Drabble:40
POV:Third Person
After Dimitri was turned back to a dhampir, and Rose had been exonerated of Tatiana's murder, the dhampir couple visited Russia. A lot of doubts plagued Dimitri's mind-he didn't know how his family would react to seeing him again, he didn't know how he'd react if they shunned him, if his friends ostracized him. He didn't know if he could bear it.
But one thing he was sure of was Rose. She'd forgiven him for all the torment he'd put her through and he owed it to her to return back to his homeland with her, even if he wasn't especially happy to. So when she'd announced their vacation, he had complied with minimum protest. He packed their suitcases dutifully as she blabbered on about his mother, his sisters, his nephew and even his Babushka. He was glad that they had accepted her so easily, made her a part of their family, but worried about how much it would hurt both of them if his family rejected him. He didn't dare to hope they wouldn't, but in his heart, he prayed.
Throughout the days leading up to the trip, their connecting flights and even on road to Baia, Rose tried her best to keep him upbeat and buoyant, intuitively giving him what he needed, without even being asked.
But when the moment of reckoning arrived, as he sat behind the wheel of the car, outside his childhood home, Dimitri's fears rushed back and he couldn't find the courage to get out and finish what they'd come for. He sat paralyzed, till Rose placed a kiss against his cheek, lending him her strength. Taking a deep breath, he got out, and claimed her hand in his. Walking up to the house, the couple was first mobbed by Viktoria. When he'd recovered enough to realize that he was being accepted back home, the other women had come out to hug him and Rose too. After exchanging light banter, he followed the women of his family to his home, one hand pressed to Rose's back, to assure himself that he wasn't dreaming. He was introduced to his nephew and nieces and then Yeva made her appearance, and a very entertaining exchange-of-words transpired between her and Rose.
After they'd all settled down, and talked and ate, he stood up and cleared his throat. "Mama, Babushka and sestras", he began, inclining his head towards them. "I know it's probably too late for this, but I'd still like to introduce you to my Roza. And Roza, meet the beautiful Belikova ladies.". He concluded by tugging Rose to her feet and pulling her to his side.
His family obliged him with humor and murmured a chorus of heys at Rose, who in turn stuck out her tongue at him. After a lot more conversing, they retired for the night. And Dimitri felt so, so elated. Never even in his wildest dreams had he expected to live this day, this way. He prayed to God, thanking Him for his blessings, thanking Him for the love he had in his life, both from his extraordinary family and from the woman lying in his arms, who was as much a member of the family as him. And for the first time, in a long, long while, Dimitri slept like a baby, so glad to have come home. After all, home is where the heart is! And he was home, finally.
Thank you for reading! Lemme know what you think! Cheers!:D