Arriving back in California was rather stressful Beth kept looking over her shoulder praying to God this man didn't just pop up as he was known to do around every corner she looked. After unloading the car and walking inside the house she was greeted by kids decorating the living room.

"Mommmm!" Could be heard running to the front door she smiled she missed her kids and apparently they did as well all a them talking a mile a minute except Kenny who was busy listening to the twins talk his ear off.

"Bethie!" I cringed at the nickname Dean had given me when we were younger, I looked over to Annie and she laughed

"Your… gasp face was priceless'l she continued to giggle and hugged me I sighed I did miss my sister.

"Where's Gustavo?" I expected him to be here

"He's doing something last minute business and shopping," Annie and Mr. Aladice had a strange relationship he's like the dad we never had and for that we were glad.

While I was being caught up on the kids, I held Jane and Emma who were curled into my side, kenny was telling me all they had been up to that was not said over our daily Skype calls. He was being moved up to a higher grade based on his test scores and he was excited.

Emma was in her school play and Danny was the stage manager strange enough to make me giggle thinking of him being a drill sergeant to the kids. Jane my new shy princess was whispering how her brother was helping her with her art project then got up to show me.

I was stunned when I saw it she was making a replica of Rio's bird tattoo on his neck fuck she still missed him they barely even talked that I'm aware of. "Look mama it looks like bird on mans neck!" exclaimed Isa face drawn together trying to get the sentence out.

"What man sweety?" There is no way she saw Rio is there!

"The pretty man that looks like Al! He had the neck painting that looked like that!" I stood there shocked it's amazing what kids notice how the fuck was I to spin this now. I looked at my kids and I saw hope in Jane'S eyes she really missed him how is that possible.

"Mommy saw her friend from years ago you guys remember him?" I saw all of them shake their heads, ok what the fuck my kids did not interact with Rio so again how the fuck!

I was getting frustrated with my line of thought I was gonna kill the bastard if I ever saw him again.

Hours later

The topic of Rio was still ongoing and apparently the little shit had indeed spent time with my kids all separately in small doses at first then heavily. He picked Jane up from school when Dean forgot and he went for Marcus and saw her on the steps waiting. He gave Kenny advise on girls and Danny on how to keep him from being bullied, my sweet shy Emma at the time apparently got a lecture from him about embracing her differences from her siblings.

I swear this time I wouldn't miss with 3 shots I was a marksman thanks to Aladice and owner several guns too fuck this I'll kill this man when I get my hands on him.

While preparing the groceries and sorting through from Christmas dinner, my phone rang

"Hello Elizabeth Marks speaking,"

"Hey Ma," I pulled the phone from my ears what the fuck again!

"Rio?" I exclaimed

"Got it in one, think it's about time we had that talk ya?" My anger returned full force

"Sure thing just let me get a flight back," I rolled my eyes

"No need I'm in the neighbourhood come outside." He wasn't serious I couldn't breathe

"Your kidding right? Did you have me fucking followed? You prick!" I was on a roll as I marched to my front door and sure enough he was parked there him leaning on the car looking everything that was sexy.

I was going to kill him, without so much as a hello I marched over and slapped him

"You moherfucking bastard!"

"Hello to you too ma."