common sense • rini/jolivia one shots

the place that you hide (2)

Nini places her son on her hip as she brushes her hair back, walking around the kitchen to get some breakfast ready.

Amelia was sitting at the kitchen table, a picture book in front of her as she waited for her mom to finish making her food.

Ricky comes into the room, dropping a kiss to his daughters head before putting his hand on his wife's hip and kissing her sweetly, "good morning."

"morning." Nini says as she passes him a cup of coffee.

Nini watches as Ricky takes a seat at the table next to their little girl, helping her with the words in the book. she smiles and hugs her son closer into her chest as she watches her husband and their daughter.

it's hard to believe that they've been in Harlows Grove for just over four years. Amelia is now four and rambunctious as ever, their son Oliver was two and definitely a mommy's boy, which Nini didn't mind. the couple still owned their general store in town, Ricky working full time there while Nini took Amelia to school and dropped Oliver off at daycare before coming to help out. they absolutely loved their lives in their small town and wouldn't trade it for anything else, despite the fact that they're so young. they're happy.

***

Carol scowls as she slides through another internet search. Dana watches from the other side of the kitchen as she drinks some tea, frowning at her wife's actions.

the last four years have been consumed with Carol and Dana trying to find their daughter. after they found the letter in her room they called the police, trying to report their daughter as a missing person. the officers informed them that their daughter went on her own free will according to her letter, that they couldn't do anything other than wait to see if she would come back or call them at least. they knew that wasn't an option since Nini had left her phone behind so they couldn't track her.

Carol was obsessed with trying to find their daughter. Dana of course wanting to know where she was but she also knew that Nini was a smart girl and could take care of herself. to say she didn't still worry and think about her every day was an understatement but she wasn't actively looking for her.

***

Lynne slams the landline down on the counter and sighs heavily, leaning against the kitchen island. Mike sighs and heads over to her, "what now?"

"they said they couldn't help me. he's not a minor anymore so i can't get any information on whether or not he's been using his insurance." she says aggravated, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose.

Mike leans down to her eyes, "Lynne, maybe it's time we stop looking for him. he clearly doesn't want us to find him."

she turns sharply to her husband, an aggravated look on her face, "he screwed up the biggest opportunity this family has ever had when he ran away. he would've been married into a rich family, we could've been living nicely by now!"

the older man crosses his arms and sighs as she leaves the room with a huff.

***

Nini is stocking shelves when a young family comes in the door. she greets them with a smile and a hello and watches as they venture around the store. her heart feels full as she watches the young father playfully tickle the baby in his arms, the young mother laughing at the baby's expression. she subconsciously finds her hand placed on her belly as she watches them, already feeling her baby fever coming on.

she brushes the thought off for a few moments as she rushes up to the register to cash them out. she smiles at the baby and complements how adorable the child is, bagging up their items and waving as they walk out the door. she doesn't even notice when Ricky slips his hands around her waist from behind.