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Lissa POV

We all stood around the two graves while the minister said the final blessings before my parents were lowered six feet under. Andre, Rose, and I thew a fistful of dirt onto each= coffins, silently saying our last goodbyes. After a while everyone started leaving to the Belikov family's house, where the reception was being held, but I wasn't ready to leave so I sat down next to my mom as the workers started shoveling in the dirt. I saw Andre and Rose sit next my dad. God, how morbid is that? The only way I'll ever be able to see my parents is to look at photos, the only way I'll be able to talk to them is to come visit their graves, and the only way I'll be able to hear them is by playing videos. I let out a strangled sob when I came to that realization, bringing my legs up and resting my head against my knees as I kept on crying.

I flinched when I felt someone start rubbing my back. Looking up, I saw Christian sitting next to me, his eyes sad as he took me in. I could only imagine what I looked like as I wiped the tears away, my eyes probably puffy and dried up tear trails going down my face.

"It's ok to cry," he said as he wiped a tear that slipped. "It makes your jade eyes shine and look beautiful. Well more beautiful."

I let out a small laugh. "Yea but with all the crying I've been doing, you'd think I'd run out of tears."

"I dunno. I think I cried for a whole two weeks after my parents died. And I was smaller."

"Oh Christian. I didn't even think about what you must be going through by coming to the service and burial." Well jeez talk about inconsiderate. He just shrugged his shoulder, wrapping his arms around me and letting me rest my head on him.

"I didn't really think about it until now. During the service I was just wondering about how you were holding up and wishing I could have sat up with you. And then in the burial, you three seemed to be in your own world so I just stayed in the back."

"That was really sweet of you. And actually, I needed that. To just be with Rose and Andre, I know that you're the only person I can relate to, but still they're the only ones that were as close to my parents as I was and I really needed their strength to get through today, but I'm glad you're here because now I could use yours," I said as I snuggled closer to him.

One good thing had come out of this accident, and that was Christian. He was there for me, and it wasn't like Rose and Andre weren't, but they were grieving also, and Christian knew exactly what to say and what to do. He was so attune to my needs and feelings, but it was more than that. In this short time, I really got to know him. And not the Christian that act like he doesn't give a care for the world, but the Christian that has emotions and a heart behind the mask he puts up. And I've come to like him. He knew I didn't want to talk about my parents, that I hated when people asked about how I was holding up, so when we'd talk, it would be about our past and just learning about who the other person is. It was on such a deep, personal level, I've never felt a connection like this with anyone else and I'd just wish I'd have the courage to act upon my feelings, or that he would give me some kind of hint that he feels even a fraction of what I feel. Sometimes I feel like I do get a hint every time I look into his piercing blue eyes and see how they get soft when he looks at me. Just like now. And now, like every other time, I get this urge to lean in and press my lips softly against his, but just like those times, I find a reason not to. For example, sitting in front of my mother's almost filled grave. Yea, so romantic.

"You know you're lucky," he said suddenly, pulling me out of my inner babble.

"Lucky?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yea. You didn't see you're parents die. You didn't see the light leave their eyes," he said, his eyes looking up at the sky, lost in the memory.

Oh. My. God. Now he's going to tell me? This whole week he never once said anything more than just the fact that both his parents died too, and now he wants to swap orphan stories? I couldn't figure if this was the perfect time or the worst time, but I wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

"I had to see their body in the morgue, though," I said, before sliding my hand into his and giving him a gentle squeeze. "You know you never did say what happened."

"I know. I've wanted to, but I feared you'd stop talking to me."

"Just tell me."

"You know how I was actually raised in Britain?" I nodded my head, remembering that conversation well. "Well when I was ten, we moved here because my grandpa had fallen ill so we moved to Russia indefinitely. One night my grandpa had been hospitalized and originally we were going to stay the night with him, but after a check-up the doctor said it was a false alarm, but they still wanted to keep him overnight for observation so we went home. My sister and I were really shaken up seeing him like that, so my parents decided that we'd all sleep in their room and watch a movie. Tasha had gone downstairs to go get some popcorn and then she came up running with blood flowing out of a cut that went down the left side of her face. Shakingly, she told us there were robbers downstairs. My mom barely had enough time to hide us in the closet and told us to not make a noise, and my dad had called the police but before he could give our address the robbers barged in."

I looked up at him, and his haunted expression, and wrapped my arms around him, my grief and lose seeming mundane compared to what he went through. "Christian, I'm so sorry."

He clung onto me, a small sob escaping before he continued. "It was like watching an army of death raid my house. They saw my parents and without a hesitation they just stabbed them and left them for dead. Tasha didn't see anything cus she had burrowed her head into my neck to stop herself from crying. I'm pretty sure the robbers would have looked for us, but we heard the sirens approaching so they fled."

"Is that how Tasha got her scar?" I asked, resting my head on his shoulders.

"Yea. She told the police that as she was coming up with the popcorn, a guy cut her off and started taunting her with grazing the knife against her cheek. She flipped and threw the popcorn at him, and since it was hot, the steam hurt, so he flailed his arms and the knife cut into Tasha."

"Oh god, here I am grieving and complaining about seeing my parents in the morgue, but you had to watch them die. I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine. Well the situation isn't, but you should grief and I don't think 'Who's parents had a worse death?' is a contest I'd like to win," he said jokingly, making me laugh a bit. He lifted his head, so I lift mine and met his eyes and before I could react, he closed the gap between us and pressed his lips against mine. At first, I was too shocked to react, but then I left myself melting into the kiss, which was soft but hungry and demanding all at once. As we kept kissing, the intensity picked up as his hand lifted to my neck and grabbed a hold of my hair while my arms tightened around his neck. When we finally broke apart, our breathes were ragged. "But winning your heart is a contest I'd like to win."

I smiled up at him before pressing my lips against his quickly. "I think you've already won that one," I admitted with a small smile. He broke into a bigger smile before getting up and offering me a hand, which I took and got up. When I looked around I noticed Rose and Andre were walking to a truck, each with their own companion next to them. I shook my head as I walked to Christian's car and headed to the reception.

RPOV

After everyone started leaving and the workers began filling the graves, Andre and I sat down next to Eric's grave and Andre rested his head against my shoulder. We didn't say anything, just stared into the pit. I don't know what Andre was thinking about, but if it was anything like what I was thinking, then he was remembering all his fondest memories with his parents.

"Remember when you tried to help your dad build the treehouse, but ended up in the hospital with a cast on your foot?" I suddenly said. I felt him chuckle at the memory.

"Yea. Also remember Nancy Berk kissing me to help ease the pain," he said, I could hear the smirk on his face. "Remember when you tried being superwoman and tried hopping on the swinging seats, and got a cut that ran along your knee?"

"Yup. Also remember getting stitches and them hurting like a mother."

"We seriously gave my parents a run for their money, didn't we?"

"Oh yea. I think they were grateful Lissa was the calm child and that I wasn't actually their kid."

"Nah. They always considered you one of us." I just nodded my head, my attention on someone approaching us. Well more like someones.

"How are you holding up?" Viktoria asked us, well really just Andre but we both nodded our heads with a sad smile. She nodded her head in reply and sat down on the other side of Andre, who lifted his head and rested in on Viktoria's lap. I could see the fire go up in Dimitri's eyes so I quickly got up and grabbed his hand, bringing his attention to me.

"Join me on a walk?" I asked in a tone that wasn't really asking. We didn't say anything until we came up to a tree . I tucked the skirt of my dress under me as I sat down while Dimitri gracefully sat down next to me. I never thought someone with his height could do anything graceful, but alas I'm wrong.

"Are you sure you're ok? I know you feel like you have to the strong one, especially since they weren't related to you, but you don't have to hold back with me."

I gave him a small smile and rested my head against his shoulder, sweeping my legs next to me on the other side. "Yea I'm fine. I mean I'm not, but I don't feel the need to cry. I know this might sound weird, but burying them was kind of a relief."

"It makes sense. And, to be honest, that's exactly how I felt when I lost Ivan. It's like you can finally put to rest the grief. And you bury the bad memories with them, keeping the good ones with you."

"Yea, that's exactly how I feel. Not to pry or anything, but what happened to Ivan?"

Guilt and sorrow cast a haunted shadow of his face. He didn't say anything for a while and I was about to tell him to forget it, when he finally spoke up.

"We were getting ready to graduate 8th grade. For my birthday, we went out to the movies because I had been waiting to see Cowboys and Aliens and Ivan took me to go see it. Well as we were leaving, we were joking around and he was trying to imitate me and then someone shot him. Right in his stomach. I tried applying pressure to make it stop, but more blood just kept coming out. He died before the paramedics made it. Later, I found out that it was retaliation for one of my father's side business deal that went bad. And the bullet was meant for me, but since Ivan had been shouting 'I'm Dimitri Belikov' the shooter thought he was me."

"Oh my God, Dimitri, I can't even begin to understand what you went through."

"No one can. The way you are with Lisa is how I was with Ivan and when I found out he died because of my dad's dirty business, I started resenting him and I can't even imagine following in his footsteps, not if it comes with the price of losing people I love."

"I can't imagine what would happen to me if I lost Lissa. Is…is that…is that why you always so distant and indifferent with people?" I hesitantly ask. "I mean aside from your family, Christian, and well me I guess." He nodded his head slowly. "Why? Why aren't you like that with me? You don't even know me that well and we just met. Why are so open?"

"It's not like I did it intentionally, Roza. You're the first person able to read me, even when I don't want to be read. And you remind me of him. Your whole "have fun now, deal with the consequences later" carefree attitude and your big but guarded heart, it's just like how Ivan was. He did whatever he wanted to have fun and he didn't have many friends, but it wasn't because he wasn't liked, but because he didn't like many people and if he did like you he was loyal and there for you."

"Oh…well…thanks?" I said, uncertain of how I'm suppose to respond. He gave a small chuckle and pulled me closer to him. Breathing in my scent as he nuzzled his head on top of mine. I couldn't judge though because I used this proximity to inhale his aftershave scent.

"Oh Roza," he murmured in a teasing disapproving tone.

"Hmm?" I said absentmindedly.

"You and Ivan have another very important common trait."

"What's that? Striking, angelic, too-good-to-be-true good looks?"

"Well, besides that, you both have a potent dislike of Tasha," he said with a laugh.

"Well him and I would have gotten along marvelous. It's like he's my other half. Damn, we would have wrecked havoc on this town, and made Tasha's life a living hell."

"I don't doubt that for a second. Actually, I can honestly say you two would have been really good friends."

"Haha I'm curious as to why he didn't like her. I mean I'm pretty sure pre-teen/early teen Tasha wasn't half the slutty devil she is now."

"Maybe not, but she wasn't shy about making her intentions clear. And she wasn't picky about who she made them with."

"Basically she slept with anyone that had a dick. Got it. She was a slut in elementary school."

"I wouldn't say sleep. More like intense flirting that ended with hard core making out. And Ivan liked her, and she toyed with him constantly and he got sick of it. Plus, it wasn't until she made the cheerleading team and was co-captain did she become the way she is now."

"Ohhh so she was a tease in elementary school and became a slut in high school. Yea not much changed, Comrade."

"Oh and you were such an angel in high school?"

"No. I flirted, but I knew my boundaries. And that's part of my charm. I can talk my way out of and into anything, but I know when to stop. I have limits. Exhibit A…when I slapped you on the first day of school. Had you done things right and not dived in head first, we could have had a fun, playful flirting banter."

This time his head fell back as he let out a full on laughter that made my heart squeeze and a smile to break out on my face.

"What am I going to do with you?"

"I could think of a few things," I said playfully, winking down at him, before getting up. "But we should be getting back so we can go to the reception."

"You're right," he said as he got up and took my hand. When we got back Andre and Vika had switched positions, so now she was laying on his lap and he was playing with her hair. On the other side, Lissa and Christian were kissing.

"About time," I said, taking Dimitri's focus off of his sister. He looked up and saw what I saw, nodding in agreement. Noticing Viktoria and Andre still hadn't noticed us, I spoke up again. "Hey lovebirds, unless you plan on staying the night, you might want to get up and come with us."

Both their heads snapped up at us, a blush gracing their cheeks as they got up and followed us to Dimitri's truck. I noticed Lissa and Christian had gotten up too and were walking towards Christian's car. I was about to get in the front passenger seat, when Dimitri had Andre sit next to him. I shook my head as I got in next to Viktoria, but didn't say anything as we drove to the reception.

Andre POV

"You know it's ok to cry right?" Viktoria said, stroking my head as I lay on her lap.

"I cried enough this past week. Hell, I think I used up next year's supply today alone. Plus, I don't look sexy crying," I said, shaking my head with a hint of a smile on my face, while Viktoria had a small smile on.

"You look cute no matter what," she blurted out, a deep red painting across her cheeks when she caught what she said.

"You're cute when you blush," I said, lifting my arm and grazing my hand across her cheek. She lowered her head, her long hair casting a curtain around us as her eyes looked down bashfully. Involuntarily, my hand lowered down to her neck and pulled her head down as mine lifted and our lips met in a soft, chaste kiss which I pulled away from as quickly as I could and sat up. "I'm so sorry! Oh God! What's wrong with me!" I burrowed my face in my hands. I have a girlfriend for goodness sake!

"Sorry for what? I didn't mind. Actually, I kinda liked it," she said softly, when I looked over, she was looking at me while biting her bottom lip nervously. And, God, did I wish I was the one bitting her plump bottom lip. Stop it! I told myself sternly, reminding myself about Avery.

"Only kinda?" I joked, a playful smirk on my face. Her eyes widen and she bit her lip again, unsure of how to respond. "And I shouldn't have kissed you like that. Not when I have a girlfriend. It's not right to either of you, and I like you too much to even try something like I have two girlfriends."

"Why are the good ones always so noble and taken?" she muttered, her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. God, she made the cutest expression. "Has she…has she spoken to you recently?"

I knew what she really meant to say, and I shook my head. "Nope. I sent her a message the day after it happened, and I haven't heard a word from her. I only know what she's up to because of her constant postings on Facebook and Instagram. I mean she hasn't even sent me a condolence tweet!"

"Doesn't sound like much of a girlfriend to me."

"Yea, but I can't exactly reprimand her if I can't even talk to her. What's sucks is that she's always been there for me. I could always count on having her shoulder to lean on and she knew just how to make me feel better. But when I need it most, she's off having the senior year of her life."

"I'm here for you. I've been here for you for the last week."

"I know," I said, placing my hand over hers and squeezed it, trying to not think too much of the spark that ran through my fingers when I touched hers. "And I'm grateful for that." I kissed her cheek, making her smile. "Aside from Rose and my sister, you're the only one who's been here giving me your support. And, unlike Rose and Lissa, you've brought me dinner."

Another blush ran across her cheek. "It was my mama who cooked dinner, I just brought."

"Yea and you kept me company while Lissa was holed up in her room and Rose was anywhere but home. You undermine just how important you've been to me this whole week."

"You're not hard to be company for. I mean, it was easy and fun to be with you. I felt useful and needed and like I mattered when I was with you. At home, I'm the youngest of my sisters so I'm a nuisance sometimes, and my nephew and niece are too young to appreciate my presence."

"Well you're never a nuisance for me and I definitely appreciate your presence." She smiled at me and shifted so she could lay down on my lap, giving me the perfect chance to run my hand through her silky hair.

"You know I never told you this, but I know what it's like to lose someone close to you."

"Oh? Who did you lose?"

"Mr. Bunbun, a rabbit I had when I was like 6. I accidentally put my orange crayon too close to his cage and he ate it. It was troubling times in my room," she said woefully. I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips, which kept going when I saw her face furrow in anger. "That's not funny! I loved that bunny with my whole 6 year old heart!"

"I'll bet. I'm sorry about that, you must have been devastated."

"I was. Until my dad brought home a puppy. But then he ran away, so I gave up on animals."

"What kind of bunny was it?"

"A small little white fur ball that fit in my two hands."

"Well I'm sure Mr. Bunbun's watching over you in heaven."

"Yea. Maybe your parents and Ivan are taking care of him."

"Ivan?"

"Yea, he's my brother's friend that passed away. I used Mr. Bunbun to make Dimitri better, saying that he shouldn't worry because Ivan's not alone, he's got Mr. Bunbun to keep him busy. It worked…I think…"

"Well, it worked on me. Thanks," I said with a smile. We just lay there for a while, not saying anything, just looking at each other while I ran my hands through her hair and she messed with the grass.

"Hey lovebirds, unless you plan on staying the night, you might want to get up and come with us," Rose said. I didn't even notice her! Viktoria and I snapped our heads up to see her and Dimitri hand in hand. Rose had a humorous glint in her eyes, while Dimitri looked like he was ready to strangle someone. Me more than likely. We got up quickly and followed them to Dimitri's truck. I was about to get in the back with Viktoria, but Rose got in the back and said I had to sit in the front. Shit, I thought as I hopped in, glad we drove the whole way in silence.

RPOV

"Oh there you are!" Olena said with relief when she saw all of us enter the house. "Nathan and my husband would like to see the twins his study. And you too Rose." Lissa, Andre, and I looked at each other with the same confused look before I shrugged my shoulders, told Christian, Dimitri, and Viktoria that we'd meet up with them later, and walked towards the study, knowing that Lissa and Andre would follow.

When we got to there, I knocked on the door and waited until one of them called us in before opening the door to see another man in the room.

"Oh great you're here!" Nathan said as he got up from his chair, Alexander was standing to the side of his desk while the stranger sat in his seat behind the desk.

"Uh yea, Olena said you wanted to see us." All three men nodded their head, telling us to come in.

"I'm Mr. Garner. I was Eric's lawyer back in America," said the strainger as he rose and extended his hand to us. Andre was the first to shake it as he introduced us. "Well, first I'd like to express my condolences on you three. I worked close with Eric and the world lost a great man. On that note, I'm here because in his passing, he left a will that he wished for me to read to you with Mr. Ivashkov and Mr. Belikov present. Would you guys like to take a seat?"

By now, Nathan had join Alexander and so we sat in the three seats in front of the desk.

"Not to be rude, but why am I here? I'm not their child," I said before sitting down. Mr. Garner smiled before assuring me it would be in my best benefit to stay. Trusting the man, I sat down.

"Before he reads the will, you three should know something," Alexander said. "Before you came, the three of us were discussing your living situation. None of us want to add more changes, and since you are all close to turning 18, we saw no problem in staying at the house you're at now. As far as we know, Janine hasn't expressed any decisions to relocate, nonetheless as your new guardians Nathan and I will check up you periodically. Also, we've hired a live-in maid that will be there to cook your meals and keep the place in good conditions. Do you guys have any objections?" We shook our heads, thanking them for being so thoughtful, but Nathan shook it off.

"Nonsense," he said. "You three are family. On a lighter note, Andre one thing that isn't in the will, but we would like you to consider is taking over your father's company. It has been in the family since your great-grandfather started it, and, while it's up to you what you pursue in life, it would be a shame for it to get into the wrong hands."

"I totally agree," Andre said. "And I'll take over when I'm done with school. In the meantime, I would greatly appreciate if you two took me under your wings."

They both broke into a big grin, and agreed to do as such, promising to watch over the company until he took his place. And then, Mr. Garner read the will:

My dear children, this letter is written just for you. if you are reading this then that means that I have passed before I expected to and for that I am sorry. To put you through that grief is nothing I would ever intended to do. With that said, remember you have each other and no matter what you can always trust the others to have your back. Now it's time to get to the point. But first some ground rules.

Not a dime may be touched until you turn 18 unless both Nathan and Alexander approve, if one says no then you won't get anything. Then, when you turn 21 you will get an allowance. The amount of this allowance is determined by Nathan and Alexander and must be decided upon how well you are doing. For example, are you in college? Are you grades up to par? Among other determining questions. Lastly, once you turn 25 or graduate college you will get control of your money, use this authority wisely and don't go blowing your trust fund, believe me when I say that if your account is managed wisely you will have more than enough money to live comfortably.

And now the final part. The division of my money. 40% are to go to each of my children. Andre, Lissa, I know this will never compensate for not being in your life any longer. For not being able to see you graduate and fall in love and get married. Or for not being able to walk you down the aisle or watch you give me grandchildren and watch them grow. But know this. I will be watching over you from above and I love you very much.

As for the remaining 20%. That is to go to Rosemarie Hathaway. Yes, Rose, there's a reason you're here. This too is enough for you to live comfortably out of college and it's my way of thanking you for gracing our lives with your presence. I only ask one thing. Watch over them please. And know that I loved you as if you were my own daughter.

By the time Mr. Garner had finished reading the letter, Lissa and Andre were in tears and I was shell shocked. He left me 20% of his fortune…

"I can't accept that," I said after a few minutes of letting that sink in.

"Well he can't exactly take it back," Garner said jokingly. I gave a small smile of appreciation.

"Well then I sign over my part to be split between Lissa and Andre."

"No," Lissa said firmly. I looked over at her with a confused expression. "If my dad wanted you to have 20% you're having the 20% fucking percent and if you don't accept then I'm giving 5% of mine too."

"I'll throw in 5% of mine too," Andre said. I looked at them, speechless. I didn't want their money. I don't mean to be rude, but it doesn't feel right.

"I can't you guys. It's not right. How can you be ok with me taking away 10% of what's yours?"

"Because whether you like it or not, you're family. I don't know how many times we have to tell you that, and our parents didn't raise us value money above all else, but to value family and that family isn't just who you share blood with. It's who has a piece of your heart, and I know damn well my dad has a special place for you in his," she said, breaking down towards the end, and I broke down with her, but still didn't say whether I accepted or not. Mr. Garner said I had until the end of the week to make a decision.

After we collected ourselves, we left and went to join the reception and look for that one person who's been able to make us smile.