So, despite my pathetic updates, we have finally reached the last chapter! I am so very, very sorry that it has taken me this long! I won't bore you with the things that have been going on, because I think you can all understand how easily life can take over. Please enjoy :)

Back to the present, I answered Lissa's question.

"I told you that you shouldn't turn down every decent guy just because you got hurt. And then you ended up getting married to an idiot and getting pregnant with his child. Maybe you should take that as a lesson and not listen to me."

I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.

"Rose, just think about it. Remember, he's getting married tomorrow." She let those words sink in before wishing me goodnight and hanging up the phone. I sighed again, hating the irony of the situation.

I put it back in its holder, laying back down in bed and pulling the pillow to my chest, cuddling it in an attempt to fill the void in my chest.

I hadn't been lying there in silence for very long before a quiet creaking echoed and light settled into the room. I sat up slowly, looking towards the doorway to see my baby girl inching into the room. She was wearing a little pink nightie and clutching a worn teddy bear that Dimitri gave her when she was born.

"What's wrong, sweetie? Did you have a nightmare?" She stood hesitantly in the door way, but when I opened my arms she came running into them, jumping onto the bed. I cuddled her close, pulling her against my chest. Lying down with Aisley in my arms, I pulled the doona over the both of us, hugging her tightly.

Still having not spoken a word, I assumed she'd just had a nightmare; letting her lie there in silence. I stroked her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear and kissing her head.

I'd begun to fall asleep when she spoke.

"I heard you talking to Aunty Lissa," She whispered, so low that I almost didn't hear her. But I did. I sighed. "Is Dimitri marrying Tanya tomorrow?"

"Tasha, sweetie, Tasha," I reminded her, but I had an inkling that she already knew that and that she was just too bitter to use Tasha's proper name.

She sighed, snuggling closer into my arms. I pulled the doona higher so it covered us both a bit more, the soft material acting as a barrier to the outside world and its problems. I fought the sleep that tried to take over, making sure Aisley fell asleep comfortably. Once her breathing slowed and she became less restless, I too surrendered to heavy eyelids and exhausted muscles.

The morning rolled by with Aisley still asleep in my arms, her hair ruffled and her arms lying in opposite directions. Her little legs were tangled in my own and I smiled at the thought. A few years ago her legs weren't even long enough to reach my waist, let alone mingle with my own.

Time has flown by at an incredible pace; I can hardly comprehend how fast Aisley is growing up. I loved both my children equally, without a doubt, but there is something so absolutely horrifying about realising that your first born isn't a baby anymore. As a woman and a mother, knowing that your daughter is going to grow up possibly feeling the heart-break and stress that you went through is the most terrifying thought. And she is so much like me that it only makes it more real. Then there's Michael, my little boy. What hurts there is that he's not so much like me, or even his father. He's exactly like Dimitri, and if I'm honest with myself, Dimitri is the father he should have had. Dimitri, oh Dimitri, I'd known him for almost a decade now. He went from being a heartbreakingly handsome stranger, to my best friend and back to a handsome stranger- breaking my heart all along the way.

I pulled my daughter closer, tighter, as the tears pooled in my eyes. He hid my face against her back and held back the sobs that threatened to emerge.

"Mum?" Aisley muttered; her voice blurred by sleep. She began to turn around so I furiously wiped away the tears, plastering on a smile.

"Morning darling,"

We lay there, staring at each other; her brown eyes gazing into my own. She smiled at me gently, reaching forward to wipe away the tear that managed to escape.

"You always told me to fight mum, fight for what I deserve. You deserve more, mummy," She whispered.

"You're far too young to be saying stuff like that, baby" I whispered back, laughing unhappily at how grown up she is. She cuddled into my chest and I kissed the top of her head.

We eventually got out of bed to get ready for the day, and after breakfast, began to get ready for the wedding. I had decided that I wouldn't go, and instead spend my time crying myself to sleep. How beautiful.

"Honey hold still," I muttered as I adjusted Michael's shirt, tucking it into his pants. It was an entirely lost cause, because as soon as I turned my back he pulled it out again, ruffling his once smooth hair.

"Mum!" Ailsey came running into the room, her favourite dress absolutely covered in cereal. "Aisley, what did you do?!"

Adrian came running into the room after her, holding a hand-full of napkins. He grabbed her hand, turning her around so he could wipe her down. I hurried over to help him, wiping a speck of milk off of her face.

"Honey, what on earth happened?"

Adrian answered for her, "She spilt her cereal so she would have an excuse not to wear her dress," giving my daughter a little smirk.

Aisley gaped at him, her mouth opening and closing with lack of a response. She crossed her arms across her chest angrily, glaring at Adrian as if he had told her darkest secret; which he probably had. I looked at my daughter, her bottom lip sticking out as it was, and raised my eyebrows in a silent question. She sighed and tried to walk away, but I grabbed her hand. Adrian understood the privacy that was required and went to help Michael get ready.

"Why don't you want to wear your dress? It's your favourite!" Her sad eyes bore into my own as she squeezed my hand.

"Because Tasha doesn't deserve my favourite dress, mum, you do," She looked down, as if ashamed. I sat down from my kneeling position in front of her, my heart pounding with the realisation that I couldn't escape the talk that was coming. I glanced at Adrian and Michael, both standing in their tuxedos, watching us from the side.

Sighing, I turned my own brown eyes on my daughter, attempting a smile, "You're not doing this for Tasha, you're doing this for Dimitri-"

"I'm sick of doing everything for Dimitri! I want to do something for you, mum!" She shouted, stomping her foot on the ground and crossing her arms again. "Dimitri doesn't deserve my help with Tasha anymore!"

Once again, I was reminded of how similar we are. I was practically staring into a mirror. I leant back onto my hand, rubbing my forehead with my other one. Now I know how my mother felt raising me.

"It's not that black and white-"

"It is!"

"Stop interrupting me this moment, young lady!"

"Dimitri loves you and you love him, why can't either of you see that!"

It was silent. I could hear each breath we all took as what Aisley said registered to me. Why did my daughter have to be so perceptive?

"It's not like that at all-" I started, but was once again interrupted.

"Don't lie Rose, she's not stupid. Well, not that stupid," He joked in an attempt to lighten the mood in the room, winking at Aisley. She let out a smile, seeming to relax a little. He continued, "We all see the way you look at each other, and I think it's time you both admit it,"

I turned away, trying desperately to not believe his words, because if I did then I was putting my heart on the line. Once again.

Aisley walked around me to stare up at me once again, reaching to hold my hand.

"We won't get hurt mum; Dimitri won't hurt us like dad." She whispered, as wise as ever.

I let out a sob, clutching my stomach as it squeezed and turned, my other hand covering my mouth to try and stop another sob.

"I can't," I muttered lamely.

I glanced at Adrian, and then my children. Finally, Michael spoke.

"Go mum."

And so I did. My feet moved of their own accord, tearing out of the apartment without worrying that I was still in my pyjamas and didn't even have shoes on. I just followed my heart, as cliché as it is.

DPOV

I was dressed, had practised my vows, and was as ready as I'll ever be. But I still…had that feeling. It was the same feeling that I had before my last wedding. It was that feeling that something was off. I was right last time, so I had no reason to think I wasn't right this time.

I found myself wandering to the beach, barefoot and all, while Tasha organised some last minute details. I was happy with her organising something, but I guess I didn't like the fact that my family wouldn't be here. She wanted it to be sort of 'elope-y' so we hadn't invited either of our families, and I hadn't bothered to protest. I had always thought my family would be here on a day like this, a day that is supposed so incredibly happy and beautiful. But I couldn't help but feel regret.

And then it finally hit me.

Regret.

It was right there in front of me. Even if Rose didn't want me, which at the moment was entirely possible, I couldn't marry Tasha. She was beautiful and funny, but I knew that when I was up at that altar saying my vows it wouldn't be Tasha I was saying them to.

But if Rose doesn't want me, then why risk living a loveless life? A voice whispered in my head.

Because a life without Rose is loveless anyway, I thought. Even if I married Tasha, I wouldn't be happy. No one compares with Rose, as cliché as it is.

If I'm going to be wearing this stupid wedding ring for real, then I want it to be because of my connection to Rose.

I looked up at the ocean one last time, allowing the serenity to calm me before I went to break the news to Tasha.

Back at the hotel I opened the door, wincing when Tasha stood there in the living room in her little white dress. Her eyeliner was smudged and her make-up was only half finished. She looked like she had been crying.

"Dimitri?" She whispered, sensing the atmosphere that was in the room. I looked up at her and opened my mouth, about to speak, but the words escaped me. Just an hour ago I had woken up fully intending to marry her, but now I couldn't even look at her. The guilt was eating away at me.

"Tasha…I-"

"Dimitri, don't." She whispered, causing me to look up at her. Her eyes were sad. "I know what you're about to say. This is about Mia, isn't it?"

I chose not to speak, but rather just look at her guiltily. Surprisingly, she didn't seem that upset.

"I knew this was coming, I could see it. Every time you were near each other you glowed, Dimitri. I guess I was trying to ignore it because I wanted you to be mine, but you and Mia, you were made for each other." She smiled sadly and I felt the guilt wash over me again.

"I'm sorry Tasha, I really am." I tried, stepping forward, but she just held up her hand, wiping away a tear.

"Just go get her."

So I did.

I ran through the halls, a new-found determination in me. Even if Rose didn't love me, I needed to tell her. I needed to tell her that she held my heart and always would.

Heart-pounding in my chest I ran to her room, banging on the door. Adrian opened the door, the children peeking past his legs.

"Where's Roza?" I gasped out, panting with excitement.

He looked at me perplexed, "She's looking for you! What about the wed-"

I didn't even wait for an answer; I couldn't. I tore off down the hallways once again, heart pounding in my chest. I had one idea where she might be.

I heard little footsteps trailing me, and I glanced back to see the children chasing after me; Aisley in her little purple- stained- dress and Michael in his messy tuxedo suit. I laughed, waiting for them to catch up before gently gripping their hands, running with them down the hall. I stopped at the elevator, moving from one foot to the other in impatience. I just needed to see her, my Roza.

"Let's take the stairs!" Aisley seemed as excited as I was, jumping up and down on the spot and grinning. I grinned back down at her, picking her up and giving Michael a piggie-back. I ran to the emergency stairs, taking a deep breath. Fortunately, Rose was only a couple of floors up, so I made it into the lobby in minutes, panting slightly having run down the stairs. I placed the children down gently, grabbing their hands again. We raced straight to the doors at the end of the lobby, leading out onto the beach.

RPOV

I ran straight to Dimitri's room, barging through the door without even knocking.

"Dimitri?!" I exclaimed, slightly out of breath. Unfortunately, I seemed to have forgotten about his fiancée who came out of the bathroom, eyeliner in hand. Her smile dropped when she saw me, though she didn't look too surprised.

The room was tense as neither of us bothered to acknowledge the 'elephant in the room'. As I stared into her electric blue eyes though, I knew that she understood; it seemed everyone else had picked up on mine and Dimitri's feelings for each other before we ourselves had.

"He's not here, Mia," She muttered, looking quite deflated. Her shoulders slumped forward and her eyeliner fell from her hand in tragic slow motion.

"I'm sorry Tasha," I really, really was. She was a sweet girl, so young, and I couldn't help but see a bit of myself in her. She just waved my apology away, smiling sadly. It broke my heart to see her like that and I knew what it was like to be in her position, but I turned my back anyway. Because I had to tell Dimitri.

Tearing off down the hall I headed to the only place he might be; the beach. When I finally reached the lobby and run out the door I'm disappointed to see the beach quiet, only a few beach-goers and the odd employee. I felt my hope crumble.

I thought this would have been where he would be, especially after this was where he confessed his love, and we had shared that magical kiss just yesterday. I sighed, and for the millionth time today, held back tears. I stood there, on the sand, for a few more moments just staring out at the blue abyss of sky and water.

I sighed, about to give up my attempt to confess my love to Dimitri, when I heard the most beautiful sound.

"Roza," I spun around, gasping at the sight before me. Dimitri stood barefoot in his tuxedo, shirt and hair askew with my children standing either side of him. As we looked at each other, his deep brown eyes gazing into my own, a silent message passed. We understood each other without petty words. He smiled, letting go of my children's hands and running towards me. I laughed, meeting him half way and jumping into his arms, wrapping my arms and legs around him. He held me tightly, spinning us around and hugging me close. I laughed again, burying my face in his neck.

"I love you, Comrade!" I exclaimed, as he gently placed me down and placed his hands either side of my face.

"I love you too, my beautiful Roza" He replied, stroking my cheek with his thumb and pulling my face to his in a passionate kiss that made everything worth-while again.

I'm not very happy with this chapter, but its the best I can seem to do at the moment, so I hope you enjoy anyway! Please leave the one last review, and I love you guys :)