Lost Little Red.

2

I woke up in Theo's bed with Cato sound asleep between the two of us. Rubbing my eyes I sat up and glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand.

3:20 a.m

I groaned and fell back into the mattress. This happened far more often than not. I'd wake up in the middle of the night unable to go back to sleep. I hated sleeping by myself.

Cato reaches his little hand out and placed it on my arm, pulling himself closer to me he laid his head on my shoulder.

I couldn't help but feel envious of Carmem. She has a handsome fiancé who loves her more than I've ever seen, and this wonderful little boy. I raised my hand and started to stroke his unruly dark hair.

I wanted this...a family. Someone to love me, to raise a family with me. Theo turned over in his sleep to face us. His eyes fluttered open before they focused on me.

"Scar? What time is it?"

I shrugged even though he couldn't see me and continued to rub little Cato's head.

"Sometime after 3, I couldn't sleep."

I heard Theo sigh before he shifted over and gave Cato a kiss on the head.

"You passed out in my lap, Cato woke up looking for you so I brought you both in here. I hope that's okay."

I smiled a genuine smile then looked up at him finally seeing how tired he looked.

"Of course! Thank you Theo."

He returned the smile and grabbed his blankets pulling them up to his chin.

"You're welcome! Now go to sleep I promised Cato that he could play with Gator in the morning."

I rolled my eyes with a small giggle before snuggling down into my blankets and doing my best to fall back asleep.

-
The next morning came faster than I would have liked. I didn't fall back asleep until around 6 this morning and was beyond tired. Theo, Cato, and Gator were all playing in the backyard by the time I had fully woken up.

I dragged my body out of Theo's room and snuck my way up to mine. I needed one of my pills and I didn't want Theo to know. He was so proud of me when I weaned myself off of them completely. I didn't want to let him down.

After taking my medicine and a quick shower I changed into some shorts and a plain black T-shirt. I heard the sound of the front door. Rushing down the stairs I opened the door to greet Carmen.

"I hope my baby is all in one piece?" She said while giggling and walking inside.

"Oh that was a requirement? Gator might have taken a bite out of him."

Her eyes went wide before I couldn't take it and burst into laughter. Carmen smacked me on the arm and started walking towards the backyard.

"That's not funny Scar, I've seen what Gator can do and he scares me!"

"Oh cmon Gator is a big baby and he loves you!"

She rolled her eyes as we walked into the backyard. Gator and Cato were playing tug of war with one of his ropes and Theo was snapping pictures.

I stood there with my hand on my hip and pointing in their direction. "See! Nothing to worry about."

Carmen laughed and started walking towards Cato mumbling what I think was "nothing to worry about my ass"

One look at Carmen and Cato dropped the rope and ran straight into her open arms. My heart clenched at his little laugh as Carmen places kisses all over Cato's face.