The way that it should have been

Chapter 24

After breakfast Roza and I walked into town. She wanted to actually see where I grew up. So, we walked around my hometown, hand in hand, for a few hours. Of course, due to the snow fall angel moya had to wear the coat, hat, boots, and gloves that she had gotten when we landed in Russia. (my)

I took her to the bookstore where I'd bought my very first used western novel for less than $.10 in American money. Then I showed her the local bakery, ice cream parlor, general store, and the greengrocer. Among many other places, such as the gym where I used to train while I was at home on the weekends and holidays.

During that time, we shared many many many public and extremely passionate kisses. As well as many other public displays of affection. And I have to admit, it really felt amazing being able to love my woman in public for the entire world to see.

(RPOV)

Dimitri and I had been with his family for one day shy of a week counting today. And just as I told him, it took Sonja a few days before she warmed up to me. But she did finally come to see me just as the rest of the family did, as one of them, as a member of the family. Which made me extatically happy and touched my heart deeply because I wanted all of his family to like me.

She had even told Mitya and I why she had been so worried about my being with Dimitri.

*FLASHBACK*

"Dimka, can I talk to you and Roza for a little bit?"

"Of course, what do you need Sonja?"

"I just wanted to apologize again to the both of you for the way that I've acted and behaved since the day that you arrived. I was not only hormonal and moody, but I was afraid that you would break my little brother's heart Roza. And he has been hurt enough, we all have. Of course, I know now that you have been as well. And I just wanted to apologize and say that I'm sooo sorry for the things that I said and the way that I've acted and made you feel since that day. Both of you."

"Sonja, you don't have to apologize to me for that. I knew part of what was going on, even if Mitya didn't at first. Which is why I told him to calm down when he spoke to you. I love this man with everything that I am or ever will be Sonja. I never thought that the love that I feel for your brother was even a remote possibility for me. When I was younger, I thought that I would be alone all of my life until I died young protecting my charge. But you heard our story, and you know that I fell quick and hard for your baby brother, quite literally."

We all laughed at that last part.

"You don't ever have to worry because he means absolutely everything to me Sonja. And if I ever lost him, it would literally drive me insane before it ended up killing me. I could not go on living without him, and I don't ever want to even have to try to. It's just too impossible for me to even imagine having to do that let alone ever having to actually do it."

"I know that now, I just wanted to let you know that I am very happy to have you as my newest sestra." (sister)

"Thank you, Sonja, thank you so much. That means more to me than you will ever know." She had unknowingly almost brought me to tears.

"You are welcome, and welcome to the family sestra." Sonja hugged me as tightly and as closely as her growing baby bump would allow. (sister)

"Sonja, is that the only reason behind your attitude?" Dimitri asked his sestra gently a few moments later. (sister)

She sighed, turned, and walked into the living room as she shook her head. "No, I guess I was also projecting my feelings about the father of my baby onto the two of you. He told me that he loved me and that he would always be there for me. That he wanted me to be his first and that he wanted us to have a family together. But just as soon as he found out that I am pregnant he bolted. His last words to me were denying that he is the father of my baby and calling me a liar, a slut, and a blood whore. And saying that I was trying to trap him with a child that was not even his. He also told me that it wouldn't even matter if the baby was his or not. Because there is no way in ad that he would ever claim, support, or raise a dhampir vnebrachnyy." (hell, bastard)