The next day everyone got up. Hayley was taking a second day off. She would be going back the next day. The littles all got fed and dressed and headed off to school and Kara was dropped off at daycare when Hunter and Rosie left and headed for the massage therapists office. Once the little girl was dropped off Hunter turned the music down.
"Dad tells me you had a bit of a breakdown a couple nights ago and have been avoiding talking about it." Hunter said
Rosie let out a breath. "I took the day off what more do you two expect?" she asked calmly
"We just want you to talk to us. We know that when things start to get to be to much for you that you retreat back into just not talking to us. And that isn't a healthy way to handle problems in life." Hunter said "And while sometimes we all breakdown and that's perfectly normal. We want you to come to us when you have a problem. When life gets to be to much. So we can help you though it. Dad and I don't have the same life experiences as you do but we have been through our own things, and we have learnt over the years how to handle those. And yes I know you have techniques you have been taught in therapy. Have you been using them?" Hunter asked
"I have. They don't always work." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Yeah. That makes sense. But that is what dad, and I are there for. For when you need that extra support."
Rosie nodded "I know. I just feel like everything that is happening and has happened in regard to Matthew is my fault. And I know you will say its not. But its how I feel."
"Rosie. People get rejected all the time. People are bullies all the time. People blackmail other people and get busted. All the time. Not all of those people in fact most don't turn around and bring a gun to their school intending to hurt people. I don't know how much you know but Matthew has not has an easy life from what your dad has told me. Abused. A lot like you. And people who have been abused. Tend to react one of two ways. They turn around and be the abusers. Or they like you grow to have a heart bigger than their chest and would do anything to protect everyone else." Hunter said
"He was abused? I didn't know." Rosie said
"Yeah. Apparently by his father." Hunter said
"Wow. Yeah…I think it makes a lot of sense. He never talked about his parents. Never been to his place." Rosie said
"But you went through abuse. And you didn't turn out that way. People choose how to be. You are not kids anymore. He made his choice. He is to blame for bringing a gun to school. For blackmailing and raping your sister. Him. Not you. Not his parents. Not the school. Not your sister. Not any of your friends. Matthew is the one who is at fault." Hunter said
Rosie nodded
Hunter pulled into the parking lot and parked. They both went inside, and Hunter checked them in, and they were both handed forms to fill out. They sat down and started to fill them out. When they were done they handed them in, and both had their massages. When they were done Hunter paid for the treatments.
"Will you be booking another appointment?" The receptionist asked
"She is." Hunter said
"Yes. I am." Rosie said with a smile "Why not you?" She asked Hunter
"You -need it for the amount of stress you have been under." Hunter said
"I could say the same thing to you." Rosie said with a smirk
"I'm the parents you're the child." Hunter said
Rosie nodded and booked another appointment.
They went out to the car. Rosie was quiet.
"How was it?" Hunter asked
"It was fine." Rosie said, "I think I'm sorer than I was though."
"Yeah. Same. I think a couple days and we should be feeling some better." Hunter said
"Don't know how much help I will be with the bookcases." Rosie said
"Dad will be there too if Derek needs help with things you cant do." Hunter said
Rosie nodded
They went home and Rosie went inside Hunter had to get to a showing.
"How was it?" Dave asked
"Fine. I have another appointment in a couple weeks." Rosie said
"Good." Dave said, "Derek is already in the garage starting on the bookshelves."
Rosie smiled and went out to help him.
The two of them worked on the bookshelves for the next few hours. Derek teaching her how to build them.
"Did your dad teach you how to do all this?" Rosie asked him
"Abit. But no. Most I learned on my own. My dad died I was pretty young." Derek said
"Oh. Sorry." Rosie said
"Thanks. But it was along time ago." Derek said
Rosie nodded.
"I use the skills I have learned in my free time I buy and renovate houses to sell." Derek said
"You flip houses?" Rosie asked
"Yes." Derek said
Rosie smiled and nodded. "If you ever need an extra set of hands for something I can help."
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind." Derek said with a smile. "You have a pretty busy schedule already though don't you?"
"Some weeks busier than others." Rosie said, "Lately yes but that's just because I've been doing more than the usual to help around here with Papa being extra busy and Hayley not pulling her weight."
Derek nodded. "That get better?"
"Yes. Somewhat but she still has a lot going on and with not feeling well." Rosie said
Derek nodded.
"But my weekends lately have been pretty free. Haven't been babysitting much anymore." Rosie said
"Thought you had dozens of families you babysat for." Derek said
"I did. A few families the oldest kid has reached the age where they can stay home with their siblings. A couple have moved. Some dropped off when my dad started dating Hunter. They don't know that and I'd rather they don't. And the last few families I guess just haven't been going out as much or have gone with a different sitter or something." Rosie said "To be honest. The last few seemed to drop off after a certain situation that I thought was going to be kept private but maybe not."
"What situation?" Derek asked
Rosie sighed. "Um. One of the kids I babysit is Jack's best friend. His dad had been acting weird and Jack told me when I was staying there where Dad and Papa went on their honeymoon. That he had seen him taking lots of pills and there were needles I told Uncle Aaron who is friends with the father. But I didn't think he was going to move as fast as he did… And I babysat that weekend. And I decided to go investigate it myself. I know incredibly stupid. But I found what I was looking for and while I was taking pictures of the names of the medications to later look up what they were for. He came home and caught me. He told me what they were for, and it is legitimate. I thought for sure I was done babysitting his kid, but he told me that wasn't the case. He just made me tell Uncle Aaron who in turn made me tell my parents. But he was not impressed. And since then I have not babysat for any of the families with kids who are friends with Jack."
"Wow. Rosie." Derek said
"I know. Trust me I did not get away with it. Uncle Aaron did not go easy on me." Rosie said
Derek nodded.
"And I would never do it again." Rosie said "But if the father told other parents…"
Derek nodded. "Yeah. I can see why some might be hesitant after that."
"Considering he could have pressed charges I'm not going to say anything. But I do miss babysitting kids who actually listen to me. My sisters. They don't listen as well." Rosie said
Derek chuckled abit. "Yeah. I can see how other kids might be more likely to listen than your own siblings."
Rosie smiled and nodded. "And because I'm a push over they pout, and I cave and not tell our parents most of the time. If its something super serious I do but minor things I just let go…"
Derek nodded. "Well. That's probably why they don't. They know they will get away with it."
Rosie nodded "You're not wrong."
They finished putting together the three book cases that were going to be hung. They brought them all into the house. Dave made them break for lunch before they went up to her room to start to nail them into the wall.
"How are things with you and Noel?" Derek asked
"We're good. What about you and Penny?" Rosie asked
"We are good. If I tell you something you promise not to tell anyone?" Derek asked
Rosie nodded
"I bought a ring. I am proposing." Derek said
Rosie's eyes lit up. "That's great! I'm so excited for you two. And yes I will keep it to myself."
Derek smiled. "Thank you."
When the bookcases were all hung Derek made sure they were very secure before helping Rosie put some of her books on them.
"What is your favorite book?" Derek asked
"I have to pick just one?" Rosie asked with a smile
Derek chuckled. "Top five."
"Okay well in no particular order the harry potter series I'm going to count as one. Little woman, Lolita, fault in our stars and the bell jar." Rosie said
Derek nodded.
"You read a lot?" Rosie asked
"Some not a lot." Derek said
Rosie nodded.
They finished up putting the books away. "Thank you for doing this." Rosie said
"Of course. I enjoy it." Derek said
They went downstairs.
"How did you get the time off to do this?" Rosie asked
"No active case. I'm caught up on my paperwork. The rest of the team is just looking over cold cases. Not hard to get a day off right now." Derek said
Rosie nodded. The front door opened, and the younger kids came in from off the bus.
They all said hi to Derek. Scarlet clung to his leg in a hug.
Derek chuckled "Hey kid. How are you?"
"Good! Are you staying to play with us?" Scarlet asked
"Not today. I just finished helping Rosie put up some new bookshelves. Got to get going." Derek said
Scarlet sulked and clung harder "Well I wont let you go unless you stay and play."
"How about I come back sometime soon and take you and your sisters to the trampoline park?" Derek said
"Yay!" Scarlet said
"But today I do have to go." Derek said
Scarlet sulked abit but let him go and ran off.
Rosie chuckled "Thank you again. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome." Derek said.
"Dad Derek is leaving." Rosie called out
Dave came and said bye and thanked him.
Once Derek left Rosie went and took a shower and changed into comfy clothes before going downstairs. Nolan was there playing with her sisters.
Rosie smiled. "Hey."
"Hi." He said with a smile. He got up from the floor and went over and hugged her.
Rosie hugged him
"I brought you your missed work. Got Hays too." Nolan said
"Thank you." Rosie said
"How was your appointment this morning?" He asked
"Fine." Rosie said, "Have another one in a couple weeks."
"Good." Nolan said kissing her.
Rosie led him up to her room to show him the book shelves she helped build and hang up. "Derek did most of it I just helped hold things in place."
"Well you both did a good job. And it certainly gives you more space for books." Nolan said
Rosie smiled and nodded.
Nolan kissed her. She kissed him back. She pushed her door, so it was still open but was mostly closed. They moved to her bed and continued to kiss. They made out for awhile before they just cuddled laying on her bed.
"Rose. I have a question." Nolan said
Rosie nodded. "Okay. What is it?"
"Are we ready to take the next step in out relationship?" Nolan asked
Rosie sat up and looked at him. "Not sure what I was expecting but wasn't that. Um. I don't know."
Nolan nodded. "Okay."
"Do you think we are?" Rosie asked
"I don't know either. I just. Its been on my mind and I thought its something we should definitely talk about." Nolan said
Rosie nodded. "Well. If its something we are considering maybe its time I start looking into birth control. Because that takes time… I think."
Nolan nodded "We will always use condoms."
"Right. Yes. But doesn't hurt to have multiple protections in place." Rosie said "I don't want to end up pregnant. I don't think two pregnant teens is something my parents could handle."
"Wait. Two? What?" Nolan asked
Rosie slapped her hand over her mouth. "Shit."
"Is Hayley?" Nolan asked in a whisper.
Rosie sighed. "Fuck. Yeah…"
"Who?" Nolan asked
Rosie gave him a 'really' look.
Nolan's eyes went big, and mouth dropped open. "Does he know?"
"No! No one in our group knows either." Rosie said
"I'll keep my mouth shut." Nolan said, "But she cant hide it forever."
"Depending on what she does. Yes she can." Rosie said
"Oh." Nolan said
"That's not a problem for you is it?" Rosie asked
"No!" Nolan said "Pro choice a hundred precent."
"Okay. Good." Rosie said
"Fuck. I just. The hits keep coming don't they?" Nolan asked
"Yup. You want to help me kill him?" Rosie asked
"There will be no killing of anyone." Dave said as he pushed the door opened. "And this door is supposed to be opened."
Rosie sighed. "It was."
"All the way opened." Dave said
Rosie let out a breath. "Fine. Sorry."
"Hayley is craving mac and cheese from that place. So we are ordering take out papa will be pick it up. What would you two like?" Davea asked
"Sure its not a problem for me to stay?" Nolan asked
"You are always welcome Noel." Dave said
They both said what they wanted.
Dave left the room leaving the door fully opened.
Rosie smiled abit at him. "If we do decide to take that next step don't think it will be here."
Nolan chuckled and kissed her. "We will figure it out if that's what we decide to do."
Rosie kissed him back and they went back to making out.
Half an hour later there was a throat cleared outside her room.
They broke apart and looked up.
"Dinner is here." Callie said
"Thanks Cal." Rosie said
Callie went
Rosie chuckled. "Come on lets go eat."
Nolan chuckled
The two of them went downstairs and joined the table and ate.
"What have you been keeping yourself busy with since football ended?" Hunter asked Nolan.
"Trying out for the baseball team in a couple weeks." Nolan said
"It's the same thing he does every spring." Rosie said
Hunter nodded "Cool."
"Did you do any sports in highschool?" Nolan asked Hunter
"I was homeschooled. Worked in the community in my free time." Hunter said
Nolan nodded. "Yeah. I really need to get on the community service requirements."
"I do too." Rosie said
"I'm looking into that right now too." Hayley said
"Requirement?" Callie asked
"For highschool. Virginia requires highschool students to have forty hours of community service to graduate." Rosie said
"What are you thinking?" Hunter asked Hayley
"I'm not sure." Hayley said
"What kind of options do you have?" Dave asked
Hayley listed a bunch of options.
"But we can really do anything as long as someone is willing to sign the documentation." Nolan said
"You two have anything in mind?" Dave asked. "Because you two have less than two years to get it done."
Rosie chuckled "No idea."
"I'm thinking the YMCA." Nolan said "They need youth sports volunteers." Nolan said "They think are looking for someone to help really little kids with boxing." Nolan said to Hayley.
"Yeah. I need to deal with other things before I can get back to boxing…" Hayley said
"Yeah. Not sure how good it will look that you got kicked off the boxing team." Rosie said
"You got kicked why?" Nolan asked
"Thanks Rose." Hayley said with a sigh
"Sorry. Don't need to answer that." Nolan said
"No. Its okay. I'm surprised she hasn't told you." Hayley said
Rosie shrugged.
"I got involved in some fighting that is unsanctioned." Hayley said
"Underground?" Nolan asked
"Yeah." Hayley said
"Yikes. That's where the bruise came from?" Nolan asked
"Yup." Hayley said "But coach found out and kicked me out."
"Yeah. Cant imagine the school would accept that." Nolan said
Hayley nodded
"But you have stopped right?" Hunter said
"Yes. And I have spoken to coach but because of the other thing going on. I cant because of the risk." Hayley said
Hunter nodded. "You told coach?"
"I had to. If he found out other ways I'm pretty sure he wouldn't let me back on the team ever." Hayley said
Hunter nodded. "Well its good you are doing the right thing."
Hayley nodded and looked at Rosie. "You tell Noel about that thing?"
"Yeah. I just did. Came out. Unintended" Rosie said
"Its okay." Hayley said. She looked at Nolan. "Don't tell anyone though."
"I wont." Nolan said, "My sister went through something similar if you need advice from someone who has gone through it."
"Oh. I didn't know. Thanks. I'll think about it." Hayley said
"Rosie can give you her number. She wont mind. She would be happy to help you." Nolan said
"What is it?" Callie asked
Hayley let out a breath "Something that I will explain when you are older."
"Cant be worse than Rosie's past and she told me everything." Callie said
"That was my choice." Rosie said
"Change of subject. Rosie you planning to take another day off?" Dave asked
"I really don't need to." Rosie said "I have the appointment with the new therapist tomorrow afternoon. I can talk about everything going on. I don't want to miss to many days."
Dave nodded "Okay. I guess I can accept that."
"Who has what after school tomorrow?" Hunter asked
"Dance." Callie said
"Swim" Maddison said
"First tennis practice of the year." Makenzie said
"I am working with a tutor to get caught up on school work." Hayley said
"Okay." Dave said he looked at Hunter "You need to be at the hospital don't you?"
"I'm supposed to be yeah." Hunter said
"Everything okay with mom?" Callie asked
"She is the same Princess. I just have to meet with a lawyer for legal things." Hunter said
"I can push therapy to help." Rosie said
"Not happening." Dave and Hunter said at the same time.
"I can go to swim with Missy and her mom." Maddison said
"Okay. That will work. I will call Nancy." Hunter said
"Hayley you studying at the school?" Dave asked
"Yes." Hals said
"I can take Cal and Kenzie. Not a problem." Dave said
"Perfect." Hunter said
"I don't know if Rose has mentioned but if you ever do need help I can drive anyone to anything." Nolan said
"She did mention yes. We appreciate the offer and might take you up on it at some point." Hunter said
Nolan smiled and nodded "Okay."
They finished eating and the table was cleared. Rosie and Nolan sat in the living room and just hung out for a bit before Nolan headed out and Rosie went and did her missed work for the rest of the evening.