Hello Everyone….I wrote this chapter because I felt I needed to fill you guys in on Ethan and what he

is somewhat about…Some of you were confused, so I hope this helped a little. =D

I was also asked if I had a picture of an older Ethan…I do. I couldn't help myself, so I posted it.

He is a nice mix of mom and dad, more dad though. Look out Dimitri, you son may be hotter! ;) Just joking!…lol.

I OWN NOTHING….RICHELLE MEAD DOES...

Terri :D

Chapter 56

Adrian's POV

It had been a week since Ethan was released from the hospital with a perfect bill of health. I still say it was his body's way of coping after healing itself. Ethan has shown so many advanced signs. He walked early, talked early,

understands adult conversations, and he displays strange, but amazing 'gifts'; Healing himself, the ability to calm persons around him with a simple touch, and seeing spirits around him. One in particular, his father. I really didn't know what to

make of it. I tried to blow off the whole episode at the hospital so Rose would not become obsessed over it. She was literally teetering on the edge of losing it when Ethan was hurt. She couldn't possibly take on anything else at that point.

Ethan means more to her than anything else and she made no excuses for it. But, he should come first, that is her child. Just like the twins will always come first to me.

My thoughts were racing as I packed a small bag for my trip to Montana. Rose and I were only three weeks away from the birth of our babies and I was beyond pissed that Abe had me leaving this close to her due date. She didn't know that I was leaving yet.

I figured maybe we could go to dinner tonight and I could gently break the news to her there. I was safe in a public place. She would be less likely to freak out about me leaving now. I was most definitely leaving her note about the location, there was no way in hell was I that brave.

I would rather hunt strigoi than face her with that information. I just pray we don't find their supposed den at this time. I am hoping it is a wild goose chase and I can get right back home. It may take me a day at the most, to configure the exact plan of action for our deployment.

I heard the front door open as I quickly stuffed my bag in the closet. "Adrian, where are you, hun?" Rose called out to me.

"I am back here in the bedroom." She had been with Lissa buying things for the twins' nursery. We had everything ready for their arrival. Rose's bag was packed and ready to go for when she went in labor.

She gave me an exhaustive smile. "Hey.." She said slightly breathless. "Where is the baby?" She was terrified to leave him even more so now than ever before.

"He's taking a nap…He's fine, babe. Stop worrying" I said while pulling her in to a hug.

We both started laughing because I couldn't get my arms completely around her. "God, Adrian. I hope I am able to lose all this weight. I am the size of a house." She pouted.

I pecked her lips. "Naw..maybe the size of a small shed." I couldn't resist the chance to tease her, but I knew once the twins were born that my ass was in for a world of hurting. Payback is a bitch, or so they say.

Rose's POV

Ever since Ethan got hurt. I can't stop myself from worrying about him. Although he seemed perfectly fine and the Dr. assured me that he suffered no ill effects from hitting his head. I still had this strange nagging feeling that wouldn't leave me. Could he have seen Dimitri?

I replayed that scene over and over in my mind, him waving hello to his dadda. God, help me. I could live a 100 years and never escape Dimitri's memory, no matter how hard I try. He will never leave me. He is forever a part of my soul.

I looked at Adrian and asked the question I knew he didn't want to answer. "Adrian? Do you like Ethan saw Dimitri at the hospital? Please answer me honestly."

I knew he didn't want to say it but he did as he took a deep breath. "Yea, I do."

I nodded my head in agreement to his answer. "I think I should tell Ethan everything about Dimitiri when he is old enough to understand."

I saw the blanket of hurt fall over Adrian's eyes when he spoke. "I don't know Rose. Maybe we should just leave things alone, the way they are now. What will it solve? It's not like he is going to find out any other way. We are the only ones who knows the truth."

I searched his face. I knew that his reasons for not telling Ethan were more selfish ones than anything else. "What if he finds out in the future that I lied to him? I can't lose my son over a lie."

He squeezed me tightly. "You could never lose Ethan. Besides, it's not like we're withholding the truth for selfish reasons. It's for his safety... from our society."

I stared into his green eyes. "Is it? Are we not doing it for selfish reasons?"

Adrian flinched back from me. "What are you insinuating Rose?"

I shook my head. "Nothing…I don't know what I am thinking." A thought had occurred to me and I knew instantly where I should go to seek an answer. "I have somewhere I need to go…Will you please notice the baby for me?"

I felt it, this strange distance between us and I didn't want that. Adrian reached forward to stroke my face. "Babe, please..I don't want things to be awkward between us. I can't bear it. I love you and Ethan. I just want to have our family and live our lives together. I just wish…..

Oh christ Rose….I just want you to love me with no restrictions. Forget it…I am too damn sensitive sometimes." He gave me a small smile as he continued to stroke my cheek.

"Adrian, I do love you. I am just stressed thats all it is. I am fine…we are fine." I pressed my lips to his warm, soft ones. I've missed him so much.

"Thank you…now, go do what you've got to do. I've got everything covered on this end. Don't be gone too long though….I want to go to dinner tonight. I have something to tell you." He gave me this look.

"You need witnesses in a public place, huh? You scared of your pregnant wife?" I teased, knowing I was right.

He gave me a genuine, sexy smile as his eyes crinkled slightly. "Oh my Little Dhampir…You do know me so well."


I wasn't sure if she would even help me considering her nephew was now in prison for his participation in kidnapping Ethan. But, I had to take the chance. I needed and wanted to know what was happening with my son. However, I was taking a risk of

his abilities being made known, considering she may tell someone what she sees. I entered the blood red room to see Rhonda smile up at me. "I've been expecting you, Rose."

I raised my brow in suspicion. "Really? And why is that?"

She shook her head. "Tell me Rose, if you are so skeptical of what my cards tell me…then why do you come?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know…I guess you were the only one I could come too!"

Rhonda smiled again. "Like I said I've been expecting you…please sit down."

I sat at the small table that I had been at twice before to only reveal heartache and honestly, I hoped I would get something wonderful this time. Christ, I was tried of heartache. I knew the drill as she passed the cards in my direction. I shuffled them and cut them in half, pushing

them back at her. She pulled three cards from the deck, lying them side by side. "Well, at least the are all upright this time. Nothing upside down. I guess that means its all good, right?" I said as some excitement built in me, hoping for good news, finally.

Rhonda gazed over the cards and looked up at me with a smirk on her lips. "Rose, something are not always as they appear."

I gave her a hard glare. "You're kidding me. Damn, I can't ever catch a break."

She couldn't help to chuckle at my boldness. "Well, the first card is The Fools card. But, I don't think this card pertains specifically to you. I see it belonging to a young child, a boy. It means beginnings- a journey of mental, physical, and spiritual. The beginning of a new life cycle.

There is a great deal of energy, force, and happiness. He will overturn the status quo ... the existing states of spirits by unexpected happenings. Innocence, naivety, and spontaneity. He will have very important decisions to make."

I shook my head again. "I am confused somewhat..What are you saying… in layman terms."

Rhonda took a deep breath and focused intently on the card. "He will heal spirits that have past before their time…unwillingly. He will resurrect what means most. Neither time nor distance can stop what is destined."

"Okay..What does the next one mean? It doesn't look good."

It was a card of a woman weeping in her bed with nine swords behind here, lining in a row. "This card is The Nine of Swords and it does pertain to you I am sorry to say, Rose. It means great suffering and depression, disappointment, violence, and a sad loss, along with scandal.

This is the card of the Martyr, one who will make a great sacrifice for the one they love, and with it comes new life out of suffering."

I hated to admit it but that one scares the hell of of me. It could literally mean any person that I love. I don't want to lose anyone I care about, never again.

I took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Alright Rhonda. I have nothing else to lose. Give me the last one."

She tapped her finger on the third card, it was a heart with three swords through it. I definitely didn't like the look of it. "This is the Three of Swords. Again, it speaks of sorrow and extreme pain, but with a positive view in the end. Upheaval, possibly in your family, separation, disruption, and

discord. Heartbreak, tears, strife, conflict. This is needed for the clearing of that which is obsolete to make way for that is to come. It is an establishment of something better. There are three persons involved in this Rose, with you being one of them."

I looked into her eyes. "I kind of figure that…There is no easy way, is there?"

"Rose, trust me when I say that you will face many hardships in your life, but you will have joy. What you have now is not close to what is to come."

"What does that mean?" I pleaded for her help me understand.

"I am sorry. Somethings need to reveal themselves and Rose? This will not happen for many years to come. Your son is your salvation. He holds the key to many doors."

I nodded at her with false understanding. "Thank you Rhonda."

She smiled at me. "Oh and Rose?"

"Yeah?" I said turning from the door.

"The twins will be here very soon." She winked at me.


I walked back to our apartment in a daze. I was confused and scared more than ever. If Dimitri was a spirit, wouldn't I see him? Maybe he is between states or plains. I couldn't see how Ethan could come into play with all of this. What exactly was Ethan? I decided I would wait until dinner

and maybe Adrian could help me come up with some kind of explanation. His theories always seemed to have a lot of insight, it seemed as though he knew himself what was destined.

Adrian pulled out my chair as I sat at the table. He brought me to The Tavern, only because I wanted too! After we ordered our meals, I noticed him nervously glancing at me. What the hell is up with him? Maybe he knows I went to Rhonda. Or maybe something happened at work. I

couldn't handle the suspense any longer. "Adrian..What's going on?"

"You go first." He smiled at me.

I just started to laugh because he was so connected to me mentally, he knew everything there was to know about me…well, almost. I gave him a sheepish look. "I went to see Rhonda." He just nodded, encouraging me forward. I had told him everything she told me. The good, the bad, and

the definitely scary. All Adrian did was grasp my hands from across the table. "Rose, it will be okay….Ethan will be fine, I am positive. And always remember what I said to you. I love you more than my own life and I would do anything for you. She is right, some things are destined to be and

I know and accept that."

Why the fuck was everyone speaking so cryptic around me, it was to the point where I wanted to punch someone. I was aggravated when I asked the next question. "Adrian, Do you know something I don't? I swear it's like you can foretell the future. What the hell?"

To top it all off all he did was smile at me with those beautiful eyes sparkling with a hidden secret. I could feel it. Why didn't he want to tell me? I was done driving myself crazy looking for the answers. It will be what it will be. I will accept whatever comes my way. But, I did have to address

the whole thing about Ethan before I put all of this worrying to rest. "Ade, What exactly would you say Ethan is?"

He looked at me with confusion." What do you mean?"

"I mean…is he Dhampir, Moroi, Strigoi, spirit user, what?"

He took a breath and ran his fingers through his hair as if to concentrate. "Babe, I have thought of this A lot! Believe me. If I were to honestly answer…I would say all of the above. Dimitri was Strigoi while being affected by spirit while Ethan was conceived, one.

You are shadow-kissed, two. No one has ever conceived a child with a strigoi before. He is a first of his kind. There is so much we don't know about them, other than the need to kill, cruelness, and Ethan displays none of those traits….yet."

"So, are you saying you think Ethan is a vampire? But, he doesn't have a need for blood." I gave him a glance mixed with uncertainty and shock.

He squeezed my hand for reassurance. "Rose, I have no real need for blood any longer and I am a vampire. I say we are different…Ethan and I are exactly alike, but he was born with this and where as I was infected with it, for a better term." He fixed his eyes on mine. "Honestly, don't

worry so much. I have never felt better and I am sure our son feels the same way. He is happy, healthy, and growing fine. Let's just enjoy what we have and not worry so much, okay? We will take one day at a time, together."

I sighed, not totally convinced, but reluctantly I agreed. "Okay…Now what do you have to tell me?"

He gave a quick, sharp laugh. "Shit babe, I was hoping you'd forget."

I raised my brow at him while smirking. "Not happening Ivashkov."

He just blurted it out in a nervous rush. "I am leaving for Montana in 7 hours."

I stared at him with disappointment on my face. "Where in Montana?"

"Rose, it's right outside St. Vladimir's you have nothing to worry about, trust me. It will probably be nothing but a wild goose chase. But, I have to go and check things out."

"Who is going with you?" This would be Adrian's first assignment and it scared me to death.

"There will be a party of 8 other elite guardians, along with Pavel and myself. We will be fine, trust me babe. I've been training for this for months. I can handle it. Have faith in me." He gave me that smile that melted my heart.

"I do have faith in you…Strigoi are nothing to take lightly Adrian." I let out a defeated sigh. "Just be careful."


Adrian and I had a nice walk home; talking about Ethan,the twins, and the dreaded delivery, which had me scared beyond words.

We had finally arrived home and I got ready for bed. Adrian would be leaving soon but had laid down with me until it was time to go.

I was so troubled by him leaving and for him not to tell me the exact location had me even more nervous. But, he was right. I had to have faith in him. He was going to do this sooner or later. I was just hoping for never and I knew that wasn't possible.

I was so tired and my eyes felt heavy when Adrian finally said something to me. "Baby, go to sleep. I promise I will be home as fast as I can. I love you." He gently kissed my lips and that was the last thing I remembered when I finally allowed myself to fall asleep.

I woke the next morning to find a note on the kitchen counter. I didn't read it at first, I just figured it was a good-bye note from Adrian and Ethan was fussy for his breakfast. I got him feed, straightened everything up and then finally read the note.

Good morning Baby,

I hope you are not too upset with me when you read the contents of letter. I am sorry I held off on the location of the insurgence of Strigoi. I am in Montana, yes. However, we were instructed that the group had decided to take up residence in the caves once again. It makes no sense, so

I am hoping it is like I said, a wild goose chase. I hope you can forgive me for withholding this information, but your father thought it best. Again babe, I am sorry. I will be home so quick you would even have time to miss me. Please whatever you do…DO NOT GO INTO LABOR!

All My Love,

Adrian

I stood there holding the letter while my hands were visibly shaking with a mixture of fear, anxiety, and anger. I called Lissa immediately to watch Ethan because I knew right where I had to go and there was going to be hell to be paid.

The closer I got to my dad's office the more infuriated I became. I finally reached his office and without knocking, I opened the doors, slamming them against the wall. Abe pissed me off even further by glancing up at me and gave me a knowing smile as if he were expecting me.

"What the hell are you smiling at old man?" He knew I was serious. He gave me all of his attention as he dropped the papers he was reviewing.

"Kiz…what are you talking about?"

"Don't give me that shit dad…Why would you send Adrian into the caves..the very caves that Dimitri was taken from me?"

"Rosemarie, I didn't…" The was so much harshness in my tone as I interrupted him.

"Don't you dare try to tell me some bullshit about not knowing. You knew exactly what happened there. Are you trying to have the same thing happen to Adrian? Do you want to destroy me?"

"Rose..How can you even say that? I would never hurt you. You know this is a part of the job he accepted. You need to have faith in your husband. Let him be the man he needs to be."

"I am dad…" I yelled at him. "I also want him to be a father to his children and he can't do that if he is dead." Without any warning I got a stabbing pain in my stomach. I yelled out in pain as I doubled over, grabbing my belly.

My dad ran to my side, wrapping his arms around me. "Rose? What's wrong?" I heard the worry in his voice.

I started to pant. "Dad, please find Adrian. I think I am going into labor."

The babies will be born in the next chapter..I think it will be the last one!

Please review!

Terri