"You can't keep hiding from my mom Tesoro"

Sophia pouted playing with the end of Luca's shirt she was currently wearing. Her body knelt on the bed trying to think of a reasonable excuse. Luca just stood their with a smirk and arms crossed already knowing where her mind was at. 

It was officially the following weekend. Jessica had helped her move her very few boxes to Luca's condo. She didn't have anything other than clothes and her photography equipment. It didn't take very long and Destiny was surprisingly behaving very well. 

Luca had invited Jessica to stay for dinner last night which she obliged to. It gave Jessica the opportunity to see the couple in the new surrounding. It was a wonderful evening with Luca making a splendid dish. Jessica seemed happy by the time she left but the text from Brad asking where she was at may have also been an influence on that. 

The rest of the evening was the young newly couple getting more time to cuddle and enjoy their new home. Sophia can honestly say it was a perfect evening. The gentle whispers throughout the evening followed by the slow intimate embrace that led to early hours of the morning to finally fall into a blissful sleep. 

Now was the day that Luca's mother and her best friend were supposed to take her out. Cassidy had also come home excited to spend time with Sophia. Originally Sophia had implored Jessica to come with but Brad had made plans for them to go to the beach today. She had asked Taylor but she wanted to work on a painting that she hadn't had time for lately so she declined with the promise of another time. So now Sophia had to be nervous on her own. She was fully aware that these were the most important women to Luca's life and she was scared. 

"Maybe we should try for next week?"

Luca just shook his head still smirking while looking at her pouty lips. He walked over kneeling on the bed before pecking her delectable lips. A beautiful pink hue rising on her cheeks before narrowing her eyes. Luca could only chuckle gently before leaning over her making her fall back on their bed. His fingers going to her chin making her tilt her head up enough for his lips to connect with hers. She sighed easily giving in and wrapping her hands around his neck. He obliged laying his bodies over hers. Sophia begins unbuttoning his shirt when he starts to pull away. 

"Mmmh... Tesoro" he says in a warning tone only making her grin. 

She continues unbuttoning his shirt while her legs wrap around his waist. He groans in the back of his throat and begins unbuttoning her shirt as well when the door bell rings. Both sets of hands freezing in the process before Luca drops his head onto her covered chest. A set of colorful words escaping his lips as he lifts his head. 

"That would be my mom."

Like that her body froze and her heart raced. Luca could tell the difference instantly and cupped her cheek. Searching her eyes to try calming her before giving her a gentle peck. The sound of the door bell went off again and he lifted himself off of her rebuttoning up his shirt while making an exit. Sophia huffs loudly before running her fingers through her hair. A few strands sticking to her fingers making her reach out and twiddle her fingers to get them to fall. She gives herself a moment to sit there before getting up and head into the closet. She finds a cute pair of shorts and a nice halter top that tied behind her neck. She walked over to the mirror in the closet and twisted side to side. 

"You look beautiful Soph"

She snapped around to find Cassidy standing there looking at her outfit. The beautiful blonde smiling widely at her. She dropped her gaze to the ground feeling shy. Cassidy stepped farther into the closet before quickly hugging Sophia. The red head beauty was startled and staggered by the force but Cassidy just squealed in return before pulling back to look at her. 

"I am so glad my brother has you."

She blushes not sure what to say to that. She opens and closes her mouth multiple times when someone luckily saves her. 

"Let her breathe sis"

Cassidy rolls her eyes stepping away and flicks her brother's forehead on the way out. He waits til she is out to walk over to his blushing love. His arms effortlessly wrapping around her slim waist. He brings her in making her relax and coil her body against his. His lips lingering on her head giving silent assurance that everything will be okay. After a moment he pulls back giving her a gentle kiss that she takes happily. 

"I will see you in a few hours Tesoro"

"Love you Luca"

He smiles gently pulling her in for one more hug. "Love you too"

He takes her hand leading her out of their closet and down to the living room where the women were all talking. All their heads turning hearing Sophia's and Luca's footsteps. Heather walks over with open arms. Luca releases her hand and allows his mother to embrace her in a loving hug. Sophia takes it with her heart still racing out of her chest. 

"Alright H, it's my turn! Scoot your booch."

Heather releases Sophia giggling while the infamous aunt Cami comes forward crushing Sophia to her chest. The woman certainly doesn't hold back as she lifts Sophia off the ground. Her eyes going wide looking over to Luca who is grinning widely at her not even bothering to help. She narrows her eyes playfully while hearing others laughing. Cami sets her back on her feet before holding her shoulders. 

"God you are gorgeous"

"Cami, behave." Luca says while still chuckling. 

"You shoosh you, I'm just glad you made a move on her."

Sophia is gobsmacked and not sure what to say. Cassidy steps forward linking arms with her moving her away from the joyful woman leading her to the door. 

"Don't worry, she's harmless."

Sophia nods glancing back to find Luca hugging both women before they begin walking their way. He gives her a wave which she tries to return before Cassidy tugs her out of the door. They all make it down to the garage where she finds a large SUV parked with a man in the drivers seat. Noticing the women coming that way, he quickly gets out to open the door for them. 

"Hey George"

"Miss Cassidy" He sees bowing his head slightly. His eyes drifting to the newcomer. "George, this is Sophia, Luca's girlfriend. Soph this is George, mom's driver and a family friend."

Sophia steps forward with her hand outstretched. The man smiles reaching for her hand, "It's nice to meet you George."

"The pleasures mine Miss Sophia."

Cassidy climbs in followed by Sophia. Her eyes drifting to find the final two women walking arm in arm and talking and laughing. Sophia smiles at the sight. Both woman hug George before climbing in the vehicle as well taking the seats in the rear. Cassidy wraps her arm through Sophia's before looking at the window. Sophia smiles turning to look at her own window while George pulls out from the garage.

"Cassidy, how is school going?" Sophia ask remembering back to the first time they met each other when she had the boy problems. 

She shrugs, "not too bad. I mean men are still pigs but past that-"

"What happened to that one boy? Brett I think?" Cami speaks up from behind her looking from Cassidy to Heather. 

Heather smiles pitifully while Cassidy answers. "He cheated on me Cam."

"HE WHAT?!" Her murderous eyes turning to her best friend. "And you didn't tell me."

Heather quickly raises her hands in a defensive gesture. "I was under strict orders to not inform the fairy godmother."

"By who?!"

Sophia keeps turning her eyes watching the conversation unfold. Heather points to Cassidy who narrows her eyes on her mother for outing her. Cami crosses her arms with a raised brow waiting for an explanation. Cassidy sighs turning back to the front while answering. 

"Dad already paid him a visit... I didn't want him with a few bullet holes in him."

"A few?" Cami says offended. "Give me more credit Cassidy." 

"I'm sorry Cam-"

"It would've been at least a clip."

 Sophia's mouth hangs agape while Luca's mother just laughs out loud. Cassidy rolls her eyes but is still smiling at her aunt. Cami looks proud at her answer only making Sophia that more nervous. It is clear she cares a great deal for this family. 

They continue chatting about a bit of anything and everything before making it to the salon. Sophia's nerves heightening as they step out. Her hair has begun coming out more often and she didn't want people giving her looks due to it. She doesn't even notice when Luca's mother comes over seeing her expression. 

"Hey Cami, will you take Cassidy in? We'll be right behind you." Cami locks arms with the young blonde leading her in while Sophia remains rooted looking at the salon. George bows getting back in the driver seat leaving the two women standing outside the salon. "Sophia?"

She finally blinks looking around and realizing that only Heather remains. The woman touches her arms before letting her hands slide down to grip her hands in her own. "I-I'm sorry."

"Don't be hun... Luca told me that you were having fears about your hair."

"Luca what?" She whispers not sure how to feel about that. 

"My son cares a great deal about you. He only seeks my advise when he really isn't sure what to do."

"Advise... about me?" She speaks gently still confused. 

"He has never had someone battle a disease before.. I have." Heather says with a simple shrug. 

"You have??" Sophia says looking directly into her eyes. 

Heather nods her head in confirmation, "my mother, or well the woman I claim as my mother. She had breast cancer when I was younger."

"And she is okay?" Heather once again nods. 

"She is a strong woman and I love her to pieces. My mother wasn't in the picture for long but she stepped in and well the rest is history."

Sophia knows Heather is not Luca's biological mother but is unsure if she should ask so she decides to keep her mouth shut. Her eyes turning to the salon again which makes Heather follow her gaze. 

"We only due what you are comfortable with... okay?" Heather speaks softly making Sophia nod her head. 

She continues holding one of her hands leading her into the shop. She notices the shop is empty when they walk in leaving her confused. A clearing of a throat makes her turn to Cami. 

"I called in a few favors and we are all getting the VIP treatment today."

Sophia smiles while the other women giggle shaking their heads at Cami. She turns back around and whistles making a few stylist come forward. 

"Alright girls, let's have some fun."

This leads the next few hours to everyone getting the royal treatment. Sophia had her nails done, her feet done, a waxing that was slightly painful. The last was the hair stylist however Cami had come over to her station when she sat down. The vibrant women turning her chair to face her. 

"Now I hope you don't think I'm being to forward but I may have done something for you."

Sophia just chuckles nervously not sure what to think but before she can say anything Cami turns the chair facing a hairstylist holding two mannequin heads. More importantly, on top of the heads lies to red hair wigs both styled differently. One of which reminds her of her own hair. She gets up from the chair slowly reaching out to touch the hair. It was real making her gasp. No one says anything as she continues touching them. 

"Sophia." She turns to find Cami standing there with a nervous smile. "I hope I haven't offended you-"

Sophia quickly shakes her head feeling her emotions running haywire. She tries to stop herself from crying but ends up pulling Cami into a deep hug. The woman stands frozen for a moment before holding her back with equally intensity. She pulls backs looking at the ebony beauty with teary eyes. 

"This is... thank you." Sophia isn't sure what to say. Cami rubs her back still hugging her. 

"Oh honey... you have such a kind soul." Cami pulls back to cup her face. "You're going to beat this bitch."

Sophia chuckle sobs hearing others laughing as well. She turns looking around to find Luca's mother and sister hugging each other looking onto the exchange while the hairstylist is grinning with tears of his own. Sophia steps away looking at herself in the mirror before running her fingers through her hair once more. A sigh leaving her lips as multiple strands fall effortlessly into her palm. She glances behind herself in the mirror at the group giving them a nod. 

Cami gives her a reassuring smile going to stand next to the chair as she sits back down. Sophia breathes as the man sits down the wig before picking up the razor. The sound of the buzzer begins and she closes her eyes. Cami kneels down beside her taking one of her hands into her own. Sophia clenches her eyes as the cool metal brushes back from her forehead all the way to the back of her head. The same motion continuing all the way across her head until she feels the hairdresser brushing the back of her neck. A squeeze to her hand makes her open her eyes. 

Now she finds a women with no hair looking back at her. Her shaky hand comes up to rub over her bald head. The room remains silent for a moment until Cami stands up in front of her blocking her view of the mirror. 

"A survivor."

Her simple words lite a fire in Sophia's heart making her feel better. She breathes in deeply nodding her head. 

"Survivor."

A moment later, the stylist steps forward showing her how to put on the wig. She listens intently and he helps her place it on. It is slightly longer than what she normally has but otherwise it looks like her. She smiles at Cami who only winks in return. A hand to her shoulder makes her turn to the Sanford women who are giving her warm smiles. She squeezes Cami's hand looking back at the mirror once more. 

Survivor.