DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own the characters from American Dragon Jake Long. They belong to Disney. I do however own the plot of this story along with Emily, who is Rose and Jake’s daughter, as well as the angel, Joy. I also own Rebecca along with her daughter, Brooke.

God loves you

Enjoy!

A/N: Well, here it is. The last chapter has finally come. I just want to thank everyone who has stuck with this story from beginning to end. I’m going to be writing a third one, so keep an eye out for it! I hope everyone enjoys this last chapter.

“Me and Emily”

Chapter 10- The Escape

“The Huntsman said what!” Rebecca shouted the minute Rose explained everything that had just happened.

It was a good thing Brooke wasn’t sleeping at the moment.

“I know.” Rose replied. “I tried to persuade him to change his mind, but you know the Huntsman.”

Rebecca nodded. She sighed as she tried not to start crying.

“I’m really gonna miss you.” She said truthfully.

“I know. I’m gonna miss you too.” Rose told her sincerely.

The two friends embraced just then. They stayed like that for a long time.

“Will you promise to e-mail me and call me to tell me how Emily’s doing and how you’re doing once you get settled?” Rebecca asked when they finally pulled away.

Rose nodded.

“You got it. And hopefully when I do, I’ll be settled at Jake’s.”

“I hope so.” Rebecca said as she went over to check on Brooke. She picked her daughter up before setting her in Rose’s arms. “Here you go. You look like you could use some baby therapy.”

Rose laughed, despite the fact that she wanted to cry. She was going to miss her niece as well. She wouldn’t even be able to see her grow up.

But as Rose held Brooke and talked to her, she remembered that if it was in God’s plan, she would see her best friend and niece again.

The next few days flew by in a blur. Rose barely remembered packing her things and saying a final good bye to Rebecca and Brooke.

It felt like one minute she was talking to Rebecca and the next she and Emily were trying to settle in at the new training facility.

Joy had been a big help to Rose. She not only agreed to watch Emily for her while she was in class, but she also helped her emotionally too.

The Irish angel knew her charge was going through a lot of problems and she wanted to do everything she could to help her get through this difficult time.

Rose spent a lot of time in prayer, asking God for patience and the strength to face what was to come.

It wasn’t until a month after Rose and Emily had arrived at their new destination, did they finally get their chance to escape.

It had started out like any other Thursday since Rose had arrived at the new training facility.

She didn’t know why, but the day seemed to fly by or at least the morning had.

However, when afternoon came, it felt like the day would never end.

Rose stared at the clock in the room she was in. Its hands seemed to be slowing down, despite Rose’s wishes that they would speed up. She really wanted to get out of there. She hated it here and she just wanted to get back to her room and sleep.

Ever since the incident with Jake, Rose’s life had been nothing but a bed of thorns so to speak. She had been kicked out of the Academy and sent to another facility for more intense training.

She hadn’t made a good enough excuse for the Huntsman to believe her, so she was kicked out temporarily. At least until she proved her worth again.

But if Rose had anything to do with it, she would make sure it was permanent. She never wanted to go back there as long as she lived. She was done with the Huntsclan for good. She didn’t belong there. She belonged with Jake as did their daughter, Emily.

As Rose’s mind floated to her daughter, she sighed with relief when she remembered she had left her in Joy’s capable hands.

The Irish angel would definitely take good care of her. She was the only one Rose felt safe leaving Emily with now that she didn’t have anyone else to help her.

But now, Rose sat in a room at the new training facility, wanting nothing more than for the day to be over. She just wanted to spend time with her daughter and then get some sleep.

She really wanted to make her escape, but she knew she had to take one step at a time.

One of the worst things about being here was the fact that the Huntsman still found ways to check up on her. This meant Rose was watched constantly and had to be careful when she left and for how long.

“Time’s up!” A woman’s voice said, shattering the silence and making Rose jump about a mile.

Rose was starting to get a headache and all she wanted was to go to bed.

Rose handed in her paper and made a bee line for her room.

As she walked, a thousand or so thoughts were spinning around in her brain, causing her head to ache.

The minute Rose entered her bedroom, she caught Joy’s look and knew something was wrong.

“Joy, what is it?” Rose asked worriedly.

Joy frowned as she indicated Emily, who was half asleep on the couch near the window.

Rose gazed over to where Joy had indicated and noticed her daughter looked flushed.

Taking a deep breath, Rose was glad she had packed her and Emily’s things the night before.

“She just came down with a fever an hour ago.” Joy explained. “I gave her some Tylenol, but she couldn’t keep it down. I think she’s comin’ down with something.”

Rose’s mind raced. If Emily was sick, it meant they couldn’t leave as planned.

But as Rose thought about it, maybe they could still escape.

After all, she knew they couldn’t stay here if Emily wasn’t feeling well. She had to take care of her and she couldn’t give her baby girl the full attention she needed if they stayed here.

Rose knelt down by the side of the couch and gently put a hand through her daughter’s strawberry blond hair.

“Em? Come on, sweetie. Time to wake up.”

Emily slowly opened her blue eyes, identical to her mother’s and looked around at her surroundings. When she saw her mother, she practically launched herself at her and clung on for all it was worth.

“Mommy, I don’t feel good!” Emily whimpered, feeling her stomach lurch.

“I know you don’t, sweetheart. Mommy knows. I’m gonna help you feel better.” With that, she planted a kiss on Emily’s cheek and was dismayed to find she was slightly warm.

“Rose,” Joy began, “I think you two need to leave tonight.”

Rose nodded. She knew her angelic friend and mentor spoke the truth.

She was about to say something in response when Emily’s tearful voice interrupted her train of thought.

“Mommy, I feel…” Emily’s voice trailed off as she put a hand to her mouth and let out a whimper.

Rose knew what was going to happen and picked her sobbing child up. She carried the five-year-old to the bathroom and held her braid back as Emily lost her breakfast and lunch.

“Aw, its okay, sweetie. Mommy has you. You’re going to be okay.”

“I hurt!” Emily cried, burying her face in Rose’s shoulder.

“I know you do, Em. Mommy’s going to take care of you, okay?”

Emily nodded.

Rose picked Emily up once her stomach had calmed down and sat down on the couch.

She needed a few minutes to think. But she had a feeling they didn’t have a few minutes.

As if reading Rose’s thoughts, Joy spoke up just then.

“If you’re going to leave, we need to get moving.”

“Right.” Rose agreed. She handed Emily off to Joy while she made sure they had everything packed.

Once that was done, Rose followed Joy outside and they hailed a taxi to the nearest train station.

It wasn’t until they had reached their destination that Rose realized something just as Emily voiced it aloud.

“Are you coming with us, Aunt Joy?” Her voice was so hopeful, Joy had to fight back tears as she shook her head.

She hated this part of her job, but she knew it had to be done. Joy also knew that if it was in God’s plan, she and Rose would be reunited again.

“I’m afraid not, sweetheart.”

“Why not?” Emily asked. Her voice was threatening to break with tears.

Rose was fighting a similar battle within herself. How was she going to survive without Joy to help her? She needed her now more than ever.

“You two will be fine now.” Joy told the little girl truthfully. “God will take care of you. He always has and He always will. He will never leave you. But it’s time for me to go for the time being.”

Emily nodded as she gave her aunt a hug and kiss. She clung on for a few minutes before finally letting go.

Rose had a different reaction however.

As Joy went to embrace her, the teenager pulled away before turning around and running for the nearest empty place. This happened to be the lady’s room.

“Rose!” Joy called after her, but it was no use. Rose had already taken off.

Thinking quickly, Joy picked Emily up and headed in the direction Rose had gone.

She found the teenager sobbing her heart out in the far corner of the bathroom.

Her heart broke at the sight. But as much as she wanted to help her, she knew she had to get Emily squared away first.

After suggesting Emily take a bathroom break before the long trip, the Irish angel turned her attention to her charge.

Approaching her slowly, Joy knelt in front of her before starting to speak.

“Rose?” She said softly. “I need you to listen to me.” She instructed kindly. “Please.”

“What’s there to listen to?” Rose shot back. “You’re leaving and there’s nothing I can do to stop you. Everyone in my life has left me. I don’t know why I thought you would be any different!”

Joy’s heart broke at the pain she saw in Rose’s eyes. She held her arms out to her distraught charge and was surprised when Rose let her hold her.

“I know you’ve been hurt by a lot of people.” Joy explained gently as she stroked Rose’s hair and hugged her close. “But I’m not leaving to hurt you. I would never hurt you intentionally. I know you’re going to miss me and I’m goin’ to miss you and Emily as well. But you need to remember one thing.”

“What’s that?” Rose asked as another sob escaped her lips.

“God will NEVER leave you.” Joy reminded her softly. “God is always there and He will always help you through any difficult time you’re facing. If He brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it. God brought you and Emily to this point. Will you trust Him to take you both the rest of the way?”

Rose nodded as the tears continued to fall.

“I’m gonna miss you!” She sobbed, burying her face in Joy’s shoulder.

“I know you will, sweetheart. I know. I’m goin’ to miss you and Emily somethin’ awful. But I’ll see you two again.”

“How do you know?” Rose asked as she started to calm down.

Joy smiled gently at the teenager as she gave her one last hug.

“Let’s just say I have it on high authority that we won’t be separated for long.”

This got a small smile out of Rose.

“Aw, that’s it. Now, you need to get goin’ and so do I. And just remember, if you really need me, just pray and God will send me back to you. But you’re goin’ to be fine. You’re on the right path now, Rose. You both are.” She indicated Emily as she said this. “I love you both so much. Never forget that.”

“We won’t.” Rose promised her. “I love you too.” She said, giving Joy one last hug.

“Me too.” Emily said as she ran forward, wrapping her arms around Joy’s waist.

Joy hugged the child back and picked her up for one more kiss.

Setting Emily in her mother’s arms, Joy patted Rose’s shoulder gently before leading the way out of the bathroom.

“It’s time.” Joy told her softly. “You’re goin’ to be fine. I love you both.” With that, she was gone.

It took Rose a few minutes to calm down after Joy had left. She had believed her when Joy had told her they would see each other again, but it was still hard to say good bye to her.

Joy had really been there for Rose during the last three years and the teenager was really going to miss her angelic friend a lot. She knew Emily felt the same way as well. She loved Joy a lot too.

Once Rose and Emily were settled in their seats, Rose’s mind started to race. She had gotten them out of immediate danger, but she knew they weren’t out of the woods yet.

Once they got to New York, they had to get to Jake’s house without being spotted or recognized.

That was going to be a miracle in itself.

But if Rose was sure of anything, it was that God had gotten them this far. And He would see them through the rest of the way.

Emily’s voice broke the teenager out of her thoughts.

“Mommy?” Emily said, shattering the silence that had fallen following Joy’s departure.

“Yes, baby?” Rose asked, hugging her daughter close. She was relieved that Emily didn’t feel as warm anymore. She had probably just caught a stomach bug from someone at school.

“Where are we going?” The curious five-year-old asked.

Despite being nervous, Rose let a smile spread across her face as she answered her daughter’s question.

“Home, sweetie. We’re going home.”

TO BE CONTINUED…