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"Your sister will be back in half an hour, Oliver. You are sure you can manage?"

The young lad nodded at Mrs. Adams. And opened the door of his apartment. She only made him a cup of tea before heading out. Oliver enjoyed the silence for while and felt like the man of the house. Not his big sister marching about, the loud noice of her sewing machine and her telling him what to do. He grabbed the books he had taken down with him and his cup of tea and sat down at the kitchen table. Every once in a while he looked up at the clock to see how much time he had left. Ten minutes passed since the time Rose was supposed to be home and Oliver decided to wait in front of the window to see his big sister. Another half hour passed and he slowly started to become worried. Half an hour became a full hour, followed by the next. Mrs. Adams still hadn't returned home either as he knocked on her door and there was no reaction. Other residence hadn't seen her either and a silent tear rolled down his cheeks. He couldn't have found her right?

"I am sorry miss, but this is no place for a young lady like you. I'm going to ask you to leave nicely one last time."

Rose refused to listen to the woman. She had almost searched around the whole city and there was still no sign of him. The last place she could go to, to at least try to get help was the Dawson Inc office. People looked appalled at her as she ran inside. Stopping at the reception, she begged the woman behind the desk for help.

"Ma'am you don't understand." She slammed her fist down, "It's about my brother. He has disappeared. Mr. Dawson knows him, he knows me. Can you at least ask him to help me?"

Security had come down to inspect the situation and grabbed Rose by her arms as the receptionist told them she had lost it.

"Let's get you back where you belong, miss." The man tightened his grip and Rose cried out in pain, ordering him to let her go. Just before she was thrown out a voice echoed through the lobby.

"What is this all about? Let her go at once!"

She turned around and saw Jack heading up to them. Rose could see, closely behind him, a few red curls peaking out. It was Oliver. He was here safe and sound.

"Oh my god." Rose rushed over to her brother and took him in her arms. "Where were you? Don't ever scare me like that ever again, do you understand me!"

"You don't have to be so angry with me." He defended himself, "You were the one not coming home."

"Your sister isn't angry, Oliver." Jack interrupted, "She is just worried." He then turned his attention to his secretary who had come down as well.

"Susan would you please take Oliver to the lounge. I want to speak to miss Smith in person."

"I don't know how to thank you." Rose told Jack as they entered his office. He put her down on the couch and handed her a glass of water. She gladly took it, but could barely keep the water inside the cup as she was shaking vigorously.

"Don't, Rose." He sat down next to her. "I was about to head home when I saw him roaming outside the building. He thought you might be here."

"If you hadn't found him god know what would have happened to him."

"I'm worried about you, Rose. I have been for a while. You look tired and over worked. You can't just take care of Oliver all by yourself."

"I have done it for years. And besides what am I supposed to do otherwise?" She shrug her shoulders and stood up, clearly not in the mood to discuss this topic with him.

"Let me help you."

"No!"

"Why not?"

"I'm not some kind of charity you people can sponsor just to feel better about yourselves!"

"Us people? My God, Rose, I thought you knew me by now, but apparently I am as wrong about you as you are about me."

It didn't take long for her to completely break down in tears. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. The years had really taken a toll on her, but she was too stubborn to admit it. The events of today had taken everything to a whole next level. She was lost. Two warm hands took hers and his calming voice was suddenly beside her.

"Hey it's alright. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that." He said.

"No I am sorry. You have been nothing but kind to me and I'm just acting like an immature school child. I'm just so tired, Jack. I am so extremely tired."

"I know. Please let me help you. I can't just let you two walk out of here and call it a day, I am too involved now."

She didn't respond to his remarks, but only looked up at him through her teary eyes and simply said: "I just want to go home."

It wasn't home he brought them to that evening. Entering the car, Rose immediately fell into a deep sleep. Eventually waking up to his touch he helped her out the car and she looked up at a house she did not recognise immediately. Jack put his coat over her shoulders and lead her to the front door. Mrs. Dawson was shocked when she saw the three figures standing in front of her.

"Miss Smith?" She asked.

"I didn't know anywhere else to go, gran."

Mrs. Dawson nodded and only had her eyes focused on the girl who was hanging against her grandson. Her hair was hanging loosely around her face and she was still trembling.

"Take her upstairs, Jack. I don't want Rosie to see her like this." She then turned to her maid and ordered her to prepare a room. Taking Oliver in her own charge she walked with him to the dining room.

"Where are we?" Rose mumbled, clearly dissociated.

"I'm going to take you to bed, alright? You trust me?"

Rose nodded her head against his shoulder "I trust you."

The maid followed closely behind them and made up the bed. Jack had sat Rose down and was still next to her. After a few minutes of waiting and he was still not leaving the maid cleared her throat.

"Excuse me, sir, but I have to undress her." Clearly not further appreciating his presence.

"Yes, of course." Jack quickly said, "Call me if anything happens, alright?"

Later that evening as Oliver and Rosie had also turned in for the night. Mrs. Dawson looked at her grandson as the fireplace lit up his face. He twirled the glass of brandy and chucked it down in one go.

"That brother of hers is a smart little man." Mrs. Dawson began.

"He is, isn't he?"

"But what on earth is going on?"

Apart from what happened today, Jack didn't know either. But he knew it had to be something else as well.

"I don't know, gran. She us completely burned out it seems."

"My dear boy," she said and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "You remind me so much of myself at your age."

"And how is that?"

"I never told you this, or anyone for that matter. But when I was twenty six I did some volunteer work for homeless immigrants. There was this man, Alexander Kelly, his name was. He was from Ireland and left with his two younger sisters after their parents died. And let me tell you, my boy, I have never been so much in love with anyone but with him. Yet I was about to be engaged to your grandfather. So when my father found out about us he did everything to stop our affair. Alexander vanished out of nowhere, then two years later I found out that he had died of tuberculosis."

"My god, grandma, why have you never told me this?"

"It didn't matter. I had a family to take care of and he has been dead for decades. But when I look at the two of you I can't help but think of Alexander and I. It's like you come alive, your whole face lightens up. And even when I talk about her now, I can see a glistering in your eyes."

That couldn't be true now could it? He only liked spending time with her as friends. She did make him smile, a lot. And when he returned from Pittsburgh, all knocked up from that stupid fight, she was the only thing on his mind and it felt like he automatically walked towards her. Even now, he wanted to go straight up and watch over her for the night. Make sure she was okay. He shook his head heavily. This wasn't love. Love took years to grow, as his mother had told him many times.

"She is my friend, gran. I like spending time with her."

"And I am a monkey's uncle." She laughed, "but alright. If you say so."

"I think I am going to bed."

"Of course, darling."

Jack stood up from his chair kissed Mrs. Dawson on her cheek and headed upstairs. Oliver's room was the first one to pass and he slowly opened the door to find him peacefully sleeping. Next was Rose's room. He hesitated for a short while, but he had to see if she was doing fine. Walking in he saw that, luckily, she was also asleep. He didn't dare to walk up to her and only watched her from afar until he could barely keep his eyes open anymore.

A small streak of light peaked through the windows, landing directly onto Rose's face. She blinked a few times before waking up completely. She came to a rather fast realisation where she was when she saw Anna, Mrs. Dawson's maid, standing on the opposite side of the room. They used to talk a few times when Rose worked here and she felt a sense of relief to see her.

"I didn't mean to wake you." Anna spoke with her thick Scottish accent. Rose shook her head and sat up straight. Luckily for her, Oliver was still safe. He was out with Jack for a while said Anna. Fifteen minutes later when the maid returned with a tray full of breakfast, Mrs. Dawson followed her inside.

"I am glad to see you are awake, dear. How are you feeling?"

"To be fair. I am not quite sure how I am feeling." Her head was still feeling heavy and her eyes were still swollen from all her tears. She looked at the food in front of her, picked up a piece of toast before putting it back down again.

"We were quite worried about you, dear. Still are for that matter."

"I don't want to trouble you, ma'am." She could feel the tears burning again and tried to fight them, but as soon as Mrs. Dawson took hold of her hand they rolled down freely.

"What is going on, Rose?"

She took a deep breath. Years of worry and grief finally escaped her lips after keeping it in for so long. Mrs. Dawson listen carefully, not interrupting once.

"My father is still on the hunt for us. And when I came home yesterday and saw that Oliver was missing, I totally lost it."

"Are you sure he is still following you, Rose?" She simply nodded her head. He had threatened them many times before their escape. 'You'll never get rid of me. I will look for you until I die.' He would say.

"And is it only that? Because I have the feeling you are not telling me everything."

"It's just the money, ma'am. Ever since my mother died I have to take care of everything alone. It's just a bit too much at the moment, but it'll be fine. Truly."

Mrs. Dawson decided to remain quiet. She told Rose to eat and that Anna would prepare a warm bath for her.

"Can I ask you one thing, ma'am?"

"Of course."

"Would you mind not telling, Jack. I don't want him to worry any more about me."

Mrs. Dawson gave her a sympathetic smile, but shook her head. Knowing her grandson better than anyone else in the world, she knew he would find out sooner or later, so telling the truth would be the best solution. Rose waited in the drawing room for the boys to return. After a few more hours she could hear the front door open. Footsteps slowly came closer as Oliver burst into the room.

"Rose!" He ran towards her and threw himself in her arms.

"Hello. What have you done all day?"

"Jack took me everywhere I wanted to go. I even had lunch like a true gentleman."

"Lucky you."

"How are you feeling, Rose?" Jack was standing in the doorway, looking at her thoroughly.

"Much better, thank you. I went on a walk with Rosie."

"She was really excited to find out you were here. We basically had to stop her from waking you up?"

Rose tried to smile, but her heart felt heavy. Turning away from them she looked outside the window. It was now or never. She trusted him. Funnily enough she trusted him with all her heart. Clearing her throat she started and told him everything about the man who had ruined, not only hers, but her whole family's lives. The torment, the pain, the years of living in fright.

"I thought I had it under control, Jack, but apparently not."

The warmth of his hands could be felt on her arm. He slowly turned her towards him and held her close against his chest. The words of his grandmother crossed his mind again: I can see a glistering in your eyes. A glistering both in eyes and heart. Warmth was the true feeling of home and he held it right here in between his arms. He could never let go.

Back home Rose continued with her daily routines, but called quits on her appointments outside of the atelier. She had collected all the money she had earned independently and arrived before anyone else on Monday. Mrs. Woodbridge was sitting in her office having a cup of tea together with her husband. Rose put the money right in front of her.

"As you asked, ma'am."

"Good." Mrs. Woodbridge counted it two more times before waving her employee off. Julie and Jane were waiting for her in the meantime and both gave her a tight hug. Days were slowly starting to get better and less busy. Mrs. Adams checked up on them every single day by inviting them over for dinner and Oliver even stayed with Walter a couple of times so Rose could catch up on some sleep. Rose felt lucky to have so many caring people around her. She wasn't as alone as she often felt she was and could sense she was loved in a way. All her friends had even helped her organise a dinner party for Oliver's tenth birthday. After his lunch with Jack he kept going on and on how rich and grown up he felt by ordering food himself and drinking water out of a wine glass. Jack stopped by the morning of his birthday to have a piece of cake before heading off to work.

Happy birthday, Oliver. I don't have a physical gift but I do have a little something." Jack sat down at the kitchen table put an envelope in front of Oilver. The boy raised an eyebrow, not having a single clue what could be inside of it. Bu as he opened the letter both his and his sister's eyes widened in shock

"Shut up." Rose gasped as she read the big bold letters printed on the piece of paper. Collegiate School New York.

"A childhood friend of mine works there. It's one of the best private boy schools on the east ghost. And the best part is, Olly, you can start in two weeks. If you want." Oliver shot up from his chair and hugged his friend tightly "Thank you!" He repeated endlessly. Rose now had tears rolling down her face and looked up at Jack.

"Don't." He said as if he knew what she was about to say. Not in front of him. She said it, eventually, as Oliver had run up to Mrs. Adams to tell her and Walter the good news. They were now alone and Jack moved closer towards her.

"This is too much, Jack," she whispered, "you've already been too kind to us. I simply cannot accept it."

"Can you, for once, not be so stubborn." He laughed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "He deserves it. You deserve it."

A feeling a warmth rushed through her body by the feeling of his touch. His hand was still on her face. He looked at her thoroughly. A look as he could read her mind. His gaze felt as if he could take all her worries and doubts away in an instant. His thumb moved down and gently stroke her mouth. He leant in just a little and stayed there just to look at her once more before he could put his lips on hers. A loud bang, followed by the door being swung open, shook Rose back into reality.

"Mrs. Adams has invited you up!" Oliver yelled and rushed back outside.

"Yes. We're coming!" Rose responded and released herself from Jack's grip. He tried to take her hand again, but she was too far away. He followed her up the stairs and was welcomed by an over enthusiastic Mrs. Adams who couldn't help herself and gave Jack a tight hug.

"Thank you so much, mr. Dawson. It's a dream come true for him." They all sat down around the table, questioning Jack about anything there is to know about the school. He'd go there until he was at least sixteen, with another possibility to take two extra years. The only time he was allowed to go home was during the holidays. Rose kept looking at her little brother who had crawled onto Jack's lap. How grown up he looked so suddenly. She could already see him strolling around in his little uniform, together with his classmates, to become the person he was destined be. He would have a future, something she had always wanted to give him, but never was able to. Jack left a couple of minutes later. Giving Oliver one final hug he left the room. A strange and sudden feeling crept inside of Rose's stomach. She excused herself and fled down the stairs. She opened the door, the cold of the upcoming winter hitting her skin. His back was towards her, hands on the handle of his car door.

"Jack!" She called him, "Wait!"