AN: This is a shorter chapter but I love me a Dimitri Pov. The dialog in this chapter will be in Russian by the way but I didnt make it clear in the story.

CHAPTER FIVE

DIMITRI POV

I thank the human cabbie from his open window as I pull out a wad of twenties and tell him to keep the change.

"Thank you, young man." He nods his head and makes sure he's clear before taking off.

I turn from the street and look to the home I grew up in and take it all in. Not much has changed, the same faded white color that could really use a touch up and beautiful garden that can only survive in these few warmer months.

I take hold of my luggage and head up the walk away, stepping over a children's bike and knock on the faded rust colored door.

"A moment!" I hear a voice call out and I grin.

The door swings open to reveal my eldest sister Karolina, her eyes widening immediately, realizing it's me.

"Dimika!" She squeals and jumps into my arms, to which I catch her and pick her up in a tight bear hug, seeing as I have a foot of height of her, and all the rest of the women in my family. Men too as well actually.

"Dimika?" I hear from further within the house and look past Karos head to see my mother, Olena and other sister Sonya rushing over.

"Dimika!" I laugh and place Karo down as they run over to be able to embrace all of them.

"Oh my lord in heaven, Dimika, why did you not tell us you were coming?" My mother cries into my chest.

I gently stroke her auburn hair now streaked with gray and smile down at her, "I wanted to surprise you, Mama."

She looks up, tears streaming down her face and slaps my chest, "How dare you, always so mischievous, I would have prepared a room for you!"

I just laugh and shake my head and give everyone another hug and kiss on the cheek, my heart feeling lighter than it has in years.

Truth be told, I hadn't known I would be coming here or even returning to Russia until a few days ago. I ignore the thought and chose to enjoy this moment with my family.

"Come on everybody, I'm sure Dimika wants to come in and relax from his travels," Sonya ushers us all in, trying to help with my luggage, as if i'd let that happen.

"Oh, yes, of course!"

They lead me into the living room where I see my Grandmother Yeva, standing from her rocking chair, cane in hand.

"Don't stand, Grandmother, I'll come to you."

"How would I give my grandson a hug if I do not stand?"

I smile and head to her, her small, frail frame relying heavily on her cane. Before I could wrap my arms entirely around her I felt a sting on my cheek.

God dammit. "Babushka," I groan, trying to stifle a chuckle from her swift slap. Not truly painful but the intent is what matters.

"Do you not know how phones work, Grandson? Do they not have them where you were? Did the British have you held hostage?"

I look down at all 4'9" of her with a tiny, tiny shred of fear but mostly happiness.

"I am glad to see you're not as reliant on that cane as you seem."

She looks at it, holding it up, "This thing?" She tosses it to the floor and kicks it aside, her posture becomes straight and strong and smiles evilly up at me, every wrinkle as beautiful as I remembered. "Can't have you expecting what I'll do next."

I laugh and pull her into a very long awaited hug.

"I've missed you."

"As have we, Dimika. Now sit, tell us all what you have been up to."

And I did, as much as I could.

I told them of my time in England, Guarding my Moroi and best friend Ivan Zelkos, Now King Ivan. It's been two years and I still haven't gotten used to it. Ivan and I got close our sophomore year of school at St. Basils and I knew early on I wanted him to be my charge, but if I'd known he'd become King when we were only 22 I might have rethought the decision. Not that I would have known then what I know now . . . seen what he's become.

Now at 24 I feel so much older than my years.

I spare my family the details of what has been plaguing me for the past year and instead tell them about the other, safer parts of my life, which honestly wasn't much, and why I'm back in Baia.

"The news hasn't been released to the general public quite yet but the Monarchs have created a competition and trials to be held at St. Basils for all those that ranked into the Specialist Guardian Program in all the academies."

"Oh, really, that sounds exciting," Mama says, pouring me more tea.

"Yeah, I wish they had done that when I was in school!" Sonya cries.

Karo snorts, "You wouldn't have been in it anyways, you were like number 42 or something."

Sonya slaps her arm playfully and pouts. "Shut up, Karo, you were 34, not much better!"

I chuckle and lean back on the couch. Not easy seeing as it's a low back and low to the ground, making my 6'7" frame look like I'm sitting on doll furniture.

"Ha, losers." I mock, having been top of my class.

They both slap at me, and I pretend to be hurt.

Laughing, I go on explaining more, "It actually is exciting, the top winner will receive money, paid time off after graduation and first pick of assignments. 25 of us across the world were asked to go and be mentors and to help out with the logistics. Which reminds me, don't tell Viktoria I'm in town, I want to surprise her too."

Karolina nods as Sonya mimes zipping her lips.

"It must be hard, you being away from Ivan, how is he?" Mama asks.

I feel myself slip into my guardian mask at the innocent mention of him.

"He's fine, very busy."

I'm saved from having to say anything else by a young boy running down the stairs, "Mama, I'm hungry!" He stops short when he sees me and my smile comes back bigger than ever.

His whole face lights up and he runs shrieking and crashing onto my lap, "Uncle Dimika! Uncle Dimika!"

"There's the big man!"

Babushka was only slightly exaggerating when she accused me of not calling enough, While my calls and video chats hadn't been as consistent these past 6 months, I usually was very good at keeping in touch, especially since I didn't want my nephew to grow up not knowing who I am, and at five years old, I'm glad I did. I'd be devastated if he hid from me instead of being excited.

"Uncle Dimika! Uncle Dimika! Come on I want to show you my room and my playstation 5 santa go for me and-"

"Whoa there, Paul," Karo, his mother, chides with a giggle "let your uncle breathe, you can show him everything later, you can share your room tonight, okay?"

"Yay! Did you hear that Uncle Dimika, we can play games all night!"

I erupt in laughter as his mom yells that that's not what she meant, but his little legs are already taking him away to set up all his toys for tonight.

"Oh, lord, I spoil that boy too much."

Sonya snorts, "We all do."

I chuckle as Mama comes back into the room announcing dinner is ready.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Karo, he'll be heading to the academy next year, let him enjoy this part of his childhood."

She smirks at me as we stand and head to the dining room, "Whatever you say, Santa!"

My laughter booms again and it feels so good. It's been too long.

We enjoy a delicious dinner and I'm caught up on all the town gossip. The town's butcher was caught peeping into windows, the next door neighbors added an addition to their home that's not sanctioned and there were a few pregnancies of Dhampir women I had gone to school with. I ignored the implications of the last one and the type of men that were the fathers but it was hard. I hope it was of their own choice.

"What about you, Dimitri? Are you seeing anyone?" Sonya, asks, wiggling her eyebrows.

I snort and finish chewing my bite of steak before answering. "No."

Her smiles turn to a disapproving frown and she tilts her head, "Come on, Brother, there has to be someone."

I shake my head, "Nope." She rolls her eyes.

"There will be very soon."

My head snaps to Yeva.

She looks up from her food, forked perched mid air and gives me an innocent 'what' look before taking her bite, as my sisters and mother bounce in their seats, squealing.

I can't speak despite myself.

My Grandmother has the gift of sight. She dreams of the future and is very rarely wrong. Actually she's never wrong, sometimes things just happen a little differently than expected, as some visions are harder to decipher than others.

"How sure are you, mother?" Mama begs.

Yeva looks at her coyly.

"Positive."

More screeching and I drop my fork.

"Wait, wait, wait," Karo demands, "is she the one or the one for right now?"

Yeva snorts, "Have I ever bothered to mention Dimikas worthless flings before?"

"Oh, God, Babushka." I groan not wanting my dirty laundry aired like that to my mother and sisters. I can only imagine what she saw of my less than angelic past. Not that I'm a womanizer, but still.

My sisters laugh hysterically, begging for Yeva to continue.

"Okay so definitely the one, please Babushka tell us!"

Yeva smirks and seems to silently debate with herself.

"She is a beauty unmatched and will make our Dimitri whole. He will know it is her at first sight." and with that, she excuses herself to go on her after dinner walk.

"Holy shit, we're going to have another sister!"

I sit, stunned.

Mama grabs a hold of my hand, tears shining in her eyes, "Do not fear, my son, you deserve to be happy. Oh, have I worried about you, always being in such danger and alone. Accept this blessing."

I sigh and pat her hand with my much larger one.

Still not quite capable of words, I collect everyone's plates and begin doing the dishes.

Not how I expected my homecoming to go . . .

AN: Thank you for all the faves/follows and reviews, I know this chapter was shorter but I'll have the next one out very soon and would love your feedback!