Here we are again! I know all of you want a bit more mushy goey sweetness! It is coming, a bit more humour in this chapter, Hope you enjoy!
Ibrahim POV
A part of me wants to Hate him.
Another part wants to Thank him.
I haven't seen my daughter smile like that in months. After only a few hours since she woke up she has been my old Rose again. She laughs so much and her smile still has me mesmerised.
How can one man do so much damage and then fix it just like that?
I know that if she did marry Mason she might not ever have this, I know she wouldn't. All I wanted was for her to be happy, Mason was such a nice man I knew that hopefully with time he could break through and help her get back up again.
It was all hope.
Oscar kept telling me it didn't feel right, that he didn't like Mason that much. I know he hates Dimitri as much as I did, for whatever happened. I don't know it all in detail, but now it seems to be Oscar who's happy for them both and now I'm the one torn.
Of course I want my daughter to be happy and I know that Dimitri is one of the most trusted and respectful men out there. But I will always be her father and I will always have an opinion.
No man will ever be one hundred percent good enough.
"You're not silently planning to murder him are you?"
Waking me from my deep thoughts I look over at Oscar who's sitting across from me nursing his cuppa.
Shaking my head I sigh, "No, something inside me tells me that wouldn't help"
Oscar chuckles, "You can't hate him that much then, if you're trying to be reasonable?"
Rolling my eyes I say, "I'm not sure how I feel about all this"
Leaning forward Oscar says "I think you never will be one hundred percent with who your daughter chooses, knowing you, you will always find something"
"I liked Mason"
Huffing Oscar says, "Until he pulled a gun and ended up shooting your daughter"
Sighing I knew he was right. Mason was a generally nice guy but something must be wrong for someone to get that angry.
"I do agree that it will be good for both of them if we sit down and actually talk through what's happened and how to proceed. Knowing more in detail will help you to see what's laying beneath the surface and help them make the right choice. You're a good man Ibrahim, one of the best I know, but damn you're stubborn"
I smile slightly, I might be stubborn but that's what's gotten me to where I am.
"I also think-"
"You do have awfully a lot of opinions today" I say narrowing my eyes at my best friend.
He chuckles, "Isn't that what you're head advisor is there for?"
I roll my eyes at him and cross my arms over my chest. He laughs, "We both want the best for her, You can see by only being with him for a few mere hours she's back to her old self again. Yes I will always bare in mind what he's done to her, but people do deserve second chances"
Picking up my tea, I keep my eyes on my friend. "That's one hell of a speech you just gave"
"Inspired?" He asks with an amused smile on his lips.
"Fine, we'll go speak to them both, but I want to do it at home. I want her back where she belongs"
Nodding Oscar smiles, "Let's get her home"
Rose POV
Pushing myself up I groaned, my body was so bloody stiff it's a joke. The doctor checked on me every hour, I had stayed here for two nights now I think and they were finally going to let me go home today.
After Dimitri declared his love for me yesterday I had to force him to go see his family. They were only staying for another few days.
Taking a break resting on my elbows I took a deep breath before I pushed myself up on my side. Pushing myself into a sitting position I groaned loudly, "Fuck" I breathed.
A chuckle took me by surprise, looking over my shoulder Dimitri is leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his wide chest with an amused smile on his lips, "Need a hand?"
Rolling my eyes not wanting his help, I put my feet on the floor,´getting ready to push myself up, "I think I'll be fine"
Hearing him move around he was soon by my side, I tried fending him off and he only chuckled as I did. Forcing myself up I felt like I was loosing my breath as the pain continued. grasping for anything Dimitri was there catching me for I lost my balance.
Finding myself against his chest, I looked up at his face. He had a sweet smile on his lips. Taking my hand he placed it on his heart, "This feels strangely familiar"
A flashback from where we first kissed by the pond in Amsterdam came into my mind. Although it wasn't a specifically happy memory a small smile came to my lips.
Tilting my head up Dimitri met my lips. Closing my eyes I felt the pain slowly seizing. Moaning quietly against his lips, he grinned pulling back looking down on me.
"How are you today my love?"
I still felt giddy when he called me sweet things like that.
"Still soar, but ready to leave, everything smell strange" I said making a face and Dimitri laughed. I love his laugh.
"I'm glad you finally get to go home again" He smiled warmly.
A thought popped back into mind, biting my lower lip, I felt slightly nervous as I looked up at him, "Did uh, speak to my papa?"
Dimitri took a deep breath, "Oscar caught me earlier saying once you're home we were going to have a talk about what had happened"
"Yeah" I said grimacing, "They said the same to me" Searching his eyes I asked, "Nervous?"
He let up a small chuckle, "Well seeing it like your father and I use to be very good friends and now he might be the only thing keeping you from me, I'm not afraid but I do feel strange about the whole conversation"
Holding back a smile, "So you're not thinking he might kill you?"
"Oh I know he's probably plotted several ways that could happen" Dimitri laughed
"How do you know?"
"His eyes" He said taking my hand leading me over to the sofa by the window. "They've shot me nothing but daggers and murder ever since we left church"
I giggled.
Small images of the church came into mind. I dreamt a lot about the whole situation. Dimitri coming in, Mason screaming and the gun always felt so unreal.
"I'm surprised you haven't asked me nothing about it yet" he said as if he knew what i was thinking.
"Well" I said licking my lips, "My mind have been full of you so I haven't really had time" I said sheepishly. He grinned. Looking down as I blushed feeling like I was fourteen again, he cupped my chin tilting my head back so he could see me.
"Don't hide your face, I've lived long without it and I'm planning on it becoming permanent in my life"
Smiling as he leaned down to press his lips against mine. My hand went to his thigh and he put his big one on top, enclosing mine in his. I felt all warm all over, I had already gotten use to his ways of calling me sweet names and shamelessly stealing kisses when ever he wanted to.
Someone cleared their throat and it made us pull away.
Papa was in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest and brows raised. Biting my lower lip I tried holding back a smile as I knew Dimitri was probably panicking.
"What can we do for you papa?" I smiled acting as if this wasn't a big deal. Because it wasn't, but altho it was because it was me and Dimitri for christ sake! It is a huge deal and I'm so bloody happy, I just need my father to get use to things. Quick.
"Since you seem to feel better to be doing… other things than just stay in bed, I've made the arrangements and will be going home within two hours"
"Great! I can't wait" I grinned.
I would have thought this was his queue to leave but of course he awkwardly stayed, staring at us.
Sighing I rolled my eyes moving a strand of hair behind my ear. "Alright papa, you don't like him much at the moment but get on with it"
I could hear a chuckle from behind him and I knew that would be Oscar.
"I see" Papa said and turned on his heel. Biting the inside of my cheek I instantly felt a little stupid and not sure if I was rude.
Looking over at Dimitri he had a cheeky grin on his face. "What?" I asked not being able to hold back a grin.
Reaching his hand out he stroked my cheek. "I just love seeing you defend me"
Chuckling I shook my head feeling silly, "But um, what you said earlier about the um, wedding?"
He obviously could tell I was a little nervous talking about it, he just gave me one of his warm smiles and I instantly felt a little bit better.
"What do you remember?" He asked.
"Um, well nothing after I blacked out but, what I mean, how did Mason-"
"Get a hold of a gun?" He finished my sentence raising a brow silently asking if that was what I wanted to know. Nodding I moved my legs underneath me getting comfortable.
"Every guard is armed in that church, even your father and Oscar were. It's more for show since the weapons in general are for looks and like an accent to the outfit. I over heard you father say Mason was given one he wore underneath his waistcoat."
Pursing my lips slightly I nodded.
"I think, nerves combined with the fact that I ruined the happiest day of his life got the better of him"
"I just never saw him as a person who could ever snap like that" I said feeling my brows come together.
"Maybe he has been after you a long time and he finally got his chance and it drove him mad realising you didn't love him"
My eyes met his, they were serious.
"I think I might have snapped if I realised you were married"
"Now I highly doubt that Mr Belikov" I said shooting him a playful look.
Chuckling he smile, "Yeah maybe not but, it would've crushed me" He took my hand firmly in his. He looked down at our hands as he started playing with my fingers.
"You're the only one Rose, it took me so long to realise it but I'll never change my mind again."
"I have been chasing you for quite some time" I said smiling tilting my head to my side.
Leaning in our noses bumped together, "I'm caught and you are stuck with me"
"I wouldn't have it any other way" I grinned as I placed my lips on his. They were so soft and tasted so amazing. Moaning against his lips I knew I would never get tired of his. Ever
"I love that sound"
Opening my eyes I felt myself blushing. Fiddling with my nails, hiding from Dimitri's gaze I said "There is once thing I'm still intrigued about"
"And what is that?"
"What happened with Meredith?" My gaze instantly fell on his. I didn't want to miss a single flash of whatever was going through his mind.
Taking a deep breath Dimitri ran a hand through his hair, "I realised that what I was doing to her was almost as bad as what I was doing to you. After speaking to my mama and grandmama about you I-"
"You spoke to you mama about me?" I interrupted him feeling surprised.
Smiling warmly he nodded, "I'm very close to my family, I hadn't mentioned you previously but my mama always see's straight through me. There wasn't a point in trying to hide that I wasn't happy"
"And what did she say?"
"She said to follow my heart. I know that all she wants in the end of things, is for me to be happy. That's always been her goal as a mother with all of us children. Of course she wasn't happy with the way I had been stringing Meredith along. I've earned my fair shares of slaps in the back of my head" He joked rubbing what still seemed to be soar.
A small smile touched my lips. "So what did Meredith say?" Biting my lower lip. I wanted to know and at the same time I didn't. It was a woman who's kissed and touched who now is mine. I never enjoyed talking about her at all.
"After speaking to my family I had to have the awkward situation telling Meredith" He grimaced as he spoke, "She of course didn't understand at all. I told her that I couldn't do this, I didn't love her in the way she deserved. She instantly knew there was someone else. She was crying and made sure that I felt as horrible as possible" He chuckled humourlessly.
"She even threw a couple of things at me but aimlessly"
Biting my lip I tried to hold back a smile.
"My sisters didn't speak to me for several days either" He then added.
Feeling my stomach drop slightly as I remembered he had three sisters, Shit.
"Why um, did they really like her?"
Nodding he said, "They did, she was a very nice girl but she wasn't for me. They got along very well. Karolina was the one forgiving me first. She said that my happiness was most important. I think Sonya and Viktoria are still a little bit upset with me." He said laughing shaking his head.
Biting the inside of my cheek I felt a little bit guilty for his sisters hating on him. As if he knew what was going on inside me he took my hand and squeezed it, "They will both come around and I know they will love you once they give you a chance"
"Gee, that made me feel better" I said making a face. Dimitri chuckled.
"I think you will have it easier than I will with you father once we get you home"
Smiling moved closer to him kissing his jaw, "I'll protect you"
He laughed turning his head to capture my lips. Smiling I kissed him back before pulling back. "Let's go home"
Sitting awkwardly on the sofa in the library Oscar was pouring us all tea. Papa would come along any minute. Oscar had a steady grin on his face and I shook my head, I knew my papa was up to something.
They had told us earlier that we needed to have a talk to discuss what had happened and what were to come. I knew Oscar always enjoyed a good conversation seeing anyone squirm under my fathers harsh eye.
I knew Dimitri could definitely hold his own but then again I knew he wanted to get back on my fathers good side. God knows how this is going to end…
Dimitri's hand slid into mine making me feel a little bit better. It's not that I was afraid of my father, I could definitely hold my own against him. I was more worried for Dimitri's sake. My father wasn't really soft around the edges if you were to describe it in a nice way.
Speaking of the devil
Oscar passed me a cuppa and winked with a ridiculous grin on his face. I rolled my eyes. He was enjoying this a little too much.
Passing papa a cup they just shared a nod before he sat down in a an armchair right across from us. He was staring as he was shooting daggers Dimitri's way. Dimitri didn't seem troubled at all as he was stiring his tea before leaning back in his seat. I couldn't believe how relaxed he was.
"Right" I said moving to the edge of my seat, "Get on with it, you're driving me mad with this silent glaring thing you have going on"
My father shot Oscar a look who only grinned to himself and shook his head. My father leaned back in his seat eyes set on both of us.
"You both know why you're here" he said simply. "I have a vague idea of your history but I don't know it all I presume. What I do know is that Dimitri crashed my daughters wedding, ending up with having a gun pulled in your face but my daughter getting shot" Lifting his cup to his lips he raised a brow towards Dimitri, "Why don't we just talk about that?"
I wanted to hide my face in my hands and groan. My father was acting like he was a mafia boss of Italy. Dimitri didn't seem phased at all.
"I know that I'm most like to be on your hit list at the moment Ibrahim but all that matters is that I love your daughter and I will do everything in my power to make sure she knows that and is treat like nothing less than the queen she is for the rest of our lives"
"Oh I think there is more to it than that. You're a very honest and trustworthy man Dimitri, I don't deny that. But I'm not just going to fall in love with you just because you love my daughter. You're going to have to work harder than that."
Rolling my eyes I sighed, "Isn't this what you've wanted for over a year. Find you daughter a man who will treat her right and love her? Well I've found it, why do we have to make it awkward?" I asked hoping to cut this conversation short.
Like that would happen.
"We both know you haven't had a smooth start, the opposite to be exact. I don't want anymore mistakes for your Rosemarie. I'm just making sure you're doing what's right for you"
"And I love you for that. Yes Dimitri and I weren't right from the start, not even after months it still wouldn't go our way. But now it is and we want to work on whatever platform we can build"
"Which is a very healthy and wise choice" Oscar filled in.
"But that doesn't erase the fact that you turned my daughter into someone else for months. That she lost her strong foundation. That she was crushed and shredded to pieces that not even I could pick up. I know it's easy to forget everything when you're blissfully happy, but who can you reassure me that In a few months time it won't happen again. You're both royals of Europe's biggest and most powerful monarchies! How are you going to make that work?"
Licking my lips I felt like each of his words were digging under my skin. Before I even could think of a comeback Dimitri took the floor.
"I know I haven't made wise choices, nobody knows better than me what I've done to Rose and that is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I can apologise everyday for the rest of my life trying to make up for the damage I've made. But what good will it make? All I can do to assure both you and her that this won't happen again is to love her, and love her like it's my last day each day I get to have her in my presence"
Each word leaving his lips were so full of strength and authority. He always knew what to say and he was so passionate about us, it was like it was radiation off of him. I knew he wouldn't fail me, I knew it.
Judging my the look of my fathers face he either didn't like what Dimitri and just said or he was pissed because what he just said slowly convinced him to believe him. My father was no different from me, he didn't like to be wrong and he was a thought nut to crack and convince when you were in a difference of opinion.
Resting his chin in his fist his eyes never left Dimitri's. "So what now?"
Biting my lower lip I looked over at Dimitri. We hadn't even discussed this between the two of us, how were we suppose to know and tell him now?
The door opened and no other than Olena Belikov entered. Closing the door behind her she walked in as if she was expected. Looking over at Dimitri confused he was now the person with his face in his hands shaking his head and I think silently curing his mother in his native language.
"Olena!" Oscar grinned getting out of his chair to give her a hug, "Lovely of you to join the party"
"You invited her?" Dimitri and Papa said at the same time.
"I thought she might have something to add" The mischief on Oscars face was priceless. I knew he would get an earful of this later from my father. I did however, find this whole situation quite comical.
"Lovely to see you Oscar" Olena grinned, Papa instantly got out of his chair to greet Olena. She smiled sweetly, "I hope I'm not interrupting too much"
Hell her smile was like an angel I knew even my father couldn't be angry at her!
"Have a seat" he said showing her to a seat between him and Oscar. "Tea?"
"I'd love one" She smiled as if this was a normal occasion she was joining.
"How are you Rose?" She asked smiling brightly toward me. I could help but smile brightly in return, I had only met this woman once before but I already loved her.
"I'm well, still getting use to functioning with a battle wound" I joked.
"I know you're strong, you will be back sooner than you know" She smiled. Her eyes moved over to Dimitri and her smile brightened, "And I know you're happy I'm here"
My gaze moved to Dimitri and I could see him shooting his mama glares. I elbowed him and he rolled his eyes.
Oscar handed Olena her tea and she put some sugar in before she started staring her cup looking between Ibrahim and ourselves, "Where were we?"
Papa cleared his throat, "I was just asking Dimitri was their plan is. He have just declared his love for my daughter, which I appreciate but I do still have my doubts"
"Which is fully understandable" Olena agreed nodding along.
"I just wanted to know how the two of them are going to work this out?"
All eyes turned to us. I squeezed Dimitri's hand has he leaned forward to the edge of his seat. "We haven't actually spoke about it yet but we will make this work"
I could see my papa rolling his eyes and I shot him daggers as he did. Shaking my head I licked my lips, "No matter what we will make this work. It will take time but I love him" I said simply, "There's nothing to argue about"
"But how will it work?" Papa asked skeptically, "Yes I see that your are back to your old self, you smile, you laugh. You're my Rose again and I'm very happy that you have found that again and that he can bring that to you. But how will this work, that's all I'm wondering, You don't seem to have a plan"
"Oh, but I do" Olena said suddenly all excited in her chair. All eyes were on her and I could see Dimitri face palm himself. I tried not to chuckle.
She met papa's gaze and she snickered, "Don't give me that look Ibrahim, we both know I always have a solution to all problems"
Shrugging he sat up in his chair, "Since these two don't I'm open for anything. Let's hear it"
She grinned before turning her attention to the two of us. "I definitely know you two are meant for one another, whatever one of you lack the other will pick up. There is such a strong force between you there's no doubt you will work this out"
I could tell Papa thought this was going to be a long praise of our love declaration and he wasn't really a fan of those. But Olena's face turned serious, "I don't think that you should rush into anything though. What I would like to propose is that you spend a month living in one another lives. Rose will show Dimitri England, teach him her ways and what is important to her while Dimitri will do the same but in Russia. I know both of you have a lot of strength but I believe that that can also be your weakness"
Putting her cup down she kept her eyes on us, "It's important you truly get to know each other before we talk about proposals and marriage. I believe that once you both know what truly matters to run and love a country, which you both are destined to do, that's when you truly can give yourself fully to the other"
I was captivated as she spoke. Olena had such presence about her. Something I only dreamed to have before I became queen.
"I actually think that is a great idea"
My head snapped in my fathers direction surprised by what he just said.
"It's very important to understand one another role and I think you both will have different priorities when it comes to your people. It would be very good to see what those differences are"
Nodding It actually didn't sound that bad.
"I propose Rose first spends some time here with her father and Oscar to make sure she heals properly. Then she can come to Russia for a month to see our world and then Dimitri will follow you back here and you can show him yours"
Papa was nodding along agreeing to everything Olena was saying. This didn't happen often that my father was quiet in a important conversation. Which surprised me even more.
"What do you think?" Olena asked raising a brow our way.
"I think it sounds good" Dimitri said breaking his silence, "The thought behind it is very strong but also let's us get to know one another and like Ibrahim said earlier, not to get too lost in the blissfulness that happens once you've fallen in love"
Meeting my gaze he gave me a warm smile as he said that. I grinned and squeezed his hand tight before meeting my fathers gaze.
"I agree, it will be nice to just spend some time here first, to heal and just spend time to two of the most important people in my life"
I knew that made both Papa and Oscar gooey on the inside but they never showed it. I will miss Dimitri something crazy but it would be good for us. This was the right thing to do.
"Then it's decided" Olena smiled. "We shall see you in Russia once you feel ready for travel"
Finally a slightly longer chapter! What do we think of Rose going to Russia? What will happen?
Let me know xx