Royal Roulette

Chapter 2| Queenly Labor

Dimitri and I race into the hospital, stopping to ask the receptionist what floor Liss was on. The nurse recognizes me as Lissa's guardian and tells me the third floor. Dimitri grabs my hand and we race up the stairs. When we reach the third floor, I'm out of breath and stop for a second. "What do you think they'll name her Comrade," I say, still struggling for air. "If we don't hurry we are gonna miss her arrival," Dimitri says, an excited glint in his eye. "You would've been an amazing father," I whisper, squeezing his hand. He pulls me into an embrace and kisses the top of my head. "I love you so much Roza," his voice quiet. He takes my hand and we walk out into the third floor hallway. The whole floor had been cleared for the royal baby, and a guardian staffs the nurses station. It is Hans. He grins and just points down the hall, announcing our arrival to the guardians most likely guarding the door. They see us coming and open the door, giving us a friendly smile. I knew them all considering we worked as one to protect Liss. I stop at the door and take a deep breath.

"Rose!" Liss says, her voice weak. "Hey Liss," I whisper, walking over and pushing her hair out of her face. "The doctor should be back any minute," she says excitedly, "It's really happening Rose! I'm gonna be a mom." My eyes start to tear up. We had been through so much together, running off and living on our own for two years to breaking into a top security prison. We had done so much life risking things, that I had never imagined us making it this far. Liss interrupts my thoughts with a painful groan. The doctor chooses that moment to come bursting through the door with a herd of nurses following him. They prepare Liss for labor. I stay by her side holding one hand, while Christian holds the other. His face was deathly pale and I couldn't help but laugh. "You okay over their Chris?" I say, raising my eyebrows in mock concern. He glares at me and then gives me that snarky smile I had grown to love. "I'm dandy," he replies dramatically. "Ok Queen Vasilisa, you can start pushing," the doctor says quietly. She cries out and I realize she is squeezing my hand so hard it hurts, but I don't let go. I won't let go. At last, I hear a small cry and Liss's hand goes limp in mine. The doctor comes around to show Liss the baby. She is beautiful, with Christians dark hair and Lissa's nose. "I present to you," Christian says in a lofty voice, "Lacey Skylynn Dragomir-Ozera."