Chapter 11

Dimitris' phone rings loudly on the nightstand buzzing against the wood with vigor, the light flashes in the dark. A very groggy Russian picks up the phone. "Hello?"

Turning I can hear a woman's voice on the other end "Dimika?"

Fully awake Dimitri shoots up shedding any lingering traces of sleep. "Mamma?"

Now I'm sitting up straight in bed straining to hear. The woman has a deep thick accent much heavier than Dimitris. "You're alive?" her voice is barely a whisper.

"Mamma?" he repeats, obviously dumbfounded. The woman answers in Russia and I no longer have an understanding of the conversation. Sitting up I take a long drink of water from the night stand knowing Dimitri will need me when the call is finished. As he talks in what may as well be gibberish I let my mind wander to the first and only time I meant the Belikov women. It was just a week or so before I was expelled. There was a memorial held for those fallen during the battle. I went dress barely hanging on my stick of a body not really living as much as floating. My eyes were hollow and dull, until I saw them. Three women and a little boy, all dawning heavy accents. I knew who they were the moment I saw them. They were his family. My heart clenched as the woman I assumed was his mother's eye caught mine. Suddenly she was walking toward me, set and determined. I almost dropped when she came up to me " Rose?" her voice asked a question she already knew the answer to. I nodded to confirm anyway. My eyes almost bugged out of my head when she pulled me into a tight hug. "Dimitri spoke of you very often in his letters." she chose her next words carefully " I know you meant a great deal to him." her eyes bore into mine revealing the hidden meaning.

I barely pulsed out a whimpered "I'm sorry he's gone." Before the tears fell the women held me as we cried together. That night after the official memorial I sat with Dimitris' family and together we mourned the loss of a man we all held dear. His sisters Viktoria and Karoline and his nephew Paul listened as I told them about his last days throwing back Russian Vodka with Vika and Olena, Karoline was pregnant at the time and of course Paul was too young. By the time they left a few days later they took a piece of my heart with them. When I found out I was pregnant I seriously considered going to Olena but I didn't think she would believe Lennon belonged to Dimitri.

Now I hear Dimitri mention both mine and Lennons name as he speaks to his mother.

By the time he finally hangs up the phone the sun is peeking over the mountain reflecting gently against the lake just outside. Dimitris' eyes are full of guilt; we sit silently for a long while before he finally speaks burying his face in his hands. "I can't believe I didn't call her…."

Engulfing him in my arms and leaning into his bare back I whisper to him softly "Comrade don't worry she forgives you."

He holds my arms around him tightly pressing my body to his "How do you?"

Guilt is radiating off of him "Because I saw your mother at the memorial, I think she's the only one that wanted you back as much as I did."

Dimtri spins to face me "You met her?"

Sighing deeply I relay the story to him, his hand wrapped in mine. After he pulls me close, kissing me tenderly carefully, placing a hand on my barely curved stomach. "I didn't tell her." he murmurs against my lips "About the baby. I told her about Lennon but not the baby you're carrying." I can see the conflict churning in his eyes. "I wanted to so badly but I feel I've dumped so much on her in one night. She deserves to find out in person. She deserves to see me in person."

I don't have to think about my answer " I'll get our bags pack. We can use Abes jet. We'll be there by this time tomorrow."

I can see conflict in his eyes, he's caught between the pride of asking Abe a favor and the desperation to see his family again mixed somewhere is the fear of telling my father I'm pregnant again. "Don't fight me on it Dimitri…. We have to face him sooner or later."

Resignation spreads across his face as he nods. Good, I don't have the energy to fight him. The normal nausea I feel every morning is starting to eb its way into my stomach. Grabbing my phone hitting the second speed dial I settle against the bed. A familiar voice answers after only a few rings "Rose, how are my favorite girls? Is Belikov taking care of you?" The way Abe manages both loving and threatening in the same sentence causes a chuckle to rise.

"We're good baba, he's taking very good care of us. No need to sharpen your knives."

I can almost see the wicked smile. "Good to hear it would be a shame to risk getting blood on my new suit."

Rolling my eyes I can't help but feel a ping of love for my father "Old man I need some help." I explain the call from Olena and Dimitris' desire to get to Russia as soon as possible.

"I have business to attend to in Turkey. I'm leaving today. I can make a stop in Montana and Russia to pick you up and drop you off."

"Thank you babba, for everything."

"Ah, Rose dear, it's no problem. You're my daughter and Dimitri is your chosen man. I'm here whenever you need me. Either of you." thanking him again and promising not to tell Lennon so she's surprised I hang up and start packing. It doesn't take long and I only have to stop and let the wave of nausea pass twice.

By the time I'm done packing all of our bags and getting myself dressed, Dimitri has Lennon up her hair twisted into two french braids, dressed with a backpack full of snacks and toys. Her eyes are still dirty with sleep. "I thought we could grab breakfast at the diner in town? I've already called Jake to let him know I'll be gone a couple weeks."

"Our plane will be here in a few hours, we can head straight from the cafe."

Dimitri gives me a grateful nod kissing me gently on the cheek. Before loading the bags and Lennon into the truck.

"Grandpa!" Lennon bounds out of Dimitris' arms straight to Abe.

"Hello sweetheart I missed you." His smile is full and wide as Lennon clings to his neck. "Belikov." he reaches his hand out shaking Dimitris firmly "Taking good care of our girls?"

"Dimitri please, and yes." he kisses my forehead before placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me into the plane.

Lennon is settled in between Abe and pavel having them both thoroughly wrapped around her finger she is enjoying the attention. I don't know why I thought I could make it through the flight without losing my breakfast but whatever faith I had in my stomach is ill founded, not three minutes after the plane levels out in the air I burst from my seat toward the bathroom. Hand flying to cover my mouth until I reach the toilet. Somewhere in the distance I can hear Abe and Dimitri arguing. Shit I thought I might ease my father into this. Oh well I guess this kid has mommies style.

Feeling my stomach return to normal I rinse my mouth and return to my seat. Dimitri every thoughtful hands me a water bottle, a mint as well as some hard ginger candies. After settling my back on my seat assuring my soon to be husband I'm okay. I turn to face Abe. Pavel has placed headphones over Lennon's ears a movie playing on his laptop. Here we go.

Abe's face gives nothing away "Something you wish to tell me?"

I look toward Dimintri who grabs my hand "Um….suprise?"

I can see Pavel stifle a laugh. Abe on the other hand seems a little less amused although his eyes show no anger mostly concern "How does this keep happening?"

Sarcasm drips from my next words "Well , Baba when a boy and a girl love each other very much they decide to-"

He cuts me off trying very hard to hide the twinkle in his eye "That's not what I mean and you know it."

Fine I'll be serious "Honestly, it just happened.. It was the night Dimitri came back. He didn't know about Lennon yet and ….was kind of in shock protection was the last thing on my mind. That was the only time we haven't had protections in place."

Dimitri speaks up "I know we might need to work on our timing but I'm beyond excited to be there this time around. I love Rose and Lennon more than life and this baby has already stolen a piece of my heart as well. I promise I'll be there to support my family. "

Abe's face softens a bit "Just be sure you are or they won't find all the pieces." Turning back to me "Let's see that ring sweetheart."

Stunned, I lift my hand so he can see "You knew?!"

"Of course you don't think he would dare propose without asking for your hand do you?"

I guess that's true Dimitri is nothing if not chivalrous. "It's beautiful you did well Belikov."

With that the conversation drops off leaving silence for the rest of the plain ride, I take the opportunity to settle next to my Russian God and catch up on last nights lack of sleep.

(Hey guys! I'm going to be updating every Friday from here on out now that I'm settle and moved and life has slowed a little. I have more time. Also for all my super nerdy friends happy revenge of the 6th)