Hey, guys. Still haven't completely figured out what I'm going to do about the 20th... But I decided to update 'cuz I love you guys so much! XD Thanks for the reviews. They make me feel much better. =D

Disclaimer: Richelle Mead, not me... Damn it.


After a few moments of watching our children, Dimitri and I decided that it was time to go. Only to realize that the sun had already risen.

"Lissa, would it be all right if we stayed?" I asked, glancing worriedly at Dimitri. I wasn't sure if he was going to be upset about the fact that we had to stay longer or not. But he seemed calm as he watched Adrienne yawn. She curled her tiny hands into Dimitri's shirt, and he smiled at her.

"Of course. What's mine is yours and yours is mine." Her lips curved into a smile as Jeremy nuzzled his face against her shoulder. "Except this one. This one is mine."

Dimitri growled softly at that, and Lissa laughed. "I'm only kidding, Dimitri," she said quietly. Sabrina was already asleep in my arms, and I was sure Adrienne was about to go to sleep, as well. Lissa noticed. "Rose, you guys can use my bedroom if you want," she offered.

I grinned at her. "Keep Jeremy as long as you like." Dimitri growled again, and I laughed. "She knows what I mean." I took his hand and led him to Lissa's room. We made a makeshift crib out of things lying around Liss's room. Sabrina and Adrienne slept soundly next to each other.

I looked at Dimitri and smiled tiredly. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and he held me close. "Are you all right?" he murmured.

I nodded slowly, relaxing into his familiar embrace. "Crazy day, huh?" I asked dryly.

Dimitri smiled and nodded, pressing his lips to my forehead. "I love you," he whispered roughly, tightening his grip around my waist slightly.

"I love you, too," I replied steadily. "But are you all right?" He was acting a little off. I was on guard, but I wasn't afraid of Dimitri. I never had been.

He swallowed, and I noticed that he was shivering a little. I looked at his eyes and nearly gasped. They were a dark maroon. Shit! I yelped in my mind. He hadn't fed in almost two weeks. "Dimitri, you have to tell me about this before it gets out of hand," I whispered worriedly.

"Sorry," he croaked, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Dimitri, come on. Time to feed," I coaxed, touching his face gently. His eyes opened slowly, and they were filled with torment.

"I'll hurt you," he whispered.

"No, you won't." I rubbed his cheek with my thumb. I looked him dead in the eyes. "I trust you."

"Rose, you guys better be behaving," Lissa called. I snickered.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied. She appeared in the doorway, a smirk on her face.

"So where were you guys living before you came here?" Lissa was rocking Jeremy back and forth slowly, and it looked like he was finally calming down. He was such a hyper child.

"We moved around to a bunch of different hotels," I replied. Lissa nodded, and Dimitri moved and took Jeremy from her. He disappeared, most likely going to put Jeremy in the crib.

"That's cool. How'd you get the money?"

"I'll tell you later," I murmured. Dimitri knew we were getting the money from Adrian, but he didn't know why. I preferred to keep it that way for the time being. Lissa surprised me by throwing her arms around me.

"God, I missed you, Rose."

I hugged her back tightly. "I missed you, too, Liss."

---

Dimitri's POV

I held my son in my arms, looking at his familiar face. Rose said that he looked like me, and I agreed with her. I swallowed, fighting back the urge to take his life. But I didn't have much self-control at this point. I could feel his pulse and heartbeat, and I felt my eyes darken.

It would be so easy, the voice of my demon whispered. He's so fragile. He can't fight. And it would be painless.

I shuddered, snapping my eyes shut, focusing on blocking everything out. I listened for Rose's heartbeat and found it. I calmed slightly, but when I opened my eyes, Jeremy's pulse became as tempting as it had been moments ago.

I had been promised a meal, and I would have it. I looked at my son and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of his blood. My eyes fluttered back momentarily before snapping to his face. I ran a finger over his cheek lightly.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, unable to resist the pull. I lowered my face to his shoulder, my fangs ready to take his life when I heard Rose's voice. "He's such a good father."

I pulled back instantly, and I found myself shaking. I set Jeremy in the crib next to his siblings and backed away quickly.

I gasped in a few breaths and sat on the bed. What was I doing here? I wasn't a good father - I was horrible. I'd just tried to kill my own son. I squeezed my eyes shut and stood, my decision made long before I'd ever consciously decided.

I had to leave, for my children's sake.


... Please don't hate me? *Nervous laugh*

Soooooooo... Review, and I'll update. Easy-peasy.

- J.C.