An Unexpected Romance

Chapter 24

RPOV

If Adrian and I had to live here in Court I don’t think I wold mind too much there seemed to be plenty to do but it also seemed as though it would get old very fast.  The people that lived here were mostly rich stuffy Moroi that clearly had a problem with me being with Adrian.

The looks and stares we were getting as Adrian held my hand in his were looks of distain and disbelief as though they couldn't believe Adrian Ivashkov would be seen holding hands with a dhampir.  It was a bit more than that though, the whole vibe of the place just said our union was not welcomed.

“Don’t let these old coots get to you little dhampir.”  Adrian whispered into my ear as he pulled me to his side.  “The world will say and do a great many things because they are prejudice.  They all walk around with blinder over their eyes and plugs in their ears they cannot be reasoned with because they don’t want to understand.  They want to stay in their tightly concealed worlds where they remain ignorant and safe.  Venturing outside of that would mean they are admitting they are cowards and that they have been living in the dark all their lives bound by nonexistence beliefs.” he told me as he held me close.  “Don’t let their ignorance bother you, never let it enter your mind again.  What we have is beautiful and they can never take that away from us.”

This man would always continue to amaze me.  He always knew what to say to make me feel better.  He believed in us so much that it was hard for me not to as well. The world and everyone in it was against us and even though it frighten me to my very core, knowing Adrian was always going to be here beside me to shield and protect me from their hate made it all worth it.  There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me and there was nothing that I wouldn’t do for him.  It was thrilling to know I had that kind of love, that so few get to experience.

“I love you” I told him pulling him down for a kiss in front of all those staring and whispering about us.

“I love you too little dhampir.” He said against my lips before pulling away and wrapping his arm around my waist.  I laid my head on his chest and placed my hand above his heart. 

APOV

The staring and whispering were getting to my little dhampir, admittedly they were making me a little edgy.  The ignorance of the Moroi was confounding.  We entrust our lives to the Guardians but we deny them the acceptance they deserve.  We look down on them as though they are beneath us and unworthy of our attention.  We brainwash our children into believing that Moroi come first and dhampir lives don’t matter.  Moroi are no better than slavers and it pains me to one of them.

“Rose! Adrian!” We heard shouted behind us.

Christian, Lissa, and Eddie were coming out of a cafe surprisingly Mia was with them.  I know Rose would love that.

“Look who we found sitting around in the cafe.” Eddie said to Rose.

“It is good to see you Mia.” Rose said as she pulled Mia into a hug.

“It’s nice to see you too Rose.” Mia told her before pulling away.  “You look good, happy”

“Thank you” Rose told her as she took my hand for a moment she squeezed it tight.  “You look good yourself.  You've bulked up a little as well.” Rose said commenting on the new muscles in Mia’s arms.

“I’ve been taking some lessons for the Guardians around here.  After what happened to my mother and what happened in Spokane I don’t ever want to be unprepared again.”

“Then we have to get together sometime while we are here so I can see what they have been teaching you” Rose told her with a smile on her face and hint of tension in her shoulders at the mention of Spokane.  I wasn’t going to make a big deal of it she healed up very well mentally and physically from what happened but scars would always remain.

“How ‘bout we all go sit down at the cafe and catch up.” Eddie said as he tilted his head in the direction of the Cafe they had just left.

Rose looked at me waiting for my response.  Her sitting down hanging out with her friends was something she needed.  I wasn’t going to deny her of it.

“Go hang out with your friends little dhampir, I have to go check in on Vivvi and my nephew.”

My sister had her baby about a month ago.  She called and told me about it after the fact.  I wanted to fly out and see her sooner but she wouldn't hear of it.  She ordered me to stay where I was and to give her sometime to settle in the Marcus, the baby.  Against my will I relented since I knew a trip to court was inevitable in the near future.

“Okay see you back at your apartment?” She asked me as she reached up to kiss me lightly on the lips.

“Yeah, you have your key that I gave you?”

“Yeah I got it.  See you later love.” She told me as she walked away with her friends.

~*~UR~*~

“So how is your Rose?” Vivvi asked me as held a sleeping Marcus in her arms.

“She’s good all healed up from what happened a couple of months ago.  But there is something else that is bothering her.  We haven’t had the chance to discuss it yet but I know it wont be long now before we sit down and talk.”

“Then why is it bothering you so much?”

“Because I don’t like not knowing what is going on with my Rose.  She has been through enough I don’t want her getting hurt again.” I told Vivvi solemnly as I set back in my seat.

“I’m sure it is nothing Adrian.  But if it feels like it did while we were at the ski lodge maybe you should go scoop up your Rose and go have that conversation now.”

“No it doesn’t feel like that.  It’s more of knowing that something is going on with Rose.  She already has admitted to it but I know I just have to get her to come to me in her own time to talk to me about it.  But enough about me and Rose what about you and and little Marcus?”

“Being a mother is like nothing I though it was going to be Adrian.  He just takes my breath away every time I look at him.  I love him like I thought I could never love anyone.” Vivian says as she loving gazes at my nephew as he sleeps curled up in his mother’s arms.  “I see so much of Charlie that it hurts but I still can’t help but to love him because I know he isn’t his father and he’ll never be like that arrogant prick.  He just doesn’t know what he is missing by not being here to raise Marcus.  But even with all this happiness of being his mother even loving him so much it  is still so damn hard doing it by yourself.  My life and my world are no longer about me and I am only 19 years old.  I am still young and still want to live my life but I can’t imagine not being this little boys mother.”

“You don’t have to do it by yourself Vivvi.  I am more than willing to hire some help for you so you can still get a chance to live your life but also be a mother to Marcus.” I told her as I sat up in my seat so she could see how serious I was.  Though this wasn’t an ideal situation my sister had found herself in it wasn’t one that had to be the end of her growing up.

“You have done enough for me Adrian.  I am going to make my own way from here.  There is a nursery that I am going to set Marcus up at and there is a boutique that is allowing a flexible schedule so I can take care of Marcus and go to school.  When Marcus can’t stay at the nursery I have a sitter that I have made plans with.  Everything is all worked out and made easier by the fact that I don’t have to pay rent since you have taken care of that for me.  Don’t worry about me Adrian you have done more than enough for me and Marcus.”

“Whose your Guardian while you are outside of court?”

“I haven’t been assigned one yet but Aunt Tatiana lets one of her Guardians go with me when I have to leave.  She tells me that it wont be long now before on is assigned to me.  With the way everything has been going on I am in no rush to leave Court just yet so I have been mostly staying here except when there is somethings I have to take care of for school.  By the time the fall semester starts up I should have someone.”

“Well if it looks like there isn’t going to be a Guardian for you by the time schools starts up let me know and I will take care of it.”

“I know you will, thanks for everything Adrian. I truly appreciate all that you have done for me.”

“There is no need to thank me Vivvi you are my sister and I would do anything for you.”