DPOV

I decided that I wouldn't go at Tasha. But if I heard that she said or did anything to hurt my Roza or the babies in any way, I would not hesitate to kick her ass. I always believe in not harming women, but in Tasha's case, I will raise hell just for her.

~Secret admirers~

School had ended over an hour ago, and Roza was spending the afternoon at my house. Mama was visiting Vikki in the hospital. Unfortunately Vikki still isn't improving. She had to go through another round of chemo and a little bit of radiation treatment, but the doctors told Mama there's a possibility she's not going to survive it. Mama suggested a bone marrow operation, but the doctors are a little uncertain. They said they'd try, but they don't know how they're going to find a match for her. Vikki's lungs are slowly shutting down, and we're all - me, my older sisters, and Mama - are desperate to do something to help her.

"I'm sorry about your sister," Roza said. She knew enough about Vikki's condition to feel a great amount of guilt for her. "She'll get better. She's a Belikov." She gave me a small smile, and it made me feel a little happier, but I felt terrible. I'm Vikki's older brother, and I feel as if I'm supposed to protect her from things that could hurt her, and I'm the only guy, besides Paul, in the family, so I feel it's my responsibility to protect her. But she's dying of cancer, and there's nothing I can do.

"Thank you, Roza," I said. We were in my bedroom, wrapped in each other's arms, laying on my bed. I felt like I failed as a brother.

"You said that Vikki might get a bone marrow operation?" Roza asked. I nodded. "Are the doctors going to check to see if you guys (Dimitri's family) are a match?"

"The doctors said that there's still a possibility that family members are not a direct match," I said. I sighed. "Mama hasn't told me if there's going to be any tests done. If there is, I'm praying I'm a match. I'd do anything to keep my sister safe." Doesn't matter if Vikki is my half-sister or not, I'd die to protect her. Just like I'd die to protect Roza and our boys.

"That's really brave of you." I felt Roza kiss my chin. "You're a really good big brother. I wish I had siblings."

I didn't say anything.

~Secret admirers~

the next day, at school. . . .

It was the middle of my science class, and I hardly paid attention. Science is one of my favorite classes, besides English. But my mind just wouldn't stay on one topic. All these thoughts were going through my mind - what would happen after the boys are born, what will happen to Vikki if she doesn't get a match. I felt overwhelmed. There were so many things happening at once. I couldn't back down from parenthood, I swore I'd never hurt Roza the way I did when she announced her pregnancy; I could try and help Vikki to the best of my abilities, but I didn't know what to do.


RPOV

Dimitri's been a little stressed lately. I don't blame him. The doctors told Dimitri's mom there's a possibility his little sister might die. Then there's the stress of parenthood. The boys are going to be coming in less than four and a half months. I knew Dimitri might be feeling overwhelmed. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. It's not his fault his little sister has cancer, and it's not her fault, either. As for the pregnancy, I'd say it's more my fault for not being more careful. Dimitri could say it's his fault for not using protection, but it isn't his fault. I guess I just have a guilty conscience. But, hopefully, everything will get better for Dimitri's family. Hopefully everything will get better once the boys are born, too. Any time I'd mention our boys, I'd see Dimitri's eyes light up, and it's wonderful seeing that. But then there's always something to knock him down.

I wish and I pray (though I'm not a very religious person) that everything gets better for us and for our families, I can't say that it's going to. But, for Dimitri's sake, I hope it does.