"Good morning, good morning!" Lilly sung while twirling into the dining room. I was a little surprised and also kind of amazed at how she managed to keep her stack of pancakes on her plate as she spun violently until she stopped at the chair next to me. "Good morning, amica mia," she immediately started tearing into her food.

I was left speechless with my mouth wide open. Here she was wide awake at 6 in the morning and able to function like a normal person, and then there was me who had no clue how to even find the food, let alone devour it so early in the morning.

It was so early the rest of the house wasn't even up yet. "What's wrong with you, Chloe? Are you sick? Do you need to see the doctor? Should I find Angelo and alert him?"

"I'm fine. I just don't understand what's wrong with you. How are you so awake?"

She shrugged, "This is actually what happens when I haven't slept in awhile. I go a little crazy."

Dom walked into the room and found his way over to us as he slowly sipped from his coffee mug. "So I see she's started to bug you already. My condolences, gattina," he leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on Lilly's awaiting lips. When he tried to stand up straight again, she grabbed his dark blue tie and pulled him back down to her lips.

I quickly made a change in scenery and looked out the large bay window. I squinted, wondering if I was seeing correctly. There were several people in the large backyard, setting up tables and hanging lights from canopy tents.

Where did those come from and how had I not noticed before?

"Hey guys?" I asked while turning back to Dom and Lilly who were still busily eating each other's faces. I decided that I probably wasn't going to get an answer from them, and instead searched the house for the backdoor. It shouldn't have been hard, but it was. It was very hard.

I had turned down several hallways, leading to many rooms, before I contemplated giving up.

"Criceta?" I spun around quickly at the sound of that voice. "Why are you up so early? And what are you doing?" Angelo asked. I almost laughed at how much he resembled me right at this moment. Tired, and still completely unready for the day.

"I was trying to go outside."

"With whom and why? Because I don't think right now is a great time, Chloe. I take it you've seen what's going on outside, yes?"

"Yep," I said quickly and tried to get around him, so I could continue my search, but he wouldn't move. I made an angry face at him, knowing that he wouldn't take me seriously before I did so.

"Feisty little thing, aren't ya?" He spun me around so that my back was to him and wrapped his arms around my waist. Instead of fighting it, I settled. This wasn't so bad anyway. "You didn't sleep well, did you?" He asked quietly before resting his chin on my shoulder.

I shook my head, "No, but to be fair, I usually don't."

"You need more sleeping pills?"

"No. What I need is to know what's going on outside. Are you throwing a party?"

"For you...and mio bambino, yes."

"So everyone is going to know than?" I knew this had to come, but I wasn't ready yet.

"Let's be honest Chloe, everyone already knows."

"How? Why do you say that?"

"Because whoever else was on that plane with us also heard just how bad you are at whispering, and those just so happened to be the people who are the worst at keeping secrets. And this has to do with me. People around here would kill to get a glimpse into my personal life. You'll learn that soon enough," he unwrapped his arms and I took that opportunity to turn back around to face him, "I don't want them knowing a lot, so I'll be moving you back to the apartment by the end of the week."

"Are you kidding me?!" I snapped, "Would it kill you to stay in one place for more than a day?!"

"No. Would it kill you to keep your voice down?" He countered, "You should probably go find Alessandra or Lilly. People will be arriving soon and you need to get ready."

________

Unfamiliar people started to show up at the mafia house a couple of hours later, and by the time that evening had came, the house was almost completely full.

Well, the backyard was anyway. Hardly anyone was inside the house.

From the top floor, I looked out the window and down at the multiple people who had congregated in the back. I spotted Angelo chatting amongst an almost terrifying group of people. They looked armed and dangerous, ready to kill anyone who said even the smallest insult to them. I would have to keep my comments to myself tonight or fear a quick and or super painful death.

Alessandra walked out of the bathroom, now in a long sleeve chevron patterned maxi dress. She had a cute baby bump, and I was almost excited about having one myself for a moment. I wasn't ready for this. How was I going to bring a tiny person into the mafia world and keep it safe when I had a hard enough time keeping myself out of trouble? It seemed impossible, but I wanted to look on the bright side.

But I just couldn't.

"You look nice, Chloe," Alessandra spoke softly.

"You don't have to lie, ya know. I know I look terrible," I caught a glimpse of myself in the full body mirror and saw just how bad the bags under my eyes were. Sleep was a pain in the side, and makeup didn't really cover them anymore.

"I don't lie, Chloe and I definitely don't let my friends be sad. What has you down now? Is it still the pregnancy?"

"I'm fine. Can we just go outside?"

She gave me a stern look before slowly nodding, "This isn't over yet though. We'll talk about your terrible vibes later."

As soon as she was done talking, I left the room and soon found my way outside, leaving Alessandra somewhere in the dust.

I didn't recognize anybody as I pushed my way through the crowd of people. Why were there so many of them? And who were they all?

"Hey blondie," Luca greeted, "Haven't talked to you in awhile. How've ya been?"

I shrugged, "I've been better," I reached for the glass of some alcoholic drink that he had, but soon realized that I probably shouldn't drink that. For the sake of having a normal, healthy child. I guess I was underaged anyway.

"Ah," Luca gave me a knowing look, "Blondie doesn't want this," he thrusted the glass out to me, "Why not? Finally gonna tell me what I know I'm gonna find out tonight? You know, you and Aless are really good at keeping secrets. Kind of."

"If you already know, why do you keep bugging me?"

"Just wanna hear you admit it I guess. How's baby D'Amico doing? Thriving I hope. That kid could be the future of this Family. If its a boy that is."

I didn't know a whole lot about my baby's or my future at this moment, but I did know that he or she would not be around the danger associated with the mafia. I would do what I could to guarantee that.

"Angelo," Luca nodded in his direction as he walked over to us, "I'll leave you two alone now," he said before walking off, and joining Alessandra's and Lilly's conversation.

"I have something for you. A little gift," Angelo said before downing the small glass of...whatever it was. "Come with me, it's right inside."

"You got me something?" I questioned while following him back into the house, and into a small, poorly decorated room.

There was the cutest little thing sitting in the corner.

A puppy.

A German shepherd puppy to be exact.

I rushed over and scooped the small puppy with the red collar into my arms. In an instant he had become my most favorite thing in the whole world. "Aw, you're so cute," I gently pet his soft fur. "Does he have a name?"

"Bandit." Angelo answered. "He'll be a good guard dog for you. I hope you like him."

"I love him. Thank you."

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