-Rose-

Dan arrived to pick me up for the Opera gala. He stood waiting as I came out of my room. I gave him a twirl.

"Amazing as ever." He handed me a single Rose.

"Thank you. I'm sorry about earlier. My little moment of despair." I shake my head looking down at the single rose.

"No it's fine. Look, I got you something. Before you open it. It's not what you think. I have said that so many times this afternoon." he handed me a small box. I opened it a small dainty ring a mossanite stone in the middle with three diamonds on the top and bottom and to present moons on the side.

"This is my promise to you that no matter what happens between us, I will still love you." he promised and I felt myself

"Daniel, this...I don't know what to say." he took the ring out of the box.

"I have known you for almost four years been one of your best friends for one and a couple for five months. know that once you said something, I needed to react like you. brave and bold." he slipped it onto my finger. "I also had some fairies help so..."

"I love it. I love you." I brought him into a kiss "Thank you."

"I promised that if I had to I would always prove it. This is one of them ways" How did I get so lucky?

---------

We arrived at the Theatre, we saw Lily and Rufus. We greeted them. I then saw my brother arrive he gave a curt nod to Lily. We all headed upstairs, past the photographers

"May i steal my sister for a few moment, Daniel." I smiled slightly, Chuck being civil, best thing ever.

"Of course." he took me to the bar

"A soft drink for the lady and a single malt for me." her ordered then picked up my hand where my praise ring firmly rested

"You like your gift?"

"So you're one of the fairies that helped Dan pull something like this off. Your softness is showing brother." I coo

"Well you are my sister and even if the reason alludes me as to your choice of suitor I do owe him for taken care of you in my absence." I chuckled

"The answer is so simple. How could I have forgotten it?" Lily breathed joining us

"Any chance you could try and forgoe me?" Chuck asked her

"Just the two of you meet me here in 15 minutes and if you don't like what I suggest. I won't bother you again. okay?" she asked of us

"Okay." I chime accepting for us both. Daniel came over.

"Everything okay?" he wondered kissing my head

"That has yet to be seen. Why don't you head for our box and I will join you as soon as I can." I suggest.

"Okay." he left us too it. As promised 15 minutes later Lily returned

"Who's this?" Chuck questioned

"Bruce Caplan. I'm your fathers lawyer." he shook our hands "Before he died your Dad was going to legally adopt Serena and Eric."

"And I was going to legally adopt the two of you. We were serious about becoming a family, we had the papers drawn and your father signed them. I just didn't get to it in time."

"Your step mother asked me to have these faxed to the box office." he placed the papers in front of us

"So if you adopt us, that makes you our legal guardian and free of Jackass?" I chirped "You may have questionable morals but your better than Jack any day. But I will only do if Chuck does as well." I took his hand

"Together." he turned he head towards me.

"Give me a pen." Bruce handed him one "Just to be clear, this doesn't make us family, just even." he told her then signed

"What do you think you're doing?" we looked at Jack "You can't sign anything without my consent."

" Brother." he handed me the pen and I signed my name then fixed the paper.

"Not anymore. I'm sending you back where you belong. You just lost the company" i handed the papers over then a glass of champagne to Chuck.

During the intermission Lily and I headed to the Ladies and I took out my lipstick and reapplied it. i froze seeing Jack come in.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lily questioned

"I should ask you the same thing." I came out of my initial shock, adrenaline course though me.

"It's what her father wanted. I'm sorry." I put my lipstick away and turned around to face my Uncle who was clearly high on something, that was no surprise. But I had the sinking feeling something bad was going to happen.

"So you say, I'm not so sure."

"We're not scared of you Jack." Lily retorted taking my hand

"You should be." he came towards us

"You're high. You're not thinking clearly, you need to think about the repercussions of what you're doing." he didn't say anything

"Jack back off. Now." I order but he doesn't listen to me.

"And what are you going to do to me, little girl? You two think you can squeeze me out, take away my power." I shoved Lily back and went to punch him but he caught my fist. That didn't stop me. I head butted him and he stumbled back I turned on my foot and is thigh sending him to his knees then another two kicks to his face. I grabbed the scruff of his collar and kneed him so he was out on the floor. I placed my healed covered foot on his neck

"Never threaten a lady. It's impolite." I breathed "Lily, if you'd be so kind as to open the door." she went did as I asked, Chuck, Dan and security were there

"It's okay boys. I had it handled." i stepped away Dan came rushing in and wrapped me up in his arms and Jack was hauled up and out of there

"You okay sis?" Chuck took my hand and i pulled away from Dan

"Yeah, Yeah I'm okay." he brought me in into a possible bone breaking hug.

---------

The next morning. Chuck and I went to see Lily, we entered her apartment. Rufus stood up and shook Chucks hand and kissed my cheek before heading up stairs. Lily was sat on the sofa.

"I heard from the board that Jack is on his way back to Sydney." she told us as came around to face her properly.

"No charges?" Chuck questioned.

"No, I just wanted him gone. Not just for me but for the both of you." We sat on either side of her "But now I'm the interim head of Bass industries, believe it or not."

"Is that why you called us here?" I asked

"What you did not only for me but for yourself, last night..."

"Lily." Chuck stopped her

"it's okay. Neither of you have to feel the same way. But I wanted to thank you." she took my hand "And I do believe that one day you will do wonders with Bass Industries, together as a family, just like your father wanted."

"What are you talking about."

"On your 18th Birthday, I want you to have everything. I don't want this job or the cooprate jet or anything related to this business. Just the two of you as apart of my family."

"Including my insults and remarks?" I questioned they laughed

"Yes including them." she tapped my hand gently

"Look, I know what happened with my father was an accident." Chuck stated with a small sigh

"It was terrible accident"

"And, um if the offer still stand, I'd like to move back in. Even if my sister doesn't want to."

"It's not that I don't want to you slimy, perverse, egotistical, idiot. I happen to be very happy and settled where I am. So shove that in your pipe and smoke it...far away from me of course." they smiled

"I am off for coffee with my wonderful, amazing boyfriend, so I will leave the two of you too it." I chime leaving them alone.

----------

Dan and i were sat on the sofa in the gallery cafe I was resting to his chest with my feet up. Both of us reading.

"Daniel, Rosalie. Hi." We looked up

"Ms Carr, what are you doing here?" Dan wondered

"Rachel. And I'm taking your advice to come out to Brooklyn some time." she smiled at us

"Do you want anything to drink, we're minding the place today." Dan offered

"Whatever you recommend." she smiled and my eyes narrowed at her slightly

"Do you know what, why don't I make it. I will be right back." I stood up and went over to the coffee machine. I took out my phone.

"Miss Me already, sis."

"How do you feel on a little snooping into a pretty face you might like." I wondered glancing back at them

"What's the name?"

"Rachel Carr. As you know I trust Daniel completely. It women I don't trust and she's one of them." I start making the cup of coffee.

"I will see if there is a reason for your claws, take care." i ended the call and made the drink taking it back over.