35|| Everyone

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We all sat at the table and immediately started eating. The food was really good.

Of course, it was good, I made it.

After a few minutes of normal conversations, Vincent got his knife and tapped it lightly on the glass.

Is he going all out for this huh?

"I have an announcement to make," Vincent said.

"June and I," he paused as he grabbed her hand and stood her up from her chair.

"Are in a relationship. We are happy together and hope the rest of you will support us through this." He continued.

It was quiet for two seconds.

Until it wasn't.

"Yay! I knew it. Am I gonna be an uncle yet?!" Matt yelled

"We all knew Ragazzo stupido." Ace said

Asher was smiling.

And Roman gave a fatherly nod.

I on the other hand was elated, I was going to have a sister!

After dinner, I asked June to come with me outside so we could talk.

We both sat on a bench in the garden next to each other.

"So, do you like my brother?" I asked.

"Yes." She blushed.

"Will you treat him right?" I questioned.

"Yes as long as he returns the respect I give." She responded.

"Do you have siblings?" I asked.

"No." She replied.

"Parents?" I asked.

"I don't talk to them often, but I do love them dearly." She said.

We sat and stared at each other for a few good seconds.

I squealed loudly and leaped on her for a hug.

"I'm so excited, you have no idea. I can finally talk to someone about girly things." I beamed.

June returned the hug and rubbed my back.

"I'm excited too, how are you Taliah?" She went from happy to serious very quickly.

"I'm good, family is okay friends are good school is school," I explained.

She lightly smiled and held my hands in hers.

"You know I'm always here, right? You can always talk to me. If anything is bothering you talk to me okay?" She explained.

"K" I smiled.

We sat there and talked about how she and Vinny first met.

He had burned himself with coffee and didn't have anything to treat it. Luckily she was on her way to class and just so happens to have her medical bag.

Vinny told June he was a doctor like herself but she laughed at him because of his situation.

I also learned she's from California and moved here when she was 14. She is 21 and now works for my brothers as one of the head doctors.

The more we talked the later it got.

June drove back home and I headed to bed peacefully. Maybe things are changing for good.

•••

"Come out Taliah. I'm not waiting anymore." Nigel yelled.

I was hiding from him. He caught me trying to eat a piece of cake he bought yesterday.

He told me I could have some. I was surprised at first but when I tried to eat some he slapped me.

Momma told me about people like Nigel. She taught me brains are like toys. Sometimes you can fix them but other times you can't.

I think Nigel has a brain that needs to be fixed.

The closet door I was hiding behind was now open and I was being dragged away from it by my hair.

It hurt so bad but I couldn't cry, my tears were now dried up. I couldn't do it anymore. I can't do it anymore.

Nigel grabbed me by the throat and held me up to his height.

"Fight back." He spat in my face.

Literally.

He kneed me in the face so hard k could feel my head spinning.

I clawed at his hand desperately trying to breathe.

Mom?

Why did she leave? Was I not good enough? Did I not make her happy anymore?

Nigel squad my throat a little tighter.

Just before I fully left he dropped me he kicked me in my stomach.

I coppery taste filled my mouth.

Slowly I fell asleep on the cold floor.

I just wish I knew why Mom left.

I woke up feeling sick.

I ran to the bathroom and threw up. I hadn't had a dream in a while.

I stood up from the toilet and flushed down the contents of my stomach.

I got a paper towel to wipe my mouth.

I brushed my teeth and made my way to the Romans' room.

Yes Roman, he knew how to calm me after a dream like that.

He and I may not be super close yet but his attitude won't change how much I love him.

I walked in to see him walk out of his bathroom freshly showered in pajamas.

"What are you doing up?" He asked.

"I- I had a nightmare. Can I sleep with you tonight?" I questioned quietly.

"Come on." He motioned me to the bed.

He laid down beside me and he wrapped his arm around my waist protectively.

Just before I fell asleep fully he kissed my head and whispered something to me.

"Presto Taliah. Lo saprai presto. Lo prometto."

•••

The next day I was getting ready for school.

I took a quick shower and decided to wear some makeup.

Mascara lip gloss and blush.

I eyed myself in the mirror looking at my body.

Now that I've been eating right and I've started my period I'm starting to look different. Healthy even.

I'm now at a normal weight. My stomach has a little flab but it's still flat. The rest of my body is bigger.

I don't look like a pancake anymore! I've grown a bit of curves too. I'm happy with how I look.

I'm especially excited because today is the last day of school till spring break.

But that also means not being able to see River very often.

I should ask for his number.

At school during lunch I find River sitting at our bench.

"Hi! How are you?" I asked as I sat across from him.

"I'm good love, how are you?" He replied.

"I'm okay," I said as I poured while staring at my Mac and cheese.

"What's wrong?" River asked.

"Nothing," I grumbled I opened the pit to my food and stuffed a huge bite in my mouth.

After swallowing River lifted my chin while sitting left to me.

When did he get there?

"Somethings off, what is it?" He asked looking concerned.

"I just wish we could be together during break. I won't be able to see you for a whole week." I whined.

River smirked and he leaned his back on the table.

"So you'll miss me." He stated.

I scoffed, "What? No, I just know how much you'll miss me so that's why I'm sad." I explained.

He nodded "So let me get this straight, your sad because you think I'll miss you during the break?" He asked.

I tapped my chin while looking up to the sky, "Yes, precisely." I smiled.

River came closer to me while whispering in my ear.

"Well, I get you right sweetheart. I will miss you."

Great, now I feel fluttering in my stomach and heat on my cheeks.

My face cheeks.

"Aww, she's blushing." He teased.

I leaned closer to him and laid on his chest.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and his hands immediately went to my waist.

"Taliah." He whispered while looking at my lips.

"Yes?" I answered while licking my lips.

His grey eyes turned dark within seconds.

I kissed his chin quickly and hopped off my seat.

"Gotcha Bestie!" I laughed.

He still sat there looking at me with so much emotion that I couldn't decipher.

He too stood up and grabbed my waist tightly.

His lips came down to my ear slowly.

"Don't test me Taliah. Next time I won't be so forgiving bestie." He whispered.

Uh oh. I think I went too far.

The bell rang while we continued to stand there holding each other.

"You okay?" I asked as I let go of him.

"Yeah, you?" He replied.

"I'm okay." I smiled gently.

We both exchanged numbers so we could talk to each either over break.

After school, Ace said Roman called a family meeting.

We got home and I changed into shorts and a shirt I stole from one of the boys.

Eventually, everyone was sitting in the living room and waiting for Roman to talk.

"So, I've called you all here to tell you Grandfather called and said they were coming to vitiate," Roman said.

"Gg and Grandpa?" Matt said.

"Everyone," Roman said.

"Everyone?" Ace questioned with wide eyes.

Vincent nodded "I told them it wasn't a good idea but nobody listened."

"What do you mean by everyone? What's going on guys?" I asked.

"The entire family wants to meet you," Vincent said.

"Oh," I deflated.

"Are you upset?" Roman asked.

I locked eyes with him, "Not at all just scared." I replied.

"Don't worry they'll love you," Vincent said.

•••

Later that night I decided to text River.

After that I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Longer chapter? I'm on a roll this week! Did you like this chapter? I think Taliah's oblivious 🙄 Thank you all for continuing to send love! QOTD: What's your favorite facial feature? Me? Probably my eyes. Don't forget to VCF! Byeeeeee!

Mya❤️