I hiked the strap of my duffle bag a little higher over my shoulder, holding my gift to Rose in one hand while Janine's was tucked under my arm. I would have to make a second trip for All the gifts that Abe had sent since they would require two (or more) hands.

Instead of knocking, I kicked the bottom of the door, hoping Rose was awake and would hear it rather than me needing to go digging for my key. Usually, the Lehigh apartment always had at least one person up and wandering around—such was life when you had a high-ranking royal as your charge outside of the wards—but the place was eerily quiet now.

Everyone else had left for Court earlier this morning, but Rose had come down with something a few days ago that was lingering much longer than any of us had expected. With her so nauseous and tired, she was hardly in a condition to travel, much less work this holiday season. She had (reluctantly) taken sick leave after both Lissa and her team supervisor, Guardian Ken Marshall, had insisted on it. Since Christian was going to be staying at Court with Lissa, I was able to take a few days off so that I could take care of her.

"Roza? Are you in there?" I called out, kicking the baseplate one more time. I was just about to set everything down when I heard the deadbolt unlatch. The figure who opened the door, however, left me shocked.

Her skin held a ghost-like pallor that seemed so wrong against the warmth I was so used to, with dark circles under her eyes that hinted at several restless nights. Her hair was loose, but stray flyaways stuck out at all angles as if she hadn't brushed it in a week and no longer cared as long as it was out of the way. Most damning was the fact that she looked thinner. I fought back the urge to ask when she had last eaten a proper meal.

"Oh, Roza." My voice was heavy with sympathy towards my sick fiancee, who looked like the living dead but still managed a small smile when she saw me. Despite her attempt to look happy to see me, I could help but notice the shimmer of tears she was desperately trying to hold at bay.

The moment I set the gifts down and opened my arms, they broke free. Rose closed the last of the distance between us, practically falling into my embrace before tucking her face into my chest as I held her close.

"I'm so sorry," she said, the words muffled by my shirt. I combed my fingers through her disheveled hair. When she pulled back, they caught on a small tangle and I watched as she winced. Before I could apologize, she brushed the tears from her eyes and continued. "I haven't been sleeping well, and between that and being sick, I feel like I'm crying at the drop of a hat."

I tucked her stubborn locks behind her ears before kissing her forehead. I was expecting a fever, but thankfully her skin felt just as cool as it usually was. A wave of gratitude washed over me. It must have broken earlier. At least that was one positive.

I twisted her and placed my hand on her lower back, gently guiding her past the doorway. "Let's get you inside. You look exhausted."

She scoffed. "I'm pretty sure that's some hidden insult to tell me I look as bad as I feel. If I weren't so close to passing out, I'd challenge you to a sparring match." She leaned back against my touch, closing her eyes the moment I shut the door and safely locked out the rest of the world.

The further we moved into the house, the more effort it seemed to take her to move forward. I set her on the sofa, wrapping a soft throw blanket around her before grabbing the Lehigh University mug that sat empty on the coffee table in front of her.

"Water or tea?" I asked, already walking towards the kitchen.

She hummed a moment. "I'm guessing cocoa isn't on the table right now?"

"No," I confirmed with a laugh. "Not unless you want to upset your stomach."

I waited for another moment or two for her second choice, but when it didn't come, I filled it with water and brought it back to her. If she wanted tea, I could make her some in a little bit. "How about a deal?" I set the cup down beside her as I made my offer. "If you manage to keep some food down this evening, then I'll make you a cup before bed."

"Marshmallows?"

"Maybe." Obviously.

She let out a dramatic sigh as if the terms of the agreement were entirely unreasonable, but didn't protest. Instead, she wrapped the blanket around her a little tighter and snuggled further into the little nest she had created for herself. I knew she felt horrible, but I couldn't help but think how adorable she looked all bundled up.

Before long, once the presents were all settled under the tree and two cups of tea were made, we found ourselves on the couch with a romantic comedy playing in the background. I had grabbed Rose's hair brush a little while ago and was now brushing out the tangles from her long locks. It took some time, working through the knots inch by inch from the bottom up until the brush ran smooth. I'd probably braid it later, but for now, I continued brushing, feeding off every little one of her hums and sighs until I was as relaxed as she was. However, it was starting to get late in the day, and I wanted to see if I could get some food in her.

"Do you want pizza tonight?" It was hardly the healthy choice, and there was a chance that it could upset her stomach, but I hoped that her favorite food might tempt her to at least try something. I'd grab an order of breadsticks too, just in case.

Her face pinched a little as she turned her nose up at the idea.

"No?" I didn't hide my surprise. If pizza couldn't tempt her, I had no idea what she might go for instead. "Do you want something else? You should eat something."

An old flicker of a memory played in the back of my mind of Ivan's mother suggesting something she called the BRAT diet. Banana, rice, applesauce, and toast. She once assured Ivan that it would help his stomach, despite the fact that the "flu" he had been fighting was actually just a lingering hangover from a college party gone awry. He had managed to keep things down, though, so maybe there was something to the idea.

I shifted her off of me, ready to seek out one of the four magic foods that promised to get her back to her usual energetic self when she stopped me and gave me a somewhat hesitant glance.

"Do you remember that broccoli you made me eat last time I was at your place?" she asked. "The one with the garlic and lemon?"

I raised a brow, surprised that she remembered. It usually took a miracle to get her to eat anything remotely healthy, at least without some sort of grumbling. She was much better now than she had been back at St. Vladimir's, but it was almost as if she had a reputation to uphold. Heaven forbid she actually ask for a vegetable.

Except apparently, she was.

"I remember."

"Could you make that again?" She almost looked embarrassed to suggest the idea, but I wasn't going to question it. "I think there's some broccoli left in the fridge from a few days ago."

I gave her hand a little squeeze, releasing it a second later. "Of course, Roza. Anything else?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head.

I exchanged her empty cup for another full glass of water before flipping on the oven and making sure that I had all the ingredients for what she wanted. Thankfully, there were a few crowns of broccoli in the fridge. The garlic was just the pre-minced jarred stuff, and the lemon was that stuff that came in the lemon-shaped squeeze bottle, but it would work just fine for tonight. I'd make a list and grab some fresh groceries tomorrow. I also found a single fillet of salmon tucked behind some leftovers and snatched that up as well. It wouldn't be much between the two of us, but it would be good to get at least some protein in her if possible. If by some lucky chance, she was still hungry, then I'd make her up some pasta as well. Anything to get her to eat a little.

I quickly chopped up the broccoli, tossing it with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and some of the garlic before spreading it out on a baking sheet and throwing it in the oven.

I had barely started the salmon before I heard the crash of glass falling and shattering in the living room as footsteps raced down the hall.

"Rose?"

I quickly pulled the pan off the stove and turned it off before following her. The distinct sound of retching grew louder with every step until I reached the doorway and saw Rose bent over the toilet, body shuddering as she threw up nothing but water and tea. Her hair fell over her shoulder, and as I knelt beside her, I gathered it back and used my own hair tie to pull it into a small ponytail. I should have braided it earlier.

Once her stomach was empty, she braced herself on her arms and groaned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to see that."

"It's fine, Roza. You're sick." I rubbed her back for a moment, trying to both comfort and reassure her before getting a cool, wet rag and another bit of water. I handed her the latter. "Here, drink this. Small sips."

She took a small gulp, swishing it in her mouth before spitting it into the toilet, shutting the lid, and flushing it all away. Then she fell against the nearby wall and took a few small sips as I had suggested. I pressed the cool rag against her flushed cheeks and forehead, trying anything I could to make her feel just a little better.

She hadn't mentioned feeling nauseous earlier, so I asked when her stomach had started bothering her again.

"That's the thing," she said with a bitterly humorous laugh. Her color was coming back a little, and I felt a slight hint of relief. "I didn't feel sick at all until I smelled the fish. Then it just hit me like a train."

Strange, but if she couldn't handle the smell of fish, I was happy to get rid of it. "Stay here for a second."

I shut the door behind me, doing my best to block out some of the scents from the main living area before grabbing the fish I had been cooking earlier (pan and all) and placing it on the porch off the kitchen. I left the sliding door open and flipped on the fan over the stove in hopes of dissipating the smell faster before returning to Rose.

"The smell should clear out soon, but why don't you take a quick shower while the broccoli finishes cooking? Do you think you can stomach it? Do you want something more bland?"

Her head was shaking before I even finished my question. "The broccoli should be enough for me as long as I don't smell any more fish. I will take that shower, though." She got to her feet and as she stood, I heard something along the lines of 'so weird' mumbled under her breath.

"Do you need help?" She kept a hand firmly placed on the wall but otherwise seemed alright. Still, it made me nervous to see her less than entirely stable, and I couldn't help but ask, even though I knew she'd brush me off.

She replied with a smirk. "You trying to get me naked?"

Her lighthearted quip eased some of the knots in my stomach. Playing off her sarcasm, I gave her a wink. "Always."

I gave her some privacy but hung near the door until I heard the water turn on. "Just call me if you need something."

By the time Rose came out of the bathroom, I had already plated up our dinner, opting to also make some simple pasta with butter and herbs, just in case. It didn't take her long to finish the broccoli (leaving me somewhat surprised at how ravenous she ate it, all things considered). She even took a bite or two of the pasta before setting the rest on the coffee table and letting her head fall back against the couch.

"That was so good," she murmured, lashes resting on her cheeks and looking like sleep might overtake her at any moment. "I don't think I've eaten more than cheap packages of ramen in over a week."

Her admission pulled me up short. "That's all you've been eating?" No wonder she looked so anemic.

She nodded, anything she might have said being drowned out by a long yawn.

"Well, I'll make whatever you want while I'm here." I didn't care if it was a four-course steak dinner or sugary cereal; whatever she needed to get back on her feet was what she'd get. "All you have to do is ask."

She opened one eye and smiled at me from across the couch. "Even if it's just more broccoli?"

"Even if it's just more broccoli," I confirmed, setting my now empty plate beside hers and reaching out to her. She scooted into my embrace, twisting until her back was against my front and wrapping my arms around her body before leaning her head back against my shoulder.

I put on one of Rose's favorite shows. I knew she had probably watched it a dozen times—honestly, I've probably watched it a dozen times now—but it seemed to make her happy. And, despite knowing every joke by heart, she still laughed.

Eventually, she fell quiet. Her breathing came deep and steady, and when I brushed her hair from her face, I saw that she was fast asleep. Part of me was tempted to just leave us how we were, but I knew she'd sleep better in her own bed. I slipped from underneath her before picking her up and cradling her carefully as I made my way to her room. Once there, I gently laid her on her side of the bed before claiming mine.

Rose seemed gone to the world, tucked in tightly with the blankets wrapped around her shoulders. Even when I turned on the bedside lamp, she didn't flinch. Good. She needed sleep. Rose was always so focused on helping everyone around her that she would occasionally let her own needs slip. While I'm sure Lissa and the others had urged her to rest and recuperate from her illness, Rose had probably brushed them off and insisted she was fine. Now that it was just her and me in the apartment, she was much more likely to relax.

I wasn't quite tired yet, though. My bedside table held the book I had left here weeks ago, bookmark still firmly inserted about a quarter of the way through. I knew this story well and didn't need to start from the beginning to gather my baring. As I began to read, I started to realize that my focus wasn't so much on the book, but on the woman beside me.

There was a part of me concerned about Rose's illness being more than met the eye. Dhampirs didn't get sick often, but unfortunately, when we did get sick, it was usually quite severe. I doubted she needed a doctor, especially if I could keep her hydrated and get her to eat a little, but I wanted to keep a close eye on her.

After another hour, I finally succumbed to my own exhaustion and returned my book to its dedicated spot on my nightstand before flicking out the light. The moment I laid down, touching Rose as she slept to remind her that I was close by, she turned and shifted closer. She liked to joke that my chest was her favorite pillow, and I had to believe her as she rested her cheek above my heart with a sigh.

She was so beautiful.

I gently traced the line of her jaw, keeping my touch light so as to not wake her, before resting the back of my hand against her cheek. And then her forehead.

She was a little warmer than before but hardly enough to constitute an actual fever. It probably had more to do with the blankets than her illness.

Strange. Perhaps Roza was on the mend, though. If so, I was grateful for it.

"Сладких снов, моя любимая."

I woke to the sound of retching. Rose was no longer beside me in the bed, the sliver of light coming from the en suite bathroom revealing her hastily thrown back sheets. Unlike yesterday, I didn't immediately rush to her aid. Instead, I snagged her soft cardigan from the back of her desk chair and brought it with me as I crossed the room to check on her. I let myself in as she flushed the toilet and gave her a small pitying smile as she sat on the floor with her back up against the wall.

With her cardigan folded over my arm, a glass of water in one hand, and a wet washcloth in the other, I joined her on the bathroom floor.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice scratchy with both sleep and her illness. She took a small sip of water as I wrapped the cardigan around her.

"Anytime." I dabbed the flush from her cheeks away with the cool cloth, frustrated that there was nothing I could do to fix this for her. "I'm guessing that you still aren't feeling better then?"

She gave a sharp laugh. "I know it probably seems weird, but I actually do feel a bit better now. But that's kinda how it's been for the past week. Wake up, vomit, and I'm good for a few hours before the exhaustion and nausea kick in again. Weird, right?"

"Very." My brow furrowed as I examined her. This didn't seem like some ordinary flu. Maybe I should take her to the doctor. I didn't want to worry her, though; if she wasn't too concerned, then I wouldn't pressure her. I was probably just being overprotective. Deciding to change the subject, I stood and offered her my hand to pull her up with me. "Do you think you can eat? Or do you want to wait a bit?"

She hummed noncommittally as I led her back to the bedroom and urged her to sit as I grabbed us some clothing from the closet. I had started keeping some things here for me, just as I had a few outfits for her in my closet back at Court, so it didn't take much for me to find something suitable. Since we weren't leaving the apartment, I opted for something a little more comfortable for us both. I tossed her a set of leggings, one of my tees, and a sports bra, but as she stepped off her night clothes, I heard her clear her throat.

"Actually, do you mind doing one of the cami tops instead of the bra? There should be a few that have built-in support."

She threw the bra back, and I put it away before grabbing a purple cami for her, making sure it had the support band she had just mentioned. She was slipping on the leggings, so I brought it over rather than tossing the top her way.

"Thanks," she said with a smile. "I've just been sore. Pretty much all of my bras feel like they're torture devices right now." Rose had shed any form of modesty around me long ago, so she didn't flinch as I continued to stare at her while she changed. It wasn't unusual for me to steal glances at her body, especially when she was only wearing her bare skin and a smile.

That wasn't what caught my eye, though. No, it was her breasts, specifically the areolas. I had become well acquainted with her body over the years, so the unusual darkness around her nipples took me by surprise. Her breast also seemed…bigger. Not a ton, but enough for me to notice. Although she had lost some weight with her illness, so perhaps it was just some sort of trick of the eye. They would probably seem unproportional if she was thinner in other areas. Either way, I didn't comment on it. Not specifically.

Trying to appear nonchalant about the whole thing, I ventured a little. "How long have you been sore?"

"It started around the same time I started feeling sick." She gave a little huff of annoyance. "I'll be happy once this is all over. Thanks again for coming to keep me company and take care of me. I appreciate it. I really hope you don't catch whatever I have, though."

I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast, offering to fry her up an egg as well. When her expression soured a little and her face took on a faint green tinge at the very word, I decided to forgo them altogether. Afterwards, I had her make me a list of whatever sounded appealing to her, both snacks and meals, so I could run out and get some groceries. At the very top, underlined three times, was the word broccoli. She even included a smiley face beside it.

Otherwise, it was simple things. Apples. Peanut butter. Yogurt, with the specification of peach only. The three meals she suggested were all unusually light, with two even being vegetarian. I tried to not focus too much on the strange requests as I gathered all the ingredients I would need at the grocery store. Though she didn't specifically ask, I decided to toss some bananas in the basket, as well as some saltines and ginger.

Ginger always helped my sisters…

It was impossible. Wasn't it?

If it was true, then it would be a miracle.

But impossible miracles tended to be a specialty between Roza and me.

No. I shouldn't get my hopes up. I couldn't.

Even as I tried to talk myself out of imagining the unimaginable, I found myself standing in the healthcare aisle. I stared at the pink box in my hand. Instead of putting it back on the shelf like I knew I probably should, I instead considered the various options. There were more than I had anticipated. Early detection. Rapid results. Digital?

In the end, I slipped all three into the basket, cursing myself and the inevitable heartbreak that I knew was waiting for me.

I had purposefully bagged the three tests separately from everything else, hoping to slip them past Rose and her unabashed curiosity. I wanted to wait, watch, and confirm my suspicions a little more before I shared them with her. I didn't have to sneak them in, though, because Rose was asleep when I returned. She must have passed out while watching the same show from yesterday, tucked under a throw blanket with her arms folded under one of the decorative pillows. I placed the groceries on the kitchen counter before hiding my contraband inside my nightstand. By the time I got back, Rose was beginning to stir.

"How are you feeling. Have you eaten?" It took all I had to keep my voice level when everything in me wanted to demand she take those tests and put me out of my misery.

Not yet, though. Patience.

She pulled her hair back into a messy bun on top of her head before hopping up on one of the stools at the kitchen bar. "A little."

"And?"

"Some of it managed to stay down." She waved off my concern before I could voice it. "I'll be okay, though. I promise. I'm not even really hungry."

That wouldn't do. Especially if…

No.

Still, her lack of appetite wasn't healthy either way. Once the other groceries were put away, I pulled out the blender, one of the bananas, some peanut butter, and the jug of milk. On a whim, I snatched a small handful of chocolate chips and added them to the mix.

"Dimitri, seriously. I'm not hungry. You don't have to—"

"Who said this was for you?" I gave her a teasing smile before starting the blender and drowning out any sass she might have volleyed back my way. Despite her protests, I could see some longing in her eyes by the time the smoothie was finished. As I poured the treat into a glass right in front of her, she was practically salivating. She clearly regretted saying no just a moment ago, and I cherished the way her smile lit up her entire face as I passed it over to her.

The fact that something so simple could make her so happy was just one of the many reasons why I loved her. One of so many reasons.

"Do you want a grilled cheese, too?" I asked, snatching the loaf of bread from one of the cabinets before seeking out the cheese I had seen earlier. When she declined this time, I didn't push. She looked perfectly content with her smoothie, and if that was all she had until dinner tonight, then I'd be happy. I still had to eat, though.

The smell didn't seem to put her off at all, and I filed that away in my mind as we finished our lunch together. With her still feeling ill, I didn't want to plan anything too strenuous for us. I'm sure that Lissa and the others at Court were probably enjoying all sorts of holiday activities. I wouldn't put it past her to have a full schedule with everything from ice skating to trimming the Christmas tree with hand-strung popcorn and cranberry garlands. Rose and I were more casual. I didn't mind Lissa's enthusiasm most days, but it could also be exhausting sometimes. I was more than content to simply put on a Christmas movie, wrap Roza in my arms, and call it perfection.

When I offered to let her pick, I nearly rolled my eyes at her selection.

"I still maintain that Die Hard is not a Christmas movie." This was a recurring discussion every year, and each year the debate ended with a 'agree to disagree' ceasefire and us watching it regardless of the outcome because I couldn't deny her anything.

"And like I've told you time and time again," she gave me a smirk, and I mentally began to parrot the exact words she told me last year and the year before that. "It's set at a holiday party, there's Christmas music, and—"

"There's a Santa Claus," I finished for her, referencing the dead body wearing the Santa hat that serves as a message to the bad guys at one point. That hardly counted as a 'Santa' in my mind, but Rose was stubborn on that sticking point, especially since he provides a nice little 'gift' for the main character. "I know, I know."

Rose snickered, snuggling deeper into my side as she dropped her voice an octave and spouted off the iconic line. "Now I have a machine gun. Ho, Ho, Ho."

My laughter shook through both of our bodies. "Just start the movie."

Even though we didn't do much more than spend the afternoon and evening watching Christmas movies, Rose still seemed to tire earlier than usual. I helped her to bed right around nine. I still had another hour or so in me, and I debated back and forth between spending it in a book or spending it in the gym. I decided on the latter, hoping the physical exertion would help calm the racing thoughts of 'maybe' and 'what if' that had plagued me since this morning. They all came back the moment I saw her sleeping so peacefully.

The bed dipped as I sat down beside her. Immediately, Rose rolled over, shifting to get more comfortable. Just like last night, I placed the back of my hand against her forehead and searched for the fever that should be there if she was actually sick with a cold or flu. Finding nothing, I cupped her cheek in my hand and smiled as she automatically leaned into my palm. Even unconsciously, she sought me out and found comfort in my touch.

"It's impossible," I whispered to myself, willing myself to think logically when my heart begged for something I knew could not be true. But the signs were all there.

The next morning, I didn't wake to Rose sick in the bathroom. Instead, she was waiting for me in the kitchen with her phone in her hand and a spoon in her mouth. She dipped it back into the container of yogurt, finally noticing me just before taking another bite.

"You're trick worked!" Her smile was infectious, and it took me a second to remember exactly what I had suggested. Suddenly it clicked.

"The saltines?"

She nodded, more color in her cheeks now than there had been in the last two days. "Yep. Took them first thing after waking up and I hardly feel sick at all."

"That's great, Roza." My honest enthusiasm managed to mask my surprise as yet another box was ticked on the mental 'maybe' list. I offered her another trick that I had tucked inside the fridge before bed last night. I placed the pitcher of water in front of her before pouring her a glass. She pulled back for a moment at the first sip, but it didn't seem to bother her too much as she came back for more.

"What is this?" She finally asked after draining half the glass.

"Water with sliced ginger," I answered, pointing out the little disks that were now settled on the bottom of the container. I'd probably add a little to some tea later too. "It helps with nausea."

I nearly grabbed the eggs to make myself some breakfast before remembering how they affected her yesterday. Placing the carton back on the shelf, I chose to mirror her breakfast instead. A hopeful look from her also had me pulling out the bacon as well.

Like yesterday, I continued to watch Rose, quietly ticking off any little sign that might confirm or contradict my growing suspicion. All I could see was moment after moment that kept me both baffled and optimistic.

Her energy and complexion continued to build throughout the day, with only a minor setback when her nausea appeared for an hour or so after lunch. However, she was able to keep everything down, and after a short break, she was back on her feet.

Two days later, on Christmas eve, she seemed almost like her usual self. Lively. Playful. And when she climbed on my lap and kissed me, there was passion behind it that neither of us could deny.

The Christmas tree lights created a halo behind my devious angel as she teased me, smiling with each gentle peck until she finally wrapped her arms around my neck, sunk her fingers into the hair at my nape, and kissed me deeply. The heat between us simmered low, like the coals in the fireplace, before building into an inferno of grasping hands and gasping breath.

My hands ran up and down her thighs, enjoying each inch of her exposed skin before slipping my fingers beneath the hem of her tiny little sleep shorts. She was dressed in nothing more than those and one of my oversized shirts, not even bothering with a cami this evening with how sensitive her breasts were. Even now, as she arched her back and pressed them into my chest, I could hear her whimper. Instead of the discomfort she had been complaining about before, though, she seemed to be desperate for the increased sensation. Her typical pleasure amplified to new heights.

A longing to explore her more and uncover where else she might now be hypersensitive pulled a soul-deep groan from me. I wanted to rediscover my Roza. I wanted to map each little change, no matter how small. The very idea left me eager for more.

I gripped her hips, pushing her down further onto my lap and the evidence of just how hard she was affecting me. Chasing the feeling, she continued to grind down against me in a dirty dance that left me weak. She could have asked anything from me at that moment, and I'd have moved heaven and earth to give it to her as long as she kept taunting me with the promise of what was to come.

Her barely audible demand of "bedroom" slipped between our lips, tucked between our urgent kiss like a star in a storm-filled sky. Slipping my arm underneath her body, I lifted her and started down the hall toward the stairs. While a few members of Lissa's guard slept on the lower level, Rose's room was one of three on the upper floor, situated next to Lissa's to act as a last line of defense against potential threats. I set her down on the second step, closing the difference between us enough so that we were at eye level. Rose always insisted on kissing me here before we retired to our bed, eternally amused at the brief moment of even height before I towered over her again. Even now, driven by an urgency to strip to nothing but our need, I knew she wouldn't wave off our little tradition.

She pulled back just a moment to give me a grateful smile before offering a kiss that tugged at my lower lip and encouraged me to follow her wherever she wandered. Luckily, it was only towards the nearest bed, which was just fine with me. She spun on her heel and raced up the stairs. I followed behind, unable to resist the urge to give her a quick smack on the bum. She gave a small shriek pausing to throw a glare over her shoulder as if I hadn't done that exact same thing a hundred times before. And just like every time before, I gave her a wink to show her how much I appreciated the view.

The bottom curve of her ass barely peeked out from under those criminally skimpy shorts, taunting me with an image so enticing that it would be cruel to deny me. The moment we were on even ground again, I lifted her back into my arms, spinning her until she was pinned against the wall with her legs wrapped around my body. Our bed was only a few steps away, but the temptation to take her right here was strong. Still, she had demanded the bedroom, and that's what I would give her.

I kicked the door open, not bothering to close it behind us in the empty house, and sat her on the edge of the bed. I held her tight as she tried to scoot back, sinking to my knees in front of her and gripping the waistband of her shorts before wrenching them away from her body along with her panties.

My eagerness made her gasp, but not as much as the next moment when my mouth was on her, demanding a taste of one of my favorite things in the world. My tongue slid through her already wet slit, dipping into her tight entrance before finding the tender little bud at her apex. I swirled my tongue around her clit before sucking it between my lips and drawing a little cry from her.

She brought her hand to her mouth, biting down on the soft flesh under her thumb like she had done so many times before in a nearly fruitless attempt to muffle her sounds of pleasure. While the image was usually one that served almost as a personal challenge to expose us regardless, today there was no need. I reached up, pulling her hand from between her teeth.

"Scream, Roza. Cry out as much as you want. The house is empty, so let me hear every single sound of pleasure I give you," I begged. "I want to hear you loud. Let me hear you."

Immediately granting my wish, she threw her head back and moaned as I returned to my earlier task. I always demanded at least one orgasm from her before seeking my own satisfaction. Two if I could control myself long enough to manage it. Sometimes it was on my tongue, sometimes on my fingers, and occasionally on my cock while I bit my tongue to keep from falling apart alongside her.

After another minute or two, smiling against her pussy triumphantly as her breath began to stutter and her cries built towards her inevitable peak, I tugged at the bottom of her shirt. Without saying a word, she pulled it off over her head and tossed it behind her. Where it landed didn't matter as long as it no longer obstructed my full view of her body.

With her back arched so much she had to grip the sheets to keep from falling back, I kept one hand on her thigh to force her legs wide and let the other one wander. It started low on her belly, hovering over the spot where I prayed that some impossible miracle lay waiting to be discovered. Slowly it meandered higher, caressing the smooth skin of her flat stomach before cupping one breast. It couldn't be my imagination. They were fuller; heavier in my palm than the familiar handfuls I had come to know so well. And those nipples. Those dark, sensitive nipples that enticed me more than ever before. All it took was one brush of my thumb and she came apart in my hands.

The cry she gave would have been more than enough to wake the entire house had everyone been home. It was loud enough that she might have even woken the neighbors. A prideful sense of victory overtook me as I spread her lower lips for another moment so that I could drink her in before starting on round two.

Before I could get my fill, Rose's hands tugged needily at my hair, pulling me up as she began to scoot towards the center of the bed. I answered her wordless plea, following her until my body covered hers like a heavy blanket. She insisted that she loved feeling my weight as I pinned her down. She pressed her body up into me, hooking one foot over my calf and running it higher and higher until I snatched it and wrapped her leg around my hip to open her up to me.

With an echoing moan, I sunk into her, filling her up as I surrounded myself in her tight little body. The sensation was enough to still me for a moment. I distracted myself with little kisses against her neck and collar until she began to rock against me. And then we were lost in each other.

A part of me wanted to slow down and make this moment last forever, but an even greater hunger demanded more. Harder. Faster. Rose voiced every single whisper in my mind, crying them out in higher and higher pitch as I gave into every command.

My hands held her tight against me, fingers digging in deep enough to possibly leave bruises in the morning, but I couldn't help it. Roza was mine. Her body was mine. Her pleasure was mine.

And the possible miracle growing within her was mine too.

With that knowledge, my control slipped. I thrusted into her in a crazed frenzy, practically dragging her with me to the edge of sanity before throwing us both off into the bliss beneath us. Unabashed and unconstrained, I roared my finish as her cry of ecstasy harmonized with me.

It took a few moments for us to settle again, both panting and dizzy from the crazed need we had just satisfied.

"Wow," Rose whispered, still breathless as I released my grip and rolled off her.

I laughed before agreeing.

"What was that about, Dimitri?" She didn't seem upset in any way. Just the opposite, in fact.

What could I tell her, though?

That I think you might be carrying my child? That the very idea thrills me and fills me with so much joy that I can't help but shower you with everything I have to offer? That I want so badly for it to be true, but I'm still afraid that I'm just imagining everything?

I couldn't say any of that yet until I knew for sure. And I wouldn't know for sure until Rose confirmed my suspicions with the tests still hidden away in my bedside table.

Instead, I settled on a truth that superseded all of that. I turned to where she was tucked under my arm and smiled. "I just love you. More than anything else in this world, I love you, Roza."

I kissed her forehead as she smiled at my declaration and offered the same. "I love you too, Comrade. Always have. Always will."

After cleaning up a little, we settled into a comfortable position with her back against my chest and my body curled protectively around her. Usually, my arm wrapped around her waist, allowing my thumb to stroke under her breast until the gentle movement lulled us both to sleep. Tonight however, under the cover of darkness, I settled my hand low on her belly and silently prayed for a Christmas miracle.

Author's Note

This was initially intended to be a quick little one-shot, but by popular demand, I am expanding on the story a little. There will be one more chapter after this. I hope you enjoy.