Chapter Seventeen

Dimitri

I remember my graduation dance as if it was yesterday- the excitement and freedom I felt as I twirled Alex Badica around the dance floor. I don't recall, however, the guardians having to pull people apart for getting too close- okay, at least not this often. That is all I have been doing tonight. Separating these kids from making babies on the tiled floor. No matter that I myself would rather be somewhere private reenacting the conception of my child with Roza, but unfortunately for me, I have to be here. And she. Well, she took off two hours ago, leaving me to complete my job without distraction. And by God was she a distraction tonight.

From the moment I first saw her- standing in the window of a Portland apartment- she has taken my breath away. Be it in a tank top and leggings for training, or that black dress from the Equinox dance, or one of my t-shirts, my lungs struggle for air. And tonight, in that red dress that hugged every curve of her body like a second skin, even the hardly noticeable curve of her stomach, my heart strained against my ribs, begging to be let out. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arm around her and escort her to the dance. Call her mine in front of everyone, and kiss her without caring who was watching.

Making my last round, I paused to wish Lissa and Christian a good night and checked out with Alberta. Pulling the tie from my hair, and undoing the top button on my shirt, I headed toward Roza's room. She should be asleep by now, though a part of me prayed she is still awake.

Walking through the front door, I gave a kind nod to the matron who barely glanced up from her magazine, and climbed the stairs to Rose's room. My body was already brimming with anticipation of spending our last night at St. Vlad's in her bed, making me take the steps two at a time. Reaching her door, I twisted the knob, only to find it locked. My brows furrowed and I lifted a hand to knock. She knew I was coming tonight, why did she lock me out? If I hadn't already turned in my keys, I would simply let myself in, but something wasn't right about this.

Just before my knuckles touched the hollow wood door, I heard a muffled cry, "Roza.." I whispered and rapped on the door lightly.

Less than a minute passed before she opened the door. Her hair tousled, lips swollen as if she has been chewing on them, and her eyes bloodshot. I pulled her to my chest, smoothing her hair back, "Roza, what's wrong, what happened?"

She didn't answer, just buried her face into my chest, hot tears soaking the cheap polyester fabric. Pushing her back into the room, I closed her door and sat down on the bed, drawing her to my lap. I cooed Russian words of love and support, placing gentle kisses to her hair and temple. When she left the dance, I could see a bit of sorrow in her eyes, but I didn't think it was this bad. Leaving the only home she ever knew was bound to be emotional for her, not that I can relate. I may have spent over half the year living at St. Basil's, but I always had a home to go to during breaks. A family to welcome me back with open arms, even after being away for three years. Rose doesn't. And I wish there was something I could do to make this transistion easier for her.

"Did you get my messages?" her sobs had calmed enough to whisper the question.

"No," I shook my head, "I left my phone in my room." I had no use for it today. I had my radio should another Guardian need to reach me, otherwise, today I focused on my Roza graduating. I had no use for a phone.

"What did they say?"

Drawing in a deep breath, she pulled back from my chest, wiping her face, "You need to pick up Tasha in the morning."

"Okay.." I drug the word out, "Is something wrong?"

"It's not my place, you need to talk to her," her head shook, her shoulders tensing again. I could almost feel her sobs building inside.

"Did she do something to you?" I asked a hard edge in my voice.

"No..No...but she…" she covered her face with her hands, breathing deeply trying to calm back down, "you just need to talk to her, be there for her."

I wrapped Rose tighter to me, "Okay. Okay, I will."

Astonished is not a strong enough word to describe my level of shock. It's no secret, to me or Tasha, that Rose is not particularly fond of her, so why is it that all of a sudden is she throwing me at her?

Laying Rose down in bed, I slid out of my clothes, folding my pants and shirt before setting them on the desk, and crawled in next to her. Running one hand up her hip, I stopped when I reached her stomach. Rolling my thumb over her soft flesh I settled myself to sleep. Tomorrow would be a huge day, moving and all, so we both needed the rest.

"Tasha," I rapped lightly on the cabin door, pausing for a minute before knocking again, "Tasha, can I come in?"

I waited for another few seconds before raising my hand to knock again. Rose had assured me she would be here, knowing I was coming to pick her up for our flight, why isn't she answering?

Raising my hand, the door opened just before I could make contact. The person on the other side is not who I expected, "Emil?"

"Morning, Belikov, I was..uh..just leaving..," he dropped his head, but I didn't miss the hint of red flooding the whites in his eyes.

Opening my mouth to call after him, ask what was wrong, the words stalled in my throat. Emil is a quiet person and not one to show any type of emotion, much like myself, but something has him out of sorts. His form faded into the night, disappearing amongst the trees.

"Dimka," Tasha's hoarse voice called out.

Turning around, I took her in, almost as if seeing her for the first time in ages. "Tash...," I whispered. Her long black hair was pulled up into a messy bun on top her head, dark circles laid under her eyes -and the depth of her blue orbs held no light. The woman before me isn't the one I grew up around. She was worn, broken, and I needed to know why.

Sitting down next to her, I pulled her to my chest and ran my hand up and down her back, "What happened?"

Drawing in a deep breath, she filled me in on her troubles. Not only did my heart break for her as my friend, but as a soon to be father, myself. I can not say that I understand completely what she is feeling, as I am not carrying a child, and the bond between mother and child in the womb is something I can never experience. But I can empathize, knowing how I would feel if I lost my child. I came close once already, and it is not something I ever want to think about again.

I let her get her emotions out, soaking up her tears with the cotton of my shirt. My mind ran in circles, taking in all of the information she had thrown at me. Dr. Olendzki couldn't explain why, or how, the baby's heart stopped, but in the end, the reason didn't matter. The only thing that mattered is that it did.

"I don't know what else to say other than I'm sorry," I whispered.

"You don't have to say anything," she pulled back, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I'm just glad your here."

I nodded, but couldn't help but wonder, "What was Emil doing here?"

"She is..was...his," I leaned further away, raising a brow, making her chuckle, "It's kind of a long story."

"We have time," I smiled, "Flight doesn't leave for two hours."

"When we were at the ski resort, I was feeling a bit down after you told me you didn't want to be my Guardian. He saw me walking back to my room and offered to walk with me. We spent the whole night on my couch talking…" she sighed lightly, a smile pulling at her lips, "It was really nice. He even told me he doesn't normally open himself up to people- and I understand why, Guardian life and all- but he was comfortable with me. I felt the same toward him, it was just….easy, you know?"

I nodded, fully understanding. I am the same way with Rose, and her with me. "The night before you all were due to return to the Academy...we didn't think we would see each other again. His job is here, and I live in Minneapolis, and with Christian graduating, I had no reason to come back here….we decided to spend a night together. It was only supposed to be one night," she shook her head, "and we were safe, but I guess thing happen for a reason." That they do, I thought to myself.

I couldn't help but laugh, "But Emil? I just don't see it."

"He is a complex man," she nodded, "but once you peel back enough layers… he has one of the brightest souls I have ever seen." She drew a deep breath, a silent tear falling down her cheek, "Well, he did."

"Are you going to stay in touch with him, considering…"

"I want to, but he needs time to process, so do I."

Nodding again, I moved to stand up. Straightening my duster, I offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. "Things will all work out. You have me, Chris, Lissa, and Rose to support you."

"Thank you, Dimka," she wrapped her arms around my waist. With one tight squeeze, she stepped back, wiping her eyes and releasing a deep breath, "Alright, let's go."

Author's Note:

I have no excuse for this one taking so long to go up, other than LIFE.

Thank you all for sticking with me here, I hope to get back on a regular track of two to three updates a week, we shall see.

I am working on Love or Loyalty again, as well as going through the year-long process of drafting my own work.

Anyways, thank you for all the new faves/follows/reviews, keep them coming. I love you guys so much and I am thankful I have the chance to write for you all.

Have a blessed day/rest of the week!

All My Love,

Dream