When I found her, she would always be rocking back and forth repeating them… "Love fades. Mine has." It was a kick in the face the first time, though. I had a history of cutting myself and she was the one who was always there for me before. It completely caught me off guard when I found her like this.

Chapter 9

LPOV ct'd

Eddie, Christian, and I followed the ambulance to the hospital. Nobody was allowed in just yet, so I decided to go to the feeders so that if I were able to help heal her at all, I would have the strength to do so. The walk to the feeders was filled with silence. This was the worst we had even seen Rose. I wonder what had brought it on. It seemed like she was doing alright. Maybe it was the stress of being in jail for so long for a crime she didn't commit. Maybe Dimitri said something or did something to her. There is no way to find out until she wakes up.

On the way back from the feeders, I decided to call Abe and Guardian Hathaway. I am not sure if they have heard by now what happened, but I felt that as her parents, they had the right to know. We didn't even know for sure if she was going to make it or if there was just too much blood lost to be able to keep her alive. I can't lose her. As much as I hate to admit it, I rely on her too much to keep me safe. Yea, there are other guardians out there, but only she knew certain things because of the bond. That damn bond has saved my life more than I care to remember, but I am truly grateful for it. I love Rose like a sister. I am closer to her than I ever was with Andre…and he and I were biologically related.

I got no response from either Abe or Guardian Hathaway's phones. They went straight to voicemail and I didn't bother leaving a message. I figured they were at the hospital anyways. Word travels really quickly around court…it is almost as bad as being back at the Academy. And with Rose being, well, Rose…I am sure that by now everyone knows.

As we got closer to the hospital, I saw someone I instantly recognized. It was Dimitri…though he looked strange, like he was on some sort of mission. He was carrying a small bag in his hands and he was pacing nervously back and forth, talking to himself very quietly. It seemed as though he was reciting something. "Oh, Lissa. Thank God! I need your help for a minute." I agreed and told Christian and Eddie I would meet them inside.

"Whatcha got in the bag, Dimitri? Chocolate donuts for Rose when she wakes up?" I couldn't help but laugh. His eyes lit up with excitement. "No, but that isn't a bad idea either." We both laughed at that one. He pulled a square black velvet box out of the bag and handed it to me to open. I gave him a questioning look and noticed he was bouncing up and down. "Settle down, man." I opened the box and my jaw dropped.

Nestled gently inside was the most exquisite ring I have ever laid eyes on. Fastened on a delicate gold band, was a heart-shaped diamond. On either side of it, were smaller pear-shaped diamonds. It was simple, but it was definitely Rose. "Wow, Dimitri. She is absolutely going to love this. How are you going to ask her?" He took a deep breath. "That is what I need your help with, Lissa."

DPOV

"Lissa, I want to ask Rose to marry me, but I am afraid to ask her. I love her with my entire being, but I am not sure she can forgive me. I mean, we had amazing….well, you know…and then this. I am afraid that she thinks I will leave again…that I am just…using her for….sex. Believe me, I'm not. I really do love her and…and….I don't know." I was pacing again and I felt tears starting to sting my eyes. Ever since I was changed back into a dhampir, I realized that the cold, hard exterior I once held did no good. That isn't who I was inside, and now it doesn't matter to me if I let my feelings show. I am not a heartless asshole and I am tired of trying to keep up the façade.

"Calm down. If anything, asking Rose to marry you will only show her that you are here for the long haul…through thick and thin. She would be a fucking idiot not to say yes. Sure, you hurt her bad…but when I changed you back, remember the conversation we had?" I do remember…every word of it and how I let all the words of my adoration for Rose flow from the depths of my heart. I nodded and let her continue. "That is when I realized how you truly felt for Rose. I already knew how she felt about you and still does deep inside. Dimitri, would you like me to tell you everything that happened to her after you basically told her you didn't love her anymore?" I looked down at the ground. Unable to find my voice, I nodded again, knowing that I needed to know everything if I was going to be able to help her through it at all.

She proceeded to tell me about all the times she cut herself, the few times she tried to overdose on pills and the alcohol. I wanted her to stop, but at the same time I needed to hear all of it. She continued on about how Rose would lock herself in her room for days at a time, not eating, how she slept all the time and felt that she didn't have a reason for existing without me. I have to admit, it hurt really bad to know that I did this to her. Now I understand everything. After all of that, getting arrested, and then finding out about the pregnancy….wait! The baby! Oh shit!

I excused myself from talking to Lissa and ran straight up to the nurse's station. "Rose was pregnant! What about the baby? Is it ok?" "I'm sorry, we didn't know. We will have the doctor paged immediately." Once again, I found myself pacing. I hope that our baby will be alright. I don't think Rose nor would I be able to handle it if the baby died. Finally, Janine came up to me and put her hands on my shoulders to stop me from wearing down the carpet.

"Dimitri, you need to relax. We are all upset over this and I know it is a pain in the ass to just wait around feeling useless. As soon as she is allowed visitors, I assure you that you will be in there with Abe and me. You love her as much as we do, and I know she reciprocates the feeling. In other words, what I am trying to say is…SIT THE FUCK DOWN, YOU ARE MAKING US DIZZY!" I had to laugh a little at that. I was sure she was going to say something worse or punch me.

Lissa came in as I plopped myself in a chair and put my head in my hands. I felt her set something down on the chair next to me. I looked over to see the bag with the ring in it and a vase with beautiful flowers. I looked up and smiled and she gave a knowing smile back. Of course Janine noticed. Before I knew what happened, I was showing everyone, including the nurses, the ring I had picked out for when I finally grew some fucking balls and asked Rose to be my wife. Abe threatened me and Janine gave me an accompanying look, but both wished me luck on asking her.