He gave her a small smile and just hugged her close to him. "It wasn't so bad, not as bad as most think. Don't get me wrong it was a hard life, not always knowing where and when my next meal would come, not always knowing who to trust. But there was a freedom there, I made my life with my own choices. Not many kids get that kind of freedom. There are certainly those who had it worse. I never knew my parents, I started my life in a kids home, ran away when I was six and lived on the streets until Ryker found me. In a way I am happy he did, it led me to you." Maddox finished with a smile and a gentle kiss to her forehead.