The room was silent, they were all pleased that the book was done but none of them had been ready for the event that took place in that last few chapters. Everyone looked at each other not sure what to do or say. Abe still had Janine in his arms both were happy that Rose was fine. Tatiana looked bored like there were a million other things she would rather be doing. Mason stood up without saying anything and just left the room. Eddie got up and tried to follow him, but Victoria was still holding his hand.
"Give him space, he needs some time to come to terms with and understand what happened," Victoria said looking at Eddie sadly, Eddie cast one last look in the direction Mason had gone but didn't follow. Christian and Adrian stood up and showed Mark and Oksana their room before the boys went to their own.
Karolina looked down at Paul who was still in her lap, his tears had finally stopped but she could see that he was far from being fine.
"Let's get you in bed," Karolina smiled down at him softly,
"I'll help," Ivan offered getting up along with her. Karolina smiled at him in thanks and the two made their way out of the room. Karolina and Ivan made their way to her room in silences, neither knowing what to say. Paul looked up at Ivan from his mother's arms and smiled at the man. Paul liked Ivan he was nice to Paul and never tried to hurt his mother.
"Can uncle Ivan stay with us tonight?" Paul asked looking at his mother with the biggest puppy eyes he could, Ivan and Karolina chuckled at him.
"Sorry sport not tonight. I have to go and talk to your uncle and make sure he knows that he can't mess things up with Rose," Ivan smiled at Paul, ruffling the small boy's hair.
"Yes please, Dimitri is being such an idiot in the book. Thankfully Rose hasn't given up on him," Karolina shook her head as Ivan opened the door for her. She quickly made her way over to Paul's bed and tucked him in.
"I know right, let's just hope he listens to me and if he doesn't I'm going to kick his ass," Ivan promised. Karolina looked at him and burst out laughing, Ivan was making bad kung fu moves. Paul was also giggling at the silly man.
"Okay enough of that," Karolina shook her head patting Ivan on his shoulder. Ivan stopped and smiled at her, he took on of her hands in his and bent his head down to give it a kiss.
"Goodnight sweet lady." Ivan smiled at Karolina flirtatiously. He stood up and winked at Paul before leaving the room. Karolina stood frozen in shock for a few moments more before she smiled softly, her cheeks heated with a rose hue. She went and laid down next to Paul who turned and cuddled into her chest. Karolina wrapped her arms around her son and the two drifted off.
"Dimitri, walk me to my room will you?" Olena asked her son after Sonja and Yeva left the sitting room. Dimitri smiled at his mother and made his way over to her. He held out his arm and she took it.
"Good night," Olena smiled at the rest of the people in the room. She and Dimitri slowly made their way to her room.
"So…"
"So what mother?" Dimitri asked closing his eyes for a moment, he knew where this was going and he was not looking forward to it.
"I like her; she's a good fit for you." Olena smiled fondly, her thoughts on Rose. Olena never thought her son would find someone that fit him so well. She just hoped that he would not be as foolish as he was in the book.
"No," Dimitri shook his head, "She's going to be my student and I have to wait till she's 18 to try anything,"
"But you will try?" Olena asked hope clear in her voice. Dimitri didn't answer her he just smiles. Olena hummed pleased, then a thought struck her.
"So Victoria and that Edison boy seem to be getting close," Olena smiled mischievously. Dimitri froze and stared at his mother in horror. Olena laughed at the face Dimitri was making, Olena knew how protective Dimitri was of his sisters.
"No, she's too young, and he's too reckless," Dimitri said not liking the idea at all. Olena shook her head and pulled Dimitri along,
"Leave them be. I think it's rather cute," Olena smiled at Dimitri they had made it to Olena and her daughter's room. Olena turned to Dimitri and just looked at her baby boy. He had grown so much over the years and Olena was sad as she missed the days where he was Paul's size and was still running around her house chasing his sisters.
"Goodnight," Olena whispered standing on her toes to kiss Dimitri's cheek. She smiled at him one last time before going into the room. Dimitri smiled and shook his head and made his way to the room he was sharing with Ivan. When Dimitri got there Ivan tackled him. The two fell to the ground Ivan on top of Dimitri, who had his wind knocked out.
"Now we are going to talk about my new sister and your future wife. You are not going to push her away as you did in the first two books," Ivan began his rant.
"I know, and I won't," Dimitri said rolling his eyes, Ivan heard him but he didn't register what Dimitri had said.
"She is a sweet girl and she can handle your bullshit. And if she doesn't kick your ass I will. And let's not start with the whole Tasha thing. Tasha! Tasha, you thought you could use Tasha, Tasha fucking Ozera to forget the absolute goddess that is Rosemarie Hathaway. Are you insane?" Ivan questioned Dimitri who was smiling up at his best friend
"You are 100% right. It was crazy of me," Dimitri nodded agreeing with Ivan.
"And I know what you're going to say she's your students and she's too young, but seriously those are horrible…Wait did you just agree with me?" Ivan asked looking down Dimitri shocked,
"She is too young and my student so I'm going to have to wait till she graduates but you are right," Dimitri said finally pushing Ivan off of him. Both Ivan and Dimitri got up chuckling,
"Well that was easier than I thought it would be," Ivan said relieved. The boys made their way over to their beds. It had been a long night and they were tired. But Ivan being the little shit he was he waited till the moment right before Dimitri fell asleep.
"Oh by the way I think you should probably know that I am planning on marring Karolina," Ivan said smiling before turning over and going to sleep. Dimitri's eyes snapped open, and he turned his head in shock and stared at his best friend.
"Walk me back to my room please?" Victoria asked Eddie, who nodded sadly his mind was still on Mason. Victoria took his hand and all but pulled him out of the room.
"I know you want to help him, but give him time. When he's ready he'll come to you," Victoria comforted Eddie. He looked at her and was shocked, sure he knew she was pretty but at that moment she was the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen. She was perfect inside and out, she had no reason to comfort him or understand but she did. She had taken his mind off of Mason's death and even though she asked him to walk with her she was the one pulling him along.
"Thank you," Eddie whispered to her, she smiled at him and linked their arms her pace slower.
"So you and Mason and Rose had been friends a long time?" Victoria asked,
Eddie chuckled and shook his head, "A long time. It was Rose who introduced Mason and me."
"Tell me more," Victoria said eager to hear more.
"It was a normal day, I think we were 5. Rose and Lissa were already best friends. And one Rose and Lissa just choose to adopt Mason and me. I was sitting alone under a tree near the building trying to read and then suddenly the book was gone. A few of the older novices thought it would be funny to pick on me. I asked for my book back but they ignored me and then suddenly one was yelling. There was a brown blob on his back pulling his hair, his friends tried to help but the blob was too fast for them. Before I knew it they were running away and a very pissed off 5-year-old Rose stood between me and them. Suddenly my book was in front of me, I took the book and looked up and Lissa was smiling at mile like the angel she was. Rose huffed and stomped over to us, by that time Lissa had sat down next to me. Rose looked us over before looking off to the side. 'Be right back,' she said and off she went. Lissa sat and chatted about random things. Rose came back after a few moments pulling Mason along. She all but shoved Mason into my lap and said 'there you go now you two are best friends and Lissa and I will be your other friends," Eddie laughed thinking about the memory. Victoria laughed along with him.
As they arrived at her room door Victoria turned to Eddie and smiled.
"So when are you going to ask me out on a date," Victoria asked looking up at Eddie with her brown eyes. Eddie was shocked he didn't know what to say, all he could think about was Dimitri and just how big he was overall. Victoria laughed and kissed his cheek before going into the room.
Abe pulled Janine up and out of the room. Janine first thought Abe was walking her back to Alberta and her room, but she soon realized they were going in the opposite direction.
"Abe my room is the other way," Janine said confused.
"Not anymore," Abe shook his head. He continued to pull a stunned Janine along. Janine was sure Abe was still mad at her about what she had done in the book. The truth was Abe was tired of being mad at her even though he didn't agree with what she did he still loved her too much to stay mad for long.
Abe pulled her into his room and he shut the door behind him. Janine looked around the room, they have not been here long but Janine could see that Abe had made himself at home.
"Abe we need to talk," Janine said looking at him. Abe smiled at her and pulled her closer to him, he kissed her. Kissing Abe felt natural and made her feel like a 20-year-old again. It was like no time had passed since they had started their relationship. Abe pulled away from their kiss and rested his forehead against Janine's.
"There is nothing to talk about. In a year or two, Dimitri is going to go and find our daughter and bring her back to the academy and we both are going to be in her life," Abe kissed her again, "And you are going to stop guarding Lord Szelzky guardian,"
"Oh, am I?" Janine shook her head not believing Abe. Abe began to lead her back, in the direction of his bed.
"Yes you are and I'm going to convince you," Abe kissed her again, the both of them falling onto the bed.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Janine groaned cuddling deeper into Abe's side, content to ignore the knocks and just go back to sleep.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Janine swore under her breath and wormed her way out of Abe's arms. Janine grabbed a random shirt from the floor and pulled it on with a pair of pants. Janine quickly made her to the door and cracked it open. Alberta stood at the other side with a knowing smile.
"Come help me and Olena with breakfast," Alberta winked before walking her way down the hall. Janine sighed, closing the door and looking around the room. She quickly got dressed in her clothing.
Alberta and Olena were talking about Rose when Janine entered the kitchen, Janine looked at the two women questioningly both of them seemed to care a lot for Rose. Alberta, she understood seeing as she helped raise her but Olena stumped Janine. Olena saw Janine and the smile faded from her face.
"Sit," Was all Olena said pointing to the stool. Janine listened and sat down. Olena and Alberta were making pancakes. The two women moved around the kitchen like they had been working alongside each other for a long time.
"So you suck at being a mother," Olena said bluntly, Janine wanted to argue but Alberta shot her a look.
"Now lucky for you, you have a second chance, so we are going to teach you how to be a decent mother and I don't want to hear a peep from you. You are going sit and listen…" Olena started and let's just say Janine had never felt so ashamed in her life. She knew she was a horrible mom but something in Olena's voice just made her feel a lot worse. Janine sat there the entire time quietly and listened to what was being said while the two women made breakfast. Thankfully they stopped when Ivan and Yeva walked in talking shit about Tasha.