a/n: Hey, guys. Want to weigh in on this story? Visit the poll on my profile page and vote on what you would like Rose and Dimitri's daughter to be named. I will keep the poll open until I write the chapter where Rose and Dimitri discover her name for themselves.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to review the last chapter! :)

"Push, Rose," her mother coached in a soft voice.

"Anytime now, Rose," the midwife informed her, as she looked up from between Rose's legs with a smile. "You'll be meeting your son or daughter soon."

Rose gasped for air as she nodded her head jerkily; her mother used a wet cloth to gently wipe beads of sweat from her forehead. "How are you doing?" she asked.

"Tired," Rose admitted.

"It won't be long now," her mother reminded her. "The baby will come, and you'll be able to get some rest."

Rose laughed weakly. "I have a feeling that's not true."

Much to her surprise, her mother had proved to be her rock throughout the last few months of her pregnancy. Gone was the stern woman who'd insisted Rose get rid of her baby. She'd helped Rose decorate a nursery in yellows and greens, as the baby hadn't been cooperative when the doctors had tried to determine the sex.

Rose grit her teeth as another pain hit, and the midwife lowered her head to between Rose's legs again. "Come on, Rose," the woman said. "Give me a big push."

Rose closed her eyes and pushed as hard as she could, screaming as the pain intensified. "Another one, Rose," the woman said.

Rose shook her head. "I...I can't," she said breathlessly. "It hurts."

"It's almost over," her mother said, and only when she reflected on this moment now, would Rose realize the sound of finality in her mothers voice. As if she knew something Rose didn't.

Rose pursed her lips to hold back another scream and pushed as hard as she could.

"It's a girl!" the midwife announced, and Rose's eyes flew open.

"She's not crying," Rose said, panicked. "Why isn't she crying?" She looked wildly around the room, but everyone had gathered around the midwife, who suddenly stood and rushed from the room with the silent infant in her arms.

"Mom!" Rose shrieked.

She was gone. Her daughter was gone. Before she could even hold her, before she could kiss her, her baby was gone, her little heart giving out before she'd had a chance to open her eyes. Rose squeezed her own eyes shut as she turned her head on her pillow and began to weep. And for the first time since she was a little girl, she longed for a mother's comforting arms.

Or better yet, Dimitri's arms. She wouldn't have had to ask him; if he had been there with her, he'd have gathered her in his arms and held her close as she'd sobbed into his shoulder. Rose had never felt so alone in all her life.

And despite the closeness she and her mother had found over the last few months, Rose had been unable to stay, unable to forgive her for not allowing Rose to get in touch with Dimitri.

And the next day, she'd packed up and left. And she'd never looked back.

His t-shirt was instantly drenched with tears, but Dimitri ignored them. He held her close, his arms instinctively tightening as sobs wracked her body. He took a few steps backward, dragging her with him, then used his heel to kick the door shut. She clung to him, her fingers curling into the fabric covering his chest as he swept her up into his arms and made his way to the couch. He felt her rapid, warm breaths against his neck as she struggled for air.

Once he'd settled them against the cushions, he gently pushed her hair back from her tear-streaked face. The lack of awkwardness he felt after not seeing her for so long surprised him, but he leaned forward and brushed her tears away with his lips anyway. "Roza," he murmured softly. "Ssh."

Aside from holding her and trying to reassure her, Dimitri was at a loss for what to do; he had no idea what was wrong with her, but she'd come to him. After years of not seeing him, she'd shown on his doorstep and all but collapsed in his arms.

"Roza," he whispered against her temple as he gave her a soft kiss. "Tell me you're OK," he said firmly.

She pulled away, as much as he'd let her, and gave him a jerky nod. "I...I'm OK," she confirmed through her sobs.

He sighed in relief before pulling her against him once again and smoothing her hair away from her face. He didn't know how much time had passed, how long he'd stroked her hair before her sobs subsided and her body stopped shaking.

She flatted her palm against his chest and tried to push herself away, but he shook his head. The fierce desire he'd always had to protect her, the desire that had only intensified after he'd met her mother, bubbled over and he gave her a light squeeze. "Not yet," he said gruffly.

Instead of fighting him as he'd expected her to do, she sagged against him. Her cheek rested against his chest as the tip of her index finger traced the words on his t-shirt.

"I'm sorry," she said in a strangled whisper without looking up at him.

"For what?" he asked.

Her nervous laughter vibrated against his chest. "For showing up on your doorstep after not having seen you for years and freaking out."

"There's no need to apologize, Roza."

He heard her choke back another sob as she nodded her head against his chest.

"Though an explanation would be nice," he said gently.

Rose took a deep breath and he let her pull away from him this time. He was glad when she made no effort to leave his lap, simply adjusted her body so she was facing him. Her inner thighs rested against his outer ones, and once again, her focus was on the letters of his t-shirt.

"I don't even know where to start, Dimitri, I don't even—" Her eyes flew to his. "My God! I didn't even ask..." When she made a move to bolt, he settled his hands at her waist and held her in place.

"Didn't even what?" he asked softly.

"I practically attacked you," she said. "And I don't even know if you're with anyone."

"I'd hardly call it an attack, Roza," he said with a chuckle as he looked up at her. "And I'm not with anyone."

She hadn't realized how important it was to her until he'd told her wasn't with anyone, and to her mortification, sobs tore through her once again. She buried her face in the curve where his shoulder met his neck and pressed her body against his as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if he'd never let go.

"You're starting to scare me, Roza."

Rose battled for composure and when she finally found it, reluctantly lifted her head. Her eyes locked with his and she studied his face for a moment—the face she thought she might never see again. The longing she'd been fighting since she'd last seen him was reflected in his eyes. She was unable to stop herself from lowering her head and brushing her lips gently against his. His hands dropped to her hips and settled there, and once again, Rose forced herself to pull away from him.

"Dimitri," she whispered.

He didn't say anything, just gazed at her expectantly.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I need your help."

"OK," he said without hesitation, and Rose felt her heart leap. It was that easy with him; it had always been that easy with him.

She ran her hand up over his chest until she was clenching his shoulder. "Dimitri...eight months after we were separated...I...I gave birth to a baby girl."

She shut her eyes at his sharp intake of breath.

"Your baby." She opened her eyes and forced herself to meet his gaze. "Dimitri...I need you to help me find her."