Synopsis: Rosemarie Colleen Hawthorne is an old friend of Felicity's, who turns to her friend after she finds herself in trouble. Rosmarie has lost her mom, dad, and her aunt and uncles. She's on her own and on the run, needing someone to give her a new identity. Who is Rosemarie running from? Why does she need a new identity? And who is the kid she has with her?
*Felicity Megan Smoak (b. July 24, 1989)

Hawthorne family ages prior to the story
*Rosie - 28 years (in 2017)
*Dad: Leroy - 43 years (died in 2010)
*Uncle: Silas Hawthorne - 43 years old (died in 2017)
*Mom: Mercy Hawthorne - 48 years (died in 2018)
*Aunt: Charity Hawthorne - 41 years (died in 2018)
*Uncle: Joseph Hawthorne - 38 years (died in 2019)

Ch. 1

It was the middle of the night when Felicity and Oliver heard a knock at their door. William was asleep in his room and Felicity was half-asleep so shifting Felicity over, Oliver stood up and answered the door. In front of him, he saw a brunette woman holding a sleeping child in her arms.

"Is Felicity here?" The brunette asked, "I didn't know where else to go."

"Who are you? How do you know my wife?" Oliver wondered

The brunette seemed paranoid, looking over both shoulders and behind her before answering Oliver's question, but in a whisper.

"I'm Rosemarie." The brunette introduced, "Felicity and I are old friends. Can I please come in?"

"Sure, but Felicity is asleep." Oliver replied as he let the woman inside.

"I'm awake now." Felicity said as she sat up, becoming alert from Oliver and Rosemarie talking.

Rosemarie walked over to the couch, sitting down beside Felcity and cradling the child over her lap.

"Rosie, what are you doing here? And who's the kid? You didn't have a baby when I visited four years ago."

Rosemarie gave a nod, "I know, but it's not important right now. What is important is that I need you to make us disappear. I need a new identity and so does the kid."

"Isn't that what witness protection is for?" Oliver wondered

Rosemarie took a breath, "Normally yes, but…." She trailed off

"But what, Rosie?"

Rosemarie was shaking her head, "It's bad, Lissy. It's really bad. I've lost my whole family. Someone has been taking them out one at a time, and I'm afraid I'm next."

Felicity gave a solemn nod, "Okay, and I'm sorry about that, but I need to know what happened. Start at the beginning."

"Yeah. I'm going to have to go back awhile to start at the beginning."

"How far back?" Oliver asked

Rosemarie looked over at Oliver, "Two years." She turned back to Felicity, "It all started one warm December day."

- Two years ago: 2017 -

Twenty-eight year old Rosemarie Hawthorne is home with her mom, Aunt Charity, and Uncle Joseph. Her three year old is taking a nap when suddenly there is a knock at the door.

Mercy Hawthorne, Rosemarie's mom, walks to the front door and opens it. Standing before her is a police officer.

"Ma'am, I'm so sorry. Silas Hawthorne….he's dead."

"But….but how?" Mercy asks, "How did my brother die?"

"It looks like it was a drug overdose."

Mercy falls to her knees, praying, "He promised. He promised me that he wouldn't do it again."

"I'm truly sorry, ma'am." The officer apologises again

Rosemarie looks up as she thinks, 'That doesn't make any sense. Uncle Si doesn't do drugs. He did as a teen in high school, but he doesn't anymore.'

- Present day -

Rosemarie stopped telling her story to add commentary, "Uncle Si did not die of a drug overdose. At least not by his own hand. I knew that when the officer came and I was even more sure when Uncle Joey died a week ago. That was after my mom and Aunt Charity died last year four months apart. Someone's killing off my family and it's only a matter of time before I'm next."

Felicity gave a nod, "Okay, but you still didn't say where the kid came from."

"I'm a bit unclear of that myself." Rosemarie said, "About a month after your visit I found a one year old on my doorstep with only a blanket and a note that said 'protect my baby at all costs'. Obviously from the mother, but I don't know who that is."

"Who would leave a baby on your doorstep?" Oliver questioned

Rosemarie shrugged, "I have no idea."

"What's the kid's name?" Felicity wondered

"There was no name on the note, so I chose one." Rosemarie informed, "Sage Moses."

Felicity looked over at Oliver. It was the middle of the night. If someone was after her friend, she didn't want to send her away. She and Oliver could talk to Lyla in the morning, but for now she wanted her friend and this child to stay.

Oliver took the hint from the look in his wife's eyes, "Um Rosemarie, it's really late. How about you and the kid rest here for the night?"

"No. No, I have to keep moving." Rosemarie sounded terrified as she started to stand, looking towards the door.

"Rosie, you are no good to Sage dead. Please stay just until the morning. I promise I will help you. Oliver and I have a friend who can get you and Sage new identities and set you up in a safehouse."

Rosemarie shook her head, "They'll find me anywhere. I have to keep moving."

"Who is 'they'?" Oliver wondered

"I don't know. That's why I'm so scared."

A door was heard sliding open and then William's sleepy voice, "Dad? Mom?"

Felicity stood up, walking over to her son, "Will, everything's fine. Just go back to sleep."

"But who's here?"

"Just a friend of mine that needs help." Felicity informed

William nodded, "I understand. Goodnight Mom."

"Goodnight Will. I love you."

"Love you too."

Felicity returned to the couch where it appeared that Rosemarie's adrenaline was finally wearing off and her need for sleep was becoming more evident by her droopy eyes.

Rosemarie yawned, "Maybe it is a good idea for me to rest here for the night."

Ch. 2

Rosemarie was the first one awake in the morning, but that was because Sage woke her up. He had always been an early riser. He was a good sleeper. He just woke up early.

"Mommy, where are we?"

"We're at my friend's house. The one that I told you could help us."

Sage twirled Rosemarie's hair around with his fingers, "Is she gonna help us?"

Rosemarie nodded, "Yeah lovebug, she is."

"I miss Uncle Joey." Sage uttered

"I miss him too." Rosemarie agreed

Sage tilted his head up to look at Rosemarie, "Mommy, do we have to keep moving?"

Rosemarie stroked his head, "I'm afraid so, bug."

"Why are they after us? What did we do wrong, Mommy?"

Rosemarie had never told Sage anything about why they are running or if someone was after them, but he's a smart kid. Even if he didn't know anything, he could make deductions.

"I wish I knew, bug."

Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.