Into the Ether - Complete

Spring, When New Things Grow: Part 29

"It's all happening here," I mumbled as we pulled up to the property. Contractors were parked near the main house, having already started ripping fittings out and discarding them into a large skip bin. And down by the workshop more cars were parked, which is where Pavel drove the van.

"I've arranged for the deliveries to be made at nine. The unit has been cleaned, and these young men are going to help you move your things in," Abe explained to me, inclining his head towards his Guardians. "You're not to lift a thing."

"Fine" I grumbled about the lifting, but it was with a smile. While a place to stay at Abe's unit had been a godsend, it was hard for Dimitri to be living as a guest of his now employer. That and we were both seriously wanting some privacy. "I don't know how Dimitri and I can ever thank you enough," I said not for the first time, appreciating how uncertain things had looked before Abe's appearance in my life and then his unexpected allocation offer to Dimitri.

"My pleasure," he grinned climbing out of the van. "Now... before I forget, we've already had another delivery."

He walked over and stood next to the three vehicles parked in front of the workshop.

"Kirk? This is the Guardian van for this property. It seats eleven. Work out with Belikov where to garage it short and long-term," he instructed, tossing the thirty-something Guardian a set of keys to a brand new dark gray van with tinted windows.

"This one is also a property vehicle, but I thought you'd probably use it most of the time Belikov?" Abe continued, passing Dimitri the keys to a brand new dual-cab pickup truck. I looked at Dimitri who was almost drooling. A Chevy. My Russian cowboy would be driving a Chevy truck, and he was beyond thrilled.

It was then I looked at the last car. A small Lexus SUV in deep red it had a moon-roof and tinted windows. The smallest of the vehicles, it was also brand new and gorgeous. Abe reached across and handed me the keys.

"This is from your father for your eighteenth birthday, Rose. It's had every possible safety feature added. He wants you and his grandchild to be safe."

"No!" I gasped in awe, wasting no time in grabbing Dimitri's hand and pulling him over to look at the new car. "It's mine?"

"Sure is," Abe said. "Your father and I would like you to be accompanied any time you leave the property, at least until the Ozera woman is caught, but this way you can visit friends and go shopping when you need to."

I flung myself at Abe, giving him a huge hug.

"Please tell my father thank you so much. For everything! He's been so very generous!"

Abe seemed taken by surprise but returned my hug.

"I will Rose," he said quietly. "He'll be very happy you liked his gift."

"I feel like the luckiest girl in the world," I said, giving Abe a final squeeze before stepping out of his embrace.

"What do you want first, Roza? A drive in the car, or to move our things into the house?" my handsome boyfriend asked me.

It was a hard decision.

"How about I drive the car over to the main house, so it's out of the way for the truck when it arrives? Then I'll move the boxes and stuff upstairs."

"You'll be moving nothing," Dimitri declared, dropping an affectionate kiss onto the end of my nose. "Guys? Move all the boxes in the van upstairs, please. Pile them out of the way against the far wall. Rose will tell you where she wants them in a little while."

I was surprised to hear the authoritative tone Dimitri used with the other Guardians. Friendly but firm. He opened the passenger door and motioned me in.