𝕄𝕒𝕩
I was exhausted and I collapsed on the bed at home, Titan with me I think he was afraid I would disappear on him again. "Max, are you alright?" Orianna asked me. "Fine yeah just tired" she didn't sound convinced though, it wasn't the first time I had risked my life for Ryder. Hell, the last time she was with me. This time though this was about me, and I wasn't going to let this family destroy my career, I was going to watch this kid because I knew he was going to define my path as a detective. I had a feeling he was going to give me a run for my money, I never told anyone other than Klea about him and I felt like it was too soon to say something to my dad. I wanted to be sure first before I brought up things in the future right now, he was just a kid who was stuck in this mess because of his parents. Orianna sat beside me and just looked at me, "I am fine Orianna I promise" I said, "I know it is just so nice having you back. I never expected you to be this bad ass cop so fast. I knew you were always meant to be a cop and you are going to be amazing" "thanks Orianna" I said hugging her. She left my room and I was able to fall asleep I was so tired, I stayed up watching over Ryder making sure no one hurt him. I wasn't sure how long I slept but when I woke up Cassie was sitting on my bed.
"Aunt Cassie" I said, "thank you Max for everything, I am sorry that every time you babysit him something bad happens" she said, "Its okay, I am just sorry this happened, is he okay?" He will be fine he is just really scared and clingy now" "I think he needs a male in his life, someone he can bond with. Not necessarily a father but someone" "I agree, I am thinking that myself and I am going to look into it for right now I am just glad he has you" she said hugging me. I hugged her back, and she left as I followed her. Mom had food ready for me and I ate quietly, I didn't know why everyone was walking around on eggshells around me I was fine. "Mom?" I said, "yes?" Skye said, "I am fine you know" "I know baby, I just worry about you, and I always be worried" she said. She hugged me and it was so tight I couldn't breathe, "mom" I said and she let go. Dad wasn't here and I wondered if he was working without me, I thought we were supposed to be a team now. "Where is dad?" I asked, "at work, he is just doing paperwork, said he would call you if he needed you" she said. I nodded as I went upstairs to take a shower. I felt like I needed one, plus I would be seeing Aria soon she was with her dad today and would be coming to see me later.
Cassie
I knew that Max was right, I wanted Ryder to have a father figure too but the idea of dating a man it just ugh I couldn't do it. I knew asking Chase was out of the question he had enough on his plate. Max was good to him, but he was also busy, and I didn't exactly have a male best friend or anything, I could look into a nanny. I just didn't know how I felt about a male one, I mean was that even a thing, it was definitely something I needed to look into. I just didn't know where to start. I went to Chase he was the only one I trusted to help me with this, right now Ryder was at school, and I hated how he was bullied. I felt like I was the reason behind that, and I needed to fix it, I knew my big brother would help me figure this out. I knew he was in the office today, so I headed there first. "Hey squirt" he said looking up from his desk, "you know I never liked that nickname" I said, Chase laughed and I sat in front of him. "What is going on?" he asked, "I am worried about Ryder, I know he is bullied in school and its because of me being a lesbian. He has no one too look up to and I feel like I am failing him as a mom" "Cassie don't you are a great mom and Ryder is a good kid. He loves you and sure I agree on him needing a male but Cassie kids are assholes regardless, Ryder is a good kid and he will continue to be one regardless of who is mother is sleeping with" "thanks Chase but like how do I go about finding someone for him?" "Does he talk about any males in his life, I know he will always have Max and I but like a teacher or someone?" "No he hardly talks to me at all, I am always so busy I don't even know what is going on in my 5 year olds life" I said and burst into tears.
Chase came over and hugged me, right now I felt like I was a failure as a mom and I needed to fix this before he resented me even more. "That is where I come in" he said and I looked at him. I trusted Chase and I knew he would find someone to help me raise my baby and make sure he had a good life. We went to the computer and Ian was there too we pulled up many nanny profile websites, and this one stood out to me. I knew it did to Chase as well. "This one seems promising" I said, "he is clean too boss" Ian said, Chase looked at him and his name was Matt Johnson, and he was trying to become a teacher he was 23 and if I wasn't gay, I would think he was cute. He needed some work in order to pay for college and I felt like he would be the right fit for Ryder. "Call him" Chase encouraged me, I decided to do just that. I needed him for my baby, and I just hoped he was the right fit, I couldn't have this not working out. Ryder needed a male figure he could look up too and hell I needed one to help me I was so busy with work that he deserved better, I just hoped that he could protect my baby. I knew that as a psych doctor I would want to meet him first just to get a good feel and for Ryder to meet him. I set up an interview with him for tomorrow night, and I was praying all this worked out.