Moving Objects

Chapter 25

"So, how was your afternoon, after I left?" she asked while straightening silverware. I laughed and moved to the other side of the table, doing the same.

"It was ok. Kind of calm. Dimitri went and saw his sisters for a bit and then he and I watched Christmas movies. Did you know that he had never seen The Grinch?" I responded, laughing quietly now that he understood all of my Jim Carrey references I use on a day-to-day basis.

Lissa laughed and snorted in a very un-princess-like manner before looking at me. "Really? Wow," she said as she refolded a linen napkin. "But I was actually implying about the other thing that happened yesterday."

I pursed my lips and thought of how to word it without giving too much away. While the shower was intimate, it didn't lead anywhere. I think it was better that it didn't, I wanted to keep things at a gentle pace. I didn't want to rush anything that would put Dimitri steps behind in recovery. Baby steps.

"Nothing happened. Like I said, we watched movies," I said. Well, we did make out a little, but that was it. Aside from watching the movies we spent a lot of time talking. Lissa raised a brow at me before giving the table a once-over, deeming it perfect. Lissa didn't push the topic any further, instead making conversation about a different matter.

"You and Tasha were very friendly when you got here."

I smiled. When I got here, she embraced me fondly, complimenting me on my outfit before checking that I was doing okay and such. It was nice considering everyone only asked if Dimitri was doing okay, but I kept my own turmoil to myself. After that, she hugged Dimitri and kept her excitement to a reasonable scale, not wanting to overwhelm him.

"Yes. We are friends," I said softly, pushing my hair over my shoulder. I tried out something new and straightened my hair. It was astonishing just how long my hair really was when it wasn't curly, and it looked quite nice. It's a shame that it took so long to achieve, though. Not something I could do every day.

With dinner almost ready we both headed back to the living room and it warmed my heart to see everyone here. Jensen and Huston were sitting with my parents and Pavel, chatting away animatedly, while Eddie sat with Christian, going over the new system Christian bought.

My eyes landed on Dimitri and his family while they spoke with Adrian, the latter holding the majority of the conversation. My eyes flicked around the room as Lissa flitted from one group to the next, but one person was missing from the group.

"Here."

I looked beside me to find Tasha standing there, holding a wine glass out for me. I took it and eyed it for a moment before she laughed. "If anyone deserves a drink in this room, it's you. You're practically dead on your feet," she said, clinking her glass against mine before sipping from hers. I chuckled and sipped, meeting Dimitri's eyes across the room before his dropped to my glass. I wasn't sure if he was going to chastise me for underage drinking, when I realized his gaze wasn't unimpressed, it was wanting.

I excused myself and turned into the kitchen and poured some wine into another glass before going out, coming to stand beside him, handing him the glass. He took it and let his fingers brush against mine, a gentle smile on his lips.

"Thank you," he whispered, when there was a lapse of conversation. I smirked at him and he grabbed my hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing my fingers. It was a gesture that was so common for us, and I was happy to see it happen again. I slipped away and went to stand with Tasha again, rolling my eyes at her smirk.

"You two seem to be doing better," she said kindly, resting her glass against her bottom lip. I nodded and leaned against the frame, mimicking her position. We didn't speak much, but by the look on her face, I could see that she was happy. She had seen Dimitri a few times since he got back, but always made time to check in with me.

I wasn't lying when I said Tasha and I were friends now.

"You didn't hear us the other night, did you?" I asked, as I wiped lipstick from the rim of my glass. Tasha sputtered into her glass before nodding her head. I groaned and slumped against the frame but she put her hand on my arm.

"To be fair, I almost came next door and tore a strip off of him for what he said. It wasn't warranted, but I heard someone go in after you left and the two of them had a heated discussion before going quiet."

I hummed and flicked my eyes over the people in the living room, coming to rest on Adrian. Did he go in after he saw me in the hallway?

Out of curiosity I let my mind brush out the people around me. Dad looked as he felt my power roll but gave me a quick smile when he realized I was just assessing the room. Thankfully everyone's energies were lighter, happier. I lingered over Dimitri for a moment and was happy to see that the dark swirling cloud of guilt was substantially less than it was yesterday.

It wasn't long until Lissa announced dinner was ready and we all went into the dining room. I sat in the open seat beside Dimitri. He looked up as I sat down and leaned towards me, giving me a small lingering kiss. I smiled at him as I pulled away, catching Olena's smile as she watched us.

Dinner was delicious and I cracked jokes with Christian about him being the perfect housewife, only for him to turn around and say that someone needed to learn how to cook if we were going to survive. I was happy to feel the content hum over the bond from Lissa. She was happy to have a full table and I could already tell that she was going to make it happen at the next holiday, too.

I jumped up to clear the dishes away with Eddie when dinner ended and got to work washing, while Eddie helped Christian refill everyone's drinks.

Someone came to stand behind me and the smell of his aftershave washed over me. I smiled to myself as arms wrapped around my waist and a kiss was placed on my cheek.

"Did I tell you yet how beautiful you look today?" he said softly in my ear. I smirked and shook my head.

"No, but you are welcome to tell me," I laughed, turning my head to look at him. He had a small smile on his face and he pressed his lips against mine, smiling while doing so. I sighed, pressed my lips to his again, and pulled away quickly, but Dimitri wasn't having it, cupping my head and pulling me back to him.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you a gift for Christmas."

I flicked my hands to rid them of the excess water before turning in his arms, wrapping them around his neck. I smiled at him softly and stroked the back of his neck. "I have everything I need right here," I whispered, pecking his lips again. I could feel him smile against my lips as he pulled me closer, slipping his hand under my shirt and caressing my lower back. Dimitri moved us so my back was against the sink, his kisses becoming more playful and loving.

Someone cleared their throat and Dimitri pulled away, turning to see who was there. Olena stood in the doorway with a smirk on her face, but I could see the happiness in her eyes.

"I came to bring out dessert," she said. I blushed and licked my lips, slipping out from between Dimitri and the counter, straightening my clothes.

"Well, we can't miss dessert," I said giving Dimitri a wink, giggling quietly as I slipped into the dining room.