Chapter 4

'I can't believe you went through that hell for my annoying big brother.', Viktoria said after we'd finished telling our story. 'It was worth the trouble, I think', I teased. We were all sitting in the living room, me on Dimitris lap on the big couch, Viktoria and Olena at each side of us and the rest of his family were scattered all around us.

It felt like home, but not the way the Academy did. More...happy. As I looked at Olena, I wished I'd talked to my mother before coming. Yes, she had left me alone for the longest time of my life, but she was still my mother and I did love her.

'You think?', he asked in mock hurt. I tilted my head backwards so I could look at him 'On second thought, I'm pretty sure it was worth the trouble.', I told him and he smiled.

We kept talking for another while but soon I yawned 'I'm tired.', I announced. 'Oh sorry Rose. We should have let you guys sleep, it was a long flight.'

'It's all right.', I assured her. Then I got up and stretched, then pulled Dimitri up with me. Thank god we'd already had dinner, I would've fallen asleep over my food because I was so tired.

When we arrived in Dimitris room – which we'd be sharing – I collapsed on the bed without bothering to take off my clothes. I was already halfway asleep when I noticed Dimitri was trying to get me to change. I groaned 'Oh will you let me sleep comrade?', he chuckled. 'Don't call me that. Now you can't sleep in jeans. Get up.' I groaned again but sat up anyway. The world was spinning way too fast. He rolled his eyes at me and helped me get out of my clothes and into a pair of sweatpants and a singlet.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out.

The next morning

When I woke up, I reached over to Dimitris side of the bed, but it was cold. I frowned and got up. The sun was out and the window was open, letting in the warm, fresh wind. Baia was different than from my memories. The town seemed happier and more alive, but I guessed that was probably just me. 'Good morning sleeping beauty.', My head whipped to the right and I forgot about the view and the fresh air. Dimitri was there with a towel around his waist and his wet hair framing his face.

'Mmh, that's one nice sight to wake up to.', I teased and finally got up. After taking the shower and dressing in a white sundress I went downstairs for breakfast. The wonderful smell of Olenas bread was in the air, and I inhaled deeply. Everyone was in the kitchen; Dimitri sat in a chair with Paul on his lap, Olena was standing at the kitchen counter making food and the girls were helping. 'Good morning everyone!', I shouted and was greeted by a chorus of 'Good morning's.'

I sat down beside Dimitri and he stopped talking to Paul for a second to kiss me. Viktoria made a gagging sound and I deepened the kiss just to annoy her. Dimitri caught up with my mood quickly and the kiss grew passionate in seconds. 'Dimitri I love you and I'm glad you're here, but I really don't need to see this.', Sonya said. We broke apart and I giggled. Yeva said something in Russian and everyone but Dimitri laughed. He blushed.

'Hey! Don't start talking Russian again that's unfair! I know you speak English!', I complained. 'Trust me, you don't want to know what she said.', Dimitri told me. I rolled my eyes and everyone laughed again. That's when Olena decided to step in 'Oh stop teasing him in front of his girl that's unfair.', this time it was me who burst out laughing, and everyone joined in. 'Okay, okay, enough jokes at my expense! Lets eat.', Dimitri said, blushing again.

After breakfast Dimitri and I decided to take a walk. He showed me the whole town and I felt like I'd never been there before. Sure, Viktoria had given me a tour, too, but I'd hardly listened to her. This time I just soaked up everything he told me.

We spent the next two weeks or so like that, going out, training with Viktoria occasionally and meeting with old friends of his. Viktoria was becoming an amazingly good fighter, and she was able to overpower both me and Dimitri form time to time. He was always incredibly proud when she did.

One morning before breakfast Dimitri and I were sparring in the backyard – we both had to stay in shape, he said. I was holding up pretty good, but suddenly a very strong exciting feeling coursed through Lissa, and the next thing I knew, he had me pinned. I ignored him anyway and slipped into her mind, the curiosity getting the best of me.

I wanted to roll my eyes as I saw the reason for her excitement. The queen had announced a ball for Friday night. Today was Tuesday. Probably to get peoples minds off Dimitri and me. Of course Lissa was excited to go, and, as she started wondering about what to wear, I slipped back into my own mind. Dimitri was looking at me expectantly 'I was with Lissa. Sorry, she got pretty excited over a ball the queen's planning for tonight.', Without waiting for his response, I jumped up and tackled him to the ground. Now I was on top of him, straddling his chest. 'I win!', I announced.

'You're a cheater!', he said in mock anger. I shrugged and leaned down do kiss him. Just as things started to get interesting, someone cleared their throat and I jumped up, taking a fighting stance. I relaxed though, when I saw that it was just Viktoria. She rolled her eyes at me and said 'Your phone's been ringing. You should go answer, I thought you could call back later, but it won't stop ringing.', she told me and went back inside. I turned to Dimitri, who was now standing beside me 'You coming along? It could be the queen.', I said.

He nodded and we went inside. I took my phone from the kitchen counter and saw six missed calls from a number I didn't know. I showed it to Dimitri but he didn't know it either. Suddenly it started ringing again, startling me. I answered. 'Rose Hathaway?', a familiar voice said. 'Yes?', 'You should know its rude not to answer when the queen is calling', Tatiana scolded.

'Oh! I'm sorry your majesty, my phone wasn't on me. Any news?', I asked. Damn where did this sudden respect for Queen Bitch come? Before she could answer, I put her on loudspeaker so Dimitri could hear. 'Actually, yes. You and Guardian Belikov can come back to court on Saturday. You will be princess Vasilisas Guardian and Dimitri will be Christians.', she told me. Yes!, I mouthed at the Russian god beside me. His eyes were showing the same excitement mine probably were. 'That's wonderful. Thank you very much, your majesty. Does Lissa know?', 'No, she doesn't. You can tell her if you want. I've sent an e-mail with the details of your flight.', she told me. I thanked her again and hung up.

'I'm so happy we get to be Christians and Lissas Guardians!', I said excitedly. 'Me too.', Dimitri said and kissed me. Just like every kiss we shared, the passion grew and grew...

'Jeez! Is snogging the only thing you two do?', Viktoria asked form behind me. I broke away from Dimitri and turned to face her. We'd become the bestest of friends and she had told me that she was glad I'd made Rolan stay away from her. She'd found out what an asshole he really was.

'Not exactly, Viki. We also do lots of other things, like for example, the other night, your brother seriously put his-', I couldn't finish, because Dimitri clamped his hand over my mouth.

'Roza! You wouldn't seriously tell her that!', he growled, blushing furiously. 'OMG Rose are you trying to freak me out?', Viktoria shouted, took her coke and ran off to do what ever she did the whole day long.

Dimitri removed his hand from my mouth and said 'You're evil.' I grinned 'You love me this way.' 'True.', he breathed and kissed me again.

Later that day, I called Lissa and told her that we were coming back soon. She was really excited about the news, and we talked for hour on end. I was really glad Tatiana was paying my phone bill for this month.

* *R**~VA~**D* *

When the girls found out we were leaving at Saturday, they insisted on throwing a party for us. It was going to be held on Friday in their huge backyard.

The day of the party I put on a short raspberry colored dress and matched it with silver heels. Sonya helped me curl my hair and put a silver flower in.

After putting in my earrings, I noticed I didn't have a matching necklace. Damn. It was wonderful to think of stuff like that again, I hadn't done it for quite a while. When I decided to go ask Viki if she had a silver necklace I could borrow, someone suddenly put their hands over my eyes. I started to fight back but when I caught a whiff of Dimitris aftershave, I stopped. 'Keep your eyes closed', he said. I complied and waited for him to do something. 'What are you...?', I started to ask, but stopped when I felt something cold on my neck. 'You can open your eyes now.', Dimitri said.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a pretty silver necklace with a Rose around my neck. I touched the cool material of its chain. 'Do you like it?', he asked nervously. 'I love it! Thanks so much!', I told him.

Then I turned around and kissed him fiercely. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I wrapped mine around his neck. It was much easier to reach his lips in high heels. 'I should always wear heels', I said. 'What? Why?', he asked confusedly.

'So I can reach your lips better', I answered him in my 'isn't that obvious' voice. 'I think it would be a tiny bit hard to fight in shoes like these.', he said 'I could train.', I argued. He rolled his eyes at me and kissed me again. 'I'm glad you like the necklace.', he said as we broke apart. 'Of course I like it.', I told him, kissing him once again. Damn I couldn't stop kissing him today.

We went downstairs to see everyone in the kitchen. We'd obviously started getting ready too early as the first guest wasn't expected sooner than in half an hour.

Dimitris Point of View

I sat down with my family to talk while Rose went into the living room where Paul was playing. I could see her sit down beside him and they started talking almost immediately about his favorite TV-series. She looked really beautiful today...and every other day.

'Hey earth to Dimka! Where are you?', Karolinas impatient voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 'Sorry...what were you saying?', I asked her.

She rolled her eyes. 'I was asking you when you were planning on asking her. You are still planning on asking her, right?', she said in Russian. I felt nervous again, everyone was staring at me, and I was glad Rose was keeping Paul occupied. 'Yes, I am. Of course I am.', I told the five unduly curious women around me.

'Well, when will you ask her?', mama asked impatiently. I sighed 'I don't know, okay? I haven't been thinking about that. I've been too busy fearing her answer. Stop being so nosy.', I was glad Rose didn't speak any Russian – though the way she was chasing Paul across the room, I didn't think she would've cared to know about what we were talking.

'Oh Dimka. You know she'll say yes.', mama said. 'That I do not.', I disagreed. 'But I do.', she said and smiled. I'd really miss her.

'Can I see the ring again?', Viktoria asked. 'No way. She might look.', I told her. She sighed 'Fine. FINE! Be that way. She'll let me see when you finally get the guts to give it to her.'

'You're so dramatic! You don't know what she'll say anyway. She could say NO for all you know! And then you can have the stupid ring.', I groaned. I hated saying it out loud.

I could face an army of Strigoi but I was scared of one little question.

* *R**~VA~**D* *

Roses Point of View

The party was totally awesome. Dimitris sisters really knew how to throw a party. Their dresses were super sweet and they'd invited lots of people. I recognized some of them, but Dimitri insisted on introducing me to all of his old friends that I hadn't met yet. There was Russian Vodka, too, but this time I hardly drank any of it. I could remember the last time only too well.

Viktoria insisted that Dimitri and I tell a bunch of her school friends about the attack on St. Vladimir's, but, in the middle of it, suddenly a song I could remember only too well came on. It was I believe my heart by Duncan James and Keedie. I'd listened to it often while running laps in training and I'd often sang along. By the look in his eyes, Dimitri seemed to recognize the song, too.

I adored this song, and he knew that. He stopped talking immediately and said 'We'll finish this story later. You wanna dance?', he asked me. 'Of course.', I answered.

He led me to the dance floor and I realized I'd never danced with him before. I threw my arms around his neck and he wrapped his around my waist.

Whenever I see your face, the world disappears...

I loved the lyrics, they fit my feelings for him so well...

I believe my heart. What else can I do?

Dimitri was a really wonderful dancer...

You don't have to speak any word, I know what you'll tell.

The lyrics were so right. I always knew what he wanted to say before he knew it himself.

'I love you so much.', I whispered as he spinned me around. 'I love you too, Roza. So much, it hurts me sometimes.', he answered and I melted. We danced the rest of the song in silence.

And with all my soul, I believe my heart. The portrait that it paints of you is a perfect work of art...

As the song ended, he tilted my face up with a finger and kissed me fiercely, and I kissed him back passionately. Some tiny, insignificant part of my brain noticed the cheering crowd around us. Suddenly, all too soon, he pulled away.

I was about to kiss him again, when he took both my hands in his. 'Roza.', he said softly. Everybody was watching us by then. Karolina suddenly shouted 'FINALLY!' He didn't even look at her. His eyes were on mine, his gaze somehow both soft and passionate at the same time.

He was planning something, I realized. And it wasn't just another dance.

He dropped down onto one knee and got out a tiny black jewelry box. I didn't think my eyes could get any bigger by then. He wasn't...was he?

He opened to box and I could see the most beautiful ring ever.

Oh damn, he was.

'Roza, I promise to always be there for you. I'll always love you – for my entire life. And if there's another life after this one, I'll love you then, too. Will you marry me?', he asked.

I couldn't speak...I have to speak! Words...I need a word...just one little word. Come on Rose! Say it!

I took a deep breath, and finally, I was able to speak, 'Yes...Of course. I'd love to marry you!', my voice got stronger with each word, and he immediately took the ring and slipped it on my finger. It was perfect.

He got up and I jumped into his arms. He kissed me with so much passion that I should have wondered why I didn't burst into flames.

Everybody was cheering and applauding and Olena was in tears...

And I? I was happier than ever.

A/N: I hoped you liked it, it took me damn long! And I had something of a writer's block for a while, so I hope the beginning doesn't feel a little forced.

You NEED to check out the song they danced to, I had it on repeat while I wrote the party. OH: and this is NOT the end! I've got more =) Also, there's a few surprises next chapter ;-D

You can find links to the ring, necklace and so on on my profile. Check it out, it took me quite a while to choose everything.

NOW to the reviews: I can't believe I only have 12! I mean, hello? It took me an hour or so to figure out how to update! And 12 reviews is what I get? UNFAIR! I mean how long does it take you to click that damn little button and leave me a line or two? its not THAT hard! I need those reviews to write. Nobody told me if they wanted tatiana to die. I mean I can't even know how many people have clicked this! ITS SO FRUSTRATING

I hope you can at least tell me if you want them to be able to have kids. That would be really nice of you.

SOO PLEASE PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU LEAVE A REVIEW! Just one little review! I'll even read your fics and leave reviews if you want me to! PROMISE!

-Maria