Chapter 16: Growing Up

Alex is sitting on the couch just holding Rosalina. The poor girl cried herself to sleep, Alex knows what it feels like, she knows what Rosie is feeling, that sadness, that Dred, blaming yourself, she knows.

"Alex takes her hand and gently moves a strand of long brown beautiful curly hair out of Rosalina's face." Alex just rubs Rosie's head as she tries to figure out what to do. A few hours pass and Alex puts Rosie in bed and goes to talk to her parents, maybe they can help her figure it out.

Mom! Dad! Alex, hey hon— Hey dad, where's mom? Bathroom, so what do we owe the visit? I need to talk to you guys. Alex? Hey mom—Hey what's going on is everything okay? No actually, It's Rosalina... she uh... she asked me about her father. Oh, Alex— What do I do mom? What am I supposed to say to her.

So, what happened? She came home from school today and started asking me questions about him. I was caught completely off guard, she told me that she was sad, that she felt like she was missing a part of herself. Poor girl, having to grow up in a situation like this.

What do I do mom? Well, normally I would say to just come out and tell her, but honestly, I don't know Mija, I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. No, it's okay, I knew that one day she would want to know about everything. I just didn't expect it to be so soon, she's still so young, and I don't want to take away her innocence.

Just don't wait too long to tell her, okay. She deserves to know, just not now, but when you do tell her be gentle, she's a tough but sensitive girl. Thanks dad, you too mom— No problem, Alex, good luck.

Alex returns home to find Mason hanging out on the couch. Hey Alex, are you okay? No, Mason, I'm not. What's wrong? Rosie is asking me about her father. Oh— Yeah, I don't know what to do or what to tell her.

'The rest of the week passes and Alex avoids talking to Rosie about her father. Justin and Juliet stop by and Rosie gets an idea.' Uncle Justin! Hey Rosie, how have you been? Good, Mama has been teaching magic, when she can. That's nice, hey maybe I can teach you some more while I'm here, what do you say? Yeah! That sounds awesome.

Hi Rosie, how are you? Uh I... I'm good? Do you remember me? Yeah, of course I remember you, you're... um...? I'm Juliet— Oh, aunt Juliet, I'm sorry for not remembering you. Oh, that's okay, you haven't seen me since you were four.

Wow, you've grown so much! You're so big now. Well, mama always tells me to drink my milk, she says it will help me grow— It does, just look how big you've gotten already.

After some time of catching up, Rosalina and Justin have the room to themselves, and Rosie sees this as her chance to get some answers. Uncle Justin, can I talk to you about something? Yeah, sure, what's on your mind? You were there when mama had me right? Yeah, we all still lived together, why? Do you know who my dad is.

What, why? Rosie, where is this coming from? Well, I've been asking mom about it but she never tells me anything, so I thought maybe you could. I'm sorry Rosie, I can't— Why not? Because that is your mom's job.

But she never tells me anything, why can't you? Look I have to go Rosie, but we will talk later I promise. 'Rosie talks to Juliet next' Aunt Juliet, can you tell me about my dad? I'm sorry I can't, I don't know enough about the situation— Oh, right, thanks.

Rosalina decides to get answers from her grandparents. 'Knocking on Door' I'll get it 'Jerry say's' hey Rosie, come on in, what's going on? I have something I need to talk about, where's grandma? Upstairs, so what did you want to talk about? Can we wait for grandma, I just don't want to do this without her.

'Theresa shows up within a few minutes, and Rosie hoping for the truth this time. So, I wanted to ask you guys some questions, and promise not to lie to me. We won't lie to you, we promise— Okay, the truth is I wanted to know about my dad.

Um... listen sweetie that may not be the best thing to talk about. Why not? It... it's complicated, but the important thing is to not stress out about it. But I am, and I don't know why no one is telling me the truth—it's not the right time yet. Then when will it be?! 'Rosie cries' You guys are doing it too, you promised you wouldn't lie to me.

Oh, honey where are you going? Back downstairs don't worry, sorry for bothering you guys. Wait Rosa... 'Door closes' Oh, Jerry I'm worried about her. I am too, I hope Alex can tell her the truth soon, otherwise she's going to explode and we are not going to like what comes out.

'Rosalina enters back into her apartment and is greeted by her mother, but Rosie does not want to hear it. Hey sweetheart is everything okay? 'Rosie runs upstairs and slams the door' Alex, I think it's time to tell her. Look I know you want her to have a "Normal" childhood but this is just... I know Mason, I just can't tell her yet, she needs to be older.

"A year passes and Rosalina is about to start 4th grade soon; She hasn't forgotten about the problem with her father, but she is about to have a new problem to deal with."

Morning Mason— Good morning, Rosie! Where's mom? She was called in early, she had to go to the office. When did she leave? Around seven, I think. Wow ever since mom got that promotion last year, she has been really busy.

So, what do you have going on today? Nothing much! Visiting a friend who just got back from vacation. I haven't seen him in a long time and I wanted to see how he was doing. All right just be careful— I will see you later! Bye.

'Knocking on door' Rosie hi! What are you doing here? I heard you and Mr. Wagner where back in town and I wanted to come say hi. Aw that's really sweet of you come on in! Ah hello Rose— Hi Mr. Wagner, how are you? I am well, and please with the formalities- call me Elias.

So how was your trip? It was nice, we went back home to Germany to see some family. Wow I didn't know you guys were from Germany, cool! Most people don't, my brother and I were raised in America so we don't have accents like my father does.

I'm sorry I've been so rude, you're our guest and I haven't offered you anything, would you like something to eat? Do you have anything without wheat? I'm allergic. You have a wheat allergy, Hmm? What's wrong? Nothing, uh I have some fruit if you want some? Sure.

Hey Rosie, this might sound a little weird but can you take off your glasses for me? Okay. 'Anna gets on her knees and looks Rosie dead in Rosalina's eyes.' Oh, My God! Uh you can put your glasses back on now sweetie! Is everything, all right? Yeah... yeah, everything is fine, no need to worry.

After an hour Rosie leaves and Anna has a talk with her father about Rosalina. So? Yeah, I don't know how but she... oh, God, I don't think she knows. Then do not tell her! Dad what are you talking about I have to; she needs to know.

NO! It is not you place, nor mine, we must wait— this feels wrong! I agree but there is nothing we can do. We have to tell her mother, maybe if I talk to her I can... Anna! Yeah, I know.

A few weeks pass and 4th grade starts. Rosalina talks to Bonnie about her mom along with other things she did over the summer. I just feel like mom doesn't have time for me anymore, it's just me and Mason at home most of the time.

I thought you liked Mason? I do, it's just that he is there more for mom than me. Well, then maybe you should try to get to know Mason a little better! Yeah, I guess but I just want to spend time with mom. And I think I might just have an idea of how to do that. 'Rosie smiles evilly'

OK you are officially creeping me out now. 'Rosie laughs' Thank you! So, what are you going to do? Let me worry about that, trust me you don't want to get involved.

Mom please! I'm sorry honey I can't hang out with you today, I'm sorry I have a lot of work to do. Yeah, you always have work to do— What is that supposed to mean? It means you care more about your work than you do me.

You know that's not true! Whatever! Rosalina Russo, you get over here young lady I'm not done talking to you! I'm surprised you have time to talk to me, aren't you going to be late for work? What is going on with you? Nothing, I'm just fine—Look I have to go but we are not done with this conversation.

I love you so much, you know that right? I know mom, I love you too. I'll see you later OK! OK mom, bye. Bye lion. 'Rosie sighs' "Maybe you should try to get to know Mason a little better!" Ugh even when Bonnie's not here she's still right.

Hey Rosie! Hi Mason, um... are you doing anything? Not currently why? Well, I thought maybe we could hang out and get to know each other a little better. Yeah, I would love that, are you hungry? Yeah, a little. Come on let's get something to eat, shall we.

"Rosalina makes an effort with Mason and spends the day bonding with him and getting closer to him; Mason is the closest thing to a father she has and she's OK with that."

After their awesome day together Rosalina and Mason get home late around 9:00 O'clock or so and surprisingly Alex is home. 'Mason walks through the door carrying Rosie in his arms asleep.'

Hey Mason- Is that Rosie? Is she okay? Yeah, she's all right, she fell asleep on the ride back, I was going to put her in bed. Okay I'll be up in a bit to check on her, thanks.

'After Mason puts Rosie to bed he goes back downstairs and lays down on the couch getting ready to do the same. Alex goes upstairs and checks on Rose to make sure she is okay.

Alex kisses Rosie on the cheek and moves a piece of her curly hair back, Alex brings Rosalina's covers up over her body more and sits on the bed with her daughter, being grateful that she has such an amazing gift.

I love you; Alex says to her daughter- Thank you for making my life better, My little Flower. Good night, sweet dreams- 'Alex kisses Rosie one more time and leaves to let her sleep.'