Together Forever

Chapter Seven: Arrival

As if learning I’m pregnant isn’t stressful enough, I now have to deal with the fact that Tasha is coming tomorrow. I promised Lissa that I would behave, but she didn’t know about my predicament yet. No one knows. I only found out a couple hours ago, and I decided I would just stay in my room the rest of the day, searching dhampir pregnancies on Google. I’m not sure if Dimitri would believe me without proof or not. After an hour and a half of searching, I had finally found something. That’s why I’m frozen here, staring at this site that says, “Dhampirs kissed by death can reproduce with any kind.”

My phone rang, bringing me out of my trance. I shot up out of the chair and went to pick up the phone. It was Dimitri. I hesitated to answer it, not sure if I could confess yet. I have semi-solid proof, but I don’t know if he would even want a baby. Then there is the fact that we’re both supposed to protect Lissa when I graduate… 

I took a deep breath and answered. I needed him to know. “Hey.”

I heard him give a relieved sigh. “Roza, thank God you’re okay. No one’s heard from you since school ended.”

“Don’t worry, Comrade,” I said in a shaky voice. “I, um, need you to come to my room.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Thanks,” I said, then hung up.

It only took him ten minutes, but it felt like I was pacing around my room for hours. He lightly knocked on my door, and I opened it. He took in my features, looking worried. I’m sure I was pale with bloodshot eyes and had a tear-streaked face. I ushered him inside, closing and locking the door behind him. I didn’t know how to start the conversation, but I sure as hell wasn’t just going to say “I’m pregnant and you’re the father.” So, I pointed to the computer screen. His eyebrows knitted in confusion as he folded his tall frame into the rolling chair by the computer. Within the next minute, he turned to me with wide eyes. I could see that he wanted to ask me if it was true, so I nodded. He just sat there, unresponsive to me asking “well?” over and over again.

I groaned and walked out of the room, making sure the door slammed on the way out. The thought of Dimitri not believing me or not wanting the baby made my eyes water. Tears were already threatening to spill. Subconsciously, my feet took me to the cabin. Why?! I’m trying to run from my problems!  

“Roza,” Dimitri breathed from behind me, “please tell me-”

“It is true,” I yelled ferociously.  “If you don’t want the baby then leave!”

I shut my eyes, preparing to open them and see no one standing behind me. After a few seconds of preparation, I dared to open my eyes. I turned around, confused when he was still standing there. He looked just as confused as I felt. He made two long strides toward me, and then crashed his lips onto mine. My confusion was replaced with relief as I melted into his kiss. When we pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. 

“Why wouldn’t I want the baby? Are you insane? I was afraid you were playing a joke on me, Roza. You have no clue how happy I am. I was more than content when I decided I could just be with you… now, you’re giving me even more that I could ever wish for: a family.”

I was crying tears of joy at this point, overwhelmed with emotions. I felt scared, happy, relieved… complete. Of course, that was when the rational part of my brain started working. “What about Lissa? I need to protect her. What about you? Once they find out, they’ll throw you in jail. I-I can’t let that happen.”

He sighed. “Rose, you turned eighteen last month. We just need to exaggerate numbers.”

“You’re still my teacher,” I pointed out.