It's in Our Blood

Chapter 4

"Hi, mama!" I heard as the door opened and my daughter walked into the room and noticed both Teddy and Amelia sitting in front of me. "Oh, hello everyone!" Gia walked toward the desk and put her soccer bag and backpack down, before hugging both Amelia and Teddy and then making her way over to me. I stood up and met her wrapping my arms around her.

"Hi my sweet girl," I said with a smile and kissed the top of her head as I felt her relax in my arms. No matter how much she grew, I always felt extremely lucky that she never felt 'too old' for my hugs. I've witnessed many parents in her grade share stories or see their children not want to give them hugs or be seen with them in public. However, with Gia, it didn't matter where we were or who we were with, she never felt embarrassed to be seen with me, and for that, I was always grateful.

"I brought you a cappuccino," she said as she raised the cup I freed one arm, still holding onto her with one, and took the cup before taking a sip.

"This is why you're my favorite," I said looking down at her as I felt her hugging me tighter at the remark.

"Hey, what about me?" Amelia decided to pipe up from her seat as Teddy swatted her playfully.

"Sorry Melee, maybe if you brought her coffee instead of stealing her candy" my daughter joked back at her with a shrug of her shoulders. Amelia let out a gasp, feigning offense at the insult.

I let out a chuckle as I rubbed Gia's back a couple of times before leading her over to the couch with me. "How'd you get here?" I asked her. "I hope you didn't walk with all that," I said looking over at her belongings.

"I took the bus."

Amelia stifled a laugh. "Look at that, the bus! Did you find it okay?" I glared at her, and her face became serious. "Anywhoooo did you bring me anything?" she asked. All of us knew she was only half-joking.Gia looked at Amelia confused and then at me. I shook my head in disapproval of my dear friend. "I didn't know you would both be here, but actually..." Gia began to rummage through her bag and pulled out a container. "We baked cookies today in life skills." She said taking one out of the container and handing it to me and then tossing it over to Amelia and Teddy. "Go crazy" She adjusted herself on the couch sitting with her legs crisscrossed as my arm reached forward to play with her hair.

"Thank you for the goodies missy. And what brings you by today, Ms. Gia," Teddy asked as she took a bite from a cookie.

"Gotta make sure this one leaves on time." My daughter said with a laugh nudging me. I quickly took her in my arms, tickling her side.

"Hey! I'm not that bad!" I said defending myself, as I heard one of my favorite sounds, her laughter."I-I'm kidding!" She breathed out between her laughter. I eventually surrendered and stopped tickling her sides before wrapping my arms around her.

"I'm only kidding, you have been better at leaving on time. But I was able to complete all my assignments during study hall and want to take advantage of spending more time with you." I listened to her speak and couldn't help but smile and kiss the top of her head, slightly wondering if she was trying to soften the blow of her recent school troubles. However, it wasn't unlike her to say things like that. Even though she didn't have a choice in the matter, she was a mama's girl. "Plus, I got to bother Zio Andrea." I laughed at that; it was always comical watching those two together. Especially since she took after me and I loved to tease him.

I unwrapped my arms from around Gia and got up from the couch. Walking to my desk to save and close out my documents, before shutting down for the evening. I quickly sorted the files that were scattered across my desk and locked them up in the filing cabinet attached to my desk. "Well ladies, if you don't mind, I am going to head out and take my daughter here out on a much-needed dinner date. Also, don't expect me in the office tomorrow. I don't have any patient appointments, so I will be charting and doing research from home." I smiled to them and then my daughter who was looking at something on her phone.