A/N All right, here we are. Final chapter. Started this around spring of 2018 and am so *so* excited I made it. This is the longest fic I've ever completed.
Thank you readers who stuck out this journey with me! Thank you *so* much for readers who've taken the time to leave me comments – it has meant so much and kept me going. I can't say thank you enough. Thank you also for the kudos that meant a lot and gave me motivation too! I hope you enjoyed the ride. Without further ado:
"We can't talk here." She said, glancing behind her. Whatever he was here for wouldn't take more than a few minutes so she could safely step away without disruptions. Adding a few ice cubes to the pitcher she put the ice bag back in the fridge.
"Jim, do you mind?" Beth asked, passing the pitcher to a dad walking by. Jim nodded at her and scanned Rio, giving him an amicable nod on his way out.
Left without further reason to stall, Beth wiped her hands on the orange towel before putting it back on the oven's handle. Had she made a mistake on an assignment? There was that one warehouse incident, but no, she'd seen him since then. And that had been over a month ago. It had been so long since he'd been at her house, not since – had it been that long, Beth asked herself. But of course, it hadn't been since that night he was sitting beside Dean.
Rio's expression gave her no clue as to what had him barge into her house. Either way, if she could have Dean not see him that would be best. Not that Dean had a say in this – she just didn't want to have that conversation.
No, it couldn't have been something she did, Rob would have talked with her first. He wouldn't send Rio out to give her a talking to. Unless Rio took it on himself to find her, which Beth remembered all too well. It was moments like this she knew she was more than ready to be her own boss.
"Come on," She said to Rio as she walked passed him and down the hallway. She didn't look behind her, knowing he'd follow.
As she walked down to her bedroom she leafed through the list of last tasks she'd done that week. It had actually felt like she'd hit her stride. Apart from a few – or occasional – gaffes sure, she was still learning. As long as she didn't have to start with someone new. Again. It took her so long to get used to Rob's quirks. Or, who knows, maybe Rio being over meant she'd have to worry about having a job at all. Hopefully it wasn't that. If it was, she'd take moving to another team. If she could start her own thing tomorrow she would but her kids needed a home now, needed to eat today, and mortgage payments arrived faithfully each month. The second she'd get on her feet she could break off. Not yet.
She reached her bedroom and led him through the door, turning around as she stepped halfway inside to watch Rio saunter confidently behind her. His hand went to her door knob.
"You can leave it open," she said. If it was indeed something serious she'd close it but she wanted to hear what this was about first.
Rio tapped the door knob, hesitated, then left the door slightly ajar. It'd be good to keep some physical distance from him, she thought, as he approached her. His eyes went behind her and he walked past, brushing her arm despite all the available space. She barely registered it, far more sensitive to his presence in her bedroom, in her space. Maybe it wasn't the best place to take him. But where would she have taken him? One of the kids rooms?
No doubt he'd cut right to the chase, but still she asked, "Is everything OK?"
Rio didn't reply right away.
"Something I did?" She ventured, not liking how she sounded, like she wanted to please him. But she still needed his business connections, didn't she? For now.
"No." He shook his head. He came to a stop at her dresser and looked around, and she wondered if part of him was enjoying the forbidden opportunity to be back in her room. He'd even stopped at the same spot he stood at last year. Again it struck her, had it been that long? Beth moved a bit closer, waiting for him to tell her what he was doing at her house. His hoodie covered part of his face, but she could still see in his profile how his eyes went to the photos poised on the dresser's surface. She saw his features grow harder at something she couldn't see.
"What are you looking at?" Again she stepped closer, her curiosity taking over her instinct to keep away from him. He didn't share, instead taking a step towards her and she took one backwards, to pivot as he angled her to back up, quickly finding herself against the closet door.
She raised her shoulders, willing the inch or two to boost her confidence. Her heartbeat picked up as his eyes surveyed her. All this time and she'd hoped her body would calm down to be in close proximity to him. He placed two hands beside her head, leaving space between their bodies.
"My kids are right outside that door." She said in a hushed voice, trying to stick to an impatient tone, which wasn't far from how she felt, but sounding more entreating than she'd like. It was hard not to when she felt her future was on the line. Did he lie to her about there being no problem? This wasn't what someone pleased would do. He had seemed fairly laid back in her kitchen but his energy was changed, tense.
"This won't take long. Happy to see me?" He raised his chin.
His question left her blinking, wondering briefly if she'd imagined it.
"What are you doing?" She neared her face to his. When he didn't move, the tension instead coming close to snapping, she leaned her head back against the door, resigned to hear him out, even if she wanted to push him off her.
"Answer my question." He said.
"Yea- yes, sure." She said noncommittally.
She sensed his body relax while her muscles remained tense. He drew a few inches closer. Even if he wasn't touching her his hands cacooned her as she tried to anticipate what he wanted.
"Stopped by to see you." His eyes lingered on her mouth before he lifted them to her eyes, squinting at her. "Your husband here?" He said, so close she could feel his breathe on her face.
"Yeah." She shook her head, unsure where this was going.
"Is it over?" He asked.
Her stomach tightened, making sense of his question. What did that have anything to do with her work?
"Wh- between him and I? Yes."
That familiar warmth in her stomach. She tried to wish it to stop.
"You sure?"
"Yes. Not that it's any of your business." She hissed.
He nodded. "Anyone else here I should know about?" He motioned with his head behind her curtained glass door, where the racket of kids running filtered into the room every so often.
She paused, confused. "No."
Only after she answered she realized what he was asking but it wouldn't have changed it. Not that she wasn't exploring things, in her own way. Gone on more than few dates with Jake, someone she'd met through Ruby. There were the flirtations with Louis and guys she worked with, and she enjoyed the interest. Not that she'd mess around with someone from work. It felt… Too close. And with her and Dean, she didn't feel ready to go into something else, something serious. So with Jake well, things were moving slowly, but she was OK with that. It had been so long, she was looking for a distraction too. She wasn't in any hurry. Not to get burned.
"I guess things are good with you," she said, using all the space between his hands flat against the door beside her.
"Huh?" He snapped, a mixture of irritation and confusion on his face.
Let it go, she told herself. It was none of her business. But since he was going there-
"Nothing," Beth looked away before trying to put on her most unbothered tone. "Maybe I should ask you the same question."
She kept her gaze on him as he looked on her questioningly before he understood.
"Where'd you hear that?" He asked.
Beth bit her tongue before blurting out, "Office gossip."
He just stared at her like he was waiting for her to say anything else.
"It doesn't matter who said it."
"Who-"
"Antonio," she said at the same time Rio asked her the question, not liking his insistence and not sure why she was offering him the information. Not that it was a secret. But Rio'd somehow use this against her.
"That what he told you?"
"That's what I just said." She said. "Was he lying?" Her fingers fidgeted and she fisted her hands, commanding them to stop.
Rio shook his head slowly and she took it as a confirmation. Please step away from me, she thought. Please, I… Can't.
"It's nothing," He said, mumbling something under his breathe.
Like she cared either way. "Yeah well, maybe I'll see her at the annual party." She said, spikes in her mouth.
He laughed, looked down. "That ain't happening."
A knot twisted in her and she couldn't keep her eyes on him when his face opened up like that. Her fingers twitched with the impulse to rub the tightness in her neck loose.
He shook his head. "I didn't come here to talk about her."
"No? Cause we can talk about your dates some more-" She searched his face as he stopped making eye contact. She was acting like a ridiculous teenager with a crush, but she didn't care.
"I ain't dating her." He said curtly.
She met his eyes until she couldn't anymore, warmth and lightness feeling her stomach, adamant not to reveal it. "Fine."
It was a little easier to breathe. She was relieved. She loathed it, but she was relieved.
"You care?"
"Who, me?"
He just looked at her quietly, squinting his eyes.
"As much as you care." She said when she realized he was waiting for an answer. She met his eyes until she no longer could and she looked away.
He didn't say anything still and reluctantly she met his narrowed eyes. As she kept her eyes on him his features changed, growing less tense as he looked her up and down.
"What?" She asked, her patience run out.
He didn't respond, his eyes focusing on her face.
"What do you want?"
"Huh?" He blinked and shook his head quickly as if waking up from a daze.
"What's wrong with you?" She tugged at his left hand to pull it down. He let her, taking her hand in his easily, and stepped closer, and it was like stepping into a favorite dress that she hadn't worn in months. To her horror, she whined a little at the touch of his fingers, at the keen hunger that set in. She looked away and felt her cheeks flush. She tried to loosen her hand from his grasp and when she met resistance her eyes returned to his face.
"I can't wait anymore." He said and his eyes moved to her mouth. She had time to take a short breathe before she met him half way, before his lips covered hers and his body meshed with hers. She let him take the lead before she gave in and kissed him back. As she did he moaned into her mouth and her free hand went to his hair and the back of his neck. She let the kiss sooth her first, from the sniping and jealousy, let the warmth of it caress her skin. How much she'd wanted him, only fully realized when he'd been gone.
He stopped, pulled away from her, his eyes looking away but his face unmoved. Did he have second thoughts? Why-
"Come back here," she whispered, and without another thought she got on her tip toes and kissed him.
His lips slid over hers and she shamelessly moaned into his mouth, pushing against him and pressing his neck to her with her palm. If he wouldn't respond she'd – well, she'd deal with it, and it took her a few seconds to realize he was kissing her back with renewed passion.
"Did you miss me?" He asked, his voice deep. He kissed her again and mumbled, "Huh?"
She groaned at him, pulling her hands back. "So much," she said, a little taken aback at her confession, but in the moment bliss won out. Her heart wanted to jump out towards him and it terrified her. Touching him, tasting his lips – this she could do.
"Did you miss me?" She murmured into his lips, brought her hands to his face and gently pushed him back, needing to hear his answer.
"Aw, baby. Hell yeah." His lips returned to hers and he took one of her hands back in his.
The kiss deepened and she wasn't sure who'd done that, the other not hesitating to follow. Relief washed her though she couldn't quite let go of her disbelief that his hands were on her face, and on her back, and she couldn't keep track because she was busy finding him again. After all these months they'd been apart she was finally kissing him.
So that was what he came for, she thought as she kissed him, glimpsing him with open eyes, watching his eyebrows lock in concentration with his eyes shut. She smiled. The thrill to finally have permission to explore what she'd wanted to was intoxicating.
She took a deep breathe when their kiss finally broke, her hand still scraping the sides of his head.
"I wanna get with you," he bit his lip and went on to kiss her cheek and drop small kisses down her neck.
Beth put her hand on his chest and with excruciating effort drew away from him. She'd waited months to have him stand in front of her, to scratch at his scalp, to get this close, but even if she wanted to possess every piece of him—
"I can't here," She said. "Not right now."
He arched his eyebrows, tore his eyes from her lips as he licked his and shook his head. He was breathing heavily and the draw of him was almost enough for her to forget completely that her bedroom door was open. That anyone could walk in on them, could've walked in and witnessed what they'd just done. That she didn't care and she wasn't sure what to make of that.
"No," he started before his lips drew back to hers into a hot kiss.
"We can do this." She said between short kisses. "We can do this for a minute." She covered his mouth with hers before he could get a chance to say anything else.
His hands went down her back and grabbed her hips, pulling her to him. Her palms explored his chest, scratching at him. The kisses got longer and longer and she pushed her hand against his chest to slow them down, biting down just to hear him. It opened up a door inside her to hear him growl like that and she wanted to see how far she could take it. In time, she told herself, in time, as she sucked on his bottom lip and teased out her teeth again.
But though she was getting caught up in the moment, possibly more than him, this wasn't the place. Definitely not the time. She wouldn't change her mind even though she wanted him more than she'd ever wanted any man before. When they were going to do this, it was when they'd have time. If she was going to do this after all the introspection and apprehension, there'd be no rushing. Especially since this would be what, a one time thing? Well or, a few times maybe? Maybe.
"Mom..."
The voice spilled into a sober place in her brain and again she drew aside from Rio, this time leaving further distance between them.
"Mom." Emma's voice grew closer.
"Yeah." She said in a broken voice and her hand traveled to her lips.
Rio stepped away, giving her wide berth, his eyes landing on the hand sheltering her lips.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Emma stood at the door, peeking inside. "It's time for cake." Her curious eyes honed in on Rio.
"I'll be right there, sweetie."
"Hi," Emma said with a shy smile to Rio. Rio smiled back, impressing Beth was his self control. Though he was far gone when they were interrupted, he acted like nothing had just happened.
"Hey kid. It's not your birthday is it?" He asked her. "I never wanna wait for cake on my birthday," he glanced at Beth innocently. Beth tilted her head at his teasing.
"No." At being asked a question Emma took a few steps into the room. Beth's heart tightened.
"It's my sister's. My birthday's in three months." Emma raised her head proudly.
"You'll be what, seven?" Rio mirrored her, gesturing upwards with his chin.
She shook her head. "Six."
"What's that you're holding?"
"Katherine. I built her but her but her tail broke off," Emma lifted her alligator toy. "I taped it together."
Rio crouched down and motioned for Emma to come closer. "Show me," he inspected Emma's handiwork. "Pretty good. My niece has one just like that, its tail broke off too."
"Really?" Emma moved the tail, loosening the tape. "Did she also tape it back on?"
"Nah, see this?" Rio pointed at the alligator and Emma turned the tail towards him, still holding on to the toy's head. "I drilled through it and put these two point pieces together with a piece of metal wire. I can tell your momma how I did it, she can fix yours."
"Oh," Emma said with bright eyes, then looked from Rio to Beth and back to Rio, biting her lip. "I think I'll ask my dad to fix it first."
"Sounds good," Rio let go of the alligator.
Emma looked up from it and looked Rio over like she was making a decision. "You can come to my birthday party if you want. If my dad can't fix it, you could help me."
"Cool," Rio said. "What's your name?"
"Emma," Emma smiled. "What's yours?"
Rio eyed Beth before answering her daughter. "Rio."
"That's mister," Beth said and Emma nodded. "I'll be right there."
"Hurry up. I'm hungry," Emma held the toy to her chest.
"OK."
Only once Beth nodded her daughter spun on her heels and skipped out, Beth after her, closing the door. After a second's thought she locked it. She hoped she wasn't giving Rio any ideas but she wasn't ready to have someone else walk in on them again.
"OK. Listen." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Just so- I know what this is," She started.
"Yeah?" Rio stood slowly and as he did Beth felt her nerve falter.
"Yes." She said but found that she just had enough strength to stare back at Rio's impassive eyes.
"Care to let me in on it?" Rio finally asked.
He was going to make her do this, what they both know that – she didn't know why she needed to say it. Could be for self-preservation but after what he'd just said-
"Look I know this is just- a work crush-"
"You got a crush on me?"
"No-" She said too quickly, puffing her breathe, throwing out her arm as she passed him so he stood between her and the door. "You have a crush on me. You came here."
"Want this to stop?" He stepped towards her.
She mouthed a wordless response before answering. "No."
"I mean, your kid just gave me an invite to her birthday party." He turned towards the door. "What kind of man would I be if I didn't show up?" He stopped and she wouldn't have to try hard to reach his lips now, just reach up on her toes again.
She tilted her head in surprise at his words. He was being polite. What would he want to go through all that effort for if they were just going to – hook up, like Annie'd say? Even if people in that kind of well, situation, made up their own rules, she supposed. Who knows how it worked now.
"What makes you think this is going to last three months?" The lines, almost physical lines that always formed in her chest when he was near, tightened.
He held her gaze as he lifted his thumb, pressed it under her neck and traveled lower. When it leveled just a few inches above her cleavage she instinctively took a step forward and towards him. He halted his finger's descent.
"Just a feeling." His index finger replaced his thumb and lingered.
She glanced at his hand and back to his face. "That's just-" She tried to steady her voice. "Attraction," and at the word her stomach sank uncomfortably, betraying her words.
He shook his head. "This isn't just about sex." He took his hand away.
"No?" She nudged her chin upwards, desperately needing that to be the case. All of this would then be simpler. No need to think any harder than she already was going to anyway. Just feel his fingers on her. Just find release. He had already left her. "You said you wanted to get with me," she said quietly.
He stepped closer and she retreated. If she wanted to think straight, she kept thinking, she needed a little space.
"You think I'd go through all of this just to hit it?" His features tightened and it was unclear who he was exasperated with, her or himself. "You know how hard it was to sell you to an associate after what you and your girls pulled off?"
He continued advancing as she stepped backwards. "Who in his right mind's gonna trust you? Think I'm gonna do that for anybody?" He grimaced.
His eyes chilled her but she could sense something real underneath it, something she could swear was almost vulnerable.
Her eyes widened. "When you said you wanted to get with me—" She paused as he looked at her coldly. But something else was right behind it, putting up a quiet, urgent fight to seep through.
"You moved me to another job – on purpose?" She asked. "To date me?" She forced the question out in bewilderment.
That electric charge filled her stomach again, the one that traveled to her arms when he had asked her if there was someone he should know about. She wasn't sure she believed him if only because she still struggled to read affection in his face. But then – he'd disappeared after the trip they took. Apart from those brief time she saw him for a minute interaction before she'd leave.
"Then in my head, I'm like, I can't do this." His shook his head and closed his eyes before opening them. "I couldn't worry - I needed time and I'd forget you." He took another step. "But I keep breathing you. Even when you're not there." He laughed bitterly and stopped himself, like he couldn't believe what he was saying.
The back of her legs hit her bed and she stared at him, unable to find the words to say.
"I hear you in my head." Rio pointed two fingers at his temple. "Talking to me. Asking me questions. Telling me what you think. It makes me wanna tear my hair out. But I can't make it stop," he said through gritted teeth.
Words were still not coming and she rose on her toes to kiss him and after a moment's hesitation, his hands went around her waist. Her lips softly caressed his, more gently and slowly. She heard him breathing hard, knew he echoed her own breathing.
"Hell," he said. He touched her arms, his hands traveling down, before he removed them. "You don't know where I'm from. Understand what I've been – what I go through every day. Not just inside the business."
"I want to." She grabbed his hand.
His eyes narrowed. "Yeah." He gazed downwards at her hand, slipped under his. "This is definitely just about sex." He stepped towards her and she mimicked the step. "If that's what this is about I would've been here months ago."
He took her other hand.
"I also know," He said. "It wasn't always easy for you. That it isn't. But the stuff I deal with-"
"I want to know." She said again. "I do." She took a breathe and heard the words in her throat. I do have feelings for you. They stayed trapped behind her tongue, safely caged away. "I want to know more," she repeated, not willing, not able to give more but wanting him to still understand.
Affection warmed his eyes unabashedly for the first time since he kissed her and the wrinkles in his face smoothed out. "I know. And I wanna to know too." He looked down.
She waited for him to raise his face. He didn't. "About me?" She asked him, playfulness tugging at her tone. He nodded and looked up. She smiled, and he returned it. She couldn't help but be touched by the gentle flirting from him.
"I'm telling you now, I ain't leaving." A shadow fell on his face and he dropped her hands. "What I do is who I am. I ain't changing." His eyes were hard.
She hadn't asked him and they hadn't even discussed it. But the fact he'd brought it up – how he was able to figure things out.
Beth blinked, considering his words. "All right."
"That OK with you?" He sneaked his hands in his pockets.
"I don't know. Today it is. Down the line, eventually…" She touched his cheek, unable to lie to him. "I don't know. I just know that I don't want to be without you."
This is what she could give him. A coldness squeezed her chest as she heard the final words but she couldn't hold them back. It was soon, so soon after her marriage falling apart but – it had been disintegrated for years. It didn't feel like rushing into something with Rio. It felt like walking into something she was choosing. For herself.
Rio's eyes glazed over before their lips touched again, before she got lost in him and felt him give in too. She didn't have all the answers. But she wanted to choose him. It wasn't just that she was making a choice for right now, she knew deep in her chest. What it'd look like down the line, she wasn't sure, but she'd told him the truth. She didn't want to be away from him.
He pulled back. "How do I know that you won't sell me out again? If your back is against the wall?"
She stepped away because her instinct was to mumble something and kiss him. Maybe for a moment or two he'd even let her. But he needed this. It'd take steps to get that trust back. To rebuild something that never was completely there.
"Because I made a mistake and I didn't know you. I wouldn't do that again."
That wasn't the whole story though was it?
"I was angry. Scared," she admitted, painfully. "Between me and you it had to be you. But maybe there's another option." She couldn't say it though. He couldn't make her. She had to leave something unsaid.
He searched her eyes as if trying to find something. Finally he nodded and took her hand, lowering his eyes to it.
"Why were you worried about me?" Her fingers caressed the back of his hand.
"Huh?"
"I'm doing some of the safer jobs," She shook her head.
She may have been in the business too, but she was kept away from the violence for the most part. It was a risk but it wasn't the same.
"Think I don't know it's a matter of time before you go looking for a promotion?" He brought his face closer to hers. "Maybe think you could start your own thing?"
Beth opened her mouth, thought better of it and nodded noncommittally. "You think I can't take care of myself?" She turned to question to him.
"How's that leg?"
She tried to yank her hand away and a few inches in he grabbed it and pulled it back. "There's some mistakes you can't do. Not with four kids," he said.
"And you can?"
His face hardened. Certainly he had been in the business much longer than her. With that he had the kind of experience and protection that would make it easier to navigate what she was still figuring out. But he was still putting himself at risk.
"I just meant-" She said, realizing with more clarity she would be worried about him. Of course she would. But that wasn't the point.
"I know what you meant," he said, and kissed her. She lost herself in it, before stopping.
"I need to have something," she said, his hands still in hers. "I need to have something of my own."
Rio made a sound in the back of his throat.
"It's not to compete with you," necessarily, she added to herself, because it would depend what she'd do.
"It's my money," Rio said, harshness underlying his tone.
That's what he'd told her when he'd sat in front of her in that cafe, wasn't it? Even the washed money. All that time ago.
"Not if it's my business." She said.
"How is it yours if it's my money?"
He really could be exhausting.
"You'll have to trust me," she ventured. Her bottom line wasn't going to change.
Rio looked down, considering.
This wasn't something she was going to back down on. Not again. After all this time, she needed something just for herself.
"I'm not – accepting anything less," anymore. "I need to have something that's mine."
Rio paused for a moment before nodding once, twice. "OK."
"OK?" Beth said cautiously, unsure if she believed him, but wanting to.
Rio nodded. "Yeah. We'll figure something out."
Beth rolled her shoulders back. There was more to this discussion but she could see enough that he was taking her seriously. She put her head against his shoulders. "Why do I think it's going to be as hard for you to quit the business as me having my own thing?"
He stiffened and Beth's hand went to his arm as she looked up. His eyes softened at hers.
"Told you I ain't quitting," Rio said rubbing her back.
"And I am having my own business," Beth said.
Rio huffed a laugh, and Beth felt his body relax as hers did. She didn't really mean it, the point of him leaving. Not really. Not until she considered for more than a moment what it meant to worry about him. She couldn't think of it now, she reminded herself.
One thing still bothered her.
"I need you to know something. I don't want to share." She met his eyes.
"Aw, baby. You saying you wanna go steady?" He asked.
The expression on her face didn't waver, willing to entertain his playfulness but wanting to draw a firm line in the sand. "Yes."
"Done," he said, leaning down and kissing her. "That goes for you too mama." He said as he kissed her. It reminded her of their kiss on the boat, somehow resonating both slower and quicker than the demand behind it.
They broke apart.
"I tried to forget you too." She took his hand. He pulled her to him.
"How'd that work out?" He asked as his hands went around her waist and Beth squirmed a little before giving in.
She laughed softly, refusing to meet his eyes. At first she didn't think he'd wanted her. Truth was she probably needed that time too. She didn't answer his question but returned her gaze to him and let a deep breathe, hoping her eyes answered for her. If she could find the words to name her thoughts, she'd probably say something ludicrous that she could never find the courage to say aloud. "I don't know if I'd have been able to forget you," She thought. The intensity of it scared her, refusing to form in her mouth, the words slipping back. She leaned back and felt his hold tighten.
"I need to know something." She reached her hands and tentatively tugged him by his shirt lapels. "What's your name? What's your real name?"
"It is Rio." He said in a raspy voice. "I'll tell you the story sometime." A smile crept to his lips. His reticence annoyed her, how he seemed to enjoy holding back but now she could be comforted she'd get there.
"And your last name?"
"I'll tell you," He said. "Not now. But I'll tell you."
It wasn't anything close to a satisfying answer but she understood. She was willing to wait. His lips descended on hers and it was a sweet kiss, one of beginning, filled with promise. Her hands returned to his face and his caressed her cheeks before both their fingers started moving lower, searching, and tugging at each other, growing urgent.
"Mom," Emma called out again, stretching the 'o', knocking impatiently on the door.
Rio smiled at Beth with understanding as she rushed to the door and unlocked it.
"Yes, sweetie, I know. Cake." She said as she swung the door open.
"Come on," Emma was already on her way down the hallway.
"Know what you want for your birthday yet?" Rio called after her, catching up.
"Dunno." Emma slowed her steps. "I didn't decide yet."
"What do you like?"
"I dunno. Puzzles. Lego."
"Castles or cars?"
"I like both. I like planes too."
Rio continued, impressively succeeding in distracting Emma from the promise of banana cream pie. Beth watched them, Rio's head looking down and Emma occasionally lifting hers up from her toy to answer or listen. Her heart softened. It wasn't the first time she'd seen him with kids but- what would it feel like to see him with his nieces and nephews? He looked so at ease, so relaxed.
As Rio and Emma made their way to the hallway Lee, one of Emma's classmates, ran up to her. "Emma, you gotta see this!"
As if on cue the two hurried down the hallways.
"Come on, mom!" Emma shouted out before disappearing into the back yard. "Bye Mr. Rio!" She took two more steps before turning her head again. "Thank you!"
Pleased her daughter remembered her manners, Beth smiled as she and Rio slowed their steps. Angling her body to him she was surprised to find him grinning as well. They stood together, as if appraising each other before Rio retreated, breaking eye contact and stepping towards the front door still left ajar.
"Rio." Beth called.
He stopped, turned his head and then his body towards her. Like that afternoon at the warehouse. The same inquisitive look.
"Do you want some cake?" She made the choice willingly, without regret.
Rio's eyes brightened as he stepped towards her.
"You're not-" She made a hissing sound, sucking air before going on. "I can't introduce you as someone I'm with." She'd later be embarrassed at how she felt when she said the words, the thrill that made her feel she was floating. Is that what it could feel like, she'd ask herself. "Not yet," The air around them bristled and soothed her skin.
"I'm an old friend?" Playfulness tickled his voice.
Shaking her head at the memory of the question, she looked away before leaning her upper body towards him. Dean would remember him. "You're a friend. I met you at the house. At my son's birthday party. Turns out your nephews and nieces play at the same park my kids do," she said with a lowered voice.
Rio laughed, sweeping the space around them before hooking his fingers in her hand. Despite herself she expected that a stupid smile was plastered on her face. She welcomed it.
"Cool," he said.
His hand fit comfortably in hers and they both leaned forward towards each other, only their hands touching. Beth stilled in the moment, wishing it to last. The last moment she'd felt that kind of stillness, peace with him, was that last night they spent in her bed on the boat. She had thought she'd tasted something she couldn't ever savor again as she lied under the blanket, pulled tightly against him. But this time she'd stepped into it herself. At the meaning of it a surge threw its veins down her arms and it was just about enough to press her to yank her hands from his. Breathing through it, she held on.
Finally she raised her face to his, surprised to see he was looking down on their hands. Is this what it could feel like, she wondered again.
"What?" He asked.
Beth shook her head. "Nothing." After hesitating a moment she added, "I'm glad you came today."
She couldn't help the smile that stretched her lips and found Rio mirroring it. They turned and started towards the back yard.
"What made you come here? Today?" She studied his face.
"Whatcha mean?"
"I mean, what happened that you showed up now?"
"It would've happened one way or another," Rio looked out the front door and sucked in his lower lip. "Let's say I got a talking to," he finally admitted.
Beth's mouth opened slightly, guesses and questions dancing on her tongue.
"That's all you're getting. Come on," Rio walked ahead of her.
There was little chance that she was going to let it go. Who could've talked to him? But now wasn't the time. Beth joined Rio on the steps down the carpeted hallway, the door to the back yard getting larger on the horizon.
She could already see Annie and Ruby exchange apprehensive glances. Ruby playing out what came after their conversation. Still Beth had little doubt that she didn't something to do with Rio showing up, even if Ruby had her reservations. Dean's face, she couldn't help imagine, painted with questions. Kenny'd likely still remember him. Danny may even recognize him from Kenny's birthday party – he'd always surprise her when he'd bring up the smallest details of a play they'd seen months before.
None of this would be easy. But it was what she wanted. Her hand itched to reach out and hold his, but Rio's eyes, meeting hers for a moment warmly roaming her face, were enough. For now.
They crossed the threshold together.