Thank you very much for all the reviews! :)

Someone asked me if there will be lemons in this story. If anyone else is wondering about this, here's your answer: yes, there will be lemons, but all in good time. Rose and Dimitri just started dating. I know, they're both adults, but there's nothing wrong with taking things slow, right? ;) Anyway, there will be a lemon soon enough. Maybe in a few chapters :P

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.

CHAPTER 17

DPOV

"Daddy!"

Alisa ran toward me and hugged me. I lifted her in my arms and kissed her cheek. "Hey, milaya. How are you?"

She giggled. "I'm good. But I missed you," she said, hugging me tighter.

I smiled. "I missed you too."

"I'm glad you're here," she said.

"Me too," I murmured.

It was New Year's Eve and I hadn't seen them in a week. They'd spent the whole week with their grandparents. It had given me some time to be more with Rose and I'd loved that, but I'd also missed my kids and I was glad to see them again.

Liam and Inna greeted me just as enthusiastically, but Liam was a little more enthusiastic when he saw Rose. I practically had to drag him away from her so she could have some space to breathe.

I greeted my parents and introduced Rose to my father, Alexei, who'd just returned from his business trip a few days ago. Viktoria wasn't home. She was going to celebrate New Year's with some of her friends and had already left. Sonya was also out with friends and Karolina was at home with Paul and her husband. They'd be coming over later tonight.

During dinner, I made sure to sit next to Rose. My hand found hers under the table and I squeezed it gently, lacing our fingers together. She glanced up at me and I smiled. She returned my smile and I wished I could kiss her. I would have to wait until we were alone, though.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Mama looking at us curiously. I quickly looked away from Rose and glanced down at my plate, releasing Rose's hand. I felt my mother staring at me, but, thankfully, she didn't say anything. And, thank God, she was the only one who'd noticed. After dinner, when I was helping clearing the table, she spoke to me about it.

"It seems like things between you and Rose are going well," she noted.

"What do you mean?" I asked casually.

She sighed and gave me a pointed look. "I saw your little exchange during dinner. Don't act like there's nothing going on. I know there is. I can see it."

I glanced behind me to make sure we were still alone. When I'd checked, I looked back at Mama and opened my mouth to say something, but she cut me off.

"I know you're not ready to talk about it yet," she said, "but I just wanted to say that I'm happy for you." She stopped in front of me and smiled. "You deserve it."

Then she walked away and left me alone in the kitchen. I stared after her, perplexed. Was it that obvious? I used to be so good at masking my feelings, but when I was around Rose I forgot all about that. Sighing, I followed my mother out and joined the rest of my family in the living room.

Soon, Karolina arrived. Paul immediately flung himself into Rose's arms when he saw her. It was obvious the men in this family adored Rose. Even my father seemed to like her.

Rose and I didn't get a chance to talk much because the kids were hanging around her all the time, but I didn't mind. They were happy, which I was glad for. Inna seemed a little sad, though. She'd smile just as often as the rest, but I could see in her eyes that something was amiss. When I found her sitting alone in the kitchen, munching on some crisps, I asked her about it.

"Hey, milaya," I said, taking a seat next to her. "What are you doing here all alone? Is there something bothering you?"

She shrugged, not looking at me.

"You can tell me," I said gently.

She looked up at me and I noticed there were tears brimming her eyes. "I don't know," she whispered. "I guess I just miss Mom." She wiped at her eyes and said, "We used to be together as a family this time a year. And I would've helped her with the shopping and we would've decorated the Christmas tree together. And we'd make dinner for New Year's Eve… We'd all be together, but now… now she isn't here anymore."

"Oh, Inna," I sighed, taking her in my arms. She wrapped her arms around me and I kissed the top of her head. "I know it's hard, but it'll get better. I promise." I pulled back slightly so I could look at her. "Don't cry, milaya," I murmured, wiping her tears away with my thumbs. "Your mom would've wanted you to be happy." She nodded and I gave her a small smile. "Why don't you go back to the living room and have some fun, huh? It'll make you feel better."

"Okay," she said softly.

She went back to join our family while I stayed seated in the kitchen. I let out a sigh, burying my face in my hands, wishing I could take Inna's pain away.

"Are you alright?"

Startled, I looked up. Rose stood in the doorway, a hesitant look on her face. I nodded and got up as she walked towards me.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yeah," I responded softly. "It's just… Well, Inna is still having a hard time. She misses her mother very much. I wish I could do something to make her feel better, but I can't."

"Hey, it'll be okay," Rose said gently as she put her hand against my cheek, making me look at her. "She'll be okay. She just needs time."

I leaned into her touch. "I really hope so."

Rose gave me a sympathetic smile and wrapped her arms around me. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, taking in the glorious scent of her hair as I held her tightly against me.

"Thank you, Roza," I murmured, pulling back slightly so I could look at her.

She smiled and stroked my cheek. "We should get back before they start wondering where we are." I nodded and followed her to the door. She turned back around and added, "And don't worry so much. Just relax and have fun. Even if it's just for tonight."

I smiled. "I will," I promised.

When it was almost midnight, we gathered outside to watch the fireworks. The kids yelled 'Happy New Year!' at the same time and then they started cheering when the sky lit up with fireworks. I was kind of sad I wasn't able to kiss Rose. Instead, I got to kiss her on the cheek, which was better than nothing. My lips lingered a moment longer than they should have, but no one noticed. They were all distracted by the fireworks.

Karolina decided to go home shortly after because Paul was tired. My kids were also exhausted and I suggested we'd go home too, but Mama insisted we'd stay the night. I started to argue that there wasn't enough room for all of us and that I didn't want to be an inconvenience, but she would have none of that.

"Inna and Alisa can sleep in Viktoria's room," she said, "and Liam can have the guest room. Rose can stay in your old bedroom, Dimitri."

"And where am I going to sleep?" I asked with a frown.

Mama smiled. "The couch."

"Great," I muttered.

Rose grinned at me. "Aww, that's too bad, comrade."

I glared at her playfully.

"You can show her to your room, Dimka," Mama said, nodding at Rose.

I led Roza upstairs and to my room. I hadn't been here in years, but it all still looked the same.

"More westerns," Rose said with a grin, noticing the bookcase in the corner. "Why am I not surprised?"

I smiled. I wish I could stay for a little while and talk to her, but I needed to put my kids to bed and I didn't want Mama to get even more suspicious.

"Well, I'll let you get some sleep," I said after a few moments. "If you need anything, you know where to find me." She nodded. "Good night, Roza."

"Night, Dimitri," she murmured.

I left, closing the door behind me, and went to my kids. After I'd put them to bed, I returned downstairs. Mama had left some blankets for me on the couch. Sighing, I settled down on the couch and tried to sleep, but I couldn't.

I kept thinking about Roza. About how she was sleeping under the very same roof tonight, only a few feet away from me. After another half hour of tossing and turning, I got up and went upstairs. I stopped at Roza's door and hesitated. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly on the door.

I waited for several seconds and then I heard her voice, "Come in."

I opened the door and slipped inside. Rose was sitting up in bed and looked at me with a smile.

"Can't sleep?" she asked.

I shook my head.

Her smile widened. "Me either."

I walked over to her. "Are you wearing my shirt?"

She looked down. "Umm…" It was dark, but I could imagine she was blushing right now. "Yeah, I found it in your closet. I didn't want to sleep in my dress. Do you mind?"

I smiled. "Not at all."

Rose scooted over and patted the spot next to her on the bed. I looked at her, unsure.

"Are you sure?" I asked at last.

She nodded so I slipped under the covers with her. She rolled onto her side and looked at me, smiling. I moved closer and took her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. Leaning in, I kissed her softly on the lips.

The intensity of our kiss increased quickly and her lips parted, granting me entrance. She moaned softly as my tongue brushed against hers and she pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck. I rolled on top of her, making sure not to crush her with my weight, as our lips continued to move in sync.

"Now, that's what I call a proper New Year's kiss," I said grinning after we'd pulled away from the kiss. Rose laughed. I rolled onto my back and smiled at her before pressing my lips against hers again. "Happy New Year, Roza," I whispered.

She smiled. "Happy New Year, comrade."

I sighed happily and wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. "If you want to sleep, just tell me and then I'll go back downstairs," I murmured.

She looked up at me. "I want you to stay."

"Alright," I said smiling. "I'll stay until you fall asleep."

"No," she said. I frowned, confused. "I want to wake up next to you."

Oh. "I can't," I said sadly. I didn't want anything more than to stay with her all night, but I couldn't. "I have to be downstairs when the kids wake up. They can't know yet-"

She glanced away. "Right. I forgot for a moment that…" She sighed and shook her head. "Sorry."

"No, don't be sorry," I said quickly. Damn. I wanted to stay with Rose, but the kids couldn't know about us yet. It was too soon. Suddenly, an idea hit me. "I'll set the alarm at seven and then go back downstairs. They won't get up before seven, I'm sure about that."

She nodded. "Okay, I'd like that. But you don't have to stay if you don't want to," she added.

I kissed her. "I'd love to stay," I whispered against her lips.

Rose smiled. "Okay."

I pressed another kiss to her lips. She snuggled closer to me and I pulled the covers over us before draping my arm around her waist.

"Sweet dreams, Roza," I murmured, kissing the top of her head.

The next morning, I slipped back downstairs when the alarm set off. Five minutes later, Liam came in and jumped on the couch next to me.

"Dad, are you awake?"

Pretending I'd just woken up from my son barging in, I sat up and yawned. "Liam, why are you up already? It's still early."

"I needed to pee," he said.

"Why don't you go back to bed? You only had a few hours of sleep," I said.

"I'm not tired anymore," he mumbled. "Can I watch some TV?"

I sighed. "Sure."

Liam grabbed the remote and sat down next to me. I watched cartoons with him for a while until my parents came downstairs. I was helping my mother getting breakfast ready when Rose walked into the kitchen, a smile on her face.

"Good morning," she said cheerfully.

"Morning," I said smiling. "Did you sleep well?"

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at me. "Yes, wonderful. Thanks for asking." I grinned. "How about you? How was the couch?"

"Actually, it was much better than I'd expected," I said. "Very comfortable."

Mama glanced between the two of us. She had that suspicious look on her face again so I quickly looked away from Rose and changed the subject.

After breakfast, we went home. Alisa and Inna were still tired and slept all the way back home while Liam and Rose played a game. But at long last, Liam grew quiet and fell asleep too.

"Will I see you soon?" I asked when I dropped Rose off at campus.

"Of course." She smiled and, leaning forward, she pecked me on the cheek before getting out of the car. She walked to the door and turned around, waving at me. I smiled at her and waved back and watched her go inside.

"Do you like Rose?"

Startled, I turned around in my seat and looked at Alisa, who was wide awake now. Shit. Had she seen Rose kiss me?

"Of course I like her," I said, trying to appear casual.

She rolled her eyes. "I don't mean it like that. I mean, do you like her the way you liked Mom?"

I averted my eyes from her. Clearing my throat, I said, "Why would you think that?"

She just smirked knowingly, but didn't say anything else, which I was grateful for. But when we finally got home, she said, "It's okay if you like her, you know."

Then she walked past me and went to her room, leaving me standing in the hallway, utterly perplexed. Damn. Keeping my relationship with Roza a secret for my kids wasn't going to be as easy as I thought it would be.

Do you think Alisa is onto them? Do you think she's seen something she wasn't supposed to see or just noticed the sudden change in behavior between Rose and Dimitri?

I hoped you liked the chapter and I'm sorry for the late update. I'm busy with school and there's some other stuff going on in my life that's taking up some time aswell :/. So, once again, I'm sorry.

Please leave a review and tell me what you think of this chapter. Have a nice day/evening! :)