Chapter Twenty Five - Picture This

Sunday came about sooner than expected, and honestly I didn't know what to expect. The day before I'd spent most of the time avoiding my mother at all costs, typically just immediately running in the opposite direction whenever I saw her. It's not that I was mad at her - I just couldn't be dealing with her... Oh, who was I kidding? Of course I was still mad at her.

There was also the small matter of Dimitri and I. We hadn't told her about us being together, and truth be told the thought of telling her scared me to the core. While technically Dimitri didn't work for St Vlad's anymore, and he wasn't technically my mentor, I knew she'd still jump to conclusions about the nature of our relationship. Dimitri wasn't as terrified, attempting to appeal to her better nature.

"I'm sure you're not giving her nearly enough credit," Dimitri had said that Saturday while he was sat on the bed, his current Western Novel in his hand. I looked at him incredulously in the reflection of the mirror from where I was sat brushing through my hair, before turning around to face him properly.

"You're kidding me, right?" I looked up at him through my brows with a look of disgust, before lifting my head up with an expression of simultaneous realisation and surprise. "You're not kidding me..."

He chuckled at my words with a fond shake of his head, placing his book down on the bed besides him. He shuffled his way to the end of the bed and sat with his legs dangling over the edge, reaching across to hook a hand underneath the seat of my wheeled chair and pulling me to sit in front of him. "She's your mother, Roza. Like I've told you before, she loves you, and I'm sure she'd understand if you told her."

"You don't know Janine Hathaway." I said sternly as he rested his hands on my knees. "This'll be like a train wreck when she finds out. Either she'll feed me to the Strigoi," I counted the points on my fingers, eyes widening with terror as I spoke. "Feed you to the Strigoi, or feed us both to the Strigoi. Either way, we're getting fed to the Strigoi!"

"Firstly, I don't think Strigoi particularly enjoy eating Dhampir. I think Moroi are much more their fancy," he said with an amused smirk as he placed a hand on my cheek while I just glared at him. "Secondly, just give her a chance, at least. You and I both know that we can't keep this a secret forever."

I pouted childishly at him, knowing deep down he was right though being reluctant to admit that. Judging by the twitch at the corner of his lip, he knew he was right as well, which only made me roll my eyes. "Fine! We'll tell her tomorrow. But-" I raised my eyebrows sternly as he broke out into a victorious smile, "we do it in a room with eyewitnesses. Got it?"

It was now the next morning - my birthday. Despite having dreaming of my 18th birthday ever since I was barely a teenager, the main part of me wanted nothing more than to just stay in bed and sleep the day away with Dimitri. But unfortunately something disturbed that slumber, soft kisses at my shoulder blades waking me up.

I hummed happily at the sensation, turning my head to rest my cheek against the pillow. Opening my eyes I could see Dimitri lingering over me, his own eyes closed and his features soft as he occupied himself with his slow and sensual movements. "Good morning, Malýshka." He whispered against my skin, having heard me stir. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you," I grinned, closing my eyes again as I relished in the feel of his hands slowly yet firmly making their way down my back. "What's this for?"

"Shh," he squeezed my waist playfully, making me jump and let out a small squeal in surprise. "Just relax." He pulled the bedsheet off me, exposing my bare body - bare from the previous night's events - as he continued his trail of kisses down the centre of my spine. "This is your first birthday present. I want you to do nothing, feel nothing, except pure bliss."

For the next half an hour Dimitri worked me into a state of utter relaxation, to the point I could barely even my name or where I was. His hands worked every single knot out from my back, neck, and shoulders, and for a while I forgot my worries for the day. With each knead of his hand he placed a kiss at the same spot, his movements being slow and purposeful.

"How are you feeling?" He whispered as he kneaded my lower back, pressing kisses up my spine.

I made an unladylike noise showing my appreciation for what he was doing. "Like you should do this more often."

He chuckled against my skin, placing another kiss to my shoulder. His hands ceased their actions, and I felt them slowly creep their way to around my waist. He gently rolled me over so I was now on my back, facing him. "Hi," I giggled, placing my hands on his chest as I relaxed back into the bed.

"Hi," he grinned back at me, leaning down and pressing his lips to mine in a sensual kiss. I hummed in delight against his lips, wrapping one arm around his back and placing the other hand against his cheek.

Within a matter of moments the kiss deepened into something much more passionate and desperate as his hands ran down my body, grabbing at every inch of skin he could. I bit his lower lip and pulled away from him, getting a growl in response. I let go and smirked up at him, before swiftly pushing him to the side and rolling us both over so I sat on top.

"I know you said not to do anything," I fluttered my eyelids demurely at him as I ducked my head down to press a kiss to the base of his throat. "But I'd really like to be on top for once." I felt his breath hitch in his throat then, and I pulled back to look down at him pleadingly. "Please? It is my birthday."

I ran my hands greedily, almost hungrily down his body as he sat up to wrap his arms around me. "Anything for you, Roza," he whispered, capturing my lips with his. I moaned against his lips as we kissed for a moment, before I firmly shoved against his chest to force him to lay down. I grinned wickedly down at him when I reached down between us, realising he, too, was already naked and ready for me.

I gripped the base of his cock as I slid my way down onto him, groaning at the new sensation we'd never experienced together. He guided me down by my hips and let out a grunt as he shifted all the way inside me, my body immediately adjusting to him inside me.

I rested my hands on his chest as he kept his hands planted firmly on my hips, rolling my hips at a fast and steady pace. I let out a mewl when Dimitri reached up to wrap his lips around one of my nipples, kneading the other firmly with one of his hands. "Shit, Dimitri!"

He switched breasts to make sure the other was suitably teased as he forced me to pick up the pace, his own thrusts coming faster and harder from beneath me. I matched him every way, reaching between us both with one hand to stimulate my clit further.

"You look so gorgeous like this," Dimitri grunted between thrusts, shifting his mouth from my breast to place a line of kisses up to my neck. "So fucking gorgeous."

"Thank you," I panted as I rolled my hips in a wide circle, forcing a stretched out moan from him where his lips rested against my skin. I grinned wickedly as he responded with fire, biting at the sensitive join between my neck and shoulder. "Fuck!"

"Enough," he growled, and I furrowed my brows in confusion. Suddenly he'd gripped my waist again and rolled us over so he was back on top, lifting one leg up to wrap around his back as he drilled furiously into me. I arched my back against his as I cried out in joy, quickly being silenced by his lips on mine.

I reached a hand between us both to rub at my clit, gasping desperately for air as I felt myself near closer to my end. I knew he was close, too, his thrusts becoming more frantic and sloppy. "Cum, Roza," he pulled back and rested his forehead against mine, urging me forwards with each thrust. I quivered beneath his touch as he pulled my body up to press tightly against his own, immediately falling over the edge at his words. He pounded through my orgasm as he panted against my neck, before stilling within me as he reached his own end.

He milked us both for all we were worth with slow, gentle strokes, before sliding himself out completely. I groaned at the empty sensation, dropping my leg that was wrapped around him back onto the bed. I hummed in satisfaction as I let myself almost melt into the bed as Dimitri shifted to look up at me. I looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, a small smile on my lips. "Happy Birthday, Malýshka."

We relaxed in bed for a while before taking a shower. By the time we finally left the cozy confines of our room, it was almost 11, and I'm almost certain Dimitri was as hungry as I was.

We headed down the stairs at different times - just so the eagle eye that was Janine Hathaway didn't suspect anything too soon before we told her - to get some breakfast. Christian and Lissa were both already there, though that was it.

"Somebody's up late." Lissa looked up from where she was sat in the living room attached to the smaller kitchenette (because Abe being Abe obviously had more than one across the house) as I walked in. Christian was by her side reading a book which appeared to be in Russian. I grabbed a bowl out from one of the cupboards and filled it halfway with Greek yoghurt and the rest of the way with granola. I scattered some blueberries and strawberries on the top and grabbed a spoon before turning to walk into the living room.

Lissa was giving me a suggestive smirk as I walked to sit on the floor in front of her, giving her a pointed nudge with my elbow as I sat. "It's my birthday - I thought I deserved a lie in for once." I looked up at her with a sly smirk, digging into my food.

"Oh, yeah, a 'lie-in'." I heard Christian mumble from behind me, and I'm sure Lissa gave him a smack from the quiet 'ow' I heard shortly after. I giggled to myself at that, just shaking my head as I ignored his comments.

Dimitri came in then dressed in his Guardian uniform, nodding formally to where the three of us were sat. "Good morning Princess Dragomir. Lord Ozera, Novice Hathaway." His formal introduction was his way of subtly saying he was 'on duty', which I guessed was to keep things less difficult to hide from my mother. Being my personal Guardian, technically he was on duty at all times, but his uniform and Guardian mask was something he liked to keep himself grounded.

He collected his own breakfast and ate at the centre island in the kitchenette, cautiously keeping an eye on me at all time. I could constantly feel his gaze, though I didn't really mind. In fact it was rather endearing, knowing that he was always watching over me - I could see why Moroi were always so keen to have a Guardian. The sense of protection on you at all times really was nerve-settling.

We spent the next few hours just talking among ourselves in the living room, Dimitri occasionally interjecting when appropriate. I'd already told the three of them that up until 6pm that evening, talk of the Strigoi mission was completely forbidden. I wanted to enjoy my 18th birthday with family and friends, with no worries and no distractions, and they respected that.

At around two in the afternoon, Janine and Abe appeared, the former with a rectangular box in her hands that was wrapped in what appeared to be tissue paper. "Happy Birthday, Kiz!" Abe grinned at where I sat on the floor, and I instantly jumped up to embrace him in a hug. "Oh to be 18 years old again." He chuckled as we pulled away, looking down at me fondly.

"Thank you, Papa." I smiled before turning to my mom, who looked rather awkward from where she stood slightly behind him with the box in her hands. I raised my eyebrows expectantly at her, wondering if I was going to have to say hello first before she even looked at me.

Fortunately she took the initiative and looked up at me with a seemingly affectionate glance, stepping forwards and embracing me in a surprise hug. "Happy Birthday, Rosemarie." She said over my shoulder as she kept me in her grasp. "I'm so sorry how I acted Friday evening. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

I felt slightly guilty for avoiding her after that, hearing the sincerity in her voice. I hugged her back and buried my face into her hair. "Of course I forgive you. You're my mother."

When we pulled away I noticed she had tears in her eyes, and I had to prevent myself from looking shocked at the sight. She quickly put herself back together, though, stepping back with a smile and outstretching the box in her hand. "This is for you. I didn't really have time to go and buy you something, but I know it's something special nonetheless."

We walked across so I could sit down and open the present, being afraid that I would drop it if I did so standing up. I tore away the tissue paper to reveal a shiny black box that was as plain as plain could be. I lifted the lid off from it, instantly gasping at what sat inside.

Resting on a bed of red velvet were two sparkling stakes, looking practically brand new. I could feel my jaw practically hitting the floor as I looked them up and down, cautiously lifting one of them out from their space. I ran my fingers up and down them gingerly, the cool metal against my skin not being entirely foreign. There was a fancy engraved 'H' on the hilt of it, and I narrowed my eyes instantly as I looked up at my mother. "You're giving me your stakes?"

"No, don't be silly." She laughed quietly, moving to sit besides me. "They were your grandmother's - she gave them to me shortly before she passed away a few months before your second birthday. I've always kept them nearby as a remembrance of where I came from, and the woman who made who I am today." She lifted the other stake and turned it around so I could see the letter 'R' engraved in the same fancy font.

"R for Rosemarie?" I looked up at her expectantly, and she nodded. "That's where you got my name from. It was your mother's name, as well."

"I know our relationship isn't the same as mine had been with my mother," she said sadly, looking up at me as she carefully placed the stake back in it's designated spot. "And it probably never will be. But I still care about you, Rosemarie, no matter how hard you may find that to believe. I am so undeniably proud of the woman you have become, and I feel it only suitable that one of the most talented Novices of this decade had her own set of stakes before her graduation. After all, you do already have two molnija."

"And another three to be added once we get the chance." Dimitri commented from where he stood in a Guardian stance near the kitchen. Janine smiled at that, nodding her head in his direction.

I slowly placed the stake I was holding back next to it's sister, looking at them with one last lingering glance before shutting the lid back on them. I placed them carefully on the table besides me and turned back to my mother, hugging her close. "Thank you." I whispered only for her to hear. "Thank you so much."

I heard footsteps come from the door as we pulled away to sit up straight, and I glanced across the room to see Eddie, Adrian, and Pavel wandering in. Judging by Eddie's red face I assumed he had been spending the morning changing, having just finished up and showered. Pavel was in his Guardian uniform and walked to stand beside Dimitri, while Adrian and Eddie headed for the remaining two seater sofa across from us.

"Happy Birthday, Little Dhampir." Adrian said cheerfully, reaching to hug me before settling himself down besides Eddie. He must have seen the box combined with the paper on the floor, because his eyebrows rose in realisation. "Are we giving presents? I've got mine in my room." Without further comment he disappeared, and I laughed softly.

"I guess so." I looked around the room as I answered his question, despite him not even being in the room anymore. Abe had moved to sit in the single arm chair at the end of the room, with Lissa on the sofa besides my mother and Christian perched awkwardly on the arm besides her. "Here, you guys move up." I commented to the three besides me, kicking the tissue paper away from my feet and planting myself on the floor Christian could sit more comfortably. Janine moved up accordingly, then Lissa, so he could sit besides her. "I can see everyone better from here anyway."

"Well, if we're giving presents," Lissa said theatrically as she leaned across the back of the sofa. She sat back down properly, a large, square, aqua blue box with a black bow wrapped around it now in her hands, as well as a small lumpy present wrapped in the same paper. She leaned forwards on the edge of her seat, handing me the gifts. "Open mine next."

I grinned excitedly up at her, knowing she always put extreme thought into her gifts both at birthdays and Christmas. After having spending so much time in the human world with limited money, we both learned to find gifts that meant a lot to each other rather than being expensive and flaunty.

After the bow and wrapping paper were removed of the first gift, I set my eyes on a large wooden cube with a picture on the top face. It was one I immediately recognised from just before the crash, Lissa and I stood together in the Dragomir's ballroom. They always held fancy parties and get-togethers, the Summer Ball being no exception. Lissa and I loved them, because it gave us opportunity to just walk around and laugh at the old socialites - all while looking gorgeous.

In the picture, she was wearing a tight fitting teal dress with long sheer sleeves, the entire gown being so bedazzled the stars would be jealous. I was in a black number, the top being a diamond-like shape which then wrapped around my neck, with no back. The skirt was form fitting, reaching all the way to the floor with a slight train.

"Lissa, this is beautiful!" I looked up at her with disbelief, seeing the goofy grin on her face as she bit at her nails almost nervously.

"Look inside it." She urged impatiently, waving her hand at me.

I did as she said, carefully sliding the wooden photo-frame off and placing it on the carpeted floor. The inside was filled with seemingly insignificant items, but immediately I recognised the significance with every single one. There was a few cinema tickets from times we went to see films whilst in Portland, a lizard-like ring which snaked in a spiral that I knew to be her brother's. We once pulled a prank on him when he placed his ring on the patio table at their house, and we'd replaced it with a baby gecko we'd found in a nearby tree.

There were dozens of other pictures, items, sheets of papers - everything that had a message and a story behind it, correlating to a special memory of our friendship. There was even a torn off cover of Let's Go! Student Book - the very same book I'd thrown at a teacher in kindergarten, the exact moment we became friends.

I looked up at her with such gratefulness, my mouth open as if to say something despite the lack of words coming out. I wanted to cry in that moment, knowing that nobody would ever know me as well as she did - except perhaps Dimitri. It was such a thoughtful gift, and so completely Lissa. "Thank you." I managed out pathetically. "This is actually incredible."

"I knew you'd like it." She smiled as I moved the box out of my lap to lean up and give her a heartwarming hug. Adrian returned just then, and I closed up Lissa's present and placed it carefully behind me so nobody else could accidentally break them, before starting on her second gift.

Immediately I could tell the gift was some sort of clothing, just judging by the feel of it in my hands. I ripped open the paper, showing a grey material. I flipped around the folded material, immediately bursting into laughter when I saw the block writing that said THELMA with a cartoon gun printed underneath it.

When I looked up to Lissa with a comedic grin, I saw she was holding up a grey t-shirt of her own with the same cartoon gun and the same block writing, except hers said LOUISE. "It's not exactly my style," she commented as she looked down at it, before back up at me. "But I knew you'd love it, and as my best friend I knew I'd make an exception."

"These are freaking awesome, Lis!" I laughed as I shoved the shirt on top of her first gift, giving her yet another hug. She placed her own shirt in her lap once we pulled apart, and I looked around curiously at the rest of the people in the room. "Who's next?"

"Well - now that you're 18," Adrian started off cheekily as he placed a tall, gold sparkly bag in my hands and sat back down. "I thought it would be acceptable to give you this."

I chuckled as I pulled out a large bottle of what appeared to be authentic Russian Vodka, the golden cap at the top and the gold label around the centre reading Белое золото. I could see the skeptical look my mother was giving me from the corner of her eye, and I looked up at her hastily. "Technically the drinking age in Russian is 18!" She rolled her eyes at that, and I laughed. "And most other places, really. Thank you, Adrian." I held up the bottle with a wide grin before placing it back in it's bag and putting it besides Lissa's present. "I'll make sure to use it on a special occasion."

"My turn." Surprisingly Christian piped up enthusiastically, reaching down besides him to pick up a box in the same blue wrapping paper as Lissa's was - I wonder who did the wrapping? He placed it in my hands and leaned forwards with his elbows and knees, pointing at the gift. "I wasn't entirely sure what to get you, but Lissa helped me pick it out."

"Of course she did." I teased as I opened it up, finding a folded red leather article of clothing within a flat black box. I lifted it up and placed it against my chest as I glanced down at it, gasping at the sight of what appeared to be a body-fitted red leather jacket. It was the type of style that wrapped around itself, but also looked good unzipped. The details were gold, and the inside was lined with soft sheer material. "Christian, this is incredible! Thank you - you didn't have to."

"It wouldn't feel right if I didn't get my biggest pain in the ass a present on her birthday." He grinned in retort. "We got it from a Dhampir store at Court before we came here, so I think there should be pockets inside for your stakes."

Sure enough, on the inside left breast were two hoops which could accommodate for my new stakes. I smiled at the thought of him being considerate enough to go to a Dhampir-specialist store, just for me. I placed the jacket back in the box and put it behind me like the others, shuffling across the floor to give him a tight hug. "Thanks, Sparky. Who knew you had a soft side to you?"

"Don't get used to it, Hathaway." He responded, and I could hear the smile in his voice as we pulled away.

Eddie was next, and much like Lissa I knew his gift would be personal. He, Mason, and I had grown up together under the protection of the Academy, and we'd practically grown up as orphans together. We never had money for luxurious things, so Christmas and Birthdays usually consisted of an item of our own belongings or something we'd made.

I unfolded the brown wrapping paper to a small black leather book that was worn and torn at the edges. The strip on the side that closed the book had lost it's magnetism and was hanging loosely, and it was clear it was a few years old at least. I opened it up and saw the dusty old pages that were stained at the corners, messy scrawl sitting in the centre of the front page.

Novice Mason Ashford, Freshmen Year to -

I covered my mouth in surprise as I willed myself not to cry, a wave of emotions flooding over me. The 'to' bit was never finished, and I knew it was because he'd never had the chance to... To Graduation, I assumed it would have said. Or To Senior Year.

Flicking through it I could see that it was all his notes from combat classes, including drawings of himself in entertaining fighting poses - mid kick, attempting an aerial kick. One image was him with his butt on the floor and red squiggles around it, an arrow besides it pointing to the words 'Hathaway Ass-kicking sucks!'

"Where did you get this?" I said quietly, my fingers skimming over the pages gently.

"Mason and I shared a dorm." He reminded me softly. "When he died, Alberta let me keep whatever of his belongings I wanted before they threw it all out. I kept everything of sentimental value, including that." He nodded at the book in my hands as I closed it, looking up at him. "I thought you might like it. Half the stuff in it you probably already know, but I know that's not what you'll see in it."

He was right - I didn't care about the contents. What I cared about was that it had once belonged to Mason - he had kept this with him for years, writing every detail of his classes down. I remember seeing him with it several times at lunch after classes. It had meant a lot to him, and so it meant a lot to me.

"Thank you, Eddie." I hugged him tightly, burying my face into the crook of his neck to stop myself from crying. "This is incredible. Thank you."

"No bother, Rose." He whispered in my ear as he rubbed my back soothingly, pressing a soft kiss to my temple as we pulled away.

A voice cleared from near the edge of the room, and I had to sit up perfectly straight to be able to look over the back of the sofa to see who it was. Dimitri stepped forwards with his hands folded in front of him, and I could vaguely see the corner of something small and black within his grasp. "If you all don't mind, I have a present of my own that I'd like to give Rose."

What are you doing? I thought to myself with wide eyes as he stepped around the sofa, looking towards me. I was frantically glancing between him and my mother, seeing the peculiar expression on her face. She didn't know. Whatever he was about to do, it wasn't part of the plan! We were going to tell her together - what is he doing?

"Roza," fuck, I thought to myself. She was going to realise instantly what was going on between us, and I had no way to brace myself for what was about to happen. I fixated my gaze on Dimitri, his kind, sincere eyes as he slowly approached me. He didn't seem the slightest bit scared, which somehow settled my nerves. That was, until he lowered himself onto one knee directly in front of me, a small, black box in the palm of his outstretched hand...