Married to a firefly • Completed

(15) Get your facts straight

Poppy

Right after dinner Levi and Kale had told me to relax, since Dakota was taking over the night shift.  When I had kissed Rose goodnight, I had met Levi's eyes that were full of something I couldn't identify. Dakota took Rose to her room and Levi didn't say a word either, so I retreated to my room as well.

I had just climbed on top of my bed, hugging my pillows and trying to decide whether to watch a movie or not, when I heard Levi yelling down the hall.

"What do you think are you doing?"

"What does it look like?", Dakota's voice snapped.

I got up again and sneaked to my door, opening it just wide enough so I could hear their conversation. Dakota had been acting kind of strange since I had moved in, but I had no idea why.

I couldn't even remember saying anything to her, that might have made her mad. Except for tonight. I could tell she didn't like me butting in on her routines, but I jus wanted what was best for Rosie. And taking a bath every night wasn't. I tiptoed out of my room.

"Don't play this game with me, Dakota", Levi fumed.

I heard Dakota sigh. "I am giving Miss Rose a bath."

Hadn't we just had a talk about this over dinner? Now it was my turn to sigh. Seemed like it wouldn't be a walk in the park to get her to change her routines. Too bad because in the end she would have to follow through. If she didn't obey when I told her, I would have to talk to Levi's parents and have them give her instructions.

"I can see that. But the question is why you are bathing her again. She was already given a bath this morning."

"Look at her. She threw up on herself."

"So take a wash cloth", he argued as I entered Rose's room. They were in her bathroom and were too busy with themselves to hear me yet.

"Why are you telling me how to do my job? What is your problem?"

"You are."

"What have I done wrong, exactly?" I imagined Dakota to pout.

"You are giving her a bath when Poppy just asked you to not soak her up every day."

"Oh, now I get it."

"Get what?", he snapped.

"You're trying to earn bonus points for following up with her rules."

I rolled my eyes. As if Levi had an intention to impress me or anything. If that really was what she thought she was being more than a little ridiculous.

"The fuck I am", Levi retorted. "All I'm trying to do is prevent Rose from getting any skin issues."

"A little bath won't hurt her", Dakota tried to argue again.

"I suggest you do your research if you want to keep working with Rose."

I decided that I'd heard enough and went into the bathroom to see Levi and Dakota standing hunched over the tub. Dakota's sleeves were pulled up to her elbows as she was slowly swinging Rosie in her baby tub with one arm while using a wash cloth to clean her up with the other hand. They were worked up so bad, they didn't even notice me coming in.

"Jeez, what's gotten your panties in a twist? It's just a damn bath", Dakota huffed.

Before Levi got a chance to answer, I cleared my throat. "Hey guys, keep it down. You're scaring her. Maybe you should take this outside and let me take care of Rosie."

"Are you trying to get rid of me?", Dakota squeaked.

I glared at her. "Why would I?"

"Maybe you're jealous."