to say that tom was nervous was the understatement of the century. he stood outside roses apartment. he would be meeting her sober for the first time ever and he was excited to see the girl hiding behind the alcohol. he pressed her doorbell, a pattering of feet and little scratches at the door.

her cat.

it's meows seemed agitated and as tom reached for the doorknob it opened, revealing the freshly washed face of rose bishop. her wet hair made tom think she just showered and got dressed when he knocked.

"tom?" she asked, surprise evident in her tone and features.

"hey there fake wife, sorry about the no flowers, i was kind of in a rush to get her," he smiled weakly and she smiled back.

"you're fine, come in before peaches bites my head off," rose chuckled and tom stepped in.

there was a distinct smell of alcohol as she noticed the garbage from last nights party.

"i was stopping to feed peaches but I'm almost done, ive stopped letting people in other rooms," rose chuckled and Tom nodded, walking over to the garbage bag and started picking up the trash.

"oh you don't have to do that," rose blushed and he shook his head.

"it's fine, i want to," tom spoke non chalantly, "feed peaches."

rose picked up her white car and walked off to the small corner she called her kitchen, filling the two bowls with food and water.

"so what's up with the surprise?" rose asked, "are you seeing another woman?"

tom let out a laugh.

"no, you're the only one darling," he said as he stood up straight, moving around behind the couch, picking up the garbage around there too, "i wanna talk to you about something."

"must be important if i'm hearing it directly," rose said and looked up as he stood up straight.

"you're probably going to hate me, but it's about your drinking," tom frowned and rose sighed and went back to cleaning up her corner.

"you think i have an addiction," rose suggested.

"kind of, yeah," tom stepped towards her, "rose, you're almost ninetee-."

"no i think you're right," rose said and looked to him, "i got really bad last night, scared the shit out of peaches."

"just, try and wait until your birthday for your next drink, that way i can be there to make sure you're safe." tom suggested and rose smiled.

she walked over to him and pulled him into a hug.

"you got it, babe."