Chapter three

I spent most of the night talking to Abe and listening to him tell me about the years he knew me as a child, about Turkey and his business. I tell him about Lissa, about losing Mason and about Dimitri.. Lastly I talk to him about the baby and voice my fears aloud for the first time. He is surprisingly easy to talk to and while he flaunts an air of protection at times it only make me feel like he cares.

"You know kidz, I'll help you in any way I can. Housing, food, anything you and the baby need until you figure it out. I can't let my daughter and grandchild be out on the street. I can help you find a job as well."

I stare at him, eyes wide and mouth gaping. He looks back, eyes swirling with confusion at my expression. "It's just that… no one has really cared that much besides Dimitri and Lissa."

A frown fills his whole countenance " I do care kidz I want a chance to be a father, I know it's a bit late and it may take a while but I want to try. I have always loved you always cared. That's why I stayed away."

"You aren't disappointed? I mean even I know it's a textbook screw up. A teenage girl gets pregnant by an older guy who isn't around anymore. That doesn't make you think maybe I'm not worth the time and effort." My voice cracks a bit at the end. I really haven't done anything right. My life is a mess, I'm sure when Kirova finds out I'll be expelled. If Abe doesn't help me I honestly don't know what I'll do but it doesn't make sense. Why go through the trouble?

"You think so little of yourself? Has no one given you any sense of importance? Of self worth?" He rubs his forehead as he steps toward me. "Rose, you'll find out in the next few months once you have a child there isn't a thing you won't do for them to make sure they are safe, even if that means giving them up." His voice breaks at the last part, and for the first time I start to understand what it feels like to have a father's love. Honestly the moment both breaks my heart and fills it with joy. I finally have my father and he loves me, but this baby will never know it's father. The father that would have loved it more than I can even begin to imagine.

"I'm glad you're here now. Thank you for finding me again. Honestly mom is probably going to disown me and well with Dimtri gone at least I know I'm not completely alone." I say it so quietly I wonder if he hears. He's seeing a side of me no one else does right now the badass Rose is gone for the moment leaving me very much vulnerable.

"Any time Kidz I'm here now and I plan on showing you that I can be counted on and earning your trust."

We sit for a moment comfortable in silence until the comfort is interrupted by my mother walking in the door.

Abe stiffens as she enters and the tension in the room rises to new heights "So what have you done now?"

My mother has this way of bringing out the worst in me and today doesn't seem to be an exception. "Hey mom, thanks I'm doing fine." sarcasm is dripping from my words.

"Skip the drama Rose. I don't have time for this." I can see Abe's eyes line with surprise from the corner of my vision. "We need to get this taken care of quickly before anyone finds out. You'll be a guardian and graduate and no one will be the wiser."

Did she just say what I think she did "I'm not "taking care" of this as you so eloquently put it. I'm keeping this baby."

"This baby is going to ruin your life, you are not ready for this." she's talking about my child as if it's nothing but a burden and mistake.

It might not have been anywhere near planned, I might be alone but this baby is my miracle " Is that what I did? Ruin your life?" silence hangs in the air " Good to know how you feel. You can screw off. I am not getting rid of my baby."

Her face burns bright "It's the bastard child of your dead mentor, you don't have a choice."

Now it's my turn to be shocked Abe steps up "Janie I think it's best you leave."

"What?" her face cannot get any brighter at this point.

"You need to leave and I think it's best you don't come back for a while." Abe's face grows dark clouds cover the kindness he showed me as he approaches my mother. For the first time maybe ever I see fear cross her face. She leaves without another word. She's gone.

We sit in silence for a few more minutes before the door opens again and a terrified freshman walks in and hands me an envelope without saying anything or even making eye contact.

I turn it over in my hands having a fairly good idea about what it contains, I open it with a resigning determination.

To Whom it may concern,

This letter is confirmation of my decision to expel Rosemarie Hathaway.

I have taken into account our discussion at the Behavior Support and Intervention Meeting held on her behalf and considered all the information that was provided. I have also considered the

interventions and support the school has put in place for through her recent struggles to date including access to counseling which she never took advantage of.

Given the magnitude of Miss. Hathways behavior, and her current condition, I

consider expulsion as the only option.

Headmistress Kirova

I hand the letter to Abe, hands reads through it quickly before pulling his phone from inside his suit "When you get released go pack your bags and wait in your dorm I'll have Pavel meet you there. He's one of my head guardians. I trust him completely. I'll have everything arranged by then." and without another word he leaves me alone in the room with my thoughts.

It's not long until I am back in my sitting on my bed having packed the meager belongings into just a few boxes. The ultrasound picture is nestled in my pocket. I have already said goodbye to Lissa and promised to let her know when I am settled wherever I end up. I hug Dimitris hoodie around me. Promising myself I will be strong and get through this. A knock at the door shakes my thoughts as I open it to meet a soft smile on an older man I assume is Pavel "Rose, this way." he takes my bag and leads me through the door. As it closes I close this chapter of my life knowing the next few chapter will be so much different than the last.