Birthdays

Together at last

VA isn't mine

It was an echo of groans that morning. Two young people clutching their heads, cursing their decisions from last night. Well almost. When they rolled over to look at each other they couldn't help but smile. Adrian's smile faded first.

"You didn't come at midnight," he said thoughtful almost questioning. Did that mean she didn't choose him? In that case, why was she here now? 

She reached over and brushed some hair back from his forehead. "I am here now." They were silent for a moment. She was the one to speak. "Can I keep the ring?" She asked him. He looked at her trying to figure out what that meant. Silently he nodded observing her carefully. "Can I keep you too?" She asked looking at him with big eyes. 

He took in her words then grinned. "Is that your torturous way of saying yes?" He asked her excitedly, hangover was almost forgotten. 

She bit her lip but nodded enthusiastic then winched at the pain it caused her. "But only if I can stay in bed for a couple more hours," she groaned, clutching her head. 

He laughed but then winched too. He had to drag himself out of the bed, assuming he was more used to his hangover than she was. "I'll get us some breakfast. What do you want?" 

She considered a moment then groaned. "Just some juice and a piece of bread please, I am nauseous." He nodded with a smile and disappeared out the door. She rolled over and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. 14 texts, 3 from last night, the rest from this morning.

Are you okay?! Why did you run? – Liss

Roza, where are you? – Comrade

Rose, are you still alive? – Liss

Please answer your phone! – Liss

I am sorry we surprised you, would you please come talk to me please? – Comrade

I know we forgot! We are sorry, please Rose, just answer? – Liss

If you would just come home, I promise we'll make it up to you Roza – Comrade

Rose… I am starting to get worried – Liss

We tried finding you this morning, Rose, please stop being childish and just come home. – Comrade

Roza… I am really sorry, I love you. – Comrade

If you don't answer soon, I am sending out a search party. A professional one! – Liss

Okay, so we checked with Mia, Eddie, and Jill. It really isn't funny, please come home, Rose! – Liss

Hi Rosie! Just wanted to enlighten your day by reminding you of my existence. Btw. Liss and Belikov are freaking out, please talk to them, they are driving me crazy! – Sparky

Honestly, Rose, if you don't come home soon, I am not sure I'll survive till you do. Please, for my sanity? – Sparky.

She knew since Christian had actually agreed to text her, they had to be worried sick, so she texted Lissa while Adrian was in the kitchen to let her know she was okay.

Hi Liss, still alive. Talk to ya later – Rose

The answer came back in less than 5 seconds.

Thank god! Where are you? – Liss

Still at court, don't worry – Rose

"Hi." Adrian smiled at her, holding up a tray with the requested items. "Everything okay?" He asked directed at her phone. She locked it and turned her full attention towards him.

"Everything is fine," she smiled at him with her man-eater smile and leaned up to give him a peck on the lips. 

He frowned, however. "They are probably worried…" He observed almost sadly. He was afraid she was going to leave, afraid she would go back and start having regrets. Afraid to be cast aside for her safe bubble. But she didn't. Instead, she folded both legs underneath her on his bed and smiled brightly, inviting him forward. He placed the tray in the tossed covers and sat down next to her handing her a glass of juice. She sipped it silently, then she started laughing. He looked up, suddenly wondering if she had gone mad. Or maybe he had gone mad. Maybe they both had. 

Turned out Rose was thinking the same. "Sorry, I just… Are we totally mad, Adrian?" She asked him, looking at him with humor in her eyes. 

He smiled his own lazy smile. "I don't know, little dhampire. Probably," he told her taking a bun up, ripping off a piece. 

She kept smiling happily. "Good, then at we'll never get bored!" She told him then laughed. They spent the morning that way. Laughing smiling. Both happy, as if suddenly free without realizing they had been held prisoner. They kissed, they got tangled up, then they showered, and hesitantly, she left. She had to tell Lissa and Dimitri… She still didn't know what to do with Dimitri, but she was sure once she got there, it would come to her. He kissed her goodbye in the door, much to the horror of the now very active court. Maybe rumor would get to Dimitri before she did, she wondered but didn't dwell on it, as she walked down the stairs and smiled bravely to the scandalized royals, that was sending them curious looks. She was happy now, that was all that mattered. In time they would be too, all of them.