie pretending to be interested. "Uh…I'll think about it."

We laughed and as I turned my head I saw my mother looking at me from a dark corner.

"Sorry guys but I'll need a minute…" I discreetly pointed to where my mother was with my chin "but the great guardian Hathaway made it after all"

"Uh…want me to come with you?" Asked Christian squaring his shoulders but I was pretty sure he was hoping I would refuse. It sucked being a gentleman I guessed.

"Nah it's ok. I can handle guardian Hathaway." I said with a chuckle. I felt so brave….Probably the hormones eating my brain.

When I reached her I stood straight crossing my arms on my chest in defiance. I didn't know what it was but each time I stood too close to her, my angry teenager hormones kicked in and I got my fix by annoying her.

"So you came…" I said smugly like I was saying a 'whatever-dude'.

"Lord Szelsky told me to come." She said pursing her lips.

My eyes narrowed slowly. She even didn't come because she wanted to and she admitted it? Argh!! She wanted to play... Okey-dokey.

"Aww. You really didn't need to bother you know," I said with a smile and a light tone but what I wanted to say was 'screw you'. "I already have my family here." I said pointing to the group of my friends. "Well, at least the family that matters to me."

I saw the muscles on her jaw lock. Yep chica I can be a bitch too, I thought trying to stop from smiling.

"Top of the class?" She said pretending to ignore my previous remark. "I never thought you could that." She said and I was pretty sure it was her compliment coming from her mouth but I couldn't deal with that.

"Yeah well… It's better than 4th…" I pretended to think. "Oh yeah that was your rank if I remember correctly."

"Your smart mouth won't help you through life Rosemarie. Keep blaming me for being such a terrible mother but you don't know what my life was so…" she said frostily. "You can't judge."

I wanted to tell her that actually now I could judge since I was in the same situation but that my baby, as myself before, didn't ask to be born so it will be a priority.

I saw a malicious light lit her eyes. Uh that's gonna hurt I thought preparing myself.

"But I don't see your 'friend' …" she said faking to look around.

I snorted. "Oh, come on Mother. Don't tell me that your little Russian spy didn't tell you that we broke up." I said with a little smile.

Her eyes widen slightly probably surprised that I did figure out who her secret informer was.

I chuckled. I was going to sell Dimitri out but I knew he didn't risk anything. She would be too proud to mention anything to him. She was going to feel used and that's something that Guardian Hathaway would do her best to forget.

"Just one more thing mother…" I said very calmly. "Next time you decide to listen to someone, be sure you know the REAL motive behind the...umm…denunciation." I added with a wink.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked trying to hide her curiosity with attitude… She was not my mother for nothing.

I took two small steps to whisper to her ear. "Dimitri used to enjoy having his tongue down my throat and to let his hands roam all over my naked body (well it happened only once and under the lust spell but I threw it in anyway)," I said and smiled wider when I heard her stop breathing. "Yeah… And he tried to talk to me into going back on how things were." I whispered even closer.

I finally walked back and winked as she was frozen on the spot and I could see a small anger blush on her cheeks.

"It was nice seeing you." I said cheerily. "Now if you'll excuse me, my family is waiting for me… And maybe I'll spend the evening with your friend." I added before turning around. Game, set and Match!! I thought marveling.

I hoped the baby wouldn't inherit my smart mouth it was downright annoying.

"OK guys. Let's go," I said wrapping one arm around Christian's waist and the other one around Lissa's.

"What about guardian Hathaway?" Asked Eddie looking at her discreetly. "She looks like she just had an attack."

I chuckled. "She'll be fine. She just needs to breath." She would probably have an attack if I had added 'oh by the way you are going to be grandma soon.' Kodak moment!

We were about to leave the room when I felt the phone vibrate in my pocket.

I looked down and saw I got a text from Adrian. I took a deep breath.

"You go ahead guys. I'll meet you back at Christian's," I said with a smile.

They nodded and I waited for them to be away to look at the text.

Hope u liked the Grad present. She needed to c what a success u r!

Loved the speech…Mandela huh? Wonder who got you into that =D

P.S only u can manage to look stunning in that ugly green.

A

I couldn't stop but smile.

It's daddy, I thought but frowned... How did he see me? I wondered but my question was answered when Chris walked to me with his iPhone still in hand. He was sweet!

"Thank you," I said pointing to his phone. "I appreciate it."

"Not more than him," he said winking putting an arm around my shoulder. "Where to?"

"Fire boy lair," I said chuckling.

"YAY! My number one fan!!" Said Chris chuckling.

"Oh yeah it's burning passion!" I said wrapping my arm around his waist.

"Ohh nice word play!!" He said sincerely impressed.

"I know right?" I said wiggling my eyebrows. I could feel eyes on my back and I could almost bet it was my mother and for once in a long time I just didn't care of what she could think.

Christian and Lissa bought drinks and some toasts and all that for Eddie and I, like a tiny graduation party. That was very cute of them.

"So Rose… When are you going to go for your tattoo?" Asked Eddie biting in a tuna toast.

"I dunno," I said with a shrug. The guardian hall was open this afternoon and tomorrow all day for the young graduates to get their promise mark tattooed on their neck and I knew it would hurt like hell. I was the only novice who was already tattooed and I knew it was still painful the second time… Probably will be the third time too.

"Oh… Maybe we could go together," he said with a weird look.

"You're scared?" I asked whispering. I didn't even know why I was going to get tattooed at the first place since I would not be a guardian but I figured I did earn that mark after all.

"A little," he said biting his bottom lip. "Does it hurt much?" He asked curiously.

"Ehhh you know… Not really," I said trying to calm him, as it would hurt much more if his muscles were tight. "We will go together anyways. We're a team." I winked.

"Thank you" he said with his goofy trademark smile.

"Rose can I have a word with you?" Asked Lissa and I could feel the excitation irradiating from her so it was nothing bad thank God.

"Yeah of course," I said reaching for her hand that she took with a tight grip. "Let's go take a walk." It was perfect, as I needed to talk with her too.

We were wandering in the little park when she talked.

"I received a letter yesterday," she said simply.

"Okay… That's great Liss but it's not a first is it?" I asked with a chuckle

"Nah silly!" She said rolling her eyes. "It a letter from Dartmouth..." She said trailing off.

I stopped immediately and turned slowly to face her.

"Dartmouth… Dartmouth?" I asked completely taking aback. "You applied?"

"Obviously." She said blushing slightly "but I didn't think much of it you know."

"But you always wanted to go there!" I said stating the obvious since well…who could know better than herself what she wanted.

"I know and well…" She shrugged. "I know the offer of the Queen is super generous and all that but Dartmouth is Dartmouth." She said biting her bottom lip.

"What do you want to do?" I asked curiously.

"That's when you come on scene my friend." She said sending me waves of excitement. "We'll go to Hanover on Thursday to have a look at the surroundings. Everything has been arranged for us to stay there two days."

"And then?" I asked getting increasingly nervous. Will I be able to defend her if there was an attack? Will my guardian instinct kick in or will my motherly instinct keep me frozen on the spot.

"I dunno," she said and I think she was confused too. "But I could major in Neuroscience there and I couldn't do it in Lehigh. Plus I can make sure that Christian gets in too." She added, as she seemed so far away.

I was about to ask how but I was not sure I wanted the answer so of course I made a witty comment.

"I'm not sure they have an undergraduate program in 'witty smartass studies' that could fit him." I said with a chuckle.

"Just a shame for both of you then!" She said laughing. "No he is apparently pretty interested to major in Anthropology. And you know there are plenty of night classes. It's really perfect."

"Yeah… You know about me guarding you there is…" I started but she raised her hand to stopped me.

"We'll talk about that when we come back," she said as if she was expecting something I just couldn't figure what she was expecting. "You won't be my official guardian during this trip so Chris will come with us."

"A flight with Chris, Dimitri and Christian?!" I asked thoughtful. "Oh joy! I'm not sure we'll even be able to breath with the high level of testosterone in that plane." I added only half joking.

"Ehhh that's true." Said Lissa grimacing. "Anyways it will be fun like a last field trip before graduating. I'll check the surrounding and Dimitri will evaluate the situation and everything and I'll probably decline the offer of the Queen and move there." She gently pulled in my hand to make us walk again. "I mean it's what I always dreamed of and there is not many Moroi in New Hampshire so the strigoi risk is pretty low."

I nodded thoughtfully. At least she wouldn't be that much under the Queen power, it will be less leverage and as I wouldn't be a guardian during this trip. I could talk to her when we came back.

"And who is coming with us?" I asked cautiously when I saw her expression change.

"Well…" She cleared her throat. "Dimitri, Christian, Eddie, Chris and Stan." She said shooting me a sideway glance.

I burst into laugher as she gave me surprised look. She definitely didn't expect that.

"What makes you laugh??" She asked with a big smile. I guess she missed my laugher recently.

"Well, you go to visit the campus and the area right?" I asked her as if she was missing the point.

"Uh huh…" She said frowning with confusion.

"Well, don't expect us to go unnoticed. I mean…" I shook my head and grinned imagining the scene. "Two girls with 5 boys, well men. The smaller being Eddie and he is 6'1! They are all big (Christian 6'2, Stan and Chris 6'4 and Dimitri 6'7) and dark haired and with the tattoos, the oldest in only 26 (Stan) and we'll be with Hulk younger brother (Chris)" I chuckled again. "We won't go unnoticed that's for sure!!"

"Maybe not… Well that's just fine. We'll be the hot badass chicks with an army of hunky bodyguards." She said wiggling her eyebrows.

I chuckled "Lissa can I ask you something? Since I'm your best friend and you love me and I love you." I asked suddenly serious. "It's just hypothetical ok?"

"It's never hypothetical with you Rose." She said warily but she still had a smile on her lips.

"Humor me please…" I said with the full force of my puppy eyes.

"Ok…" She said wrapping her arm around my waist to make our way back to Christian room. "Tell me."

"Ok, imagine that I was to do something that you reprove." I said evasively but what I meant was 'imagine I'm pregnant with Adrian child but don't intend to tell him as he has to move on.'

"Reprove… Reprove how?" She asked getting more and more curious.

"Nothing criminal or that will get me and you in jail." I said trying to joke. "No, I mean something that I truly believed is the right thing to do, something that I really REALLY want to do." I said not looking at her. "Would you stand by me?" I asked. "Even if you didn't agree with me?"

She looked at me for a couple of second but it seemed like an eternity. "Yes, of course I would." She said sincerely. "If you really, truly believed it was the best for you and it's what you want than..." She shrugged "what I think of it won't matter. I'll stand by you." She added with such a steady voice that you couldn't doubt her.

"OK…" I kissed her cheek. "We'll talk when we come back."

"Sounds good to me." She said as we walked into the building.

I looked at her narrowing my eyes slightly. She was not trying to discover the truth now… That was so not Lissa! She was hiding something too but I knew I would found out what soon enough.