Yikes, it's been a bit…. *Worried face* regardless, here is chapter 23 that I know so many of you have waited forever for. I will warn that there aren't many chapters left to this story, we're nearing the end now. It's been an awesome journey that I am so glad you all have stuck through with me for. Enjoy and I will try my best to hash the remaining chapters out before I go gray!

Disclaimer: I don't own VA.

A week had passed since the Preakness, meaning two weeks remained before Tiny was tested for his final time. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that I only had one race left with him. I stretched gingerly, dislodging Dimitri's protective arm from my waist. That's when it hit.

I bolted from the bed, barely making it to the bathroom in time to empty the contents of my stomach. What the fuck? Dimitri squatted behind me, stroking my back gently.

"What's wrong Roza?" His accent was more pronounced with his concern. I shrugged.

"It was so sudden. I don't know what came over me." Once I was sure I was fine, I brushed my teeth. He wrapped his arms around my waist, nuzzling in my neck.

Every morning since the initial time, I woke feeling gross or vomiting altogether. Dimitri's concern was growing greater and by the end of the week he pretty much demanded I go to the doctor. He said he would escort me if he needed. To which I rolled my eyes. I'm a grown ass woman, I don't need an escort.

I slowly unlocked the door to Dimitri's penthouse. Fuck. That single word was the only I could form since the visit with the good doctor. Fuck. He was going to freak out. Fuck. He wasn't ready. Hell, I wasn't ready. I was only about five weeks, she had said. I had already set up an appointment with her, leaving her with the word that I would be returning to Kentucky. I would contact her about a referral.

Fuck. Damnnit Rose, go and fuck up everything. Dimitri is going to lose it. The Belmont was officially a week away. Tell him before? Or wait until after? After. I nodded to myself. Good idea.

Xxxx

It was Tuesday, Tiny and I were logging his last work before the Belmont. Thursday we would draw post positions and the nerves were killing me. Well that and the other condition… He felt strong, flying across the footing with no problem. I had kept tabs on the horses that were included in the field. We would face the filly and several we hadn't seen since the road to the derby. That meant they were fresh and hadn't dealt with a grueling month and a half campaign. Liss clipped Tiny, patting his neck.

"How are you doing Rose?" I shrugged. I had told no one. Not sure how to blurt the news.

"The nerves are unreal, not to mention worrying over the farm now." She nodded.

"Wanna grab drinks with me and Christian?" My eyes widened. I shook my head. Her eyes widened, breath catching.

"You're not?!" Her screech had me wincing.

"What Liss? I just want to focus the rest of the week. I can't fuck this up." She shook her head.

"No, you need to tell me something." She pulled the horses up, handing Tiny to Eddie while Bertie grabbed her horse. With the horses gone, she drug me to an empty corner of the shedrow.

"Does he know?!" I shook my head, eyes trained on the ground. I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry. I repeated the mantra over and over, willing myself to take my own advice.

"Shit Rose! And you're running the Belmont?" I nodded.

"I'm five weeks." I shrug, placing my arms around myself. She grabs me in a hold, hugging me tight.

"It'll be alright. We'll be alright." I nod, trusting her.

We pull post 6 for the Belmont. To say my nerves were haywire would be an understatement. Dimitri constantly asked what was wrong, though the pills from the doctor helped slight my nausea a bit. I played it down on nerves about the race. A baby. Shit what was going to happen? You'll be fine. It'll be fine. The baby will be fine. You have a house. A farm. You have steady income. You'll be fine. Dimitri will be fine. I glance at the glass of water before gulping it down and returning to bed.

Today was the day. I rolled my shoulders, taking a deep breath and shaking my arms. The rest of the jockeys came by to wish me luck. I smiled, thanking them although it just made me more nervous. We walked one behind the other as any other race, to the paddock. The field of 11 circled anxiously. It made me feel marginally better to see Tiny strutting and prancing. He's ready. I spy Ivan and Dimitri in the box labeled 6 where Tiny just emerged from. They are in deep conversation, no doubt plaguing their own nerves. The call for riders up rigs through the paddock and Bertie throws me atop Tiny.

"Be careful out there Rose. Do your best, but you bring the both of you back safe. That's what matters." The look in her eyes moves me. She glances at Dimitri. "That man doesn't care if this colt wins the crown or jumps through fire in a circus. He just wants you back safe." I smile, sniffling a bit.

We're clipped and led through the tunnel. The track is nice. The conditions fair and fast. We should be fine. He just wants you back safe. We start our jog for the post parade, listening to the crowd roar as we pass the stands.

We're one of the last to be loaded at the gates. The silence after the last gate latches is deafening. I take a gulp of air, releasing it. And the buzzer sounds.

The gates fly open and we're immediately jostled to the rail. Fuck. This is not where I wanted to be. The filly is on the outside, having broken from gate 10, so the speed is up to her. Tiny barrels along behind the leaders, never getting his clear shot to get out from around the dirt flying. The 2 horse knocks into us briefly after encountering a bump from the outside. Tiny snorts, sensing the back turn. I know, I know. I'm not where I need to be.

I can see the filly stroked to the front as the turn rounds for home. Ok boy. This is your party. I see a brief opportunity as we turn onto the stretch. The filly is out front by 2 as Tiny strikes through the crowd. I flick the crop and feel the lead change. Finally. He surges from underneath me, eyes on the filly he's tracking down. It feels like eternity, though I know it's short seconds. Tiny leaps forward, the filly fighting the whole stretch. I turn my head to the left as we approach the finish pole. We're neck and neck. Come on Tiny. One more swish of the whip and it's like Tiny realizes he's almost there, that he gets cocktails in Kentucky after this. He stretches with everything in him as we reach the finish.

"Little Jubilee has done it! He has followed in the footsteps of only twelve others in history! The Crying Angel was no match for him today! We have a Triple Crown winner!"

The smile that gripped my face was painful. I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding. Holy Shit. I finally get him pulled up, and Liss clips is once more. Adrenaline tears trickle down my face as I hug the chestnut colt I sat upon.

"He did it Rose!" Her excitement is palpable as we make our way back to the winners circle. We're interviewed, trying to get a read on our feelings and thoughts on this colt. My only words were simple: remarkable. We're led to the winners circle, the blanket of carnations laid upon my lap. And the pictures commence. The ceremony of the Belmont cup, along with the triple crown cup being presented is next. Then we are released. I search for Dimitri in the crowd. I slide the helmet from my head, not caring that mud is smeared across my face or that my hair's a wreck. I need to find him. Finally, dressed in an Armani suit, looking every bit of billionaire he is, I spot him. I stride towards him, not caring about the looks that are shot my way or the questions and congratulations asked and offered. Just as I reach him, he turns, a knowing smile on his face. He grabs me by the waist, twirling around quickly before setting me on the ground once more. I can feel him breathing me in. He pulls back, only to lean in and kiss me deeply. I can hear applause, cameras and reporters around us but my mind won't focus. Instead it's focused on this man. Pulling back from the kiss, I smile up at him. Reaching onto my tiptoes I kiss his cheek.

"We're going to have a baby." I say quietly, biting my lip as I wait for him to process the information. Shock registers on his face, and then a fleeting moment of horror, before it settles on a look of pure happiness. My breath whooshes from me. I decide in that moment, that my goal in life will be to keep that look of joy in this man's face.

"I love you Roza." He pulls me to him, cradling me in his arms and I swear I hear a sniffle. My smile catches my tears, I had known for sometime, but to have him finally admit it was another thing completely.

"I love you so much Comrade."