Making Her Own Way

Where are the Women

Ross and Eleanor put Grace in the middle of them to sleep wanting to keep their daughter close. Grace was having none of that, she wanted her bed. Eleanor had never before encountered a child that didn't want in their parent's bed. They compromised and brought the bassinet as close to the bed as they could. It was beside Eleanor but Ross laid so close to his wife with his arm across her and his hand touching the bassinet. Eleanor kept her hand on the baby's tiny fingers.

They woke the next morning Eleanor did her morning ablutions; Ross stayed in the room watching his daughter. Eleanor came back to the room and took charge of her daughter. She picked her daughter up and got her ready to start their day. When Ross was done with his shower, he came out sitting beside them on the bed. "For such a little thing she sure has made an impact on our lives. How did we make something so perfect?" Eleanor said, "Ross I am at a loss of words, all I know is that I fear I love her too much." Ross whispered, " I would like to keep security on her and you for a well longer." Eleanor said, "I have no objections to Grace but I will be going back to work, I don't know how I will work with the guard." "We will discuss this later, " Ross said, "just as long as you consider it." Eleanor nodded as they went down to breakfast.

''Caroline jumped up in the dining room, "I must take this?" Eleanor watched Ross start to protest, she stood back saying, " you are welcome to hold her but remember whoever is holding her if she messes her diaper must change her." Caroling chuckled and said, "tell Momma that is why I brought Uncle Dwight." Dwight smiled, "I would do much for you my dear but I am needed at the hospital. Ross and Eleanor, we would like to give you our most sincere thanks for your hospitality these past few weeks but I think Caroline and I will be heading home this evening." Eleanor said, "oh must you?" Claude told Dwight, "you may go home but I think Caroline should stay here with us." Dwight chuckled and said, "Claude, I do believe you are turning selfish. You have Eleanor, and Grace and now you want Caroline too." Claude thought for a few minutes, "you can take her home I don't want to be selfish but Grace and Eleanor stay with me!" Caroline feigns hurt, "why Claude, I thought you loved me." Claude said, "I do but Grace needs me and Eleanor will not leave her. The only one that can go Is you. You may come to visit all the time" Caroline told him since he put it that way, she guess she was okay with going home.

Ross and Eleanor just started to eat when the doorbell rang. Ross told Hazel to stay where she was, he would get it. When he returned, he was not alone. He had Paul Daniel with him. Paul looked a little sheepish and Ross looked pissed. Eleanor said, "Paul what can we do for you?" Paul told her he hated to bother her especially since it was breakfast but there is an issue that only she could help with. Eleanor inquired, "what it could be." Paul told her that the woman missing included Ruth's mother, they want to know where their daughters are. Eleanor said, "I can see where they are coming from but what can I do?" Paul said, "I have not told you how this request has come to me and my officers." "Well," said Eleanor. "McNeill will not tell us where the other girls are, he said he now will only speak to you ?" Eleanor pulled air into her lungs, "I don't know if I want to speak to Mr. McNeal." Ross said, "as much as I would like my wife to help you, I do not want her in the vicinity of Malcolm McNeal he has threatened my family for the last time." Eleanor said, "Ross if it was a child of mine, I would want to know where they are, while I have no interest in meeting that man again, I will do it." Daniels's eyes lit up. Eleanor said, "on one condition I will not meet with him alone under no circumstances." Daniels said, "but that is his demands a meeting alone with you." Eleanor replied, "tell him those are my terms only with a police officer's presence."

After Daniels left Ross turned to Eleanor, "what will it take for you to change your mind." "Ross, I can't let him win hiding the poor ladies would give him power, power over them or their lives. Please support me in this, it is something I have no choice in," Eleanor requested. Ross nodded telling her he will respect her wishes but he will be watching the building with the security team. He asked her to just promise him that no matter what she would be careful because even with officers McNeal was still clever enough to escape, He could not lose her. Eleanor ran her hand down her cheek telling him I would never willingly leave you or our daughter you two are my salvation. They embraced and Grace who was being held by Claude started to coo at her uncle. Eleanor pulled away and wonder when she started cooing trying to talk. After all, she was only about three months old. While Grace cooed, Ross, Eleanor, Joshua, and Claude all cooed to Grace she would smile and try to tell them about her news in coos. Claude said, "I do not know the Language, what is it?" Joshua said, "it is baby talk." "How can I learn it," Claude asked completely serious. Ross laughed, "by the time we learn even the start she will be on to something else." Claude shrugged his shoulder once continuing and mimicking Grace.