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

Ch. 13: Baader-Meinhof

Steven and Pancake had disappeared by the time Catherine and I were leaving the recording studio. I was grateful for this considering it meant that, not only would I not have to worry about being hit on again, but I wouldn't have to peel my daughter away from an adorable puppy for the second time today.

DLR had walked us out of the studio and to a taxi that he had called for us. He made plans to meet up with me on Friday for lunch to discuss visiation rights as well as to learn more about myself and Catherine. Before we stepped into the car, DLR gave Catherine a hug and a kiss good bye.

Of course, after such an exciting day, Catherine was exhausted and fell asleep on my lap during the ride home. I was then forced to haul her limp body out of the cab and into the apartment. I practically dropped the snoozing child when I opened the door and saw Elizabeth standing in the living room waiting for us.

"What the hell took you so long? I've been worried sick!" Elizabeth hissed, her voice was quiet but was strained as though she were shouting. Her face looked angry, but her eyes seemed misty, contradicting the fury that she was trying so hard to project at me.

I pulled my eyes away from her and, instead, focused on Catherine to make sure that the sound of Elizabeth's voice as well as the closing of the front door hadn't disturbed her sleep. She seemed to be knocked out completely.

I guess she was more tired than I thought...

Quickly, before Elizabeth could talk again and risk waking Catherine up, I rushed to the bedroom that I shared with Catherine and laid her on the little mattress that was her bed.

Instinctively, I began tucking her in. I started by removing her boots and setting them off to the side. I then draped a light blanket over her and bunched it up around her silhouette to ensure optimum warmth.

Pulling away, I looked down at my little girl with a smile. She looked so serene when she slept. It also amazed me how, just like her mattress was a miniature version of my own, she also managed to look like a smaller Rory. With her eyes closed, those same green eyes that DLR possessed, she looked exactly like me. Flowing blond hair, pale skin, soft features....

Let's just hope she doesn't turn out like me, I thought glumly. A sharp pain raced through my heart as the realization hit me. It hit me for about the millionth time since I'd first held Catherine in my arms.

One day, she would be a woman. One day, she would have decisions to make. One day, she would be in love, be alone with a man, have kids...Hopefully, she would learn from my poor life choices. I hoped to God, everyday of my life, that she would at least be smarter than me. Our naivety was something that I didn't want us to have in common. I wouldn't allow it.

"Ahem."

Torn from my thoughts, I looked over my shoulder and saw Elizabeth slouching against the door frame. Her body was merely a shadow in the door way, illuminated from behind by the living room lights.

"Oh, hush up. I'm coming!" I grumbled.

With one final, longing look to the little girl who held my heart in her hands, I pulled away from the mattress and strolled back into the living room. I left the door open a crack, just in case Catherine happened to wake up and get scared when she realized I wasn't there. She hated the dark.

"What's up?" I whispered, slumping into a recliner and looking across the room at Elizabeth.

She glared at me, her face still screwed up with anger. "Waddya' mean 'what's up'? You were out all day! I got worried about you!"

I winced slightly at her tone. Not only did it sound as though she were scolding me,but I could also tell that I had caused her some pain by coming home so late. After what had happened with DLR and I, she had probably expected the worst. Like a repeat of that night all of those years ago, when I'd been stupid. I would never be stupid like that again.