A month outside the gates (a VA fanfic)ON HOLD

Chapter 64

RPOV
Over the fortnight, the number of my shifts slowly increased. And quickly became increasingly boring. It was hard to reconcile the fact that this was what I would be doing for the rest of my life.

Well... That wasn't quite true. I wouldn't always be at Court. Rather, I'd just be here for most of the time. Yes, the queen did travel around. It just wasn't that common an occurrence. Most often people came to her. So, most of my time was spent in the meeting room, Council room, or her office.

By the third week I was pulling ten-hour shifts guarding her. When I walked into work on Saturday in the meeting room she told me to sit.
"Guardian Hathaway," she began formally, "I'm sure by now you are well aware that the Council has been arguing over what course of action should be taken to increase guardian numbers while simultaneously decrease the number of Strigoi."
"I am, Your Majesty." Where was she going with this?
"You are therefore also aware of some of their more... shall one say... outrageous or extreme ideas?"
I nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Without Vasilisa's voice on Council I wish someone close to her to speak up for her, I also wish the dhampir to have a much stronger voice. I especially desire a younger voice."
"How do plan to achieve this, Your Majesty?"
Her eyes twinkled and she nodded my way. "With your help, Rosemarie. It's undecided as yet, but either you will be promoted to be my advisor for dhampir situations not just the guardians's. Or... the role of dhampir Princess will be added to the Council- you will have more credibility and power as a Princess... you may even be seen as a voice also for and in place of the Dragomir line until such time as Vasilisa has her quorum. Though... some members of Council may argue the legality and viability of your Council spot due to you not having an heir and never having one if you choose to stay with Guardian Belikov-"
"Pardon the interruption, but I will at one stage have an heir with Dimitri. I can have Dimitri's baby, due to Lissa healing me so often and shadow-kissing me."
It was barely detectable, but Tatiana was surprised and shocked. Just a little. "Are you already with child, Guardian Hathaway?" Yup. Shocked. Definitely shocked. Not that I could blame her.
"If I am, Your Majesty, I am unaware." Yes, there was a legitimate chance I was but Dimitri and I had been so cautious. Though I hadn't gone on the pill... for so many reasons.
Tatiana went silent for a few moments. I wasn't sure how to interpret and react to it. Then she spoke again. "I suggest you see the Doctor immediately. And go to the drug store to take a home test."
I blushed against instruction, just like the words that next tumbled from my mouth. "Your Majesty, we've done it plenty of other times without falling pregnant."
Her eyes narrowed. Uh oh. "Rose, if I'm to decide your future position I need to know either way."
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll go after-"
"I already have Day covering for you. I already planned for you to have today off to speak with your... boyfriend and friends to gather opinions and such-like."
I couldn't believe I was about to let her push me around. "Okay. Your Majesty."

"Roza?" Dimitri's voice called through the locked bathroom door an hour later. Maybe even later.
"Dimitri..." I replied, still sitting on the floor in shock. This wasn't supposed to happen! Not yet, anyway. How was I supposed to tell him? And Lissa, how was I supposed to tell her? Christian, Adrian, Mia? And Mom and Abe! How the hell was I supposed to tell my parents about this! This decided it and by now, Tatiana likely knew. My future was changed for ever.
"Roza, please!" Dimitri pleaded. "Let me in, baby, please!"
"Comrade." I threw myself in his arms when I opened the door. I only opened because I knew he'd kick it in if I didn't, he was on the edge of being that frantic and concerned.
"Baby? What's wrong, Roza?"
"We're have a baby?" I mumbled into his chest.
He pulled back enough to tip my chin up to make my eyes meet his. I loved it and hated it when he did this. It wasn't fair. "You're pregnant? You're really pregnant?"
I nodded. "Yes. Dimitri Belikov, I'm carrying your child." Those were the strangest words to ever roll off my tongue... except for the ones that automatically followed. "And Tatiana's going to make me Princess because of it."
Dimitri's jaw dropped and he stepped away with shock written all over him. "P-Princess?"
I nodded. "Yeah," I confirmed shakily. "She chose me to be the face of a dhampir equality movement and help decide what chess piece is moved in which direction regarding battling rising Strigoi and falling guardian numbers. I don't want to be involved in those games! But she wants me to also be Lissa's voice! How can I fight her making me a Princess when I'm her charge and Lissa's best friend? How can I argue when I'm already carrying an heir? She knows I'll do anything for Liss and my job!"
Dimtri's arms pulled me back into the safety of his embrace. "Shhh. Settle, Roza. I love you. You can do this, honey." He kissed the top of my head. I melted into his warmth.
"What? Be Princess? Or be a mother?"
"Both. You can be both, and at the same time."