Rose was once again feeling better on Christmas morning. Even if she hadn't told me so herself, it would have been clear from the way she shook me awake at the crack of dawn, begging to go open presents. I was tempted to insist on a workout, shower, and breakfast before indulging her—just to prolong the torture of making her wait—but I couldn't deny her anything. Before long, we were passing boxes and bags back and forth with two steaming cups beside us; coffee for me, cocoa for her.

The Christmas present tradition passed by much quicker with only the two of us rather than the dozen or more people sitting around the tree in years past. After everything was opened, I offered to make breakfast. She was still having issues with eggs, but I had found one of those pop tubes of cinnamon rolls, and we were able to indulge in that. Soon, we were relaxing together on the sofa with a fire in the hearth. I was already three chapters into the newest novel in a series I enjoyed (courtesy of Janine) while Roza was tucked up against my side, drawing small squares of individual colors in her new sketchbook.

"What are you drawing?" Whatever she was doing looked vastly different than her typical sketching style.

Rose surprised us all during her sophomore year of college by requesting an art class. Since Rose was Lissa's near guard during University and was forced to get a political science degree alongside her best friend, Lissa allowed Rose to choose one or two of their electives. While Ivan had done the same for me, not every charge was so considerate. I had never seen Rose so much as doodle in the margin of her class notes before, but once she was let free with a set of pencils and a sketchpad, it was amazing what she unleashed.

Now her room was filled with little drawings of everything from her friends to small scenes that almost seemed to come alive on their own. Lissa's talent and interest only went so far as the most basic art course the college had to offer, so Rose now took extra classes at night. Pencil was still her go-to for creation, but she had mentioned wanting to try watercolors a while ago, so I had gifted her a set of paints and brushes, watercolor pencils, and a new paper pad specifically designed for the medium.

She paused for a moment before setting the blue pencil she had been using to one side of her and picking up a teal one from the tin. "I'm doing a sample chart on the front so I know what each color looks like before I start drawing. They may not look the same wet as they do dry, so this is just to help me get an idea of what I'll be working with later."

Made sense to me. "Do you need me to get a glass of water for your brushes?"

"I think I'm good right now." She looked over her shoulder with a bright grin that made me grateful that she had found a hobby she enjoyed so much.

Even though I was thoroughly enjoying my book, I couldn't quite stay focused on it. My thoughts kept floating back to the questions that had been running through my mind for days. The question, specifically. I had decided last night that I would finally get the answer today. The problem was that I had no idea how to bring it up.

I couldn't think of a single way to enter the topic of pregnancy naturally or even somewhat casually. Anything I said would probably seem completely out of the blue to her. Without any other recourse I could think of, I decided to just be blunt and say what was on my mind.

"Roza, I know it's going to seem odd, but would you do something for me?" I tried to keep my words light, but she instantly caught on that something was up.

She twisted from my embrace where she had been relaxing just a moment ago, concern written across her face and a visible sense of tension in her shoulders. "Anything. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," I said, trying to reassure her. "Maybe even better than fine."

I stood, offering her my hand and steadying her when I pulled her up a little too fast. I never let go, leading her to the bedroom where I had hidden the tests. The moment we stepped across the threshold, her demeanor changed.

"Well, you had my curiosity," She smirked, giving me a wink and swinging her hips a little. "Now you have my attention."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her antics, grateful for the small break in the tension. "Later."

"Promise?"

I opened the drawer of my side table, reaching into the very back to grab the three boxes I had hidden there. I handed Rose the first one. She took it cautiously, reading the label before looking at me like she was waiting for some sort of punchline to a joke. When all I could offer was a raised brow, I saw a hint of confusion cross her eyes.

"What's this?" she asked as if I had just offered her a handful of puzzle pieces without the final picture.

When it was clear she expected more than my silence, I answered her. "It's a pregnancy test, Rose."

"I get that," she said, dramatically rolling her eyes. "What I mean is why are you giving me a pregnancy test, and what do you expect me to do with it?"

"I'd like you to take it." Before she could spit out another argument, I continued. "Here me out, okay? You've been nauseous and vomiting. You're sore. You're constantly exhausted—"

"And all those things can be attributed to a cold or flu." Even as she protested, I could see a bit of realization blooming within her. "I'm sick. That's all. And I'm feeling better!"

"Have you had a fever at all over the past week? Runny nose or sore throat? Cough?"

She hesitated for a moment but shook her head, now looking a bit worried as those puzzle pieces from before all started falling into place for her.

"And what about your new food preferences?" I pressed, unable to keep my suspicions to myself anymore. "You asked me for broccoli. That alone would l probably be cause for concern, but on top of that, you turn green at even the mention of pizza."

As if to prove my point, I watched as she instantly paled and swallowed as she fought back her nausea. It seemed to take all her effort not to run to the bathroom again, so I tried to redirect her with something other than the food she once practically survived on.

"And tell me the truth, Rose. When was your last period?" My heart skipped a beat as I asked. I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up. Logic told me that it was impossible. The evidence suggested otherwise.

Rose's bottom lip was trapped between her teeth as she started counting backward. Before my eyes, I could see the confusion rising with each passing day. After a moment or two, her eyes widened, and her once disbelieving expression flipped to shock.

"No." She started to shake her head, but I knew the cracks in her argument were only getting wider and wider. She thrusted the pregnancy test at me, almost begging me to take it from her. "No. It's impossible. There's no way."

Gently, I pressed it back towards her. "Just humor me."

As she stared at the test, I could see an ocean of emotions rolling off of her in waves. I could see her worry. Her uncertainty. I could see confusion and disbelief. But I could also see curiosity and maybe even…hope? Or perhaps that was just my own emotions coloring things between us.

Either way, she agreed, and as the bathroom door shut between us, I quietly prayed that I hadn't just set us up for heartbreak.

I decided to give her some privacy and tried to busy myself with cleaning up the kitchen a little. Breakfast hadn't resulted in a big mess, but a few dishes were still in the sink. I methodically washed and dried them, counting the seconds in my mind until the truth would be revealed.

How would she react if it was positive?

Rose and I had shared passing conversations about a possible family together in the future. Nothing serious, though. Nothing concrete. She knew that I would love to be a father. I had basically come to terms with the fact that it wouldn't happen biologically, but I had mentioned once that I wouldn't mind using a Moroi donor in the future if that was a path we decided to take.

While she didn't totally brush the idea off, we had never discussed it further. Why would we right now? Rose was young, still in college, and beginning a promising career as a Royal Guardian. It was hardly the ideal time for something like this to happen.

Still, I had begun to notice a familiar longing look when Rose played with my nieces and nephew or when she held Lissa and Christian's baby boy. Even though she had been a little nervous around kids initially, she was a natural aunt. Vika practically challenged Rose to a sparring match right in my mother's kitchen last year when Paul had proclaimed Roza his 'favorite aunt.' She was always the first to volunteer to babysit Andre whenever Lissa and Christian needed a break for an evening. It was clear to anyone who knew her that Roza loved the kids in her life.

Maybe…maybe I wouldn't be the only one excited if that test was positive.

I dried the last of the plates and set them back in the cupboard before checking the time again. Eight minutes. The test instructions said it only took two to three minutes for results. Certainly, Rose would know by now. Unable to wait any longer, I walked back into the bedroom and called out to her.

"Rose?" I knocked again. "Is everything okay in there?"

The doorknob twisted, and the door opened just a crack. When Rose didn't say anything, I figured that was as good an invitation as anything else to enter.

She looked stunned, bracing herself on the counter while staring at all three tests in front of her. Her face betrayed nothing. She barely seemed to notice as I stepped closer, taking a deep breath before turning my eyes toward the same thing that had so intently captured her focus.

Two pink lines.

A plus sign.

A clearly marked digital box with one word…

Pregnant.

"Impossible." Rose's words were barely a whisper.

I nodded, unable to form anything coherent. It was impossible, but it was real. She was pregnant. Roza was pregnant. I…

…I was going to be a father.

She looked up, catching my gaze through the mirror. "I'm pregnant? This is real?"

"I mean, we should get it confirmed with a doctor, but between these tests and everything else…" I could hardly keep my smile contained, and eventually, it burst free. "Yeah. I think you're pregnant."

I waited on bated breath, needing to know what was going on inside Rose's mind. My suspicions had prepared me for this possibility for days now, but this was obviously a big shock to her. When I couldn't take it any longer, I tore through the silence. "Are you okay? Please, say something. Anything."

"We're going to have a baby..." Finally, a smile broke across her face, and the moment I saw it, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Tears, happy tears, gathered at the corner of her eyes as she started laughing. "We're going to have a baby!"

I gathered her up in my arms, squeezing her tight as I spun us in a circle before setting her up on the counter. I kissed her forehead, pressing and holding my lips there for a moment. I just needed a second to breathe—to feel—before dropping to my knees and kissing her still-flat stomach below her belly button. My child. How could I already love something so much without ever seeing it with my eyes or holding it in my hands?

I felt her fingers weave through my hair, and when I looked up, all I could see was an angel. An angel who had given me more than I could ever envision for my life. More than I could hope for and certainly more than I deserved. Looking back, there was a time when I had resigned myself to just existing rather than living life, but Rose changed everything.

"Thank you, Roza. Thank you for…everything." I said, standing and embracing her. I'm sure there were better words that I could put together to show my gratitude, but I couldn't think of anything. There was just just a sense of awe and wonder. "I'm going to be a dad! And you…you are going to be a mom."

"Oh no." For a brief moment, her eyes widened and she almost seemed worried. "This poor child."

"Our child will be the luckiest babe ever because they will have you as their mother," I said, instantly trying to calm whatever fears might be creeping into her mind. "They will have the most beautiful, strong, loving, protective, amazing mother in the world. Thank you, Roza. Thank you so, so much. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"You don't have to repay me for anything," she said, smiling against my lips as I kissed her again and again. Laughing at my antics, she pressed her hands against my shoulders and pushed me back a little. "You know, you did have a part in this too. If anyone asks, I am totally blaming you for the fact that we're having a surprise baby out of wedlock."

"You're right. This is my fault. I should have married you years ago." I grinned, unable to even fake an apology about our current situation. "And trust me, Rose, I would have impregnated you much sooner if I had known it was possible. Now that I know…well, I hope you're okay with a big family."

"Mmm," She hummed against my lips. "Let's get through this one first. Then we can talk."

The elated smiles and laughter between our kisses gradually shifted as I ran my hands up and down her body, already imagining new curves on the woman I loved so much. With her legs spread wide, I stepped between her knees and pulled her by the hips across the counter until I could feel her entire body pressed against mine. I knew she could feel my growing want for something more. For some new, decidedly less family-friendly way to celebrate our little surprise.

I tugged at the hem of her shirt, letting her lift her hands up so I could strip it off her completely. Rose had forgone a bra again, leaving her totally open to my affection the moment she was exposed. I trailed my lips in a long, meandering road across her throat and collarbone, eventually dipping to the hollow between her breasts before pulling back.

Giving into temptation, I cupped her left breast in my palm, weighing it as I familiarized myself with her already changing body.

"You're already bigger." I meant it as a simple observation, but I couldn't help but notice the roughness in my tone. Not a growl, but not far off either.

She hummed, arching into my touch as I traced the darkened circle with my fingertips. "I thought I was imagining things. That must be why none of my bras fit anymore." Her words were already taking on the dreamy quality that I adored when she was drifting away into bliss.

"I'll buy you more," I promised with a smirk. Perhaps I should apologize for putting Rose into a condition where she would probably need to update half of her wardrobe, but I couldn't bring myself to feel anything more than smug about it.

Slipping into a pleasured daze under my hands, Rose smiled. "Or, maybe I'll just throw them all away. What do you think about that? No bras at all anymore."

I chuckled, leaning her back a little and kissing one nipple before taking the other between my teeth and giving it a gentle tug. She hissed at the sting but quieted a moment later when I lavished the spot with my tongue. "Seems impractical," I murmured against her skin, "but I'm not going to complain about easy access, either."

She smacked my shoulder playfully and leaned back onto her elbows as I continued exploring. I dipped lower again, this time trailing my lips across her stomach until I planted a kiss just above the waistband of her sleep pants. She lifted her hips as I hooked my fingers into the fabric and pulled it off along with her panties.

Falling to my knees, I removed my own shirt before turning my attention back to her. Legs still spread wide for me, I planted a small peck against the inside of one thigh and then the other before kissing her at her very center. Instantly, I felt her fingers in my hair, holding me in place against her sweet pussy as she began to ride my face a little. Little moans sounded above me as I slipped my tongue between her folds, alternating between deep, penetrating thrusts and quick, teasing licks against her clit. I taunted her. Tormented her. Brought her to the edge of ecstasy before pulling back and repeating my torture once more. All the while, Rose whimpered and chased what I was denying her.

As cruel as my actions might have seemed, we both knew that it would all be worth it in the end. Patience made the reward that much sweeter.

Finally, I wasn't able to deny myself any longer. I worked myself out of my pants as I stood, and without any other warning than a heavy kiss against Roza's lips, I pushed inside her. I worked her slowly against me, holding her by the waist and letting her wrap her legs around me to keep me close. Her arms circled my neck as she rocked into my deep-seated thrusts, face tucked into my neck as she moaned with every little movement we made. Those sounds she made were more beautiful to me than any song ever written.

One hand still holding her in place, I dragged the knuckles of the other up her spine. With each little ridge, she arched further and further back until she was all but supported by my hand cupped behind her neck and her fingers clutching my biceps. Her breasts heaved in time to my thrusts, just like the pretty little whimpers she made as she looked at me with a silent 'fuck me' plea in her eyes.

Ever so slowly, I moved my palm from the back of her neck until my hand circled her throat like a possessive collar. She gasped, eyes widening for a moment but otherwise saying nothing. I knew if I squeezed just a little, not enough to cut off her breathing in any way but just enough to show that she was at my mercy, her eyes would roll back in submission. She'd bite her lip and clench her body around my own. I knew every little reaction she'd make because she was mine. I knew it. She knew it. But I wanted to hear her say it.

"Mine," I declared, leaving no room for argument as I held her in my hands.

"Yours," she replied in a breathy whisper.

I loosened my gentle grip and moved my hand right over her heart. "Mine."

She nodded without a moment of hesitation. "Yours."

I couldn't help the swell of pride as my fingers began to move downward again, between her breasts, over her sternum, grazing past the soft muscles of her stomach and belly button before splaying across her lower abdomen. The heat in her eyes made it clear that she already knew what I would say next, as well as the answer I needed. No. The answer I demanded.

"Mine." The word was feral. A growl of a man that only appeared in the bedroom when it was just the two of us and a passion that had been nearly impossible to resist since the moment we met.

And just like each time before, Roza answered with a promise. "Yours."

With that, I broke. I quickened the pace between us, shifting slightly so I could work my fingers between us and rub her clit until she came in my arms. I knew how she liked it. Small, fast little circles with my thumb until she was right on the cusp of orgasm. Then all it would take is a gentle pinch to throw her over the edge and loving strokes to draw her climax out. It was a familiar dance but a beautiful one that I would never tire of.

As her body relaxed a little, I slipped out of her and flipped her over 'til her belly was pressed against the counter. She didn't have time to settle before I was back at it again. This time, I set a brutal pace between us. Her upper thighs might be bruised in the morning with how much they probably dug into the edge of the countertop, but right now, all I could think about was just how good her body felt. How perfect it was.

Roza squirmed a little as she tried to find some sort of purchase in this new position. I knew her toes were probably only grazing the tiled floor, but that didn't matter. I had her. I'd hold her. She tried to lift onto her forearms, but even that slight shift changed just how deep I could fuck her...and I wanted to fuck her deep. With a palm between her shoulder blades, I pressed her back onto the flat surface and gave her a few hard, punctuated thrusts as a reward. Her stuttered moans as I bottomed out inside her spurred me on.

Holding her in place with one hand on her hip, I wrapped her hair around the other and tugged until she could meet my eyes through the mirror.

"Look, Roza. Look how beautiful you are." Her gaze switched to her own reflection, and she smiled as she got a glimpse of the woman I saw every time I made love to her. The stunning, confident, sexy woman who shamelessly drove me wild with nothing more than a wink and a smile. "I could fuck you for hours like this—all day, every day—and still never get enough of you."

Fire lit in her eyes at my words, and I felt myself fall a little harder for her. I loved her more today than I did even yesterday. And I knew I'd somehow find a way to love her a little more tomorrow.

My Roza.

My fiancée.

The mother of my child.

The love of my life.

It didn't take me much longer to feel her tighten as the pressure began to build inside us. I was close. So close. She was even closer.

I leaned forward, covering her body gently with my own as I whispered into her ear. "I want you to let go, Roza. Let go so I can come inside you like I did before. Like I always will."

"Oh God," she whimpered under her breath. One of her hands found mine and she clutched it like a lifeline as she struggled to hold on a little longer. It was a losing battle, though, and we both knew it. I was pushing her toward her ultimate pleasure, and it was only a matter of time until I'd have my victory. "Harder, Dimitri. Fuck me harder."

I obliged until she began to shake a little in my arms as the soft cries from before started getting louder. Each one rose a little higher as I pushed her a bit more.

"Good girl, Roza. Come for me." I grunted, doing what I could to hold on until she let go first. And the moment I felt that fluttering, I charged forward. I thrusted wildly, unable to hold back anymore now that she had given in. Her body clenched me as tightly as her hand in mine.

"Oh, fuck. That's it. Fuck, fuck, fu—" My curse drifted into a long groan as I spilled inside her, Roza's body spasming and all but milking my cock. Stars danced in my eyes as I held Rose tight to me until we were both spent and panting.

As the echos in the bathroom began to fade and we finally started to calm down, I brushed Rose's hair to the side and kissed her shoulder. I debated between carrying her to the bed or over to the shower. Her eyes were already closed, though, and I knew it wouldn't be long until Rose was asleep in my arms. Showers could wait 'til later. All I wanted to do was hold Roza and thank God for all the miracles, both big and small, that I had been granted in my life. Most of them courtesy of the woman smiling up at me now in bliss.

Kicking our clothes away, I scooped her up in my arms. "Come here, you."

She gave a little yelp at the sudden movement before wrapping her arms around my neck. A second later, I had us both tucked underneath the sheets and lying nose to nose.

"I love you so much," I said, unable to hold back the thoughts circling my mind. Every moment I looked at Rose, I was struck with that realization. Again and again, every single day. And for some reason that I may never entirely understand, she loved me, too. I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. I guess it didn't matter why she loved me. Only that she did. And I would never take it for granted again.

"So…" she said with a lazy smile. "When are we going to tell the others?"

"Whenever you want to." I was already ready to shout it from the rooftops, but I understood if she wanted to keep this between us for a little bit. "We probably shouldn't keep it quiet for too long, though."

"I can't wait to tell Liss." Rose giggled, scooting closer and tucking her face into my shoulder a bit. "She's going to flip out when she hears the news. She'll probably start planning a baby shower right then and there. And your mom…"

"Mama will be thrilled." I couldn't wait to see her reaction. My sisters, too. I eyed Rose with a raised brow and a smirk. "Yeva probably already knows."

Rolling her eyes, she agreed. "Probably. Or at least she'll say she knew after we tell them."

It didn't matter how many times she watched my grandmother's prophecies come to life before her eyes, Rose would always insist that it was some sort of gimmick. Hoax or not, Yeva was right more often than she was wrong, so while Rose might be skeptical, I always kept an open mind.

"I guess the better question," Rose started, shifting onto her side until she looked down at me with her elbow bent and her chin braced against her palm, "is how do we tell my parents?"

"Very, very carefully." My heart skipped a moment when I realized that we'd have to tell Abe and Janine that I had accidentally impregnated their daughter before our marriage.

Rose laughed at what was probably a very concerned expression on my face. "Scared, Comrade?"

"Of your parents? I'd be a fool not to be." We definitely had a rocky start when they first learned about my and Rose's relationship, but I think we were better now. I think. Maybe. Hopefully.

As if she could sense my unease, she leaned down and gave me a sweet kiss. One that almost became more before I pulled back.

In the end, I took comfort in the fact both Abe and Janine were usually happy as long as their daughter was happy. I felt the same. And thankfully, she seemed very happy with our surprising new situation.

"No matter what happens, Roza, you're worth it." I laid a hand on her stomach and smiled up at her. "You both are."

Author's Note

EDIT: Age adjustment for Rose. She was initially just shy of her 21st birthday but one reader pointed out that I got some maths wrong, and she should be 22 here instead. Sorry!

This was supposed to be a quicky one-shot, but I'm glad I was able to build it into something a little more for you guys! While I don't plan on expanding this story further, don't be surprised if we see a bit of Dimitri's breeding kink show up in other works of mine. I've been surprised with how much people are enjoying some of my more spicy stories, especially those exploring different kinks, so if you have a recommendation or request for something you'd be interested in seeing in the future, let me know down below. Thanks!