Rio sits at her desk in the hospital's nurse station, her normally pristine white uniform wrinkled from running her hands through it anxiously. Her hazel brown eyes stare unseeing at her phone, Miles's brief message playing over and over in her mind. "Mijo... what are you getting yourself into?" She whispers, her Puerto Rican accent thickening with worry as she braids and unbraids her dark hair - a nervous habit. Her huge breasts rise and fall with a heavy sigh as she leans back in her chair, the fluorescent lights highlighting the exhaustion on her face. "First Jeff disappearing for days, now Miles..." She absently adjusts her name badge, her toned figure tense with stress. "¡Dios mío! Why won't either of them just talk to me?" A knock at her office door startles her, and she quickly puts on her professional smile - the one she's perfected over years of keeping her personal life separate from work. But her usually bright energy feels forced today. "Everything's fine," she mutters to herself in Spanish, smoothing down her uniform over her curves. "Just keep smiling, Rio. Keep being strong for everyone else..." Her fingers hover over her phone, tempted to call Miles again, but she stops herself. Her wedding ring catches the light as she pulls her hand back, a reminder of all the complications in her life.

Her head snaps up at the sound of Dr. Davis's voice, her smile automatically lighting up as she motions for him to come in. "Hey there, Doctor! I'm...I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind lately." She gestures towards one of the guest chairs opposite her desk. "How about you? Everything alright?" Her heart skips a beat as he crosses the room; even after all these years together, she can't help but find him impossibly handsome with his dark hair and piercing blue eyes.

"I'm sorry," she says softly, reaching across the desk to place a comforting hand on his arm. "It's just been one thing after another lately...with Miles and now Jeff being gone for days." Her gaze drops as her thumb traces light circles over the rough fabric of his jacket. "I know I should be strong, but sometimes it's hard...and I just wish they would talk to me about what's really going on." There's a pause before she looks back up at him, hopeful that he understands how much she needs him to support her right now.

"I know," Rio whispers, looking down at her hands folded on the desk. "It's just...it hurts when they don't confide in me. I want to help them, Jefferson and Miles both. They don't realize how much this family means to me..." She takes a shaky breath before looking back up at him. "But you're right. I need to be strong for all of us."

A hint of a smile plays on her lips as she adds, "Besides, there's someone else I could use some support from too...if they ever decide to give me a chance..." Her gaze drops again, this time darting away as she chews nervously on her bottom lip.

"Anyway," she continues, trying to change the subject, "how can I help you today? Is there anything specific you wanted to talk about?"

"Really?" Rio says, surprise coloring her voice as she looks up at him. "But I don't want to take advantage..." Her cheeks flush slightly beneath her dark skin, and she swallows hard, suddenly conscious of how close they are. She can feel the warmth coming off his body; it makes her wish they were somewhere else right now - somewhere more intimate... "If you're sure," she says softly, "I would really appreciate that." Her thumb gently rubs circles over the back of his hand. "Maybe we could go for a walk or something?" She bites her lip, trying to keep from sounding too hopeful. "Just as friends...of course..."

There's an awkward silence before she finally looks away again, busying herself with straightening some papers on her desk. It takes every ounce of self-control not to stare at him while they wait for their shift to end and the possibility of spending time alone together becomes more real.

Her heart skips a beat as he takes her wedding ring, and she can't help but feel the weight of it lifted off her fingers. A shiver runs down her spine at his words; this is so unlike Jefferson to speak so intimately, almost romantically...it makes her knees weak with desire. "T-thank you," she manages to whisper before clearing her throat and forcing a steady breath.

When he finally moves away from her desk, she's grateful for the space but feels a pang of loss at his touch already. Her mind races with the possibilities of what they could do together; the thought of being alone with him fills her with nervous anticipation. "So," she says hesitantly, trying to sound casual, "what did you have in mind for this walk?"

As they wait for their shift to end, Rio watches him out of the corner of her eye, wondering what he's thinking and if there's more than friendship between them...and hoping that maybe, just maybe, she could find some true happiness amidst all the chaos in her life.

Her heart skips a beat at the thought of going to his home; it feels like a mix of excitement and nervousness, but she can't deny the desire growing inside her. "I...I don't know," she says slowly, biting her bottom lip as she thinks about it. "I haven't had alcohol in so long...but maybe just a little?" She looks up at him, hopeful that he won't judge her for wanting to break out of her usual routine. "And if Miles or Jefferson calls?" she asks worriedly, glancing back at her phone before quickly pushing it aside. "They might need me."

Her heart races at his words; they're almost a command, and yet there's an undertone of tenderness that makes her want to obey him without question. A shiver runs down her spine as she takes in his intense gaze. She swallows hard, then nods slowly, releasing a quiet breath as he turns off her phone with a button click. "Okay," she whispers, taking back her hand and placing it on his forearm. "I'll go with you." Her words sound almost dreamlike; they fall out of her mouth like leaves drifting down from a tree branch in the autumn breeze. But there's determination in her eyes now - a quiet strength that comes from finally embracing something more than just being the responsible one, the strong one, the mother figure for everyone else.

For once, she allows herself to think about what she wants and need; and as they make their way out of the hospital, arm in arm, she can't help but feel a sense of freedom wash over her, leaving her giddy with anticipation for whatever might come next.

As they walk to his car, she can't help but feel a lightness in her step. She laughs at his jokes, their shoulders brushing together with each motion. Rio wonders how it's possible for him to make her feel so comfortable and wanted; she hasn't experienced anything like this before, not even when they first started dating years ago.

"So," she says, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation, "what exactly do you keep in this mysterious wine cellar?" Her voice comes out teasing, but there's an undertone of curiosity and excitement that makes her heart race. She glances at him from the corner of her eye as they approach the car, a grin playing on her lips.

The drive to his house is short, yet it feels like an eternity for Rio; every minute spent in the car with him feels like an escape from reality, a chance to forget about everything else and just focus on how good it feels to be close to him again. When he finally parks and turns off the engine, she takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she waits for him to turn toward her, his dark eyes meeting hers once more over the center console.

The anticipation is almost unbearable; all she can think about now is what might happen next between them...and how amazing it would feel if they could finally find some happiness together.

Rio nods eagerly, her heart racing at the thought of relaxing on his cozy couch with a glass of wine. As he walks away to retrieve it from his cellar, she takes in their surroundings; the house feels warm and inviting, much different from the sterile hospital where she spends most of her time these days. She wonders what Jefferson would say if he knew they were here like this...but then shakes off the thought. For now, it's just her and Dr. Davis - or rather, Miles's father, the man who has always made her heart flutter with his kindness and care.

Finally, he emerges from the cellar, carrying a bottle of red wine and two glasses. "To us," he says softly as they clink their glasses together before taking a sip. The rich flavor explodes on her tongue, sending shivers down her spine; it's been so long since she's tasted anything this good, and she savors every drop, closing her eyes as the alcohol begins to spread warmth through her body.

As they sit together on his couch, she finds herself leaning into him, their shoulders pressed together once more. It feels right - it feels natural; like where she's always belonged. The weight of everything else fades away in the background, replaced by a sense of contentment and peace that she hasn't experienced in years...and she knows without a doubt that this is what happiness with him would feel like.

Her eyes widen in surprise as he tells her about the offer, then she smiles proudly at him. "You should've sold it to me instead," she teases, taking another sip of wine. "I bet I could afford it now." The alcohol is starting to make her feel more confident, bolder; it's like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

She glances up at him from beneath her lashes, then leans in closer, running her fingers lightly along his forearm. "What do you think happened with Miles?" she whispers, not sure if she wants to know the answer but needing to ask someone, anyone...and hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'll give her some kind of closure.

"Okay," she whispers, then nods, forcing a smile. "Whatever you want." She takes another sip of wine, then looks up at him from beneath her lashes again, studying his face. There's something different about him today...more open, more affectionate than usual. Could it be that he feels the same way she does? That perhaps there's a chance for them to find happiness together after all? The thought fills her with hope and makes her heart race even faster.

She leans in closer still, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "Dr. Davis..." -she hesitates over his title, then drops it, feeling brave- "...Miles's father...what would you do if we could start fresh?" She meets his eyes now, searching for some sign of understanding or agreement in his gaze.

Her heart skips a beat at his words; they're lighthearted and playful, a welcome change from the heaviness of their previous conversation. She smiles shyly up at him as he pulls out food and a blindfold from the kitchen, feeling relieved that he doesn't want to discuss her family issues further...for now, at least.

Her fingers itch with anticipation as she watches him tie the blindfold around his eyes. "You're on the count of three," he teases, standing close enough for their bodies to brush against each other. As they start the game, laughing and guessing together, Rio feels a weight lift from her shoulders; it's like they're able to forget about everything else for these precious moments, existing in a little bubble of happiness and fun.

The more they play, the more comfortable she grows with the idea of being around him again...of maybe having him in her life not just as Miles's father, but as something more. As she watches his hands move expertly over the food, guiding it to his lips without needing to see it first, she can't help but feel a pang of longing deep within her, wishing that this moment could last forever...that perhaps one day, they could be together in every sense of the word.

As the blindfold covers her eyes, she takes a deep breath and tries to focus on the sensations around her. Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as he puts something close to her lips; it feels soft and cold against her skin, a hint of tanginess lingering on the air. She tentatively reaches out with her tongue, tasting the unfamiliar flavor...and then realization dawns upon her.

"Mm," she murmurs, "it's potato chips?" Her voice is laced with amusement and excitement as she feels him nod against her lips. The touch of his mouth on hers sends shivers down her spine; it's so intimate, so thrilling. She wants more, needs more...and for a fleeting moment, she wonders what it would be like if this was their life together: playful and carefree, filled with laughter and love.

As they continue playing the game, moving from one dish to another with blindfolds on, Rio can't help but imagine a world where they could be together in every sense of the word...a world where she doesn't have to choose between her family and him anymore because he would be part of her family too. It's a dreamlike fantasy that fills her heart with hope and happiness, washing away all the doubts and fears that have plagued her for so long.

She can feel his gaze on her even when they aren't facing each other; it's intense and unnerving in its focus, making her skin tingle where he watches. It's as if he knows exactly what she's thinking, feeling...and for once, she doesn't mind being exposed to him like this. In fact, it feels right, natural.

Her heart races as he pulls out the eyeliner, her mouth going dry at the thought of having to put it on herself...and worse, of showing him how clumsy she can be when trying something new. Still, there's an excitement buried beneath the nervousness; a thrill that comes from doing something daring and a little bit reckless in his presence.

She takes a deep breath before carefully opening the pencil case, her fingers fumbling as they brush against the cool metal of the eyeliner. "H-how do I even use this?" she asks hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper as she glances up at him for guidance.

The look he gives her is almost wistful; there's an understanding in his eyes that she can't quite place, but it makes her heart skip a beat all the same. Slowly and carefully, he reaches out to brush aside a lock of hair from her face before taking her hand in his steady, confident grip. "Like this," he murmurs softly, guiding her fingers as she extends them toward her own face.

She feels a shiver run down her spine at the intimacy of the moment; it's almost too much to bear. But somehow, with him holding her hand and showing her what to do, she finds herself able to concentrate on the task at hand...and not just that, but also the way his skin feels beneath hers, how warm and solid he is in comparison to her own quivering fingers. It's intoxicating, heady...and before she knows it, she's finished painting a cat whisker on her cheek.

"Thank you," she whispers when he releases her hand, feeling breathless and giddy from the closeness they just shared. "That was...