clever as the devil.

"Yes, that is the brightside. Hopefully it isn’t something that we ever have to worry about. I don’t think you’d be alone there, almost positive that a good majority of doctors would quit in the event that something like that happened. Good to know that doctors aren’t above not practicing what they preach, and here I thought you guys were held to a higher standard than the rest of us,” she teased with a soft chuckle. “It is tough, especially when it requires me to not do my job. Name one person on this planet who doesn’t think they know it all. Take it from someone who knows, you are never going to love anyone as much as you love those babies after you hold them for the first time... even before you hold them. I won’t lie and say being a parent is easy, but it’s worth it always at the end of the day. Some things aren’t that easy to get over, even when honesty is involved, but honesty does make forgiveness seem more likely. I can only lie when it’s necessary-- otherwise, I hate lying.” 

"You aren’t that guy who steps aside so a woman can retrieve her coffee? Because that merely seems a bit rude, if you ask me.” 

"Grumpy gills.” Rina bit back a laugh in response to her daughter’s whispered words as she approached Valor. “I’m pretty sure that is a form of kidnapping and I would feel obligated to arrest the person you gave the baby to,” she replied, eyes twinkling with amusement as she heard a giggle from behind her, where Anaya was hiding. “Also, he’s adorable, but I have my hands full with the invisible five year old behind me, so you can go ahead and keep him. And if you want him to quit crying, try bouncing him. It helps, trust me.” 

"Is it coffee disguised as soda? Because I would gladly take it off your hands if it is,” she teased with a soft chuckle. “I’m actually not the biggest fan of soda myself. I run on water and coffee for the most part... and occasionally tea and juice.” 

"It’s McDonalds, they mess up on a daily basis so you really shouldn’t expect anything less,” Rina reasoned with faux seriousness. “What do you want me to do about it? I mean, I can’t arrest them because unfortunately, messing up orders is not against the law.” 

"Kicking him in the throat is a bit extreme, isn’t it?--- Besides, if you kick him, you risk getting thrown out and would it honestly be worth it?” 

"Well, according to my whole world and my therapist, I have anger issues out the wazoo and am currently unfit to raise my daughter, but you don’t see me snapping at a stranger in a park over it,” Rina replied with a raised brow as a bemused smirk graced her lips. “I wasn’t trying to make small talk, I just like the view from here. You’re the one who bit my head off when I wasn’t even trying to talk. I was perfectly content with sitting in silence.” 

Rina couldn’t help the small smile that graced her lips as she overheard his half of the conversation. It was always heartwarming for her to see a father who loved their child so much. It reminded her of Emerson and how grateful she was that, despite everything, their little girl was still the most important thing to both of them. “You know, kids are brighter than we give them credit for. Goldfish may look the same, but what are you going to do if she realizes it isn’t hers and catches you in the lie?” She was mostly teasing. 

"I hope you don’t expect me to start singing because that just isn’t happening, but happy birthday. Try not to do anything too crazy. No one wants to spend their birthday night behind bars,” she teased.

The scene that greeted Rina as she turned away from the counter was not one she had expected, but immediately, the cop in her took over and she replaced the cup in her hand with her badge, immediately approaching the three involved in the altercation. “Detective Luthra, LVMPD. Is there a problem here?” Her hard stare was focused on the man the woman had been screaming at, but her words were aimed at both the woman and the man holding her back.