Darkened Roses [Complete][Book 1 of Roses Trilogy]

Chapter 9; Funeral

*Possible mild language/content contained- Viewer discretion advised*

(Ray's POV)

I let out a groan and sighed, my dark eyes popping open. Waking up at 7:00am wasn't fun on a Monday morning, and I finally managed to sit up. Looking around, my eyes caught on a sleeping figure with strawberry blonde hair laying under the blue covers. A smile lit on my face as I watched her, my eyes filling with warmth and love. Rose had been staying over every night since she lost her sister, finding comfort in laying beside me.

I placed my hand on her shoulder and gently shook her, and she let out a low groan. She rolled over and blinked open her beautiful eyes. Our eyes locked and I leaned forward, pressing my lips to her own. Our lips molded together perfectly as we broke apart. She smiled up at me and I smiled back at her, before a cry sounded from the next room. I got to my feet faster than Rose, but walked over to her, sweeping her into my arms easily.

"I got her, go get dressed" I told her, my lips pecking her cheek. She cupped my cheek with her hand before kissing my lips.

"Thanks, Ray" and with that, she moved to the bathroom and soon the sound of the shower was heard. Another cry sounded out, and I stepped out of my room and into a smaller room that I never used until I met Rose. A simple cherry wood crib sat in the far right corner, and beside that was a bureau and a diaper changing station to the far left. I walked over to the crib where Lily stood, her small hands clutching the wooden railing of the crib.

"Hey Lilyboo" I said, scooping her into my arms. I propped her on my knee and led her into the kitchen. I set her down in her high-chair and she let out one of those cute 6 month old baby laughs. I chuckled and grabbed a half filled bottle of formula and some of those soft baby solid cheerios. I set some of the cheerios on the high chair's tray.

Lily grabbed some of the cheerios and began eating them slowly. Once she finished the few solids I gave her, I picked her up and let her have some of the formula. Once Lily was fed, I grabbed a banana while waiting for Rose to finish in the shower. I peeled the yellow food object after I had placed Lily in her playpen. After I finished the banana, Rose came out of the bedroom dressed in a light blue halter top and skinny dark denim jeans. I smiled at her, pecking her lips as I passed her to the bedroom.

I shut the bedroom door and headed into the bathroom, peeling off my clothes and turning on the shower. Sighing, I climbed into the warm water and let it flow over my body. I think back over the past week, and let out another sigh. It had been almost a full week since Rose's sister Jennifer had died, and they had taken Lily, Jennifer's daughter, in. Another sigh, and I finished showering, getting out and drying off.

Walking into the bedroom, I opened my closet and pulled out my 'going cakeless' shirt and jeans. I slipped on my black and white checkered converse and headed out of the bedroom. Rose was ready to go, Lily set on her hip and the normal red and white diaper bag slung over her other shoulder. I grabbed the truck keys and we left, me taking Rose's hand after locking the door and then we got into the truck.

Rose put Lily in the backseat, in her car seat, before climbing into the passenger seat beside me. I took her hand with my free one as I pulled onto the road. Soon, we arrived at the daycare and Rose grabbed Lily and the diaper bag. I waited in the truck and soon, Rose walked out again, without Lily.

She got back in the truck and we drove to the office, pulling into the parking lot and shutting off the truck. I locked it and slipped the keys in my pocket as we entered the building and went into the AH office. Currently only Michael, Gavin and Geoff were there, no Ryan or Jack, I noticed as Rose went to her desk by the door.

Sitting at my desk in the right corner from the door, I turned on my computer. Geoff spun in his chair and waved for my attention. Turning in my chair, I faced him and the tattooed man smiled.