Into the Ether - Complete

Spring, When New Things Grow: Part 20

"My father?" Rose asked, cuddling into Dimitri's side a little. Ever in tune with her, I could see the Russian move slightly to pull her protectively against him. While I'd always feel guilty for signing the leave pass which got the two of them into this mess, I was happy that they were together and that he'd made it back to her. If ever two people belonged together it was Rose and Dimitri.

"Yes. Your father has heard about your... predicament... and would like to be of assistance," Abe clarified.

"My father..." Rose said, still stuck on the first part of Abe's news. "He knows about me? For how long? What's his name? Does he want to meet me?"

Abe looked conflicted. I'd warned him Rose would want details. It was understandable; one parent had abandoned her – it made sense she'd be curious about the other.

"Your father has only recently discovered your existence. He had no idea he had a child until a few weeks ago. I'm not at liberty to reveal his name at this stage, and he has not informed me of any intentions to meet with you."

"So how did he find out about me?" she asked.

"He has not shared that information with me either," Abe said, "Although I understand it was quite a shock to him. You're his only child."

"Did he have a relationship with my mother?" Rose pressed.

"I don't believe so. My belief is that it was a one-off thing," Abe replied delicately.

"So you can't tell me a name, what can you share with me?" Rose asked, looking at Abe challengingly.

"I can tell you that he's a very successful businessman who works out of several locations in America, Europe, and Asia. He's in his early forties, has never married and has no other children."

"And he wants to help me?" she asked Abe but looking at Dimitri, who was rubbing calming circles on her arms.

"Yes. When he found out about you, he also discovered you were pregnant and at that stage alone," Abe stopped here to look meaningfully at Dimitri. "So he is making arrangements to be of financial assistance to you."

Rose sat there for a moment taking it all in; then she turned to bury her face against Dimitri's chest and started crying. Abe looked alarmed, but Dimitri took it in his stride, closing his arms around her and soothing her.

"He doesn't want to meet me," she cried against Dimitri's shirt. "He's probably ashamed of me."

Dimitri's face contorted in pain. I knew he hated the damage Rose's upbringing had inflicted on her. The way deep down she always thought she wasn't worthy.

"Shh, milaya. Mr. Mazur hasn't said your father doesn't want to meet you, just that he hasn't mentioned it, yet. I know it's a big thing for you, but it must be for him, too. It makes sense to reach out first through a lawyer – but that doesn't mean he doesn't care or doesn't want to meet in the future," Dimitri crooned, stroking Rose's hair waiting for her to calm down a little.

"Mr. Mazur, nice to meet again," Dimitri said turning his attention to the Moroi. "Can I ask what your instructions are?"

"Certainly Guardian Belikov, and please call me Abe. Rose's father would like me to spend some time with the young lady and make suggestions to him about how best to provide for her and the child financially and to make sure they are getting the best possible medical care. He also wants me to write a dossier about Rose. Her likes, dislikes, more about her life growing up and that sort of thing. He has a lot of blanks to fill in."

"So he gets to know all about me, but I don't get to know anything about him?" Rose snapped, still crying.

"I don't think that's his intention," Abe said. "Your father is a very cautious man, Rose. He was very surprised to find out he had a child. He intends to provide for you in any case, but he's curious about you."