(Picture above is Ty)

"Up and up and out boys!", Trent 's voice echoes through the house.

Rhys lets out a long yawn. His blurry eyes cast to the finally sleeping figure of Ming Lee next to him. After the fourth time waking up for her he has decided to move her to his bed. He is still surprised Malik never woke up with her cries.

"Where is Malik?", he questions, easing himself from the bed.

After packing the pillows around Ming lee, he begins stretching his constricted joints. The mirror that hung on the back of the door reflected the brokenness inside. How his body once built with muscle now was lanky with some loose skin. Rhys felt sick to his stomach seeing himself. 

Is this how he would face his new life? In the body broken by forces he could not control. Forced to live a new life - a new Rhys.

Least he does not have to do this alone.

The door flung open with the amount of force a little six year old boy could have. Eli, dressed in Jeans and a red polo, bound up to Rhys wrapping his hands around him. A comb stuck up in the air entangled by his coils. 

Followed closely behind was J, who's only in his underclothes, holding a jar of gel. He looked apologetically at Rhys before saying,

"Sorry, Malik said to let you sleep a bit more. Eli had other ideas.".

"It's fine. Was awake anyway." Rhys replied rubbing an absent hand on his back.

"You should probably get ready. Pop's don't play on his time.".

Rhys' nods and begins ushering a reluctant Eli into the hall. He looks back at Ming lee wondering whether to bring her into the bathroom with him or ask someone, definitely not Ty, to watch her. 

Like a ghost in the shadows Malik appeared by the doorway. His body glistening with small water droplets tracing down his toned chest. Rhys is convinced that this man plays football. His hands gripping the purple colored towel tightly and Rhys can't begin to understand why he wishes that hand to disappear.

"I'll watch the baby.".

"Thanks man. Big help.".

Rhys gives one more glance at his daughter's rising chest before retrieving his towel and heading to the bathroom. Rhys begins to think that the world is playing with him as Ty is standing right outside the door.

"Can't a man get a shower in this place?".

Ty uncrosses his arms and dig daggers with the slits of his eyes. 

"You really don't remember me?".

"Am I suppose to?"

"You red headed fuck. Of course you won't remember. People like you always got selective memory."

"Look. I don't know what your problem is with me but I don't have the brain power to begin to understand. You stay in your lane and I will stay in mine.".

Ty still looks pissed but he throws his hands down and walks away. Rhys has enough things on his mind to add a vengeful Ty to it. It's clear that his brain declared whatever it was as unimportant.

Rhys washed his skin and bone until they were red with the heat. Something he greatly missed while living on the street and Hope's to not occur again. He picks at the now shoulder length hair resting on his flushed skin with a scowl. Rhys hates that he likes it. The only problem is that it reminded him too much of his uncle. 

Rhys wondered how he took it. His supposed death. Probably broke him. Rhys could admit if he heard his uncle died he would break too. The only person who has ever truly cared for him.

He dries his hair and begins searching for some product to put in it. Underneath were bottles labeled '"conditioning" , "deep treatment" and "curly and wavy hair types.". Rhys was left at a loss as to what to use. In the end he chose some gel and attempted to style it away from the seductive villain look with little avail.

When he arrived back in the room he found the most unlikely scene. Malik was seated on his bed. In his hands was the tiny sock cover foot of Ming lee. Ming Lee shifted in what Rhys' could read as happy eyes.  The large male had a small half smile on his face as Ming Lee switches her feet out of his hands.

"She likes you."

Malik snapped his head up, blinking away the embarrassment, and placed her legs down. He said nothing to Rhys but handed him an empty bottle before leaving the room.

Rhys chose not to idle on Malik's strange ways and began to get himself and Ming Lee ready for the day. It was not only a big day for Rhys but also Ming Lee too. Her first day with Mrs Wilson. Her first day without Rhys. Rhys' first day without her.

Rhys refuses to cry, damn his hormones, when they drop Ming Lee off. No matter how much Mrs Wilson tries to assure him.

"I've been taking care of babies all my life. No need to worry baby.", her smooth voice said with a smile.

Rhys gives one more look at Ming Lee before running back to the car. Trent gives a small wave at the older lady before he drove out of her driveway.

"No need to worry about your daughter Rhys, Mrs. Wilson has been taking care of babies since I was one. Besides, you got other things to be worried about.".

Trent was right. Rhys did have other things to worry about today. Like school.

"Yeah. What kind of school is it anyway?".

"Let's say it's going to be different than what you're used to.".

"How so?", Rhys questions as Eli made his home on his lap.

Jordan couldn't hold back his chuckle while Ty just groaned loudly. Trent just tapped against his steering wheel and sent a glare through the mirror. Now Rhys was concerned.

 'How different was this school', he thought.

They soon pulled up to not a highschool but an elementary school. Eli tensed in his lap seeing all the children entering the school. His hands gripped tightly to Rhys' pants and looked up at the red head with wide eyes. 

"Do you want to go inside?", he whispers.

Eli shakes his head.

"I know it's scary but it's not going to be that bad.".

Eli continues to shake his head.

"How about I walk you in.".

Eli pauses for a moment. His fingers twiddling together before he nods firmly.

"Where's his class?".

Trent reaches into the glove compartment and hands him a paper. "This should have it.".

Rhys nods. With joined hands Rhys walks Eli into the school. Every step he takes he could feel the tiny grip on his hands tighten. All Rhys could do was smile. He didn't know what else he could do to ease his worry. The only children he has ever been around were Vanya's and even then he didn't have to deal with them. 

When they arrive at the classroom door Rhys bends down to his level. "Eli, you've got this."

Eli shakes his head.

"Come on Eli. You got to work with me here.".

Eli shakes his head even harder. Tears started to fall down his cheeks.

"Hey, hey. Eli! Don't cry. Fuck. Don't cry. It's okay. Please don't cry.".

"No leave!".

Rhys was stunned silent. He couldn't believe that Eli thought he was going to abandon him. He settled his hands on the little boy's shoulders. 

"I would never leave you. Even if I do. I would always come back for you. No matter okay Eli."

"Promise?".

"I promise.".

Eli turns his head towards the door and then back at Rhys. A smile came to his soaked face before he opened the door. He didn't leave Rhys time for a goodbye when he slammed the door.

"He got over that real fucking quick. Hurting my feelings."