Hi guys! I thought I would do something different for this chapter, because I don't feel I'm really going to get the chance to explain things about Adrian and Dimitri properly. So this chapter starts from just after Lissa and Christian announce their engaged and Rose tells everyone she's pregnant from Adrian's POV.
Thank you to TribeStarz, NoahandMattFoReVeR, Big J Ivashkov, Kris Ivashkov25, katherinesilvasweet and my eight anoymous reviewers it is very much appreciated!
Hope you guys enjoy and I shall get back to the story in the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own VA
Adrian's POV
The girls are in what I call their gushy mood. I know it was great that Lissa and Christian were finally getting married, it sucks not having anyone to talk to about married life, and I was beyond ecstatic that Rose and I were having kids. But the squealing and the hugging and excited shouting was too much for us guys to handle. Dimitri had the right idea leaving when he did.
Christian, Eddie and I make a hasty retreat, after the girls release me, to the games room. Our own personal haven. The girls don't come in here.
"Rose wants to make this the nursery." I tell the others. I decided to wait until we were actually playing so they were too distracted to hit me or shout at me.
"Where are we gonna put all this stuff then?" Christian asks, his eyes glued to screen and narrowed in concentration.
"In the basement, she wants us to move it this weekend so we can start decorating soon. That's what I wanted to talk to you guys about."
Eddie pauses the game, ignoring Christian's complaints and turns to me.
"You want us to help?" he offers.
"Only if you want to. I mean you guys are going to be godfathers but I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything you don't want to." I say, I just have to tell Rose about the godfather thing. She's probably already told the girls they're godmothers anyway.
Christian and Eddie are speechless. "You serious?" Christian asks after a few moments.
I nod. "Of course, you've been there for us through everything. And besides, we need to have an example of how not to turn out right?" I smirk, and they laugh.
"Well, thanks, man. It means a lot." Eddie smiles and continues the game.
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I don't know how long it is we played for, we just kind of got lost in the game. Like guys do. We'd had lunch and the girls are still talking about weddings and babies. How do they do that? Just talk about one thing for hours on end? Maybe I just get distracted too easily?
"I think we should stop now. We've been in here nearly all day. The girls are probably pissed with us." Christian says and Eddie and I agree.
"Let's go find them." I suggest and we head downstairs.
The girls aren't home but we all know immediately were they are. Getting coffee. Hopefully Rose isn't, she isn't allowed.
Low and behold, they are sitting in our normal spot, Dimitri hovered over them while they drink their coffee.
"There you guys are." We enter the coffee shop and take out seats. I kiss Rose's hand and she smiles at me. "What you guys up to?" I ask.
"Discussing baby names." Lissa smiles when Christian kisses her lips lightly. He is so whipped. Actually, so am I. God, I hope I don't make it as obvious as he does. Don't get me wrong, I love Rose with all my heart but I'm not really all about public displays of affection.
"Come up with anything? The usual for us and whatever the girls are drinking, Ruby." I tell the waitress and I grimace when I notice her blush. Hopefully, Rose doesn't notice, I really don't want her to start asking questions about that ex girlfriend.
"Rose thought of a boy's name." Mia says.
"Yeah, I thought if we had a boy we could name him after you."
I beam. "You'd do that?" I'd thought about suggesting naming our first son after me, but I thought Rose would be against it, thinking it's too big headed.
"Yeah, of course." I kiss her lightly and grip her hand. God, how I love this woman.
"What about any others?" Eddie asks.
The girls look at each other, worried. What's happened here, I wonder.
"I thought Georgiana for a girl." Rose says, and slight look of worry as she tries to gauge my reaction.
This had to be coincidence right? I've never told Rose about Auntie G before. I would love for my child to have her name. She was an amazing woman.
"I had an aunt Georgiana, she was a friend of my dad so not technically an aunt but that's what I called her. She passed away when I was kid."
Rose takes my hand and squeezes it lightly. "Adrian I didn't know. We don't have to have that name if you don't want to."
I smile. "I like it though. But I have an idea of my own." I've been thinking about this all day. I'm sure Rose thinks I'm going to come up with some weird names so I thought I'd surprise her by choosing extremely normal ones.
"I like Christina." Rose is obviously shocked, so are the girls. I carry on. "And I quite like Dexter for a boy." I smile and sip my coffee.
There's a silence. Lissa and Mia look me like I'm a circus freak. Eddie and Dimitri are trying not to laugh.
Then Christian decides to talk. "Nice joke, mate. Isn't Dexter that serial killer on TV?" he laughs. Sometimes I hate this guy.
"You don't like it?" I ask Rose, ignoring everyone else. They are my children and I get a say. Dexter isn't that bad is it?
"It's not that I don't like it. I just think that Dexter Ivashkov doesn't really...well...it doesn't..." Rose trails off and looks at Lissa, probably because she is more diplomatic than Rose at shooting me down.
"Well...it's interesting...I guess..." she mumbles and sips her drink.
"We can think about it." Rose rubs my hand and I know that means "No way are we discussing this, Ivashkov." She is so obvious sometimes.
We abandon talk of baby names shortly after. Christian has the genius idea of Mac and Cheese but I can tell Rose isn't keen from the death glare she gives him. Christian has redeemed himself.
It is early evening when we returned home and we order pizza. And that is how we spend the rest of the evening. Eating pizza and watching TV. Dimitri starts doing work. Sometimes I just don't understand that guy. Why work so damn hard all the time?
It was late when I heard a pounding on the front door. Fucking prick whoever it was.
Dimitri and Eddie go to answer it, ordering Rose it stay put and I hold her hand to stop her from going anyway.
"Where are they!" A voice bellows from the hallway and my dad comes bursting into the room. Like I said, fucking prick.
"Dad what the hell are you doing?" I ask, standing and moving so I am slightly in from of Rose. I don't like him around her, he's too unpredictable.
"It was bad enough when you decided to marry her. But you're having kids too? Can you bring any more shame on the family? Dhampir children having the Ivashkov name?" he fumes at me, his gaze never wavering from Rose. I can't see her reaction, I just hope to god she doesn't show if she's scared. He'll pounce on that.
Hang on, how did he know Rose was pregnant? We haven't told our parents yet. "How did you find out about that?" I am mad. Incredibly mad, what the hell has he been up to? Knowing him he bugged the house.
"It isn't difficult to find medical records if you have the inclination. We've been keeping a check for pregnancy since you married her. But six months? That was a shock. You do know she probably kept it secret to get money out of you."
Rose speaks before I do. "How dare you say that!" She shouts and I see her stand. She wants to move past me and closer to my dad but I don't let her. He could hurt her and the munchkins. "I only found out a few days ago! I would never do that!"
"Rose, calm down please. It's not good for you." I wrap my arms around her and kiss her head. Hopefully she'll calm down.
"I think you should leave, dad. You've made it clear you don't approve so I suggest you leave us alone." I turn my gaze to my father a scowl. I don't need him. I have all the family I need in this room.
"Very well."
"What's going on here?" A voice comes from the hall.
Does it never end! "Don't people have any consideration?"
Tatiana walks into the living room, a massive wicker basket in her hands.
"Nathan, what are you doing here?" Tatiana looks at Nathan with narrowed eyes.
"I wanted to speak to Adrian about this...situation." His gaze turns to Rose. He does not want to push me any further. Believe me.
"And by that I assume you mean the pregnancy?" Tatiana turns towards us, a smile on her face. "Congratulations you two! Finally great-great nieces and nephews!" She places the wicker basket, which is filled with baby stuff, on the coffee table and hugs us both.
"How can you accept this? Dhampirs with the Ivashkov name!" Nathan bellows.
Tatiana turns to Nathan, her face calm. "Nathan, you don't really have much room to talk do you?"
Nathan pales. "That was different. I never married her." He mutters, looking at his feet.
Wait, what? How can dhampirs have our name? I knew Rufus had an affair but he never had kids, he made sure of that. My dad wouldn't, would he?
"I don't see how it is. No they don't have your name but they are still Ivashkovs. You even allowed Dimitri to become Adrian's guardian so you cannot judge."
What?
"What's Dimitri got to do with this?" I whisper after a few minutes.
"I'm sorry you have to find out this way, sweetie. But Nathan has to understand that he cannot judge. Not after Olena Belikov." Tatiana says, taking my hands.
I can't believe it. Well, I can believe my dad had an affair but to have a child as well? Plus Dimitri is older than me meaning he was born around the time my mom lost her first child. That bastard! "Did you know?" I ask Dimitri. I'm hoping he is just as clueless as me but it appears not.
"Adrian..." Dimitri starts. I am not in the mood to be pissed around.
"DID YOU KNOW!" I bellow and I feel Rose flinch. I feel guilty about that but I need to know.
Dimitri looks at me and then my dad. He nods his head.
I don't know whether to be angry at my dad and Dimitri for hiding this or happy because at last I have a sibling. That's what I've always wanted. A brother who I can talk to and confide in. I do with Rose and Christian and Eddie but it isn't the same. Does Dimitri have anymore siblings? If he does do they have children? I could be an uncle.
All of this they have denied me. Denied me a family.
"Get out." I whisper.
No one moves.
"I said GET OUT!" I shout. "EVERYONE!"
Everyone scurries out quickly. Nathan has one last sneer at Rose and Dimitri and leaves. Tatiana smiles apologetically at her and squeezes her shoulder. Why is she apologising to her! I'm the victim here!
Dimitri looks like he wants to say something but decides against it and Rose goes to leave with him. I grab her arm and stop her. I try to ignore the slight look of fear in her face. Shit, I scared her. I'm so sorry, baby girl.
"The name. When you said Georgiana for a girl, who suggested it?" I look at her. Georgiana was more than a friend. She is Dimitri's aunt, I know it.
Her silence speaks volumes. "It was Dimitri. Why?"
"My aunt Georgiana, had a sister Olena. I remember her telling me. I just need to be alone, Rose." I sit down and retreat into the only way I know how to cope. Drinking and cigarettes. I hear people talking in the kitchen but I don't know who. I don't care.
I can't explain how I feel. I'm angry my dad cheated on my mom. And I know by Dimitri's age that it was when mom lost my older sister that this affair started. Maybe it was before that? It's unforgivable either way. But for them to keep it quiet? That was the worst. Because it wasn't then who suffered, not Dimitri, or my dad, or whatever family Dimitri had, it was me. The only one who didn't know.
All I had wanted all my life was brothers and sisters. I was the only successful pregnancy my mom had out of six so I had pretty much accepted that I was never going to have that. And finding Rose and marrying her and having kids with her has filled that gap. I have something to call my. My own family.
But finding out I had that before? That I had always had what I wanted and denied that my whole life? And for it to be Dimitri of all people! I mean, I liked the guy but he was also in love with my wife. His aura still glowed when he saw her or was in the same room as her. Just like hers did for me, which made me feel better. Dimitri would be better for her, not as many issues and royals wouldn't look down on her or reject her if she was with him. But I can't imagine my life without. I don't want a life without her.
I don't know how I long I sit there when the man himself walks in. "Adrian, I have a lot of explaining to do, I know. And I am here whenever you are ready to talk about this. I understand if you don't want to recognise us as family. And regardless of this I still consider you a friend and I hope to be able to continue to serve as your guardian." He said 'us'. He must have siblings if he said that. Unless he just meant his mother?
I say nothing, I just continue drinking the bottle of whiskey I found hidden in the drinks cabinet and smoking my cigarette. Eventually, Dimitri gets the hint and leaves the room.
Maybe I should go to bed? Being close to Rose comforts me and helps clear my head. Maybe she won't want me to? Maybe I scared her too much? I don't know. At some point, I don't really remember when, I grab another bottle of whiskey and another packet of cigarettes.
And I think I must have fallen asleep because all I can see is Rose, a sad expression on her face. She's holding two tiny babies wrapped in blankets and is walking away from me. And all my begging and pleading just won't bring them back. She looks right into my eyes and takes my children away from me, and there is nothing I can do.
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I'm running towards Rose. She keeps walking away from me, holding the hands of the two children that walk by her side. No matter how fast I run or how much I shout she never turns.
"Baby, please don't take them from me!" I beg for the hundredth time.
She stops dead and faces me. The children are no longer there. "I had to, baby. You don't deserve a family." She smiles. I feel something touch me and I jump awake.
"What? Where am I?" I mumble.
"You're in the living room. You fell asleep." Rose smiles down at me. She's here. She never left. I sit up and my head spins. "We're gonna go shopping for some baby stuff. Dimitri is staying here; he's moving the game stuff into the basement."
"Ok. I'll have a shower and stuff and join you later." I smile, rubs my eyes and places my hands on my beautiful wife's very swollen tummy. "Whoa, you grew overnight didn't you, munchkins." I kiss her stomach and feel such an overwhelming joy. These are my children and this is my wife. And I love them so much.
"Yeah, damn inconvenience. I'll text you where we are. Please make sure you tell Dimitri, even if you just leave a note. He doesn't have to come with you if you don't want. He understands." She kisses me lightly but I don't say anything. What am I going to do about Dimitri?
After they leave, I head upstairs, ignoring my pounding head and shower and get changed.
"Shit!" I hear Dimitri shout from outside and a crash follows.
"What's happened?" I ask, coming out of my room and suppress my laughter. Dimitri is tangled in wires and cables trying to carry the X-box.
"Rose, said to move the stuff out of the games room into the basement. So I thought I'd make a start seeing as I didn't know if I'd be doing anything today. Turns out it's harder than it looks." He chuckles.
I suppose now a good a time as any to talk to him right? While we're both occupied?
"I'll give you a hand." I move to pick up some stuff and walk downstairs. Dimitri just looks stunned.
Setting everything up takes the longest, and Dimitri and I work in silence. Occasionally asking the other to pass something or hold something in place. Maybe Dimitri isn't ready to talk?
"Maybe we should stop trying to avoid this massive elephant in the room and just talk?" Dimitri says after everything is finished.
I sigh. "Yeah, we should. I don't want this to be awkward for anyone, especially Rose. She doesn't need this right now."
Dimitri nods in agreement. "I can imagine you have questions, right? You can ask me anything you want."
Then let the interogation begin, Belikov. "Do you have siblings?"
"Three sisters."
I have sisters too? "What are their names?"
"Karolina, she is the oldest, Soyna and Viktoria, they're younger. Karolina has two children Paul and Zoya. Soyna's pregnant." He smiles, he clearly loves his sisters. And my dad's affair clearly started before my lost the baby.
"Tell me about them." I push. I want to know everything about them. They're my family too now.
Dimitri talks for ages about his family. His mother, Olena -he doesn't say anything about her relationship with my father, I'm thankful for that- is everything that I wanted my mom to be. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother dearly but I would've liked it if she was around more when I was kid, instead of being left with Auntie G all the time.
"Do you miss them?" I ask. I could tell just by looking at him he did.
"Yeah. I do. The last time I saw them was when..." he trails off and looks down.
"What happened?"
"Last time I saw them Zoya had just been born. I left my charge and he was killed." He looks down.
Looking at Dimitri now, him talking so openly about his family and showing how much he loves his job and respects his charges, I begin to wonder why I never liked the guy. Maybe its because he always seemed detached? Because I had taken away the girl he loves from him? I don't know. But it is clear that he is a nice, genuine guy.
"Dimitri, I know we've never really seen eye to eye. And I know you probably don't like me because I took Rose away from you. But...listening to you talk about your family... I can't imagine having a better brother than you. And I'm gonna pay for your...our family to come here. I want to meet them and I want them to be when Rose has the twins so they can meet them to." I say, and Dimitri looks ecstatic.
"Thank you so much, Adrian. Not just for paying for my family to visit but for accepting us. I've always wanted a brother." He smiles and hold out his hand and I shake it.
"I'm not hugging you." I smirk and turn on the X-box.
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"Adrian? Dimitri?" I hear Rose's voice over the sound of our game and hear the door open. I wonder what she's going to make of all this?
"Hey, guys."
We both turn around and she Rose's confused expression. She's so adorbale. "Hey, baby. I was going to come shopping but I thought Dimitri and I could have a talk." I pause the game and Rose sits down in an armchair. I notice she's tired and just sitting down seem hard for her.
"So you guys seem to have sorted it out?" I say
"Yeah. We figured why should a prick like our dad stop us being family? Yeah it was a shock but just think, Rose, I've always wanted a sibling and now I have four! I mean I haven't meet Dimitri's sisters but I'm going to pay for all of them to come over and stay for a while. Did you know I have nieces and nephews?"
"Yeah, Adrian wanted to know all about my family. I think this is the most we've ever spoken." Dimitri smiles.
Rose smiles and I see tears in her eyes. My poor baby girl. "I'm so glad you two could work this out."
"Baby, why are you crying?"I sit on the arm of her chair and brush her tears away. I to see her cry even if its happy.
"Stupid pregnancy hormones." She giggles.
"Well let's see what you brought my little terrors." I take her hand and all three us head up the stairs.
For once everything is going right.
Hope you guys liked it, let me know!