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CHAPTER 31

DPOV

The next weekend came around quickly and on Saturday night, I took Rose out for dinner and a movie like I'd promised. She was wearing a red sundress and black pumps when I came to pick her up. Her hair was down, the way I liked it, and her smile was radiant as she looked at me. I just looked back in awe. Sometimes, I still couldn't believe she was my girlfriend.

"You look amazing," I complimented her as I held out my arm.

Her smile grew and she looped her arm through mine. "Thanks, comrade."

We walked in silence to my car. When we were on our way to the fancy restaurant Ivan had recommended, Rose finally spoke up. I don't know why, but she seemed a little nervous to me since the moment she'd gotten in the car.

"So," she said, clearing her throat, "are the kids still fine with…"

"You moving in?" I finished her sentence, glancing over at her. She glanced away for a brief moment and then looked back at me, giving me a small nod. I smiled. "Yes. They're fine with you moving in." I reached out for her hand and squeezed it gently. "I already told you so many times."

"Yeah, I know," she said, breathing a sigh of relief, "but still… I thought Inna would, I don't know… I thought she'd have a fit once she'd processed it all."

I smiled again. "She didn't. But honestly," I said, looking at Rose again, "I thought the same as you. I'm glad she didn't, though."

"So am I." She relaxed after that. "And did you ask your neighbors about the babysitting thing?"

"Yes, I did."

She looked at me, raising her eyebrows. "And?" she questioned when I didn't say anything else.

"Their daughter agreed to do it. Her name is Hayley."

"Well, that's good," Rose said smiling.

"Yeah, I guess," I answered.

"What?" Rose asked, looking at me.

I shrugged. "It's just that I'm going to miss you being around the house."

She leaned over and kissed my cheek. "It's only for a couple of weeks."

I nodded. "I know. But still…"

I gave her a small smile and this time, she pecked me on the lips.

"Now, look at the road. I don't want you to drive us into a ditch, " she said in a teasing voice.

I smiled and looked back at the road. After our dinner, which she seemed to have enjoyed a lot, we went to the movies. I let her pick the movie because I knew I wouldn't be watching it at all. I was pretty sure my eyes would be on Roza the whole time.

In the end, she chose 'The Fault In Our Stars'. I'd never heard about it before, but she told me she'd read the book and liked it very much. Turned out it was about two teenagers who met at a cancer support group and then fell in love. Near the end of the movie, everyone in the theater was in tears. Including Rose.

"Are you going to be okay?" I asked, worried, when we left the theater.

"Yes, I'll be fine," she answered in a muffled voice as she wiped her eyes. "It's just so sad, you know."

Tears formed in her eyes again as she looked at me so I quickly wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a hug, and murmured, "I know."

She pulled away from me and said, "Are you immune or something?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You didn't cry or anything."

I glanced away uneasily. "Well, it's a movie…"

"It's a sad movie!"

"Yes, it is," I agreed, "but I'm a guy."

"So?" she said as we continued walking to the parking lot. "It's not because you're a guy, you can't cry."

"Rose…"

"And you didn't tear up? Not even a little bit?"

I shook my head. Sure, the movie had been sad. Really sad. But it was a movie. It wasn't real.

"Are you that insensitive?" she said, sounding outraged. "What if something happened to me? What if I died? Would you not care either?"

"Roza, don't be absurd," I interrupted, pulling her to a stop. "I'd be devastated if something happened to you." I gave her a small smile as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You know I can't live without you."

She grinned. "I know. I was just messing with you."

I was stunned. "You little-"

She grabbed the car keys out of my hand and ran to the car. I ran after her and grabbed her around the waist, pushing her against the side of the car.

"That wasn't funny," I said, taking back the car keys.

"Aww, don't be mad, comrade," she said giggling.

I smiled reluctantly and then leaned in, kissing her slowly. "I love you," I whispered when I pulled away.

"I love you too," Rose whispered back. She bit down on her lip and said softly, "So, um, your mother is staying with the kids all night, right?"

I nodded.

"Okay. Do you want, um, to come back with me to campus? Avery is away until Monday so we'll be alone in my room."

"Oh yeah?"

Rose nodded, looking at me innocently. "Yes. So if you want, you can stay over."

I smiled and kissed her again. Rose wrapped her arms around my neck as we continued to kiss. Slowly, I opened the car door and then pushed her into her seat, which made her gasp.

"Then we should go," I said abruptly, closing the car door and walking around to the driver's side, "before I rip off your clothes in here."

Rose grinned.

- START M SCENE -

Half an hour later, we stumbled into her dorm room. I hadn't even closed the door yet and she was already yanking off my shirt.

"Are you sure Avery isn't coming home?" I mumbled against her lips as I pushed up her dress and over her head.

"I'm sure," she whispered, breathless.

"What about Christian?" I asked as I pushed her onto her bed and crawled on top of her. "He isn't coming for some late night visit?"

Rose laughed. "No! Now stop talking and make me yours," she growled, pulling me to her and pressing her lips against mine.

She didn't have to tell me twice. As soon as we were both naked, I buried myself inside her. Rose let out a moan and her nails dug into my back as I continued to move inside of her in a frantic pace. When we both found our release, I buried my face in her neck and tried to calm my breathing.

- END M SCENE -

"I love you," I murmured, kissing her neck.

I felt her stroke my hair. "I love you too, comrade."

I lifted my head and kissed her softly on the lips before rolling off of her. Rose scooted closer to me and rested her head on my chest as I wrapped my arms around her waist. I fell asleep soon after with a content smile on my face.

RPOV

It was official. I hated finals. I hated it more than anything in the world. Because of my finals, I was cooped up in the library almost every hour of the day. I barely saw Dimitri and when he called to ask how it was going, I could only talk to him for a few minutes.

I was relieved when Friday night finally came around. It was my only night off and I intended to spend it with Dimitri. I was going to give him a surprise visit, but it turned out I was the one to be surprised when he didn't open up the door but a girl around my age. Only, she was a redhead and had big blue eyes. I had to admit she was pretty with her tall, slim figure. I figured she must be my replacement, Hayley.

"Hello," she said politely. "Can I help you?"

"Um, is Dimitri here?" I asked. Wow, this was weird.

"No, he isn't," she answered. Then she frowned a little. "Who are you?"

I raised my eyebrows. Hadn't Dimitri told her about me? "I'm Rose," I said. "Dimitri's girlfriend."

Her eyes widened a little. "Oh. Sorry, I didn't realize you're Rose," she apologized as she stepped aside to let me in. "I'm so stupid. There's a picture frame of you and the kids in the living room. And one of you and Dimitri. I should've recognized you. I'm sorry."

I gave her a small, polite smile. "It's okay."

"Dimitri's stuck in traffic," she said. "There was an accident. He should be here within the hour, though. I'm Hayley by the way. I live next door."

"Nice to meet you, Hayley," I said politely. "You mind if I wait here?" I said, already walking to the living room.

She followed me inside. "The kids are upstairs doing their own thing. So if you'd like to see them…"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

The kids were ecstatic to see me. I was happy to know they'd missed me, because I sure as hell had missed them. They came downstairs with me, where we waited for Dimitri to come home. Hayley wasn't really needed anymore, but she stuck around anyway. I wasn't sure I liked that.

When Dimitri finally arrived and noticed me sitting on the couch with his kids beside me a big grin spread across his face.

"Roza!" he said, delighted. I got up as he walked over to me and took me in his arms. "How are you?" he asked. I tried to answer, but couldn't because he pressed his lips against mine in a passionate kiss. "I'm so happy to see you. How did your tests go?"

Suddenly, Inna cleared her throat. "We're here too, you know."

Dimitri glanced over. "Oh, right. Sorry." He walked over to his kids and hugged them. "How's your day been?"

"I'm here too," Hayley piped in as she perked up from her seat.

"Hi," Dimitri said politely. "Thanks for watching the kids. I'm sorry it took so long."

"No problem," she said smiling.

I scowled at her. I didn't like the way she was looking at him. I knew I didn't have anything to worry about, because Dimitri didn't even notice the look of adoration on her face. Sliding his arm around my waist, he kissed me again. Hayley's face darkened a little and I felt a smug smile creep onto my face.

"Well, I guess this is my cue to leave," she said at last. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Oh, you don't have to come over tomorrow," Dimitri said. "I have the day off."

"Oh. Okay," she said. Then she sighed. "Well, I'll see you on Monday then. Have a nice weekend."

"You too, Hayley," Dimitri said.

The rest of the night was spent with the kids, watching movies and playing games. When they went off to bed, I started my questioning.

"So…how's Hayley? Is she doing a good job?" I asked casually when Dimitri sat back down next to me and slung his arm over my shoulders.

"Sure," he said, changing the channel on TV.

"She knows it's only for two more weeks, right?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said.

I frowned a little. Was that the only thing I was going to get out of him? Just one worded responses? I let out a sigh and said slowly, "So…she seems to like you."

"Hmm?" he said distractedly as he stroked my hair, still watching TV.

"I said, she seems to like you," I said, clenching my jaw.

Suddenly, he stiffened. "What?" When I didn't say anything else, he turned to me and said, "W-what do you mean? What are you talking about?"

I smirked. Finally a response.

"Yeah," I said, still casual. "Haven't you seen the way she looks at you? I mean, I only needed five minutes in the room with you two to see it. You, on the other hand, see her a whole lot more than five minutes."

Dimitri frowned. "Are you jealous?"

"No," I said quickly. I wasn't jealous. I truly wasn't. I was just wondering if he'd noticed or not. "I'm just asking. So, have you?"

"I don't think she likes me," he said dismissively.

"Yeah she does!" I argued. "She adores you. I saw it."

Dimitri suddenly started smirking. "You are jealous."

Gasping, I slapped his chest. "I am not!"

He grinned and then pulled me towards him, kissing me. "You don't have to be. I love you, Roza. I'm not interested in her. Besides, she's way too young."

I frowned. "She's not that much younger than me."

"You're an adult – at least, I'd like to believe you are," he said in a teasing voice. "She's not. She isn't even eighteen yet. She's still a child."

"So it's just the age thing? If she was older, you'd-"

"No, Roza," he interrupted. "I only ever went out with women my age, but then I met you…you are an exception. You are my exception. And I love you." He leaned in closer and whispered against my lips, "I will always love you."

I smiled, satisfied. "Okay."

He smiled, too, and kissed me softly. "Okay."

So, after that, I didn't worry about Hayley anymore. Dimitri loved me and he would never cheat on me. He was just not that kind of guy. The only thing left I had to worry about were my finals.

Or so I thought.

I'd barely finished my last exam when I had something new to worry about – something much worse. Dimitri was waiting for me at my dorm room after my last test. I ran to him when I saw him standing there. A grin spread across his face and he wrapped me in his arms, spinning me around.

"Hi," I said grinning when he put me down.

"Hi," he said, kissing me fiercely.

"I didn't know you were coming," I said, my arms still wrapped around his neck. "I thought you were at work."

"I took the day off," he said shrugging. "I didn't want to spend another minute without you. I thought we could go out today, now that your finals are over."

I smiled. "You're so sweet. And I'd like that very much."

"How was your exam?" Dimitri asked as we walked hand in hand down the stairs.

"It was okay, I think," I said. "There were some tough questions, but I think I-"

Dimitri gave me a concerned look when I stopped walking abruptly. "Rose, are you alright?"

I nodded, unable to say something. I could only stare at what – no, who – was in front of me. Her arms were crossed and the look on her face was stern, like always. I hadn't known any different. Dimitri glanced from me to the woman and back to me.

"Do you know that woman?" he asked softly.

"Yes," I said, taking a deep breath and preparing for the worst. "That woman is my mother."

Uh oh! Janine is in town. What could she possibly want from Rose? How do you feel about Hayley? You think she's going to cause trouble? Please leave a review and let me know what you think :)

Have a nice day/evening! ^^