Hi, y'all! Thanks for being patient while waiting for this update; I know it's been some time! My friend mentioned that I should post one of those infamous author notes about why things have been delayed (while knowing the reasons why), so here goes lol. I had surgery at the end of December and had some complications that got me some extra time in the hospital. I spent most of January focusing on healing and returning to work but I'm hoping to get back into a regular schedule of posting soon! Also, my friend also chewed me out for leaving y'all hanging and waiting for a new chapter, so I hope y'all enjoyed this one!

When I walked into our bedroom that night, Dimitri was already in bed, leaning against the headboard as he read a book. He glanced up as I walked in, but before he could say anything, I was across the room and crawling onto his lap, my knees on either side of his hips. Dimitri set the book aside as I rested against him, my arms wrapped around his neck.

"Hi," Dimitri said, and I could tell without looking that he had a smile on his face.

"Hi."

Dimitri wrapped his arms around me, holding me closer to him. "Are you doing okay?"

I nodded. "Surprisingly, I'm doing better than I expected."

Dimitri and I hadn't gotten the chance to talk yet, with Dimitri having to go back to work after class, while I went home and spent the day with Lissa, Katerina, and Levi.

"Do you want to talk about today?"

I shook my head. "I just want you."

I shifted and tilted my head up so that I could press brief kisses against Dimitri's neck. He shifted, his grip on me tightening.

"Roza—" Dimitri cut off with a groan as I shifted and brought our hips closer together.

"Do you want me to stop?" I asked, pulling back slightly.

He shook his head rapidly. "No."

"Good," I said before pressing my lips to his.

I tangled my fingers in his hair, deepening the kiss as I continued to move my hips. Dimitri's hands gripped my hips, the two of us moving in sync.

"Lissa." He managed to gasp out, breaking our kiss.

"She's outside," I whispered. "Talking to Christian. They'll be awhile."

Dimitri's hands slipped under my t-shirt, his skin warm against mine.

"What do you want, Roza?"

"I want you," I repeated.

"You have me," Dimitri whispered. "I'm yours."

We moved quickly after that, both of us managing to get out of our pants without getting up. I quickly rid myself of my t-shirt and bra as Dimitri removed his own shirt. I felt Dimitri's eyes on me as he took in the view in front of him, his gaze loving and appreciative. I returned the favor, my eyes devouring every inch of Dimitri that was in front of and under me.

Our lips met in a fierce kiss, and one of Dimitri's hands snaked between us, finding my core easily. The other hand returned to my hip, holding me in place as Dimitri's fingers explored.

Dimitri groaned as one of his fingers slid into me smoothly. "You're so wet, Roza, so ready."

He added another finger, and I couldn't help but move my hips in rhythm with him. The hand on my hip tightened, encouraging me to ride Dimitri's hand. Dimitri's fingers picked up speed as his thumb started rubbing my clitoris.

"Dimitri!" I cried out as the first waves of my orgasm rushed through me. Dimitri worked me through it before gently removing his fingers. Keeping his gaze locked on me, he brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked them clean.

I kissed him again, faintly tasting myself. I trailed one hand downward, finding Dimitri's dick easily and stroked it a couple of times. He groaned against my lips, and I started to lift myself up.

"Roza, wait," Dimitri said, breaking our kiss again. "I need to get a condom."

I bit my lip. "Don't."

Dimitri looked at me in surprise. "Don't?"

I nodded. "We don't need to use one."

"You're not on birth control."

It wasn't a question, but I still answered as if it were. "No."

"You could get pregnant."

"I know," I said. "And I'm okay with it. We could give Levi a younger brother or sister."

"Yeah?" Dimitri said with a wide grin on his face. "I like that idea."

Dimitri kissed me again, his hands cupping my face. Dimitri moved his hands down to rest on my hips and trailed kisses along my jaw, slowly moving down to my neck. I sat up on my knees, hovering over him. Dimitri pulled back and looked up at me. I could see love and lust on his face and was sure I was wearing a similar look.

Dimitri continued resting his hands on my hips, letting me take control. I leaned down and kissed him again, my arms wrapped around his neck.

"Ready?" I asked, breaking the kiss.

"Yes," Dimitri murmured.

Keeping one arm around Dimitri's neck, I moved the other so that my hand was gripping the base of Dimitri's dick. Dimitri growled softly at the touch, and a moment later, he leaned forward and started lavishing my nipple, swirling his tongue around the hardened peak before nibbling and pulling it with his teeth as his fingers worked the other. Jolts of pleasure travel to my groin, making me impatient and needy.

I lowered myself slowly, using the hand on Dimitri's dick to guide me until he was completely enveloped inside of me, and our hips were pressed together once again. I let out a moan at the feeling of fullness, my head tipped back.

I felt Dimitri move his mouth up, sucking a hickey onto my collarbone as I slowly started to move. His hands returned to my hips, holding me tightly and helping us find a rhythm while my hands rested on his shoulders for leverage.

"You feel so good, Roza." He moaned against my skin, trailing wet, open-mouthed kisses along my neck and shoulder. Our lips met again in a searing kiss.

"Dimitri!" I cried out as I adjusted the angle, and a wave of pleasure rushed through me.

Dimitri grunted, wrapping one arm around my lower back, his hand placed on the small of my back, and with the other, he cupped the back of my neck as we kissed again. I pushed up and sank down over and over until our movements became frenzied and frantic.

I pulled back from Dimitri's hungry kiss and moved my lips along his jaw and down onto his neck, kissing, licking, and sucking his delicious skin. I felt his thumb press against my clitoris, and I cried out. Immediately, I tried to muffle the sound and lightly bit down on his shoulder, earning me a tortured groan of pure pleasure.

"Don't stop, please." I moaned. "I'm close."

Dimitri thrust up in counter to my movements, his movements becoming quicker and harder, as we both became more frenzied. Dimitri reached down again, his thumb finding my clitoris easily.

"Come for me, Roza!" Dimitri commanded, his thumb moving in circles on my clitoris.

I pulled him back to me, my teeth biting gently on his bottom lip as I felt my orgasm rush over my body, wave after torturous wave, crest after crest. My moans and whimpers were completely absorbed by his mouth as he continued moving within me. A moment later, Dimitri stilled as he came, shuddering beneath me.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you, too," he whispered back before gently lifting me off him. I curled up beside him, my head resting on his shoulder.

"We made a mess," he said, the smile evident in his voice.

"That sounds like a problem for tomorrow," I mumbled.

Dimitri laughed. "Come on; I'll draw you a bath."

I sat up. "Will you join me?"

He nodded. "As soon as I change the sheets."

Afterward, we cuddled in the bed, my head on Dimitri's chest.

"You know," he said, "it might take a few tries before we get pregnant."

"I know," I said. "But I think you'll find that I'm very committed to the cause."

Dimitri laughed.

"But I'm due for my period soon," I said. "We might get lucky."

"Maybe," Dimitri mused. "But for now, you need to get some sleep. Good night, Roza."

I yawned at the mention of sleep. "Good night. I love you."

The next day, as I walked out of my first class, I saw the asshole from yesterday. He didn't look at me, but his words flashed through my mind.

Maybe Hathaway deserved it.

Nausea rushed through me, and I ran for the bathroom, not bothering to lock the stall door behind me as I crashed to my knees in front of the toilet. I threw up my breakfast and the protein bar that I had just eaten, and I stayed over the toilet until the dry heaving had stopped and the nausea slowly retreated.

"Are you okay in there?" a girl asked.

"I'm fine," I managed to call back after a moment.

The girl didn't ask any other questions, and a moment later, I heard the bathroom door close. I stood up and flushed the toilet before making my way to the sink. I splashed some water on my face, scrubbing at my mouth. I rinsed my mouth out a moment later, but the water didn't do much to rid the taste of vomit.

As I walked out of the bathroom, I made the decision to go home instead of going to my next class of the day. I pulled out my phone to email my professor to let them know as I walked to my car. I texted Dimitri next, letting him know I was coming home early. He was working from home today, and his response was instantaneous.

Dimitri (10:47): What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Rose (10:47): I'm fine.

I turned my phone on silent and tossed it on the passenger seat. As I backed out of my parking space and headed toward the highway, I decided I didn't want to go home just yet. I turned in the opposite direction of home and started driving south. It didn't take me long to reach my destination, and I was glad I wore sneakers and a pair of leggings to class. Parking at the Barton Creek Greenbelt entrance was easy to find, a benefit of being just past eleven in the morning on a Wednesday.

I tied my hair up with a scrunchie and grabbed my phone off the passenger seat. The phone lit up as I grabbed it, and I glanced down to see missed messages from Dimitri.

Dimitri (10:48): Okay. I'll see you soon.

Dimitri (11:23): Roza?

Rose (11:25): I'm fine.

My phone started buzzing in my hand, and Dimitri's picture flashed across the screen. I sighed and contemplated sending the call to voicemail. I knew that that would make Dimitri worry, though, and the last thing I needed was an FBI SWAT team swarming the greenbelt looking for me.

I swiped the bar to answer the phone, bringing it to my ear. "Hi."

"Roza, what's wrong?" Dimitri said, a hint of worry seeping through the phone.

"I'm fine," I said.

Dimitri sighed. "I don't believe you. You don't sound fine."

I took a deep breath before responding, not wanting to say something I didn't mean. "I just need some time alone. I'll be home later."

"Okay," Dimitri said. Something in his tone made me think I wouldn't be getting out of a conversation later. "I love you."

"I love you too."

We hung up, and I stuck my phone in my pocket. I grabbed my water bottle from the car before walking toward the trailhead. I took my time walking and waited until I reached Twin Falls before finding a rock to perch on near the falls. My water bottle was half gone by that point, and I took a few more sips before setting it beside me.

I wasn't sure how long I sat there, but there was a slight chill in the air when I realized that my water bottle was empty. A glance at my watch showed that a few hours had passed, and the sky had turned cloudy. I stood from the rock, taking a moment to stretch out my legs as pain shot through them from being sat on for so long.

Once my legs were awake, I started walking back toward my car and pulled out my phone to let Dimitri know I would be home soon. Once back at the car, I grabbed another bottle of water out of the back of my car and refilled my water bottle before settling into the driver's seat.

The traffic was light on the way home, too early for rush hour to have started, and fifteen minutes later, I was pulling into our driveway. I sat in the car for a moment before walking into the house.

"Hi, Rose," Lissa called from the living room.

"Mama!" Katerina came running around the corner and launched herself into my arms. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, baby," I said, kissing her cheeks and making her giggle. I carried her into the living room, where Lissa was sitting on the ground, surrounded by Barbie dolls. I glanced up as Dimitri walked in from the kitchen. Levi was in a carrier strapped to his chest, and I smiled at my boys.

"Hi, Roza," Dimitri murmured, stepping closer to me.

I leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "Hi. Has Levi eaten?"

Dimitri shook his head. "I was getting ready to warm up a bottle for him. We still have some breastmilk in the freezer."

"If he can wait fifteen minutes, I'll feed him once I shower."

Dimitri glanced down at Levi. "I think he'd be fine waiting a bit."

"I'll be out soon." I spoke over my shoulder, already making my way to my and Dimitri's bedroom.

I turned on the shower, setting the temperature hotter than normal before undressing and throwing my dirty clothes into our laundry basket. The mirror was already fogging up from the high temperature when I walked back into the bathroom. I climbed into the shower, letting the scalding water pound against my back for a moment.

Ten minutes later, I climbed out of the shower, wrapping a towel around me tightly. I dried off quickly once I was in the bedroom and grabbed a pair of underwear out of my drawer. I crossed the room to the door and cracked it.

"Dimitri?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm ready for Levi."

"We're coming," he called back.

A moment later, Dimitri appeared at the door, Levi still strapped to his chest. Once Dimitri was in the room, I reached out to take Levi out of the sling. I cradled him to my chest, backing up until the back of my legs hit the bed. I sat down as Levi latched on and sighed.

"Do you want me to do your hair?" Dimitri asked softly.

"Sure," I said. "Can you braid it?"

He nodded and grabbed my brush from the bathroom. He kneeled behind me on the bed and slowly worked the brush through my tangles.

He was halfway through the French braid when he spoke. "What happened today?"

I shrugged and switched Levi to the other side.

"Roza," Dimitri murmured. "Was it because of yesterday?"

I sighed. "I saw the guy from class."

"Did he say something?" Anger tinged Dimitri's voice, and only months of built trust kept me from flinching.

"No, he didn't even see me. And I don't think he'd know who I was anyway." I paused. "It reminded me of what he said yesterday. About how I deserved it."

I choked out the last few words, the first tears falling.

"Oh, Roza," Dimitri said as he finished the braid. He climbed off the bed and knelt in front of me. "You didn't deserve it. Nothing you did – and nothing you could've done – made you deserve that."

"Logically, I know that," I said, trying to wipe away the tears with one hand. "But logic doesn't always win."

"Have you talked to Makenzie about this?"

I shook my head. "I was planning on skipping class tomorrow and making an appointment with her instead. She told me she kept some open availability this week because of class."

"Good," Dimitri said, taking Levi from me as he finished eating. Dimitri started burping Levi, and I stood from the bed so I could finish getting dressed. "The next time you need some alone time, will you let me know? You scared me earlier."

I frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"I know," Dimitri said as I pulled my sweatshirt over my head. "I want to be able to support you however you need, but I just need to know how to support you."

"I promise to communicate better," I said. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being there for me," I said. "I love you."

"I love you too, Roza," Dimitri murmured before kissing me. "Forever and always."