Chapter 3

Three months later

Everything was back to normal.

Field experience was cancelled, Dimitri was out of the infirmary—Lissa had healed him completely, so there was no need for further treatment—and we were finally together. Alberta knows about us and she says that as long as we keep it under wraps until I graduate then she doesn't see a problem.

Right now I was on my way to our training session, and I can say at least one thing for certain: they have become a lot more interesting lately. No, we don't have sex during these sessions, but he is a lot more relaxed now. Before he always used to be so stoic about everything, but now he laughs and jokes around with people—especially me.

"Hey, Comrade," I called as I opened the door to the gym. He stood leaning against the back wall, and as he saw me, he pushed off and walked towards me. I put my arms around his neck and his wrapped around my waist. I stood on my tip toes and kissed him. He kissed me back, but we pulled away before the kiss could deepen; if we were just standing in the middle of the gym making out, it wouldn't look very good if someone walked in.

"I love you, Roza." He said as he leaned his forehead against mine.

"I love you, too, Comrade."

"You're never going to let that go, are you?"

"Not a chance." He laughed.

"Roza, what would you say to meeting my family?" he bit his lip, unsure of my reaction. I stiffened. "Don't worry," he said. He let go of me and took a step away. "I should never have brought it up."

"No, no, it's okay." I grabbed his hand. "I'd love to meet your family. Why'd you ask?"

"They're going to come down for graduation. It's been nearly three years since I saw them last, and last night was the first time I've spoken to them since I saw them; Russia to America calls are…very expensive. I told them about you when I spoke to them, and Viktoria, especially would like to meet you. You'd like her, I know you would."

"Yeah, that'd be great. I can't wait."

"Thank you, Roza. You have no idea how much this means to me." I kissed him again, and when I pulled away, he was grinning so wide it looked like it would hurt his face. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I said, and then a thought struck me. "Hey, prom's in, like, two weeks."

He looked at me suspiciously. When I didn't reply, he prompted me with, "And…?"

"And do you want to be my date. It would be a great way to tell everyone. Plus I'm eighteen now. No one can stop us."

"Rose, you might be eighteen, but I'm still your teacher. And it's still illegal." I pouted, and he looked at me lovingly. "I may love you, but we can't tell everyone just yet. We'd be separated. Wait until you graduate, then we'll tell people."

"Come on, Comrade. It'll be fun. And we don't actually have to tell people. It can be like a friend date." He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him. "I love you!" I breathed, kissing him again."

"Love you, too, but don't you think we should get down to business?"

"Whatever you say, Comrade."

Two weeks later, I was standing in front of my mirror, putting in one last hairpin when I heard a knock at my door. I frowned and went to answer it. Dimitri hadn't said anything yet, and since tonight was prom, I figured he wasn't going.

So you can imagine how surprised I was to see him standing outside my door in a tux.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Ready for what?"

"You wanted to tell people tonight, right?" I nodded. "So let's tell people." It took a second to sink in, but when it did, I threw my arms around his neck, and felt his wrap around my waist.

"I love you, Dimitri Belikov."

"I love you, too, Rose Hathaway."

I kissed him and set off; off to tell the world about the man I love.

Yeah, it's short, but there will be a sequel, I promise. I haven't started it yet, but when I do, I will put it up as soon as possible.

P.S. I just had to put in that last line. :P