CHAPTER SIX

ROSE

After my phone call to Dimitri, I was in no mood to deal with people. Adrian, ever so understanding, escorted me back to my room with a promise to bring me food throughout the day. Sitting in the middle of my bed, I drew my knees up, resting my chin on top.

I know Dimitri had lovers before me, that was not news. But finding out he had in fact been with Tasha caused my insides to twist, sickness rise in my throat. To know that she had been with the same man I have, well I felt like sloppy seconds.

If Dimitri ever heard that, he would be quick to correct my assumptions I am sure. But the fact remains, Tasha knows what Dimitri looks like naked. And I am not okay with that. Yeah, I'm being petty, sue me. Come on, it's weird, right? Could you imagine being with someone and finding out that your..well I wouldn't call her a friend exactly, anyway, that they slept with the same person? Awkward.

Rolling to my side, I read through the thousands of text messages between him and I. The first were all business, training, classes, etc. But as time went on, I could see him loosening up. Between the subtle hints of affection, to the dozens of smiley faces he included in the end. It was like reading our love story. Heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time.

I shouldn't have said the things I did to him, but anger turns off the brain to mouth filter. Allowing harsh things to be said without processing the outcome of those words. I've never been good at processing my anger, guess I need to work on that before the baby comes. And I need to talk Dimitri before it's too late. Tasha has already made her own conclusions, no doubt she will spread it like wildfire.

My fingers hovered over the keys, with a heavy sigh I typed a simple message. I'm sorry, I love you, and when you have a chance, we need to talk. It would be the middle of the night in Baia, so I turned my ringer down and placed the phone back on my nightstand.

Fishing the ultrasound photo out of my pocket I stared at the tiny speck. My munchkin. Clinging it to my chest, I let the already exhausting day fade away into the blackness of sleep.

The sun rose and set again, bringing a fresh air of a new day to light. Moonlight. Adrian had come by three times with meals, all of which went untouched. Other than the chocolate donut he managed to snag. I just couldn't bring myself to eat anything. Dimitri still hasn't messaged me back, and when I tried to call it went to voicemail. Maybe he took things harder than I thought, or I was right in my anger and he can't face me. Or Tasha got to him, feeding him more and more lies.

Knock, Knock "Hathaway, are you awake?"

"Yes," I called back through the door.

"Get dressed and come to Petrov's office."

I moved to the door, opening it just a crack, "Am I in trouble?"

"No, she just needs to talk to you, soon," Stan gave a half smile.

I gave a simple nod and moved to get changed. I doubt Alberta would be happy if I showed up in one of Dimitri's shirts that I stole before he left and my old sweatpants. Shifting through my pile of clothes, I pulled a pair of leggings and a singlet, throwing my St. Vlad's hoodie over top. My jeans still fit, but they were starting to get a bit snug. Considering they were already skin tight, I didn't have much wiggle room, to begin with. Soon enough, I would have to buy some more clothes to fit the added weight. Maybe Adrian could help me there, I don't have much in the fund's department.

Stan was waiting for me outside the Novice dorms, joining me for the silent walk to Alberta's office. I never pictured Stan being my biggest supporter/bodyguard. Our love-hate, hate-hate relationship during my formative years making this moment rather comical. In hindsight, I was thankful for him now, he has become an amazing ally in my fucked up world. Much like a father, but yet not quite, maybe Uncle would be a better term for him.

"Do you know what this is about?" I looked up to meet his caramel eyes.

"She didn't say, but I can tell you she hasn't slept in the last forty-eight hours. She has been working on something." With an attempt at raising a brow, Stan laughed. How would he know if she hadn't been to bed in two days? "Don't look at me like that, Rose. You're not the only one who has needs," he laughed again.

"Gross," I gagged, "Never needed to know that, Stanny."

Just picturing Alberta and Stan together, if I had an appetite before it would surely be gone now. Spending the rest of the walk trying to clear my mind of the vivid images, we finally made it to the office. I couldn't help the dry heave that started when we walked in. Seeing them together now, I witnessed the little glint in her eyes, and the tender looks he threw her way. It was adorable, and disgusting all at the same time.

"Have a seat, Rose," she gestured to the open spot next to her on the couch.

"You sure you don't want to sit with him," I giggled.

"Stop it and sit down," I did as she said, and waited. "Now, I know you have questions for me about your father." I wanted to jump in right then but she put up a hand to stop me. "I will answer anything you want, but first I have to tell you, I called him. And he is on his way here."

I fell back against the suede pillows, knees drawing up to my chest. The room spun around me, the air grew thicker as her words processed through my mind. My father. She contacted him and he is coming here. I have never met the man, at least not that I can remember, and he is meeting me as his pregnant teenage daughter. "Did you tell him?"

"I did, but I didn't tell him about Dimitri," Alberta's eyes were kind as she regarded my folded state. "Rose, there are many things you will need, money and protection are at the top of that list. He can help you, he wants too."

"I don't need his money, between Dimitri and I working, we can figure something out," I growled. I didn't need, nor want, his handouts.

"A Guardian's pay is not the best, Rose," Stan came to sit on the table in front of me, "And if I remember correctly, Dimitri sends over half of his check home every month to help his family. One man can not support a family of seven in Russia, plus a child and girlfriend here."

"I plan on working, Stan, he wouldn't be doing it alone," I snapped.

"Rose," Alberta laid a gentle hand on my knee, "It's not as easy as you think. You may or may not end up with the Princess. And even if you do, you can't cart a newborn around a college campus. Not only is it impractical, but you would be putting everyone at risk."

"So, you're saying I can't be a Guardian?"

"I'm saying you need to talk to your father. He will be able to help you figure out where to go from here."

Resting my head on top my knees, I contemplated my screwed up life. I hadn't thought about the possibility of losing my career. I have trained my whole life for this if I couldn't be a Guardian, what the hell was I going to do? Surely, Lissa would be willing to work a schedule to allow me to do both, right? We have been friends for as long as I can remember, she would be there for me. And if Dimitri is with Christian, we could manage shift work so one of us is always available to be with the munchkin. Add in Adrian and Eddie who I am willing to bet would babysit, we could figure this out.

Only if you tell them. You're counting on people who don't even know you're pregnant.

I really hated that voice of reason, but it's right. Once I talk to Dimitri, I will have to tell the others. This isn't going to affect me alone, but rather everyone I love all in one shot.

Alberta's phone rang, she stepped away to speak to whoever. "I really messed up didn't I?" I asked Stan.

"You couldn't have known this was possible, Rose. Besides, a child is never a mistake, it's a gift. Don't take it for granted."

"Do you wish you could have…"

"All the time," he whispered, "But it wasn't in the cards for me. You and Belikov have a great opportunity here, even if it means giving up everything you have known. You will learn to love the new life you have been given."

I gave him a soft nod as Alberta came back, "They just landed, Stan can you go escort them here please?"

He rose, placed a kiss on her cheek, and left to pick up my father. Seeing the softer side of him is a huge contrast to the Alto I have always known. It was nice to see him not being an asshole, but actually someone with a decent heart.

It would take him about half an hour to get to the airstrip and back. So I used that time to find out a little about my father before seeing him. "What's his name?"

"Ibrahim Muzar, but everyone calls him Abe."

That bell chimed in my head, I have heard it before. After Victor's trial, when Queen Tatiana talked to me, she said something about my mother and Ibrahim. Even she knew who he was, but he isn't a Royal, so... "What does he do?"

"Many things," she laughed, "he has trade business all over the world."

"Is it legal?"

"Eh, depends on how you look at it."

"Great," I muttered.

"Everything is going to work out, Rose. Have a little faith in us."

Before I could respond, the door opened and Stan stepped back in, followed by several people.

The first, a Moroi, I'm assuming Abe, my father. Damn, that's weird. He was tall, like most Moroi. Deep brown, almost black hair flowed in soft waves on top of his head. It wasn't as long as Dimitri's but not as short as Adrian's. Gold donned his ears and fingers, and a very vibrant purple scarf wrapped around his neck. His suit was tailored, and highly expensive if I had to guess, heather grey in color complementing his skin nicely. The slight 'tan' appearance from the Turkish blood stood out more with the lighter color.

Behind him was a Dhampir, his Guardian. Older, maybe in his late forties, he was well built for his age. His kind grey eyes met mine, a sparkle shined through as he took me in. I assume he has been around for a long time, probably knew me as an infant.

Another person entered the room, a girl. Her grey blouse and tan pants made her look like a personal assistant of some sort. But when she brushed her sandy blonde long hair away from her face I saw it. The gold tattoo on her cheek. She's an Alchemist. Why the fuck would he bring one of them? My guard shot up, my back pushing further into the cushions of the couch. No. No. I couldn't tell him the truth with her here. She will take my baby away. No.

I wanted to run, hide away and forget everything Alberta said about needing his help. But another person came through the door. This one, I never expected.

"Comrade!"