Story Title: To Sunsets and Sunrises

Author: TheCoffeeShopMuse

Background: It's Mother's Day, and as Rose plans her gift, Janine reflects on the past. As she struggles with the whole idea of motherhood, Abe, of course, is there for her.

Rose remembers her first Mother's Day, very well. She had worked so hard on her gift, a drawing of her and her mommy, along with a clay ornament with her tiny handprints embedded on them.

"You sure Mommy will like them, Albertie?" Little five year old Rose had asked the Guardian, looking up to her with large doe eyes filled with innocence.

The wise woman smiled a fond smile down at the little girl she had been tasked with taking care of. "Of course dear, I'm sure she'll be here soon to see them, and she'll love them."

Weeks ago, Alberta had contacted Janine, asking her if she had some leave available so she could come down to the academy and spend the weekend with Rose.

Of course, the young Guardian had readily agreed, eager to see her daughter after such a long time apart. Rose was ecstatic when Alberta had told her the news, and it just warmed the guardian's heart to watch the little girl, brow furrowed in deep concentration as she struggled to draw her mommy the best picture.

And hours before she was due to arrive, Janine got cold feet.

"I just-I just can't Alberta. It's been a rough couple of days, please tell Rose I'm sorry, and I love her. Next year, perhaps."

And so Alberta told the little girl, and watched as her little face fell and her tiny shoulders sagged.

The guardian's heart just about broke as she comforted the distraught child. "Next year, Rose, next year."

But Janine wasn't there to pick up her macaroni necklace.

Or the flower crown the year after that.

Or the little clay vase the year after that.

And that was the last straw.

"Rose," Alert knelt down, gently grasping the stoney-faced child's shoulders. "I'm so sorry, but your mommy is really busy and-"

"No! You don't hafta lie to me Alberta!" The now eight year old angrily wiped away the traitor tears leaking from her eyes. "I know, I know mom doesn't care about me enough. She doesn't love me, and she doesn't care!" She got out before shoving the vase at the guardian and taking down the hall, running to the sanctuary of her own room, where no one could see her tears.

But that was more than a decade ago, and things had changed.

For the better, much better.

Rose smiled as her husband rolled over in their bed, still half-asleep, muttering something in Russian before wrapping an arm around her abdomen.

She laced their hands together.

She hope Janine would like this year's gift.

"Mama, please," Dimitri practically begged. "Sit down and relax. The place is spotless, today is about you. You don't have to clean or do anything."

Olena flushed lightly. "In Russia, Mother's Day has already passed. The gift you sent me was more than enough," she said, thinking back to the nice cashmere scarf Rose and Dimitri had sent her, picked up in Scotland from their travels.

"But we weren't there to celebrate with you, Olena. Think of this as a second Mother's Day for you. No one deserves it more." Her new daughter smiled as she entered the sitting room, taking a seat next to her and giving her a big hug as a greeting.

Olena returned the hug warmly. "That's not necessary, Roza. But thank you. Are you sure you wouldn't rather have lunch here at home? I can fix something-"

"No, Mama." Dimitri insisted. "No one is more deserving of a celebration lunch."

"Besides, you've spoiled us with your cooking since you've been here," Rose patted her stomach, thinking back to the scrumptious roast dinner her mother-in-law had made last night. "Let us treat you."

"This is one of the nicest restaurants at Court, Mama. But not stuffy," he added quickly, seeing the worried look on his Mama's face. "Just enjoy it."

"And your parents will be there too, dear?" Olena asked Rose.

"Yes, both Abe and Mom are going to be there," Rose nodded. "Abe got us the table."

Of course.

A barrage of Russian could be heard approaching from the stairs, as the Belikov sisters all materialized in the doorway.

"Happy Mother's Day, Mama!"

"You all know very well we've already celebrated Mother's Day."

"Yeah, but this is American Mother's Day, mama," Viktoria's eyes sparkled.

"And were visiting America, so we must celebrate!" Karolina added, hugging her mama fiercely.

"Plus, I never say no to a free fancy meal!"

"Sonya!"

"I'm kidding!" The second eldest Belikov sister held her hands up defensively. "Mostly..."

Rose laughed from her place on the couch. "I totally agree, Sonya."

There was always something in her unconscious mind that wakes her up early on this holiday, usually in the wee hours of the morning, before the sunset, signalling the beginning of a Moroi day. Of course, being a guardian, she has never been one to rely on a lot of sleep, but every year on this special day, she's exhausted, physically and emotionally, since she usually took to the gym the night before this day, beating a poor punching bag to oblivion.

This has become a tradition for her. Her mind just conjures up all the memories, regrets, and shitty childhood memories, and shoves them to the forefront of her mind. Not to mention her own failures as a mother.

Today, Mother's Day, has always been hard for Janine Hathaway; even now, well into her forties. She can't even remember a good Mother's Day in her entire childhood, and that cast a shadow on the whole day from there on out. For Janine, as a child, Mother's Days were always marked with disappointment and tears. Of course, it just wasn't possible to escape the advertisements luring in children to buy flowers, cards, or candy for "best mom ever," even in her little Scottish village next to Glasgow. School was worse for the little girl. Even at her academy, the Guardians looking after the elementary school kids insisted on creating Mother's Day projects. While all the other children were trying their hardest, carefully crafting little paper hearts, drawings, and macaroni necklaces, Janine was the only child to sit there in her seat, wallowing in sadness. She knew whatever she created would not be good enough for the woman who gave birth to her.

Oh, Janine had a mom, but she certainly wasn't the "best mom ever." She was just another young dhampir woman, charmed by a young Moroi man who ran as soon as she became with child. Bitter that she "gave up her career and wasted the best years of her life" on raising a child, she took these feelings of regret out on her only child. From a young age, Janine knew that she was not wanted, that she was only an inconvenience for the woman who begrudgingly raised her. Janine knew all her mother's tirades by heart from a tender young age. From the time she had been a toddler, she knew that she was "never supposed to happen," and that, "we had taken precautions to make sure mistakes like you wouldn't happen." However, "life's a bitch," and "shit happens and I got stuck with a you." Furthermore, "he would have stayed if it weren't for you, we could have been happy," and "my life ended the day you were born. It's all your fault." Of course, what toddler would understand this? It was only when she grew older, Janine understood. She knew that if it was possible, her mother would have given her up in a heartbeat. Despite this abuse, her mother had the gall to expect love and gifts on Mother's Day. Of course, since she had never taught her daughter to love, Janine had no idea how to offer this love. She had no money to buy something, and her mother was never appreciated the crafts that Janine made at school. One year, eight year old Janine had attempted to create a bouquet, using flowers from their neighbor's garden (with the nice, elderly neighbor's permission of course, she thought it was a really sweet thing for the child to do). However, that endeavor ended in a severe spanking, as Janine ("you stupid, stupid child!") had "ruined her only good clothes digging through that filthy dirt."

The flowers had been thrown out the window in rage.

After that, Janine never attempted another Mother's Day gift. The day only brought more misery upon both mother and daughter.

Now, on the day of Mother's Day, Janine sat on her little terrace in her room, watching the sun dip below the horizon, before a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

She smiled slightly. Only one person would come visit her at this time of day.

"Come in, Ibrahim."

He frowns as he comes into the room, studying the woman who captured his heart all those years ago.

"You haven't slept well."

She laughs softly. "Do I ever on this day?"

"You could...if you'd let yourself."

Janine sighed, clenching her eyes shut. "Ibrahim, of all people should know it's not that simple for me.

"I'm sorry, Janine." He mumbled as he took a seat next to her, pressing a kiss into the auburn curls he loved so much. Then he took her hand, laced their fingers together, and sat in comfortable silence with her.

It wouldn't be until she was 10 that Janine would be free from her mother. By that age the young girl had endured enough neglect, that she had become quite independent, able to, and quite preferring to, live at the academy full time. For the majority of her studies, Janine endured alone. She had people she would consider friends, but never let them close enough to be considered good friends, close enough to hurt her. After graduating at the top of her class, she accepted a position with a young Badica, a nice enough Moroi with whom she was acquaintances. Janine had never felt more proud. She managed to cut her mother out of her life, and secure a good charge. Still, she wasn't happy.

Until she met Abe.

She was with her charge, visiting Moscow, when they met. Of course, he was there for "business." If it weren't for her charge meeting up with a friend, who then brought Abe along as a plus one, then they probably would never have met...and her life would not have changed for the better.

He noticed her red curls first, admiring how sleek they looked. Then he noticed her small stature, with great amusement. "You looked as if I could pick you up with one hand!" He laughed with glee, as he told her one lazy night in bed, months into their courtship.

She should have been afraid of him and his world. She should have ran the other way the moment he introduced himself, but she couldn't. Soon, she found themselves talking more, and accepting his lunch invitations, where they would eat at their own private table. When she was on duty, sometimes he would surprise her with a takeaway picnic. He was thoughtful and kind, which always impressed her, since men of his kind didn't have the most stellar reputations. But Abe was different. There was nothing dangerous about Abe, except for maybe his dangerously charming smile that always made her go weak in the knees. It always amazed her how he could go from "business man" to a relaxed but demanding boss, to a sweet boyfriend with her.

Abe looked around at the world, and he saw opportunity. He looked at various different, but important aspects of the Moroi world, and capitalized on that, for better or for worse was up for discussion. But more importantly, he looked at her and saw beyond the scars. He saw hope within her. He ignored the Janine's initial cold gaze, and tried to see into her thoughts. He ignored the way she would cross her arms defensively, not letting anyone in, and tried to see into her heart. And in the meantime, he fought his way into her soul.

For a year they were deliriously happy, twelve months of pure bliss.

And then Janine got pregnant.

And she ran.

"I'm so stupid. I've been so stupid." She broke the silence.

Abe frowned. "Janine-"

"We were so happy Ibrahim. Both so deliriously happy with each other and with our love, but I ruined it. That woman is no longer part of my life, but she still haunts me, and I let her!"

Abe stays silent. He knows this. He knows about the abuse she suffered as a child. He knows how she never really talked about it with anyone. He knows she still holds a lot within herself. He knows it all, and he tries to help her slowly forget about the woman she called mom, to look forward. He knows, and he does this because he loves her.

"Your mother, my dear? You know she can't bother you anymore."

"She still bothers me," she reminds him. "It scares me, the hold she still has in me after all these years."

"Janine, my dear, you have no reason to be scared." He moves his hand up my body, to my face, and cups my cheek. "You know that I would never let anyone hurt you again. You know that you would never let anyone hurt you, again. That's not he distinguished Guardian Hathaway I know." He says powerfully, shooting me a heart melting smile afterward.

"I know," she sighs. "It's just...I guess...the thought of me becoming her is more terrifying to me than anything else. God, I was half way there Ibrahim! Dumping our child at the academy, not being there for her, years with out contact! For heavens sake, there was a time where Rose couldn't even bear to see me. I-I let the fear of becoming my mother alienate me from our daughter, ironically nearly becoming her in the process! I-"

He moves closer and presses two fingers over my lips. "Shh. Come here."

She obediently moves into his arms. He pulls her tiny body to his, pressing an affectionate kiss to her lips. "Janine, I was smitten with you the moment I saw you. When we started going out, within the first official date, I knew that you were the one for me. I knew I wanted it all with you, a home, a family, a life. I really was, my dear, and fuck all those who were, and still are, too narrow minded to see past our mere differences in biology, to accept our love.

"Yes, but mucked that up perfectly didn't I?"

He interrupts her with another loving kiss. "No." he demands gently. "I know you have regrets over our past, over your not-so-pleasant past with our dear little spawn. But I also know that you came back to me, and you reached out to Rose and were there for her. You rebuilt your relationship with her. And that was all you. You're so stubborn and hard-headed, but you can also be so loving, so kind.

"But I've made so many mistakes," Janine sighs. "So many, especially when it comes to Rose."

He presses a kiss to my forehead. "Ah, but you acknowledge them. You have fixed them. No one goes through life being perfect, trust me. It's okay to make mistakes, especially parents. Being a mother is about loving your children unconditionally. I know you love Rose, even if you've had odd ways of showing it." He grins as she looks abashed.

"Janine," he continues, "yes, you've made mistake. But you've been given a second chance. Every moment you spend with Rose, you're proving you are not like her. You are better than that woman. I know still hang on to a lot if hurt and resentment. That's perfectly fine. In fact, it gives you good motivation. Turn your anger at her into motivation, so you can do better for Rose, because we have the chance to. We can't change the past, we can only change the future. And you've been doing a wonderful job with that. I love you so very much, even if she doesn't say it much, our daughter loves you very much. You are not that woman. You are Janine Hathaway. My Janine. My dear. My love. Mother of my progeny." Abe grins as Janine slaps him playfully for that last comment.

He continues. "Let it end. Let it the memories of your mother burn away. Let the sun set on that part of your life. It's all over now."

Let the sun set.

"After the sunset comes the darkness of night." She reminds him.

"And after the darkness comes the light again. The sunrise" he continues flawlessly. "You let the sun set on your mother and that part of your life when you left. The darkness only came when you were chained to her memory, unable to leave her behind. But now the sun is rising. We're together again, and we've been given a second chance to be better parents to our daughter. And the sun needs to rise, we've all been through so much. You've let her shadow cloud your sun for too long. Let the sun shine on the future, and leave your doubts, cast them away. You're a better person than That woman will ever be. You're capable of being a better mother than your own. You deserve to live in the sunrise and look towards to a new day."

Surprisingly, tears filled the formidable Guardian Janine Hathaway's eyes. "Thank you, Ibrahim. For having so much faith in me. For loving me. For believing in us."

"Of course my love." He responds, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Now, come with me."

"What? Why?" Her eyes narrow suspiciously.

"Because you're coming with me, back to my room, where we can get a few more hours of rest before our darling daughter dazzles us with her presence."

"Rose is coming over?"

"For a Mother's Day surprise!" Abe hurried as he caught Janine's exasperated face. "Yes, yes we all know just how much you love surprises. But hush, no protests from you today. It is your day, after all!"

"Happy Mother's Day!" Rose, Dimitri, Abe, and the Belikova sisters chorused enthusiastically, with Rose and Dimitri producing matching gift bags, handing them to their respective mothers.

Lunch was going exceedingly well, with the two families mingling perfectly with one another. Abe had managed to book the group not just their own table, but their own private room instead, allowing for conversations from prying eyes.

Olena and Janine exchanged a look, partly surprised, partly pleased.

"Oh, you guys really shouldn't have," Olena started.

"This lovely lunch was enough," Janine finished.

Everyone else rolled their eyes.

"Mama, please. Just open the gift!" Karolina said.

"Yeah! Rose and Dimitri have been so secretive about the whole thing, they won't tell us!" Viktoria added.

"No matter how annoyingly we whine or nag them about it." Sonya smirked.

The couple in question said nothing, though they exchanged an unreadable look with one another.

"Ladies, please," Abe nodded coolly. Even though on the inside he was burning with curiosity as well. Rose wouldn't let him see the gift, no matter how hard he tried! He wanted to know damnit!

Obliging everybody, the two women began to dig through the tissue paper, both pulling out...

A rather nice, gold photo frame.

But it was the picture it held that was the gift.

The photo was of Rose and Dimitri, both grinning widely. Dimitri's arms were wrapped around Rose, while she was leaning comfortably back into him. They both held hand made signs. Her's in English. His in Cyrillic writing, but they both contained the same message.

Happy Mother's Day. You're going to be a grandma!

The response was instantaneous. Olena shrieked happily. Janine went completely silent. The Belikova's after seeing the photo as well, started squealing joyfully. Abe rubbed his hands together, looking excited.

"Ah, the next generation of spawn. How exciting."

Olena was currently blubbering in Dimitri's arms, his sisters chattering on excitedly around them.

"Mom?" Janine blinked, then turned to her daughter, who was looking at her warily.

"Are you okay? Did you like the gift - woah!" Rose stumbled back a bit as her mom launched herself into her arms, hugging her daughter tightly.

"You're going to want to start taking prenatal vitamins. And upping your fruit and vegetable intake. And maybe your proteins too. I mean, it's just that when I was pregnant with you, the doctor was worried about my iron levels, so some lean protein is perfectly fine. Oh, and are you experiencing any morning sickness yet? I have a remedy for that, an old Scottish traditional drink and -"

"Mom, mom," Rose laughed, stunned. "Slow down. We have all the time in the world for you to impart some pregnancy advice on me, and you too Olena," Rose added, glancing at her mother in law. "And I will gladly accept them. Especially the morning sickness remedy."

"Rose is right. For now," Abe raised his glass, "let us toast. To the new parents. To the next generation!"

The rest of the party heartily chorused back with Abe, the joy and excitement tangible in the room.

The Belikova sisters now took this chance to swarm around Rose, asking her question after question, while Olena chattered on excitedly with her son.

Janine, lost in her thoughts about her own pregnancy, was surprised with Abe wrapped an arm around her, though she responded in kind.

He smiled at her, his eyes briefly flickering to his overwhelmed looking daughter, back to his love."

"To sun rises, my love."