Chapter 19

*Rose's POV*

"Do we have to do this now? I mean, can't we wait until the baby's eighteen?"

"I think your parents will notice when they come around for a visit and you're as big as a blimp, Roza."

"We could move. I heard Mexico is great this time of year."

"Roza."

"Okay fine."

I'm not ready to do this.

As Dimitri and I walk into the 24 hour dinner in the middle of the night, I start to become self-conscious. The bump on my stomach has grown to become more obvious. It's been a month since the fight with Dimitri, so now I was about 14 weeks pregnant. Baggy sweatshirts have been my best friends, even though my bump looks like I ate way to much that day. Okay, maybe a bit more than that. But I don't think anyone realized anything yet.

But my parents are anyone. My mother is the guardian of Lord Szelsky and my father is a very powerful Moroi. Together, I won't be shocked if they can figure out my secret instantly.

"They're gonna kill us." I whispered to Dimitri, holding his hand in a death grip.

"They will kill me, not you." He responded as we approached the table that Mom and Abe were sitting at.

"Hello Rose!" Abe pushed away from the table, and pulled me into a hug. I think I pulled away a bit too quick which earned me a suspicious look. Thankfully, he turned his attention to Dimitri and held out his hand. "Belikov."

"Abe." Dimitri shook Abe's hand, both of them staring each other down. Finally, they looked away from each other and Dimitri turned his attention to my mom. "Hi Janine."

"Hi Dimitri." My mom said with a polite, business-like smile. "Sit."

Immediately, we all sat down in the squeaky restaurant chairs. A painful silence washed over us. The awkwardness was so obvious, even our tired waitress wouldn't dare approach our table. Abe was, of course, the first one to break it.

"So, what was so important that you made us come here, Rose?" He asked. His gold scarf seemed even brighter in the sharp lights of the diner.

"Well, Rose and I have some news for both of you." Dimitri grabbed my hand. My heart started to beat 10x faster.

"Well there is no ring, so I will take it you're not getting married." Mom said, glancing at my hand.

"No, we're not Mom." I tried to control my breathing, but it came out shaky and scared. "I'm… I'm, um…"

"Hi, I'm Amy and I'll be your waitress." Our young waitress picked the perfect time to hop in and pretend to be cheery. "Can I start you off with something to drink?"

After we all ordered and Amy bounced away with her blonde ponytail flouncing behind her, the conversation continued.

"You're what Rose?" Abe asked, leaning forwards.

I looked down at the table, unable to look at my parents when I said it. "Pregnant."

Silence filled the room again. It was so quiet I could hear all the sounds in the kitchen.

"Who's the father?" Abe asked through gritted teeth.

"I… I am Abe." Dimitri said hesitantly. My heart broke when he hesitated. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he still believed that Adrian was the father.

When Abe hit the table with his fist, I jumped. "I'm serious! Who is the freakin' father? Whoever it is, I want to beat him to a pulp for doing this to my daughter."

"It's Dimitri, Dad! And if you even try and hurt him, I'll hurt you myself. I may be pregnant, but I'm still able to kick some ass." I said in a loud whisper, trying to not make a scene.

I knew his tough guy act would falter when I called him Dad. "It's not possible Rose."

"Somehow, it is. Dimitri is the only guy I've ever… It can only be his child." My cheeks flushed. "Mom, are you gonna say something?"

"Rose… I know that the two of you are more than capable to care for a child." Mom looked up at me, no emotion on her face. "But I know the struggle being a young parent and a guardian at the same time. It hurts knowing that you could die protecting someone, leaving the child alone with someone else. Not being able to be there…"

"But Dimitri and I can figure it out. Do you think Lissa and Christian would freak out with a baby there? We know that they will be the best aunt and uncle ever. We will find a way to make it work. This kid won't grow up unloved like I did." I went to get up, but Dimitri stopped me.

Our waitress silently brought over our drinks and left without saying a word.

"Well, I would like to make a toast." Abe raised his glass of water in the air. "Even though it pisses me off that my daughter is pregnant this young, I have no choice but to be happy for the two of you."

With a small smile, I raised my glass. "Thanks Dad." Dimitri followed suit despite the evil glare Abe gave him.

We all looked at my mom, unsure of what she would do. She wasn't particularly angry, but she seemed… disappointed.

"To Rose and Dimitri… and the baby." She raised her glass somewhat reluctantly.

"To a grandchild to spoil."

"To our new little family." Dimitri put an arm around me and kissed my cheek.

"Oh shit!" Abe exclaimed as he set down his glass.

"What?"

"I'm gonna be a grandfather! That means I'm getting old! And if it means I'm getting old that means Janine is getting really old!"

Mom punched Abe in the arm, he pretended that it didn't hurt, and we all laughed. Anyone watching us would think we were one happy family. And maybe, that's what we really were.

A crazy, messed up happy family, but still a happy family nonetheless.

I thought this would be a fun chapter. I think the next Rose and Dimitri chapter will be an adventure in Russia. Well, them going to Russia and then telling Dimitri's family. Next chapter is Sydney and Adrian! Yay! I'm trying to speed this story along because 9 months is a long time to write for without it getting to slow. So just know that I will try and update on Rose's pregnancy in each chapter she's in so you can know how many weeks it's been. Also, the Sydney/Adrian timeline is about the same. So... yeah!
Please leave a review! It would mean the world to me!

Love,

Kaitlyn xoxo