WHEN THE RAIN STOPS- Scrutinized [TANNER x LUNA] 2 IN 1

SIDE STORY PT. TWENTY SEVEN

|LUNA|

"Lavanda." She giggled and I lightly ticketed her in my embrace. "Awww, you like that name huh?" I hummed a hm, before placing her on-top of my stomach while I laid down. "I wonder how you got there in the first place..." I spoke seriously but was stopped with her hand on my cheek. I laughed and hugged her closer. She was warm and looked clean when I changed her. No bruises, no burns, no signs of mistreatment.. I sighed. "I bet your mom really misses you..." she kept playing with my hair as I felt guilt build up in my stomach. "But I guess there's no harm in waiting.. besides the police station is closed and I have to go in tomorrow anyways." I lifted her back up to face me. "It's decided! I'll keep you til tomorrow." I sat up with her and placed her to lean back on the hand rest of the couch while I sat with my legs crossed, across from her. She latched her hands over my fingers and I playfully started to fake dance with her. "A-cha cha cha to you too." I hummed a laugh as Lavanda let out a cute baby giggle again. However I was pulled out of my little world with the sound of a key turning in the door. I froze with Lavanda and looked to find Tanner with flowers in a one hand and a 'sorry' card in the other.

He took a step closer but stopped in his tracks when he saw I wasn't alone. "Luna?..." he came closer, hesitantly and got a closer look of what was across from me. He reached a finger out and poked Lavanda, at which she just laughed at. Tanner smiled and simply asked, "ok. How long?" "Just until tomorrow, I want to reunite her with her family." He patted my head. "Alright. Well. Scout over." I grabbed Lavanda In my arms and left enough room for Tanner to sit. Once he did I leaned my head on his shoulder and the cuddled the baby. Then the memories of my miscarriage hit. What was I thinking? It was too early to be holding a baby, let alone be taking care of one. I tapped my fingers in a fidgeting motion as Tanner massaged my hair. I couldn't help but think about what Teressa had said.. "It's nice isn't it?..." I asked. "To be able to cuddle while we pretend and play dress up?" He gave me a worried expression but I didn't react to it. He might've not like what I was saying but it was the sad truth. "But..she was right Ya know. I can't give you a child. Hell I can't even give you reassurance..." I rocked the baby back and Fourth as she slowly fell asleep in my arms. Her cooing and snoring almost bringing me to tears. "The only thing I can do is make your life easier... so.." I held the baby closer and with the melancholy atmosphere told Tanner point blank. "Leave."

He was in shock and barley shaking. His hand violently stimming on his knee, but he didn't show me a face of fear. Instead he displayed his usual smile. Only this time I knew he was just faking it. "What are you talking about Love? I-." "Don't pull your bull shit." I sighed  "Make it easier for the both us Tanner.." I got up with the baby and walked to the side of the couch. "Live a good life with a woman who can give you a family one day. I know you want one, so please... live that out for me." I held the baby's head in my hand and over my shoulder while I walked to my room. Not daring to look back at the man who I had just broken up with. My heart weighed on my chest in guilt, but I knew it was the best thing to do. He shouldn't be held back just because of my selfish feelings, and I should probably move on quickly as to not feel the real damage that would inevitably consume me as time went on.

I exhaled through my nose and walked into my room. The cold and stale air hitting me like a bad dream. I patted the baby's back before gently setting her down onto the soft and welcoming bed sheets. At least I had her, even if it was just for the night. I got changed into a tank top and shorts and cuddled with her when I finished. Tanner was quiet so I assumed he left. But no. Instead he came up behind me and hugged me close, in a cuddling action. "You see Luna, I can't leave. I can't leave you here by yourself after everything we've been through. It would be premature. Let alone meaningless if we broke up." He came to my ear and whispered in a sort of threatening way. "So I suggest you go to sleep. Before I inject you with a sleeping drug."
I sighed and let him hug me. "Goodnight Tanner.." "Goodnight Luna."

In the morning the baby was still asleep so I woke up Tanner and told him to watch her while I brushed my teeth. After I did so I went back and found Tanner changing her diaper. I smiled "Aw, that's cute." He smiled back and playfully rolled his eyes.
When he finished he brushed his teeth and I waited for the baby to wake up. Not a second later Lavanda yawned and woke up. "Good morning little one." I nuzzled my nose to hers. But she only put her hand on my boob, signaling to me that she was hungry. I sighed and picked her up to lay on my lap while she ate. "Ya know Lavanda, I've never taken care of a child.. but this all feels too familiar." A seance later Tanner came in and saw what I was doing. I casually waved and told Lavanda. "Now I know why." I laughed and she finished eating. I had noticed Tanner was still in his suit and I asked him. "Do you just sleep like that?" He nodded. "It's not uncomfortable to me." "Jeans are comfortable to you?.." "yes." I laughed again and told him to hold Lavanda while I changed. "Lavanda? Where'd that name come from?" "My aunts Italian remember? It's Italian for Lavender." He 'oh'd' and rocked Lavanda. He even hummed a little song for her. My face put a soft smile on for me as I watched. Tanner was good with kids, at least he had good self control with kids.

I exhaled through my nose and told Tanner it was time to leave. He nodded and wrapped the baby up in her blanket, which was now washed. "How'd that happen?" I asked. "While you were asleep I did laundry." I thanked him and carried Lavanda in my arms, slowly walking to the car. I wasn't sure if I wanted her to stay with me or not. It might've been too soon but then again I was doing good with her. She had a mom already non the less.. it would be selfish to keep her let alone kidnapping. Tanner grabbed my tag for me and opened the door. Lavanda pulled and played with my hair the whole drive there. But I didn't complain, she was cute and comforting so what else could I ask for. She made little sound while she sat on my lap, occasionally Tanner would look over and just smile. Even patted our heads once.

|TANNER|

It all felt so good and rewarding, like we were an actual family.. but Luna was right.. we were just playing dress up. I was over here pretending to be a doctor and father while being a cannibal on the dark web and Luna was.. i don't even know at this point. She.. I sighed as I parked the car. She didn't say anything and just got out. I wonder.. what was actually going on in her mind. I always got so close just to be confused all over again. She was an enigma. My enigma. Ya know what, Ima call her that from now on. Enigma. I shook my head from getting lost in my thoughts again and opened the door for her. She nodded as a way to say thank you and walked in. "Luna?!" The receptionist called out. "Hello." Luna said back politely. "Is that a baby?!!!!" She nodded. Soon enough her co-workers over heard their conversation and Travis made a reappearance. I stood closer to Luna as Travis came over to us. "Who's this?" "I found her yesterday in an alley.. and I wanna take her back to her mom if that's possible." Travis nodded and put his hand on Luna's back to escort her to his office. I went to go with them but was stopped by the receptionist. Luna stopped walking when I did and asked Travis if I could go with them. He shook his head. "Sorry, policy." Luna side nodded and told me to wait for her.

|LUNA|

I was bummed and kind of worried that Tanner couldn't come. Especially since Travis was being so touchy today. I held the baby closer and looked around to find August watching Travis and I in protective way. He was watching to make sure Travis didn't try anything. "It's been a long day Luna.." Travis sighed as he closed the door behind me. "So why do you have to do this right now?" I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean sir?" He groaned. "That." I held Lavandas hand and waited for Travis to type in something in the program. "We're going to have to take a DNA sample and as we do that she's gonna have to go to social services." I nodded. "I understand..." I held Lavanda up and whispered to her with teary eyes. "I'm gonna miss you little one.. so please be careful.." I kissed her forehead for the last time before someone came into the room and took her away. She cried and held onto my hair but I knew it was for the best. I softly smiled as she went, almost crying at the thought. That, that might have been the last time I would've saw her. Travis must've saw this and came over to rub my back. "You did good.." I thanked him and stood up to leave. "Luna!" He yelled, I turned back and he told me in a calm voice. "Take the day off.. you deserve it." I smiled back and thanked him. Once outside of the room I gave August the thumbs up that I was ok and went back to Tanner. Tanner was fidgeting with something. Which, when I got a closer look, noticed it was my tag. He sat up and met me half way to the door. "How'd it go?" "Fine." ... "are you ok?" "Yea." We walked to the car and sat down. Him in the drivers seat and I in the passengers. "Tanner." "Hm?" "Let's go somewhere..." he smiled and started to drive off into the morning sun.