After a month of being in the city and successfully not running Into Rio Beth was starting to feel like he wasn't even here anymore. Honestly she rejoiced too early and she sometimes wondered if she was always jinxing herself.
Walking with the twins through the mall to see the Christmas decorations and Santa was like a right of passage with her kids all of them except Kenny, Emma and Danny the teens.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when Alec dragged me towards a store selling pastures boy did he have a sweet tooth this one. With Isa in my arms as she got fussy going from store to store and she hated crowds and people go figure who she got that from.
While I'm the line me and Alec started a conversation,
"So baby excited to go back home and see your big brother and sister?" He have a quick nod
"Yep, ken prowised me to build the swing," he was 3 and determined I give him that he's been begging for a swing set for a year now before he could properly form words and he still can't.
I rolled my eyes and laughed "well shouldn't mommy have a say in a swing set buddy?"
Alec made a face of disagreement "why? you won't be using it." He made a valid point
"Yes but I'm the mommy I get final say in if you can build it," he tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrow considering the statement
"I gwess so, mommy can I have a swing?" I rolled my eyes knowing this little brat was going to take a route and I'd loose in the long run. I nodded and he seemed appeased
Isabella raises her head from out of my shoulder and grabbed my face with both hands a face of displeasure
"What about me mommy?" Just like that she had manipulated the situation to her benefit knowing I can deny her the one thing she wished for Christmas now that her brother got his swing set.
"Isa a puppy is a lot of responsibility, your not old enough for that yet baby," she made a huff of scorn and her face adapted the familiar scowl of her dad's and just like that she started complaining in Spanish.
I raised my eyes to high heavens when Isabella gets like this talking to Spanish there was no stopping her when the kids started learning I had to as well to ensure they spoke it at home. The entire family did and surprisingly they excelled at the foreign language in my household.
"English young lady!" I chastised knowing that it was rude of her to fuss like this in public and raise her voice at her mother. She have her the look that left no room for disagreement.
"Lo Siento mama" she ducked her head and sniffed
"How about this baby we all sit down and then decide what kind of puppy we agree on when we go home for Christmas. It's going to be all your responsibility?"
I was given an award winning smile from my baby girl at this point Alec tugged my hand that we were next. Walking up to the counter I was greeted by the cashier with the name tag Becky.
"What do you guys want?" I asked them and Alec pointed at a strawberry cheesecake and Isa pointed at the menu a hot fudge lava cake. We placed our order and collected finding the mall cafeteria.
While digging into their sweets I noticed a familiar face that seemed to have seen me as well. As I watched Marcus approach me with his mother Rhea I was a bit lost for words.
The last time I saw Rhea she was cursing me out before Rio took me to the doctor's she didn't believe I was pregnant at the time either and said some harsh things. I admit finding out I shot your child's father might have been a shock but I couldn't help being hurt.
"Miss Elizabeth! I am happy to see you! Where have you been? Are you ok? Dad said you moved, mom did too, did you miss me?" He was running a mile a minute and I laughed when he took a breathe.
"Hi Marcus how are you baby? I'm fine I did move yes and I'm doing great?" I looked up to Rhea and she was glaring at me welp seems feelings still not cleared with time.
"Mommy I done!" Exclaimed Alec and for the first timeRhea looked at my kids and I watched her eyes-brows shoot up to her hairline and her mouth dropped open. I looked at my baby he was proud of himself Isa was looking at Marcus however, with her little brows knitted together.
"You look like my browther," then she looked to me I got up and gathered up my kids ushering them up and putting their little sweaters on. With a quick bye and hug to Marcus I was ready to go and not another word to Rhea she started walking away with two little hands on hers.
"Beth wait! What? How?" Seems she really was speechless and I was not about to explain fuck her and Rio I owed none of them an explanation. My face might have said that am she snapped her mouth shut and I walked away with my kids knowing that Rio would hear about it they tell each other everything after all.
I was glad I was flying home tomorrow I missed my other babies. We pulled out of the mall parking lot just as a black Benz slid in our spot and out walked Rio. Our eyes met before we left and I saw his surprise but I didn't wait I floored it the hell out of the mall parking lot.
I could see him standing there until our car turned the corner, I saw when Rhea and Marcus got to him until he was no longer visible. I'm so fucked now but I have continue to protect my kids, I'm not compromising with a man that didn't want my kids.
Next day:
We were all packed and ready to go for the holidays, my twins were running around headlessly excited to see their siblings. Getting everyone into the car I saw the same car pull up and out came Rio well shit here we go.
I strapped the kids in and Megan got the luggage in the back while the security guard Mike walked up to me and leaned on the van back looking at the car. Rio walked out of the car and walked up towards me.
"Elizabeth wats up ma?" He looked the same with his damn beanie he was still sexy as hell. I watched his eyes roam my face then body then back to my face, I watched him bite his lip once again and I was completely upset now.
"Rio what do you want?" Mike stepped to my side and I felt when Rio eyed him and the testosterone started pouring out. My phone rang and Mr. Aladice name flashed up on my screen, I answered and while I spoke to him Mike and Rio seemed to be having a conversation in hushed tones.
When the call ended I peeked in the car and like magic my twins were asleep, hallelujah I looked dat Rio again and sighed
"What do you want I have a flight to catch?" He looked taken back at the utter lack of anything for him.
"We need to talk ya Elizabeth." I scowled talk her wanted to talk now! Is he insane
"Are you insane? I have nothing to say to you when I wanted to talk 3 years ago you didn't care about that now I'm pass talking and honestly fuck you." I saw his jaw tense as he clenched them.
"I have a plane to catch so bye." I slid into the drivers seat and I heard him respond
"I'll be seeing you soon Mama." He looked into the car looking at the twins with an unreadable expression. I didn't think twice and pulled out the apartment complex not even looking behind to see if he was standing there with Mike.