Rose ate with her father as she looked at her mothers empty seat. She laughed at Chris and gave him a noodle without her father looking. Chris ate it happily but had spaghetti sauce on his face now. Rose laughed as Chris reached for more.
Taylor shook his head at Rose and wiped Chris's face, "Don't give him anymore, he doesn't have teeth to chew it." He father warned he didn't want the baby to choke.
When the three were finished eating Taylor cleaned the mess and gave the baby a bath before sending the two to bed. Walking into his own room he checked on Victoria and kissed her forehead.
Victoria opened her eyes as she looked at Taylor and smiled softly. "Hey love." She whispered and pulled her husband into her arms. She planted soft kisses on his neck then stopped and let out a content sigh.
Taylor didn't object when his wife pulled him towards her. He could feel the heat radiating off of her though. Biting his lip at the touch of her lips to his neck he took her hand in his.
Victoria smiled and then slowly began to fall asleep but she was fighting it. "I love you..." She whispered as she slowly fell asleep but continued to force herself awake.
"I know, you'll be alright." Taylor reassured her as he continued to stroke her hair until she finally fell into her sleep.
Eight months had passed and Taylor had been away for work for a week. He loved his jobs but he loved his kids more and they were growing faster than weeds, for him missing a week of their lives was enough time to kiss something substantial. Especially since his son was about to turn one. He didn't worry too much about the kids though, he knew they were in good hands with their mother.
Jen was helping Victoria with the final part planing for her nephew's first birthday when her brother pulled in the driveway. She smiled as her sister in law jumped up when she saw it too. Laughing the kids came running too. Well, Chris tried to run but his legs couldn't keep up with the rest of him.
When Rose saw her father, she was the first one out and went to hug her father close. Victoria was the last but she picked up Chris who began to laugh at the sudden movement and she hugged her husband tight. Chris wrapped his arms around his fathers neck. "Da....da." He said and Victoria smiled. It was a struggle taking care of a almost one year old now.
This was Taylor's favorite part of coming home. Taking Rose into a tight hug he squeezed her as hard as he could before Victoria came out. Setting Rose to her feet again before he kissed her mother and smiled at Chris. He loved the baby's voice when he learned to talk. Taking the baby from his mother Taylor kissed the baby's cheek. "Hey buddy."
Victoria smiled into the kiss and smiled as their youngest smiled at his father. "Miss you." He said and Rose sighed as she walked into the house and looked at her aunt with a weak smile. "After the party, can I go over and spend the night with Hannah?" Rose signed. She was comfortable with her voice and the only time she signed was when something was bothering her.
Jen turned her attention to her niece. Jen nodded a bit concerned. "But your dad just got home don't you want do things with him?" Jen had a clue as to what was going on and it was bound to happen eventually kids often times felt left out when things changed.
Rose looked over and saw how happy her mom and Taylor were as they ran around in the front while Chris tried to catch them. Rose looked at her aunt and just shook her head. "No it's okay. He has mom and Chris, plus Hannah and I were planning on a movie night this weekend anyways."
Jen sighed and nodded. "If you get permission." This wasn't a good sign. Taylor walked in smiling towards his sister setting down Chris and watching him run to play.
Victoria walked in after and noticed her daughter was off and she had a feeling why. Rose sighed and nodded but looked at her mom. "Can I go to aunt Jens this weekend?" She signed and Victoria sighed. "Your dad just got back. Why don't you save it for another weekend?" Victoria signed and Rose simply became angry. "I don't want to!" She signed then went up the stairs to her room and slammed the door shut and locked herself in. Victoria sighed as she looked at her sister in law. "I'm a terrible mother." She whispered.
Jen shook her heat at her sister. "No you're not, it's just part of her growing up, I did the same thing when Taylor was little, she just needs reassurance and some convincing."
"I know. I should go talk to her." She said and stood up. She smiled at her youngest as he began to play with his dad. Victoria unlocked roses door and sighed as she saw her daughter crying into her pillow. She sat down next to her and placed her hand in her daughters hand. "Rose honey. I love you. You know that. Please don't think I'm replacing you with Chris." She whispered. "It's not you mom. It's dad. I was dads favorite, but now he puts me aside for Chris." Rose said and Victoria sighed. There it was. Rose wanted attention from her dad.
Jen nodded to Victoria but she knew all along it wasn't Victoria Rose needed reassurance from. Rose had always been close to Taylor and Jen could bet it had something to do with the fact that he made her feel loved and stepped in where he didn't have to be. Now that Rose was getting older Jen was afraid Rose would think she was less important to her brother because She was adopted and her brother wasn't.
"What's wrong love?" Victoria asked. "He loves Chris more because Chris is his blood. I'm just adopted. He doesn't love me as much as he does Chris. I thought I finally had a dad who would love me for me but I guess I was foolish..." Rose said and Victoria sighed. She hugged her daughter close. "You can go with your Aunt Jen." She told her daughter and Rose nodded as she began to pack. Victoria went downstairs and took Chris from her husband and looked at him. "Your daughter needs you." Victoria said.
Taylor at first looked at his wife confused but by the looks he was getting from both his sister and his wife he knew it had to be serious. Walking up the stairs he was preparing himself for the worst, he had never fought with Rose before and he was really hoping he could avoid it. Standing in the little girl's door way he watched her pack rapidly and stepped forward taking the bag from her. "Are you not happy to see me?" He signed with a look of confusion, he was trying to hide his hurt that she was obviously upset.
Rose looked at her dad and became angry when he took the bag from her. "I wasn't finished packing!" She signed as she looked at when her dad asked and sighed. "Does it matter if happy or not? Chris is always happy to see you. You love him more anyways." Rose signed as she took the bag back from her dad and continued packing. She never fought with her dad and she didn't like it. She just wanted to leave.
He knew Rose was just a little girl and she didn't mean what she was saying but it still hit him hard. He almost thought he felt years begin to form but pushed them away. Taking the bag again he set it aside and crouched to her level. "Where in the world would you ever get that Idea?"