Chapter 8- A Vacation to the Summer Cottage

Winter came and went like the wind. Rose kept getting job offers but she refused them. She was now extremely talented in the acting department and had most of London wanting her in their productions. James too was having similar success. Another one of his stories was performed and recieved great praise. He also kept getting more and more story ideas. Great tales of fantasies, romance, heart-brake, just some ideas that he could possibly work up. As for the boys and Emma, they were just as pleasent as always. One of Peter's plays had been published in the paper and now James and Peter were working on a story together. It was now toward the end of spring and the begining of summer. James sat on his bench in the park engrossed in his little book and fiercly writing something onto the page. A gentle breeze blew through the trees and rustled the leaves. When he leaned back to relax he spotted Rose walking towards him. She waved and smiled and he did the same.

"Hello you" Rose said sitting down on the bench next to him.

"Hello Rose" he said back to her and pulled her in for a quick kiss. From Rose's side of the bench, Porthos whined and sat up, tounge hanging out of the side of his mouth. Rose giggled.

"Aww.. does Porthos want some attention" She said with a smile and bent down to pet Porthos. After rubbing the giant dog's belly for a while she patted him on the head and sat back up with James.

"Where are the boys today" She asked curiously.

"They're with Emma doing who knows what" he laughed. Rose smiled and looked out to the open field where she saw a father, mother, and 3 childen. As she watched them play she noticed how perfect they were. It was like the number one family of all time right there in front of her. It was then that she discovered her yearning for a family. James was wonderful and so were the boys. They were like her only family. But she wanted to have her own children, to get married, to grow old with the man she loved. Could that be James? Or was he just a very good boyfriend? Rose sighed. Only time will tell.

"So what are you and the boys and Emma doing this summer" She asked.

"Oh I have a wee cottage on the countryside that just the boys and myself travel to quite often in the summer. We usually stay for a month or so. Emma will come up occasionally. You are welcome to come along with us this summer if you would like" James suggested hoping that she would come with them. She needed to.

"That sounds wondeful, James! I would love to come along with you and the boys."

"Great" he said with a wink.

"Ok, is everyone all set and secured in" James asked before loading the last piece of luggage into the automobile.

"Yes Uncle Jim" the boys replied in unison. Rose was sat in the front seat of the car turned back to the boys laughing and joking with them. She then noticed that Michael had a blanket over his head. She smiled and put a finger to her lips signaling to the boys to not to say anything. Peter, George, and Jack nodded.

"James..." she whispered.

He peeked his head into the back of the car and saw what Michael was doing, he winked to the boys and Rose.

"All right! Do we have everyone" he asked.

"No we don't" Rose said with a worried tone in her voice.

"Michael isn't here." Peter said.

Everyone started yelling Michael's name until he finally emerged from underneath the blanket.

"I'm right here everybody" he said.

"Oh there you are Michael. We were all worried sick! What were you doing under there in the first place" James asked him.

"I was hiding from the fire breathing dragon" Michael explained. James and Rose laughed.

"James" Emma yelled from the steps of their home.

"Uh oh, you might want to get back under there." James said with a wink and all the boys laughed.

Emma came down from the steps carrying a picnic basket, smiling.

"Hello. I made sandwiches for everyone so you won't get hungry on the way there" she said sweetly.

"Thank you, Emma." James said while starting to turn on the engine of the car.

"It was no problem at all. Have fun boys" She said, and waved until the auto was fully out of sight.

After a while, Michael fianlly peeped out and asked,

"Is it safe to come out now"

Everyone just laughed.

"This is it." James said proudly to Rose, hands out to his sides. After a long ride to the cottage from London, the six of them had finally arrived at the beautiful amode. The boys were already running around like crazy men and laughing and tumbling in the grass. James walked around the house pointing out every detail to Rose and she would nod and ask questions. When the two reached the backyard, the boys were scurrying around the home-made stage they had used to present a play to Sylvia and James the year before.

"It's so nice here." Rose said quietly as James and herself walked hand in hand along the green grass in the backyard.

"Yes it is isn't it"

James knew this was the perfect time to do what he was planning on doing. He took Rose into a long, passionate kiss. After a moment or two, the two of them broke apart. Rose smiled and asked in a whisper,

"What was that for" James just smiled.

"I just love you so much.. and I was wondering.." he added getting down on one knee.

"Rose, I loved you the moment I saw you and you are beautiful inside and out. You've helped me cope from the loss of Sylvia and I could be more thankful for that. I'm so happy that I met you and I want to be able to grow old with you. Rose O'Malley, will you marry me"

James pulled out a velvet black box out of his pocket and opened it. Inside was a gold wedding band with a single large diamond in the center. Rose gasped and smiled, a tear falling down her face.

"Yes.." she said quietly

"YES" She cried. James stood up and grabbed her by the cheeks and kissed her. He slid the beautiful ring onto her finger They kissed once more and then decided to return to the boys. They spotted the boys. They were still running around except they were now holding sticks and chasing each other.

"Isn't that dangerous" Rose asked.

"Yes, it is we should go tell them to put the sticks down and focus on saving Princess Rose from the fire breathing dragon." Rose laughed. The two ran toward the cottage. When they arrived, the boys greeted them with smiles and giggles. For the next few hours, everyone played on until King George and his men became to hungry to continue their quest anymore. James and Rose decided to tell the boys their news at dinner.

That night, the boys ate in good spirits. James looked at Rose and she nodded. He cleared his throat.

"Boys" he said calmly.

"Rose and I just wanted to let you know that we are getting married." Jack, George, and Michael exchanged excited looks but Peter became very angry.

"Is she supposed to be like some replacement mother? I don't need anyone like her in my life anymore! If you think she is going to act as a mother then you're wrong, Uncle Jim! I don't need a mother! She'll never be like a mother! It's all her fault! Ever since you came along EVERYTHING has changed! I hate you" He screamed at James and Rose. With tears streaming down Peter's face, he ran upstairs crying.

"Peter.." James started to stand up to go after him but Rose stood up first.

"No James. I have to go talk to him."

Rose left the kitchen and walked upstairs to find the door to the boys' room slightly open and Peter's back to the door. She looked at him with a pained look in her face. She knocked on the open door quietly.

"Hey.. could I come in"

"I suppose." Peter said with a sniffle.

Rose walked in and sat down on the bed. She sighed and looked out a window overlooking the backyard. The suns rays beamed through the window and warmed Rose's face.

"You know" she began.

"I never had a mother or father of my own. When I was just 4 years old the both of them died in a car accident. I was sent to live in an orphanage until I was 18. That's when I started to try to get into shows and auditions trying to make a life for myself. Anyway, I know I can't replace your mother. From what I hear, she was a beautiful, caring, and an amazing person, and I can't beat that. But if you let me, I will try my hardest to be like your mother. Or If you don't I can be your Aunt Rose. Either way, I am going to marry your Uncle Jim and we are very happy with that. Peter, your mother loves you so much, and she is very proud of you. I can tell. I bet that right now she is looking down at us and smiling because she knows you are a strong little boy and that you can get through all of this. It might be hard but she knows you can do it. She knows you are strong."

Peter sat up, eyes red from crying. He crawled into Rose's arms and she held him close, rocking him back and forth.

"Shhhh... It's alright." She whispered softly in his ear, and kissed him on the forehead. It was the first time that she had kissed him and she wasn't ashamed at all. She loved Peter, and she was glad that she might be able to take care of him as a mother or aunt. He then sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"You don't have to worry. You are exactly like my mother. Beautiful, caring, and amazing."

Rose smiled and wiped a tear from her own eye.

"Thank you Peter." She said with a smile.

"C'mon. Let's get back to finish that delicious dinner Uncle Jim made for us."

And the two of them walked hand in hand down the stairs to the dinner table.

A/N I honestly don't think this story was written that great but I'm glad I finally updated! THANKS TO ALL REVIEWERS! Love to all!