Hidden

Chapter 69

Valeriana's pov

My door burst open. Santino and Janessa barge in. Well Santino did the walking and Janessa was ordering him around from his arms. She was such a little bossy thing. I set my brush down. I raise an eyebrow at them.

"We came to see what you were doing," Santino states. I nod my head.

"Welp, I'm doing nothing," I mutter while sitting down on my bed. Janessa wiggled in Tino's arms causing him to drop her lightly onto the bed. Janessa leaned her head on my arm.

"Want to go get ice cream?" I asked. Tino smiles while nodding his head. Janessa popped up.

"Let's go!" she screamed while sliding off the bed and running out of the room. I laugh lightly before shoving my feet in some shoes. Tino turned around causing me to run and jump on his back. He grunted before looping his arms under my legs.

"I don't understand why you both think I need to carry you all the damn time," Santino mutters with an over dramatic sigh. I rest my chin on his shoulder as I see Janessa jam her feet in her shoes. They were on the wrong feet but that didn't stop her. Once the shoes were on she tapped her feet before looking down with furrowed eyebrows. She let out a sigh before sitting on the ground and taking the shoes off before switching the shoes.

"She's learning," Santino chuckles. I hum in agreement. Janessa knew the shoes didn't feel right and switched them. She was problem solving without any help. Once Janessa had her shoes on right she ran back over to Santino and raised her arms. She even went as far as to raise onto her tiptoes and did grabby hands. Santino squatted down and picked her up.

~~~

After waiting in line and ordering what kind of ice cream we all wanted I carried Janessa's bowl over to the table she was running to. She slides into the booth and I sit next to her. Santino sits on the other side of the table. Janessa didn't waste time digging into the ice cream when I set it down in front of her.

"You're still keeping your distance from Aurelio. He's starting to notice it," Santino says. I look up at Santino.

"I know he is. I could have killed him. I can kill him. I am dangerous to be around when everything is jumbled. I might not be there mentally but my body is and I can protect myself without thinking. That is what I did. I never thought I would ever hurt any of you. You all have given me the chance to actually live a happy life. I don't want to hurt you. But I did. I know he understands and hasn't punished me for it. I just don't see how he can just brush this under the rug and move on from it. The least he could do is yell at me or ground me. I don't think I should be let off over something like this."

"That's not up to you, Valer. If Aurelio wants to move on from this he will. And he is doing that. It was an accident. You are used to getting yelled at or punished for things but our father rarely did that. Only if the situation needed a punishment. If we knew better and still went out and did something stupid or life threatening then we would be grounded. Aurelio or Papà are not going to ground you for something they know is affecting you more than it is Aurelio. It was something that Aurelio could have prevented from touching you. We know not to touch you unless you are looking or know we are there. You were worrying our brother so he tried to snap you out of it. It worked but he paid the consequence. Aurelio is fine with it as long as he gets you back," Santino mutters.

"I guess I have just never gotten away with something like this. I expect something bad to happen. I know nothing will ever happen but I can't help but to feel like he will snap eventually. But I'm trying not to feel like that. Over time I will relax and not think or feel you guys are out to get me if I mess up."

"You will. Until then, I'm telling you Aurelio has moved on from the event and so should you." Santino finished his ice cream. I finished eating mine. Janessa was already finished and leaning against me. Her eyes were partially closed. She always seems to pass out after eating ice cream. I wiped the ice cream from her face.

"Alright let's get back to the house. So Janessa can sleep. Aurelio is waiting for you at home."

Santino lifted Janessa and I took care of our trash. I followed behind my brother. As we reached the car I pulled the back door open and Santino buckled Janessa in her car seat. I sit in the passenger seat. Once Santino was finished getting our sister situated he shut the door and got in the car next to me. He started the car and turned the music down. The ride home was silent. Well, almost silent. Janessa was snoring and murmuring in her sleep.

Santino parked the car before turning to me. He smiled at me before motioning me to go inside. I unbuckle and get out of the car. I shut the door and head inside. As soon as I stepped inside I stopped.

My brothers and father all stood a few feet from the door. My eyebrows furrowed as I eyed them all. What are they doing? Nobody said anything as they stared at me. They had smiles on their faces. It's kinda creepy.

"What's going on?" I finally asked. Santino walks into the house. And shuts the door behind me. I glanced at him but he paid me no attention as he walked to Janessa's room.

"Well, the Vales asked... No begged me to get you something months ago and it finally arrived," Aurelio says. I eyed him suspiciously. It took months to arrive? My brothers finally stepped aside. Behind them was Wiggles. My eyebrows furrowed. No this wasn't wiggles. He would have run towards me the moment he smelled me. This dog was smaller. Still a pup. My eyes widened. They got me a dog! I tear my eyes away from the dog.

"Really?" I asked. Everyone nods their heads. I let out a shriek before lunging at Aurelio. My arms wrapped around him tightly. He rubbed my back with a laugh. I let him go. Correction: I pushed Aurelio away from me and held my hand out towards the dog. I was sniffed by the pup cautiously.

"I may have been hidden from all of you, but I'm glad I was found. I love you guys," I state happily while looking at everyone. This was a life I have always dreamed of having. A life where I always thought would be out of reach. Turns out it was a lot closer than I thought it was. 

The End.