Hey everyone. I am sorry about the week delay. I have been busy with personal issues, and I needed to focus more on them. But, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I made this chapter extra long as an apology and a valentines present. I hope you like it. I wanted to do more, but I wasn't sure if most of it was really nessesarry, so I took it out. But enjoy! Please tell me what you think, and if you have any more romantic idea's. The upcoming chapter they are going to walk again, then the following chapter is going to be VERY exciting. So look forward to that!

Remember to review

It was the beginning of August, so the weather was hot during the night (day time for humans), and was cool the day (nighttime for humans). But that was deside the point right now. When I told my mother to meet me in a half hour, the sun was going to be up and shining brightly- which mean I would be sweating my ass off during the walk. Therefore, I wanted a dress that was going to keep me cool. I chose a causal white Terry halter sundress. The dress is a V neck, which the top part of the dress is straps that need to be tied back behind my neck in order to keep the dress up. The dress showed a lot of cleavage and gave a wonderful show of my legs, because the dress stops mid thigh. Below my breasts, are holes with fabric that I can pull to tighten the dress more securely around my body just in case if I don't have enough cleavage- which I have plenty.

I decided it's best if I went braless with this dress. After all, I was made for these kinds of dresses….only Dimitri has yet to find out. That is if he hasn't already found out.

The sandals I picked out- okay, they are my only sandals, which are the thong model type- are also white, but the thong straps are a light shade of tan. The whiteness of the sandals go excellent with the sundress.

I went into the bathroom to change.

"Hurry up, Roza. We don't have much time."

I nodded and went in. I put my hair partially up, so that only the top layer of my hair was behind my head in a nicely smoothed out tail. The tips of my hair had curled beautifully, due to the moisture in the air. I applied eyeliner on top of my eyelids and under my eyes as well, and then I applied mascara, which made me look even more like an exotic desert-princess.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Dimitri's jaw almost dropped. I stifled a laugh, but I had butterflies in my stomach, nevertheless. His eyes roamed my body, leaving no part of me untouched by his gaze.

"Mmm," I purred as I walked up to him. "I know that face." I certainly did-say when I was completely naked! "You see something that you like."

Just like that, his guardian mask slid back into place, but those dark brown eyes told me a whole different story. There was so much lust in them that I wanted to pounce on him and kiss him, and do so many other things! But we had a job to do, and that is the very reason he put on that damn mask.

Still….there was nothing in the law book that said I couldn't tease him- okay, fine: or torcher him! Happy? I want him down on the ground, crawling to me, telling me he wanted me in every way possible; not just love and lust, but in friendship and a true relationship; one that he isn't afraid to hide in front of others.

I walked towards him, and as I passed him my eyes wouldn't leave his. Oh, he was trying so hard to hold up that façade! But he wasn't succeeding. I saw him visibly gulp, and his fingers twitched as I walked by him. Also as I walked by, my hand purposely grazed his thigh. I wanted to squeeze it, but that would only drive me crazy, and that wasn't in my plans. Not now, anyways. His muscles went tense, and I felt my lips turn up into an evil smirk.

I was so, so bad right now.

"Take off your duster, Comrade. It's going to be too hot, and you won't want to wear that." I knew that he already knew that, but he still had on that ridiculous duster of his. I can see what draw's his attention to his western obsession, but the duster….I'm still curious to know why he likes it so much. And honestly, I couldn't see Dimitri not wearing one. Dimitri wouldn't be Dimitri without it.

He took off his coat, and I noticed for the first time, even though the duster was unzipped, that he was wearing a white shirt that was perfect and wasn't tight on him-even though he looks sexy with those type of shirts. The shirt showed off his broad shoulders and his biceps, but not his rock hard abs or his flat stomach. He wore light blue Denum jeans, with no holes.

He was so handsome. I admired Dimitri for a moment longer, then I went to my dresser that was a few steps before the door and opened one of the drawers. I opened it and there laid on top of my bathing suit, was my Tropicana tanning oil. Now was the perfect time to rub stuff in my skin.

But I will need help, of course.

I stepped away, closed the drawer and opened the door, then glanced behind me, surprised Dimitri wasn't right behind me. He was looking at me, but he seemed to be in his own little world. I liked that, more than I should.

I hid my wicked smile

"Товарищ Comign? (Coming Comrade?)" I asked as innocently as I could, which was fantastic! I can bullshit very good. Sometimes, I believed my bullshitting should deserve a gold star.

That seemed to draw his attention from just me to reality. He walked up to me and I walked out while he closed the door behind him.

"It will lock when you close it." I told him in Russian, knowing he would ask me if it would lock.

He was by my side before I could even blink- which was hot, but what made me feel all warm inside, is when he put his arm around my waist – okay, it wasn't technically around the waist, it was more down my back, his arm going down slanted until it reached my waist. But still, the contact made me feel warm, special and wanted.

We ended up taking the elevator when we reached the end of the hall. When we walked inside, I looked up at him and he still had that damn mask on. I frowned at that, but as I thought about what I could do, I suppressed a smile.

I sighed, and leaned my body on him. His fingers, ever so slightly, tightened, but relaxed.

He cleared his throat and when he spoke, his voice sounded hoarse. "Where exactly do you want the C4 to be?"

I went into semi-business. "They need to be hidden from the guardians..or well, at least from the council." I paused for a moment. "If its necessary, I will go to Lissa and have her put a camouflage charm on them, but I don't want her to be using a lot of magic right now, mostly for both of our safety. If I lose it now, we are so screwed."

He nodded, knowing of the consequences I spoke of. "I doubt you will, though. You're stronger." He looked down at me and smiled, though his mask was still on. I hated that mask, with a passion.

I didn't comment on that. I never told him about the possibility- the very strong possibility- of me unconsciously taking the darkness from Lissa. It scared me, and I didn't want him to worry about me. I managed to steer the conversation away from me, and back to him (when he was still in 'the gutter depressed').

The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. Dimitri arm went to his side as we exited the elevator. We turned the corner and saw Janine and Abe there, waiting comfortably on the elegant love seat. I hope they make wise choices.

As we approached, they looked at us and stood up. I looked around the lobby to make sure no one would over hear our conversation, and I saw there were only a few moroi around the lobby, and they were all the way across the lobby- a good two hundred yards away- having a quiet conversation. The lobby was rather large, but extremely elegant with cherry wood tables, Victorian style chairs, crystal vases with fake fancy flowers.

I noticed my mom didn't change her clothes and neither did Abe. He still wore that flashy light gray suit, with a dark green tie and gold jewelry. Abe smiled at me as Dimitri and I came closer, and I smiled back. My mom had on a neutral expression, in which I just frowned at her.

"Abe and I will walk the north half, and you and Guardian Belikov will walk the south half. Sound good to you?"

I nodded. "What time do you want to meet up?"

"Well, if all goes according to plan, and you stay on the path," the court wall's perimeter had a nice walkway/runway trail all the way around inside, "we should walk right up to each other."

I nodded. "And after this, we could get some breakfast, because I will be starving."

My father laughed, and my mother smiled.

"Fine." Abe said to me with a smile in his tone. "We are starting at the playground at the very end of Court. That particular playground divides the wall into two," he looked at Janine, "which would be the west and east side walls. I talked to Zelda and L'Roy about the north and south walls; they said that they have their hands full with giving the guardians more tips."

"Who the hell are Zelda and L'Roy?" I asked. I don't want anyone I don't trust working in this operation.

Abe gave me a questioning look. "You know them. They are part of your gang."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Their names are Zena and Levi. And didn't tell them to do that."

"Oh," his eyes sparkled with amusement. "My apologies. They only wanted to help you be less stressed." That was sweet of them. Mental note: thank Zena and Levi- make them pelmeni for dinner.

My mother raised an eyebrow at Abe. "Ibrahim, don't mock me." My mother glared at him, regarding what he said about the walls being the 'east and west' not the 'north and south'.

He smiled. "Only telling you the right directions, sweet Janine."

I wanted to gag. Fortunately, my boyfriend saved me by speaking. "Remember to look inconspicuous. If the council thinks we are up to something, they will have guardians looking out for us." Dimitri commented.

Janine and Abe nodded. "We are simply out for a walk." Abe said, putting an arm around my mother. I hid my frown. I still don't like the idea of them getting interactive with each other. It makes my insides of queasy, and not in a good way.

Abe then spoke again. "With L'Roy and Zeld- I mean, Levi and Zena not checking the north and south walls, it's going to take a while longer. Remember, court is shaped more of an oval then a rectangle."

I gave him weird look. "I thought it was a rectangle."

He shook his head. "You haven't flown over it."

I nodded and my hand found Dimitri's. He entwined our fingers and led us all outside. I started running circles in the palm of his hand with my thumb. I felt his whole hand, and even his frame (shoulders and upper body muscles), relax. I had power over this man, and by God, I was going to use it… mostly for evil.

We all got into Abe's SUV, and one of his guardians drove.

We arrived ten minutes later to the park. Everyone, including Abe's guardians, got out and walked straight about a four hundred yards, passing the playground, grass field with oak trees and weeping willow trees. The playground had monkey bars, jungle gym, bars to hang upside down on, and of course- swings. Up ahead of the playground was a pathway that was cemented, which we were about five yards from. Abe and Janine went to their right immediately and left without a word. Abe's guards went elsewhere. I wasn't sure what they were doing. Mental note: ask Abe what the hell he thinks he is doing.

Dimitri and I went to the left. He left our fingers entwined, but I wasn't satisfied. I dropped the hold on our hands and put my arm around his waist. He put his arm around the back of my shoulders, almost like an embrace. I liked that. It made me feel protected, and that he wanted to be with me. Maybe I should just tell him yes now… NO! I can't. I have to wait. I need something to prove that he is here for me, no matter what.

"We haven't talked very much." I commented in Russian after a few moments of silence.

"Not true." He defended in his native language, looking down at me with those grogious brown eyes of his. A few stray pieces of hair hung down his head, but away from his eyes so he didn't move it out of the way. "We were together last night, and every night since your return."

Sort of. "But that's just–" I started, but he cut me off.

"What is this about, Roza?"

I didn't say a word for a few quiet moments. "Are you mad at me?" I finally managed to say.

He played dumb; I could see it in his face that he was hurt over me not giving him a straight answer. He put his heart on the line, but he knows why I didn't give him an answer right then. I could see that he didn't want to talk about it, which I is too bad for him, because we are going to talk about it. "Mad? Over what?"

I wanted to growl at him for being such an idiot, but instead I leaned over, grabbed the back of his with my other hand on that side, forcing his head down and crushed my lips with his. I made the kiss sweet and gentle. The kiss didn't last long, but it wasn't short either.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. You know that, right?" I asked gently after I pulled back from the kiss and looked him in those dark brown eyes of his, though he wasn't looking at me, more of behind me.

He sighed quietly and met my eyes. "I know. I just feel like…" he let his words drift off of what he was saying, but I knew what he was going to say. He felt like an idiot for asking me to marry him.

We stopped walking and I put my hands on both sides of his face, cupping him. "Don't feel that way. It was absolutely the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me, well, besides 'I love you.'" It was quiet for a moment, the silence nice and comfortable, but there was a little bit of tension. And it wasn't coming from me. "I want to say yes." I confessed, even though there was no need, I already sort of told him. I let my hands drop from his face, but I didn't back away.

"Then why don't you? I know you trust me, Rose. And you know you can trust me, because I will always be here for you. I won't run out on you like a moroi man would."

When he puts things like that, I see his point of view. But this had nothing to do with a moroi man.

"If it came down to it, Dimitri. Right or wrong; would you stay with me if the moroi government told you to do something that permitted you to stay away from me?"

"Of course I would stay with you. I would tell them flat out no! Is this why you didn't give me an answer, because the government is an issue? Because I thought you were having trouble trusting me because of Lissa- with me running back to her."

This time, I did step away from him and we started walking again. "It's a little bit more complicated than that, D." I looked down at the walls, looking for gaps.

"Then tell me." I could feel how infuriated he is with me and this whole situation.

I looked forward after analyzing the walls. I kicked a rock that was in my path, keeping my eyes away from him. "You left last time, I just need to know that no matter what happens, you will always be with me." That was half the truth. If I told him the whole truth, then he might reconsider being with me. And that was heartbreaking. I could feel my heart tearing to shreds just thinking about him turning his back on me…on us and our love that was so peaceful and perfect.

"Roza," he sighed in awe and I think I heard a little bit of pain in the tone. "I would never leave you."

I tears started to lightly brim in my eyes. "You say that, and I want so badly to believe it. So badly that it hurts-" Dimitri grabbed my hand and put his other hand and arm around my upper waist. He tilted my chin up to meet my eyes.

"Why," he asked sadly softly, his eyes looked pained, "why would you think I would leave you, of all people, for another woman? What other woman can possibly be more beautiful and more alive than you? And even if such a woman existed, she wouldn't have your heart, or your spirit! I want only you."

My heart melted at what he said, but then I realized that his judgment was clouded. I stepped out of his embrace and took a step back. "There is one thing that you haven't thought about then."

He looked at me questioningly.

"About two years ago, Tasha," I spat her name, "gave you an offer. You didn't take her up on it-"

"And if she would have offered again, I would have said the same thing: no."

My biceps and elbows were touching the side of my torso, but my forearms and the palm of my hands were up in consultation. "Bud did you really think about it? If you haven't, then think about it now. When you and Tasha," I couldn't say her name like a cuss word right now, when the memory was so hurtful, "were talking about kids, your face softened and you couldn't keep a smile off your face. I could see that you wanted to be a father, which leads me back to my original question: why are you picking me? The wrong choice?"

His eyes narrowed and he looked offended-in an angry way. "I've made some bad decisions in my life, Rose, but never, never has my decision to be with you been one of them."

"Then why did you want to be friends with Tasha and not me after being restored?"

"Because I have never been interested in Tasha like that for a while, only you!" He yelled, defending himself.

I sighed and started walking, looking at the wall and the ground near the wall. The wall is made of stones, alright. Made of big, dark and light colored stones and dark gray cement. That got me thinking. If we were to hide a bomb, what about breaking a stone out of the wall, and putting the bomb inside and cover it up with a stone-like covering? All we would have to do is have our pick of where we want them to go? Why didn't I think of this before?

"I'm an idiot! I should have thought of this earlier!" I exclaimed.

"What is it?" He said in his business voice.

"We don't have to find gaps in the walls. All we have to do is find the best place to put the C4 at. Then just break a stone in the wall, put the C4 in there, then cover it up with a stone-like covering. It's perfect."

He thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "But how can we do that? The walls are on serveralince 24/7."

I shook my head. "Only the outside."

This time, he shook his head. "When you left, they put up cameras around Court's inner walls."

I sighed. Damn. This was going to be challenging. "Then, we need to make a copy of a tape from another day. And when I mean another day, I mean a month or two ago, so that the Guardians won't be suspicious."

"The front gate camera has to be the same."

I nodded. "I don't think we have to worry about that one. We are not targeting near there. If strigoi try to come in, they might be feeling macho and walk through the front door."

He nodded, agreeing. "We still should look around. There might be perfect spots to put the bombs."

I nodded, though all I wanted to do was call Abe and tell him my idea. I kept walking, and enjoyed the sun on my skin. I stopped, closed my eyes and tilted my face up towards the sun, feeling the sweet and hot heat on the skin of my face, arms and chest.

"God I missed this!" I moaned. I continued to walk, but I saw a bench and decided to put the tanning oil on. I took the bottle of the sun tanning oil and rubbed it on my face and arms. I brought my leg up on the bench, my right leg in a ninety degree angle while I stood on my left foot. I looked over at Dimitri, and he was looking at the wall.

I frowned. I needed to get his attention. Think, Rose!

"Dimitri," his head snapped over to me. "Would you mind getting my back?"

He shook his head and walked over to me and sat down. I started to rub oil on my calve, then my thigh. I switched legs and did the same to the other. I then looked at him.

"Did I miss a spot?" I asked him, displaying my muscular and skinny legs. I moved it side to side, then switched legs, then moved it to one side to the other.

He shook his head, his guardian mask in place. He held out his hand for the tanning oil and then met my eyes. I turned around and gave him the bottle. He moved my hair to one side, and I swear, he ran a few fingers through it. I felt him stray the oil on my back, the next think I knew, his hands were on my shoulders and mid back, where the dress exposed my skin.

It was more of a message then a rub, which was better than I hoped for. His fingers dug into my skin. It didn't hurt, it was relaxing. My shoulders completely relaxed as he rubbed the muscles underneath, and a soft moan escaped my lips just as a two guardians passed us.

"I wish my man would give me a message." The female guardian commented with a smile that was somewhat jealous. I recognized the female immediately- Tina. She was dressed in a white tank top and black shorts. Her hair up in a pony tail and had designer sunglasses on- with dark lenses.

I looked at her and smiled. "Hi Tina."

She was surprised at first, and then smiled. "Hi guardian Hatha-"

I shook my head, and interrupted her. "Call me Rose."

"I would stay and talk to you, but I am on duty."

I laughed. "That's okay. It is great seeing you."

"You too. Hey, when are you doing the training again? A bunch of us are wondering when. You should hear the guardians talk about you. You are their idol. Levi and Zena did a fantastic job leading us, even though there were a couple people who had to translate for us."

I smiled. "Did Lev and Zena say if they were going to do this again anytime soon?"

"No. I think they said something about waiting for more instructions from you and the Queen."

I nodded. "I will get right on that."

"Well, I will talk to you later, Rose."

"Sounds good Tina. Take care."

"You too. You as well, Guardian Belikov." Tina walked off and Dimitri stopped messaging my shoulders and back.

"You can do that all day."

I felt his breath on my neck and when he spoke his voice was low and seductive. "I can do it every day for the rest of your life."

I suppressed another moan, an aphrodisiac moan. That is exactly what I want. To wake up with him kissing me, or giving me a message, or to wake him up with a kiss or message. Hell, even to wake up to have breakfast in bed with him!

He placed a kiss on my neck and stepped away, sliding his arm down my side and wrapping it around my upper waist; I did the same to him, except it was his lower waist. It was amazing how quickly our fights last and end anymore. I guess after a twelve months of being apart, we learned to use our time wisely.

We walked down the pathway for a while, enjoying the sun. We slowed down, then eventually stopped. Dimitri walked out of the embrace and picked up a wild, purple flower. He looked at me with a loving smile, one that made my heart melt. He reached over to me and slid it in my hair on my left side, by my ear, so that my ear was holding it in place. He smiled again, after he put it in.

"I won't ever leave you, Roza."

I took his hand and brought it to my lips. I placed a kiss on the front part of his knuckles and fingers. "Я люблю Вас." (I love you- sounds like: la-lub-lubvous)

He leaned forward, and kissed me sweetly, so sweetly, I almost became weak in the knees. The hand that I grabbed his, went behind his neck, to make the kiss last longer. His arms encircled me, and his shoulders incurved towards me. He pulled back, but only to kiss my forehead. "The only person that can make me happy unconditionally is you, Rose. If we are ready for a child, we can adopt a moroi or a dhampire." His eyes were dead serious, and it felt like they could have moved mountains.

I knew he was right, but still, the feeling that a child is part of you is something special, and for him to not have that is not right. He is a great man, and he deserves whatever he wants. So why am I saying no? Oh, because I need to know if I can trust him.

"Женитесь на мне, Roza." (marry me- sounds like: shingatese nomya)

I looked away from him, but I held his hand and entwined our fingers. "I'm going to hold off on that answer still. Give me more time."

He didn't say anything, but I knew he was giving me a yes. A very unhappy, very wistful yes.

"Dimitri." I asked after a ten minutes of silence.

"Mmm." He answered.

"What is going on with you and Tasha?"

"She wanted a few pointers in teaching."

I had a hard time believing she was actually seeking 'pointers' from him. Pointers in trying to shove her tongue down his throat and tonsils, yes, but actual help,…no. She was a very sneaky. That was a very subterfuge plan, Tasha. I thought. She will learn to fuck off.

As always, he read my mind. "She isn't out for me. She has eyes on another."

I rolled my eyes. "It's a diversion, Dimitri." Men, always blind.

"I'm pretty sure it isn't."

I rolled my eyes. He can believe what he wants. I'm not buying it.

"Do you want a big or small wedding?" He asked, looking down with a huge smile.

"Dimitri Belikov!" I exclaimed. "You stop at nothing, do you?"

He laughed, and the sound wrapped around me like a caress. "When it comes to you, no. I will always try my hardest."

"Good." I said, and I meant it. I always want his best. Like say- in bed. Or in the shower- NO! Don't think like that!

"I know what you are thinking." He said, and when I looked up at him, he had on that evil smile that I had on earlier. Oh shit! He was the one in the driver's seat. Well…crap.

"I don't really care." I said, answering his question to the wedding. "Just as long as your family is there, and Lissa-"

"She should be your Maid of Honor."

I nodded. "She will be." And I promise that more to myself than him. I wanted to make things righ with Lis, but she should be the one apologizing to me. And this time, it will be. I am going to be adamant on this. She may be like a sister to me, but that doesn't mean I have to be soft.

It's called tough love.

"Who is going to be your Best Man?" I asked.

He thought about that. "Eddie Castile."

I looked up at him, shocked and slightly baffled. "But you hardly know him!"

He raised an eyebrow at me, and it was a total turn on. "How do you know that? Guardian Castile and I have gotten to know each other."

I gave him a dry look. "Calling him 'Guardian Castile' just proved my case, D."

He sighed and I made a suggestion. "Anyone from Russia? From school or someone you have worked with?"

He looked at me with a haunted expression, and I wanted to punch myself in the face. Ivan. His last charge. Damn it!

"Oh god! Dimitri I didn't' mean that."

He gave me a small smile. "I know." He brought my hand up and kissed it. "I know the perfect person. I haven't talked to him in a while, though. I'm not so sure what he will say."

I shrugged. "As long as you are friends with him, and he means a lot to you, then I am happy." This day wasn't about just me, it was about him too.

Janine's POV.

We left Rose, and I was too caught up to glance back. I wasn't happy with her being with Guardian Belikov, but she seemed very happy and safe with him. I am glad that she is with someone that can protect her and has strength to hold her back when that Irish temper of hers gets the better of her. She gets that temper from me, though I would never tell her, mainly because she would demand to know what I was like when I lose my temper.

Still, I'm not thrilled with her having sex with him. Or having sex at all! For god sakes, she is only nineteen!

"Janine, it's okay. She is grown up." Abe said, his Turkish accent more pronounced. He drops his guard around me, most likely because we were in love, and that he is the father of my child. Abe, as always, could smell it when I am not happy. But that doesn't make him a mind reader- he knew me well, despite not seeing each other in years- Rose's graduation party aside.

"She's having sex with that boy!" I exclaimed.

He nodded, not denying it. "He's a man, Janine. And she is also nineteen and in love. Hell, most likely engaged too."

I stopped and looked at him like he was telling me the world ended. All the while, that ridiculous calm face of his stayed in place- like it has for as long as I had known him. Despite how handsome Abe was, I was astonished at the news.

"How in the world would you know?"

"Because he asked my permission, my sweet Janine." He took my hand and placed it around his upper arm. He dragged me forward. "Don't act so surprised." The tone of his voice had a smile and was stifling a chuckle. His words hit me like a house of bricks.

Engaged? Rose? My daughter?

My mind refused to believe this. She is only a kid! "But Rose is-"

"An adult. Jane, she went halfway across the world for him to free him of being a strigoi. Then, she found out a way to restore him. When she restored him, she wanted to be with him. I think she has well earned her right to marry that man. Her heart is for him only; you can see it in her eyes."

"What about him? He better not be-" I was about to say using her like a piece of meat.

"He isn't. You've seen what Belikov was like when our daughter left for Russia last year. He was a mess, and you could see that he wanted to run to her. But he stayed because she asked him to. But mostly, because she told him that she loves him. Our daughter is a woman now Jane, be proud of her."

A weird warming sensation spread through my heart when he said 'our daughter.' So weird, I found it a little bit disturbing.

I sighed and switched the subject. "How on earth is she planning on pulling this off?" I was referring to hiding the C4 from the council.

"This is our daughter we are speaking of, sweet Janine. With us, she has all the power in the world."

I laughed. He made her sound like a princess. I sighed. She was my little girl- my little princess. No matter how old she is, always my little girl. I wish I could have been there for her when she was growing up- even though she is still growing up, but I mean for her adolescent years. I wanted to be the one who taught her things about growing up. I wanted to know her secret crush when she was in kindergarden and in first grade. I wanted to dress her up in and put pig tails in her hair.

Her hair is so much like her father's. She inherited it from him, but she got my eyes and temper. Her attitude though, strict from her father. He had a wild side, and so did I, but she got his. Wild and impulsive, but fun loving and very protective.

Abe is much the same. He has always been bigger built than the rest of the moroi men, which attracted me to him even more, and made him intimidating to others. He always had that dangerous charisma around him, and his reputation from his youth added to that dangerous edge of his.

"Jane, I need to be honest about something." His voice was serious, and it startled me at first. I looked at him, and was looking straight forward.

"Mmm?" was my response.

"I resent not being part of her life when she was younger. She would have been a handful-scratch that, two handfuls, but she would have been worth it. I know we both agreed that it was best that I wasn't apart of her life at all, but-"

"I know what you mean." I sighed. "And I feel the same way. I was so caught up in my career that I was too blind to see what a beautiful life we made together. I hear from Kirova that she was her number one visitor."

Abe laughed in amusement and pride. It warmed my heart even more. "I never liked her. Since the day I met her, I always thought she was vulture just waiting for a piece of meat to chew on. I guess she picked our daughter." I speculative look lit his face. "I wonder how hard of a time our sweet daughter gave her."

I laughed this time at what Rose would or did do. Rose gave practically every teacher a hard time. I was always disappointed in her, but looking back at it, I can say that is just a teenage girl. My teenage girl.

I didn't particularly liked Kirova either, but I liked the fact that she took charge. She was a moroi and she was a snob at times, but she put people back in their place fast and I liked that about her.

"But I am going to be here for Rose now, even if she doesn't want me, I am going to be here for her. That Dimitri fellow, he's not bad. I wonder what he was like before he was turned."

"Anti-social." I answered him. I paused for a moment. "I went to the Academy for Christmas the year of Rose's friend, Mason's death. He was rather friendly towards Natasha Ozera. I soon found out that Tasha wanted to be romantically involved with him. -"

"Oh no. You told Rose, didn't you?" He said, giving me a reprimand look.

I nodded. "Yes. When I first told her, her actions toward me were rude. She told me to leave." I didn't bother explaining to him what I was talking to Rose about when she was in her own little world. Her denying me any right to get to know her and her to me, hurt me. I tried to be a part of my daughter's life after I heard of Victor Dashkov trying to kill Rose in order to get to Lissa. Times like these I despise being a guardian. Rose is a little girl. No person, no being, should hurt her! She didn't and still doesn't deserve anyone trying to hurt her. She is precious-"

"Jane," Abe said gently, bring us to a stop and pulling me into a comforting embrace. "I won't let anyone hurt her. She's our little girl, no one is going to touch her. Plus, she is one of the most badass guardians around, not to mention that Mr. Belikov will protect with his life. Oh, and let's not forget her gang-"

"They are her family, Abe. She will jump out to protect them before they could for her. And that is exactly what has me worried."

Abe perusal me; giving me a cordially look. "For an aloof woman, you sure are protective of her- oh, don't be so consternate, Jane." He said when I was shocked and took a step back from him.

"I'm not alarmed."

"Then what was with that face? I don't blame you, any parent would be protective of their child. I was when I saw Rose in Russia, and I am now when war is upon us."

I sighed. "What happened to us?" I asked, remembering all those years ago when we first met.

He gave me another cordial smile that sent my heart fluttering. And I suddenly felt like I was nineteen all over again. Abe reached over and grabbed my hand, pulling me back to him and continue walking.

"We were younger then, more wild and obstinate. And sometimes our vanity would cloud our judgment and make us sloppy."

"Mmm," I agreed. "And you were always the tough one. The one that made every man gulp in fear." I giggled softly. How I missed those old times.

He grinned widely. "And you would kick any mass higher if he touched you inappropriately."

I laughed. "And you gladly assisted that one day when a moroi man tried to feel me up when I wasn't sober."

"You were too drunk on that Irish beer to tell who was who."

I blushed at the embarrassment of that day, but laughed regardless. "You were always there to help the damsels in distress."

He gave me one hard chuckle. "My sweet Janine, you were never a damsel in distress. If anything, you put the maidens and men distress."

I shrugged. "Someone has too."

He shook his head, then looked at me in a conciliatory way. "I've missed you over these years."

My hand moved without my permission to his cheek. He was freshly shaved, but that sweet and spicy smell of his still lingered in the air. It wasn't aftershave as many would think, it was his natural scent, and it always made me do things that I wouldn't do to any other man. "I've missed you too."

"I've always liked that Irish accent of yours."

I sighed and dropped my hand. "Way to ruin the moment, Ibrahim."

He laughed and leaned down and kissed me. To say I was shocked, was an understatement. The kiss was sweet and charming. It had the power to make me weak in the knees, which it did. His arm came around me and held onto me. I felt his smile at my reaction.

My sex life was non-existent after Rose was born. I was too ashamed to have a kind of relationship after word got out that I was pregnant, and the child was going to be a bastered. Abe had told me he had thought getting married, but he didn't like the idea of his family being in any kind of danger. So and I both decided it was best that Rose didn't know who her father was. She wouldn't question it either, mainly because most dhampires don't know who their moroi father's are. I was the same as any other dhampire, moroi father with a dhampire mother. I never got to know my father, because I was never interested in knowing him because he wasn't interested in knowing me. I regret that.

I pulled back. I am always the one to pull back, well, except once….

"We better start walking."

He nodded and we both continued. "Jane, just trust that Rose knows what she is doing. If she needs help, she isn't afraid to ask."

"Yes, I know." It is just hard to let go of that little girl that I have been picturing in my mind. But Rose is a woman now, and I need to accept that. That was my main reason for me being so rude to her during her training session with the other guardians.

Two hours later, we caught sight of Rose and Dimitri. Both of them had magnificent smiles on their face, as if they were on vacation and enjoying the hot summer day. Rose looked like a desert princess in her dress and dark hair. She is a beautiful girl-woman, I mean (I really need to start regarding to her as another woman). Dimitri looked like a knight and shining armor, enjoying his time with his princess. His dark hair and eyes made him look handsome. His lean and skinny body gave him that prince and knight look. Even to myself, I had to admit that they were a beautiful looking couple- in the inside and out.

Dimitri, though, I have never seen him so happy. I quickly looked at Rose's ring finger on her left hand. I was relieved to see no ring. So relieved I almost fell on my knees and let out a soft moan of relief. She is still mine!

Rose and Dimitri saw us and I saw Dimitri's mask slide back on, but Rose's face stayed the same- carefree and loving face. Her face really caught my attention. I have never seen her so happy before. And at this moment, I knew exactly what Abe was talking about- love. They were in love. I couldn't help but be happy, yet slightly jealous of them.

Review please!