Chapter 15 - Teaser Part 2

“We’re handling the situation,” Frank said with a frown as he walked into the kitchen and the younger boys paled.  He saw the smiles on the girls faces and said in a gentle tone, “How was the date?”

“It was wonderful Daddy, we had a good time, it was the perfect first date,” Sophia said as she gave him a hug.  The girls smiled and nodded in agreement.

“That’s all that matters,” Frank said with a smile before looking at the boys and narrowing his eyes.  “The rest will be taken care of at the lake.”

“Sorry guys,” Lorenzo said as Anthony opened the bond.  “I’ll talk with Uncle Frank and Dad later and tell them it was my fault.”

“We’re all to blame,” Marcus responded with a sigh.  “We knew you were acting like an ass and kept annoying you.  Though the fight was fun, we need to do that more often; it was a good way to let off some steam.”

“Just not when we’re on a date with our intendeds,” Alberto said as his smile was replaced with a frown as he saw a flash of pain cross Maria’s face and her family turned their attention to her.  He noticed her swollen fingers and growled low in his throat as he scooped her in his arms and set her in the recliner.  Hollering for Annie to bring ice and her meds, he gently placed a pillow under her casted arm to elevate it.  “Why didn’t you let me know your arm was hurting Gattina?” 

She sighed and leaned into his chest as he knelt next to the recliner, “It’s okay.  I think I might’ve just overdone it a little.”

Joe ran down the hallway snapping at Annie, “I knew it was a bad idea for her to go to the game and then on a date.  It was too much too soon, she should be resting.”  He glared at Alberto until he moved and knelt down to examine his daughters arm, frowning when he saw the swelling and slight bruising.

“Calm down Joe,” said Annie with a frown.  “She’s fifteen, not two.  If something is bothering her, she can tell us.”  

Seeing his concern, Maria closed her eyes wondering how to tell him how badly it hurt and that it had been aching for a month, even before she broke it the first time.  Several minutes went by as she thought it over and decided to ask Doctor Parr when she saw him; she opened her eyes and asked quietly, “Daddy, can I have my meds?  It’s sore and I promise I’ll rest and let it heal.”

Joe took the juice out of Rose’s hands and Annie gave her the pain meds.  “Do you want to stay here, or do you want me to carry you upstairs?”

“Stay here Daddy, it feels better if its propped up and I don’t move much,” she said as she snuggled into her Dad as he stroked her hair.  As she began to relax her eyes snapped open when she felt somebody slip off her shoes and saw Damian putting on her favorite fuzzy socks, Gianni with a cup of hot chocolate, Lorenzo holding a pillow, and Sal with her favorite snack - sliced apples with peanut butter.

“I’ll lay down with her and help her relax,” Sophia said softly as she kicked off her heels.  The boys moved out of her way as she snuggled next to her cousin before Victor covered them with the blanket from her bed.

Vin scowled at the boys, “This is what I’m talking about.  Did you pay attention to her and make sure she was okay?  Or where you too busy focusing on yourselves and whatever the hell you were doing?”  He turned to Alberto and narrowed his eyes, “And you’re supposed to be her mate and…”

“Hold the fuck up Vin.  I know you’re not implying I neglected my mate and caused her harm.  I would never do anything to hurt her and you fucking know that,” Alberto said in a near roar as he stepped aggressively towards his friend and they heard the men running down the hall.  “And what the fuck do you mean ‘supposed’ to be her mate?  She IS my mate.”

Carlo, Carmelo, Frank and Joe stepped between them and Joe looked at his nephew, “Vincent, you know better than to accuse a male of hurting their mate.  I know Alberto would never hurt my daughter.”

“Thank you Poppa Joe.  You know she means everything to me, without her I have nothing,” Alberto said with a frown as he looked at his father in law. 

“You have a funny way of showing it,” Dom said as he stood next to his twin before he turned to his brothers and cousins.  “And the bunch of you are worse, he’s only cared about her for a couple of weeks.  She’s your fucking family, I expect...”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Maria interrupted with a sigh.  “The boys didn’t do anything wrong, it’s my fault for not taking my medicine but I didn’t want to because it makes me sleepy.”  She looked at Alberto and smiled, “I wanted this date to be perfect and it was.”

Vin snorted, “Perfect my ass.  It sounds like a fucking disaster, you were ignored by your mate, I can tell Erin was crying because her eyes are red and Mom said Anthony ruined another one of Sophia’s dresses.”  He turned to Caitlin, “And what happened to you?  What’s your part in this so called perfect date?”  Not knowing what to say she buried her face in Damian’s chest.

“Vin, I’m warning you you’d better leave Caitlin alone.  She’s not used to you and your overbearing bossy manner,” growled Damian as his arms encircled her.  “She’s sweet and gentle and doesn’t deserve this from you…so leave her the fuck alone.”  He continued to glare at his cousin as his wolf started to prowl back and forth, angry because the female in his arms was upset and he didn’t like it.