death_glare | private PSL

[ William side eyes Grell as she leans on him, but he allows her to rest there. He has no idea how they're going to manage this, but it seems he's having just as hard a time to cast the child away as she is. They sit there together, in silence as the girl plays curiously with her tiny feet. It's unbelievably endearing. ]

Did the mother's file state the girl's name?

[ Thank goodness he does, because Grell is exhausted. She even yawns as she plunks her cheek down there. ]

No, unfortunately, it didn't. I've been calling her Rosalind-- because of those cute rosy cheeks, isn't that right?

[ The redhead reaches out to run a fingertip along the bottom of one of the girl's feet, fondly smiling. ]

[ Rosalind gives a high pitched giggle at the tickle to her feet. Seems she enjoys that. Though, William doesn't look nearly as pleased, as he's running this whole situation through his head, trying to make some sort of plan. ]

An unsurprising name choice for you.

[ He states blandly between thoughts. Though, perhaps it's best they don't use her actual name. They're going to need to hide her, after all. ]

Do you have a better one, Will? Mm?

[ Chuckling along with the girl's darling laughter, she plucks gently at her little toes. ]

[ He shakes his head, not having nearly the brain power to think about that now, too. ]

We'll go with that, then.

[ Jerking his arm free, William stands, holding Rosalind over his shoulder. ]

If you need to rest, I suggest you do so now. I will look after her for awhile.

[ Now to head into the kitchen to see what food Grell's scraped together to feed her. It's going to be a bit hard without a mother to provide for her. ]

[ Very nearly face planting onto the couch, Grell obviously needs it! Still, she protests, and it isn't until getting up onto her feet seems difficult that she realizes it.

For a moment, she tentatively chews at her lip. If it were anyone else, she should worry that they might remove the child at such a time, so as to spare a violent confrontation-- but William would do that to her. Surely. Right? ]

She still has a bit of a bottle left, on the counter. There's more of it in the 'fridge, if needed... and she's a binky in her crib... [ What else? Oh, she can't think. ]

[ If William intended to take the child away, he would have done so, violent outburst or not. So she must believe he's being serious in taking care of her. A quick look around and he locates the bottle. It should do for now, as it still feels warm as William checks it against his wrist. ]

Clean nappies?

Yes!!

[ Of course, how could she forget to mention THOSE. ]

Been keeping them under the coffee table. There's a blanket there you may use for changing, as well.

[ YAWN. Hoisting herself up by the back of the couch, she smears a hand across her cheek tiredly.]

I'll be in my room for a spell, I suppose... You're certain that you'd care to watch her?

You'd best go before I change my mind on all this.

[ He'll let her see herself out to the bedroom, as Rosalind's begun to fuss, a bit. William cradles her against his chest, quieting her with the bottle while he heads back to sit on the couch. Gosh, it's almost like he's done this before! ]

Yes, alright--

[ After Grell's had some proper rest, she's more likely to connect the dots-- but, for now, at the sight of them, she hesitates at the hallway entry because the sight of William caring for a child ignites an entirely new sort of admiration in her.

With an enchanted smile, she absentmindedly leans in to rest her cheek against the support. Promptly, her lids begin to drift closed, and it's right then that she realizes she ought to take heed and climb into bed.

She only manages to remove her shoes before she's knocked out, sprawled across the bed atop her comforter. ]

[ Whenever Grell wakes and ventures out into the living area, William will be out of sight. Though a brief inspection of the room will find that he too has fallen asleep.

His suit coat and vest have been removed and draped neatly over the back of the couch. His shoes, placed politely away from the carpeting, and gloves laying upon the coffee table. He and Rosalind can be found on the longer couch, William on his back with the small girl resting peacefully atop his chest. As arm is draped over her back as to keep her in place as they've both drifted off to sleep, as well. ]

[ Clamping a hand over her mouth, Grell suppresses a wheeze of pure adoration. While she'd always fancied the idea of sharing a domestic lifestyle with Will someday, actually seeing him play the role of a father far surpasses any fantasy she's had.

Although, he's almost too good at it, isn't he? Slowly pulling her hand away from her mouth, she cups her cheek with a lull of the head.

Well. Something to inquire about later. She's actually starving, and certain that William will be so upon waking, as well. Quietly, she'll tiptoe her way into the kitchen - certainly not to cook, but perhaps she can put something edible enough together.

Oh, and to start the coffeemaker, of course. ]

[ The subtle bubbling of the coffee pot is inevitably wakes William. The smell does a good job of helping, too. Thankfully, he has enough awareness of his surroundings to remember there's a small child perched upon his chest. He holds Rosalind close as he carefully stands from the couch. Perhaps he can keep her asleep and quiet a bit longer.

He appears in the doorway to the kitchen, inhaling at the smell of coffee. ]

Did you get enough rest?

[ When Grell glances up to meet the sight of William, she's just about finished making them some salads with smoked chicken and fresh fruit. Thankfully, cutting up things is something that she's good at, so it's a failsafe dish.

Speaking of sighting him, her eyes instantly brighten with love, seeing the two of them again. She's even forgotten that she's washed her face (and hair) of whatever smudged makeup had been left, leaving her bare and disheveled. ]

Mn, must have, as my stomach had decided it's more important. Are you hungry?

Yes, quite.

[ Seems Grell managed to get her hands on a highchair, as well as the crib. William carefully seats Rosalind in it, strapping her in safely. Then he's beside Grell, opening the cabinet closest to the coffee pot, expecting to find mugs there. ]

You will want to take every chance you have to sleep. Babies are highly unpredictable in their own sleep patterns.

[ William's correct in his assumption, and he'll find that's perhaps the most stocked cabinet she has. They're all mismatched, cute mugs she's picked up over the years and hoarded in the event that she's too lazy to wash dishes. ]

You're quite knowledgeable about baby matters, aren't you?

[ Peeking up at him over the rims of her glasses, she gives him a lopsided smile. ]

[ Picking probably the most boring cup of the lot, William sets about making himself a black but rather sweet cup of coffee. He doesn't answer her, at first, instead matching her eyes as he takes a sip of his drink. It won't be until he's seated at the table that he speaks up. ]

I have a few years of experience.

[ Grell isn't too far behind, by then. With two bottled dressings, and a handful of silverware, she begins to prepare the table so they can eat.

Fortunately, she's placed the bottles before he drops that news. Such doesn't spare them a clamor of slipped forks, though.

Grimacing, she immediately looks to Rosalind - and, thankfully, the child stirs with only a brief whine, before her head lulls back into the seat again. ]

--You what?

Honestly?

[ William doesn't help pick up the silverware, instead just glaring down at them scattered across the floor. ]

I had a daughter.

[ Stated as if she should have known this, despite having never shared that information with anyone before. ]

[ Gingerly placing a hand over her heart, she looks at William wide-eyed. The silverware has been entirely forgotten for the moment. ]

How could you have never mentioned this--!

[ Although said with forced hushed tones, the aggravation is still very much there! ]

Because I had no reason to mention it.

[ Ah, quiet bickering. A new experience for them! William huffs as softly as he can manage, sipping at his coffee with a sour look on his face. ]

If you must know, that is the reason I am willing to help.

No reason to--!

[ Huffing through her nose, she quickly leans down to pick up the dirtied forks so that she can turn on her heel. ]

... Well. I'm glad for the help, anyway. [ She half mutters. ] I don't know how long I would've managed.

[ Returning with their salads, she'll rest their forks carefully beside the dishes this time. Once she's grabbed her own cup of coffee from the counter, she can ease into the chair opposite him with a sigh. ]

Well, there is no reason for us to speak of it further. She demands our full attention now.

[ Rosalind has lifted her head up, awakened by the commotion. Though she seems content in the moment, curiously banging her hands on the seat's tiny table. William reaches over to smooth a bit of fringe away from her forehead. ]

[ Oh, she couldn't possibly stay mad at William, especially when watching him treat darling Rosalind with such fondness. Eyes softening, she props her chin atop a palm. ]

Welcome back, little one♥. How I missed you~. [ She very faintly tickles her nails over one of the girl's chubby knees. ] Did you have fun with Will, mn?

[ Rosalind, not yet understanding what different words mean, merely stares at Grell in wonder. ]

She's surprisingly calm for being under a year. We should be thankful.

[ Though, the way Grell had appeared at work, he's thinking that may not have been the case before he showed up. ]

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