Chapter 12: First Birthday!

The night comes and Alex is asleep; not for long though as Alex is woken up by the sound of crying; you would think that she would be used to it after a while but no. Alex still very drowsy goes to check on Rosalina. Hey, hey it's okay! Shh 'Alex picks up Rose and tries to calm her down to no avail.'

Shh, come on sweetheart go back to sleep! 'Rosalina's crying intensifies' No, no, no, don't cry louder please, its okay shh. Oh, I don't know what to do! Shh come on honey, we don't want to wake up everyone in the house. Alex goes downstairs with Rose and gets her bottle out of the fridge.

Too cold! 'Alex says' Alex gets a new bottle and fills it with more formula and makes sure that its warm. Here you go! Rose drinks her bottle while remaining wide wake. I need you to go back to sleep sweetheart; Oh, this would be a lot easier if I didn't have to go to school in a few hours. 'Its 4:00 A.M. But Rose just didn't want to go back to sleep.

By the time Alex looked back up at the clock it was already 7:00. Rosalina was finally asleep and Alex started dosing off too; that's when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Alex, what are you doing up so early?! I had to stay up with Rosalina all night, she didn't want to go back to sleep.

Trust me honey it gets easier 'Theresa says' trying to calm Alex. How did you do it Mom? Well, it wasn't easy, your Dad and I had to take care of 3 of you; there where a lot of sleepless nights but we made it through. I say that to say; it is not going to be easy; and it's going to get harder before it gets easier, but if you have some patience and help its easier.

Thanks Mom! You're welcome sweetie. So, what are you and Dad doing up so early? Our trip don't you remember? Oh gosh, I forgot about you and Dad's trip! That's today. Mm-hmm. What's wrong Alex? Well since you and Dad are going on your trip, there's not going to be anyone here to watch Rose.

'Jerry comes down stairs with bags packed. Ready to go? 'Jerry asks his wife' Jerry we can't go. Why not? Because There is no one to watch the baby. Hmm you're right! What no?! You guys can't cancel you've been planning this for months. But Alex there won't be anyone here to watch Rosalina. OK I guess I'll just take her to school with me- whoa Alex, are you sure that's a good idea? Well, it's kind of the only solution Dad.

Hey what's going on? 'Justin asks as he comes downstairs' Well, can't you hire a babysitter or something? Wha... a babysitter?! No, no, no, I'm not going to trust some random stranger to watch my daughter, absolutely not. Okay we aren't going to argue, it's your choice. Thank you! Mom. 'All the kids are about to head out to school. OK we love you guys! Be good and please don't break anything; Bye.

'After their parents leave the kids walk to school and get ready to have an interesting day. As soon as Alex walked in the door everyone stopped and stared at her. (I mean she is pushing a carriage around)

'Alex did her best to ignore the staring and go about her day. Alex lifted up the blanket to see how Rosalina was doing and to her surprise she was sleeping. Alex made her way to class while Rose was still asleep hoping that she could get through most of the day without crying. (Of course, not)

'Alex got to Mr. Laritate's class and of course he questioned the carriage, and Alex just told him that she was watching her baby cousin while her parents are out of town.

Mr. Laritate seemed to believe it for the most part and class began. Alex sat in the back of the class; Mainly so she could go to sleep. Mr. Laritate of course, comes and wakes Alex up. Alex manages to force herself awake then Rose starts crying for the rest of the class.

'After class Alex is called into the office and has a talk with Mr. Laritate. Alex tells Mr. Laritate the truth about who Rosalina really is and about what happened to her. I... I don't even know what to say, I'm so sorry Alex. I can't even imagine someone your age dealing with something like that. It wasn't easy but, I had my family. When was she born? 'Mr. Laritate asks Alex' May 12, 2009. So not too long ago 'Alex replies'

Thank you Mr. Laritate! What for? For being a great teacher; and a good friend! You're welcome Alex, and call me Hershel.

'After that the kids get home and Alex asks Harper, Justin and Max to watch Rose while she goes and gets some sleep.

'Months pass and there is a fair that the whole family goes to as well as almost everyone from Tribeca Prep. Everyone goes their separate ways Justin goes with Zeke and Max, Jerry and Theresa are together and Alex and Harper.

Its Rosalina's birthday, and Alex wanted to take her someplace fun.

'Harper leaves Alex for a bit to go buy some snacks. Alex and Rosalina, Strolled around looking at the cool stuff at the fair. Alex stopped at a cool Booth with a lot of different lights that change colors. Rose was mesmerized by the lights and didn't want to leave.

Alex buys Rosalina a stuffed lion and she loves it. Being a baby Rose wants to touch everything; while Alex is buying herself a pretzel; Rose starts crying, and Alex sees that she dropped her lion.

'Alex picks up the lion and wipes it off really good before giving it back. Alex finished buying her pretzel and was going to find Harper.

Alex backed up and hit a guy by accident making him drop a light. I'm really sorry! No big deal love! Alex looked up into the boys' eyes and was just Paralyzed. I... I... uh- it's all right accidents happen! I'm sorry again, I... I just- no worries, My name Is Mason Graybeck. Alex... Russo! Has anyone ever told you Alex Russo, that you have the most gorgeous eyes?! Uh... wow! Well, I've got to go, see you around Alex.

Alex and the others return home and want to keep the night going. So, it was time to open presents. Alex opened up Rose's presents; everyone at least got her one thing.

Alex opens one from her Mom, it's a blanket that's been in her family for a long time and she used it for Alex when she was a baby. Thanks Mom, its great! Next is one from Harper. Alex opens it and it's a cute ladybug onesie.

I sowed that one myself I figured since Rosalina is such a special girl, she should have something special from her aunt Harper. Wow Harper, I don't know what to say thank you! You don't have to say anything Alex, you're my sister, I'm more than happy to do anything for you.

OK mine next! 'Justin says with enthusiasm' Alex opens up Justin's present next. It's a book? It's not just a book, it's a Wizard story book filled with hundreds of stories. Hey we used to have one of these as kids, I didn't think they made them anymore! Thanks Justin.

'And last but not least Max. Here Alex- whoa Max, this thing is heavy! We should all probably take a step back if she's opening something from Max. 'Justin says' Alex opens the very heavy present from max.

What is it? 'Alex asks her brother' it's a Wizard picture book, basically you can take pictures with the book, and it saves it to the book and shows the moment you took the picture as a short video. It's like a memory scrap book I figured Rose should be able to see the good times we had now when she's older. So, yeah.

Oh, Max come here! 'Alex hugs her brother with so much love and kindness' It's beautiful, thank you! No problem, Alex.

As the rest of the night continues as normal and everyone is sitting down with Rose and playing while Alex gets up and goes to talk to Justin

Gosh I can't believe my little Rosalina is already a year old; It seems like just yesterday I was holding her in my arms for the first time.

'Alex begins to cry' Hey, what's wrong? 'Justin asks' she's growing so fast and I'm scared. Scared of what? 'Justin asks' I'm scared that I won't be a good Mom, that my girl is going to grow up and hate me. I don't know what I'm doing, what if I can't raise her right; and I end up pushing her away.

Justin hugs his sister and makes her a promise that he will do everything in his power to help her raise Rose. With the tears out of the way Alex rejoins her daughter and enjoys the rest of the night.