.It was Brooke's birthday on Thursday. Rose tried to be happy for her friend and get in a celebratory mood, but she failed to do either as a decision she still hadn't made loomed over her like it would fall and crush her at any given time, and she was under so much pressure she felt like she might burst. Besides, Brooke was having struggles of her own, with it being the first birthday in forever that she had to celebrate without Peyton. Also, she still loved Lucas-that was clear to anyone who paid any attention. Lucas had yet to try and get Brooke back.

Rose had just arrived back home from Brooke's and looked at the time. 8:00. She had exactly four hours to decide what she wanted to do.

A sixteen-year-old Rose held her newborn daughter in her arms. She never wanted to let her go, wanted to protect her all she could from the cruelty and dangers of the outside world. She wanted this new heart to never be broken, for her to never have to look at her first love lying in a coffin because of some stupid accident that easily could've been avoided.

"You're not thinking of keeping her, are you, Rose?" Georgina asked.

"Of course I am, Mom...she's my daughter," Rose said, appalled at her birth mother for her rude question.

"While that may be true, she's a girl with no father and a teenage mother. You don't want a life like that for her, do you?"

"Do you actually expect me to give my own child up because you think I can't raise her single?"

"She'll be better off with two graduated parents."

She remembered that day and knew exactly what she needed to do.

She needed to get her baby back. She dialed a number.

"Hi, Mom, it's Rose. Did the McIntyre's tell you yet?"

"About Graycie's parents? Yep."

"Good. I've decided to come get her. Could I stay with you and Dad there while I get it arranged?"

"Of course, darling. When are you coming?"

"I'll be on my way tonight."

"You're driving at night, Rose? "

Rose chuckled. "Anything for Graycie, Mom."

"Well, keep in touch on the way so I know you're safe."

"I will, Ma, don't worry."

The next person she called was Antonio.

"Hey, douchebag, guess what?"

"Why guess when I know everything, Rose?"

"Really? M'kay, did you know that I'm coming up to get my daughter?"

"Always have to win, don't you?"

"I've learned recently that winning is in my blood."

"I'd be willing to challenge that."

"Game on, moron."

The next person she called was Jake, to tell him everything and what decision she'd come to. He insisted that he go with her, and that they go in his car. She agreed. She packed her bags enough for five days figuring that after the weekend it would take some legal processing to get Graycie.

She put the bags in Jake's car when he arrived at 10. She was tired and slept as he drove through most of the night. He woke her up when he was tired enough to need a motel. They got a room with two beds since Rose was one of those "I'm waiting 'til three months" people.

"Jake, are you asleep?" Rose asked from her bed.

"No," Jake drawled sleepily, "not yet."

"Do you think I will be a good mother?"

"Rose, I think the fact that you're actually asking that question means that you will."

"Really?"

Jake chuckled. "Yes, now...go to sleep. There'll be plenty of time for worrying when the sun is up."

...

They arrived at the Gallagher House in the early afternoon the next day. Jake noticed the size of the house, almost twice the size of the Scott residence, and turned to Rose. "You grew up in this?"

Rose nodded. "Threw a lot of big parties here. I miss it sometimes," she shrugged. "But Tree Hill's grown on me."

They got out of the car and approached the door. Rose rang the doorbell. A tall, young adult male answered the door.

"Mom, Dad, Rosie's at the door," the guy said, walking away from the open door.

"Who's that?" Jake asked aside to Rose.

"My adoptive brother, Dominic. Hey, Dommy," she called to him, earning a scoff from the tall young man.

"Now she acts like she knows me," Dominic grinned. "You forgot about me, huh?"

"No..."

"I'll pretend I believe you. Come on in," Dominic laughed as Georgina and Benedict entered the room. Georgina gave Rose a quick hug and noticed her companion. "Who's this," Georgina asked.

"This is Jake," Rose smiled. "My boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? Teeny tiny Rosie's got herself a little boyfriend?" Dominic asked. "I missed a lot when I was in college."

"Four years is a lot, Dominic," Rose said, rolling her eyes.

"So," Benedict started, always ready to get down to business. "You're only staying up here to get Graycie?"

Rose nodded.

"Okay. You can stay in your old room, but your boyfriend here will be down here on the couch."

Both Jake and Rose nodded.

...

After they'd rested up a bit, Jake and Rose were on their way to the McIntyre Estate to prove that they were in New York. They drove the extremely long driveway that Rose always hated.

"I really don't want to knock on that door. I hate those people," Rose complained as they parked.

The door opened, and Rose saw it was Antonio who opened it.

"Looks like you won't have to," Jake said.

Antonio approached the passenger's side, and Rose rolled her window down.

"Good to see you found your way back out of Hicktown," Antonio said, "and who's this?" He gestured to Jake.

"My boyfriend, Jake," Rose said.

"Oh, so he wasn't imaginary," Antonio said, a teasing smirk on his face.

"No, but I wish you were," Rose said, rolling her eyes and opening the door. Antonio had been leaning against it, so he was pushed back and he almost fell.

"Damn, be careful," Antonio said.

"Oh, shut up," Rose said.

Antonio shrugged and led Rose and Jake into the house.

"Unfortunately, Ma and Pa aren't here," Antonio said, "so it's just me and Reese."

"Okay," Rose said, feeling slightly uncomfortable without the parents being there. "So, just dropped by to let you know I'm here."

"Cool," Antonio rolled his eyes. Then, his expression changed to seriousness. "I've got something to show you, Rose."

"I doubt it."

"No, really, you're really gonna wanna see this," Antonio said.

"Fine," Rose said.

"And you," Antonio turned to Jake, "are gonna wanna stay down here."

Jake scoffed, but Rose said, "Go ahead and stay down here."

Jake trusted her and let her go upstairs with Antonio, who led her into Steven's bedroom.

"Why are we here?" Rose asked, now feeling haunted and confused. Both feelings were evident in her voice.

Antonio didn't say anything. He opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out an envelope. He handed it to Rose.

"He'd want you to have this," Antonio said.

Rose looked through it, finding the notes, the ultrasounds, and the ring.

She pulled the ring out, realizing exactly what type of ring it was. "Oh, my..."

"I know," Antonio sighed.

"He was going to ask me to marry him?"

"I guess."

"Why didn't I know before now?"

"Because I only found out about it a few days ago," Antonio said.

"How?"

"You know, snooping around in my little brother's room."

"Tony, that's creepy," Rose said.

"It's not the creepiest thing I've done this week."

"Yeah, I think showing up at my door pretty much tops that list."

"We should probably go back down before your boyfriend kills me," Antonio joked. "Oh, by the way, did you notice the crib as you came in?"

"No, I didn't," Rose said.

"Well, I have a baby sister now. Camilla."

They reached the bottom of the steps to see that baby held by Jake.

"She was crying and he calmed her down," Reese shrugged.

"Did he, now?" Antonio asked. "I can never calm her down."

"Neither can I," Reese said. "Rose, can we keep your boyfriend.

"No, he's mine," she smiled.

And she was glad that he was.