Chapter 111: Focus on coming home
Flame POV
I sit down and hold and cry with my little brother cause there's nothing else I can do to help ease his pain.
He's leaving tonight so I guess there's nothing to do now, maybe when they get back he can sit down and talk to her.
"Denalii, Focus on coming home and we'll worry about everything else then"
He looks at me and nods his head.
"Flame I'm sorry it's alot to put on you. I know it will be hard but I don't want her to know. Last night it seemed like she was getting a memory and she looked in pain. I can't do that to her again. I'll be fine, you know I will. Please just keep this secret for me"
I kiss his cheek and cross my heart again.
"I will Denalii, I promise"
"I'm going to take a quick shower and clean this sad funk off. You better get dressed before dad kicks our asses"
"I love you" I say pulling him in for a tight hug,
"I love you too my beautiful sister" I kiss his cheek and head to my room to change.
I put a simple sundress. It's cream colored with bright flowers on it. Not my style but my auntie bought it for me and I know it will make her and my dad happy to see me in it.
I hear Ms. Henley our house keeper announce dinner, I take a deep breath and head to the dinning area.
I see my dad and uncle stand as I enter and my favorite auntie Sofia comes and hugs me.
"I knew that dress would look amazing on you the moment I seen it. Oh my little Fiammetta, you look so beautiful" she beams.
"Thank you auntie" I say smiling at her
"Where's your brother?" My dad asks sternly.
"He will be here any minute papi" I say kissing his cheek then my uncle Freddie's.
"We watched your fight on the you tube. You looked amazing my little princess" he says smiling over at me.
"Thank you Uncle" I say taking my seat next to my dad.
"Did you watch her match last night
fratellino?" He asks my dad.
"I'm 50 years old and you still call me little brother."
"Your always going to be my
fratellino even when you're 60" uncle Freddie says laughing.
"No I didn't watch her fight. I don't like seeing my little princess like that" He gently kisses my hand.
"Father she's a grown women and she kicks ass. Sorry auntie. You should go see her, she's amazing" Denalii says walking in and kissing our aunts cheek.
"Thank you
fratellino" I say, winking at my uncle.
"See! She calls him little brother too" He says smacking my dad's arm.
We laugh at them.
It's nice to see papi relaxed and not so serious for once.
I love when my uncle is around I can see the kind man my dad used to be when our mother was still alive.
I was 16 and Denalii was 15 when our mother died.
I didn't get as much time with her as they did but I took her death hard.
She slept in my room every night for a year with me when I first got here just in case I had a nightmare or needed her.
She was a amazing mother to a abused little girl, who needed a lot of love and patience.
She never made me feel like I wasn't her biological child, she never loved me any different then she did Denalii.
I lean over and kiss my father's cheek.
"What is that for my little princess?" He asks me.
"Nothing papi" he squeezes my hand a kisses me back.
I just watch him and my uncle joking and talking. I forget how handsome he is, I've almost forgotten how his smile lights up his face.
They are laughing and pouring more wine in their cups.
I look at my brother and he's watching our father with a smile on his face. I'm glad he got to see this side of him before he's deployed again.
I hate when he's gone, the house is too quiet.
"Are you ready to go sir?" Giovanni asks Denalii.
I run and throw myself into his arms. I hate him being away.
"Be safe and remember to write me this time. I love you and I'll send you pictures and letters" I tell him hugging him as tight as I can.
He squeezes me tightly and whispers in my ear "Keep a eye on dad and don't let him work too much, remind him your still here and need him. Please watch over River for Finn"
I kiss his cheek "I'll keep her safe for both of you. Dad will be fine."
Our father comes over and hugs us both.
"Don't cry auntie, I'll be fine. I'll write you" he kisses her cheek and hugs her tightly.
"Uncle Freddie, thank you for dinner. Keep my old man out of trouble for me" he kisses his cheek.
"I love you guys. I'll call when I can. Dad don't threaten my commander this time" he laughs patting his shoulder.
"Well they should let you boys call your parents more often. I make no apologies" he grabs Denalii and hugs and kisses him.
We walk him to the door.
I follow the car waving as tears run down my face.
"He'll be home before we know it and you'll be threatening to kick his butt for being annoying" my dad says wiping my tears.
We laugh together.
"Thank you papi for everything" I say kissing his cheek softly.
"Your momma would be so proud of the woman you've become and she would smack my head for keeping you out of the business. So we'll talk more next week, okay Fiammetta"
I jump into his arms "Thank you Papi, I love you and I won't let you down" he kisses my nose like he used to do to my mother.
"Go, now and do young people things. Leave us old folks to clean up" I smile at him and kiss his cheek.
I run up stairs and change my clothes then I kiss my auntie and uncle goodbye.
I head outside as Lucky pulls up.
"Fiammetta" my dad yells.
"Yes, papi?" I say turning around.
"Giovanni will be assigned to you for a few weeks. I won't take no for a answer! Be nice and keep him close by till I say otherwise" he says.
"Yes papi"
"Lucky. I need you and Pickle here Friday at ten"
"Yes sir, we'll be here" Lucky says.
"I love you princess"
I kiss him again "I love you too daddy"