Hey guys, I'm so pleased and appreciative with the feedback I've been receiving each chapter, I'm so glad you guys like it! Thank you to my followers, favoriters, and reviewers (Romitri99, Little Dhampir Jr, Leokat24, XxDeadlyBlackRosexX, ShannonDorf123, startdreamer268, the cat with the blue eyes, .9, and some guests) This is my longest chapter to date with over 6,000 words!
Enjoy!
Flashback
I stared at myself in the mirror and willed myself to calm down, my palms were sweating and my heart was working double-time. It was my wedding day and although that was enough to freak me out just the tiniest bit, there was something else that concerned me: Dimitri wasn't here. My best friend, my partner in crime, my everything was not here yet and I was on the verge of a panic attack. I took some deep breaths in, some deep breaths out. Surely he couldn't be mad enough after what happened in the wedding rehearsal dinner that he wouldn't show up, right? But I remembered the last words I had said to him, if he couldn't support my marriage or my husband then he shouldn't come to the wedding. I was definitely regretting those words now as I paced needing Dimitri to come through the door, tell me everything was going to be alright, and no I wouldn't trip over my shoes walking down the aisle. If it was truly my choice, my wedding would be small, just a few family, friends and the man I loved, but Jesse had a huge family and loved doing things big, so when his mother and the wedding decorator started fantasizing about white crane center pieces and unique wedding invitations I smiled politely and went along with it, secretly just wanting the whole thing to be over and for Jesse and I to be alone on our honeymoon. I stopped in front of the mirror again, straightening my dress, smoothing over the bodice.
"You look beautiful," My eyes darted and I found Dimitri's eyes in the mirror. He was dressed in a classic black suit and tie making him more handsome than I ever remember seeing him. I ran to him, throwing my arms around him as we hugged each other.
"I swear, if you ever make me wait like this again I will personally make sure you never have kids." I whispered into his shoulder.
He laughed lightly. "I'll never do it again."
"Promise?" I asked. He nodded.
"Pinky promise." I said, sticking out my pinky. He rolled his eyes as my childishness and squeezed my pinky within his.
I smiled, and led him the the mirror where we stood side by side. "You don't look so bad yourself comrade, Lissa made a really good choice."
He smiled, "And you really do look beautiful Rose, a vision in white."
I rolled my eyes and turned to him absent-mindly fixing his tie. "Who would have thought, huh? Me getting married."
"I never thought I'd see the day." He responded
"Me neither." I admitted
"Rose do you love him?"
I looked into Dimitri's eyes, my hands on his chest. "Yes. Yes I do."
"And does he make you happy?"
"Dimitri, why are you-"
"Does he make you happy?" Dimitri repeated.
"Jesse and I are good together. We're happy together. Why are you asking me these questions?"
Dimitri smiled slightly before answering, "I'm just making sure."
"I'm sure. Really, I am."
"I love you Rose." he said, placing a light kiss on my cheek. I closed my eyes, smelling his aftershave, I felt the steady beating of his heart under the palm of my hand.
"I love you too Dimitri." I said, it wasn't uncommon for us to tell each other that, we both understood that our love was platonic, one of friendship; this time was a little different though, my heart hammered as he said it and as I responded, that phrase brought up new questions in my mind that confused me, that made me wonder.
I quickly dismissed my thoughts when he leaned back and said, "Are you ready?" I nodded and took his arm and we left the room. In place of my dad, I had asked Dimitri to give me away; it was a thought that had struck me in the middle of the night and I realized I didn't even need to ponder it, it just felt right. I remember when I told Alberta and Olena, the tears that welled up in the latter's eyes. Dimitri giving me away just felt right, like that was how it was supposed to be.
How did I know that the person who would give me away was the same person I would go to when it all fell apart?
Present Day-Rose POV
"You are not wearing that."
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Dimitri asked, looking down at his corduroy pants and polo shirt.
"Dimitri it looks like your mom dressed you! You're going to a club, you're going to meet women. Come on, dressed like that I could get more women than you, and I'm dressed like this." I gestured to my robe and bunny slippers as I had just gotten out of the shower.
He rolled his eyes and followed me as I went into his room and dug in his closet. "You're so used to scrubs and slacks that you've forgotten how to dress. Here wear this." I said, putting out jeans and a button down shirt on his bed.
"What would you do without me?" I mused, walking out of his bedroom
"Okay let's go." I said, finally finished getting ready. "How do I look?" Dimitri glanced up from his book (a western I bet) and what was a quick glance turned into his eyes raking me from head to toe. I admit, I had pulled out a lot of the stops tonight. I wore a body-con black dress that came about mid-thigh, the top and sleeves mesh, exposing a small portion of cleavage. I wore tights (It was November after all) and paired it with black knee length boots which both elongated my legs and kept them warm. I left my hair curly and loose, and my makeup simple, mascara and classic red lips. Dimitri surveyed my body in a way that created a weird tingling in my stomach, and warmness on my cheeks.
"You look nice." He said finally. He stood up to help me put on my coat and I saw my picked outfit in action. Dimitri looked good.
"You look so much better now that you don't look like you're going to a doctor's convention." I said. The jeans were dark-washed and hugged his muscular body in all the right places. His black button down form fitting, sleeves rolled up on his forearm.
"Let's go before I change my mind." He said putting on his coat.
I laughed, "You're going to have the time of your life tonight."
The club was already pumping when Dimitri and I arrived, the bass of the music vibrating in my throat, people out on the dance floor; I grabbed Dimitri's hand and led him towards the bar where I had already spotted Christian and Lissa.
"Hey, look who came out to play!" I shouted at them to be heard above the music. Before Lissa and I had gotten married, during college we were a little bit of wild-childs, well I was a a wild child and Lissa came along to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. What could I say? I loved to have a good time.
"One vodka shot for me and one for my prudish friend." I told the bartender with a smile, gesturing to Dimitri at the last part. I had left my jacket in the coat closet and I was ready to work this dress. I surveyed the dance floor, tapping my foot with the beat.
"Rose, I'm not drinking tonight." Dimitri said, his voice in my ear
"Like hell you're not, "I replied when our drinks came. "You're just saying that because you know I can hold my liquor better than you." I teased holding out his shot.
"Rose, I'm Russian, we can always hold our liquor."
"Is that so? Prove it."
"Rose."
"Come on grandpa!" I said, holding out his drink closer to him, "You know you want to."
I saw the small battle in his eyes, the old competitive glare that I knew he couldn't resist. "Fine." he said, taking the shot, swinging it back quickly and pounding the empty glass on the table.
"Hit me again." he said to the bartender. I smiled and quickly swallowed mine, "Yes! He's out to play."
He waited until the bartender had given me another and we took it together, eyes on each other as we drank. I felt the familiar burn in the back of my throat as I swallowed but my competitive nature refused to admit it.
"Again." I said after the 3rd shot, feeling the rush of alcohol in my veins.
Once more we took another shot eyes again on each other, both slamming the glasses down at the same time.
"You guys are crazy." Christian said from behind me.
"Trust me Christian, don't intervene." Lissa said, laughing.
"Let's go, grandpa!" I said, leading Dimitri out to the dance floor. Feeling the slight buzz of the vodka I started shimmying my hips to the beat.
"Rose, you know I can't-" I turned to Dimitri and put a finger to his lips. "Dimitri, stop with what you can't do and focus on what you can do. Come on, let loose, have some fun!" I put his hands on my hips and we started to dance. Dimitri was a little awkward at first but I got him to loosen up, (a couple more shots also helped too). While on the dance floor we met two girls and a guy who I also danced with along with Lissa and Christian.
I remember breaking away from our group with Lissa and getting another drink, "Look at him." I said, turning around my back to the bar.
"Who?" Lissa asked.
"Dimitri." I said, watching him on the dance floor; the smooth way he moved his body. He caught my eye and in an uncharacteristic move for him he winked at me before laughing and looking away.
I shook my head and smiled, feeling a rush of warmth to my cheeks again. It was the alcohol, it had to be. We partied til about 1 am when Lissa and Christian stated that they were tired and were going to take a cab home.
"Rose. Dimitri. Are you guys sure, you don't want us to take you home?" Lissa asked.
"What? No we're fine." Well, not exactly. Dimitri and I both had a more than a few drinks but we were fine, we could handle ourselves. We left a little after Lissa and Christian, slipping from the noisy club into a cool quiet cab. I fumbled with my jacket as Dimitri gave the cab driver his address.
"Here, let me." Dimitri said seeing the problem I was having with the simple buttons on my jacket.
"It's just not-not in going- I mean going in." I giggled. He pulled me closer quite abruptly and the sharp turn that the cabbie made didn't make it much better. Needless to say, I ended up nearly on Dimitri's lap.
I giggled again at our close proximity, feeling the tingling sensation in my stomach again. I had the strangest urge to touch his hair then and I did, realizing how it much it felt like silk below my fingertips.
"Your hair is really soft." I mumbled.
"I know." He said, eyes never once leaving mine as he helped me with my buttons. It was weird the intense emotion I was feeling right then, I couldn't describe it-well more like I could describe it and I just didn't want too. You're drunk Rose, you're having these feelings because you are drunk. End of Story.
I gasped suddenly when Dimitri lightly moved my hair over my shoulder, leaned down and put a light kiss right below my ear, right at my sweet spot causing me to shudder in his arms.
"You're really pretty." he whispered
I looked down shyly but the moment was soon gone when the cabbie braked suddenly and yelled "No sex in the cab!" Dimitri and I sprang apart like teenagers, each going to our respective corners of the cab.
We kept a polite distance until we got into his apartment. I had taken off my coat and boots and was going to my room, when Dimitri grabbed me by the hand my momentum causing me to crash into his chest. He held me there closely, our chests rising and falling together, he had the most peculiar look on his face but didn't say anything as his hand came up and cupped my cheeks and then traced the outline of my face. My heart hammered wildly and I felt a little unsteady on my feet. His eyes stayed on mine except when he glanced at my lips, then they were back to my eyes. We stayed like that, together in silence before he left me go lightly and went into his room.
Dimitri POV
I'm never drinking again. I don't care what Rose says or wears I'm never doing it again.
I sat up on my bed, too quickly I realized when the entire world started to spin, I flopped back against my pillows and willed the world to be still, for my head to please stop pounding. I tried to piece together my jumbled memories of last night.
I remembered Rose berating, then changing my outfit, I remembered reading while I waited for her to emerge and then I remember her asking how she looked. Rose always looked nice to me; she is a very beautiful woman and I had always thought so. She wore a black dress that was slightly see through on the top exposing a small bit of cleavage. Her lashes dark, framing her eyes, lips red; truth be told I liked Rose makeup free in sweats, unguarded, un-made up but when she did dress up I had to admit she did it well.
Upon looking at her, I felt a weird tingling in my stomach, an odd desire that I hadn't felt in a long time creep up on me. "You look nice." I had told, her liking how she beamed at the compliment.
I remembered drinking more than I had planned, due to Rose's methods of persuasion a.k.a using our competitive natures against me and truly having a good time dancing along with the music. Then I remembered the cab ride home, the way she had landed in my lap, the way she had gasped and shuddered when I kissed right below her ear. And finally I remembered grabbing her like a wild man, hugging her close to me, tracing the outline of her face.
I groaned, what the hell did I do last night. Rose was my best friend, I'm pretty sure if I had feelings for her they would have manifested already. Yes, she was attractive and yes I was attracted to her but our relationship was strictly platonic; that I was sure of. Besides, she was going through a divorce, she needed time. And I didn't have feelings for her, it was the effects of the alcohol.
That was what I told myself.
Thanksgiving Day-Rose POV
"Happy Thanksgiving hun,"
"Happy Thanksgiving to you to Aunty Alberta." I said to my aunt, the woman who had raised me after my parents had died in a car crash when I was 5.
She worked in the FBI but was no longer an active agent in the field, instead she was the supervisor and had risen in the ranks to become so. She still lived in Russia in Baia though when I went to college she moved out from the house across Dimitri's that I had grown up in, deciding instead to get a small apartment closer to the city and work; she claimed the house had gotten too big for her to clean but personally I thought she was a little bit lonely. I made it a point to try and call her every week but with both our working schedules it was hard, however somehow we always made it happen. Besides Dimitri, Lissa, and Olena, Alberta was also a permanent figure in my trusted group.
"You haven't been working too hard have you?" my aunt asked over the phone; she knew me so well.
"Why of course not. Have you?"
"Of course not."
There was silence for a while and then we both started to laugh, "When are going to quit lying to each other?" I asked
Alberta chuckled, "Work is work you know. Some days are longer than others and I really am trying to focus more on other things in life, get a hobby, do something else other than work all the time."
"Hmm, wise words. I'm not there yet." I responded laughing
"Don't work too hard Rose, appreciate the little things around you, the moments you won't get back." She paused. "Especially in light of what's recently happened."
I frowned, I had filled Alberta in on my divorce a while ago. "How are things?" she asked.
"You know they're okay. I'm fine." I responded.
"Oh Rose I know you. Whenever you say you're fine, you're anything but. I'm really glad you're staying with Dimitri again."
I rolled my eyes and smiled. Alberta loved Dimitri like he was her own son, but honestly who wouldn't. When we were growing up Dimitri was practically perfect, charming, a gentleman, smart; over the years Alberta had definitely taken a liking to him that had not decreased over the years.
"Of course you are." I said sarcastically.
"No I mean it. You and him, you guys-make each other better. Help the other one when they're down. I trust and know he's really going to help you through this time that you're having; he has your best interests in mind."
I mulled over her words, my mind wandering to Dimitri. Our drunken night from the club had not escaped my memory and instead never ceased to play over and over in my mind like a song on repeat. I had expected him to say something, anything pertaining to what had happened but he went on as normal treating me like he always did. I tried to force myself to forget because he had obviously forgotten as well or was to drunk to remember but my mind refused to listen.
I sighed. "Dimitri's...well he's Dimitri, he's just like he was then, but probably taller oh and a little but more scruffy." I noted.
There was also that. Dimitri usually kept himself very well shaven, no mustache, no goatee, nothing; recently, however I've noticed he started to leave a little bit more scruff along his jawline. Not too much and always trimmed but I had to admit it was drop dead sexy. Three words I had never associated with Dimitri, had popped into my mind the first time I had seen him scruffier than ever. It was as if Dimitri the boy had transformed overnight into Dimitri the man.
"What?" He had said at breakfast the morning of his change in appearance. I cursed silently, unaware that I'd been staring and even more unaware that he'd caught me staring.
I cleared my throat, "Nothing." I said simply, deciding to take my cereal into my room before I said or did something ridiculous. Say like reach over the table and-
"Scruffy, my oh my I would like to see that." Alberta mused.
"Hmph." was my response.
"He doesn't know yet does he?"
"About what!?" came my answer, alarmed yet guarded.
"About the surprise." My heart rate returned to normal.
"Oh no, I haven't told him yet. But I will tonight."
"I can't wait! It's been too long Rose."
"Yeah I know, that's why I did it." I said
"Well I'm going to let you go enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving. Tell Dimitri and Lissa I said hello."
"Are you ready?" Dimitri asked as I hung up the phone. Dimitri and I were going over to Lissa and Christian's for Thanksgiving along with some other friends.
"Of course." I responded as I grabbed my coat and purse to leave. "I tried to eat as as minimal as possible all day so my stomach would be extra empty."
Dimitri gave me a look, "Rose I saw you wolf down 3 pancakes earlier today."
I smiled and shrugged, "Yeah I know. That was me keeping it minimal. Besides, you're the one that keeps making yummy pancakes. If you'll stop doing that, then maybe I'll stop eating them. I think I might have started to gain weight because of your cooking."
We were in the elevator heading out of the apartment and Dimitri looked at me, his eyes raking me from head to toe, his stare making my heart flutter. "You look fine to me." he said.
I smiled to myself and said nothing else as we traveled to Lissa's.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" Eddie said as he opened to door to Lissa and Christian's apartment.
"Eddie! I didn't know you were playing doorman now." I responded.
"Oh Rose, always the jokester." I responded, giving me a light hug and ushering Dimitri and I into the apartment.
"Hey everyone!" I said as we walked into the living room. Aside from Eddie, Mia, Mason, Jill, Ivan, Sydney, and Adrian were seated and chatting amongst each other.
"Well look who finally decided to show up." came Adrian's voice from across the room.
I rolled my eyes as I went around the room saying hello.
"Rose, looking beautiful as always. Is there a chance I can pry you from Dimitri's side for a quickie in the bedroom?" I laughed out loud at Ivan's remark. He was Dimitri's best friend and the biggest flirt that I had ever met. We knew him since high school in Russia but I had gotten to know him better when he transferred to my college sophomore year. There he met Lissa and Christian and his easygoing nature usually rounded out our group quite nicely. Since college we've always had a flirting banter that we continuously kept up with each other; Lissa had asked once if we were serious and I had told her that although Ivan was attractive, I wasn't attracted to him. To me dating him would be the equivalent to dating a brother or cousin, we simply continued our flirting for fun.
"As if." was my response.
"Oh feisty, I like it." We laughed at each other then as I continued to go around the room. I always noticed the couples sat together-Sydney and Adrian, Mia and Mason, Eddie and Jill- and I felt a distant pang in my chest as I realized that I wasn't one of them anymore; I shook off the feeling but it still made me feel a little sad.
"Are you okay?" Dimitri asked, putting his hand on the small of my back and moving to stand in front of me.
"Yeah I was just thinking."
His question came in his raised brow. "Well it's just-"
"Oh my gosh Dimka!" Dimitri was facing me so he didn't see who had come up behind him but when I heard her voice one peek over Dimitri's shoulder was all it took for verification.
"I didn't know you'd be here. Wow it's been so long. Oh, hi Rose."
Natasha Ozera. Or as I liked to call her the Wicked Witch had emerged from a room and came to stand next to Dimitri, slipping her arm in his.
"Tasha. Hello, yes you're right it has been a while." Dimitri said.
"Hello." I said as politely as I could manage. She glanced at me with a strained smile before focusing her attention on Dimitri.
I sighed, I should of guessed she was going to be here, she was Christian's cousin after-all.
"Dimitri, I'm going to go into the kitchen."
"Yeah okay." he said giving me a smile before Tasha took his attention away again. I bristled as I walked away; I had never liked Tasha. She always used Dimitri, never treated him well and what pissed me off the most is that he always went back to her, always fell victim to her charms, to her carefully placed hand on his forearm, the way she would dip her head into him as if she couldn't hear him; the way she would laugh, sticking her chest out giving Dimitri a clear view of her cleavage; it had always annoyed the hell out of me but tonight I felt it even more.
"Give me your strongest wine." I said to Lissa as I entered the kitchen.
"Wow, I don't even get a hello." she teased.
"Hello Lissa may I please have some of your strongest wine." She rolled her eyes as she put the turkey in the oven and pointed to her wine cabinet.
I took the first one I laid eyes on and took two glasses, offering one to her. "More for me." I said as she shook her head.
I took a sip and sighed, "God, this tastes so good. Dimitri doesn't keep a lot of wine in his apartment so I've been delegated to cheap wine on the way home."
She laughed lightly, "What's got you all wound up?"
I nodded my head in the direction of Dimitri and Tasha. "Your husband's cousin seducing and capturing my best friend."
"Rose-"
"No don't Rose me, I don't like her. She's always up to no good and Dimitri is putty in her hands."
"Rose-"
"Lissa, I'm serious. He falls for her every time and then she walks all over him, stomps on his heart and he gets hurt." I huffed, crossing my arms.
"Rose, Dimitri is a big boy. He can fend for himself. Besides, lust makes you do crazy things."
I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my wine. "Do you need any help in here?" Lissa gave me a look, she knew how bad I was in the kitchen.
I put up my hands and backed out of the kitchen. "Okay, I'll take that as a no."
I had been talking to Sydney and Adrian for a while when I decided to refill my glass. I walked into the kitchen and it was oddly empty. Where was Lissa?
Turning on my heel, I doubled back and looked in the living room but she wasn't there, I lightly knocked on her and Christian's bedroom door but heard no answer. I stepped in but it was empty, I was going to leave but a sound in their bathroom made me turn around. I wondered if I was about to walk in on them but remembered seeing Christian in the living room with the others.
"Lissa?"
"No Rose don't-" But I had already swung open the bathroom door which revealed a pale Lissa crouched over her toilet.
"Lissa! Oh God, Christian! Chris-"
"Rose stop! Stop!"
"What's going on? Are you okay?" I asked going in the bathroom and helping her up.
"Yes I'm fine. I'm fine. No need to call Christian. I really-" Her words trailed off a she shut and flushed the toilet.
"You would think morning sickness would only be in the morning but I guess not." she muttered closing the door and washing her hands.
"Liss what are you talking about?" She sat on the closed toilet and watched as recognition dawned on my features.
"Oh my God." I whispered watching the smile on Lissa's face grow.
"Oh my God!" I screamed, grabbing her for a hug.
"Ahhhh! Oh my God, you're pregnant! I can't believe this!" I screamed, hugging her.
She laughed, "Shhh, God the whole apartment doesn't need to know yet."
"You're pregnant! I can't believe it!"
Lissa beamed. "Yes I am. I'm 6 weeks pregnant."
"Oh my gosh, when'd you know? Are you okay? Are you excited? Does Christian know? Does anyone else know?" I asked, the questions all coming at once.
"I found out about a week ago. Christian and I both want kids but we expected to have them a little later, but I went off the pill and we've been safe but sometimes we weren't and we weren't trying and it just happened I guess. Yes, I'm fine; my senses are like super heightened though and I get sick a lot at various times of the day so that sucks. And yes I'm super excited and yes Christian knows. And you're the first person I've told."
I rocked back and forth on my tip toes, my best friend was having a baby! "And I was going to tell you at our lunch date later this week but you ruined the surprise." Lissa added.
"Oh who cares about surprises Liss! I'm so happy for you!"
"I know, I know!" Lissa giggled. "I'm feeling everything at once, happy and excited and anxious and just everything."
I couldn't help it, I leaned down and hugged Lissa again. "You're having a baby!" The only thing she could do is hold on to me and laugh as we both celebrated her joyous occasion.
Later that evening, the food was prepared, we all gathered around the table and before we dug in like I so eagerly wanted to do, Lissa decided we should go around the table and say what we were thankful for.
"You guys know I'm not exactly good at this kind of thing." I said when it was my turn, "You know feelings and such," everyone laughed, "But um, I'm just really thankful for amazing friends who have become my extended family, I'm thankful for people that know how to cook so I'm not eating my thanksgiving meal out of a can. I'm thankful for this wine, which Lissa you definitely have to tell me what it's called because I am loving it!"
I laughed lightly looking around, my eyes finally falling on Dimitri who was seated next to me, "But most importantly I'm thankful for one of the bestest friends a girl could ask for. Who would do anything for me and always finds a way to make even the crappiest situations-not so crappy anymore." I flushed a bit as he smiled, I honestly hadn't mean to say all of that.
I rose my half empty glass, "Happy Thanksgiving everyone." I sat down quickly and since I was the last one we started to eat. I was asking for someone to pass the mashed potatoes when I felt a hand link with mine below the table, I looked over to see Dimitri smiling. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze which I returned; our hands remained that way for the remainder of the dinner.
Thanksgiving Night-Rose POV
I ended up taking the bottle of wine home, I swore it was that good. After a taste Christian said he couldn't stand it and since Lissa was pregnant she obviously didn't need it. I curled up on the couch with Dimitri who also agreed it was good and we sat together and drank. I had to admit, all that wine had made me slightly tipsy.
"Tonight was nice." he said beside me.
"This wine is nice."
He laughed, "Yes this wine is very exquisite."
"Tonight was very exquisite." I replied.
"What you said tonight was nice." he said, shifting his attention to me.
"Well that's what I'm thankful for."
He linked my hand in his, running his thumb over the back of my hand. I felt the flutters again. He looked up and into my eyes, "I'm thankful for you too Roza."
God, he hadn't called me that in years. I looked down at our hands and back into his eyes, "Don't look at me like that." I said, my voice a little breathy.
His face took on one of confusion, "Like what?"
I think it was my tipsy brain and my scrambled thoughts that made me suddenly remember Dimitri's surprise. Before I knew it I was jumping up from the couch and running into my room, nearly falling over myself. When I plopped down on the couch again, closer to Dimitri I realized dimly, it was with an envelope in hand.
"Happy early merry Christmas." I said, plopping it on his lap.
"What is this?" He asked, opening it.
"When you open it you'll find out!" I said, a little too giddy with excitement.
"Rose, you know I've always said that you're a little late when it comes to getting gifts but this year you're super early and-" His words abruptly cut off as he held the tickets in his hands.
He glanced up at me, his expression one of disbelief. I, on the other hand, wanted to burst.
"What do you think?" I asked
"I-what-How?"
"Did you not want it?" I asked, confused by his remarks, "Did you already get it? Gosh, I swore you didn't. Man I thought I-"
My words were but off when Dimitri gently pulled me towards him and held me in his arms. "This is the best gift I've ever received." He said
I smiled and tipped my head up to look at him, "I really hoped you would like them." For his gift, I had bought two plane tickets to Russia so Dimitri and I could go back for two weeks during Christmas. The tickets as well as the times and price I had gotten it for were a rare commodity. Dimitri and I tried to go once every year, but price and our work schedules usually kept us from going together. Price alone kept either of us from going during the holidays. I knew how important family was to Dimitri and I myself was excited to get to see them as well as Alberta again; the fact that I was able to purchase those tickets and get it for over the holidays to spend time with our families was an amazing feat.
"How'd you get them?" he asked, running a soothing hand through my hair.
"I've been looking since before Halloween. At first it was for curiosity but then I thought it would be really cool if we were able to go for Christmas." I paused, trying to collect my thoughts and focus on answering his question, and not how his hand felt in my hair.
"And then I started to notice that the prices for the tickets had significantly dropped, and I don't know I just kind of thought it was meant to be. So I started looking for specific dates and speaking to an airline agent who was helping me through the process and then finally, about 2 weeks ago I found these and they were for the time I wanted and they were just perfect so I took them and I thought I would surprise you."
I let out a breath, unaware that I had been rambling. He hugged me closer, "This is beyond incredible Rose. Thank you so much!"
I laughed, "You're welcome, the only thing is we have to leave super early in the morning to catch the plane."
"I don't care. Christmas in Baia, could there be anything better? I'm going to call Mama."
I watched his excitement and joy and it filled my heart and I realized right then that I loved making Dimitri happy.
I admit I'm a sucker for a cute and happy ending! Let me know what you guys think! :)