The Omega

Ch.14 Jack

We all sat around the table talking for a bit until Lulu let out a huge yawn. “We should get going and let you guys get some sleep.” Rose said moving to get off my lap. I stopped her, sliding the arm that wasn’t supporting her back under her legs picking her up bridal style. I loved carrying her. Having her little body pressed against mine brought me nothing but pure satisfaction. Ryan stood up along with me. 

“Darling are you sure you don’t want to stay here tonight? You know you are always welcome.” Lulu asked Rose as she too stood from her chair. 

“Thank you Lulu but I’m feeling much better and I have to work in the morning.” Rose said, laying her head on my chest. Lulu didn’t push any further. She walked over giving both of us a smile and placing a kiss on Rose’s temple. 

“Have a goodnight. The door will be unlocked in case you change your mind.” She said

“Thank you Lu.” Rose replied before Lulu disappeared down the hall. 

Doc comes over, placing a kiss on the same place Lulu had. “Goodnight kiddo, I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” 

“See you tomorrow Doc.” She replies as he walks us to the door. Ryan steps out before us thanking Doc for having him and reminding me that we have a meeting tomorrow in the late morning. I stepped out onto the small porch. The air was a bit chilly for the early evening. “Jack.” Doc says before I step off the porch. I turn and look at him. “Take good care of her.” He tells me, his eyes holding the promise he had made earlier. 

“Always Doc, thank you for saving her.” He knows I mean for this time and all the times before. Doc nodes before shutting the door. Rose nuzzles my chest as I carry her across the green lawn. Summer was almost here, but it still got cold at night. 

“Jack, it’s okay I can walk.” She said just before a gust of wind picks up. She shivered and tried to wiggle her body closer to mine. Like that was possible. 

“No Princess, you have no shoes and it’s cold. We will make it to your house quicker this way.” I tell her as we draw closer to her front door. I slowed to a stop at her door. 

“It’s not locked. My parents got tired of giving me a key and then me losing it.” She tells me. What!? Who leaves their child home alone with no house key? I moved Rose to my hip and pushed open the door. Upon entering I surveyed the place checking to make sure there were no intruders. It was small but also not too small. The living room was off to the left, while a staircase that led upstairs was to the right. From the door you could see straight to the kitchen. The place felt almost as chilly as outside. 

“Is there a window open?” I asked her

“Shoot, I wasn’t able to make the heat payment due to Doc knocking me out for three days.” She tells me and I could tell she was embarrassed. As she tried to hide her face in my chest. While I was pissed that she wasn’t even eighteen and was already having to worry about the heat getting shut off. Because SHE wasn’t able to pay the bill, instead of her PARENTS. My grip on her tightened a bit as I practically stomped to her kitchen. 

“What are you doing?” Rose asked as I placed her on the counter. 

“You need to eat real food before bed.” I tell her as I start to make my way through her cupboards and fridge. Her kitchen was shaped in almost a perfect square. Her small dinner table sat in the middle almost like an island. Her cupboards and appliances in an L shape around the far walls. Leaving the other two walls bear except for a few old paintings as decoration. As I looked for food I was amazed as to how bear everything was. It would seem as if this was a vacation home instead of someone living here full time. I instinctively kept checking on Rose out of the corner of my eye. She wasn’t looking around or saying anything. Her eyes trained on her lap as she sat perfectly still. As I opened more empty cupboards her cheeks would get redder. “Rose baby, where is all your food?” I asked her calmly, the total opposite of what 

I was feeling. 

I could tell that she was embarrassed by the way she wouldn’t look or speak to me. She just sat there playing with her fingers in her lap and swinging her legs. I moved between them, stopping there swinging. I tipped her head up until I could look into her eyes. “Baby girl?” I asked again, she tried to look away but I wouldn’t let her.

In a soft voice she told me. “I don’t keep a lot, I can’t afford to. All my money goes to bills and the pack. Sometimes on good nights at the restaurant I can make enough to get ahead a bit but it doesn't last long. Plus I can’t eat much so it just goes bad anyway.” 

“What about your parents?” I was confused. I know she said that they are hardly home because they work all the time. Still you would think they would notice their daughter had no food. Besides if they work as much as Rose said then surely they can afford the pack fees and most of the bills. Something doesn't seem right. 

“They are never home long enough to eat. Sometimes they bring home really good coffee though.” Rose tried to lift the mood by bringing up the coffee. I could tell she didn’t want to talk about this anymore. Kissing her forehead I moved back to the fridge. I pulled out the half loaf of bread and jelly. I remember seeing peanut butter in one of the cupboards. I started making us both a sandwich. It was really all she had to make. Rose sat on the counter and started swinging her legs again. The sun had totally gone down when I handed her the sandwich. I stood next to her as we ate. She took a couple small bits and set it down. “I suppose I better get up to bed.” She says about to hop down from the counter. 

I swing between her legs again stopping her. “And where do you think you are going?” 

Innocently she replies “I’m going to bed. I have an early shift tomorrow.” 

I laugh placing my hands on her hips scotting her back onto the counter where she was. “Oh no baby girl you are not going to work tomorrow. In fact you are not going anywhere until you finish that sandwich.”