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It's been three days since Beth and Holly got home. Dean had the kids with him so things didn't seem too difficult yet, but they'll be arriving today for a full week with their mom and Beth is already prepared for the usual mess and rush.
For the past three days, Beth has enlisted Rio's help to care for baby Holly. Ever since he'd decreed a pause on printing the funny money - claiming it was because of her advanced pregnancy, but she knew it wasn't, she knew he was suspicious of her - Beth wasn't sure what he was working on at the moment. , but the truth is, he seems dedicated to spending time with his just-born daughter. Rio still hasn't completely moved to the house next door, but he slept there these three days.
Like most newborns, Holly sleeps most of the time, waking up crying only when she's hungry or with a dirty diaper, but during the early hours she's been suffering from colic, causing Beth to barely sleep properly.
Beth looked into the living room as she kneaded a cake mix in the kitchen while keeping an eye on the cupcakes that were baking in the oven. With his help, she has already managed to get the house in order and is preparing some cakes for the return of her children.
In the living room, Rio cradles little Holly in his arms while singing a lullaby. She's not sure, but she thinks it's the same song Rosa sang in Spanish to the little girl in the hospital.
“I don't know how I'm going to get used to not seeing her in the next few days,” Rio said when he noticed Beth watching them.
"Why are you saying this?"
"Your children will be arriving soon, I'm still a stranger"
“I'm going to talk to them today and you can keep coming. And what about Marcus?”
“Yeah, he already knows he shares a sister with Jane.” Rio walked into the kitchen with the baby in his arms.
“What did you say to him?”
“I said that we met in the park during soccer practice”
“Didn't he fill you with questions? My children will. Jane and Emma are in the why phase.”
“Yes, but I dodged a few and he was satisfied anyway”
“Which questions did you dodge?” Beth asked as she put the cake in the oven along with the cupcakes that were almost done.
The sound of Holly's crying took over the environment and Rio took the opportunity to escape her questioning as well.
"I think she pooped" he said with a strange face, as if he was smelling bad.
"Yeah daddy, so it's time for you to learn how to change her diapers"
Beth walked him to Holly's room and directed him to lay her on the changing table. Holly couldn't stop crying and Rio got a little nervous. Beth bustled around to get a clean diaper, diaper rash ointment, and baby wipes.
"You still haven't taken her clothes off?" Beth looked at him and he didn't seem to know what to do "C’mon, I'm here to help" Beth touched him on the shoulder in support.
"Ok, come on, little girl..."
Gently he took off her pants and unbuttoned the bodysuit she was wearing. Then he took off the diaper and Beth taught him how to wrap it like a sealed package to throw in the trash. Rio grabbed a handful of wet wipes and carefully wiped them off. Beth handed him the diaper rash ointment and he lay still for a few seconds.
"She's your daughter, you can do it" Beth encouraged him.
Rio muttered a plea for leave and rubbed the ointment on the little girl just as Beth directed. Then she helped him put on the diaper and again picked up Holly, but she still wouldn't stop crying. So Beth sat in the armchair next to the crib and asked Rio to hand her over so she could breastfeed.
He was gone as she approached noon. Dean had texted Beth that he was going to take the kids. This time Holly slept in the stroller while her mother finished making lunch.
As soon as they arrived, their children rushed in and dropped their backpacks and shoes along the way until they reached the living room. Dean stood in the doorway and Beth could see him straining to look inside the house for Rio's slender frame.
“Would you rather go inside for a better look?” Beth asked “He's not here because the kids don't know anything yet, but they’ll soon, Dean, and you're going to have to deal with it. He’ll be there”
“Until he's gone. Until he gets tired of playing house with you, and that won't be long.” Dean spat.
“And then I'll learn to deal with it the same way I learned when you got tired too. Why do you think I need him or you for anything?”
"Apparently you need him to maintain this house and put food on the table for your kids" Dean teased.
"Actually, he's the one who needs me to keep making money and, mind you, pay me for what I do" Beth said angrily "So if you're good at logical thinking, you'll realize that without me he doesn't make money"
"Oh yes. Pay you for what you do... And what do you do? Give your pussy to him? Suck his dick?”
Beth felt her blood heat up, but she didn't want to give Dean the taste of victory.
“Yeah, that's one of the things I do too.” Beth forced a smile and closed the door in his face.
Beth huffed and checked her cell phone when she felt it vibrate on the table. There were three missed calls from Phoebe and a few messages she didn't respond to either. As much as she was enjoying a few days off, the thought of depending on Rio financially troubles her. Besides, she knows she won't be able to stay away from the whole thing for long. Just playing the role of PTA mom and housewife is no longer part of her routine.
“We need to get back to printing” Beth sent Annie and Ruby in the group message.
"Beth, it's been three days" Annie replied with emojis of a pregnant woman, a baby and a baby bottle "You must still be using a tampon postpartum"
“Annie, why do you have to say these things?” Ruby responded with an eye-rolling emoji “Besides, Homeboy finally decided to come back?”
“No, but bills keep coming, mine and yours. Expenses increased with the birth of Holly.”
“And you intend to do this hidden from him? It won't work, Beth." Annie replied.
"Besides, Homeboy helps with Holly's expenses" Ruby added.
“Yes, he helps, but I have four other children, Ruby, and I don't intend to depend on him financially. I'm not doing this. Sarah's meds are more expensive, aren't they? We all need it”
“He doesn't leave your house anymore, Beth. He is literally on your tail, how are we going to do this?”
"I don't know, maybe I'll ask him"
"Okay, but use your hands or mouth instead of your vagina" Annie replied.
Ruby responded with laughing emojis and Beth sent the emoji rolling her eyes and the conversation ended.
Beth dropped the phone on the table and sat on the couch watching her kids around the stroller. Kenny wasn't present, he went straight to the bedroom as soon as he arrived. Beth let out a long breath and thought to herself that maybe this is harder than she was thinking. Danny gave his sister one last kiss and walked away to turn on the video game. Jane and Emma continued to vie for their little sister's attention.
“Mommy, she woke up, can I hold her for a while?” Emma asked.
“Yes, but let's talk first. Go get Kenny in the bedroom.”
The four children sat next to each other on the couch facing Beth and they all had their pairs of curious eyes under their mother.
“Is it about Holly's daddy? Shall we know more about him?” Danny asked anxiously.
"He is your boyfriend?" Emma asked.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Kenny asked under the younger sister's question.
“Guys, calm down” Beth raised her hand and took a few seconds to continue “Did you guys understand why mom and dad got divorced?”
“Yes, because you want different things” Danny replied.
Beth realized that Kenny wanted to say something, but gave up.
"Yes, you're right. And as a result of that, like your dad, I am also available to meet other people. That doesn't mean I'm looking for someone, but..."
"My dad hasn't met anyone, he's alone" Kenny said.
“Okay, honey, but at some point he might meet someone nice. What I'm trying to say is that we are no longer committed to each other and it's not wrong if we get new partners."
"My dad said…" Kenny started to speak, but stopped when the other three kids looked at him intently. "Never mind." he sighed.
"Where did you meet Holly's daddy?" Jane asked "When are we going to meet him?"
“In the park” Beth said rubbing her hands together “You already know him. We work together too and he has been here before.”
“Does he also work at the card shop?” Emma questioned.
“Yes, dear,” Beth replied without hesitation.
Beth thinks to herself that she doesn't exactly need to tell the whole truth, besides, she can't say she works with a gangster. Some details may be omitted. Kenny shook his head and was remarkably agitated and impatient.
“When did he come here?” Jane asked confused.
“Don't be naive, Jane. Your friend Marcus's father is Holly's father" Kenny said angrily and left the room with firm steps going up to the bedroom "And he's a bad guy"
"Kenny, don't talk to your sister like that" Beth also got up from the couch "And come back here, I'm talking to you" he ordered, but Kenny continued up the stairs.
Kenny didn't listen to her. Beth heard the bedroom door slam and sat back down, gritting her teeth and thinking that she would be able to kill Dean right now.
"That's true? Does that mean Marcus became my brother?” Jane asked flustered “Are you dating Mr. Rio?"
“Are you going to get married?” Emma asked.
"He is bad? His tattoo is cool,” Danny said.
“You and Marcus will remain friends, Jane. Mr. Rio and I aren't dating and he's not a bad guy, Danny."
"Kenny said he is" Danny replied.
“How can you say someone is bad without knowing them?” Beth spoke. She definitely wants to kill Dean.
“Why did the stork choose you and Mr. Rio to take care of Holly if you're not married?” Jane asked innocent and confused.
"Storks don't exist, Jane" Danny said rolling his eyes "Only you still believe that".
“So how do babies get into moms' stomachs? Don't be silly, Danny” Emma defended her sister.
“Guys, this is talk for another time, right?” Beth deflected the subject “As Holly’s dad, Mr. Rio will be here more often at our house and I want you to be kind to him, ok?”
“Can Marcus come along? He needs to meet our sister, and then I can show him my room. Maybe he can stay to play football with me, and also…” Jane got up excitedly and clapped her hands.
“Yeah, we can talk about it honey” Beth took Holly out of the stroller as she started crying “How do you guys feel about this? Does anyone want to ask something?”
Emma held up her hand and Beth nodded.
“When you and Dad said you were getting divorced, Dad said you still loved each other. So you don't date Mr. Rio because you love daddy?
“Emma, this is different, honey. Your father and I have a very special affection for each other because together we have you...”
“So does that mean you now love Mr. Rio?" Danny questioned.
“You love him and he doesn't love you? Is that why you're not dating?" Jane asked.
Beth bit her lip and was feeling trapped by three kids.
“That's not the reason, Jane. We're not boyfriends because... Look, adults are a little bit complicated."
"So you two love each other?"
"I didn't say that Emma" Beth said as she cradled a crying Holly in her arms "We'll finish this conversation another day, lunch is ready, go get your brother in the room"
The children scattered around the room and Beth was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. She felt her heart racing and her legs were still shaking a little. She didn't expect a good reaction from Kenny, but she also didn't expect him to already know about Rio. Beth gritted her teeth feeling even more angry at Dean. Did he also tell his son that for years into their marriage he couldn't keep his penis in his pants while she was single-handedly caring for four children?
Beth didn't insist on talking to Kenny today.
xxx
The following week, Beth was back in the kitchen making a batch of cookies while a chicken pie was already baking. This time she was waiting for Marcus, who was coming to meet her sister. The other kids are with Dean this week.
“Pop, take it easy, don't forget what I said about being careful with her,” Rio said as soon as Beth welcomed them into the house.
“Where is my sister?” Marcus asked anxiously "Is Jane in?"
“Aren't you going to say hi to Ms. Elizabeth? Don't be rude”
“Hi, Ms. Elizabeth” Marcus hugged her around the waist and she kissed his forehead in return.
"Hey darling. You can just call me Beth” he smiled “Come on, I'll take you to your sister. Jane is at her father's house”
Beth took Marcus to the stroller and Rio followed them. The little boy smiled broadly and stroked Holly's hand, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
"She looks like a doll" Marcus said gently squeezing one of the girl's feet.
“Can you imagine that you were once this small like her?” Rio ran a hand through his son's hair and Marcus smiled.
“Can I hold her when she wakes up? I can stay seated, I promise I'll be careful"
“Of course, honey” Beth said in her sweetest voice “Can you take a look at her while I talk to your dad?” Marcus nodded.
Marcus sat next to the stroller, moving it slowly back and forth. Beth touched Rio's arm and led him into the kitchen.
“When do you intend to get back to printing?” Beth said as she poured two glasses of juice. Rio didn't say anything, just leaned his elbow on the bench and looked at her with a sideways smile.
"What's it?" Beth asked.
"It's been three days since a child came out of you, Elizabeth"
“Bills keep coming in every week”
"Are you needing something?"
“I'm not alone in this, Rio. Ruby and Annie need it too. Sara needs medicine to get her kidney to function normally and it has increased the value, so..."
"Tell Ruby not to worry, the girl will have the medicine" Rio said without hesitation.
“Fine, but that's not all, we have other expenses, we need to get paid again,” Beth insisted.
“Uhm…” Rio nodded and again smirked. “Do you guys need to get back or do you need something to give those two? Are they FBI or SS?”
Beth froze and felt her feet take root in the ground as she couldn't move. She felt ice run through her entire body and swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding so hard she suspected he could hear it even from a few steps away. For a second she felt her vision blur and felt that her legs could give out at any moment and take her to the ground.
“What did they offer you?” River continued.
"Nothing that interests me" Beth finally said as she leaned against the sink counter and looked him straight in the eye.
“And why did you accept? Don't say you didn't have a choice, because you did!" Rio said clenching his jaw.
"I can't go to jail, Rio, you can't..."
"And I can?" Rio interrupted her with a laugh “You're Holly's mother and you have her other four children. I am Holly's father and I also have a son. What makes me so different from you?”
"Look, I..."
“What do you want, Elizabeth? You can't play both sides. Pick one and take the risks”
“Taking the risks?” Beth laughed in disbelief “I have five kids, I can't take any risks. Do you realize what you just said?”
“I have children too, Elizabeth”
“You take risks because you have someone to take care of your kids if anything happens” Beth said “Do you expect me to leave my kids in Dean's hands? Or..."
“Or worse, mine?” Rio interrupted her angrily "Don't you feel a little bit of a burden on your conscience for putting your daughter's father in jail?"
"Don't say that" Beth frowned "Christopher... Although I accepted that..." Elizabeth felt her heart still racing inside her chest and let out a sigh before continuing "You know I wouldn't have the courage to go to the end".
“No, I don't know” Rio walked around the counter and approached her “You already cheated on me once. And you also had a choice”
"Help me fix this..." Beth said almost whispering and looking into his eyes "I don't want anything to happen to me... Or you"
Beth touched his chest with one hand and moved even closer. Rio clasped both hands behind his back and backed away as she approached him. Leaning against the kitchen counter, now he was cornered by her. Beth pushed the two bodies together and placed both hands on the bench around him, preventing him from leaving.
“You clean up your own mess” Rio said firmly and still using all his strength to keep both hands behind his back.
Beth nodded and made no move to walk away. Her bodies were pressed together and they were both looking into each other's eyes. Elizabeth bit her bottom lip and glanced quickly at his lips, pulling away only when she noticed Marcus approaching her.
"Ms. Beth, Holly is crying”
"She must be hungry" Beth said and brought a hand to her boobs as Marcus came back into the room.
Rio looked away and thought to himself that this time he wouldn't fall for her conversation. He cleared his throat and composed himself.
“I need a bank. You have until Friday. Use the FBI girl or wherever she is” Rio tapped Marcus on the shoulder “Say goodbye to your sister, we're leaving” Rio waited as Marcus leaned over the cart and kissed Holly on the cheek “And be ready on Sunday at noon to have lunch at my grandma's house”
Beth nodded and they left.
Elizabeth let out a long breath before holding Holly in her lap. She sat comfortably on the sofa, leaning her back on a pillow and offered her breast to the little girl. She closed her eyes and thought how could she tell Ruby and Annie that they went back to working just for him.
The three of them got together that night at Beth's house and it came as no surprise when she said that Rio had put her up against the wall and that she would give up contributing to the SS.
“I won't say I'm surprised” Ruby said “I’d expect you to move in that direction at some point, but… I mean, what are you going to say to Phoebe and Dave?”
“I think he has a plan” Beth said as she poured Annie and Ruby a shot of Bourbon “He needs a bank by Friday and asked us to use Phoebe”
“He wants to get time,” Annie deduced.
"And we're certainly not going to print again now." Ruby sighed in frustration and anguish. "Look, Beth, I understand your decision, but if we don't deliver anything to the SS, we won't get paid either way."
"He'll pay for Sara's treatment," Beth said indifferently as she navigated the TV channels with the remote.
"Excuse me? What are you saying?" Ruby asked with wide eyes.
“Beth, what did you do with Gangdaddy?” Annie asked laughing.
"Maybe you guys can just assume he's not a monster." Beth rolled her eyes.
“And what did he do to you?” Ruby asked still surprised.
"You're still going to drive me crazy" Beth dropped the remote on the couch and got up "I'll get more dessert"
As planned, the next day Beth lured Phoebe to her house and informed her that Rio had asked her to get someone to bank to store a sum of money. Elizabeth suggested that Phoebe pose as a PTA mother and be the bank Rio needs. Phoebe was excited and hopeful at the prospect of finally ending this investigation.
On Friday, Phoebe was trying to hide her nervousness as she waited for Rio to move. She kept fiddling with her cell phone, but tossed it into her bag when she saw him and Beth walk into the bank carrying a bulky bag.
Phoebe took the bag without saying anything and walked happily and smilingly to the safe where the supposed money would be stored.
“They'll come after me when they open the bag and find jewelry” Beth said.
"Yeah, say you didn't know what was in the bag and insist they continue the investigation, I already have a plan for that."
Beth nodded and they both got into the G Wagon and Beth checked her cell phone.
"It's all right?" Rio nodded at his cell phone.
"Yes, Annie said that Holly is sleeping, but if we can get home soon..."
"Why?" Rio frowned “You know, I thought I'd make a quick stop in the bar bathroom”
“Don't be ridiculous.” Beth rolled her eyes.
“So you shove your tits in my face only when you have some interest behind?” he laughed.
“I didn't shove my tits in your face. By the way, can we go? They are sore”
“Sore? Why?" Rio asked and accelerated the car.
“Because they are full, I need to breastfeed”
“Oh, and does it have to be her?” he asked with a firm hand on the steering wheel and looking away from the road to look at her.
"Do you only throw yourself at me when I do what you say?"
Rio just smirked and returned his attention to the road. He dropped her off at home and before leaving, asked her not to forget lunch at her grandma's house on Sunday.
xxx
“I’ll be arrested and then released,” Rio said as he steered the G Wagon toward his grandma's house. It was just him, Beth, and Holly in the back seat.
“How can you guarantee that you will be released? What if it doesn't work?" Beth asked not understanding.
“Why are you so worried? Until the other day you were working for it”
“Can we just forget about it and move on?”
"Yeah, so don't ask too many questions"
“I wouldn't if you let me know everything that's going to happen and how it's going to happen” Beth snapped.
“You're smart, Elizabeth, you'll find out for yourself.” Rio tapped his fingers on the steering wheel absently. “And after that we can do whatever we want. That's what you need to do to make sure they're against me."
Elizabeth gave up arguing and just nodded. Rio parked the Mercedes next to Rosa's house and took the car seat out of the backseat. They both walked side by side along the side of the house until they reached the backyard party space. Beth felt her palms sweat as they approached. There were children running around, groups of people divided into different tables and a festive and pleasant atmosphere.
“Is Mick part of your family?” Beth asked in a low voice when she saw him talking to other people she assumed were familiar from Rio.
"It's like" Rio greeted him from afar with a wave and he approached along with Rosa.
“Mick, have you met my little girl yet?” Rosa asked smiling and with her arm linked to Mick's.
“It's the first time I've seen her, I was looking forward to it. Could you imagine that one day he would father a little girl?” Mick smiled and extended his hand to Beth “How are you? You look better than the last time we saw each other” he said amiably.
"I’m good" Beth smiled and squeezed his hand. She doesn't remember ever seeing him smile "I never got a chance to thank you for your help"
“You don't have to.” Mick returned the handshake and greeted Rio, approaching the stroller Holly was sleeping in.
“So this is the famous Elizabeth?” said a voice still unknown to her. Beth just kept smiling and, from the physical resemblance, concluded that it must be Rio's brother or some very close relative “Nice to meet you, I'm Nick”.
“Famous? And… just Beth, please” Beth laughed and greeted him with a handshake. “My pleasure”.
"Alright... Elizabeth" he replied looking into her eyes, making her a little embarrassed "I'm your boyfriend's brother"
“Cousin” Rio corrected him
"My boyfriend?" Beth smiled nervously "We're not, we just work together."
"Yes, I understand." Nick looked at little Holly.
“Nick occupies one of the seats as councilor in City Hall” Rio added and realized that Beth understood what he meant. It would be Nick who would get him out of jail.
“Ok, but today is not the day to talk about business, huh?” Rosa interrupted and held out her hand to Beth "Do you mind helping me get some things from the kitchen?"
“No, of course not.” Beth smiled and took off her pink bag with Holly's things inside, placing it on Rio's shoulders. “Show your friends that you're a good father. Only call me if she needs to breastfeed.”
“You're the boss, mom” Rio said without hesitation and Beth soon disappeared arm in arm with his grandmother.
"It's been like this lately, huh?" Mick said as he escorted Rio to one of the free tables. Nick had already walked away.
"Like this?"
"She running and you doing" Mick chuckled.
“Nah. Let her think she's boss"
“She is, you know it's true” Mick sat up and looked at Holly inside the baby stroller “You guys should stop acting like two idiots. Don't let her know I said that, but she's good, she's smart, she's insightful and she's brave, you guys work together."
“Then tell her that. She was the one who was setting up the SS against me until last week.”
“She came back, didn't she? Don't let her go again” Mick advised.
“Yeah, she came back until pressed again. Until the next deal”
Rio rocked the stroller when he noticed Holly woke up. Despite waking up, she didn't cry, she just looked around her new surroundings. Rio smiled at the girl and caught Mick's attention.
“Come see, she woke up”
Mick came around the table and stood in front of the stroller, he smiled at the little girl and touched her little hand with his index finger. Holly looked at him curiously and shifted her large brown eyes between the two men in front of her.
“Do you want to hold her?” Rio asked and Mick nodded.
With the girl in his arms, Mick rocked her gently as he talked to her. Holly is so tiny that she practically disappeared in the arms of the big Mick.
“She looks like you, doesn't she? How can she be so pretty if you're ugly as fuck?” Mick laughed and Rio punched his arm weakly.
“That's what you all say, but it looks like her too” Rio approached his friend and looked at his daughter in his arms “See her forehead between her eyebrows” Rio observed “When she cries and frowns she looks just like Elizabeth when she is angry. Her mouth is the same too”
“You know her angry face well”
"She's always pissed at me" Rio shrugged.
“You kind of deserve it” they both laughed “How do you feel?” Mick asked as he ran his finger over Holly's brow and then across her cheek.
“This whole shit messed the fuck up with me, man” Rio said with a sigh “You know, I haven't lived with Marcus this time so it's all new”
“I know, we all get it. Does that mean you're going to become a family man?”
“Nah, but I'll manage my time better, I don't want her to have to deal with all this alone. I mean, she has four more, so…”
“Are you guys doing this together? I mean together? Like a couple?”
“I don't trust her and she doesn't trust me. It has no way of this working"
Mick shook his head in the negative and didn't say anything else.
Since he arrived, Beth has helped Rosa carry the desserts and dishes that were missing for lunch to the backyard. Rosa took the opportunity to introduce her to the other people in the family and by that time she was already in tune with everyone. Beth asked for Marcus as she missed him, but he was with Rhea.
Beth was now in the living room with Rosa. She approached a bookshelf filled with photos, books, and a few trophies and medals.
“Champion, huh?” Beth said smiling and passing her hand on a gold medal "Why did he quit the sport?"
“He still has the boxing gym” Rosa said and Beth just nodded “That was his mother” Rosa pointed to a photograph where a very beautiful young woman was holding a little boy in her arms.
"Where is she?"
“No one knows” Rosa shrugged her shoulders “She's gone with another man. Rio has stayed with me ever since.”
“And his father?” Beth asked curiously.
“They both stayed with me. Paolo was my son, he died early. Rio was 21 when he gone. You know, he had to take over… the whole thing too soon.”
“I'm sorry” Beth held up the portrait of Rio and Marcus where Rio was sitting behind his son as he hugged him “He's a good father isn't he?
"He's become a good father," Rose replied and Beth shook her head, putting the portrait back in place.
“Has he ever… Thought about working with something else? I mean, your family is so big, there are so many that could… You know, and he already has so much money, he can work whatever he wants.”
"Yes, once" Rosa took Beth's hand and they both sat on the couch "Sit here, I'll tell you".
Rosa arrived home from the groceries store and was startled when she thought she saw a figure passing through the living room. She slowly opened the silverware drawer and held out the biggest knife she could find. She felt her heart thudding in her chest and swallowed before walking slowly into the living room.
Rosa breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was Rio sitting on the couch. She lowered the knife and returned to the kitchen.
"Shouldn't you be in Canada?"
"I didn’t go. I won’t go. Not gonna do this shit anymore” Rio said frustrated and Rosa walked back into the room when she thought she heard he was crying.
"What are you saying?" she asked confused and sitting next to him, running her hand over his face “Are you crying? The last time you cried was when your father died" Rosa said worriedly "What's going on?"
“Diego can do what I do, grandma, I just can't anymore…” Rio shook his head in the negative sign and wiped his face a little embarrassed.
"Your cousin's daughter was just born, don't think he's going to take on something big now" Rosa approached and looked deep into her grandson's eyes "Are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Yeah, I'm going to be a dad again too"
"What?" Rosa asked confused, but he didn't say anything, she just hugged him and let him lean his head on her shoulder “Rhea? Again, Christopher?”
"No. It's not her.” Rio wiped his face again and pulled himself together.
“But why are you crying, dear?” Rosa looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“I don't know, I think I'm an idiot” now he laughed and stood up with both hands on his hips “It's a girl, I just got back from the appointment. I mean, I have Marcus and I love him more than anything, but why does this feel so different now?”
"Because she will be your little girl" Rosa smiled and pulled him by the hand so that he could sit down again "Because you didn't participate in Marcus' growth from the beginning and you are afraid of making a mistake, of disappointing her" Rosa said caressing his hands. “Or maybe this isn’t just about your daughter, maybe you also care about her mother to the point that you no longer want to take the risk of living the life you lead”
"I'm not in love with anyone, grandma"
“I didn't say that” Rosa smiled as if she understood everything and hugged him tight “You're going to be a father! Congrats!"
"My two girls are also more attached to Dean" Beth said as she wipes the tears from her face "And… He loves all kids equally, of course, but it's different with girls."
"It's not just about Holly, Beth" Rosa said taking her hand.
Beth just nodded and tried to stop crying. They both got up from the couch and again Beth approached the shelf of photos, holding a small portrait of a baby resembling her daughter.
“Can I have this photo?”