Hello, viewers. I have now decided of the name for the baby. Hope you're alright with it as it is final. Thank you. -Traveler.

(Grinch's P.O.V.)

I was both attracted and amused by the thoughtful expression that Martha's currently embodying. The way her eyebrow furrow slightly, her eyes take upon a glint of silent thought, her lips pinched slightly as if she's worrying her lips.

For some reason, my chest became warm at the sight of Martha acting like, well, a mother with the near-alike baby of myself, and I couldn't help thinking that this actually brought me back to a place, a memory I barely could remember.

I remember Clamella rocking me back and forth upon my bed, awakened up by a nightmare I didn't remember in the haze, the sounds of the furnace on full blast. I forgot what I had said nor of Clamella's words that night. I blinked as Martha called me out, "Grinch, are you okay?", pulling me out of the barely-grasped memory.

I smiled weakly, "Lost in thought, Martha. You have a name for her already?". Martha nodded, "I was thinking her name would be 'Rose'.".

I widened my eyes, exhaled as my breath hitched, remembering Rosebella, the other woman who had raised me along with Clamella. "Any particular reason for that?". Martha nodded, "It's kinda obvious. Her hair is the color of a rose flower, her eyes remind me of the green stem and the slight pollen. Roses are beautiful, and I swear that our Rose is going to be beautiful once she grows up.".

I gasped slightly at her last comment, "Our Rose?". Martha smiled softly, "Grinch, I know how much you prefer to be alone up there with Max, but she has taken to you all those past hours, and apart for a half hour with me, she seems to be taking to me as well. We can share her, Grinch, what do you say?".

I gulped softly, glancing at Max who had a second's glance at me with a whine before resting his paw upon the edge of Martha's chair, and Martha giggled, "Of course, Max, you can watch over Rose too.". I raised an eyebrow, amazed that Martha is actually understanding Max in her own way, granted that I took a week to learn Max's mannerisms, behavior, and gestures when I got him home.

I exhaled, "I don't know how to take care of a baby, Martha.". Martha reached over to touch my hand, "Neither do I, Grinch, but we can help each other. Rose needs us. And I don't think that much of Whoville would take her in, nor accept her as one of them...".

I knew she was talking about the fact that people like Augustus would not accept, belittle Rose, and also the fact of hearing about me over the years, people would be definitely be wary, if not afraid to take Rose in. For once, I was glad that Martha wasn't one of them, and she loves Rose already, if I judged her adoration and care correctly.

"I agree with you, Martha. We and Max are clearly the ones who would keep Rose safe and well, but how can we do that?". I breathed thoughtfully.

Martha worried her lips harder at that, "It's clear that she cannot go to Who-School once she's older. I may have to teach her with my old books, of course. I may be rich and social, but what's the use in that? You can have the mornings with her up in your home. And for the afternoons, you bring her to me. And evenings, I can spend time with you and Rose either in your home or mine, depending on the weekends and such.".

I nodded slightly at that, surprised that she would want to come to my home, or that she'd be welcome to me and Rose being in her house for hours, granted that I was already in her house, and she doesn't actually mind it at all.

"What about food and liquids?". I asked in wonder. Martha glanced at Rose for a moment, and bit her lip, "I know you were and is partial to eat spoiled and rotten food, but I don't think that's safe to feed a baby. She may need to be stronger to handle that kind of route first before trying. Babies take to fresh, mushy food, such as mashed peas, banana mush, applesauce. And for drinks, warm milk and water.".

I nodded as I was grateful that Whoville has some special greenhouses, and they have fresh fruit and such because of that, and I could deal with that, and up in Mt. Crumpit, plenty of snow would melt into lots of fresh, cool water. And for milk, definitely from the grocery stores as Whoville gets milk from shaggy goats in the valleys surrounding Whoville and around the mountains, or perhaps I could catch one, and keep it up in the lair, and have fresh milk from the source itself after boiling it, of course.

I do not want Rose to get sick. Get sick? Preposterous! I never had been sick all my life, through that may be futile as Rose is a girl and I was a boy at the time. "Already thinking of plans.", I spoke to Martha, happy that she hadn't interrupted me, must have noticed that I was in deep thought.

Martha smiled brightly, "Brilliant. Now, about sleeping. Babies takes numerous naps between diaper changing, feeding, and strenuous tummy time. They have to sleep on the back, never on the side or stomach as it hinders their breathing and movement. They can sleep in a bassinet, in a pumbersella, or a cot, and they have to be tucked firmly, not too tightly, but just enough that they won't roll over or kick off their blankets. They have to be reasonably warm as babies are very sensitive to the cold.".

I hummed slightly, figuring that I would work around that as Rose clearly has hair, but short hair at that. I knew my hair grew longer and furrier as I grew up, and Rose would have that as well, but definitely two blankets at most for now, maybe three once the harsh season sets in. Then something came to me, "Pardon me, but did you say 'tummy time'?".

Martha giggled, "My brother loved tummy time. Mom said it was to simulate his muscles and reflexes into proper tune for practice to crawl, plus it gave him warnings not to roll over in bed. Once Rose is able to crawl, she would then practice to stand, walk, sprint, then run.". I sighed softly, knowing that I have to eventually close off rooms with some sort of chain-link fence or something to stop Rose. Gosh, I really have to baby-proof the lair!

I sighed heavily, realizing something. "Martha. I hate to admit, but I need help with that part. My lair, let's say, it's more of a inventor-gadget bachelor pad.". Martha squeezed my hand, causing me to look up to see her moving forward, balancing a already-sleeping Rose in her arm, and she leaned her head upon my shoulder, "Don't worry, Grinch, we'll figure it out as we go. And you must not forget that you got me on your side. Rumors are rumors, but I don't care what anybody thinks. You are a good person, Grinch, even if you act grumpy sometimes, or scare people off with your pranks.".

I smiled softly, my face and body growing warm at the contact, and I don't actually mind the thought that Martha is already imprinting upon my heart at this moment as Max and Rose had already. I spoke warmly, and for once, there was no hint of weakness or grumpiness about it, "I trust you, Martha May Whovier.".