Chapter 5 - Their Beautiful Strong Queen

River

When i got home i parked my car in the driveway and then headed in the house. When i got inside i didn't see anyone so i headed upstairs.

I sat down at my vanity and started putting on a little bit of makeup. When i was done with that i took my hair out of the bun and then unbraided it.

It was really wavy from where it was braided after i showered this morning. I put some jell in it to hold the curl and scrunched it up some. When i was done with that i put on my pantsuit and sprayed my coconut body spray on me and i was good to go.

I really loved this pantsuit the shirt of it covered the front of me but it only had one strap. The top ran across the top of my colorbone and down to under my left arm. The back of it dipped down some to show off my back. It also had a short jacket with it. It was made to wear to work or to wear for a night out. I loved it.

Since it covered my scars and you couldnt see where my tattoo was covered up i decided to forego the jacket for the night. I put on a pair of four inch high heels and was good to go.

I put my phone, wallet, a chapstick and my keys into a clutch purse and then headed downstairs.

When I get downstairs Nonna and Nicco are ready and waiting on me. "Wow, look at you. You look so pretty. I thought you said you weren't getting dressed up?" Nonna asked me.

"Im not really dressed up. This is the new pantsuit that I got and I figured I'd wear it. I love it, it's super cute and comfy" I said.

"We'll you look really beautiful in it" Nonna said. "How the hell did you grow since this morning? Your actually tall, maybe now we will be able to see you and wont trip on you" Nicco said.

"Two things Nicco. One, bite me and two remember i know where you sleep. So you better sleep with one eye open. And im wearing heals you jackass. The pants are a little long and i dont want to trip on them. By the way Nonna before i forget im going to Chris and Rens house for dinner tomorrow night. They said i've not been around much lately and they miss me."

"Ok sweetgirl, i don't know what im doing after church tomorrow yet. I'll get into something though. Now let's get going before we are late" Nonna said.

"We could always just not go" i said with a big smile on my face. "Not happening, now get your ass in the car. Your riding with us so that you dont try to sneak off."

"Ugh fine" i said with a pout. Nonna, Nicco and i all loaded up in Niccos car and headed to the diner.

When we got there, we were the first one's to arrive. Nonna and Nicco went to make sure that the private room was ready to go. While i checked on the kitchen to make sure everything was going ok.

After checking that everything was ok in the kitchen, i headed back to the private room. When i got in there Nonna and Nicco had been joined by my Uncle Zain and Aunt Bell.

It didn't take long and Dante and Enzo showed up. I went and sat with the boy's at one end of the table. I sat so that i had one on each side of me.

I didn't really like to talk to people that i didn't know. And i really didnt want to talk to that giant assed tree from yesterday.

It wasn't much longer and a large group of people came in the room. Nonna and Uncle Zain went to great everyone.

I leaned over to Nicco and said "Are you sure i can't sneak out and leave i really don't want to be here. You know how i feel about these situations."

"Nope" he said while popping the p. "You heard what mom said. Your staying right here with us."

"Fine but you keep your ass by my side all night. You do not leave me" i said while giving him the evil eye.

I looked up to see the group coming our way so i looked back at him and he nodded his head.

"Let me introduce my kids and grandkids. You remember Nicco. And this is my daughter River and my grandkids Dante and Enzo. You four, these are my friends Luciano and Angela and their family. This is their kids Massimo, Renzo, Giorgio, and Carina. And River i believe that you know.."

"Nonno and Nonna" I said interrupting Nonna. "I've missed you both so much" i said, as i got up to give them a hug.

"For the rest of you who don't know this is Francesco and Anna. Is this all of the family that's coming tonight?" Nonna asked.

"Domenico will be here in a few minutes. He had something to do. And the rest of my siblings are all out of town or busy. And both of our parents are away on vacation in Italy. Rosa, i don't remember you having any other kids after Nicco. The only girl i remember you having was Loretta. Now how do you know Francesco and Anna and why did you call them Nonna and Nonna?" Luciano asked me.

Before i spoke i looked to Nonna who nodded. She always knows what i want without me saying anything.

"Well sir im not tecnically Nonnas daughter. My biological mother is Loretta. Nonna took me in when i was five for personal reasons and adopted and raised me as if i was hers. And i know these two because of their son Christian. I've known him since i was ten. Him and his husband Ren became my stand-in dad err dads i guess you'd say. I've not spoken to my bio parents since Nonna took me out of there. Chris and Ren have been my dads. I spend alot of time with them and i also spend time with their parents" I said.

"This is the girl that you talk about all the time Anna? The one that you said was your granddaughter" Angela asked Anna.

"It sure is, you know that Daniel won't settle down and give me grandkids. And i was starting to think that Chris and Ren weren't either. But then they showed up one day when River was about eleven and said that she wasn't tecnically theirs but they claim her anyways. After explaing things to me i understood and she became ours as well. You, young lady, haven't come to see us in a few weeks. Why is that?" Anna asked me.

"Like i told Pops and Poppa earlier today, between work, school, baseball and the end of the year exams i've been really busy. I feel like i don't even have time to breathe half the time. I had last night off work and went straight home and crashed out. I'll be so glade when schools done for the year. Im ready for summer break and a much needed vacation."

"How much longer do you have and what grade are you in?" Luciano asked me.

"Im in college, my second year and im in culinary school and im also taking business and art classes. I've got about two years left to go. Right now though we only have a couple of weeks until summer break. I also have classes in mma. I use to do boxing but just didnt have time for it anymore. Im also on the baseball team" I said.

"Thats alot of stuff to have on your plate. How do you make time to do everything?" Angela asked me.

"I've got a very tight schedule and i try to keep to it. We also had our championship game last weekend for baseball so its done for the season and now i won't have it to worry about anymore. That will free up some of my time."

"We wouldn't have made it to the championship game and won it, if it wasn't for River. She's got one hell of an arm" Enzo said.

As we were standing there talking the door opened up again. When i looked up to see who it was i seen the walking tree and his meathead coming in. Right behind him was Chris and Ren.

When the walking tree seen me he stopped and gave me a dirty look at first before walking again. I just rolled my eyes at him.

Chris and Ren came over to us and hugged Chris' parents and me. "Hey Poppa and Pop didn't i just see you?" I asked them with a cheesy smile.

"Yep your like a bad penny, just can't get rid of ya" Chris joked. "How are you feeling? Are you sore or anything?" Chris asked me.

"No im good. Im sure i'll feel it later but right now it's ok. And you know you couldn't ever get rid of me, you'd miss me way to much" i said with a laugh.

"Don't tell me your covering up her beautiful skin with your ink?" Nonna Anna asked.

"I asked him to tattoo me i had something that needed covered up. I know you know what im talking about Nonna. And that's all im saying on it."

"Oh Honey, i forgot all about that. Yea i don't blame you for that" Nonna Anna said.

The walking tree had joined our group and i was ignoring him delibertly. Luciano cleared his throat and then made introductions with the tree and meathead.

When he got to me the tree said "Yes we met yesterday at the coffee shop." I got alot of looks that said oh this is the psycho from yesterday.

"Yes we did, he made the jerk behind the counter give me my coffee when he wouldn't. And then when i asked his meathead nicely to move so i could get out. He wouldn't move their car so i could pull out of my spot and get to school. He just kept ignoring me, when the walking freaking tree there came out i asked him to move so that i could get going before i was late. He then insinuated that whatever i was going to be late for wouldn't be important anyways. And when i said i had to get to school he said i probobly only got into college on scholarships and grants and that i couldn't actually afford college. The only scholarship i got was for baseball and i pay for the rest out of MY pocket" i said with a huff.

Luciano looked at Dom with a mean look and Dom hurried up to say "Im sorry. We got off on the wrong foot yesterday and i appologize for it."

I really didn't want to accepted it but i looked at him and said " I guess ill accept it. Now please excuse me i need the little girls room before dinner."

With that i turned and went out the door and to the bathroom. For some reason he makes me really nervous. His bodyguard does as well. From the time they walked in they were both watching me.

I've never been interested in dating but they both make me want to be and that's just dangerous. Especially with guys like them.

After using the bathroom and washing and drying my hands i head back towards the private room. I seen the body guard standing outside the door to the private room watching me.

As i was walking back, I looked out across the floor and see Anthony and Loretta beside the door making a scene with the hostess.

I hear her tell them that someones not working and that they need to leave but they won't. I decided to intervene. Big mistake.