Chapter 9- The Perfromance and Lovey Dovey Stuff!!

Charles and James sat in the seats of the theatre watching Rose and Kelly (who plays Peter), reherse. Let's just say that it wasn't going as smoothly as the two men had hoped. Most of the cast was fine, but Rose was a whole another story. She was a mess. Stammering, missing lines and ques, and not to mention getting hurt. Yes, Rose tripped over a prop and skinned her knee. She also tripped several times as well.

"Umm.. sh-shall I give you a kiss...Peter?"

And it went on like that for two hours.

Charles turned to James with a look of scorn on his face.

"I'm not liking this James. Not one bit." He stood up brushed off his pants, and excused himself.

"Well, I better be going. Let me know when it's safe to come back in here," and he left.

James rolled his eyes and crouched over, elbows on his knees, and hands on his chin. After the rehersal ended, he waited for Rose outside of the theatre. Checking his watch it was now 4 o'clock. Rose finally walked out of the double doors cardigan in one hand, purse in the other. Her hair was in a low ponytail with little curls flying all over the place. Her make-up was totally off and she looked very tired. He took her hand in his and kissed it. They began to walk down the street when Rose stopped in her tracks.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked her.

"I was awfull, wasn't I?" She said quietly.

James looked down. She had been pretty bad today, but then again things can change. Just like Emma had said. He suddenly got an idea.

"Come with me," James said excitedly, and led her down the street to his house.

For the next few months, James taught Rose everything she needed to know in order to act. From projection, to posture, to facial expressions. Practises became more and more easier, and Rose kept getting better and better. Charles could now acually watch the rehersals. The relationship between James and Rose also grew. Now firmly planted in a relationship, they were very much in love. The thing was neither of them had said "I love you" to each other. It was more of a blind love.

December 18th came quickly and no one could have been more happier than James and Rose. Rose was finally getting the role she had been waiting for and James had helped! Walking backstage the night of the performance, he bumped into Mr. Jaspers, one of the many ushers.

"Mr. Jaspers," he said calling attention to the tall lanky man.

"Could you please go tell Miss O'Malley backstage to meet me on the terrace at the grand hall after the show has concluded?"

"Will do sir," he said quickly and rushed off.

James stood in the lavish hallway, nervously pacing back and forth. He finally stopped and peeked out through the red velvet curtain to see how the audience had turned out. Good he thought, the 25 seats I saved are already filled. And he was right. Twenty-five different orphans were scattered throughout the theatre laughing and talking in glee.

"Not bad.. not bad at all," he said with a smile.

As the orchestra played on, Michael, George, and Jack, ran towards James down the long hallway and stairs, an usher chasing after them.

"Uncle Jim!" Michael cried.

The usher stopped running to catch his breath.

"I'm sorry Mr. Barrie. These boys absolutely had to see you. There was 'no other possible time'."

"Oh that's fine Mr. Cash, thank you," James said turning to the boys.

"Where's Peter?"

"Saving our seats for us. We just came to give Rose some flowers before the show. We picked them all by oursleves from Grandmothers garden. Tulips and Lillies, her favorites!" George said.

"Oh, well then this can't wait can it? Come on! We must hurry!"

The 4 of them hurried backstage to find Rose. They spotted her at a make-up mirror applying blush. She was wearing a white nightgown lined with light blue trim. Her red hair was in loose ringlets and tied half up in a light blue ribbon. She finished putting on her blush and was now putting in an earring. James walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up and broke into a smile. She flung her arms around James and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Oh hello boys! How nice of you to come and visit!"

"The boys wanted to give a little something before the show." James said with a wink at the boys.

Michael pulled the bouquet of flowers from behind his back. Rose's mouth opened wide at the beautiful arrangement in front of her. She knelt down and hugged Michael tightly.

"You're hurting me!" he said with a giggle. James and Rose laughed as well.

"Oh boys! They're lovely! How thoughful of you! I am going to put them right here...next to the story that Peter wrote for me. Speaking of Peter, where is he?"

"Saving our seats for us." Jack said.

"Oh how nice of him." Rose said sweetly.

The director then called for places.

"Oh, I have to go boys! I'll see you all after the show!" She winked at James and walked into one of the wings.

"Come boys, lets get you to your seats."

After the boys were settled, James returned to his usual stance behind the red velvet curtain, and awaited the hush of the audience aned the lights to dim.

"Lovely, darling house."

"And we are your children!"

"Oh Wendy lady! Be our mother!"

"Ought I? Of course it is frightfully facinating, but you see, I am only a little girl and have no real experience."

Rose was on stage surrounded by men playing The Lost Boys, and Kelly, Rose's new friend who played Peter. So far, the show had been doing just fine and there were no problems to report of or be worried about.

James peeked out once again and watched Rose. She definitly had improved since the begining of rehersals. Her hair glinted in the lighting and made it shine a pretty reddish-copper. He knew he loved her. But he hadn't announced it just yet. Tonight was the night to do that. She was absolutely perfect up there. She is meant for the stage he thought to himself.

Later, at the after party, James found Rose standing on the balcony outside looking out into the lights of London. Since it was cold, she had a wool shawl over her shoulders. Her hair now hung loosely down her back in loose curls with a diamond clip to one side. The wind blew it back though, so her face was totally eluminated by the moon. Her white gown had a pink sash around her waist, and was adourned with sequins. James walked up behind her and slid an arm around her waist.

"It's lovely out isn't it?" She murmered.

"Yes it is." He agreed.

James took her hand in his and she looked up at him.

"You did beautifully tonight Rose. I knew you had it in you."

"Thank You." She smiled.

"I'm very proud of you as well. You really have improved since we first started rehersals."

She laughed.

"Oh save the flattery James."

"I'm serious! How many directors have asked you to be in their plays tonight?" He asked smartly.

"Three." she said with a smile.

"I told you!" They both laughed.

The two of them stood silently on the balcony. James turned back to Rose, hands still hold each others.

"Rose, I know this may be a personal question but, have you ever had a...significant..other?"

She looked at him and then looked back out into the distance. He breathed a heavy sigh.

"James, I never want you to hesitate in asking me a question. Ever. And... besides you, I have had one other man in my life. His name was Thomas. We were married for about 7 months. Oh James, were we ever so happy! About three months into our marriage, we heared the joyous news that I was with child." She paused, a tear slid down her face.

"We would cherish every moment that the 3 of us had together. That is, until the 4th month. I lost the baby, James. I knew it wasn't my fault but Thomas seemed to think it was. He beat me. Kicked me to the floor and left me there to die. Since then, people have been very nervous to become in association with me. You will see, anywhere we go together people will stray, I assure you. They think I am sick or that one loves me so why should they?"

James was shocked. All of this came flooding out at once, he just had to take it all in. Rose began to cry a heavy cry. Not a sob, but just a steady cry. James took her in his arms and stroked her hair. She buried her face in his shoulder and he kissed her forehead.

"I don't want that to ever happen again." She said through sniffles.

"It won't I promise you that." After awhile. She broke away from him. She didn't want to let go but she did.

"I'm sorry for acting like such a baby."

"No! Don't you ever say that. You are anything but a baby Rose."

She smiled.

"I love you, James." She said quietly.

"I love you too, Rose." He said to her with a grin, and he did what he had been waiting to do for a long time. He kissed her. Long and hard, and she kissed him back as hard as she could. When they broke apart they both laughed.

"It's getting a little cold out here. Let's go inside." Rose said.

"Sounds good to me." James said back her her and he held out his arm for her to take.

A/N FINALLY!!! GOD!! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THEM TO KISS EACH OTHER!!!! LoL.. I have this wicked annoying problem where I always spell "himself", "himslef" and it drives me absolutely nuts!! Anyway... WHAT ARE U WAITING FOR?? GO AND REVIEW!!!

ALSO PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR AND JIMMIES ON TOP REVIEW MY SECRET WINDOW FIC!!!!! IT NEEDS HUGS!!!!!!!!