11 | ❝ MIRACLE, MIRACLE, MIRACLE...❞

══════════════════════════════════════════

CHAPTER ELEVEN

❝ MIRACLE, MIRACLE, MIRACLE... ❞

══════════════════════════════════════════

[ season 2, own storyline ]

ROSIE POV

2016

ROSIE FELT STRANGE BEING BACK IN LOS ANGELES AFTER SO MANY YEARS. She thought she'd only been away for a while to sort things out, to seek help, but she clearly wasn't in a hurry to return, especially after meeting Lissie and Ian, and later Suzanna. They made her feel even better, and they definitely boosted her self-esteem, which was already in a terrible state.

Years passed, and Miss Buckley was increasingly embarrassed to return. Until, in Chicago, she ran into an old friend from when she and Howard — whom, as it turned out, they'd started calling Chime while she was gone — had just started working at Station 118th. It was Eli Cobb, the paramedic who'd made them love the job. He'd trained them, and they owed him a lot. He'd started working at the same station as the Golden Trio, so that definitely began to complicate Rosie's life. Especially when, one day, when she and Lissie had a day off from work, she found none other than Howie outside their apartment door. It was the most embarrassing encounter she could have ever had. It wasn't easy, because of the argument that eventually erupted, but thanks to young Nash, they'd gotten along well enough for Rosie and Marrie to move to the City of Angels. Buckley had rented an apartment right next to her ex so their daughter could see him as much as she wanted.

Rosie heard a knock on the door just as she placed the last pillow on the sofa. The young lady was already asleep, and she definitely hadn't expected a visitor. She hadn't expected to see Seth Navarro, her best friend, there.

"Well, welcome back!" He hugged her happily, which she returned. "You've been gone for months, you know?"

"I'm glad to see you too," she said. "Sorry. You're probably mad at me..."

"At least I've heard from you from time to time... Chim had a reason to be mad at you. How's the little one? How did she meet her dad?"

Rosie let him in with a heavy sigh. They both went to the kitchen, where she poured them each a glass of orange juice.

"Surprisingly, very well," she said to him. "It's true that she was surprised by his appearance, but I'd told her about him many times. We even baked a cake for his birthday, though she wasn't quite sure why. They bonded very quickly, although between then and when we met, I had a huge fight. I don't know what would have happened if Lissie hadn't gone to calm him down. Golden girl."

"I hope to meet her someday," Navarro admitted, taking a sip of the drink Rosie had given him. "You've said a lot of good things about her. Besides, she saved both of your lives. That's a lot..."

Buckley nodded – she knew she'd never be able to repay the debt she owed her for that. Even if Lissie said anyone would have reacted the same way she did that New Year's Eve. But Rosie, as an experienced rescuer, knew not everyone could keep her composure – she'd seen her potential even then.

"I expected to find Chim with you," Seth remarked, smiling at his friend rather suggestively. "That you wouldn't even open the door, because you'd be so absorbed in each other..."

"Seth Joaquin Navarro!" the dark-haired woman exclaimed, embarrassed.

"What? You haven't seen each other in ages," he said, defending himself against the girl's attack. "Renting separate apartments... It seemed strange to me, since you lived together before you left. I assumed you wanted Marrie to have her own place, but..."

"We're not together," she interrupted. Her friend looked at her in surprise, not fully understanding what he'd just heard. "Why are you so surprised? I've been gone for over seven years..."

"But you love each other," he said, trying to understand it all. "And I know Chim definitely does, because I haven't forgotten you for a second..."

"Of course I love him. I never stopped. Despite everything, we decided to give each other space," she said. "We want to see if what connected us still exists, or if that feeling is gone forever. We don't want to confuse the little one... Meeting her father was already a big deal for her. If it didn't work out and we had to part ways... I don't want her to suffer."

Seth nodded understandingly.

"That's true... Now you have to think about her too."

"I have to rebuild what I destroyed years ago before I create something new. If it works, great, but if not... I know Marrie will be close to her father, who has completely vanished from her."

"He'll vanish from you again," the man said. "I can feel it. You can deny it, but I've known you for a while now."

PRESENT DAY

ROSIE WAS FINISHING THE BRAID THAT MARRIE HAD ASKED HER TO DO, BUT SHE WASN'T ENTIRELY HAPPY, AS SHE USUALLY WAS WHEN HER BIRTHDAY CAME AROUND. Her mother had noticed this when Maddie and Seth brought her to the apartment. She was sad and subdued, which was definitely rare for her.

"I don't want to go on those trampolines," she said suddenly, causing her mother to look a little confused. "I don't want to have a birthday party. Can we stay home?"

"What's wrong?" she asked her daughter as the girl put on the outfit Rosie had prepared, which they had discussed the day before. She wanted her to feel comfortable in it, considering the attractions that awaited her. Until now, she couldn't believe Buck had found an inflatable company online that had a unicorn-shaped one for rent, perfect for the party theme. "You couldn't wait for your birthday... Are you in pain?" She shook her head.

"No..." she began, though her voice was audible. "But we're alone today, right? No one's going to come and sing 'Happy Birthday,' right?"

When she saw how upset she was... She began to seriously wonder if the surprise party had been as good an idea as they'd thought. Her heart broke, seeing the girl in such a state.

"Where did you get that idea?" She crouched down next to her. "Everyone knows what day it is. Do you think they've forgotten?"

"Aunt Maddie and Uncle Seth said I was spending the day with you... They looked like they didn't have anything planned for today, or maybe they were just saying that... I don't know. They're probably going to play and..."

"Are my stars ready?" Chimney's voice came from behind the door. "Because our trampolines are going to run out..."

"We're in a crisis and we need a paramedic," Rosie said. "Come in."

They didn't have to ask him twice, because he was in their daughter's room a second later.

"What's wrong? Who's hurt? Should I run for the first aid kit?" he asked, looking genuinely terrified.

They both burst out laughing.

"Daddy knows how to cheer me up," the girl said, hugging him tightly.

Howie looked at Rosa, rather confused.

"She thinks everyone's forgotten her birthday," she explained. "And she's so sad. I don't know what to do... She doesn't want to leave the house."

Chimney's face softened, and after a moment, he crouched down next to his daughter so he could look her straight in the eyes. Buckley saw them full of concern and support for the little girl.

"That's a shame... The birds were chirping that this day would be amazing. But if you don't want..."

"Birds?" The girl frowned. "Since when do you talk to birds, Daddy?"

The adults started laughing at her confused expression.

"Maybe we'll find out?" Chim looked at Marrie. "I bet the birds were right."

"Agreed!"

Rosie watched as the girl transformed from sad to her more suspicious self in literally five minutes.

Still, she preferred her like this to being on the verge of tears.

"First, we have something for you. Actually, Aunt Lissie told me to give it to you before she left the house this morning," the woman said to her daughter, handing her a piece of parchment. She had to admit that her friend had been very thorough in this matter. The item looked like a real treasure map, and she knew it wasn't the only one. "She left clues so you could reach your dream gift."

"My two dreams aren't something you can wrap..." the girl replied, glancing at her parents. "But okay. Let's go."

AS IT TURNED OUT, THE FIRST MAP LEADS TO THE PARTY LOCATION, THE FIRE STATION. When this information reached Marrie, the sadness they'd seen back at the apartment completely vanished. After all, they both knew she really wanted to have her birthday here.

However, upon seeing the party decorations, clearly visible from the square in front of the building, the girl practically jumped out of the car and ran inside, even before Rosie and Chim could say anything.

"Another road hog," Han laughed. "Can she still walk normally, or does she just run?"

Rosie shrugged and grabbed the bag containing the gift, which was supposed to be part of the scavenger hunt Lissie had prepared for her. When Marrie asked her to do this for her birthday, Rosie saw her friend's tears, but she agreed without the slightest hesitation.

When they both entered, they saw a sad Marigold amidst the pastel and sparkling decorations.

"Why is there no one here?" she asked sadly, wiping away her tears. "What's all this supposed to mean? I want to go home..."

"Aren't you going to try the games?" Lissie appeared at the top of the stairs. "We have a lot of them..."

The girl looked at her confused, but a second later, people jumped out from every corner, startling Marigold.

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Rosie knew their entire crazy family was here, but she watched as their daughter looked at each and every one of them, then burst into tears and hugged Lissie.

"Little Flower..." young Nash began. She was close to tears herself, but she tried not to.

"Thank you, Auntie," she said with difficulty. "You've made my dream come true... Everyone I love is here."

Rosie furtively wiped away her tears. It was a significant moment for her – she still saw her as the tiny girl who crawled into every corner of their Chicago apartment, making her hard to find, and now... It was her ninth birthday, and she was already so wise for her age.

Before she was born, she'd been afraid she wouldn't be up to the task – that she would ruin not only her life but Chim's as well, so she left Los Angeles. Years later, she knew how wrong she'd been – Han had loved the little girl with all his heart, just as she had loved him. They had such a good relationship, even though they hadn't spent much time together over the years.

Despite everything, she knew her departure had to happen – it was inevitable, because thanks to him, they had this moment in this form, and not any other. She wouldn't trade it for the world.

When Marigold had calmed down, which took a few minutes, Lissie brought her another rolled-up parchment. "A map? But Mom gave me one, didn't she..." Lissie laughed, further confusing the girl.

"Did you think that would be it?" She looked at the birthday girl. "Oh, it's not that easy, honey... This is just the beginning of the treasure hunt."

The young girl was visibly embarrassed, but the rescue team came to the rescue, as May appeared next to Lissie, followed by Denny, Harry, and Chris.

"Every commander needs his crew," young Grant smiled at Marrie. "So we report as ordered, Captain!"

All four of them saluted – even Chris, even though he was on crutches. Marigold laughed and hugged them all.

"This is the best birthday I've ever had," she told them.

They set off on their search, applauded by the other adults – as you can see, they really enjoyed watching the treasure hunters in action and their encouragement.

Rosie walked up to Lissie and hugged her, though she felt like crying herself.

"And what was that for?" Nash asked, surprised.

Marrie's parents didn't even have a chance to say anything before Buck approached all three.

"What do you mean, what? Because you're the best. You deserve the credit. We were just helping."

"It turned out amazing. Better than we could have done it ourselves," Chim said. "I've never seen her show such extreme emotion. You're brilliant, Liss..."

"For her fifth birthday, Lissie took her to experience 'Mermaid Day,'" Rosie recalled. "That was the last time she showed such extreme emotion."

"She even had an Ariel wig because she'd been asking for it so much," Bobby's daughter recalled, looking at her goddaughter, who was searching for presents. "But today... It's even better."

She wiped away the tears that still welled up in her eyes. Rosie knew she was thinking about Brooke and how she'd once done searches like this one for her.

"She'd be proud of you," she hugged her friend. "And happy that her favorite birthday tradition was now bringing joy to someone else."

"Marrie would have won her heart," Melissa said, moved. "And little Bobby too. It's impossible not to love her."

The others agreed. Literally a second later, a squeal sounded from the unicorn bouncy castle.

"I think I know what she found," Buck laughed, looking at Lissie. "Our gift. The biggest unicorn we found in the store."

"Please tell me it'll fit in her room." Rosie began massaging her temples, trying not to get a migraine from the two of them's ideas. "It'll fit, but don't be surprised if she'd rather sleep on it than in the bed," her roommate laughed. "Please... Don't evict me for this. I don't want to chaperone Dad and Athena..."

Buckley laughed, then patted her shoulder.

"There's no way I'm getting rid of you, sweetheart," she replied. "But I should have known it was your doing. When you do something, you do it one hundred percent."

"Even a hundred and eighteen," Buck laughed, hugging his sister. "Besides, what did you expect? Marrie's my only niece. Of course, I'll indulge her every whim, like a favorite uncle."

All four of them burst into laughter, then joined the other guests and the birthday girl herself.

THE PARTY TURNED OUT TO BE A TOTAL HIT. It was already late in the evening, and the kids were still rocking out on the attractions, as if they weren't the slightest bit tired, especially Marrie — she was bursting with literally unbridled energy.

Luckily, May had offered to keep an eye on the kids, so right alongside the birthday party, the New Year's Eve party began.

Rosie seized the opportunity and slipped away to the roof to think about what she was going to do with her life — after all, the arrival of another year was a time for resolutions, and she... had absolutely no thoughts, except for one.

Telling Chim she was tired of running away and wanted to try starting over with him, seriously — they had already taken a step toward that, but she wanted to go much further.

She knew what Marrie's second dream was, one that couldn't be wrapped in a regular gift bag — she wanted her parents to be together again, and happy. There was a reason she had this whole plan with her aunts and uncle.

Today was the perfect opportunity for this conversation... She just needed to organize in her head exactly what she wanted to tell him.

"There you are," she heard Chim's voice, as he climbed onto the roof, clearly looking for her. "I hate it when you disappear from my sight."

She laughed.

"Miss you that much?" she asked, making room for him on the blanket next to her, where she sat and watched the cloudless LA sky. Even though the stars weren't very visible, she felt the atmosphere despite everything.

"Miss you? Always," he said, hugging her gently. Buckley rested her head on his shoulder. He was surprised. "Is everything okay? Are you thinking about the fact that you almost died nine years ago giving birth to our little one?"

"A little..." she said. "I think my leaving was a bit of a butterfly effect... I know it shouldn't have happened, but can you imagine what would have happened if things had turned out differently than they did?"

"We wouldn't have had such a great day, and Marrie... Without Lissie, Ian, and Suzanna, she would have been a completely different child... I might hate those years I was here alone, but I know I wouldn't trade what we have for the world." "I wanted to talk about this..." she said, looking at Han. She took a deep breath, then sighed heavily. "I want to take it a step further. Start being together one hundred percent. I think this is the perfect time to do it, don't you think?"

The man froze. He was clearly analyzing his beloved's words.

"What exactly do you mean? You're not doing this because..."

"Because it's Marrie's birthday, and I know she dreams of us being together?" He nodded, indicating that was what he meant. "Kind of. I want to fulfill her second dream, but I'm also tired of hiding and dating when no one is watching. Pretending nothing is happening isn't working for us now that Bobby, Lissie, Ian, and Marrie herself have discovered our secret."

Chim laughed, but agreed with her.

"I want to make her happy too. If I'm going to ring in the new year with anyone, it's you, Rosey..."

She looked him straight in the eye and then kissed him without hesitation. At that exact moment, fireworks appeared in the sky, announcing the start of something completely new. They didn't mind at all—besides themselves, nothing else mattered at the time. When they pulled apart, they both laughed like teenagers and then sat even closer together.

They felt... peace? That was probably the best description of that moment.

Only a moment later did they notice that they had a small crowd of gawkers standing by the entrance to the roof—Marrie was at the forefront, of course, but Lissie was also there, smiling broadly at them, happy for them, for Ian, Suzanna, Athena, Bobby, and Rosie's siblings, not to mention the presence of Seth. The couple's nine-year-old daughter finally broke down and ran to hug her parents, who stood up upon seeing the group. Without a word, they knew how happy she was.

"Is this the day?" Seth asked. "Are you finally back together for eternity?"

"I thought we'd wait another year," Suzanna laughed, then walked over to hug the couple, though it was clear she was barely holding back tears. "You have no idea how happy I am... But if you hurt her, Han, I'll send you to hell myself, is that clear?"

"Susanna..." Rosie began gently, but Rosie just glared at her. The woman raised her hands in surrender. She didn't want to get in her way. "Okay! I'm not saying anything anymore! Just don't hit..."

The entire crew burst out laughing.

"It's best not to upset my sister, or you might share poor Ian's fate," Bobby laughed. "Her nagging level has reached its peak today."

"He deserved it," the woman said. "But I still adore him." "It's impossible not to love me," said young Garcia. "I'm like Marrie. Right, honey?"

The girl just laughed, never leaving her parents' side.

Young Buckley wanted this joyful moment to last forever... But she knew that nothing was guaranteed, especially happiness.

None of them yet knew quite what awaited them. The entire 118th crew and their loved ones had a long way to go.