Remembering Rose

Chapter Eight- Babysitting

Farley's POV:

Babysitting is not part of my job-or at least that's what I thought. When Galen told me I was going to be stuck babysitting Rose while everyone else took part in a new mission, I was livid. I mean why the hell should I have to miss out on the job, the girl was practically Walker and Peony's kid!

Walker didn't take my out burst too kindly and quickly clarified that he was actually needed to woo some bag with a set of keys.

So that's how I found myself knocking on Peony's daffodil yellow door, dreading the upcoming hours. The door swung open on the second knock, revealing Peony's distraught face. "Oh, Farley," she sighed as she grabbed my hand and tugged me inside, "Give us a minute. Rose is being stubborn this morning."

As if to prove her point Rose suddenly appeared at the end of the hall...wearing only a loose pair basket ball shorts and a sports bra. "Rose, you have to put on this shirt!" Walker yelled as he rounded the corner after her. His arms circled Rose's bare stomach and he pulled her into his reach.

"No!" Rose shrieked fighting to escape him. She beat her little hands against his arms and thrashed around wildly.

Walker let out an irritated growl and tried to sound threatening, "Rose Darling, you stay still and put this on right now or else."

Rose, who was equally miffed, shouted, "Else what?" I couldn't help but chuckle, her defiance was entertaining.

"I told Walker he had to watch what he did around her," Peony huffed glaring at the two blondes wrestling in front of us. The pair, completely oblivious to their audience of two, tumbled to the ground where Walker was able to pin Rose. "He walks around shirtless like he owns the place and I told that bloody wanker that she would pick it up! Did he listen to me-does he ever listen to me? No!"

"Well it's not like you minded seeing him shirtless," I retorted earning a quick cuff to the ear. Peony's anger disappeared instantly and was replaced with a fumbling embarrassment.

"I didn't like it! He's a pig, absolute pig, and...um, Rose put on that shirt," she exclaimed attempting to evade my knowing smirk. Feeling accomplished I turned with Peony to find Rose finally (and might I add quite unhappily) dressed.

Walker ruffled her wild hair and leaned down to whisper something in her ear, most likely promising to get her a present. Then he turned to me and the playfulness ended, "Alright Farley, before we leave you have to know the ground rules."

I rolled my eyes, "Walker, this is not my first go around. I'm not going to kill the lass."

He ignored me, of course, and began listing the rules, "One: she is still not allowed to go outside. Galen doesn't want Phoenix finding her and getting even. Two: no horror movies, I swear to god Farley, I'll send her over to yours and Lilith's place if you do. Three: make sure those clothes stay on! And four: under no circumstances is she allowed to mess with the Red Gun."

At the announcement of the last rule Walker and Peony turned their attention to Rose, whose cheeks were glowing pink. All of our eyes landed on the freshly cello taped bullet hole that marred Peony's red recliner.

"Peony, Walker she's going to be fine," I groaned...god they were worse than Lilith and me! I wrapped my arms around Peony's waist and Walker's shoulders and began steering them toward the chipped door. "We are going to have some real fun Farley-Rose bonding time, there will be no deaths, I promise!"

Peony escape my hold, sparing me one of her chilliest glares. Turning to Rose the glare melted and warm smile spread over her face. I looked away, feeling a small pinch deep in my gut. Peony's forest green eyes locked on Rose's ice blue eyes and the girls seemed to speak some kind of silent language. Then with a raised eyebrow Peony broke the silence, "Be a good girl, Rose Amelia Darling. If I hear a bad report you won't be allowed to watch your little show."

Walker swooped in and hugged Rose tight. When he finished nearly strangling her I finally managed to herd them out the door. As they were shoved into the hall, both of them told me about a thousand pieces of useless information, to which I patiently ignored. Walker turned to tell me something else about Rose, however I promptly slammed the dull yellow door in his face and prepared myself for the hours of torture I was about to endure.

****several hours later (all of them spent being a very bad babysitter ...)****

Smoke billowed from the stove filling Peony's small kitchen with the stench of burnt noodles. I rushed around, a pink apron wrapped tightly around my waist, and searched for a place to dump the scalding pan I held in gloved hands. Rose let out a shriek both filled with excitement and terror as she tugged the small kitchen window open.

I quickly followed her lead and attempted to chuck the disaster we tried to make out the window--only my hand let go of the pan's handle effectively tossing the entire pan of smoking remains into the alley below. A loud clang followed by a heavy thud echoed outside the window drawing Rose's attention for a moment. The scene below must have been rather unfortunate because she quickly shut the window and turned her back, flashing me an innocent smile. "No more that," she declared.

I couldn't help but agree wholeheartedly. "How about some take out and movie or two," I suggested as I ran my hands though my "styled" hair. Rose nodded and ran to pick a movie from Walker's impressive collection (which I might add had mysteriously moved into Peony's apartment).
A few minutes later, Rose came around the corner bearing the entire set of Harry Potter DVD, a large smile on her face and what I assumed was her attempt at a wand (it was really backscratchers with the end broke off).

"I said one or two, Rose," I answered.

She answered with a sassiness rivaling Lilith's, "Too bad, Fayr-ly."

In that moment she was achingly familiar, a face from a darker time, a saving grace with a troubled face and a outstretched hand. As we stood there, Rose's eyes darkened slightly. I stood before her, grappling for a name, a face, a reason, anything to explain the sudden feeling that I'd heard that declaration from her mouth before.

"Fayr-ly," she questioned, shifting her armful of movies carefully. The memory of another time slipped from my mental grip and I was left staring at Rose.
I shook my head and walked toward Rose, smiling at the excited way she shifted from foot to foot,"Sorry Rosie-girl, lets watch your movies."
"Yay!"
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Finally done with this chapter!! I'm not even kidding this one has taken me just about every where. I wanted to bring Farley's personality back from that last chapter, but it seems he wants to be stubborn. Don't you just hate that--when the characters you made decide to act however they desire. Btw that's is Farley above/to the side!
Anyways, thank you all so much for reading RR, I really appreciate everything! I would love to hear more from y'all though, so please tell me what you think of Rose, the gang, the plot, everything! :D
-agirlmadeofstars