RPOV
"Roza! Roza what's up? What wrong?" Dimitri started going frantic when he saw my face as I walked into the gym. It's was after school training time and I wasn't changed- with good reason. It was 4 weeks after the cabin and I was 2 weeks late, breasts hurting, nauseous and (beginning three days ago) vomiting each morning, and bloating. I had seen the doc last class and the result was as I'd thought. I was pregnant with my mentor-turned-lover's baby. I was scared of his reaction- both as lover and mentor.
"Uh. Um. I... Well you see..." I was stammering and stuttering- I, Rose Hathaway, never stammer or stutter.
"Roza?" he was on the verge of tears, accent so thick it made my heart squeeze. How could I do this? How could I tell him what's impossible is possible?
"Dimitri. I need to tell you, but, like the ghosts, you need to at least try and keep an open mind." I led him to the store room, shutting and locking the door behind us. "Come here" I grabbed his hands. "The ghosts were possible, weren't they?"
"Yes."
"I've never been normal. So, if the ghosts are possible, why not" I put his hands on my tummy "why not a baby?"
"Surely not?"
"I've been in your arms all night every night since the cabin."
"What about grad?"
"First things first comrade. Training, todays'."
"No."
"No?"
"No." Just then his phone rang.
"Belikov... She turned up... Sure... We'll be there ASAP." He turned to me "let's go- it's Alberta." We left.
We knocked when we arrived at her office door. "Come in!" She yelled. We entered. "Shut and lock the door." We did as ordered. "Sit Rose, Dimitri. Did she tell you Belikov?"
"Yes." Contempt and disappointment dripping from his voice. Although I knew it was faked it still kinda hurt.
"How did you react?"
"I'm her mentor. How was I supposed to react?! She's essentially ruined all the work she's put in with me! Ruined any chance of becoming Lissa's guardian- if she even graduates!" The most emotion I'd ever heard was coming through his voice. I knew it was faked but at the core was a kernel of truth- as my mentor he'd have very right to feel this way. And I responded to that faked emotion with my own. I openly wore my guilty expression- a kernel of truth lay there as well. I actually did feel kind of guilty. I had essentially ruined graduation, threw any last chance of guarding Liss out the window and if I stuck around Dimitri and Liss would be in disrepute because of my actions. For once, I didn't argue- I chose not to.
"I didn't mean how'd you react as her mentor? Rather, how'd you rect as the father?"
"What?" Neither of us denied the fact, but we weren't about to confirm it either.
"You two might have everyone else fooled- even Kirova, but not me. Rose, you did say the father was dhampir right?"
"Yes."
"I know you and Eddie are like brother and sister. You're not even close to any other class mates. Despite the rumours, I know it takes a lot for you to get close enough emotionally with someone and value your virtue. You haven't had time to be with anyone else but Belikov, he's the only one you're emotionally close to. And I can see it plain as day. Dimitri, I know you wouldn't give yourself over to just anyone either. You've focused all your energy, time and heart into Rose. Defended and trusted her no matter what. She's the only one you've really let in. The only one you show emotion for and around. You're the perfect team to guard Lissa."
"But the emotion and connection that creates the synchronicity, that makes us the perfect guarding pair, is what will put her in danger." It was a fact and I tried to say it without my voice cracking- and failed. Stupid hormones pregnancy hormones. Might as well run with the emotions now, "as much as I want to guard Lissa, I know my baby will come first. She'll be in more danger if I stay. I'll drag her reputation down, and Dimitri's- even if no one else knows the truth." I was seriously close to crying.
"If you go Rose, so do I. I know you've been out there alone but that was with Lissa, and without our child. I'm not leaving you. Not now, not ever."
"Alberta, what do we do?"
"Here." she handed me the dropout forms. "Belikov, I can give you an order to leave with her. She's 18 but needs your help. And I'll get Kirova to hand over one of the cars."
"Thank you."
"Dimitri- go pack up Rose's room. We'll deal with Kirova." He was out the door.
"Here- all done." I handed over the dropout form. She called Kirova.
"Headmistress, Guardian Petrov here. Rose has decided her course of action." Some instructions (I'm assuming) came from Kirova.
"Let's go Rose. You're making the best decision."
"I hope so."
Kirova wasn't pleased with the idea of Dimitri coming with me. But she gave in after Dimitri said "the potential I saw in her to be a great guardian holds true to being a great mother. I can show her and help her to navigate the world outside without Lissa's magic to help. I'm willing to take on her child as my own. And I'm ready to leave tonight. Family is a huge deal where I come from. I'm not about to abandon a pregnant Rose- it's wrong to let her struggle." She handed over a car, stamped my papers and told us to be gone by curfew- without a trace.
"I'll get you and your stuff straight after dinner." Dimitri commented as we left Kirova's office, nearing the dhampir dorms.
"I can carry some stuff ya know."
"Like hell am I letting you over exert yourself."
"I'm pregnant, not disabled." I whispered.
"Not risking it."
"Fine. It's going to be a long 9 months, isn't it?"
"I know you hate inactivity, but there's other, more important, things to think about."
"I know." We split off, and he headed to his room to pack while I left for the cafeteria and one last dinner with my friends.
I was sad to leave them behind, but I knew what had to be done. Dimitri and our baby came first, and I refused to regret the decision to leave. It was the best option, the safest, and I knew I was happiest in my man's arms. I would miss my friends, but my Belikov family beckoned. My sense of family was as strong as Dimitri's, as was my need to protect our baby.
"Hey Rose!" Eddie met me in the line.
"Hey Eddie." I plastered a fake smile on my face, and returned most of the enthusiasm.
"Rose? What's going on? I know that's your fake smile."
"I just had the crappiest training since being dragged back." Absolute lie.
"Oh. What did Belikov do to you this time?"
"Went right back to square one. All he did was make me do laps around the gym."
"He did what?! He owes you his life, and he sends you back to square one?! That's shit!" Eddie was appropriately appalled over the fake injustice done to me.
"He's the mentor." Yeah right! "He calls the shots." As if! I ran the show. Always had. He taught me all I knew, but I'd been the one to push for more.
When we joined the rest of the group (Adrian included), Eddie started fuming about my training session. Or lack thereof. The group joined in, until Lissa started getting nerves. There was something she wanted to tell, yet was blocking me from the bond.
"Spit it out, Liss." I commented.
"Guys," she nervously started. 'I'm pregnant.' flew out of the bond just before it came from her mouth.
God. That did not help my case... It didn't help my own case, at all. I was beginning to feel a tad guilty (okay, it was actually 'a lot guilty') about both Dimitri and I abandoning her when she needed us most. The problem was, I needed to put me, my pregnancy, and my Dimitri first. And, like that, I was resolved to do exactly that. I was already dismissed as a student, and Dimitri was already out of his job, so I going to carry through on it.
I felt- and smelt- my other half coming up behind me, before Eddie greeted Dimitri with a growl.
"Watch it Eddie. And don't ruin the vibe." I warned then turned to face Liss, "congratulations sister!" I grinned. I really was happy for her despite my pang of guilt and her outright fear. "Oh! Relax, Lissa. You'll be an amazing mom, and you can't let that fear harm the next Dragomir." And, oh boy! didn't I know about needing to watch the emotions. Now I had to watch that hers didn't get to her baby, and that both hers and my emotions didn't touch my baby.
"Lissa?" Dimitri asked politely, still trying to stand a professional distance away from me.
"Yes, Guardian Belikov. You and Rose have got a pregnant me to guard." We absolutely didn't, and it made it even more difficult to hide that we were choosing to put our family first.
"Congratulations Princess, Lord Ozera." my man politely responded. "Rose?" he turned the attention on me.
"Yes, Dimitri?"
"You have a meeting to get to, remember?"
"Yes, I remember." I farewelled my friends and followed Dimitri out to the garages.
"Everything's packed in and ready to go." my other half informed me while opening the car door and helping me in. God, he's a gentleman sometimes.
"I love you, you know." I commented once he'd started the car.
"I love you too, Roza. Both of you." He pecked my cheek then started the engine.
The gate guardians were shocked, but let us out. The heavy metal gates clanged shut behind me, one last time.
I was free. Finally. I was free and I was with my Dimitri. We'd be public the second we stepped out of the car and into the human world. Dimitri's hand was already on my knee, gently stroking it unconsciously. Damn him! He had no clue just how distracting that was. He was completely clueless to the effect he had on me. I couldn't hold it in any longer, I moaned and sighed. "You're clueless, Comrade. Completely and utterly clueless."
"Speak for yourself, Milaya."
"Dimitri, what's the first step?"
"A house, or a unit. And a job. But not for you." I understood his concern, but still protested.
"But Dimitri..." He chuckled, knowing I was faking it.
"Faker! I know you understand why." He unleashed a full smile on me.
"Yeah, I do. And please, please, please say you're going to unleash those smiles on me more."
"Yes, my love. I am. I'm still going to worry about you, non stop, but things will completely relax. We're starting our family, and I'm going to show you just what it's like. No more hiding, no more stressing over roles or what society will think. I love you, both of you, and you are going to know it. We, my love, are finally free to be us, to be able to put our love and our family first."
"God, I love you, Dimitri. We love you, Daddy."
"That's going to take some getting used to, Mommy."
"Yeah, it is going to take some getting used to."
I fell asleep about ten minutes later. And didn't stir until Liss pulled me in. She was at breakfast, where I was a no-show. For now she was curious and worried, concerned over my well-being. My best friend (who'd been completely blind all year) was about five seconds away from checking my dorm. Those five seconds passed, I didn't show, so she beelined it for my dorm.
Knocking and banging ferociously for five straight minutes. When I didn't answer, she pulled out a copy of my key, and let herself in. Shock ran through her and the bond, then the betrayal came. Soon followed by the water works. When Christian found her he managed to calm her down.
"Let's check with Guardian Belikov, see if he knows what's going on." he gently suggested. "And if he doesn't know, we'll ask Guardian Petrov." Liss slowly nodded before letting Christian help her off my bed.
They checked the gym, a few other spots such as the church, and my first class (thank god, Alberta wasn't supervisor). Liss was completely confused as to where her guardian could be. So, she decided to ring him before heading off to disturb Alberta.
Said ringing on his- well, our- end, snapped me out of her head. Dimitri was still driving, so he requested "Roza, could you please answer that?" while handing over the phone. I so didn't want to deal with this right now. I didn't need the extra pressure. Here goes nothing... I tapped the 'answer' button.
"Hi Liss." I nervously answered.
"Rosemarie Hathaway!" Well that was a greeting. But... It wasn't as if I didn't deserve it, so, for Bubby's sake, I didn't let it get to me.
"Calm down, Liss. I know I deserve it, but Bubby doesn't need your swirling emotions right now." And I meant both babies. She slowly calmed for her baby's sake.
"Where are you? And why are you answering Guardian Belikov's phone?"
I sighed before responding. The shit was about to hit the fan. "He's driving."
"He's what?! You've done a runner and Dimitri is helping you instead of tracking you down?"
"Yes, he is." I smiled and looked at my other half lovingly. His hand found mine, and squeezed.
"What's going on? I heard that smile in your voice, and it's a sappy one too. Almost dreamy. What's happening, Rose? I've never heard you like that before."
"Umm... Well... You see... I, uh, may, uh-"
"Oh, just tell her, Roza!" Dimitri laughed and his hand moved to my thigh. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips. God, what that clueless man did to me he'll never understand.
"Rose Hathaway! Did you just moan in pleasure? What just happened? What's with the 'Roza'? And what aren't you telling me?"
"I, well, Liss... Please don't get mad at me, or him, but we've run."
"Roza." Dimitri groaned. "I didn't mean that."
"What do you mean, 'you've run'?"
"What does it usually mean when two guardians disappear, Liss? We've, plural, run."
"No!" she gasped as disbelief and denial ran through the bond. "Please, please, pretty pretty please, tell me you're not in a relationship with your older mentor." she begged and pleaded.
"Oh Liss, I wish I could. But that'd be a lie. Before you say anything, before you judge, Lissa... I love him. He loves me. In the same soulmate way you and fire-father do."
"When? When did this start?"
"Technically, it kinda started the second we laid eyes on each other. So, it basically started in Portland."
"Are you suggesting...?"
"That he became my mentor because he loved me, yet had no clue that was what was going on? Yes. He did." We'd talked about this- at length. It'd been quite interesting.
"Why'd you run, Rose? Surely you could have rode the year out?"
"No. Liss. We couldn't. Because," I took a calming breath, "because I've done the impossible. We're pregnant." This was it. This was the real test of her loyalty.
"You've what?! And didn't tell me?!"
"You're healing has allowed me to conceive," yuk! I hated those kinds of medical terms. "My Dimitri's baby. We've run to protect our child, our family. And to protect your reputation."
"Say what?!" she was crying now.
"My baby Belikov is being protected by Dimitri and I running. As is your reputation. What I do reflects on you and Dimitri; I refuse to ruin reputations, and Dimitri refused to let me run on my own."
"Y-you're pregnant? W-with a purebred?" My bestie choked out through drying tears.
"A Hathaway and Belikov genetic combination, no less."
"He d-"
"God no!"
"Just checking. You're a goner, aren't you? Completely lovesick?"
"Yup. 200%."