Chapter Fourteen - Epilogue

I stared at the photo with nostalgia coursing through my veins. I couldn't believe that it had been nearly seven years since then. It brought a bright smile to my face and a familiar ache in my heart as I thought about the unconditional love that I held for that man.

"Mommy?" I jumped in surprise before turning to smile softly at my four year old daughter, Alyssa Hathaway-Belikov. Her brown eyes, so much like her father's stared up at me with an innocence that only childhood could accomplish. She inherited the wicked Mazur hair which Dimitri had been ecstatic over and had naturally tanned skin. She looked so much like him it was breathtaking.

"Yes baby?" I murmured, one last smile appearing on my face as I stared at Dimitri and I on our wedding day before I crouched down to allow my daughter to wrap herself into my arms before standing back up.

"When is Auntie Lissa and Uncle Christian getting here?" She asked curiously, a slight slur to her words seeing as she'd just awaken few minutes prior.

"Actually," I murmured before the doorbell rang loudly throughout our house. Smiling down at her, I walked towards the door and pulled it open in time to see Christian fighting off his two year old daughter as she tried to yank his hair, giggling at his expression, "Good job, Rhea! That's exactly what I taught you."

Christian glared at me halfheartedly before sighing and placing the little girl down just as his six year old son, Aiden, whizzed past us with Lissa following, two casserole pans in her hands.

"Hey Rose," She greeted breathlessly, smiling at me.

"Hello!" I replied, opening the door wider as Rhea stumbled in with her parent following at a more relaxed place. I set Alyssa down and allowed her to guide Rhea to the backyard where undoubtedly Dimitri was with the other guests.

"God, my back is killing me." Lissa moaned, rubbing said sore area and my eyes swept down to her swollen belly.

"I swear, you two are like rabbits. How many little ones are you trying to pop out?" I asked with an easy grin. She gave me a mortified look.

"This is the last one, I can reassure you that." I grinned amusedly before shaking my head and unwrapping all her food, eyes sparkling at the green bean casserole before me. Yum.

"Well, good for you." I said, thoughts wandering to the secret I had for Dimitri.

"Rose..." Lissa said slowly, eyes showing confusion before they widened and she stepped closer, "Are you...?"

"Shh!" I snapped just as Dimitri entered the kitchen with Christian. Lissa let out a squeal that made us all cringe and she smacked my arm.

"Oh my God! When did-"

"So, thanks so much for making these!" I said loudly, eyes silently threatening her. Her jade green eyes widened further if that was possible before they flickered to Dimitri and her mouth fell into a comical 'O'.

"O-ohh. You're welcome ... hehe, um, so I'll just go ... yeah." She exited the room, head bowed and trying to hide her face cracking grin. Dimitri and Christian stared at me perplexed and I just shrugged.

"Pregnancy hormones..." Clearing my throat awkwardly, I turned to organize all the food that had been brought over for the barbeque we were hosting before accepting the dish of hotdogs and burgers Dimitri had grilled.

"Is everything okay?" Dimitri asked after Christian picked up some plates to carry outside. I nodded immediately.

"Of course, why wouldn't it be?" God, it was so hard to keep this a secret but I wanted to surprise him tonight. His brown eyes trained on my face before he smiled and pulled me into his arms, still as muscular and toned despite his age that was creeping closer to forty every day.

"I love you," he murmured, lips caressing my own in a sweet kiss which I gladly returned.

"I love you, too." He smiled down at me before accepting instructions to start taking out the food and soon enough we were all seated at the table outside. Adrian, his wife Sydney, their twins Alexa and Landon, Lissa, Christian, Rhea, Aiden, Alyssa, Mia and Eddie, Dimitri and then myself.

This was the usual for fourth of July. Dimitri and I hosted a barbeque before later that night we'd walk through the woods of our backyard to the lake that was situated behind our property and watched fireworks being set off all alongside the lake.

As I looked around, I became aware of Sydney and Mia's excited expressions and glared for a half-second to a sheepish Lissa. Jesus, I just hoped to God the girls could keep quiet for the night. Shaking it off, I gazed around once more at my family and couldn't help but sit back and be thankful.

If Lissa hadn't pushed me into gear, I'd probably never would've admitted my feelings for Dimitri and would be the only single one in the group. As I looked at my daughter and Dimitri, I smiled when his eyes met my for a moment, paralyzing me as they did so often.

Nothing could make me happier ... well, except for the little baby growing within me.

After dinner, Mia grabbed Eddie and Sydney grabbed Adrian as Dimitri and I followed. Lissa and Christian had started down earlier since Lissa's stomach made her a slower walker. The kids ran ahead through the familiar path.

When everyone disappeared from view, I pulled Dimitri to a stop and smiled at his confused expression, "Roza?"

"I love you." I told him, not waiting for his reply, "And you're such a wonderful man. An amazing husband and father. I couldn't be more happy and I know that some of my best days are still ahead of me, as long as I have you, Alyssa and ... and our baby."

I waited for my words to sink in before his eyes widened and a smile appeared on his face, "You - You're pregnant again?"

I nodded immediately while smiling at him. His face lit up like the fireworks we were about to be watching before he grabbed me in a bear hug, "Roza ... you just made me the happiest man in the world."

I rolled my eyes at him but couldn't fight my own grin as he lifted me up and spun us in circles before setting me back down. He leaned down to kiss my still flat stomach and murmured words in Russian that calmed me immediately.

Yes, this was definitely the life I'd been meant for. Nothing else would beat the gleam in Dimitri's eye as he pulled me down to the lake where we celebrated fourth of July as well as the unborn child growing inside me.

Sooooo ... it's over! Short epilogue, I know but I just wanted to convey that Rose could only ever love Dimitri and that despite her trust issues, he was the one for her. No sequel is being planned for this story ... as you can tell - this is set nearly a decade into the future from where the story left off. I'm sad to see it go but it had to be done. No permanent plans for writing as of yet, especially since school will be starting within the month.

I hope you all liked this and if not, review and tell me why! Thanks for the loyal readers and for the new ones to come! I'm very happy that I re-wrote this story. So till a new idea pops into my head ... bye everyone!

- Hannah