"Do you want to talk about it anymore?" Sam asked.
Rose shook her head. "Actually, I could use some alone time. If you could go shopping or explore the city, that would be great." Rose said.
Sam was not expecting that though. "Um…did I say something?" She asked.
"No! No! It's not you. I just want time to think about things." Rose said.
"You're always thinking." Sam whined.
"Well, someone has to. If you want, I can go for a walk to be alone instead." Rose said.
Sam shut that idea down really quick. "No way. You heard Jake's grandpa. You need to stay where it's safe. You shouldn't be outside alone." Sam insisted. She sighed.
"I'll leave." She said and grabbed her new purse before leaving, giving one last look at Rose who was laying on her bed, hugging a pillow.
"It hurts, doesn't it?" She asked.
"It's just uncomfortable." Rose said.
"Call me if you need me." Sam said and left, closing the door quietly behind her.
She hesitated but knew her mom was home all day.
"Hey mom, I'm going exploring. Rose isn't feeling too well…maybe send up an ice pack or something and bring her some water. She needs it." Sam said.
"Be careful sweetheart. The city can be a dangerous place, and don't worry about Rose. I'll take care of her." Alison said smiling.
"Love you mom." Sam said.
"Be home by dinner." Her mom called as she closed the door.
"This could be fun." She thought, as she walked down the sidewalk towards the mall. It was a nice day too. Perfect for a walk. She left her neighborhood and walked towards the mall but decided to stop and buy an ice cream cone from a vendor in Liberty Park.
"Thanks!" She said to the guy working the vendor and went to sit on a bench overlooking the statue of liberty. She loved feeling the warm sun on her skin, and she wished Rose was there with her. Truth is neither of them did very well on their own.
She felt someone sit down next to her and looked over to see a red haired boy, about her age.
"Is it alright if I sit next to you?" He asked, a British accent coming through. Sam smiled.
"Please do." She said. "I'm Sam, I'm like really new in town and I just needed to get out of the house." She said. She felt herself blushing. Okay, this guy is hot.
"I know what it's like when you first get to the city. All of the tall buildings, and confusing subways. You think it would be something I'd grow tired of, but I only got here last year, and there is just something so magical about this place that makes me want to stay" he said.
He had to have a girlfriend though, no way a guy this hot is single. She decided to ask if he was meeting someone here possibly a girlfriend.
"Are you busy?" He asked.
Sam shook her head no. "Just sitting here, eating this ice cream... Are you meeting anyone here?" She asked.
"Me? No. I just needed to get out of the house as well."
"What's your name?" She asked.
"Nigel."
Sam racked her brain for ways to flirt with this boy. She didn't want to let an opportunity go to waste. She took a bite out of her ice cream cone. He chuckled.
"What?" Sam asked.
"You've gotten ice cream on your nose." He said smiling.
"That's embarrassing. I was trying to think of a way to flirt with you and I get ice cream on my nose." She said without thinking as she wiped the ice cream on a napkin.
Nigel raised an eyebrow. "Flirt with me?" He asked.
"I was thinking out loud, wasn't I?" Sam said.
Nigel grinned. "I heard every thought and if it's any consolation, you don't have to work for my attention. You already have it. You're absolutely lovely."
A FEW BLOCKS AWAY- THE SHOP
"I'm pretty sure it's okay." Jake said, the bell above the door ringing as he walked in.
Fu looked up as Jake walked into the shop. He was on his phone, he waved Fu over.
"Rose wants to know if an Ice pack will hurt the babies." Jake said.
Fu shook his head. "It shouldn't. Your mom used an ice pack in both of her pregnancies."
"Thanks Fu." He said, "Rose, he said It's fine, you can use an ice pack. I gotta go. Feel better. Call me if you need anything…yeah, it's Dragon business…please, I'm always careful…. Yes, I am! Love you too, bye." He hung up and flopped down onto the couch.
"She wants to change the names again. Now it's Cameron and Peyton." Jake said.
"Which one for the girl?" Fu asked.
"I didn't ask. She's…in a mood. So, I just said okay and let it slide for now." Jake laughed.
"Mood swings Jake. Those hit hard during pregnancy. Like last night, boy that was intense. I'm glad you two were able to kiss and make up. I hate to see young love fall apart." Fu said.
"It's just a lot for both of us right now. We're not splitting up anytime soon I promise you that." Jake said.
Lao Shi walked in. "We understand that you have choices to make and many responsibilities now." He said, referring to Rose.
"Like I didn't have enough responsibility with being the American Dragon…now I'll two more in a few months." Jake said.
"Fu dog, can you please let us alone. I would like to have a word with Jake." Lao Shi said.
"Sure thing, I have to go to the market anyways, I'm out of eye of newt." Fu said, leaving the shop, leaving just Jake and his grandpa.
This was the awkward talk Jake wanted to avoid having. "So…about those Shadow Demons?" He tried.
"Jake. We need to talk about this. I need to know if you can handle the responsibilities of being the American Dragon, being a high school student, and raising two young dragons." His grandfather asked.
"I can do it gramps." Jake said seriously.
"I will be there to help you, but the road ahead is not going to be easy. I did everything by the book and still I found it hard to balance my dragon duties with being a father."
"At least you weren't in school." Jake said.
"That may be true, but I have seen you overcome many obstacles. There was never any doubt in my mind you would choose between being the American dragon and being a father. You have matured, young dragon, but you still have much to learn." Lao Shi said.
"Luckily, I have a great teacher." Jake said.
Lao Shi took a moment to let the compliment sink in, he didn't have to question its sincerity. That's what made it mean the most. He gave Jake a small smile, and nod. Then he remembered, there was one more matter at hand before they got to the shadow demons.
"There is another thing you must know." Lao Shi said.
"What?"
"I'm sure you've thought of it, and I have taken it upon myself to ask. The dragon council will allow you to train only one of your children."
"Just one? What about the other one?"
"The other dragon will be trained by Haley if she has mastered her dragon training. If not, they will be assigned another dragon master."
"Do I at least get to choose?" Jake asked.
"No. They will decide when they think the time is right. Now you see why it is extremely important you take your training seriously." Lao Shi said.
Jake nodded. "Can we talk about the shadow demons? Those are a serious thing right now." He said.
"Yes, Jake, I don't think it is smart you go into this fight alone." His grandpa said.
"I was thinking the same thing. If we call in a few dragon buddies of ours to help out, we can knock them out of the ballpark before they even get to first base." Jake said, "I was thinking, the Chinese Dragon, and the Greek Dragon."
Lao Shi nodded. "Of course. The council also knows of a young wizard training in the city. We've enlisted his help. A wizard's magic can work wonders against any kind of demon. With four dragons and a wizard, the Shadow Demons should be easy to defeat." Lao Shi said.
"Four dragons? Me, Jun, Hercules are three. No way is Haley getting involved in this. It sounds way too dangerous." Jake said.
"I agree. Haley is not the fourth dragon."
"Then who is?" Jake asked.
"I am."
Lao Shi turned into a dragon and flew around the room. "This old dragon still has some fight left in him." He said.
Jake had to laugh at that comment. "That's right G! When we're through with them, those monsters won't even know what hit 'em!"
"Use your dragon form. It is time for us to begin training!" Lao Shi said. Now that Jake was pumped up.
He was pleased that they finally had the conversation Jake had been avoiding. Things felt more normal, but at the same time Lao Shi knew that the young boy he had started training only two years ago was no longer considered a young boy. He was starting a family of his own and would someday soon be training a dragon of his own. He knew he had to make sure Jake was the best dragon he could possibly be. It was his job, as no matter how old or young Jake might be- he was still his dragon master.
A FEW HOURS LATER- PARK
Nigel and Sam were laughing hysterically, Sam held a caricature photo.
"That looks just like you, lovely." Nigel laughed.
"Oh yeah, I get complimented on my balloon sized head all the time." Sam laughed.
Nigel paid the guy and gave Sam the picture. "For you." He said.
"Oh gee, thanks." She laughed.
"As a reminder." He said.
"A reminder of what?" She asked.
"The perfect first date." Nigel winked, and pulled Sam away from the crowd.
He's going to try and kiss me. Sam thought as he led her back to the bench they first met.
"Wait. This isn't right." She said.
"What?"
"I like you. I really, really like you." She said.
"I like you too."
"Then…can we take things slow?" She asked.
"You don't want to kiss me." Nigel said, understanding what she was saying.
"It's just…my twin is pregnant, and I'm scared that if I fall too fast for a guy then I'm going to end up just like her. She can't even go to school." Sam explained.
"It's just a kiss. Nothing more." Nigel promised.
"How about a kiss on the cheek?" She asked.
"That will do for now, lovely. I can wait." He said.
"Promise?" Sam asked.
"Honestly, I'm quite new to romantic endeavors. I've never even kissed a girl." He admitted.
"Maybe…we'll change that on our second date." Sam said.
APARMENT- A FEW HOURS LATER
Rose lay down on her bed. This is hell. The warm feeling, she found so comforting when she first woke up grew more intense. She tried to compress it by hugging a pillow to her. Sam wanted to talk to her, but she just needed to be alone. It was a lot. She wanted to talk things over with Sam, and she wanted to think about what she was going to say to Rotwood. She didn't even tell Jake yet. The heat grew and while it wasn't unbearable, it was really uncomfortable. That's why she called Jake when her mom brought her an ice pack. It helped. A lot. She's drank at least a pack of water with Ice and that has helped too. She was really craving chocolate milk but was refraining from Chocolate because she didn't want to gain too much weight. A glass or two wouldn't hurt. At least that's what she told herself before she drank the whole carton. It seemed to help though. She didn't feel as uncomfortable as she did before.
If her dad let her see Jake this week, he could get her some more whenever she craved it. Isn't that what boyfriends do when their girlfriends are pregnant? Go get them what they want? Rose sighed. She missed Jake, so much. She got to see him Monday. It was only Wednesday. This was crazy. They had important things to talk about. Like, where is the baby staying? With Rose, or Jake? Or is the baby going to have two nurseries'? In that case they will need two of everything. Rose preferred it not come to that for financial purposes. She wanted Jake at the Ultrasound. She wanted to go shopping for the baby with Jake. It's not fair to the baby for her not to see Jake. She had to talk about that today as well.
"Shouldn't Sam be home?" It's almost dinner time. She looked out of her bedroom window which had a nice view of the front lawn. It was really a lovely yard.
She finally saw Sam, but she was with a boy. A redhead, who looked like he was around her age.
Rose watched.
"Thanks, you didn't have to walk me home." Sam said.
"I know. I wanted to…does this count as a second date?" Nigel asked hopefully.
"Nope." She laughed and kissed his cheek.
"Friday night? Dinner?" Nigel asked.
"Cliché, but if I get to spend time with you then yes. Dinner sounds great." Sam said and turned to go inside.
She smiled as she walked in. She saw Rose watching her and Nigel from the window and went to talk to her.
"So, what do you think of him? Don't you just love his hair? He has a British accent; he goes to our school and he's in the same grade! He's like, perfect. Right?" Sam asked.
"Red hair and a British accent doesn't make a guy perfect. What about his personality? Is he nice? Thoughtful? Does he care about you?" Rose asked.
"He does, I told him I wanted to take things slow. I didn't even want to actually kiss him, he was really understanding and settled for a kiss on the cheek. He calls me lovely, which is like British slang for beautiful. He's really nice Rose. I think you'd like him." Sam said.
"It's not me you have to worry about. Do you really think dad is going to let you date anyone? If anything, he's going to take extra precautions to make sure you don't get pregnant." Rose said.
"I swear Rose, if dating get's taken away from me because of you…I'm going to tell them about the dream charm." Sam said.
"You know Jake still has one, so if I get mine taken away, he can come see me." Rose said.
"Rose, I really like Nigel."
Rose laughed. "His name is Nigel? Is he British or Australian?" Rose asked.
"You know, it's really unclear. I don't care. I like him. That's all that matters. We're taking things slowly, so you don't have to worry. We have a dinner date Friday."
"Well, I hope dad let's you go." Rose said, "I'd hate to be the reason your high school years are messed up."
"What are you always saying? It'll be worth it in the end? You're having babies…you seriously need to rethink those names though. Jake asked which one was the girl Peyton or Cameron." Sam said.
"Neither I hate those names. I like Jack and Marissa now." Rose said.
"You're hopeless. Your child is going to have fifty different names." Sam said.
"I'm telling them after dinner." Rose said changing the subject.
"I know. Are you nervous?" Sam asked.
"I think they expect it. I'm also going to tell dad I want Jake at my ultrasound Friday."
"Good luck." Sam said.
A/N: My chapters always end abruptly. The next chapter Rose will talk to her dad. If this chapter seems different it's because I have major writers block. Some of it is forced. Seriously though, is Nigel British or Australian? I know this week seems to be dragging by for them. Sorry about that. Seriously, though Nigel is an Australian name and I think he says Mate in the series I have to rewatch some episodes…I know Trixie asks him to throw some British in the Siren Says episode…yeah I know I know way too much about this show.