Disclaimer I don't own the characters. And if the story is close to any other it was unintentional. And it's my first story ever. So be kind, please
Stevie stood over Rose. She had just entered Rose's room since she still wanted to talk to her. I want to tell her, she thought. But wanting to didn't cover it. She realized she needed to tell Rose. Rosie, her Rosie, was growing up so fast, and she deserved the truth. So Stevie stood there, watching her daughter sleep peacefully. She knew she would turn her daughter's world upside down. But wasn't it kinda turned upside down anyway, and she just tried to turn it right. She just tried to make things right, she couldn't get over a decade ago.
Rose still slept peacefully, unaware of her mother's thoughts, unaware of her mom's struggles. Because honestly speaking, Stevie still had her doubts. About the timing, about it being the right thing, about deserving the privilege of raising Rose. All her friends were told what she hoped was right, she hadn't even told Alex or Tess about the doubts that still planked her. But she knew she needed to tell Rose, she needed to tell her Rosie. Because if she couldn't do it now, while her daughter slept, when could she? So she did.
"My beautiful Rose, my darling, I'm your mom. I'm your mom, Rosie.
A minute later, Rose woke up. Was her aunt crying? She didn't dare to look, didn't dare to show her aunt that she was awake. Or was it her mother? She didn't know. Her dream confused her.
In that dream, she was out riding with her aunt Stevie. Stevie, who was so much better than her mother Michelle. Stevie, who was fun. They were out riding by the dam, and they were talking. About anything and everything. Honestly, with aunt Stevie, Rose could talk about anything...
But Rose didn't remember what they were talking about in the dream. Not anyway. The only thing she knew, was that her aunt was distraught, and she feared it was about something she did. Maybe she should leave.
Days passed. Rose was about ready to leave Drover's Run behind. She had talked to her mom, Michelle, yesterday on the phone and decided to take the bus back to the city. That would be tomorrow. That night she had a feeling she had a dream she already knew. Yet again, she was at the dam with Stevie. The dream had started way earlier than before. Because even though thinking about Zack hurt, their breakup hadn't been long. So she dreamed of what could have been if Zack had come. They were having a pick-nick when Stevie came. Suddenly dream- Zack was gone, but it didn't matter because Stevie was there, and she took care of me. Again, they were talking about anything and everything. But the dream didn't end there. Instead, it continued. That was different. Rose heard Stevie telling her how proud she was, how happy she was her daughter was finally here, where she belonged. While Rose didn't understand what Stevie was trying to tell her, at first, Stevie's next words made it clear: "My beautiful Rose, my darling, I'm your mom. I'm your mom, Rosie."
The dream ended with Rose riding away because deep down she felt betrayed but couldn't the dream be the truth, wouldn't it be perfect. But why didn't her mom want her when she was little.
With those thoughts, her dream ended. Shortly afterward, she woke up. Groggy and full of questions but could she demand an answer from her aunt? Or her mother? Maybe she should stick with their names right now. She wasn't sure if Stevie would answer or run and Michelle, Michelle, was the one who was there during most of her childhood. Could Rose demand an answer from her?
It was a silly dream, was it not? That is what she tried to convince herself of, anyway.
It was still the middle of the night, so Rose sat down in front of the cottage, looking at the stars. Unbeknownst to her, Stevie was sitting in front of the shearers' quarters to do the same thing. While the cottage belonged to her now, she still went to her favorite place to think: The sofa in front of the shearers' quarters. Stevie knew it was silly, but Stevie wished Alex was close to her. If Rose wasn't staying there, she might have gone to Killarney. It was the middle of the night and way past visiting hours, but Stevie needed to talk to Alex, yet her priority was and always would be her Rose. So she stayed, wishing her thoughts would call him to her.
So mother and daughter sat not too far from each other, and yet it felt as if there were miles between them.
The sun was barely dawning when Stevie decided to wake Rose. But Rose was gone from her room. Immediately, Stevie lost it. In the last few days, Rose had proven to be so much like Stevie, and she feared Rose was like her in that aspect as well. In short, Stevie feared Rose would have run. But Rose had seen Stevie come, decided to go into the main house and call Michelle, telling her she needed a few more days at Drover's Run.
Stevie started waking Jodi and Kate, not wanting to disturb Tess yet, fearing judgment from Tess.
Jodi and Kate split up, knowing Stevie was frantic and knowing they'd need food and water if they started searching everywhere. So while Stevie searched between the houses, Kate packed breakfast, water, and their drizza bones. Kate wanted to be prepared for anything.
At the same time, Jodi saddled up the horses, realizing no horse was missing, so Rose either took a dirt bike or was on foot.
When Kate was getting their swags, hoping they wouldn't need them, she heard a sound from inside the office. Thinking it might make things easier if Tess was on board she went in.
Instead of Tess, she found Rose on the phone. Rose was crying. So Kate left to call Stevie and Jodie. She would send Jodie to talk to Rose since the usage of the phone house made it clear Rose wouldn't want to talk to Stevie or wouldn't want Stevie to overhear. Outside Kate found Stevie first and told her that all was going to be well. That she had located Rose but that the girl needed some time for herself...
Next, Kate went to Jodi. She told her the same thing. Plus that Stevie and she would take care of the horses and that Jodi was needed in the office.
Rose was still crying when Jodi arrived. What's going on, Rose Jodi asked. But Rose remained quiet. So Jodi began again. Can I help you in any way? Usually, I'd say you're too old for stories. But maybe you need to hear one. A true story. But I'm not the right person to tell you.
That's when Rose interrupted. What true story do you think I need to hear? What's going on here, anyway? Nobody seems to tell me anything.
Jodi held Rose at that point. The girl seemed to need a shoulder to cry on. And in typical Jodi fashion, she tried again. Rose, we are here for you. I am here. Stevie's here. We all want to help you. What's going on, Rose. I mean we can only help you if you talk with us.
Tess stood outside the room and heard the last bit. Wow she thought, Jodi just sounded like me. She told Rose what I would usually tell Stevie, what I used to tell Claire. Seems like Jodi got it under control. So Tess now knew that something was going on, even if she didn't know what exactly. So she tried finding either Stevie or Kate. Maybe one of them could shed some light on whatever she nearly walked in on in the office.
Back with Rose and Jodi: Rose starts talking. A few days ago, when Zack didn't show I was heartbroken. Do you remember that? Aunt Stevie came to the bus stop to get me. We talked. Or I talked. She just listened, but that was enough. After a while, I was just exhausted. So aunt Stevie brought me to my room in the cottage. I fell asleep, but I had a weird dream. I won't tell you everything, but in my dream, I woke up, and aunt Stevie told me she was my mom. She was so distraught, I thought she had lost it. So I kept quiet. I thought it couldn't be true. Why wouldn't she keep me if it was the truth? Anyway next I dreamed that I fell asleep again. I thought it was just happening in my dream. But why would I dream something like that?
Jodi asked: Do you think it wasn't a dream then?
I don't know. Maybe I should confront aunt Stevie. I tried Michelle over the phone but that went horribly wrong.
Let me get this straight, Jodi asked. You tried confronting your mom, but instead of waiting 'till you are back home, you did so in a phone conversation. Honestly, I don't get it. Have you asked Michelle to come?
No, I didn't. Rose answered readily. I don't want to see her or Tom. Okay, but what do you want to do, Rose? Do you wanna ask Stevie or do you want to forget about it?
At that moment, Kate entered the office, not knowing that Jodi was still talking down Rose. Even though Rose reacted way better than anyone could have imagined she would. It was still a rough day for everyone. And while Kate would have enjoyed cooking to get her stress level balanced, she was getting Stevie to open up to her. A few minutes ago, Tess arrived and took Stevie to look at one of the border fences with Killarney. Kate rode back, wanting to call Alex and send him to the said fence as well.
Excuse me, she announced herself, but I need to use the phone, please.