Letters to Isabella

three.

Ross' POV

I awoke the next morning beside a snoring Rocky and I quickly jumped up realising that I hadn't slept in my own bed last night. I grabbed my cellphone before exiting the spare bedroom and closing the door gently behind me. It was six o'clock in the morning and I knew that Isabella and Bailey would be getting up soon to get ready for school and have some breakfast.

I crept quietly along the hallway and gently pushed open the door to mine and Laura's bedroom. I could see her sitting in front of her vanity when I entered, she was fussing with her hair and applying makeup to her face. "Good morning beautiful." I whispered before sneaking up behind her and placing a kiss on her cheek. "How long have you been awake for?"

"Uh honestly it feels like I haven't slept at all... I'm so nervous for today." She admitted, turning her body to face mine.

I wrapped my arms around her and knelt down to lock my eyes with hers. "Listen to me. They're going to love you. I know that you can get this job."

She smiled at me. "I hope so."

I began to get changed and she bit her lip slightly. "Are you able to take Bella and Bailey to school today?"

I nodded happily. "Of course baby. I don't have work until this afternoon."

She then awkwardly held her hands on her lap. "I was hoping maybe Rocky could take them with you? Bella really wants him to take her and Bailey to school today. She said so last night."

I sat down on our double bed and exhaled gently. "I don't know Laur... I'm not sure if he's in the right state of mind right now."

"Ross I've been in his position." She murmured, shaking her head gently. I knew that she was thinking about her father. "The worst thing I ever did was coop myself up in my room. I felt so much better to go outside and have a walk... feel the sunshine on my face."

I tried my hardest to smile at her. "Alright... I'll see what I can do."

I knew deep down that Laura was right. It wouldn't be healthy for Rocky to stay indoors all of the time, especially by himself with no-one except me, Laura and the kids to converse with.

After I'd changed into fresh jeans and a new shirt I decided to go and attempt to wake my older brother up. I opened the door to the spare bedroom slowly and exhaled gently when I saw Rocky curled up underneath the sheet with his arms wrapped tightly around one of the pillows I'd supplied him with. I sat on the end of the bed and carefully nudged his arm with my elbow. "Rocky? Bro it's time to get up."

Thankfully Rocky responded to my request straight away. He sat up slowly in bed and rubbed his eyes before looking around the room in confusion. "Where -"

I quickly cut him off. "It's okay man. You're staying in our guest bedroom. You must have passed out last night and apparently so did I."

Rocky nodded his head slowly and groaned in exhaustion as he pushed his hair back behind his ears. "I feel so shit, Ross."

"Yeah well... you look it too." I replied with a gentle chuckle. Rocky managed to chuckle back at me but I could still hear the pain in his voice that he was trying to desperately hold back. I grabbed a towel off the back of the bedroom door and handed it to him with a smile. "Why don't you go and have a shower? You'll feel better for it, I promise."