Their Treasure [COMPLETED][UNEDITED]

Seventy - Artemis

"you want to make one last stop?" I asked my husband as we drove over the last state border until we would be reaching my family. They had organised a celebration of Aly, she was starting university next month and our family couldn't be prouder of her.

"No, unless you want. We're not too far from them now." He smiled as we turned up the music and headed to my parents house. Both of them were already waiting for me outside when we got there, enveloping both me and Nathan into a tight hug as we exited the car

"Art!!! You're glowing!" My mamma commented with a bright smile as she squeezed me

"I don't feel it" I laughed and ma chuckled

"You never do" she told me as we headed inside. We were staying in their house, a guest room, so mamma and Nathan were bringing the luggage in

"Art!" A few siblings squealed in excitement as they saw me before the older ones came and greeted me in a calmer manner before I followed them to the large living room. Calisto and Aly were in there with their two kids who were playing on the floor together.

I plonked myself down next to Aly who grinned at me when she saw my back slouch into the sofa

"I'm not getting back up, am I?" I sighed and she nodded

"I made the same mistake when I was carrying those two. Calisto had to help me up" she laughed, nodding in the direction of the babies "how far along are you now?"

"Like...28 weeks ish? Im huge. I swear you weren't even this big" I grumbled and she gaped her mouth

"Christ, you poor thing. I'm so glad I didn't have to be pregnant over summer, even if it did mean those two were a bit premature." She smiled sympathetically

"Yeah, Apparently Nate makes huge babies, unfortunately for me."

"Are you going to have any more after these two?" Calisto chimed in and I shrugged

"Nate and I have discussed it. We want more kids but we're going to see how much of a handful these two are first." I nodded and he smiled before I got launched on by Atlas

"Hi!" He loudly said to me before getting told off by Matthias for jumping at me.

"Hey Atlas, you been doing good?" I asked and he grinned as wide as he could've to show me his missing tooth

"I lost my tooth!!! Ma says I had to put it under my pillow so I did" he was so excited as he told me about all his adventures this summer and I nodded and added theatrics where they were needed.

"Uhm" I heard a quiet whisper behind me and saw Basilio waiting behind the sofa

"Hey basi, what's up" I smile at him and he fiddled with his hands

"Can you come with me?" His quiet voice asked and I nodded

"Of course, give me a second to get up" calisto was there to help me up before I went to follow my little brother. He lead me up the stairs, I had to take the stairs carefully because these babies push on all of my organs, he went up step by step with me.

He took me to his room, And asked me to sit on his bed before going to his wardrobe and pulling out a few canvases. He brought them over to me and I opened my mouth in awe. These paintings were really good. He sat next to me and quietly explained them all

"Thank you so much. They're amazing" I opened my arms to offer a hug which he accepted gently.

"Shall we go down to dinner?" I asked him and he nodded, holding my hand as I slowly got up and then gently walked down the stairs with me. Nathan was waiting for me at the bottom and smiled at basi

"Thank you for being gentle with her" he smiled and Basilio shrugged as his eyes watched the floor

"She's got my new friends. I don't want to hurt them" he mumbled before wandering off

"Sweet boy" Nathan grinned as I hugged him

"He is. He gave me these" I held up the paintings and he dropped his jaw

"I'll put them in our room for safety. Your mamma says were going out shortly to celebrate, she's in the living room" he kissed my cheek

"Hey Art" my mamma came over to me and hugged me "it's so good to see you - I'm sure the journey wasn't easy"

"It was worth it. How's-" the front door opened gently revealing Emiliano sneaking in. I dont think he was expecting us to be in the hallway

"And where have you been?" He looked like a deer in headlights, his neck was exposed and I smiled. He's obviously gotten himself into a relationship.

He stammered and stuttered as he made an excuse about going for a walk. Mamma gently teased him on his 'bruised' neck though and he turned red before Bolting upstairs

"Eleni" my ma sighed in lighthearted disapproval at my mamma as she came in

"Only teasing. You've seen him recently, he's hiding his love from us" she smiled and my ma shook her head. Nathan came in holding Luna

"Look how good I am with her, art" he smiled as Luna beamed from ear to ear In his arms. I smiled at his excitement. Adorable.

"Right, is everyone ready? can someone go and make sure Emiliano is okay and that he's getting ready? There's a concealer in my bathroom if he wants it."

"I'll go" I insisted and made my way back up the stairs again, ignoring the protests. I knocked on his door and I heard a little grumble, but no instructions not to go in, so I entered to find him on the phone texting

"Hey Emi. You know mamma was only teasing you, right?" I leaned against the doorway

"It's embarrassing. I didn't know she was there!!"

"It's good to have embarrassing parents. It means they love and care about and for you." I thought back on my own sad childhood. I wish I had grown up with them. It hurts, because I shouldn't hold this resentment towards my siblings but I do.

"But Im not ready to tell them" he mumbled as he sent another text

"You don't have to. You can tell them when you're ready, they're just nosy" I sat on the bed as my feet grew tired "now come on, let's get you changed. Do you want to cover them up? Ma has some concealer in her bathroom she said you can use" I gestured to his neck and he nodded

"Yeah, thanks art. You're the best." He hugged my side before going to get changed whilst I grabbed the concealer for him.

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Posted: 15.07.24

Happy Monday! Hope you have a great week! Possibly another coming today but I'm going out so maybe not!