A/N:
Hello! Rain Here!
First, I just want to apologize for taking so long to update this story. Sorry! I promise I will try to update more often!
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~~Rain~~
Previously On: Who Said A Lot Couldn't Happen? –
So when Graduation came, Christian did as we planned. And when Lissa said yes to him, he picked her up and spun her around; everyone who was there stood up and applauded. Even if they didn't like the idea of the Dragomir Princess getting married to him, because his parents willingly turned Strigoi, they didn't show it.
~~**~~**~~**~~ Back To Present Day ~~**~~**~~**~~
After Graduation, Lissa, Adrian, and Christian had been offered teaching jobs.
Lissa and Adrian were teaching and researching Spirit here at St. Vladimir's Academy. Christian was teaching an offensive/defensive magic class this coming year as a trial run here at 's.
Eddie, being Christian's Sanctioned Guardian, is currently working as a school Guardian till Christian leaves the academy grounds. When I told everyone about me being pregnant and about me and Dimitri, he's been more like a big brother protecting his little sister more than ever. Weirdly enough, Christian has been like this too.
And me? Well, me being Lissa's Sanctioned Guardian and all, not to mention pregnant, I'm stuck here as well. I also got a job teaching a few senior novice combat classes as well. But with me being pregnant I have to have some help with the demonstrating part. So some of the school Guardians volunteer to help me, it's a good thing they know.
All the Guardians at the school swore that they wouldn't tell anyone outside our little circle of Guardians. We Guardians stick together when we need each other. The great thing about their promise is that they did it voluntarily. No one forced them to do it. They know everything, well about the baby, including some things about Dimitri and me.
Another thing you should know about my pregnancy is that when I found out I was teaching as well, I had to tell Kirova and Alberta about it. When they asked who the baby's father was, I told them who it was and what we think made it possible. That's also when the school Guardians found out, after we – meaning Alberta, Kirova, and I – discussed it. Everyone was very accepting. And for this, I was glad.
Another thing I was glad for was they learned quickly afterward that anything Dimitri was a sore subject for me. I would either get pissed or breakdown crying. Damn hormones, at least that's what I blame it on.
*~~**~~* Telling Kirova And Alberta, Same Day As Telling The Gang About Dimitri And My Pregnancy *~~**~~*
After I had told everyone about Dimitri and me, they left.
After they left I collapsed on my bed crying till I couldn't cry anymore. When I stopped crying I remembered, out of nowhere I might add, a quote by Dr. Seuss. "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Once I remembered that I focused on all the happy memories I had made over the years and especially the happy memories that I had made over these last few months.
The ones that Dimitri and I made.
The first memory being the night we met, and him dragging Lissa and I back the Academy. I remember thinking he was hot—like, the kind of hot that makes you stop walking in the street and get hit by traffic; hot.
All the kisses with Dimitri in the gym, in hidden corners of hallways around the school and in the woods. All the sneaking around. All the times I called him Comrade and all the times he called me Roza. His Roza. And how happy I was when he called me that.
The way he made me feel when he spoke in Russian. And how whenever I complained that I couldn't understand what he was saying and begging him to teach me; he'd say I just wanted to learn to swear, saying that I swear enough. Well that was partly true. I would reply by saying that I was expressing myself. He'd reply 'You express yourself more than anyone else I know already in English'. To that I would retort by saying 'Well if taught me how to swear in Russian, I would swear less in English. Not mention no one understand me.' Of course, he had a reply for that 'Unless they spoke Russian'.
I love all those memories of our little arguments together.
The night in the cabin. Even though that memory was marred, I remembered the attack and the rescue in the caves where we barely made it out alive. And how when he was recovering in the clinic I barely left his side. Also the memory of how we planned to be together.
And finally. Finally. The memory of Gradation Night and our child being conceived. Mine and my Comrade's child.
After that little trip down memory lane, I remembered that I had a few other people to tell about my pregnancy.
I knew because of my new teaching job, I should tell both Kirova, since she was the Headmistress and Alberta, as she was the Captain of the school Guardians.
On way there I couldn't think of a way to tell them about it, but I knew I had to; not just for everyone's sake but for my baby's sake. I knew I had to protect him or her with everything in me.
I thankfully managed to get there without been seen, not wanting anyone to see me because I had been crying.
Once I arrived at Kirova's office and knocked, I decided to tell them like ripping off a band-aid. True Rose Hathaway style.
"Come in!" I heard Kirova call from the other side of the door.
I opened the door and stepped inside, before closing it behind me quietly. When I turned, I saw Kirova standing behind her desk looking out the window that over looked one the many gardens that are on campus.
When she turned around her thoughtful expression turned to of one shock when she saw who had come in.
"Guardian Hathaway... it's weird calling you that. I still can't believe you actually managed to graduate. But I have to say I'm proud of you. I'm glad you proved me and many of us teachers wrong. So, what can I do for you?" She asked sitting back down at her desk and folding her hand atop of her desk.
"Actually what I need to discuss with you, I also need to talk about with Alb- Guardian Petrov. Would you mind calling her here so we can discuss it together? It would be easier this way and I won't have to repeat myself." I asked her still standing by the door.
"Rose? What's wrong? You look like you've been crying. It takes a lot for you to cry. What's the matter?" She said getting a closer look at my face, her expression one of concern. As she was getting up and coming over to me, I fell to my knees, breaking down and crying again for the second time today.
Once she got to me she came down to my level and wrapped her arms around me, trying to comfort me.
After few minutes and the sobs turned to hiccups, I pulled back out of her comforting arms – wiping my eyes, I said. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to break down like that in front of you."
"It's quite alright, dear. But will you tell me what's wrong? It's not like you to break down like that. Something must be seriously wrong for you to break down in front of someone." She asked. Concern and worry dominated her face.
"I'll tell you but I would also like to tell Alberta as well, so when she gets here I'll tell you both. If that's alright with you?" I asked.
"That's fine with me. Come and sit down over here while I call her." She said helping me up off the floor and motioning for me to sit in one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"Okay." I said while sitting down.
A few minutes later, Alberta came in confused as to why she was called and to why I was there as well.
"You called, Ellen?" Then she saw me. I mean really saw me. "Rose! What happened? What's wrong?" She asked as she knelt down in front of me. She was studying my face with worry and concern etched across her features.
"I'm pregnant." I said. No reason to beat around the bush.
There was complete silence for what seemed forever, but it had to be only a moment.
"Well, I see. You don't have to tell me this if you don't want to, but… who's the father?" Kirova asked.
"I'll tell you. I don't mind, but you won't believe me." I said in the same monotone voice as before.
"Rose, we won't judge you. Don't worry about that. Who is it?" Alberta said still kneeling in front of me.
"Dimitri." I looked them both in the eye to show that I'm not lying.
"That's impossible, you're both Dhampirs. Everyone knows it's impossible." Kirova was still calm.
"Dimitri? Guardian Dimitri Belikov?" Alberta said at the same time as Kirova.
"I know. And yes, Guardian Dimitri Belikov. But I know for a fact that it's his because he is the only person I have ever been with. I told everyone in my group of friends and my parents. And we came to the conclusion that because I'm Shadow Kissed and when Lissa healed me, she healed that little quirk that prevents Dhampirs to conceive together – thus allowing me to conceive a child with Dimitri. Since no one knows the full effects being Shadow Kissed has on a person, that's the only reason we came up with." I explained to them, still maintaining eye contact to prove that I'm not lying.
It was a moment before either of them spoke again. I sat there quietly waiting for them process the information I just gave them.
"Very well. But I have a few things that I would like to ask you." Kirova spoke, still looking too calm for my liking.
I have to admit her being this cool about everything is starting to really creep me out. I don't know if I like this calm Kirova or the Kirova that screams, yells, and scolds me. One is creepy and the other one is annoying.
"What?" I asked.
"I know I can't do anything now that you have graduated but, how long has this been going on? This romance between you and Guardian Belikov? And what happened?" She asked. I winced when she said his name.
"Since the beginning. Since he brought Lissa and I back from Portland. It was during our training sessions that we started to fall in love with each other. We tried to ignore it but it was difficult. He was offered the job to be Tasha Ozera's Guardian back at Christmas but he declined. When we got back to the Academy, he told me that the reason that he declined was because of me. Because he loved me and because he didn't want to leave me. Well I guess he couldn't do that anymore because a little over a week after Graduation he left me. He told me that he changed his mind as was going to take that offer of Tasha's. And all that ever happened before Graduation was a handful of stolen kisses here and there. We never went past that till Graduation Night, since I wasn't his student anymore or a minor since my birthday was a week after the attack on the school." I told them. I decided to not to tell them about the cabin. I still didn't want to risk it.
"I knew there was something going on between you two but I was never sure. I can't believe he would do that to you. I could always see the way he would look at you… The love in his eyes for you… I just can't believe him…" Alberta was unable to finish her sentences, shaking her head in disbelief. "Does he know? About the baby?" She asked.
"No. And I don't know if I'm going to tell him." I said.
"He has a right to know, Rose. If you were him and the situation was reversed – wouldn't you want to know?" Alberta said. She clearly wants me to tell him.
"Yes, I would. But this is different. You didn't hear what he said to me as he left. You didn't hear the words that broke my heart. You didn't hear him sa-" I couldn't finish before I broke down once again in front of them.
No matter what either of them did, I couldn't stop. It took several minutes to get me calmed down enough to stop crying this time.
"I don't think he deserves to even know. Let alone be in my child's life or my life for that matter. And even if I did, I don't want him to come back just because he feels obligated to. I want him to come back because he wants to and because he loves me. I know that sounds childish but that's how I feel. If wants to be with Tasha Fucking Ozera then that's fine with me. If you're going to continue to try to get me to talk to him then this meeting is over and I'm leaving. Goodnight." As I spoke, my voice had gotten louder until I ended up yelling at the end. With that said I got up and walked to the door.
Before I opened it, I heard one of them sigh in defeat.
"Very well, we won't say a word about any of this to him. But we should tell the Guardians here on campus. You are going to need help with your classes when the school year starts, Rose. I could ask if one of them is willing to lend a hand because of your condition." Alberta was the one who'd spoken.
"Fine. But it can wait until tomorrow morning, right?" I asked. "I'm too tired to do that right now. Plus, it will give me more time to think."
"That would be fine. In the morning then. At eight, alright?"
"That's fine. Goodnight." I said before leaving.
The next morning; Alberta, Kirova, and myself were surrounded by most of the school's Guardians, explaining the situation. The only Guardians who weren't there were the ones who had shifts and my mother; who was not available at moment due to the fact that my father wanted to go town for something.
When we were done explaining the entire room was silent. I swear you could hear a pin drop. For some odd reason that thought cheered me up, from the mood I was still in from the night before.
To say the Guardians were shocked was an understatement. They were staring at Kirova, Alberta, and me – wide-eyed with their mouths hanging open. They didn't even try to put up their Guardian Masks.
So me being Rose Hathaway, I decided to test try my theory about hearing a pin drop. So hoping it would break the tension in the room – tension you could cut with a knife – I took out one of my hair pins. Raising my arm up and out a little, I dropped the hair pin. Once I heard it hit the floor I chuckled. "It worked. You can hear a pin drop."
In doing so I received a disapproving look from Kirova. Along with a head shake and an amused expression from Alberta. Most of the Guardians dropped the beyond shocked expressions and started laughing at this. "Mission accomplished. Much better don't you think? Now that the tension is somewhat gone, let's get down to business." I said once everyone settled down.
"How is this even possible?" One Guardian said. You could tell he was new by his appearance and the way he carried himself – even while sitting – he looked over confident in himself. Hot-headed. He also was also a new Guardian to the school because since I grew up here and I know all the Guardians who were working here as of last year.
He had Icy blue eyes like Christian, I guess one of his parents were an Ozera because he also had the Raven black hair to go with it. He was about 6'5" with a nice build to him. He was decently handsome, too.
Another thing that told me he was new is because he obviously didn't know me or what I was really like.
"The usual way that they are made…Guardian…?" I said asking him for his name.
"Guardian Ivan Ash." He said looking me in the eyes and smirking.
"Nice meet you. I'm Guardian Hathaway." I said looking him in the eye and smirking along with him.
"No, you're not. I've actually had the great pleasure of meeting Guardian Hathaway. She's a short woman of Scottish decent with red hair and is about forty years old. You're not her." Ivan spoke cockily and smirked at me once more.
"I'm the other Guardian Hathaway. I'm Guardian Rose Hathaway. Janine Hathaway's daughter." I said with an even wider smirk than before. I took great pleasure in watching his eyes grow wide and him visibly swallowing, before his mouth dropped open.
When I said this I also noticed a few more new Guardians to the school, because they reacted this in a similar way.
"I'm sure you are." His tone was disbelieving, but there was a hint of anxiety in his eyes.
"Are you calling me a liar?" My tone of voice became more threatening as my temper began to rise.
"Yes. Yes, I am. Prove that you are Rose 'Hathaway'." He challenged me.
"Fine." I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed my mom's number. Once it started to ring I put it on loudspeaker.
After three rings she picked up. "Hathaway." She answered the phone.
"Hey mom. Are you back on campus yet?" While I spoke I kept eye contact with Guardian Ash.
"No." She said.
"Then can you do me a favor and tell this ass who I am and that I'm your daughter please? He doesn't believe me." I asked her.
"Rose! Language! And who are you talking about?" She scolded.
Before I could answer, I was interrupted. "Guardian Ivan Ash that's who she's talking about." Ivan said, his voice smug and triumphant. He still didn't believe me.
"Hello Guardian Ash. How are you? It's been awhile." She asked.
"I'm doing well. It has been awhile. How are you, Guardian Hathaway?" He replied, still smiling.
"Mom! This is not the time for pleasantries!" I spoke at same time as he answered.
"You're right, Rose. Guardian Ash, the person who called me is in fact my daughter and if you have a problem with that then in about an hour you can take it up with me personally. Alberta, Kirova, if you're there, please confirm this for me."
Not once did I take my eyes off Ash. I had the great pleasure of watching the color drain from his face as his expression turned horrified... and scared.
"It's true. She is Rose Hathaway. I know this because Ellen and I have known her since she was five." Alberta said confirming my mom's words. I couldn't help but feel smug.
"Anything else, Rose, or is that it?" My mother asked me.
"That's it, mom. Thank you. Bye, mom."
"Bye, Rose. See you soon." With that she hung up.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know, Rose." Ivan said quietly, still looking like he'd seen a ghost. I know how that feels, I thought. I shuddered mentally at that thought.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. It is hard to believe. Now that that is out of the way, do you think you can help us with this... situation?" I kept my tone cold and professional, bringing the conversation back to business.
"Yeah, I can help you. And believe we should all just keep this amongst ourselves. Us Guardians. And other members of staff. Those of you who agree stand." He told the other Guardians.
And the thing was? Everyone did.
I was shocked beyond words. It was one of those rare moments that I, Rose Hathaway, was rendered speechless. And in that moment I knew I could do this.
With the help of my family.