Even When (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 7 - you're my great escape

[a/n : WHAT IS HAPPENING? Josh and Liv on the red carpet just giving off RINI vibes.. anyway please enjoy this chapter... Title is from 'Die a Happy Man' by Thomas Rhett]

Ricky tapped his foot impatiently as he watched a herd of tourists walk through the double doors of the El Prat Airport. He had been in Barcelona for about a week now, and he thought it would be the perfect place to take Nini and Joel. It would be their first overseas adventure together and he couldn't wait to show them around. Half an hour ago Nini texted him saying that they'd landed, but they must be stuck at baggage claim. Just as he was about to call her, he heard her familiar voice.

"Looking for someone, mi cariño?" She was standing in front of him with little Joel fast asleep in her arms. Ricky was so happy to see them he could cry.

"I see you've been brushing up on your spanish." Ricky kissed her forehead and pulled her in his arms, taking extra care to not wake the sleeping child. "You look great."

"Yeah right... I spent 8 hours on a plane with a toddler, I look mediocre at best." Nini said, shaking her head.

But Ricky wasn't having any of it, he tilted her chin so that she would look at him. "You look great." She didn't say anything but it must have worked because she blushed furiously. Ricky loved that he had that effect on her, and he was planning to pamper her and treat her like a queen this whole weekend. He felt that with all the traveling and the long distance, he didn't tell her enough how lucky he was to have her.
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Once they got to Ricky's airbnb, they had to wake Joel up so he could have dinner and a bath. He was cranky at first when he woke up, but when he saw Ricky, his eyes lit up and he wanted to explore his new surroundings. Ricky decided to entertain and take care of him for the night so Nini could have some time to herself.

"How's school, buddy?" Ricky asked as he prepared some fresh berries as an after dinner snack. "Are you making friends?"

"Yeah. I have lots of friends. Miss T is a great teacher, you can meet her when you come home."

"Of course." Ricky chuckled, Nini had filled him in on Joel's little crush on the teacher.

"Daddy, do you like it here?"

"I do, bud." Ricky said plopping a strawberry into Joel's mouth.

"Mowr than you like it at home?" Joel asked with his mouth full, but his eyes told Ricky that this was a serious question.

"Of course not. There's nothing I love more than being at home with you and your mom."

"Mommy says you have to work." Joel pouted. "But why you gotta work far away, daddy?"

"Mommy's right. But it wont always be like this buddy. Right now I have to work and travel a lot, but then in two months I'll be staying in New York with you guys." Ricky held his little hand and kissed it. "Remember what I told you to do when you miss me?"

"The snow globe thing?"

Ricky nodded and smiled. He knew it wasn't enough, but he hoped Joel would feel better.

"Maybe you can get one for mommy." Joel said popping another strawberry into his mouth. "She says don't be sad, but mommy's sad sometimes, I think she missed you. But she's only sad when she thinks I'm asleep. "

Joel was perceptive for a three year old kid, be got that from Nini. Ricky's heart ached at the thought of Nini being alone and sad, and having to hide it from Joel. He felt like he always made her sad.