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 12-The Healing Begins

"Julie, NO!" The scream was loud enough to be heard in the next county.

Ten year old Haley Long shot up in bed, sweating and crying. Her face was tear stained with more tears to come. She had just experienced another nightmare about Julie's death. She hadn't told anyone about these nightmares except for Rose. She knew her older sister could help her. But this time, Haley knew what would help her even more. She had the sudden urge to do something that she knew was wrong, but right now, she had no choice. She had to release the pain somehow.

Haley took a deep breath and made her way to the bathroom. She knew it had to be around here somewhere. She knew Jake owned one and if he didn't, they would surely be in the cabinet, along with the rest of the stuff.

After ten minutes of searching, Haley realized that Jake had thrown the object out that morning. Haley knew what she had to do. She didn't care how silly she looked, she needed that razor.

But fifteen minutes later, when Haley was coming back to her house, she got the sudden urge to cut right there. She couldn't wait any longer.

As Haley dropped to her knees, she knelt down on her knees and took the razor in one hand. She was about to make the first cut, when she felt a strong wind kick up. The weird thing was, it was warm that night, so where had the wind come from?

Haley didn't have time to think about that as the wind kicked up again. It was strong enough to knock the razor out of her hand, which it did.

Haley let out a frustrated sigh as she ran after her prize. But as Haley rounded the corner, she noticed that she was lost. She had no idea where she was at and it was starting to rain.

'Great! Haley thought, bitterly. This on top of everything else. Come on, Julie. I thought you loved me.

As these words left Haley's mouth, a sprinkle of rain landed on her head.

"Very funny!" Haley shouted to nobody in particular. "That was exactly what I needed." Haley sighed as she stopped and tried to figure out where she was. She was about to turn left, when she heard a growling sound from an alley.

Haley whirled around to see a dog with big teeth, glaring at her. She took off, forgetting what Rose had taught her about handling a dog chase.

The dog gave chase and didn't' stop till he had Haley cornered between a trash can and a mailbox. A building stood just a few feet in front of Haley. She braced herself as she glanced at it. If she could only get there, she would be fine. She was too afraid to dragon up at this point and she had to rely on her adrenalin to get her there.

"Come on, Jules. Enough playin' around. I'm sorry, okay? How many times do I have to say it. If you help me get out of this, I'll. I'll do anything! I-I promise. I'll do anything! Please, just help me out here just once. That's all I'm asking." Haley then turned her attention to someone she knew who would help no matter what. "Please, Father, please help me out here. I-I'm sorry I was mad at you. I really am. I didn't mean it. Please, Father, please…" Haley's voice trailed off as tears started to stream down her face. She didn't know she had started crying due to the rain. It felt the same to her at the moment.

Just then, Haley heard a door open in front of her and heard someone coming towards her. She prayed silently that this person was a friend and held her breath as the steps came closer and closer.

"Honey, hey, sweetheart, what are you doing out here on a night like this?" A kind, but urgent voice inquired. The person had a slight western accent, but it was kind.

Haley took a deep breath and chanced a glance at her heroine. She had brown eyes and light brown hair. She looked kindly enough and Haley trusted the Father, so she put her trust in this stranger.

Before Haley answered her rescuer, she glanced upward and sighed with relief.

"Thank you, Father, thank you. Thank you too, Julie. I owe you big time." Haley had a feeling Julie would hold her to that promise, but right now, she didn't care. She was just relieved to be saved from that dog.

"What's your name, sweetie?" The woman asked, extending her hand down to Haley.

"Haley." Haley replied, taking the woman's hand cautiously. "Haley Long."

The woman nodded as she led Haley into the building straight across from the place where Haley had been trapped.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Haley. My name is Katie. Katie Craneberg. How did you get all the way out here?"

"Huh?" Haley asked, slightly confused.

"I'm guessing' you don't live all the way out here on the other side of central park,"

"No, ma'am." Haley said, remembering her manners.

"You don't have to call me that." Katie said, her tone friendly. "Just call me, Katie. All the kids do."

Haley nodded. She then remembered something else and gave Katie a grateful smile.

"Thank you for saving me." Haley said, her face showing the gratitude she felt towards her new friend.

"You're welcome." Katie replied. "It's my pleasure. I don't usually go out this time of night, but when that wind picked up, I wanted to make sure no trees had been knocked down."

Haley nodded.

Just then, a door to their left opened and a little girl a year younger than Haley came out. She had blue eyes and light brown hair pulled into a ponytail. Her hair also had streaks of read in it. Haley could tell it was natural and not died.

"Katie?" The little girl inquired, her voice full of pain. "Can I have something to drink, please? My throat still hurts."

"Aw, sure thing, Wendy. Come on." Katie then turned to Haley. "Do you want something too, sweetie?"

Haley nodded.

"Please?"

"Sure. Come on, I'll get you guys both a drink. Then we need to talk." Katie said, turning to Haley.

As Haley waited for Katie to get her drink and sort Wendy out, she noticed that Katie was very good with children. She also noticed that the kids trusted Katie, so Haley decided she would try and do the same as well.

"All right, here you go." Katie said, setting the cup of lemonade in front of Haley. "I hope you like lemonade."

"I love it!" Haley confirmed, a small smile spreading across her face. "Thanks, Katie."

"No problem."

Just then, Wendy came back in. She set her cup on the table and wrapped her arms around Katie's waist.

"Thanks, Katie. I'm gonna try and get some sleep now."

"Aw, no problem, Wendy. It's my pleasure. Sweet dreams, honey."

"You too. I love you."

"Aw, I love you too." With that, Katie sent Wendy off with a kiss to her cheek and a pat to her shoulder.

After Wendy was gone, Katie turned her attention back to Haley.

"Wendy's a sweetheart. She's always ready to help anyone. She's my helper sometimes."

Haley nodded. She could tell by the girl's disposition that she was sweet.

"Now, back to you, Haley, right?"

"Yeah." Haley confirmed, her eyes gazing around at her surroundings.

"What in the world were you doin' out here this time of night? Do your folks know you're missing?"

Haley shook her head and frowned.

"No. I went outside to…" Her voice trailed off as an embarrassing blush crept up her cheeks.

"It's okay," Katie assured her. "You can tell me. I promise, I won't be mad and I won't laugh at you."

Haley gazed into Katie's brown eyes and found the strength she needed to tell her the whole story.

By the time Haley was done, she was in tears again.

"Haley, sweetie, I know it's hard. I really do. I know it's hard not to have control, but you need to trust that God knows what's best for us. He loves us and He will protect us. I know it doesn't seem like much right now, but I know one thing you can do that might help. And it's the only thing that will work. I can pray with you now if you like."

Haley accepted Katie's offer and the two knelt on their knees. Haley grasped Katie's hand gently and the two began to pray.

After the prayer was over, Haley felt a little bit better. She felt a peaceful feeling sweep over her. She hadn't felt that in a long time. It felt good and somehow, Haley knew that Katie was right. The prayer had worked.

"Now, if you give me your phone number, I can call your folks and tell them where you are. I'm sure they're really worried about you."

"Rose is gonna go mad!" Haley realized a look of dread in her eyes.

Katie's face lit up at the sound of the name.

"Rose? Your big sister's name is Rose?"

Haley nodded.

"Well, she and my brother are almost married. Rose isn't my biological sister, but she's my sister all the same. She's great. She's really sweet and she listens whenever I have a problem. But if you get her mad…And Emily is cool too. She has a lot of energy, but a good heart."

Katie nodded, her eyes full of realization.

"I don't think Rose will be too mad at you. I know her. She's an understanding person."

"You do?" Haley asked, taken aback at Katie's words. "You know Rose?"

Katie nodded.

"Yup. I do. In fact, I was the one who brought Rose to the Lord."

Haley's mouth dropped open. She thought Rose had always known who God was.

"But I thought Rose always knew who…"

"Oh she did," Katie confirmed. "That girl had a heart as pure as snow on a clear winter's night. And she knew who to go to in times of trouble. But due to her home life, her guardian didn't believe, nor did he allow Rose to accept Jesus. He forbade it. But I changed that for her. She wanted to accept, oh her heart was crying out to do that very thing. And it finally happened, on a rainy night, just like this one in fact. That is a night I'll never forget."

Haley nodded, entranced by Katie's story.

"Shall I give her a call?" Katie asked, knowing Haley needed to get home.

Haley smiled a little bit, the feeling of peace growing by the minute. She knew she still had a little ways to go, but she could feel herself becoming calmer by the second.

"All right. I'll be right back." With that, Katie went to make her phone call. She knew Rose was probably worried sick about Haley. And boy, was Katie ever right!

"Where could she be?" Rose wondered aloud. She had been looking for an hour now, but still no sign of Haley.

Jake had stayed with Emily while Rose searched. Then once Rose was done, Jake would go out. They switched like this for an hour and a half with no results.

Rose sighed in frustration. Why would Haley run away? She knew better than that.

As Rose was about to call the police, she got a better idea. She hadn't thought of it before because of how scared and worried she had been, but now it came to her.

Rose knelt on her knees and closed her eyes tightly.

"Father, please, keep Haley safe and bring her back to us. Let her know we love her. Please, help us, Father. Please help us to find her. A-" Rose's prayer was interrupted by the ringing of a phone.

Rose snatched it up in a flash and cradled it in the crook of her neck.

"Hello?" Rose asked, not sure who would be calling this time of night.

"Rose? It's Katie. I think I have someone here you might be looking for."

Rose sighed with relief.

"Thank you, Father, thank you." She then turned her attention back to Katie. "Is Haley safe? Is she all right? She's not hurt, is she?"

"No. She's fine. A little wet and she might catch a cold from this, but other than that, she's fine. Do you want to come and get her now or do you want me to give her a room for the night."

Rose had to think hard about this. Now that she knew Haley was safe, she could rest easier. But a part of Rose wanted Haley home now.

"I'll come and get her now."

"I thought you might say that. I'll have her ready for you."

"Thanks, Katie. Thanks a lot."

"No problem, Rose. It's my pleasure. See ya in a few."

Rose was about to say goodbye, when a question struck her.

"How did Haley make it all the way out to Greenfield?"

"I'm not sure. She said she was coming back home when she lost her way."

"I don't think she lost her way." Rose said, realization hitting her full on.

"I'm right with you there." Katie said, a smile spreading across her face. "I totally agree with you."

"I'll see you in a few, okay?" Rose said, before hanging up.

"Okay. See ya then." With that, both friends hung up.

Rose breathed a sigh of relief upon knowing that Haley was all right. She thanked the Father for keeping her safe.

"Who was that?" Jake asked, coming into the room. "Did you find Haley?"

Rose nodded and smiled.

"Yup. I'm going to get her now. I'll be back."

Jake nodded. He was going to offer to fly Rose there, but he had a feeling she would want to walk. She enjoyed walking after a storm. It was one of her favorite things to do.

When Rose reached the center, she went inside and found Haley and Katie engaged in a game of checkers. The little girl seemed okay at Rose's first glance.

Rose breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. She didn't know what she would have done if something had happened to Haley.

"Haley Christina Long!" Rose exclaimed, kneeling down and holding her arms out to her little sister. "What were you thinking? You scared Jake and me to pieces!"

Haley looked up and jumped to her feet. She ran to Rose and clung on for all it was worth. She was crying once again, but this time, it was from remorse and knowing she was in trouble.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just…I just had to get away and I was coming back when I Got lost and…" Her voice trailed off as she let out a sob.

"Shh, shh, hush now, Haley, it's okay. I'm not mad at you, sweetie. I promise. I'm just glad you're okay. Come on now. Let's get you back home. Aw, up you come." With that, Rose picked Haley up and turned to face Katie. Her friend had been watching the reunion with a smile on her face.

"Thanks, Katie. I can't thank you enough for what you did for Haley. Thanks for keeping her safe."

"It was my pleasure. Believe me."

Rose smiled before telling Katie good bye and letting Haley give her a hug.

After they said good bye to Katie, they were off.

When they got home, Rose tucked Haley in bed after the two had some hot chocolate together. Rose wanted to know what Haley was thinking and what had taken place that night.

Haley told Rose everything and as she spoke, she was crying, but she felt a strange sense of peace wash over her. It was like she was unloading a burden of some kind.

As Rose tucked Haley in bed, she stayed with her until she was fast asleep.

As Haley drifted off, she said something Rose wasn't ready for.

"I think I'm ready." Haley said, her eyes half closed.

"Ready for what?" Rose asked, not sure what was on Haley's mind.

"I think I'm ready…" Haley's voice trailed off as she took a deep breath and chose her next words carefully. "…I think I'm ready to say good bye to Julie."

Rose smiled softly and gave Haley a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm glad. And I know the perfect place to do it. Sweet dreams, honey. I love you, Haley."

"Love you too, Rose." Haley mumbled, almost asleep.

Rose patted Haley's shoulder until she knew the little girl was out. She knew now that Haley was going to be fine. What Haley had said just now proved it. Haley would be just fine. And Rose was going to make sure Haley would pass tomorrow with flying colors. No matter what it took, Rose was going to make sure Haley finally found closure with Julie's death…