Hey everyone! I am so sorry I have been MIA. School started to kick my my butt and I decided that I really needed to focus on that especially since it was finals time, and then FF and I had a little disagreement and they wouldn't let me in, after very little help from the admins, it finally allowed me so things should be okay now.

This one is all Rose.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I just like using my imagination.

Rose's POV:

The plane had landed in Montana and I was terrified as I walked across the tarmac holding Lissa's had. I suddenly stopped and she looked at me. "What's wrong?"

I looked over at Stan and my mother why were walking behind us. "I need you two to do me a favor."

My mom smiled at me. "Anything."

"If we see Ralf, I need you to protect him."

I could tell Stan wanted to say something, but I also knew that he knew what his job was and that job was the simple fact of they come first. "Of course Rose."

"What can I do?"

I smiled at my best friend. "You can get me out of there as fast as you can."

Lissa smiled. "Deal."

I hugged her tight. "Everything is going to be fine. I think I am coping well and I am a strong person."

"That is right. Everything is going to be fine and nothing happened."

I nodded. "Right." We made it to the main building and I started to hyperventilate a little. "I... I don't think I am ready for this..."

My mom put her hand on my shoulders and kissed my forehead. "Just stand here and breath for a moment honey." She looked over her shoulder. "Stan, Lissa, can you give us both a moment?" They nodded and walked a little ahead my mom looked back at me and sighed. "You don't have to do this if you aren't ready."

I took a deep breath. "I am. I really am. I just... I don't want to see him."

"This is a big school. I doubt you will."

I nodded. "I know. Did you tell her what happened?"

My mom nodded. "I did. I knew it would upset you, but Rose, she needed to know. If anything else, for your safety."

"Thank you."

She smiled at me and kissed the top of my head. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Ready to go in and face the world?"

"I think so."

"Okay. Onward then."

I smiled back and took her hand. I didn't know why, but in that moment, I needed her.

My mom took my hand and squeezed it with all her might. "You are strong Rose." We walked into the building and Lissa smiled at me.

"You okay?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so, but I will be. I know it." We walked down the hall a little and realized my mom had planned it so classes were in session and the hallways were relatively empty. I smiled when I saw Headmistress Kirova waiting outside her office for me. I wasn't sure why, but in that one moment, I needed her. I ran to her and wrapped my arms around her body. I took a deep breath.

She smiled and soothed my hair. "It's okay. Come on, let's go inside." We went into her office and she gestured to one of the chairs. "Please have a seat Rose."

I nodded and sat down. "Thank you for welcoming me back."

"I have no reason not to. You are an amazing student and an even more amazing guardian."

I sat up a little straighter at that. "Thank you."

"Rose, why do you want to come back?"

"Because I want to be a guardian."

"I understand that, but there are only 2 months left. You could have finished up in Russia."

"I know that, but I want to be with my friends. We all started together, I want us to get through this together."

"That is understandable, now, are you going to need special accommodations? I can arrange for them, but I need some notice."

"Special accommodations?"

"For the baby?"

"Oh..." I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. "Umm... I don't have the baby."

I could tell she was unsure how to respond to that. "I'm so sorry Rose."

"No... No, it's okay. He was adopted. By Dimitri and Adrian actually."

"Are you happy with that decision?"

I nodded. "I am very happy with that decision."

"Then good. I am happy for you." She looked down at a paper in front of her, folded her hands and then looked at me again. "Okay Rose, we need to talk about charges."

"Like Lissa? I mean, I am pretty sure I am going to be assigned to her after graduation..."

"No, I mean charges against Ralf."

"Oh... Do I have to press them?"

"You don't have to, but I would recommend it."

"I would have to admit I had the baby wouldn't I?"

"Yes."

"And then Ralf's family could fight for custody?"

"Yes."

"Then no. The baby is Adrian and Dimitri's. I will NOT take that away from them."

"Rose... Think about this."

"I have, and I don't want the baby. I don't like looking at him, I don't want any reminders."

"Okay then."

"Thank you."

Kirova looked down at her papers and sighed. "Then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be admitted back today."

I couldn't help smiling a little. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

She looked at me a little concerned. "I wasn't talking talking down to you Rose, I am just worried about you. Can I be honest?"

"Of course."

"I don't think you are ready to come back."

"Why?"

"Rose... You had a baby 3 days ago."

"My mom was in a battle less than a week after I was born."

"I know that Rose, but I don't want you overdoing anything."

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen."

Kirova and I both looked at Stan. "Guardian Alto?"

Stan took a deep breath. "In light of recent events, I will now be acting as Rose's mentor."

Kirova looked back at me. "Is this what you want?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Okay, I will put in the transfer application. I can't guarantee it will be approved, but I will put it in."

That made me concerned. "What happens if it isn't approved?"

"Then Dimitri will continue to be your mentor."

I took a deep breath. "Then you may get your wish after all headmistress." I stood up and walked out of the room. Praying the hallway was still empty.

What do you think is going to happen? Do you think Rose is going to be okay?

I am going to fast forward a couple weeks in the next chapter so I can get thing going. I already have most of it written and it is so sweet. I love it.

That is the other great thing, now that summer break is here, I can have more time to stick to my schedule and I am even working on a new story. I hope you all will enjoy it.

I will see you all next week and I hope you are all doing well!

Anni