Coming Back Home

Eventful Weekend

"Yeah, yeah. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Giada POV

"Xavi!" I call out to my big brother. He comes running up to me with his arms out and a huge smile on his face. When he gets to me, he lifts me up and spins me around, planting kisses all over my face. Giggles burst out of me. "Lub you, Xavi," I shout between giggles. He stops spinning and smiles at me. "I love you, too, piccolina." I hear another voice from the side. "Aw, that's so cute." I look over to see who it is. A person with yellow hair is standing behind Xavi. "Xavi, who dat?" I ask him quietly, feeling shy in the presence of a new person.

"Do you remember when I introduced you to my friend on my phone?" he asks me. Oh yeah! I remember now. I look over at the man. "Is you Rylan?" I ask hesitantly. He smiles widely. "Yay! You remembered me. I am Rylan," he replies. "I Giada," I reply happily. He laughs, "I know, Muffin." I pout. "I no muffin." Xavi and Rylan are both laughing at me now. "Xavi," I whine. "Please no laugh at me." They stop laughing right away. "Oh, baby, I'm sorry," Xavi says sadly. "Me, too, little one. Muffin is just a nickname, like princess or darling." Rylan explains. Oh.

"Did you come to play wif me, Ry Ry?" I ask hopefully. I just woke up from my nap, and I'm ready to play! "I did, honey. Are you excited?" he replies. I nod my head rapidly. "Yay, yay, yay! I so essited, Ry Ry! Can we play wif my stuffies?" I ask, happily wriggling in Xavi's arms. "Sounds like a plan," he replies. "Can I hold you, little one?" I nod in agreement and hold out my hands. Rylan takes me from Xavi and holds me tightly. "I wish I had a cute little sister like you," he pouts. "I only have a stinky little brother, but he's only 2 years younger than me."

I tap my chin, thinking, before turning to Xavi. "Xavi, Ry Ry be my bubby, too?" Xavi's eyes soften as he looks at me. "Well, he can't be your bubby, but he can be your friend. Like Leo, remember?" he informs me. I turn back to Rylan. "You can't be my bubby, Ry Ry. You be my friend, please?" He chuckles with a huge smile on his face. "I would love to be your friend, little one." I cheer happily and wrap my arms around his neck, giving him a big hug. "Alright," Xavi claps his hands together. "Shall we go play?" he asks. I punch the air with my fist. "Yeah! Less go!"

Xavi leads us into the house, Rylan carrying me behind him. They take their coats, shoes, and bags off before following me up to my room. For the next few hours, I play with my stuffed animals alongside Rylan and Xavi. It isn't until Papa comes in that we realize how late it is. "Hello everyone. It's time for dinner. Would you like to join us, Rylan? You know you're always welcome," Papa interrupts our playing. "Thank you, Sandro, I would love to," Rylan replies with a smile. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Who Sandro? Dat Papa," I point at Papa.

Papa chuckles and picks me up. "I'm your Papa, but I'm not Rylan's Papa. You and your brothers can call me Papa, but Rylan can't. He has his own Papa," Papa explains to me. "Oh, so 'cause Ry Ry not my bubba, you not his Papa?" I ask, trying to make sense of things. Papa smiles and nods at me. "That's right, my smart girl." As always, I blush and look away shyly after hearing his praise. But then I think about how Rylan might be lonely as the only one not in my family. "Down please, Papa," I request.

Once Papa puts me down, I walk over to Rylan and throw my arms around him. "S'okay, Ry Ry. You still be my friend, 'kay?" He returns the hug with a kind smile. "Of course, little one. I'll be your friend forever and ever." I giggle happily. Yay! Friends! "Alright, let's go eat," Papa reminds us. I take Rylan's hand, and we go down to the dining room together. When we get there, I see Grampy, Nonno, Nonna, Franny, Riccy, and Bubba already there. "Hi Grampy! Hi Nonno! Hi Nonna! Hi Franny! Hi Riccy! Hi Bubba!" I call out one by one. They all greet me back. I sit down in my high chair, and soon, Mari and the other kitchen ladies serve dinner.