Chapter 5: Truth is . . .

Rose stared at Andros."M-Mason is not a Belikov."

Andros scoffed. "This whole town is full rumors about Mason being Dimitri's. After all, he spent two years in Turkey taking over my job. I had always wondered why Dimitri loved going to Turkey. I was too blindsided to see that he had a mistress there."

"I am not a mere mistress!" Rose exclaimed.

He laughed darkly. "As I said before, tell me where Dimitri is! I won't even speak about your pathetic child to my son. After all, he and Tasha are going to get married. It is for the best for the mistress to be forgotten."

Rose glared. "I have no clue where Dimitri is staying. He only came to visit me here once, I swear."

"I have a hard time believing that. Maybe all you need is motivation. I may use my sword and slash it across your stom-"

"NO!" Rose furiously cried. "I DON'T KOW WHERE DIMITRI BELIKOV IS! HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK OF KILLING YOUR GRANDCHILD? WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO MEET HIM?"

"Can you imagine I, Andros Belikov meeting some spawn of yours? You aren't even a royal." He chuckled humorlessly. "In fact, I bet Dimitri was hoping you would never meet me. He even spread rumors for you. He spread rumors just to keep me and other men like me away from his treasure."

"What rumors?"

"Don't act like you have no idea. He spread the rumors to protect you."

"He never spoke of any rumors." Rose exclaimed.

"During his five months away, there was an infinite amount of whispers about Dimitri's 'conquests.' Do you believe all of this is true? How can someone in love abandon their lover? It was perfectly orchestrated by Dimitri and Ivan to protect you."

"I don't believe it. Is this a cruel trick you are playing on me? I am not so gullible." Rose narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Andros laughed. "A trick? If you don't believe me, why not ask Dimitri or Ivan. They'll know what happened those months ago."

"Ivan will not tell me and I have no clue where Dimitri is."

"I admire the eccentric temper of yours, Ms. Mazur. However, if you do not tell me Dimitri's whereabouts, I may put either one of you in a graveyard today." He looked curtly at Rose's six month old stomach.

Rose scrabbled frantically. How could she blank out on the moves Dimitri taught her? Think. Think. Think. Rose spotted a pot nearby. All she had to do was-

Andros had trapped her successfully. Rose's aching back was planted onto the cool brick wall. Andros neared her. He drew out his sword, waiting to plunge it. "Any last words?" He asked.

"You are a cruel son of a bitch! You deserve to die repeatedly in hell." Rose wrapped her arms protectively against her stomach and felt excruciating pain going through her flesh. She saw the door of the passageway swing open to reveal Abe and Dimitri with soldiers. "What have you done to my daughter?" Abe roared.

'At least they've found me.' Rose thought. 'I'm so sorry, Mase. You deserved to live. You would have been so beautiful. I'm sorry you never got to meet your father. He would have loved you so much. I'll see you in heaven.' Rose drifted off to sleep.

Dimitri saw the first sign of snow in Turkey. He felt so stupid leaving Rose in the balcony; she could have been in danger. He saw a teenage boy laughing with a girl alongside him. They both held hot chocolate to their lips. Then, the girl pushed the boy playfully onto the hard ice. The boy stared shocked, for a moment, and he ran up to chase her.

This reminded him of Roza. Everything reminded him of Rose.

Flashback

2 years ago. . .

"Comrade, do you realize that it's our month old anniversary and we haven't shared a kissed in two weeks?" Rose laughed.

"I believe we have Abe to blame for that. Every time I do lean in to kiss you, it seems that Abe needs you to get him his tomatoes." Dimitri grinned.

"Well, you could kiss me now."

Dimitri leaned in and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he felt cold washing over him. He opened his orbs only to see Rose had pushed him into the five feet of snow. "Rose, I'm going to get you."

Rose ran away from the almost seven footed monster who was chasing her behind. Instantly, Dimitri had caught up with Rose and picked her up in his arms. He neared the six feet of freshly made snow as Rose chanted in apology.

Dimitri smirked. "It's too late for apologies now. Maybe this'll teach you a lesson."

Rose screamed as Dimitri dropped her down into the cold.

Then, he heard a sob from the snow.

Dimitri quickly went in the blanket of snow regardless of the cold. Rose jumped on him and pushed him down into the snow. "Serves you right, Belikov. You never mess with a Mazur."

Dimitri turned his torso to see Rose straddling him. She looked so beautiful with the wind slightly tousling her wavy hair.

"Are you even listening to me? Never mess-"

Dimitri pressed his lips against her soft mouth. At first, Rose pretended to be angry and wouldn't move her mouth with Dimitri's. However, as Dimitri slightly nibbled on her bottom lip and begged his tongue for entrance, Rose's found herself giving into Dimitri's love.

After their heated make-out session, the couple realized three hours had passed and it was no longer safe in the woods. They went into the manor and ate dinner with the family. After dinner, Rose snuck into Dimitri's room with two cups of hot chocolate. She opened the door only to find him in his boxers.

"Dimitri, take this hot- Ah shit! It burns like a motherfu-" Rose quieted as Dimitri threw her a stern look. "If Abe found out you were here, it wouldn't be pretty." He warned.

"I'm good at sneaking things in and out. Once, Liss and I smuggled four gallons of rum from the cellar." Rose grinned.

Dimitri put his hot chocolate down and wrapped his arms around Rose's waist. Rose, too, put her cup on the table and smiled as she smelled his pleasant aftershave. She ran her fingers across the planes of his chest and smiled as Dimitri gently pulled them onto his bed. Their legs were intertwined and Rose buried her face into the crook of his neck. She slowly drifted off to sleep. She could've sworn Dimitri had said 'I love you' to her.

The next morning, Rose woke up with Dimitri snoring softly. However, she flinched as her eyes met her father's.

"Rose, what have I told about boys in our homes?"

"Old man, relax. We haven't done anything. See, Dimitri is wearing boxers." She threw off the silk sheets as Dimitri woke from the cold.

"Rose what are you-" Dimitri was interrupted by the stoic face of Abe Mazur.

"Rose, get me some tomatoes" Abe said.

"Why? We ate pasta for the last two weeks. I don't want any more!"

"Oh, it's not for pasta this time."

"What's it for?" Rose inquired.

Dimitri gulped. "He's going to throw them at me."

Present:

By the time Dimitri reached the palace, he ran straight to Abe Mazur.

"I think Rose is in trouble."

Rose awaited for heaven to appear. She waited for anything to surface into her numb mind. However, all she felt was darkness. She was in darkness. Until a soft shade of white light blinded her. A face of an angel appeared. She felt familiar with this man however, she could not remember his name or any memories of him. He had tan skin, brown hair, and deep chocolate eyes. Brown was her new favorite color.

The angel held her hand but she could not move. He was whispering words to her but she could not hear. Rose was mesmerized by his beauty and could spend eternity with this stranger. She moved her hands on a familiar bump and was relieved it was there? She could not remember why it felt familiar or why she was relieved. She looked up to the angel only to see his shocked face. He separated their intertwined hands and got up to leave. He pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead. 'Don't go!' She thought. 'It won't be heaven without you.' However, she couldn't speak because her mouth felt parched dry. She watched him kiss her stomach and leave.

Rose woke up and remembered who it was.

It was Dimitri Belikov.

Why did he leave?

Dimitri stared at the beauty before him. Her brown hair was splayed across the crème pillows and her rosy lips were slightly parted. Rose's long lashes framed her closed lids. Dimitri longed to see her passionate hazel eyes stare into his.

He sighed. "Rose, if you do not wake up in another day, Dr. Olendzki informed us Mason has a low chance of surviving. Lissa told me you were naming him Mason; I think it is honorable to name your baby after your friend."

Dimitri paused to look into Rose's unmoving body. He continued to talk. "Even if Mason may be fatherless, I promise to be the father to him. I'll read bedtime stories to him and make sure he gets tucked in. In the backyard, we'll play soccer. When he needs me anywhere, I promise to be there for him. Roza, wake up! You've got to save Mason. Mazur women are fighters. Fight back and save your baby! I'll be the father Mason never had." Dimitri let out a frustrated groan as he looked at Rose's pale face.

Instead, he tried another alternative. He placed a hand on Rose's bulging stomach and whispered aloud. "Mason, I haven't known you in a long time. Have I wished that you were mine? Yes, a million times but, I don't hate you. I love you. In the next three months, you will be the one your mother cares for the most. Please send your mother some sort of message to wake up. She will regret not waking up for her whole life if she knows you had died in her womb. Wake your mother. I promise to be a father to you."

Dimitri pressed a kiss on Rose's soft lips. He saw her eyes fluttering. It was struggling to wake up or sleep peacefully. He knelt down to press a kiss onto her stomach. He swore he felt Mason kicking frantically. When he turned around to face Rose again, her eyes were groggily open and with hands were placed on her stomach.

Viktoria went to the prison to visit Abe and her father. She met with Ivan and he told her about Dimitri's return. It was about time for him to come home.

Viktoria glared at Andros as she made her way into the jail cell.

"Daughter, the law states that ambassadors cannot be arrested other than their home country. Please inform the Ozeras that they need to bail me out. Tell Tasha." Andros said. It took all of Abe's power to not kill Andros. He was frustrated by the corrupt power Russians held in their country. All would be well if Christian took the throne.

"Andros, you deserve to be put to jail. You attempted to murder Rose! Are you crazy? She's pregnant!" Vika exclaimed.

"It's law! I cannot be arrested in Turkey. This is breaking the law! If Abe doesn't release me, Russia is parting alliances with Turkey!" Andros ranted.

"Let's not be too rash, Andros. If Turkey sets an embargo with Russia, the commoners will lack trade and the economy will fail." Abe theorized.

"Who cares about the commoners. I need to escape this hell hole."

Abe sighed. "We'll talk to King Voda about this situation. Meanwhile, I have to check up on Rose at the hospital. Dimitri's coming to the prison soon." Abe walked out of the jail cell and to the hospital. He opened the door to Rose's room and was relieved to see her awake.

"It's good to see my favorite grandson is doing well." Abe smiled.

"Mason's your only grandson. Thankfully, Andros had bad aim and mostly cut up my arm while I was protecting my stomach." Rose said in a raspy voice.

"Where is Janine and Lissa?"

"They went to buy soup at the diner."

"The Rose I know never eats soup. She would be craving pickled-chocolate donuts." Abe grinned.

"Tempting, but I need to eat healthier for Mase. However, I do think he enjoys the pickled donuts."

Abe smiled. "Has he kicked after the . . . accident?"

"Not much. The Dr. Olendzki said it's normal because he's tired from the blood loss and trauma. He'd probably sleeping." Rose answered.

"I'm proud of you, Rose. The pregnancy was quite a shock but I'm glad that little Mason is part of our family. The question is, are you willing to raise him together with his father?"

"I was going to tell Dimitri but, I never got the chance. Dad, did Dimitri come by today?"

Abe nodded. "You were in a coma for a week and we started to get worried. Dr. Olendzki said that the baby wouldn't make it if you had slept for another day."

"Was Dimitri by my side all the time?"

"Yes."

"Why did he leave when I awoke?" Rose asked.

"That's a question only Dimitri can answer."

The door opened and Janine came in with towering boxes of catered food. The door swung again to reveal Lissa with much more boxes.

"How much do you think I'm going to eat? I can't finish all of that!" Rose sighed.

"Yeah, all she need a cup of pickled-donut soup." Abe agreed.

"We wanted to give you a variety." Liss smiled. "Poor Mason had to live off on chemical food for seven days."

Janine pulled out boxes of food from the bag. "Which soup would you like? Tomato-Basil, Clam Chowder, Chili, Chicken Noodle Soup, Cream of Mushroom, Corn Chowder, Loaded Potato Soup, French Onion, Roasted Butternut Squash, and Broccoli and Cheese?"

Rose knew that Janine had ordered the whole menu. Instead of saying something about it, she just asked for Clam Chowder and Chicken Noodle. Liss then listed the menu for the pastas and salads. The four (including Mason) could not finish half of the food they ordered so they invited Christian, Vika, Ivan, Adrian, and Dimitri over. Adrian and Christian came first. Then, Ivan came with Vika. Ivan explained to Rose that Dimitri was talking to his father at jail and he would come later. Rose, clearly disappointed nodded and continued to eat her food.

"Do you realize what you have done could have killed an innocent baby?" Dimitri yelled. "The only thing keeping me from murdering you are these bars." Dimitri violently shook the metal bars.

"Why do you care so much for her when she barely thinks of you? She believed that you actually whored around with girls during your five months away." Andros retorted.

"Those rumors were meant to be believable. They were there to protect her. If the Strigoi knew that I have a woman I love, they will obviously kidnap her!" Dimitri said.

"She doesn't love you. If she loved you, she would have never believed the rumors. Tasha is so much better for you. She's beautiful. She's mature and polite. She can raise a child."

"Don't you mean raise your child?" Dimitri sneered. "Do you actually believe that I was taking a vacation while I was hiding? I'm going to make Christian king. The majority of Ozeras are cruel rulers who never think of the commoners. Christian has the decency to give some money to them while he passes by the village."

"It's not about the people, Dimitri. It's about the power. If the people are rich and spoiled, they will be ungrateful. Uprisings will start." Andros advised.

Dimitri shook his head in disbelief. "Mama should have never married you. She deserved a better man."

"Olena is a whore that has faded beauty. Who would want her now? She has children and grandchildren. No man is crazy enough to marry her."

"You're wrong. Mama is one of the most beautiful women in this planet." Dimitri left his dim-witted father. Ivan insisted he go to the "party" that was held in Rose's hospital room. He felt reluctant to approaching her. Instead, he sat by the bench and watched the snow fall.

Flashback

12 years ago. . .

Dimitri, a twelve year old was left in his house. Mama had promised that she'd be back soon from the market. Sonya and Karo left to their boyfriend's homes and Vika, being five was with her mother. Dimitri hated being in the house alone with his father. He knew that in the office, naked ladies were prancing around his father. He had seen them once. It was no compromising sight.

Instead, he went to eat some black bread in the kitchen until one of the ladies from Andros's office snatched it away. "You must be Andros's son." She scoffed. "You carry his genes of handsomeness."

"Mama said no whores are allowed here. You must leave." Dimitri pointed towards the door.

"This is Ambassador Andros's home."

"This is my mother's home. She does all the work here. All my father ever does is go to his office and come whenever food is ready." Dimitri said curtly.

"He just wants to have fun. Isn't that the purpose of life?" The woman laughed.

"The purpose of life is to find love and enjoy cherished moments with family. Sex isn't for pleasure, it's to create life with someone you love."

"Wow, your mother has taught you well." She grinned sarcastically. "Who needs love when you have fun? Love comes with pain and baggage. Let's have some fun! There must be other genes Andros has passed down to you." She tugged the waistband of his jeans.

"I am not having sex with you."

"It'll be fun!" She giggled.

"Is fun all you ever care about?"

Her shoulders slumped and she glared at him. "One day, you'll realize love is not enough. You will never be loved by anyone. You're a heartbreaker like your father. Look what happened to your mother when she gave into love."

"What is the matter here?" Andros came with two other women flanked by his side.

"Your son called me a whore and told me to leave this house." The women spat.

Andros looked at Dimitri with anger. "Your mother is the whore in this house. How dare you call my women whores?"

Andros took off his belt and started beating Dimitri. "You will never call my women whores? Understood?"

He went back into the office to do god-knows-what and slammed the door shut.

The women looked intently and Dimitri. "You will never be loved." She said.

Present:

Dimitri decided he was going to go see Rose. He got up from the bench and walked on the path that led to Dr. Olendzki's hospital.

"Liss, can you hand me that Cajun shrimp pasta?" Rose asked.

Everyone feasted on their dinner. Janine and Lissa had outdone themselves when they had ordered the entire menu from Mia's diner. The Mazurs, Christian, Lissa, Adrian, Ivan, and Vika could not finish the food that was stacked up like the satin purses of Lissa's wardrobe.

"Dimitri is probably starving from all the hours in Andros's jail cell. He'll finish the food off." Ivan said while patting his bloated stomach.

"I cannot go on eating! I feel like puking." Viktoria agreed.

One by one, there were less consumers until Dimitri showed up with beautiful wildflowers. Rose knew exactly where these flowers were from. It was from the field where the two had made love countless of times. She and Dimitri had passed through this field of flamboyant flowers as they were meeting at their cabin.

Rose cleared her throat. "Dimitri, nice of you to join us."

Dimitri smiled and handed her the bouquet of wildflowers. He knew Rose preferred subtle flowers rather than an elegant rose. "Mason seems to have grown."

Rose oddly felt a kick in her stomach. "He's grown. After all, you were gone for three weeks."

Christian and Adrian awkwardly coughed. "Liss, Adrian, and I have some . . . business. Got to go-" the threesome filed out the doorway as Rose rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, Ivan and I have some catching up to do." Vika added.

Dimitri rose an eyebrow.

"Not that catching up to do." Ivan corrected. The two walked out the door.

"Abe and I should get home, too."Janine said.

"No. . . Rose. . .Dimitri. . . Never see-" Abe protested.

Janine threw him a glare and grabbed his arm. "We'll see you tomorrow morning!"

"No but-"

Janine slammed the door shut.

Dimitri and Rose burst out laughing. "I guess we're alone now." Rose sighed.

"Yeah."

"Why did you leave?" Rose asked solemnly.

"What?"

"Why did you leave when I woke up?"

"I-I don't know."

"Our meeting at the balcony should've made this reunion less . . . discomfited." Rose spoke.

"When I saw you so weak and frail, I couldn't help but think it was my fault. If you or Mason had died, I would have never forgiven myself. I would have died right alongside you."

"Dimitri it wasn't your fault Andros-"

"I should have never left you at the balcony. I was a coward. You could have died because of me." Dimitri interrupted. Rose could see the guilt that was etched on his face.

"Dimitri, it wasn't your fault. You came back. If Abe hadn't come up, Mason or both of us could've had much more unfortunate causes." She soothed.

"I am no better than a coward! Who leaves a woman defenseless?"

"Dimitri, what's done is done. There is no purpose of reliving the mistakes you have made. We are humans! We all make mistakes! We move on by learning to not repeat our inner demons."

"Roza, how are you so loving when I left you? I don't understand." Dimitri closed his eyes.

"I actually have to tell you something of great significance." Rose admitted nervously. Mason kicked his mother's womb as if he was encouraging her to tell the truth.

Dimitri's closed lids opened with interest. "Yes, Roza?"

"It's about the 'surprise' we fought over when I had refused to tell."

Dimitri nodded excitedly urging her to speak.

"Mason-" Rose pulled the trash bin beside her bed and retched in it.

"Rose, are you okay? I should make some of Mama's tea for you. It helped Karolina with her sickness whilst she was pregnant." He handed Rose a handkerchief.

Rose wiped her mouth and threw the ruined fabric into the trash. "As I was saying before, Mason is-"

She was interrupted by the door slamming open. Abe strutted in with a smirk on his face. "I finally got rid of Janine! She wanted to see new dresses and corsets. She believes I am buying Mason some bibs and shirts."

Rose inwardly groaned. "Old man, we were having a private conversation here."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll understand my presence. The two of you can act as if I am not here." Abe grinned.

Dimitri spoke. "Abe, we-"

Abe threw Dimitri a glare. "From now on, you will call me Ambassador Mazur not Abe."

"Dad! Dimitri does not need to bother with formalities! He's been calling you 'Abe' two years prior to this date!" Rose exclaimed.

"Yes, dear. However, five months can change a perspective of a person. For example, I thought Dimitri Belikov was one of the most fair ambassadors Europe has ever seen. However, after the course of five months, I have blatantly changed my opinions."

"Old man, you are being biased!"

"I am not!"

"Am too."

Dimitri watched in amusement as he saw two of the Mazurs bickering. Abe and Rose had gargantuan wavelengths of stubbornness.

The door had opened revealing a fuming Janine with a shopping bag. "I believe this is not the shop for bibs and shirts."

"Honey, remember what we had discussed about Rose never having any boyfriends ever! This punk here, has the eye for our daughter." Abe defended.

"Everyone knows that Dimitri has always fancied Rose. Now Abe, we must go!" Janine exclaimed. She threw him a knowing look which Abe had graciously ignored.

"Mother, I believe Dimitri and I were in a conversation." Rose said obviously.

"Of course." She grabbed Abe by the ear and he squelched in pain. "We'll visit again tomorrow!" She called while closing the door.

"Ambassador Abe seems to hold an efficient grudge." Dimitri smiled amusingly after they had left.

"There are no need for formalities. He was furious about your unexpected . . . leaving."

"He was not the only one who possessed despair." He added knowingly. "What were you saying before the interruptions?"

Rose stared nervously and a wavy lock of hair that cascaded down to her waist. "When you had left five months ago, it was a horrifying stage in my life." Rose anxiously twirled her silky brown locks with a finger. Where was the brave Mazur everyone knew? "I lost all meaning in life. I couldn't eat or get out of my bedroom. Every day, I would sleep or cry. Everyone was sickly worried because I, Rose Mazur had never before shed a tear. Dr. Olendzki had come to persuade me into eating healthily. Mother was worried because she believed I was not having my menstrual cycle due to the lack of nutrients. It turned out I was pregnant and the baby was yours. I know Vika and I joked about other Turkish men but I had only said that to see you writhe in anger. Dimitri, Mason is our child."

She looked up to the Russian's face but saw no emotion. Damn that emotionless mask he put on to guard himself! "Dimitri?" Rose asked for a comment, emotion, or anything!

After a few silent moments, he spoke up. "I need to think of this outside." Dimitri grabbed his coat.

"Are you leaving me again?" Rose's voice cracked pathetically. She hated feeling as if she was the damsel in distress.

"No. I just need to think." With that, Dimitri walked out of the room.

Inside, Rose rubbed her belly lovingly. "Even if your daddy might not be here, I will always be with you." Mason seemed to stay silent as his father had.

"Many people walked out that door today." Rose fell asleep.

Finals week is finally over! I know I haven't updated in a while (due to my finals), but I had spent a lot of time writing this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it! This chapter was a little delayed due to my obsession of the infamous flappy bird. It seems I can't get passed 18. Anyways, PLEASE review.

Here are the questions:

What do you think Andros meant about the 'rumors' he had informed Rose about?

What will Andros's final punishments be?

What is Dimitri's opinions about Mason?

Thanks for reading! I hope this chapter put many in jovial moods.

-Kautia