RPOV

The late afternoon sun cast a warm, honeyed glow through the window as I drifted into a peaceful nap. Lying in bed had become my daily routine, and while I grew more accustomed to it, I couldn't shake the feeling that the weight of my growing concerns pressed down on me. However, I was improving at finding comfortable positions for my ever-expanding belly. I mean, this was like advanced-level yoga, and I was nailing it.

As I slipped into slumber, a familiar presence, Adrian Ivashkov, pulled me into the spirit dream. We stood in a gym at St. Vladimir's Academy. The aging exercise equipment brought back memories of my time there, and nostalgia passed through me. The sound of laughter and youthful chatter echoed in the background.

"Hello, Rose," Adrian finally said when he appeared in my sight, wearing that trademark half-smirk that made you wonder if he was just about to make a clever joke or turn your world upside down.

"Hello, Adrian. Not that I don't like seeing you, but I was enjoying my nap before you brought me here. What's up?" I responded. I mean, I didn't mind company but let a girl get her sleep. I hoped for a dream about hot guys on water skis, not discussions in aging gyms.

Adrian, with a somewhat sheepish grin, replied, "My apologies, little dhampir. I promise the next time, I'll try not to interrupt your dream about hot guys on water skis."

I chuckled, appreciating his efforts to lighten the mood. "Now, you're talking my language. What's on your mind?"

Adrian leaned against a vintage bench press machine, looking like a model who'd just stumbled onto the set of a '90s high school movie. "Nothing important," he said, but something in his tone made me suspicious. I'd seen that look before. Adrian was up to something, and I suspected it wasn't just to chat about the weather.

The dream landscape shifted, morphing into the appearance of another figure. His sandy blond hair and hazel eyes were unmistakable. It was Eddie Castile. The emotional reunion was overwhelming, and I found myself at a loss for words.

OK, I was never a sap before my pregnancy, but now almost anything makes me tear up, like when we ran out of sour cream on taco night. Don't mess with the girl who would marry a burrito if she could.

It was overwhelming, to say the least. I was already emotionally volatile, so seeing Eddie sent my hormonal control panel into overdrive. But it also reminded me of the endless banter we shared, like brother and sister.

"Eddie," I finally managed, my voice cracking as I tried to maintain my composure. "How are you here? I'm so sorry that I left you alone. I should have never done that." Tears threatened to spill

Eddie's warm smile met my gaze, a testament to his enduring friendship. But he couldn't resist a playful jab. "Well, you have a habit of running off without telling anyone, Rose. You're not exactly a master of keeping people in the loop."

I couldn't help but chuckle through my tears. Eddie had a way of lightening the mood, even in the most emotional moments. "You got me there, Castile. Next time, I'll send a carrier pigeon or something."

With a shaky breath, I recounted the recent events to Adrian and Eddie, such as what happened with my life in New Orleans as an on-the-run woman. The looming threat of Dimitri's arrival, the complex and fractured history of my relationship with him, and the suffocating stress it was causing me hung heavy in the air. I decided to share, sarcasm be damned.

I paused, my voice wavering as I shared these vulnerabilities, and both listened, offering silent support. They were like the perfect combination of therapy and comedy relief.

Adrian, struggling to maintain the dream, was the first to break the silence, humor always a shield for his deeper emotions. "Well, well, we're quite the trio, aren't we? We should get a sitcom. Two friends chasing down a runaway guardian with a pregnancy twist."

I couldn't help but laugh at his quip. A sitcom with this bunch was sure to win all the awards. Eddie, who had a penchant for finding humor even in the darkest moments, said, "You know, that would make for great TV. I think I could be the comic relief with my eternal optimism."

I gave Eddie a mock, stern look, my smile hidden. "You and your optimism. Don't make me laugh. I might go into labor."

As the dream world was holding on to shared dreams, I could tell the connection with Eddie was getting weaker. As Adrain became more focused, he said, "Alright, so, sitcom titles. I'm thinking 'Chasing Shadows: The Rose Hathaway Chronicles.' Catchy, right?"

"Sure, and Eddie can be the star of 'The Eternal Optimist' spin-off."

A paused for a second, the silence was deafening

"You guys should really leave Court. I don't want Lissa or the Queen to take it out on you if they miss me. Especially you, Eddie," I urged.

Adrian couldn't resist teasing me one last time. "Ah, Rose, you forget I'm the Queen's favorite great-nephew," he replied with a sly grin. "She would never do something to harm me. But Eddie, on the other hand," he paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "he should be fine as long as he is by my side."

I nodded, and as Eddie began to fade from the dream, I couldn't resist pulling him into a heartfelt embrace. "You be safe, Castile; I don't want to hear from the idiot you screwed up by doing something stupid, OK?" I whispered to him.

Eddie chuckled, proving once again that he could always find humor in the darkest moments. "The only times I get in trouble is when you're around, Hathaway. Maybe I should be lecturing you about staying out of trouble."

"Never," I replied, laughing. "I wouldn't be me if I didn't attract chaos wherever I go."

As Eddie faded from the dream, he left me feeling a little lighter, and I couldn't help but smile through my lingering tears. There were still friends out there who cared about me, and seeing Eddie had helped to mend some of the emotional wounds that had been festering inside me. That's what friends were for, right?

Adrian and I remained in the dream, and he turned to me, concern etched across his features. "You know, things have changed at Court, Rose. Lissa and I barely talk outside the meetings we're required to attend for hunting you down."

"Wow," I responded, shaking my head. "You know it's bad when I'm not even the most toxic person in your life anymore."

Adrian's signature grin appeared. "You're telling me. At this rate, I'll have to find a new source of drama."

I couldn't help but chuckle, thinking of the messy situation they were in. "I guess I'm the glue that held you guys together, huh?"

A heavy silence hung in the air, and our shared burdens seemed to press down on us. Our circumstances had fractured friendships and forced us into roles we never imagined. But even in the darkest of times, a little humor and camaraderie could help ease the load.

The dream eventually dissolved, but the heaviness of reality lingered as I woke up.

As my sense of reality slowly came into view, I became acutely aware of my fragile condition. I gingerly pulled my weak body out of the bed, the blood rushing to my head, making me dizzy. With a shaky determination, I made my way to the bathroom, determined to regain some control over my life. But life, as it often does, had other plans for me.

Walking into the bathroom, I felt a sudden tickle in my throat. The next moment, I was in the middle of a coughing fit that could put a chainsaw to shame. It was different this time. The violent hacking of blood into the sink sent shockwaves through my already frail form. I tasted the metallic tang of it in my mouth as I watched the vivid contrast of crimson splattering the sterile porcelain sink. Shivers of fear and uncertainty raced down my spine.

Standing there, I thought, Well, this is a new low, even for me. Getting blood all over the bathroom. Maybe I should've installed a little bell so I could ring for help.

With trembling hands, I decided to peel off the long sleeves I had taken to wearing, hoping the bathroom mirror would reveal an unexpected superhero, but what it showed was far from the kickass vigilante I had in mind. Dark bruises adorned my skin, resembling a modern art masterpiece that you'd probably find in an abstract museum. It was like a crazy painter had taken to my body with a paint roller and no sense of direction.

I couldn't help but think that if my life were a reality show, I'd win all the unconventional competitions. 'Bruises on Display,' 'Guess the Bloodstain,' and 'Cough-a-thon'—I'd sweep them all.

The true extent of the toll on my body was becoming distressingly evident. Still, I wasn't ready to share my struggles with anyone yet. The fierce determination that had kept me through the most challenging times hadn't wavered, and I wasn't about to let my vulnerability show. I looked at myself in the mirror, the reflection staring back at me as a potent reminder of how much my life had changed and was still evolving.

I left the bathroom, my mind echoing sarcastic commentary about my extraordinary life choices. If they ever make a 'Day in the Life of Rose Hathaway' documentary, they must cut out the bloody sink part. No one wants to see that before dinner.

Back in the room, I found Klaus awaiting me. His concern was etched in the lines of his face, his eyes like a stormy sea. He moved aside, allowing me to join him on the bed. There was a gentle urgency in his voice as he said, "You okay? You look pale; sit down."

I knew I had to keep up the strong facade, so I mustered a reassuring smile, even though I knew it couldn't hide the exhaustion that had taken up residence on my face. "I'm fine, Nik, don't worry. It's just this baby kicking my butt today, so I think I'm going to lay down for a little more."

He wasn't convinced, and I could see it in his eyes. He was too perceptive for his own good. "Alright, but if you don't feel better soon, I'm calling Sydney." Klaus was a man of action and would do whatever it took to keep me safe, even if that meant meddling with my stubborn self-reliance.

"Ugh," I groaned playfully, "I think this bed gets comfier whenever I lay down. I'm pretty sure it's equipped with secret fluffy powers that recharge your life energy."

Klaus couldn't resist a smile at my attempt to lighten the mood. He was always so serious, especially when it came to my well-being. "Only the best for you, love," he replied, brushing a lock of my hair behind my ear, his touch like a soothing balm for my weary soul.

He was never one to sit idle, and his affectionate gesture was proof of that. "Is there anything you want me to get you?" he asked, his concern wrapped in his soft-spoken words.

Well, Rose, now's your chance to ask for the world. "Maybe you can tell this baby to come out soon because Mama wants her body back."

Klaus laughed wholeheartedly, his smile growing even wider. "Well, since you're stuck in this bed for the rest of the day, I have a special surprise for you." He left the room for a minute, and when he returned, it was with a cart laden with movies and my favorite foods. The lengths this man would go to surprise me were heartwarming and awe-inspiring.

I was about to break down into tears at the sheer thoughtfulness of the gesture. "That's what you get for doing something so kind and messing with a pregnant lady who can't handle her emotions right now," I admitted, my emotions threatening to spill over once again.

Klaus, the ever-patient and loving man he was, came over to comfort me. "Tears of joy are more than welcome, Rose. You deserve every bit of happiness."

"That's what you get for being my partner in crime, Nik," I teased, wiping away a stray tear. I took a moment to pull myself together and added, "Well, what are you waiting for? Get the food and start playing the movies. I don't have all day."

Klaus had prepared a surprise to keep me entertained, presenting a collection of classic movies I'd never seen before. He knew more about my past than I imagined, and his thoughtfulness touched me deeply.

As we settled in together, Klaus and I dove into the world of classic cinema. Hours melted away, and we found ourselves sharing more than just movies. We shared stories, laughter, and the simple joy of being together. The weight of Dimitri and the Court, the ever-present threats and dangers, felt like a distant memory as we lost ourselves in cinema.

As we moved from one movie to another, I felt little Hope dragging her feet into the room, her tiny fingers clutching her beloved blanket. Klaus scooped her up, placing her between us on the bed. I could feel her cuddling in, and as the animated characters danced across the screen, I hummed along to the music. At that moment, I realized that these simple joys were what truly mattered.

Our conversations flowed as effortlessly as the movie plotlines and the room was filled with laughter and camaraderie. These moments made life beautiful, even in the face of adversity.

As the hours gave way to the night, we found ourselves sharing stories and creating new memories. The unspoken bond between Klaus and me had only grown stronger, and it was clear that, despite the chaos that surrounded us, we had found solace in each other's presence.

Hope, with her innocent wisdom, was the one to break the spell. She touched Klaus's face, her tiny fingers brushing his cheek. Klaus and I exchanged a knowing look, a silent acknowledgment of the love that had unexpectedly blossomed between us. Amidst the chaos and vulnerability, we had found an anchor in each other.

As the evening waned into the night, Haley entered the room with a gentle smile, witnessing our cuddled-up family scene. We were all asleep, a harmonious and loving tableau. Without disturbing us, she quietly picked up Hope from our midst, cradling her in her arms. Her smile radiated warmth, and it was a reminder that we were never truly alone in this world.

These moments of togetherness were the gems in the mine of our lives, and I cherished every one of them.