"Lil Man, is Sophia coming tonight?"

Luca smiles shaking his head negatively. He walks over to his mother who is currently mixing something on the stove. He kisses her hair line softly. "It smells good mom."

"Back it up son, she's taken."

He smirks turning his head to find his dad entering the kitchen. He steps back as he watches his father go to the back of his mother encircling her waist from behind. Both of their faces holding a warm smile as his dad whispers something in her ear.

"Eww"

All eyes snap to the entrance to find Cassidy with her hand over her eyes making him chuckle. His parents joining in to giggle at her antics. It was Sunday night's dinner and Luca invited Sophia to join however she wanted to spend some time with her sister and Destiny before her first appointment tomorrow.

This afternoon they went to take photos for that woman who hired Sophia. The piece was about Urban Jungle so they headed into the city taking photos in many different areas. Luca was incredibly impressed by the angles that Sophia found. It gave him a different perspective to look at. There was one photo that he informed her he wanted a copy of. It mixed the city perfectly with the environment that surrounds it.

They made a day of it with just traveling around. He decided to let her lead and he experienced California in a way he had never seen before. They traveled around on a motorcycle allowing the warm wind to whisk them wherever. He saw dancers, and street merchants along with families just walking hand in hand. It was a breath of fresh air compared to his normal day to day activities. At one point Sophia danced along with a group of kids and he took pictures enjoying how she was just letting loose. Sophia encouraged him at one point to play soccer with a group of boys. He obliged and honestly had a good time.

"So did she get what she needed?"

Luca smiles nodding at his kid sister. He told her this morning because she wanted to come along but Luca wanted his alone time with his tesoro so Cassidy decided to stay home.

"Did who get what?" His father asks turning away from their mother.

"Sophia got hired to take photos for a magazine earlier this week so I went with her." Luca says still smiling as he sips his water.

His father walks over sitting down at the table studying him. His lip tugging up seeing his son's happiness. "I didn't realize she was photographer."

"That's what she was doing before coming to the company."

"That must be exciting." His mother chimes in bringing the final dish to the table setting it in the center. "Did she travel?"

Luca nods his head, "Yeah, she actually got paid by TIMES magazine to travel the world for them."

Xavier smiled surprised by the young beauty. "That's impressive. Not many are hired by elite magazines especially on retainer."

"Well tell us more about her." His mother encourages as she begins dishing up the pasta dish onto everyone's plates.

A soft smile tugs at Luca's lips. "She's incredible."

Everyone smiles finding happiness in Luca's own happiness. He is completely smitten and it's easy to see. Cassidy decides to speak up. "So where has she most recently traveled from?"

"She was in China before coming home. Before that, she was in Morocco-"

"Isn't that in Africa?" Cassidy asks earning a head nod from everyone.

"It seems that was her life before. She traveled everywhere experience so many different cultures."

"And she dropped all of that to come home for her sister. That's loyalty at it's finest." Xavier says nodding his head in thought.

"That baby is adorable!" Luca turns to find his mom gushing over Destiny. "You should have seen her Xavier."

"Does she have red hair like Sophia?"

Luca turns to his dad, "Actually Sophia was adopted."

"Oh I didn't know." He turns back to his mother whose face seems to fallen slightly.

"I don't know the full story there. I'm hoping she will open up with time."

The family nods their heads before his father continues, "Is she ready for tomorrow?"

Luca nods his head in confirmation. His family was aware of what was going on. Luca wanted to learn as much as he could so he came and talked with his mom. She enlisted Xavier's help to watch over the office for the time being. Cassidy would be returning to school tomorrow so tonight was there last night having her home.

"She seems to be. This isn't her first time through all of this but I'm hoping it will be her last."

"I still can't believe that she went through this at such a young age. I couldn't imagine how that must have been."

"What do you mean mom?" Cassidy asks with furrow brows.

Everyone goes silent turning to her. Heather sits down her napkin giving Cassidy her full attention. "Sophia would have been going through this when she was in middle school or her first year of high school. Between the fatigue and her appearance, I'm sure it couldn't be easy. Did she say if she loss her hair last time?"

Luca nods his head remembering the hard conversation they had about what all would happen. Along with the loss of her beautiful auburn locks, she would also been extremely weakened and have a loss of appetite. He was scared for her but he wouldn't let her go through this alone.

"Wait, so this disease causes her to loose her hair?" Cassidy asks looking at each of them.

"No, the treatment does." Luca says answering her question. "It will grow back but it will take some time."

"Wow" Cassidy says unconsciously touching her own blonde locks. "But she will be okay, right?"

The table gets solemn not sure how to answer this. They are still hunting for a match for her. It will be hard to do anything other than slow down the cancer without a donor. A match could potentially kill the disease all together but it required a perfect match to do so. Luca had half a mind to try searching for her birth parents but didn't want to bring up any hurt feelings especially when he wasn't asked to. If it came to it, he would do so but not before they exalted all other options.

"We hope so princess." Xavier answers before redirecting the conversation. "I will be at the office first thing tomorrow. Is there anything specific I need to be aware of?"

"I've given a run down to Mark. He has the contracts for the two appointments tomorrow. There is an appointment on Tuesday that I may need you step in for me but as of right now Sophia said she would be okay. I don't want to push her though."

"You're aunt Cami has been asking about her." Luca turns grinning at his mom.

"I'm sure she did." Heather rolls her eyes at her cheeky son.

"She likes playing fairy godmother... you know that."

"She IS my godmother. Is uncle Theo still in the dog house?"

"Nope, he took her to the shooting range. Apparently after only trying to shoot him once, they worked through it."

"Only once this time?" Luca asks smirking as his mother nods smiling about her best friend.

"Nobody messes with your aunt. You guys know that."

Cassidy and Luca chuckle nodding in agreement. Cami and Theo were an interesting pair. They were the total opposites of their parents. They fought often but made up just as quick. The fights usually occurring due to something their uncle did. Even with all their arguments, they were like magnets always being pulled back together. They never did have children of their own. They tried for many years and got pregnant once but a miscarriage occurred and Cami said she couldn't go through that again. After that they agreed that if the time ever came, they would adopt but right now just enjoy each other. Years have passed and they still are as crazy as what he remembered all those years ago. They loved each other in the end and that was all that mattered.

"I may bring Theo in the office just to give Cami a break." Xavier says earning a laugh from their mother.

All eyes turn to her as she laughs heartily. Her laughter still as dazzling as the first time he heard it. He smiles warmly at her. She really was an angel and he was so glad that not only did she rescue him but also his dad. Turning his gaze to his dad, he could see the same look of happiness dancing in his eyes. His dad had changed once they met and he loved that due to her, they were able to get closer. His father was able to open up to him and in return, Luca had changed becoming so much happier.

"Luca, can we go visit her after dinner?" Cassidy speaks up. Luca raises a brow and she continues answering his unasked question. "I would like to give her something before I go."

"I'll have to ask her but I don't think it will be a problem."

He excuses himself making a quick call. She answers with laughter in her voice. The sound instantly making him smile as well. She said they were currently trying to give Destiny a bath but we're making a mess in the process. He laughed listening to her before asking if he could bring Cassidy by. She agreed happy to see her before she leaves for school. After another minute of talking he ends the call returning to his family letting them know that he would be taking Cassidy after dinner.

They continued talking about anything and everything with smiles and laughter. This is why he loved Sunday dinners. It would be complete if the twins were here but they were still studying abroad for the time being. They would be returning home in a few months time. Luca was hoping to have Sophia meet them during that time. After dinner was done, Heather shooed them out telling them to go visit before it got too late.

Getting in the car, Luca looked over to find a small pouch clutched in Cassidy's hand. He raised a brow but didn't question her about it. They listened to some music along the way and occasionally sang along making them both laugh. They definitely took after their father in that department. Luca pulled up to the familiar home with a gentle smile as his heart began pounding as it always did knowing he was so close to his other half.

Cassidy climbed out racing up to the front door knocking on it. He chuckled climbing out to follow his energetic sister. The door swings open where he finds Jessica standing smiling before gesturing for her to come in. He walks up to her seeing her already looking at him.

"Jessica"

"Mr. Sanford"

He chuckles at her shaking his head as he enters. She has told him that she still can't get pass him being her boss so for now she continues to call him by what she knows. She told him with time she would begin calling him Luca. He understood it wasn't as easy as it is for Sophia who had only worked for him for a few days.

Walking to the living room, he is met with the sight of Cassidy holding Destiny as Sophia sits beside her. He walks in followed by Jessica. He takes the last seat on the couch behind Sophia while Jessica sits in the chair. His arm instantly going around her waist. She turns those emerald eyes to his before he pecks her lips. A beautiful blush creeps ups her cheeks which always does when he shows affections in front of others. He does it one more time for good measure before she hides her face in his neck making him chuckle. She slaps his chest playfully.

"She is beautiful Jessica"

"Thank you Cassidy"

Sophia lifts her head turning her body to look to Cassidy and Destiny. Luca coils his arm around her stomach bringing her impossibly closer but she doesn't pull away from his hold. Her body instantly curling to mold to him as they watch Cassidy continue to gush over the beautiful baby. After some time, Jessica stands up walking over to the now sleeping Destiny. Cassidy hands her over slowly trying to not wake her before the elder sister leaves the room.

"So.." Cassidy says turning her attention to Sophia. She takes the pouch out of her pocket setting it down on her lap. "I wanted to give you something before tomorrow."

"Okay?" Sophia says questionably making Luca chuckle earning another slap from her.

Cassidy holds out the pouch to Sophia who takes it and begins to open it. Luca looks over her shoulder to see what it is and the sight makes him throat constrict as he instantly recognizes it.

"This is a bracelet called Samburu. It means-"

"Warrior." Sophia says barely above a whisper looking at the beads closely with trembling fingers.

"Yeah, how did you know that?" Cassidy asks while Luca is thinking the same.

She clears her throat lifting the bracelet up. "I've seen these before but never knew that they left the villages. How did you get one?"

Cassidy looks to Luca for a moment making Sophia look over her shoulder to him. He answers, "Our uncle.." His throat closing again making him attempt to clear it. "Our uncle Nicholas was gifted one during his time stationed over seas."

"They must have really respected him. These aren't just given to anyone."

Luca takes the bracelet in his hand remembering the day he was given this. Nicholas had just sent word that he would be returning in a few weeks time. He told Cami that the bracelet was meant for Luca. It came as a gift from a village that he helped protect. He said that he only wanted to give it to his own little warrior. It was the last thing he sent home. Luca's fingers unconsciously tightening the bracelet.

"Luca gave me this bracelet a few years ago when I was terrified of going off for schooling. I didn't know anyone, and was scared to be alone. He gave this to me telling me it would bring me strength as it had done for him over the years."

Sophia takes her hand clasping it over the bracelet and Luca's tight fist. He felt his own tears welling up with Cassidy's words. He sighed loosening his hand opening it to see the familiar beads. She took it gently into her own hands before wrapping it around her wrist. Luca looks to the ceiling momentarily trying to not let the stubborn tears fall. It was no use and when Sophia wrapped her arm around his neck he embraced her tightly allowing the grief and loss of his uncle to be felt. Cassidy placed her hand on his arm that was around Sophia's back.

"Our uncle was an incredible warrior and that bracelet will bring great strength Sophia."

"Thank you Cassidy, I will cherish it."