Book 5: I'll Wait, Dear (Steven Adler FanFic)

Ch. 1: Golden

Disclaimer: I do not own GNR or Van Halen or any of their songs.

"Make sure she's in bed by nine!" I reminded Liz as I slung on my coat.

I was running a little late for work, and I didn't have time to go over all of the usual babysitting rules before I left. Not that it would be necessary, seeing as Liz had been successfully watching my daughter Catherine since we had all started living together in LA. Still, I couldn't help but be too cautious when it came to my little girl.

I couldn't help it. As a single mom, I was vigilant when it came to Catherine, considering I was the only parent that held responsibility if anything were to happen to her. If anything were to go wrong, the magnitude of the catastrophe would rest on my shoulders and I would be devestated. Because of this, I couldn't help but to worry about her well-being all of the time.

"I know her bed time," Liz rolled her eyes at me with a groan. "Why do you always feel the need to repeat that same line every time you go to work? I've been living with you for...how long has it been? Three years now? I think I know the little squirt's bedtime by now."

"Hey! I'm no squirt!" Catherine piped in, looking up from her coloring book to shoot Liz a pouty glare.

I shook my head and snorted, ignoring Catherine's complaint so that I could take a moment to chew out Liz. "Then why was she awake at 11 p.m. a few months back?"

"Okay, that was one time!" Liz held up her pointer finger for emphasis. "And she had a fever! She threatened to sneeze on me if I didn't let her stay up and watch TV!"

"Taking orders from a three year old? That's precisely why I remind you every night," I teased, sticking out my tongue at her.

"Yeah, yeah..." Liz murmured.

I watched Liz nudge Catherine lightly with her foot, catching the little girl's attention for a moment.

"Go give mommy a kiss good bye so she'll go away!" Liz whispered into Catherine's ear, making the little girl giggle.

I watched my little rascal get up from her spot on the carpet and charge at me, making a beeline straight for my legs.

"Don't tell her that!" I laughed. "You're teaching her to hate me!"

I tried my best not to topple over in my stilettos as Catherine finally slammed into me, wrapping her arms around my calves and squeezing tightly.

"She could never hate you, could you, Cat?" Liz asked innocently.

"I love you, momma," Catherine said into my shins as if on cue.

"I love you too, Cat," I gushed, bending down to pick her up. "I'm going to miss you."

"I miss you too," Catherine mumbled. This time she buried her face into my teased, blond hair.

"I'll see you in the morning, pretty girl," I reminded her. I pulled her closer to me and pecked her on the cheek. "Be good for Auntie Liz while I'm gone, okay?"

"Yes, momma."

Gingerly, I set the little girl down and watched her scamper away to play with her coloring books once more.

"Call my work if there's an emergency," I said to Liz, forcing myself to peel my eyes away from my daughter.

Liz smiled softly at me. "That's what you say every night."

I winced slightly when I became very much aware of how much of a nag I was being. "I know. I just like making sure that she's okay."

"She's fine. Go to work, ya' bum," Liz ordered me with a wink.