Rose

I managed to slip out of the living room, going out into the corridor and taking a breather, exhaling softly.

I waved my hand in front of my face as if it would help me cool down. I was so warm, probably from the nervousness.

Cristiano was in the lounge, continuing to wind everyone up and crack some jokes but all I wanted to do was escape. I needed some space and I felt overwhelmed. Plus, it was not like anyone was really speaking to me anyway, they were all too busy being annoyed by Cris.

I leaned against the wall and sighed, running my hand through my long hair. I exhaled softly, squeezing my eyes closed as I tried to get my heart back to its normal rhythm.

Then I heard the sounds of footsteps; many tiny footsteps running down he stairs. My eyes flew open and I watched as children ran down the stairs, laughing and playing tag.

A small smile came into my face then it extended as I caught a pair of sapphire eyes.

"Rose!"

"Blaze!"

She giggled as I scooped her up and spun her around, cuddling her and asking her so many questions that she could barely respond.

"I missed you!" She told me, her small arms hugging me tightly as I kissed her temple, cuddling her.

"Me too," I softly replied, closing my eyes as I held the sweet girl. I sighed, moving away and meeting her eyes. My lips parted and I went to say something until we were interrupted.

"Blaze? Where did you put mama's phone - oh. ."

My head turned and I gazed Blaze's mother.

Oh shit

Here we go

My lips parted in surprise and I suddenly went speechless. Her eyes glanced between Blaze and I, her eyebrows knotting together gently in slight confusion. She kept a small, polite smile on her face though she seemed puzzled as to why I was hugging her daughter.

"Mama!" Blaze beamed, sliding out of my arms and running to her mother, jumping up and down and tugging her mother's dress. "Mama! Mama! That's Rose! Rose is real! See, that's Rose! I told you, mama!"

Her mother's face slowly changed, an indescribable yet dark look covering it. She took Blaze's hand and said gently, "Blaze, go play upstairs with April."

Blaze frowned but didn't argue. She went to go do as she was told, leaving us two alone. I bit my bottom lip and her eyes flickered upwards, meeting mine. I realised that the look on her age was not a good one and already, there was a bad feeling in my gut.

She started walking slowly yet hostilely towards me and I knew she was gonna go for a punch. I started moving backwards and before I knew it, we were outside and the door shut loudly behind us.

She swung and I dodged, blocking her second fist and quickly saying, "woah! Stop! Can you please hear me out?"

"You brainwashed her!" She snapped, her eyes filled with anger and disbelief. She seemed to be masking her pain with vexation and glared deadly at me, her eyes shooting daggers towards me.

"Brainwashed?" I repeated in disbelief, taking steps cautiously backwards so she wouldn't go for another hit. "Wait, you've got it wrong-"

"Have I?" She harshly interrupted in disbelief. She sighed, shaking her head and scoffing, bitterly looking at me. "What the hell are you doing here, Rose? Yeah, I know, she keeps saying you're this sweet, kind person who protected her but it's a lie! All lies! You twisted her mind into thinking that!"

"W-Why do you think that?" I coldly retorted, not liking her tone at all.

"Because I have photos!" She countered, anger in each of her words. She scoffed again, running her hand through her hair and continuing, "the day she was gone, someone sent us a photo of my daughter tied up and someone in a clown costume in front of her with a knife." Her voice cracked, pain in her words. She shook her head, her face scrunching up in anger at me.

"You! You must be the clown! The fucking clown that gives her nightmares at night!" She seethed, her eyes electric with rage.

"No," I seriously told her, my heart aching at the fact rang Blaze was still having nightmares. "No, you've got it wrong."

Her eyebrows creased and she looked at me in confusion. "How? Explain to me, how?"

"I was once kidnapped," I began, my voice much more calmer. I licked my lips, exhaling. "It's a long story but I had to strip and one day, I came back and I saw her in my dressing room, hiding under my table with just a ripped dress on. Before I could say anything, this guy walked in and tried to take advantage of me. I had control and was fighting him off but she somehow got a pole and hit him, saving me."

Her eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting. She waited for me to continue.

"Then I took her away and drove her to mine. I was gonna take her in to the police but she said someone was coming for her," I explained, my voice wavering. "That was all she said so I didn't take her and I just took care of her, waiting for this-this 'person'. Eventually, I found out it was her father, Leonardo, right?"

She nodded slowly, her face completely changing.

"I got to know her more and she opened up to me. Then Cris and I managed to find out where she lived and we dropped her home. Cris wasn't ready to face his brother so we didn't introduce ourselves."

She exhaled shakily, gripping into the bar to balance herself.

"You have to know," I seriously said, my eyes filled with honesty. "I never hurt Blaze. I only protected her. Never."

A tear ran down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away, taking a seat on the bench. Leaning forwards, she buried her head in her hands and it took me a moment before I realised she was crying.

In sympathy, I took a seat not too far away, my eyes filled with concern. She sniffed, wiping her eyes and exhaling deeply, her hands shaking.

"How do I know you're not lying?" She whispered, her voice so delicate and filled with raw pain.

I gave her a small smile, her teary eyes glancing upwards at me. "You know," I gently answered, "otherwise you wouldn't be feeling so emotional."

She sighed, rubbing her eyes which smiled her makeup. Sniffing, she tried to calm herself down, her eyes fixed upon the nature instead of me.

"All this time," she whispered again, shaking her head and sniffing. "All this time, I thought someone hurt her- I thought I ruined my duties as her mother." Her voice was so painful and filled with love for her child. As shook her head again, blinking back the tears rapidly. "God, she's been having so many nightmares and I just want it all to end. You have no idea how it feels to know that she didn't get hurt. . .she had love."

Sniffing again, she wipes the tears running down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry. I-"

"No, you don't have to," I replied with a kind smile, understanding her situation. "Don't worry."

"Thank you," she sincerely said, exhaling and fanning her face with her hand for a moment to calm down before looking at me. "You've done so much. Even watched me cry."

I smiled and shook my head. "No, honestly, it's fine. I'm glad she's safe at home."

She smiled and cleared her throat, saying, "I'm Maria. . .I hope we're on good terms. . ?"

"Yeah, definitely. I'm Rose - Rosalia," I replied and we shared a small chuckle, just as the front door opened and there stood Leonardo.

"There you are! Come on, dinner's ready," his deep voice said, his eyes on his wife. She glanced over at me and sighed saying, "Come here, there's something you need to know about Blaze. . ."

~~~

At the dinner table, I took a seat in between Valentina and Cristiano.

The talk between Blaze's parents had gone well and I felt much more relaxed knowing that they knew the truth.

Everyone was around the dining table and the food was passed around, each person serving themselves the traditional Christmas dinner.

"So, Cris, Rose, are you guys together?"

My head snapped upwards as my hand froze in mid air, about to take a bread bun as my heart stopped. Cristiano slipped his hand in mine unexpectedly, and kissing it gently, my cheeks going red as our eyes locked. We had known each other for ages and yet, a simple act of love from him could make me blush like a lovesick teenager.

I blinked, using my other hand to pull a strand of my hair behind my ear as bit the inside of cheek, feeling nervous.

"Yeah," Cristiano answered, a smile forming on his face as his eyes lovingly gazed over at me. "She's my everything." Our eyes locked and I gave him a small smile, my eyes averting elsewhere as I licked my lips.

"Aww, how did you guys meet?" Mia curiously asked, bouncing her son on her lap. Everyone had stopped in their mini conversations and had tuned into ours.

I had learnt everyone's names and who they were after being introduced by Maria. Leonardo and Maria has four children: Blaze, Zachary, Isabella and Axel. Valentina was married to Cris's younger brother, Dante and had three children: Matteo, Ariana and Alexander. Vincenzo's children were Francisco and April.

The brothers also had a younger sister called Lilliana who had recently been found after many years. Their mother was called Ada. I hadn't spoken to her much but she seemed extremely nice. Mia's best friend was called Cat who was engaged to River and had two girls: Bambi and Lyric.

It was a lot to process meeting Cris's large family but everyone was welcoming and treated me as if they known me forever. It was nice feeling comfortable.

Cristiano chuckled at Mia's question, his thumb caressing my hand. "Long ass - I mean, long story." His eyes glanced over to his mother who gave him a warning look for his choice of words.

"We've known each other for a while," I added, my eyes flickering over to Cris, my heart warming at the sight.

And I love him, more than anything in the world

"Well, then you need to put a ring on it, Cris," Val chipped in, wriggling her eyebrows with a smile at Cris.

He chuckled a little nervously, his eyes averting elsewhere. I tensed up a little at the thought. Marriage?

Rose Amabella married to Cristiano Rossi?

Rose Rossi

Mrs Rose Rossi

That's actually a nice ring to it

Mrs Rose Rossi

What dress would I wear?

Who would be my bridesmaids?

Juliet would definitely be my made of honour

I wanna find mama so she can walk me down the aisle

"-better. Someone like Rose with you?" Vincenzo said under his breath, a sarcastic look thrown towards his brother.

"Well, yeah, she doesn't deserve me but you don't gotta say that because it's not like you can talk shit," Cris snapped back, the mood on the table completely changing. I stopped eating my head turning as I locked eyes with him.

Damn, I miss 30 seconds of a conversation and there was an argument

Stop zoning out, Rose!

"Cristiano Emanuel Rossi! Ti darò uno schiaffo in casa del prete in Italia se non smetti di imprecare!" {I will slap you to the priest's house in Italy if you don't stop cussing} Alba chided, glaring at her son.

Lilliana snorted, holding back from bursting out laughing.

"Chill out," I murmured to him, giving him a serious look. I slipped my hand in his, giving him a reassuring look but he looked away, huffing and staying silent.

"Thanks, Vincenzo, but I'm fine," I politely said, trying to minimise the awkwardness in the air.

Maria cleared her throat uncomfortably before brightly asking, "so. . .you guys got kids?"

I shook my head with a smile, keeping my eyes away from Cristiano who seemed too annoyed.

"That's good. He'd probably knock you up then run off like he always does."

"Vince, stop picking a fight!" Mia hissed, poking his arm and giving him a small glare.

"Oh, you, out of all people wanna talk about running off? Didn't you go off the rails and almost lost the chances of seeing your kids?" Cris shot back, getting angrier and angrier.

"Oh, shoot, here we go," Val muttered quietly under her breath.

"Cris," I warningly said in a low tone, holding his large bicep.

"That's not running off though, is it, stupid? Your ass couldn't handle being a father-"

"Well, at least I would actually be there instead of getting high!"

"You both need to quit it!" Leonardo snapped, glaring at his brothers.

"Cris!" I bursted, scolding at him.

"Fuck you, didn't you sell your girl? Yeah, at least I didn't stoop that low."

Exposed

"You sold Rose?" Valentina exclaimed, her eyes widening as she stared at Cris in shock.

My eyes widened as the both of them stood up, hostile towards each other.

"Vincenzo!" Alba hissed, standing too.

"Apologise!" Mia scolded, passing her son to Dante who escorted the children out the room.

Shit cakes

"Oh, you wanna talk? You hit yours! Yeah, Dante's ass can't keep a secret."

"You scum. Did you forget how you almost got Leo killed?"

"Vincenzo and Cristiano! Enough!"

"You cheated on your girl multiple times and you wanna start shit? Don't fucking test me - I will punch the STIs out of you!"

"Stop it, Cristiano!"

"You're the reason you lost your child. You're a living mistake! You left us when we needed you the most. I hate you and I don't even know why you're still in my fucking house."

His hand curled into a fist, so close to hitting his brother until I stopped him, shaking my head in disbelief. I suddenly felt dizzy and stared at Cris in anger. "You told him? Now everyone knows, you idiot! I'll have my turn hitting you after him!"

"V, that's enough. Look at what you've done!" Mia began, her eyes widening. She went to speak but stopped automatically - everyone did as we all noticed April in the doorway managing to hold a Labrador puppy.

"Bear pooped on your bed, mama and Leo keeps licking it. . ."

~~~

As I washed the dishes, I contemplated on everything.

That's enough crying, Rose

I squeezed my eyes closed, leaving my hands under the warm water that was practically burning my skin and yet it felt nice.

Mia had gone to clean her bedroom after telling April off, Vincenzo and Cristiano were outside having a long talk with their mother whilst everyone else seemed to be doing their own thing.

I thought Christmas was going to be alright that year and it seemed to be a disaster as two brothers couldn't put their long feud aside. I sighed again, thinking about the argument over and over. Everything was revealed, even the miscarriage.

I wasn't comfortable with everyone knowing; I didn't want pity.

My head was spinning and I felt exhausted for some reason. All I wanted to do was sleep but I decided to help out, everyone was already busy.

"Hey."

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned my head, meeting a pair of honey eyes. The girl gave me a warm smile, slowly taking a step in and asking me kindly, "need any help?"

"Uh. ." I glanced around and almost denied her offer until I noticed how messed up the large kitchen was. "Yes, please." I gave her a benevolent smile and she entered, beginning to wipe the counters and put things where the belonged.

"I'm Cat," she introduced, putting the sugar away as her eyes glanced over at me. "It's nice to meet you, Rose."

"Nice meeting you too," I kindly responded, my eyes flickering over to her. I sighed softly, clicking my neck.

"Are you alright?" She asked me, her tone filled with concern. "At the dinner table. . ." She trailed off as though she didn't even want to mention it. She looked away and sighed softly. "Sorry, I shouldn't of brought it up."

"It's okay," I reassured her, washing a cup. I cleared my throat and continued, "I just need to live with it."
I hesitated before quietly adding, "I never realised I'd be affected by it so much."

"I understand," Cat softly replied, putting away some cups as she dried some more. "A lot of things have happened in my life that haven't gone away. But they will get better; that's what you've gotta remember. Vincenzo acted like a douche today but he did help me by saying that a while back. I needed it."

I nodded, taking her words in. I rubbed my lips together, hesitating again before asking curiously, "if you don't mind me asking. . .for what?"

I hoped I hadn't pressed on too much. Cat answered casually, "well, he helped me find the person who sexually attacked me."

I paused, comprehending what she had just confessed.

"You feel like it's your fault but-"

"It's really not," I whispered, finishing her sentence. We locked eyes and shared a smile. Her eyes told me she knew, she knew exactly how I felt and what it was like to be broken by a despicable human being.

"You're strong," Cat told me, "don't ever forget that."

_________

Ahh, why do I do this to my poor characters?

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