Rosie woke up the next morning screaming.
Dave heard her scream and ran to her room and found her sitting on her bed sobbing into her hands. He went and sat next to her and wrapped her in a hug.
"Shh. Its okay. You're safe. You're at home. I'm right here." He said
Rosie sobbed into him for a considerable amount of time. Once she was calm. She pulled away and wiped at her eyes.
"Bad dream?" He asked
Rosie nodded.
"Want to talk about it?" Dave asked
"Just about what happened." She said
Dave nodded. "If you want to talk specifics?"
"No." She said
"Okay. How's your pain?" He asked
"Seven." She said
"Have you taken any medications in the last few hours?" He asked
"No. Not since before bed last night." She said
"Do you want to try regular Tylenol or go straight for the stronger stuff?" He asked
"Stronger stuff." She said
Dave grabbed the container of pills and her cup of water from her night table and handed them to her.
Rosie took the pill container and opened it taking out one of the pills and handed the container back to her dad and took the cup and took the pain killer finishing the glass of water with it.
"You ready to get up? Or you want to get more sleep?" He asked
"I'm kinda hungry actually." She said
"Okay. What would you like?" He asked
"Waffles?" She asked with a smile.
Dave smiled and nodded. "Okay. I'll make you some." He got up and left her room.
Rosie slowly got up and grabbed her crutches she slowly moved towards the elevator and downstairs. The elevator came out to the hall by the kitchen, and she crutched to the kitchen and sat down at the island.
Dave was already well into making the waffles and was currently cutting up some fruit to put on top.
He stopped and got her some water. "Remember the doctor say it drink lots of water."
Rosie nodded and drank the glass of water.
Dave finished making her breakfast and set the plate in front of her. Rosie smiled and started to eat.
"Pain killer kick in?" Dave asked
"Yes." Rosie said. "Making me a little loopy too."
"Yeah. They will do that." Dave said
He grabbed a plate of food for himself and sat with her and ate as well.
"I think Nolan plans to stop by at some point today." She said
"Okay." Dave said.
There was a knock at the door. Dave went and opened it and took the package from the delivery driver and brought it to Rosie. "Amazon package for you." He said
Rosie made a face and finished chewing and took it. "Emily worked fast."
Dave got her some scissors and Rosie opened the box and took out the book and a few different chocolates.
"You need to call and thank her." Dave said
"Of course." Rosie said. She finished eating and than took her book and went and sat in the library taking out her phone and video chatted Emily.
Emily answered. "Hey sweetheart."
"Hi. Thank you!" she said holding up the book.
"You got it great!" Emily said. "And the chocolate?"
"Yes. Got those too. Thank you." Rosie said
"You're very welcome." Emily said. "How are you feeling today?"
"At the moment a little loopy from the pain killers." Rosie said
"But pain not to bad?" Emily asked
"It was a seven before I took the meds. Its about a four now so much more manageable." Rosie said
"Good." Emily said "Now I expect to hear how the book was when your done."
"You've got it." Rosie said. They talked abit longer before they hung up. Rosie started to read abit but ended up falling asleep on the couch in the library.
Dave checked in on her and covered her. There was a knock on the door and Dave went and opened it. It was JJ & Alex.
"Hi you two. Come on in." He said
They both came in. "We have to get her statement." JJ said
"Okay. I guess we cant put it off forever." Dave said before going to the library and gently waking her up.
"I'm sorry. I know your tired, but you need to give your statement." He said softly
Rosie groaned. "Do I have to?"
"Yes." Dave said. "You can stay in here though if you want. Its JJ and Alex." He said
Rosie slowly sat up and nodded.
Dave sent the two woman in, and they both took a seat.
"This is one of your favorite rooms isn't it?" JJ asked with a smile.
"Yes. This and my bedroom. And the backyard although that's not exactly a room." Rosie said
"Well. Lets get this over with so you can get back to resting." Alex said
Rosie nodded and gave her statement. Leaving nothing out. She was asked to describe the little girl she had seen playing. "Do you have any idea who she is?" Rosie asked
"No. We are still looking into it." Alex said
"I just get the gut feeling that she isn't who he said she was and that she is somewhere. Alone and hurt now…" She said
JJ put a hand on top of Rosie's "Don't worry about that. Its not your responsibility." She told her
Rosie nodded. "I'll try."
"Your only worry right now should be healing." Alex said
Rosie nodded again
"So. Nolan came to visit you in the hospital." JJ said with a smile.
Rosie smiled and blushed a little. "Yeah. He got me a stuffed monkey from the gift shop too."
"Emily mentioned he broke up with the person he was with?" JJ said
"Yeah. The guy he was with turned out to be a real asshat." Rosie said
"Language." JJ said softly.
"Sorry." Rosie said "But we did talk a few days ago. We both admitted feelings. But he needs time to fully get over the guy. As I told my dad I will not be a rebound."
Alex smiled. "Smart girl."
"I'm not the rebound girl." Rosie said. "Especially when if we get together he will be my first date and first of so many things, so I want it to be… not just a rebound for him."
JJ nodded. "Good."
"Well. We will get out of your way. Rest." JJ said getting up.
Rosie nodded. "I will."
Alex got up as well and headed out.
Dave heard them and came out to the door. "You get what you need?"
"Yes." JJ said
"Thanks." Alex said.
They headed out and back to work.
Dave went to Rosie. "You okay?" he asked
"No. But I will be." She said
"You going to go back to napping?" He asked
"Nah. Going to read some." She said
Dave nodded and left her be,
Rosie started to read again.
She was reading for a couple hours before there was another knock on the door.
Dave went and opened it. "Nolan. Come on in." He said. "She is in there." Dave said pointing to the library.
Nolan came into the house "Hello Mr. Rossi." He said before he went into the library.
"Hey Ro." He said
Rosie had faintly heard the knock on the door but was to enthralled with her book. She didn't come out till she heard Nolan's voice. She looked up and smiled. "Hey." She said putting a bookmark in her place and putting the book down.
"How are you feeling?" Nolan asked.
"Not bad." Rosie looked at her phone. "Medication still doing its thing for a few more hours."
"Good." Nolan said sitting down in one of the chairs.
"We don't need to hang out in here. We can go watch a movie or something. I'm not going to be the best company." Rosie said
"Up to you. I'm good just hanging out. Talking." He said
"Talking huh?" Rosie said. "I might be a little out of it, but I still know what I'm saying." She said with a smirk
Nolan laughed. "I have no intentions or trying to pull anything over on you."
"Okay. Anything in particular you want to talk about?" Rosie asked
"Yes." He said
"Okay. Shoot." She said
"Us." He said
"Nolan. Are you still angry with your ex?" Rosie asked
"I mean yeah. Why?" Nolan asked
"Than you have no fully gotten over him." Rosie said. "I'm sure you have no intentions of hurting me. But you need time. I will not be a rebound."
Nolan sighed. "I don't want you to be a rebound either. That is not what I think this will be."
"I promise. Once you are truly over it all. I will let you take me on a date." She said with a smirk
"Oh yeah?" He said smirking back at her.
"Yup." Rosie said
"Okay. I accept that." Nolan said
"Good." Rosie said. "Now. Movie?" She asked
"Sure." Nolan said. They headed to the living room where she set up a movie and sat down to watch with him. They had been working through watching all the Marvel movies. For the second time. They were currently on Avengers Civil war.
Dave was in his office and smiled listening to the two of them talk. Not really knowing what they were saying. He knew they were watching a movie. A little while later he came into the room.
"You two hungry?" He asked
"Starving." Rosie said
"Yes. A little." Nolan said
"Pizza or Chinese?" Dave asked
"Pizza. Its his favorite." Rosie said smiling at Nolan
Dave nodded and got toppings they wanted and went and ordered it.
"Your dad going to be okay with me taking you on a date. Sometime in the near future?" Nolan asked
"Yes." Rosie said "But I cant promise he wont grill you."
Nolan smiled and nodded. "I can handle it."
"We will see." She said with a smirk.
"Oh, you don't think I can?" He asked with a chuckle
Rosie shrugged. "No idea. I know the few times I have pissed him off. He's very intimidating."
Nolan smiled. "Never said he wasn't intimidating. But if I have to deal with him grilling me to be able to be with you. I'm okay with it."
Rosie blushed and looked back at the movie.
Nolan went back to watching the movie as well.
When the pizza got there Dave told them it was there.
"Don't move. I'll get you a couple pizza's" Nolan told her getting up and going and getting them both pizza.
"You know to help yourself to anything to drink too." Dave told him
Nolan smiled. "Thank you."
"And she is supposed to be drinking a lot of water." Dave told him
Nolan nodded. "Got it."
Dave took a couple pieces of the pizza himself and went to the dining room with them.
Nolan grabbed the pizza for the two of them and a couple bottles of water and went into the living room and handing her a plate and a bottle. "Are you dehydrated?"
Rosie chuckled. "I was a little. The adrenaline of the situation. My dad told you huh?"
"Yes. I wish you had." Nolan said
"Sorry. But honestly that's the least serious thing…" Rosie said
Nolan shook his head. "Oh…" He said
"You didn't exactly ask." Rosie said
"You're right. That's on me." He said.
"We eat. Finish the movie. And I will tell you anything you want to know." She said
Nolan sat down and they both ate, and Rosie pressed play on the movie.
They finished the movie and eating.
When the end credits rolled. Rosie stopped the movie. She turned and crossed her legs in front of her on the couch facing him. He did the same.
"So. Ask your questions." Rosie said
"Okay. So obviously ankle sprained. What else?" Nolan asked
"Four broken ribs. I had a mild concussion." She said. "My iron levels have been on the lower end of things for along time. Yesterday they were very low. I'm now on iron supplements." She said.
Nolan nodded. "And specific reasons that you know of that your iron has been lower?"
"Maybe the same reason my calcium is low without supplements. Been on those for about eight months." She said
Nolan nodded. "Not being very specific at the reason."
Rosie took a breath.
"You don't need to tell me if your not ready." He said
"I've noticed you taking something before. Something from a prescription bottle." He said
"Ritalin. I have ADHD." She said
He nodded. "Right. You mentioned that at dinner with my parents." He said with a smile. "And I can see somethings that make sense knowing that."
Rosie chuckled. "Oh really?"
"I mean. You fidget. A lot." He said
Rosie nodded. "I do."
"Constantly losing your things." He said
Rosie nodded. "True."
"You can sit and read for hours if you enjoy what your reading. But if you don't enjoy it. Like certain school subjects it takes a lot for you to focus." He said
Rosie nodded. "That is only when I am really stressed. Usually. Thanks to medication and behavioural therapy that is easier to do now."
Nolan nodded. "Also, perfectionism. Is a major thing in ADHD for girls. And you have a tad bit of that." He said with a smile.
Rosie chuckled "How do you know so much about ADHD in girls? I mean I know you have a cousin with ADHD but he's a boy and younger."
Nolan let out a breath.
"Op. Apparently I'm not the only one with secrets." Rosie said
"My sister." He said
"Oh." Rosie said. She had seen pictures around Nolan's house of a girl. And family pictures with her in them. He had told Rosie that she was his sister, but she could tell it was not a subject he wanted to talk about, so she never pushed it.
"She's twenty-three." Nolan said
Rosie didn't say much. Just listened waiting for him to tell her more when he was ready.
"When she was fourteen. She got pregnant. My parents and her fought about what she should do. They wanted her to have the baby and that she could choose to raise it. With their help. Or give it up for adoption. She chose to get an abortion. They didn't like it, but they knew it was ultimately her decision." He said. "She did what she wanted. And things moved on. At least I though they did. But six months later she completely lost it. Blamed them for not doing more to stop her. That she wanted her baby and she had made a mistake. She started to hurt herself. And my parents got her help. They put a crap ton of money into getting her into private treatment. Till she was eighteen and she chose to leave. They still tried to help her. Let her come home. She started making bad choices again and again. Ending up pregnant. Again. And honestly I think the baby is what helped her. She had this baby. My niece and she took off with her when she was just a few weeks old. We don't see her. She hates my parents. And I think I got lumped in with them…" He said
"Wow. I'm sorry." She said. She didn't know what else to say.
"I miss her and my niece. So much." He said
Rosie put her arms around him and hugged him close.
Nolan hugged her.
"Have you tried to contact her?" Rosie asked
"No." He said. "When she left she made it perfectly clear she didn't want any of us contacting her. I am trying to respect her request." He said
Rosie nodded.
"Well, its been four years… You could reach out on social media. Tell her. That you respect her and if she really doesn't want to not talk to you. But that you would love to see her and your niece. When she is ready. That you support her and everything." Rosie suggested.
"Maybe." He said
"What's her name?" Rosie asked
"Mia. And my niece is Lillian" Nolan said.
Rosie smiled.
"So. Ready to tell me whatever your major secret is?" He asked
"Tit for tat huh?" She asked
"No. Only if your ready." He said
Rosie looked down.
"Come on. What is so bad that you think you cant tell me?" He asked softly
"I'm just scared." She said
"Scared of my reaction?" He asked
Rosie nodded.
"People in your past judged you because of it?" He asked
Rosie nodded.
"Rose. Unless you have deliberately hurt someone. I'm not going to judge you." He said
Rosie took a breath and looked down again. "It's currently under control. But they don't like to say I am fully recovered because most with my condition never really fully recovered. Anorexia."
Nolan put a hand on her knee. "No judgement. I promise." He said
Rosie looked up.
"I know there are things from your past that I don't know. But what I do know. You have been through a lot. Your mental health took a huge hit because of who you were forced to pretend to be. It makes sense." He said
"You seem to know a lot about phycology." She said
Nolan shrugged. "My dad has a lot of medical book. Phycology is the topic of a lot. I read them all when I was younger."
"Why?" She asked
Nolan laughed. "I got grounded. A lot." He said
Rosie laughed. "Ah. Bad boy huh?"
"I went through a faze. After my sister took off. Found some older guys who showed me 'the good life'" He said kind of rolling his eyes.
Rosie nodded.
"My parents made me go to therapy. But honestly I never spoke to the therapist. Reading the phycology books is what really helped me." He said. "It was about six month of being grounded every weekend." He said
"Wow. We both have our past trauma huh?" She said
Nolan nodded. "You finding your own way to work through yours?"
"I do go to therapy. Took awhile but I have found someone I can talk to." Rosie said
Nolan nodded. "Good. Didn't work for me but I do know it helps some."
"Different people need different thing." Rosie pointed out
Nolan agreed.
"So now that we have both spilled out guts. I think I could use some ice cream." Rosie said
Nolan chuckled. "Agreed."
Rosie got up with him and they went into the kitchen and got some ice cream before going to settle in for the next marvel movie. They watched a couple more movies before Nolan had to head home.
Rosie crutched with him to the door as they passed the office where Dave was Nolan said goodbye to him.
"Thank you for coming. It made the day much more enjoyable."
Nolan smiled. "I'm glad. Are you still able to host the end of summer party?" he asked
"I should be able to. I think my ankle will be good enough that I wont need crutches anymore." She said. "And I really want to." She said
"What about your ribs?" He asked
"Well. I mean they will still be sore likely but doesn't mean I cant have people over." Rosie said.
Nolan nodded. "Okay. If it is a problem. You let me know. I can host if we need to switch it."
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind." She said
They hugged and Nolan left.