"You looked like you had fun.", Rhys says as Eli wraps his hands around his waist.

Eli was covered head to toe in glitter. Rhys could only internally cringe knowing that this glitter would soon be everywhere. Cringe turned to worry. His mind racing off a short pier trying to figure out if glitter can make babies sick.

'When did I become such a worry wart?' He thought gripping Eli's hand. 

Kique, who decided upon herself to accompany Rhys home, stood outside on the curb. Her wide eyes searching and then narrowing when she saw Rhys and Eli exit.

"You got a son too?", she said eyeing the small boy.

Eli eyed her back, giving the same energy that she gave him. Kique faked gasping and laughed at the boy's threatening but adorable look. 

"Sort of."

"You are unsure of everything." Kique laughed and led the trudge home.

It was almost nostalgic walking through this side of town. Living on these streets for five months was a real eye opener. For five months he watched from below. For the first time he saw what it was like to be at the bottom.

 Yet, he thinks, it could have been worse.

" You go church Rhys?"

"Never been."

An almost grinch like smile crawls to her lips. "Want to be my plus one next Sunday? We are having an after praise cookout."

"I don't know. I have Eli and Lee to think about."

"Bring them along. Hell, bring everyone."

"I don't think-"

"I'll just work my persuasion then.", she grins.

Rhys didn't notice that they arrived at the house until Kique was bounding up to the door. My eyes fell to the car parked in the driveway. 

'Looks like Trent is home.'

"Kique! Can you watch Eli for just a moment. I need to pick up Cub"

Cub rolls off his tongue like butter in a hot skillet.

"Cute!"Kique gushed, imagining the child, "Sure! But my services are never free. I'll be taking my payment by you letting me do your hair after I tackle that little glaring gnome."

Eli looked up at Rhys as if to say,  'look how she has offended me.'. Rhys just threads his hands in his bed of curls before ushering him up the steps.

~

Making his way down the street, it became abundantly clear that he stuck out like a sore thumb. It's not everyday, a tall, pale, lanky redhead walks these streets. At least the eyes were better than the ones he got back in the alley.

Especially that fuck of Officer Oscar. 

To the creak of the old wire gate, Rhys enters the yard. From the outside the sounds of banter are heard. Hearty chuckles followed by loud exasperations of cheer. Jordan's words echo through his mind as he begins slipping off his shoes.

A brisk knock on the screen door lowers the banter. Mrs Wilson opens the door. A landline firmly pressed in the knock of her neck with an empty bottle in her other hand.

"Oh Rhys, come in. The little darling just woke from her nap. " she smiled leading Rhys into the living room.

Rhys' nose crinkles. Strong scents of spice and vanilla butter swirl making him calm and strangely hungry. 

"Do sit for awhile. Not good to let the air hit her head while the sleep is still in her eye." She chimes shuffling into the kitchen continuing her banter. 

Lee was snuggled between two large pillows. The softness in her eyes fueled by a full tummy and good nap shifted towards her father. In a practiced motion he picks up his daughter. She neither squirmed nor made a fuss. She was fully content to be in her father's arms again.

"I hope you were good for Mrs Wilison. I would give you a treat but you look ready to pop."

She felt a good solid three pounds heavier since he last held her. Least he knew that she was being fed well here. As he shifted his cub in a more comfortable position he noticed a framed picture situated next to the couch. 

'Fucking hell'

~

"You squinty eyed fuck"

"Ay man. We ain't want no trouble."

The boy, who Rhys finally notices, is standing next to the fucker. He rolled his eyes and hoisted himself to his feet. Rhys was a good two inches above the two but that didn't back squinty down. 

"Then why the fuck are you here?"

The boy, who Rhys selects to call the fucked, cowers taking a step back.

"Just wanted to make sure there are no hard feelings between our teams. "

His hand was held out. A dry huff slipped from his closed lips. Two strong hands grip each other. Maybe for a bit too long as the fucked is rolling his eyes.

Rhys abruptly let's go of the hand. "Better piss on him. Mark your territory better."

Rhys pushes pass the two boys uninterested in whatever looks they gave him. Before he left, he could hear the fucked whisper.

"Dis why I don't fuck with them people." 

~

"Aww! Why is she asian?", Kique coos.

"Why does everyone keep asking that?".

"Have you looked in the mirror?" Trent jokes from inside the kitchen.

"Many times today.", Rhys' sighs as he twirled with one of the pigtails that Kique forced upon him.

Kique settles on the floor next to Rhys holding the very settled Ming. Rhys has realized how calm of a baby she is. Ming took to most people she has met. 

"Kique! Are you staying for dinner today?"

"Of course Mr Bolt!"

"We are having a guest over anyway."

The jingle of a door knob was his only warning . Rhys had to use all his will power not to run from his spot. Standing in the doorway behind Henderson was a man, no, a savage. A thin smile comes to the officer's lips. His eyes only burning into him.

"Good Evening. What's for dinner?"