A/N: I want to thank my Beta, Dimitri. and. Roza. 4E, for sticking with me and giving great advice. You have infinite patience and your editing skills are amazing! You rock! :-)
Big thanks to all my readers and reviewers! Your support has been amazing. You guys are the wind under my wings, you gave me the drive and inspiration to keep writing! I can't thank you enough.
This is the first ever human story that I have finished, and although I am very sad to see it and General Belikov go, I believe it's had its run.
Again, thank you all so much!
-Breanna
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.
Two years later…
RPOV:
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. I scooped up my text books, purse, and slung on my raincoat before heading to my dorm.
"Hey, Little Cadet," Adrian said from behind me.
"Hey," I unlocked my door and stood in the frame, facing him. Yeah, Adrian lived across from me, he was my neighbor, and he still hadn't graduated from college yet.
I, on the other hand, was well on my way to earning a biology degree. After graduating from St. Augustine's military academy, I decided that I wanted to make something of my life, have a future, be someone.
In just over two years, I'd be graduating from college, have my degree, and be teaching my favorite subject to high school students at the academy. I'd be a biology teacher. The thought excited and frightened the hell out of me at the same time.
"How was class?" he smiled.
"Good," I said. "I didn't punch the teacher in the face this time if that's what you're wondering."
"Nah. 'S okay. I don't blame you. Mr. Clark can be a real dick."
I scoffed. "That's for sure. Well…I gotta go. I'm meeting Lissa and Christian for dinner. It's her twenty-first birthd—holy crap. Who's in your room? Is that…Sydney?"
"Hi Rose," She popped her head out the doorway and laid it on Adrian's shoulder. She waved. "It's nice to meet you."
The instant she came out, Adrian lit up like a Christmas tree and I knew I was long forgotten. All of his attention was on that woman behind him, who he was blocking from getting out into the hallway to shake my hand. I guess he wanted her in that room, all to himself.
When the two got into a heavy make out session, I knew it was time for me to go. I grabbed an umbrella and locked my dorm. "See you later guys!"
Sydney moaned and Adrian called out her name.
I walked faster, pushed open the doors, and burst outside.
LPOV:
I stared at the two pink lines and screamed with joy and surprise. "Christian! Get in here! Now!"
The bathroom door flew open and my boyfriend was standing there, breathing heavy with a panicked expression etched on his handsome face. "What's wrong, honey? I heard you scream—"
"I'M PREGNANT!"
"I'm sorry…what?" Christian looked green as he swayed from left to right and caught his balance on the counter, depending on it to hold him upright.
"I'm pregnant." I said more gently this time. "We're having a baby. You're going to be a father."
That did it.
He fainted and fell to the ground.
"Christian!"
The door to our apartment whipped open. "What happened? I heard you scream—Ohmigod. What's wrong with Christian?"
"He passed out after I told him I was pregnant." I wet a wash cloth with cool water and patted his cheek, trying to wake him up.
"What did you say?" Rose paled and swayed, looking like she was going to be sick.
"Christian passed out."
"No…the last part."
"I'm pregnant."
Thump.
My head snapped up. My best friend was flat against the ground, face first. Great. She'd fainted too.
RPOV:
When I finally came around to consciousness, I sat up and looked over at Lissa. She was smiling widely as she kneeled over Christian on the floor.
"Wait? So you're telling me our baby is inside of you?" He asked, on the verge of hysteria.
I nearly laughed but I didn't want to ruin the moment.
She grabbed his palm and pressed it to her flat stomach. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. You're going to be a wonderful father."
"I'm going to be a father." he echoed, tears welling up in his eyes. Oh, god….Christian nevercried. Never. He didn't cry when he found Lissa on that operating table with Victor.
This was intense and I suddenly had the urge to start balling. They looked so happy…
"I hope it's a girl. She's going to be beautiful and look just like you with your wonderful sunshine hair." He ran his hands through her locks, tears streaming down his face. He wasn't ashamed about showing his emotions in that moment. The only things on his mind were Lissa and their baby.
My niece or nephew!
Lissa was sobbing as she leaned forward and gently pressed her mouth to his. "I hope it's a boy and he has your blue eyes and jet-black hair."
"Wait. Since you're pregnant, does that mean we can't have sex anymore?"
The two busted out laughing.
Lissa shook her head, smiling, she kissed him hard.
I took that as my cue to leave. They were going to celebrate her birthday…alone, in bed, basking in their pregnancy bliss.
As I walked home, I left the umbrella down and let the pouring rain soak me from head to toe. The smell was wonderful and I giggled as I purposely stepped into a puddle.
St. Augustine's bus was parked out front. The same one Stan had picked me up on three years ago before I started this journey from hell.
Automatically, my brain thought of Dimitri. I saw him in his army uniform, all bulging muscles and meanness. But under that hard exterior, there was a man who cared about the people he was close to dearly, a man who hurt deeply when someone he loved got hurt, a man who when he loved, he really loved.
There was wetness on my cheeks and I wasn't sure if it was from crying or the rain. Probably the rain. I hoped.
Although I did go to St. Augustine's college, I rarely saw Dimitri because he spent most of his time on the high-school campus. But those rare times I did see him—field trips, assemblies, school parties—our eyes would meet and it was like the whole world faded away.
But when I looked away, that connection disappeared followed by a sharp pain in the chest. For some reason, I just couldn't get over the fact that he'd betrayed me. Lied to me. Destroyed me.
He was part of my past, a reminder, he made me who I am, he broke my heart, and he still owned a piece. A pretty big chunk, actually.
"Rose?"
My body stopped. I recognized that deep, accented voice anymore. It was music to my ears and a knife to my heart.
Without looking up, I made a beeline for the college campus.
"Roza, wait!" His tremendously booming voice rang loud and clear, echoing off the trees and buildings, causing a few birds to fly south for the winter even though it was the middle of April. "I just want to talk with you. Give me one chance. I promise I'm not going to hurt you."
"Too late for that." I snickered, tilting my head up. The breath got stuck in my throat. God…he was still as beautiful as ever and that broke my heart. His shoulder-length brown hair was down and dripping at the edges, soaked from the pouring rain. He was in dark jeans, a black thermal, and his brown duster was over his broad shoulders.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"To talk with you."
"You're two years too late for that, buddy. Go to Tarasov. I know Tasha's just waiting to have a chit chat with you." I went for the door handle.
Dimitri's hand came over mine, stopping me, blocking me.
I hissed and jolted back, getting far away from him.
"What is your problem?" Rubbing the skin where he'd touched, I hoped to get rid of that tingly feeling.
"I want to tell you why I visited Tasha that morning."
"You want to tell me why? After two long years?"
"Exactly."
I laughed harshly as I crossed my arms. "Well, go ahead. Amuse me."
"I testified against her."
"Okay…"
"In trial. I went to court. I'm one of the reasons she's locked up for life. The only reason, actually. The prosecutor couldn't pin any hard evidence on her. And if it wasn't for me, the police strongly believe she would be a free woman right now." Dimitri said.
"That's what you didn't tell me?" he nodded. "Why?"
"The trial went on and on for weeks, months...years. It recently ended and Tasha was sentenced. The reason why I didn't tell you was because…the court specifically told me not to and to keep it a secret. But all I thought about was you, protecting you. Do you honestly believe that I wanted to bring up any of this? Bring back all those horrible memories and nightmares that you had? No. I wanted to go in, do my job, bring that monster to justice and make sure she got everything she deserved, and then come home, back into your arms, and forget everything bad."
I rubbed my eyes that were burning from the rain and…my tears. Every instinct in my body screamed for me to run! To get out of there! Far away from him! But looking at Dimitri now…I just couldn't. It was like my feet were super glued to the ground.
"That still doesn't explain why you went to visit her." I croaked.
Guiltily, his brown eyes flickered down.
"You son of a bitch! God, I hate you. I can't believe you still have feelings for her—"
"I never loved Tasha." he growled. "You can call me every name in the book, Rose. I deserve it. But don't make assumptions about things you don't know shit about."
Crossing my arms, I glared at him. "Then tell me, Dimitri. Tell me why you saw Tasha that day."
He looked unwilling.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." I turned around and grabbed the door handle—
"Wait! I'll tell you. Just…just wait."
"Better hurry it up."
"I wanted answers about my father before he died—how he was like, how he lived, where he lived, why he was in America. Things like that. Closure, I guess. I hadn't heard from or seen my father in fifteen years. I am ashamed with myself, but I wanted to know what happened to him before he died. And the only living person who had contact with my father was Tasha. So, I went to Tarasov prison and visited her. Only once. I swear. Once right before the trial. And that was all. My questions were answered and I was done for good. Never wanted to see her again."
I sobbed. "Oh, god. Why didn't you tell me Dimitri? This never would have happened."
"I'd rather have you leave me than you believe I'm weak. That I don't deserve you. I just wanted to be strong. And if you knew the reason why I went to visit Tasha…you wouldn't want me anymore."
He couldn't be more wrong. "You were afraid I was going to reject you." I stated.
His brown eyes met mine. They were so dark and intense and hypnotizing that I couldn't look away—not that I wanted to anyways. "I want your forgiveness, Rose. I know that I don't deserve it, but I can't stand the thought of you hating me forever—"
"Why didn't you ever come after me?" I interrupted as a lightening bolt flashed through the clouds, making the whole sky glow with purple and blue. "Why didn't you ever talk to me?"
Thunder roared in the night.
Dimitri took a step forward. "You asked me to leave you alone, and I did. I tried to talk with you when I had the chance. I really did. But every time, Adrian would stop me, telling me it was best that I stay away from you as I would only hurt you. And I watched you, Rose. I watched you from a distance. And as time passed by, the pain and sorrow in your face disappeared and was replaced with...happiness. And as much as it pains me to say this, I let you go…let you be happy, let you move on with your life. Because that's what you deserved. Because I don't deserve you."
Tears poured out of my eyes like a waterfall. "You idiot! You stupid fucking idiot!" I slapped him hard, then cupped his face and smashed my mouth to his. "Don't ever say that again! Understand? I want you. Only you. It's always been you. I love you…"
"Roza," He pushed me against the drenched brick wall, covering my body with his. "Say that again. Tell me that you love me."
"I love you."
"Again. Say it again." Dimitri growled, staring at my mouth.
"I. Love. You."
"Again. I need to hear it."
"I love you, Dimitri."
"God, I love the way your mouth moves when you tell me that. The way your voice sounds."
I wrapped my arms around his neck and stuffed my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling that wonderful crisp scent of after shave mingled with his natural masculine scent. It had been so long…
"Do you still love me?" I whispered.
Abruptly, he pulled away from me. Hurt and rejection turned my blood cold, that was until…
Dimitri got down on one knee.
"I'm not letting you go like I did the last time. I'm not making that same mistake twice."
I could only stare in disbelief. It was like my voice box had been smashed.
"In two years, after you graduate from college, I am going to get down on one knee like this…and ask you to become my wife." He pulled out a small black velvet box, opened it, revealing a silver band with a brilliant shining diamond.
I dropped to my knees, not caring that my pants were covered in mud, and kissed Dimitri until I couldn't breathe. "And I'm going to say yes."