A/N: Wow it took so much longer to write this chapter than I thought it would. I'd also really like to thank everyone for the reviews, they really meant a lot. So I now present to you Chapter 2. Also all characters belong to Richelle Mead, and there are slight spoilers if you haven't read the last 3 books, yadda yadda yadda. Enjoy!
The Anniversary Week Celebrations started perfectly. The day was, naturally, a secret royals only ball to commence things. The first actual day of event was recognition and of Tatiana's death. Many speeches were made. Priscilla Voda gave a speech that talked about Tatiana as a person and a friend. Damn. It almost makes me have fond memories of that sanctimonious elitist bitch. Rose thought as Priscilla concluded her speech.
As the memorial service continued, more people gave speeches about Tatiana. Nathan Ivashkov gave a really boring speech about civic duty and how Tatiana was a great queen who always did what was best for her people; and some could learn to follow her example. The entire speech was delivered with a snotty air and numerous pointed looks at Lissa that reminded Rose of why she hated the Ivashkov family; well, most of them anyway.
Almost immediately after Nathan finished speaking, Adrian stood up and gave the most beautifully moving speech. There was so much raw emotion in his speech could elicit tears from the most stone hearted person without the help of his spirit induced charisma. However with his innate magnetism, Adrian single handedly caused the room to flood with tears. His speech, though powerful, was short and simple. "I don't really know about my great aunt's political life; it never really interested me. And I can't tell you what she was like as a friend, but I can tell you how she felt about her family and that she felt that all of you here; all the Moroi and Dhampirs were extensions of her family. When I was little she used to do everything she could to ensure that I could live a happy life; if we're being honest, she did it when I was older too." Everyone laughed when he said that. "When I was older, I asked her whether or not she liked being Queen. She told me, 'It's not really important whether or not I like it. What's important is whether or not I can better everyone's lives, because we're all connected.'
"I know most of you don't believe me; you just think of her as a heartless bitch." At her post in the back of the room, Rose blushed. "But she really was a warm, loving person, and I guess the reason I got to see that side of her is because she was my great aunt. In fact she once told me, 'Adrian, it doesn't matter if I get a lot of acclaim for being Queen because the greatest thing I've ever gotten to is be your great aunt.' I never asked her if it was true; I never wanted to know if it wasn't, because no matter what she did or said she was still my great aunt and I love her."
When he finished he was in tears, and after that he left the room. For minutes after his exit, the room remained frozen in contemplative silence. As the spell Adrian's speech had woven began to wear off people began to leave. Among the first ones to exit was Rose. She had to find Adrian. She needed to talk to him, because he said something in his speech that reminded her of her conversation with her mother; something that resonated deep inside her soul.
"I want to have a baby." Rose told Adrian as they sat down in the queen's receiving room to talk.
He simply raised one eyebrow and said, "So?"
"So, Dimitri and I, well, you know. So I figured that since you and I . . . that you would-" Rose stammered along. Luckily she was saved from any further self-inflicted embarrassment by an angry outburst from Adrian.
"Oh no. I will not be a sperm donor for you and Belikov's little love child. I understood when you were only dating me because he was gone. I understood when you were confused about how you felt after he came back. I even understood when you chose him over me. But I cannot fathom how you would ever think I would be okay with this. You know how I feel about you; you know that I'd do anything for you. I just never thought you'd exploit that." Once he'd finished his tirade, Adrian began walking away.
"Adrian, wait. Stop. Don't be like this," Rose called after him. He just kept walking, but when he reached the door she was blocking it. He'd forgotten she was faster than he was. "Listen to me this time," she said as she began her own tirade. "I said I want to have a baby, for me. Dimitri's got nothing to do with it right now. He will, of course, because he's still going to be a big part of my life and I'm going to have to tell him eventually, but right now it's just you and me. And I'm not trying to take advantage of the way you feel about me, I'm asking you because of that. I'm not going to have a kid with someone I hate, or someone who doesn't care about me. And after seeing how my life has been since I met my dad, I want the father to be in my kid's life. And to top it all off, I still love you; I told you that the last time we talked, right after I got shot. I'd love to try and force your hand by saying I'll find someone else, but I know I won't. You're it for me. So are you in or out?"
Adrian smirked at her and said, "Like I told you before little dhampir, I've got an addictive personality. I'll probably stay with you no matter how badly you treat me. I'm most definitely in."
A/N: So once again review, tell me what you think, I'm dying to know. Also this is an interesting developement and who is she going to tell first Lissa, Christian, Eddie, Dimitri, Mia? And what is Lissa doing to fix her desperate need to be of use to her world. Did Nathan tossing down the guantlet mean anything? Keep reading to find out. ;)