#roselinefinch

[thespangleway]

Angelo: “Trying to help me in the kitchen, Lil?” Lillian: *babble grunt* Angelo: “Maybe when you’re a bit older.” Lillian: *sigh*

—

Roseline: “How are you feeling?” Dayo: “Okay, mostly.  My arm hurts… am I in big trouble?” Roseline: *thoughtful pause* “Not yet…right now I’m just glad you’re alright. I just want to hold you and reassure myself that you’re whole… but once you’re feeling a little better you’ll be mowing the lawn every weekend!” Dayo: *mournfully* “I’m…I’m sorry, Mom…” Roseline: “I’ll always love you, Dayo.”

—

Roseline: *furious* “What?!  How dare he!  He can’t just show up and throw our lives into chaos!” Angelo: “He can follow through on his threat.  We have Dayo because O’Shea’s people provided the paperwork legitimizing our guardianship. Those legal documents are forged.  If O’Shea calls them into question we might loose our boy.” Roseline: “So!  We’ll just make them official.  He’s been with us for more than a year now!” Angelo: “It might not be that easy, Kid… an ex-con with a shady reputation.  Who’s going to give me custody of a child?” Roseline: “I can’t believe this!”

Angelo: *thoughtfully* “Roseline, what happened in Oasis Springs?  Did you see O’Shea there?”

[thespangleway]

—

Angelo: *anxiously* “Is he alright?  How did they get to him?” Roseline: “He’s fine now.  Fractured radius, he and Lee were climbing trees back behind the school - where they weren’t supposed to be. What do you mean ‘how did they get to him’?” Angelo: *deep sigh of relief* “Nothing…I’ll tell you later.”

Dayo: *dazed and sheepish* “They put a cast on me, Dad.  It hurts.”

Roseline: “They gave him something for the pain. He’s a little out of it right now.” Angelo: “Let’s get him home.  We have to talk.”

[thespangleway]

*muffled intercom - ‘Dr. Wilson to the nurses station.’*

Angelo: “Gusto.” Gusto: “Oh, Angelo...what’s happening?  How’s Roseline?” Angelo: “They gave her something to slow the contractions and give the baby some more time but...they think it’s going to happen in the next 24 hours.” Gusto: “...oh...well, early labor isn’t so uncommon.  It’s going to be okay.” Angelo: *hoarse murmur* “I didn’t want this pregnancy...not at first, but” *voice breaks* Gusto: “Shhh...shhh, it’s going to be okay.”

[thespangleway]

Angelo: “Are you ready?” Dayo: “I was born ready!” Angelo: “Are you sure?” Dayo: “Yes, yes, I’m sure!”

*push*

Dayo: “Whhhoooooppp!”

---

Dayo: “Angelo, it’s starting to snow again!  Maybe tomorrow will be a snow day!” Angelo: “It’s possible!  Let’s go home and check on Roseline-” Roseline: “Hey you two!  I came out to find you!  There’s hot cocoa at home!”

[thespangleway]

Angelo: *sharply* “What?” Roseline: “I...I don’t know.  I think I’m having contractions, but it’s too earl- erg...oohhhh....” Angelo: “...stop!” Roseline: *voice tight with pain* “I...oohh...I can’t ‘stop’...and...ahhh...yelling about it won’t help!” Angelo: “Sorry, sorry...just breathe, breathe, Kid.” Roseline: *sob* “Angelo, what if...” Angelo: “Don’t even think it.  It’s going to be okay.”

Gusto: *yawn* “What’s all the yelling.” Angelo: “Gusto, start the car.  We’re going to the clinic.” Gusto: “WHAT!?”

[thespangleway]

(music)

*muffled intercom - phone ringing* Nurse: “-Mrs. Mitchell’s on the call button again...your turn...”

---

Gusto: *hushed* “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

---

Roseline: “Uhhhh...” *pant, pant* “...they’re coming less often.” Angelo: *murmured* “That’s good.  That, what was it...magnesium sulfate? It must be working.” Roseline: “It’s making me nauseous...”

Doctor: “Roseline, how are you feeling?” Roseline: “The contractions have slowed down but...have you reached Dr. Kahtri?” Doctor: “Not yet.  Try and stay lying back.  I know there’s still five weeks until your due date but it’s likely this baby will come early.  I’m going to give you a shot of corticosteroid which will help speed up lung development but there could be other complications with pre-term birth.” Angelo: “Complications?” Doctor: “Just try to rest, Roseline.  We’ll keep trying your doctor and get her here as soon as we can.”

Roseline: *whispered* “Something bad is going to happen...I can feel it...” Angelo: “Kid...”

[thespangleway]

(music) Family Time

[thespangleway]

O’Shea: “But I always liked you, brown-eyes.  You look good enough to eat…can I, huh?  Eat you?” Roseline: *disgusted* “You can say what you like, Mr. O’Shea - play the rough, crude bad guy but you forget, I saw you in San Myshuno.  That girl that died in 2014, Tony’s girl, it was your fault and you’re broken to pieces about it-”

O’Shea: *furious* “You didn’t see anything!  -and you don’t know a thing about me!” Roseline: *matching his anger* “I know that you work really hard at being ‘bad’ - almost like you have something to prove.” O’Shea: “Well, it’s lucky for me that you like ‘em bad…” Roseline: “Let go!”

*rough, plundering kiss*

Roseline: “I said, LET GO!”

—

Roseline: *walking away* “You’re pathetic and I feel sorry for you, Mr. O’Shea.” O’Shea: “Tell Occhilupo I said ‘hello’.”