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Rosie woke up on the day of her sweet sixteen with a smile. She was sixteen. She was getting her licence that day. She was having a party with almost everyone that meant something to her. Sascha was asleep next to her. She smiled. She thought back to the last year of her life and her entire childhood. She had been through so much in sixteen years of life.
She got up which woke up Sascha. The two of them went downstairs where Dave was making her favorite breakfast. Rosie smiled. "Morning." She said before she opened the back door for Sascha.
"Morning. Happy birthday bambina." Dave smiled at his daughter.
"Thank you daddy." She said
He served them both breakfast and they ate.
"You ready for your driving test?" He asked
"Been ready for a couple weeks." Rosie said
Dave smiled. "Good."
They finished eating and Dave sent her to get dressed while he cleaned up. Rosie went and put on something comfortable before coming downstairs and the two went to the DMV. Rosie did his driving test. Dave waited inside and was texting with those who were at his house setting up the decorations.
Rosie came out to him when her test was done looking a little bummed.
Dave let out a breath. "Its okay. You can try again another day." Dave told her.
Rosie nodded. "I mean why would I do that?" She asked pulling the temporary licence out of her pocket with a smirk.
Dave laughed and wrapped his arms around her. She had got him.
"Good job. Congrats." Dave said
Rosie hugged him and the two of them left and went back home. She noticed the few cars. "Some people already here?"
"Yes." Dave said. "Now go get ready for the party." He told her
Rosie ran inside and up to her room. She put on her new red bathing suit and her new sundress on over it and slipped on her sandals and did them up before pulling her hair into a high pony tail and went downstairs.
She said hello and hugged everyone, and happy birthdays were told to her by everyone.
"That dress looked fantastic on you." Cass said. "I might just have to borrow it off you."
"Yes! It would look amazing on you too." Rosie said hugging her.
"How was your driving test?" Emily asked
"I got it." Rosie said with a smile
"What not going to try and trick them the way you did me?" Dave asked with a chuckle
Rosie laughed. "No. That was special just for you."
The party got under way and lots of fun was had by all.
At one point Rosie's phone rang and saw it was a video chat from her cousin. She excused herself from the party and went to find a quiet place and answered and they said their happy birthdays to each other, and grandpa said happy birthday to Rosie as well. They talked for a few minutes before she hung up. She was in the front of the house and was about to go back to her party in the back, but she smelt what smelt like someone smoking. She looked around the corner of the garage at the front porch and saw Emily sitting there smoking. Her jaw dropped. Emily didn't notice the girl at first.
"Uncle Aaron know you smoke?" Rosie asked startling Emily as she went towards the porch
Emily sighed. "No. He doesn't."
"How long have you been?" Rosie asked
"A couple years." Emily said
"And he doesn't know?" Rosie asked
"I've gotten good at hiding it." Emily said
"Apparently not good enough cause I caught you. And wait. My dad found a pack of cigarettes last year after my end of summer party. We both assumed it was one of my friends not that any of them smoke… But they were yours." Rosie said
Emily thought. "Yeah. I think it was. I misplaced a pack. I though Aaron had found them and threw them out without saying anything."
Rosie chuckled. "You will get caught eventually. "She said getting up.
Emily shrugged.
Rosie shook her head. "Its so bad for you."
"Am I going to get a lecture from my sixteen-year-old niece?" Emily asked
"Well. No. But doesn't mean I like you do it. I'm going back to my party." Rosie said before she went back to the backyard and went back to having a good time.
When it came time for presents Rosie sat down in the chair that had been decorated for her. Nolan sat next to her. She opened the gifts from everyone and thanked everyone. She had gotten spoiled.
At the end a small box was handed to her from her dad. "That's from me and Hunter." Dave said
Rosie smiled and opened the box, and her eyes went big. They was clicker for a car. She looked up at her dad and Hunter. "You got me a car?!"
"We did." Dave said with a smile. "You're responsible and you deserve it."
Rosie got up and went over to them both and hugged them. "Thank you! Thank you!"
They both hugged her. "It's parked in the garage go check it out." Hunter said
Rosie went to the garage quickly her friends following close behind. Rosie opened the garage door and squeed it was a hunter green Toyota Rav4. She went to the drivers side and pressed the button on her key to unlock it and got inside.
The car quickly filled up with her friends. Rosie turned the car on and played with the features. She couldn't back it out right now because the driveway was filled with cars, but she didn't care. She was so excited.
Shortly after she turned the car off and squeed again. "I cant believe they bought me a car!"
"They bought it together. Does that mean that they are getting serious?" Cass asked
"I guess so." Rosie said with a smile.
They all got out of the car. Rosie locked it and they all went back to the back. Rosie closed the garage again and went to join the party again. Going over to her dad and Hunter again. "Thank you both. So much." She hugged them again
"You're a good girl. In the short time I have known you I have seen how responsible you are. You are mature enough to handle all that comes with a car." Hunter told her with a smile
Rosie smiled. "I will help take people to lessons and stuff anytime you need."
Hayley came over. "Does this mean I get a car on my sixteenth birthday?" She asked
Hunter looked at her. "If you prove to us that you are responsible enough for it."
Hayley smiled and nodded.
The party continued for a bit longer before people started heading out. Rosie said bye to everyone thanking them for coming and for her gifts she loved them all.
Aaron, Emily, and Jack were the last ones to leave other than Hunter and his crew.
"Buying your daughter, a car with your boyfriend that's a big purchase." Emily said with a smirk
Dave chuckled. "Well. We weren't going to say anything today being that this day is about Rosie. But." Dave looked at Hunter.
Hunter took the ring out of his pocket and put it on his finger. "He proposed last night."
"Wait! What?!" Rosie said excitedly.
"You knew it was coming." Dave said
"Yes. But I didn't know when!" Rosie said hugging her dad and Hunter. "I am so happy for both of you."
Aaron and Emily congratulated the couple as well before heading out.
"I guess we should tell the other girls?" Dave smiled at his fiancé
Hunter smiled and kissed him taking his hand and going into the family room where the other girls were.
"Dave and I have something to tell you all." Hunter said
Rosie joined the other girls. She knew but there might have been more details.
Hunter held up his hand. "Dave proposed."
"Holy shit that was quick." Hayley said
"Language." Hunter and Dave both said
"Sorry." Hayley said
Rosie covered her mouth to keep from chuckling.
"It was a bit quick but when you know something is true you don't want to wait." Dave said
"You okay with this?" Hunter asked Hayley.
"Yes." Hayley said with a small smile.
"You sure?" Dave asked
"Yes. I just. It's a surprise." Hayley said
"Nothing has changed. You girls are still my priority." Hunter assured them
Dave looked at Rosie and said the same.
Rosie smiled and nodded.
"Do we call you daddy now?" Scarlet asked Dave.
"If you want to you can yes." Dave said with a smile picking up the small girl. Dave looked up at the older girls. "But you don't have to. You can keep calling me Dave if you prefer."
Hunter looked at Rosie. "And if you want to call me papa that's fine but like your dad said only if you want."
Rosie smiled and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Where are we going to live?" Callie asked
"Dave and I have talked about it. We want to make this transition as easy for all of you as possible. I know that our home is pretty much to small for the seven of us. So, the options are we either buy a house together or we move in here. There will be more rooms. You will all still share but it wont be as squished. Wont be three to a room." Hunter told his girls. "What do you girls think?"
"How would the sharing go?" Hayley asked
"You and Callie would have the really big extra room with its own bathroom." Dave said
"The twins would share and Scarlet and Kara. The other two rooms with a shared bathroom." Hunter said
"I don't have a problem sharing." Rosie spoke up.
"You have the smallest room up there. It wouldn't make sense to put someone else in there and my girls are used to sharing with each other." Hunter told her. "But thank you for the offer." He said with a smile
"Did you pick the smallest room or was it the room you have had since you were a kid?" Hayley asked
"Um." Rosie said. "I picked that room."
Hayley tilted her head. "What did I just…" She started but a quick look from Hunter got her to stop her question.
Rosie took a breath.
"So, what do you girls think?" Dave asked
"I like this place." Maddison said with a smile
"Of course, you do. There is a pool." Mackenzie said with a giggle.
"This place is cool." Hayley said
"Anyone have any opposition to this house?" Hunter asked. "Speak up now."
They all shook their heads.
"Okay. Than we will be moving in here." Hunter said with a smile
"Who is taking who's last name?" Hayley asked
"Haven't talked about it. But regardless, you can keep the last name you have." Dave said
Hayley nodded and smiled.
"Can we pick paint colors for our rooms?" Mackenzie asked
Dave nodded. "We can decorate it anyway you want."
"Within reason." Hunter added he looked at Dave. "There is one girl here particular who if we let her would paint the walls blood red."
Hayley laughed.
"What?! it's a cool color!" Callie said
"And we can have it somewhere in the room. Just not the walls." Hunter said
Rosie let out a chuckle.
"They are laughing at me!" Callie said
"Stop it." Dave told the two oldest girls.
They both stopped right away.
"Sorry." Hayley said. "I'm sure our room will look cool."
Callie smiled at her.
"I'll help you find a blanket with that color. And can help you make a pinterest board for your room if you want." Rosie said
Callie smiled at Rosie. "Yes please."
"I have tried to use pinterest its just confusing." Hayley said
"I can help you both." Rosie smiled at Hayley.
Hayley nodded.
Dave and Hunter looked at each other and smiled.
Dave's phone went off with a text. He looked at it and sighed.
"Work?" Hunter asked
"Yes. Someone urgent has just come across Aaron's desk." Dave said
"Go." Hunter said. "I'll make sure Rosie is taken care of."
Dave looked at Rosie. "You okay with that?"
Rosie smiled and nodded. "Yes. Go. Its okay."
Dave kissed her head. "I don't think I need to tell you but just in case. Behave." He said bye to the others and left.
Rosie smiled and nodded to her dad's statement.
"Go. Pack a bag." Hunter told her. "And of course, Sascha is coming with."
Rosie went and did so.
They all left shortly after, and Rosie made sure the door was locked and they went to Hunter's she had never stayed at Hunter's place before. She had only been there once before for a meal.
"You can take my room. I'll sleep on the couch." Hunter told her.
"I'm fine on the couch. I'm not taking your room." Rosie said
Hunter tilted his head. She had never argued anything with him before.
"Really. I don't mind." Rosie said.
"Will there be room for both of you on the couch?" Hunter asked indicting Sascha.
Rosie chuckled. "He'd push me off my queen-sized bed if I let him. Its not about having room. He is a hog regardless. We will be fine."
Hunter chuckled. "Alright. If your sure."
"I am." Rosie said.
Hunter nodded. "I know my girls are making a big move and their opinions were discussed but your okay with us all moving into your home?"
Rosie nodded and smiled. "Yes. It's a change but not a bad one."
"You have had a lot of changes in your life the last few years you sure?" Hunter asked
"Yes. I haven't seen my dad ever as happy as he is when you are around. And its not like I have to give up my own room or space. I'm completely okay with it." Rosie said
Hunter smiled and nodded. "Okay. Good."
Hunter got her some blankets and a pillow and helped her make up the couch.
"So. I think we both know in time Hayley will start to question things. Like why there are no pictures of me growing up in that house…" Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Do you want me to tell her?"
"No. I can talk to her about it. I just want to make sure you are okay with her knowing…" Rosie said
"Yes. She's old enough to understand. She is the same age that you were when everything happened. And its your story you can tell Callie if you want. The younger ones wont understand till they get older, but your story tell them if and when you want to." Hunter told her
Rosie nodded.
"You're okay?" He asked
Rosie nodded.
"You sure? I'm a good listener." Hunter said sitting on the coffee table across from the couch.
Rosie sat on the couch. "I'm guessing my dad told you about the religion I was being raised in?"
Hunter nodded. "Yes."
"Birthdays. Were not celebrated. In fact, it was wrong to do so." Rosie said
"Your dad has mentioned you still are dealing with the religious trauma." Hunter said
"I didn't know he knew…" Rosie said
"Parents know a lot more than their kids think." Hunter said
Rosie nodded.
"Its not wrong to celebrate your birthday. In fact, I think its wrong not to. Being born is an amazing thing. It's a special day for both the person who's birthday it is as well as the parents of that kid. And when you are a great kid the way you are. You deserve to be spoiled." Hunter said
Rosie smiled at him.
"I grew up in a religious house too. Not same one as you but birthdays were not celebrated. But my relationship with my family hasn't been good since I left when I was eighteen. And when I divorced my wife and started seeing men. They completely cut me off. Even told my ex to fight for full custody of the girls because I was going to 'corrupt' them." Hunter told her. "But trying to breakaway from the things that have been ingrained into your head from a young age. Takes time."
"Wow. I'm sorry. I know losing people you love." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "But my ex and I have always raised our girls to be accepting and love everyone. And about different kinds of families."
Rosie nodded and smiled. "What religion?"
"LDS." Hunter said
Rosie's eyes went wide. "You mean like multiply wives LDS?"
"That is a big part of it yes." Hunter said
"Was your ex-wife part of it?" Rosie asked
"No. I left when I was eighteen. I met her after that." Hunter said
"Don't they shun you when you leave?" Rosie asked
"Most of the group will yes. Some of my extended family cut me off right from the moment I left. Some kept minimal contact." Hunter said
Rosie nodded. "You must have a lot of siblings." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "A lot of half siblings most of whom I don't really know. Full siblings I am one twenty-four but some of them came around after I was gone. I'm the oldest so I was eighteen before some were born. And half siblings some of the oldest ones I could tell you they are technically my siblings, but I never knew most of them. Anyways the point of this conversation is that I understand what you are going through and am always here if you want to talk to someone who understands more. I know your dad listens and helps too but." Hunter said
"He will never understand the way someone else who has been through it has." Rosie said
Hunter nodded.
"Thank you for telling me." Rosie said
"Of course. I would have told you regardless. I wont be telling them where I move to, and the girls know not to tell them either. They do have some contact with their grandparents but usually just when they are with their mom." Hunter said
Rosie nodded. "Okay. If I ever happen to see them I wont tell them."
Hunter nodded.
Rosie's phone went off with a text. She looked at it and made a face.
"Who is it?" Hunter asked
"Um. A friend." Rosie said
"Okay." Hunter said. "Well, its late. Don't text to long. Get some sleep."
Rosie smiled and nodded.
Hunter got up and went to go to bed. Rosie went to the bathroom on the main floor and changed into her pajamas before rereading the text
'I know I have been awful to you. I just. I was so confused. You were one of my best friends. And you were taken from me, and I had my parents telling me that you would never be my friend if you weren't here in California so that I had to make sure that they could get custody of you from your dad and that meant having to make it look like your dad had no control over you and what you texted. I am so sorry. I just need someone to talk, and it cant be Lexi because she is making up stuff about my dad. And now also she is in the hospital. She tried to kill herself. She is really sick.' It was from Paige.
'Paige. I don't care the reasoning. You knew me. You threw me under the bus. What kind of friend does that? And I know about Lexi. She had texted me and I knew what she was going to do. I got people involved to stop her before she did it. I'm the reason the police got to her in time. And I cant say I know everything she said about your dad. But him molesting and raping her in 100% true. I know. I saw it when we were kids. I knew. And neither of us said anything because of you. We didn't want to lose you as a friend. And I didn't say anything after I left because it was Lexi's truth to tell. You tossed any chance of me staying your friend after you had your cousin break into my locker and steal my phone to make me look bad. I had lost everything and everyone I knew. You and Lexi were the only connection to the only life I knew and while Lexi didn't really talk to me she still didn't do what you did. You through all those year of friendship away. YOU made the choice to do what you did. YOU KNEW it was wrong. And you still did it. We are not friends. I don't wish you any harm, but you are not allowed to text me. Don't text me again.' She sent it before plugging in her phone and crawling under the blankets with Sascha laying on her feet.
"My feet are going to be asleep before long." She told him before she closed her eyes. She smiled thinking about how good her day had been ignoring the parts of it that weren't as good. Her phone went off with a text she looked at it and sighed. It was a response from Paige.
'Rosie. I am so sorry. I really am. I just want to try and fix this. Please. The restraining order is actually up. And I hope telling you that doesn't make you reup it, but it is up. Please. Give me a chance to fix this.' Paige said
Rosie ignored it and put her phone back down and went to sleep.
Her phone woke her up about half an hour later ringing. Rosie sighed and looked at it pressing ignore and turning her phone off. Before moving her feet from under her dog and turning around on the couch and going back to sleep.