𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒

Bonus Chapter

DAMON
LARS

I leaned against the gazebo, watching the children play. Valentino, Valentina, and Addie were the only ones out here today. The three of them were inseparable. Despite only being twelve, they seemed unusually close. Valentino and Valentina were twins, with a bond that ran deep, but Adeline shared an even stronger connection with them. Some of us joked that Valentino and Addie had a crush on each other, the way they acted so sweetly around one another.

"Dad," my nineteen-year-old son Damien called out. He was practically the second parent to everyone, always taking charge. Being the eldest, he often clashed with Stella's daughter, Bridget.

"I swear to God, I'm going to kill Bridget. She and Rosalina threw paintballs at me and Christian. You never should've let the four of us live together," he grumbled. You see, I had connected our backyards to the empty mansion next door, turning it into a home for the older kids. Damien, Christian, Rosalina, and Bridget had been living there for a year now, and who knows what went on in that house.

"No killing Stella's daughter, alright?" I rolled my eyes. Damien and Bridget were like oil and water—whenever they talked, it was bound to turn into a fight.

"I swear, I never get any alone time with your mom because of all these damn kids," he added. Marcella and I barely had a chance to go out without someone calling to tell me one of the kids was causing trouble.

"Whatever. Those two are too close. Watch, your son is going to get Aunt Stella's daughter pregnant when they're older," Damien teased. I glared at him as he said it.

"They're just kids. Adeline would never do that, and Valentino is like her best friend."

"Dad, you really believe that? Just look at them." Damien pointed to the younger kids playing in the yard. I glanced over to see Valentina sitting with her legs hugged to her chest, writing something in her diary. Valentino and Adeline, dressed in her tutu skirt, were lying side by side, staring up at the moon.

"Are you jealous you didn't have something like that when you were younger?" I raised an eyebrow at Damien.

"Hell no. When I was twelve, Christian, Rosalina, Bridget, and I were sneaking out while you and mom were asleep."

"You snuck out?!" Marcella's voice came from behind us. She never seemed to age; the older she got, the more stunning she became. She leaned against me, and I kissed her forehead.

"Sorry, Mama. But we did worse. The best idea Aunt Stella had was letting us live in the other mansion. Who do you think caused the fire in the warehouse? And remember when Bridget broke her ankle, and we called it an accident? I pushed her. She deserved it."

My eyes darkened. "If Grayson finds out you pushed his daughter, who he treats like a princess, he'll kill you. And that warehouse had weapons. Why can't you be more like Valentina and Valentino?"

Damien smirked. "Because I'm your first son, and I'm just like you." He shrugged, not caring about my words.

"Just please don't influence Valentina and Valentino," Marcella said, giving me a concerned look.

"Damien, you're here?" Valentina called, running toward us. The other kids followed her. Damien bent down and lifted her into his arms.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? This is my home too."

"Well, you live in the other house now." Valentino pointed at the mansion next door. "Still, we all come here every day. You three are the ones who never show up."

Damien chuckled. "That's because you guys are the ones hiding from us."

"Addie!" We turned to see Bridget walking toward the gazebo. Adeline smiled when she saw her older sister. Despite being almost six years older, Bridget and Adeline had a special bond. Bridget was like her mother, tough on the outside but with a soft spot for the family. We all hoped Adeline would grow up to be like her. Addie, on the other hand, was a people pleaser, always saying yes, even when she felt uncomfortable.

"Did you eat today?" Bridget asked Addie. Marcella winked at Valentino, silently telling him not to feel left out. I picked up Valentino to make him smile.

"Of course she ate. You think she doesn't have a family to feed her?" Damien scowled at Bridget, and she crossed her arms, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.

"Listen to me," Bridget said. "I'm in law school now. If you want to argue, at least get your head out of your ass. I apologize for the language, Uncle Damon, Aunt Marcella."

I couldn't help but smile. She was just like her parents—never afraid to stand her ground. "I can't wait to see these two fall in love," Marcella said, glancing at Damien and Bridget.

"Hell no!" They both shouted at the same time.

"The only thing she'll fall into is the hole I'll throw her in." Damien flexed his muscles after setting Valentina down, making me chuckle. He really was my son.

"I dare you," Bridget retorted, raising an eyebrow. "You're just jealous that everyone loves me."

"Don't make me expose you," Damien said, smirking. "We live in the same house."

Bridget hesitated for a moment, then widened her eyes. "Remember when you—" Before Damien could finish, Bridget covered his mouth and pulled him inside, likely to continue their argument.

"When are Uncle Grayson and Aunt Stella coming back? Addie wanted to ask again." Valentina asked, holding my hand.

I set Valentino down and turned to Adeline. "Addie, you know you don't have to be shy around us, right? We're your family. You can ask us anything," Marcella smiled warmly at her.

"Yeah, you're like our daughter," I added. "Making you feel safe and comfortable is one of our top priorities, principessa."

"Right, I know," she nodded.

"Good," I said. "Your parents are on a dinner date. They'll be back in about an hour."

"Thanks, Uncle Damon! I'm going to the dance room," Adeline said, running off to practice her ballet.

"Valentino, do you want to prank Uncle Alessio and Aunt Avery?" Valentina asked eagerly.

"If you say so," Valentino replied, grabbing his sister's hand as they ran off to plot their next mischief.

It was mostly Valentina plotting, Valentino just followed her so she wouldn't be the only one getting punished. But no one punished my little girl, if anyone tries to even talk to bad with a bad tone, they deal with me.

—

I had such a great time writing this book, I want to say if you enjoyed it, I'm glad. However if you disliked the book, it's okay because everyone has their opinion. I know I wasn't a great writer, but I hope you guys loved reading it.

Any predictions for the future children?