collateral chaos

Four

When Bella, Jenna, and the children return, they get right to work preparing the second level for them. Every kid will get their own room and they are very excited for it.

Bella spent almost all of the money that Sadie gave her, just buying the essentials and some extra comfort items.

"Can I have this room?" Matteo asks. The second level has three mini apartments and the kids will occupy one full time. That way they can have their own rooms and their own space for toys and food.

"Of course, baby," Bella answers. She then yells for Vaughn, "Get Matteo's stuff in here!"

"Right away, Miss."

Luca and Thea take the other two rooms, leaving one left for Giovanni, although he will stay downstairs with Bella and Sadie until he's older.

Sadie helps bring Thea's stuff into her room with Jenna. Sabrina and Gianna help Luca, although it's Gianna doing most of the heavy lifting. Other men of Sadie's bring in items from the SUVs, including toys for Matteo.

"Hey, uh, Mom... do I call you Mom now?" Thea asks.

"You can call me whatever you want, as long as it's not dirty or inappropriate," Sadie says. Thea smiles.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Sadie asks, confused.

"For adopting me. Us, I mean. And all this stuff," Thea says. Jenna almost starts crying but she holds it together and continues hanging up clothes in Thea's new closet.

"Oh, love," Sadie pouts, although not because she's sad. She's so thankful she can give the children a home, "Can I give you a hug?"

Thea nods and walks into her mom's open arms. Sadie holds her tight, noticing her hands shake as they wrap around her.

"You don't ever have to worry about anything ever again. I promise you," Sadie tells her. Thea nods into Sadie's chest before letting go, "I love you so much."

Thea's eyes widen but she immediately says, "I love you too, Mom."

In Matteo's room, Bella puts his clothes away as he lies on his bed, sprawled out, "It's the best bed ever!"

"Is it now?" Bella smiles.

"Mmhm, it's so much better than the dirt bed," Matteo answers. Bella frowns slightly. It hurts her heart for him to reveal all the bad things that he has endured, even though he doesn't understand it was bad. He was conditioned to think it was normal.

"What dirt bed?" Bella inquires.

"Luca would make it for me. Dig out the dirt so I could lie in a bed and squish the dirt up so I could have a pillow," He explains. Bella's heart begins to hurt more. She steps out into the hallway and sees Luca in his room with Sabrina and Gianna. Ever since coming to the Estate, he's been quiet, not really settled in. Bella figures he's going to need time. More time than Matteo, anyway.

"Well, this bed is going to be so comfy and warm," Bella explains.

"Yeah, and now I have this to hold!" He picks up a small stuffed shark that Bella let him have. The other two children didn't seem interested in stuffed animals.

"That's right, buddy," She walks over to the bed and presses a kiss to his head.

In Luca's room, he gives Sabrina directions, "Can you put that on the shelf?"

"Of course, here?" She asks. He nods. Gianna puts his clothes away as he continues directing Sabrina, "What do you think of this place?"

"It's amazing," He says, rather enthusiastically for his personality. Both girls smile, "I'm really happy they took us in."

"Me too. You deserve to have a loving family," Gianna states.

"I don't have to take care of Matteo anymore right?" He asks.

"Of course not, that's your moms' jobs now," Sabrina states, "You get to be a kid now, Luca."

Those words hit him hard in the chest and he starts crying. Gianna and Sabrina both stop what they're doing and sit on the bed with him.

"It's okay to cry, Luca. Let it out," Gianna tells him. She rubs his back as he sobs.

"I'm sorry," He apologizes.

"Hey, hey, there's nothing to be sorry for," Sabrina assures him, "These emotions are normal. I'd be more worried if you didn't have them."

"I didn't think I'd make it to my twelfth birthday," He states.

"Well you made it. And you're gonna have plenty more birthdays now," She adds.

"Well, I haven't made it yet. It's next week," He states. The girls' jaws drop.

"Your birthday is next week?"

"Yeah, the sixteenth," He adds.

"That's so exciting! We have to tell your moms so you can have a party!" Gianna insists.

"A party?"

"Yeah, a birthday party! With cake and presents," She explains. She quiets down as she realizes it's probably been a while since he had a birthday party. If he even remembers having one at all.

"Will you be there?" He turns to Gianna, then to Sabrina.

"You bet our ass—— our butts we will be there!" Sabrina exclaims.

***

After getting their bedrooms all set up, Sadie shows them the rest of their mini apartment.

"Here's the fridge. We still have to fill it up, but once it's filled up, you can always eat anything from here. This cabinet will have snacks too. You can have anything you want at any time," Sadie explains. She never wants her kids to go hungry, "And here's the remote for this TV. Kids channels only, just like the TVs in your rooms."

The kids all nod. Matteo carries his stuffed shark out of the second level. Everyone goes outside to the patio, where the kids find a brand new trampoline.

"A trampoline!" Thea exclaims. It's probably the most excited she's been. She grabs Luca's hand, "Come on! It's fun!"

He is pulled off the patio and to the trampoline, with Matteo on their heels.

"Be careful!" Bella shouts as the adults sit down on the patio. Felipé brings out drinks and bowl of watermelon for the children.

"Jump, jump, Luca!" Matteo shouts. The older boy jumps up and down, finally smiling. The children all shout and laugh, letting their guard down because of Sadie and Bella. Because they are now safe.

"To new beginnings!" Sadie raises her glass.

"To new beginnings!"