Well here it is the final chapter of my story. I hope you enjoy it and I think everyone will be pleased with the ending. It sets up nice for the sequel. Also check out my profile for some new pics from this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own VA or its characters or plot.
Chapter 59: Aloha Hawaii!
RPOV
As I lay on the white sands of Lahaina Resort on Maui I pondered the events of the last few weeks. After the news of the attack and the Queen's involvement and subsequent death reached the rest of the Royal Court there was somewhat of an uproar amongst the Moroi community especially the Royals. It later came out that Victor Dashkov had his brother Robert Doru, a spirit user turned Strigoi in order to force a permanent healing. He later had Robert killed due to disloyalty which is why the Queen had to resort to trying to turn Lissa.
Victor had gone to trial yet again and had been sentenced to life in solitary confinement in a very nasty Moroi prison called Tarasov. He confessed to the entire scheme and even admitted that Tatiana had promised to make him her successor if he helped her kill me and turn Lissa. I shuddered as I remembered the attacks. There had been no decision yet on which family would step up and become the new Monarch for the Moroi and Dhampir people. The only thing that was sure was that the predecessor would not be an Ivashkov.
I gazed out at the beach enjoying the bright sunshine. The water was crystal clear and the sunlight bounced off the waves brilliantly. The Moroi resort Lissa had booked us at was truly breathtaking. It had shaded tents set up sporadically all over the sandy beach so that the Moroi could still enjoy the sun without the harmful rays getting to them.
Lissa was laying under the canopy next to me asleep and Sparky next to her snoring slightly. I laughed at the sight of the pasty bodies of my Moroi friends. I on the other hand had managed to soak up as much sun as possible in the past few days and was sporting a beautiful golden tan.
We'd been here a little under a week and Lissa had extended our stay an extra week siting the reason that we all needed some extra time to recover from the horrifying ordeal we'd had back at Court. I couldn't have agreed with her reasoning more.
After things had settled down a little Lissa had practically fallen apart that I had died trying to save her. We'd just returned from the clinic and we were all pretty exhausted, but Lissa practically pulled me into her and Christian's room and started freaking out on me.
Flashback
"Rose oh my God Rose! How could you have thrown yourself in front of me like that?" she screeched loud enough for the entire house to hear.
"Calm down Liss! I'm fine and you know why I did it. You come first. You always will. I exist to protect you." I told her calmly.
I could feel the anger welling up inside her and I didn't know how to stop her so I just let her rant.
"How could you die on me Rose. You're my best friend! You're my sister and I can't live without you. Please please promise you'll never leave me again." She sobbed throwing her arms around me and holding on for dear life.
"Shhh Liss everything is fine. I am here and I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon unless you count laying on my ass in Hawaii!" I told her trying to comfort her. I held her until her sobs subsided and I could feel a wave of calm sweep over her body.
"Can you still feel me?" she asked with a sniffle.
"Yes, I can."
"Good I can still feel you too." She smiled a little knowing our bond was still intact.
"Can you feel Adrian?" she asked timidly. I could feel the jealousy rise up in her at the thought of me being bonded to someone other than herself.
"No that's the weird thing. I can't feel him at all. What's really weird though is that I think I am bonded to Dimitri." I admitted.
"What how?" I could feel her surprise and more jealousy.
"Well from what I've deduced he was holding Adrian upright as he healed me. I don't know how but for some reason I can feel his emotions and read his thoughts and we can communicate thoughts through the bond. You were there you heard it."
"I wonder how it happened. Hey do you think that if I focused I could send a thought through you to him and vice versa?"
"It's possible, but Liss I'm beat can we please go to sleep and talk about this in the morning?" I asked through a yawn.
After being given a clean bill of health at the clinic I was ready to fall asleep in the arms of my Russian God.
I hugged Lissa goodnight and climbed into bed next to an exhausted Dimitiri. As if sensing I was there he reached out and enveloped me in his arms. I cuddled into his strong, safe embrace and fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.
End Flashback
I sighed contentedly as I felt two strong hands begin to massage tanning oil into my shoulders relieving some stress.
"Relax maya krasaveetsa and let me get rid of that tension ." he breathed against my neck.
"Mmm that feels nice." I responded as he continued to massage my shoulders.
"Hey keep it PG over there." Called Adrian as he and Viktoria walked hand and hand across the beach to join us.
I laughed. "Yea you better keep it PG or Dimitri will kill you." I told him with a wink.
"Always the comedian Little Dhampir." He said with a smirk.
They say time flies when you're having fun and boy does it ever. Before I knew it it was the second to last day of our vacation in Hawaii. Mia and Eddie had gone down to the beach. Lissa and Christian were holed up in their room doing God knows what, Adrian had taken Viktoria to see some Volcano something or another so that left Dimitri and I all by our lonesome.
"Hey Comrade where'd you go?" I called out from the bed. I was so comfortable here in our room with the door to the lanai wide open letting the sound of the ocean and a gentle breeze inside. I thought about spending all day in bed again like we'd done yesterday. Boy was it fun. Not that we'd spent much time sleeping.
"I'm right here Roza." He said exiting the bathroom fully dressed in khaki shorts and a blue polo shirt. He already had his sandals on his feet and sunglasses rested on top of his head.
"Where are you going?" I whined. "Don't you want to stay here in bed with me?" I asked in a sultry voice pulling the sheet down so he could see what he'd be missing if he left.
His eyes traveled over my naked flesh and his eyes glazed over slightly, but he regained his composure quickly.
"As tempting as it is for me to want to crawl back into bed and make love to you all day I have something I have to take care of." He responded.
I pouted. "Fine I'll just have to go skinny dipping with Adrian." I said trying to rile him up into staying with me.
He smiled at me. "I know what you're trying to do Roza remember I can feel you."
"Damn sometimes it sucks being bonded with you."
I thought it would be hard for Dimitri to adjust to the whole being bonded thing, but in reality he was great at keeping me from feeling what he was feeling. It was just like when he put on his stoic guardian mask. It was frustrating. I could of course block him. I was good at it from trying to block Lissa. It took me years to learn to block her and it took him only days. Why was he so much better at everything than I was? He did let his guard down when we were alone and allowed me to feel what he was feeling. I was amazed at how much he loved me.
"Hmm I rather like knowing what you are feeling and thinking all the time and knowing exactly where you are." He responded coming forward and planting a soft kiss on my lips.
"Yea Yea supernatural low jack on your girlfriend. When will you be back?" I asked.
"Not until later. What are your plans today?"
"Nothing everyone is busy with their significant other and mine is abandoning me." I said laying it on real thick.
He laughed again. "Enough with the dramatics. Take a shower, get dressed and go out and do something." He ordered me.
I got out of bed reluctantly. "Fine. Go do your thing without me I supposed I can amuse myself." I griped unhappily.
"You will be just fine." He said kissing my forehead and leaving me alone.
I went into the bathroom and pleasantly discovered that while he was in there my thoughtful boyfriend had taken the time to pour me a hot bath. He'd strewn exotic Hawaiian flower petals on the top of the water and had lit a dozen candles creating the perfect relaxing atmosphere.
Thanks Comrade. You're the best.
You're welcome my Roza. Enjoy your soak.
I stripped off my robe and immersed myself in the steamy water. I stayed in the tub until the water was cool and my toes were more than a little pruny.
As I reached for the towel and stepped out of the tub I saw a note with my name on it taped to the mirror.
I tore it off and read it.
My Dearest Roza,
I hope you enjoyed your bath. Please go into the bedroom and put on the dress that is lying on the bed. When you are ready meet me on the cliffs we hiked to last week that overlook the ocean.
я тебя люблю
Dimitri
I tried to focus on his thoughts and his location but he was blocking me rather well. I blew my hair out, put on some shimmery grey eye shadow, some mascara, lip gloss and slight rouge and exited the bathroom.
There lying on our bed was a simple strapless white sundress with matching wedge sandals. There was a beautiful white hibiscus flower and a hair pin lying next to it. I slipped on the dress and a white lacy thong and pinned the flower in my hair.
I couldn't help the rush of excitement that flowed through me. I couldn't wait to see what kind of romantic surprise my Comrade had planned for me. Ohh maybe it would be a picnic on the bluff and then we could get all naked in the sand. Hehe my mind started to wander as I spritzed on some perfume and slipped on my shoes.
I left the beach house about a half an hour before sunset. It took me only a few minutes to reach the top of the cliff that we'd discovered last week. My heart fluttered in my chest as I reached the top and saw Dimitri waiting for me. He had changed his clothes. He was now wearing long white pants and a white short sleeved button down shirt. His hair was tied back and he was smiling widely at me as he reached out his hand to me.
"You look absolutely stunning my love." He whispered as he kissed my cheek softly. He led me out to the edge of the bluff. There were candles and flower petals were scattered all over. The sun was just beginning to set and we could hear the waves crashing on the rocks below us as he pulled me closer to him.
"I love you Roza so much more that I can express to you in words, but I am going to try." He said. I could feel him opening up the bond. As he did I could feel his nervousness flow through me. I regarded him quizzically. Why would he be nervous?
"Rose from the moment I saw you through that window in Portland I knew you were special. There was fierceness about you that I greatly admired and the way you tried to fight me even though you were outnumbered was heroic. Your loyalty and compassion are what drew me to you. From the first day we trained together I knew that you would be the best. Everything about the way you live your life makes me fall more and more in love with you every single day. I love you more than yesterday, and I will love you even more tomorrow. I never imagined I would love anyone the way I love you. You've captured my heart and soul and I couldn't imagine living my life without you.
I was about to pass out as he got down on one knee and took my hand in his. I couldn't even believe that this was happening.
"Roza you are my everything, my reason for existence I want to lie next to you every night and wake up to your beautiful face every morning. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He pulled out a black velvet box revealing the most exquisite diamond ring I'd ever seen.
My heart was thundering in my chest as I stared at him utterly dumbfounded. Dhampirs don't get married. This was well I don't know what this was. Crazy is what it was.
"Roza?" he questioned. I knew I had no control over the bond at this point and he could read my every thought. I looked deeply into his eyes and I got lost. I could feel him waiting for my answer.
Say yes you idiot. I told myself as I fought to regain control of my speech.
I used my hand to steady his which were quivering slightly beneath mine.
"Yes, One hundred times yes!" I cried feeling the relief flood through him.
He had been terrified that my silence meant I would say no. As if that was even a choice.
He smiled brightly at me as I held out my hand unconsciously for him to slip the ring gently onto my third finger. It was a perfect fit. I flung myself into his arms.
"You're crazy you know that right." I murmured against his neck.
"Only for you." He replied kissing me passionately.
We broke apart and he yelled out loudly "SHE SAID YES!" Suddenly I was aware of cheering and shouting as our friends came out from behind a large boulder. Lissa was squealing in delight.
She threw her arms around me. "Took you long enough" she said with a laugh. There were tears in her eyes.
Adrian, Viktoria, Christian, Eddie, Mia, and surprisingly my parents came over to wish us congratulations.
"You had them all over there watching?" I asked him incredulously.
"Yes I did." He grinned proudly.
"What if I'd said no?" I asked.
"You weren't going to say no." he told me matter of factly.
"Aren't you sure of yourself?"
"No I'm sure of you." He said pulling me flush against him and tracing his fingers across my face slowly.
"Hey share the wealth man." Joked Adrian as he pulled me from Dimitri's grip and embraced me tightly.
"Congratulations Little Dhampir. I am so happy for you." He said genuinely.
He used his thumbs to wipe the tears from my eyes that I didn't even know I was shedding.
"Thanks Adrian. It means a lot to me that you are here."
"Where else would I be when my best friend is getting engaged?"
"Well well Kiz all grown up and engaged. Congratulations!" Said Abe slinging his arm around my shoulders.
"Thanks Baba."
"It took a lot of guts for the man to ask me for my daughter's hand in marriage. He's a brave man." Said Abe.
I looked at Dimitri. "You asked my dad?"
"Of course. That is the respectful thing to do is it not?" he replied.
"I suppose."
"Besides he wasn't even the scary one. I thought your mother was going to slap me again when I asked her." He laughed heartily.
I looked at my mother.
"You gave your permission?" I asked.
"Well he's a good man and seeing that you have a habit of dying I thought you deserved to have your fairy tale ending." She said with a smile.
"Thanks mom I love you." I said embracing her warmly. She relaxed and hugged me back tightly.
"I love you too Rosemarie."
"Can I steal my fiancé back?" asked Dimitri leading me away from my mother. I noticed that around there were three or four small cocktail tables set up and Mia and Eddie were filling glasses with Champagne.
"To the happy couple." Said Lissa raising her glass. We all did the same.
Later that night as I lay in bed next to my fiancé as weird as that sounds I sighed in contentment knowing that for now everything in my life was perfect.
"I love you Roza." He replied pulling me even close to him.
"I love you too Comrade." I said as I fell asleep wrapped in my lover's arms dreaming of all the wonderful things our future would bring.
Everyone break down and cry this was the last chapter to Taken! I can't believe I actually finished it. I'd like to thank everyone who read and reviewed and gave me their support and suggestions. I couldn't have finished it without your encouragement. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you'll look for my sequel.
I have a few chapters written for my Sequel. I hope to post the first chapter by next Sunday. I just have a few kinks to work out and I need to come up with a name. This next story takes place 4 years after this one. It's shaping up so far. I need some ideas for who the villain can be and what you would like to see happen so PM me or leave it in a review and I'd be happy to take some suggestions or requests. I also need some Russian first and last names for some new Guardians. Let me know if you know of any male or female.
Review if you are sad this story is over. I know I am. What was your favorite part of this story?
