Title: Tell me if I'm Dreaming!
Author: TiA995
Background: Rose has a rather curious experience on the verge of her first Christmas in her and Dimitri's new home. Is it some sort of a twisted reality or an illusion that she is caught in, she has yet to figure out, though Adrian's presence clearly isn't helping. Set after LS, but ignoring the existence of Bloodlines!
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." (John Lennon)
I was having a strange dream. Actually, that was an understatement, but when it came to me and my mind, strange was the new normal. I was standing on an improvised stage in some lousy roadhouse in the middle of nowhere, clinging to the mic as I sang some disastrously cheesy Christmas songs to a few drunken and thoroughly uninterested souls, who seemed to have winded up here, just like I have, by some mere accident. I half expected them to boo me off the stage, while throwing empty beer bottles at me, but I guess they were too wasted to actually care about my high-pitched and off-key singing.
I was dressed in a tight, short, black dress and a black leather jacket coupled with soldier boots. It was safe to say my attire wasn't in any way compliant with the heartbreaking, soft melodies I was singing along to. Especially since I had fishnets and a blood red lipstick to top of my look that basically screamed I'm going to a rock concert.
As the song ended I was left in silence, completely baffled, waiting for the dream to end or for something embarrassing to happen, because that was the only conclusion I could think of for this bizarre moment. That was until I heard a loud clap coming from the back of the bar. It wasn't exactly a slow clap, but it wasn't that vibrant either. I lifted my hand to cover the light of the reflector that blinded me in an attempt to see who the person producing the only noise aside from the sound of my breathing and the soft buzzing of the mic was.
"Well done!", the person exclaimed in a voice that sounded rather familiar as I moved to the side searching for the stairs to get down, but not finding any, "That was astonishingly bad, but entertaining nonetheless."
I finally managed to glimpse beyond the light, only to find a man standing right below me. He was wearing a leather jacket that matched mine, black pants that were ripped in a few places, boots that seemed slightly elegant, but still pretty rugged and the only colorful thing on him, a dark green shirt. His hair was messy and his emerald eyes burned through mine as he smiled his signature smile.
"Adrian?", I asked in confusion, crouching so that I can balance myself off the stage.
"The one and only", he chuckled, approaching me and offering me his hand.
I took it, feeling his fingers wrap tightly around mine as he tugged me towards him. I thumped onto the floor, straightening up and pulling my dress down much to his disapproval.
"Fancy running into you here, Little Dhampir", he added winking at me playfully.
"Oh God, I should have known you were behind this weirdness ", I groaned in annoyance.
"I beg your pardon, whatever do you mean by that?", he responded with a smug look.
"Give me my normal dreams back and take your spirit-induced ones with you, will you?", I retorted, surpassing him and heading for the door like that might help me escape him somehow.
"This isn't a Spirit dream Rose", he stressed with a small dose of seriousness in his voice.
"Righttt", I drawled, continuing my marching to the door that only seemed more far away the more I tried to approach it.
"It's not. If it was, you'd be wearing a lot less layers, I can assure you of that", he teased as I stopped my pointless movements and twirled around to look at him.
"I thought we were past those kinds of comments", I said crossing my arms on my chest.
Ever since our breakup Adrian's and mine relationship or rather friendship has been on a long and slow mend. We've only started acting civil towards each other about a half a year ago and this Christmas was going to be the first one he'll spend with all of us.
"Were we?", he challenged with a strange smile, "Cause you do realize I'm just a figment of your imagination, so what I say is what you think I'd say or what you want me to say."
"Stop messing around. I'm tired. I want to sleep, normally."
"You are sleeping Rose. You are deep under, floating through your dreams. And I believe it's time for the next one", he commented, glancing at his watch like he was checking the time, like we were on some kind of schedule.
"Next what?"
"Next dream, silly", he chuckled before the roadhouse began shaking.
In a flash everything became blurry, like the world around me got tossed into a blender. I felt so dizzy I could hardly stand on my feet, so I closed my eyes and I held my breath until I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I carefully peeked through my lashes and saw Adrian's smile right in front of me.
"What's with the ridiculous expression?", he questioned through a laugh.
Instead of responding I blinked a few times, allowing the muscles in my face to slowly relax. I looked him up and down, noticing that his attire got replaced by a grey sweater, beige pants and elegant grey shoes. Glancing down my body as well I noticed I had similar colors to the ones he was wearing and was again in a dress, but this one was knee-high and thicker, like a large sweater draped over my bare legs that ended in beige high heels.
As Adrian stepped aside I was faced with a giant Christmas tree. It was decorated by dazzling balls covered in red and green glitter, tiny lights that seemed to come out of nowhere between the pine needles and a big, bright star on the top. Underneath the tree lay a heap of gifts with neatly tied bows on them. The entire picture before me seemed familiar, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn't put my finger on why it all felt like-.
"Should we put a card in it?", a voice behind me said cutting my thoughts short, a voice that made the blood in my veins freeze.
I twirled around, gasping as I saw the person it belonged to. His platinum blond hair and jade green eyes instantly formed a gulp of tears in my throat. I took a shaky step towards him, but he didn't seem to have noticed me since he was staring at a box that was on the table before him.
"Lord Dragomir?", I whispered, waiting for him to scold me for not using his first name.
He didn't. Instead, he glanced up right behind me and said: "Rhea, did you hear me?"
Rhea? Rhea Dragomir? This time when I turned I bumped straight into Adrian who was studying me with curiosity written all over his face.
"Yes darling I heard you, I was just thinking it over", Rhea chuckled in the background as I fixed Adrian with my eyes, wordlessly asking for an explanation.
He seemed to have figured out my unasked question since he quickly supplied: "It's a memory Rose. They can't see or hear you."
"How are you doing this?"
"I'm not doing anything. I told you already, this is your dream and I'm just-."
"A figment of my imagination", I finished angrily, "You really want me to believe that?"
"Believe what you want Rose, it's entirely up to you", he responded nonchalantly.
"I don't think we should put a card", Rhea said, passing by Adrian and me without so much as blinking, "She might recognize the writing. We can just tell her it's from her parents."
Her words caught my attention, enough that I abandon my conversation with Adrian and move to stand next to the table, leaning forward while glancing at the content of the box they were packing.
"My red scarf!", I exclaimed, "I can't believe it!"
"You seem awfully cheerful about a scarf", Adrian commented, leaning next to me leisurely like everything about this scene was completely normal.
"It's not a scarf. It's THE scarf. My favorite scarf of all times. It's red and cashmere, so soft, wonderful really and it's red", I babbled happily, choosing to ignore the oddness of the current situation as well.
"You said red two times", Adrian observed with a smile, "I'm sensing there is a higher meaning to this scarf than its quality or color."
"There is", I mumbled, glancing at Eric who grabbed the lid of the box while commenting, "I hope Rose likes it."
"It was the only gift my parents ever sent to me", I continued, not being able to take my eyes off Lissa's parents, "Or at least I thought they did. That's what they told me. I wore it every winter until Lissa and I ran from the Academy and I left it behind. I never found it again."
"Shame", Adrian commented as he studied the perfect bow Rhea tied on top of the box, "It's pretty."
"Yeah", I breathed out, watching them walk towards the tree.
I remembered this Christmas, it was the best I ever had up until then. I remember coming downstairs from the bedroom Lissa and I shared, despite the house having more than enough rooms for us to each have our own, seeing the beautiful tree and getting so many gifts, more than I ever got in my life. This was one of the fondest memories I had of Lissa's parents, the time I felt like I had a real family. It was surreal that I got to relive this moment now from an entirely different perspective.
An idea popped into my head and before I knew what I was actually doing, I pushed past Adrian and headed towards the hallway. I ran up the stairs, ignoring Adrian's protests about him having a hard time following me and barged into the first room on the left. Sure enough, cuddled under the huge pink blanket Lissa adored, I saw two girls. Lissa's blond hair melted with my dark brown one on the pillow and I knew there was a mess of tangled limbs underneath that blanket like there always was. My bed was empty, tucked in and clearly showing it wasn't slept in this night or any night before.
"Awww, you looked so sweet when you were a kid", Adrian stated, bumping my shoulder with his as he caught up, "Who would have thought you'd grow up to be such a badass?"
I looked at my younger self in disbelief. I've forgotten that carefree, angelic expression I used to have back then. A lot has happened in my life, Lissa's life, things that took their toll on us and stole our innocence. Still, despite my trouble to remember how my reflection in the mirror used to look like, I was sure it was me, the real me from years ago. I had no idea how this was possible, but I was walking through my own memories like a stranger watching someone's life unfold and Adrian was right there beside me.
"I want to go see Andre", I suddenly announced snapping from my half-trance.
I didn't even realize how much I missed seeing the faces of Lissa's family, my family. Even though I've met my father and developed a better relationship with my mother since then, Eric and Rhea still felt like parents to me, regardless of the fact that they were long gone. And Andre, God, I think I missed that annoying idiot more than anyone else.
"Sadly, we are out of time", Adrian almost whispered as he gently placed his palm on my shoulder.
"What do you mean we are out of time?"
"We need to go", he simply answered, but there was a dose of sadness in his eyes too when he cast one more look towards the innocent little Rose tucked next to Lissa.
"Go where?"
"To our next destination", he announced, turning on his heel.
"Wait, Adrian", I cried out making him stop, "If this isn't a Spirit dream, what is it?"
He gave me yet another strange smile before he snapped his fingers and the room around us dissolved, along with the two little girls underneath the pink blanket. The scenery got replaced by strong lights, glass cases filled with shiny jewelry and a woman with a neat bun, pristine blouse and a pencil skirt. She was midsentence, speaking in a voice that I found overly-sweet, when we barged into the shop, appearing out of thin air, but completely unnoticed yet again. The change of scenery was followed by another change of clothes. Adrian was in a black tux and I was in a long, body-clinging wedding dress.
"- but these are a bit expensive", she finished her line as she gestured towards an uncountable amount of engagement rings.
"The price isn't relevant", someone spoke behind me, someone whose voice I would have known anywhere.
I didn't turn around to look at him though. I kept staring at Adrian now completely outraged by whatever the hell was going on. He paid no attention to my grave expression. Instead, he peered over my shoulder and chuckled: "Looks like the big Russian is up to no good."
"What is this?", I spat through gritted teeth, honestly considering to punch Adrian right in the yaw, imaginary or not.
"You won't stop asking questions, will you?", he huffed rolling his eyes, "Fine. I'll tell you. Have you ever read "A Christmas Carol"? You know that book about-."
"I watched the movie, get to the point", I said impatiently, ignoring Dimitri's voice in the background, no matter how much I wanted to turn around and run into his embrace, despite him obviously not really being here, or was it me that wasn't really here?
"This is pretty similar, only instead of the ghost of Christmas past you get a memory, something that's happening in the present and then-."
"Yet to come", I finished demonstratively crossing my arms, "So what I'm Scrooge than? That doesn't make sense, because a, I don't hate Christmas and b, I'm not a bad person. Besides, what do you have to do with all of this?"
"How the heck should I know Rose? You are the one who decided I should be the one to take you through all of this. Not that I'm not honored, but it was entirely your call."
"Sure, that's fine. If this is a dream, I want to wake up now, cause I see no bloody point in any of it", I protested, not being able to resist sneaking a peek at Dimitri who just picked up a marvelous, white gold ring that twisted and twirled into a rose with a dazzling diamond stuck in the middle of it.
"Go ahead, I ain't stopping you", Adrian exclaimed, lifting his hands up like he was surrendering.
"Fine", I cried out, stomping my feet like a child having a tantrum.
I shut my eyes tightly, frowning in the process and waited. I even held my breath in, praying I'll succeed in my intentions. I covered my ears with my palms to stop Dimitri's voice from filling them. He was asking about a tiny red box for the ring he has chosen. After a few moments, I let out an exasperate sigh and dropped my hands.
"You are still here Little Dhampir", Adrian commented through soft laughter.
"I can see that", I retorted, letting my eyelids snap open as my eyes focused on Dimitri who was paying and taking a bag from the saleswoman.
When Adrian stayed silent and Dimitri turned to leave, I finally asked: "So if this is actually real, does that mean Dimitri is going to propose?"
"I never said it was real", Adrian pointed out, watching Dimitri as well with amusement, "I just said it wasn't a Spirit dream."
"God, you are even more annoying when I make you up", I mumbled into my chin as I followed Dimitri outside.
I heard Adrian's feet shuffle behind me, knowing he was treading on my heels as I stepped out of the shop and walked through a bright, white light that seemed like very thick mist. When the colors returned, I was faced with my own reflection. Only, I realized soon enough it wasn't my reflection I was looking at. It was me alright, but my hair was different, shorter and curlier and I somehow seemed older, not in a visible way, but there was this dose of maturity in my eyes that surprised me. I stared at the other version of me and it almost seemed like she was staring back, until I heard a soft mix of a chuckle and a short squeal coming from behind her. It was a strange sound, not like a person, not like an animal either and as I pondered on what could have caused such a sound, a small smile appeared on my double as she walked over the room stopping when she reached a-, CRIB?
"Hey Lana", she said, bending over the wooden fence to reach for the baby that was making that same noise again, "Good morning Darling."
The tiny bundle she picked up stretched her miniature hands to touch Rose's face, making her smile become wider. The baby in her arms was a mesmerizingly beautiful girl, with wide chocolate eyes and thin, soft, short strands of slightly curly dark hair. Her happy noises continued as Rose cuddled her against her chest and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Damn", Adrian breathed out next to me, reminding me that he was still there, "That's what I call a wonderful picture."
"I don't, I don't understand", I stammered, being unable to take my eyes off the scene in front of me.
"Roza, where did I put that crate with the decorations?", Dimitri's voice called out to Rose, who lifted her gaze from the baby in her arms and shouted back, "It's here, next to the couch."
After a few moments he strolled into the room, stopping in his track upon seeing the other me. For a moment, I thought he was just as shocked as I was to see his girlfriend holding a baby in her arms, but then he grinned and asked: "You couldn't resist waking her up, could you?"
"I didn't", Rose protested as he made his way to them, "She woke up on her own and I well, then I couldn't resist picking her up."
"Nobody could", Dimitri softly chuckled as he stopped next to Rose and slowly wrapped a hand around her.
"My beautiful girls", he added his face softening up more than I've ever seen.
"Three months in and I can't stop staring at her", Rose giggled as the baby stretched once more to curl her fingers around Dimitri's T-shirt, "Isn't she the most darling thing you've ever seen?"
"Her mother comes in the place right after", he mumbled placing a kiss on Rose's temple.
"Three months? Congratulations Rose! Starting from tonight you are officially pregnant!", Adrian exclaimed making me jump up.
"No, this is not, this, I", I incoherently muttered, before I turned to Adrian in complete fury shouting, "This is all an illusion, this is, it's stupid. It's not real. It's not going to happen."
"Svetlana Vasilisa Belikova, do not rip your father's shirt, I just bought it", I heard Rose threaten in the background, but she did it through a laugh.
"Maybe, maybe not", Adrian commented peering over my shoulder, "It'd be a pity though, if it didn't happen. You look really happy."
I wordlessly followed his gaze back to the little family behind us. They did look happy. They looked beyond happy. I actually envied them. I wanted to be them, but I certainly wasn't going to confess that to the imaginary Adrian in a weird ass dream.
"I-", I started saying before a loud ringing traveled through the air around us.
It was a piercing sound that made me want to cover my ears in order to muffle it. Adrian twitched beside me reacting to it as well, but Dimitri and Rose didn't seem to have noticed it at all. They were still affectionately fixed on the baby, babbling like they were children themselves. When the sound came again it was even louder and I shouted in an attempt to overpower it: "What the hell is that?"
"Rose", Adrian's voice sounded distant even though he was inches away from me.
My vision became dim as he called out to me again, but this time his voice sounded strangely different.
"Rose", Dimitri repeated as I jumped up, knocking into him.
He let out a soft "ouch" as he rubbed his chin at the spot where my forehead hit it. I fixed my eyes on his as he exclaimed: "Heavens, didn't you hear your alarm?"
"Ala-", I mumbled before realization hit me and I almost shouted, "Alarm. That's the awful noise. An alarm that woke me up, cause I was sleeping. Yes, I was sleeping, dreaming."
Dimitri worriedly studied me as I babbled the things that could make no sense to any normal person ever. He sat on the edge of the bed next to my feet carefully as he asked: "Roza are you alright?"
"Fine, I'm fine", I muttered, throwing my legs over the edge of the bed, "What time is it? We should start preparing. We have a party to organize."
"Roza wait", he said catching my hand to slow me down, "Are you sure everything is alright, is there something I should know?"
His question surprised me, enough to make me stop and gawk at him. Did he know? Did he know I saw those strange things while I slept? I studied him for a few moments as he patiently waited for me to respond. He doesn't know, of course he doesn't know. How could he? It was all in my head, not his. The real question here is, should I tell him about it?
"Nope", I finally pushed out of my mouth, deciding I should keep my craziness to myself, "Nothing. I'm just a bit disoriented. I'm not really used to afternoon naps."
"You needed one though", he chuckled, clearly rolling with my story, "You overworked yourself with preparations for tonight."
"And half of it still needs to be done, so chop-chop Comrade", I instructed running to the door.
"I'll be right with you", he voiced as he walked to his closet and pulled it open.
I glimpsed at him in the exact moment he slipped something into the pocket of one of his jackets hanging in there. For a minute I thought I saw a tiny red box, just like the one from my dream in the jewelry shop, but I brushed it off knowing it was just my wild imagination still running all over the place.
It would have been nice though, wouldn't it? A perfect surprise for the first Christmas spent in our new home. Our tiny little perfect house just across from Lissa's and Christian's not so tiny one. I felt a bit foolish, daydreaming about Dimitri proposing to me, even though I've told him a million times I'm not settling down any time soon. Lying through my teeth was what I was doing. If he would have asked me, I would have said yes in a heartbeat. I shook my head to clear my thoughts as Dimitri joined me at the door and nudged me downstairs while giving me a quick kiss as he surpassed me.
I've forgotten all about my afternoon nap and silly wishes by the time our guests arrived. When it was time to open our presents, despite my usual impatience, I restrained myself in an attempt to be a good host and allowed Lissa, Christian, Jill, Eddie, Adrian and even Dimitri to all go first. It was all happy smiles, hugs and thankyou's as they unwrapped a gift after a gift. Shockingly, even Dimitri and Adrian exchanged and awkward hug at each other's gifts. Once it was finally my turn, I grabbed my packages, greedily ripping the colorful wrapping papers with a childish grin. Lissa got me a tone of makeup I was sure would last me for a lifetime, Christian bought me a huge cup that he said would serve a purpose of reminding me of his beautiful face every time I drink my morning coffee, Jill gave me the cutest little leather bracelet that she assured me wouldn't break even if I battle and army and, traditionally, from Eddie I got a pair of Christmas teamed socks.
I was down to two more gifts, Adrian's and Dimitri's. I reached out, without even looking, grabbing the first my fingers grazed. It was Dimitri's. Just like Adrian's it was in a box, but unlike Adrian's the box was rather tiny. I popped its lid impatiently and looked down onto the bottom. It was empty. I frowned, glancing up as I opened my mouth to ask Dimitri what's the catch when I saw him drop on his knee in front of me. My chin almost touched the ground as I stared at him in shock while Jill and Lissa squeal in unison. The smile playing on Dimitri's lips seemed a bit uncertain as he reached into the pocket of his pants and produced, my God, a tiny red box. That tiny red box I've already seen twice.
I held my breath in as he took my hand, looking up to me while he said: "Rosemary-."
"Yes", I breathed out.
"I haven't even asked the question yet", he chuckled as I crouched so my eyes were in the same level as his were.
"The answer is still yes", I giggled cupping his face tenderly.
"Can I ask it anyway?", he laughed, his hands shaking slightly as he held up the ring between us.
I nodded, smiling as I got lost in his loving eyes, feeling happier than I ever have. He apparently gave up on a speech I was sure he prepared and simply whispered: "Will you marry me?"
My answer was to slam my lips against his. Only when Christian whistled playfully did I realize I was making quite a show for our clearly uncomfortable feeling guests. We parted and Dimitri awkwardly smiled, since these kinds of displays of affection weren't really something he was accustomed to in front of other people, regardless of them being our friends. He stood up, offering me his hand in order to pull me up as well before he ceremoniously slid my engagement ring on. I focused on my finger and then blinked a couple of times as I felt my heart hammering against my chest. A white gold ring with a rose and a diamond stuck in the middle, shone brightly on my hand. The exact ring I saw Dimitri pick in my dream. How is this possible?
Before I could even begin to understand what the hell was happening, Lissa jumped at me, wrapping her hands around my neck and tightening her hold with all her strength.
"This is amazing. Congratulations", she exclaimed way too loud for her proximity.
I hugged her back still a little stunned, mumbling "thank you" into her hair. They all took turns congratulating us as I kept glimpsing at my finger to check if the ring was still on it. Christian produced, seemingly out of nowhere, a bottle of champagne for us to toast with. It took us a while to come down from the collective high of happiness before I glanced back to the ripped wraps and empty boxes realizing I've forgotten something.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry Adrian", I babbled apologetically, grabbing the lonely package left under the tree, "I didn't mean to-."
"That's alright", he cut in through a chuckle, "You had more important and exciting things to deal with."
He leaned forward as I slumped onto the ground before his chair and folded my legs, tucking his gift into my lap. He gave me an encouraging nod as I slid the top and peeked inside. And there I was thinking I was done with heart-beating-out-of-my-chest-surprises. I was so completely wrong.
I reached into the box gingerly tugging the fabric folded in it. I couldn't believe my own eyes. It was a scarf, it was my scarf, my red, cashmere scarf. I looked up at Adrian my hands shaking as he studied me carefully. For a moment he looked very focused, very serious and then he just smiled leisurely while he asked: "Do you like it?"
I couldn't produce a single sound as I wrapped the scarf around my hand staring at it like it might disappear into a puff of smoke any minute now, like this whole room and all the people in it will vanish like a dream. It didn't happen. When the silence continued Adrian prompted: "If you don't like it, I can return it and get you another one or something else entirely."
"No, I-", I mumbled before I found his eyes again, "It's wonderful. Thank you."
"It looks a bit like the one you got from your parents years ago", Lissa butted in, peering over my shoulder.
"It looks exactly like it", I said, never letting my eyes leave Adrian's, hoping he'll somehow give away the secret of how he knew about the scarf.
"I'm glad you dig it", he simply said, looking completely honest and innocent.
I knew Adrian better than that though. He was a proud example of the whole "don't judge a book by its covers", so I knew nothing was ever really that simple with him. So I waited for the rest of the night, right until he was about to leave to confront him about it. We were alone since Lissa and Christian left merely five minutes ago, Dimitri disappeared into the kitchen and Jill and Eddie were waiting for Adrian in the car outside. I cornered him in the hallway while he was getting his coat, grabbing him by the elbow and shoving him into bathroom. I ripped his coat off the one arm he already pulled through it and flung it onto a cupboard next to the door.
"Little Dhampir, you just got engaged, so I think it's a bit too early for strippers and bachelorette parties. Give me my clothes back", he joked with an amused expression.
"Shut up", I retorted, "What's the deal with the scarf?"
He studied me wordlessly before he crossed his arms on his chest. I waited for his response, but when he didn't say anything I asked again: "So? Are you going to explain yourself or am I going to have to beat it out of you?"
"No need for violence", he said, "I thought you told me to shut up, so I was just following your wishes."
"Don't mess with me."
"I'm not trying to", he stressed, "There isn't any deal with the scarf, I saw it, liked it, thought you might like it and I bought it. That's it."
"So you are saying this has nothing to do with my dream earlier?", I challenged him crossing my arms as well.
"Dream? What in the Heavens are you talking about Rose? You are not making a lick of sense", he cried out looking fairly confused.
"Don't play coy Adrian! The Spirit dream from this afternoon, the one you were in", I persisted, determined to get to the bottom of it.
"I hate to be the one to disappoint you, but I did not pull you into a Spirit dream this afternoon, or any time of day and night for a while Rose. It's very flattering, though, that you are dreaming of me."
"I wasn't dreaming of you", I fumed, "You were just there, at Lissa's old place where I got a scarf just like the one you gave me, at the jewelry shop where Dimitri bought this exact same ring that's now on my finger and at my house where-."
I fell silent, not being able to mention the part about the baby. Ever since I woke up, I felt this pang in my chest, this feeling like something was missing. I knew it was the very happiness that filled me while my eyes rested on the tiny little bundle in the arms of that other Rose, despite my attempts to convince myself otherwise.
"Rose, you are acting extremely strange. If I didn't know any better I'd say you've gone insane and that's alarming coming from me", Adrian commented with a serious expression.
"You really have no idea what I'm talking about?", I questioned, piercing his eyes with mine one last time in an attempt to make sure he's not playing me.
"None", he stressed frowning.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry for attacking you, just forget about this", I blurted out.
"Not likely", he chuckled, "You basically just told me you have visions about the past and the future. I'm starting to think you have a brain tumor or that you are a witch. Are you a witch, Little Dhampir?"
"I'm not a witch", I cried out, tugging the door of the bathroom open.
"If you say so", he laughed, picking up his coat and pulling it on as I leaned next to the front door.
"Thanks for the gift. I really do like it", I added as he stepped into the cold dawn outside.
"You are welcome", he said before he turned to leave.
Just as I was about to close the door behind him he stopped, glancing over his shoulder at me and added: "Do me a favor, try not to lose it-."
His voice trailed off as he walked away, but I swear I heard him add "this time" at the end of his sentence. I was seconds away from following him out, but I felt Dimitri's hand wrap around my waist as he leaned his head on my shoulder.
"Everything alright? You seemed a bit on the edge ever since we opened the presents."
I turned in his embrace pondering on whether I should finally tell him about what was going on, but when I saw a little frown playing on his forehead and decided against it. I didn't want to worry him too about my potential insaneness or brain tumor or the ability to tell the future. Instead, I tiptoed my way to a kiss and whispered against his lips: "Everything is fine, more than fine, it's perfect. I just got a bit overly-excited, that's all."
He leaned away mumbling: "If you changed your mind about saying yes-."
"No, no, never", I exclaimed, "If you asked me a million times again I would have answered the same. I love you, I can't live without you and I can't imagine anything better than spending the rest of my life with you."
He seemed rather satisfied with my answer since he kissed me again and said: "I love you too. Let's go to bed."
"Is that an invitation?", I teased, knowing he'd understand perfectly well what I was suggesting.
"That's a promise", he chuckled pulling me towards the stairs.
"I'll get the equipment then", I giggled, hurrying to our bedroom ahead of him.
I hopped into the room, throwing myself on the bed before I opened the drawer of my nightstand and reached for the condoms inside. Ever since Adrian's and Lissa's studies of the Spirit revealed the possibility of us actually having children, we started being careful. I knew Dimitri wanted to have a child with me with all his heart, but he didn't want to make me rush into anything.
Svetlana Vasilisa Belikova. The name rushed through my mind as my fingers lingered over the condoms. Lana. She looked so tiny in my arms, so perfect, so much like her father. I was so happy, we were so happy. Nothing about that picture seemed out of place or rushed, all of it seemed like it was exactly the way it was supposed to be. Adrian's words rang through my head again too "Congratulations Rose! Starting from tonight you are officially pregnant!". That was this night, this Christmas.
Dimitri cleared his throat in the background and chuckled: "What kinkiness are you up to now?"
I looked at the drawer one last time before I pulled my hand back and slammed it shut. I turned around with a small smile on my face and asked: "Do you believe in dreams?"