Hi Everyone! I said I would update quickly! I know some of you HATE cliffies…. I hope you enjoy this chapter, if so, please review. A special thanks to LellyLuyna for the pointers.. and
making this chapter better. Also, A BIG Thank You to Castle Kadabra, your message was one of the sweetest I've received… It meant a lot to me..:D Terri
The usual disclaimer…I OWN NOTHING…VA is owned by Richelle Mead.
CHAPTER 20
ROSE'S POV
I am so stupid. I shouldn't have let them get to me like that. I let them win by saying what I said to Adrian. I didn't mean it; I could never leave him. Why is everyone against us? His dad and older sister
hate me and they don't even know me. I knew this was going to happen. I love him entirely too much to ever give up on him. He has given me everything I've ever dreamed of and is willing to sacrifice
anything to be with me; and I just humiliated him in front of his family. God Rose! What was I thinking... Lately, I've been getting too much shit thrown in my direction; I just needed to vent, and I used Adrian
as my own personal whipping post. I really didn't want to go back in there; swallowing my pride in front of that man. Hopefully, Adrian will come out here to me, until then I'll just have to wait. No! No damn
way was I waiting out here while he has to endure this on his own. I am not going to let him take the heat for something I started. So what if I started it, I'm going to finish it Rose Hathaway style.
I would never have let someone do this to me in the past. I am going back in there; taking Adrian's hand and telling his old man that , 'He can go straight to hell' . If he doesn't like it he can kiss both our
asses. I stormed back into the hallway, standing outside the dining room when I heard Adrian and his father arguing. It's time I break up this party and show that Royal fuck just what I am made of.
ADRIAN'S POV
My face felt like it was on fire, it had to be purple from the way my family was staring at me. I was so beyond pissed; I could have punched my old man in the face, and never look back at him. He
wasn't getting away with this and neither was Elizabeth. Elizabeth, How could she do this to me? As close as we are..were..What the hell is wrong with these people? What the hell did Caitlin tell
Elizabeth? And why would she believe her? They need to take their heads out of their asses and crawl down off their high horses. I figured I would deal with my sister later. But, as for my dad,
Hell no! He is getting dealt with now.
"What the Fuck is your problem Dad?" I screamed at him as everyone jumped at the sound of my voice.
He smirked at me. "You, young man will NOT speak to me that way." He demanded.
I lifted my chin in defiance. "You're right; I AM a 22 year old man, NOT a child, and I will speak to ANYONE who treats my fiance that way. Ask that bitch of an Aunt you have; She knows all about it."
"She has made me quite aware of the disrespectful things you have said to her. Along with your fiance." He grimaced as he spoke the last word. "Are you afraid of what we would find on the paternity
results Adrian? You are acting overtly defensive." Smiling; trying to antagonize me farther.
I glared at him with so much hostility. "What the Hell are you trying to insinuate…DAD?"
"Oh! Nothing that hasn't already been said before about Miss Hathaway." Still smirking; he was giving Tatiana a run for the money, as far as cruelty is concerned.
I rose from my chair. "It's taking everything I have not to hit you right now. First, Rose is NOT a slut, bloodwhore; whatever it is your trying to make her out to be. And second, NO ONE will EVER
touch my son's blood. Third, It's NONE of YOUR fucking business what Rose and I do. I will walk out this door and you will NEVER see me again. I can promise you that."
Ivan laughed a maniacal laugh. "You…. Adrian Ivashkov walking away from your trust funds, cars, houses, and prestige. YOU would be the LAST person in this family to give that up. You're more
self-absorbed and." My Dad's attention went to Rose as she entered the room. Oh Shit!
ROSE'S POV
"That's enough! Don't speak to him that way. He didn't do anything to you to deserve this treatment. All he did was stick up for me. If you have something to say; be half of the man you think you are and
spit it out, or keep your damn mouth shut." I shouted at him, not backing down.
"Huh! You are nothing..A Dhampir and a pregnant one at that. You're not good enough for my son." He snarled at me.
"Dad! That's enough!" Adrian said pleading with his father to stop.
"Yeah! Well old man. I may be a Dhampir and Pregnant at that. Don't misjudge me. Do you really want me to kick your ass in front of your wife and children? Also, it's not your choice who Adrian spends his life
with. He doesn't need your permission. And lastly, you will have to kill me before you get any of my baby's blood." I glared at him; begging him to piss me off even more.
Alena finally broke her silence and pleaded to her husband. "Ivan, Please…I will NOT lose my only son over your foolish pride. We both know this has nothing to do with Rose personally. I love the fact that
she has changed our son; for the better, he's happier, and that is all that matters to me. Our children's happiness……..Ivan, I beg of you."
He looked at me, then Adrian, and lastly his wife as he left the room.
I knew I may have been pushing the boundaries. But, I couldn't help myself. If we were going to move forward; I needed to get everything out in the open. So, I turned to Elizabeth; And what is your problem
with me?" She really doesn't want to mess with me.
Adrian moved to my side, taking my hand once again. I was relieved that he has forgiven me for my actions. "Yeah, Elizabeth. What the hell?... Caitlin? I thought you of all people would be on mine and Rose's
side. I would stand with you; no matter what or who you loved. I want an explanation…now!" He demanded of his sister.
She had tears streaming down her cheeks; it hurt her to hurt Adrian. "Caitlin had told me that Rose sleeps around on you. She said she was dating some Belikov guy and you at the same time; that the baby might
not be yours. I couldn't see you being treated badly by Rose. I didn't know. How was I to know what the truth was?"
He shook his head. "Didn't you even think to ask me? Why would you believe her? Why didn't you tell me?"
She outright cried. "I didn't know if you were aware and I didn't want to be the one to break your heart with the bad news. I knew how much you loved Rose."
"Well, Elizabeth, it's not true. Rose has never been unfaithful to me. Caitlin has been causing problems for us; calling Rose, taunting her. Aunt Tatiana has her working with me; thinking I will take the bait, hoping
I will be unfaithful to Rose. It will never happen. If Caitlin calls you again…you will tell her I want to speak to her. Understand? As far as Dimitri Belikov; you will have to ask Rose yourself, if she feels it's any of your
business. I just want to make everyone clear on the issue of the baby. He is MY son. So, yeah…in a little over 2 months you will be getting a nephew and a grandson." He proudly announced the sex of the baby
to his mom and sisters.
Alena smiled as she walked over to us. She rested her hand on my belly. " I am getting a grandson? How wonderful..my only son is getting a son. I am so truly happy." She pulled me into a tight hug.
I had so many emotions running through me at once…the biggest one being guilt. Guilt for lying to this woman and her family. But, like Adrian has told me many times; He doesn't have to be genetically
connected to the baby to be his Dad. He was his Dad in every other way. Right on cue, as if he sensed my feelings; Adrian ran his hand through my hair to comfort me.
I nodded my head at Alena to confirm she was getting a grandson. "We have to do a lot of shopping while you are here." Alena said as the girls squeaked with excitement. "I think that would be nice, maybe tomorrow."
I gave Adrian a sideward glance. "I would love to go to the room and lie down. I am really tired." We told everyone that we would see them later. Everything had seemed to calm down for the moment. But, I still felt
a bit awkward being there, with the situation between his Dad and I. I just needed to lie down; something wasn't feeling right about my body and I desperately wanted to rest.
ALENA'S POV
I walked out on the deck and sat in the chair next to Ivan. We sat in silence, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Pennsylvania mountains. It was mid-September and the leaves were changing ever so slightly.
We had a wonderful life together. I loved my husband, but I can't allow him to continue on this destructive path with Adrian. When he said he would leave for Rose; I knew he meant it. I've never seen my son like
this before and I refused to let Ivan ruin it for him. I sat there gathering the courage to begin my speech. But, Ivan beat me to it.
"Just say it, Alena." He let out a sigh; joining our hands together.
"Ivan, Can't you see reason. You and your aunt are holding things against this poor girl that are beyond her control. You blame Rose for the ridiculous feud with her parents. It's not her fault that her father choose
to be with Janine instead of Tatiana. I really don't see why you are so angry."
Shaking his head. "There are some things you just don't understand, My Alena."
I gave him a smile. "Are these things more important then our son's happiness? Have you ever seen him this way? Ivan, Adrian didn't have one drink of alcohol tonight. He was in a downward spiral in life and
she saved him. You should be thanking her, not condemning her. She is carrying your grandson; she shouldn't be getting upset like that."
Ivan chuckled while giving me a sideward glance. "So, Adrian is getting a son. Huh, That's amazing….I got to hand it to that Rose..She wasn't backing down. You know; Adrian probably doesn't drink because he's
afraid she would kick his ass." He said laughing.
I knew he was beginning to see my logic. And once again, we sat in silence; still taking in the scenery.
ADRIAN'S POV
What a fucked up trip this is turning out to be; My Dad is an ass, My sister is a bitch, and my fiance is now sleeping, exhausted from too much stress. This was a bad idea. Rose was right all along about my family.
No, not all of my family; my mother and younger sisters were wonderful to Rose. I knew that they liked her very much, and that Rose felt the same way about them. I could take some comfort from that, but what is bothering
me most is the way Elizabeth acted. It was hard for me to see her crying like that; I can't feel sorry for her when she brought this own herself, believing that bitch Caitlin. Just wait until we get back to Court, She's got it
coming to her. I walked around the house, trying to sort everything out, but my mind wouldn't leave the thought my sister's betrayal. I decided to go to her and try to work this out.
Knocking on Elizabeth's bedroom door; I could hear her still crying from outside the door. "Lizzy, open up. I want to talk to you." I said trying to sound sincere.
She opened the door with red eyes and tear stained cheeks. "Adrian, I am so sorry. I should have never listened to her."
I pulled my sister into a hug, smoothing her hair. "You really hurt Rose. She is an amazing person, Liz. She didn't deserve to have you treat her like that. You should have arrived at your own conclusions, where Rose
was concerned; not basing your feeling off of what someone had told you. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but Rose was only with one other person and it was a couple times. She not cheap, or easy; you made her out
to be some kind of whore in front of our family."
I looked up as I saw a shadow in the doorway. "Rose? Are you okay?" I ask with my voice shaking. The look she had on her face was confusing me.
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I couldn't sleep." She said; turning to leave.
Elizabeth pulled from my arms and turned towards Rose. "Rose…Wait!……I feel I owe you an apology. It wasn't fair of me to treat you the way I did. I should have never listened to Caitlin."
I saw Rose flinch at the sound of Caitlin's name. I really wish I never dated that miserable, little bitch. It wasn't worth it; I hate seeing how it hurts Rose. I mean sure, Rose was with Dimitri…but, he is gone. I don't have to
constantly be reminded by seeing him everyday. It was different with Rose; she had to encounter women on a daily basis that I've had meaningless affairs with. I wish I could go back and redo it all. I would in a second
to take away her pain.
"I really don't blame you, Elizabeth. I am sure Caitlin can be persuasive if she needs to be. I just wish you would have spoken to your brother. He said you two meant so much to each other, but your actions has shown
us differently. You not only hurt me…You hurt him. All everyone ever gets done doing is hurting him. He's a wonderful man and I will not have anyone treating him unfairly. So, In order for me to except your apology, you
have to be willing to make it right with your brother." Rose made it quite clear it was on her terms or none at all. She was tired of the shit; and today it stops.
"Adrian…Rose…I am very sorry to both of you. Please forgive me." The sincere sentiment in her words.
"I forgive you Lizzy." I said as I smile at her; putting her at ease.
Rose wasn't saying anything. "Rose? What's going on?" She had her hand on her stomach. "Is he giving you a work-out today?"
She grimaced. "No……. I think I better go back to bed. I don't feel right….maybe I just need to take it easy."
I was getting worried. "Do we need to get a Doctor?" I rushed to her side rested my hand over hers. "Is the baby moving?"
"He hasn't for the last hour or so, but I am sure he's fine. Can you please just help me back to the room?"
It must be worse then she is letting on, asking me to help her to our room. Maybe I am jumping to conclusion, she may just want to talk to me about Elizabeth. "Absolutely Sweetheart." I said while kissing her forehead.
When my lips touched her skin; It felt as though she had a fever. God, Can this day get any worse?
SORRY GUYS! THIS CHAPTER IS A LITTLE SHORTER THAN THE OTHERS..BUT, I HAD TO STOP THERE…. ;D
IF YOU LIKED IT…PLEASE REVIEW…THANKS ... TERRI
