*Horrible girly screaming* 170! Well, almost, but it's rounded to 170! 30 reviews, guys? I LOVE YOU. Each and every one. But thanks especially to hazel . eyed . shorty . named . fia (No spaces between the periods and words... And READ HER STORY OR DIE), Airvamp12, Christian Ozera's Girl (she reviewed EVERY CHAPTER. ILY), Raelynne, Cathy, Paramorefreak100, and Seth'sONLYIMPRINT. Those are just a few of my regular reviewers. ILY guysssss... Thank you for making me so happy.

Well, now that that's out of my system... Here's the next chapter, as promised.

Disclaimer: AJS, ALL MINE. You guys can have Dimitri and Rose.


After lunch, I glanced at Dimitri. He knew what I was telling him, but he refused to follow me. Dimitri had gone a little over a week without feeding. We both knew he was getting weak, but he kept blowing it off for as long as he could. Finally, I put Adrienne and Sabrina down and grabbed his hand.

"Mommy and Daddy will be back in a minute, guys," I explained, seeing the shock on our children's faces. Adrienne's shocked face slowly calmed, and she nodded, turning to her siblings.

I pulled Dimitri into our bedroom and closed the door before turning to look at him. "You can't keep doing this, Dimitri. You have to feed," I sighed.

He rubbed his face with his hand. "I know, Roza. I know. But I get so caught up with them. I can't afford to miss a second."

Sighing, I coiled my arms around his waist. "I understand, Dimitri. But you really need to remember to feed. And you're missing seconds by arguing."

He stayed quiet after that and dipped his head to my throat. The usual sharp, piercing sensation was there, and I restrained gasping. It always felt weird to know that a Strigoi was drinking from me, and I was allowing it. I took deep breaths, slowly relaxing. Right as I was completely calm, he pulled away, sheathing his fangs. He kissed my forehead.

"I love you, Rose," he whispered into my hair.

"I love you, too, Dimitri," I replied. "Let's go find the kids."

He pulled away and nodded enthusiastically. When we went back downstairs, Adrienne and Sabrina were sitting quietly on the floor, playing with their stuffed animals. Jeremy was nowhere to be seen. I picked Adrienne up, much to her annoyance.

"Adrienne, sweetie?" I murmured, pulling her hair back. "Where's Jeremy?"

Her eyes widened, and she looked around like she had just realized that her brother was missing. Dimitri's head snapped toward us, and his expression was worried. Adrienne's delicate eyebrows dipped. "I-I thought he was with Sabina an' me," she whispered, stammering. Tears sprung to her eyes. "I sorry, Momma."

"No, no, Adrienne. Shh, it's okay. I'm not mad at you," I whispered. I handed her off to Dimitri. "I'll go find him," I murmured. I didn't trust Dimitri to go after him because if Jeremy was about to get hit by a car, Dimitri wouldn't care about the fact that he couldn't go into the sunlight. He would try to save his son regardless. I noticed the front door slightly ajar. That was strange. . . We always kept it tightly shut.

"Dimitri, I'm going outside," I called softly, going to investigate. I slipped outside quickly and winced at the sun. Then I saw him. My son was heading straight for Lissa's house. I chuckled and jogged after him. He was still walking, having no clue that he was being followed.

"Jeremy," I sighed, swinging him into my arms. He grinned at me.

"Hi, Momma."

"Where were you going, silly?" I chuckled, nuzzling my nose against his cheek. I loved the way children's skin felt. It was so smooth. Jeremy smiled condescendingly.

"Aunt Lissa's."

I hugged him tightly. "Not yet, sweetheart. We'll go later, all right?" He scowled adorably and jutted his lower lip out.

"Fine," he pouted.

I turned back toward the house when I heard a mocking voice call, "Another little one? It seems you have your hands full." I stiffened and looked back, seeing Adrian walk toward us, his eyes flashing in anger. I kept Jeremy close to me as I glared at Adrian. There was only one reason he could be here - Lissa.

"And who is this?" he asked innocently.

I shielded Jeremy from him, rubbing his back gently, but still giving Adrian Ivashkov the fierce glare I was known for. "Don't make me punch you. It's been a while, but I can still throw one," I snapped.

He chuckled, not taking my warning to heart in the slightest. "It seems that I'll have to keep my distance then, hmm, little dhampir?" I locked my jaw, not wanting to use profanity with my three-year-old son in my arms.

I glanced back at the house worriedly. If Dimitri thought I was in trouble, then he would come to save me, whether or not the sun was out.

"Waiting for someone?" Adrian murmured, following my gaze.

"None of your business," I growled, looking back at the annoying Moroi in front of me.

Jeremy stiffened in my arms, and I froze. Oh no. "Momma, look," Jeremy breathed in wonder.


*Cringes* I know it's short, but the next one has a lot of drama. I promise.

Here's the question - What's the most adorable thing you've ever seen? ... My would have to be my best friend's pomeranian, Max. They shaved all of his fur except for around his neck, so he looked like a little lion. ^_^ It was so cute!

And MAYBE, you guys could get me to 200? That would totally make my day. Would you guys do that for me? PLEASE. If you do, I promise to make the next chapter the longest one yet.

Oh, and if you're upset that you didn't get a shout-out in the author's note at the top, maybe you could review all the chapters that you haven't yet... (Hint, hint. ;D)

- J.C.