Shoot Me Down

Chapter 8

                                                                                      VITO'S POV

We drove home singing like dorks, but the only thing that matters is Raffaella's smile. I swear it could light up an entire room. We pulled into the driveway of the girls' house to see a toddler playing with Tank. "She already loves him." Raf swooned. "Is that her?" I ask her as we step out of my car. "Little one! Come here, baby girl." Raf called out. The little girl's head turned so fast I swear she would get whiplash. "Mommy!" The little girl screeches as she bolts toward us. Raf squats down to engulf the little girl in a bone-crushing hug. 

"I missed you my little one," Raf says as she moves the hair from the girl's face. "Rowan I would like you to meet Vito, mommy's friend." She says turning to me. "Ah, so this is the famous Rowan," I say as I outstretch my hand. She shakes it politely and turns to her mama, "Mommy can Vito come to see my room." She says as Raf puts her down. "Well baby it's not set up yet," She says but I interrupt her. "I'd love to help set it up Ro," I say to Rowan who is grinning wildly. "Well, in that case, let's go see your room Baby," Raf says squatting down to pick up the little girl. With Rowan on her hip, she grabs my hand and pulls me inside and up the stairs. We head to a room next to Raffaella's. "Baby, momma's room is next to yours ok." She says as she opens the door to an empty room. She set Rowan down on the floor so we could get started. There were tons of boxes filled with furniture. We worked for hours setting up the bed frame, setting up the dresser, moving in the chair, placing the mattress in the bed frame, putting in the nightstand and the bedding. Rowan sat on the floor watching us attentively. 

Raffaella put the last of the decorations in and flopped down on the bed. "You didn't have to stay," Raf says sitting up on the bed. I sit next to her on Rowan's bed. "I know, but I wanted to. Rowan is important to you so she is important to me." I confess to her. "I'm going to give Ro a bath if you want to help?" She questions nervously. "Only if Rowans okay with it," I say walking up to Rowan who is seated on a chair. "Ro do you want me to help momma give you a bath?" I say stooping down to her level. "Otay." She says in her angelic little voice. I pick her up while Raf grabs pajamas, soap, and a towel. We head to her bathroom and I set Rowan down on the ground. Raf starts to run the bath, letting it fill to an acceptable height before taking Rowan's clothes off and setting her into the tub. Rowan is splashing and having the time of her life in the bathtub. Raf and I are both laughing at Rowan's goofiness. "Alright, little one I think it's time to get out now." She says as she grabs Rowan's towel and hoists her out of the tub. She wraps Rowan in a towel and grabs her pajamas.