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Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.

CHAPTER 42

RPOV

When the movie ended, Mason offered to drive me back to campus. The night had gone well; it had been fun. Nothing like Dimitri had feared. Mason hadn't tried to hold my hand or kiss me. He'd just been a friend to me.

"Actually," I said hesitantly, "could you drive me to my, um, boyfriend's place? I mean, if you don't mind…"

Mason nodded and I followed him to where he'd parked his car.

"So who is your boyfriend?" he asked curiously when we got inside the car.

"Remember that guy who kept coming back to the supermarket to see me?" I asked, feeling a little uncomfortable talking about this.

Mason nodded, frowning a little. "That tall guy?"

"Yeah, that's my boyfriend."

His eyes widened a little. "Why would you date him? He was practically stalk-"

"He wasn't stalking me," I cut him off quickly. "We've been together for a while, but then we got some problems and we broke up. He came so often to the supermarket to try and win me back."

"And apparently he did," Mason said. "Why didn't you tell me you're back together with him?"

"You know why," I murmured softly, not really wanting to broach the subject. I knew Mason would've been hurt if I told him about Dimitri so that's why I hadn't said anything. Until now.

"You don't have to spare my feelings," he responded. "If you're happy with that guy, then I'm happy for you."

I looked at him, astonished. "Really?"

"Yeah," he said with a shrug, glancing over at me briefly before focusing back on the road. "All I want is for you to be happy. And if it's with that guy… Well, so be it." He shrugged again. "I'm fine with it."

I smiled. "Wow. You are genuinely a good guy, Mase."

He grinned. "I know. But thanks anyway."

It was already past midnight when Mason dropped me off. Dimitri had texted me a while ago, telling me he put the spare key under the doormat in case he'd fallen asleep by the time I'd arrived home. The lights were out so I figured he was already in bed. Quietly, I sneaked inside and crept upstairs, hoping I wouldn't wake the kids.

"Dimitri, you awake?" I whispered when I walked into his bedroom.

"Hmm." I heard a rustle and then the lights flicked on and I saw Dimitri sitting up in bed, a book in his lap. "Did I fall asleep?" he said, looking confused as he rubbed his eyes.

I chuckled. "Looks like it."

"So… How was the not-date?" Dimitri asked, stifling a yawn.

I bit my lip. "Well…"

Dimitri looked at me, worry in his eyes. "What?" he said as he stiffened. "Did he try something? Did he kiss you? Did he-"

"No, of course he didn't," I said with a grin. "Everything went fine."

"Then why were you looking like that!" Dimitri said scowling. "I thought something had happened."

"I was just teasing you, comrade," I said, crawling into bed.

"Not funny," he muttered.

"Awe, you're such a baby," I said, moving closer to him and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Dimitri raised his eyebrow. "What did you just call me?"

My grin widened. "I called you a baby. You're a big baby."

He narrowed his eyes at me. Then, without warning, he pushed me down onto the bed and started tickling me. I shrieked, then remembered the kids were asleep, and clamped my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing while I tried to push Dimitri off of me with my other hand.

"If you want me to stop, you'd better take that back," Dimitri said. I knew he was just teasing because he was smiling. "Are you going to take it back?"

"No," I said grinning. Like I'd expected, he immediately started tickling me again. Through my giggles, I managed to say, "Fine. Fine, I'm sorry! Stop it. The kids are going to wake up if you don't stop now."

Dimitri stopped and rested his hands on my sides. Leaning down, he said smiling, "I love you, Roza."

"I love you too," I murmured against his lips as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Dimitri pressed his lips against mine. I responded to his kiss eagerly and opened my mouth, allowing him entrance. Things escalated quickly from there and before I knew it, we were both almost completely naked.

Even though I wanted him badly, I wasn't done torturing him. Not just yet. So instead of giving in to my desire, I pulled away from him. Dimitri obviously looked disappointed, but then he said with a smile, "Not done torturing me yet, huh?"

"Not quite," I said as I pulled my tank top back on. He was still smiling as he lay back against the pillows. I raised my eyebrow and said, "Why are you smiling?"

"Because I know I'm not the only one being tortured," he answered, giving me a pointed look. "This is hard for you, too." He grinned. "Just admit it, Roza. You want me. And you have a hard time denying me."

I snorted. "You're delusional. And," I added with a smirk, "I think you are the one having a hard time."

He laughed softly. "That might be true, but I know you're struggling too right now."

I glared at him. He might be right, but I wasn't going to admit it. But, I realized, he could probably read it off of my face. He was still grinning and, for a second, I wanted to wipe that grin off his face.

"One of these days you're going to crack," he continued, "and then I will be the one to torture you."

"Not a chance in hell," I responded, rolling away from him and pulling the covers over me.

Dimitri moved closer and pressed his chest against my back as he wrapped his arms around me. "I'm going to accept that challenge."

"Good luck," I said sarcastically.

He laughed softly, kissed my hair and then buried his face in it. "Good night, Roza."

"Night, comrade," I murmured before closing my eyes.

I'd planned on having a good night's sleep and since it was already past midnight, I'd wanted to stay in bed until noon or so, but, unfortunately, I was woken up by the constant ringing of the bell at eight in the morning.

"Who the hell is that?" I grumbled, sitting up in bed. "It's a Saturday! Who is up at eight on a Saturday?!"

"People who have to work, Roza," Dimitri said calmly as he sat up and pulled on some pants.

"Then why are they ringing the bell here at eight in the morning?" I said, gritting my teeth. The noise was starting to really piss me off. "Why aren't they at work?"

"I don't know, Roza," Dimitri said, hurrying to the door. "It's probably Ivan."

I pulled on one of Dimitri's shirts and followed him down to the hallway. The kids were also up, all confused as to why the bell was ringing this early in the morning on a Saturday. I was glad to know that I wasn't the only one wondering this.

It came as a total surprise, though, when Dimitri opened the front door and Ivan didn't step inside. Honestly, I'd really thought it would be him. Because who else would do something like that? And now I kind of wished it had been Ivan because the person standing in the hallway was the last one I wanted to see here. Especially this early in the morning.

"Mom!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning," she responded stiffly. "I hope I didn't wake you up."

I arched an eyebrow. "You rang the bell for five minutes! Of course you woke us up. Now, why are you here?"

"I figured you'd be here," she said with a shrug. "I need to talk to you. And you too, Dimitri." She looked back at me and glanced me over. "Nice pajamas, Rose."

I looked down at Dimitri's shirt. It was too big, of course, and came to my knees. Mom was still looking at it; I was sure she didn't like it very much.

"Dad, who's that lady?" Liam whispered as he tugged at Dimitri's arm.

"That's Rose's mother," Dimitri answered, glancing over at my mom. "She, uh, is here to talk to us. So you guys better go back upstairs, okay?"

"Why?" Inna asked frowning.

"Because we need to discuss something in private," my mother cut in, giving her a stern look.

Inna recoiled and Liam looked like he was going to cry.

"Mom!" I said warningly.

"Just go upstairs for me, okay?" Dimitri said, ushering them to the stairs. "I need to talk to Rose's mother for a little while and then I'll come and get you, okay? Why don't you guys get ready and when I'm done here, we'll go into town and have breakfast there?"

Inna and Alisa nodded. Liam just looked confused. Alisa took him by the hand and pulled him with her. He was reluctant to leave his daddy, but when Alisa tugged his hand a second time, he followed.

When they were gone, Dimitri turned to my mother. "I don't appreciate you coming over here and talking to my kids like this. You scared them," he said, trying to contain his anger.

"That was not my intention. My apologies," Mom responded in a monotone voice.

"Mom! Why are you here?" I demanded. She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off. "Did you forget what I said to you? That if you'd try to talk to Dimitri, I would-"

"Yes, I heard you loud and clear," she interrupted, annoyed.

"And you came anyway?" I shouted. "What I said means nothing to you? You don't care if I cut you out of my life?"

"Roza," Dimitri said, moving to stand beside me. He took my hand in his and squeezed it. "Calm down."

"Of course I care," my dear mother replied, her face impassive. It seemed to me like she didn't give a care at all. "But I'm leaving in an hour and I knew you'd be here, so I came down here to say goodbye."

I stared at her, perplexed. "You came to say goodbye?" I repeated dumbly. "Where are you going?" Then I realized. "Oh, did your boyfriend call? Did he miss you and did he want you to come to Spain?"

"Something like that," she responded, crossing her arms. "But I didn't come here to discuss that. Before I leave, I wanted you to know…" She paused and glanced away briefly. Taking a deep breath, she looked into my eyes and tried again. "I want you to know that I don't approve of your relationship with Dimitri-"

I laughed humorlessly. "I already know that!"

"I wasn't finished yet," she said scowling.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said sarcastically. "Please continue."

Dimitri squeezed my hand again, silently telling me I should keep my cool.

"So, I don't approve," she said. She paused again, waiting for me to interrupt again, but when I didn't, she continued, "but I'll accept your relationship. And…" Her face showed me it was clear that she was having a hard time with this. "I'm sorry I told Dimitri to break up with you," she managed to apologize at last. "I shouldn't have done that, but you have to know I was only doing it because I thought it was what's best for you. And I know," she added quickly when she saw the look on my face, "you think Dimitri is the best for you so I'm going to accept that now."

Then she turned to look at Dimitri. "I'm sorry, Dimitri. I shouldn't have made you break up with my daughter. I shouldn't have meddled. I just think – I mean, I thought that this was going to end in disaster and I wanted to save my daughter the pain and the heartbreak. I hope you can understand." She sighed. "Your kids seem lovely and you seem like a decent guy, Dimitri. Honestly, I hope this works out because I'd hate to say 'I told you so'."

Now she was giving me a pointed look. "But don't come crying when it doesn't work out, Rose." Her eyes fixed on Dimitri next. "And it's not because I don't approve you can break my daughter's heart. Understood?"

"I would never do anything to hurt Rose," Dimitri said firmly. "She's the love of my life and I will always be here for her. Even when the day comes she doesn't want me anymore."

"I don't really know you, but you seem like an honest man," Mom said, "so I'm going to believe you." She glanced back at me. "So…" she said slowly. "I guess that's all I wanted to say. Do you have something to say to me?"

I was a little shocked so it took a while before I realized she was talking to me. "Umm," I said, not sure if I wanted to add something to that little speech of hers. At last, I decided that I should say something. "I accept your apology and…have fun in Spain."

It came out forced, but that was all I could say right now. Although I appreciated her apology, I was still mad at her for meddling in the first place and then coming back to meddle again.

Mom nodded. "Thank you. Well, goodbye then."

It was quiet for a few moments and then she stepped forward hesitantly and hugged me. It was a little awkward. I patted her back, not sure what to do or to say, and was relieved when she pulled back and walked to the door.

"Goodbye, Mom," I said.

She glanced back one last time and a tiny smile covered her lips. "Good luck to you both."

And then she was gone.

So what do you think of Janine now? Please leave me a review and tell me what you think! :)

Have a nice day/evening! ;)