Keeley's POV
Beep Beep Beep
"Ugh," I grumbled as I rolled over and turned off my alarm. I sat up in a daze and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
Today was December 3rd which means it's been a few days since Thanksgiving. Luckily, my father promised us all that his family would not be joining us for any further holidays, that of which we don't celebrate anyway.
But as it was December 3rd, that only meant one thing: my birthday. For the past couple of years, Brady had always made sure we did something on my birthday, whether it be ice cream or board games, he always did something.
Growing up, birthdays were celebrated in my family, but mine was often forgotten or just plain-out ignored. I'd gotten used to that, but Brady threw me for a loop, and this would be the first time in a while I would be spending it without him.
I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom to wash the stink from my body. Luca and I trained for a while last night and I had, unfortunately, went to bed sweaty because I was too tired to shower. I turned the water to the highest temp I could handle before stepping in and submerging myself under the showerhead.
I washed, scrubbed, and shaved my body till I was certain I smelled like my spicy vanilla body wash and not some sweaty mess. I dried off with my fluffy white towel and wrapped it around my body as I treaded into my closet.
I know nobody will actually remember my birthday, and it's not like I've told Luca what today is, but I still want to dress cute for school. I slipped my towel off and replaced it with matching white lace underwear and a bralette. I shimmied on a pair of light-washed skinny jeans and a low v-neck, long-sleeved, charcoal grey shirt.
I slipped on my favorite pair of moccasins before walking back into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and towel-dried my hair so it would lay in its natural waves down my back. Brady's coin necklace was clasped around my neck and the small star bracelet Luca had given me sat delicately on my wrist.
For the first time in a long time, no bruises, marks, or injuries were on my body. Since being home, I've put on a couple of healthy pounds and I don't think I've ever looked better. My cheeks weren't so hollowed and were more full. My eyes held a sparkle I haven't seen in years, and between eating better and training like crazy, the muscles I had worked so hard for were actually showing.
I smiled to myself before walking into my bedroom and shrugging on my backpack. Gus wasn't in here so I made my way towards the stairs and to the kitchen by myself.
As I got closer to the dining room, chaotic shouts filled my ears. I slowed my steps and peeked around the corner to the dining room, where I swear the sight could have sent me into a fit of laughter.
Before my eyes were two mafia families, accompanied with neon party hats on their heads, bickering back and forth over different things. Matteo and Callan were trying to hang up a flimsy "Happy Birthday" banner on the wall while Sam and Donnie were struggling to tie down the balloons attached to the back of my seat. Gus sat quietly in the corner with a party hat sitting awkwardly on his head. My father and Stefano were frantically setting the table while Nick, Gio, and Luca went back and forth over which hat I should wear.
"Keeley likes dark colors! What's wrong with giving here the black and silver hat?" Giovanni yelled while gesturing to the hat in his hands.
"It's a birthday party! She needs this one!" I watched in amusement at the sight of Nick shoving a neon pink, pointy hat in Giovanni's face. Gio slapped it onto the floor.
"Both of you!" Luca shouted while pushing them apart. "This hat is the only one she would wear!" A sparkly blue and silver hat with a giant puffball was pushed into the middle of the three. The two older brothers looked at the hat... and then at Luca... and then immediately started yelling once again.
I leaned against the door frame and smiled adoringly at the three of them. "How about you let her decide!" my father shouted over everybody. His hat was the ugliest shade of orange I'd ever seen and it was falling down the front of his face, making it look more like a horn than a hat.
"If it's any consultation, I think I like Giovanni's the best," I finally spoke up while trying to hold back my laughter.
"See! Keeley agrees!" Gio yelled while motioning to me. The entire family went back to bickering as if they didn't even register I was here. I continued to smile as they all suddenly stopped and turned to me.
"Keeley!" I laughed as I was suddenly crushed into numerous hugs and choruses of Happy Birthdays were thrown my way. They finally stepped back once the black and silver hat had been securely placed on top of my head.
"Happy Birthday, Munch!" Nick yelled wildly while throwing his hands in the air. I laughed at all of their antics. They actually remembered, and for the first time in my life, I would actually celebrate my birthday with my brothers and father.
"Thank you," I smiled brightly. "It looks great."
Just as I said that, the banner fell off of the wall and one of the balloons tied to my chair popped, causing all of us to flinch.
I was ushered to my chair as voices filled the room once again and a mound of pancakes was piled onto my plate. Everyone eventually settled down and began eating while keeping up the conversation. I smiled to myself as a warm feeling took over my body. This sight, this right here, is what I'd always wanted for my birthday, nothing else.
"Are the pancakes not good, Tesoro?" Luca asked worriedly while his eyes frantically searched my plate. I giggled as I adjusted his green hat and ran my hand down his face till it rested on his cheek.
"No, they're perfect. I'm just happy." His eyes met mine while his head unconsciously leaned into my hand. I leaned in and brushed a quick kiss on his lips.
I pulled away and took in everything about him at this moment. From the way his tousled ebony hair hung over his forehead, to the way the morning sun made his dark ocean blues sparkle. From the way his freshly shaven jaw looked to the way that thin silver chain made his tan skin warmer, this is how I would always picture my sweet Luca.
His ever breathtaking smile could make me forget everything about this life, and that look in his eyes... that look in his eyes made me feel like I was the only girl in the world.
"Okay," he whispered quietly as he leaned towards me and placed a sweet kiss on my mouth.
"Aye! Uh-uh, there is no kissing my baby sister in front of me unless you would like a knife in your throat. Got it?" I broke the kiss with my smile as I shook my head back and forth at Nick's words.
"Way to kill the mood, Nicky," Luca sneers quietly. Except I don't think it was as quiet as it was supposed to be because the look in Nick's eyes turned murderous.
"What'd you say?" my oldest brother breathed out in shock. The table fell silent as the two stared each other down. I could begin to see the start of a pinkish hue on the tips of Luca's ears, but his posture and face remained impassive.
"All I'm saying," Luca began even though he should really just not talk, "is that if I want to kiss my girlfriend, I'm going to."
My mouth fell open and I stared in awe at the Italian next to me. Might I say, I'm a little surprised and proud of him at this moment.
"Uh, she's not your girlfriend, bud. She's my sister." Tension filled the rooms as everyone's eyes darted between the two, and in all honesty, I have no idea who's going to win this one.
"Well, if she wasn't my girlfriend, could I do this?"I didn't even register Luca standing up and pulling me with him, because the next thing you know, I'm dipped down and being kissed...hard.
Luca's lips press against mine with a fire and possessiveness I've never felt before, but I don't mind. I kissed him back and let my hands tangle and pull on his hair. His arm hooked around my back and pulled me tightly into his chest as his opposite hand gripped the back of my head. Luca tilted his head and kissed me deeper. I felt his hand on my back stoop lower and squeeze onto my hip as the other one pulled on my hair. My head fell back as he pressed himself into me, and I felt my body heating up even more so than before.
Well, happy birthday to me.
Luca suddenly pulled back and stood the two of us up, pulling me securely by my waist into his side. My head spun and my breathing came out labored from the kiss. My eyes widened as I looked at our families and struggled to get my bearings. Nick basically had smoke pouring out of his ears, Callan not far behind. The other brothers were all staring in shock at the two of us, but the reactions that surprised me most were the two Capos.
My father and Dominic sat at the end of the table in a fit of silent laughter. Their faces were the color of Stefano's bright red hat, and I think even a few tears of laughter sprouted from their eyes. My father slapped the table while Stefano raised a shaky hand and pointed at Nick.
"You... your face... priceless!" Stefano cracked up and wheezed out the last part as Luca helped me sit back down. My father apparently found this hilarious as the two of them leaned into each other and continued their giggle fit.
"Let's just, uh, finish breakfast before it's time to leave, yeah?" Finn muttered as he shoved a forkful of pancakes into his mouth, clearly uncomfortable. The rest of them followed suit and eventually turned their attention elsewhere, but I couldn't stop openly staring at Luca.
He turned to me with a wild look dancing in his eyes. The corner of his mouth quirked up as he raised an eyebrow at me.
"Posso aiutarla?" his voice deepened as the Italian rolled effortlessly off his tongue.
(Can I help you?)
I shook my head and tried to contain my smile. As I sat back down, I picked up my fork and turned to the untouched plate in front of me. "Nope," I smirked, making sure to pop the p.
I ate the rest of my pancakes in peace while listening to the conversations that flowed around the table. When the clock on the wall read 7:30, I pushed back my seat and grabbed my backpack off the ground.
"Where are you going?" Giovanni spoke managing to catch everybody's attention.
"Um... school?" I answered, confused as to why I would be going anywhere else at 7:30 on a Wednesday morning.
"No, you're not. We're taking you on a day trip." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion at Finn's words. Day trip? The hell does that mean?
"But I have a math test today." I actually did have a test today, that wasn't a lie.
"Well," Nick butted in, "you'll have to reschedule then because we're leaving in fifteen minutes."
"I- I can't reschedule a math test, Nick." I appreciated them wanting to do something for me, but school is not really negotiable according to my father, who much to my surprise, is agreeing with them.
"Look boys, I'm really happy you want to do this but-" Matteo quickly cut me off.
"Don't make us kidnap you and put a bag over your head, Keels. That would be a really suckish start to our really awesome day. So if you would: please go upstairs, grab a jacket, and let's get going."
My mouth hung open as I looked at the men around the table. I wanted to go wherever they had planned, but I had a math test and I had promised Aubrey I'd help her study for a Spanish test that she was going to fail.
A plan formed in my mind, and I didn't think twice about it.
"Fine. Let me go grab my stuff." I plaster a fake frown on my face that seems to be believable as the boys think they got their way. I drag my feet and shuffle my way out of the dining room. The moment I get out of the doorway, I run for it.
"Get her!" I sprint as fast as my short legs can go. I hear the shouts and thumping of shoes chasing me. I round the corner and the door is in sight. I yank it open and run out into the cold December air. My feet beat against the concrete as I close in on my car.
"Callan, stop her!"
I hear Callan do what sounds like a battle cry. Oh shit.
I'm almost to my car, all I have to do is pass this small patch of grass. I push myself and I'm almost there-
"Ah!" I cry out in pain and surprise as Callan's body hits my own and we go flying to the ground. I groan as he lands dead-smack on top of me and it feels like I was just crushed by a full-grown bear.
"Aye! Way to go Cal!" The boys congratulate my gargantuan brother as I lie under him slowly suffocating. I bang on his torso but he doesn't let up.
"Luca," I hear Nick's voice call out. "Go up to Keeley's room and get her stuff."
"Cal- can't...breathe," I choke out, hoping he will roll off of me and actually allow a steady breath into my lungs.
"Oh, right." Callan pushes up off of the ground and stands above me offering a hand, but I can't find it in me to move. My body feels like I got hit by a truck.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I see the guys slowly walking towards me and wincing with every step.
"Did you have to hit her so hard?" Sam winces as he nudges my leg with his boot.
"Dammit, Sam. I'm not dead so stop nudging my body like you would a corpse," I spit out, quite unhappy that I ended up on the cold, rock-solid ground.
I try to move onto my knees, but a sharp pain in my right hip stops me.
"Are you okay, Munch?" Finn asked while bending down towards me. He helps stand me up to my feet and I have to lean on him for help.
"Oh, I'm great. Not like I was just body slammed into the ground by my 6'8", 300-pound man," I gasp sarcastically. A guilty look crosses Cal's face and I immediately feel bad.
"I'm fine, Bubba. Don't worry about it." I give him a reassuring smile just as Luca reappears. The boys get into motion as we are piled into two cars. The Capos aren't coming with us, so Callan, me, Luca, Finn, and Matteo rode in one car while Giovanni, Nick, and the twins got into the other.
"So, where are we going?" I asked after we had been driving for about twenty minutes. I could still feel the pulsing in my right hip as I shifted to try and get comfortable.
"That's a surprise. We've planned this for a while, so please, don't try and escape again?" Finn begs me, which I assure him I won't.
I turn and look out the window as the sound of an Italian opera fills my ears, courtesy of Matteo. It was really cold out today, as it was December, but you would never be able to tell if you weren't out there. The sky was seemed to stretch on forever as no clouds filled the milky blue sky. The yellow sun beat down on the earth, giving everything a sort of surreal look to it.
I felt Luca's hand reach over and take my own. When I turned to look at him, he took my picture.
"Why'd you do that?" He paused a minute and sat there, just staring at me with a dreamy look on his face.
"Perché non dovrei volere il tuo bel viso sul mio telefono?" I quickly turned my head away from him, hoping to hide my blush.
(Why shouldn't I want your pretty face on my phone?)
Very rarely does someone come around that makes me feel the way Luca does. I don't even know how to explain it: the rush, the excitement, the admiration, the longing. Everything I feel is amplified when I'm around him. Luca makes me feel special, but at the same time, normal. He pushes me to fly and do better, but is also the rock to keep me grounded. Luca, the boy sitting next to me in plain jeans and a black t-shirt with a worn zip-up on, the guy who makes me feel good even on my worse days, my Gnocco- I was so lucky to have him.
***
"A history museum?" I ask while raising my eyebrows at the large building in front of us. The cement building went on for what seemed like forever in either direction. The front entrance was basically a huge panel of glass with the skeleton of a dinosaur sitting front and center. The parking lot was relatively full for a Wednesday, and just the sight of the eight extremely built and scary men in front of the museum was quite funny.
"Let us explain," Nick said while stepping forward. He looked a bit nervous and so did the rest of them except for Cal. Callan was normally pretty stoic. "We thought since you like learning about things, this would be fun. Plus, they're having a serial killer exhibit, and you know, murder. And, there's a planetarium section where you can go and look at stars."
I stared at them, but not in a bad way or anything. I was actually trying to swallow the lump in my throat that had suddenly formed. The fact that they thought about me, my birthday, and what I would like, for someone who's never really had that, it's pretty overwhelming.
"Do you- do you not like it?" Luca whispered from beside me. I snapped out of my trance and cleared my throat.
"No, I love it. Can we go in?"
They led me inside where we were given neon orange wristbands that would allow us into all of the exhibits and into the planetarium.
We wandered through the first floor of the museum where the majority of the dinosaurs were. Sam and Donnie gasped and fawned over just about anything they saw, successfully earning odd stares from the people around us. We continued through the ice age section where we made Callan stand next to one of the taxidermied animals that was the same size as him. The picture I took of him made me laugh.
We eventually came up to a crazy-looking staircase with odd-shaped steps and wobbly handrailings, but we went up anyway. At the top of the stairs, the nine of us emerged into what seemed like a whole new world. There were only a few divider walls on this floor and it allowed us to see everything as a whole. To the left sat a huge collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, paintings, and sculptures, and that exhibit slowly faded into a newer age. The artwork and displays evolved all the way until the renaissance period where beautiful artwork was displayed. The boys continued to the left, but my feet led me to the paintings.
I knew they weren't the real ones, but somebody had painted almost exact replicas and I was fine with that. The paintings slowly transitioned into newer aged paintings that were not very old at all.
Each of the paintings had a small plaque next to them saying who the original artist was and who replicated them. I read the dozens of plaques until my steps faltered at one particular one.
This one didn't have a plaque to go with it, so I had no way of knowing whose it was. But it didn't matter, because this piece had to be one of the most stunning canvases I'd ever seen.
I sat down on the small bench in front of it and just stared at the angelic figure. I studied the way her gown flowed in waves of ivory and cream. The gold tones illuminated her face making her glow and made her wings glisten like the finest of stones. She was flying in a sea of blues and white stars, no ground in sight. This angel was not one of death and darkness, but one of light.
Paintings of angels and people were my favorite. I loved how there were thousands, maybe even millions of paintings of angels, yet they all looked different. There was something unique about every single one, and I don't know. Something about this particular canvas brought me peace.
"Keeley!" A small yelp escaped me as I jumped up and began to draw my gun from the waistband of my jeans, thankful that Luca had grabbed it for me earlier.
"Woah, put the gun down. It's just me." My eyes finally focused in on Luca who was only standing a matter of feet for me. I instantly let out a breath and relaxed at the sight of him, although I was pissed at him for him scaring the shit out of me.
"Did you have to yell? We're in a museum, Luca," I snap, still a little on edge.
He walked towards me slowly, his hands falling to his pockets. "I'd been calling your name for the past twenty minutes. None of us could find you."
Had I really been sitting here that long?
"Oh... sorry. I was just distracted, I guess," I mumbled while turning back to the painting. "Do you think they have this painting on a poster in the gift shop?"
"I'm sure they do. If not, we can always pull some strings." I chuckled at his words, fully knowing that by pulling some strings, he meant threatening the lives of some people.
He wrapped an arm around my waist and I leaned into him, his woodsy, masculine cologne filling my nose and bringing me a sense of calmness.
"What section are we going to now?" I asked him while turning my head up to face his. He tilted his head down and his dark ocean blues met my amber honey ones.
"Well, we could either go learn about serial killers and make fun of their favorite methods of murder, or we could go to the planetarium. You pick."
I thought about it for a second. Do I want to go look at murder or do I want to look at stars?
"Can we go sit in the planetarium?" A small smile appeared on his face as he leans down and kisses me.
"I had a feeling you'd say that." He took my hand in his and guided me through a maze of displays and hallways until we arrived at a circular-shaped door. Luca reached out with his free hand and opened the door for me.
Together we walked in, but my steps faltered once we had got to the actual dome. The chairs were situated in a circular pattern and the ceiling... I didn't even know where to begin. It was all stars and they were breathtaking. From how big they were to their colors to how they shined, for the second time this morning, I felt a lump form in my throat.
"C'mon, Tesoro," Luca whispered gently into my ear. "Let's sit down."
Luca walked us to two seats away from the few people that were in here. I stumbled every couple of feet solely because I was too focused on the ceiling that displayed a wide array of stars and not the ground.
Luca and I sat down, and I was thankful he didn't speak because I don't think actual words would come out of my mouth right now. I was in sheer awe of the galaxy. I'd never been to a planetarium before, always wanted to but never could. But now, on my birthday that I've never celebrated with family before, I was here.
I curled up in my chair and leaned my head on Luca's strong shoulder. His hand came over and rested on my thigh, and I don't think I've felt this calm and content in a long time.
"Keeley, baby, what's wrong?" I give Luca a questioning look as his hand reaches out and brushes what I now realize is a tear from my eye. I do my best to quickly stop any more from coming out.
"Nothing!" I stutter, slightly embarrassed at the tears. "I'm just happy."
The look on his face is filled with admiration and something else I can't quite decipher. Luca's calloused hand cups my cheek as his thumb rubs the last few tears away.
No other words are spoken between us for the remainder of the time. We sit and look at the stars, and for once in this crazy life, it all feels so normal and peaceful. Right here, right now, I could spend an eternity.
***
"Guys, you didn't have to do that," I mutter with a crazy smile on my face. We had left the museum and piled back into the cars so we could go to lunch.
"What do you mean? Isn't that the painting you liked?" Matteo asked with concern while turning to face me in the back seat.
"Yes, but you didn't have to bribe people for it." By it I mean the angel painting I had seen in the museum. After scavenging the gift shop for a solid half-hour, it was clear they had no postcards, no prints, or posters with the painting on it. So, my brothers and the Moretti's did what they do best: threaten some people and pull some strings. That explains why everyone but Nick and Gio were piled into one car. The seats had to be laid down in order to fit the giant painting.
"Well I thought it was kind of fun, you know? Being able to barge into the director's office and threaten some lives," Sam piped in from beside me. I looked at him and that cheap pharaoh's neme, the stripped headpiece, on his head that he'd bought at the gift shop.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"Where are we going for lunch?" It was now 12:30 and I was specifically told that we couldn't be home until five. So in this family, that means food.
"Wherever Nick is driving. I think it's some burger place," Finn spoke while pushing Sam's hat out of his face.
We drove for a few more minutes until we parked in the lot of a place called "Big Al's Burgers and Games." Everyone piled out of the cars as a gust of wind blew. I snuggled in closer to Luca's side as we crossed the lot and entered the restaurant.
Inside, long tables were set up and filled with different groups of people talking and laughing loudly. The floors had that carpet that you would see at a skating rink and the walls were covered in different posters and pictures. Off to the far right, you could see there was a large arcade filled with kids.
"Welcome to Big Al's! How many today?" the young hostess asked, not quite sure who to look at.
"Nine," Callan spoke up. His gruff voice surprised the girl and I had to hold back my laughter at her reaction. She quickly picked up nine paper menus from her stand and led us to a long table towards the back. People from surrounding tables gave us weird looks. At first, I thought it was because of Callan and how intimidating this group of people can be, but then I saw Sam still had that hat on and was trying to annoy Donnie by doing his personal favorite dance move: the funky chicken.
I walked over to where he was and smacked the back of his head, successfully stopping him from embarrassing us further.
The nine of us got situated at the table and began to look over the menu which had the widest range of sandwiches and burgers I think I'd ever seen. The waiter came over and took our orders, and about twenty minutes later, our food came.
The biggest burger I had ever seen was set down in front of me. I had ordered The Big Kahuna, but I didn't actually expect to get a sandwich that big. It was some sort of sweet, barbequed burger with grilled pineapple, some sort of slaw, and onion straws on it. Don't get me wrong, it looked great and I know I've got a big appetite, but even this thing was going to give me a run for my money.
"Holy shit, Munch," Nick mumbled as he stared at the burger in front of me.
"Holy shit is right," I said while trying to figure out how to pick it up. Everyone started eating and you know what, fuck it. I picked up the burger and took the largest bite I could, not even caring if I looked like a caveman.
I heard a snort from beside me. I turned and stared at Nick 2.0.
"There a problem, Giovanni?" I quipped while trying to finish chewing. I wiped my face with a napkin and the amount of barbeque sauce that came off was embarrassing.
"Nope." He chuckled and turned back to his burger, which was considerably smaller than my own.
Wimp.
We all ate and laughed throughout the remainder of lunch, and I was having the time of my life. Everyone was getting along and laughing, and it seems like these sorts of things don't always get to happen in mafia families. And for this, I'm very grateful.
When everyone was done eating, me being able to actually finish my burger much to Gio's surprise, we all sat quietly for a minute, each of us enjoying just being here. The waiter came back and asked us if we wanted dessert.
"Ooo! Can we?" Sam squealed from across the table. Donnie slapped him upside the head.
"I think," Luca spoke up, "that we should play laser tag first."
My eyes lit up at the thought and I immediately turned to Nick, silently begging him to let us go.
"Guys, I don't know..." You could hear the hesitation in his voice, probably because it's a bunch of mafia members shooting fake guns at each other and we don't always know how to tone it down.
"Please?" I asked with a pout knowing damn well I'm playing the little sister card. "I really want to... and it's my birthday. It would mean a lot."
I made sure to make myself look sad because, with Nick, I know he'd do anything to make me happy. Am I using this against him? Yep. Do I care? Nope.
He sighed and looked away from me. "Fine. One game."
***
"This is a terrible idea," I heard Nick mumble from beside me. We had just entered the dressing room where all of the vests and guns were. I laughed at him as I shrugged on the lighted vest and gun, making sure to put my chip sensor on the gun so it would record my name and how many hits I got.
Besides us nine, there were six small kids, four parents, and five rowdy teenage jackasses playing. I was excited.
"So what does the winner get?" I heard Giovanni yell over all the talking. I looked at Nick. He took a moment before responding.
"Winner... the winner gets one command that applies to everybody." All of us sucked in a breath of excitement. In our house, commands are extremely valuable. Basically, you get to say one thing somebody has to do, and they have to do it. Well, you can't make them hurt themself or others, but other than that, there's really no restrictions. And as the only girl, I never get these.
"Oh, I'm gonna beat all of your asses," I laugh. Their eyes go a bit wide, and by their reactions, I can tell my eyes might be going slightly crazy.
They don't get a chance to respond as the doors slide open and we run in. The room itself is completely dark aside from the backlights and neon shapes. I take off sprinting and slip into my training mode, telling myself if I lose, it will be hell.
The buzzer rings signaling the beginning of the game. We have fifteen minutes to shoot as many people as we can. I crouch down and walk slowly behind the wall I had found at the back of the arena. I peek over the top and start shooting, the green light flashing on my gun telling me I had shot three people.
I crouched back down and moved quickly. I climbed up a staircase I had found and I couldn't hear anyone else up here. I looked over the ledge of the landing and saw Luca squatting behind a pillar. I aimed and shot at him, his chest now flashing red. He looked around in surprise and his eyes finally met mine. I gave him a devious smirk and a wink.
He stood up and started sprinting off towards me. Game on.
***
"And your winner is..."
We all stood impatiently around the announcer waiting for him to tell us who won. My body was hurting from where I had, yet again, been slammed to the ground by Callan, but I didn't care. He may have physically hit me, but it was me who managed to get away.
"Crazy Eyes!" he yelled announcing the code name I had chosen.
I jumped up and down and started yelling, basking in my victory. I laughed as I went up to grab my certificate. Once I had it, I made it back to my brothers and the Moretti's who were gathered off to the side. All of their faces held pain, probably because I would get to punish them for everything I've had to do, which included their laundry. That alone wanted me to kill them.
"I'm not looking forward to this," I heard Matteo mumble. They all agreed as we went back to our table and sat down. I was in the middle of rubbing my victory in their faces when I heard Happy Birthday start.
The entire waitstaff came out of the kitchen holding a huge bowl of ice cream with sparklers lit on top. The smile on my face widened as the rest of the table joined in with them, except for Callan who just nodded his head back and forth.
My head fell back in laughter as the sundae was set in front of me and they finished singing. I saw a few flashes from Nick's cell phone telling me he was taking pictures and capturing this moment. That thought alone had me smiling like an idiot.
I looked out over the top of the sparklers and just watched my family smile and look at me. Never would I have imagined this. Hell, I would have been happy with just breakfast this morning. But they did this. They did this, and I was on cloud nine.
***
It was already dark when we pulled back into the driveway of the house shortly after five. We had spent the remainder of the day in that small town shopping around and spending time together.
It was easily one of the best things I've ever done, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing, or more like someone: Brady. I tried to text him a couple of times, but he never texted back. I've reached out to him numerous times since I left, but each time he doesn't respond. Part of me wonders if I did something wrong. Did I say something or did I do something to make him stay away from me? At one point he was all I had, and now I can't even call him.
"You okay?" Luca whispered from beside me. His eyes filled with worry as they searched my face.
"Yeah," I spoke after clearing my throat. "I'm all good."
I placed a quick kiss on his lips as the car stopped and people started to get out. I took my shopping bags and caught up with the guys at the door.
"You aren't going to make us do something stupid with that command, right?" Nick mumbled while pushing the door open. The boys erupted into chatter, telling me what I can and can not do to them. I laugh as we walk further into the house and towards the living room.
"Would you all relax? You'll do whatever I ask-"
My body froze the moment I fully stepped into the living room. My breathing hitched and it was like time froze.
Standing in the living room were the two Capos chatting away with that familiar brunette, the one person who has been there for me through everything. The one person I've been thinking about all day, the one person I needed to see most.
"Brady?" I ask hesitantly, like if I said his name he would vanish. My father and Stefano quiet down and look at me as he turns his tall and lanky body towards me. His messy hair falls over his mischievous brown eyes and that lazy smirk I've known for so long is plastered across his chiseled face. I can tell he's added a few more tattoos to his growing collection by the way his sleeves are pushed up.
When he speaks, the gravely tone of it automatically washes over me and makes me feel like I'm home.
"Hey, Sweetness."
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Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the late update, things have been absolutely crazy! Anyways, I hope you loved this chapter!
Please tell me what you think because I love hearing what's going on in your head!
Happy Reading and see you in the next chapter!
Final Word Count: 6536