The next morning, the smell of fresh coffee and something sweet wafted into the bedroom, nudging Kylee from her sleep. Her body felt heavier than usual but not from exhaustion. It was a kind of peace she hadn't known in years. For a moment, she lay still, listening. Laughter. Tiny giggles. His voice.
She slipped quietly out of bed and tiptoed down the hallway. The sun poured in through the kitchen windows, painting the walls in a soft golden glow. Rio stood at the kitchen island in a wrinkled white tee and sweatpants, holding Kayla in one arm while awkwardly scooping mashed banana into a spoon with the other.
She squealed, trying to grab the spoon, and he laughed. “Easy, short stack,” he chuckled. “I’m not as fast as your mom.”
Macy sat on the counter beside him, swinging her feet, holding a slice of toast in both hands. Her wild bedhead framed her face as she looked up at Rio with sparkling eyes.
“I told you I like peanut butter and jelly, not just jelly,” Macy announced.
Rio raised an eyebrow, pretending to be scandalized. “Now you tell me?! I thought jelly was the move. Rookie mistake, huh?”
Macy giggled, clearly smitten. Kylee stood just out of sight, arms crossed gently over her chest, her heart so full it ached. This wasn’t some rock star pretending for points. This was real. He was trying. He was present. And he looked good doing it.
She wiped at a tear that slid down her cheek before stepping into the kitchen. He noticed her immediately, eyes lighting up in that way they always did when she entered a room.
“Well hey there, sleepyhead,” he grinned. “Don’t worry, your girls already trained me. I’m up to level two in diaper duty and breakfast negotiations.”
Kylee laughed, walking over and kissing Kayla’s head, then Macy’s, then leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to Rio’s cheek. “I could get used to waking up to this.”
He tilted his head, smiling. “Then maybe you should.”
The doorbell rang just as Kylee finished brushing Macy’s hair into two bouncy pigtails. She opened the front door to find Lillian standing there with her usual warm smile.
“Hey, Lillian. Come on in,” Kylee said, stepping aside.
Lillian walked in and paused when she caught a glimpse of Rio in the kitchen, crouched in front of Kayla’s high chair, wiping her mouth gently as she squealed and kicked her feet.
Lillian blinked. “Um… is that who I think it is?”
Kylee gave her a tight, awkward smile. “Yeah. Long story.”
Lillian’s eyes widened, but she quickly glanced back at Kylee, respecting her cue. “Well, everything okay?”
Kylee took a deep breath, trying to hold it together. “Not really. Jake left. He took Jakey. I don’t even know where they are. Rio and I are going to see a lawyer this morning to figure out what I can do.”
“Oh my god,” Lillian whispered, instinctively stepping closer and lowering her voice as Macy played nearby with her dolls. “Are you okay? I mean how did it get this bad?”
Kylee shook her head, her voice cracking. “Jake cheated. Then he found out about Rio and freaked. Said horrible things. That’s when he grabbed Jakey and left.”
Lillian softened, putting a hand gently on her arm. “I’m so sorry, Kylee. I’ll keep the girls happy and busy. Don’t worry about anything here.”
Kylee looked toward the kitchen where Rio was making Kayla laugh, then back at Lillian, her eyes glassy. “Thank you. I really mean that.”
“Go,” Lillian said softly. “Handle it. I’ve got them.”
Kylee leaned in and gave her a grateful hug, then turned as Rio appeared beside her, dressed in black and holding the car keys.
“You ready? Let’s go” he asked gently.
She gave him a nod, stealing one last glance at her girls before walking out the door. She was terrified but for the first time, she didn’t feel alone.
The drive to the lawyers was quiet but peaceful. The office was nothing flashy, a borrowed space tucked into a small brickbuilding downtown but Kylee could tell right away the woman sitting behind the desk was anything but small-time.
She stood when they entered. “Kylee Waterman?” she asked confidently, holding out a hand. “I’m Layla Navarro. A friend of Rio’s.” She nodded toward him, giving a warm but knowing smile.
Kylee shook her hand, surprised by the strength in her grip. “Thank you for coming all the way out here,” Kylee said, her voice a little shaken, but grateful.
“Of course. When Rio called, I dropped everything. He doesn’t do that often.” Layla gestured toward the chairs. “Let’s sit. We’ve got work to do.”
