Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to Richelle Mead.

The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story are owned by Ms. Belikov. Please do not copy, reproduce, or translate without express written permission.

The planed bumped as we touched down in Russia. I squeezed Dimitri's hand so tightly I thought his bones would shatter.

He glanced over at me and smiled. "We're here." He pressed his lips to mine.

"Boy, you are just a happy camper today, ain't ya?"

"Of course I am. I'm going to see my family." Dimitri slung his carryon bag over his shoulder, grabbed my purse, and helped me out of my seat. "Roza, you're shaking. What is wrong?"

I hooked my arm through his as we started walking down the aisle, towards the exit. "Just nerves, that's all."

I didn't look up, but I had a feeling he was smiling in amusement. "You're nervous? Rosemarie Hathaway…nervous?" I punched him in the arm, earning a dirty look from the stewardess.

"Yes," I said. "I am nervous."

"About what, baby?"

"I love when you call me that." We stepped out of the plane and made our way down the stairs.

"Don't try to change the subject."

"What if they don't like me?"

Dimitri outright laughed.

I narrowed my gaze at him. "What's so funny?"

"You're afraid my family will not approve of you? That's funny."

Dimitri and I went across the jet bridge and into the terminal area.

"And why is that funny?" I would be angry at Dimitri if I didn't have to pee so badly.

My Russian God started to talk, but I cut him off. "Hold that thought. Where's the restroom?"

He pointed to a sign. "Right there."

"Thanks." I gave him a chaste kiss and tore off.

Minutes later, I found Dimitri standing outside the restrooms, leaning against the wall, holding two paper cups of coffee. "Feel better?" His smile made my body heat up.

I gulped. "Yeah."

"Here, drink this." He handed me a cup as he took a sip of his. "You'll need it if you want to stay awake during the drive."

"Thanks. Okay…" I looked around the airport. There was a sea of people, elevators, shops, and big signs and arrows. After our fifteen hour flight, it was a little nauseating. "Where do we go next, General?"

"Baggage claim and then rent-a-car." Dimitri grabbed my hand.

"Couldn't we get anything cooler than a Honda?" I frowned at the red car.

"Roza," Dimitri warned, putting our luggage into the trunk. "Don't start, please. This is a three hour drive. And frankly, I don't have the patience."

Once he closed the trunk, I walked over and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I'm sorry."

The hard lines in Dimitri's face faded as I ran my fingers through his shoulder-length brown hair. "It's okay," He placed his hands on my hips. I noticed that his body tremendously relaxed in my arms.

"I know that you're tired. You didn't sleep at all on the plane." I said. He laid his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes. "I shouldn't fight with you."

Dimitri kissed my neck. "You are extraordinary. You know that? Absolutely amazing." This made me smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you." he murmured.

I craned my neck to the left, and pressed my mouth to his. "I love you, Dimitri."

"I love you."

A loud honk made him jump. He stood up straight and yawned. "Well, we better get going."

I grabbed his arm. "Let me drive."

He automatically shook his head. "No."

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeee Dimitriiiiiiiiiiiiiii." I stuck my bottom lip out, made my eyes water. Oh, he had to break.

"No."

"Maybe you need a little motivation and persuasion…" I pulled down one side of my shirt, then my bra.

Dimitri's gaze flickered down to my exposed chest, his eyes hardened, lips pursed, and his jaw tightened. "It's not working, Rose. Quit it. We are in a parking lot for Christ's sake."

I frowned as I quickly fixed my shirt. I was done playing nice. "Listen here, General, I am concerned for my safety and yours because truthfully, you don't seem like you can keep your eyes open longer than five minutes. You're exhausted and you've been awake for over twenty-four hours. You are in no condition to drive, at least not until you get some rest. So I am not getting in that vehicle unless I am the one behind the wheel." I crossed my arms, squared my shoulders, trying to look tough and strong, showing him that I wasn't afraid of him. I was prepared to fight.

"I could always throw you over my shoulder."

"And I could always scream."

"Not if I cover your mouth, toss you in the car, and drive off."

"That would be kidnapping."

"Fine, fine…honestly, I'm too tired to fight with you." Dimitri handed me the keys. "Just be careful."

I did a little triumphant dance. "Thank you, honey." I threw my arms around his neck and planted a hard kiss on him before running over and scrambling into the drivers seat.

When Dimitri got in the passenger seat, he was shaking his head and smiling. "I cannot believe you just manipulated me like that. You are a master."

I shrugged as I put the key into the ignition. "It's one of many talents I possess." I turned on the windscreen wipers. Unfortunately, it was raining heavily in Moscow.

My boyfriend adjusted his seat so that it was all the way back, he lay down and put his arms over his eyes.

"Seriously?"

He lifted his arm and peaked at me with one eye, like an alligator. "What?"

"No lovin'?" I asked. "You didn't even give me a kiss. How am I supposed to go hours without one? Give me one now so that hopefully I'll be able to make it through this torturous drive."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then I guess I'd have to steal one from some other hot Russian guy in this parking lot." I squinted out the window, searching the area.

Before I knew what had happened, Dimitri was sitting up and his lips were on mine. It was heady, and deep, and left me breathless.

"Better?" He cupped my face and smiled.

I bobbed my head up and down. "Yeah. I think that will hold me over for a while…"

"Good," Dimitri stretched his arm to the back seat and grabbed the duffel bag. He unzipped it and pulled out some sort of map, unfolded it.

"Thank god it's in English."

"I bought it specifically for you," His dark brows came together as he studied the map. "Although, I don't know why I bothered. I should have bought the other one. It'd be good for you to learn some Russian."

"Why?"

"Because our children will speak it."

My eyes widened and butterflies danced in my stomach. I don't think he realized the enormity and connotation of the words he'd just spoke, because he was still staring down at the map, as if nothing had happened.

Dimitri must have sensed the change in the air because he glanced up at me, his brows knitted in concern. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, I'll believe that when you do." He tiredly rubbed his face before pointing to a spot on the map. It was a little gas station symbol. "This is where you're going to stop and wake me up so I can take over with the driving. Understand? Absolutely no exceptions."

I saluted him. "Aye aye, Captain."

Dimitri's eyes narrowed into slits. "I am being serious, Rose."

"Yes! I know! I am too."

He dragged his finger tip along a long line on the map. "You're going to take this highway. It goes all the way through to that gas station, and it's rather simple to navigate through—no turns, just keep going straight."

"Got it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure."

"Positive?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I am absolutely, a hundred and ten percent positive. Happy now?" I backed the car out of the parking space and waited for a man to get into a Taxi so that I could drive by.

"Very."

"Go to sleep, you grump."

Dimitri lay on his side, facing me. "I love you, Roza."

I couldn't help but smile. "I love you too, Dimitri."

He reached out and grabbed the hand that was resting on my thigh. He placed a kiss to my knuckles and put my hand between both of his large warm ones, cradling it.

"You know," I said. "You never told me why that thing was so funny."

"What thing?" Dimitri was fighting to stay awake.

"Why it was funny for me to think that your family wouldn't approve of me."

"Because they are going to love you," he whispered. "That is why." His eyes closed and his breathing went steady. He was asleep.

Hours later, I whipped up to the gas station and turned off the Honda. I nudged Dimitri a few times. He didn't wake up.

"Comrade," I pushed a little harder. "Comrade…" I poked his chest. "DIMITRI!"

He shot up like a rocket and hit his head on the roof of the car. "What is it?" He rubbed his forehead.

"We're here."

"And you screamed….because?" Dimitri rubbed his eyes.

"Because you didn't wake up when I gave you a blowjob, so I resorted to screaming."

His eyes widened. "What? You…I…when I was asleep?"

I laughed and hopped out of the car. "You're too easy to fool."

By the time I reached the other side, Dimitri was already out, pulling on his duster. I hugged him. "You're cute when you first wake up."

"Thank you. Now come on." He pulled me inside the store.

"Can I get some snacks?"

"I'll get them for you," Dimitri said. "I want you to pay for the gas."

"But I don't speak Russian…" I glanced back at the middle-aged teller; he was shooting daggers at me.

"If you want food then you'll do it. Or at least give it your best shot."

"Are you doing this so I can make a fool out of myself?"

"No. I'm doing this for amusement." He smiled at the look I gave him and put bills in my hand. "I want you to say this to him…" Dimitri said something in Russian.

"What?"

He had to repeat himself several more times before I could hear him clearly. "Repeat it to me."

I said it.

He barked out a harsh laugh. "Your pronunciation is terrible, but the man will understand you. Go now. I'll be watching you."

I walked up to the register and looked back at Dimitri. "Get me some Snow Caps! And a bag of Doritos!"

My boyfriend nodded.

I looked back at the man and repeated the few Russian words.

He nodded, took my money, and handed me a receipt. He said something in his native tongue.

I just nodded and ran over to Dimitri. "I did it!"

"Yes, you did." His arms were full of drinks, sandwiches, chips, and candy.

"What did you tell me to say?"

Dimitri shrugged. "Just that you wanted to pay for pump number seven. That's all."

"Cool." I'd spoken Russian in Russia today. I was proud of myself.

An hour later, I laughed at how big Dimitri's smile was. Damn…he was happy.

"Wow," I looked around. There was nothing but trees and rocks for miles. Normal, black roads had disappeared about forty-five minutes ago. The Honda bumped and jerked as we navigated through dirt roads. "Baia is in the middle of bum fucked Egypt, ain't it?"

"There is our home." He pointed at a house. There was nothing special about it. Brown paint, small yard, one car in the driveway. I'd seen a million houses like that. I did think the garden in front was pretty, though. That was nice.

A little boy popped his head out the window, screamed, and disappeared.

"There's my nephew Paul." Dimitri laughed.

A moment later, the family scrambled out of the house squealing, screaming, and jumping up and down. I guess they were happy to see Dimitri too.

"You ready?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "I guess I have to be."

CPOV:

Oscar hopped on my chest, purred, and rubbed his orange furry head against my chin. Lissa smiled brilliantly.

"He likes you." She petted his back; he arched his body high….almost unnaturally. It was kind of cool. The kitten looked like an upside down U.

"Hey, babe. Just imagine the fun we could have if you could get in that position." I laughed. The mental image was pretty damn hot.

She covered the kitten's ears. "Ohmigod! Watch your mouth! Oscar is in the room."

"Ooops. Sorry." I rolled my eyes inwardly.

Wide, innocent shamrock-green eyes stared at Lissa. "I'm going to feed him. He looks hungry." she said.

I admired the kitten. Oscar had game, and he knew how to work Lissa like a puppet. He had her wrapped around his little finger or claw…or whatever. But I had to admit, the two of them loved each other deeply…and that was kind of cute.

As Lissa climbed off the bed, Oscar hopped down and followed her all around the room and bathroom. But my attention wasn't on the little furball, it was on my girlfriend. And the way her narrow hips swung as she walked, and how a strip of creamy skin was revealed when she reached for the cat food off the shelf, and how graceful and elegant she looked as she bended over and filled up Oscar's bowl, her sunshine hair falling over her shoulders.

I swallowed hard as the blood pumped full speed in my veins. God help me, I wanted to make love to her again.

"Are you okay?" Lissa was staring at me, those jade-green eyes piercing mine.

"Fine."

She stared at me a moment longer, shrugged, and grabbed the bottle of peach Snapple off the nightstand. Her favorite drink.

"Come here, babe," I opened my arms. "I want to hold you."

Lissa smiled as she got back into bed with me, I nuzzled her body like I would a teddy bear, inhaling her familiar scent of raspberries. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"I'm wearing Tweety Bird pajamas, how do you find that beautiful?" she asked, tracing circles into my forearm with her nails.

"Because you're in them. Simple as that. And I also think that Tweety Bird pajamas are very sexy." I was rewarded with one of her signature giggles. The sound was all bells and whistles, melodious, bringing the angels closer from heaven.

"I feel happy, Christian." Lissa murmured. "Since I've been spending time with you, for the first time in over a month, I don't know…I feel normal again. Like myself. I'm healing."

Only god knew how wonderful it was to hear those words leave her lips.

RPOV:

One after another Dimitri's family took turns hugging him, well it was more like tackling, I even heard a few I can't breathe's come from my boyfriend. It was amusing really. My insides were all sappy and stuff…so what if seeing Dimitri happy brought me immeasurable amounts of joy. I wasn't going to loose any cool points because of that, right?

"You must be Roza! Dimka has told us so much about you!" A female, who looked to be around my age, maybe a little younger, ran up to me. She was beautiful with her long hair and almond shaped brown eyes—Dimitri's brown eyes. "My name is Viktoria. I'm Dimitri's little sister, the best one actually, but don't tell the other cows that. Do you mind if I give you a hug? I really want to give you a hug!"

I laughed. The girl was a ball of energy. I opened my arms and was practically tackled by her. "It's so nice to meet you." I said once she pulled back.

Viktoria shot her brother a look, who was lifting Paul over his head, he set him on his broad shoulders. "I thought you said this one liked to talk," She cast me a playful smile. "She doesn't say much."

"Roza is just being a little shy. But don't worry, once she gets comfortable, you won't be able to shut her up." Dimitri walked over and draped an arm around my waist, pulled me tighter. His smile was one of pride, like he wanted to show me off to his family.

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" I socked his arm, temporarily forgetting that we were around his family. I felt all of their beautiful brown eyes on me. I lowered my head in shame. "Sorry."

"I like her. She's got some spice in her." A radiant pregnant woman came up and gave me an awkward hug, thanks to the basketball separating us. "My name is Sonya." she offered a kind smile. "I am so glad to have the two of you here…finally." Sonya shot Dimitri a look.

He glanced down. "Sorry."

"And this cow over here is Karolina," The pregnant woman jabbed a thumb over her shoulder.

I smiled at the woman who could have been Sonya's identical twin, minus the belly. "Hey, it's very nice to meet you." Karolina gave me a brief handshake. Her demeanor and personality reminded me of Dimitri's: Silent and strong.

"You too." I smiled. God, why was I being so quiet?

I felt something hit the top of my head. I looked up. Paul was on Dimitri's shoulders, leaning to the left, poking my head with one finger. "Hi," Paul said shyly. The boy reminded me of Dimitri with his shoulder-length hair and eyes. I assumed it was some kind of worship thing he had for his uncle. Honestly, who wasn't mesmerized by my Russian god?"

"It's nice to meet you Paul," I stuck my hand out. "My name is Rose. Your uncle Dimitri has told me so much about you."

His eyes widened in wonder as he shook my hand, almost as if he didn't believe me. "What did he say?" His accent was incredibly thick, just like the rest of the family.

"I know that you love helicopters and apple pie."

Paul's eyes practically bulged out of his head. "I do! Oh Roza, I like you. I like you a lot. You're really pretty too."

I blushed and smiled. "Thanks Paul."

Dimitri was staring at the two of us. I met his eyes and was taken aback at how emotion-filled they were. I wondered what was going on in that mind of his, what he was thinking in that moment.

"Dimkaaaaaaaa!" A woman ran out of the house with oven mittens on and a wooden spoon in her left hand. She had to be in her late forties of early fifties, with long salt and pepper hair, and kind brown eyes that crinkled at the edges when she smiled. Olena. His mother. She was beautiful.

"Mama!" Olena ran into her son's open arms and hugged him hard. When she pulled back a few moments later, tears of happiness were streaming out of her eyes. She covered his face with affectionate kisses.

Olena and Dimitri had a rapid conversation in Russian, laughing and smiling the entire time.

I smiled. This was how a family was supposed to be. God, that made me yearn for my own mother. No matter how cold and heartless she could be at times, I really wished that I could give her a big hug and stuff my face into that soft fire-red hair right now.

"You must be Roza," Olena turned her warm eyes to me. "I have waited so long to meet you and finally, here you are." She gave me a hug. "Dimka has told me so much about you. Actually, that's all he talks about these days…" Olena patted his arm.

"I'm sorry." Was my genius response.

"Don't be! Oh gosh, don't ever say those words! My son is in love. You have made him so happy, Roza. Thank you." Olena trapped me into another fierce hug. I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"Thank you, Olena. Oh, gosh. I'm balling like a baby." Laughter erupted around me. The tears wouldn't stop rolling. "Don't worry. Don't worry. They're happy tears everyone! I'm okay. More than okay."

"She is something, isn't she Mama?" Dimitri pulled me into his side and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"You have a beautiful woman, son." Olena stared at me, that warm and kind aura shooting off her like fireworks. I liked this woman so much already. "Roza is a strong woman, I can see it in her eyes. And she wears her heart on her sleeve for you, Dimka. You'd better treat her right."

"Yeah, or else we'll all take turns kicking your heiny." Viktoria chimed in. "Right, Paul? You'll beat him silly with your toys, won't ya?"

Paul was about to reply but the look his mother and grandmother shot him silenced him immediately. I kept the giggle to myself.

Dimitri rolled his eyes at his sisters' comment and said something to his mother in Russian. Olena didn't reply, she simply shook her head and gave me a knowing smile.

"I wonder if they've had sex yet," Karolina murmured, head cocked to the side like a puppy. The expression on her face made me think that she hadn't realized she'd voiced her thoughts.

The heat and blush that rose to my cheeks was maddening. I stuffed my face in Dimitri's arm as the whole family screamed, "Karolina!"

Her head snapped up and she shook it like a dog drying off after going for a swim in a lake. "What? I…oh. Oh. Sorry guys."

"What's sex?" Paul asked. Everyone turned to look at him, but didn't say anything.

"It's a type of cake." I said. Sonya and Viktoria snickered.

Dimitri lifted his nephew off his shoulders. "I'll tell you when you're older, okay?"

"Deal."

"Where is Babushka?" Dimitri asked.

"Inside," Olena said. "Now come on. Come on. I've made dinner for everyone."

"Black bread?"

She grinned widely. "Three loaves in the oven. Right now."

"Oh, mama. You are the best." Dimitri picked her up, kissed her cheek, and gave her a squeeze before placing the petite woman back on her feet.

"Sometimes I believe the only reason you come and visit the family is for the food."

"That's part of the reason," My boyfriend said playfully. "A big part, actually."

She smacked his arm and ushered us inside.

"Uncle Dimka. Uncle Dimka. Uncle Dimka. UNCLE DIMKA!" God, Paul's Russian accent was so cute. I just wanted to squeeze him.

While Paul and Dimitri conversed about driving fast cars and shooting people and blowing stuff up…or whatever boys talked about, Victoria and Sonya walked over to me and sandwiched me between their bodies, draping their arms over my shoulder. It was strangely…comforting, almost like they were the sisters I'd never had.

"I hope you like Russian food," Sonya said. "Because Mama makes a lot of it."

I shook my head. "Don't know. Never had Borscht before."

The two of them looked at one another, and busted up laughing. They clutched their stomachs, rested their hands on their knees, with tears streaming down their faces.

"Oh, Roza. I like you." Viktoria patted my back. I beamed.

"Russian food is not just Borscht. There are plenty of dishes. And mama cooks the best food. I have a feeling you're going to love it." Sonya said.

"Well…" I rubbed my belly. "I'm starving and I love to eat. That's a pretty dangerous combination, kind of like comet and bleach. Watch out, I'd eat anything right about now." My stomach roared like a beast from the wonderful smells that were drifting from the kitchen.

"Was that you?" Viktoria laughed.

I nodded, embarrassed. "Yeah."

"Oh, there's Babushka. See Roza, look. Her name is Yeva" Sonya pointed to a short old lady. She had this creepy vibe to her and she kind of looked like a witch with her black eyes and skinny body. No matter how tiny she was, Dimitri's grandmother had a confident air to her, an intimidating one, one that said 'Fuck with me, and I will make your life a living hell.'

I gulped, secretly afraid.

"Babushka!" Dimitri grinned. Yeva embraced her grandson with hugs and kisses and affectionate words in Russian. Too bad I didn't understand the language because I really, really wanted to know what they were saying.

A few moments later, Dimitri pulled me to him and introduced me to his grandmother. "This is Roza, Babushka. The love of my life."

Yeva gave me one dirty look, turned around, and walked away. "I don't like her." She said it loud and clear, making sure that I heard her.

Everyone looked stunned. I froze.

"Babushka!" Dimitri barked out a string of words in his native tongue. I had no idea what he was saying, but by the tone of his voice and hard expression, I knew it wasn't anything nice.

"I am so sorry about that, Roza," Olena came up and hugged my stiff body. "My mother can be a very stubborn and private person. She doesn't get close to very many people. I hope you can forgive her, I know that she says a lot of hurtful things but she doesn't always mean them."

Oh, Yeva meant what she had said. She despised me. I could see it in her eyes. The question was why? What did I do?

"Yeah, that old lady is going senile. Just ignore her. I do." Viktoria said. This earned a smack in the back of the head from Olena. "Don't talk about your family like that!" she hissed.

"It's okay, guys. Really. It's fine." I said. "I just hope she doesn't hate me."

"Babushka doesn't hate anyone." Karolina said from the couch.

"She hated father."

The whole room got the same faraway look in their eyes, sadness on their faces.

I cringed and looked away. "I-I-I…I'm sorry." There was something wet on my face. Was I seriously crying? Oh no, no, no, no…this can't be happening. "I didn't want to kill him."

"She is the one who killed him?" Karolina growled, standing up, glaring at me. "You brought the woman who killed your father to our house, Dimitri? What the fuck is your problem!"

"Take Paul out of the room, Vikki." Olena's kind nature turned to ice as she stared at me, backing away, as if I was some wild animal about to attack her. Even Sonya looked like she wanted to strangle me. Everyone looked angry…angry at me.

This made me cry harder. "I'm so sorry! I-I-I had to. I had no choice."

"You had no choice?" Olena asked. "Why did you kill him? You are a murderer! A monster! You should be in jail." By this time, the whole family was on the other side of the room, as far away from me as possible.

"I'm going to call the cops," Sonya said.

Dimitri got in front of me protectively, using his body as a shield so that I was unable to see his family. I hooked my arms around his waist and cried my heart out.

I heard the tap of Sonya's feet as she ran to get the phone.

"WAIT!" Dimitri growled, his voice booming off the walls, ringing out with authority. The room went deadly quiet. The only sounds were of my vicious sobs, and I couldn't control that. "You do not know the entire story. I have not told you everything about Alexander's death."

I froze.

"What do you mean, son?" That was Olena's voice. Her tone was sharp like a knife.

"I have spared you all of the details of father's death because I wanted to protect you all. I didn't want you to think of him as a monster when he was laid to rest, but that's what he was. A monster. And nobody could change that. Not even him."

"You are confusing me, Dimka." Karolina's voice was frightened.

"You all know that Alexander was killed," I peeked around Dimitri. The family was nodding, some with tears in their eyes. "Well, I never told you who killed him. You all know now." Eyes were on me now. "But you don't know why she did. I think it's time that I tell you."

Dimitri switched from English to Russian, probably to protect me. I didn't want to hear the gruesome details of that horrific day. I had no interest in reliving it.

The whole family sat down and listened to Dimitri talk, gasping and crying and screaming at times. It was about twenty minutes later when my boyfriend stopped talking. With a grave and sorrow expression, he pulled me in front of him, to face the family. I prepared myself for the worst. I expected them to shout at me, throw things at me, and even hit me. I would stay right where I was standing and take everything they could give me. Because I deserved it.

In perfect sync, they stood from the couch and came over to me. "We are sorry for what you have been through and the pain we have just caused you. You are our hero. Please find it in your heart to forgive us for our mistakes. You are apart of the family now. We love you, Roza." Olena said with bloodshot eyes. Suddenly, they all stepped forward and hugged me at once, even Yeva. We held each other, cried together, and mourned for Dimitri's father. It was the oddest and most peaceful moment in my life.

Two days later, I found Yeva swinging outside on the veranda.

"Hi, Yeva." I said shyly, sitting down beside her. "I hope you don't mind me being here. It's just so beautiful out, isn't it?" I stared up at the black sky filled with stars.

Yeva didn't say anything; she gave me a look, and then went back to knitting.

"That's a really beautiful shirt," I said. "The orange is a nice vibrant color. Dimitri showed me the red scarf you made him for the winter, it's really nice—"

"I do not like to have silly conversations, Roza. If you are going to talk with me, make sure your words are meaningful. Or else you are wasting my time." Yeva cocked an eyebrow.

"Fine. I'll say what I really want to." I took two deep breaths. "I don't know what I did to make you hate me so much—"

"You believe that you are unworthy of my grandson."

"I never said that,"

"No. But I can see it in your eyes. I've had dreams about you. Many dreams." There was something in Yeva's eyes that I had never seen before…respect and wonder. "You are a warrior, Roza. A superwoman. But you are also incredibly stupid."

I was positively dumbstruck. "What? Did you seriously just call me stupid?"

"Did I stutter?"

"I believe I am worthy of Dimitri."

Yeva's thin lips twisted into that annoying know-it-all smile. "Do you, Roza? Who are you trying to convince, me or your own mind?"

She met my glare with one of her own. The air around us crackled with tension, but the two of us refused to let up, to look away.

Slowly, a grin spread across my face. "You know, even though you are a major bitch, I kind of like you Granny."

"Likewise, little girl."

"I suppose I'll see you at dinner."

"I suppose you will."

I stood up and walked towards the back door. Maybe Yeva and I weren't best friends at the moment, but I believe we had a mutual understanding, a truce, a peace treaty, and maybe, just maybe, she'd ease up and not be so mean to me. Maybe. Truth was though, I kind of liked the crazy old lady how she was—feisty, hardheaded, stubborn, and strong. She reminded me of myself.

Yeva called out my name; I turned around to face her. "Yeah?"

"I don't hate you. I never could, but that doesn't mean I like you either." She grinned wickedly.

"That's enough for me, Granny. We'll learn to get along." I said. "That or we'll end up strangling each other. I'm okay with the latter."

Yeva shrugged. "Whatever happens; happens. But I want you to know that I respect you, Roza. You have made my grandson a happy man. I have never seen him smile so much in his entire life. You are a miracle. Thank you, Roza. Thank you for giving me everything I could want in life. I am proud to have you as part of my family."

Her words constricted my chest. I felt so loved in that moment, more loved than I ever had. And for once in my life, I wasn't an outsider, I actually belonged somewhere. I had a true family. I smiled at her. "You are welcome, Babushka."

I went inside the house to help Dimitri and Olena cook dinner.

"I want to thank you all for welcoming me into your family."

"It has been a joy to have you here, Roza. It really has." Olena hugged me tightly.

"We're going to miss you, sister." Karolina pulled me into a death grip.

"Yeah, and we hope that you come back soon." Sonya squeezed me.

"Hope? Hell no. You better come back soon or I'll come to America and hunt you down!" Victoria laughed, kissed my cheek, and gave me a long hug. "Love you, big sis."

"Love you, too. Oh, god. I'm crying." I sobbed and rubbed my eyes. "I hate goodbyes. Where's Yeva?"

"Taking a nap in her room. I swear all that old hag does is sleep nowadays."

"Do you mind if I wake her up, Olena?" I asked. "I have to say goodbye to her. I've…I've kind of become attached."

"Go ahead, Roza."

I pecked Dimitri's lips. "I'll give you a moment alone to say goodbye to your family."

"Okay, Roza. I love you."

"Love you too." I took the stairs two at a time and flung open the door to Yeva's bedroom. "Hey, Granny! Just wanted to come and say goodbye. Dimitri and I are about to leave—" I stopped dead in my tracks as I noticed broken glass. "Babushka? Are you alright?"

Yeva was lying on the ground, brown eyes wide and…blank.

A hand flew to my mouth. "Oh, god."

I ran over, dropped to my knees, and pressed my fingers to her throat, checking her pulse.

There wasn't one.

I screamed.