JustAnotherFanGirl2004: Timothy will be appearing again. You'll see more character development in his next appearance. And yeah, he needed someone to tell him off. Rose was always part of the family, but she needs this to truly feel like she belongs. Plus, I've been planning this since the beginning of the story.

Green Meadow1870: Ella and Vivian are going to become even larger parts of the story, although I'm not sure how much. I'm thinking they become friends with Helen and the girls see them occasionally. Well, at least when they're with Kassie. Because Vivian's mom is racist, she probably won't be able to see Rose as much. And I was really thinking about Rose's name. I ended up deciding on Rosalyn, although I was also thinking about Rosalie and Roslyn.

So...it totally hasn't been over two weeks since my last update. Sorry? But life happened, and I couldn't find the time to write this chapter - plus I was working on some other stuff.

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen

They left as soon as possible, which happened to be the next day, heading to the address listed on the newspaper.

Rose and Anne had woken early out of nervousness and hurried to get ready while Lettie woke up an hour later with an amused chuckle as she saw the mother-daughter duo rushing around. She insisted they let her do their hair, which they quickly agreed to.

Rose didn't care much about the impressions she made, but at the same time was so scared. Had she really made the right choice by coming? This woman had abandoned her, would she want her back? Or not let Anne and Phillip adopt her?

She sighed and straightened the wrinkles in her lavender dress with a white collar and lace lining the sleeves. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a loose braid with stray strands falling in her face. Her violet eyes stood out, especially with the dress.

Anne knocked on the door and a faint voice said, "Come in."

The family of three looked in to see a woman with skin a bit lighter than Rose's but with the same frizzy dark brown hair. She had her face in her hands and didn't even look up at them.

"Miss Levy?" Anne asked nervously as she opened the door. The woman looked up and seemed surprised by what she saw. Rose assumed they were an odd sight. A black woman and man with a twelve-year-old girl between them.

"Yes? Who are you?"

"My name is Anne Wheeler. My brother WD and I used to be your neighbors. I'm not sure if you remember us?"

Miss Levy frowned and nodded, muttering, "I think I remember. Who are this man and girl?"

"My fiancée, Phillip. And our daughter Rose."

Miss Levy nodded and looked at Rose.

"What strange violet eyes," she muttered, and Rose took Phillip's hand. She was still scared, but her original plan of shouting at Miss Levy abandoned her. This wasn't someone who left a baby with a monster, this was a grieving widow. They had to approach the situation delecantly.

"May we sit?" Anne asked, and Miss Levy nodded.

"About twelve years ago," Phillip finally spoke, Rose still clinging to his hand. "You had a daughter, who you left on the steps of an orphanage, in hopes she would be cared for."

Miss Levy froze. "How do you know?"

Rose looked up at her with a blank expression, and Anne was worried. That was her expression when she arrived at the circus. Once she got to know her, she figured out it was her 'I will not let anyone in because they can hurt me' face.

"Because I'm that girl," Rose said bluntly, and Miss Levy stared at her. Finally-

"Samantha?"

"I prefer Rose. Or Rosalyn," Rose muttered, not looking away from Miss Levy's eyes.

"Why are you here?"

Rose hesitated. This woman didn't need the guilt of what she did to her daughter combined with the pain of losing her husband.

"I lived at the orphanage, until it burned down. Then I joined the circus," she said, purposefully leaving out a lot of the story. "I'm a contortionist. Anne and Phillip just got engaged and are going to adopt me. But they can't because you are still my legal guardian."

Miss Levy just stared, and then whispered, "You've grown up so much. I will do this. Should it be a closed adoption?"

"It's up to Rose," Anne answered, looking over at the young girl, who slowly nodded.

"If I ever see you again I want it to be my choice."

Miss Levy nodded sadly.

"I understand. I- I do regret never seeing you grow up. But I had two other kids, and couldn't take care of an infant. We didn't have enough money," Miss Levy explained. "They're both fine," she added, seeing Rose's expression.

Rose just nodded.

"I will handle the adoption with- with your parents," Miss Levy said. "Just know, I really did love you Rose."

Rose sighed. "I know. That's why what I went through was so hard."

If she had known whoever abandoned her didn't love her, then she would just accept it and move on. But inside she always knew the person who left her cared about her, so she constantly wondered why they left her. Eventually she started blaming her eyes and contortion, thinking they would be why everyone abandoned her.

She looked down at her hands, and Anne gave Miss Levy a grateful smile.

"Thank you. We will see you again soon."

The family walked out and closed the door behind them.

"Rose?" Phillip finally asked. It was only one word, her name. But she felt the question.

"I don't know," she said, her voice cracking. "She- she cared about me. She didn't want to leave me. I just...I hated her and now I can't and suddenly I can't feel anything when it comes to them. Because there's nothing to feel."

"Oh flower," Anne muttered, pulling her daughter close.

"I can't help but wonder how I would be if I grew up with them. I would have been poor but happy. I wouldn't be beaten every time I did something wrong, I wouldn't be afraid. I would have two siblings. But I don't feel loss, because I found two parents and sisters. And I'm happy but at the same time can't help but this of the what-ifs," she sobbed, and her parents held her until she calmed down.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize for having feelings," Phillip said. Rose smiled as her father put his arm around her shoulders, and Anne took her hand. And so they set off.

That night was another performance. Like aywas, Rose performed to music. She noticed the music as an upbeat version of Walk Me Home and smiled genuinely as she performed.

As it all ended, she saw the crowd leaving and then saw Vivian and Ella, along with Mrs. Ambers. Surprised, she walked towards them and smiled.

"Hey," Rose said. "What are you doing here?"

"We had tickets!" Ella said happily. "You're amazing."

"Rose!" someone called, and she saw Caroline and Helen running up to her.

"Hey guys," she said happily.

"What's up? We usually don't talk to anyone in the audience," Caroline said.

"This is Ella, Vivian, and Mrs. Ambers," Rose introduced them. "These are my sisters, Caroline and Helen. Helen is about your age."

Helen smiled nervously.

"Hi."

Rose chuckled and saw someone standing by the doorway and glaring at her. Ignoring it, she and her sisters talked to the three for a little while longer. Then they left, and the girls smiled at each other.

"I like those girls," Helen said softly.

Chapters over! Again, sorry it's so short and for the long wait. Just couldn't think of anything else to add.

Okay, as for future chapters, I don't know what to write. I mean, I have a few ideas but no idea for how to put them in order or how to do it. If anyone had any ideas, let me know!

Please review!

-Creator of Magic