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She lingers a few more minutes, but Rian could see her exhaustion. Even though he selfishly wants to hold on to her a little bit longer, he forces himself to walk her to her car.
Her son is still fuming, frowning at him from behind the wheel, probably cursing his ass out. Rian smiles sheepishly and waves at him.
“Ai, Dimi, stop glaring. You’ll get yourself constipated,” Margarita calls her son out.
“Ma!” The man shakes his head and then sighs rolling his eyes. “Get in the car already.”
Margarita gives him a quick hug and hops in the passenger seat. Dimi looks at her sternly. She sighs, leaning in, and kisses him on the cheek. He visibly mellows, and after a brief glance at Rian starts the car, and slowly backs out of the driveway.
Rian waves them goodbye and returns to the house where the chaos is still in full swing.
* * *
Hourslater there are even more people in his home – police, social services and the lawyer Mr. Duncan has sent him. It’s his nephew George and Rian wonders if this family simply consists of amazing people. George is his champion from the moment his feet hit the gravel of the driveway. He locks in on Rian and Bran and no one gets to come closer or utter a word to them before he vets them.
George Duncan is as charismatic and warm as his uncle. Even though Rian meets him tonight for the first time, he gets the feeling George is already heavily invested in his troubles.
George senses Rian’s unease and his reluctance to let go of Bran. He holds the little one when Ri needs to talk to police officers and other officials. It is a crazy intense night, that seems to bring them together faster than two people would in normal circumstances.
Just as the murmur of people talking seems to have become the permanent soundtrack of his house, he finds himself looking at George, showing out the last of the police officers.
Bran is sleeping in Rian’s arms. “We had a big day, didn’t we, buddy?” Rian whispers to his little boy.
George makes his way back to the living room. He seems to appreciate the sight of them and gives them another moment of quiet, “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
No matter how much Rian welcomes his courtesy, and no matter how much he would love to disintegrate on the couch with his son in his arms, he reluctantly mutters loud enough for George to hear, “I'll put him in his bed.”
His lawyer – Rian fucking hopes George is his lawyer now – bobs his head in acknowledgment. A warm smile spreads over George’s face when his eyes land on Bran.
Bless this kid for making everyone that meets him fall in love with him instantly.
“My uncle has told me so much about this notorious escape artist, that I don’t think he’ll believe me when I tell him how soundly he’s sleeping right now.”
“How is August? When can I visit him?”
“His hip replacement surgery went without complications. He’s recovering well. Rehabilitation starts next week.”
“I feel terrible for taking you away from him. What about Coco? Who is looking after her?”
“Don’t worry Rian, my fiancé is all over it. Uncle would love a visit anytime.”
Bran yawns in his sleep, stretches, then curls, babbling in his sleep about fish.
Rian huffs a laugh and murmurs, “I won't be long.”
The discussion they need to have over everything that is about to happen in the upcoming months is going to last for the rest of the night. Rian braces himself mentally. There is so damn much to figure out.
But before they rack their brains with all his legal and financial woes, he will take this one quiet moment with Bran. His son is sleeping soundly. Rian has somehow managed to feed him in between interviews with the authorities and he is now giving him a gentle bath with a wet cloth over his changing table. Bran is so tired. He is so freaking big too. Jesus, his little boy has grown so much during the few months they’ve been on the run.
Bran smiles in his sleep when the wet cloth tickles him but doesn't wake. He barely fits on the changing table, as he isn’t a baby anymore. His legs are dangling off the edge of the table.
Rian caresses his longer curls and smiles.
It’s after midnight. The first of November. His son is turning one today.
“This isn’t the ‘celebration’ you deserve my love,” Ri mutters, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “But we are free.” He sighs and leans over to kiss Bran’s forehead. It seems only yesterday this miracle child changed his entire life, jolting him out of his fearful nature and spurring him on to become the man he is today.
Rian vows to shower his son with affection and devotion for the rest of their lives.
