Roman kept his eyes on his wife the entire time. She hadn't cried, spoken, or slept. She never left Rosie though, whenever her baby needed her, she was there.
He walked over to where she was standing. Placing his hands on her hips. They were burying the empty casket her dad was suppose to be in today.
"My love, do you need anything?", he asked softly.
She stood in front of the window.
"Baby girl", he said, hoping to get her out of her daze.
"Sorry, what?", she said, shaking her head.
"I asked if you needed anything", he repeated himself.
"Oh, no Ro, thank you", she replied.
"Baby, you have to eat something. Please, if not for me then for Rosie", he said, tipping her head back so she would look up at him.
She smiled softly.
"Also for you", she replied, standing on her toes to reach his lips.
He nodded and went to serve her. When he looked back, she was looking out the window again.
"She's looking for Raya", Melina said.
He looked at her and chuckled.
"Like she would show her face here", he said.
"She would. To see us, our reaction", Melina said.
Roman looked at his wife.
"She's out there. Hiding, but out there", she added.
Roman looked at his sister in law.
"Things are going to change now, aren't they?", he asked.
Melina was going to answer, but didn't. She looked towards Veronica.
"Do you believe she can get her?", he asked.
She looked back at Roman, before nodding.
"I do", she replied.
"That's all I needed to know", he said softly.
He went back over to his wife.
"Finger sandwiches", he said.
She smiled and took the plate.
"Thanks", she replied.
"Today's going to be tough, but I'm here", he said.
She smiled at him and gently touched his cheek.
"I'm glad Rosie and I have you", she said.
He kissed her cheek.
"They are ready for us", Dean said.
Both nodded and followed everyone out. Roman couldn't help but scan the area. If Melina was right, Raya was watching them now.
"Have you called your sister to check on Rosie?", Ronnie asked.
"Yes ma'am. Baby girl is having the time of her life with all her cousins.", he replied.
Veronica laughed softly.
"Napping while Nia runs around with all the kids", she replied.
"Man, wait till she starts walking", he chuckled.
Ronnie's smile slipped.
"My dad won't be here to see it", she said sadly.
He wrapped his arm around her waist.
"But he'll be watching over her and all the kids. Protecting them.", he replied.
She nodded and grew quiet again.
Raya found herself in the nursery with Bayley and the accident. Veronica wiggled in her hands. She could accidentally drop her on her head and blame it on Bayley.
She could take her a bath and let her slide into the water for her to drown.
She could turn her over in her crib face down and let her suffocate. She must have rolled herself over when no one was looking.
She stood and walked over to the crib, laying the baby down. Veronica looked up at her before her eyes looked around.
Raya grabbed a pillow and held it over Veronica's head, pressing down.
She could hear the baby screaming, crying.
"Mommy, no", Bayley shouted.
She felt Bayley slapping her legs, crying too. Then she felt the tugging on her pants, Bayley trying to pull her away.
"Daddy", Bayley shouted.
Andrade ran in after hearing Bayley. He was in charge of keeping an eye on Raya when she was with the kids. She didn't know what his boss asked of him.
He quickly pulled her away, not caring if he hurt her. He removed the pillow, the baby's cries heard clearer now.
Her little face was red and tears covered her cheeks. Melina ran in next.
"Bay", Melina said, checking on her sister, who was crying so hard she was hiccupping.
Bayley couldn't speak, she just pointed at their mom.
"What did you do?", Melina asked.
"Not me, him. He pushed me", Raya replied, pointing at Andrade.
He met Melina's eyes.
"I would never", was all he said.
She walked over to the crib and pulled out her crying sister.
"Its okay, Ronnie. I've got you", she said softly.
Their dad rushed in.
"What's going on?", he asked, after looking over the scene.
Andrade looked at his boss.
"The kids should leave the room", he said.
Garcia looked at Melina. She took Bayley's hand and started to walk out. Bayley let go and ran to hug her dad.
He lifted her and kissed her head.
"Its okay my love. You're safe in my arms", he whispered.
She shook her head.
"Not me, Ronnie. She hurt Ronnie", she whispered.
He looked at the baby in Melina's arms. Her little face was red.
"Have a doctor come and look at her. I will be down in a minute.", he said.
Melina nodded and left the room with Ronnie and Bayley. Ben looked at Andrade.
"She was suffocating Veronica. I heard Bayley screaming", Andrade said.
"You fucking liar. I would never do that. He was trying to hurt the girls, touching them", Raya shouted.
Ben raised a brow.
"My daughter says different", Ben said.
Raya rolled her eyes. She chuckled.
"You can't tell me you actually wanted that thing. She was an accident, a mistake", Raya said.
Ben went up to her and grabbed her, shaking her.
"You ever touch my child again, you ever call her out of her name, I will kill you. No one would miss you", he said.
She smirked.
"You would really kill the only person who knows where my sister is?", she asked.
He released her.
"You act like I don't know about you two. I was the one pushing her onto you. I was playing you", she said, laughing.
He nodded.
"I want you out of my house. Away from my girls. You will never look at them, talk to them, or hurt them again. You have two hours to collect your shit and get out", he said.
He looked at Andrade.
"Two hours", he said to him.
Andrade nodded.
Veronica heard nothing. She just stared at the casket. Why would he go alone? Why not at least tell someone? So many unanswered questions she had.
"Baby, time to go", Roman said softly.
She looked at him.
"Do you mind picking up Rosie alone? I just need a minute", she said.
He nodded and kissed her head before catching a ride with Dean and Brie.
The house was quiet when they arrived for their kids. Nia smiled before hugging Brie.
"We love you girls so much", Nia said.
Brie hugged her tighter.
"Love you all too", she replied.
"Kids wore themselves out, all taking naps right now. Except for Rosie. She's a party animal", Nia said.
Roman laughed softly.
"My wild one", he said.
He walked to the nursery, all the kids napping. He could see his daughter looking around. He walked over and lifted her into his arms.
"My sweet girl. Lets get home to mommy", he said.
Dean dropped them off before heading back to get Brie and the kids. Roman walked into his house and set the car seat down.
"Baby, we're home", he called.
No one replied.
"V?", he called again.
His daughter was secure in her seat, so he went looking for his wife. House was empty.
"Veronica", he shouted, scaring his daughter.
He grabbed his phone and tried to call her, but got no answer.
"Where are you?", he asked.