Rose p.o.v

"But Nathan," I whined again. 

"Rose, I don't like to repeat myself. The answer is no and it will stay no. Now go make your way to Derek to say goodbye. It's close to your bedtime and you little ducks need your sleep." Nathan chided as he was in front of me, towering above me. 

I pouted. I wanted to stay, I didn't want to leave. I had so much fun today, I was so at peace. 

"Please Nathan," I said lowly. 

Nathan only sighed, he wrapped his arm around me and slowly started to guide me, or rather drag me with him to the foyer where both Max and Derek were waiting for us. 

I carefully pushed Nathan's arm off me when Derek was in sight and made my way into Derek's arms. I held onto him as long as I could, not wanting to leave his comfort. Unfortunately, he let go of me to say goodbye. 

"Don't be sad Rose. We will see each other soon," He slightly pinched my cheek and winked at me, in a way to cheer me up. But nothing would cheer me up. When we were back at the house, I would feel lonely again and the dark thoughts and feelings would bubble up again. 

I didn't say anything after that and made my way into the car. When Nathan had made himself comfortable in the driver seat he looked through the rear-view mirror, "We will be back soon, Rose. I promise." 

The drive didn't take long as we were in a couple of minutes of driving back to the house. When we entered the empty house Nathan instructed me to go upstairs and get myself ready for bed while he got Max ready for bed. 

A wave of jealousy went through me. I wanted to have someone help me too, but not Nathan. Immediately, an image of Derek popped up in my head. How badly I wanted to stay at his place. 

I had tucked myself in already when Nathan came up to check on me. "Oh, you are already in bed. Sorry if I took too long," He apologized. 

"It's fine, Nathan." 

He sighed and found a place to sit on my bed. "I know you want to stay with Derek and I am happy things are going well between you two, but..." He changed his position, finding his words I guessed. "But, you have to remember that things didn't go well before the accident happened." 

I wanted to intervene, Nathan stopped me, however, holding up his hand. "I know he wasn't the only one at fault and maybe he showed and is showing how sorry he is, but you have to remember that difficult period. I am not saying this to stop you, I am saying this to help you." 

I knew he was right, but I just terribly missed him. The feeling was so strong that I wanted to forget everything and move on.

"Your happiness is important to me, Rose. That's why I am protecting you because let's be honest, you have a hard time reading emotions, whether that be others or your own."

He gave me a kiss on my forehead and whispered, "Be patient Rose. Good night." 

When he left, I felt sad. I had slightly hoped he would cheer me and Derek more on. Ugh, why had everything to be so difficult?

With that question, I fell asleep.  

Nathan p.o.v

My boy was nicely snuggled up in my arms and I was close to fall into a deep slumber of sleep, but then, all of a sudden, I heard cries and screams from far away. Firstly, I wanted to ignore them. I thought they weren't real, that my mind was making up things because I was tired. 

Then, they got louder and more desperate. My eyes shot open when I recognized them, it were Rose's cries and screams. 

Immediately, I pushed the cover off of me and made my way as quickly as possible to Rose's room. I faintly heard Max asking if there was something wrong, but I had no time to answer his question. 

Within seconds I stepped over the threshold of Rose's room and saw a very disturbed little girl laying down in her bed. Her whole body moved in all kinds of directions and the screams...they went right through me. 

Carefully I tried to get a hold of her arms, to refrain her from hurting herself anymore. "Rose, Rose!" Nothing, she didn't react and kept on screaming. "Rose, it's just a dream!" 

Finally, I noticed how Rose her body stilled and calmed down, at least that is what I thought because the second she was aware she was awake Rose kept on crying for one person, "Daddy!"

"Daddy!" 

Her cry pierced through the house. 

Soon Max stood behind me, "Nathan what the hell is going on?!" I tried to console Rose in my arms while answering him, "I think she had a nightmare, but she isn't responding to anything I say." 

"Daddy!" Rose screamed again. I had no idea what to do, I had engulfed her in my arms and made shushing sounds to help her relax but her body stayed rigid and nothing seemed to get through to her. 

"I think we should call Derek," Max suddenly said over Rose her desperate cries. 

I looked at Rose and then at Max again, doubt written all over me. "Nathan, we both know who she is calling for." 

I tried rocking her back and forth and rubbing her back, anything to get her at least somewhat quiet, but nothing helped. Was it really the best option? Calling Derek? 

I don't know why I was so apprehensive. It didn't seem right. I cared for her all these past weeks, why couldn't she be fine with just me. 

You are not her Daddy. 

Yes, I knew that, and never would I want to fulfill that role for Rose, not because I don't like her but because I am not that person for her... Derek was. 

Shit. 

 "All right, call him." Max nodded his head and left the room in search of a phone. Meanwhile, I tried to calm Rose down, but not with much success. 

Five minutes later Max came into the room with the news Derek would be here as soon as possible. I sighed in relief Max managed to take care of that so quickly. 

I wanted to pick Rose up to wrap a blanket around her and bring her to our bed, but I was stopped when I felt wetness on her clothes and mattress. 

Shit, shit, shit. 

She had sat in her pee that whole time. I felt like such a bad caregiver and honestly, I had no idea what to do. I wanted to clean her up but wasn't comfortable doing that while she was little without her consent. 

Max noticed my distress. "What's wrong Nate?" 

Just hearing my nickname made me calm in an instant, it was what Max called me while we dated and I adored it. Just as much when he called me 'Daddy'. 

I took a deep breath. "I know this is quite distressing but can you help me?" I questioned Max. 

"Of course, anything you need," God I love this man, I took a mental note to spoil him rotten when all of this is over. The way he can back me up in difficult situations is almost angelic. 

"I need you to grab me some towels, baby wipes, and a plastic bag," Max nodded his head and started on his tasks. 

My boy had found the items quickly and I got finally to help Rose. She was still crying for her Daddy and I let her. I knew I wouldn't get her quiet so I solely focused on getting her more comfortable. 

Now my plan was this, take off her pajama pants, wipe her legs clean, wrap her in towels and wait for Derek. I knew for sure he could handle this and I also knew for sure Rose would be fine with that. 

Actually, I wanted to clean her up, but for her sake, I decided not to. I could only hope I made the right decision. 

I had taken Rose with me, who was all wrapped up in towels, to our bedroom where I had settled us on the bed. She clung to me and kept asking for her Daddy. Finally, after twenty minutes Derek was there, prepared and all. 

He was standing on the threshold with a bag on his shoulder. I guessed there were probably some clean clothes and diapers in there. Items Rose was familiar with. 

The moment the girl in my arms noticed Derek was present, she cried out for him with grabby hands. Carefully I handed him Rose and the girl nestled herself in Derek's arms. 

"It's all right, it's all right. Daddy's here," Derek kept on saying while bouncing her. I decided to give them some privacy and stood in the hallway. I kept the door open if they both needed something from me but remained out of sight. 

I could hear how he took care of her. Derek told every little thing he was doing to Rose in a way to calm her down and not scare her with his actions. 

"It's all right, little one. Daddy is going to clean you up, give you some fresh, clean clothes and then we can lay down together, okay?" Derek spoke in a soft voice. 

It took Derek a good half an hour to get Rose in bath, clean her up and clothe her. Meanwhile, Max had taken off the dirty bedsheets of Rose's bed. I had totally forgotten about that. I felt so drained assuring Rose while she screamed in my ear. 

I didn't mind she screamed, but it was tiring and I was so, so proud of my boy. 

When Derek was almost finished I went to Max. I hugged him from behind while he was turning the washing machine on. "You have no idea how lucky I am with you," I murmured in his ear. 

"Well, I am quite lucky with you too." 

"Oh, so only 'quite lucky' not 'super lucky'?" I teased him. 

He turned around. "You know what I mean." 

I chuckled and gave him a forehead kiss. "I know, pup. I know." 

We just stood there for a moment enjoying each other's company. 

"How is Rose?" Max asked after a while. 

"I think fine, for now," I sighed. "I want to thank you for your help." 

"There is no need for that, I would do all of that in a heartbeat for Rose. She has a hard time, you know." 

I titled my head. I knew she had, but I had a feeling Max knew more. 

"Rose... Rose doesn't talk much but she has told me some things and I think after the accident she... how do I put this? I think Rose didn't feel like herself because - I think you noticed too - Rose wasn't little, at all, after the accident. And I think Derek triggers that part of her. That's why, I think, she wants to stay close to him." 

I was stunned. Never had I thought of this. 

"I am so proud of you," That was all I said. 

Thanks for reading and have a nice day!