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

Chapter 7: Home

Chapter 7: Home

The neighborhood was buzzing with the typical Moroi-Mommy activities as I pulled up to the driveway and into the garage. I still couldn't fathom that I wouldn't be living here anymore; it was such a strange concept to be giving up the house that had been my first real home. Dimitri and I had built so much here between our time as an engaged couple and the rest as parents to our beautiful daughter.

I still hated facing the fact that I was an adult. My years as a rebellious teenager with a mouth that ran as fast as her feet were over. Now, I had responsibilities and a husband and an entire Academy to keep safe; I was the grown up I had always feared becoming.

But, by Vlad, I was so happy about it.

Not the aging exactly, or the fine lines carefully etching themselves into my forehead, but the fact that I had made it. This is what a great life looked like. I'd had my share of bumps and bruises with the tattoos to prove it, and I also had a family I would be proud of for the rest of my life; now, I'd have my career back, too. I would be a Guardian with everything a normal person got to have, and I would thank my lucky stars for that every single day.

The SUV beeped twice as I clicked the lock button, climbing out of the car and onto the garage stairs leading inside. As I entered the kitchen and hung my keys up, I couldn't help my eyes from darting around.

Something wasn't right.

Slowly and with more adrenaline pumping into my veins, I reached for the stake tucked at my side. It felt heavy in my hand; a familiar kind of weight that reminded me I was, in fact, the famous Rose Hathaway and I could kill anything that came my way.

At least, I really hoped I could.

I pressed against the wall, calming my breathing as I focused on listening to the heartbeat of my house.

The washer was running downstairs; there was a clock in the dining room ticking loudly; the floorboards upstairs creaked occasionally with the weight of the furniture. But something was wrong.

My nose found it before my ears could pick out the exact second a boot hit the hardwood; I knew that scent. It was musky, like an old book you kept coming back to because it felt like home, but sweet with a cologne I'd bought last Christmas.

With a smirk, I sprung around the corner the same moment my Dimitri came flying out of the hall closet. I had him pinned against the wall in seconds and the stake pressed teasingly beneath his chin, my hands holding him tightly. He may have been taller, but I was faster; I'd always been faster.

"I know you like to play, but a little warning would be nice," I joked as I released him and tucked my stake back into its spot.

Chuckling, he turned to face me, one hand rubbing the spot where the stake had just been. "We've got to get you back in shape," he quipped as he smoothed his shirt. I hadn't done it hard enough to hurt him, though that was something we'd explored once upon a bedroom adventure.

Those brown eyes studied me with sparks of hunger flickering in their steamy gaze. He roved over my simple black ensemble, a uniform I hadn't worn in a long time, taking in the curves usually hidden under jackets and sweatshirts. I looked like a badass again, and apparently he'd missed it.

His arms pulled me close and I reached up to give him a light kiss.

"You look stunning, Mrs. Belikov," he whispered, lips moving hungrily against mine.

Walking my hands up his still muscular chest, I couldn't keep the grin off my face. "I feel it, Mr. Belikov," I answered sincerely with the happiness ringing in my voice. This is what I lived for, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Four exhaustingly long hours later, Annessa was home and running around packing whatever her hands could touch. The living room décor, her clothes, the books from the library; it was all being thrown into boxes for the professional movers to take care of later. Dimitri and I were laughing, but I could see the sadness in his periodic gazes around the room. This had been his home as much as mine.

We sat on the floor in the living room with Annessa, sorting DVDs and CDs into boxes. Dimitri was clinging tightly to anything Western related while Annessa kept trying to move his out to make more room for her princess and ballet movies. I just shook my head at them and sipped quietly on my hot chocolate.

"What's the Academy like?" Annessa piped up, flinging another of Dimitri's DVDs onto the "Donate" pile.

His eyes instantly snapped to mine, flickering with humor and a smidge of fear. We were the worst example of what could happen at the school and, while I loved him with every piece of my soul and could never regret our life together, I didn't want Annessa falling in love with her teacher.

"It is an adventure, zaika," Dimitri finally answered. His voice was slow, choosing his words very carefully. "One of those memories you will always remember."

She smiled up at him. "I'm excited you're coming with. And Mama." She grinned at me as she tucked herself into her father's lap. At 11 years old, she was still his baby girl and fit snugly into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head as they continued sorting.