DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the characters from ADJL. They belong to Disney. I do however own Rose and Jake's adopted daughter, Emily, along with the angel Joy and anyone else you don't recognize. If anyone would like to use any of these OC's, please ask my permission first.
Thanks!

God loves you
Enjoy!

"One Rose, Too Many Thorns"

Chapter 6-The Consequences of Honesty

Rose was woken up by a tiny voice calling her name. She opened her azure eyes to find her daughter's scared ones staring back at her.

"Emily, honey, what's wrong?" Rose asked, sitting up and reaching her hand out to the little girl.

"I'm scared!" Emily cried as she squeezed Rose's hand. "I wanna go home! I want Daddy!"

Rose's heart went out to her daughter. She wasn't jealous that Emily was asking for Jake. Emily had been asking for Jake since she had been settled in her hospital room, but Jake wasn't there.

"Daddy's coming to see you soon." Rose told her, hoping she was telling her the truth. She wanted so badly to go find Jake and apologize to him, but she realized that it was he who needed to say he was sorry to her. He had hurt her feelings and Rose needed an apology.

"Promise?" Emily asked, giving her mother a hopeful look.

"I promise." Rose said, ruffling her daughter's hair gently. "Why don't you try and get some more rest. Mommy's right here. I'm not going to leave you."

Emily nodded and did as her mother said. She knew she needed it and she wanted to go home as soon as possible.

Rose sighed as she watched her daughter's eyes close. She hoped Jake would be by, but something told Rose that Jake was avoiding her for fear she would lash out again. She didn't blame him, but she also wanted an explaination for the comment he had made earlier.

The day went by quickly and before Rose knew it, Emily was asleep once again. Rose had managed to get her to eat some lunch and a little yougurt, but other than that, the child didn't have much of an appetite. Rose understood and didn't push the issue.

As Rose sat there, long after Emily had fallen asleep for the night, she wondered what Jake was doing and when he would come back. She really did miss him and she wanted more than anything to be in his arms once again.

Jake, meanwhile, sat atop the empire state building. He was still thinking of what he had said to Rose. HE knew he had hurt her feelings and he was truly sorry for doing it. He loved Rose with all his heart and she meant the world to him. He also loved Emily to pieces and he hated seeing his daughter in pain. He wanted more than anything to go back and make up with Rose, but he couldn't do that just yet. He needed a little more time to think. He planned on going back tonight and prayed that Rose would accept his apology.

Jake sighed as he flew off his sanctuary. He had to get something to eat before returning to the hospital. HE didn't' trust the hospital food and he was really in the mood for some of NYC's finest stake.

After purchasing a cheese stake, Jake ate it at central park before heading back to the hospital. He wanted to make sure he wasn't seen. He knew Anna and the others wouldn't care. Anna had told him that he was welcomed to visit Em anytime he wanted, but he still didn't want to be seen. He transformed into his dragon form and headed for his destination.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Jake flew straight to the room that Anna had told him was Emily's. He had called earlier and had gotten the information from Anna.

After flying through the window, Jake transformed and went over to Emily's bedside. He stroked her hair gently and whispered a silent prayer, hoping that she would be okay.

"She went down around seven-thirty or so," a female voice said from just behind him.

Jake whirled around to see Rose, standing there. Her eyes were full of love for their daughter and expectancy for him. He knew she wanted answers and she had a right to them. He only hoped the right words would come out this time.

"Rose, I…I'm sorry." He said, hoping his eyes conveyed the sincerity his words meant. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I don't know why I said what I did. But I didn't mean it."

Rose nodded and gazed at Jake for a minute before letting her heart override her mind. She wrapped her arms around Jake's neck and rested her head on his shoulder as she felt their lips connect.

As they pulled apart, Jake grinned his famous grin.

"So I guess that means I'm forgiven?"

"I guess so, dragonboy." Rose replied, flicking him behind the ear. "This time."

Jake nodded, knowing exactly what Rose meant by that. He was just glad to have her back in his arms.

The feeling was mutual. Rose was equally happpy that she and Jake weren't fighting anymore. She was also glad to be back in Jake's arms. In fact, as Rose let Jake hold her, she realized that right now, there was no other place she would rather be.

Two weeks had passed quickly and before anyone knew it, Emily was home again. Life seemed to be going back to normal for Rose and Jake, or as normal as life got around the house.

It wasn't until two days later, a Friday, to be exact, that drama invaded their peaceful life once again.

Rose hadn't yet told Emily the news. Even though Jake had been after Rose to tell their daughter, Rose was afraid to tell her. She didn't want to make Emily upset and she had a bad feeling that if she told her then Emily would be upset.

"Did you tell Em yet?" Jake asked, sitting down next to Rose on the living room couch. He placed an arm around his love and pulled her close.

Rose shook her head as a guilty expression crossed her face.

"No. I just don't know how to tell her. I don't want her being upset with me."

"She won't be." Jake told her, giving Rose a kiss on her cheek. "I promise."

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it kids!" Fu said, trudging to the door with three or so chilli dogs in his mouth.

Fu opened the door and grinned. Trixie was standing there. She gave Fu a disgusted look.

"Yo dog, do ya have to show the food you're puttin' in your pie hole?"

Fu replied with an intelligible answer.

Trixie shook her head. She didn't have time to react, for at that moment, Emily came into the room. She launched herself at Trixie, wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Auntie Trixie! Auntie Trixie!"

Trixie grinned and gave the child a hug. She was glad Emily was feeling better. Trixie guessed that Jake had talked to Emily and the little girl agreed to give her a chance.

"Hey there, little Mama."

Emily giggled as Trixie picked her up, tickling her tummy, making the little girl squeal with laughter.

"Where's your Papa, huh?"

"He's in the living room with Mommy." Emily replied. "They're talking' about something."

Trixie nodded. She carried Emily into the room and sat down across from her best friend.

"Hey ya'll! What's up?"

Jake shook his head.

"Nothing much. Listen, why don't you help me with dinner. Rose needs to talk to Emily."

"About what?" Emily asked, looking at her mother and father. "Am I in trouble."

Rose shook her head and sent a glare in Jake's direction.

"No, sweetheart. You're not in trouble. Mommy just has to tell you something, that's all."

Emily nodded. She could tell by the tone in Rose's voice that it was serious.

Jake kissed his love and his daughter before dragging Trixie into the other room to help him with dinner.

Rose took a deep breath,, trying to find a way to bring up the subject.

"Emily, honey, come here. Come and sit with Mommy."

Emily obliged. She hadn't had much cuddle time with Rose lately and she missed it.

Emily snuggled in and relished in the safety she felt whenever Rose held her. She always felt safest with her Mommy and she knew nothing could hurt her as long as she was with her.

Mother and daughter sat there in silence, each comforted by the other's presence.

Finally, Emily broke it.

"Mommy, what's wrong?"

"Why do you think something's wrong?" Rose questioned, stroking Emily's strawberry blond locks.

Emily shrugged as best she could in Rose's arms.

"I dunno. Daddy said you wanted to talk to me and you look nervous."

Rose smiled and gave Emily a kiss on her cheek.

"Well, Mommy needs to tell you something and I don't want you to be upset."

"What is it?" Emily asked. "Don't you want me anymore?"

Rose's heart broke at the thought of sending Emily away.

"Oh, yes! Yes, of course, yes! Oh, my baby girl, Mommy and Daddy want you more than anything! We love you, sweetheart. What gave you that idea?"

Emily shrugged.

"I don't know."

Rose nodded. She made a mental note to tell Emily she loved her more often.

"It's nothing like that, sweetie."

"Then what is it?" The four year old inquired.

Rose took a deep breath before saying the seven words that would determine her relationship with Emily for the next nine months.

"Emily, sweetie, Mommy's…That is…I…Mommy's going to have a baby. You're going to be a big sister."

Emily was silent for a minute or two before the unthinkable happened. She glared at Rose, jumped off her lap and ran upstairs. A few seconds later, Rose heard Emily's door slam.

Rose frowned as she put her head in her hands. This was what she had feared. She didn't want Emily to cut herself off from her, Rose, and she didn't want Emily being mad at her either. But it looked like Emily was doing both.

Jake walked in after a minute or so. HE gauged his girlfriend's mood and said the only thing that came to his mind.

"I'm guessing things didn't go over well?"

Rose shook her head.

"What gave you that idea?"

"Rose, come on, Emily will get over it. She's a kid. This is a big change in her life. She'll be fine in a few days."

Rose shook her head, tears in her eyes.

"Jake, you don't get it, do you? Emily and I were together before I came back to you. I promised to protect her. I promised her I would never hurt her. I love her. I promised to always be there for her. And now…" Rose's voice trailed off as tears cascaded down her peach colored cheeks. "…I broke two of those promises in one day." With that, Rose buried her face in her hands, sobs racking her form.

Jake sighed as he took his girlfriend into his arms and tried to calm her down. He knew she needed to let this out and he was glad he was able to be there for her. He only prayed that Rose and Emily would straighten things out soon. Little did Jake know that their troubles were just beginning…