I'll Always Remember You

Riley's Protectors

Ross' POV

As I held Riley, I realized how much Nicki had been right. Riley was so much like her. It was insane.

I stroked her tiny hand and rocked her back and forth. Ellington walked in and stared at me for a moment.

"Will you do anything for her?" He asked.

"Anything and everything."

"You, Riker, Ryland, and I seriously need to protect her."

"I was already planning on it."

"I just want her to grow up and feel loved."

Riley started crying and I stood up quickly.

"What do I do?" I asked Ellington.

As soon as I spoke, Riker walked in.

"Let me have her."

Riker took her from me gently and sat her on the changing table. He carefully changed her diaper, just as a father would with his child. Just that small act showed me that Riley would make it through this. If the rest of us failed, Riker would know exactly what to do.

He sang to her as he did the thing every baby hates most. She quieted up and stared at him. He smiled and picked her back up, then kissed her forehead.

"She's very attentive to be such a young baby." I marveled.

"I know. Maddie and I can hardly believe it."

"How did you know what to do?"

"I know Riley. The more time you spend with her, the more you will learn about her."

"You should let me spend more time with her."

"Trust me, I would, but she's addictive. I can't even go to sleep sometimes because I get out my phone to look at pictures of her. I think Rocky is finally going to let her sleep over. I'm worried about him being alone though.."

"I'll ask him to come crash with Amanda and I tonight."

"Thank you so much. I want Riley to still have one parent. He's depressed when Riley isn't with him. I can't let him kill himself or something crazy like that."

"I agree."

Riker's POV

Maddie fell asleep instantly. Riley had a stomach ache for most of the afternoon and had cried nonstop. Maddie was super tired from rocking her, so she conked out.

We had decided to let Riley sleep in between us. I turned over and watched her sleep peacefully. Watching a baby sleep is so relaxing.

I stroked her tiny hand and smiled. I couldn't wait to have a baby with Maddie, but I wasn't going to let Maddie have a baby until Riley got a little bit older. She would die from all the stress.

I couldn't believe the fact that I was lucky enough to be Riley's uncle. She was the sweetest baby in the world.

I was keeping my promise to Nicki. I was making sure that Riley was getting everything she needed. The realization calmed me.

I got barely any sleep that night. For starters, I was afraid of crushing Riley. I also was too obsessed at watching her sleep. She was so fragile. I was afraid that poking her would shatter her.

My sweet little Riley.