May 14th 2020
The doctor came by to check Rosie over one last time before letting her go home, but she was eventually given the all clear and a nurse brought some scrubs for her to change into so we can get home. "Are you ready, sweetpea?" A nurse stayed with Ro whilst Erica dropped off an appropriate car seat for Rosie and I went out to install it in my car. I'm so incredibly grateful for the help from my mom and Erica to make this happen, this way I can get Rosie back to a safe and loving environment.
Rosie nods as she looks up to me, I'm still wearing my dress from yesterday and I'm looking a bit dishevelled, but I couldn't care less because Rosie is way more important than anything else. "Come here, you," she still has no shoes so I lift the little girl into my arms. "Thank you," I smile as we pass the nurses station, they've all been so patient with Ro and her fears and I appreciate it greatly.
We make our way down to the car in the lot and I keep Rosie wrapped tightly in my arms. Nashville is my peace, I get to live my life without constant paparazzi intrusion but I still want to be careful because I never know who is around.
"There we go," I smile as I sit the little girl in the booster seat, strapping her in and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Shall we go and see the kitties?" I told Rosie all about the cats and the people in my life who will inevitably be introduced to the little girl once she's a bit more settled. "Are they fluffy?" I chuckle at the question as I get into the driver's seat, peeking back at Ro, "Benji is really fluffy and he loves cuddles."
Benjamin is my most pliable cat, he's still a baby compared to Mere and Olivia and whilst Liv is playful when she wants to be, Benji loves the attention and he's probably going to enjoy the lively little presence in the house.
"Do you wanna listen to music, honey?" I can sense Rosie getting nervous as I drive, "can you sing?" I realised quickly that singing calmed Ro down, but this time I just smile, "I can do one better than that." I use Siri to connect my phone to the car and I play some of my music through ITunes, but Rosie frowns as I drive, recognising it but not understanding.
Rosie stays focused on the songs playing as I drive home, only turning it off when I pull up outside of the house. I jump out and walk around to Ro's door, opening it to get the little one out. "Is this your house?" Rosie looks a little nervous so I give her a soft nod as I push a soft blonde lock behind the little one's ear. "It's so pretty," Ro is in awe and I coo gently, "It's your home now too, Rosie," I smile as I press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Are you ready to go inside?" I'm trying to take things slowly, not wanting to overwhelm Rosie, and the little girl nods as she plays with the hem of the scrubs she's wearing. "Come on then, sweet girl." I unbuckle Rosie and the girl wraps her arms around my neck as I lift her onto my hip.
"Hello there, Mr Buttons," Benji greets us at the door, setting my bag down on the bench in the entrance hallway. "Do you wanna say hi?" The cat is circling my feet as I speak to Rosie and the little girl nods so I put her down and kneel to Ro's height so that she can speak to the cat too.
"My cat was fluffy," Rosie strokes the cat's fur as he curls up at her feet and I raise an eyebrow, "did you have a cat with mommy and daddy, Ro?" I was advised to let Rosie talk as openly as she wants about her parents to let her grieve and move on. It's going to be an adjustment for her, but after this, she's never going back to them.
"We had an orange cat called pumpkin, daddy didn't like her though," there's a soft frown on the little one's face as she speaks, it's always rough on Ro when she talks about her father. "I bet you loved her very much though, right?" Rosie nods in agreement as I watch her, Ro focusing on Benji.
