In the many years that followed, we always referred to those few months after I graduated as our summer of love. The summer when Dimitri showed me his abiding love by building me a home, and at the end of it I by giving him our first child. We didn't realize it at the time, but the foundations of love, friendship, humor, and camaraderie formed in those brief, precious months before two became three were to form the backbone of our lives together and sustained us through the bad times as well as the good.
I was sitting in the courtyard of Abe's house in Turkey watching the sun set. My love sat beside me, his eyes closed, a small smile on his face. He was turning forty in a few weeks. There were strands of gray starting to appear in his dark hair, and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes were deeper. But he still looked the same to me. With my lover's eyes, he was still the handsome man who'd swept me off my feet sixteen years ago.
"You're staring Roza," he chuckled, sensing my eyes on him like he always did.
"I am, Comrade," I acknowledged, lifting a lock of my long dark hair and tickling him with it.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, opening an eye and peering at me curiously.
"Our summer of love," I replied in contentment, resting my head on his shoulder and closing my eyes as the memories that seemed like only yesterday played in my mind.
"Duckie! How are you enjoying court?" I asked as soon as Mase answered his phone.
"Rose! It's good. Eddie and I went shopping yesterday, and today we just hung out."
"Have you had dinner, yet?"
"No, we're about to go and find something now."
"Well... You know how I visited Court with Dimitri when he first came back? I discovered the most amazing place. It's two blocks from where you're staying, and I've organized a surprise for you! Get Eddie and go out of the Guardian accommodations, turn left and walk for a block till the corner of Third and Tarus. Then turn right and walk for a block and it's at the next intersection. It's a pâtisserie. Go inside and ask for the takeaway order under the name Hathaway. It's already paid for."
"It isn't the same without you here, Rose. I always thought we'd be doing this together. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye at the Academy. I tried to come and see you in the infirmary, and they said no one was allowed in. And then the next thing I know you were gone."
"Sorry, Mase. After everything with Tasha… I just needed to get out of there. You'll forgive me once you see this pâtisserie, I promise! Now go get Eddie and go!"
"Alright Hathaway, keep your hair on! I'll call you later."
"Make sure you do, Mase," I said, a smile in my voice.
I was parked on the other side of the intersection from the pâtisserie. It was 8 am, so the start of my day. I'd promised Dimitri I'd only drive solo during daylight, so I'd waited for sunrise before setting out. With my hair up in a cap and a pair of sunglasses on, the guys wouldn't recognize me from this distance.
As instructed, a minute or two later I saw Mason and Eddie approaching. A week ago they'd looked like Novices, but wearing their new uniforms they looked like Guardians now I realized. They entered the pâtisserie without a glance in my direction and minutes later emerged carrying a large white box. They were walking back in the direction of the Guardian quarters when I started the engine, wound down the window and slowly drove up alongside them. Mason was starting to open the box to peer within.
"You know it's bad form to eat a pregnant woman's sweet treats don't you?" I asked as I pulled up. My sweet treats nearly ended up on the sidewalk. Mason squealed in a way that was more girly than Guardian, and Eddie looked at me with amusement.
"Hathaway! What the hell are you doing here? And who'd you steal the car from?" he asked.
I laughed, enjoying their surprise.
"I live here. Well, near here. And the car's mine! Get in – I'm taking you two to my place for dinner! There's so much I haven't told you!" I could see Eddie and Mason's surprise as I confidently drove through Court and to one of the main exits. I signed us out started on the road that led near our place.
"So the car?!" Mase asked looking around him in awe from the passenger seat.
"Was an eighteenth birthday present from my father…"
"You have a father?" Eddie asked in surprise.
"Yes, Castile. Turns out I wasn't an immaculate conception," I joked. "I haven't met him yet, but he sent his lawyer to get in touch with me when he heard I was pregnant. He arrived the day after Dimitri got back. Long story short, it was hard for Dimitri to find an allocation with a girlfriend and a kid on the way and the lawyer was looking for someone to be the live-in commander at a property he bought nearby. So he offered the position to Dimitri. We've been living about twenty minutes outside Court on four and a half acres. Dimitri supervises a team of six Guardians and is helping oversee the property being upgraded. He's also renovating a little cottage on site for us to live in. Because we're a bit out of town, my father wanted me to have a car, so I could get around."
"It still has that new car smell," Eddie admired, while Mason was starting to open the box from the pâtisserie.
"No eating in the car!" I snapped, smacking his hand away. "And no eating my treats!" The three of us laughed. Some things never changed! We chatted as I drove, and before long I was pulling off the road and into our driveway. The place looked so different to how it had when I'd first seen it. The garden had been cleared up and all the debris and old equipment removed. The main house was still being worked on, so there were contractors on site, but for now, most of the work was occurring inside.
The Guardian accommodation block had been renovated inside and out. Dimitri said they were now amongst the nicest Guardian rooms he'd seen; he was proud to offer his team such a pleasant place to call home.
I parked in front of the workshop.
"Dimitri and I live in a little flat above the workshop," I explained, pointing upstairs. "And that's the cottage Dimitri's rebuilding for when Junior arrives," I continued, referring to the cottage a hundred yards away.
I led the way upstairs to the flat.
"It's small, but we don't need much," I said shyly, showing them the place with satisfaction. The bathroom door opened, and Dimitri stepped out, toweling off his hair. He was completely nude.
"Comrade! Eddie and Mason are here – put some clothes on!"
Dimitri looked up and smiled, lowering the towel he was using on his hair to wrap around his hips.
"Hi, guys. Sorry, milaya. I didn't think you'd be back for another half hour," he said walking into our bedroom and closing the door.
I snuck a look at the awed expressions on Mason and Eddie's faces and smirked. I could understand where they were coming from. Dimitri's body was a work of art. Every single bit of it was impressive – including the parts usually hidden beneath his boxers.
"Sorry about that," I said. "Now I hope you guys are hungry because I'm cooking dinner!"
"You? Rose Hathaway, cook?" Mase said looking at me suspiciously.
"Yes," I laughed, showing them the table I'd already set. I'd pondered something I could make which would do for breakfast for us, and dinner for them, and had decided on omelets. I'd done the majority of prep before I'd left, so all I had to do was heat the pan and start making them. I'd just flipped the first one onto a plate when my Russian God came out, now dressed, and wrapped his arms around me from behind kissing my temple lovingly.
"How's your arm feeling?" I asked. It was only four days post being shot, and he still had waterproof gauze over the wound and was taking painkillers.
"Better today," he said. "Need a hand?"
"Yep. Can you get the lemonade out? And put the coffee on."
I put a plate in front of Mason, already almost finished making the second omelet which I was cooking for Eddie. "Eat while it's hot," I directed.
"This is good," Mason enthused in amazement as he ate, and I got similar compliments from Eddie when he started his. Dimitri brought the coffee and lemonade to the table as I served his omelet and then I set about making my own. When we'd finished the hot food, I brought out the selection of pastries from the pâtisserie. Downing those with lemonade for the guys, coffee for Dimitri and me, we took the guys on a tour of our little domain.
Having admired all the upgrades, and listened to Dimitri's plans for the addition of a running track, chicken coup, and orchard, we ended up at the cottage.
"You built all this?" Mason asked Dimitri looking at my Russian God's handiwork.
"He did. There was only an attic and a leaky roof when we got here. And downstairs was a wreck."
"Wow, that's impressive," Eddie said, also surprised.
"It's easy when you're building it for the love of your life," Dimitri told them with uncharacteristic candor.
I'm fairly sure they would have kept me out had I not walked in with Dimitri and Guardian Schoenberg. I suppose I could have insisted on attending; technically I was a new Guardian waiting for my allocation. But since we all knew I was going to be allocated as 'on maternity leave,' there probably wasn't much point me attending the allocation announcements – except my friends were about to discover their fates.
I sat inconspicuously to the side of the room as my nervous former classmates stood at the front, dressed in their black and whites. I gave Mason an encouraging smile, doing likewise for Eddie, Chelsea, Meredith, Angela and the others who comprised my graduating class. I felt one of those pangs that I should have been standing there with them, but I pushed it away.
And then I cast my eyes towards my Russian God – proud as punch to see him standing beside Art, looking splendid in his new dress uniform, the teal green edging on the collar edge indicating he was a member of the Guardians' Council. Guardian Hans Croft stepped forward, and silence immediately fell across the utilitarian meeting room.
With a minimum of fuss Guardian Croft introduced himself, then Guardian Schoenberg and Dimitri as representatives from the Guardians' Council. There were a few titters and surprised glances at this news. Only the top of the top made it onto the Council. I'd discovered Dimitri was the youngest member by over a decade. Dimitri's part in the Russian mission was still only publicly acknowledged by a tiny symbol on the back of his neck – but it was nice to know that his devotion and service was being recognized in other ways.
"Guardian Ashford," Croft read.
Mason stepped forward looking serene even though I knew he was freaking out.
"You have been allocated to serve, defend and protect Lord Christian Ozera," Croft said, handing him an envelope with particulars of his allocation.
Mason nodded, but I could see a small smile in his eyes. He and Christian weren't besties, but they got along well enough, were of a similar age, and I could see Mason's easy going personality complementing Christian's biting humor. Better still, it meant Mase would get to go to uni – something I knew he'd always hoped for. I gave him a huge grin. It was a good allocation.
I listened to a couple of other allocations and then it was Eddie's.
"Guardian Castile. You have been allocated as second Guardian to serve, defend and protect Princess Vasilisa Dragomir."
I'd had an inkling this might be the case. It made sense. Eddie and Mason worked well together, Eddie and I had topped our year, and with Lissa going to college she'd need at least one Guardian close to her age. Eddie seemed happy enough, giving Mason a quick grin. I felt another pang. It would have been fun for all of us to go to college together. But it wasn't to be. I loved being with Dimitri, too, and I couldn't have it all.
Angela looked disappointed with her allocation to a Voda based in Arizona, and Chelsea only marginally happier with a Badica in California. Meredith was the only one to be given an overseas allocation. She was headed to Bucharest, which seemed surprising until I remembered she was fluent in Romanian and Italian.
Once the allocations had been given, and the formal proceedings finished, people wandered around opening their envelopes and congratulating or commiserating. With a loud whistle, I called everyone to attention, asking them to stand together in a group for a photo. I shot off four or five pictures. A couple serious, a couple not so serious. I was about to release everyone when Dimitri stepped up behind me, telling me to get in the photo.
"I'm not being allocated, Comrade."
"No – but you will be one day if you want to be. And this is your graduating class."
I complied and stood between Eddie and Mason as Dimitri fired off a few more photos. Then there were hugs and best wishes and people dispersed. Some were flying out almost immediately, while others had a few days before they started their duties. Mase and Eddie wouldn't commence until Christian and Lissa returned from Minneapolis. The couple were going via St. Vlad's, their departure having been disrupted by the need to arrange Tasha's funeral and sort her belongings in Minnesota. They were well guarded there by a group of Guardians from St. Vladimir's, so for the next week, Eddie and Mason were left to their own devices.
"Eddie, I know you probably want to spend your last days with Chelsea, but you're both welcome to come hang at the property if you get bored at Court? There are eighteen empty Guardian rooms, so we've got plenty of room," I offered.
They ended up visiting for three days, and we had a ball. Dimitri seemed to appreciate it was the end of an era for us all, so he gave us our space. The guys switched to our human timetable, and we spent a lot of time in my car exploring the countryside surrounding Court. Like me, they enjoyed the human world – so we visited the little townships within driving distance. On their final day visiting, we went to a deceased estate farmyard sale a couple of counties over. Most people were there for the farm equipment, but the contents of the home were being sold off, too.
We ran into my friend Murray from the second-hand store, who walked around with me, letting me know how much to offer for the items I wanted. It's lucky he had his large truck with him, as I ended up buying more than I'd anticipated; a couple of single bedframes, the prettiest dressing table I'd ever seen, a blanket box, a sideboard, some vintage enamel and bakeware and the pièce de résistance – a vintage porch swing.
I wanted to surprise Dimitri with it, so I rang Kirk and explained the situation, getting him to slink over to the cottage to measure the space where I wanted to put the swing. It was a perfect fit, so I bought it for a grand total of $50. Murray proposed if Mase and Eddie loaded his purchases as well as mine into the truck he'd deliver them direct to the property for me; which is how he ended up following in my car down the driveway to park outside the workshop. Dimitri saw us coming and came across to shake Murray's hand.
"What did she buy this time?" he asked with an amused look, dropping his arm affectionately around me.
"Just one or two things," I replied. "Now close your eyes," I demanded, signaling Eddie and Mase to climb into the back of the van and pull down the porch swing, setting it at his feet.
"That's beautiful," Dimitri admired when he opened his eyes. "They don't make things like that anymore, milaya! Look how solid it is! It's going to be perfect on our verandah. I can just see the kids playing on it during the day and us cuddling on it once they've gone to bed…"
"Kids?" I laughed, poking Dimitri with my elbow. "Let's see how we cope with one, first!"
"You have to tell her…"
"Shut up," I grumbled petulantly. Nothing irritated me more than knowing Dimitri was right. "It's just things are so awkward with Christian at the moment. What do I do – ring up and say 'hi – so you know how you had no idea where I live 'cos of your boyfriend's crazy arsed aunt who I just found out my estranged mother shot? Well, guess what – I live close to you guys – we're almost neighbors!' Yeah. That will go over well!"
"Just call her! Use the bond to pick a good time if it helps. Tell her you know about Eddie and Mason's allocations and that they spent a few days visiting us because we live close to Court. It's going to be a lot more awkward if you leave it. Tell her now when she's just arrived back."
I slipped into her mind. She was in a room I didn't recognize unpacking her clothes. Cursing Dimitri, I picked up my phone and dialed before I could dissuade myself.
"Rose!" she said happily, answering my call on the second ring. "You'll never guess where I am and who my Guardians are!"
"You're in your new bedroom at Court, you're unpacking your clothes, and you got Eddie and Christian got Mason?" I teased.
"Ugh!" she groaned. "Tell me you were not in my head again!"
"Only for a second just then to check it was the right time to call," I placated her. "I was at the allocation announcements."
"But they're made at Court?"
"Yeah, about that. Dimitri and I live on a property twenty minutes outside Court, Liss. We're in Pennsylvania."
"Did you move here to be closer to me?" she asked in confusion. I could feel through the bond she wasn't entirely thrilled about that idea.
"No. When Dimitri came to look for a new allocation, there was nothing suitable, so he took a private allocation. He's the commander of six other Guardians on the property of a wealthy Moroi businessman and lawyer. We've lived here since my birthday," I explained. "There's a huge amount I haven't told you, but I wanted you to know where we are. Mason and Eddie actually came and stayed with us for a few days last week."
She sighed, and I could feel tension through the bond.
"This might make things hard. Christian's still not 100% over Tasha's death," she said delicately. "He found out today the Guardians' Council cleared the Ivashkov Guardian and your mother and it's been a real setback for him."
"Yes, I heard," I muttered.
"How did you hear?" she asked sharply. "Are you speaking with your mother again?"
"No. I didn't know until today my mother had anything to do with it," I said truthfully. "The lawyer who represented my mother is Dimitri's employer."
"Dimitri works for Abe Mazur?" Lissa whispered stunned. "He's apparently crooked as they come and vicious! You want to be careful Dimitri doesn't get a bad name by association."
"I don't know about that, Liss," I said getting a little cross now. "Abe's been nothing but kindness to Dimitri and me. He offered Dimitri a job so he could work to support us and a home when no one else did."
"Still, people might think less of Dimitri for working for him…"
"Well, he didn't have a lot of choices, did he? Besides I think Dimitri's reputation is fine, thank you. He's on the Guardians' Council himself now. Has been since before graduation."
"He was on the board that dismissed the charges against your mother?" she gasped. "That isn't right!" I could tell through the bond that Lissa was starting to think Christian's paranoid assertions about coverups and conspiracies had some validity.
"He wasn't included in those discussions. Neither of us even knew about my mother's involvement or that the Council had met until Abe told us today. It would have been a conflict of interest, so Dimitri wasn't involved."
"Still it's not right…" Lissa said uncertainly. "Tasha was Moroi."
"What? You think that poor Ivashkov Guardian and my mother should have been tried for shooting Tasha? They should have held their fire until what - she made a second shot? A third? How many times would you have liked Dimitri to be shot before you feel it would be acceptable for someone to take her down?"
"That's not what I meant!" Lissa said.
"Then what do you mean?" I asked hotly.
"I meant that Tasha was Moroi so the royal Council should have been the ones to hold the hearing."
"Take it up with Tatiana, then," I growled. "Maybe next time a crazy-assed Moroi decides to try and shoot a pregnant Dhampir so she can have an imaginary relationship with the Dhampir's boyfriend, Tatiana will change the protocol about how to deal with it?" I snapped, hanging up the phone and angrily tossing it onto our bed.
"Well, that went well," Dimitri commented, an eyebrow lifting in amusement.