Princess Ava

Princess Ava
Serena
“So, are you going to the tea party?” I asked, looking at Nico with amusement.
Earlier that day, Nico had told me that little Ava had called him secretly to invite him. But not long after, Alicia had called me. She was sharp and defensive, warning me to keep Nico out of her family affairs. I told her plainly that I don’t get involved in family drama, but I could see it weighed on Nico.
Nico looked at me and sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You know… I can't. It’s not possible.”
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest. He looked surprised that I was trying to console him. I know how much he loves his sister, even if they are estranged. He wants her to be free from this dark mafia life. The world thinks she is dead to us, but I know the truth: Nico is always protecting her from the shadows.
It hurt to see him trying to stay away from his niece when I know his heart just wants to love her and adore her.
We went to bed late that night. I was troubled all night because of my pregnancy. I am late in my second trimester, and getting comfortable is a battle. But between my own tossing and turning, I saw Nico. He was stressed even in his sleep, his brow furrowed as if he were fighting a war in his dreams.
I wondered, is he okay? Did something happen that he isn’t telling me?

The next morning came with bright sunlight but heavy legs.
Grace held my hand and helped me walk down the grand staircase. She watched me wince as my foot hit the bottom step.
“I never thought about it before,” Grace announced loudly as we reached the landing, “but our house needs renovations.”
Luca and Gino appeared from the dining room, holding their espressos. They looked confused.
“What happened?” Luca asked. “What renovations does it need?”
Gino nodded in agreement. “It’s a centuries-old house with modern tech, but it looks elegant. Mother always said the classic design shouldn’t be compromised.”
Grace put her hands on her hips. “We have a giant staircase but no elevator system! When Nina suggested it years ago, she was dismissed because of 'beauty.' But look at Serena now! She is entering her third trimester soon, and it is hell for her to come up and get down these stairs. Her feet are swollen! We need an elevator. And when the child comes, we can’t let a toddler climb these steep marble steps!”
The men looked at me. Their eyes dropped to my swollen ankles. It was not as exhausted as Grace was making it sound—I was just pregnant, not dying—but I respected her worry.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. “Pregnancy is normal and short-term. I will manage.”
“No,” Luca said immediately, his voice firm. He pulled out his phone. “I will contact a construction company today.”
“Luca…” I started.
“No, Grace is right,” Gino interrupted. “We cannot have you struggling in your own home.”
I smiled. For all their scary reputations, these men were softies at heart.
After breakfast, my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“It’s Alicia Black,” a frantic voice whispered. “Serena, did Nico bring Ava over?”
I stiffened. She sounded stressed, but there was a tiny thread of hope in her voice, as if she prayed Nico had taken her.
“No…” I said slowly. “What happened?”
She hissed a curse word. “Fuck! I can’t find my daughter. I don’t want to think she is kidnapped while my husband is plotted to be almost killed.”
My hand tightened on the phone. “What happened to Jack?”
“Accident,” Alicia said, her voice cracking. “I am in the hospital with him. I kept Ava at home with the nanny but… the nanny called. We can’t find her.”
“Listen to me,” I commanded, my voice dropping to a serious tone. “Stay where you are. Focus on Jack. I am contacting Nico right now! Ava will be safeguarded. No harm will come to her.”
She hung up without another word.
Grace looked at me from across the sofa. “What happened, Serena?”
“A friend needs help,” I said.
I called Nico immediately. He didn't answer, so I texted him the code we use for emergencies. Ava. Gone.
Nico called back in ten seconds. He assured me he would handle it.

I was on pins and needles all day. The house felt too quiet.
An hour later, the heavy main door opened. Nico walked inside, holding the hand of a small girl.
I breathed out a sigh of relief and walked slowly to them. “Where was she?”
“Kidnapped,” Nico said, his eyes dark with rage. “Apparently, Jack took a legal case and the opponent used old tricks to create fear.”
My jaw clenched. I looked down at Ava. She looked shaken, her big eyes wide and fearful.
I kneeled down, ignoring the ache in my knees. “Ava? Can we have that tea party here?”
She blinked, looking around the massive foyer. “Aunt Serena, is this Uncle Nico’s house? It’s pretty.” she whispered.
I chuckled. “Yes. You can play here.”
“There are so many people,” she whispered, hiding behind Nico’s leg.
Luca and Gino had walked in. They froze. They stared at Ava. They could not blink. It was as if they were seeing a ghost, or perhaps just the cutest thing they had ever seen.
Ava, gathering her courage, walked up to the two formidable men.
“Hello, good sirs,” she said, doing a wobbly little curtsy. “My name is Ava and Serena is my friend. She said we will play tea party here. But… I don’t wanna play it anymore. I wanna play with dolls. Will you be my princes?”
The men stared at her, completely stunned.
“Hi cutie pie,” Grace said, stepping forward with a warm smile. “You are quite a charmer.”
Ava looked at her. “Hi, Miss! What’s your name?”
“I am Grace.”
“Miss Grace, you are so pretty like my Barbie,” Ava said with shiny eyes. “Do you wanna play with me?”
In an instant, the trauma of the kidnapping seemed to fade, replaced by the wonder of a new environment.
Nina came running down the stairs. She is a magnet to kids. “Hi! I am Nina.”
Ava grinned. Within seconds, she had grabbed the hands of both ladies and the two large men, dragging them toward the living room carpet.
“Uncle Luca, I don’t have dolls here,” she said sadly.
“I will buy you a new set right now,” Luca said instantly, already tapping on his phone. “The biggest house they have.”
“Uncle Gino, my feet hurt,” she pouted.
“I will carry you, Princess,” Gino said, scooping her up as if she weighed nothing.
Ava pointed at Grace’s hair. “Aunt Grace, I like your hairpin.”
Grace immediately reached up and unclipped the diamond pin. “It’s yours, Ava. If you like it, take it.”
Nina was already kissing Ava’s hand, treating her like royalty.
I stood back with Nico, watching the scene unfold.
“Princess Ava has her aunt and uncles wrapped around her finger,” I whispered to him.
Nico watched them, a mixture of love and worry in his eyes.
“Imagine,” he murmured, “what will happen when they find out she is Alicia’s daughter.”