After the hearing Rose and all her friends and family gathered in the Queens Chamber to throw her a Welcome Home/Congratulations on your Release party. But before Rose arrived she went to her room to shower and put on fresh clothes. Adrian was sitting on her bed when she came out of the bathroom. He again enveloped himself around her as he did when she was released after the hearing. The two of them didn't want to let go.

They lay on her bed cuddling, telling each other how much they were missed by the other. They kissed with such passion, desire and most of all love than wither has ever felt. Just as they were about to share in the much needed nakedness someone knocked at the door. Since Rose hadn't dressed yet Adrian answered it. And standing before him was none other than Dimitri. Though the two of them had put aside their difference while Rose was away now that she was out each man thought she was fair game.

Rose quickly dressed and composed herself as she went to the door. Slightly touching Adrian on his back signaling for him to step aside, "Dimitri…can I ask what you are doing here?"

"I came to talk to you before your party, alone." Dimitri said eye balling Adrian

"What about?" Rose wondered

"It's a personal matter that I wish not to speak about with him here."

"That's OK. I am going to get you something I've had for a while. I'll be right back." Adrian said as he kissed rose then left

Sighing as he left she begrudgingly let Dimitri in. "Well now that you chased away Adrian what is it you want to talk about?"

Not holding any feelings back he blurted, "I still love you and I want you back. I miss you and I never should have let you go."

Taking in everything Dimitri had said she replied, "So what I got out of that was you love me, you miss me and you want me back because you never should have let me go. Is that right?"

"Yes!" Dimitri exhaled

"Well what about what I want? In all of that you didn't ask me once what I wanted Dimitri."

"I love when you say my name."

"Don't interrupt me!" Rose snapped, "I used to love you with all my heart but things change. I fell in love with Adrian and out of love with you. There's been so much time between you and I that we can't get back. And honestly I don't want back. I don't really ever think I truly loved you. I think that I was just trying to fill a void in my life when I met you."

"Don't say that Rosa. You and I are meant for each other." Dimitri pleaded

"No I was a young girl who had a crush on her trainer. I thought what we had then was love. I just think that because of all the time we had spent alone together it just seemed that way. Dimitri there is someone out there for you, but its not me." Rose gracefully stood and kindly asked him to leave as she opened the door.

Before Dimitri left he said, "I won't give up on us Rosa."

"We're over Dimitri. We've been over for quite sometime. I hope one day soon you can accept that and move on. Goodbye." Rose closed the door in his face not to be mean or hurtful but to give him a push in the right direction of getting over her.

Seconds later Adrian walked in, "I hope you never say to me what you just said to him."

With half smile, half frown and a shoulder shrug, "He needed to hear it. I haven't felt anything for him since…well the day I met you. And then the night he yelled at me while he was in jail, that just pushed me more away from him. And like I told him I feel like I convinced myself of having feelings for him to fill a void in my life. I mean I never knew my father and my mother was never around. So I wanted someone to care for me."

"What made you realize that?" Adrian wondered

"Well from day one he and I met there seemed to be this connection, but I think it was just that he and I shared similar interests in training."

"You and I connected when we first met too." Adrian smiled

"Yes but on a different level. Dimitri pushed me away saying we couldn't be together because he was my teacher or our age difference and what people would say."

"I never pushed you away. But you did keep me at arms length." Adrian pointed out

"True but my reason at the time was Dimitri. The feelings that I had created didn't let me get close with anyone. After he had became strigoi I got to know my mom a little better as well as my dad. And even after I started dating you I was still able to keep a descent relationship with my mom."

"Rose you had sex with him! He was also the only one who could calm you down when the dark side of Lissa's magic took hold."

"That also may be true but I don't need him for that. That was another reason why I had it in my mind that he was right for me. Adrian you and I have had a tug of war relationship since day one. There was something about you that pulled me in, but I knew that whatever it was I wanted to get to know you. And with each dream you entered and all the days we hung out I knew in my heart that you were…are the man I want to be with. Dimitri likes me because I am so much like him. But you and I," she pulled him closer, "are completely different and yet through all my flaws you still love me and would go through hell to find or protect me."

"Damn straight! And I did actually, go through hell to find you." with a smile, "Plus you still love me despite all my flaws and there's a lot."

They both laugh, "But you do understand why I want to be with you?" Rose asked

"Just as much as you understand why I want you to be with me. You saved me Rose from so much. And I don't know what I would do without you." Adrian confessed

"Good thing you'll never have to find out. I love you Adrian."

"And I love you Rose." They kissed and with much dismay their lips broke

"We better get to the party." Rose announced

"Let's go my little dhampire." Smiling as he opened the door

As Rose and Adrian entered Lissa's chamber everyone yelled, "Welcome back Rose!" They cheered and clapped. Lissa was the first, in a very long line, to give Rose a hug. Hundreds of people were there so only immediate friends and family gave her hugs. Surprisingly Dimitri still showed up and gave her a hug. Adrian was fine with it since he knew where Rose's head and heart were at.

"My baby girl I knew you'd get through this. I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you." Rose's mom cried

"It's OK mom. I know you had to work."

"Oh you are so strong."

"I get it from you. I love you mom."

"I love you too, baby"

"Is dad here?" her mother only gave her a look, "Oh so he's around here somewhere flirting with anything that walks?" They laughed at Abe's expense. "OK well I am going to get some food. I'm starving."

"OK baby."

As Rose picked out her favorite foods from the buffet (pizza, Chinese, biscuits and gravy) she looked out at the people who cared for her. And even though she knew everyone she still felt out of place. Lissa, as usual, made her way through the crowd with elegance and kind words to everyone before sitting down with Rose.

"Don't feel comfortable do you." Lissa didn't question

"Nope, but you already knew that. This food is amazing though."

"Only the best for you." Smiled Lissa

It didn't take long for Rose to finish her food. By then Adrian, Christian, and Mia were all with her. The five of them sat and talked about the old days. How Mia used to hate Rose and Lissa. How Christian fought with Rose in the attack against St. Vladimir's. They talked for about an hour or so when Adrian asked, "Are you ready for another surprise?"

"Uh…do I have to be?" Rose groaned

"Yes!" Said Christian, Lissa and Mia

"Well then I guess I am."

Adrian stood as Lissa tapped her glass. The room became silent as Adrian spoke with such clarity, "I would like to thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate the release of Rose." The crowd cheered, "but I have something I would like to give her in front of all of you. Most all of you know that I love Rose with all my heart. And a lot of you thought you would never hear me say that about anyone.

"Awwww…." the crowd spoke

"And before I give her my present I have to ask her something." Adrian knelt down to one knee. Lissa and Mia stared with joy and excitement.

"Adrian what are you doing?" Rise questioned but she already knew by the looks of it what he was about to do

"Rose I love you. You've made me a better person since the day we met. We've grown closer than I could ever have imagined. And when they say the heart grows fonder each day…each second you're away from the one you love, it's true. Everyday you were gone I missed you that much more. You, Rose are the one person I could never get over. No matter how much you or anyone else told me to. I hope that you feel the same way. Rose Hathaway will you do me the greatest honor and marry me?