Rosie sat in the library pretending to read. It was the following Saturday Hunter, and the other girls were out. Dave was in the office working on some work. He finished up and went and looked in on her. She didn't hear him. He stood there for a couple minutes, and she hadn't flipped pages.
"You just staring at the pages?" Dave asked
Rosie jumped. "Shit. You need to stop doing that"
Dave chuckled "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you."
Rosie sighed and put her bookmark in the book and closed it.
"You okay?" Dave asked
"There is something I am debating if I should talk to you and papa about. Its nothing bad. And its something I can handle myself I just am wondering if I should still talk to you two about it." Rosie said
Dave sat down. "Okay. Can you give me a general idea of what its about?"
"Not without giving it away I don't think." Rosie said
Dave nodded "Not something you are worried about being in trouble for?"
"No. I haven't done or going to do anything wrong. Just big." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "Okay. Something big. That you don't know if you want to tell us. But nothing bad."
Rosie nodded.
"Is it something to do with you and Noel?" Dave asked
Rosie let out a breath and nodded.
"Okay." Dave said
"I know that you have said you would like me to wait. And I'm not sure we are ready to take that next step, but it has come up and I want to be sure that if it happens we are as protected from things we don't want happening. Happening." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "Sounds like you are being responsible about it. And yes papa and I would like for you to wait. Because even with every protection you can still get pregnant. But you are going to do what you are going to do. So yes you need to go on birth control is you are going to sexually active."
Rosie nodded "I know. I'm going to. And I don't need permission, but I still know you told me you would like me to come to you if I needed it."
Dave took a breath and nodded. "You're right. You didn't need to tell me anything. But I'm glad you did. I'm proud of the fact that you are handling this responsibly and it shows me that you are mature enough to decide if you are truly ready for this. But remember that you could still end up pregnant even with every protection so that's a chance you will always be taking."
Rosie nodded "Like I said I don't know if we are taking that step, but I don't want to be left not being as protected as possible if we do."
Dave nodded
"And I love you and I like that I can come to you about things like this, but I wont be sharing if we do." Rosie said
Dave smiled abit "I'm glad you can come to me about this. It's one of the things I have been working very hard to make sure that you know you can come to me about anything. And that's okay. I don't need to know but we will get you a gynecologist so when you do you make sure you are taking care of on the health side of things. Because using birth control and using condoms are only a small part of what is necessary for women who are sexually active."
Rosie smiled and nodded. "Okay. I did know that yes. And I have made an appointment with a gynecologist."
"Good." Dave said nodding.
"Daddy. Breathe." Rosie said
Dave let out a breath.
"I'm just taking precautions. I'm trying to make sure if it happens I am prepared." Rosie said
"I know bambina. I'm not upset. Just a little hard for me to see you growing up." Dave said
Rosie nodded.
"But that doesn't mean you cant. And that I don't want you to come to me with this stuff." Dave said
Rosie smiled. "I don't think its possible for me to stop growing up sorry dad."
Dave chuckled and wrapped her in a tight hug. "You will always be my little girl. Even when you are all grown and have your own children."
Rosie smiled and hugged him tight. "And I will always need my daddy."
Dave smiled "I will always be here for you."
Hunter came into the house. "Scarlet the answer is no. End of discussion." He said
"But why?" Scarlet whined
The rest of the kids where coming in behind
"Because you are six. When you are thirteen you can get your hair colored until than. No." Hunter said
"I don't like you anymore!" Scarlet screamed before running up to her room crying.
Rosie and Dave broke the hug and Dave went to Hunter "She didn't mean that."
"I know." Hunter said softly looking completely broken.
"Alright. Everyone you have chores to do get to it." Dave said
The girls all went to do so.
"I'm done." Rosie called from the library
"Perfect. Keep an eye on everything papa and I will be in the office. Only knock if its an emergency." Dave said
"Yes sir." Rosie said
Dave took Hunter into the office. "What else is going on. I know Scar's comment isn't enough to cause this."
"Well. Good news and bad news." Hunter said
"Okay." Dave said
"The tumor has gotten smaller. And they are going to book to remove it but since the pressure has gotten less. Helen is starting to gain her full mind back. And is starting to remember some of the things she did. She is not doing well. She has said she doesn't want to have the tumor removed that she did horrible things and has no business being a mother and doesn't want to survive. The doctors say that she is still not fully aware and doesn't mean it and thankfully will not let her make the decision that I still have to make it. But she got physically violent. I have known her since we were eighteen years old. And I still care about her and seeing her like this." Hunter said in tears.
Dave held him. "This is the tumor. This is not Helen."
"I know. Its just so hard. We have been through so much together." Hunter said
"I don't have this exact experience, but I can imagine how much you are hurting. And when you were together for basically everything in your adult life and I know you have told me how she saved you in your darkest times. Now you are just doing what she did for you for her and I imagine that is hard. But remember she is strong, and she will get through this. You will get through this." Dave said
"Only getting through this because of you. I would be lost without you." Hunter said
"Always. In good times and bad right?" Dave said
"Forever. In good times and bad." Hunter said
Rosie was in Kara and Scar's room.
"Come on Scar you know you didn't mean that and don't want papa or dad to be upset with you." Rosie said
"Its not fair. You are allowed to do whatever you want. And I cant!" Scarlet said
"Ha. You think I'm allowed to do anything I want? Nope. And if I do something I shouldn't they are harder on me because I am the oldest and I know better." Rosie said "I get to do more things because I'm older but trust me I cant do -anything I want. I have rules too and consequences."
Scarlet sulked.
"Come on." Rosie said with a smile and poked her gently.
Scarlet giggled a bit.
"Hey there is my favorite giggle." Rosie said
"Even more favorite than mine?" Kara asked
Rosie picked her up and tickled her a bit.
Kara giggled and squirmed
"You two have the same laugh." Rosie said
Kara grinned big.
"Now both of you need to pick up this room before dad sees it." Rosie said
Both girls picked up their room.
Rosie helped them bring their laundry to the laundry room where Hayley was separating clothes and looking like she had no color in her face.
"You look really pale." Rosie told her
Hayley nodded abit. "Feel nauseous."
"Go lay down. I've got laundry." Rosie said
"No. You have picked up my slack for long enough." Hayley said before leaning against the table in the room.
"Hals. I can do the laundry. You need to go lay down." Rosie said
"I'm fine. Just give me a minute." Hayley said
"You have two choices. You can let me help you to your room. Or I send Scar to get papa and dad." Rosie said
"They said not to bother them unless its an emergency." Hayley said
"And you looking like you are going to pass out qualifies. Scar go knock on the office door and say I said its an emergency."
"No Scar don't." Hayley said as she started to fall over.
"Scar now!" Rosie said as she tried to catch Hayley making her fall a little softer
Scar ran downstairs and in thirty seconds Hunter and Dave were upstairs. Sascha was barking and trying to get to Hayley.
"Sascha no." Rosie said sharply pushing him away gently.
Hayley was coming too.
"She passed out. I caught her enough to soften her fall some. She didn't hit her head. She was out for under thirty seconds." Rosie said
"Okay. Good job." Dave said helped her up and out of the way.
Hunter got down to Hayley. "Breathe peanut. Just breathe."
Hayley took a deep breath her eyes closing and her passing out again.
"I'm calling an ambulance." Dave said as he did so. The other kids all started to gather around the room.
"Rosie get them out of here." Dave said
Rosie gently pushed them all into her room. "She will be okay. The doctors will help her."
"She has been sick a lot lately. She going to die like mommy?" Scarlet asked
Rosie knelt down and hugged her "No. And we don't know your mommy is going to die either. The doctors are working really hard to help her. But Hayley I'm sure its something minor."
Kara started to cry. Rosie pulled her into the hug as well.
Sascha peaked out from under the bed when he had gone to hide.
"Why you hiding?" Rosie asked
"I think he got upset when you got mad at him." Callie said
"Oh buddy. I wasn't angry. I know you were just trying to help." Rosie said
Sascha came fully out and went over and nuzzled the little girls. Rosie opened her arm for the others, and they all joined the group hug.
Meanwhile Hunter was getting into the ambulance with Hayley.
"I will meet you at the hospital." Dave said. Once the ambulance was gone Dave went to Rosie's room and knocked.
"Yes." Rosie said
Dave went in. "Everyone okay in here?"
Rosie nodded "Everyone is just worried about Hals. I've told them its probably nothing to serious."
"Rosie is right. Papa is going to the hospital with her. I'm going to meet them there. Rosie you okay to babysit?" Dave asked
Rosie nodded. "Yes."
Dave hugged them all tight. "I'm sure Hayley is going to be just fine."
He left reminding them that he loves them all and to listen to Rosie.
Rosie took a breath. "Okay. Well lets figure out dinner."
"Cake!" Kara said
Rosie chuckled. "Sure. We can have cake with dinner. What else?"
"Just cake!" Kara said
"How about we order pizza?" Rosie said
"YAY!" Kara and Scarlet said.
Rosie ordered pizza for delivery and while they waited it to be delivered Rosie pulled out the ingredients and they started to make chocolate cake for afterwards. Getting it in the oven just as the door bell rang. Rosie went to the door and paid bringing the pizza in. She made sure everyone had pizza before she went to start cleaning up the kitchen.
"You're not going to eat?" Callie asked
"I'm just going to clean the kitchen up from the baking first." Rosie said with a smile
Callie nodded a little
"Something wrong?" Rosie asked
Callie shook her head a little.
Rosie let out a small breath. Someone had told her. She finished getting the kitchen cleaned before she sat down to eat.
The others had moved to the living room where Callie put on a movie before going into the kitchen and smiling a bit at Rosie.
"Who told you?" Rosie asked
"About?" Callie asked
"You know what." Rosie said with a small smile
Callie bit her lip.
"I'm not upset with you. I just want to know who thought it was their right to tell you." Rosie said
"My mom did…" Callie said
"When?" Rosie asked making a confused face.
"A few months ago." Callie said
Rosie nodded abit. She knew about what was going on at this point, but she hadn't been aware that Helen knew at all.
"Well. You do -not need to worry about it. I'm okay. I'm in remission. It means that I have control over it now." Rosie said
Callie nodded abit.
"Even dad and papa aren't on me as much anymore about it. I promise I'm okay." Rosie said
"Okay." Callie said
Rosie finished eating and took the cake out of the oven.
"Cake!" Kara said running into the kitchen.
"Not yet. It needs to cool down. Than I will ice it. Than we can have a piece." Rosie said
Kara sulked.
"You can sulk all you want wont make it happen any faster." Rosie said
Kara stomped her foot.
"Kara. Go watch the movie. I will let you know when the cake is ready." Rosie said
Kara went but continued to sulk and started to bug the other girls.
"Kara. Stop!" Maddy yelled.
Kara kept poking Maddy.
"Leave me alone!" Maddy yelled louder
Rosie went into the room. "What's going on?"
"Kara keeps poking me!" Maddy said
"Kara. Knock it off." Rosie said
Kara kept poking.
"Stop it or you are going to your room." Rosie told Kara
Kara went to Rosie and started to poked her.
"You don't get to start poking me now either." Rosie said she got down to her level "Can you tell me why you want to poke someone?"
"I want cake!" Kara said
"And you think poking someone is going to make that happen any faster?" Rosie asked
Kara poked Rosie in the eye.
"Ouch! Kara. That's not nice. Go to you room. Now." Rosie said putting a hand over her blurry eye
Kara stomped her foot "NO!"
Rosie took a breath. "Go. To. Your. Room."
"NO!" Kara yelled louder.
"NOW!" Rosie yelled
"NO!" Kara screamed again
Once Rosie was able to see out her clearly again she picked up Kara and carried her to her room and put her on her bed. "You stay here, or you will not be having any cake."
Rosie left the room the little girl screaming and crying.
Rosie went downstairs and sat with the other kids.
Kara tried to tiptoe downstairs and into the kitchen, but her sneaking skills sucked. Rosie heard something in the kitchen and got up and went in and found her going for the cake.
"Kara! No." Rosie said she went over to her and picked her up.
Kara kicked and screamed. "I WANT CAKE!"
Rosie carried the squirming girl towards the stair. Kara managed to kick her in the rib and Rosie yelped falling over hitting her knee off the stairs. The little girl fell on top of her.
Rosie teared up a bit.
"Callie. Can you please call Dad?" Rosie called out
"NO!" Kara screamed while crying now too
Callie did so but he didn't answer. She tried Papa as well, but he didn't answer.
"Neither dad or papa answered." Callie said
"Kara. Are you hurt?" Rosie asked
Kara sobbed "No tell papa. No tell daddy."
"Are you hurt?" Callie asked Rosie.
"I think I just have the wind knocked out of me." Rosie said
"I can try calling Uncle Aaron." Callie said
Rosie nodded.
Callie called Uncle Aaron. "He didn't answer either."
"What happened to them never being unreachable." Rosie mumbled. "Um. Try Spencer."
Callie called Spencer who said he would be right there.
Kara was having a full-blown temper tantrum at this point.
Rosie was breathing and rubbing at her knee.
"What can I do?" Callie asked
"Just let Spencer in when he gets here." Rosie said
"Do you need ice?" Callie asked
Rosie shook her head.
Kara had tired herself out and was just crying at this point.
There was a knock on the door and Callie let Spencer in.
"Okay. What happened?" Spencer asked
"Kara isn't listening. Trying to bring her to her room for the second time. She kicked me in the rib. I fell banged my knee. She fell on top of me." Rosie said
Spencer looked at Kara. "Go. To your room."
"NO!" Kara said
Spencer took a breath and picked her up and carried her to her room and sat her on her bed. "You do not leave this room till someone tells you that you can." He said before leaving the room and going downstairs.
Kara wailed.
"Rose. Are you hurt?" Spencer asked
"No. Just wind knocked out of me." Rosie said
"Okay. Lets get you up and walking to be sure." Spencer said
Rosie let Spencer help her up and she limped abit.
"Your knee." Spencer said
"Just need to use it abit. Its not broken or anything." Rosie said
"You sure?" Spencer asked
"Yes." Rosie said as she continued to walk around towards the kitchen.
"Okay." Spencer said following her
"Thank you for coming." Rosie said
"You don't need to thank me for that. Where are your parents tonight?" Spencer asked checking on the other kids who were still watching the movie.
"Hospital. Hayley passed out a couple time." Rosie said, "And we did try calling them both but in the hospital the connection probably isn't very good."
Spencer nodded. "Passed out. That's not good. Any ideas why?"
Callie had gone back into the living room at this point.
Rosie nodded. "I have an idea but probably shouldn't tell you."
"Something to do with the pregnancy?" Spencer asked
Rosie looked at him. "You know?"
"Yeah. I picked her up the other day from school and she was nauseous she told me." Spencer said
Rosie nodded "Okay. Um. I'm guessing something to do with that yes." she started to ice the cake
"You should be sitting and icing your -knee not the cake." Spencer said
"Its fine." Rosie said
Spencer shook his head "Rose. Come on. Please."
"Let me finish icing the cake and than I will ice my knee." Rosie said
"Alright." Spencer said
Rosie finished icing the cake before grabbing the ice from the freezer and sitting down putting it on her knee.
"So I'm guessing she didn't just start throwing a tantrum for no reason?" Spencer asked
Rosie told him what had led to the situation he walked into.
Spencer nodded abit.
"She doesn't listen to me. Like ever." Rosie said
"Do your parents know this?" Spencer asked
"No…." Rosie said
"Why not?" Spencer asked
"Its never been this bad. But I just…. I don't want her to be in trouble. Usually. I will tell them about this." Rosie said
"You will tell them that her listening to you has been a problem even before today." Spencer said
"Oh come on Spenc. I will be in trouble." Rosie said
"I don't think you will be." Spencer said
"You don't think I will be for lying to them every time they ask. How were your sisters? And I said fine." Rosie asked
"Well. I think if you explain your reasoning you might get abit of a lecture, but I think that will be the extent of it." Spencer said
"Have you met my dad?" Rosie asked
Spencer smiled abit "Yes. A few times."
"His number one rules. First thing he told me in that hotel room in California. Do not lie to me." Rosie said
Spencer let out a breath. "Okay. Yes. That's a pretty standard rule for parents. But your dad also is more understanding than you seem to give him credit for."
"Oh. He is very understanding and accepting of ninety-nine precent of things. But lying the one thing he is not okay with under -any circumstance." Rosie said
"Well. You cant keep babysitting her if this is going to happen. You got hurt today. Thankfully minor but you don't know what could happen next time." Spencer said "And I wont sit here and let that happen. So you need to tell him" Spencer said
"I will tell them both what happened today. That's not a problem. I just cant tell them that this is a pattern behaviour…" Rosie said
"You can. And you will. Or I will." Spencer said
Rosie sighed
"Do we need a repeat of what happened the last time we had a very similar conversation?" Spencer asked
Rosie tilted her head
"At the cabin." Spencer said
"Um. Nope. Don't need that. Definitely not." Rosie said
"Tell them. You will be okay." Spencer said
Rosie sighed and nodded abit.
Her phone started to ring.
Rosie looked at it and answered it on speaker "Hey dad."
"Hey. You called. Everything okay?" Dave asked
"Um. Technically Callie was calling but things got a little out of hand. Its been handled. Spencer is here. I needed the help and you and papa didn't answer. Called for backup." Rosie said
"Okay. Anyone sick or hurt?" Dave asked
"Banged up my knee. Its not broken. Currently have ice on it. Will explain everything when you get home. Its handled right now." Rosie said, "How's Hals?"
"She's fine. Dehydrated." Dave said
"Yeah. That will do it." Rosie said
"We are heading home now. You're sure you're knee isn't seriously hurt?" Dave asked
"Yes. Its okay." Rosie said
"She has been walking on it just fine. I made her ice it just to be safe." Spencer said
"Okay. Thank you Spencer." Dave said, "See you all soon." He said
They hung up.
Rosie took a breath "I should go talk to Kara."
"Okay." Spencer said.
Rosie got up and looked at the kids in the living room. "They are on their way home. I think you should all be in pajamas." Rosie said before going up and knocking on Kara's bedroom door.
"Yes." She said softly
Rosie went in. "Hey."
"Hi." Kara said softly.
Rosie sat on her bed. "So. What happened?"
"I wanted cake." Kara said
"I know. But that's not a reason to poke anyone. Or throw a tantrum. Or not listen when I tell you to do something. You would -never do that with anyone else in charge. Why do you do it with me? Why do we always have problems with you listening to me?" Rosie asked
Kara shrugged.
"Now. I have to tell dad and papa." Rosie said
"Nooo." Kara said tears filling her eyes.
"You hurt me tonight Kara. I have to." Rosie said
Kara looked so sad. "Please don't. I will listen next time."
"No. I need to tell them. They need to know. And even if I wasn't going to. Spencer would." Rosie said
"I tell him not too." Kara said
Rosie smiled "Yeah. That wont change him mind. Trust me. I know."
Scarlet came into the room.
"Okay. Well time to get you into PJ's" She helped Kara while Scarlet changed herself.
They heard the front door opened and Kara started to cry.
Rosie picked her up and went downstairs with Kara burying her face into her neck.
"Hey. What's wrong angel." Hunter asked taking her.
"I'm Sowwy!" She sobbed out
Dave and Hunter looked at Rosie
"Um. She didn't listen to me at all tonight… Didn't end well. Its along story." Rosie said
Hunter rubbed the little girl's back.
Rosie looked at Hayley. "How you feeling?"
"Like an idiot." Hayley said
"Hey. I've been there." Rosie said "You're not an idiot."
"Hals you need to get some water and get some sleep." Hunter said
Hayley did so.
Dave told all the other kids minus Kara and Rosie to get to bed.
"No cake?" Scarlet asked
"It will be there tomorrow." Rosie said
Everyone went.
Dave looked at Spencer. "Thank you."
"Not a problem. Rosie you need to tell him -everything. I will find out if you don't." Spencer said
Rosie sighed and nodded "I will. Thank you for coming and helping."
"Not a problem. Glad you know you can call me." Spencer said before he said bye to everyone and left.
"Okay. I think there is a conversation to be had." Dave said
Rosie, Kara, Hunter, and Dave went to the living room and sat.
"Rosie. What happened?" Hunter asked
Rosie explained everything that happened that evening while they were gone.
Hunter and Dave were surprised.
Hunter looked at Kara. "Since when do you not listen to Rosie. You never have given her a problem before."
"Actually…" Rosie said
Dave and Hunter looked up at Rosie.
"She doesn't usually listen to me very well…" Rosie said
"Why didn't we know this?" Dave asked
Rosie shrugged.
"Nope. You have a reason." Hunter said
"She is just so little and cute. How can I get her in trouble? Tonight it got to a point where I knew I needed to tell you." Rosie said
Dave and Hunter shook their heads.
"You know it got to this point because she thought she would get away with it right?" Dave asked
Rosie nodded abit.
"We ask you. Every time. So you have been lying to us?" Hunter asked
Rosie looked down "Yes sir."
"She could have seriously hurt you. Or hurt someone else." Dave said
Rosie nodded abit. "I'm sorry."
"Go. To your room. We will talk in a bit." Dave told Rosie
Rosie nodded and got up and went.
Hunter took a breath and looked at Kara. "You know you are supposed to listen to anyone we leave in charge of you."
Kara nodded a little "Sowwy papa."
"You hurt Rosie tonight. She could have been more hurt. You both could have ended up hurt." Dave said
"Sowwy daddy." Kara said
"And you haven't been listening to her at all when she has been babysitting." Hunter said
Kara's bottom lip quivered.
Hunter took a breath trying to keep from breaking. She was just so little and cute.
Dave saw Hunter wavering and gently took the little girl into his lap and held her chin gently, so she was looking at him.
"Piccolina. You know better. You can not hurt people to get your way. And you need to listen to whomever is in charge." Dave said calm but stern
"Yes daddy." The little girl said with big sad eyes.
Dave could feel himself about to cave. He understood why his daughter hadn't said anything. He took a breath and remembered that Rosie got hurt and it could have been much worse. And how they left Rosie in charge a lot and if there was an emergency and Kara didn't listen it could be really bad. So he steeled his heart. He swatted her butt twice. It wasn't hard but enough for her to understand it wasn't okay.
She wailed loudly.
Dave hugged her till she calmed down.
"You're going to listen next time. Right?" Hunter asked
Kara nodded.
Hunter hugged her and took her off to get her tucked in bed.
Dave took a breath and went upstairs and knocked on his oldest door.
"Yes?" Rosie said
Dave went in and she was siting on her bed hugging her knees. He went and hugged her.
"I'm not angry with you. I can understand how you caved to not wanting her in trouble." Dave said
Rosie hugged him and sobbed.
"Hey. Its okay. You're not in trouble." Dave said
Rosie calmed abit "Is papa angry with me?"
Hunter was in the doorway of her room "No. I get it. She is so little and cute."
Rosie nodded
"But you -need to tell us when they don't listen in the future." Hunter said
"I will." Rosie said
"And of the others give you a hard time ever?" Dave asked
"They all have a time or two. But Kara has always been the worst." Rosie said
Hunter and Dave nodded.
"We will remind them all to listen to you." Hunter said
Rosie nodded "Sorry I lied."
"Its forgiven." Dave said
"What was it Spencer wanted you to tell us?" Hunter asked
"That Kara has never listened." Rosie said
"Okay." Hunter said
"If you're lying about that and I find out its something else big trouble." Dave said
"I'm not. That's what is was." Rosie said
"Okay." Dave said kissing her head.
"How is your knee? And ribs?" Hunter asked
"Fine. Promise." Rosie said
"Good." They both said
"How are you feeling otherwise?" Dave asked
"Tired. Ready for bed." Rosie said
"Okay. We will let you get some sleep." Hunter said
Both men got up and left the room
"Good night Bambina." Dave said
"Night dad, night papa." Rosie said
"Night sweet pea." Hunter said
They closed her door. Rosie climbed under her blankets and went to sleep.
Hunter looked at Dave. "I was caving to Kara."
"I saw that. I almost did too." Dave said hugging him.
Hunter hugged him. "Come on. Its been along day for all of us. We need sleep too."
"I have to get paperwork done." Dave said
"You can do it tomorrow?" Hunter asked
"I can. But." Dave said
"You can do it tomorrow." Hunter said
Dave let out a breath and gave his husband a small smile.
"You need sleep too." Hunter said, "And maybe I want something more tonight." He said with a smirk gently pushing him towards the bed
Dave smirked and went along with it. Screw the paperwork. He thought before having his fun with his husband.
