Human At Heart (Inspired by Deactivated_Steambot)

28: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Third POV:

Twenty minutes transforms into an hour spent basking in the shower, ending up depleting the Manor of its hot water supply. Yet their embrace remains uninterrupted until The Spine notices the drop in temperature from the water spewing onto his dorsal fins. They exit the shower, albeit Rose pokes fun at The Spine for dressing in pink. He simply shakes his head, goes to Rose and swiftly sweeps her off her feet. Completely catching her off guard, he adorns her with a furrow to his brow and a cheeky smirk then heroically carries her away to his newly organized bedroom.

After another round of cuddling and simply enjoying each other's company, rather than discussing past events and merely choosing to put it behind them. They dress and go on to join the others for breakfast. A blissful reunion is held as a seemingly missing piece to the manor has been filled once again. Rose discovers herself immersing in a sea of endless hugs as Rabbit, The Jon, and Hatchworth crowds her.

The Spine urges patiently not to overwhelm Rose but she cannot help but laugh, for it reminds her of the day she was first adopted into the Manor. Pleasantries are exchanged between Rose, Steve, Mike, and The Walter girls. Steve eventually inquires why the manor is suddenly out of hot water, only Rose and The Spine share a sly smirk without a single reply. Peter shakes his head humorously while biting a fork full of fresh french toast and maple syrup.

The rest of the day carries on as if nothing quite out of the ordinary had happened over the tumultuous three days, yet Peter is grateful that it had turned out so well in the end. The bots gather to play their rehearsed song, with Rose joining them with her piano. Happily, they play together. Even Rose joins to sing along with them! The combination of her soprano with the baritone of The Spine's came together and births a beautiful harmony, Peter does not believe if he has heard The Spine sing so passionately before. Yes, it most certainly does seem that the Manor has gone back to normal.

Yet a piece from an ill-gotten past still resides within the manor, Peter excuses himself from the concert and to his bedroom. Upon ascending the staircase, his thoughts flow to Rose and he stops just to glance down at her before returning to his task.

Entering his room, his eyes fall upon the tattered gray journal laying on top of his bed. Meandering to it, he grabs it carefully from the bed. Tucking in beneath his left shoulder, Peter retrieves his winter coat and ventures outside to the courtyard where a shovel leans against the gate.

As the sun begins to set, the blue skies now fading into brilliant magentas and crimson hues with cirrus clouds scattering the horizon. A complete contrast to the immaculate icy landscape. Peter wipes beads of chilled sweat off his brow, setting the shovel into the earth to admire the view. His serenity is broken by the doors opening and closing, The Spine calls cordially from behind him. "Ah, there you are Peter. Savoring the magnificent sunset too?"

Peter turns to face The Spine but he is not alone, Rose peeks out from behind him. Both snuggly clad in their winter coats. Her facial plates illuminate as a warm coral hue under the sunset's rays. She goes to greet Peter but her expression drops as her eyes catch sight of the journal. She inquires curiously. "What are you doing with that, Peter?"

Peter looks down at the journal in both hands after setting the shovel down. He answers almost tirelessly. "It is best to let sleeping dogs lie."

She takes a moment to contemplate Peter's response, realizing its clarity. Rose side steps from The Spine, her hands motioning for the journal. She asks politely. "May I?"

The Spine's brow creases as he observes in a silent charade, unaware of Rose's connection to the leather-bound book. Peter nods, understanding what Rose wishes to do.

He hands Rose the journal, she holds it close to her for a moment. It is one of the last existing pieces from her past, a dark one at that. Even she understands that her purpose for being built was to replace a daughter in her Father's life, yet causing another only pain and suffering that surpassed death. Now with the spirit of Christine after a near-decade finally sleeps peacefully, Rose can only hope the same befalls her Father. With this being the last remnant of her troublesome history, she permits it the rest it deserves.

Rose kneels over and delicately places the journal into the hole of soft soil and snow, her hand runs over it before stopping on Christopher Lannister's name. Taking a few seconds to bid her farewells, she clutches the shovel and begins to bury the journal until it is securely beneath them.

Without a word, she stands with her back to Peter and The Spine so they wouldn't see the oily tears streaming down her cheeks. They are not tears of sadness but serenity. She smiles to herself knowing that no further evil from her past will come to ever haunt her, The Spine and the others again. And as for Christine, she will not be forgotten as long as Rose lives. A silent promise is made, Rose's own vow of peace.

The end.