-1"Stop pacing, Shawn," Gus broke the silence "You're making me nervous!"
It was true. Shawn hadn't stopped pacing since he'd gotten to the airport. He'd never been so nervous in his life. But, he did what his friend had suggested and sat down.
Henry, Gus, Juliet, and even Lassiter had come to the airport with him for moral support. Suddenly, a voice came over the intercom.
"Flight number 23 from Seattle has just arrived," Shawn's heart skipped a beat. He stood up and started pacing again. Everyone was watching the gate now, waiting.
Finally, when the mad rush of people de-boarding the plane had died down, there was one small little girl with Shawn's hair and eyes standing there with a small suitcase and a backpack. The little girl turned in their direction and Shawn's brown eyes met hers. His heart skipped a beat.
"Um, Hi," Shawn said as he made his way towards her, trying to crack his warmest smile. He bent down, so she was at eye level "I bet you're Rosie." He'd been thinking of things to say to her ever since he found out she existed and that's all he could think to say. Figured.
The little girl nodded.
"and I bet you're my daddy," Rosie smiled shyly. Shawn smiled back.
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Everyone seemed to hit it off pretty well. Gus and Juliet were even more excited than they had been before, if that was even possible. Even Lassiter fell in love with the charming little girl. Even though Henry would never admit it, he was developing a soft spot for her.
When everyone had gone, the silence was unbearable.
"Um…are you hungry? I have some pineapples in the kitchen." Shawn finally said.
"No thank you"
More silence……
"I'm kinda tired." Rosie confessed
"Um…Ok--I'll show were you'll be sleeping." Shawn took her luggage and led her to her new room. When she saw her new room, Rosie jaw dropped to the ground.
"Wow--" She said, wide-eyed. Shawn shot her a sideways grin as he put her suitcase and book bag on her bed.
"Do you like it?"
"Do I like it!?" she exclaimed.
"I asked you first-" Shawn said still grinning.
"It's amazing…Thank you," She hugged his waist (That's how far she came up to him.)
Then, all of a sudden, there was a feeling deep in Shawn's gut. A feeling he'd never felt before. He wanted that feeling to be there forever.
"Oh! I almost forgot." Rosie unzipped her suitcase and pulled out an envelope. "Mrs. Hawthorne told me to give this to you." She handed Shawn the envelope and he stuck it in his back pocket, 'Probably some legal mumbo jumbo, I'll look at it later.'
"Alright, let's get you tucked in." He made sure she was nice and cozy, flipped of the light and was turning to leave, but was interrupted.
"Could I um…get a kiss goodnight?"
Shawn smiled and kissed her forehead and left the room, that feeling stronger than ever.
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Shawn decided he'd open the letter, maybe it was actually important, and there's no time like the present, right?
He unfolded the paper and a few pictures fell out. They were baby pictures of Rosie. One was taken on the day she was born and the other was a very cute picture of her as a toddler blowing on a dandelion. He began to read the letter:
Dear Shawn,
If you're reading this, something has happened to me. You know about Rosie. I'm so sorry. I totally screwed up. It's my fault you don't know your own daughter. I was selfish, I guess. I thought you'd be better off without me and the baby. I didn't want to keep you from your travels. You needed to go and you didn't need a girlfriend and baby to drag along behind you. But, in hindsight, it was probably one of the stupidest decisions I've ever made. I just want you to know I never meant to keep her from you. And I've done so many stupid things and made so many stupid decisions. You probably hate me right now. I don't blame you, hell, I hate myself.
But, I had my Rosie. She is everything to me. And Shawn, she is you---up, down and inside out. Everything about her reminded me of you, especially her smile. God, that smile made my heart do back-flips. She was the bright spot in my life, Shawn, and now she can be the bright spot in yours.
Just promise me that you'll take good care of my baby and make sure that she always knows that her mother loved her more than anything in this world.
I know you'll be the best father a kid could ask for. There is no doubt in my mind about that.
Love,
Elaine
Ps- I never stopped loving you.
A teardrop fell onto the paper. Shawn wiped his eyes.
"Why are you crying?" He jumped. Rosie stood behind him, teddy bear in hand.
"Oh, nothing, just something in my eye." Shawn said wiping his eyes again. "What are you doing out of bed, kiddo?"
"I couldn't get to sleep." She said, yawning.
"Well, come sit on the couch with me and we'll watch some TV until you fall asleep."
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Gus knocked on the door of 682 E. Washington Ave. and got no answer. So, he let himself in to go get Shawn for work and to check on his new 'niece'.
He made his way into the living room and saw Shawn and Rosie asleep on the couch. Rosie's head was resting on Shawn's chest and his arms were holding her close. Gus cursed himself for not having his camera and pulled the blanket up higher on them.
This was going to be Ok.
A/N--- OK! Whaddya think? Um…I'm gonna end on this note…BUT there will be other parts to this saga. Probably MANY parts if you guys like it enough.
SOOO--- Review and let me know what you think about this story and whether or not you think I should continue and have other parts. THANKS!
BTW---That is Shawn's real address. I looked it up on USA website.
