With An Addition (VA Fanfic)

Take back control

DPOV
Rose and Lissa had once commanded this Academy's respect, and as the day wore on, I noticed how nothing was going to stop Rose from reminding them of that. No grief over Ivan, no slander over nor verbal attacks on her Jenée were going to get in her way of regaining her status as a campus legend. Lissa let Rose take the limelight and answer all the questions unless they were specifically addressed to her and by her name at that. I also noticed how few specific details she gave out about their "vacation". One question she always went rigid on was the one about Jenée's father. Why he was such a touchy subject for her I didn't know nor could I puzzle it out.

Sometimes when the topic was breached she would set her eyes on where Jenée was and in them I saw flashes of regret and sadness, wistfulness and longing, but also undying love and protectiveness. Hiding his identity was a burden to her, I could gather that much. She wanted her daughter to have a father, I was beginning to see, but then she'd look up at me and all those emotions were hidden by a hope and happiness so strong I could almost taste it, almost embrace it like a tangible thing. And trust, so much trust underpinned her hope and happiness when she saw me looking after Jenée.

"Take Jenée straight to the gym," Rose directed as she walked past me and out of her last class. What was the point of that, Rose? Now I know for sure you're going to sneak off to find Lissa, do you really think I'm going to not follow you?

"Rose, do you really believe you'll be able to stand splitting them? Being away from her father again?" I heard Lissa ask when I approached the corner behind the commons they were hiding their meeting. I indicated to Jenée to stay silent. She obeyed.
"This isn't about them, or me, it's about you!" Rose hissed in a whisper.
"It's not just about me anymore, Rose. It hasn't been just about me from the time we realised you were pregnant. It hasn't been about just me from the moment you conceived her! Rose, you have a family of your own, one you need to start being. Properly."
"I can't, Lissa!" Rose's quiet retort was full of longing and heartbreak. "You know I can't. You know I want to, but I can't. You know why I can't."
"It's going to backfire on you soon, Rose. Just think about it. I'll look after me, you look after them. She's my niece and I think she deserves to know."
"She's too young, Lissa. She's better off in the dark. Everyone is until we know what happened."
Jenée shot me a confused and sad look. "Momma?" she whispered in my ear. My hand ran over her untameable hair before I nodded. It was time to step in.

"Rose, you're late for training. Princess."
Rose looked between me and Jenée and tears pooled in her eyes. She turned to look at Lissa. "I can't, Lissa. I'll see you later." Rose shook her head at me and took off.
I was left looking at Lissa in confusion. It was an emotion Rose's words or actions rarely elicited in me. "Princess?"
"Just let her cool down, Guardian Belikov. She's been through a lot today and since... well..." Lissa nodded at Jenée. "Since she fell pregnant with her." She clapped her hands and smiled at Jenée while reaching for the baby. "You coming with Aunty Lissa while Momma relaxes, Princess Jenée?"
"Mr 'Mitri?"
I smiled and nodded. "Go on, Miss Jenée. I'll get Momma back to you in time for dinner."
She hugged me tightly before letting me hand her over to Lissa. The Princess was watching us closely, speculatively.
"Be careful with Rose, Guardian Belikov."
I nodded. "Of course, Princess."

My gut told me I knew where she'd gone. I just hoped I was right. It was where I'd retreated to many times over the time she'd been missing. It would only be logical for her to go there to calm down. For the half hour of space I gave her I couldn't sit still or concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds at a time. Worry bubbled and boiled away until I slammed my novel on my bedside table and jumped off the bed in my dorm to go find her. She may want space and she may need it, but I needed to be there for her. She'd been devastated by the news about Ivan but had remained strong for me. She'd been strong for too long today and I needed to let her know I was still there for her. That I'd always be there for her no matter what.