“Rio…”
He cut her off with a look that was both playful and serious. “Kylee. I’ve played to crowds of seventy thousand people. I think I can handle a five-year-old and a baby for a little bit.”
That made her laugh, a real one, and it felt like medicine. “Okay,” she said softly. “But if Macy convinces you to let her eat five popsicles you’re in trouble!”
He threw up a hand in mock surrender. “Noted.”
Kylee kissed Macy on the forehead, gave Kayla’s squishy little cheek a soft nuzzle, then disappeared down the hall to the sound of Macy’s giggle and Kayla’s babbling.
Rio turned to face the tiny audience in front of him.
“Alright, ladies,” he said, clapping his hands once. “What should we do?”
Macy looked at him with wide, curious eyes. “Can we play dress up? I can make you a prince.”
“A prince, huh?” He smirked. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but never that.”
She giggled. “You have to wear the crown.”
Rio leaned in close and whispered, “Only if I get the sparkly one.”
Macy shrieked with laughter and ran to her room to grab the costume box, while Kayla cooed from her bouncer, kicking her feet.
Rio knelt down in front of her, gently brushing a wisp of baby hair from her forehead. “Hey, peanut,” he murmured.
“You don’t know me yet, but… I think I’m gonna be around for a while.”
Kayla blinked slowly, then broke into a gummy smile.
“Yeah,” he whispered, his heart unexpectedly tugging. “I think I could get used to this.”
Macy returned with an armful of tiaras, boas, and glittery wands. “Okay, Prince Rio,” she said with a giggle. “Time for your royal makeover!”
He sighed dramatically. “Lead the way, Princess.”
As the sound of Macy’s laughter echoed through the house, Kylee sank deeper into the bath, tears mixing with the steam not from sadness, but from something closer to peace. For the first time in what felt like forever… someone was loving her kids, not just tolerating them. And loving her, too just as she was.
The warmth of the bath still lingered on Kylee’s skin as she stepped quietly into the living room, wrapped in one of Rio’s oversized T-shirts, her damp hair pulled into a loose bun. The house was calm. Macy had fallen asleep on the couch beside Rio, her tiny hand curled around one of his fingers. Kayla dozed peacefully in his arms, her chest rising and falling with each soft breath.
Kylee just stood there for a second, her eyes misting over. “You did that,” she said softly, her voice catching.
Rio looked up. “Hey, mama,” he whispered, careful not to wake the baby. “You feeling better?”
Kylee nodded, then walked over and sat beside him. “I haven’t had a moment like that… a quiet moment… in so long. You don’t know what that meant to me.”
Rio turned toward her, eyes steady. “You deserve peace, Kylee. Not just a bath. Real peace. Peace of mind. Safety. Love. All of it.”
She bit her bottom lip and leaned against him. “Thank you, Rio. I mean it.”
He kissed the top of her head gently. “I meant it when I said I’d protect you. I called in a favor from one of the best lawyers I know. She’s flying in tomorrow morning. You’re not gonna go through this alone.”
Kylee’s eyes widened. “Rio… you didn’t have to do all that.”
“I know I didn’t have to,” he said quietly. “But I want to. You and those kids… you’re worth fighting for.”
Her voice cracked. “Nobody’s ever done this for me.”
Rio took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Well, get used to it. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
