The Stranger on the Train

Chapter 16: Little dolphin

Pov y/n

Rose looks at the closed door for a few seconds before she turns around to look at me.
"Can we finish my puzzle before we watch my show?" She asks and looks at me with puppy dog eyes.

"Of course, sweetie." I reply, melting at her cute face.
Her face lights up and she runs back into the living room. I follow her, hearing my stomach making hungry noises.

"Would you mind if I make myself a sandwich, Rose?" I ask, making sure she knows I'm not leaving her alone.

"Yes, of course." She answers before concentrating on her puzzle again.

I go into the kitchen and look for the things I need. A few minutes later, I lean against the kitchen aisle and eat my sandwich while watching Rose in the living room. It fees good to eat something and standing here, watching over the kid, almost feels natural. But I suppose that's just what I'm hoping for in the future.

I put everything back and quickly wash my dish before joining Rose in the living room.
She's almost done with the puzzle and as soon as I'm sitting next to her, she starts talking about candy again and it is adorable how excited she gets over almost finishing the puzzle.
Only a few more pieces are missing and when she puts the last on in its spot, she jumps up and cheers. I chuckle at her action and cheer with her.

"Well done, Rose." I say and she grins proudly at me. But shortly after her expression changes and she seems to be thinking about something.
She sits down while doing so and I join her on the couch. Rose crosses her legs to sit criss-cross and faces me. I also turn to face her.

"Why do you call me Rose?" She asks and looks up at me. I raise my brows a little in confusion, not sure what she wants to get at.

"What do you mean? It's your name. Or do you want to be called differently?" I ask, wanting to make sure she has the option to tell me she wants me to call her in another way.

"It is but why...why do you call me by it?" She agrees and continues to look at me. I look back at her, even more confused now.

"I don't quite understand what you mean. Why shouldn't I call you by your name?" I ask and watch her eyes as they look down into her lap and she starts to play with her fingers.

"It's okay, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, I was just wondering." I explain softly, unsure of the situation myself.

"I...Mommy almost never calls me Rose. She calls me Rosie or sweetheart, or so." Rose tries to explain and I slowly nod, showing her that I'm listening and I think I'm starting to understand where she wants to get at but I still let her finish.

"You mostly call me Rose and sometimes sweetie...why only sometimes?" She asks and looks up at me again, her eyes questioning and sweet. My heart melts at the sight and I hold my hand out for her to take.

"It's because I wasn't sure if you like it when I call you sweetie." I explain and Rose nods.

"I like that." She says and smiles a little, which makes me smile as well.

"And you would like me to call you that more? Instead of your name?" I ask and she nods, her smile growing as I seem to understand what she was trying to say.

"Yes, I like it." She says again and scootches closer to me, taking my hands.

"Well, then I will call you that more often." I agree and she grins. Suddenly she frowns again and my smile drops as well.

"What is it, sweetie?" I ask and see her smiling a little at the name.

"A lot of people call their children that, it's not that special." She says and looks up at me.