Twenty Years

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Richelle Mead. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. One shot has been inspired by Civil Wars' 20 Years. Song belongs to The Civil Wars.

PLEASE NOTE: When reading the note, please keep in mind that the words bolded signify CROSSED OUT WORDS. Just imagine a little Dimitri scribbling words he wants to say but doesn't want to.

~There’s a note underneath your front door. That I wrote 20 years ago. Yellow Paper and a faded picture. And a secret in an envelope~

“Roza. . . Roza. . .”

“Hmmmm,” she answered incoherently, still half-asleep.

“Roza, baby, I have to go to work.”

She turned over to find her beautiful boyfriend dressed impeccably in a black fitted suit, as he held a steaming cup of coffee for his girlfriend. She smiled gratefully and took the offering, as he gently kissed her forehead.

“But it’s so early,” she grumbled, as she looked at the time. It read 5:30 am. He had only gotten about an hour of sleep.

“I’m taking the helicopter back to New York, so I have to leave now. It wasn’t my idea to come to the Hamptons on a random Thursday.” He had a particular enjoyment of teasing his woman, which was why he was doing so now.  

“I desperately needed to get out of the city. I couldn’t handle another bimbo socialite asking if I wanted to meet her for drinks,” she spoke with disdain. She accepted the fact that her boyfriend was a rich billionaire who sometimes needed to run in those circles, but they both hated it. Yes, she already had over five years to get used to it, since she had moved back to America from University but it was no fun.

“I’m telling Christian you called his woman that,” Dimitri said.

She slapped him on the arm and grimaced, “You know I’m not talking about her. I love Lissa. She’s like the sister I’ve never had.”

He chuckled and gently caressed the curls out of her face. “Just tell me who’s bothering you and I’ll deal with them.”

She laughed but changed the subject. “What time will you be back?” She asked, as she yawned. She hadn’t gotten much sleep but she couldn’t complain. Spending hours with her insatiable boyfriend was much better than sleep anyways.

“Around eight, give or take. It’s still about an hour in the helicopter and we have the annual budgeting meeting,” he spoke with an eye roll. She knew her boyfriend loved his job as V.P of Belikov Industries, but he hated budget meetings.

“Hurry back to me,” she whispered, as his lips gently descended on hers. He kissed her lazily, as she savoured every moment. She hated when he had to leave so she cherished every morning kiss with fervor.

“Always,” he whispered when their lips disconnected. He kissed her forehead one more time. She sighed back to dream land.

It was hours later when she awoke with a stretch. She glanced at her phone and realized that today was the 13th of April. A wide smile spread across her face, as she rechecked the date. She giggled in glee, as she realized that today was a very special day.

It was on this day, 20 years ago, that a shy and intelligent Russian exchange student entered her kindergarten class. It was the day that would change her life forever.

“Why you all alone?”

“Everyone keeps making fun of my accent.”

“Well it is kinda funny. What are ya anyway?”