Kaylor Family One-Shots

Crossing Paths (Part One) [AU]

Karlie's P.O.V

"Bye Riley, be good for nana today okay baby." I coo nearly to my nine month old daughter Riley. With her brown hair and blue eyes she's a striking baby. I've had countless comments about her over the past six months that I've had her. It's safe to say that Riley changed my life, for the better. She isn't my natural daughter but technically my niece. I've had her since she was three months old after my sister, Kimby and her partner of five years were involved in a car accident that took their lives. Riley was in the care of my parents at the time and it was decided early on that Riley needed someone who she loved taking care of her.

My younger sister and Kimby's twin Kariann was still training to be a high-classed lawyer and was busy pulling up to 70+ hour weeks. She was honest from the outset that Riley also looked so much like Kimby and Dave that she didn't think she could look at Riley and watch her grow up. That took Kariann out of the picture for taking Riley. My older sister Kristine was already married and had two children running around while also being six months pregnant with their son Thomas who is now six months old. Kristine stated at the time that she would but her husband Peter said no. This left mom and dad or me. Mom and dad claimed to be getting older and that they couldn't see themselves caring for a baby, which was fair enough. They were both retired and loved taking care of their grandchildren, mostly Kristine's as Kimby lived four hours away from them at that time. When Dave and Kimby died I went home and it was discussed after I soothed Riley to sleep that I should be the one to take her. I was settled in New York, working for Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan and living in an apartment nearby with four other girls. We didn't have a life as the life of nurses is a mixture of day shifts and night shifts. Personally I like the night shifts best but I don't really care where I go as long as I get paid for my time.

It was decided that Riley would return home to New York with me and my parents were going to come with me, at the time I moved back my three roommates, Jenny, Cindy and Paula got offered jobs in other states in the case of Jenny and Paula and Cindy became a travelling nurse, going where the wind took her. I'd known for a while that this could happen but I never expected it to happen so fast. Covering the rent wasn't an issue as the insurance for Riley would take care of it. But I was determined to keep the money for Riley and I decided to move also.

The application process to leave Bellevue and find another job was easier than I imagined it to be. I was quickly scooped up Nashville General Hospital and in just over a week I managed to find a four bedroom, three bathroom house with a double garage in East Nashville for just under $300,000. Which I thought was a steal, it was decided once I left New York that mom and dad would also move to Nashville and they found a small three bedroom house a mere ten minute drive away and said that they would babysit on nights when I had to work. But luckily for me that time hardly ever happened, usually when I had to come in the hospital had a special day care. It operated 24/7 and was strictly for parents who worked for the hospital. I found it useful for Riley and that way I could pop down and see her in my lunch break which she loved.

We've been in Nashville now for just over three weeks and tonight is my first night shift at the hospital so I decided to let my parents babysit her, I know they are excited and Riley seems nervous but it's just because I'm always there and suddenly I'm away for a night. Luckily she is easily distracted by cookies and I'm able to slip away. Sliding into my Subaru Outback I lean back and take in one last look at my parent's house before pulling out of the driveway. I know that it's the last peaceful moment I will get until I'm off shift and can go home and get some sleep before miss Riley needs to be either dropped off or picked up. All I'm hoping for tonight is a quick shift that makes my life easier. Fingers crossed that's what I'll get.