Holy dear sweet baby Jesus. Yes, I am in fact alive. But, my poor laptop did in fact, kick the bucket. But t's okay, because i got a new one finally!

That isn't why I haven't been around thought, I am seriously sorry for making you all wait so long, but my family has been going through a rough patch. We lost two members of our family recently, and it has been hard to get myself into a writing mood, but I also have wonderful new, where we have lost some, we are also gaining some, because my sister is having a baby! I know this probably doesn't matter to any of you, but I was just so happy I really wanted to share it with all of you! She didn't find out until late in her pregnancy but Madison Marie Newtown should be here early in December. I just really wanted to share all of my joy with all of you. Here is the new Chapter, and I am so sorry I have been so out of it for so long! Thank you for staying faithful!

RPOV

Before I knew it we were already landing in Novosbirsk. It was the closest airport to Baia, but also dangerous, as there was a large Strigoi population, but we were landing in the middle of the day. As we descended towards the ground, my heart seemed to go into double time. I might have looked worried, or started sweating, because Dimitri took my hand gently, and gave me a reassuring smile. He always knew how to ease my worries.

Before any of us knew it, we were leaving the plane. We stood patiently while the staff came out to remove our bags from beneath the plane.

"Isn't this so exciting Rose?" I hear Lissa ask from beside me. I smile faintly at her.

"Most exciting thing I've done all day…" Even I can tell my attempt at humor is lame. Lissa just smiles at me, and pats my shoulder tenderly.

"Don't worry" She whispers in my ear "they'd be crazy not to love you." I smile my thanks, feeling a little better, until Christian decides to put in his two cents.

"Look on the bright side Rosie, even if they are crazy, at least you will fit right in!" It takes all my restraint not to strangle him then and there.

"Stuff it hot head, and if you ever call me 'Rosie' again, I hope you don't value your dangling bits, because I will forcibly remove them, with a rusty spoon." I send him a glare when I finish making sure he gets the message. I see ever male in our group cringe slightly at the mental image I provided. I hear Mason mutter something about not getting on my bad side before my attention is drawn to the Russian Hottie chuckling at my side.

"Awhh Roza, be nice, we are on Vacation remember?" He whispers in my ear. I look up at him with a smile. Yes, he's right. It would take even more than that obnoxious flamer to bring me down right now.

"You're right Dimitri, but I'm still not apologizing!" I make clear to him. He chuckles before assuring me he no delusions that I would. That makes me smile even more. He knows me so well. I lean up and kiss him gently on the mouth, it was nice not having to hide our relationship.

"Wait, did I miss something?" Eddie asked, looking at us with shock, and some curiosity on his face. We had totally forgot that everyone except Mason knew.

"Right, I forgot. So, Dimitri and I are kind of together." I tell him hesitantly. I know he was Mason's best friend, and still thought of me as 'Mason's girlfriend'. He looked shocked for a minute before his face cleared of all expression.

"You and Guardian Belikov?" He smiled then, which surprised just about everyone. "I think Mase would have liked that. It is very Rose Hathaway-ish to be in a relationship that is pretty unconventional"

Everyone laughed. He was very right; Rose Hathaway definitely did things differently. I gave him a small smile and a hug. "Thanks Eddie, that means a lot to me." I saw his eyes looked sad when I pulled away. He still missed Eddie a lot, we could all tell. He was his best friend, and I can't imagine what I would do if I lost Lissa. I smiled softly at him again before returning my attention to our, now unloaded, luggage.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road!" I hollered before reaching down for my bag. Dimitri tried to carry it for me, but I was nothing if not self reliant, so I, of course, carried my own bag. It did make me chuckle seeing Christian pulling one of Lissa's giant pink monstrosities through the airport security, and customs.

We had finally made it through all the checkpoints and to the lobby of the airport. It was then that I realized I had no clue how we were getting to wherever Abe's house happened to be. I opened my mouth to ask when the whole airport was drowned in a loud "DIMKAAAAA." Everyone turned to see a girl a little shorter than me, with brown hair charging at us. She didn't even slow down as she barreled into Dimitri. For being nearly tackled he took it well, he just laughed and spun her around.

"Viktoria" He laughed again, "I missed you too" He placed her back on her feet just before a smaller dark blob plow into him. "Why, little one, you have grown, haven't you?" He asked the small boy in his arms.

"Sure did Uncle Dimka, better watch out, or I am going to be taller than you!" Everyone laughed heartedly at the young boys hopeful face.

"Soon enough, little one, soon enough" Dimitri hugged the boy again, and was about to place him back on the floor when he reached up and grabbed his face to bring it closer so he could whisper in his ear. Dimitri listened for a few moments before laughing and looking over at me. "Yes, Paul, that's her" He said with a smile.

"You were right Uncle Dimka, she is pretty!" Paul exclaimed loudly, bringing a laugh from the rest of the group, and a small blush from me. The rest of his family had made their way over, at a slower rate, being as one was elderly, and two were pregnant, and a middle aged woman.

"Dimka, it is nice to have you home" The middle aged woman said as she embraced him. Then to my surprise turned and hugged me. "It's nice to meet you Rosemarie. Thank you for making my boy happy"

I returned her hug after a moment, but couldn't help replying with "He's the one who makes me happy ma'am" She pulled away with a smile, kissing me lightly on the cheek.

Dimitri smiled at me then turned to the rest of the group and motioned to each in turn. "So how about some introductions" He asked with a smile. Everyone nodded. "Olena Belikova, my mother" He turned to the middle aged woman who smiled at us all warmly. Then to the eldest of the woman "babushka Yeva" she really just stared at us. Then came his oldest, and most pregnant sister "Karolina" she gave a soft wave to the group. Then the other pregnant one, his middle sister "Sonya" he introduced as she gave a smile and a soft 'hello'. Then came his youngest sister. "Viktoria" He waved his had to indicate the sister with the bruises and scrapes visible on her body.

"Hey everyone!" She greeted loudly. I smiled, she actually kind of reminded me of, well me.

"And lastly" Dimitri continued as he picked up a small boy "this is Paul" The boy waved excitedly at everyone, earning a few waves back from Lissa, Mason and even Christian. Dimitri continued on to introduce us to his family, "Everyone, this is Eddie Castle," he waved at everyone as he said their names "Guardian Petrov, Guardian Hathaway" some of them looked mildly afraid, or awed at her name, "Lord Adrian Ivashkov, Lord Christian Ozera, Princess Vasilisa Dragomir…."

"Just Lissa" Lissa interrupted him with a smile. His family looked surprised to see such a nice, laid back royal.

"And this" Dimitri finished with a smile, "Is my Roza." He smiled down at me for a moment, and as our eyes connected, I forgot to be nervous that his family was standing right there, or that we were in an airport in Russia, hell I think I forgot to breathe, as everything but him and I faded away. Unfortunately that didn't last long as I was nearly tackled by his youngest sister.

"Welcome to the family" She told Rose, while keeping her firmly wrapped in her arms. "I guess this kind of makes us sisters" she exclaimed excitedly as Dimitri tried to pull her away. My heart warmed at her acceptance, at least one of them liked me!

When Dimitri had finally wrestled his youngest sister off of me, I found myself being embraced by two pregnant women at the same time. That was an experience I wasn't likely to forget, especially when Karolina's baby decided to kick in the middle of the hug, which I firmly felt on my stomach where it touched hers. I looked down worried, while the two women laughed. "She is just welcoming you too!" Karolina stated with a happy look on her face. Next I was smoshed between Dimitri and his Mother, not sure how I got there!

"You two look so happy together" She said with tears in her eyes "Be happy" She said as she let go. Paul launched himself at me for a hug, telling me he was proud to have such a 'smoking hot new auntie' to which I almost chocked on air. That earned Paul a glare from Karolina, and a chuckle from everyone else. Lastly his grandmother came forward. She looked at me a moment, before saying something in Russian, I looked to Dimitri for a translation.

"Uhh, you'd rather not know." He blushed furiously at whatever his grandmother said. I just gave him a curious look, but didn't ask any farther. "Well, we better get moving, the sooner we get to the house, the safer everyone is" Dimitri announced. We all nodded and followed him towards the door.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Dimka?" Olena asked. He had called to inform them of the change of housing the day before.

"I am assured it is safe" Dimitri promised his mother, strangely sharing a look with my mother. I looked between the two, and wondered what was going on. We had just made our way out the doors when I noticed Yeva looking at me, so I smiled. She again spoke Russian at me, to which I had no idea what to answer.

"She says she dreamed of you coming" Dimitri tells me. I remember the time we visited camp, and Dimitri told me of his grandmother's special gift. It was then that I heard my mother gasp, and looked up to see a man with dark hair, and familiar eyes, dressed in nice cloths, with a striped cashmere scarf around his neck.

"Ibraham" my mother voice is barely audible. He smiles at our group, but it is lost on me, because in my mind I have finally connected the name to a memory. The same visit to court as when I learned of Dimitri's grandmother, I had met with the queen, and being as mean as she is had made a remark about my mother, and her past lover, named Ibraham…..

Pheew. First chapter in a long time. I know it is a little off from regular, I'm just trying to get back into the grove!
I'm sorry for the awful wait, and i promise to try to update fast! i love you all for staying with me, it means alot! :)

xoxox-Molls