collateral chaos

Nine

"Luca, time to get up for school, baby," Sadie says to her son. She walks over to his bed and rubs his back gently to wake him up, "Time to get ready for school."

"Okay, Mom. I'm up," He sits up with no complaints. Sadie kisses the top of his bed head and leaves the room. Outside his room, Matteo and Thea wait in regular clothes.

"Okay, let's go downstairs and get ready," Sadie whispers to her other two children. They leave the second level.

Luca comes down moments later, in his uniform, "Happy birthday!"

The boy jumps at the surprise. His face lights up at the decorations and the people, even if they aren't friends his age. All of the gang leaders and their significant others flew in for Luca's 12th birthday party, except for Emma, who couldn't make it due to filming and Finn who couldn't make it due to business with Joe.

"Why are they not in uniform?" Is the first question Luca asks. Bella chuckles, holding Giovanni, who's getting bigger every day.

"Because you're not going to school today. It's your birthday!" Sadie exclaims as she gives her son a hug, "Go change and we will have breakfast."

Luca retreats back to the elevator with a new pep in his step. Bella figures the boy has barely ever celebrated his birthday.

Natalia, Robin, Dacre, Briar, Sabrina, Gianna, and Jenna go to the dining room with Matteo and Thea. When Luca comes back down, he finds everyone waiting with his favorite, waffles. Sadie lets him sit at the head of the table and gives him a custom-made Louis Vuitton crown.

"We have tons of things for you to do, Luca, but it's your choice," Bella states, "We could go swimming, we have a bounce house, a bounce house with a slip 'n' slide, we can watch a movie in the movie room, it's up to you."

"What's a bounce house?" Luca asks. Robin audibly gasps.

"It's only the best thing ever!" She exclaims, "It's like a trampoline, but in the form of a house!"

"Ooo!" Matteo smiles.

"Will you guys jump with us?" Luca asks the gang leaders. Everyone nods.

"Of course!" Natalia adds, "It wouldn't be a fun party if we weren't involved."

"Yeah, we're here to hang out with you, little man!" Dacre adds, his arm sitting around Briar's shoulder. She finds it incredibly cute when he interacts with children, which he does often with the kids in the village.

Luca looks to Sadie, "Can we do the bounce house?"

"Of course! Let's finish breakfast and then we'll get ready," She replies. Everyone eats waffles with an assortment of toppings, with Thea getting her own gluten-free waffles. Ever since she's changed her diet, she hasn't had any problems.

After breakfast, the kids go back to their rooms to put on swimsuits. Bella helps Matteo and Sadie waits for them in their living room.

"Mom? Mama?" Luca calls from his bedroom, the door cracked open only a sliver.

"I'm here, what's wrong?" Sadie calls. She stands outside his door.

"I can't go swimming," He states.

"Why not?" Sadie asks, "Does your swimsuit not fit? We can get a different one."

"No, it's not that," He replies. Sadie leans against the doorframe.

"What is it then? You can tell me," She assures him. He slowly opens the door all the way and allows Sadie in. She shuts the door behind her and asks, "So what's going on?"