Abe'sPOV

"It's going to be fine, Janine."

All five-stressed-feet of Janine Hathaway stood up stick-straight in front of me, glaring. "Our daughter fell in love with her

teacher, Abe! Not to mention how sexed-up they could be after the six weeks in Russia they've just come back from! How is it going to be fine at dinner? Are they even going to confess?"

I sighed and dared to put my hands on her shoulders. "I know that, and I don't doubt they're going to tell us."

"You can't know for sure." She huffed and turned away to go back to checking her outfit in the room's full-length mirror. "And are you sure this isn't too much? I feel weird."

I laughed and wrapped my arms around her waist. "It's just enough. And you look like the definition of perfection."

She frowned at my compliment. "Of course I do to you, you're a flirt and a womanizer."

"I'm hurt, Janine. You know you're the light in my eye even in a ratty tee and track pants."

"Stop sweet-talking me like I'm another one of those women. I'm the mother of your only child!" she chastised and played with the way her skirt sat. "Ugh! How am I meant to fight in this garish outfit?"

"You're not. That's exactly why I bought it for you, so that our daughter doesn't get hurt by you because she's defending Belikov."

"I hate you!" She pulled out of my embrace.

"No you don't. If you hated me you would have left me out of Rose's life entirely. You must still love me at least just a little." I knew I had her cornered. Her blush confirmed she knew I had her. "See, you're blushing. You can deny it all you want, but nearly nineteen years apart hasn't stopped you loving me."

We met with Rose and Belikov outside the door to the best restaurant at Court. They weren't holding hands but they still screamed that they were in a relationship just by their proximity.

"Mom, old man."

"You could always just call me Dad for a change, little girl."

"I'll think about it when pigs fly and Strigoi get burned by moonlight."

"Rose," Belikov warned in a light voice and with a soft, amused smile. He offered his hand to shake mine and Janine's. "Mr Mazur, Guardian Hathaway."

"Which one?" playfully glared Rose.

"Not you," he laughed lightly before recomposing himself.

The way he looked at her out of the corner of his eye throughout dinner... it was the way I always looked at Janine. Yup. He was head over heels. And if their light banter had anything to do with it, then I knew we were up for a confession from them. Actually, they did seem to be radiating that post-sex shine... No. It was something more than that. There was a glow about them, an unparalleled happiness and contentment. Maybe, just maybe I could approve of him in time. I didn't know my daughter too well on the personal level, but I knew her enough to know she didn't seem to be the sappy type, and yet Belikov was making her immeasurably happy and turning her sappy as a result.

"So... how was Russia?" I asked while having dessert.

"How'd you know?" exclaimed Rose. She looked between me, Janine and Belikov in search of answers.

"He helped us get through customs, Roza," sappily smiled Belikov. And there it was. The major slip up.

"Why did you take our daughter to Russia, Guardian Belikov?" warned Janine. Not even I would cross her.

"I took her to Russia to meet my family and change her stereotypical image of Siberia. I took her to Russia as a graduation present." Belikov's eyes locked with Rose's and their hands found each other's. "I took her to Russia to show her the world I grew up in, to spend time alone with her while travelling and showing her the part of the world I could offer her because I'm irrevocably in love with her." Both of pairs of brown eyes met ours steadfastly, daringly.

"He took me to Russia to take me to see Giselle in the Bolshoi theatre on its opening night for this season and propose on stage immediately after bows." Rose held her left hand out. On the ring finger sat a platinum ring adorned with diamonds and emeralds. "I accepted. Mom, Abe, the reason we came at all tonight is because we wanted to give you this in person." Rose opened her clutch and handed over a matte mocha-colored envelope.

"This is an invite, isn't it?" I asked knowingly. Beside me, Janine was tomato-red with anger under a perfectly crafted mask of harsh indifference.

Belikov and Rose nodded. "Yes. It is. I mightn't know you, Abe, but I'd still be honored if you'd walk me down the aisle and Not kill my fiancé in between now and our vows."

My heart swelled with honor. I might want to kill Dimitri Belikov just as much as Janine wanted to right now. But I was still honored and dumbfounded that Rose wanted me hand her over to her twenty-five year old ex-teacher.

"You'll do no such thing, Ibrahim. And you aren't going to even so-much-as date Belikov, Rosemarie."

Rose both looked ready to explode and punch her mother and break down into tears, simultaneously. "I'm not a child, Mother," she spat. "I'm am adult and in love. If you can't accept that the mere thought of marrying Dimitri makes me indescribably ecstatically happy then I'll have Lissa reprint the invite so you aren't included. If my mother can't be happy that I've found the person who understands me and makes me happy then I don't want you at my wedding. Either of you."

Janine looked taken aback at Rose's blunt attitude towards her mother. Honestly, I was a little shocked too. What has gotten into my little girl? I couldn't deny she wasn't a child, but was she ready to marry? Was she ready to marry Dimitri Belikov? Did she have the life experience for it at only eighteen?

I took a good look into her brown eyes. Trauma. So much trauma. But such a fire, such an unparalleled understanding of the world- our world- at such a young age. She had been through so much this year. She hadn't been sheltered by the Academy's wards. She wasn't ignorant nor was she uneducated about the real world. She still had so much to learn, sure, but I could see it now that she had too much for her age. She had enough life experience to marry Belikov. I may still want to make him hurt for taking my daughter away from me, for making a lover of his minor student, but I could not and would not stop my baby girl getting hitched with the man who so clearly worshipped her. At least he couldn't get her pregnant...

"Rose, Belikov, give us a minute. Janine," I helped her up and guided her to the bathroom precinct. "Janine, stop being so hard on her. She's ready. As far as I'm concerned, I'm certain she's ready. He absolutely worships her. She's been through so much this year. She's more mature than her eighteen years. You have to accept this is happening whether we like it or not."

Janine let her mask fall so she could look at me frantically, pleadingly. "Abe, I know she's been through too much but she's still just a child! He's been a guardian for seven years! How is she supposed to be a guardian and a wife? At eighteen!"

I resisted the need to groan. "And you say she shouldn't be coddled?"

Janine thew me a glare that should scare Strigoi... yet given the context it seemed a childish reaction, almost as if she was sticking he tongue out because she couldn't have her way. "Abe, if Belikov marry's her, he'll coddle her."

I narrowed my eyes so they didn't roll. "Janie, he's going to marry her on Friday no matter what. And no, I don't believe he'll coddle her. I think you're coddling her by attempting to block this marriage."

Janine's brown eyes bugged and she shook her head. Those red curls were far too short. "No I'm not. You're coddling her by letting it happen."

I tugged on my hair. She was being unreasonable. Again. "Do you want to have a relationship with your daughter or don't you?"

Taken off-guard for once she blushed and turned sheepish. She slowly nodded. "Of course."

"Then accept her life's moving faster than it ought to and play your role as the mother of the bride. You may only get it once."

"I cannot believe I let you talk me into going dress hunting with her tomorrow!" Janine exclaimed while I shut the door to my guest housing room. It might as well be ours... "In fact, I can't believe I even let you talk me into accepting this marriage in the first place!"

RPOV

Ugh. Mom was tagging along with Lissa and Mia taking me dress hunting today. She'd very reluctantly accepted that I was marrying Dimitri. I don't want to think about what threats Abe had made to get her to change her tune last night. It was too gross, let alone at this ungodly hour of the morning.

"We've still got to remember to get something that will look perfect on the Belikova girls too, guys," I reminded my two present over zealous dress hunting bridesmaids.

Lissa waved her hand. "They'll be here before we've even sorted out your dress."

"Lissa! This one's perfectly fine."

Mia and Lissa scowled. "Perfectly fine is not perfect. That dress isn't quite right. What's wrong with it, Mia?"

Mia narrowed her eyes, analysing it. Analysing me, maybe even. "It's too plain. Besides, the white is the wrong shade."

"Mom? What do you think?"

Mom studied me too before shaking her head. "It's fine if you think your groom or family will let you fight in the hopefully unlikely event a Strigoi attack occurs. If everything else is full-out then your dress should be impractical and you should not have heels that could be their own type of weaponry."

I groaned. "Not you too!"

Janine Hathaway dared to smirk at me. "If your father never plucks up the courage then I want your day to be perfect. I might not like the timing or your groom choice but I do want you to have a dress that he'll not expect you to wear, one that restricts you from fighting. Heaven knows there's going to be plenty of dhampir and guardians there anyway."

"Oh my god!" Vika squealed when she arrived sometime later. She was bumping, that was obvious, but it could still be hidden if she wanted to hide it for Friday. "That's it! That's your dress! It's perfect, Roza!"

I stepped down from the dais to hug her. "Well then, if the rest of the party agrees like I do, then I think we've at least sorted this one out." I smiled and pecked her cheek. "Welcome to the States, Vika. And I think there's people that need to meet you and the others. Oh, and how's my second nephew?"

"She's fine. And my brother is going to struggle to not salivate with you in that dress," she teased.

"Aunt Roza!" cheered Zoya. I smiled and bent down to her level. Not easy to do with a sparkling corset topped, strapless, Princess dress that controlled my range of motion. I was just glad that Mom hadn't laced it up too tight.

"Hello sweetie." I took her in my arms and kissed her cheek. "I missed you, Zoya."

"Miss you too," she pouted then kissed my cheek and stepped away from my embrace. She smiled. "You pretty, Aunt Roza!"

A chorus of "Aww" resounded.

"Vika's right," laughed Sonya when I finally got around to hugging her and peeking at Nadia, asleep in her car capsule. "Dimka's going to go mad."

"You really think so?" Maybe the dress would be worth it if it teased my very-soon-to-be husband.

"We all know so," Olena answered for her middle daughter. "Rose, he struggles enough to keep his hands off you when you're in a tee shirt and jeans, he's going to want that dress off you before he's even had part of a chance to see you in it."

"That makes no sense, Olena, but thanks."

She smiled and hugged me once more.

We returned to hunting after introductions had been made. Lissa, Mia and Viktoria all got along well together. Sonya, Nadia, Karo and Zoya stayed to themselves but did get along well with Lissa and Mia too. I think the moms, like Olena, felt incredibly awkward with how much money Lissa was willing to spend on them. And as for Olena, well... she spent a great deal of energy getting to know her only son's mother in law. To my surprise, Mom was uncharacteristically but genuinely friendly, welcoming, and forthcoming. Well, that's different. I guess I should be grateful my family was getting along. They were all so special to me.

"Rose, you absolutely need a reception dress," Vika commented while Karo was helping Zoya try on her third flower girl dress. This one was green and purple. Dimitri and I had decided while thumbing through the decorator's catalogues yesterday that we'd add a deep, royal purple to the deep-sea blue and emerald green color scheme. That was why I was sure this dress would be the right one.

"Vika, it's fine as it is." I didn't want to try any more dresses on. I was spent, and all I wanted to do was snuggle with Dimitri. In bed.

We had a big day tomorrow. One orphanage had already profiled us and called us in because we were the first couple to contact them in over a month and they were running out of space... just like the other few orphanages around the country. Not that those ones had contacted us yet, I knew that fact from Dimitri's many pamphlets. Remind me again how I'd let him talk me into adopting a child? The scary thing was, I had actually been excited by this morning's early-morning call. So excited I'd forgotten all about Mom and dress hunting until I'd thought about how pissed she'd be when she heard. I think after last night I was more worried over her reaction to the potential future adoption news than I was about the potential future child of mine. And that was saying something.

"Where are you two off to?" asked a suspicious Olena when Dimitri and I tried to sneak out early the next morning. She was currently in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. Caught out. Dimitri slightly blushed in embarrassment. What kind of hosts were we? Leaving her to cook while we went searching for another mouth to feed that belonged to a child we loved unconditionally. They hadn't flown thousands of miles only for us to ignore them. But this appointment had been set up in the hours before we knew when they were arriving. We couldn't back out now.

"We have a meeting, Mama," covered an uncomfortable Dimitri.

"Dimitri Belikov, don't lie to me, no one has meetings this early in the Moroi morning that they feel they have to sneak out to."

Dimitri sighed. He hated his mother calling him by Dimitri, let alone Dimitri with Belikov run on. He loved his mother so much it was adorable. Here he was, a twenty-five-year-old six foot seven battle god, and he was almost cowering under his mother's questioning. "We have an appointment across Court with the owner of Kids First, the orphanage."

Olena's jaw dropped in shock and disbelief. "Are- already?"

Dimitri and I smiled at each other and nodded. "Yes, Olena. We're already meeting some of the kids that need a loving home."

Her gape quickly turned into a huge grin. "Thank you, Roza!" She came around the breakfast island and hugged me. "Thank you so much for giving Dimka everything he deserves. Thank you for being so willing to adopt. Besides, you're going to make a great mother, child from your womb or not."

I hugged her back quickly and laughed lightly. "I don't want to ever carry a child that isn't half me and half Dimitri. Our child is either blood related to the both of us or blood related to neither."

"Ma, please stop hogging my wife so we can get to our meeting?" I think I detected a hint of jealousy in his voice. I knew for certain there was happiness ringing from his words. And excitement. But nerves too. What if none of the kids accepted us? What if none of them liked us?

"Hi, I'm Elaine, you must be the Belikovs?" enquired the woman whose voice I recognised from the call yesterday. She was a dhampir, surprisingly enough, and looked to be a little older than Alberta. Her hair was cropped so that you could see her promise mark and three molnija marks. A retired guardian. And obviously a well connected and well respected one too, given she was running this orphanage. It was pleasantly homely and the few older kids I saw walking by weren't dressed in rags. Their clothes certainly weren't designer, but they weren't rags. The place was clean but not sterile, sorta messy but not dirty.

Elaine'sPOV

I knew a lot about Rose Hathaway, soon to be Belikov without the profiling. She was a top-notch guardian before graduation and her fiancé had been her respected mentor and still is a very highly regarded seasoned guardian. I just knew that one of the kids was going to be adopted today. I could feel it in my bones. These two engaged guardians looked like they'd make wonderful parents. They were currently dressed in casual but appropriate clothes and they appeared relaxed and ready to start their family. Rose may have only been eighteen, but she didn't look it, nor did she act it. At least around her fiancé. That worked in her favor. There was lots in her Academy reports that worked against her, but a lot of her behaviour here today was what mattered now. We had so many kids that needed homes, and if she and Dimitri were going to work to provide that home, then they were going to have a son or daughter.

"So, what we do here at Kids First to approve an adoption is: we let you meet with the kids in a playground situation, then we like you to have a meal with them here, so today you'll have morning tea with them, then you can both privately speak to as many as you'd like in this office. As we know already from your profiling, your house meets Moroi safety standards so if you wish to sign any papers today you can take him or her home with you. Then we have a four month observation period, which is where we regularly check in with you- unannounced- to see how well the child has settled in and ensure the child proves to be in as safe hands as we believe we're putting them in. After that period, we have you re-sign the adoption forms and the child officially becomes yours through the name change being approved."

It was an exhaustive process for all involved and many Royal Moroi were too obsessed with bloodlines while the common Moroi felt they didn't have the money or time because they were too busy earning the money. Many Academies shunned these children and excluded them because no one would be paying fees for them. And many dhampir couldn't take them in because the law required them to be married- if not shun-ably to another dhampir then to, heaven forbid, a Moroi. I believe that adoption law was intentionally made to exclude and deter guardians from being distracted. So, the Belikovs who now sat in front of me were the exception and a fire in their eyes told me they were determined to do everything they could to raise one of these children as their own and still be guardians. These two I could see were ones that weren't scared to dare to be different, they weren't scared to dare to follow their hearts. And I so badly wanted one of the kids to find a home with them today.

As soon as they stepped into the backyard come playground all eyes turned to them. Tots as young as two played out here with kids twelve and older. A certain fourteen-year-old, curly-brunette dhampir girl with piercing blue eyes caught Rose's attention while a certain five year old dhampir boy with the same blue eyes and curls but blond caught Dimitri's eyes. Rose approached the teen- Catherine- while Dimitri approached little Scott. I knew the two to be cousins and it had made it even harder to find a home for them because Catherine would not leave Scott behind and Scott wouldn't let Catherine go. They'd already been raised more as siblings than cousins.

RPOV

"Rose?" Catie asked nervously as she pulled me aside after morning tea.

"Yes, Catie?" I replied gently. I was pretty sure she was already becoming like a little sister to me. A big little sister I could handle mothering... I think.

Her blue eyes glistened with tears. "I want to know, would you still want take me in if you knew my past wasn't perfect?"

"Of course, sweetie." I couldn't stop myself. I pulled her into a hug, scared to ever let go of this girl who was opening up to me, trusting me. "No one has a perfect past, one day I'm sure Dimitri will tell you his when the time comes. I'll let you know right now that my mother handed custody of me over St Vlad's when I was four and only decided to properly be in my life after I made my first kill. Honey, Dimitri and I will still take you in as our own, no matter what." I couldn't very well leave her here to face another rejection. I couldn't be the next in a long line of couples to reject her and Scott.

"And Scott?"

I smiled and nodded against the top of her head. "If you come as a package deal, we'll have the both of you. Besides, I don't think Dimitri could part from him." I spun her in my arms and nodded to where Scott and Dimitri were playing. "I think that little cousin of yours has my husband literally wrapped around his little finger, don't you agree?"

She smiled, nodded and coughed on a laugh while her tears dried. "He's had many couples wrapped, but as soon as he says he won't leave without me..." she shook her head and sighed. "It all changes. So far nearly all of the couples willing to take siblings want the little babies from the nursery or toddlers."

I smiled mischievously at the vulnerable but incredibly brave girl who cocked a single brow in return. Okay, that seals it, Catherine was going to be our eldest and if Dimitri didn't like it... well, I had my punishments and a few tricks up my sleeves to convince him. "Why don't you go take Scott from Dimitri and wait for us near Elaine's office while we go find her, huh?"

She grinned and nodded before hugging me. "Thank you, Rose! ThankYou, ThankYou, ThankYou!"

"You really shouldn't have gotten her hopes up, Rose," Dimitri whispered while taking my hand in his.

I shook my head. "If you want to take Scott home with us, Belikov, then accept that Catie comes with him. Or you won't See me until Miracle is three."

Dimitri's jaw clenched. His bugging eyes told me his jaw set so it didn't drop. "I do hope you mean three weeks, Roza, not three months," he returned in a lust-caused thickened Russian accent. His eyes burned with desire and longing. Ha ha. Oh, I was mean to him sometimes.

"Oh, I mean years, Comrade. I. Mean. Years." I purred while seductively caressing his muscular forearm.

"You'd never survive!"

I smirked and disentangled. "Oh, trust me, I would. I would survive. I'd have a teenage daughter to mentor and mother. Could you survive?"

Olena'sPOV

I was slowly making sense of Dimka and Roza's kitchen. I still could not believe they were already adopting. I knew Dimitri had longed for a child; Yeva had told me after they'd left Baia how much he longed for Her child. But they'd both embraced adoption and were already out meeting an orphanage full of kids in need of parents as loving as my only son and his wife. Well, wife in a couple of days time.

That's why I was ecstatic when Rose and Dimitri weren't the only ones to walk in the door. Rose had a teenage dhampir girl clinging to her side while my son had a little dhampir boy perched on his hip. This was their family. I only needed one fraction of a second glimpse to know that this teenage dhampir girl and little dhampir boy were Rose and Dimitri's kids. Well, the girl could pass as Rose's sister if it weren't for the bright blue eyes. And the boy could be Dimka's son, if not for the blue eyes and blond hair. One thing was clear, these two kids were related and came as a package deal. One my son and daughter in law were willing to take in as their own. They were a family and anyone would be able to spot it a even a million miles away.

"Hey Olena," Rose greeted with a smile.

"Hi Mama," echoed Dimka.

"Olena, I'd like you to meet our daughter, Catherine," Rose smiled at Catherine, the name suited her, "Catie, sweetheart, this is Dimitri's mother, Olena."

I smiled at the girl and opened my arms welcomingly. "I don't bite. You'll soon learn almost all I do is cook."

She looked up warily at Rose. "Rose?"

Rose smiled and nodded encouragingly and tapped her in my direction. The girl came into my arms. "You can call me Olena, or Babushka, Nana, Grandma, or whatever."

"Babushka..." she tried before stepping away. "Babushka..." she sounded it out again. "Babushka..." Catherine smiled before saying it one last time. "Babushka. I like it." She hugged me again. "I think I'll get to like you, Babushka. Please, call me Catie."

I smiled. "I'm honoured, Catie. And you know what?"

"What?" She looked back up at me with eyes shining with her mother's curiosity and cunning. Yes, she didn't need to be genetically related to Rose to be just like her.

"You look just like Rose. Welcome to the family, sweetie."

I don't think I've ever seen a teenage girl so happy. "Thank you, Babushka, thank you!"

"Hey! Who's doing all that Babushkaing?" called Vika as she emerged from the back yard to join us in the living area.

"Uhh... me?" nervously replied Catie while returning to Rose's side. "And you are?"

"And you are?" Vika looked curiously between the new family's members.

"Our daughter," proudly said Dimitri.

"Rose's, Dimitri," she replied. "I'm Rose's daughter until you stop obsessing over Scott."

The look of shock and offence on Dimitri's face was priceless. "I'm not obsessing over your brother, Catherine."

"Well it's not like you've spent much time with her, Dimitri," Rose sided.

"Ouch!" commented my youngest.

"In case you haven't noticed, Rose, we did just adopt a teen and a preschooler we just met. Besides, I'm sure Scott will end up as Mommy's precious boy while Catie will soon enough become Daddy's perfect Princess."

"Don't count on it, Dimitri," snarked Catherine. Yup. She was Rose's little girl, even though she was only a small handful of years younger than her adoptive Mom.

"Now, what's this about a grandson?" I intervened.

The group relaxed and laughed.

"Ma, Scott here," he bounced the boy on his hip, "is actually Catherine's cousin. But they never left without each other and Rose drove a hard bargain for me to agree to the two-in-one." His light pink cheeks told me exactly what kind of deal Rose had driven. Go Rose, because I couldn't imagine them only coming home with Scott.

Catie'sPOV

"Rose, it's too much," I argued against the expensive, satin, deep-sea blue and royal-purple-bowed, one-cap-sleeved bridesmaid's dress.

"Catie, I want you to have the best dress there is that suits you. This one's perfect." Rose groaned and rolled her eyes. "Now I sound like the rest of the bridal-party-zillas."

I laughed and smiled at her before hugging her. "It's your wedding, Rose. If you really want me in it, and in this dress, I'll accept."

I looked in the mirror in the extravagant bridal store only Royals were known for buying from. I looked... like some other girl. The reflection had my hair and my eyes, my face and body. But I didn't look like I'd not had a family for years. I didn't look like the traumatised and scared girl I was so used to seeing look back at me. I looked... pretty. I felt pretty. For the first time in years I felt pretty, I saw myself in the mirror as the pretty girl I once had been. I looked like I had a family that cared about me, parents that loved me. I felt... spoilt. I hadn't felt spoilt like this since before Scott had moved in with my now-long-since dead parents. I felt like I had someone who knew how to make me look my absolute best. And finally, for the first time in years, I felt confident in myself. I could never thank Rose... and I had to reluctantly add Dimitri, too... enough. Family. I had a second shot at it. Scott had a third.

I smiled with happy tears in my eyes. My life was looking up once more and I couldn't believe it started with a wedding of my adoptive parents, that it started today, with this dress.

"Catie? Are you okay?" Rose rushed out, scared and worried. "I didn't pressure you, did I? God! I'm so, so sorry, sweetie!"

I laughed and shook my head. "No need to freak out, Rose. I just haven't felt or seen myself as this pretty in a very long time. These tears are very happy, very thankful ones, Mom." It slipped out, but I meant it.

I missed my own birth mother, certainly, but I already felt as though Rose deserved the title. She was treating me like my mother hadn't since I was about eight when I failed one PE test. She'd kept going on and on about it. I believed her at the time. Mother knows best, and all... But now I suspected there was more to it. Hell! I knew there was more to it. My father... I wouldn't go there. Not until I knew Dimitri and his story.

"Catie... you- you don't hav-"

"Rose, you deserve the title. I mean it. Rose, you're the closest thing I've had to a mother in years. If you'll let me, I'd like to occasionally call you Mom. Only if you'll let me?"

Rose's brown eyes glistened as she nodded. "Of course, Catie. I never intend to step on toes or try fill in roles in your life, but if you ever want to call me Mom, I'll always be humbled to hear it." She hugged me tight. Safety. I knew she was a badass guardian, both she and Dimitri were, but that wasn't why I felt safe. I felt safe because I felt accepted. Accepted and respected. And Rose was an untouchable Strigoi slayer. I didn't need to be in the folds of society to know that.

I knew three absolute truths about Guardian Rose Hathaway in that moment. One, Rose Hathaway was a badass. Two, Rose Hathaway was marrying Dimitri Belikov on Friday. Three, Rose Hathaway was my mother. And nothing was going to change that. I wouldn't let it be changed. Ever.

For dinner, Babushka cooked a feast and Rose invited who she called "Everyone" over. Everyone, I slowly learned as they came through the front door, was the Dragomir Princess, Christian Ozera, Tasha Ozera and the rest of Rose's friendship group. Dimitri's family was there because they were living with us for a little bit. Then came Guardian Hathaway and a Moroi male who looked like a pirate mobster who could break knee caps and who would enjoy it. He looked, to me, to be very close to Rose in his features. And attitude I soon learned.

"Little girl," he greeted Mom before nodding beyond the front door. "I heard you and the Belikovas were throwing an engagement party. Can we come in?"

"You could have just walked straight in like the rest of us, Old man. Besides, I'm already gesturing you in. Hi Mom."

"Hello Rosemarie."

"It's- never mind." Mom led them through to the open downstairs dining area where I was playing with Scott, Paul and Zoya. Zo would have to go to bed soon. Aunt Sonya had already put Nadia to bed. "Hey Catie, Scott, come meet my parents." Scott was at Rose's side in a moment and begging to be picked up. Dimitri didn't like it when Rose lifted Scott up. I didn't get why. But whatever, I put it down to him being overprotective of Rose and possessive of Scott, jealous maybe.

I followed Scott to Rose's side, making it there in time to see him pout and puppy-face and her to give in and pick him up. "Yeah, Mom?" I'd already lost track of how many times I'd called her that since she went shopping for me with me this afternoon. It felt good to call her Mom. I'd missed saying the word to someone who loved me like a Mom.

"Catie, sweetie, I'm sure you recognise my Mom, Guardian Hathaway," she introduced me to the guardian I certainly did recognise. I'd seen her once in passing this afternoon.

"Pleased to meet you, Guardian Hathaway," I offered her my hand to shake.

"Likewise... Catie, was it?"

"Yes." Well, at least she could recall my name. That was a start. Then Rose gestured to the mobster looking guy.

"And this, Catie, is my father, Abe Mazur."

"Nice to meet you." I shook his hand though he was studying me curiously. I didn't like the way he was looking at me, or my family. Then again, he was a part of said family of mine through Rose.

"Mom, Abe, this one here," Rose ran a hand through Scott's hair, "is Scott, Catie's brother. Say hi, Scottster."

"Hi," he waved shyly before yawning snuggling into Rose. "I tired, Momma."

With a smile and tears in her eyes, Rose's heart leaped in her chest. I knew because I recognised the look. It was still so surreal to her and I knew a part of her felt as though she was unworthy of the title from us. "If you'll excuse us, Mom, Dad," Abe's expression mirrored Rose's, "I've got to put this tyke to bed."

"Honey, I'll do it," offered Dimitri from the adjacent kitchen.

"No you won't, Dimitri. You've got cooking to do and please play host while I'm absent for a little."

"Rose," warned her mother, "let Belikov put Scott to bed, your father and I and everyone in this room too I bet wants answers."

"We've got them," called Aunt Vika.

Guardian Hathaway scowled while Abe's expression remained neutral. Too neutral.

"Mom, please, just let me put Scott to bed. Dimitri and I promise to explain as soon as I'm back." Rose nudged a sleepy Scott. "Where's Catie's night-night kiss and cuddle?"

"I don't like this," I heard Guardian Hathaway whisper to Abe when I returned to playing with Paul and Zoya.

"What? That there's suddenly kids in the house calling Rose Mom?" his reply was light and conversational.

"I'm serious, Abe. First the shot gun wedding now Scott and Catie? I don't like this." She sounded distressed and pissed, her words were sharp. The tone was too familiar but I would not cry. She was Rose's until-now absent mother, not mine. It didn't stop the feeling of rejection and exclusion. Reason did not always stop pain. Especially this type of pain that cut so deep. I was glad Scott was in bed, well, going to bed at least. I took some steadying breaths and cleared the distressing thoughts and feelings from me. Rose was here. Dimitri was here. Scott was their baby now. Scott was their responsibility, not mine. It was a new and foreign idea to me. Someone else truly and fully taking care of him.

Dinner was served before Rose rejoined us. With the baby monitor in her hand, Rose sat between me and Dimitri. He'd already placed her full plate in place. Before anyone else could begin, Rose cleared her throat meaningfully.

"I know many of you already know this, but we'll reiterate for Mom and Abe: Catie and Scott are our children," Rose announced proudly while lacing her hand with Dimitri's. I'm not normally so sentimental, but I wanted a love like theirs one day. I also wanted to be like my Mom. I wanted to prove to her that her pride in me was not misplaced. I didn't just want to, I needed to prove it.

Rose's mother's face turned beet red. It was oddly comical. Especially given her hair. "You're eighteen, Rosemarie! What the hell were you thinking! And Belikov, I swear to god you-"

"Shush!" I finally cried. "Firstly,

Scott's asleep upstairs, and so is cousin Nadia. Secondly, I don't care if you gave birth to Rose or not, but no one, I mean no one, talks to my parents that way. Rose and Dimitri are giving us a family and future, and for that I love them immeasurably. From now on they are my Mom and Dad, Scott's Mommy and Daddy, and I wouldn't change it for the world." I stood and pecked Rose and Dimitri's cheeks. "I don't think in hungry anymore, Mom, Dad. May I be excused?"

Rose narrowed her eyes speculatively before meeting Dimitri's. They both smiled and nodded at me. "You're excused, sweetie, it's been a long and stressful day for you," okayed Rose.

"We love you, Catie. Just put your food in the fridge and we'll see you in the morning, baby girl."

My parents stood and hugged me, kissed my forehead, then let me go. I put my dinner away in the fridge after thanking Babushka and Dimitri and farewelling the others.

Today had been life changing. I was reminded of that as I reached the top step and spotted my customised door. Pink and purple heart stickers of various sizes littered the surface with silver star stickers interspersed. And a chalkboard hanging nameplate with my name spelled with green chalk in Dimitri's gorgeous script. I smiled. MY room. I stepped in and collapsed against the back of the door in a soft but dramatic way. I'd chosen, and helped Dimitri build the furniture in this room. I'd chosen the pale pink to paint the feature wall. I'd chosen the novels to go into the bookcase I'd been given. I'd even been given a touchscreen laptop. My bed was an over-the-top oak four-poster, with white netting, and happened to be king sized. To contrast the white, pink and purple I was surrounded by, I'd picked sky-blue sheets and pillow cases. I smiled again and sighed once more. This was my new life. The white garment bag hanging in front of the wardrobe door proved it. After changing into my new, soft, red summer pyjamas I collapsed into bed. My life was looking up, and my last though before exhaustion pulled me into a welcomed dreamless sleep was that I loved Rose and Dimitri and was eternally grateful for them.

DPOV

Janine was bright red still while zmey just looked dangerously thoughtful when we were finishing eating. Rose had inherited that look as a part of inheriting his logic. Roza and I let Catie escape the mounting tension that was happening mainly because of Janine's disapproval and barely controlled anger. I didn't doubt she'd be up later and after her plate. She'd been through enough changes for one day.

"You haven't answered my question," bit out Janine, "what were you thinking?"

"What were we thinking? We were thinking that we love them and can provide them with a loving home and family. Don't ruin this for us, Mom," Rose narrowed her eyes and locked her jaw dangerously, "better yet, don't ruin this for them."

"Janie," murmured Abe while resting a hand over hers. "Let them make their own mistakes."

Rose stood abruptly with tears in her eyes. "They aren't mistakes! Nice to know I am. Weddings and kids were supposed to be happy changes in life. I thought your opinion of me and my choices was different, Abe." Her anger, condemnation, and disappointment was blindingly apparent.

I stood after Rose started walking away from the table. "Thanks, Janine. Thanks for hurting my wife and daughter. I thought I could understand your reasoning sometimes when Rose refused to try. All you done the last two dinners is prove me wrong. So I'm not sure I want you around my family." I turned to face Lissa and my mother. "I'm sorry about this not turning out as planned. I'm checking on Rose and it would be appreciated if-"

Lissa and my mother nodded. "Go. She needs you, Dimitri."

"We'll sort the rest of this out, Dimka. That wife of yours needs you right now."

"Thank you." I promptly followed Rose's course upstairs to our room.

"Did we do the right thing? Dimitri, did we do the right thing adopting Catie and Scott?" begged a sobbing Rose from our bed when I stepped in the door. I raced to her side and hugged her tightly.

"Yes, Roza. We did do the right thing adopting them. And you know what I think? I think they are both going to be as strong characters as you and be just as dangerous guardians when the time comes. You know what else I think, Roza? I think you are going to make one kickass mother. And I know that you already are. I've seen the way Catie looks at you. She worships you, she idolise's you. Her mother. And Scottie just loves you, pure and simple. It's very hard not to." After she had stopped her tears I murmured to her in Russian. "Do you want me to run you a bath, babe?"

"Babe?" she giggled. "How can I say no? And you are joining, aren't you?" she whispered suggestively.

I groaned. "Roza... hun... I won't take advantage of you..." She was so hard to resist!

Her lips attacked mine with an animalistic passion and urgency. "I wouldn't ask if I thought it meant you were taking advantage of me." That was my undoing.