Hailey had no bags but her purse and the sketch pad in hand walking out of the elevator "momma" she was instantly attacked with a hug "can I get out of this before it crushes my head" the door stopped unable to close against the side of her head "raven a little help here" he ran and pried the doors open "any better" she held the sides of her skull "just hurt a lot, it's hard to kill me" she referred to the scar on her forehead being her soft spot without a word or pointing to it, not even a week later she got a treatment to rid the scar forever so it was less obvious without her bangs. She then found herself pregnant from one of the conjectural visits with a teenager in the house "well this is gonna be an adventure" before it was too late to renovate she knocked down a wall finding a small hallway that had a door inside, both Raven and hailey looked at each other "call the cleanup crew" they said together with hailey dialing the number about to press the call button "go ahead you have em on speed dial" they waited in the living room for the old crew to help out with everything. Everyone did their share finding out how big the place really is exploring it with a flashlight "a second living room" dani went to touch the dusty furniture "usually a second on is called the sitting room" raven jumped in using his feather duster to clean the dust "oh I love vintage things" judging from the furniture and decor it looked like this part was walled off around the 40s. While the others were cleaning it off being careful with the delicate glass hailey called up the building manager asking about the area "well you did pay for the floor so do what you want with it" he hung up with a sweet and slightly bitter tone in his voice "ok that was weird" she took a better look at the space not wanting to change a bit of it because it was like walking into another time and she only saw the beauty of tv not in every living room yet. Hailey took the figures and porcelain to the other part and polished every single nook and cranny to see it's former glory but the closer she got a look at them they were actually from the 20s and the rest of the room was 30's or 40's, they had an electrician to come over after everything looked brand new to be able to use the extra rooms expectancy since she lost the baby and needed a pick me up because she was still crying watch the ultrasound video and the only thing that brought her some kind of joy was the sitting room.
She went to the doctors to talk about it because everyone was getting affected by her behavior "it's not uncommon for women to have mild depression after what happened" he gave her a therapy place recommending it, she forced a smile telling him thank you. The company was under new management but the two still owned it 50/50 going to her first session "look I'm not here to talk about my family growing up so let's cut to the chase" she never had been one to talk about her childhood and if so she was straightforward about "Dr. Barkley did send over why you came to me" she told all that was necessarily being prescribed with a list of sites that dealt with this situation. Hailey stood in the doorway of the room staring at the crib she handpainted and the blanket she knitted for the child "I was so ready" she went to the sitting room to play cards in the middle of the night shutting the door to the room. She broke the heartbreak cycle after reading the articles and a to group "I mean we're trying again in full hopes the cycle doesn't continue" hailey heard the others talk about the unborn children in complete heartache "never even got to see if it was going be a girl or a boy" was all hailey had said thinking about it not saying anything about how she had a list of names written down from the moment she found out. Dani's attitude was better and even admitted to being a brat from no attention after apologizing "sweetheart it's not your fault, your half demon so there's bound to be trouble" she shared stories of when she first came out of her coma even being seen as worse because it was heavy Christian home. She started baking Dani's birthday cake for her 17th birthday "after the party to go to work, mom" she worked at the nearest coffee shop so her parents didn't have to worry about picking her up but for some reason still did.
As she finished decorating the cake the doctor called "hello" she sounded chipper carefully putting on the final details with the doctor on speaker "I wanted to tell dani happy birthday and give you some news" dani walked in playing on her phone as he said happy birthday "and the news would be" Dani's friends were almost there and hailey almost dropped what she was holding at his words "the test results are saying you're pregnant" dani jumped in seeing her moms face "ok thanks doc" she hung up making sure she stayed upright or got sat down. Hailey had flushed feeling like her blood was running colder and like she was about to pass out feeling dizzy "it's okay relax" hailey was fading in and out of concussions with a wet rag on her forehead, once raven came home he was freaked out because the phone he got from his daughter "okay what we need is to keep things stress free and assure her this one will stay" hailey was sound asleep with her breathing calmed and a dream. She was moved to the bed so dani could have her party without worry "hails, dani wanted you to join in and see your masterpiece before you know" he was playing with her hair "why just hand me my hairbrush" she smiled brushing out some knots "that's my girl" he kissed her cheek trying to pick her up and get a laugh "alright stop it I'm going" the first thing she did was tell dani she's okay knowing she was worried. Dani had several different types of friends but none rude to authority figures "ah another stoner just don't pressure my girl into it, everyone has a bright future it's up to them if they do it" she calmly lit up a blunt "but when you're, your own boss it's completely welcome" she smiled getting up to light the candles and take pictures of the 2 tired fully detailed Princess cake "I couldn't choose one so I just said, princess" she hugged and thanked hailey seeing the side of the cake said 'I love you, Princess' "how sweet" hailey saw some unhappy faces reading what could have been happening. She talked with the kids learning they were ignored by their family only being reminded by of the only people to give her the light of day "tell you what if anything happens to you I'm your mom" she had people to help her why should these kids be denied that, hailey was designed to help and protect people who went through what she had "hey I'm not comparing but my own killed me on purpose so I know what's happening" she no matter what knew she would be a better place parent than hers.
Hailey ignored the people in the lobby avoiding all touching with an almost resting bitch face but angrier as a police officer that lived in the building was getting her mail "she always like this" the lobby man loved at her strange "we'll yes but the lobbies usually empty and shes kinder to her family" he continued cleaning from the foot traffic leaving the officer stumped collecting what was in the box. Raven already had a collection of teapots using the kettle on the stove "how was the meeting my love" she smiled calmly "well the baby's healthy and not too bad" she instantly went to the room and throw on an old t-shirt and shorts being sat down with a cup of tea "I can walk ya know" raven sat next to her turning on the tv relaxing to celebrity news as dani came in with the mail from school. She slammed the pages down and stormed to the room "dani Ellis rose, get back here" she stopped in her tracks slowly turning around "why the tone" Hailey wore a stern face turned around on the couch "school bully no big deal" she sprinted to her room almost running, Hailey called dani into the sitting room to teach her defense and talk about it. Raven was just the calm happy guy he always was listening to hailey teach dani defense complete with kicks and punching "now, don't use these tips unless necessary" she kissed Dani's cheek letting her get onto her homework "perfect-a students get into a good college" raven shouted from the couch "you hush, she can do what she wants after high school" hailey pointed a stern finger at him like a mother would her child as raven sipped his tea. There were letters at least once a week from various colleges because dani didn't know where she wanted to go and just keep applying "sweetie another letter for you" they never opened her mail just left it on the table or called her in to get it comforting her cries when it happened "you read it and then tell me if its good news" dani slumped into the couch red-eyed looking in terrible pain, the letter was from the University of New York only two towns over and the only words they were looking for we're 'the University of New York has accepted you' so they just skimmed the sheets "your gonna wanna read this" they handed the letter to dani watching her read along and her face started to read joy, she screamed and hugged the two extremely excited.
They named the little boy Daniel and dani was off to a fine arts school next year "he looks just like you raven" Hailey whispered watching him sleep. Daniel was 4 months old and left with the babysitter and was still at school so hailey arranged a little date for them at the gym "come on, too scared to hit a woman" she climbed into the boxing ring putting on her gloves "not scared you know how clumsy I am" she chuckled throwing the extra set at him stretching "make you a deal, you can pin me you pick the next two dates in a row" his face lit up like a Christmas tree. It was a good fight but he got her down to the mat "I win" he said helping her up with a kiss "fine don't rub it in" she laughed pushing his chest not letting it out she just got tired and let him win so he could just be happy. He knew she let him because before she wouldn't budge one bit or give up some of her strength "I'm buying lunch" they both cleaned up and ordered food on the way home "dani should be getting home soon and I still have to run my laps today" from the age of 15 she was an ultra-active person mainly for work but also did it for her own health because she started eating a lot of chocolate. Some days dani would join in on the run if she wasn't too busy but most of the time was spent with Daniel even taking him to the office when it wasn't necessarily a good excuse to call the babysitter. She loved her kids learning how to be with them while working making raven take them when she was slammed.
She was a homebody by choose being not as sensitive to light as raven was so the curtains stayed open "hey dads here" hailey jumped up from the couch still feeding Daniel "come on up daddy" she sounded like an excited teen buzzing him in, she settled in the rocking chair with a pillow for her arm "how's my sweet girl doing, and you know my boyfriend" they looked confused why she had the cover on so she lifted it showing the little guy "oh, my sister does that" her soon to be a stepdad exclaimed sitting next to her "can I hold him when you're done" she smiled and nodded as dani had Just got home from work updating everyone when graduation was and colleges. Michael coddled Daniel like he wished he could have had kids of his own especially after hearing about Henry's babies "so when the wedding dad" she gave him a glass of sweet tea "well we're hoping soon, it's just going to be a simple ceremony that you kids got married in", it was the same garden raven choose with the arch decorated in real red roses that could be taken off and into a bouquet. Dinner was served shortly after the pictures the family even wanting some with all the grandkids "Daniel's on my top ten list but favorite because he's the youngest" Daniel was the latest addition to the nieces and nephews out of all ten. Raven took the yawning baby putting him in the carrier "are you sure he tired you don't want to hold him" hailey made a funny comment rocking him with her foot "I love you too" he took a sip of tea from his canteen taking a seat at the table. Hailey hung a few pieces of weaponry on the sitting room wall where she read by the fireplace "swords, bow and arrow, and cute little daggers, a hunters delight" she smiled at them remembering the few she trapped into capture with them "miss rose" a snappy young man was directed into the room "Id prefer madam rose, parole officer Davis" she shook his hand telling about the weapons that we're in storage years ago calming his concerns even saying they were dull.
From that moment on she was addressed by madam having a bit of an eccentric moment except in court "Mrs.rose or ever so put by officer Davis, madam rose" she just sat and listened giving Little looks at the officer. To Hailey's surprise, the judge liked madam and used it herself when she wasn't at work but hers required a bow "I like it, madam ruth and I take a step further, lady rose" it was like a game they would play seeing each other in public. Hailey's cell phone rang once a day always around 5:00 pm but she never answered locking the phone away in the nearest drawer "dear the same damn number" she mumbled under her breath so Daniel didn't hear and repeat her "come to momma angel" she was trying to get him to start using a sippy cup and walking between the tantrums, dani was still packing for college preparing to leave "ok how you get me weened off" she looked at her handing over a glass of sweet tea "I didn't you went from bottle to big girl cups real fast" she watched Daniel throw has dinosaur cup to the floor screaming. She used a mixture of punishment and one that always worked when nothing else did was spanking with a flip flop "Daniel you're being a brat" she picked up the cup "now if your thirsty drink out of these from now on" he listened for the most part besides his tantrums at times until she gave the one look before he started. The day dani left she traveled with the family so they could say their goodbyes, for now, hailey took a little break from the nightly run to get some water from the convenience store "my favorite, officer fuckface?" she saw a hand she recognized reaching for the same bottle "I'm sorry you can have it" he moved away in a kind tone "that is you, do you always have mayonnaise in your mustache" he seemed caught off guard as if she was flirting "what your name" he started leaning on the next door with a cocky smile showing him a laminated id card saying inmate# 409467 "or heart stealer if you prefer" he just looked her up and down with a shocked look just wearing her sports bra and smallish shorts. The two exchanged numbers and planned to have lunch and catch up "ill explain later, you get some sleep" she could only see the image of him walking past her cell with mayonnaise in his beard and mustache and everyone's whispers running back home and caring for the baby.
Raven took the office that day so hailey put Daniel in his stroller ready to go out on their shopping day "mom my baby wants to go too" he pouted wanting the hand me down doll from dani "tell ya what we'll get her stroller so that you can play daddy when you're not down" she hooked the toy on his stroller holding the doll with the cutest smile "are you, hungry baby" she made Daniel hold the stroller bars going up to the food area where the officer was waiting "hey you came, would call you the usual but he might repeat it" she laughed explaining why he and the others called him fuckface "that's makes sense, I should wipe my face better after lunch" if anyone had walked by it would seem like the two were on a date because he even tried buying Daniel new toys as Cortese. The two spent the day talking "you know I've always wanted a kid but my husband won't allow it" he wanted to buy Daniel something to help him walk "no he has enough of those and I pegged you as a ladies man" he flexed what muscle he had smiling "I'm kidding you skinny nerd" but the end of the day she said goodbye and daniel seemed to like the man for the toys and fun things saying thank you thousands of times. Daniel was finally using the walking toys excited that he wasn't falling over.