A/N: yes I'm giving you a bonus this week :) but it comes with a price!

so quick self-promo! I just updated a new story. It's called High School's a Bitch. Check it out :) If you love this story...YOU'LL LOOOOVE THAT ONE!

Disclaimer: I owe nothing Vampire Academy related

My phone binged as I walked to work, so I looked at it thinking it was Lissa.

I'm in town. Can we meet for coffee? said the message from my mom. My mom, who left right after Christmas because she had a case to go back to and she already spent like a month away from it. If she's home something big has got to be happening, right?

Yea, there's a café right next to campus, I'll be there in five minutes, I responded, part of me feeling like I'm cheating on Kristen by going to another coffee shop, but I don't want anyone to know about that place. She texted me she'd meet me there, so I made my way over. Maybe we can have a normal mother daughter relationship and I can dump my current dilemma on her.

"What can I get you, doll?" the barista asked. I got an ice tea and chocolate chip cookie and went and found a table for a mom and I. I had just gotten into a rhythm with my homework when my mom walked in and followed me to the table.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I said after we sat down.

"I just wanted to see how school was going for you. I got in this morning and your father said you were at school."

"Oh well it's going fine. It's still the first week of school but I got a quiz back from one class and I have a paper due in another class. Aside from that it's all good. So I take it you finished your case."

"We can talk about my case later. I want to hear about you and school. How many classes are you taking?"

"Um, I'm taking a psychology class, a criminal justice class, economics, and a business class."

"Wow. What's your major again?"

"Criminal justice with a minor in psychology."

"So what's with the business class?"

"I needed a non-major elective and so I'm taking a non education elective, yoga, and an education one, business."

"Huh. I guess that makes sense. So which class gave you a quiz and which gave you an essay? And what did you get on the quiz?"

"Economics gave me a quiz, psychology gave me an essay, and I rather not talk about that. But enough about me, can we talk about why you're home?"

She let out a sigh before answering me. "The case is talking longer than expected. The body counts are escalating, and we still don't have the lead. I took the weekend off to spend some time with you and father before I leave."

"Why?" I asked skeptically. "You've never taken even a lunch break off to spend it with us. Why are you doing it now?"

"Because with every body we find, with every corpse we discover, we realize just how dangerous this criminal is. It's not like any of my other cases, and well, quite frankly, there's a possibility that I get in so deep that I might never come back."

My face fell at what she was telling me. "Then don't go back," I pleaded. "Mom, I know we've never been on the best of terms, but I'll get better at it, just stay home. The case…it's not worth it. Not worth you putting your life on the line like that."

"Honey, you're not a little girl anymore. As much as I hate admitting it, you're all grown up and you're a strong, beautiful, young lady that's ready to take on the world and any man you let be at your side is going to be lucky as hell. You don't need me anymore, and this job, my life's always on the line. It's a risk I accepted when I got into the field, and this case, I can't just leave it now. We might be no where but we're closer than we were months ago." She placed her hand over mine, giving it a gently squeeze. "Rose, I love you, and I promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure I come back home after catching this son of a bitch and putting him behind bars or six feet under."

"That's not fair!" I shouted, standing up and looking down at her. "You promised you were going to make an effort! You promised we were going to build a relationship! Do you know how many times I wish you were there so I could cry and ask you fro advice? And instead you buried yourself under your job, no where in sight for me to reach out to. And you know what? You're right. I don't need you anymore. I have two other woman who have been more of a mother than you have. So go ahead, go on your suicide mission. i. Don't. Care. Anymore. I'm sick and tired of everyone taking advantage of my heart and using it as their damn punching bag!"

I grabbed my binder and textbook stormed out of the cafe, blocking out my mother shouting for me to come back. I didn't realize where I was going and ran into someone, dropping everything.

"Oh shit. Sorry," I said, looking up at the person I ran over. Dimitri. Just great. "Hi."

"Hi, everything ok?" he asked as he bent down and picked my things up. I was too stunned to even try and help.

"Oh just dandy," I muttered. "I got a 70 on my first quiz, my mom is going kamikaze, and your sister's up to something I just don't know what."

He let out a small laugh and nodded his head. "I've noticed that too, but you know there's an easy fix to your grade." I looked at him expectedly, waiting to hear his miracle solution. "Get a study group with people in one or a few of your classes."

"I don't know. Between work and school, I don't know if I can fit in a study group."

"Well you and I have business and economics together, so we have the same breaks, we can study in between. Or after work, we could grab a coffee and study. By the way, was that the school cafe you stormed out of?"

"Yea, don't tell Kristen! She'll murder me! As to your proposition…what did you get on the quiz?" He gave me a broad smile that said it all. 100 perfect. "Fine. You're my study buddy. We can start next week though, don't we have Stan's party this weekend?"

"Yes we do. Which reminds me. It's at the dojo, but he's having a DJ and lights, so dress like you're going to a club."

"Got it, well I got to go, see around." I didn't wait for him and walked straight to my car.

"Roza? Oh come in," Olena said when she opened the door. "Is Vika with you?"

"No, I haven't seen her today. I was kind of hoping you were free."

"Oh yea. Zoya just went to go take a nap and I was trying to put Anja to sleep."

"Can I try?" I asked, perking up at the thought of carrying Anja. Olena chuckled and nodded her head, leading me to the living room where the baby was in the middle of the floor surrounded by pillows before going into the kitchen. "How's the pretty baby? Ready for a nap?" I cooed as I lifted her and walked over to the couch as I gently rocked her.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Olena asked as she walked in, a cup of tea in each hand.

"My mom came by the university and visited me."

"Oh that's wonderful! Isn't it?" I could tell she was confused by the solemn look I had. I just shrugged my shoulders, honestly confused on how I should feel.

"I mean yea I'm happy she took the weekend off to spend it with my dad and I, but I'm not happy about the news she gave. Apparently the case she's on is more dangerous than she expected and instead of stepping down and staying home, she's staying with it and risking her losing her life."

"Is that something she used to do? Step down from dangerous missions and stay home?"

"No. But-"

"So then why do you expect her to do it now?" she said, cutting me off. "If she's always chosen risking her life to catch the criminal why would you expect her to not do it this time? Wouldn't it be worse if she had stayed home?"

"I don't know, but she promised me she was going to be a better mom and she was going to be around more to build a relationship with me and be the mom I always needed. She can't just break that promise, it ruins the whole point of it!"

"Roza, sweetie," she said tenderly, placing her hand on my lap. "You can't ask your mom to change her ways when she's been doing it for over 20 years. It's who she is, and what kind of daughter would you be if you neglected to have her in you life if she isn't the mom you pictured? Not all mother's are like what the TV potrays them to be. There are many different types of mothers, and yours just so happens to be the one that loves from afar and does what she believes to be essential in keeping you safe"

"But you're like the moms on TV," I whispered. "I just don't get how a case can be more important than me? How can losing her life for people who are too dead to appreciate it be better than being part of my life and watching me grow and have my own family?"

"Sweetie, I grew up in a house where the wives stay at home and have babies and raise them, and when I grew up I found someone who offered me that same lifestyle before I could venture out and discover who I was. I was molded into this lifestyle, and while I don't regret staying home and raising Dimitri and his sisters and now raising my grandchildren, I can't lie and tell you it's been a happy life the whole time. Your mother is doing she loves to do, and she's doing it because she loves you." I looked at her with a questioning look. "I spoke with her at your Christmas party. Roza, she loves you very much and everything she's done since she was pregnant with you has been to give you a better life and has been to keep you safe. She knows that she sacrificed being there for you as you grew up, she honestly wanted to mend those mistakes, but it's in her nature to go where duty calls and if she backed down she would hate herself and some part of her would resent you for being the reason she did. Especially if that person kept on killing when she could have stopped them. So don't be so hard on her and give her a chance."

"Uhhh it's a little late for that."

"What did you say."

"Weeeell I may or may not have shouted that I don't care anymore and she can go on her suicide mission if she wants. I just, all I want right now is a mother that I can dish all my boy drama to and have her help me make the right choice."

"Well I can help you if you'd like, I have raised three daughters so I may know a thing or two about boys in your generation."

I let out a small chuckle. "Yea, but wouldn't it be biased advice since the boy I'm having trouble with is your son."

"My son? My son isn't a boy, I'd like to think he's a grown man," she said, her voice presumcious but her eyes shining with humor. We both laughed and I nodded my head.

"You're right, he is most definitely not a boy," I said, remembering our first time and my dream. I bit my lip as my body ached, craving him. Stupid hormones. "Either way. It's just weird to complain about Dimitri when you're his mom."

"Yes and you're another daughter to me, plus I'd like to know when my son's being rude towards you so I can put him in his place."

"He's not being rude. And that's kinda the problem. He's being all sweet, and caring, and…and…so friend-like."

"And that's a problem because…"

"Because he's suppose to be in love with me!" I blurted, my cheeks turning my whole face red. I did not just say that. From the gleam in Olena's eyes, I guess I did. "I…it's just well…I mean…ugh!…How can he spend like two weeks fighting to get me back and then after I shun him for another two weeks and then he just gives and wants to be friend. It just doesn't seem very…I don't know…"in love" like…and between Cassy's birthday dinner and this party he invited me to tomorrow, I don't know what to do. Or think. Or feel."

"Oh Roza," she said with a chuckle. "You like to act like you know men like you know your hair, but you know them as well as you know how to calm a crying baby. He's not being friendly because he gave up. He realized that being forward with his intentions and pushing you to choose to give in to your feelings for him didn't work, so he's trying another tactic. He's being what you need. A friend. He's showing you that he's in it for the long run, by placating with just being friends, hoping you'll realize he's not a hit it and leave it type of guy but a finders keepers kind. He's inviting you to all these places so you can get to know him again, in places you both feel comfortable in. While, behind his facade it hurts him that you just see him as a friend, in front of you he'll have a big smile because given the other option, which is not having you in his life, being your friend is the best option."

I looked at her, letting everything she just said sink in, before I responded. "Do you think I should give him another chance?" I asked softly as I looked down at Anja, stroking her baby hair. She had fallen asleep a while ago and now her eyes were closed and her lips were a tiny bit puckered as she slowly breathed in and out.

"I think you need to find that answer on your own. I'm not going to lie and not tell how happy I'll be to see you two together, but I also know you're still hurting and I think you made a wise choice in giving yourself some time before you jump into any relationship."

"But what about the baby?"

"What about the baby? Roza, it's one thing if you don't take my son back because you're not ready to open your heart up again, but it's another thing to deny that and hide behind a baby who's not even born yet," she said sternly.

"But I don't want to be the reason Dimitri doesn't see his child grow up. I can't kid myself and think we'll ever have a healthy relationship if Tasha's dangling the child over his head saying he'll never see him or her grow up because he chose me instead of her. And, not to sound immature or anything, but I'm not ready to be a step mom. It's one thing with Anja and Zoya and even Paul because they're like my nieces and nephew, but Dimitri's baby, I'm going to love it like it's my own child and I'm going to act like a mom and I'm not even 21 yet!"

"Sweetheart, I understand all that, but you need to understand something too. Dimitri will fight tooth and nail for his child, and there is nothing Tasha can do to rob him of his rights. Where as you being a step mom, sweetie, by taking my son back you're not automatically agreeing to move in with him. Sure you're dating life will more than likely be dependent on when he has the child, but even then, you guys can have nice, family dates when he has the baby and when he doesn't you guys can be like young adults your own age and go out where ever you like and do whatever you'd like. Don't use that baby as excuse for anything, because even if he gets primary custody, he or she is still having a relationship with it's mother. And like you said, you won't be able to stop yourself from loving that child as if you were their mother, and, honestly, is that a bad thing? For all you know, that might help you understand your mother a bit better and it can help keep you grounded. Honestly, Roza, I don't see the baby as a valid reason to keep away from my son if you really are ready to forgive him and give it another shot."

"I…I…I guess you're right. I just. I don't know. I mean yes, I still love him, and there's always an internal struggle about whether or not to just throw myself at him, but right now I need to think with my brain so my heat doesn't get hurt again. I'm not saying he's going to hurt me again, intentionally at least, but I can't go into it still doubting him and potentially causing tension between us that will inevitably ruin what we have and for good. When my brain can forgive him, I'll take him back. Not a moment sooner."

"And that, sweetie, is a valid reason and a good decision," she said with a smile. Before any of us could say anything else, Paul came in running.

"Babushka! Is that…ROZA!" he shouted, hugging my neck from behind. I bit my lip nervously as Anja started to stir, but let out deep breathe when her breathing deepened and she went back to sleep.

"Hey Paul, how was school?"

"Boring. What are you doing here?"

"Oh…I just wanted to talk to your grandma, and I wanted to see you," I said, giving him a big smile.

He laughed and stood in front of me. "I wanted to see you too. Roza, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Paul, what is it?" I immediately regretted those words when I saw him get down on one knee and pulled out a ring.

"Roza, will you marry me?" I couldn't help it, and neither could Olena, and we both fell onto each other laughing, tears in our eyes. When we calmed down a very angry Paul was standing up glaring at us. "What's so funny?" he asked before his eyes filled hurt. "Are you saying no? Babushka how could you be so cruel and laugh at my rejection!"

"Paul, cutie, sit down," I said patting the seat next to me. "It's not that I'm saying no, I'm not saying yes either. It just can't happen. I love you a lot, but, honey, you're too young. To young to have a girlfriend. Too young to get married. And especially too young to get married to me. Honey, I'm more than 10 years older than you! You're not really ready to settle down, and when you are ready you're going to find a beautiful woman that makes you happy and she's all you can think about no matter where she is. How much do you think about me? I bet it's mostly when you see me or you're about to see me…am I right?"

"I think about you when I see a Rose and when I saw this ring in the toy chest," he said, tears in his eyes.

"Oh, Paul," Olena said as she wrapped her arms around him. "Roza has a point, you're much too young for this. It's one thing for her to agree to be your girlfriend, but marriage is a a big deal and it's not something you should be thinking about in elementary school. What are they teaching you there?"

"Yea, and I bet there's a special girl in your class that catches your attention," I said, laughing when I saw him look down ashamed. "Aw you like a girl in your class don't you?"

"Well I know she likes me, but she's not beautiful like you and girls have cooties."

"So I'm not a girl?"

"Nope," he said, shaking his head adamantly. "You're a woman."

"Well, aren't you a charmer? I can promise you girls don't have cooties. Is she pretty?"

"I guess…she said she'd bring me cookies tomorrow."

"Oh well she's already better than me. She's a keeper, Paul," I said as I stood up and handed Anja to Olena. "Well I should be going, I have to go work. Wait, Paul, who brought you home?"

"Uncle Dimka, but he went to the kitchen." I nodded my head. "Wait, Roza, can I still get a kiss?"

"Of course," I said as I bent down and kissed his cheek. "You know, Paul, just cus I'm not marrying doesn't mean you don't have a special place in my heart."

The smile that spread across his face and light it up was priceless. As soon as I stood up straight, he rocketed off the sofa and ran to the kitchen. Even from here I could hear him telling Dimitri how I kissed him and told him he had a place in my heat. Olena and I chuckled before I hugged goodbye and thanked her for talking to me.

VPOV

"So she still loves him, huh?" I asked as I leaned against the stair railing. My mother jumped and clutched her heart as she turned around to see me.

"VIka! You can't just scare me like that! I'm an old lady and that could have given me a heart attack," she said, clearly avoiding my question.

"Mama, the only things that would have given you a heart attack was Rose and Dimitri breaking up and Tasha announcing she's carrying his baby, but you're still here, so you're not going anywhere. Speaking of Rose, you didn't answer my question."

"I'm not going to repeat what she said. She told me that in privacy."

"Well it's a good thing I heard everything then. Mama, I heard her so I know the answer is yes."

"Then why ask?"

"You know, you can be irritating when you want to be. Nonetheless, I ask because if I heard her right, then that means everything's going to be easier than Ivan and I thought it would be. And, maybe you can help us."

"What are you talking about?"

"You have to promise me you won't say a word. Not even to Karo or Sonya. And especially not Dimitri."

"Vika, I can't make that promise. If it's something he deserves to know, I'm not going to hide it from him."

"What if it makes things better in the long run?"

"I'll be the judge of that, just tell me."

So I went on to tell her about the day I followed Tasha and showed her what I found. Let's just say I'm glad my mother didn't actually have a heart attack then and there. Afterwards, I waited for her to say something, when she didn't I explained the plan.

"Mama, there's only so much Ivan and I can do without them getting suspicious. I actually think Roza thinks something's up. Can you help us? She trusts you. Maybe tell her to go somewhere or…or…I don't know hold some kind of party here and have her come. Just make sure Tasha doesn't come."

"Zoya's birthday is in the beginning of February," she said in a thoughtful tone. "And I won't tell either of them. You're right, she still loves him, and she needs to forgive him on her own terms."

With a victorious smile I kissed her cheek and ran up to my room.

A/N: UH OH! Mama Belikova's joined the team...can't wait to see what those three have up their sleeves...any guesses?

So do you agree with Olena or Rose or both? And how about Janine dropping that bomb?

Leave me a review and let me know :) heads up...PARTY NEXT CHAPTER!