Bundle Of Joy
Chapter Two

Authors Note: I fooled up Dimitri's age last chapter for some reason and thank you to the reviewer who mentioned it to me! Sometimes I get so caught up in my fingers moving across the keyboard to get all my ideas out I skim over important details and try to go back after and make sure they're right, but I obviously failed to do so last chapter! Anyhow, I did some reasearch to see other pregnancy fanfics and I realized EVERY one of them... well, 99.9 percent are about Dimitri leaving Rose for Tasha and not knowing she was pregnant, or both of them were, or stuff like that and I can't help but to be sad because if you really shipped Rose and Dimitri I have a feeling you wouldn't be able to write about Dimitri leaving Rose, let alone for someone who tried to kill her... Whatever! Instead of interupting Frostbite I obviously decided to continue post-series so I hope you guys enjoy the refreshing start! I don't just want this to be another Rose gets pregnant cliche fan fiction so if you guys have any suggestions or ideas you'd like to throw at me, I'm always openminded, so shoot me a PM! Enjoy!

Rose's point of view

I had to tell Lissa. After I got over the initial shock, I knew whatever I did next had to be telling Lissa. However, she had a big royal meeting earlier today that I was supposed to attend as one of her many guardians. Dimitri would be there to guard Christian, as well.

"What time is it?" I whispered softly in the dark, cuddling toward Dimitri.

"Eleven twenty-eight," he murmured in my hair. "If you're not feeling well enough to go to the meeting, Rose, you don't have to, she'll have lots of guardians around her. She'll understand if I tell her you're not feeling 100 percent."

"I'm her guardian," I said softly. "Even if she has more than one, I'm still her main one. I have to go, I want to." I would always be Lissa's main guardian in my mind, and many others for that matter.

Dimitri smiled and pulled back to look at me. "I love how strong you are, Rose. I'm going to be there so if you're not feeling too well just let me know, okay?"

I nodded, leaning up and kissing his lips. "I know, we should get ready."

We both got up and went over to the dresser. I was trying to forget everything that had happened this morning and pin it off as a bad dream, but when Dimitri wrapped his hands around me from behind as I was surfing through the top drawer for my black pants and laid his hands on my belly. "Everything will be perfectly okay, so don't worry about it."

I hesitated, his hands feeling odd on my stomach. It was surreal. I hadn't put a lot of effort into thinking about children because, well, I wasn't ready for them now and Dimitri and I thought we couldn't have one together. "Eventually," I admitted before taking out my guardian outfit. I handed Dimitri his and we slipped into them quickly.

"I love you," I whispered softly as we were ready to go.

He smiled, kissing me tenderly. "I love you, too, Roza."

We left the apartment, locking the door behind us and when we were in out guardian uniforms in public, there was that seperation there between us. There would never be a true seperations, even with our auras, but we never showed our emotions in front of the other guaridans, or on duty. It was unacceptable and could get us, and Lissa or Christian hurt if we slipped up and we both were firm on that, we had to be. They come first.

The meeting was in a large banquet room with a long table stretching almost from one end of the room to the other. It was decorated eloquantly with the best china and a deep red table cloth was draped over the large oak table, and, only Lissa and Christian were there yet. Of course there were a few guardians lining the walls already but they weren't part of the decorations.

"Rose!" Lissa cried, her face brightening up when she saw me.

"Hey Liss, you excited for the meeting?"

"Of course. I want to get this whole age-law thing set straight, for sure."

"Dimitri," Christian said, coming up alongside Lissa. "Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"

"Of course," Dimitiri obliged, following Christian up to the front of the room. I raised a brow skeptically but focused back on Lissa.

"You're going to be brilliant." I paused, "What are you doing after the meeting?"

She shrugged, "I had no real plans. Why you up for something?"

"No, no, I just wanted to talk."

Lissa smiled and took my hand, "Come by my room after okay? Is everything alright?"

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes, is Christian going to be there?"

"Not if you don't want him to be," Lissa said gently, quirking a brow. It was one of those weird moments where Lissa was able to read me, without any bond on either side. I knew she could tell I wasn't being completely honest with her. If that was because of the shock still shining in my eyes, or my pale face, I wasn't entirely sure.

"It's fine, Dimitri and I will both drop by."

"I figured inasmuch," she breathed, curiously. "But are you okay? Are you and Dimitri okay?"

I nodded, "Yes, don't worry."

People started entering the large banquet hall, all royals, of course, one to represent every one of the royal families. Nathan, Adrian's dad was there for the Ivashkovs, Christian was there for the Ozeras (Now that Lissa was Queen she obviously wasn't going to pretend as though the Ozeras were non-existent.) Members of the family had made extremely poor decisions, yes, but that wasn't every Ozera and I was glad someone as diplomatic and forgiving was Queen. Lissa deserved it and she was finally settling into her high position. What started out as two run-a-way teenage girls had come a long way.

Lissa gave me a parting hug and took her spot at the head of the table and after a few minutes everyone was in attendance. I stood back along the walls with the other guardians and I was half-relieved to be at a meeting, for once, that I knew wasn't going to end with me telling the Queen how wrong she was, with some choice wording.

"Today, we're discussing the age rule that Tatiana had made before her passing," Lissa said confidently. "I'm changing it, whether that means drastically or not, it has to be changed. I'm giving every one of you and your families a right to vote our of respect and consideration but firstly, I'm going to inform you all of my experiences with under aged guardians." Lissa paused and everyone stayed silent. Some looked half-resentful, respectful, yes, but some obviously envied Lissa's quick rise to the throne, however it only made sense. She was the last Dragomir. She was infused with spirit, too, which made her very open-minded and contemplative. And persuasive.

Everyone remained silent and she finished, "At St. Vladimir's, when Rose and I were brought back, no one in that graduating class, at 17 was able to fight a strigoi," she said bluntly. "No one. Guardian Hathaway put in many extra classes with Guardian Belikov to be up to par with our peers, and yes, she learned fast and eventually, because she had no other choice, she surpassed them. Despite her many accomplishes that you heard at the meeting Tatiana held, I want to show you that at 17, she wasn't even ready to go out and fight, not like Tatiana had swayed you all to believe."

"The first time Rose was in contact with a strigoi, even after surpassing our peers, she was no match. Guardian Belikov had to come and defeat it to save her, otherwise, she wouldn't be here today. Ms. Hathaway held out until Guardian Belikov saved her, yes, and I believe many other peers in her position wouldn't have survived to tell the story. Stirgoi are fast, very fast and strong. Only after many years of training are guardians declared qualified to even think of fighting these monsters and even then, they're killed tragically, all the time. The dhampir race isn't happy with this law and I think it will cause more younger guardians to pursue a life away from this path. I think we, as royals, have to consider that sending these fearless people who are here to protect us out before they're ready will end up in the depletion of their race and our security system relying on magic alone. That's why I'm suggesting to you all to go and think about everything I've told you today and realize that this may or may not be the best decision. They're too young and inexperienced to fight any younger than eighteen. They already have to grow up fast and they deserve that last couple years of training and childhood. Finally, the vote will be held next Monday, and I expect to see you all there. Please think this over and relay what I've told you to your families. There are other options, many more, but this age decree isn't going to keep our race safe any longer than leaving the graduation age at 18."

Chaos started ensuing with some strongly-opinionated royals about their own safety and Lissa started to feud them off one by one, ordering them to be, well, orderly. I started feeling slightly faint and nausea was plauqing my mind. I took a deep breath in before silently excusing myself. Lissa had four other guardians there, and I knew she would be safe from whatever the royals decided to throw at her. I entered the hall, the cool air hitting me immediately. I hadn't realized how warm it had gotten in the hall. Lissa had been wonderful; a true leader and I respected her immensely for the way she could take control.

I heard the door open behind me, and I looked over to see Christian standing beside me. "What's wrong, Rose? You're not in their throwing a tantrum like the rest of them, telling them they're all stupid to even question the Queen?"

I laughed. "I thought you'd be in there doing the same," I teased.

He chuckled, "Lissa will get her way, she can take care of herself. I'm dead-weight when it comes to royal business, and you know, that's how I like it. You look... pale, though, are you alright?"

"Yeah," I lied again. "I'll talk to you and Lissa later. I've got some... news."

"Alright," Christian said skeptically.

"What'd you have to talk to Dimitri for?" I asked curiously, remembering Christian taking him aside before the meeting and veering off topic.

"Just wanted to make sure he remembered that we're going out of town the weekend, me and him. I've got to find Lissa a good anniversary present and I needed some time away from this place, it really knows how to make someone go crazy."

I frowned, I had forgotten all about the trip. "Oh yeah, it can be hectic here, for sure."

Things had gotten quieter in the room and I went to open the door, however it was opened toward me before I grabbed it, people exiting the banquet hall. Christian and I passed through the royals and went back into the hall, the guardians passing out the doors as well. Lissa and Dimitri were still there, though and Lissa sighed. "I wish they'd just take into consideration someone besides themselves," she muttered to Dimitri before turning to me.

"Way to sell me out," I said, exasperatedly, but playfully. "I've always kicked ass. My short comings were definitely just lack of poper tools," I said more so to Dimitri. "If I was taught to use a stake sooner I could of kicked Natalie's ass."

Dimitri smirked, "I wouldn't bet on that, sorry Roza. The first is always a shock."

Lissa laughed and she knew I was just trying to get her mood up. "I had to show them the bad in order to cancel out the good. This age thing has to be changed and I need them on board with me."

I laughed in response. "I know, Liss."

"You wanted to talk," she remembered. "Come up to the room."

I was immediately nervous, everything I was trying to forget, rushing back to me. "Alright," I murmured as we all exited the banquet hall and walked up to her room.

We arrived nearly ten minutes later and despite her and Christian's attempt at making conversation, I couldn't string a thought together.

"Tell me what's going on," Lissa said softly as we went into her apartment-styled bed room, sitting on the large chesterfield on the far side of the room. Her room was just as elaborate as Dimitri and I's. Well, her and Christian's. The bed wasn't made and I wanted to make a joke, but I couldn't find my sense of humour at that moment, shockingly.

"Rose, you're scaring me." Lissa turned to Dimitri to see if he would give her an answer before me and I was just thinking the best way to go about it; phrase it.

"Rose woke up this morning and she wasn't feeling very well so I went and got the nurse," he said, looking to me to see if I wanted to continue.

I took it from there. "Long story short,"

"Are you okay?" Lissa asked, alarmed. "Is it where you were shot?"

"I'm pregnant," I blurted.

Christian laughed, "Come on, Rose."

"We're serious," Dimitri told them and I felt his fingers find mine, lacing together for support.

Lissa's face went white and she opened her mouth, but didn't say anything for a few, long moments. "I... I didn't think you and Adrian were serious... Not that serious..."

"Why does everyone think it's Adrian's!" I cried. "I never slept with Adrian, Liss."

She flinched at my tone. "But... How? How could it be..." She looked to Dimitri. "How can it be yours?" She blushed softly at the words. "Not to be mean or anything."

He shrugged, exhaling a deep breath. "I don't know. We don't know. There could be many different factors. Where it hasn't happened before, maybe it's because of the bond you and her used to share. Only time will really tell."

"That's impossible," Christian said, pausing. "Though we're kind of the poster-group, including Rose, of mastering the impossible," he tried to lighten the mood and I actually gave him a small smile in amusement.

"We thought so to, which was why, we weren't, uh, careful," I admitted, frowning.

Lissa got up and came over to where I was sat, next to Dimitri. She wrapped her arms around my neck. "Rose," she said shakily. "What are you going to do?"

I frowned and closed my eyes, hugging her back. "I'm not leaving your side as your guardian," I told her. "But I'm not going to have an abortion, either, so really, I don't know."

Dimitri's point of view

"I know it seems like this is a huge deal right now. But I'm twenty-four and having children really isn't the worst thing that could happen to me right now. I know it seems like Rose's world is turned upside down, but she'll make it through it and we'll figure it all out."

Rose squeezed my hand tightly and Lissa sat next to her on the chesterfield.

Lissa gave me a small smile, even though she had worry lines on her forehead. "I know you'll be there, I know it won't be an issue, I just... She's young, Dimitri. Too young to have a baby just yet. I know she doesn't want that kind of responsibility; the damanding life of a parent. Maybe someday but right now, I know she's not ready."

I frowned. "I know, Lissa. She's young, I get that, but she's matured twice her age. I know this isn't necessarily ideal but it could be worse."

"Dimitri..." Rose's voice trailed off. It was small and helpless and I turned to her, seeing the tears running down her face. "I'm not ready for this."

I immediately took her into my arms, my heart breaking seeing her cry. She buried her head into my chest and even I felt the reality truly hit her in that moment. It was overwhelming to her and really, too much. This wasn't what she had wanted. "Shh, Rose."

Lissa rubbed her back soothingly and Christian sat across from us quietly. None of us, including myself was usedto seeing Rose cry, she was always a brick wall; strong and opinionated. Seeing her break was horrible.

"Rose, you're going to be okay," Lissa breathed. "We're all here for you. I know it's... shocking but..." She didn't know the right words to say, but I could see her heartbreak as well seeing Rose so miserable.

"I'm not going to be able to protect you when I start showing - they're not going to let me," Rose said, turning to Lissa for a moment. "Then I'm going to have to send the kid back to the academy so they can raise it just like my mom did and it'll hate me forever. I don't want my kid thinking I didn't care like I thought my mom didn't." She paused, frowning. I reached over and wiped the tears off of her cheeks. "I understand why she had to do it with me now. It's not the life either of us want; raising children. Of course I'd love to be able to have a family but it's not what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to be a guardian, not a mom."

"You can be both," Christian pipped in. "Your mom is. You're here because she is a mom, and a guardian. Like you said, you didn't understand why she did it at first, but now you do. It won't hate you for it. Hell, do you think Lissa or I am going to stop you from going to see it? Your mom had a charge that probably didn't even know about you, Rose. But Lissa has more than one or two guardians and there's nothing stopping you from going to visit if you do decide to give it to the academy. You can even try and figure out some way to keep it here if you wanted. Don't freak out just yet," he said. "You know things will work out, they always do."

"I'm just scared," Rose admitted.

Authors Note: Like always, if you have any suggestions, PM me or put them in your review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! - Dramaticfield