Wanted to say thanks to everyone that has read and/or reviewed this story. Each review makes writing that much easier, so make sure you keep reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter, the next one will be very exciting so make sure you review.
Characters are owned by Richelle Meade
"My love is unconditional, I love you with all of my heart, this is just a game so you better go ahead and start. The next clue may not be hard, but if it is maybe we should spar."
The words rang through my head brining tears to my eyes falling down my cheek. The paper slipped from my hand as they trembled. I went to make an attempt to pick it back up but could not bend down all of the way to retrieve the paper so I left it laying on the floor.
I walked quickly to the door thinking that the only place we would spar would be the gym. Pulling the door open, I figured I would find Alec beaming at me down the hall having something to do with all of this. I was also hesitant what if they were having the baby shower here I groaned but continued on my way. When I walked out of the door I was surprised to find the hall empty. I looked around, I can't remember the last time I was out of my room without someone with me. I shrugged and started toward the gym.
It took me longer than it use to for me to make it to the gym but I guess fifteen pounds later it was to be expected. When I reached the gym door my hand rested on the door handle debating if I really wanted to open it. Curiosity won out as I pulled the door open to only be surprised by a silent gym. In the middle of the gym sat a small table with a single red rose and another note.
"Our time to spar will have to wait, this is the first place I took you on a date."
Since our first date was our only date at the academy I knew it was the lake. I let out an annoyed sigh realizing I was going to have to walk all the way to the lake. I was to fat for this, but he clearly put a lot of thought into it so I was attempting to suck it up.
I grabbed the paper and the rose and started to walk to the doors. Outside the doors sat a golf cart with a card with my name on it. "You didn't think I would make you walk that far in your condition" it read I couldn't help but laugh and glance around wondering who was helping him, know Adrian it would have been easier to wonder who wasn't helping him. I figured Alec was some where around the corner keeping a close eye on me.
I climbed on the golf cart and drove toward the lake. I had only driven a golf cart once and it was when Lissa and I stole it and I was completely drunk. Lets just say that experience did not end well. It took me a couple minutes to arrive at the lake. It was still dark and the only light that shined by the lake was the flicker on a single candle sitting on a small table. I wondered about the tables until I realized me bending over would most likely not work out to well.
I took a moment to look out at the lake and the moon shining down on it. Recalling the first night Adrian and I had spent out here. That night had been wonderful maybe even perfect. Breaking my gaze at the water I grabbed the next clue wondering where this was all going to lead.
"Roses are red, Violets are blue. I said I love you and this is when you finally said it too."
I climbed back on the golf cart and headed toward my old dorm. I was hoping that I might be able to go in the room. It had been a while since I had seen my old dorm that held so many memories in it. I drove slowly enjoying the cool breeze while recalling moments that I had at the academy. I passed the bench that had broken when I was walking on it, the clinic that I had visited one to many times, and Kirova's office like the clinic I had visited one to many times.
I parked the golf cart and hesitantly left it in front of the student dorms. I knew that it was an open invitation for the students to take a joy ride on it. I was hoping no students were as wild as I was. Climbing two flights of stairs had me winded and sweating. There was nothing on the door so I raised my hand to knock. When no one answered I slowly opened the door. The room was a bit bare and had no signs that anyone was living in it. On the dresser sat a picture frame but it was facing away from me. I walked over to it picking it up to look at the picture. It was after graduation Adrian and I were holding hands his face was tilted downward to look at me while mine was facing upward. The picture was a side profile and I don't think either one of us was aware that the picture was being taken. I moved the picture a little closer. We were both smiling at each other and were maintaining eye contact. The look on my face showed pure bliss. The way that we were looking at each other made it look like we were the only two people in the world that existed. Knowing that at the moment it is probably what it felt like, because I still feel like that when I am with him. Adrian's face radiated love something he seemed to do whenever he was around me and something I prayed would never fade.
I wiped the tears that fell to my cheek. The constant need for sex was great, getting fat I could handle, but crying all the time had to be by far the worst thing pregnancy brought. Once I was sure I wouldn't get tears on the paper I picked it up.
"Hearing you say you love me had to be the best, but there is one moment that could put that to the test."
It didn't take me long to figure out he was referring to the first time we made love. That thought brought a smile to my face. I quickly walked out and was pleasantly surprised the golf cart was where I had left it. I drove it over to the guest housing realizing that I was heading back to where I had originally started.
Once I arrive at the door I didn't bother knocking knowing that he made sure the other room was empty I was sure he would do the same thing for this one.
Pushing the door open I stopped when I realized the room was not empty. My eyes quickly found Adrian standing by a window looking out. I couldn't take my eyes off of him, I moved slowly closing the door behind me. The noise finally pulled him from his trance by the window. Slowly turning around to look at me.
"You did that a lot quicker than I expected" he said moving towards me, he moved around the furniture without breaking eye contact with me, the smile taking over his face.
"What is this?" I said gesturing toward the black suit he was wearing and chanced a look around the room. Candles were lit on every surface, roses were in vases while rose pedals were streamed out across the floor.
"This is something I have been dying to do since the day you told me that you loved me, even more when we made love in this very room, and it has been unbearable waiting since the day you told me I was going to be a father" he said stopping just in front of me, pulling my hand into it. His words stopped momentarily while he pulled my hand to his lips kissing it before he continued. "My world was full of darkness and I had accepted that it was going to be a permanent part of my life until the day I meet you. You were like the sun that finally pushed the clouds away bringing light into a dark world that I called my life. That light is what got me through the months that I didn't have you. Ever since the day you told me that you loved me I have felt like all the pieces have slowly began falling into place putting my life that I had shattered a long time ago back together. I have become a man that I can be proud of being and that is because of you. You have given me so much but I am a selfish man and ask for one more thing with the promise if you say yes that I will be there for you everyday through tears, happiness, anger and fear. I will hold your hand through the darkness and celebrate in times of joy. I promise I will listen to your wants and needs with the intent on making them a reality. So now I ask you Rose Hathaway will you give me the great honor of calling you my wife? Will you marry me?" he said dropping to his knee pulling something out of his pocket. I couldn't see what it was because my eyes were flooded with tears as I stared down at the man that I loved with every fiber in my body.
"Yes, of course I will marry you" I said feeling him kiss my finger before sliding the ring on kissing once more before he stood.
"Thank you, I love you so much" he said before crashing his lips to mine.
"Is this our room for the remainder of the trip?" I asked pulling my lips from his.
"Yeah" he said breathing heavy yet he still kissed his was down my neck.
"Good maybe we can recreate that night from the last clue" I said pushing him toward the bedroom that we had spent so many nights together in.
"I can't wait to call you my wife" he said pulling his coat off dropping it to the ground.
"Mrs. Ivashkov" he whispered pulling my shirt over my head.
"I was thinking Adrian Hathaway might sound better" I said quickly unbuttoning his shirt letting it slip to the floor.
"You can call me whatever you want as long as I am your husband when you do it" our pants dropping to the floor at the same time.
For the next couple of hours we relived that night over and over. Finally I rolled to my side laying my head on his arm. "You have brought me so much happiness I don't know what I have done to deserve it" I said closing my eyes letting the exhaustion hit me.
I slept peacefully and woke when my bladder demanded that I get up and pee. I climbed out of the bed trying to be quiet and gentle so I didn't wake Adrian up. I walked quickly to the bathroom not bothering to cover myself. Flipping the light in the bathroom I let my eyes adjust. It was the first time I actually looked at my ring. It took my breath away, it was an one and an one and a half carat emerald cut diamond ring. I knew it cost a fortune but I was sure that Adrian thought it was moderate because I knew he could have gone a lot bigger and I was grateful that he didn't. Finally breaking my eyes away from the ring I finished going the bathroom, washed my hands and tried to make it back into the room without waking Adrian up.
"I was wondering where my fiancé went" Adrian said rolling to his side so he could watch me climb back into the bed.
"Bathroom break" I said turning to my side so Adrian could wrap his arms around me. "I think I like the sound of that fiancé it has a nice ring to it" I said pulling his arms around my body.
"Wife will sound so much better" he said kissing my shoulder.
"So I take it everyone was in on it" I said bringing our hands together.
"Yeah I had some help" he said not giving any more details.
"How long have you been planning this? Like did Stan actually want me to speak at the graduation or was that just a ploy to get me here" I asked staring at the darkness that laid in front of me. I felt his arms release me I was about to protest until he climbed over my body so I could see his face.
"I have thought about the day I would propose since the day I meet you at the ski lodge. I have gone over hundreds of ideas on how to make it perfect and when Stan called and asked you to come back to the academy it just clicked. That is where we fell in love although I had a head start you caught up quite nicely. Stan asked you to speak because you are smart, talented and you have a lot to say that can help these kids before they become guardians" he said leaning down kissing me softly on my lips. I broke the kiss when I couldn't help but yawn.
"Get some sleep we had a long night" he said climbing under the covers allowing me to snuggle my body as close to his before I feel into a deep sleep.
The next morning I woke to the smell of breakfast generally it took me thirty minutes to pry myself from the bed but this morning I slipped Adrian's shirt that was laying on the chair over my head and grabbed a clean pair of underwear. Walking out into the kitchen.
"Morning future husband" I said wrapping my arms around his waist as he stood at the stove.
"Morning my beautiful fiancé" he said turning his body toward mine kissing me. When he pulled away he glanced down at my outfit.
"Although I love seeing you in my clothes I would suggest you put some pants on since we are going to be having company" he said as someone started knocking on the door. I quickly retreated to the bedroom slipping on a pair of soft pants and a bra. I didn't bother changing my shirt before heading out back out.
"Oh my gosh let me see let me see" Lissa shrieked running toward me. Grabbing my hand she stood in awe. "It is beautiful. He wouldn't let me see it, actually he wouldn't let anyone see it" she said pulling me into a hug. "Congratulations, I am so happy for you both" she said her voice breaking and I knew she was crying.
"Thanks Lissa" I said letting her go. Only to be bombarded by hugs from Eddy and Christian. The both mumbled congratulations and took a look at the ring.
"Break the bank account?" Eddy said fake punching Adrian in the arm before congratulating him.
"She deserves the best so that is what I give her" Adrian said winking at me.
"I think it is my turn to congratulate my daughter" I heard a voice that somehow made the moment ever happier.
"Dad" I said pulling him into my arms. It had been a while since I had seen him even though we talked a couple times a week I found myself missing him.
"Congratulations sweetheart. I think you got yourself a wonderful man and you know that takes a lot for me to admit. But he better understand if he hurts you that he will be taken care of" he said the last part his voice deep and loud enough for Adrian to hear the threat.
"Dad you can't threaten him until we are married that way he is stuck with both of us" I said letting him go. "So what brings you to the academy?" I asked walking toward the table where everyone was already sitting except for Adrian.
"Well Adrian called and asked permission for your hand and told me his plans on asking you and told me you were going to be speaking at the graduation ceremony so I wanted to stop in and see my little girl" he said kissing the top of my head before taking a seat next to Eddy leaving the seat next to me open for Adrian. I smiled at him thinking about the first time we had meet and how I couldn't stand him and his meddling in my life. Now he seemed softer, I knew it was mainly just with me and that he was still the man I meet in Russia but he was honestly trying and that is what mattered the most.
"Well I am happy that you came, I missed you" I said watching the smile build on his face.
We spent the next hour eating and talking about what had been happening at Court and I told everyone about the offer Kirova had made the night before. We discussed what everyone thought but no decision was made. Everyone had a reason to like one over the other, we all had jobs we enjoyed, the queen had not been harassing Lissa or me and Eddy had Emily. There was a lot to think about but I still had a few months before the baby came so we had plenty of time to decide.
We spent the rest of the day hanging out with my dad he was going to stay until the graduation and then he had to head back out. It made me sad that he had to leave so soon but I was happy with the time we had.
The next few days flew by. When graduation came I was actually prepared, something that I think actually surprised Lissa. I wasn't sure if my mom had heard about the engagement, if she had she never attempted to talk to me about it, we actually did not speak again while I was there. Adrian's mom and dad called to congratulate us. Kate told me that she would come and help plan the wedding when I was ready. She also informed me that her and Glen would be coming back to Court a few weeks before the baby came. She wanted to be there when the baby came and thought that it would be good to have the extra help for the first couple of weeks. I had agreed having never been around babies I would use all the help I could get.
"It is good to be home" I said flopping down on the couch while Adrian carried our luggage to the bedroom. "You can say that again" he said walking into the living room sitting down next to me pulling my feet into his lap. Slipping my flats off he started to massage my feet that seemed to swell slightly when I stood to long. I had read about it in one of the many books about pregnancy that I had read so I was not to worried when I noticed it.
Two months had passed since graduation and I had completely stopped working with Eddy. I was way to big to be helpful and my feet seemed to swell no matter how long I stood on them. Lissa spent most of her time with me when Adrian was working.
"Do you have everything you need for the baby?" she asked one evening. She was staying with me because Adrian had to go out of town for two days. Something for work, he had said no but when he told me about it I told him to go.
"Adrian it is only two days, Dr. Olendzki said everything looks good and it seems that I will carry the baby to full term. If anything happens you have the jet you could be back here in a couple of hours and if you have read any of the books I gave you I can be in labor for fifteen hours if not longer" I said sitting under the covers in bed, while he undressed.
"I don't like the thought of you being her by yourself when you are eight months pregnant. I can send Patrick in my spot, he knows everything about the presentation and will do a fine job" he said climbing into the bed next to me.
"I won't be alone Lissa, Christian, and Eddy are right next door and if it would make you feel any better I will ask Lissa to stay with me while you are gone" I said my back was against the head board so I could sit up. Adrian pulled the covers down exposing my extremely large stomach.
"Hi sweet little Dhampir" he said into my stomach kissing it lightly. The baby kicked instantly pushing her foot out until you could see the small bump on my stomach. The first time she did that it the look on Adrian's face was priceless. Now he just smiled placing a finger over the bump while the baby retracted her foot kicking again.
"I don't think I can leave you two" he said looking up from my stomach.
"Adrian this is the last time you will be able to leave us for a really really long time. You worked so hard on that project you deserve to see it to the end" I said placing my hand on my stomach trying to calm the baby down a bit. Adrian always seemed to get her excited and her excitement usually meant a lot of kicking and a lot of discomfort for me when I was trying to sleep. I never told Adrian that because he was always so excited to see her react, I didn't want him to miss out on it.
"You will make Lissa stay with you the whole time and call me if anything comes up" he said sitting up.
"Yes, promise" I said pulling his face to mine to kiss him. Lately that is as far as we got although there were a few times were my need for him was unbearable but having sex when you are eight months pregnant didn't make me feel to pretty. Knowing he would be leaving though had light something within me on fire and my want for him was in its unbearable range.
I felt myself blush and look at Lissa. "Yeah we have almost everything, I want to go shopping before the baby comes so far I have ordered everything it would be miss to actually go somewhere and pick a few things out" I said realizing I was already missing Adrian and he only left that morning.
"We can totally go tomorrow. It is not like we need permission we are not students anymore. I will let Eddy know and you already have three I mean two guardians" she said correcting herself. Michelle had left with Adrian, although he protested she was relentless and I told him she had to protect him being his guardian. Although he did not like it he finally agreed.
"I am sure the queen will provide another guardian for you if you were to ask" I said wanting to make sure we stayed on the safe side. "Ok I will contact Eddy and the Queen and see what we can do" she said bouncing on the couch with excitement.
The next morning Eddy, Alec, Eric, and two other guardians I had never meet were sitting on the couch. Christian had a class that he could not cancel so he was not going with us.
"Morning" I said wiping my eyes still tired, the further along I was the more I hated the getting up in the morning.
"Are you ready? I am so excited I haven't been shopping if forever. Maybe we can look quickly at the bridal store at the mall, if you are not to tired" she said kneeling down to help me slid my shoes on. I didn't bother wearing the ones with shoe laces since I could not bend down to tie my own shoe I didn't want someone else having to do it all the time. Her excitement was starting to rub off on me and I happily agreed knowing that we had only looked at bridal magazines and I knew Lissa was dying to actually try a dress on.
We all climbed in the SUV, I was sitting in the front seat because it gave me more room to spread out and get comfortable. The drive took thirty minutes and by the time we pulled in the sun was slowly setting.
"Where should we start first?" Lissa asked gliding next to me so she could loop her arm into mine. Alec stood within five feet of me while Eddy stood to Lissa's side and Eric was behind us a good fifteen feet. The other two guardian's spread out a bit further. The way we stood most would assume Alec was my boyfriend or husband and Lissa and Eddy were together, they probably wouldn't even notice that Eric was part of our group.
We stopped at Baby Gap first.
"Oh my gosh the baby needs this" Lissa squealed every two minutes or so it seemed. We gave up on buying gender neutral colors and bought whatever we thought was cute. Adrian and I had decided that we would donate all the clothes that we had bought that the baby could not wear. After spending almost a hour going through clothes and buying way to much we were on to the next store.
"We have to go in there" Lissa said stopping in front of a store full of kids.
"Lissa no" I whined watching all of the frustrated moms keep careful eyes on their kids that seemed to be running around aimlessly.
"Please" she said. Eddy and Alec were looking at me to object again but I didn't have it in me.
"Fine but make it quick" I said bracing myself for the hug that I knew would come. Once Lissa let me go we all walked into Build A Bear. Lissa didn't take long before she found a fluffy brown dog to fill. The line to put the fluff in the dog seemed to be never ending, kids ran around us stopping briefly to stare up at Eddy and Alec since they both towered over the children. The mom's looked at Lissa and I with jealous I am assuming part of it was how handsome the boys were and part the fact that their husbands were no were to be seen.
"Finally" Eddy sighed when we were the next in line to have the dog filled.
"Are we done?" I asked walking toward the register.
"Rose I haven't even picked an outfit out yet" Lissa said walking toward the wall of clothing. I walked over to a chair that sat next to the wall sliding down into it. Closing my eyes for a minute trying to drown out the loud buzzing of kids screaming. This was going to be my life in a month.
"You ok?" Alec asked standing next to me. No joke in his voice just concern.
"Fine, just a little bit tired" I said opening my eyes to watch Lissa pick out a few outfits for the stuffed dog.
"Are you ready to go home?" he asked.
"No Lissa wants to stop by the bridal store before we go and there was one more store I wanted to stop by" I said going to stand up when Alec put his arm out to help me up.
"What is it?" Lissa asked as we walked out of Tiffany's. I had to pick up a order I had mad the night before when I found out we would be going to the mall. I pulled the small box from the bag handing it to Lissa. She opened the box slowly.
"It is beautiful" she said pulling the silver baby rattle out of the box. "Turn it a little bit" I said as we walked through the mall.
"Oh my gosh Adrian will love that" she said seeing Ivashkov engraved into the rattle.
"Now it is your turn" I said to Lissa as we walked toward the bridal store. One of the other guardians had taken our bags to the SUV so Eddy and Alec didn't have anything in their arms if we were attacked.
Thankfully when we got to the bridal shop I was able to sit down on a nice white plush couch while Lissa tried on a few dresses. Eric was standing next to me, Alec had disappeared five minutes ago.
I was lost in my thoughts, thinking about all of the company we would be getting fairly soon between Adrian's parents, my dad, and Oksana and Mark, Olena and Viktoria asked if they could come for a visit. I wanted to see them and happily agreed.
"What do you think?" Lissa's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Rose" she said again.
"Sorry Lissa, it I just don't know what to say it is beautiful. No it is perfect" I said watching her turn to look at herself again in the mirror. "It is perfect isn't it?" she said turning again.
"You are stunning" Alec said walking back to stand next to me. "Here I grabbed you something to drink and eat I was sure you would be starving by now" he said handing me a plate with a pretzel on it and a cup of lemonade. "I know it is not much but I don't trust the food they serve here" he said taking a step back to stand where Eric had been standing.
"Thanks" I said slipping the straw in my mouth sucking half of the lemonade down in one gulp.
"I think it is the one" Lissa said after another minute of staring at her reflection.
"Me too" I chimed in even though my mouth was full of pretzel.
"You will be doing this soon Rose" she said before walking into the dressing room to change out of the dress. I didn't even want to think about a wedding dress and the amount of work I was going to have to do to get back to my old size and fit into a wedding dress. Adrian and I had discussed small details about the wedding deciding to wait a little bit after the baby was born before we got married.
"I am beat" I said as we walked toward the SUV.
"You and me both" Lissa said beaming at me. She had decided to buy the dress, after stating she would not find a dress as perfect for her as that one. They had to keep it to make some alterations.
"I don't feel so good" I said as a strong wave of nausea rolled over me. It had been a while but I realized this time it was not caused by the pregnancy.
"Strigoi" I screamed before we were attacked.
So the long awaited return has finally come. Dimitri has been but a dream so far, but the next chapter that all changes. Make sure you hit the green button so you don't have to wait to long for the next update.