Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I only borrowed them.

Chapter 2

Seeing Kate, Jodi asked Kate what she would be doing if it was her in Rose's place. Kate answered: I don't know what I would do. But I can tell you what I wouldn't do. In your place, I would hope to have the family support that they give me time to think about it. But at the same time, I would have tried to understand and I hope I would be willing to listen. Listen to my mom or stepmom, And I get that it's confusing right now. I get that maybe you just need to think but we cannot help you. But out there is a woman who will explain everything. You just need to listen. Another piece of advice I can give is: Keep an open mind. It might not be understandable to you. It might not be what you wished for. But you have to talk to someone, someone involved, who can actually answer your questions. From what I gather, two people can answer your questions. So you can either call Michelle and ask her to come, or I can bring you to Stevie and you can ask her. But especially if you decide not to talk to Stevie I need to use the phone. Because then more than ever she will need her best friend. And since I can't really call Claire, I'll call Alex.

Okay, I'll talk to her. But I need a little more time. Could you call Alex, please? If you think she requires him, call him, please.

It's not what we think she requires. We know she actually requires something else. But what should we do, Rose? Jodi said. We know she requires something else, but Alex is the best we can do.

Do you think she needs Claire? Rose questioned Jodi while Kate called Alex. Honestly, I don't know what will help if this goes south. You need to talk to her. You need to listen to her, please. Please, Rose. But I need to go now. Because if I don't, I probably will tell you a story, which isn't mine to tell. So please do me a favour, go talk to Stevie. Because she is hurting, too. Honestly, she's hurting, fearing, and yet holding on to hope because that's all she's got.

At the same time at Killarney Alex Ryan speaking, how can I help you?

Alex this is Kate, we've got an emergency we need you. Better yet go directly to the border fence on Skinny Jims that's where Stevie and Tess are. Kate, what's going on? I can't explain. But I'm told it has something to do with something you went through when Claire was still alive. And something about a Wedding anniversary. That's all I can tell you because I'm not alone. So go talk to Stevie, please. She needs you. And bring a sixpack.

Alex was kinda confused. A wedding anniversary, something he went through when Claire was still alive. How did Kate know about that? Was it common gossip? And what about Stevie? Why didn't she call if she needed him? Okay, he thought. I'll go. Maybe Tess can shed some light on whatever is going on.

Meanwhile, at the border fence on Skinny Jims: What am I gonna do, Tess. My daughter is pulling away from me. While I know it's normal, it still hurts. It hurts so much, Tess. Do you remember when I first came and Claire trusted me with Charlotte? Do you remember that? Just having her on my arm, soothing her, was a balm to my soul. It reminded me of Rose. So much. I felt like 15 again, but this time I was enough. I could look after Charlotte when I couldn't look after Rose. And for as long as Charlotte was here, it helped immensely. I still missed my little girl. Don't get me wrong on that one. And even though you were the -one raising Charlotte, it felt like life was giving me a second chance at seeing a girl grow up, seeing my girl grow up. And I know it might not make sense to you. But that's how I felt.

Now she had to endure her first heartbreak and I was there and it was enough for her. But I'm still an outsider. I feel like she's yet again slipping through my fingers. I thought I lost her when I gave her to Michelle to raise. For years I thought I had already lost her. It felt like she had already slipped through my fingers long before I ever arrived at Drovers. That she came now was both healing and destructive. It was healing, rejuvenating that she's here, that she trusts me enough to come here, that she feels safe here...

But the moment she pulled away, it became destructive. It became destructive because I allowed myself to hope yet again. And yet again, my hope seems to get shattered.

Tess shushed Stevie, holding her close, knowing she couldn't really help her friend. What neither knew was that two people were already on their way, trying to understand what they were supposed to do. Alex was closer, but he saw Rose coming in the distance as well. And at that moment, the puzzle pieces of information fit together. Stevie had told Rose about her true parentage. And now she was upset. Or at least that's what Alex thought.

Since he was the only one knowing how to be in Rose's place he thought about going after Rose until he realized Rose was on her way.

Rose had said she needed time until she could talk to either Stevie or Michelle. But the truth was, she realized the moment Jodi and Kate left her alone for a minute, she needed her mother or aunt, whoever Stevie was it didn't matter right now. Rose realized she required Stevie. And even though nobody had yet confirmed her dream, Rose knew in her heart that Stevie was her mother. She required Stevie, but she needed to talk to her alone. Not to Alex, not to Tess, just to Stevie.