Just Rosalie

Miss Bear

ABBI ATTEMPTED TO walk out of the store with the teddy bear on her back, but that wasn't even possible for Rosalie or Elizabeth to do.
"That thing's bigger than the Christmas tree."
Rosalie bought a trolley just to be able to take it back to the car. Abbi was so happy that it was all worth the fatigue.
"My babygirl's happy."
Elizabeth noticed Michelle and Barbara heading down the street toward them.
"Yeah, with a five hundred dollar teddy bear. I swear you spoil her too much."
"Hey, you had no objections when she was pining over it in the store."
Elizabeth shrugged. Who was she to tamper the happiness?
"Fine. But don't go off buying her an island next. I'll withhold sex if you do."
She whispered the last part, causing Rosalie to scoff.
"That's punishing yourself as much as punishing me. You need me inside of you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth's face flushed as Rosalie's breath touched her cheek.
"Mommy, when are we having dinner?"
Rosalie stopped in her tracks.
"We just ate. You're hungry already?"
Elizabeth glared at Rosalie and walked beside her daughter.
"What would you like to eat, sweetie?"
Abbi grabbed her teddy bear's hand.
"Miss Bear and I would like Kentucky Fried Chicken."
Michelle's eyes beamed, as she nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I could use some chicken. Oh and biscuits. It's back that way."
She pointed while her stomach rumbled. Rosalie leaned against the trolley. We literally just ate. I just want to be in bed.
"I'll take these kids to order something. Think you can handle taking that bear home and driving back for us?"
Rosalie nodded and earned a peck on the lips in appreciation from Elizabeth.
Barbara decided to accompany Rosalie on the drive and they listened to the news. Pulling the bear out of the car was a difficult talk, since it was stuffed in. They pushed it through the front door, and let out breaths of exhaustion.
"I'm not sure how we're taking that back to Milan."
Barbara quirked a brow.
"I thought you guys are moving here."
Rosalie nodded and took a seat on the porch. She needed a few minutes to rest, before she drove again.
"Yeah, but we need to clear up a few things back home first, and Abbi might not want to part with it for so long. She has a tendency to cling to things."
"Don't all kids?" Barbara sat next to Rosalie and placed her hand on her shoulder. Rosalie looked at her, realizing that she wanted to say something, "I need you to talk to Michelle for me. She seems to listen to you more than me," Rosalie nodded for Barbara to continue, "she's been sleeping with a married woman."
Rosalie's jaw fell open. She cleared her throat to hide her shock, but she wasn't fooling anyone.
"Um, uh, she-" Rosalie rubbed her temple, "I'm not sure what I could say to her."
"You married your ex-fiancèe's ex-wife. There's gotta be something you can say."
As taboo as it sometimes sounded, Rosalie only pursued Elizabeth when her relationship with Lee was officially over. Sure they'd kissed passionately in the mists of it all, but even then, Rosalie had already told Lee that they weren't working out.
"She told you this?"
Barbara nodded. Michelle hadn't told her though. She'd overheard Michelle talking about it on the phone.
"Just give her some advice. I don't know if she loves this woman or not, but she needs to figure out what she's doing and if the woman's worth being with. I don't want her to get in between someone's relationship and also get her heart broken."
Rosalie felt her head spinning. Michelle being in love? It seemed surreal. Wasn't she playing the field?
"I'll try to bring it up. Right now, I could use some food to ease the thumping in my brain. Think a bucket of chicken will do for everyone for dinner?"
"You're staying with a bunch of vultures. You better make that three buckets."