A/N: Comment & Vote
As promised Scott tucked me that night.
Downstairs the baby was still crying. But Scott said it was important to let him cry it out. Plus Lisa was with him. "You know Lisa still feels terrible about what happened. It'd help if you stopped glaring at her."
"She killed my cat Scott!"
"No she didn't." He buttoned the top of my panda jammies. "You're being a bit dramatic don't you think?"
"She let him out! I'm never talking to her ever again!"
Scott sighed and smoothed my hair down. "How was bath time?" He asked.
I frowned. "Lonely. Daddy said he'd check on me..." I led off purposely and Scott smiled lifting up my chin.
"I think you just want give me a hard time tonight."
"Will you read me a story?" I begged. "Pretty please?"
"With a cherry on top?" He prodded.
"No! With jello on top."
"Ick. I don't know if I want any of that. However, I think you can read me a story now."
I could read a little now but nothing fancy. I didn't want to show Scott until it was perfect! "Can you read me a story tonight? Please?"
"Will you stop being mean to Lisa?"
I huffed and fell back into bed, hugging Milo to my chest. "Alright. I guess so."
"Thank you." He lifted up my legs and pushed into he bed fully.
He tucked me in and a grabbed a book. "Let's see..."
"You haven't shaved."
"It's hard enough finding time to shower much less shave," Scott replied. "If it bothers you I'll take care of it tonight."
"Will I ever have to shave?"
"Nope. Subs are lucky and naturally don't grow body hair."
"I'm lucky?"
"That's right."
"Have you though about Cheddar Cheese Two?"
"Uh... I don't think now is such a good time. There's a lot going on and--"
I could tell that Scott was stressed. I didn't want to make it worse. "It's okay." I said quickly. "What book is it?"
"'Are You My Mommy'--Jesus this is an old book. My mother read this to me when I was a kid."
"Your mother?" I echoed.
"Yup." He smiled.
"What was it like? Having a mother?"
Scott was quiet a moment. "You didn't miss out on much," he said finally. "Ready to start reading?"
I nodded and laid my head against the pillow.
***
I spent the day in a pile of fallen leaves.
They were all gone now and the branches were empty. I laid back with a sigh. I wished I had someone to be with. But Scott was working. And when he wasn't working he was with the baby.
How much longer did Bailey need to rest?
"You're going to get a cold out here."
I rolled over to see Scott coming over. "You found me!"
"Of course I did. I have the landscaper come over and say someone was rolling around in his leaf pile."
I sat up. "Am I in trouble?"
"Not at all. But look at how red your ears are getting. Put this one."
I took the red knit hat. "Where did you get it?"
"It was Danny's," he said quietly after a moment. "He loved it."
"And I can wear it?"
"Come here."
I got up and stood in front of him. He stood in front of me for a long moment. Then he pulled the hat over my ears. He smoothed it over my head and smiled. "There. Fits like a charm."
"It's soft and warm." I agreed.
"I'm glad. Now I have to go back to work. Don't make too big of a mess of these leaves."
I nodded my head and flopped back into the leaves, feeling the soft wool. I couldn't believe Scott would give me something that belonged to Danny.
I felt special.
QOTC: thoughts??!!