The accident & the snowstorm (A VA fanfic)

Eight

RPOV
I heard the direct order in his voice and couldn't help but obey. I was still his student, regretfully, but even if I wasn't I'd still follow his instructions. But at least then he'd also have to follow mine. I turned and approached him numbly. Then I saw the true panic in his eyes for myself.
"Are you okay?" he asked, panic and worry radiated around him.
"I- I think so." He didn't like that answer. Or how it came out.
"Belikov, get her to the ER. Now!" demanded Alberta. Dimitri nodded and put an arm around my shoulder to guide me to an SUV.

"The baby?" Dimitri asked frantically once we were speeding to the nearest hospital. "How's our baby?" he begged slash demanded.
"Okay, I think. I'm pretty sure he or she faired better than my head." I wasn't even beginning to attempt to be sarcastic, certain Dimitri would snap if I did. Plus, I was worried about our miracle myself.
Dimitri took an anxious glance at my head. "Possibly. I wouldn't know because I wasn't there." I detected fear underpinning his three bitter words, fear and maybe also guilt. I wasn't too sure, maybe it was disappointment that I'd gone after Mason without considering the consequences for our unborn baby.

I sighed and leaned back into the seat. Only the back of my head felt wet. So I put my hand to it. It came back all bloody. Dimitri sped up as I ripped my jacket and shirt off, leaving me in a red, lace-trimmed bra and jeans as I pressed the gathered shirt to my bleeding head. I didn't care that Dimitri could see-he'd seen me naked, evidently-since I was pregnant with his baby. I didn't care that this was the same bra he'd taken off me little over a fortnight ago. I was starting to feel the effects of the escape, the blood loss, and the starvation attempt as I struggled to keep my eyes open, fighting off the dizziness and failing. Soon enough though, Dimitri was cradling me to his chest as he ran into the ER screaming for help.

DPOV
"You've got to prioritise her," I begged the nurse. "She's two weeks pregnant and has been in a terrible accident." Sort of. The vague excuse was the best I could do, and the safest. At the mention of the very early stages pregnancy and registering of Rose's bleeding head, she nodded and got things moving quickly. But it wasn't quick enough for my liking. Rose was unconscious and I was frightened for her and our baby. Before I knew it, they were rushing her into an ultrasound and surgery... again.

Two hours later, the doctor found me. "Sir, I have some good news," he said with genuine warmth.
"Is the baby okay? Please tell me my baby is okay!"
The doctor smiled. "Yes, your baby is okay. You're extremely lucky for it to be as fine as it is. I don't know what it went through, but Miss Hathaway protected it well and it is one very blessed embryo. It should have been a miscarriage, so we'll be closely monitoring mother and child for the next fortnight."

Ouch! That embryo part stung, but I tried to hide it behind a nod and subject change. "And Rose? What about my Roza?"
"Some major cuts and bruises, a broken rib, fractured wrist as well as the third degree burns around both wrists."
"Will she be okay?"
"It will take time, but yes, she will recover fully."
"She was in a car crash a month ago, is there any reopening of wounds or bruises on bruises?"
"Luckily, no. She's unconscious, but you can see her, if you wish. I'm guessing you're her boyfriend?"
I nodded. It wasn't entirely true, just mostly, but it was the only way they would continue to give me updates and let me visit. Rose would pack shit and freak out if no one was there when she woke up, worse still, her mother.

"Yes Petrov?" I answered my phone while still embracing Roza's hand as I had done for an hour now.
"How is she? And I should warn you, Janine's on her way."
"She's fine. She's one very lucky and very blessed... girl." I hated how I had hesitated to use the word. She was one brave young woman, an amazing young guardian.
"And the baby?"
"More blessed than Rose."
"The outlook? The chances of her coming home anytime soon?"
"Because of the baby and her injuries she's in for a fortnight at least."
"Okay. Then I expect you by her side, to bring her home when she's fit enough."

Janine walked in ten minutes later. I stood to leave, I needed to stretch my legs anyway. But she gestured me down and pulled the other chair to Rose's other side.
"Both of them," Janine whispered as she took Rose's left hand in both of hers. "She took down both Strigoi. And knocked out their three human assistants." Janine looked to me with wild eyes. "She's seventeen, Belikov! She's seventeen and dealt out death. She's seventeen and she's got more marks than some will ever see."
"She's strong, Hathaway," I reassured. "She's so incredibly strong for someone so young. It may take time and effort, but she will cope, she will recover."
Janine studied me for a few minutes before speaking again. "Will you be there? Will you be there to help her?"
"Yes," I surprised myself with the fierceness of my voice. I would be by her side for the rest of our lives.
Janine looked me dead in the eye, "You had better be, or I'll hunt you down... No, make that I'll hunt you down with her father. Now he'd tear you limb from limb and enjoy it."

I tried not to gulp before nodding. I didn't know Rose's father since she didn't, but I didn't want to meet an unusually fiercely protective absent Moroi father only to have him kill me seconds later.

We said no more for the next hour. When she decided to go eat. She brought me back a coffee and a collection of snacks, which included a ham and cheese sandwich. She had also bought me and Rose a new set of clothes. She could be mothering apparently, if she tried.
"Thanks, Hathaway."
"I didn't see any sign of you moving and you've barely eaten in the last 24 hours. I've got to return to my charge. Tell her I wish her a speedy recovery... and welcome to the ranks."
I nodded. "I will."

"'Mitri," Roza moaned as she stirred. Thank god her mother had left hours ago if that's the first thing she's thinking and saying. If I'm what she was dreaming about. I had absolutely no problems with that, quite the opposite... her mother however... would find a million and one things wrong with it.
"Hey, Roza," I smiled and moved to the edge of the bed to lightly brush my fingers over her cheek. My heart swelled with hope and love as her eyes groggily opened.
Her lips twitched into a small smile, "Hey, Comrade," she croaked. I had never loved that nickname more than I did now.
"How does my sleeping beauty feel?"
"Your sleeping beauty, huh?" She waggled her eyebrows at me suggestively. I groaned as I picked up the double meaning. She laughed. It was dry and scratchy so I sat her up a little and handed her a cup of water. "Thanks. You really need to start watching your words when I'm in the clinic."
"Roza... honey..."
I saw realisation wash through her, then fear as her hand fell to her tummy.
"Our baby's fine," I smiled as my hands joined hers and placed a kiss over her hospital gown. "He or she is perfectly fine." I met her eyes lovingly. "You protected him or her well, Roza. But... the doctor wants you to stay here for observation for a fortnight. And no, you didn't re-injure injuries from the crash."
"Cut that out, Dimitri. Stop blaming yourself for something you had no control over. I love you, and I don't blame you. We love you, Daddy." She pulled me down for a kiss. God I loved her.
"I love you two, too," I murmured against her lips. It was scary how well she knew me.