THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS, AND COMMENTS ABOUT THIS STORY. I WAS SCARED EVERYONE WOULD HATE IT, BUT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE READING IT...I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AGAIN, I DO NOT OWN VA OR ITS CHARACTERS...

Chapter 15

Rose POV

Dimitri has to pretty much drag me down the stairs. I am completely mortified that his grandma saw me with my shirt inside out. I just want to hide upstairs in Dimitri's room. Well I really wouldn't mind hiding out with Dimitri in his room. I finally reach the bottom step and I see Alex staring at me and Dimitri. I forgot we were still holding hands. I release his hand quickly. I can't help but feel this wave of guilt crush me. It is so quiet now. The only sound I hear is our breathing. We just all stood there, just Dimitri, Alex, and I in the living room looking at eachother. Dimitri had a smug expression on his face, which really was pissing me off. Alex came over to me and hugged me right in front of Dimitri, in one of his classic bear hugs.

"How was your nap?" He asks politely, with no judgment while still holding me up off the ground.

I tell him the truth, I know I have to figure out this mess sooner or later. "I really didn't sleep much." I said trying to not look up in his eyes.

He holds me up with one hand and uses the other to lift my face up to meet his eyes. "It's okay Rose, but just remember the sleeper sofa sleeps two comfortably." He puts me down.

Dimitri just shakes his head.

Alex says. "I told you I wasn't giving up Dimitri."

"What?" I responded. "You guys had a conversation about me? Without me? What did you discuss! Here is a news flash for you two geniuses, next time you want to talk about our relationshipt (I point at both of them) you might want to include me. I sure hope you all didn't come to some kind of conclusion about this sordid love triangle, when I wasn't even there to speak for myself. "

I am really upset, clearly there was a conversations about me, and I was not included. I can just keep picturing them fighting over me like they did in the hallway.

"Roza, it was nothing like that. I promise." Dimitri says to reassure me. He tries to walk to me, but I back up. I am now pretty much sandwhiched between the two of them. I reach my arms out touching both there chests, to stop them from coming closer to me. I can't choose. I love them both.

"I can't deal with this right now, I can't deal with the both of you." I begin to walk out. And just when I need it, I hear someone call my name from the kitchen so I follow the voice.

"Rose." Olena calls.

I walk in and see Lissa, Olena (Dimitri's mom), and Yeva. Yeva is again just glaring at me. She does that one eyebrow thing, that Dimitri mastered so well. Yeva says something in Russian and shakes her head.

"Rose, please excuse my mother. She is being very rude." Olena tells me. Lisa has the biggest grin on her face. I forgot she took Russian as her language elective. All moroi have to study one language.

"What did she say?" I ask. Looking at Lissa. Lissa just shakes her head.

Olena stops slicing the tomato, and looks up at me.

"Rose, I just wanted to spend a little time with you. My Dimka has told me so many wonderful things about you." She looks up while cutting up a tomato. "I just wanted to thank you for changing my Dimka's life. He is so happy especially when he is around you. It's like you complete him." She walks up to me and hugs me.

Lissa is just grinning like an idiot. "Aww, that was so sweet." she says.

Alex walks in and Olena releases me from her hug. "Everyone should be getting here soon. It's almost time for dinner." Alex says.

Just then the doorbell rings.

The rest of the gang walks in. Dimitri walks over to his mother for introductions. Everyone is now in the sitting room.

"I would like to introduce everyone," he says. He works his way in the order everyone is standing in.

"This is Alberta, Eddie, Mia, Adrian, Lissa, Christian...My Roza and you all know Alex." Everyone smiles.

"Guys this is my family. My mother Olena." He kisses her on the cheek.

I think to myself he is such a suck up, but his mother is obviously loving the attention.

"This is my grandmother Yeva." She just nods her head. She is really freakin scary.

"My sister Karolina and her son Paul, my sister Sonya, and Victoria." We all make our formal introductions.

"Time to eat, into the dining room everyone." Olena says.

Don't ask me how it happened, but somehow I was seated right in the middle of Alex and Dimitri again. The food was delicious. Everyone seemed to enjoy all the company. I couldn't help but notice Adrian talking to Victoria. Dimitri must have noticed it too, because all of the sudden it looked like he was burning a whole in Adrians head with his glare. Victoria seemed to be enthralled by Adrian. He is a charmer, but I dont know how far that charm is going to get him with Dimitri. Adrian cracked a joke, and Viktoria put her hand on his arm, Dimitri looked like he was going to come across the table. I quickly rubbed Dimitri's leg trying to get him to calm down. I was not expecting what happened next, Alex and Dimitri both grabbed each of my hands at the same time. My reflexes kicked in and I jumped out the chair. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, so I apologized and excused myself from the table.

As I was walking out, Yeva said something again in Russia most everyone laughed. I was going to have to find out what she said later. Right now, I was completely confused. I felt like I was playing girlfriend with two men (Cousins) at the same time. I felt nothing but guilt. I felt guilty when I was with Alex, and I felt guilty when I was with Dimitri. No one would come out of this mess without some kind of broken heart. I couldn't explain it. I felt like two completely different people when I was with each one of them. Dimitri had one half of me. Alex had a completely different half. I step outside to get some fresh air.

A heard a noise and turned around. It's Alex.

He puts his jacket on me. "Rose, what are you doing out here?" he asks.

"I just needed some air. I felt crowded for a minute. I am sorry." I tell him.

He must understand that I am not apologizing for walking out, but rather, that I am apologizing for this whole mess.

"I should have told you about Dimitri and I sooner. I just couldn't deny the connection between you and me, it was getting stronger everyday, and then he came back. I didn't know if or when he was coming back. He broke my heart, and I was trying so hard to move on. When I thought it couldn't get worse, I found out you two were related. Closely related. After Dimitri returned and told me how he felt, I was scared to tell you the truth, I was scared you wouldn't want me anymore." I try not to look into his crystal blue eyes, but I owe him that. I look up.

"Rose, I completely understand. I feel the same way about you, but this is complicated. Really complicated. For one thing, Your are right Dimitri is my cousin. We were extremely close, and this is putting a rift in our relationship. This is the only family I have, and I need them in my life. Rose, I see how hard this is on you. I will back off if you want me to, we can just be friends. If that is what you want" He says this while running his hand down my arms.

"Alex that's the problem. I don't know what I want. When I am with you, it's perfect. You are such a gentlemen, you are gorgeous and charming, and funny. I love you." I put my hand on his cheek, and then drop it back down.

"But when I am with Dimitri I love him too." I said truthfully.

"Rose, I don't want to push you to make a decision, but the reality of the situation is we both love you. We both aren't going to stop fighting for you. At some point, all the anger and jealousy we feel is going to explode. I am scared it might happen sooner rather than later."

I begin to cry, I can't help it. "Alex, I promise I will decide soon. Please just give me one more day." He hugs me gently, rubs my back soothingly.

"Rose, let's get you inside. Its freezing out here." I wipe my tears away and we walk back inside.

Everyone is now sitting in theater room, watching a movie. Alberta notices me first, she was standing against the wall. I look around and see Christian and Lissa cuddled up together on a love seat. Eddie and Mia are holding hands on the floor beside them. Adrian and Vicktoria are sitting awfully close, and I can't help but smile because Dimitri is sitting right next to Adrian looking like he will snap his neck at any sign of him moving closer to his sister. I look at the screen and see what kind of movie it is. It's a comedy. I thank God silently. I don't think I could go for anything romantic. Dimitri notices Alex and I walk in. I sit next to Eddie on the floor, and wouldn't you know Little Paul comes in and sits on my lap. Dimitri smiles.

The movie ends and I am exhausted. I get up first, and say my goodnights. I ask Lissa if she wouldn't mind accompanying me tomorrow when I go meet my mother. Of course, she doesn't. I thank Olena for a wonderful evening. I walk up to Dimitri's room and grab my clothes for a shower. The hot water helps relax my tense muscles. I don't think I have ever been more stressed. I finish drying off, and put on my cotton shirts, and tank top. I am too tired to blow dry my hair, so I towel dry it and leave it down. I walk into the room, and Dimitri is laying on his bed. He is wearing pajama bottoms and no shirt. I can't fight the connection between us, It's a like I am drawn to him.

"Rosa, are you okay?" he asks worried. I know he sees how mentally exhausted I am.

I shake my head no. He doesn't ask questions about what happened with Alex. He understands exactly what I need.

He gestures me to him. I lay my head on his bare chest, and every nerve ending in my body feels like its getting an electronic charge by our skin on skin contact.

"Sleep my Rosa. I love you." he says.

"I love you, too." I say. I turn so that my back is against his chest and he wraps his arms around me. I don't remember falling asleep, but I do remember Dimitri whispering to me in Russian.

THE NEXT MORNING!

I wake up and Dimitri is still asleep. I am exactly how I feel asleep he still has me cradled to his body, and I try to escape. But everytime I move, it's like he doesn't want to let me go, he pulls me back tighter. I turn a little and kiss his lips. He wakes up.

"Hmmmm, Good morning Roza." he says. "How did you sleep?"

"I didn't mean to wake you, I'm sorry. I have to get up and go meet my mother and her future husband. I tried to move you, but you wouldn't budge." I smile at him. "But to answer your question, I don't think I have ever had a more peaceful sleep."

"Neither have I Roza." He says while I stare into those beautiful brown eyes.

I start to blush, and realize I really need to get up. I try and pick my body up, but he pulls me right on top of him.

"Roza, would you mind if I came with you and Lissa. I know Alex was planning on going to watch over Lissa, but I don't trust Abe. I have heard things about him, and I would feel better having you in my eyesight while you are around him." He says with all seriousness.

"Do I really have a say in whether or not you come?" He smiles. "Not really, but I thought I would ask anyway." He says.

He lets me up and about thirty minutes later we are all dressed and ready to leave. We meet at the address that was left at the front desk under my name. It's a restaurant. We get out, and walk in the door. I spot them instantly. They are the only ones in the restaurant.

My mom stands up, and then I see this man stand beside her. A chill runs down my body. I see myself in him. All the similarities. It's not a coincidence. I see my eyes, and my hair. I see my skin color. Lissa must realize it to, she gasps. I am a few feet in front of them now. My mother, and my father.

"Hello, Rosemarie I have been waiting for this moment for years." He says.

I try to control my anger, I can't believe this. I had come to terms with meeting someone my mother met recently, but the man my mother said didn't want to have anything to do with me or her. Is standing in front of me. How could she? How could he? I start to tremble. I can't control it anymore.

"Abe Mazur? Is that your name?" I look at him and then to my mom.

" Mom? Is that the name of the father I was told all these years abandoned me? He didn't want me? He used you and left us. He threw us away like trash?" I am raising my voice. I dont give them time to answer my questions. I have to get this out.

"What did you think would happen today? I would show up and we would be one big happy family? and all my little girl fantasies of my mother and father being married would come true. I am sorry, but you two are crazy."

My mother tries to talk. I quickly shake my hand at her.

I am screaming now. "I don't know him! I barely know you! You threw me into the academy, and left me there to be raised by teachers. You gave me false hope thinking you wanted to start building our relationship again, and then you pull this. Did you think marrying him was going to fix all our problems? If you did you are completely mistaken. This is about you, the both of you. NOT ME. I dont understand and I don't want to. Why do you want to be with someone who left us? I am sorry, but I wont be attending your wedding."

I grab Lissa's arm and we walk out. Alex and Dimitri stand right behind us. I am trembling still.

"I can't believe her. That is my father in there. Abe is my father." I shake my head trying to let it all soak in.

A second passed, nauseau swept my stomach, and I saw movement to fast coming from the corner of my eye. I jump up, and take my fighting stance. I yell at Alex and DImitri to guard Lissa. I see Alex push LIssa against the wall, and protectively stand in front of her. Dimitri and I stand back to back realizing we are being enclosed by strigoi. They are 5 of them surrounding us.

One of the males starts to talk to me. "The beautiful Rosemarie Hathaway. We heard you were in town, and we had to come check for ourselves."

"Well you idiots found me. I'm right here. You must have not looked too hard." I said saracastically. He hissed at me and lunged forward.

Dimitri and I fought for what seemed like forever, I had staked one and he had staked one also. Leaving three left.

I am facing off with the male whose commentary began this fight.

I try to block his punch, but he lands a kick to my side, and I fall down to the ground. As I am on the ground he looks over to Lissa, who is trembling behind Alex. "Princess Vasilissa, it will be so nice when we kill off your family line."

I snapped. I jumped up and charged at him. He landed a few blows to my face, and I countered with the same powerful body kicks. He was tiring, and I found his weakness. I kicked his kneecap so hard, that he fell to the ground. I jumped on him and pinned him down, and staked him. I looked up to make sure Lissa was okay, and quickly realized my mistake. I forgot there were three stigoi left, I had only killed one leaving Dimitri to fend off two by himself. I screwed up I hesitated. I felt one of them at my neck. All the training for this moment, I saw LIssa she was safe. All I could think was I failed Dimitri. Everything went black.

DIMITRI'S POV

We walk out of the restaurant, following behind Lissa and Rose closely. I am in a state of shock. I can't believe Abe is her father. Her biological father. Poor Roza. I am scared for her. She tries to be so strong, but her heart is so fragile. I know she is hurting.

She turns to us. "I can't believe her. That is my father in there. Abe is my father." She shakes her head.

I saw something move at the same time Roza did. She jumped into her fighting stance and I follow suit. She yell's for us to protect Lissa, but Alex is already moving her against the wall and is blocking her with his body. I look to see that we are being surrounded by five strigoi.

One of the males talks to Roza. "The beautiful Rosemarie Hathaway. We heard you were in town, and we had to come check for ourselves." I clinch my fists, and my fighting instincts take control. I am waiting for one of them to make a move.

Roza must not feel like waiting for it, and responds to the male. "Well you idiots found me. I'm right here. You must have not looked too hard." She was using her sarcastic tone. I knew this was not going to be good. He hissed at her and lunged towards her. My only thoughts were to protect myself, and to protect Roza.

Roza and I had been fighting a few minutes, and we both had each staked a strigoi. That left three.

Roza and the male began to fight again. I hear him talking to Lissa. "Princess Vasilissa, it will be so nice when we kill off your family line."

Roza lost control and leaped up at him. She ended up on top of him somehow and staked him. I was busy with the strigoi in front of me, I tried to keep the other one on me, but when I was punched in the face. The second strigoi jumped on Rose. He had his teeth at her neck. It felt like minutes, but I am sure it was seconds. All I could think was not my Roza, not my life. I kicked the one that had just punched me in the face hard. Before he could get up I staked him. I grabbed the Strigoi who had bitten Roza. I grabbed him and threw him off her, I grabbed Roza and held her in my arms like a child. I began to sob.

"My baby, My Roza, My life. Please stay with me. I can't live without you." I started to sob. All I could think was I failed her.

I felt something crack on the back of my skull, and I blacked out still holding my Roza in my arms.

SORRY TO LEAVE YOU HANGING WITH A CLIFFHANGER BUT I ONLY SLEPT AN HOUR LAST NIGHT. I WILL POST TWO MORE TOMORROW. SO WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS CHAPTER? PLEASE REVIEW AND COMMENT!