Chapter 12:

DPOV

The road back to the house seemed so much longer. But eventually I recognized the streets leading up to the house.

I had been so focused on the road I hadn't noticed Rose had gotten quieter.

"Roza?'

"Yeah just fine. Just trying to keep my food down after all the bumps in the road."

I guess that answers that question.

I got out of the car and got the luggage. I saw Rose getting out of the car albeit it a little slower than usual. She did look a little pale. The fact she wasn't protesting the fact I was carrying all the luggage was a dead give-away for just awful she felt. I hoped she would feel better now that we weren't in transit anymore.

I rang the doorbell and my mother opened the door. She practically threw herself at me and at Rose. I swear she was hugging Rose longer than me.

"You guys are late. Dinner has been ready for half an hour."

I smiled. Leave it to my mother to worry about dinner.

We stepped inside the house and I was met with the most delicious smell. Ah my mother's cooking. I had missed it. However I seemed to be alone in my high opinion of my mother's cooking because Rose was covering her mouth and sprinting towards the bathroom.

I saw my mother looking shocked in her direction. The spectacle had also brought out my two sisters and all three women were staring at me. Shock on their faces. They recognized what was going on immediately. Really we can't have one normal conversation about the babies. Sonya's eyes were starting to turn in anger towards Rose, no doubt following a similar train of thought as Randall. I just rolled my eyes and grabbed the water bottle as I followed her towards the downstairs bathroom.

I saw Rose hunged over the toilet bowl gripping it as if her life depended on it.

"Don't worry, false alarm. I am still the proud owner of my food. At least for now."

I smiled. She was taking this rather well. I handed her the bottle of water. When she looked up she looked even paler then she had a few moments ago.

"Thanks. It just hit me. I love your mother's cooking. It is just the smell."

"I know. It is just you alerted all the women in the house about what is going on."

She looked shocked.

"Oh God."

She groaned.

I extended my hands towards her. She took it and I helped her up. She took another gulp from the water and prepared herself for yet another onslaught of accusations.

When we walked out into the living room, she was clinging to me. As if I could protect her from the women in my family.

Sonya's look had not changed and I knew my mother and Karolina were trying to hold back and give her the benefit of the doubt. But they were racking their brain around how this could have happened.

I sat down and Rose sat next to me, still clinging. I waited a bit to see if Rose would take the lead but she stayed silent. There was a first time for everything.

"So, I guess you guys already figured it out, but we are pregnant."

"Really Dimitri. 'We are pregnant'. Don't you mean she is pregnant."

Sometimes I do not like my sister.

"Now, Sonya, don't be rude. I am sure they will explain. Rose sweety, did something happen you didn't want?"

My mother was asking a little hesitant. At least she didn't think Rose would cheat.

"Well I don't know what is worse. People accusing me of adultery or people thinking I am too weak to fight off some sleasebag Moroi."

I sighed. This wasn't really turning out the way I thought it would.

"No Sonya, Rose didn't cheat on me, and no mother, Rose was not assaulted. I am the father."

Well that shocked all three women. Of course my grandmother even in her early nineties was just sitting in her chair with a knowing look on her face.

"Dimitri, that is impossible."

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"More or less impossible then coming back from the dead or turning back from being Strigoi?"

All three women looked at us a bit guilty.

I took a deep breath.

"We knew I was different. I am immune to turning, God knows what else is different."

"Well in the end it doesn't matter. A new baby is always a blessing. And if it's through conventional means or a miracle, a baby is always welcome here."

My mother was sweet, although she did keep it ambiguous if she actually believed us. But it was nice to still be able to tell them something about the pregnancy.

"Actually, babies, we're expecting twins."

Now that got the reaction we had hoped. My mother actually squealed and she was hugging Rose and me. I saw Rose was returning it and seemed to have forgotten everything.

"I'll make you something easier on your stomach."

"Oh don't bother Olena. It was just the plane ride and the car right here. Lots of bumps. I am sure I am fine with dinner."

Dinner started out awkward.

Rose seemed to be able to eat most things and was enjoying her food. But there was silence. All around until my sister couldn't take it anymore.

"Oh come on Dimka, don't be mad, I mean when she told you, you must have been a little suspicious."

I raised my eyebrows.

"So, Rose how far along are you?"

My mother was trying very hard to distract us from Sonya.

"Only five weeks, so it is still all new and quite fragile. We will wait to tell other people when we are past the twelve weeks."

"So how did you find out? If it is supposed to be a miracle how did you think to test for pregnancy so early? Huh?"

God I was seriously going to strangle my sister. I saw Rose getting angrier and angrier by the minute.

"Actually Sonya, a spirit user we know informed me I was pregnant, while Dimitri was there, and so that you know, your brother never doubted me, not for a second. Afterwards we did a pregnancy test to confirm it. That was a few days ago."

I could see Rose was having a hard time dealing with the suspicions of my family. To be honest so was I. I could feel her hands shaking at her sides. I was about to rip my sister a new one when Viktoria came bursting in.

"Dimka!, Roza! I came as soon as I heard."

She flung herself at me and Ross, and I saw Rose relax a bit under the hug.

Victoria ended up guardian to a minor royalty a few towns over. They went to school together and the girl had asked her to be allocated to her. It was a good job, relatively safe and she was assigned to a woman, which I personally liked. Whenever we were in Russia, Viktoria could always make some time to see us.

"So what's new? Normally we don't see you guys until Christmas."

"Rose is pregnant."

I glared at my sister. Not only at the tone she used but also again taking away our chance to actually tell people we were pregnant. This was not how I thought things would go. I was about ready to defend Rose again when Victoria squealed. She hugged Rose and me very tight.

"Oh my God, congratulations."

Rose and I were both stunned. Of course Sonya could formulate the question before either of us could.

"What Viktoria, don't you want to know how?"

Viktoria's look on her face darkened to almost angry and hurt.

"I can't believe you two. How can you not tell your family you were in the process? So what happened? Did you use a sperm donor or an egg donor… or both and just keep it a mystery, or maybe they both took hold and you are having twins!"

I still wasn't able to speak. Although my sister had it wrong it was nice to know at least one member of my family believed Rose wouldn't cheat on me. Rose however got tears in her eyes as she hugged Victoria. I saw my sister looking a little bit guilty.

"Thank you Viki for believing in us. The rest of the little hen cackle either thought I cheated on Dimitri, (Rose was pointing to Sonya) or that I was molested."

Viktoria's eyes grew wide as she stared at her family, looking a little ashamed of them.

"Honestly you guys, as if Rose wouldn't be able to fight off a Moroi, as if a Moroi would be stupid enough to try and the other one is just silly. I would believe illegal experimentation before I believe that one."

There was a bit of an awkward smile on both our faces. She was closer to the truth then any of them.

"Actually Viki. It happened naturally, but you still got your wish. I am carrying twins."

"Huh? Natural?"

"Yup. The whole turning back from the undead thing, made other parts of him not dead anymore too."

Rose giggled at her own joke.

Viktoria's eyes grew even wider.

"No way. You mean I am going to be an actual, biological auntie again."

Rose just nodded, and again with the squeals and hugs. I loved my little sister dearly in that moment.

"So how come he didn't knock you up five years ago?"

She asked as she sat down and started loading her plate with food. The rest of the women were just staring at us in bewilderment and shame. They didn't know how to deal with this.

"Well I was on birth control. Even though I was just using it to stop the world from ending in my PMS rage, it also prevented little Belikov babies."

Rose giggled again and Viktoria giggled with her. Sonya was sitting at the table her arms crossed over her chest not looking me in the face. My mother's eyes met mine and she was sending me warm messages. Although I knew for my mother it didn't matter if the babies were blood or not. Anything for an excuse to make clothes and do some baby shopping. Karolina hadn't said much at all tonight. I think she was observing how the rest of us were reacting. I didn't know how she felt or if she believed us, but it didn't matter. She hadn't chastised Sonya for her behavior, she hadn't defended us, So I think I know what she believed. Although I hope now everyone could just be happy for us.

The rest of dinner was less awkward. Viktoria and Rose were conversing heavily and I tried very hard to focus on that instead of the rest of the family.

Once we were leaving the dinner table and going back towards the living room I thought I saw Yeva slap Sonya against her shoulder. She turned to me and gave me a smile that told me that whatever words I had in stored for Sonya, Yeva's punishment would be much worse.

My mother offered to make us hot coco, but Rose declined. She looked exhausted.

"I think I am just going to go to sleep. Jetlag and all."

I could tell that wasn't the truth but I wouldn't argue with her now. I walked her up the stairs and helped her in bed. Once she was asleep I went back down to have a 'talk' with my family.

When I came back into the living room, Sonya in particular recoiled back.

"I can't believe you. All of you. This was supposed to be happy news. We were already robbed of the first moment when we found out by a judgmental ass claiming Rose had betrayed me and now I hear if from my own family. And then you, Sonya, take away the last chance we have to tell someone who might actually be excited. Rose and I have been through so much crap together I can't believe you would think that of her."

"Dimitri, honey, we are sorry, but it is supposed to be impossible, you can't blame us for not seeing that as the first option."

My mother was right. I can't expect them to simply jump to the conclusion it was a miracle without any other information.

"No, I didn't expect you to. I expected to give us an opportunity to explain, but before either of us could talk, you were already throwing accusations at her. I mean Viktoria didn't know about it being possible but she reacted just fine."

"You are right, we are sorry. Sonya tell your brother you are sorry."

My mother's intense gaze eventually pushed Sonya over the edge.

"Sorry. I know she loves you. It's just people often say they love someone and then do something completely opposite of what is supposed to be love and people sleep with other people just because they can."

There was a bitter tone to her voice and I knew in that moment Sonya wasn't talking about Rose. I sometimes forget that relationships here can be different. Sonya didn't have the best track record with men and I suppose whoever she was seeing recently had cheated on her. Although it was no excuse to how she had treated Rose, I understood.

I sat down next to her as her eyes began to water.

"I am sorry for ruining your news."

She said in between sobs.

"It's okay. In the end it matters what the news is, not how it was brought."

She nodded.

"But you need to apologize to Rose."

"I know."

I felt a little better but I also knew I needed to deliver some more news to my family. No matter how I brought this news, it would be bad. But I decided to wait until tomorrow. Tonight had been exhausting for all of us and I knew Sonya needed a bit of time to straighten herself out before I dropped another bomb on the family. I went upstairs and crawled into bed with my wife. Even if she was asleep she still nudged herself towards me as I entered our bed.

I woke up early in the morning. The house was already buzzing but Roza was still asleep next to me. I decided to leave the warm bed and let her sleep as I walked downstairs. Mama was making breakfast. Sonya was watching tv and Karolina was outside watching the children play in the yard. It was nice to see that because my mother and sisters all lived together Zoya and Katya had crown up more as sisters then cousins. They were only a year apart and were the best of friends.

I sat down on the bench next to my sister.

"Dimka. I am sorry I didn't defend Rose yesterday. I didn't think she cheated on you. I just was too stunned to say anything."

"One of my sisters, stunned into silence? How on earth did I manage that?"

I asked jokingly and Karolina giggled beside me.

"Mama is excited you know. She is in the kitchen cooking God knows how many things for Rose to eat just so she will have something she likes and can tolerate."

I smiled. I was glad we were moving on and Rose got the attention and love she disserved. But now that that matter was settled the other matter for which we had come here was weighing heavy on my mind.

"Karolina, can you remember a time when Randall wasn't drunk or violent?"

My sister looked at me shocked. Our father's behavior had been taboo for years and me especially would deter from any topic involving him. So it was natural Karolina was a bit surprised by my change in topics.

"I know you don't want to hear this Dimka. But yeah. There was a time when I loved our father. There had always been something in the background. Like a dark shadow hanging over him and as it got worse across the years I saw it consume him and turn him into the man you knew him as, but for a brief time he was my dad. He would tuck me in at night and tell the most amazing stories. Even if he was only around a few times a year. I was still little but I remember he smelled nice too. I don't know why that stayed with me the most, but maybe because later in life he smelled mostly like booze."

My sister looked at me wearingly.

"Why the sudden interest in our father?"

I sighed deeply.

"I saw him at court. He was sober. He… Karolina, he is a spirit user. Actually he was the one that told Rose she was pregnant. Although he was mostly like Sonya, and accused her of cheating. But the drinking, the violence it was because of spirit darkness. For years, Karo, for years I have hated the man. And although he could certainly have done things differently, not all of what happened was his fault."

My sister stared at me. Her mouth was open and her eyes wide. The world knew the basics about spirit now, but my family knew a lot more because of what happened with me and Rose and of course Oksana was an ever present source for spirit knowledge. They knew about the darkness. They knew about Adrian and how he had coped over the years.

"They diagnosed him with borderline disorder and he is on pills now. Hoping that that will suppress his spirit abilities. Adrian says he can't turn it off. The reason he got completely out of hand was because he couldn't shut it off. He would see every single person's aura all the time. He wanted to apologize Karo, but I couldn't accept it. I can't let go of the hate I have for him. All I see is mama's face after one of his drunken fits."

She wrapped her arm around me and pulled me close.

"you don't have to forgive him. But maybe it will give you some peace knowing some of it was caused by things outside of his control. Outside of your control."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb Dimka. Sonya and I are mostly afraid we turn into mama and let men walk all over us where you have always feared you would resemble him. You keep all your emotions bottled up claiming to be in control just to prevent yourself from coming unhinged like he did. I am glad that with Rose you were able to let loose a little and let the old Dimitri come out."

I knew she was right. I wasn't just mad at him for not being able to control spirit. I was mad because in some way or another he had still controlled my life even if he hadn't been a part of it since I was thirteen.

"You should tell mama though."

I groaned. I wasn't looking forward to that.

"I was kind of trying to avoid that."

"Because she might be mad?"

"Because I think she might not be."

It was my greatest fear. I had hoped maybe she could find some peace with this information and move on. But a part of me also realized my mother had always loved him. It was what had been the reason he was allowed back into our house over and over again. And every time he would betray her trust and hurt her. First I only blamed my father but over the years I also started to resent my mother for not kicking him out herself. I was afraid that one word from me about how it wasn't entirely his fault she would take him back.

Karolina seemed to understand my implications.

"I know, but in the end it is her choice to make."

It was the same rational Rose had used and they were right. In the end it was my mother's decision to forgive him for the crimes against her. I could only resent or forgive him for the crimes he committed against me.

Mama called us in for breakfast. I saw Rose had made it downstairs and was sitting at the table already munching on a blini. I saw my mother had prepared some green looking drink for Rose. She was making a point not looking at it.

I sat down next to her.

"Isn't it considerate of your mother? She made a vegetable smoothie for the babies."

Her tone left little doubt about whether or not she appreciated my mother's consideration. It also wasn't lost on everybody else at the table including my mother.

"Now Roza, don't fuss. It is healthy for the babies and will help with the morning sickness."

She sighed as she started to chuck down the green goo. She took in all in in one big gulp. When she was done she shivered slightly. I didn't think it was that bad. It was mostly vegetables. But those had never been Rose's favorites although she was actually trying to eat healthier for the twins.