Into the Ether - Complete

Spring, When New Things Grow: Part 27

"Make yourself useful and go help Guardian Matthews carry up the pizza," I said to Mason, laughing as Dimitri ushered the last of the Moroi from their common room, declaring it 'booked' and 'out of bounds' for the rest of the evening. They'd obviously not twigged that he was no longer employed by the Academy because they obeyed, albeit reluctantly.

Us Novices had arrived promptly at 7 am, each carrying our pillows and quilts, and wearing our pajamas. To my disappointment, Dimitri had insisted on wearing jeans and a TShirt. I'd have loved him in his pajamas, but he'd outright refused on the basis of needing to maintain some distinction between him and the Novices. I guess he had a point, although I thought his pajamas looked cute and told him so.

While she wasn't officially rostered to start until 8 am, Celeste had volunteered to go and get pizza from the closest town. They had a twenty-four-hour pizzeria, but they were stunned when Dimitri called at 5.30 am to order ten family-sized pizzas with various toppings and a similar number of garlic bread. It was lucky Dimitri's credit card had been reactivated, because they'd insisted on pre-payment before they'd accepted the order. I could smell the cheesy goodness from down the hallway complimented by the scent of the garlic bread before it even arrived.

"God I love you," I'd murmured against Dimitri's lips, giving him a quick kiss as thanks for buying us the pizza. While he'd said he was ok with a little affection in front of my friends, he didn't want anything too gratuitous or over the top – particularly given Chelsea, Meredith, and Angela weren't officially in the loop about Junior's paternity - no matter what their personal suspicions might be.

Eddie opened the door to Celeste and Mason, laughing at the obviously envious Moroi hanging out of their dorm rooms. While Moroi were used to getting everything so much better than the Novices, there wasn't a pizzeria that delivered this far out; so store-bought pizza meant a Guardian had to be willing to drive the hour long round trip to get it. Consequently it usually only happened when someone's parents were visiting. Likewise, only Alberta or probably Kirova had the authority to book a common room, so it rarely happened.

I was beginning to wonder whether Lissa and Christian were coming when the door opened to reveal the two of them dressed in pajamas and carrying their bedding. Lissa looked calm and relatively relaxed, but Christian looked distinctly perturbed. I'd worded Mason and Eddie up to be friendly. No I hadn't fully forgiven Lissa, and I hadn't even started to forgive Christian, but I knew I'd regret excluding Lissa from my birthday party come farewell bash, so here they were.

"Christian? Where're the plates?" Mason called out, starting to rummage through the cupboards. Being the Moroi common room, he'd only been in here a couple of times. I was more familiar with the place through years of visiting Lissa, but I left them to it as it gave Christian a way to break the ice with Eddie and Mase.

Emil was hovering awkwardly near the doorway. He was officially on duty for another hour, but I could tell he wasn't sure whether to guard outside the door or within.

"Emil? Come join us for some pizza if you'd like," Celeste offered. "I don't mind starting my shift now."

I was surprised when Emil nodded in acknowledgment, taking one of the plates Christian had helped locate and helping himself to a slice of pizza from the boxes Celeste was opening on the huge table. He went to stand in the furthest area of the common room near the windows, Dimitri following with a plate laden with his slices. The two of them leaned side by side against the wall chewing in companionable silence. Emil had finished his slice when I saw Dimitri talking to him. They were too far away for me to tell what was being said, but when I saw Emil nod and shake Dimitri's hand, I knew what he must have told him our news. Meeting my eyes, Emil gave me a kind smile before raising his hand in farewell and excusing himself from the room.