I'll Always Remember You

Slipping Away

Rocky's POV

The amount of relief I felt when I brought Nicki and Riley home, both lively and happy, was incomparable. The first full week with Riley home was probably the happiest I had in my entire life. For starters my "dying wife" didn't appear to be dying. She was lively, even more than I was. Secondly, my new baby girl was home. She was the definition of pure beauty. None of the family was ever able to stay away from her for long. Riker and Maddie even spent the night one night. There was one family member who wasn't so happy about Riley. He said that he knew what was coming. Riley was here, now Nicki would leave.

Ross.

When he visited, he isolated Nicki, as if to get more time with her. He held Riley maybe twice the entire week, but for only short amounts of time. He loved her, but she was an exact copy of Nicki, and he would end up crying within just a few minutes.

Not once will I ever believe that he hated Riley's presence. I believe that he loves her more than anything, but he knew that she was Nicki's last gift.

I didn't believe the same. Nicki looked fine, she acted fine, she was fine. Our first entire week home was the best. She looked flawless. Angelic is the only word I can even think of to described her.

The first night went so much better than Nicki and I both expected. Not a peep from Riley the entire night. I couldn't sleep anyway, so I held her after Nicki fell asleep. I traced her tiny features and kissed every single one of her little fingers. She was perfect, and I was fully in love with my daughter. She had me wrapped around her tiny finger, and I wasn't bothered at all. When I looked at her, I saw a tiny Nicki, mixed with Rydel. It made perfect sense, Rydel and I looked a lot alike. I could tell that keeping her away from boys was going to be quite a challenge. I'll probably throw that job on Riker.

I rose slowly with Riley and walked downstairs with her. I placed her gently into her bouncer and scooted it beside the couch. I softly played guitar and sang for her. Her sweet little blue eyes popped open, and for the first time, I knew that she recognized me. She was so attentive. It was crazy to think that she was only three days old. She seemed like she understood what I was doing. I sang two songs, but then put down my guitar and picked her up she looked into my eyes.

"Hi baby girl. Do you like your house? Mommy worked so hard to make everything perfect for you. We both love you very much."

She closed her eyes again and grabbed a hold of my finger. I smiled and kissed her head. Nicki appeared in the doorway.

"Can't sleep?" She asked.

"Not a wink."

She giggled and walked over to kiss me.

"Come on babe. Let's go back to bed."

The rest of the week went the same. I had more private moments with Riley. But my favorite moments were waking up beside Nicki and Riley.

"Good morning Rocky Mark!" Nicki chirped.

"Good morning my loves."

I looked down at Riley. She was wearing duck slippers and a short onesie with ducks all over it. She was so cute.

Nicki and I kissed, laughed, talked, and played with Riley for probably an hour. It was the best experience ever.

All week I sat on cloud nine. My wife was doing much better, and my daughter was the best thing that could've every happened. Of course all of that was pushed aside when the next week, all of that changed. That was when my life started to fall apart.