Love, Evangeline

34.

The dull sound of the car engine dying down hummed softly in my ears. A soft thumb gently rubbed my cheek, waking me up. I yawned softly as my eyes fluttered open, adjusting themselves to the new environment. " We're here," Domenico said as my still tired eyes looked at him. I smiled as Domenico ran his hand through my hair. " You ready?" Domenico asked. I nodded, leaning forward Domenico kissed my forehead before turning and getting out of the car.

A cold breeze made its way into the car, forcing me to sit up and button up my jacket. My door opened, I sighed as I stepped out of the car. " How do you think my brothers are going to react to this?" I asked as Domenico walked to the back of the car and grabbed my bags. " Seeing how they practically hate me for marrying you, I'm sure their reaction will be the same," Domenico answered as he hauled my things up to me. I smiled, " my brothers don't hate you, you and I both know they're just very overprotective over me." Domenico grinned as I wrapped my arms around his waist and looked up at him. " Please, just go easy on them okay?" I asked with hope. Domenico chuckled, " I'm serious, I need you to be nice to them or else none of this is going to workout," I explained. " Okay, but I'm doing this for you," Domenico informed. I rolled my eyes right as Domenico smiled, leaned down and softly kissed me.

The door to my house flew open, forcing me to step back from Domenico. " Evangeline?" A voice called out. I turned and saw my mother standing at the door, a huge smile instantly took over her face. " Oh my god!" My mother exclaimed. I grinned as she ran up to me, pulling me into a tight embrace. Domenico stepped back and smiled as he watched  my mother hug me as if there was no tomorrow. " Why the hell did you not tell me you were coming down?" My mother asked as she steeped back. " I wanted it to be a surprise," I explained. Turning towards Domenico, my mother asked grinning, " how are you?" " I'm good thank you, how are you?" Domenico asked as my mother embraced him. I folded my arms and grinned, this had gotten to be the purest moment I had witnessed for what seemed like forever.

" Thank you so much for bringing her," my mother said. Domenico scoffed softly, " it wasn't my idea." My mother grinned more as she turned to me, " I missed you," I said. My mother shook her head, " you dear, have been missed by everyone." I looked at Domenico who had the same pleased, relaxed look on his face as I did. " Alright, it's cold out here and I'm sure you two are hungry," my mother said. She helped Domenico with our bags before leading us inside the house. I sighed in satisfaction as my eyes scanned around, I missed this place more than I could ever explain. " It's been awfully quiet since you left," my mother informed me. Domenico helped me out of my jacket before placing it over his arm.

" Where is everyone?" I asked. Suddenly, the sound of laughing, and ongoing conversations echoed off the wall. I turned my attention towards the hallway as all five of my brothers walked into the foyer. Right as Mateo locked eyes with me, a huge smile exploded across his face. " Evangeline!" He exclaimed as he ran up to me. I chuckled as he picked me up and spun me around before placing me back down onto my feet. " We'll well we'll," Alessandro said as he walked up to me. I smiled, " did you miss me?" Alessandro chuckled as he pulled me into a hug, a hug I desperately craved for. " God, I thought you were never coming back," Alessandro teased as he stepped back. Damien walked up and hugged me, as well as the rest of my brothers. It had been so long since I had seen then, let alone hugged them and I was cherishing every second of this moment.

Alessandro sighed as he looked at Domenico before saying, " I'd give you a hug, but I don't exactly know you." My smile slowly faded as I looked at Domenico then Alessandro. " I don't blame you, not a lot of people know who the most wealthiest man in all of Italy is," Domenico mocked. Dante scoffed, " we've got plenty of people time to get to know each other since I'm marrying your sister," Domenic assured calmly. I could see the pure hatred flood in all my brothers eyed as they glared at Domenico. " Well," my mother sighed. " I've got some chicken noodle soup on the stove, and I'm sure Evangeline and Domenico are hungry." I smiled, " yes, thank you mom." Domenico took my hand in his as he continued to stare down Dante. I tugged at Domenico's hand before following my mom, pulling Domenico's behind me as he headed towards the dinning hall.