A/N: This is last chapter of this story. Thanks again to every review and everyone, who put this story on his favorite/story alert list or me on his favourite author list.

I really do hope that you're going to read my next story as well, which is mainly focussing on Jack and Fabrizio.

Claire could hardly contain her excitement as she impatiently waited for the first day of school to begin. Louisa had to laugh.

"Soon, the day will come, when you'll wish they never sent you to here," she half joked, half was serious.

But of course Claire only looked at her confused. Her whole life she had remained inside shut away from everything and everyone. She was happy that she could finally make friends.

"Have you got everything?" Rose bent down to her daughter smiling at her.

"Yes, Mama," Claire nodded.

"That's good," she kissed her head.

"Not here, Mama," Claire scolded her. "They're going to think that I'm a little baby."

Rose felt ashamed, but Louisa and Jack had to laugh. At least she had understood that.

Brian had visited them, telling them that he wanted to move somewhere else with Patricia, that he would get her professional help. The whole time he had looked at Louisa and Rose had trouble not offering him to take her with him. After all she was his daughter.

But she couldn't do this to her. Louisa was now just as much her daughter as was Claire.

Brian had promised to write them his knew address. This was a month ago already and both Jack and Rose doubted that they would ever see him again. They had adopted Louisa with his permission and she was now legally their daughter as well. Brian most likely was happy that he was rid of her, Jack and Rose both knew this, though they didn't tell Louisa.

With the time proceeding it wouldn't hurt her this much any more. But both knew that it was wrong. At least they did everything to make her comfortable in their family, both hoping that she would start to call them Mama and Papa at one time.

Molly had been visiting them too, explaining how sorry she was. Rose wanted to forgive her, but she simply couldn't so soon, even more so, because Jack had looked at her with contempt the whole time. At last she had told her that she needed more time.

"I'm sorry, honey," Rose blushed. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"It's alright, Mama," Claire herself hugged her now.

They had trouble finding a school that would take her in mid-November; finally Ruth and Vincent had found one. With so many problems around them her mother's relationship with Vincent was indeed something happy at last.

He had asked her to marry him and finally there was something they could look forward too.

Jack was taking Louisa's hand, not wanting her to think that she was left out.

Poor little girl, Brian most likely wasn't even thinking about her anymore. Every time they received a letter, Louisa would think that it was her father writing. But so far there was nothing.

Her grandmother, Christine, however was visiting them regularly bringing them presents.

And in a week there would be the wedding of their other grandmother, Ruth.

Never had Rose thought to see her mother actually laughing, Vincent indeed did bring out the best in her.

"Rose, I guess, it's time…," she heard Jack's voice behind her nodding slightly.

Louisa and Claire would be the flower girls at the wedding. Ever since hearing was their engagement they had begged Ruth to be. Of course she couldn't say no.

"I know," she mumbled.

It was so hard to let them go, again. But this time it would only be a few hours, not years. Rose smiled at both girls, hugging them once more, despite their protests.

"Mama, please…," Claire scolded her again.

What would her classmates think?

"I'm no baby…"

No, indeed she wasn't, not anymore, although Rose wished that she would be. She had missed so much of her life and she vowed to herself that she wouldn't miss any more.

But now it was in fact time to let her start school and finally live the life of a normal seven year old girl with friends, school and everything.

Before anymore melancholy could swap over her, Rose quickly stood up, moving back to Jack.

"You'll see, Rose, everything is going to be alright," Jack silently told her as they watched Louisa leading Claire inside.

Rose only nodded leaning her head against him, letting at least lead her away.

Indeed the dark days were over now. From now on only happiness should reign in their family. Claire turned around again.

Maybe she wasn't that grownup after all?

"Come on, Claire, Mama and Papa have other things to do as well," Louisa's loud voice rang out interrupting the sudden silence. "Our parents are sure to catch us later on."

Claire was too agitated, but Rose and Jack instantly noted the look Louisa had been giving them, when adressing them as her parents.

Both grinned back at her, before finally turning around and walking away.