Becoming Queen

Chapter 22: Moving on

Sofia

2 weeks later

"Have you got everything? Toothbrush? Your colouring pencils? Slippers?".

Neatening his little hat, I bopped him on the nose before bearing witness to his adorable little frown.

"Yes, yes and yessssss. Can I go please, Nana said I can plant some vegetables in the garden and I need to go and cuddle my Nora".

As much as Finn wouldn't get angry with me, I just loved fussing over him. He was so damn adorable.

"Alright. I am just checking. Go on now".

Finn smiled as he held onto the straps of his rucksacks and kissed me on my cheek before hurrying towards the door where Grandma was waiting patiently. 

"How is she?" I asked waiting nervously for her response. I thought peace would come after burying my parents, but Amelia was back to her old ways. Shutting the world out as usual.

"She's different. She's not locking herself away around me, she seems to have an issue with that guy staying with you. I don't know, but something is setting her off. I'll message you when she wants to come back".

It still hurt remembering back to the day I found Amelia packing after having called Grandma to say she didn't want to be here anymore. 

I tried to persuade her to stay, but she said as long as Giovanni was staying here, then she wouldn't be.

But even though I loved having my siblings stay with me, it felt nice to have some time alone. 

I just didn't want Amelia to shut herself away like she always did.

"Okay, thanks Nana".

I smiled at her as she pressed her lips on my cheek and stroked away the lipstick stain I was sure she had left on my cheek.

But as I watched her walk away with Finn's hand in hers, she gave a worrisome glance in the direction of Giovanni.

But as soon as she caught me staring, the frown disappeared and muttered a quick and quiet goodbye. 

As soon as the door closed behind her, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

I loved having my family around, but looking after 3 very different personalities was hard. Finn always wanted to explore, Nora always wanted to do arts and crafts and as for Amelia, all she wanted to do was sleep. Even though the rest of the family reassured me that I was not alone, I couldn't help but act and feel like a mum. Always making sure food was on the table whilst encouraging a full balanced diet. I had to put up with tantrums, tears and teenage strops. I thought I could cope, but I wasn't as tough and strong as mum. 

"Hey, sit your cute ass down. You need to eat".

Looking round at the man who had been by my side the entire time, I couldn't help my rosy cheeks watching as he pilled food onto two plate. But my eyes weren't focused on the food for the first time in my life. 

There was nothing more attractive than a man who cooks.

A plain white t-shirt, black trousers and his hair neatly gelled back with a few strands falling forwards.

Sensing me staring at him, he looked up at me and smirked.

Never in my life did I feel so weak under a man's gaze, but right now I felt so incredibly vulnerable.

He licked his lips whilst beckoning me over with his pointer finger.

This was so out of character to me, because I'd normally flip them off and walk the other way, but I obeyed him like a puppy eager to please their master.