A/N: HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I'M BACK! I'M SOOOOOOOOOO SORRY I DIDN'T UPDATE LAST WEEK! Originally I was going to wait until Sunday to post this, but I'm feel like you guys deserve the treat :D You should know it's not because I forgot about you (how could I?)...between lab reports and galas I didn't think the chapter was good enough to put up yet so I held onto it for another week to perfect it...plus having a week to write, I found that little hamster inside me that writes 3 chapters in like two days. BUT I am sorry it came at the expense of leaving you deprived for a week. I HOPE THIS CHAPTER MAKES UP FOR IT!

On that note, I hope you guys liked my Dimitri POV and I really hope you guys like the surprise in this chapter cus I'm pretty sure you didn't see it coming :)

Lastly, if y'all haven't noticed this story is officially ROSE X DIMITRI! although with the plot I have in mind it might take a while to get there...BUT FRET NOT CUS WE WILL GET THERE!...ok now I'll let you enjoy the chapter :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy...but I did just buy Golden Lily last week (FINALLY MY BOOKSTORE HAD IT!) so if i don't update next week it's cus I got sucked into Palm Springs ;)

"Agh!" I groaned in irritation as I threw my bags down. She took my keys, I thought. Took. My. Keys. Well that put a dent in my plans, but it wouldn't stop it. So I can't drive to Lissa's, I'll just catch a ride, I thought as I dropped the bags in my hands and pulled out my phone to call Dimitri and see if he could give me a ride. When he agreed to pick me up, I hung up and sent him my address. I don't know why, but my mood automatically lifted when I heard Dimitri say "sure" and with some pep in my step I hefted the two bags to the front yard. I went back and grabbed the two remaining bags, planning on coming back later for the rest of my stuff. When I got outside, I cursed myself for not changing. Dimitri wasn't here yet and it was starting to get a bit cold. Thank god I changed into flip flops. Deciding I had enough time to kill, I called Adrian. When he answered, I heard loud music and a lot of talking, making me think I had bad timing.

"Hello?" I said after not hearing anything from him

"Rose?" he said, more like shouted, I heard music and high-pitched laughter and giggles in the background. Was he at a club?

"Yea...are you busy?"

"No," he said. I heard a door slam and then it became pin-dropping quiet, his breathing being my only indication that he was still there. Finally he said, "What can I do for you, little temptress?" A smile in his voice.

"I uhh well I can't make it tomorrow," I said.

"Wait what? Why?" he said, all humor leaving his voice, leaving a sullen tone. I felt bad, but I'm pretty sure he'll forget about it 10 seconds after I hang up.

"I'm sorry," I said in a sugar sweet voice. "Something came up."

"Yea ok," he grumbled. "How about another time?"

"Umm," I said, shuffling my feet. "Oh my dad's calling me. I got to go."

"Rose, this conversation isn't over," he said, voice full of seriousness but I still caught the playful undertone.

"We'll see about that," I responded playfully.

"Do you know how hard it is to count stars?" I asked Dimitri once he started his truck.

"No I don't," he said with laughter in his voice. "Why don't you enlighten me?"

"Very hard," I said in a scholarly tone, but I couldn't help but smile, especially he gave me a half-smile. "There's just so many! It's beautiful though." I said the last part wistfully.

"I know. But they're more beautiful in Baia. You could lay outside and gaze up at them and their beauty would shine, not masked behind any bright street lights or cascading skyscraper."

"Dimitri Belikov. Martial arts badass by day, stargazer at night."

"I'm not a stargazer, but some nights when things got tough at home, I'd sneak out onto the roof and just look up."

"You'd sneak out to go on the roof? Is that even sneaking out since you're still at home?"

"I say it is because I'd leave without telling anyone, and even though I was only on the roof, no one would look there."

"I guess you have a point," I said thoughtful. As I looked out the window, I realized I never told him how to get to Lissa's, but he was driving like he knew where he was going.

"Where are—" I began to say at the same time he asked, "Are you—"

"You first," I said.

"I was going to ask if you were hungry—" my stomach growling cut him off. He chuckled and said, "I'll take that as I yes." I sheepishly nodded my head. "What did you want to ask?"

"Oh. Where we were going?" I said, trying to see if I recognized any of the streets.

"Well, I know this place that serves amazing food, if you're up for trying something new."

"What do you mean new?" I asked, my curiosity peaked.

"You'll see," he said with a mischievous grin. "So are you going on a trip?"

"Huh? No. What makes you think that?"

"Oh nothing. Just four heavy luggages in my trunk."

"Oh," I said dumbly. "No. Just moving out."

"Moving out? Didn't you just get home."

"Yup," I said, popping my "p" before messing with the radio.

"Uh Dimitri," I said hesitantly when he pulled into the driveway of a townhouse that had a small front yard with vibrant colored flowers trimming the house. "Why are we here?"

"To eat," he said as he got out the car, grabbing his jacket and a bag from the backseat.

"But it's a house," I stated like it wasn't obvious. "Wait. Is this your place?"

"No."

"Then who's house is this," I asked as he opened the door. Were the doors unlocked?

He just gave a knowing smile as he held the door for me. We walked down the small hallway and when he turned into a doorway, he held his hand out telling me to wait here. So with a sigh, I nodded and leaned against the wall. I heard feet shuffling, and then someone shrieked, more of a squeal-shriek, before they talking in a whisper in another language, Russian most likely. Then, to my surprise and amusement, I heard a whacking sound and Dimitri saying, "OW!" Next thing I knew, I heard swift feet shuffling and an older woman popped out off the doorway of what I'm guessing is the kitchen. She salt and pepper hair, more like dark hair with sprinkles of salt in it. She was small, a little shorter than me, with brown eyes that looked familiar.

"I'm so sorry he just left you here," she said in a motherly tone. When Dimitri came out, she flashed him a quick glare and he just hung his head. "He seemed to have forgotten his manners. I'm sorry, my dear, I'm Olena Belikova."

My mouth mentally dropped as I realized I was looking at Dimitri's mother. He mumbled a sorry and she just waved it off. She had on the most heartwarming smile that had me smiling. The way she tenderly chastised Dimtiri had me wishing she was my mother. Seeing the way they interacted I realized that Dimitri is the world's biggest mama's boy.

"I'm Rose Hathaway. It's nice to meet you," I said with a smile. I can't believe he brought me to his house. No scratch that. His mom's house.

"Same here, dear," she said as she ushered us forward. "The food and everyone are already on the table." I mindlessly nodded because something caught my eye. As they made their way to the table, I hung back.

When I walked into the kitchen, I saw a small boy, with his back to me. Deciding to have fun I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to my one left leg and cleared my throat before authoritatively saying, "What are you doing?"

He dropped whatever he was holding, causing a mild clatter, his back straightening up and he slowly turned around, fear painted all over his face. His eyes widened when he saw me. "P-p-please don't tell anyone."

"Hmm." I said, putting my pointer finger against my chin like I was thinking about it. "Depends on what you were doing."

"I j-just w-w-wanted some bread," he said, his eyes turning glassy.

"Well then," I said, flashing him a smile. "Who am I to stop a growing boy from eating?"

His shoulders sagged in relief and his face broke into a big grin as he grabbed the piece he cut, but as he ate he looked at me curiously, asking, "Who are you?"

"Um I'm a friend of Dimitri," I said.

"Uncle Dimka?" he said excitedly, his deep brown eyes shinning with admiration, causing me to smile tenderly at him. Looking at him again, he looks like a miniature Dimitri with shorter hair, but what strikes me most is how identical their eyes are, except Paul has an added shimmer of innocence and never-ending cheer. "He never brings friends over, just Uncle Ivan." He extended the empty hand and said, "I'm Paul, the man of the house. It's nice to meet you, Roza." I chuckled as I shook his hand.

"Well," I said. "If you're the man of the house that means you know where the dinning room is, right?" He nodded his head. "Can you take me there?" He nodded his head before hopping of his seat. He grabbed the basket with the black bread and trotted in front of me, but stopped dead in his tracks when he got to the doorway. Looking up, I saw what caught him by surprise. Dimitri.

"What do we have here?" he asked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the door frame, his biceps popping out more than they usually do, making them look so damn tempting.

"I'm just showing Roza to the table. And bringing the bread." Dimitri lifted his eyebrow and looked at Paul then me.

"Chill, Comrade," I said playfully as I walked in front of him, patting his arm and trying to ignore the electrifying tingle that ran through my hand. "I was just having a small conversation with the man of the house." I looked down at Paul, who had a big smile on.

"Ma—Wait. Comrade?" Of course that's what he'd pick up, I thought.

"Well since you gave me the nickname 'Roza" I get to give you a nickname," I said, shrugging my shoulders as Paul and I walked in front of him.

"But Roza is your Russian name. Where does Comrade come from?" he said as he caught up to me, falling into sync with my footsteps.

"What does it matter? It's not going to change now." I gave him a sideway look and smiled at him as he groaned and shook his head.

"Paul," he said dedicatedly. Paul just lifted his head in acknowledgement. "Did you eat a slice of bread?" Paul's steps faltered, but he kept walking, making a right turn and quickly glancing at his uncle before slowly shaking his head. I laughed as Dimitri let out a sigh of defeat. As we got to the table, Paul scurried off to set the basket on the table as Dimitri said, "Found them, mama."

At the sound of his voice, four women looked up, two of them looked like twins while one looked younger and the other was Olena. One of the twins had a baby belly and the other one was carrying a baby. Dimitri introduced the mom-to-be as Sonja, the second youngest Belikov child. The already mom was Karolina, the oldest of the bunch, and the childless sister was Viktoria, the youngest of all the kids. The baby was 6 month old Zoya, Paul's baby sister.

While Karolina and Sonja were polite and shook my hand as the introductions were made, Viktoria was ecstatic in meeting me, and gave a hug that would make a bear jealous. I couldn't help but laugh. Soon after Olena ushered us to sit down and begin eating. She didn't have to tell me twice.

When we sat down, I started filling my plate. I had no idea what the dishes were, but I got a little bit of everything. Olena cooked like she was feeding 70 people instead of 7. Out of all the things that she made, I couldn't get enough of the black bread and these thin pancake-like things.

"You really like the blimey don't you Roza?" Viktoria said jokingly. I gave her a questioning look and she pointed to the pancakes. That's what they're called, I thought as I nodded my head

Olena chuckled and said, "Dimka's like that with black bread. He'll eat a hundred loaves if he could." I looked up at her waiting for her to continue. "Growing up he would eat a one or two loaves on his own. It got the point where I had to teach him how to make it."

"Really?" I asked looking at him, imagining Dimitri in the kitchen making black bread, with flour all over him. I gave him a smirk and I swear I think his cheeks started to pinken. Dimitri's a mama's boy!

Olena then started sharing funny stories about Dimitri and his sister. Like how Karolina and Sonja used to make him dress up and marry their dolls. His face got redder and redder as she kept talking. Before she could start another story, he told her something in what I'm assuming is Russian and then everyone started talking Russian. Then he abruptly said, "Mama, Rose is part Turkish."

"Really?" she asked me.

"Yea, on my father's side."

"Have you ever been to Turkey?" And like that, I was the topic of conversation. I didn't say too much. focusing more on now, what my parents do, a bit of school, and of course how Dimitri and I met. Mostly we talked about my dad. Apparently he spent some time in Russia and Olena and Yeva, being very well known healer and psychic, had my dad as a frequent visitor.

"How old are you, Rose?" Sonja said while Karolina asked if I was in college.

"20. And yea I'm in college."

"Where do you go?" Viktoria asked.

"USC. The mighty Trojans," I said with a smile.

"That blows," Viktoria said. "That means you're leaving at the end of the summer."

I nodded my head. "We can still hang out if you want," I said with a smile. She just nodded. I felt a tugging on the hem of my shirt and when I looked over I was facing a teary eyed Paul.

"Roza, does that mean you won't be able to play with me?"

"Of course I will," I said giving him a smile. "If you finish your dinner and help clean up I promise I'll play with you."

"Ok!" he said excitedly and then went back to his seat to finish his food. When I looked up I had five pairs of eyes looking at me.

"How did you do that?" The Belikov family said in a unison.

"Do what? Get him to finish his food? I doubt he puts a fuss with you guys," I said.

"He doesn't," Karolina said. "But when he wants to play, you can't get him to sit down."

"Oh," I said geniusly. Luckily, Zoya decided now would be the best time to eat so Karolina excused herself from the table to go feed her. After that Olena and Sonja started bringing the dishes to kitchen. The empty dishes. I can't believe that between the seven of us we finished everything. I offered to help but Olena shooed me off, so I went to the living room with Paul and I played with him until everyone came to the living room. Olena had a cake while Dimitri, Viktoria, and Sonja had coffee and chocolate.

"Chocolate or coffee, Roza?" Dimitri said, sitting down next to me on the floor. The way he said my name had this underlying sexiness that his sister and mother didn't have that caused a tingly sensation to run down my spine while the scent of his aftershave made my head whirl in bliss. Let's just say it's a good thing I was sitting down.

"Chocolate please," I said with a smile. As I ate, we had little bits of conversations going on. I asked the sisters what they did and how far along Sonja was and things like that. Once I was done, I asked Karolina if I could carry her baby and while I carried Zoya, Paul stopped playing with his toys and came to his sister, playing with her, tickling her, making faces.

When Zoya fell asleep, Paul let out a yawn and Karolina got up and took Zoya to put them both in bed. I looked up at Dimitri and he nodded and got up, bringing me up with him.

"Mama, I need to go take Rose to her friend's house," he said as he walked over to hug her. I hugged Viktoria and Sonja. Viktoria and I exchanged numbers and I promised to message tomorrow so we could do something.

"Come back anytime, Roza," Olena said when she gave me a hug.

"Thank you," I said, feeling melancholy at how different she was from my mother. Where my mother was kicking me out, she was welcoming me in. Where mine was cold and distant, she was warm and inviting. I knew my eyes were glassy, but I kept in the tears.

Just as we were getting to the door, Karolina told us to wait. When we turned around, we saw her walking with an elderly lady. Yeva, Dimitri's grandmother. The psychic.

"What kind of grandson doesn't visit his grandma?" she asked. Dimitri hung his head in shame as he made his way to her mumbling, "Sorry babuska." Seeing how he interacted with his mom and grandma, and even his sisters, brought a smile to my face.

"About time she came," Yeva said, brushing past Dimitri and his apology to come stand in front of me. I looked down at her in confusion.

"Me?" I said. I looked up at Dimitri and he shrugged his shoulders, but he had this look as if trying to tell me to just go with it.

"Are you ignorant child, who else is a stranger in this house?"

My mouth dropped open. Dimitri's eyes widen a bit and Olena gasped, she looked like she was about to say something but Yeva waved her hands like she already knew what was going to be said.

"Babushka, this is Rose," Dimitri said, coming to my side.

"Ibrahim's daughter correct?" I nodded my head. "Well Ms. Hathaway, how do you know my grandson?"

"We're friends," I said.

"Well in that case come help me move some things," she said, turning around and walking back upstairs before I could answer.

"Wait, why me? Can't Dimitri help," I asked, causing her to come back. I faintly heard Dimitri groan but I didn't care if I talked back.

"I asked you. Are you going to refuse to help me?"

"No," I grumbled as I followed her.

When we got to a room upstairs there were about 3 boxes that needed to be moved, and 4 bags. Yeva grabbed one bag and stuffed into another bag, then grabbed the third bag and stuffed it into the last one before handing the two bags to me. When I put one in each hand, she handed me two boxes and then put the third in between the boxes and my chest/face since it was a thin rectangular box.

"Now let's go put them out back." I groaned as I walked because I was carrying my weight. I couldn't see in front me so I had to walk slowly. Thankfully she told me when I was at the stairs. She had me take the stuff out to the backyard and put it in the shack on the far side. If that wasn't enough, I had to put them away slowly, making sure I didn't break anything. No workout could prepare me for this. That stuff was so heavy that I felt like just sleeping right here on the soft grass. Actually I felt like having Dimitri carrying me to bed, but that wasn't going to happen. What I felt like doing or wanted to do is the complete opposite of what I did do, which was walk back outside to Dimitri's truck.

"Where are you going?" Yeva called behind me.

"I'm goin—" I cut myself off when I saw a tree enveloped in lights peaking through some houses. I turned to Dimitri and asked where we were. With a confused look and in a suspicious tone he told me the street and then I realized where I was. Without a word I took off towards the tree, knowing that the house next door would have its doors opened to me. Faintly, I was aware of a car driving up behind me.

A/N: Told you that you didn't see it coming...where did Rose run off to now? Let me know what you think in the comments. Next chapter is dresses and pampering for Rose. I'm thinking she needs a break from her Russian temptation, don't you? Plus the weekends over so he does have to go to work. Don't forget to leave me a review and tell me what you think. I'm averaging about 3 reviews per chapter...let's see if I can get 4 or more this time :) SEE YA NEXT WEEK (hopefully...)