The next couple of days Dimitri stayed home with me because I wasn't officially pardoned, and nobody wanted me to risk anything. Lissa was scheduled to give a big speech after it was passed, and after that she said she was going to take everyone out for dinner. I wasn't really one for big parties anymore, but I was happy whenever I got to spend time with her so I didn't mind.
Hers speech was fine it wasn't focused on my pardon, it was kind of just put in there. It was really more focused on Queen Tatiana's murder and how it was most like a large set up it would take more time to fully investigate. She said there was enough evidence to disprove I did it, and my stake was stolen. I knew I wasn't going to use it again any time soon but it was the last thing Dimitri gave me before he left, and I wish I could have kept even after it was dull.
Afterwards she came home and since I left her head as soon as she got off the stage she actually surprised me again. Lissa seemed to be proud of how well she could organize her thoughts and keep things from me. When she walked in with Christian and a few garment bags she got my attention. She ran in an threw the bags on the couch and then gave me a hug. "Are you ready for a fun night?" The excitement was radiating off of her.
"Yah, Knowing you you have something completely unnecessary planned but I enjoy it and thank you later." I didn't say it in a mean way because that was how I approached every social situation she put us in. Lissa leaned over and looked through the bags she threw on the couch and then picked one out.
"Go shower and put this on, I want to do your hair and makeup when your ready." I raised my brow? "Your going to look stunning in that." She was so happy it was putting me in a good mood. She suddenly felt a little stupid. "Oh, wait do you want me to help you in the bath?" I smiled at her.
"Oh no, I've figured out how to do it on my own again, I just have to be careful, and if I really have to I'll get Dimitri to help." Her face lit up again.
"Dimitri, oh wait, I almost forgot!" Dimitri popped his head in through the kitchen archway. When Lissa beckoned he to he came over to the two of us. She grabbed the largest of the bags and handed it to him. "Adrian picked you a suit, I'm not sure if you'd like to wear it, but I think you'd look rather handsome if you dressed up to go with your date." She elbowed me lightly, her comment was kind and friendly, but Dimitri clearly didn't know what to say. "And before you say anything about money or some other chivalry nonsense. Take it, it's the least I could do for protecting Rose when I can't."
At first I was rather offended, but then I realized she wasn't really talking about staking a strigoi in my place. She was more talking about keeping my sanity in check while she couldn't reach me. Dimitri nodded while thanking her. Then he put an arm around me. "Well it's already four so if we want to make our reservations, I better go get ready. Remember rose come over when you dressed." She turned to the remaining garment bags on the couch. She yelled Christian's name and he came back inside but this time my mother came in as well. Lissa handed the black bag, fitting, to Christian. She decidedly handed him another one. "Give this to Eddie when he gets here please." Christian nodded and then left after a quick hi and goodbye.
Just as my mother went into the kitchen Lissa called her as well. "Ms. Hathaway, I was hoping you would coming to dinner with us tonight." My mother keep her neutral expression.
"Of course, just find me when you need me to get a van." Lissa shook her head.
"No, no as a guest." My mother actually seemed surprised, but she regained her composure instantaneously.
"I wouldn't want to bother you, so I will have to decline to offer, but I will drive if you still need me too." Lissa sighed, she wasn't one to push things like this.
"No that's fine, you can enjoy an evening to yourself then." I shocked everyone in the room including myself when I said something I don't think I every did.
"Mom." She looked at me intently. "Please."
"Rose, I, I can't..."
"Please, I want you to." After a long silence she nodded.
"Alright, I'll come." She looked at Lissa and thanked her, but before she could dash out the room, Lissa clapped her hands and let out a small shriek. She grabbed one of the two bag left, and quickly handed to my mother.
"I was hoping, you'd come, oh I wanted to pick you nice dress to compliment your hair, but then Adrian said you wouldn't like wearing a dress because it's not practical and..." She rambled a bit more about how she came to pick the jumpsuit she got her, and for a brief moment I seen my mother laughing.
"Thank you, Your..." I think she was about to say your highness, but stopped yourself. "Thank You."
"Alright the limo will be here at six forty so we don't have all lot of time. Let's go folks." She grabbed the remaining bag and ran out the door. I looked at Dimitri with an amused grin.
"A limo? Jeez Lissa really knows how to throw a good party." Dimitri smiled but I was the only one to laugh at her.
"Just enjoy yourself tonight, your home, she just wants enjoy your company again. Even if it's a little over the top for what guardians normally do, have fun Rose."
"Hey this might not be the only one you have, but your home too. Lissa loves you too. You can have fun tonight too. I know I have more pride than I should but you've done so much for me the past few months, and since I met you. Have fun, there are gonna be more people who can 'watch me' tonight."
"Maybe." He left the conversation at that and I followed him upstairs. I started up the shower and and 'quickly' washed my hair and rinsed myself down. In reality it took me over 20 mins and just prayed Lissa picked a long dress because I didn't even want to attempt to shave my legs. I wrapped myself in my towel and went into my room. Dimitri was sitting on the bed in some work out gear reading a novel.
"You could've showered down stairs." He shook his head.
"Your mother is in there and I thought it wouldn't hurt to wait for you, just in case." I went over and kissed him on the forehead before he got up and went into the bathroom. He finished before I could even put on underwear. I hurried to pull on my panties as he opened the door. I think my face turned red or something because he apologized for walking in.
"No, no it's fine, I need to be a little less self conscious." I wrapped the towel around myself again. For the first time I opened the bag and all I could see was red and sequence. "I swear if you make me look like a fifty cent stripper..." Obviously I was joking but I still worried when I seen the shininess.
"One second." Dimitri slipped into the bathroom as I slipped into the gown. Just like I hopped it was floor length, but it was tight. It didn't squeeze me, but emphasized all the extra weight I've put on. I fell extremely self conscious. If I had the same body I did 6 months ago or more, I would've liked the over the top style, but now it made me feel horrible. I took it off quickly and put on my robe.
I was already heading downstairs when I heard Dimitri call my name, but I ignored him. I went through the kitchen into Christian's house and lead myself up the mirrored complex stairs and into Lissa new shared bedroom. I heard the shower running so to be safe I looked into Lissa's head to make sure I wasn't going to walk into something. I knocked before entering to be extra careful.
Lissa was in a towel with a beautiful dress laid out on her bed and she was deciding between two pairs of shoes. "The green ones." She finally looked up at me and frowned.
"Why aren't you ready?" I shrugged. "Rose come on we have to hurry. I want to make you look all dolled up." I made a face. "Christian don't come out the bathroom Rose is here!" He said something I didn't understand but Lissa took it as an appropriate response and then turned to me. "Alright now strip I want to see you in that gorgeous dress."
"Lissa, I can't wear this dress." She looked a little disappointed.
"Oh, I thought I got you the right size. You've been the same as before you were pregnant, I just got it in the maternity section, and." I cut her off.
"No Lissa is a really nice dress and it fits perfectly, but I just don't look good in it. I really just look awful." She put her hands on her hips.
"You don't actually think I believe you? Rose, come on, you could make a trash bag look sexy." I sighed.
"Maybe before... But now I just look like a beached whale." Lissa laughed.
"Rose stop it, you look gorgeous! Let me see it on you." I decided to not waste any more time arguing, so I dropped the robe and struggled for a moment to pull the dress on. I asked Lissa to zip it and then I stood in front of her awkwardly. "Rose you look..."
"Rose!" I heard Dimitri calling my name and I turned my head. He called me one more time before reaching the doorway. "Rose, don't scare me like that, you can't just..." He just stopped and looked at me up and down.
"Doesn't she look stunning?" Lissa asked genuinely.
"Stop it guys, I look."
"Roza, stop, you look beautiful." Dimitri took a step forward and I turned to face him. He gently held my face in his hand. "You're not fat, don't say that. You're pregnant, and you're still the most beautiful person in the world. So finish getting ready and enjoy yourself tonight." He planted a small kiss on my forehead. "I'll be in our room." Without another word he left.
"Oh, I so wish I knew about you two earlier. You're absolutely adorable!" Even though it was kind her comment made me uncomfortable, I didn't like thinking about when I hid him from her. "Honestly Rose he's right you look amazing."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him sooner." She seemed confused for a moment.
"Rose, I wish you would have trusted me but I get why you didn't tell anyone, including me. Now that I know I want to be happy for you, for both of you. I can see how amazing you are for each other. You just are so happy, sometimes I wish I could make you feel like that." She was smiling, and just like always she was only wishing for the best in me.
"Lissa, stop it, you're gonna make me cry. You do make me happy, you are always there and you make me want to be a good person." The next thing she said wasn't spiteful but I was still offended by it.
"You don't 'need' me, you 'need' him." I opened my mouth to argue but I couldn't think of anything that wasn't a lie. "You know I'm right, and I know you love me, but I seen you when he was gone. I thought it was just from the attack, but in hindsight I know it was because you needed him."
"But Lissa, I can't think like that, I can't admit that to myself. He left before so he could do it again,me doesn't need me." She groaned in impatience.
"Maybe you both need to just realize you need each other, so stop being so closed off and self destructive." I see how happy you are together! HE NEEDS YOU TOO! You're going to be a family and it's going to be amazing, but only if you let it." I simply nodded because I didn't want to say anything in case I cried. She seeming read my expression, because she came over and gave me hug. "I'm going to make you look stunning."
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