Thank you all for the great reviews, sorry it took all weekend for this chapter, but the real Rosie kept me on my toes the past couple of days. Thanx again. R&R.
Laura pulled the key to Greg's house out of her purse and silently unlocked the door. She crept into the dark living room trying not to wake Mr. And Mrs. Sanders and she slowly made her way to Greg's room. She could see light coming from under the closed door of his bedroom, and knew he had fallen asleep with the T.V. on again. Sometimes she didn't know how he could survive without her. Laura was unsure what Greg's life would be like if she didn't do his laundry or pick up his mail. It was the little gestures that she had slowly taken over, over time. And she found it oddly touching that he needed her for the simplest of tasks, making her feel necessary.
She slowly opened Greg's bedroom door only to find him sprawled out asleep on his bed with Rosie curled into his left side. He had a protective arm around her. His other arm freely sprawled out a across the other side. Laura almost laughed at the sight at first. But it wasn't until approaching closer that she see the deep look of tranquility and peacefulness on Greg's face as he slept. She could swore she had never seen that look before. It made her happy to know he could accept and love her daughter without knowing who the father was. Surely if he knew he wouldn't be so fond of her. Then again, having Rosie had brought out a side of Greg that Laura had never seen before. He loved Rosie unconditionally and with all of his heart. And it showed in the way that he cared for her. He lavished the four month old with gifts, so much that Laura was sure he would go broke on the child's first birthday. Being with Rosie provided Greg with a fatherly glow that made Laura's heart ache.
She continued smiling at Greg and Rosie until her exhaustion presented it's self in a wave of dizziness. She was worn out from work, although she had not worked a full shift, it had been a busy night, leaving her body depleted of all it's energy. She removed her jacket and set her purse on the ground.
Greg was sprawled out on the bed so much that little room was left for Laura. She knew how much room babies took up, despite their size...But she wondered...?
She crawled into bed next to Greg, trying desperately not to wake him up. Then she nestled in next to him and laid her head on his free and sprawled arm. She turned and faced him so close her breath was fanning onto his chest. Surprised at comfortable it all felt, she quickly started dozing off. Thoughts of Greg and Rosie playing filled her brain until her eyelids drooped to a close, her breathing became steady, and finally her body shut down for the night. She was asleep.
Suddenly Greg leaned over and placed a kiss on the crown of her forehead.
"Goodnight Laura" He wrapped his free arm around her and glanced back and forth at Rosie and Laura, sleeping in his arms. He laid his head back and smiling, fell back to sleep.
The next morning Greg felt himself being shaken. He cracked his eyelids only to see that the sun had barely risen. Turning over he saw Laura standing over him shaking his shoulder.
"What's up?" His voice was hoarse from the nights lack of moisture.
"Hey you still wanna go to Erik's party tonight?" She said with peppy enthusiasm. More than was expected at seven in the morning.
"I though you had to work tonight?" he sat up.
"They just called me in to take the morning shift, so I don't have to work tonight." Laura continued talking as she did her hair and put on her jacket. "Do you mind watching Rosie until about three?" She asked, though she knew what the answer would be.
"Of course" Greg answered as he looked down at Rosie. "Do we have enough formula here?"
"Im going back to my house right now to take a shower, I'll drop some by when I come back down the mountain" She made her way over to the other side of the bed and kissed her baby girl on the forehead.
"Bye Greg"
"See you at three"
And with that she was gone.
Greg sighed at being woken up so early. He slowly got off the bed so he didn't wake Rosie and took a shower. She was still asleep by the time he got out, but just after he finished getting dressed he heard her whimpering in her sleep. Which he learned meant that she would be waking up any second. He strode over to her and ran his fingers through her hair. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"Good morning beautiful"
"Iy ya ya bah" Was her reply.
"Oh really?, I think that's a great idea. I would love to have breakfast with your mother too. Lets get you dressed."
Greg dressed Rosie in a green flowery pattern dress and took her into the kitchen to get some coffee. His mother was already awake doing the dishes.
"Morning mom" Greg greeted her with a kiss. He then set Rosie in her bouncy chair on the table so he could keep an eye on her while he made coffee. She had been there two seconds when Greg's mother was all over her. Marjorie adored Rosie, just as she adored Laura.
"Hello Rosie" She cooed, grabbing her tiny feet and shaking them about.
"Laura had to work this morning" Greg informed his mother while he poured cream and sugar into his coffee.
"I know, she came by and dropped off some formula. Would you like me to make Rosie a bottle?" She asked.
"Sure"
Greg and his mother always made time in the morning for a conversation. They were very close and Marjorie wanted to know what was going on in her only sons life.
"Another brochure came from that Forensics college." She began the conversation as she always did.
"The one in Los Angeles?" Greg leaned against the counter sipping his coffee.
"Yeah"
Greg put his head down, a move that was immediately picked up on by his mother.
"Your reconsidering? You've wanted to be a Crime Scene investigator ever since you were a kid"
"I know, It's just so...so far away" his voice was downcast. This was something that he obviously thought about.
"Your afraid to leave Laura behind aren't you?"
Greg's gaze shot up, he stood there thinking, and when no words came he decided silence was the best answer, his mother knew him well.
He looked at Rosie who was sucking on a few fingers to soothe aching gums. It would be hard to leave her too. A ball rose in his throat at the thought of actually having to say goodbye to them. He would never admit it now, but they were his whole world. He had delayed going to college right after high school, to help Laura with Rosie. She had never directly asked him too, but he knew she needed it. It was when Laura was pregnant and hecklers on the street would bring her to tears, that he decided to stay. This town, although wonderful, was harsh. And living in it meant that you take on the formality of upper class citizens. And upper class citizens just didn't get pregnant at seventeen. She was chastised greatly toward the beginning, but as time went on, people got used to seeing little Rosie in the arms of Laura or Greg. And some of the people had even grown to love Rosie, as he did.
"Greg?"
"Yeah"
"She wont blame you for leaving Plainsworth." his mother pleaded. She loved Laura but she needed to do what was best for her son. She wanted Greg to go to college and leave the small town of Plainsworth for the big city.
Barely above a whisper "Yeah, but I would"
Laura was working the restaurant part of Frankies, taking orders for elderly couples who woke early to eat. The morning had been slow. So she was assigned to train the new waitress. She was a young sassy girl named Monica. Black hair and full lips ensured that she got plenty of attention from the chef's and even more tips than Laura. But she didn't mind. They had hit it off right away. Both being interested in photography, so they had plenty of things to talk about.
"Ok so when we are finished filling in the orders with the Chef, we return with drinks and refill coffee mugs" Laura said.
Monica nodded. "Sounds easy enough"
Just then Greg walked in with Rosie on his hip and a diaper bag on his shoulder. He waved to Laura, showing him where he was sitting. Before no time she was over there.
"Hey What's up? Is everything ok?" She asked.
"No, we just thought we'd bother you" Greg joked
"Your lucky it's a slow morning punk!" She punched him on the arm.
"Hey don't blame me, it was Rosie's idea" he pointed at the smiling infant.
"Your horrible, blaming the baby!" They both laughed.
"Im sorry, I get mean when im hungry"
"Oh sorry, what do you want?" she apologized.
"Just some waffles and eggs. Are you gonna sit with us?" Greg scooted over to make room.
"Yeah just let me put this order in and bring some coffee"
Greg nodded.
A few minutes Later Laura came back with Monica.
"Monica, this is Rosie, my baby girl" Laura lifted the baby from her seat and showed her off to Monica, who looked like she had fallen in love.
"Oh my gosh, she is so beautiful" Monica admired.
"Thank you" Laura puffed. Then, as if for the first time since approaching the table, Monica noticed Greg.
"Is this your boyfriend?" She asked. Both Greg and Laura looked at each other and laughed. Laura's face turned red.
"No, this is my best friend Greg. Greg this is Monica. She is new here, im showing her the ropes" Laura proudly boasted.
"Nice to meet you" Greg said politely extending his hand.
Monica immediately turned into flirt mode.
"Good to meet you too. You know you're the best looking guy i've seen since moving here"
Greg nervously shifted in his seat "Uh...thank you"
Laura was shocked at Monica's forwardness. But she didn't stop there.
"Maybe you could show me around some more. I've only been here a week, and I cant seem to find anything. Could you show me around the country club?" She asked biting her top lip. A move that probably melted most men, But not Greg Sanders.
"Uh we don't go into the Country club anymore" he said "it's a long story involving a squirrel and a turkey. Lets just say we cant go in there without getting 'Looks'" He said as he and Laura began rolling in laughter.
Monica was irritated, she wasn't used to guys being impervious to her charm. And it annoyed her. She cut the laughing short.
"Well here is my number if you wanna hang out" She wrote on a napkin and handed it to Greg. Who took it without looking at it and set it on the table.
"Thank you, see you around" he was trying to be polite but he just wasn't interested in her.
Laura and Greg ate together with Rosie until she had to get back to work. As Greg left, Laura kissed her baby goodbye.
"Uh Greg you left Monica's phone number on the table" She said
"I know" He smiled and walked out.