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Rose Foley walked out of Royce Hall and started down the hill toward the parking garage. Her last class over, she was heading home. It would take at least fifteen minutes to hike to her car. Her family lived in Bel-Air. She could probably walk there in the same amount of time but her father, Nick, wanted her to use the car. He'd insisted you couldn't get around L.A. without one and he didn't want any of his daughters attending college without transportation. Though Rose liked to occasionally tease him about his insistence, she accepted the logic of his argument, and the gift.
Halfway to her destination she noticed a group of guys in military uniform snapping pictures in the quad. Her curiosity turned to excitement as she remembered UCLA was playing Army tomorrow in football. Rose, a few of her girlfriends and her sister, Diane, all planned on going to the game together. As Rose walked past the group, one of the men swung his camera around and took her picture. Rose was surprised by his actions. She didn't consider herself the photogenic type. Now, Diane was always getting her picture taken. Rose gave the photographer a quick smile. She noticed his tall blond good looks, but kept on walking. The young man looked like he wanted to say something to her, but Rose was shy around new people and didn't stop.
Instead of talking, Rose tended to observe what was going on around her, never speaking out unless she felt it was important. Her father called her their champion because when it came to protecting her sisters or father, she would be the first to come to their defense.
It had been like that at the orphanage, with the girls of Room 204. She never had a family, so she had "adopted" her roommates. Room 204 always stuck together against all outside forces, whether it was other girls, the headmistress, Miss Provo, or the county services people who tried to split them up. The orphanage was closed down a few years ago and Miss Provo tried to send the girls, Diane, Marva, Nina, Patty and Mickey to separate foster homes. Rose knew she had to do something. They wanted to be together because they only had each other. When Miss Provo threatened Juvenile Hall it didn't deter them, staying together was more important.
Rose took matters into her own hands, contacted a newspaper reporter and outlined the girl's plight. The paper printed a picture of them, which was seen by millionaire businessman Nick Foley. At the time Nick had been looking for a way to merge his company with another but with his bachelor status and well known playboy lifestyle, the family oriented company wasn't interested. Nick had come up with the idea of taking in Rose and the other girls as a ploy. That decision changed Nick's life forever and gave the girls of Room 204 a new life with a home and a loving parent.
Rose laughed to herself thinking about the trials and uncertainties of those first few days before they'd realized they were meant to be a real family. They'd had their ups and downs, but it hadn't mattered. That's what family life was all about. As far as Rose was concerned, the past few years had been the best of her life. She also knew her sisters felt the same way.
Reaching her car, Rose looked at the taxi yellow Lincoln Continental convertible fondly, it had belonged to Nick originally and he'd given it to her when he bought his new Caddy. Rose loved the Continental. Nick had been driving it when she and the other girls had come to live with him. It held many happy memories and had been large enough to hold all six of them comfortably.
Rose headed out of the parking structure. As she hit Sunset Boulevard she admired the beautiful October day. Turning into the north gate of Bel-Air she noticed the Hillerman house was almost finished being rebuilt. It had burnt down during the Bel-Air/Brentwood fire of 1961. She was glad for them. Even though Amy Hillerman was not a particular friend of hers, they had been classmates in high school. The fire had been very destructive and there were still many houses being repaired more than two years later. Winding her way up through the canyon Rose was thinking how sad that some of the buildings she passed would never be restored and were now just empty lots. At the last turn Rose reached the gates of her home. The Foley mansion was a huge structure of twenty-four rooms with pool, tennis court and a yard almost big enough to play golf on, which Nick had a tendency to do. They had been lucky during the fire. They had lost only part of the garage but it had been a close call. The garage was attached to the house. Her father had been determined not to let it burn and stayed behind to hose it down, using the water from their pool. He had saved their home. Many of the residents had done the same thing. It had been a scary situation. The girls had worried about their father while they were safe at a hotel. But everything had worked out and the community was slowly coming back from the disaster.
As Rose drove up the driveway, she spied Patty and Mickey tossing a ball back and forth. They waved at her as she went by and she waved back. Rose pulled into the garage and went through the door leading into the kitchen. Clapper, family confidant and friend who had been with her father many years, was fixing dinner.
He turned around as Rose came through the door. "How was school today?"
"Great. I'm glad I decided to go to UCLA."
Clapper grinned happily. "Well, the Guv would've really missed you, if you'd gone away to school. Come to that we all would've."
Rose came over and put her hand on Clapper's arm. "I know. That's why I wanted to go to stay here. I would have missed all of you too. Now that I have a family, I'm not about to let you guys out of my sight."
As he continued cutting carrots, Clapper said. "Diane was wondering when you were going to be home. I think she needs help with her math."
Rose nodded wisely. "Poor Diane. I don't think arithmetic is really her subject. Is Nick going to be home for dinner?"
"Yes. The Guv called to say he'd be home tonight."
"Good. He works too hard sometimes. It's lonely when he's not here." Rose picked up a carrot and started munching on it as she continued. "I better go help Diane with her homework."
"Probably a good idea."
"See you later."
Rose left the kitchen and headed upstairs to her room. She stopped long enough to toss her books and jacket on her bed then proceeded down the hall. She could hear her sisters arguing about something as she reached the door. When Rose entered both Diane and Marva were seated at their desks, expressions of anger etched on their faces, totally oblivious to Rose's entry.
"Okay you guys, what's the problem?" She asked amused by the looks they were giving each other.
Diane and Marva were the best of friends, but like any sisters they occasionally bickered over the usual mundane things.
Diane looked relieved to see Rose. "Boy, am I glad you're here. I've been struggling with these equations and Marva's no help."
"Diane forgets I have tons of homework myself. Besides everyone knows you're the math whiz in the family, Rose," Marva retorted.
Rose laughed at Marva's comment. "And what does that make you, Marva? You're rated as high as me." Before Marva could answer, Rose continued. "Besides, we both promised we'd help Diane, don't you remember?"
"Yeah, Marva. If I don't pass Trig I won't get into college next year," Diane wailed.
"Okay, okay. You're right. I'm sorry," Marva admitted sheepishly. "I did promise I'd help you."
Diane smiled at her sister. "Thanks, Marva. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have lost my temper. I figured if I did real well this year in school I might be able to go to UCLA like Rose."
"Not me," Marva said. "I'm planning on Harvard or Princeton when I graduate."
"Do you really want to go that far?" Diane asked curiously.
"No, but going to school will be fun and they have some of the best business colleges in the east," Marva explained. "Besides I need the best education I can get if I'm going to help Nick run Foley Foods."
"You've got a point there," Rose concurred. "I picked UCLA because it's close to home, but it also has one of the best medical schools in the country."
"Well, I think I'd really like to go to UCLA but I won't make it if I don't get a handle on this," Diane sighed.
"Hey, Diane, with my help and Rose's, there's just no way you're not going to get through this semester."
"Marva's right. Let's get to work before Clapper calls us down to dinner," Rose suggested.
The evening meal was always a lively affair. Nick enjoyed sitting and listening to his daughters talk, argue or laugh over whatever was going on. The conversations usually ranged from what had transpired in each person's day to what entertainments or events might be coming up.
Nick was a good looking man in his forties. At one time he believed building a multi-million dollar business would fulfill his life's expectations. But fate, in the guise of five orphaned girls, had shown him how wrong he had been; what happiness and joy had been missing in his solitary life. The girls had willingly given him their love and trust and he had in turn given them his name, the stability of a home life and his love.
Looking around the dinner table he realized how proud he was of all of them. Rose, his oldest daughter, sat on his right. She was really the guiding force in the family with her wisdom and concern for everyone. Nick's eyes strayed to Diane who was asking Marva a question. Diane was the beauty of the family. She would probably cause him the most headaches, but she was a warm, sensitive person who always kept everyone on a humorous keel. Marva rivaled Rose in intellect. Straight-forward in her thinking, she sometimes could be too frank in her dealings. Nick knew when he decided to retire he could safely leave the company in Marva's capable hands. Already, at the age of seventeen, she had shown Nick how capable she could be in business. Nick glanced down the table at his two younger girls. Patty, his tomboy daughter, was the most like him in temperament and personality. In a few years she would rival Diane as the Foley beauty. Then there was Mickey, his "little one". They had almost lost her in a swimming accident recently. The thought still gave Nick chills when he remembered it. Mickey was almost nine and would be with him the longest. Nick was happy about that. He hated the thought of his daughters going off on their own but as a parent he knew it was inevitable. He had been secretly pleased when Rose decided to stay close by. She had been accepted at numerous colleges but it was her decision. She chose the one nearest to home.
As Clapper entered the dining room with dessert, Diane asked Rose a question.
"What time are we leaving for the game tomorrow?"
"I told Jean and Nancy we'd pick them up about 11:00," Rose answered.
"What time's the game?" Mickey piped up.
"It starts at 1:00," Rose told her.
"Why are you guys leaving so early?" Patty questioned.
"Because we want to get there in plenty of time. We don't want to miss anything," Diane retorted.
"Diane doesn't want to miss the players coming out of the locker room. Do you, Diane?" Marva asked her sister smugly.
Rose laughed. "That's more fun than the game."
"Really?" Nick looked amused. "What've I been missing. All this time that's what I've been watching."
"You know what I want mean, Nick." Rose said affably.
"Yeah, I think I've got a pretty good idea. I feel the same way about the Miss America pageant."
The girls giggled at their father's remark. Rose turned to Diane.
"Speaking of players, I forgot to tell you, I saw some guys from Army on campus today."
"Oh, wow!" Diane bubbled. "Were they in uniform?"
"Uh huh. They looked great too."
"Nothing like a guy in uniform," Patty sighed.
"Yeah. You know there was this one guy who even took my picture," Rose said, thinking back to earlier in the day.
"Really? Why?" Mickey asked. She had stopped plowing through her dessert long enough to listen to the older girls' conversation.
"I don't know, Mickey. I'm not really the photogenic type." Rose said thoughtfully.
"Oh, I don't know about that." Nick smiled. "If you ask me that young man has very good taste."
"Thanks, Nick." Rose blushed at her father's compliment.
"Was he cute?" Diane asked, always cutting right to what she considered important. "What did he look like?"
"He was tall with blond hair and brown eyes." Rose realized she could remember him well. "And yes, he was cute." Rose turned to her father. "Nick, I wanted to ask you something."
"What?"
"Diane and I have been invited to a party at one of the fraternities after the game. Would it be alright if we go?"
Diane added her plea. "Please Nick, I've never been to a frat party before."
Before Nick could answer, Rose spoke up quickly. "We promise to be home by midnight."
"You have my permission." Nick said equably.
Nick heard a whispered argument at the end of the table, almost drowned out by Diane's shout of joy. He noticed Patty pestering Mickey, encouraging her to do something. To forestall a full scale disagreement between his two youngest Nick interrupted them. "Okay, what's with you two?"
"Well, uh..." Mickey sometimes had trouble expressing herself when she was being prodded along by Patty.
"Go on, Mickey, ask," Patty prompted her."
"Uh, Nick?"
"Yes, little one." Nick looked at Mickey questioningly. "What can I do for you?"
"Patty said I could go with her tomorrow and ride her horse if you say it's okay. Can I, please?" Mickey spilled the question out all in a rush.
"I don't know Mick, you've never ridden before..." Nick started but was interrupted by Patty.
"I'll teach her, Nick. We'll be real careful."
"I know you will, Honey, but..."
"Please..." Mickey pleaded.
"I tell you what, I'll come out and help you teach Mickey to ride."
All the girls looked surprised at this but Patty spoke first. "You never said you could ride?"
"I was in a cavalry unit in the army. We had this Colonel who felt anyone 'his cavalry', would learn to ride or find themselves another unit." Nick looked pleased at pulling a fast one on his daughters. "So is it a deal?"
"You bet!" Mickey gleefully agreed.
Patty was excited too. "This is great. We'll all go riding together."
Nick looked at Marva. "Well, you seem to be the only one tonight who doesn't want something. Anything I can do for you?"
"No, I'm fine. Can't think of a thing. I'll catch you next time," Marva promised.
Laughingly Nick concurred. "I'll hold you to that. Now, shall we finish dinner before everyone starts asking for advances on their allowance?"
Rose, Diane and their two friends arrived at the fraternity and found the party in full swing. UCLA had beaten Army so the students were celebrating wholeheartedly. Diane immediately swept into the room, her eyes checking out all the eligible guys. A neighbor boy spotted her and asked her to dance.
"This is great," Diane whispered to Rose happily as the guy dragged her on to the floor.
Someone pushed a drink into Rose's hand as Jean and Nancy drifted off to talk to some friends. Rose watched her sister.
"Would you like to dance?"
Rose turned abruptly, startled by the voice, finding herself nose to nose with the Army cadet from the other day.
"Hi!"
"I'm Jake Michaels," he extended his hand.
"Rose Foley." Rose put her drink down on the nearest table. "And I'd love to, thanks."
Jake took Rose and guided her to the middle of the crowd. The floor was filled to capacity with wildly gyrating young people. As she kept time with the music, Rose silently observed her partner. She had a closer view of him today and he was even better looking than she had first thought. Tall and well-built, he had sandy blond hair and brown eyes, but his most prominent feature was his long patrician nose. Rose liked what she saw. Of course, the uniform didn't hurt.
Talking was out of the question with the rapid tempo of the music. The song ended and Jake asked Rose for another dance. This time it was slower so they moved closer. Rose caught a glimpse of Diane still dancing but having changed partners.
"What year are you, Rose?" Jake inquired as they continued to dance.
"Freshman. What about you?"
"Senior. Do you live in L.A.?" Jake queried. "Or are you just going to school here?"
"I live here. Our house is only a few minutes from campus."
"You still live at home?" Jake was curious.
"Yes, I do," Rose said, a bit of challenge in her voice. Then her voice softened. "I'd miss my family too much if I'd gone away to school."
"Hey, I'm not being critical. Really. I just find it unusual. Most of us can't wait to leave the "bosom of our family" and strike out on our own. I know I sure couldn't," Jake said ironically. The music stopped and Jake suggested a walk.
Rose agreed. She wanted to pursue Jake's remark. Not having one of her own for most of her life, she had trouble sometimes understanding people's desire to distance themselves from their home.
They strolled outside and settled at one of the tables set up for the party.
"Don't you like your family?" Rose asked curiously.
"Some of them, I mean I love my mom very much but she's swayed by everything my father says and does."
"You don't like your father?" Rose asked stunned.
"He isn't an easy man to like or love. If you don't do everything by his rules, his dictates, his way, you're nothing in his eyes and not worth his time," Jake explained bitterly.
"I'm sorry," Rose said hesitantly not sure how to handle his anger.
"No, I'm sorry, Rose. I shouldn't have gone on like that," Jake said gently.
"It's okay. You did say you like some of them, didn't you?"
"Yeah, well, I have a lot of younger cousins I'm very fond of and my brother-in-law, Robert, is great. How he ended up with Kay, I'll never know."
Rose laughed. "What's wrong with your sister?"
"Do you want it alphabetically or by the numbers?" Jake asked rhetorically. "Do you have any sisters?"
"Four," Rose answered. "Here comes one now."
Rose had seen Diane come out the door and look around at the scattered tables and couples. Spotting Rose, she headed toward her, dragging a guy behind.
"Rose, Rose," Diane approached breathless and excited. "I want you to meet George Paden, our winning quarterback."
Trust Diane to catch the star of the game. "Nice to meet you, George. You did a great job."
Rose turned to Jake. "This is Jake Michaels. Jake, this is my sister, Diane and George Paden."
Jake and George shook hands and Jake turned towards the blond, blue-eyed Diane.
"Pleasure to meet you. You two are sisters?" Jake asked questioningly taking in again Rose's definite Eurasian looks.
"Different mothers!" Rose and Diane said together and laughed. It was a family joke they enjoyed playing on people. The Foley girls found it easier to use this to explain their differences.
"Nice to have met you, Jake. See you later," Diane said as she grabbed George and headed back inside.
"Whew, is your sister always so hyper?"
Rose giggled at Jake's question. "No, not usually. Only when she gets around men."
"How interesting," Jake said teasingly. "Does this particular problem run in the family?"
"Not on my side," Rose retorted.
Jake laughed. "Would you like to take a walk?"
"Sure."
"Good. You can tell me about your other three sisters," Jake suggested.
Rose drove slowly up through the canyon towards the house. Diane sat next to her and chattered on about the great party they'd just left. It was almost 2:00 a.m. and way past the time she'd promised Nick they'd be home. She knew he would still be up, waiting and probably worrying about them. Rose hadn't really meant to stay so long but she and Jake had sat for hours just talking. They covered a variety of topics and found many subjects and interests they had in common. Rose was surprised how much she liked Jake Michaels, having known him for only a few hours.
"Rose, did you even hear what I said?" Diane's voice penetrated Rose's thoughts.
"What...Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."
Diane laughed. "Yeah and I know who you were thinking about too."
Rose grimaced at her sister. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes, it's that obvious," Diane mimicked. "So what's the big deal?"
"I guess I'm just surprised how much I like this guy."
"Well, what's wrong with liking him? I don't understand."
"I mean, I really, really like him. I mean I'm thinking about what it might be like to marry him."
"Marry him? You only just met him."
"That's my problem. How can I feel that way about someone I've known for so short a time?" Rose shook her head ruefully. "I need to finish school. I'm going to be a doctor. I don't have time for anyone right now."
Rose passed the gates and headed the convertible towards the front door. She could see lights still on in her father's room and the entry hall. She stopped the car. The girls alighted and headed in.
Nick heard the car pull into the driveway. Putting down the book he'd been reading, he reached for his robe. He glanced at the clock, confirming the late hour. He'd been worried. Diane had a habit of skirting her curfews but Rose could always be counted on to be home when she was supposed to be. He left his bedroom and headed downstairs.
Nick recalled many times he'd kept a number of fathers' daughters out later than 2:00 a.m. But that had been in his playboy days. He was a father now and his perspective on many things had altered tremendously. He knew what boys were like, he had been one himself. He trusted his daughters implicitly, it was the boys he didn't. He laughed, realizing how overprotective he'd become.
Rose saw Nick coming down the stairs as she and Diane walked in. She spoke first to forestall any possible anger.
"Nick, I'm sorry. I know you were probably concerned. It's my fault we're late."
"Rose?" Nick asked surprised. He had expected to attribute their tardiness to Diane.
"Rose met a new guy at the dance," Diane explained happily. "It was love at first sight."
"Diane!" Rose said peevishly. "She's just kidding, Nick. Aren't you, Diane?"
"If you say so, Rose." Diane yawned. "I think I'll go to bed." She went over and as she hugged her father goodnight, whispered in his ear. "She really does like him. Night."
"Goodnight, Sweetheart," Nick returned as he watched Diane climb the stairs. He turned back to smile at his eldest daughter. "You know Diane was only teasing you."
"I know, but it can be so exasperating sometimes."
"So, are you going to tell me who this boy is?" Nick asked changing back to the original subject.
"His name's Jake Michaels. He's a Senior at West Point. He was here for the game." Rose looked up expectantly at her father. "If it's all right with you, I invited him over for lunch tomorrow."
Nick was a little taken aback. "Ah, sure Rose, that's fine. I'd like to meet this boy."
Rose started to blush at this comment and hurriedly kissed her father goodnight. "Love you, Nick," Rose said as she started towards her bedroom. "Thanks for waiting up."
"Anytime, Honey. Love you too. See you in the morning." As he mounted the stairs, Nick was looking forward to meeting this West Point Cadet who had caught Rose's interest.
Jake cruised slowly through the streets of Bel-Air. He was eager to see Rose again. It had been a wonderful evening and he'd enjoyed the time spent with her. Meeting her family so soon was a little daunting, though. He maneuvered the car through the front gates, noticing the "F" emblazoned there and got even more nervous.
As he approached the huge house, he almost decided to turn around. Rose evidently came from money. At West Point he had mingled with high society before but had always been uncomfortable around some of their prejudices and attitudes. It always reminded him of his father and his narrow-minded outlook on life. His family had always lived well, but they had never been from the upper classes.
But Jake was a West Point Cadet. Retreat was not in his vocabulary. He parked the rented car next to the yellow Lincoln, turned off the engine and got out. Striding to the door, he straightened his uniform and rapped sharply. It was immediately opened by a little brown-haired girl who looked to be about nine years old.
"He's here, he's here, Rose," the girl whooped gaily.
At the child's shouted comment, an older white haired man came to the door. "Mickey, why don't you let the gentleman in?"
The man had a pronounced accent. He was wearing a dark suit and looked to be in his late fifties or early sixties. Jake wondered if this was Rose's father.
"Okay, Clapper," the little girl said dispelling Jake's theory. "Come on in, Jake!"
"How do you know who I am?" he asked amused as he walked into the entry hall.
"Rose said you were coming to lunch and you're wearing a uniform," Mickey explained logically. "I'm Mickey."
"Hello, Mickey. Nice to meet you." Jake extended his hand.
Just then Rose entered the foyer, followed by Diane and a dark haired man in his forties.
"Hi," Rose said brightly as she came up to him. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Thanks for inviting me," Jake told her sincerely.
Rose turned toward the dark-haired man. "This is my father, Nick Foley. Nick, this is Jake Michaels."
"Pleased to meet you, Sir." Jake extended his hand toward Rose's father and instinctively came to full attention. The man accepted his handshake and at the same time Jake was conscious of Nick Foley's silent scrutiny, as if he was taking Jake's measure as well as gauging his possible intent.
"You remember Diane," Rose continued.
Jake turned to Diane. "Yes, of course I do."
Before Diane could reply voices were heard raised in argument as two more girls entered the hall from the opposite direction. They were quarreling so heatedly they were totally oblivious to anyone else. Jake noticed one of the girls was black, around seventeen, while her companion was a younger white girl with brown hair and eyes. The girls stopped abruptly as they realized they weren't alone.
"Are you two finished?" Nick asked, dangerously polite.
They nodded assent and Nick continued. "These are Rose's other sisters, Marva and Patty."
Both girls responded with a hello, looking a bit sheepish.
"Nick, if it's alright, I thought I'd show Jake around before lunch." Rose turned. "That is if you'd like to see the place, Jake?"
"I'd love to," Jake responded.
"Can I come too?" Mickey piped in.
Before either Rose or Jake could react, Nick spoke up.
"I tell you, Mick, why don't you come with me instead. I need someone to help remind Patty and Marva how to act when guests arrive."
"Oh...Okay, Nick. See you later, Jake," Mickey remarked a little wistfully.
"Bye, Mickey," Jake said.
"Come on. I'll show you the garden first," Rose declared leading him away from the others.
As the two moved through the French doors, Jake asked, "So tell me, Rose, did all of your sisters have different mothers?"
"About that. It's usually the quickest way to get around a long explanation," Rose told him.
"So, what's the actual story?"
While Rose showed him around the Foley estate, she related how they came to be. A unique family, Jake realized, and one his father would never approve of or understand. But that had never stopped Jake from doing what he felt was right. And Rose Foley "felt right" to him. He certainly wanted to get to know her better.
Lunch proceeded gaily as the girls outdid each other in keeping their guest amused with family stories and anecdotes.
Nick observed the byplay between Rose and young Michaels. There was definitely something there. Diane had been accurate in her estimation of Rose's feelings about this boy and watching Jake, the feelings didn't look one-sided. Nick wasn't sure he was happy with this turn of events. Not that Michaels wasn't nice, he was very polite and soon to be a college graduate with a career in the Army if he chose to pursue it. Maybe he was overreacting. Rose had gone through a number of boyfriends and nothing had come of them. Why should he be worried now.
"Don't like the fare, Guv?" Nick was jolted out of his reverie by Clapper at his elbow.
"What, oh yeah, it's great," Nick countered. "I just had something on my mind."
"So I noticed," Clapper whispered as he looked down the table at Rose and Jake. "Time will tell which way the wind blows. It's not up to us."
"I know, Clapper, but anytime will be too soon for me," Nick said regretfully. "And not just for Rose, all of them."
"Me too," Clapper remarked as he started back to the kitchen.
"What were you and Clapper talkin' about, Nick?" Mickey questioned. She was sitting next to him at the head of the table.
"He was wondering how we were enjoying the meal."
"It's real good," Mickey enthused.
"You like everything, so it's always good to you." Diane teased from her right.
Diane's comment brought a rebuttal from Marva further down the table and the tales started spinning about everyone's eating habits much to Jake's delight and Rose's chagrin. This time Nick joined in on the discussion. Clapper was right. Time would tell and Nick would just have to wait and see how events unfolded.
Rose walked Jake to his car. She was sorry to see the day end. She had enjoyed his company and Jake seemed to like hers as well as appreciating the Foley clan. Liking her family was important to Rose and Jake had passed that test with flying colors.
"It was a fantastic day, Rose. I just wish I wasn't leaving tomorrow for school."
"I know, so do I. Will I get to see you again?"
"Well, Thanksgiving is coming up. I'll have a week then."
"Won't you want to spend some time with your family?"
"I will, out here. I have some cousins who live in Westwood. I can stay with them and visit you. That is, if you don't mind."
"I'd like that very much," Rose told him happily. "Thanksgiving is only another month, until then we can write."
"Good, I need to practice my typing anyhow," Jake joked and then continued seriously. "I don't think your father likes me."
Rose looked over to the porch where Nick was standing. Rose turned back to Jake.
"He likes you. Really. He's a father and fathers are like that when it comes to their daughters. You know, the 'no man is good enough' statement. You said you have a sister? Didn't your father act that way when she was dating; when she got married?"
"Yes, he did. Robert, put up with a lot of flack before he married Kay. He still does."
"You see, it's universal," Rose told him. "Think you can stand the heat?"
Jake looked at Rose gravely, taking both her hands in his. "I promise you, Rose, nothing will prevent me from seeing you again. Not your father and not mine."
Leaning over, Jake dropped a quick kiss on Rose's lips. Pulling away from her he opened the car door and got in. Starting the engine he looked again at Rose from the open window. "See you soon, Rose."
"Bye, Jake," Rose waved as he pulled away.
Nick walked up behind Rose and put his arm across her shoulders.
"You okay?"
"Yep, he's coming back."
"I kinda thought he would."
Rose looked up at her father. "Do you mind?"
Nick smiled tenderly at her. "Whatever makes you happy, Sweetheart, will make me happy." Nick smiled and continued. "But it won't be easy for me."
"I know. When I do leave I'll miss you terribly too."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about missing you, Rose."
"You weren't?" She questioned, puzzled by Nick's statement.
"No, I was talking about the big fight over who'll get your room after you're gone."
"Very funny, Dad," Rose laughed, giving Nick a playful poke in the ribs.
"Why are you laughing, Rose. I'm talking about a serious problem here."
"Yeah, right," Rose gave her father a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too, Sweetheart," Nick responded planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Come on, let's see what Clapper's got for dinner."
"Dinner? Nick, we just had lunch."
"I know, I know...I'm still hungry. How about a snack then?"
"You're on," Rose said enthusiastically as she and Nick strolled into the house.