To Be a Belikov (Vampire Academy Fan Fiction Book 3)

Chapter 4: Make It Work

Chapter 4: Make It Work

With a loud, girlish laugh, I collapsed back onto my bed, a mess of throw pillows and soft blankets squishing around me as Dimitri thudded down beside me. His laugh echoed mine, both of us quickly smothering the noise in pillows so as not to wake Annessa who was sleeping just below us.

I felt young again; like I was 18 and in love for the first time, experiencing the world all over again with none of the hardships I'd faced at that age. I was light and airy; no wrinkles or occasional grey hairs caused by a beautiful daughter.

Laughing was something I needed more of.

We turned to face each other, propped up on pillows as we looked into each other's eyes. The love between us was tangible; I could feel his heart pulling on mine, his soul glowing as golden as the sun I loved so much. It was a beautiful feeling; the kind of thing someone fought for with their last breath. It had taken that from both of us, and now we were beginning yet another adventure together, our love the solitary, steady spotlight on the path. What would I do without him?

"Guardian Rosemarie Belikov, Captain of the Academy Guardians," he whispered, a gentle finger reaching up to tuck a stray curl behind my ear. Cupping my cheek, his husky voice said, "You're going to be amazing, my Roza."

I couldn't hide the smile on my face as he leaned down to kiss me, our lips warm and insistent against each other's. We could never get enough, not even after all these years as a couple. I had learned to live without him once, and I had almost chosen it later on; now, he was a more a piece of me than my hair, or tattoos, or even Annessa. He was my soulmate, and I was so thankful our journey was never-ending.

Pulling back, I rested my forehead against his with my eyes closed, just breathing him in. He smelled like his old cologne mixed with the lingering scent of a hard day's work; it was like coming home every time I was close enough to bury myself in him.

"We have to tell Annessa," I said back. "She'll be thrilled. And Cassie and Eddie."

"They'll be out on the tarmac waiting for us," he teased in return, pecking my nose.

A small smile played on my lips. "I'll be their boss."

"And mine," he chuckled back, pulling me closer so I was crushed against his chest. I giggled up at him, his brown eyes sparkling down at me with a hunger I knew too well.

"I'm sure you'll just love that," I laughed as I cuddled into him.

He pulled a blanket onto me, both of us too lazy to turn down our beautiful bed. It was comfier with the pillows on it anyway.

"I mean it, Roza," he smiled as we settled in, clicking our lamps off as we both tied our hair back for the night. "You are going to be great at this. Protecting people is in your blood, and the Academy will be a needed change for everyone."

"Plus we'll be with Annessa," I added quickly. "I'd never send her off if we weren't going to be on campus."

He smirked at me and kissed my forehead. "It's going to work, no matter what comes up. This will be good for all of us."

"You'll help me, won't you?" I asked, turning to meet his eyes again.

Kissing me once more, he said, "You won't need it."

And then he fell asleep while I looked out towards the windows where the sunlight was just beginning to peek through.

~

The phone was ringing.

Through my half asleep, blurry consciousness, that was all I could comprehend. The phone was ringing, and the sunlight was still peeking into my room, and Dimitri was completely zonked out beside me, buried beneath a mountain of pillows.

I had to answer the phone.

Clumsily untangling myself from a blanket, I stumbled out of bed and made it the few steps to the vanity where my cell was resting. I didn't bother to look at the photo on the screen to see who it was; my robot actions only registered enough to slide my finger and hold the device up to my ear.

"What the hell do you want?" I croaked as a yawn ripped through my throat.

A chuckle came from the other end, followed by a very high-pitched giggle I knew too well.

"You haven't changed a bit, have you?" Eddie laughed.

"Sorry for waking you, Rosie!" Cassie called as I went to step into the bathroom where I wouldn't disturb my still very unattractively drooling husband.

I stifled another yawn, answering, "You had to call in the middle of the day? Some of us sleep, you know."

"Enjoy it while you can," Eddie countered, and I could hear a smile in his tone.

I could hear a squabble over the phone as Cassie weaseled it from his hands. "Alberta told us the great news! You move out in–"

"We haven't even told Annessa yet," I interrupted hastily. News travelled fast in the Dhampir world. "Is she really spreading the word?"

"The students have been gossiping about it for months," Cassie said, and I could make out the sounds of Eddie trying to get close enough to hear our conversation. "I still can't believe you agreed. Rose and Dimitri back at the Academy, the place that started it all – forbidden love, dangerous missions, sexual scand–"

"Cassie," I groaned, covering up the rest of her insane bubbling. She had been a long-time fan of our relationship and the small amounts of fame it'd gotten since the beginning; I sometimes forgot she was as big a fangirl as the rest. "Would you please no go spreading that around?"

With a laugh, she said, "Someone already has been. Welcome back to high school."

I sighed again and shook my head, but I couldn't help a small smile from playing on my lips. Even if I was returning to the crazy world of Academy drama, I was happy to be doing it. I needed this.

"I'll call you when I'm not supposed to be asleep, okay?" I said.

"Sure thing, boss," she laughed.

"Bye, Rose!" Eddie yelled and my smile grew as I ended the call.

This was going to be good; I got my friends back, Annessa got her schooling, and I still had my family as close as possible.