I decided this chapter needed another split POV, enjoy!

Chapter Thirty

Dimitri

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into a month and then some, and finally, the snow outside has begun to stick. The time was coming, and we are ready for it.

Tatiana heeded my warnings at Thanksgiving, evacuating everyone out of Court bar our family. To include, Abe and his fleet of Guardians, Lissa and Adrian- just in case someone needs healing, and Christian and Tasha. Last, but certainly not least, Rose, Eddie, Janine and myself.

Mama had flown in last week with Karo, and the two were staying in Tasha's house until we needed them to take Maddie away from Court. Neither Rose or I wanted her to be anywhere around when the battle began, so Abe made arrangements for them in Scranton.

We had a day, maybe two, before they should come according to Babushka's 'vision'. I really hope she is right, and that we didn't make all of these moves just to be left out to dry. As much as I would love not to have to fight for my life over the holidays, I would rather not face Tatiana's wrath for everything we had to do to prepare.

"Comrade," Rose placed her hand on my lower back, drawing my attention from the snow falling outside. "We're ready to open presents."

Turing around I took in the sight before me. Mama holding Maddie, cooing Russian Lullabies to her. Karo sat next to Eddie, the two laughing, wearing loving expressions on their faces. I would have to talk to him about that later. Adrian sat in the armchair, Sydney perched on his lap, her head resting against his shoulder. Those two are just about perfect for each other- they bring out the best in the other.

Abe and Janine sat on the couch next to Mama, his arm slung around her shoulders, keeping her close. Pavel sat on the floor next to the fireplace, and Alberta and Stan rested next to him, all chatting like old friends. Lastly, Tasha and Emil sat next to the tree, going through the mound of presents, most of which are for Maddie, and organizing them into piles for everyone.

My family, minus my other sisters, nephew, nieces, and Babushka, all gathered together in one room, I couldn't be happier. Even the thought of our upcoming fight left my mind as I cherished this moment with them.

Rose pulled me into the living room, sitting on the floor in front of Mama. Tasha passed around the presents, letting the adults open all of theirs before we dove into Maddie's. With the number of people, and wrapping paper littering the floor, it was hard to tell what everyone received. Everyone talked at once, thanking others for their gifts, or showing something off. Rose and I decided not to get each other anything this year, instead, we focused on Maddie and our family. But, I couldn't not get her something, even if it didn't cost me a dime.

With all of the gifts opened taking up every inch of the floor that wasn't covered in wrapping paper, I stood up from Rose's side.

"Can I have everyone's attention, please," the roar of voices silenced, "First of all, I just want to say this is the best Christmas I have ever had, surrounded by my family, I really couldn't ask for more."

I paused to draw a deep breath, "Well, I could ask for one thing," I chuckled, "Roza," I reached my hand down to her, pulling her to the side of the living room, but still within sight of everyone. "Before I came to America, I was at the lowest point of my life. Losing Ivan, changing charges, leaving home, it all hit me at once and I didn't know which direction was up. And then you came along." I smiled widely at her, wiping a tear from her cheek.

"In a simple year, you turned my entire life upside down in all of the best ways. You have given me so much more than I thought I deserved. Faith, hope, love, a family, everything. And I have nothing to give to you that would amount to what you have done for me. So I want to offer you the only thing I have to give," reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the small velvet box Mama had brought with her from home and lowered myself to one knee.

"My last name. Rosemarie Hathaway, will you marry me?"

She tented her hands over her mouth, her shoulders shaking as hard as the tears falling from her eyes. I could see her heart was beating a million miles a minute, mine was doing much the same. At a pace that makes a snail look like a torpedo, she nodded her head. Taking Babushka's ring out of the box, I slide it easily onto her finger before rising back to my feet.

I lowered my head to hers, resting our foreheads together, "I love you, Roza, always and forever."

"Я тоже тебя люблю димитрий."

I stood up straighter, looking deep into her eyes, "Where did you learn that?"

She shot a look to Mama, to which she gave a wide smile in return. Shaking my head, I pulled Rose tightly to my body and brought my lips down on hers. The cheers that rang through the room sounded miles away as I lost myself to the taste of Roza. Ever since I called Mama to have her size and ship Babushka's ring, I had been worried I would die before I had the chance to propose. Now we are here and I can die a happy man.

Lissa squealed and pulled Rose from my arms, making me whimper slightly and causing laughs to erupt. Abe came to my side, pulling me into a firm hug, followed by Pavel and all of the other men. Mama and Janine stood on either side of Rose, admiring the ring and sharing hugs.

"Congratulations, Dimka," Tasha opened her arms for me.

"Thank you, Tash," squeezing her tightly, I kissed her head. "I am really glad you are here by the way, and I see things are going well with Emil."

Just after the gender reveal, Tasha took a vacation to Missoula, spending the weekends with Emil. From what I knew from Christian, they were both doing much better and I hoped it continued.

"Yeah, we talked a lot and we are staying together," she smiled, "maybe one day we can try again and have what you and Rose do."

"You will," I pulled her in for another hug and Rose came over and wrapped her arms around the both of us.

"I agree," Rose smiled.

Rose pulled Tasha away and went to talk with the women, while Abe passed the men a round of shots. Vodka, of course. We had just tossed back the liquid fire when Rose screamed, stopping every heart in the room.

Rose

After eight months of not feeling the darkness from Lissa, or seeing ghosts, the sudden appearance of Mason scared the living shit out of me. First and foremost, I am protected behind wards, he shouldn't be able to get in. If he is here, that means the wards are down.

"Mason!"

They're here, Rosie.

"Rose, what's wrong," Dimitri ran to my side, searching my face for answers.

"Get them in the panic room, now, they are here," I ordered, gripping my head like a vice.

I looked back toward the front lawn where Mason had been standing. His form flickered, he was leaving and there was nothing I could do to stop him. I mouthed a thank you before slamming my barriers into place. I couldn't afford any unwanted visitors during the fight.

Dimitri had been certain we had another day or two to prepare, but it seems as if they are moving in a bit quicker. Once Olena, Karo, Lissa, Adrian, Sydney, and Maddie were secure in the panic room, we geared up for battle.

Our house sat on the far east end of Court, so depending on where they came in through, we had roughly five or ten minutes to get ready. Dad, Tasha, and Christian situated their blood packs on their backs, while us guardians armed ourselves with stakes and pistols. Bullets wouldn't stop them, but it would slow them down a tad.

Pavel alerted the other six of Dad's guardian- who were currently at Tasha's townhouse- to report right away, no doubt pulling them from the dinner they had been eating.

"Rose," Dimitri came up behind me, placing his hand on my lower back, "I want you to stay here."

"What, no, Eddie is supposed to guard the house," I countered.

"That was when Maddie would have been in Scranton, you need to stay here."

I knew he was right, I needed to protect my daughter, and hell, my charge. Adrian is in the panic room with her. I nodded to him, "Be safe, I love you, always."

"I love you too, stay safe."

Dimitri and our family took off out the front door, leaving me standing alone in the living room. I paused for a split second to pray to anyone who would listen that they would all come back. Once finished, I walked to the mantle, pressing the armor button hidden underneath.

Eric, before he passed, had a premium security system put into place- real 'Purge' type set up. At the push of a button, steal plates slid into place behind the doors and windows. With the plates in place, I drew both of my stakes and waited on baited breath for something to come my way.

My stomach churned, telling me they were close, and by the intensity, there is quite a few of them. I could hear the yelling, the sounds of fighting, coming from outside, but with the security plates, I couldn't see anything. I drew deep breaths through my nose, letting them out through my mouth. My heart banged against my sternum, sweat beading along my brow.

Not knowing what was happening outside, not knowing if Dimitri was okay was pure and utter torture. Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I tried to relax my body, loosen the tension in my legs. Turning my head to the side, I cracked my neck at the same time I heard something crash from upstairs. My stomach dropped, and I spun to look up the staircase.

"You," I growled.

"Miss me, Rose," the blond smiled, his brows rising high.

"Fuck you," I spat.

"Is that anyway for a new mother to talk?" he waved a finger, tsking me, "not a good example for that little girl of yours."

How the fuck did he know I have a daughter?

I tried to keep the shock of his statement off of my face, but I think I failed when he cackled, deep and sinister, "Oh- I shall not tell my sources, but just know, after I am done making your child an orphan, I will take out the Dragomir line, and your precious Ivashkov boy too."

"You won't get near them," I snapped, Mama bear was awake and she is not happy.

With the grace of a trapeze artist, he jumped from the top of the stairs, flipping mid-air and landing five feet in front of me. Alright show off- let us dance.

He lunged forward, going on the immediate offensive. I dropped to the floor, spinning out of his way and kicked out, managing a half ass blow to his ribs. He recovered quickly but held back from a counter attack. We circled each other- not easy with the number of gifts that still laid all over the living room floor.

I watched the way he moved, the shifting of his feet, he was going to drop and go for a low kick. When he lowered, his right light shooting forward, I jumped to avoid the collision. Before I could alter my counter move, he righted himself and grabbed ahold of my hair, throwing me into the railing of the staircase. I had worn it down for the day and hadn't thought to go upstairs to get a tie when Mason showed up. I am paying for the lapse in judgment right now.

Pain radiated down my spine, numbing my entire body for a moment. But a moment was all he needed to pin me to the floor.

"You're a real bitch, you know that."

"As a matter of fact, I do," I smiled before spitting in his face.

In this position, I was likely to die. Even though I could feel my legs coming back to life, he had my arms pinned to the side of my head, his body pressing down on my waist. But I wouldn't be Rose Hathaway if I didn't talk shit to the person trying to kill me.

"If you weren't such a pain, I would have awakened you. I've seen you in battle, even pregnant you were amazing. We could have been a great team, Rose. You, Dimitri, and I could have taken over her operation. But at this point, I'd rather kill you."

"Then stop talking and do it already," I growled with a failed attempt to buck him off of me.

"Oh- I am, and Rose…" his words were cut off by the sound of something clashing behind me.

His head shot up to see where the noise had come from, giving me a much-needed distraction to shift his weight and roll him off. I scrambled to reach my stake that fell when I hit the rail, but he was already on the move, and not for me.

I looked up to see Adrian standing in the kitchen, "NOOOOO!"

The blond didn't pause at the sound of my ear piercing scream, he had his eyes set on his target and nothing was going to stop him. What happened next, I can't even explain it.

I was on my feet, charging toward his back, stake poised and ready. He got his hand around Adrian's neck and squeezed it so hard I thought his eyes would pop out of his head. In the same second, I drove my stake through his back, forcing its way through his ribs and into his heart. And this time, I didn't miss.

Adrian and he fell to the ground in one lump. I pulled the blond off of him, tossing his body to the side without a care.

"Adrian, Adrian open your eyes," I begged him, but he didn't respond. Placing my fingers to his neck, I couldn't feel a pulse, "Adrian, come on, please."

I looked over to the blond, who was still unmoving and stabbed my stake straight into his chest, leaving it there. Scrambling to the wall I pressed the panic room speaker button, "Lissa, get up here now," I yelled.

Letting down my barriers, I searched for Adrian's spirit, but he didn't surface.

"Rose, what… Oh my God," Liss screamed.

"Heal him, do it now," I ordered.

"I can't," she cried, kneeling beside him, "We can't heal each other."

"Try Lissa, please try, I can't lose him, too."

I felt the burn of magic in the air, the darkness growing around us as she attempted to heal him. And nothing. Nothing happened. He didn't wake, he didn't breath a single stitch of air.

He was gone, and it is all my fault.

Author's Note:

I hate myself enough for all of you, trust me.

I had said before that there were only 3 chapters left, but I will be doing one or two more after this one. I still plan to have it done Sunday, if not then by Monday. I am working some extra details and scenes for the epilogue now.

As always, leave your thoughts, though I am sure I know half of them.

All My Love,

Dream