Richelle Mead owns the VA and Bloodlines series.

Okay, after reading Sksai's story Here is Gone I just needed something cute and fluffy and happy! So I finished this half written one shot I had lying around. Review and let me know what you think!

P.S. You guys. We're almost at 400 reviews on this story! That makes me all kinds of crazy happy. You guys are incredible. Happy spirit dreams with Adrian to you all!

Two years.

Two whole years it had taken to get those damn hereditary laws passed but Lissa had finally made it happen. I think what finally did it was less the Moroi population getting used to Lissa being queen, and more them just not caring anymore. I mean, after two years what was the point? Who cares about some stupid political thing for that long anyway?

Anyway, it took two years, but Jill was finally able to come out of hiding. Only, she didn't really want to. Turned out Jill liked Palm Springs and all the things that went along with it. But now that she was free of the constant rebel threat she'd faced these past years, she liked it even more. Mainly because now she was free to model.

Yeah, I know, Jill a model? I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. But just the other night we'd all flew into Palm Springs to see Jill in her first runway show. Lissa and I had stared up at Jill, parading down the runway in a couture gown that someone designed specifically for her, totally in awe. Even Dimitri, who knew exactly squat about fashion had had a good time. Christian had thought the show would've been cooler if they'd had explosions going off as Jill was walking down the runway, but still, he'd congratulated Jill once she stepped off the stage, beaming like a proud brother. Adrian was too. He didn't say much to Jill, but I got the feeling that an awful lot of praise was passing between their bond as she was on the runway.

We'd all stayed out late by human standards, celebrating and catching up with one another after so long. I'd barely seen Jill or Eddie since the start of all of this craziness with the rebels. And Angeline had certainly grown in the past two years. I also got to meet Angeline's boyfriend Trey. He used to be a Warrior of Light, but had apparently fallen for Angeline and given all of that up for good. He went to college with Sydney and Adrian now.

Sydney, even though she'd caused a big huff with the Alchemists about a year ago, was still working in Palm Springs, keeping the guys out of trouble and off the human radar. There had been this whole thing about her being connected to witches and it had been implied, by the Alchemists of course, that she may have been inappropriately involved with Adrian for a while, but I hadn't heard anything come of it besides her leaving the Alchemists. She told me once that it all happened after she discovered she was a witch, which I thought was pretty awesome, but the Alchemists seemed to frown on there people practicing witchcraft. Go figure. She'd moved on and graduated high school and was now attending the local college. Adrian was going there too, which impressed me. The Adrian I used to know would never have considered going back to school and making something of himself, but last night he'd left the after party early because he had a study group meeting this morning. Can you believe it? Adrian Ivashkov in a study group! Or more importantly, Adrian leaving a party so early he ended up giving Sydney Sage, goodie goodie of all goodie goodies, a ride home? It was mind blowing to me.

We'd all decided to meet for lunch today, at a place they all frequented called Marquee's. It was an ordinary little diner that Jill swore had the best guacamole tuna melts in Palm Springs. I wasn't about to try a guacamole tuna melt though so I'd just have to take her word for it.

"So Rose," Adrian asked, sliding into the booth next to Jill, leaving Sydney with the end seat. Eddie was seated across from Jill, next to me and Lissa. Dimitri, Christian, Angeline and Trey were all at a table next to the booth. "I heard from the big Russian that you finally accepted his proposal?" Adrian went on with a smirk.

I smiled, glad Adrian and I were finally at a point where we could be friends again without there being any awkwardness between us. "Is that what he's been telling people?" I threw a look at Dimitri, who was close enough to hear what we were saying at the booth. "I agreed to consider getting married," I told him. "Consider it."

Lissa, who'd been reading her menu, rolled her eyes. "You two are practically married anyway. You might as well just make it official."

I raised my eyebrows. "What about you and the pyro?" I asked. "Now that the laws are out of the way, weren't you two considering it? Hmm?"

Christian glared at me from his seat at the table, but Lissa was the one who spoke. "We are considering it," she said with a smug smile. "And when we make a decision you will be the first one to know."

Jill sighed from her side of the booth. "Everyone's growing up, getting married, having kids. I feel like you're all leaving me behind."

"First of all," I told her. "If you could see yourself last night on that runway, you'd see how grown up and sophisticated you looked. I could never pull that look off. I'll be forty and still dressing like a teenager." That got a small smile out of her, so I went on. "And second of all, no one's having kids yet."

Jill's expression went blank for a split second before her cheeks pinked with color. "Oh, yeah," she said quickly. "But with everyone talking about getting married I just assumed it wouldn't be long..."

"Don't rush me into that," Lissa laughed, glancing over at Christian. He looked so startled by the thought of mini-Ozera's running around the palace, I almost laughed.

"Yes," he said dramatically. "No rushing into that at all."

I saw Sydney whisper something to Adrian and then get up, excusing herself to the restroom. We all went on laughing at the idea of Christian being a father, much to Christian's annoyance, but Jill kept glancing nervously over to Adrian. Was she really that upset about everyone leaving her behind? She couldn't be. It wasn't like we were literally leaving her. She was staying out here with Adrian and Eddie and everyone for two more years, until she finished at Amberwood, and then she could do whatever she wanted. If she chose to come pack to Court then we'd all be right there with her. I figured maybe it was just Jill being Jill and left it at that.

When the waitress came over to collect our order, I got a cheeseburger, much to Jill's disappointment. But Lissa, either because she's a masochist or because she's a good sister, went with the guacamole tuna melt suggestion. Adrian ordered a tuna melt too, but also ordered a cheeseburger.

"With extra fries," he told the waitress who was looking at him like he was on the menu. "And mayo, on the side. And an extra pickle." He gave her one of his standard sexy smirks and she grinned flirtatiously back at him.

Once she was gone I shook my head in his direction, but he ignored me. When Sydney came back a minute later he started talking to her about some teacher they both had at Carlton.

Jill and Lissa got a conversation going about Jill's modeling and all that entailed, including free clothes and accessories, which piqued my interest. Soon enough the waitress was placing our food in front of us. I noticed the disappointed look she threw Adrian's way when she saw him sitting next to Sydney and I wanted to tell her that was one girl she didn't have to worry about, but then I noticed the way Sydney was smiling at Adrian. Like he was the sun and the moon. Maybe the Alchemists hadn't been so far off in their assessment of my friend's relationship. And, I mean, they were pretty cute together.

"You're the best," Sydney grinned up at him, bumping him with her shoulder when the waitress dropped her plate in front of her. It was, much to my surprise, the cheeseburger Adrian had ordered. It wouldn't have been so odd, except that I was pretty sure Sydney was one of those girls that only ever ate salad, and seeing a cheeseburger and a plate of extra fries in front of her was a little surreal. "I'm starving," Sydney said, dipping a fry in her side dish of extra mayo before popping it into her mouth.

"Well, you have been practicing with Jackie all morning," Adrian smiled at her. Jackie, I'd heard, was her magical mentor. "Did you want any orange juice or anything?" he asked.

"What I'd really like is a coffee," Sydney muttered, not quite under her breath. Adrian threw her an indecipherable look and she reluctantly said, "Water's fine."

After a short conversation about Sydney's magic and all the practice it took, I picked at a few of my fries and tried to listen to what Eddie and Jill were talking about but I kept getting distracted by Sydney. She'd been quite for awhile. Concentrating on eating part of her burger and most of the fries on her plate, she'd also eaten the extra pickle Adrian had ordered, along with the pickle he'd gotten with his tuna melt. And Adrian didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he offered her half of his sandwich, but she declined, saying she had more than enough of her own.

Finally, I'd had enough. "Are you okay?" I asked her, knowing my next words were going to sound rude, but needing to say them. "Because you're eating an awful lot and I'm starting to think you might have a tape worm."

Sydney looked up from her plate, startled, and put down the fry she had in her hand. Adrian blinked once and then began to laugh.

"I didn't mean..." I mumbled when I noticed everyone staring at me. "You look great," I told Sydney. "It's just that I think I've seen you eat all of twice since we met and this," I gestured to her plate, "seems out of character. I really didn't mean to come off—"

"I know what you meant," Sydney smiled, bumping Adrian with her elbow. He quieted his laughter after a moment. "It's okay, Rose. The tapeworm comment just killed my appetite, but it's okay." She grinned to show me it really was okay.

I smiled back a little sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I've just never seen you eat... almost anything before."

"Yeah, she's been working on eating like a person instead of a bird," Adrian laughed, smiling at her. She rolled her eyes, but as their smiles faded they seemed to be having some sort of silent conversation. Whatever it was, after a moment, they seemed to come to a decision.

Sydney turned to face me and took a deep breath. "We were going to wait until tonight to tell you guys this, but now seems like a good time." She looked between us—me, Lissa, Dimitri and Christian, at least—and finally looked back at me. "I'm pregnant," she said.

A smile spread across her face and I latched onto it as my head spun. "Pregnant?" I said almost unintelligably. I had just come to the conclusion they might be dating. How could she be pregnant? Maybe it wasn't Adrian's?

Only Adrian was nodding enthusiastically. Smiling, too. "Three months. It's due this August."

I think everyone at the table was just staring. Lissa, Dimitri, Christian and I at Sydney and Adrian, while Jill, Eddie, Angeline, Trey and Neil all just stared at us. I think they were waiting for our reactions, because they obviously already knew about this insane declaration.

"Congratulations," Dimitri said kindly, recovering first.

"Yeah," Christian said with a shake of his head. "Congrats. That's great."

"We know this is a little out of the blue for you guys," Sydney said apologetically. "It's just, we wanted to let you know about everything in person. It didn't seem right to do it over the phone. But then we never really had the chance... It's not an excuse for not at least mentioning it though."

Lissa cocked her head to the side. "Mentioning you were having a baby?" she asked, curiously but not unkindly. "Or that you and Adrian were together?"

"Both," Sydney said, grimacing a little. "And also that we're engaged." She lifted her left hand above the table, displaying the big fat diamond resting on her ring finger.

"Engaged!" My eyes popped open when I saw it and I stared at my two friends in disbelief. "You're engaged?" I asked stupidly.

Adrian nodded, his lips pressed together in a tight line. "Yeah. We got engaged a couple weeks before we found out about the baby. We had planned on flying out to tell you guys personally, but then Sydney started to feel sick, so we postponed. And then you guys were coming out here for Jill's show so we figured we'd just tell you everything all at once." He looked apologetic for maybe the first time since I'd met him. "I know it's a lot to take in, but Sydney and I want you guys to be a part of this with us. You're our family, all of you."

"You guys have been together for awhile? Since the Alchemists made those claims? The ones you denied? Or is this... is this a new thing?" I asked.

"We've been together two years," Sydney answered quietly in that serious way of hers.

"Two years," I repeated, trying to wrap my mind around it. So since before the Alchemists claims. Two of my best friends were dating, or engaged actually. And they were having a baby. In just a handful of months. And they hadn't bothered to tell me.

Adrian must have noticed my dismay in my aura or face or somewhere because he leaned forward across the table. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he said. "At first it was because we didn't want any of you implicated in anything. We didn't know what the Alchemists were going to do and we didn't want anybody to get in trouble for our problems. But then..." He gave me a regretful look. "I should have told you. I should have told you that you were right that day, Rose. The day we broke up. You said that we didn't balance each other and that one day I'd find that with someone. I should have told you that I did find it, with Sydney. She's the one I was always meant to be with. You led me to her."

I took a breath, feeling tears stinging the backs of my eyes as he spoke. Adrian was rarely anything but sarcastic, but this little speech was pure. Straight from his heart. And the more I looked between his earnest expression and Sydney's smile, the more the tears threatened to spill. I didn't think I was an overly romantic person, but hearing him talk like that, about Sydney, made me all gushy inside.

"I should really thank you, Rose," Sydney said. "If it weren't for you I wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't have everything I have." Adrian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me," she said sincerely.

"It's not me you should be thanking," I said, getting my emotions in check.

"Yeah," Lissa laughed. "It's whatever force of nature—or destiny—brought us all together in the first place."

After a few minutes spent getting the whole story—about thier relationship and how Adrian proposed—I finally asked, "And you're okay with the baby being a dhampir?"

I knew Adrian was, he wasn't the kind of Moroi that would care if his kid was a dhampir, but Sydney had been raised to hate our kind. I wanted to make sure she was okay with all of this.

Sydney just smiled. "Some of the best people I know are dhampirs," she said. "She'll be in good company."

"He'll be in good company," Adrian corrected, causing Sydney to elbow him.

"Why are you always just assuming things are boys?" she laughed and it lit up her whole face. I sort of understood what people meant when they said pregnant women glowed. Sydney was radiant, her face flushed with happiness.

Adrian grinned back at her, looking just as happy as she did. "Doesn't matter what it is, I guess. As long as it's healthy." His smile turned wicked. "And as long as you don't name it Hopper."

For some reason this caused everyone around the table to crack up. Lissa, Dimitri, Christian and I all just sort of looked at each other, completely confused. I guess it was some sort of inside joke.

"I'm going to be an aunt soon!" Jill gasped excitedly. "I've been dying to say that out loud all weekend!"

"You say it all the time," Angeline said with a roll of her eyes.

Trey laughed. "Literally, all the time."

"You told me just this morning," Eddie said under his breath. When Jill turned on him he smiled, trying to distract her. "So this guacamole thing is pretty good, huh?" he said, pointing at her plate.

Jill rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Laugh at me all you want. I'm still going to be someone's aunt in a few months!" She was so excited she bounced a little on the booth's bench, the motion causing Adrian and Sydney to bounce along with her.

"Oh, Jill stop," Sydney pleaded, looking a little queasy. "I ate way too much. The bouncing's making me nauseous."

"You're always nauseous," Adrian pointed out as Jill quit the bouncing. "Or hungry. Or having to pee."

"Or grouchy," Angeline added. "Always grouchy." Maybe she had grown a little in the past two years, but I guess her manners could still use some work.

"That's from the caffeine withdrawal," Adrian smirked. "She's been going nuts without her daily fix."

Adrian and the others continued to tease Sydney and she teased them all right back. I smiled to myself as I watched them. They might have started this mission as a fake family, but real bonds had been forged since. They were a really family now. And Adrian and Sydney were going to start their own family soon. I was happy for them. They looked happy. They looked the way I felt about Dimitri.

I looked over and caught my boyfriend staring at me. His smile always took my breath away. Made me feel like I was glowing the way Sydney was. Maybe it was time to consider his marriage proposal. I was still young, but an engagement didn't mean we had to get married right away. Plus I'd get a pretty ring out of the deal.

I smiled back at him. Yeah. I was definitely considering it.