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Rose POV
I can't believe Dimitri's here. Seeing him again last night was so confusing. I thought when I looked at him, all those feelings of the love we had were going to come washing over me, but they didn't. When I looked into his eyes, all I felt was that of a good friend, nothing romantic. Sure, the attraction was still there because, well, he's so freakin' hot! But that was it. I look over to my clock and see that Adrian needs to be waking up in about an hour. So I get up and jump in the shower to get ready for my day. Sundays are my days off, but I always spend them helping Adrian recover from his Saturday night binges. I don't mind. I don't have anything or anyone else to do. I like taking care of Adrian. It makes me feel needed. I'm such a hypocrite. I keep trying to get him settled down with a nice Moroi girl when selfishly I hope he never finds anyone else.
I put on my favorite comfy jeans and a nice red top and head over to Adrian's to get him out of bed. I walk in his room and he hasn't moved an inch since I left him last night. Before I wake him up, I always take a few moments just admiring his sleeping face. He looks so peaceful and happy. I take a few extra seconds looking at his luscious lips wondering what they would feel like against mine. Okay, Rose, you need to stop thinking like this. You and he can never be together. I need to concentrate on keeping him alive, not seducing him. Besides, I don't want to endanger his career by having a scandalous relationship with his guardian. The Queen and I both agreed that he needs to marry a nice respectacle Moroi, preferably royal. She and I have a very unique relationship. We hate each other on the surface, but have a respect for each other. We have lunch once a month to talk about everything. I'm the only one who will argue with her and tell her how it is, whether she likes it or not. She's a lot me in that we both like to argue, and we both want what's best for Adrian. She knows how he feels about me, and how I feel about him, that's why I'm his guardian. She knows no one else will do whatever it takes to keep him safe. I owe him my life. After Dimitri left me for Tasha, I was so heartbroken. Adrian stayed by my side and let me cry on his shoulder for days, never complaining once. We never dated because I knew it was no use, but he became more important to me than anyone, even Lissa. She was so hurt that I didn't tell her before about me and Dimitri that she wouldn't talk to me. We're okay now, but it won't ever be like it was.
I give him a kiss on his cheek like I always do and grab the covers and yank them off him. He stirs, feeling the cold air on him now. I shake his shoulders to wake him. "Good morning, sunshine." I say cheerfully. He hates that. He groans and slowly opens his eyes to see my smiling face.
"What's so good about it?" he asks groggily.
"Well, you're alive for one. Oh, and we are having guests for lunch today so get your ass out of bed and into the shower." I tell him as I look through his closet for something he can wear.
"And who are we entertaining for lunch?" he asks as he slowly sits up in his bed and watches me rummage around his room.
"Tasha Ozera and Dimitri are here. I thought it would be nice to catch up." He looks surprised and grabs my wrist as I walk passed him and stops me.
"Dimitri? Is that such a good idea?" He's probably remembering the hell I went through when he left.
"It's fine Adrian. When I saw him last night, I was really okay. I think I'm truely over him, thanks to you." I say with a smile. "Now get your ass in the shower while I go get started on lunch.
"Are you going to join me in the shower Little Dhampir?" he asks like always. It never gets old for him.
"Sorry Adrian, I already had a shower. Next time, I promise."
"Yeah, that's what you said last week." he says as he pulls off the undershirt he slept in. Man, he has the most beautiful chest, shoulder and arm muscles I've seen on a moroi. God, I hope I don't start drooling.
"I forgot I said that. I promise I'll remember next week though." I say jokingly.
"You said that last week too." he mumbles as he shuts the bathroom door behind him. I wonder what he would do if one Sunday I actually did join him in the shower. Probably have a heart attack. Better not risk it.
I go to the kitchen and start getting lunch ready, which consists of calling the Italian restaurant at Court and have them deliver a lasagna to Adrian's apartment while I get out the plates and silverware. I never learned how to cook. I should've paid more attention in Christian's culinary science classes. I walk around the apartment and straighten things up and throw out any empty booze bottles I find.
After about an hour, Adrian emerges from the bathroom looking handsome as ever. I can't help but stare at him. "See something you like, Little Dhampir?" he asks with a smirk on his face.
"In your dreams, Ivashkov." I tell him. I can't let him know that I really do like what I see if I have any chance of getting him to get over me and move on with someone else. So I push him away, like always. He just shrugs and sits himself down on his couch and turns on the tv. I hand him his hangover cocktail I made for him and he drinks it up. It's the only thing we've found that helps him with his Sunday morning headaches. "Why don't you go down to the feeders before they get here. I don't need you being a grouch when they come over." He can get a little bitchy when he hasn't fed in a while. He sighs and gets off the couch and heads to the door.
"Yes dear." he says sarcastically and leaves. I can't help but smile when he says that.
It's lunch time now and the food is here and Adrian is back and watching tv with me sitting next to him. I hear a knock on the door and jump up excited to let our guests in. I pull Adrian up with me so he can welcome them too. He shuffles behind me, not as eager as I am for our get together. I open the door and see a smiling Tasha in front of me with Dimitri standing behind her. I let out a girly squeel when I see her and give her a big hug. I don't know why I like her so much all of a sudden. I guess I've done a lot of growing up this past year. When I hug her I feel a hard bump on her stomach. I back away and look down and see that she is pregnant. I feel the faintest of pains in my heart knowing that it's Dimitri's baby, but then I remember how he wanted to have a family, and I can't help but feel so excited for them.
"Holy crap, you're pregnant." I shout. Both of their faces beam with bright smiles and I hug her again and pull her into the room. I give Dimitrii a hug and congratulate him while Adrian gives Tasha a kiss on her cheek in greeting. Adrian glares at Dimitri, a silent warning to watch his step around me. I love how he can be so protective of me. I elbow him in the ribs to remind him to be civilized. He then he reaches his hand out to shake Dimitri's. We all walk into the dining room and sit down for lunch.
Tasha and Adrian are both on the same committee for offensive magic so they spend lunch talking about that while Dimitri and I chat about our encounters with Strigoi and show each other our battle scars. I don't have as many, not because I haven't had to battle Strigoi, which I have, but because when your charge is a Spririt user that can heal, you just don't get as many. I try to keep our conversation quiet because Adrian hates me talking about the time I almost died.
It happened when Adrian was on a business trip in Europe and we were heading back to the hotel. Six Strigoi jumped in front of us. It was Adrian, me and his other guardian, Guardian Smith. I pushed Adrian back against a wall and stood in front of him fighting, making sure no one got past me. Smith took down two and I already had another three staked, but the last one was really good. I was getting tired and he was scratching the hell out of me with his nails, which felt more like claws. I scraped my stake across his face which pissed him off more than anything. I guess he didn't want to play with me anymore because he grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, exposing my neck and bit down. I remember hearing Adrian scream before blackness took me over. Apparently, Smith was able to get to me and stake the Strigoi through the back before I died. Adrain healed me and carried me back to the hotel where I eventually recuperated.
I thought I was being quiet when telling that story to Dimitri, but as I finish, I noticed that it's very quiet. I look over to Adrian and see the pain in his eyes I saw when I woke up after that incident. He hates leaving on trips now knowing that at any time, I could die trying to save his life. He excuses himself from the table and walks into the kitchen with our dirty plates in his hand. I know I need to go talk to him, so I excuse myself and suggest they make themselves comfortable in the living room while I get the coffee. I walk in the kitchen and see him standing in front on the sink with both hands on the counter, staring blankly ahead. I know he's pissed, but I gingerly walk up behind him anyway.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you were listening. I never would have said anything if I knew." I feel so bad bringing that up again. I should never tell that story ever again. He doesn't move or say anything. I walk up closer and put my hand on his shoulder which he quickly shakes off. That hurt. He straightens up and heads over the the cabinet in the kitchen that houses his liquor.
"I need a drink." he mumbles. I hate it when he drinks on Sundays. I open my mouth to say something, but he glares at me in a way to remind me who the boss is. I also hate it when he pulls rank on me. But I glare right back at him.
"At least pour it into a glass, and go easy on the sauce, we have company." I say as I hand him a a glass. I get the tray of coffee and cookies ready and head into the living room where Dimitri and Tasha are cuddled up together on the couch. It's hard seeing a happy couple when you're fighting with your, whatever Adrian is to me, friend, boss, whatever. I put on a fake smile and sit on Tasha's other side while Adrian flops down on the recliner and turns a football game on. He looks bored which is pissing me off since I don't want them to see this side of our relationship. I give him another hard look and he returns it, all noticed by our guests. I decide the best thing to do is ignore him.
I turn to Tasha and start talking babies with her. "So when are you due?" This conversation should keep me busy for a while. Pregnant women love to talk about babies and can talk forever.
"I have another four months." she beams.
"Do you know what you're having?" I keep the conversation going.
"No. We want to be surprised." she says as she holds Dimitri's hand. He looks over to her and smiles while giving her hand a little squeeze. I know I'm over him and I am genuinely happy for them, but seeing them be like that in front of me is still a little hard.
"Hey, if you have a girl, you can name her Rose?" I jokingly suggest. They both have a bit of a shocked look on their face and Tasha stammers out a response.
"Well, uh, we haven't really discussed names..." she tries and Dimitri seems to be at a loss for words
"I was just kidding." I laugh. I know they would never name their daughter after one of his ex-girlfriends. That just ridiculous. Relief washes over their faces and I see Adrian trying to keep an amused smile off his face. "Well, we have to go shopping some time. I love buying baby stuff. It's so cute. And I insist when the baby's here that I babysit. I just love babies. I make sure I have at least one shift a week at the Court nursery." I tell both of them. They both look a little hesitant at my offer. "I'm really good with kids. Ask Adrian. His sister's kids love me." I tell them. They look over to Adrian and he shrugs.
"Yeah, the kids think they're Auntie Rose is the greatest person alive. My sister on the hand is still mad at you for teaching Roman how to throw a proper punch at the age of three. My brother in law had a black eye for three days after that little lesson." he laughs. I can't believe he told them that story. Dimitri looks amused and is trying not to laugh while Tasha looks a little horrified. I don't know why she would considering she teaches people how to fight.
After we finish talking, I walk them to the door while Adrian stays in his chair sulking. I tell Dimitri that I plan on training at the gym in a few hours if he would like to join me so I can kick his ass and he accepts. I say goodbye and give Tasha one last hug before shutting the door. I can't believe he behaved so rudely to them. I turn and go stand between Adrian and the tv with my arms crossed over my chest.
"Were you trying to be a big ass or does it just come naturally?" I huff. I hate it when he gets like this. He looks up at me and narrows his eyes.
"I guess I'm just a natural. Now will you please move. I'm trying to watch the game." Fine. I walk into the kitchen and start cleaning up the mess as loudly as I can, slamming cupboards and clanking plates. When I'm done I walk back to living room and grab my bag.
"I'm leaving. If you need anything, don't call me." I warn. I don't like it when we fight like this so I turn to leave before he can say anything to piss me off even more.
"Whatever you say." I hear him yell at me before I slam the door behind me. God, he can be such an asshole.
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