Rose

My hands were shaking and I couldn't make them stop, my vision would blur and then I would be in a different place and then I would be back in my own house. I tried to push down the dark emotions, I tried to ignore it, but I couldn't. I tried to breathe through it, but I couldn't. I heard Sally walking into the kitchen.

"Rose? What wrong?" Sally asked, taking her phone from her ear and putting it on the table.

"I don't know! My hands just keep shaking!" I looked down, trying to take a deep breath. Sally came over, took my hands in hers and held them until they stopped shaking. I smiled a thanks and went back to putting Aly's dinner on her plate and put it on the table.

"So, Tom has some people in his office. From your old life." She said. I looked at her, unable to answer. I swallowed.

"Em, Aly's calling." I knew I probably shouldn't use my daughter as an excuse, but I didn't know what to think. After four years, someone decides they miss me enough to find me? After four years they decide to come, throw this on me when I was happy with the life, I made for myself now? I walked into the living room.

"Dinners ready. Let's go wash your hands." I followed her into the bathroom, watched her wash her hands and handed her a towel.

"Is grandma here?" I nod with a smile.

"She's in the kitchen." Aly ran to Sally, I followed after her.

"Are you staying for dinner?" I asked. Sally nodded. I dished up two plates and put one in front of Sally. Aly was slowly eating her dinner babbling away. She asked to go into the living before leaving the table. I picked up her plate and mine and brought it to the sink and started to wash them.

"Rose, I think we need to talk about this." Sally came over with her empty plate and started to dry the plates on the drainer.

"They didn't want me for four years. I know Tom kept an eye on the missing person database." I replied, pulling the plug to the drain and drying my hands on another towel.

"Rose-"

"Four years Sally. I was sitting around for four years, hoping someone from my past would so up, hoping that someone from my past cared enough that I was gone. They didn't even report me missing."

"They say they've been looking for you for the last four years." I rolled my eyes and snorted, putting the dried plates and cutlery away. "Aly's potential father is there." I froze and turned, looking at Sally. "So are your parents."

"I have you and Tom." I replied, grabbing the cleaning spray and a cloth. "I'm happy Sally. I like my life here." I cleaned the table and the counter before putting it away.

"I know and you can stay here. We'll still be here for you. It might be good to know your past. If the man with them that is claiming to be Aly's father, doesn't he deserve to know her?" I let out a breath and leaned against the counter.

"I won't remember anything, Sally. They'll be disappointed."

"This is for you more than it is for them." Sally wrapped her arms around me. "Think about it." Sally let go, kissed my forehead and I followed her out and locked the door. I went into the living room, wrapped Aly in my arms as we watched some of her shows before I scooped her up to bring her to bed.

"Mommy, are you okay? You look sad." I tucked her blanket around her small frame and scratched her head with my nails. I kneeled down and kissed her nose.

"Which story to you want?"

XxxxxxxxxxX

"I'll meet them." I called Tom as I got up and made breakfast, pouring orange juice into Aly's cup and a glass for me. "I'm bringing Aly to the park this morning. They can come and talk there. Only if you and Sally come too."

"Are you sure?"

"No, but Sally's right. It might be good for me." I reply. "Aly, breakfast!"

"Alright, We'll meet you there at ten. Bye, sweetheart"

"Bye, Tom."

"Are we going to the park?" I smiled and nodded.

"Baby, you know when you asked me about your daddy?" Aly nodded. "And I said I couldn't remember because I was in an accident?" She nodded again. "I might be meeting him today."

"Really?" I nodded.

"But baby, I want to make sure first okay?" Aly nodded.

"Are you okay Mommy?" I gave her a smile, kissed her nose and tugged on a curl.

"I am baby."

After breakfast, Aly walked with me to my room, bring some of her toys in while I went to take a shower. I washed my hair and my body, wrapping myself in a towel before walking into my room and to my closet. Taking out clothes and went to dry my hair. I pulled on a white embroidered lace neckline spaghetti strap kami under a loose baggy off the shoulder coped white jumper, the front tucked into dark blue wash distressed jeans. I clipped on my three-layered necklace, strapped my white Daniel Wellington watch around my wrist and put on my white chunky trainers. I brushed my hair one more time before going in Aly's room and picking out her outfit – Thick white tights, a long-sleeved white jumper and a camel colored dungaree dress. I put on her little boots, grabbed another outfit, spare underwear and put them into her travel bag.

"Ready to go?" It was a warm day, but I still grabbed Aly's coat before locking the door. "Do you want to walk?" Aly nodded running ahead, picking flowers as she went. I smiled, waved and greeted the small-town occupants as I followed Aly excitedly running away. I looked around through my sunglasses, calling Aly back so she could take my hand as we crossed the road. She kept a hold to it the rest of the way to the park.

"I'll be here okay? Stay where I can see you and you can see me okay?" She nodded and kissed me before she ran towards the playground. I took the bag from my shoulder, leaned back against the back of the bench and crossed my legs watching as Aly ran up and down the steps to the slide. When she came down, she jumped up, called me so I could wave, clap or giver her thumbs up before she went up again.

"Rose." I turned out and met sally. I smiled and gave her a hug. "How are you?"

"Mommy!" I turned to Aly, gave her a smile and clap, and she happily went back up the stairs to the slide again.

"I'm good. Every time we come here; she favors one thing. Will only go on that until we leave and then will decide on another thing the next time. The slide is obvious her thing today!" Sally snorted and gave Aly a wave as she called for her.

"They're here, but it's up to you. If you don't want to do this, you just have to tell me and I'll send them away." I looked over to where Sally waved her hand. The group from the diner stood off to the side with Tom. I wiped my hands on my skinny jeans and bit my lip.

"It's okay." I whispered. Sally waved her hand and Tom cocked his head for the others to follow. A tall blond girl, about my age, with green eyes broke from the group and ran towards me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and sobbed. My hands awkwardly stay in the air, not touching the girl. I pat her back and push her away. The girl wipes her eyes.

"You really don't remember me." I looked at the girl. All I try to place her, to remember her, but I can't and I don't. I shook my head. I turn my head to look for Aly, found her running up the steps and down the slide again. The others reached us. There was an awkward tension as they stood opposite me. I looked at each face but none were familiar. I sucked in a breath, put my sunglasses on top of my head, pulling my hair out of my face.

"I'm sorry." I said after a while. I knew they all thought that I would remember them, that everything would be fine, but it wasn't. I couldn't place them and they all looked crushed, saddened because I just didn't know who they were, but they knew me. That was what I was apologizing for. I looked at Aly as she called me again.

"Well, em," The blonde girl started, pulling at the ends of her hair and scratching her arm. I scratched my arm at the same time. "I'm Lissa, this is Christian, Mia, Eddie, Alberta, Abe, Janine Tasha and Dimitri." She pointed to everyone in turn.

"He's Aly's possible father." I looked at the tall man. He was incredibly handsome, really tall, maybe 6 foot 7. Shoulder length dark brown hair, equally dark brown eyes, his jawline was sharp, he was built, very muscular. I looked away, blushed, and swallowed.

"If you are it's only right, she gets to meet you, but I want proof first." I finally said, looking back over to ally as she came down the slide.

"Already on it, they're working on the DNA match in the hospital right now." Tom replied. I nodded.

"Look, I'm really sorry, but I don't know who any of you are. I was in a car accident years ago and I can't remember anything."

"We know." Said a small petite red-haired woman. "We just want to talk, maybe you can get to know us and then maybe you can remember."

"Who are you to me?" I asked. I wanted to know each relationship, maybe it would help.

"I'm your mother." I sucked in a breath.

"I'm sor-" I looked over to check on Aly, she wasn't there. I waited a few seconds, thinking she was at the top of the slide, the part that I couldn't see well, but she wasn't there. "Aly?!" I unfold my arms as I use one hand as a sun shield. I couldn't see her. "Alyssia!" I called as I ran towards the slide, looking around the area, I couldn't see her. "Aly!" I called, fighting back tears. "Alyssia!" I checked the slide again, nothing. I could feel arms around me.

"Hey, it's okay!" Tom said, I shoved him away.

"It's really not okay, Tom!" I pushed my hair from my face. "Where is she, Tom?" He pulled me to his chest.

"Look, we can split up and find her-"

"Aly!" I shoved out of Tom's embrace and ran towards Aly. She was smiling brightly, an ice-cream cone in one hand, Tony holding the other.

"Hi, Mommy!" I picked her up and hugged her tight. Breathing a sigh of relief, I allowed the tears to fall. "Uncle Tony took me to get ice-cream." I kissed her forehead. I shoved Tony.

"Why would you do that?!"

"I can't take my niece to get ice-cream?"

"Not when you don't tell me and I look over and I can't see her!"

"Oh right." He sighed and put his arms around me. "I didn't think about that. I'm sorry."

"Mommy, why are you upset?"

"I'm not baby. I was just worried." I put her down and stayed crouched so I could look her in the eyes.

"You have to tell me if you're going somewhere with someone Aly, you know that." Aly wiped a tear falling from my cheek. I kissed her hand.

"I'm sorry mommy. I didn't mean to scare you." I gave her a small smile.

"It's okay." I hugged her tight.

"Mommy, I felt scared when I was with Uncle Tony, but I wasn't." She whispered in my ear. I squeezed her tightly.

"Why don't you and Uncle Tony go get another ice-cream." I smiled. Her ice-cream had started to melt all over her hands.

"Can I clean my hands first?" I nod and walk hand in hand with her up to the bench and pulled out seem wipes, wiped her hands. She kissed my nose.

"If you used your brain son, you could be lethal." Tom said, rubbing his face. Tony gave him a small smile.

"I know." he wiggled his eyebrows, extended his hand for Aly who took it and took her to get ice-cream.

"You have ice-cream in your hair." The blonde girl – Lissa – said with a small sad smile. I looked my hair and smiled.

"Not the first time." I used the wipe to get as much out as possible, rooted through the bag to get a scrunchy and put my hair up.

"Look, Roza we can go if you want. But I'm not leaving. I lost you once, I'm not doing it again." I looked up at the man who spoke. Dimitri.

"What was our relationship?" He gave me a small smile.

"You're the love of my life." I blushed and looked down. Tom cleared his throat. I smiled at him.

"So, he's why you haven't dated anyone." Sally teased, tugging a loose strand of hair. "You lost your memories, but not the feelings. Fascinating really."

"She's not allowed to date." Tom replied, I smacked his arms. "You're not."

"Mommy! Look what I got!" Aly ran up to me, a smile on her face as she shoved the ice-cream in my face. "Isn't it pretty?" I nod.

"How about, granddad, grandma and Uncle Tony take you out today? And then you can have a sleepover." She smiled.

"Really?" I nod and grab her bag.

"I think Uncle Tony would look wearing this – Don't you think?" Aly giggled, grabbed the bag and gave it to Tony.

"Are you sure?" Sally asked. I nod. She kissed me on the forehead. Tom reluctantly was dragged away by Sally.

"Just remember – I'm a cop." I laughed.

"Tommy!"

"I'm just saying." Sally finally dragged him away. I sucked in a breath, turned to the group.

"So, what are you to me then?"