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Rio and the girls
Since the birth of her first child, Beth had instituted a ritual she was particularly fond of... the bedtime story, or rather the lullaby she used to sing her children to sleep. She'd done it with Annie, and even with her own mother, their roles reversed when she was ill.
Even when she was ill, her children would come to her bed and she'd sing them that famous lullaby, which helped them fall asleep even faster than the sandman could, and in the process, her too.
Of course, as they grew older, the two big boys were no longer in favor of this ritual, exclaiming that they were old enough not to need it, which was the case. But when they were feeling down, they would secretly call for their mom and her gentle voice, whispering comforting words that soothed them.
Fortunately for Beth, her two little girls always begged for that special moment, in addition to the bedtime story, much to their mother's delight.
Despite her new life as town boss and criminal, Beth continued to provide this special care to Jane and Emma. And even when she came home later, the two little girls already asleep, Beth would sneak into their room, sit on the rocking chair in the corner of the room, and start humming that tune the whole family knew by heart.
Despite their father's presence before their divorce, the children had never asked him for this moment. Only their mother had that privilege. And when it was his turn to take them home, Jane and Emma made him call Beth to sing their favorite song over the phone.
This lullaby reminded her that no matter how badly her marriage had failed, and no matter what choices she had made in life, she would never regret her children. And even if she had found a new balance between her new life and Rio, she didn't look forward to her two babies telling her that they, too, were too old for their mom to sing them a lullaby.
This was their moment, her moment. And no one but time could steal it from her.
At least, that's what she naively believed. Because someone with an unrivalled power to charm had managed to do just that.
~~~~~
Rio and Beth were relaxing quietly on the huge sofa that could accommodate the entire little blended family.
Rio was sitting on the seat, his legs stretched out. He was stroking Beth's hair as she lay on her side, her head resting on a cushion that sat on the top of his thighs. They were watching an old black-and-white movie. Well, half-watched, because in reality they were both exhausted. They had busy days with their business, and evenings with the four or five kids when Marcus was around, which wasn't the case this week.
But not wanting to look like two old people, they almost forced themselves to stay awake. But that was mainly because these days, it was the only time of day they could spend just the two of them. And it was important for them as a couple to preserve and enjoy this time together. A good two hours devoted to them alone. No kids, no work, nothing.
But as they turned off the TV and got up for bed, the two youngest children came down the stairs. Jane had her blanket pressed against her chest, and was rubbing one of her fists against her teary eyes. Emma was only there to accompany her sister.
Beth walked over to her daughters and got down to their level. "Hey, Bubba, what's going on?"
Jane melted into her mommy's arms, sobbing. "I had a nightmare."
"She thinks there are monsters in her room."
"Oh, baby. There are no monsters in your room. Or in the house, either."
Jane nodded gently. "Hm." She lifted her head and looked at Rio, who was gently stroking her hair to comfort her. "Rio, can you check?"
Beth sent her an apologetic smile, but Rio shook his head. "Sure, but I need you to come with me."
"But..."
Rio in turn stooped to the younger girl's level. "Don't worry, if there's ever a monster, I'll give him a right and left crochet demonstration and knock him out." He swung his right and left fists, making Jane and Emma laugh. "And then you'll help me."
"Could I kick him?"
The two adults kept up their laughter, so as not to wake the two older boys.
"Yep, and to finish him off, Mom will give him a kick with a broom. Shall we?"
Rio took Jane's hand, which seemed so tiny between his fingers. And the four of them headed upstairs to Jane's room.
Rio entered the room first and decided to play the clown to make Jane laugh. He advanced like a ninja, doing little tricks to turn around.
He circled the room, actively searching for any trace of a non-human being, under the amused gaze of the three girls. His first glance was under the bed. "Clear," then into the closet. "Clear." And finally he drew the curtains and peered through the window. "Clear."
Beth stroked her youngest daughter's hair. "You see, sweetie, there's nothing."
"Is it sure?"
Rio crossed his arms under his chest and feigned a pouty pout. "Didn't you see me inspecting the room?"
Jane let out a small laugh. "Yes, I did. It looked like you were doing kung fu."
"Yeah. I promise there's nothing there."
"Okay."
"You get in bed, I'll put Emma back to sleep and I'll be right there."
"No, Mama. Can Emma sleep with me tonight?" Beth let out a little sigh, but Jane looked at her with big, bright eyes. "Please, Mommy. Please."
Beth raised her finger and tapped it on the tip of her nose. "Only if Emma agrees."
Emma took her sister's hand in hers and led her toward her bed. "Okay."
Rio ruffled her hair. These two little ones were far too adorable.
The two sisters settled into the bed, which fortunately had two places. They both lay on their backs, Jane's blanket between them.
Beth, who had moved closer to the bed, leaned over and kissed each girl's forehead.
"Thank you, Rio." Jane thanked her mother's boyfriend, whom she adored.
"You're welcome, sweetie. If you need me to kick some ass, I'm here."
Jane covered her mouth, muffling her laughter behind her hand.
Emma shook her head and looked up at the heavens. "Rio?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you sing us a lullaby?"
At that moment, under the effect of this seemingly totally innocent question, an angel passed by, for very long seconds.
"Uh..." He shared a long look with Beth. He knew that lullabies were her thing, and that they were important to her. But she gave him a small smile and nodded. "Okay. I'm going to sing you a lullaby in Spanish that Rosa used to sing to me when I was little."
Rio settled into the rocking chair by the bed. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath and began to hum softly.
Beth had stepped back, toward the door, as if she didn't want to break this intimate moment. She'd said yes, of course. But deep down it had stung her a little. Normally, lullabies were her thing, their thing. Between a mother and her children.
But... Looking at him and listening to him, she could only lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, and smile. She had thought she was jealous or sad that she had to share this ritual, feeling that she had been replaced, and that her daughters no longer needed her. But the reality was that to see Rio humming in his astonishingly sweet, almost high-pitched voice as he sang; and Jane and Emma watching him in amazement, made her heart melt with tenderness and happiness. A feeling she hadn't felt in so long.
So instead of sulking, she joined him and sat on his lap, the chair tilting slightly under the extra weight. She rested her head on his collarbone, closed her eyes and let herself be lulled, too, by his melodious voice, and the words in Spanish, which, even if she didn't understand them, she found beautiful to the ear.
Later, when the children were asleep and she was lying in his arms in their bed, she asked him to teach her the song, so that next time she could accompany him.
Her ritual would become their ritual...and she was more than happy to share it. But only with him.
~~~~~
Beth and Marcus
If Beth had to choose just one activity to devote herself to in addition to her new life of crime, it would be gardening. She loved to feel the sun on her skin, as she watered her flowers from spring through to early autumn. The wind blowing the scent of the many varieties of flowers she'd planted over the course of her life onto her face. Their fragrance, each one unique, she smelled with delight.
At first, she'd taken to it out of boredom. Alone in this big house, not knowing anyone in the neighborhood, she was bored as a dead rat. And then... it was sadly the only thing that really belonged to her, her flowers. She'd learned to grow them, to care for them, to pamper them. It was, before she became a mother, the only responsibility she'd ever had. Over time, she had discovered that these little moments alone with her flowers were a real haven of peace for her.
And then she'd divorced, and her flowers were no longer her only company. She had found a new equilibrium with Rio, and the children. She no longer needed flowers to be happy. But that didn't stop her from continuing this activity she loved so much. Especially since she and Rio had moved into a big house with a very large garden, she had plenty to do, and above all a free hand. Not being much of a gardener, Rio let her do whatever she wanted in the garden, not just that of course, they were equals after all. But in any case, he didn't mind that flowers surrounded the house, creating a natural, colorful and extremely sweet-smelling barrier. He even bought her seeds so she could try adding a new variety to her "collection".
She even found, for the first time, a companion, or rather a little apprentice, who enthusiastically helped her tend the garden.
~~~~~
Marcus and Rio were playing Tekken 7, while Beth took advantage of the sunny July weather to tend to her flowers in the garden. The other 4 children were at their father's for the weekend.
Beth was whistling, her knees deep in the grass, as she watered her tulips. She wore a sky-blue floral dress with thin straps that reached just below her knees, and white sandals. She also wore a large straw hat to protect her from the sun, which was beating down hard on this Saturday afternoon.
She was so concentrated that she didn't hear the grass rustle under Marcus's little steps. "What are you doing?"
Beth turned at the sound of his voice. "Gardening."
Marcus moved closer and crouched beside her. "Can I have a look?
"Wouldn't you rather go play with Dad? She didn't mind him staying with her, but at his age, he'd probably rather be doing something else.
"Hm. But he's already just beaten me at Tekken."
Beth held back a laugh, he looked so sad at his defeat. "Okay, do you want to help me?"
His eyes widened with delight. "Can I?"
"Sure, but on one condition. You have to change your clothes, put on gloves and a cap."
Marcus jumped to his feet. "Okay, I'll go." He ran to his room to put on overalls and a cap. He thought Beth's request to wear gloves at this time was odd, but it was bound to come in handy, so he put them on.
On his way back downstairs, he walked past his father, who was preparing a tray of cold drinks. "Are you going to make a snowman?"
"No I'm going to help Beth with the gardening."
"That's sweet, pop. But I don't think you've got the right gloves. Come on." They headed outside together, Rio, his tray in hand. "Hey, mama, I think he's got the wrong equipment." Marcus showed his hands in disappointment, making Beth laugh.
"Sorry, sweetie, but you might hurt yourself with that."
"Oh." He bowed his head.
Beth rose and stroked his hair. "But, tomorrow if you want we'll go and buy you a pair of gloves, a little shovel, and even a mini watering can. Oh, and an apron too." She was as excited as he was about sharing her favorite hobby.
"Cool."
~~~~~
As promised, the next morning the three of them went to the gardening store to buy all the tools Marcus needed to help him like a real pro. The couple took the opportunity to buy back some damaged equipment, potting soil, and even new flowers, seeds, tomato and zucchini plants, and a couple of melons, strawberries and raspberries to start their vegetable garden, in addition to their fruit trees.
The three adults had just finished lunch. Well, Marcus had eaten Beth's homemade lasagne in a hurry, because she'd promised him that after eating, they'd both go and tend the flowers while Rio planted the fruit and vegetables. He'd even already put on his brand-new overalls.
"You go ahead, I'll clear away and get something to drink."
"Thanks, honey."
"Thanks, Dad."
Beth kissed Rio and put on her straw hat. Marcus retrieved his cap from the counter and hopped to the kitchen door, followed by Beth.
"Don't forget to put on sunscreen." Rio told, his head in the fridge, looking for orange for his cocktail.
"Yes, Daddy."
Rio closed the fridge, orange in hand, and looked at Beth, a big smile on his face. "I wasn't talking to you, pop."
Beth shook her head in amusement. "Oh, That's very funny. Don't forget the ice cubes, Mr. Clown." She waved at him and went out to join Marcus, who was already waiting for her by the flowers.
"Aye, aye, M'am."
Rio complied. He inserted the oranges into the juicer to extract the juice, until it filled all three glasses, then added the ice cubes, to keep it fresh for as long as possible. And as an extra, for himself and Elizabeth, he poured a pinch of bourbon. He tossed straws into each of the glasses, set them on a tray, and headed out into the garden in his turn.
He had planned to take care of the fruit and vegetable section, but seeing them both like this, he could only set the glasses down on the garden table, and sit down on one of the deckchairs on the terrace, to watch them quietly.
Marcus was so attentive to what Elizabeth was telling him, and admiring as he watched her do it. He was trying to do as she did, using his little gardening tools they'd bought him earlier. It was adorable.
More than a year ago, he could never have imagined witnessing such a scene, let alone feeling his heart swell in his chest as it is right now.
With his profession, for him having a child was already something, almost unrealistic, but to have found a woman who loved him in spite of everything, who accepted this life, and who moreover worked with him as equals, it was unhoped-for.
He and Elizabeth had come a long way, but they had managed to brave the unthinkable, they had managed to find a perfect balance. And now, together, they were starting a beautiful blended family.
He was going to make the most of moments like this. He was going to memorize them, in his head, in his heart, and cherish them for the rest of his life.
And that's why he got up, and joined his son and his partner, to help them. Because he didn't want to be just a spectator of his moments, he wanted to be part of them too. So he wouldn't be the only one with beautiful memories.