Chapter Six

"Hey Rose, can you help me with the potatoes?" Lissa asked the next day as we prepared Christmas lunch the next day. When I say we, I mean her and Christian. I was just sitting on the bar stool and leaning on the kitchen bench in there house, my head in my arms. The events of the night before kept playing over and over in my head. At the time, walking out on Dimitri had seemed like the right idea, but thinking back now…what if it wasn't? What if I was wrong and we could really work it out, despite the distance?

I sighed and lifted my head. "What?"

She eyed me with concern, but let it pass for the time being. I had no doubt that she would corner me about my depressed mood later, but would wait until everything was prepared. "Can you help me with the potatoes?"

"Sure." I stood and grabbed a knife from the block and started cutting the potatoes she'd washed and peeled.

Lissa turned to Christian. "When are Tasha and Dimitri coming?"

At hearing his name, I dropped the knife and dread flooded through me. "Uh, actually, Liss, I'm gonna go have a shower."

"What? But we're cooking lunch! I need help."

I wiped my hands on the nearby tea towel and threw it at Christian. "With MasterChef here, it'll be done in no time."

I almost ran out of the room then. Tears were threatening to fall. I had to get away. Instead of heading through the door that led to a hallway that connected both of our places, I burst out the front door. I broke out into a run, glad that I hadn't had a shower and changed my clothes and shoes but. I was in Converse at the moment and it was a lot easier to run in them then the high heels I had for later.

I had no idea where I was running to, I just ran and let my heart guide me. Maybe I should listen to it for once, I thought, because all my head does is get me into trouble…

My heart led to Dimitri and that's where I ended up, right outside the flat he and Tasha were staying in for their visit, only ten minutes away from my house. I stood on the front porch, pacing, as I tried to work up the courage to knock on the door. If I knocked, and Tasha was the one who answered the door, I wouldn't know what to do. Maybe I'd chicken out whatever I came here for. If my heart guided me this way, then obviously, it wanted me to do something. I just didn't know if I could.

Finally, it won out and I found myself banging my fist on their front door. I stood for a moment, listening for any sounds coming from the flat. If I heard nothing, I would go and I wouldn't mention rocking up on his doorstep to anyone later.

I don't know what I expected to hear; heavy footsteps maybe? But not the feminine giggling coming from Tasha, followed by Dimitri's beautiful chuckle. Obviously, I'd be disturbing their peace if I stayed. With a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I turned and walked back down the porch-steps. I would have kept going on home, if it wasn't for the creak of a door being opened behind me. I swivelled, my heart pounding heavily in my chest.

"Rose?" Dimitri asked cautiously. He shut the front door behind him and came out to stand before me.

"Hey," I greeted awkwardly. A sudden chill ran through me and I realised I'd forgotten to grab my jacket on the way over. It was the middle of winter. I groaned at my stupidity. "Err, Lissa wanted to know what time you and Tasha were coming over," I lied.

Of course, Dimitri could see right through me. "She's Lissa; she already knows. Besides, she could just call instead of sending you over here in freezing weather with a jacket on."

"I came to apologise for last night then," I told him quickly. "I shouldn't have left so abruptly." I was grasping at straws. "But I guess I should go and get ready for lunch now."

Dimitri stepped even closer to me. His soft fingers rested on my chin and he tilted my head up so he could look me in eye. "What are you really here for, Roza?"

The use of my Russian nickname is what made my decision. Here he was, being kind and caring after I'd walked out on him last night with barely a reason. I couldn't let him go, I realised. It was far too important.

"You," I whispered and threw my arms around his neck, bringing my mouth to his. He didn't respond at first and felt a wave of rejection wash over me. I pulled back before I could embarrass myself anymore. Taking me by surprise though, Dimitri wound his arms around my waist and pulled me back in, smashing his mouth to mine. I kissed him back fiercely.

When we both pulled away to catch our breath, he still held me close, his cheek resting on my forehead. "I quit," he murmured. He'd said it so quietly that I wasn't sure I'd heard it at first.

"You what?" I questioned.

"I quit. I can't be Tasha's guardian. I can't do it anymore. Not when I'm in love with you. I can't stand us being apart."

I responded, not with words, but with a kiss. I held him close to me, drinking up his very essence. "I love you Dimitri Anton Belikov," I smiled when we pulled away once more.

"I love you, Rosemarie Lily Hathaway."

He wrapped his arms around me, my head resting on his chest. It felt so good to be wrapped up in his embrace. I felt safe and protected and loved. I was with Dimitri, and that was all that mattered.

The End.

I hoped you all liked the ending :)

Yes, it's the last chapter. I would have made it longer, but I'm barely at home in-between now and Christmas and on Christmas night, I leave to go overseas for a month. I didn't want to leave my readers hanging. I'll tell you what would have happened though, if I had the time to write it.

Rose and Dimitri wouldn't have made up like they did just here. At Christmas lunch, they'd agree to be friends and that's it. They'd lose contact, and eventually, Rose would have moved on with Adrian, and Dimitri with Tasha. They both might have had kids. Of course, they'd get back together though, with Dimitri walking out on his wedding with Tasha :O

I guess that might have been a bit more epic, but like I said, I don't have the time.

Thanks for sticking with this! Leave a review for the last chapter + happy ending? :)

Oh and if any of you read Girlfriend Magazine here in Australia, I have a short story published in the January issue! Even if you don't, or you don't live in Australia, it's on the 'Mercy Books' Facebook page. Check it out and message me and let me know what you thought? :D