A/N: I currently have 4 active stories, am going to school, volunteering, and working, so please believe me when I say that I'm trying as hard as I can to get as many updates possible out there to you guys :-) I'm sorry if this chapter is a bit on the late side, but I sincerely hope you guys still enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Richelle Mead owns Vampire Academy.

2 MONTHS LATER…

RPOV:

I slammed my palm against Dimitri's chest, right over his heart. "I win."

He grinned, flipped me over on my back, and kissed me hard. "Well done."

"Did I do better than last time, Mentor?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck and pecking him on the mouth twice, stealing a lick.

"Much better," he murmured, nibbling up my jaw to my chin. Then he pulled back and turned serious. "Actually, you're improving at a…alarming rate."

"That bad or good?"

"It's great. You're an amazing fighter." That playfulness returned as he dropped his head, biting and sucking on my earlobe. "It was just unexpected, that's all. But I shouldn't be surprised, you always exceed at everything."

"I love you, too."

"You want to show me how much?"

Groaning, I shook my head and ran my fingers through his silky hair. "You have to go soon."

"Right. I forgot." Dimitri swore. Wrapping his arms around my body, he climbed to his feet and brought his mouth to mine once again. "When I'm with you, everything around me ceases to exist."

"You're so goddamn sappy." Giggling, I wrapped my legs around his waist and rocked my hips.

We both gasped.

"Do we have time for a quick shower?" I asked hopefully.

"There's defiantly time."

"I'm going to miss you," I stared into Dimitri's bottomless eyes—the ones that made me feel at home no matter where I was, as long as I was with him.

"I'll call you tonight, Love. Promise."

"I'm looking forward to it." Our mouths met and I got lost in the satin feeling of his lips and the warm wetness of his tongue—

"Dear, God. My virgin eyes." Darius muttered, breaking us from our passionate lip lock. "She's not a baby, you know. She can walk on her own."

"Make him shut up." I said, never looking away from my boyfriend. We were in our own little world.

"Why don't you use one of those red gag balls boss loves so much? That ought to keep my pie hole quiet."

"What's up with you?" Dimitri turned his head and stared at the colossal man.

"I'm heartbroken." Darius rubbed his chest and winced, parking his ass on the ivory silk couch.

Ivan descended the stairs, suitcases in hand. He outright laughed. "You're still mad about that?"

"Will be until the day I die."

"Isn't that a little melodramatic considering the insignificance of this situation?"

"You stepped on my season four DVD box set of Everybody Loves Raymond and cracked discs five and six! They're ruined!"

"Like I said a dozen times already, I apologize. It was an accident. And it wouldn't have happened had you not shoved me."

"I hate your gigantic feet." Darius crossed his massive arms.

"You're two sizes larger than me—"

"In more ways than one."

"—Bigfoot. By the way, I don't see what the deal is. It's just Ray fucking Romano."

"How dare you." Darius' face was incredulous, his tone disbelieving. "I love Robert, he's so damn funny. And Marie is hot...in that mature kind of way."

"You're sick, man." Ivan said. "You're sick."

"We have to go," Dimitri's tone was impatient; obviously he was annoyed with the two. "The jet is waiting."

My insides filled with sorrow, and my boyfriend must have noticed the change because he tipped my head up with one long finger. "I'll be back in two days, Roza. The time will fly by…and I'll call you as soon as I land in Australia." He set me down on my feet.

I looked over at Ivan. My expression had to be murderous because the man recoiled and shuddered a little. "Take care of him for me. Or else."

Dimitri's business partner put a fist to the left side of his chest and bowed slightly. "With my life."

"I always knew I liked you."

"As for you," Dimitri pointed at Darius, then, as if wanting to protect me from the words, he switched languages and spoke with Darius in Italian.

The conversation ended with:

"My mother loves cooking Italian sausages." Darius said.

"Yeah, that she does. But I don't believe she'd want to use your Italian sausage in her recipes after I cut it off your sac and FedEx it to her in a bloody package. Which is exactly what will go down if anything happens to my wife. Do you understand? She sheds one goddamn tear and you're—"

"Dimitri!" I barked. "That's enough."

"Just have to make sure you're safe while I'm gone. She will be safe, right, D?"

"Of course. You love her? I love her. You'd die for her? I'd die for her, too."

"You're all right, you know that. Not so much of a cocksucker as I thought you were."

"Aw, you're so kind. Now I'm blushing."

Seventeen minutes later, Dimitri and Ivan had boarded the mansion's private jet, left the grounds, and were on their way to beautiful Aussie for a business signing for one of Dimitri's brand spanking new hotels.

And I was crying softly.

"Oh, God," Darius looked sick as he guarded his groin area with his hands. "Please don't do that. If Dimitri finds out…yeah, I'd like to keep my balls, thank you very much."

Laughing and sniffling, I rubbed my nose with the back of my hand in a very unladylike manner. "Sorry…I just miss him so much already. And it's all good. I won't tell him."

A slow, sneaky grin spread across Darius' cruelly handsome face. "I'm supposed to be filling out these arrangement things for Dimitri's savings and tax treatment, but…you wanna go have a beer and play some foosball in the basement?"

"You read my mind." I booked it across the mansions marble floors. "Last one there has to grab the tortilla chips and guacamole!"

"I miss the Belikov's," I said out of the blue, munching on caramel popcorn while we watched the Maury show. Without warning, the mysterious note flashed in my head:

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID.

"Yeah, me too. They're great people—He is not the father! I knew it! That baby don't look anything like him." Darius shot out of his seat and got right up in the plasmas face.

"Especially Yeva, you know. I never thought I'd say this, but, that crazy old lady grew on me. We've got this special bond going. Don't get me wrong, she still drives me up the wall…are you even listening to me?"

FOUND HIM FLOATING NEAR THE EDGES OF THE RIVER.

"Look at him dancing around, all happy and shit that he doesn't have to pay child support." Darius cracked up, staring at the screen.

"I feel bad for the girl."

"It's her eleventh time on the show. I've seen her before." he shook his head. "She needs to learn how to use a condom."

"You don't use a condom."

Darius arched a black brown, blue eyes piercing, lips quirked, like he couldn't believe what had come out of my mouth. "And how would you know?"

YOUR PLAN DIDN'T WORK AS WELL AS YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD, DID IT.

"Dimitri told me you like to go bareback." I took a sip of my Coke. "That's not safe. Actually, it's pretty fucking stupid."

"Save your breath. My mama already did the birds and the bee's talk." he waved his hand. "I only use quality girls."

"Oh, yeah," I scoffed, and continued on, even though it was none of my business. "They must be real worthy women there. How long does it take you to get into their pants? An hour? Two tops? You really know how to pick them."

IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO HAVE THAT SECRET EXPOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

"I'm clean. Okay? I get my shit checked all the time. And screw that, Mary Poppins. I know you and Dimtri fuck without protection."

As I cringed from his bold words, his face went gentle and he grabbed my hand. "Look, that was totally uncalled for. I'm sorry. It's just that…I guess I'm a little resentful."

"Of what?"

"The beautiful thing you and Dimitri have going. I know I'll never have that."

"You don't know…you think."

He frowned.

Signed: -I'M SURE YOU HAVE A PRETTY GOOD GODDAMN IDEA.

"I know you want Mia," I said. Darius recoiled at the sound of her name. "Why don't you go after?"

"She's got a boyfriend. And she told me they were getting engaged."

"Either way, she's not married, is she? No. So go get her, big boy…before it's too late."

"I've tried. Believe that." Darius tipped his head back and finished off his Corona. "I wouldn't be surprised if Princess gets a restraining order against me."

"You did kick her boyfriend's ass," I chuckled softly. "By the way, that was pretty frickin' awesome. Guy's a douche. He deserved it and then some."

"I feel you on that one."

We bumped knuckles.

On habit, I checked the time. It was late. Really late. Which meant I was expecting Dimitri's call soon.

"Can we please stop talking about that Little Firecracker?"

"Sure." I shrugged. "Whatever. It's your love life. Not mine."

"Don't say it like that," he said. "I have a spectacular love life."

Both of my brows cocked, thanks to my inability to raise one.

"Fine. Okay. You're right." he muttered defensively. "Have it your way, senorita. I have a spectacular sex life."

"So do I." I grinned proudly.

"All right," Darius shuffled to his feet. "I'ma make sure the alarms are set, then hit the sack. Anything you need?"

I shook my head. "Good night."

"G'night." After a kiss to my cheek and a pat to my knee, he was off.

I called out his name.

"Yeah?" Darius paused on the stairs, looking back at me.

"How'd you get that scar on your face?" The question was so random, so uncalled for, but I still had this urgency to ask him.

His jaw set hard, electric-blue eyes turning to stone.

"I'm sorry. That was completely wrong of me—"

"My ex fiancé gave it to me…I suppose as a parting gift." His cold, harsh laugh made me shiver. "After I found out that she was pregnant with another mans baby, I was so miserable and my heart ached constantly, but no matter how angry I was with her, I'd never lay a hand on her. So I left."

"And what'd she do?"

"Came after me. With a knife." When I gasped, he pointed to the scar on his face. "And that's how this nasty little bitch right here came about."

"Oh, my God," I said. Just thinking about all the pain he suffered had my anger boiling. I felt strangely protective over Darius, he was like the big brother I'd never had, and I realized that in that moment, I'd lay my life on the line to protect him. "I'm so sorry."

"Nah. S'all good, baby girl. I got my payback."

Something close to dread twisted in my stomach. "You hurt her?" As evil as it was, I was glad.

"I would have if she wasn't a woman. But I don't stand for that kind of shit."

"You went after the man?"

"Yup." All of the hows and wheres and what happends remained in the air as he gave me a secret smile, waved, and mounted the stairs.

Staring at the steps where Darius had just disappeared, my heart was racing, my brain scrambled with two words: Holy shit.

My cell's upbeat tone spilled in to the room and I jumped, then realized who it was and immediately flipped it open. "Dimitri!"

Okay, that attitude was way too cheery for my liking. I toned it down a notch. Just because I was in love didn't mean I had to turn into one of those girls that worried about matching her nail polish to her outfit and wrote in her diary with a fluffy pink pen.

"Hi, baby,"

That deep voice threw all previous thoughts out the door.

"Hi."

"Where are you?" The sexual and pure male note to Dimitri's tone had me gulping and holding the base of my throat.

"Basement. In the game room."

"Go to our bedroom, will you for me?"

Without another rational thought, I zoomed up the stairs, to the place he wanted me to be and closed the door. "I'm here," I said breathlessly, and it had nothing to do with all the running I'd done.

"Get in our bed. Tell me how comfortable and warm it is."

"No."

"No?"

"I want to take a bath,"

There was a growl on the other line. "God, I love you."

Smiling, I went to the tub and cranked the water on hot. As the porcelain filled, I pinched the phone between my ear and shoulder, then poured a generous amount of lavender bubble bath under the stream, added a few drops of unusual oils, and sprinkled sea salt over the top.

"Are you naked yet?" Dimitri demanded.

Breathing in the wonderful aromas filling the air and laughing in a short burst, I said, "Impatient, are we?"

"Very. So take off your clothes."

"Hmmm…I'm not sure I want to do that,"

"Roza," My boyfriend groaned, the sound painful and pleading. "I'm dying over here. Need some relief. Please."

"Depends where you are."

"At the hotel. In bed. Naked."

Now I was the one growling.

"Tell me what you're doing," his voice was all sex, smoothing over my skin like a caress. "Describe to me. Paint a beautiful picture in my head."

"I'm getting undressed."

"More detail."

"Fine," I said. "I'm pulling the jeans off my legs."

"Mmmm."

"Don't make that sound,"

"Why?"

"Because it turns me on too much," I swallowed hard. "By the way, how's Sydney?"

"Beautiful. But I'd rather be at home with you."

"Did you throw any shrimp on the barbie? Have you heard anyone use the word crikey? Or better yet, you see any kangaroos?"

Though I didn't see it, I could have sworn he rolled his eyes. "You and your stereotypes."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're still convinced I'm an ex KGB spy and my diet consists only of black bread and Borsch."

"Exactly. That's why I sleep with one eye open." I coughed. "And the other part is not true. I know you eat more than just...food."

The hiss that came over the other line had me boneless and wobbling at the knees. Careful not to slip and crack my head against the floor like an idiot, I pressed the SPEAKER button on the phone, set it on the black granite sink, and slipped into the bathtub.

"That was a spectacular sound," Dimitri murmured. "I could hear the water splashing and covering your body."

"No offense," I teased, smiling, "but you're kind of a perv."

"Why would I take that offensively?"

"I miss you."

"I miss you, too. So much…"

Absorbing the soothing sound of his voice, I rested my eyes and indulged in the hot, soapy water. The kinks in my back eased, the pounding headache vanished, and my sore feet were in heaven.

"I am so in love with you." Dimitri breathed.

"I know…I totally know." I murmured, twisting a lock of hair around one finger. "I'm pretty head over heels for you, too."

"Mmmm. You with your heels over your head…naked….screaming my name? Thanks for that visual."

I grinned. "Before we start getting all down and dirty, virtually speaking, I have to ask one question."

"Hmmm?"

"Ivan's not in bed with you, is he?"

Dimitri gave a throaty chuckle. "No. He's not. He's got his own room. Down the hall."

"Good."

"Now, where were we—" My words were cut off with a scream. "Sweet Jesus, Roza! You scared the crap out of me!"

The dog barked as my boyfriend exhaled tightly.

"How did you get in here?" I asked.

Darius sauntered in, lids squeezed shut. "Hey, senorita. Sorry to intrude—"

Dimitri boomed something in Italian.

"Boss? That you? I thought you were in Austral—Oh." The financial advisor's facial expression changed from confusion to realization. "He's on the phone, isn't it?"

As I scrambled to cover up myself as best I could with my limbs and water sloshed on the ivory marble, Darius yanked a towel from the wrack and covered his face with it. "My eyes are closed! My eyes are closed! I swear, boss!"

"Get the fuck out. My wife is naked."

Darius' lips lifted in a grin, and he turned around, putting his back towards me. Obviously wanting to fuck with his buddy, he said, "Oh, man. You look beautiful in this light, Rosa. Your skin is glowing, such a perfect golden-brown color. Your cheeks are flushed and you smell delightful, like jasmine and lavender and sea salt. And those dark eyes? Stop looking at me like that…before I tear off my clothes and dive in there with you. Make some room, darling!"

By the time Darius was done talking, I had to cover my mouth to muffle the giggles.

"You're a lucky son of a bitch. You know that." Dimitri's voice was tight with annoyance, but there was also a smile to it. "So help me God, if I was there…yeah, I'm going to spare the details because my wife is in the room."

"You're making that end button on the phonelook very tempting, boss."

"Get out."

"All right, all right. Jeeze. I swear, I'm going to pack up my bags and leave one of these days."

"Don't let the door smack you in the ass on the way out,"

"What she said." Dimitri murmured on the other line.

"I hate you guys." Darius stormed out, the husky trotting along at his feet.

"Now, where were we—"

"I'm back!" Darius boomed.

I groaned.

Lifting my eyes, I watched as he set a vase full of multi-colored flowers and some kind of black velvet jewelry box right by the tub. He was cautious to keep his eyes closed.

The two had a conversation in Italian and Darius left silently.

"The flowers are beautiful. But what is this?" Picking up the velvet box and squinting, I ran my dripping fingers down the softness.

"Just wanted you to have something…to remind you of me…while I was gone. Open it."

I did, and my breath caught. "It's gorgeous."

"And I'll bet it will look even more spectacular on you. Don't worry, it's made out of Swarovski crystals, so don't chew my head off about the price. I know you're not a big fan of diamonds."

Unless they're on an engagement ring. "Wow…just wow. That's all I can say."

I was positive he was smiling right now.

The bracelet was silver, the chain thick and the weight heavy. A thousand gems covered the surface, sparkling brilliantly in the light. Four chunky rubies brought everything together, making the piece of jewelry—if possible—more magnificent.

As I clasped it around my left wrist, I said, "I wish you were here with me…instead of a billion miles away."

"Me too, Roza. Me too. I'd kill to hold you in my arms right now."

Suddenly, I laughed as a memory popped into my brain. "Hey, do you remember that one time I was mad at you on Valentines? When we first started dating?"

"Yes, of course I do. How could I forget you throwing flowers and chocolates in my face and storming off?"

"And then, after school, I went into my locker and found everything there. With a teddy bear and a note saying I'm sorry."

"We made love for the very first time that night, too."

The sigh that came out of my mouth was way too feminine for my liking, so I decided to switch to a less girly part of memory lane. "Hey, what about that time I went to your house and met your family for the first time…"

"Where you got fully intoxicated,"

"And threw up all over Yeva's lap," I reminisced. "I think that was when she first started hating me."

Dimitri chuckled. "But she grew to love you. Very much."

"Yeah, she did. Didn't she." For some reason, I was so proud of that fact.

"Do you remember when I sent you that explicit text message in Russian?"

The image of Uncle Victor's shocked face came to mind, and had me shooting forward, roaring with laughter. Blushing, I whispered, "Yes, I believe I do."

"I expected you to go on the internet and translate it, after all, it was a private message meant for you and you only."

"But Victor's fluent in Russian,"

"So you asked him to read it out loud for you."

"My God, that was the most embarrassing moment of my life. Thank you for that."

"You're very welcome."

We were quiet for a couple of minutes, just listening to one another breath, when I decided it was time to tell him about the strange package that had arrived on the mansion's steps without an address or name. As I told him about the message inside and expressed my concern, he was deadly silent. Then, when I was finished with the tale, all he said was, "I'll deal with it. Don't be bothered."

It took a while before I could relax and do what he said, in spite of the fact that my spine was tingling with instinct. Something bad was going to happen. That was my gut feeling. And it was never off.

Pushing all of those problems aside, I took a deep breath and worked on slowing my heart down to a healthy rate.

"Dimitri, I have something to tell you."

"Go ahead, my Love."

"I'm pregnant."