Dark Reincarnation: Nightshade

Chapter 34

                      Alice's POV

      It's been about two weeks since I brought Rose home with me. I'm not going to lie, these last couple of weeks haven't exactly been easy for either of us. I haven't been able to bring myself to go in mine and Lily's room without losing it.

     There is a few spare rooms that are fully furnished, but for whatever reason I've staying in the living room. I ended up just pushing aside one of the sofas and dragging one of the extra beds out there. Admittedly, I haven't been doing so well at all.

      I've been able to hold myself together and keep a smile on in front of Rose. But when I'm alone or she's asleep I'm not able to do it.

     Thankfully, Rose has been doing a bit better. She still breaks down every now and then but whenever she does I simply pull her into my chest and hold her until she feels better. That and every once in awhile I'll catch her spacing out, just kinda staring blankly at nothing in particular.

      But considering her age and everything she's been through, I think she's doing pretty damn well. She a strong kid, that's for sure.

      As for everything else, despite the fact that it was technically a quest we had taken, I've practically ignored everyone. I honestly couldn't give a fuck less what the guild master or anyone else for that matter has to say. The only reason he even knows that I'm back is because I had forced myself to go see him the day after I returned.

     The one and only reason I did that was to show rose that I meant it when I said she could stay with me. I had taken her with me to ask the guild master what it would take to officially adopt Rose. It took about another two days to get everything straightened out but now I can officially call her my daughter.

      It hasn't been all bad or depressing though. A few day's ago I took Rose to the shopping district and spent the day spoiling her as much as she would allow. Of course we had made sure to get her essentials like toiletries and plenty of new clothes, but I also made sure to get any and every thing I had seen catch her eye.

     Wether it was toys, top notch jewelry, crafts or even food stuffs, i made sure she got it all. What's wrong with spoiling a kid? Especially when trying to cheer her up or to help move past the shit she was put through. Like all kids, she truly had a blast and couldn't believe that she was truly getting all those things and nobody was expecting anything in return.

      I'm pretty sure her village was small and moderately poor, because the way Rose was looking at most things like she had never even imagined they existed. I'm glad that I was able to help her experience these things.

     However it wasn't too long before she had started to get after me for buying her more and more. She's hella adorable when she tries to get after me. Standing there with her hands on her hips and a disapproving expression on her face like she's scolding me. I mean seriously, cuteness overload.

      Anyway, back on track. Moral of the story is she's improving, she's trying her damnedest to pull through and it helps me to do the same. I tried giving her a room of her own. I even decked it out in the style she seems to like and filled it with everything a little girl could want. Clothes, toys, stuffies, makeup, you name it.

       When I showed her the room she gave me that huge beautiful smile she has and thanked me repeatedly. But come bedtime she always asks if she could sleep in bed with me. And of course, I always let her. Not only does it seem to comfort her being able to lay in my arms at night but honestly, I need it too. Holding her close as she sleeps helps me not to lose it too badly at night.

        We've both been through too much shit in too short a time but slowly we're both trying to get better. I know it'll take a bit of time but we'll get there someday. All we can really do is take it day by day. And remind ourselves that even though we lost people we loved, we can't fall into the abyss of despair.

       I've found myself repeatedly telling Rose the same thing every night before bed and it seems to be helping her sleep. Hell it's even been helping me a little to sleep. Every night just before we lay down I take her over to the bay window in the living room and pick her up so she can see out better. Then I tell this.

          "Tonight we look again to the beautiful moon, and we ask her to watch over those that were lost too soon. And as we close our eyes to sleep, we ask the moon not to weep. For come whatever may, together we heal and together we'll stay. Sweet dreams my little moon, and never forget that I'm always gonna be here for you."