Oh wow thanks for reviews, follows, favorites and views so far! Haven't expected that to be honest.
And again, this chapter is pretty long with +/- 3.800 words.
I published my first One-Shot yesterday, it's about 3.900 words and Vampire Academy of course. Happy Ever After is promised. (Big Romitri fan here, so I think that's no surprise.)
I hope you enjoy this Chapter and maybe my One Shot? Who know :-)
Thanks again!
Rose Point of View:
I still feel weak, dizzy from just waking up from surgery and everything's hurting me. God, I feel like a fully loaded truck rolled over me. My left arm is in a plaster cast, I've got an IV in my right hand, a big band aid on the surgery scar and a bandage around the ribs, only because of Tasha Ozera. She tried to kill me, but I'm smarter and I won't give up that easily.
"Dimitri listen, I need to talk to you. I know who it was. Are you planning on punishing this person?" How will he feel? Can I really tell him it was his friend. The news will likely hurt him. Do I want to put him through this? No certainly not, but there's no going back now.
"Who? Abe will deal with it. So please, just tell me." He looks so exhausted, like he didn't slept for 2 days.
"Abe.. whoa, I like that. I'm glad you're already sitting." I really like the thought of Abe punishing Tasha, I hope someone's gonna record this. She'll suffer with Abe. "It was Tasha. I'm really sorry. But to be honest, I didn't told her you're the dad, maybe she hadn't done anything if I just would have told her?" As I let my words sink in, I realize I'm not sorry at all. I want her to suffer, as much as I suffered back at the house.
"I can't believe this, no, Rose, she wouldn't do such a thing. Tell me you're wrong." I can tell him it was her as often as I want but it's too hard for Dimitri to believe. Maybe deep down he knows it was her, but doesn't want to admit it.
I sigh "I was there Comrade. I know she's your friend. Why should I blame her if she were innocent?"
"Roza, I believe you, but it's hard for me to understand, I mean how could she do that. You and our baby could have died in the fire. I'll tell Abe." He leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my lips, I hold him closer and deepen the kiss.
Looking in his beautiful deep brown eyes I tell him what I feel. Even though I never made it a secret how I feel since he knows me. "I love you Comrade, you know that?"
"I love you too Roza." I smile brightly hearing him saying 'I love you'.
It lightens up my mood every time. Doesn't matter what could happen, but hearing him saying these three words with his smooth voice and his beautiful Russian accent is quickly making me feel better. How can a man have such an effect on me? Do I have the same effect on him like he has on me?
"Should I let in the others, you clearly want to see them too, right?"
"Wait a bit please, we need to discuss something. And there's not so much time left. I would forget the topic." He'll be furious, or disappointed, but my plan is the best for all of us.
"Roza, what is it you want to discuss about?"
"Soon Lissa will go to Lehigh, and I want you to still be her Guardian, means, escorting her to the College. I know you'll miss quite a bit from our daughter's first four years, and that's really not fair but you'll be at home on holidays, maybe you can even make a plan with Lissa and Head Guardian Croft so you can come home one or two weeks earlier than my due date? To be definitely be there when it's born." Good God, I feel terrible but that's our job. 'They come first.'
If they would have an assignment in turkey for Dimitri, he would need to go. I love my best friend, I want her to be save and have the best Guardian so if she couldn't have me because of the current circumstances, the next best is Dimitri or my mom.
„I know it's my job, she's my charge, do you know what you're asking of me? I never thought about this before. What about Tasha? And did you think about raising the child? You'll be alone most of the time."
He's not disappointed or furious like I thought, he's heartbroken. That's making it even more harder, but it's my decision and as Guardians we don't always get what we want. I trained hard before school and after school with a badass Russian God to become Lissa's Guardian, and because of one night it's all blown away. At least my boyfriend can have her as his charge.
„You said Abe will deal with her, right? There's nothing to fear about. I did, I won't be alone, I've got Abe, Adrian and Mia. Yes, Adrian said he would try to help as much as he can, I never thought he would help with a baby. And also, I can do this on my own. I'll be okay, we'll be okay. Believe me. I can do that." Trying to sound believable. I don't know who of us I want to make believe the things I say right now, him or myself. Turns out, I fail in believing I can handle it on my own, but maybe he will believe in me? Like he always did?
"Who do you want to fool? I know you can handle a lot, maybe also with a newborn, but it's still better to not be on your own. What about coming with us to Lehigh? Getting an apartment nearby."
"Dimitri, please.. it's less than an hour from here, but driving with a baby every time College is off for holiday, it's too much. You're not her only Guardian, she'll have another one beside you. You can visit Court on your day off, or even a whole weekend."
Right in that moment Abe stuck his head in the room. Great, we can finish our conversation. He really has the best moments to break in.
"You're awake. I thought I heard someone in here." He sounds relieved and he has aged while I was in surgery. I can clearly see it in his face. Better not tell him about Tasha.
"Can't sleep the whole day. You guys need me. Come on in Old man." He enters the room and takes place on a chair near Dimitri.
"Yes, we do Little girl. How are you?"
"Actually, I'm good even though I got serious injuries. Dad, the house is beautiful, uhm was.. and the picture of St. Vladimir's in the nursery. Some kind of irony, good joke."
"You're welcome. Be glad that it was only a small one on the window sill, at first I wanted a big one on the wall. Your mother was against it."
"Yikes, you're crazy." I laugh and try to sit up a little bit, it hurts. I'm really glad my mom was against the picture, if he would know that Dimitri and I had sex in a cabin, Abe would try to get a photograph of the actual cabin.
"Roza no, don't sit up." He moves his chair closer to me but didn't let go of my hand, he's so elegant in everything he does. In a fight he also moves himself with such an elegance I've never seen before. I do as he says and lie back in the comfortable pillows.
"Belikov, I got already a call, they found nothing with what the fire could have started, no lighter, no gas leak and no quick match. But gas leak would be strange since the fire started in the nursery and there's no such thing. So they're searching for every fire user at Court now. My guys are coming too."
Oh fuck, his mafia guys are coming only because of me? They're trying to find out who it was. Should I tell him? I guess he has already a clue even though I said nothing to him. I need to find out.
"Do you have a clue who it could be Dad?"
"Actually I do, we know two fire users in our row, Christian was with your mother and Princess Vasilisa, so he has an alibi. From what I heard, Tasha Ozera wasn't at the assignment ceremony but promised Christian to visit him. He didn't saw her until she came to the clinic when you were in surgery. Do you have an enemy you know about?"
"What the hell? She came to the clinic to make herself look good while I was in surgery because of her?" I sit up very quickly and the pain shot through my body. I'm furious right now, I know exactly why she came, she still wants to make Dimitri hers. Maybe comforting him would help and he would realize what a great person she thinks she is. Yes, get Rose Hathaway out of the picture is likely her motto.
"It was Tasha Ozera? My guess was right. I'll deal with her. Be sure of it. How did it happened Little Girl?"
"I was in the nursery, she suddenly stood behind me, started insulting me badly, I slapped her. Flames were coming up from every corner in the room, I wanted to get out but she closed the door and locked it. So the only possibility to get out is through the window, which I did. The last meter, the rain gutter broke and I fell on my back. That's all I know."
"I see, she wanted you dead. But our dear Natasha didn't counted with me, that was her mistake. She'll regret the day she was born."
I definitely don't have any say in this, he's chasing her down anyway and Zmey certainly won't tell me his plans. I really want her to get justice, but not dead, I'm not that kind of person. And for Abe, torturing and make them disappear forever, is that only a nice way to describe killing someone?
"I'll help you, she shouldn't come through with this." says Dimitri firmly.
"No she will definitely not. Better I do this without you."
"Comrade, stay with me at Court. It won't be long until you leave with Lissa. I want to spend every minute we have left with you." I literally beg him to stay with me, also it's better to not help Abe, it will reflect on Dimitri.
"I would like that very much Roza." he smiles lightly and I instantly know he really means it, these are not only empty words. After snuggling into his chest for at least 5 minutes and inhaling his after shave he's wearing, I flinch as I hear someone knocking, not waiting for an answer before coming in.
"Oh Rose. Heard about the accident, glad you're awake. Are you better now?" The person asks in a too nicely voice, it sounds already fake. Is she kidding me? Tasha Ozera has the nerves to visit my hospital room. What is her fucking plan? Someone should get her out of here before my anger and hatred towards her escalates. Which in fact could happen very soon if she doesn't leave right now.
"Are you fucking kidding me? Get out Tasha! Now! You really have the nerves to visit me after you tried to burn me alive?" I raise my voice and it's full of rage. I never hated anyone this much. Maybe it's a tie with Victor, who knows.
"Rose, you look good, not like someone who got nearly burned alive like you say, well at least not to me. I wouldn't do such things, listen, I'm a person who has a responsibility for another, you know him."
"Oh come on, Christian is almost eighteen, he's not your responsibility anymore. Your nephew is a grown up. And don't you try to use that one more time against me!"
Dimitri Point of View:
At first I thought it was sweet of Tasha coming to the hospital, that was until I heard what she did to Roza. And right now she's actually in her room, playing all nice and innocent. What's the point in this? Why is she doing this to me?
"Tasha, it's enough now. It's time for you to leave." I say to my now former friend
"I suggest you to run, maybe you'll have a head start before I hunt you down. I'm kind and I'll give you some time. I'll find you and it won't look good for you. Are we clear?" Abe says with a little smirk on his face and in a terrifying tone in his voice, that's totally Zmey talking. "I've got my eyes everywhere Natasha. You got yourself an enemy."
Tasha leaves without a word, not even to her nephew Christian in the hall. She doesn't want to be found, but that's certainly not an option for Abe. He'll definitely find her, and if it's the the last thing he's doing. But he's not alone, he has plenty of people who would love to help. I'm one of them.
Rose Point of View:
"Thanks, you both. And Old Man.. don't do anything stupid please." Now I really need to beg Abe to not do anything stupid, but then again, the victim would be Tasha so that wouldn't be so bad after all. I just don't want my dad to end up in prison or whatever. Sharing a cell with Victor Dashkov. Everyone's saying he would be so powerful, but is that really true? We'll find out after he's finished with Tasha because powerful men are usually coming through with everything.
Just in that moment my best friend is sticking her head through the door gap and finished my thoughts and worries. "Is it too late for us to visit you now?"
"Of course not Lissa, come in. I didn't know you're here." I clap on the left side of my bed to sign her to sit there, the right side is already taken by Dimitri. My best friend is entering the room followed by Christian on her heels and both are looking concerned but smiling a bit, even Pyro.
„Oh Rose, you scared me!" She's literally falling around my neck and because of the pain I moan.
„Liss, I'm sorry, I didn't meant too. Wasn't planning a barbecue. Ouch.. " My best friend let go of me. I really feel sorry for her, she probably thinks I had a normal accident at home, because no one would dare to tell Princess Dragomir what they found and what they didn't found, who's a suspect and who has an alibi.
"It wasn't an accident, right? Someone tried to kill you and you still make fun of it. It is serious Rose."
"I'm right here. I'm alive. I have a huge urge to survive. She will never succeed. " I try to comfort her.
Lissa Point of View:
I was right from the beginning, it wasn't an accident and we now know it was a She. I never thought of a normal accident, Rose only had a little tour inside, didn't cook to try out the stove, she can't even cook. My best friend also won't lit a candle in a nursery or in another room while having a little tour. Rose doesn't even have any candles, they are too romantic, she isn't this kind of person.
Should I heal her, it's better, she needs to be fit. But Rose won't let me heal her, I know my best friend. I don't care, still better to ask her first.
"Rose, let me heal you please. You know I can take it and it's for your own good." I literally beg her. I see her disapproving look but I don't let her any time to reply. "I'll do it anyway. You need to be fit and strong. That just won't work with you lying in a hospital."
I make sure no nurse or doctor is lurking, they don't need to see that I heal her, even though pretty much everyone from Court knows about my skills. Placing my hands above her wounds, and now only concentrating about the healing.
Rose Point of View:
I totally can't refuse, and she has a point. Also, I go nuts if I need to stay any longer. Lying back in my hospital bed, I feel the magic floading through my body and a surge of electricity shots through my body, followed by waves of heat and cold.
"Thank you," I say "But you shouldn't have done that.. shouldn't have used the magic.."
Just as I finish speaking Lissa got weaker and fainted. Great. I move to the side so Dimitri and Christian can lift her up and lay her beside me. Looking at Christian I realize I must talk to him, tell him about, if Sparky believes me or not is up to him.
"Could I please have a word with Christian? Alone.." I ask in the round "Well if you don't mind Sparky."
Everyone except him are leaving, well Lissa's staying here too, she's still passed out. Okay this will be hard for him, that's probably a bad idea. I'm wondering if I should really talk to him, but then again I think it would be better for both of us, he should know what his aunt did and if he believes me, it will probably maybe straighten our friendship. I'm about to open my mouth but he's faster.
"Rose, how are you really doing? And don't tell me your standard answer." he stares at me with an unreadable glaze in his eyes. I guess I'm screwed, Christian and I, we're much alike. Since Spokane we care about each other like friends do, he was my charge in the field experience and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I let out a breath which I didn't knew I held when he asked me. Why is a normal question so hard for me to answer?
"I guess I'm doing good, I survived, we are all alive, that's all what matters Christian." I know it isn't the answer he wants to hear, Lissa's boyfriend wants to know about the pregnancy.
"You and I both know you're avoiding this particular topic. Now shoot."
"I'm terrified, never wanted to get pregnant at such a young age and on top of it, in school. The gossip, the whispers even from the teachers. Some of them had respect, but the students.. I got anonymous messages, Dimitri was furious.. Don't get me wrong, I'm already in love with my little girl, and it's only been 17 weeks but it's hard being pregnant with 18, from a Dhampir, which is likely impossible. Even though it's an easy pregnancy so far."
"Ohh, the world will have a second Rose Hathaway? Lord help me please." he replies laughing before getting serious. "I heard about these gossips, you're stronger than any other student back in St. Vladimir's. Rose, you mastered it and no one would have thought you would have such problems back then. And you got your mentor, it's still awkward to see you both together."
I think about his words and to be honest we were never so open towards each other than today, it feels good, strange telling him this stuff but good. Not even Lissa knows everything, and she's my best friend.
"Hey! I'm not his student anymore." I justify myself. It annoys me when people are seeing him as my mentor, or at least still. I may have graduated officially yesterday but I had my trials already 4 weeks ago. I'm completely drown in my thoughts that I don't even see the door open a crack and my soulmate pops his head in. How long has he been there?
"Visiting hours is almost over, according to the doctor." He looks at me with his chocolate brown eyes I love so much.
Visiting hours almost over? Are they kidding, I'm gonna leave against their will. Alone in a white room without television, a pc or any other devices, and nothing to do. No way I'm going to stay here in this cold chamber. I could only check on Lissa if she wouldn't be busy with Pyro.
Dimitri Point of View:
We are all sitting in front of her room, the heavy glass door is closed but we could or at least Janine and I understood every bit she said. It broke my heart, yes I knew about 3 anonymous messages and heard the rumors, except this time not everything was a rumor. My Roza was strong, so strong, I didn't thought it could terrify her. I look at her mother, I never saw the truly respected Guardian Hathaway like this. In this moment I see a mother worrying about her daughter, even more than before. Not that she wasn't worried before, now she is thinking about what she'd missed out in Rose's life, and it bothers her because it is a lot.
"I remember exactly being pregnant with her, I was shocked and overwhelmed, positively and negatively at first, I didn't know if I could do it. For me, the pregnancy was a lot easier, I was 19 when I gave birth, already a Guardian and the child was from a Moroi. Giving her to the academy was hard, but it was the best decision for both of us." She looks at me before looking to the floor. I really don't know what I should say so I stay quiet.
"You know her the best, did she had a hard time? Except from Spokane." And once more she surprises me with her question, yes I know her but not Rose's past if there were any gossips before they came back. I struggle with myself if I should tell Guardian Hathaway a few things, would Rose approve it? But maybe it strengthen their relationship a little.
"When she came back with the Princess, they had a rough time because of a few students. She tried to make the best of it and lived her life like nothing happened. These students were spreading terrible rumors." I answer truthfully without telling making out with this Jesse Zeklos boy. When I think back, she looked sexy in her black bra, her beautiful hair loose. Little I wished it would have been me instead of Jesse. "After that, there was Victor and his Strigoi daughter. I could carry on, but it's a lot."
"Gladly she had you." Her mother replies with a sad and also thankful look on her face.
After two more minutes of uncomfortable silence comes Dr. Shepherd to inform us about Visiting hours almost being over. Rose needs to know this too, better to tell her directly. Doing as I planed, I stay in the door frame. Honestly, she never really was my student. This amazing woman over there carrying my child was always my equal
and will always be my equal.