Like I promised Chapter ten. Thanks for all the reviews, you guys rock.
Characters are Richelle Mead's.
"I said closing my eyes not wanting to see the looks of shock, disappointment, and anger on their faces. Adrian squeezed my hand letting me know he was there, slowly I opened my eyes looking at him. I knew I would find comfort there and he didn't disappoint. The smile on his face took away all the anxiety I was feeling because I knew if nobody else accepted it, it wouldn't matter because the most important person in my life did.
"Congratulations" Alberta was the first one to speak. My mother whipped her head around to glare at Alberta.
"I warned you about this Rose, not to throw your life away. You could be the best and you let a stupid mistake change that" my mother was fuming. And her anger was not helping mine.
"You may think of me as a mistake but our child is and will never be a mistake. Yes my plans have changed, but that does not mean they have changed in a bad way. I am happy and in love, you might not see the importance in that but I do" I yelled at her. I could feel sadness pulsing through the bond.
"Lissa I love you and I am sorry that I will not be your guardian, but that doesn't mean we won't be best friends. I have to think about this baby and Adrian, I won't be able to give you the attention you need to keep you protected" I said reaching over to grip her hands in mine.
"I know, I am happy for the both of you. You will make great parents" she said getting up to give me a hug. I remained seated because of my leg but she leaned forward pulling me into her arms. "I guess we should put off dress shopping until after the baby" she giggled into my hair.
"Yeah because we may have to go to a camping store for a tent once I start gaining weight" I said letting her go so she could sit back down.
"Adrian, can I speak to you in private" my dad said standing up so he was towering over us.
"Dad" I started to protest.
"I will not harm him, we just need to talk" he said waving off my protest. Adrian stood up from the couch. He glanced over his shoulder, the look on his face was not one of a very confident man.
Adrian pointed to the bedroom, where they walked to and shut the door. I stared at the door trying to make sure I didn't hear any yelling or anything being broken.
"He will be fine, your father will not hurt him. I may" my mother said. I rolled my eyes and looked toward Christian and Eddy. They both were staring at me like I had grown horns.
"Are you guys ok?" I asked.
"Yeah it is just crazy I can't imagine anyone else protecting Lissa" Eddy said shaking his head like it was a dream and he would eventually wake up.
"Or the fact that the big, bad Rose Hathaway is going to be having a tiny little baby" Christian added.
"Even pregnant I can still kick your butt so you better watch what you say" I said giving him my evil look.
"Whatever soon you won't be able to catch me, let alone beat me up" he said laughing. Until Lissa hit him in the stomach.
"Ouch, that hurt" he protested looking at Lissa.
"Well then I suggest you stop making fun of my best friend" Lissa said flashing a smile my way.
Stan and Kirova were still standing next to the wall in silence.
"I will file the paperwork to have you removed at Lissa's guardian and see if we can find a replacement as soon as possible" Kirova said taking a step forward.
"I will go speak to the other guardians and see what we can do strengthen our security. Maybe we should cancel classes, that will leave the teachers free to do rotations around campus until we figure out something more permanent" Stan said speaking to Kirova. I know I don't like Stan but for once I agreed with him.
The both agreed said their goodbyes and left. Adrian was still in my room with my dad and I was starting to freak out. I felt like every few seconds I was staring at the door. My mom was silent once again she had an awful scowl on her face letting me know she was still not happy. I decided that I was not going to let it bother me.
"Man I hope they can find someone hot to replace you" Eddy said flopping down on the couch next to me. We all started to laugh.
"Eddy don't make me kick your butt while I am pregnant too, if I find out you are checking out your partner instead of watching Lissa" I said hitting him in the arm.
"Ouch" he yelled holding his arm. Yeah I might be injured and pregnant but that didn't make me weak.
"Ok I promise eyes only on Lissa" Eddy said giving Lissa and Christian a wicked smile.
"You better watch yourself Rose might be able to beat you up but I can start you on fire" Christian said forming a ball of fire between his hands.
"Christian I am so serious if you start my couch on fire messing around I will have my dad take care of you" I threatened. He quickly dissolved the fire in his hands.
Just then my dad walked out of the room followed by Adrian. I scanned his body to make sure I didn't see any broken bones or blood.
"I didn't hurt him, I promise we just had a little talk" my dad said laughing at my evaluation of Adrian.
"He is telling the truth" Adrian said walking into the kitchen.
"I believe I am you young to be a grandpa" he said taking the spot next to Eddy. I could see Eddy's uneasiness, and couldn't help but laugh. Before I had time to answer Eddy was off the couch going to see if Adrian needed any help in the kitchen.
"Am I that scary" my dad asked grinning before laughing.
"Sorry büyükbaba, but nobody is going to take you serious when they find out your are a grandpa" I said patting my stomach laughing as his face changed.
"Although I wish you would have waited until you were older, I am happy if you are. You are such a special girl and I know you will make a wonderful mother" he said kissing my forehead.
"How can you say that she is eighteen years old. What does she know about being a mother? I will not stand by and watch you destroy everything you have worked for, to give up your life's purpose and watch it go down the drain" my mother shouted taking a few steps until she was in front of the couch.
I went to stand when I seen Adrian walking out of the kitchen. I waved him back knowing he was coming to my rescue. My dad stood, I was about to wave him back too until I realize he was attempting to help me stand and make sure I didn't fall. I knew he still cared maybe even loved her, but he realized that she was wrong.
"I think I know more about being a mother than you ever did. I know that when I have this child it will be surrounded by people that love it. Even if you are not one of those people. I know that he or she will be taken care of by myself and Adrian not shipped off to an academy to be taken care of by strangers. I know that no matter what decision they decide to do with their life that I will support them and love them no matter what even if I disagree. If you think my only purpose for being alive is to protect someone else then you are right. I was put here to take care of and protect this child" I said trying to remain calm. I was not going to let her get to me but I also couldn't let her say whatever she wanted without sticking up for myself and my decisions
"Janine I think it is best if you leave" my father said helping me sit back down on the couch. For the first time in the last few days I seen some type of emotion other that anger, disgust and disappointment come across her face. Janine Hathaway was actually sad.
"I agree" Adrian said walking out of the kitchen to the front door to open it. She turned away putting her emotionless mask back on. I wasn't sure how to process her change of emotion when my father told her to leave. At one point she loved him I suppose that was not the case when it came to me.
That realization made me want to cry, no I was no going to cry I told myself it is just the hormones I am not going to cry. Adrian closed the door after she walked out, then walked back into the kitchen. Eddy was again standing against the wall. Lissa was sitting silently on the loveseat next to Christian I could feel her sadness for me through the bond.
Adrian walked back out of the kitchen holding a plate of food and glass of milk. My dad was still standing by the couch.
"I am going to go and let you eat and rest, but if it is ok with you I am going to come back tomorrow" he said kissing the top of my head.
"I would like that very much. Seni seviyorum baba" I said trying out the little bit of Turkish I had learned. It was the first time I had called him dad and told him that I love him and his face lit up. I couldn't wait to see that expression on Adrian's face when he held our baby.
"Seni seviyorum kızı" he said kissing my forehead once more before leaving. I knew what he said because after a few months of talking on the phone he had said it. I had no clue what it meant so I asked Adrian. "He told you that he loves you and called you daughter" he said giving me a kiss and telling me that there were a lot of people that loved me. He always seemed to amaze me he always said he hates school, but after dating for a few months I found out he had been taking distant courses to work towards a business degree.
"We should go too" Lissa said gesturing to let Eddy know she was talking about him to.
"We are really excited for you, and I expect to be the godmother" Lissa said giving me a quick hug.
"Oh consider it a done deal" I told Lissa knowing she would do a great job with a baby.
"That means a free babysitter right" Adrian chimed in.
"I am not changing diapers" Christian started to protest until Lissa gave him a look, although I could not see it the way he shut up I figured it was not friendly.
"Night" they all hollered walking out the front door.
"Bye" I attempted to say, but found it difficult with a mouth full of pizza. Adrian closed the door behind them locking it before walking to the kitchen and returning with a plate for himself.
"Well that went better than I expected" I said eyeing Adrian's pizza. Hey I hadn't eaten in a few days and I was pregnant so I got to be a food stealer.
I grabbed a piece of pizza off of his plate and took a bite. "Hungry Little Dhampir?" he asked smiling at me while I took another bite.
"Yes we are" I said finishing the pizza. He offered his plate in which I declined. I was pretty sure I had just finished over half of the pizza by myself and I knew if I ate anymore I was going to get sick.
Adrian finished his food and placed the plate on the side table then pulled me into his arms. "We will figure this out I won't let anyone hurt you or our baby" he said snuggling up next to me.
"I just wish" I started to say then stopped myself.
"You wish what?" Adrian asked running his fingers up and down my arm.
"I don't know, that I would have done more. I should have made sure he was dead or figured out if what Mark and Olenska had told me was true" I said letting out a sigh. I thought about what they had said a lot after I got back. Yes I had promised my mom I would finish school, but there were times when I thought about leaving to go off and find Victor and Robert. But I could never get myself to push it further, not only for my sanity but for everyone's safety I would not jeopardize all those that I love to save Dimitri.
"You risked your life to uphold a promise you made thinking it would never happen. You went halfway around the world almost getting yourself killed more than once to get to him. There was nothing you could have done differently after he fell off the bridge. As for saving his soul, Mark said it was a myth but even if it wasn't do you think that Dimitri would want to live once he found out what he had done as a Storgio?" Adrian asked his fingers stopped moving when he heard the quiet sob that I was trying to muffle.
He shifted my body in his so I had to look at him. "I am sorry Little Dhampir, I did not mean for my words to hurt you. I just wish that you would see the amount of sacrifice you have made to save him and stop blaming yourself for him being what he is" he said wrapping his arms around me so I could openly sob into his chest.
"I know you are right, but I just wish that I could give Olena back her son, Viktoria, Sonya, and Karolina their brother back. The short time I have known about this baby it would be awful if anything should happen to him or her and I haven't even meet it. Olena raised him, they all loved him, and they know what he is and I know it brings them pain even if they won't admit it" I said trying to control my voice.
"There is no doubt that they miss him, but Rose you have said yourself that you felt like you were part of their family and still do. Do you think they would be ok with you risking your life again to save him? They love you and want what is best for you as does everyone else" he said kissing my exposed neck.
"You are right, but I won't be able to forgive myself if he hurts anyone because of me" I said laying my head against his chest hearing his steady heartbeat.
"He won't, between your mom, dad, and Alberta I think we will be safe from any attack he may attempt at the academy. Once we move to the Royal Court there is no way he will be able to get in."
"Are you sure you are ok with moving? I can go until it is safe again, plus if you stay here you will be better protected because he won't attempt to attack the school" I suggested not moving my face from his chest. I knew he wouldn't like the idea, but I was hoping he would see that I was right that they should all stay while I left.
I felt his chest moving and heard him laugh. I looked up to see what he found to be so funny. He was staring at me and continued to laugh.
"What is so funny" I asked sitting up to look him in the eyes.
"You" was all he said before he started to laugh again.
"I don't think your well being as well as the well being of the others is funny" I said getting annoyed that he was laughing at me.
"If you think that I would stay here while you went off to another state, then you clearly need to go back to see Dr. Olendzki so she can run more test because you clearly hit your head harder than we thought" he said finally ending his laughing fit when he realized I did not see the humor.
I shifted my body off of his, grabbing the crutches then proceeded to stand. Adrian was up behind me attempting to help me.
"Don't" I hissed at him as I got myself righted and placed the crutches under my arms. I had a hard time maneuvering around the table but after a minute I was able to work myself and the crutches around it. Adrian had remained standing probably waiting to make sure I didn't fall over. I made my way to the bathroom and shut the door. I needed to take a shower but wasn't sure how I would be able to do it without getting the cast wet.
These emotions were driving me crazy one second I was furious that he was laughing at me and the next second I wanted to cry and have him hold me. I was much to stubborn to admit that, so instead I sat down on the toilet tucking a hand towel around the top of the cast before grabbing one of the bathroom trash bags from under the sink. Shoving my leg in the bag I tied it before sticking another bag over it to be sure that the cast would stay dry. I was annoyed that I didn't think about asking Dr. Olendzki about the cast and showering, but I figured this would do for now.
I lifted my shirt over my head and pulled my bra off dropping them to the floor. Slowly I pulled myself free of the rest of my clothing. Limping to the shower I turned the water on and attempted to adjust the temperature while holding myself up.
I heard the door open but didn't bother looking back. Instead I pulled the shower curtain back and began climbing in.
"Let me help you" Adrian said stepping forward his warm hands steadying me. I didn't feel like falling so I didn't protest. I realized that I was going to have a hard time balancing on one foot while washing myself. I was about to ask Adrian to help when I realized he already had a washcloth in one hand while the other one held my steady.
"You are getting the floor wet" I said trying to hold myself up.
"It is fine I will clean it up later" he said rubbing the washcloth up and down my leg.
"Just get in, it will be easier and will prevent the floor from flooding" I said taking the washcloth from him so he could undress. I was still annoyed with him but I needed him to be closer.
He quickly undressed while I held myself up against the wall. I had turned my body to let the water run over my face.
I felt his hand on my hip while the other one reach forward to grab the washcloth from my hands.
"I am sorry, I know I should not have laughed. But honestly Rose do you think that I would ever stay here because it is safer than being with you?" he asked washing my neck and back.
"I just can't bare the thought that you being with me is putting you at risk of getting hurt" I said turning my body slowly so the water could rinse my back.
"As I could not bare not being with you, I know that I am not be the best nor the strongest fighter but I promise you that I would fight until my last breathe to protect you and this baby" he said running the washcloth over my chest and stomach.
I wished that he would see that was the problem, there was no way that he could defeat Dimitri if he attacked and I knew Adrian would fight for us and most likely get killed.
"I know" was all that I said. We finished showering and Adrian helped me to the room drying me off before handing me a night shirt and a pair of underwear before tucking me into bed. He pulled a pair of boxers on before sliding into bed next to me.
"The lake" I whispered into his ear before closing my eyes and drifting to sleep.
The next week seemed like the Groundhog's Day movie. I got up, ate, took a nap, ate again, watched television, had meetings with everyone about what to do about Dimitri, ate again, made arrangements for moving to the Royal Court, ate, then went to bed.
I woke up the morning of my follow-up appointment with Dr. Olendzki gitty about hearing the baby's heartbeat again. Adrian was in the kitchen getting us something to eat while I sat up grabbing the notebook that I had been keeping my ideas on how to defeat Dimitri in. I was reading through them when my phone stared to ring. Reaching over I pulled it off the charger to see that it was Dimitri's mother Olena. I had briefly spoken to her after the attack, she had apologized that I had to go through all of this and that Dimitri was behind it. Hearing her cry broke my heart and there was nothing I could say to make it better.
"Hello" I answered trying to get my voice to sound like I didn't just wake up.
"Rose, sweat heart how are you feeling?" she asked in her thick Russian accent.
"I am well, how are you and the rest of the family?" I asked
"We are doing well, you sound much better than the last time I spoke with you" she said I could hear her muffling the phone speaking to someone else in Russian I heard her mention my name and then rambled something else.
"Mother said you have some news to tell us" she said. I hadn't told them about the baby, although they knew I was with Adrian and from what they all said they were happy that I had found love again. I was not in the best shape the last time we spoke to tell them.
"Well I suppose that I do have some good news" I said a smile spreading across my face.
"Wait, let me get everyone" she told me coving the phone once again. I could hear her calling Viktoria, Yeva, Karokina, Sonya. "
Ok they are all here go ahead, I am putting you on speaker phone" she said.
I could hear Viktoria in the background asking if I was engaged. I had to laugh those were the normal steps that people took but Adrian and I were both far from normal.
"I am pregnant" I blurted our before I lost my nerve. Adrian had walked into the room holding a tray with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a glass of orange juice on it. He smiled as I said the words, which I had been saying a lot the last week. Seems that someone had a big mouth so whenever Adrian and I were out we were getting bombarded with questions and congratulations from students and other guardians.
"Oh my gosh Rose congratulations" Viktoria said grabbing the phone.
"Thanks" is all I could say before she was asking a million questions.
"How far along are you? When will you find out what you are having? Do you want a boy or girl? Have you thought of any names yet? Is Adrian totally freaking out, wait are you totally freaking out?" she was like a motor the questions keep coming. When she finally stopped I attempted to recall all of the questions she had asked.
"I am a little over three months at least that is what the doctor thinks, but I have an appointment later today so she should be able to pinpoint my due date better. We won't know what we are having for a couple of months. Adrian wants a girl but I don't care it if is a boy or girl as long as it is healthy. We just found out last week so we are trying to wrap our heads around it, so names have not been discussed. And we are both doing good, it was a surprise but we are both excited and happy" I said knowing I had missed some of her questions about the baby's room and her being an aunt but we would have plenty of time to talk about that later.
It still warmed my heart that Dimitri's family still thought of me as part of their family. It had taken me a while to talk to Viktoria after what had happened. When I had come back to the academy I felt broken and when she tried to call I just couldn't bring myself to talk to her. I wasn't mad at her but I blamed myself for not being able to save her brother, after she had left a message with Adrian about how sorry she was and she knew I wouldn't be able to forgive her but she loved me I had to call her back. I was still hurt but I would not let her think that I had not forgiven her. After we talked she cried and apologized and then we talked for over two hours about what was going on in Russia and we talked once a week after that.
"Hang on someone wants to speak to you" Viktoria said before saying goodbye and that she loved me and would call soon to get the details about what had been going on.
"Roza" Yeva said my name as Dimitri had said it so many times.
"Hey my English speaking friend" I said laughing at my own joke while shoving a bite of pancake into my mouth. Adrian was half done with his food and I was starving and was watching my food go cold before my eyes.
"I will get the boy if you rather me speak Russian" she said her voice deep and raspy.
"No, please go ahead" I said taking a bite of my bacon hoping she could not hear me eating.
"Dimitri is back, you can still save him" she said almost causing me to choke on the food in my mouth.
"What?" I practically screamed. She knew I was pregnant what did she really expect me to do. Adrian had told them what had happened with Dimitri when he had taken me. I wanted to tell them and got halfway through before I had completely broken down. Although Adrian and I were not together at the time he was with me and took the phone from me holding me close to his body then finished the story. I think that was when I realized how deep his love was for me and that I loved him more than I thought. It just took me a while to admit it.
"What you love the most can save him" she said ignoring my outburst.