Two Dog Night

Carrying Your Love With Me

Gizzy POV

'You're shipping me off to live with people I don't know!?!' My fingers worked in an angry flurry as a scowl marred my lips. How could they?!? Didn't they know that, no matter what, the safest place for me would always be right there, with them- my family?!?

'It's for your own good, baby,' Momma signed, eyes locking with mine as she blew out a breath. 'We've gone through too much to get where we are, and I will not lose you or have you hurt ever again.'

'And you think sending me away isn't gonna hurt?!?' Grabbing her hands in mine, I gazed unblinkingly into her eyes, willing her not to do this. 'I'm sorry I got lost, okay? I was literally just going for a walk, trying to tire myself out; I don't even know how it happened. But y'all found me, and if I ever get lost again, y'all can find me then, too.'

My bottom lip quivered as tears built behind my eyes, the real, gut wrenching kind. 'Please, Momma, don't send me away!' Launching myself into her arms, I hugged her with all my might, wishing she'd at least reconsider. 'I don't know these people, and they don't know me. And you're sending me to high school?!? What if I get made fun of?!?'

'You're an Italian, littlest one, just tell them you've got the mafia on speed dial!' Daddy's voice was a low chuckle, but I could see the uncertainty behind his eyes. 'You come from a long, long line practically of Shifter royalty, sweetheart, so you're already at such a greater advantage than anything any of those pathetic humans could say.'

Tugging us both into his arms, we all collapsed in the floor in a fit of tears and laughs. 'Come here, my babies, my beautiful, beautiful little girls. Come on, both of you.' Tears swam in Daddy's eyes as he clutched us both tightly, pressing fierce kisses to both of our faces. 'You two are my absolute world, y'all know that. I would do anything for y'all- steal, cheat, lie, kill and/or die. I love you both so much, and nothing will ever change that.'

Slowly tipping my chin, his eyes met mine as I snuggled into his arms, finding the familiar solace in his embrace that I always had. How could he let her send me away?!? 'You mother and I think that this is best. We would do- will do- anything at all to protect you, littlest one.

This territory is large, sweetheart, and you could have been anywhere; someone could have taken you, or rogues could have slipped in and stolen you. We found you, but how long did it take?!? What if you get lost again and, goddess forbid it, we can't find you?!?

Baby, look at me.' His thumb stroked along my cheek as I leaned into his touch, loving the familiar warmth yet rough callouses of his well-worked fingers. 'You will be with family- your great-grandparents- and, although y'all don't know each other that well, I can swear to you right now that they will protect you, with their lives if need be. They already love you as much as any of our Pack members, and would protect you with the same loyal fierceness.

They're in the same situation as us; their only heir is your Noná, but she's here with us, so they joined together with the next largest Pack. They are still Alfa and Luna of their respective Pack, but also have the assurance of many young and fearless warriors rallied around them should the need ever arise, goddess forbid it. They have a good sized house with few and far between neighbors, plenty of territory, and lots of good food.'

A small smile tilted his lips as he once again rubbed a finger across my cheek, holding me close. 'It'll take time, my precious Giselle, but you will learn to be happy there. They're as loyal and fierce as our Pack, they'll take care of you as if you're their own, and will love you just as much as any of the rest of us.' His eyes were pleading as pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, glancing at Momma. 'Please, believe me, Giselle. This isn't what we want, but if it protects you, then so be it.'

~000~

'Keep an eye on him for me, won't ya, Uncle Milly? Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid or reckless...' Giggling, I threw my arms around Uncle Milly's neck even as Aunt Vinny waddled towards us with her 5.5 month pregnant belly. 'And you tell me immediately when you have that little baby!'

Turning to Uncles Garrett, Edmondo, and Ant, I quickly found myself engulfed by them, stuck in the middle of a three person/Shifter strong group hug of pure manliness. 'You three behave! I'd hate to have fly all the way back home just to kick your asses!'

'If anyone's kicking anyone's ass, it'll be me!' Popá chuckled from his place beside Noná, wrapping me up in both of their arms. 'Give 'em hell, kid,' Noná signed with a playful wink. 'And tell my Momma and Daddy how much I love 'em!'

'Eat lots of good food and write home about it! This uncultured swine,' giggled Aunt Mary, playfully shoving her elbow into Uncle Dino's ribs, 'Won't leave Italy because he says I can't cook near as good as his Momma.'

'You can't,' we all chorused, the lips of my family moving with the words but, like always, I couldn't hear anything. Laughing, we all piled together for a big, traditional Ercolani family group hug; after every meal that we'd ever eaten together as a family, we all parted ways with one of the largest group hugs I'd ever seen. It had quickly become quite the tradition among us, and I would definitely miss it.

'We'll definitely have to Skype or FaceTime! Goddess, I'm gonna miss y'all so much!'

~000~

Needless to say, the next thirteen hours of my life were pure hell; I'd never been on a plane before, and I didn't think I'd ever have the chance, but if all plane rides were as long and boring as this one, I could swear I wouldn't ever get on one again. The flight wouldn't have actually been so bad, if it hadn't been twelve hours all the way to Texas.

'Oh, come on, my babies, that wasn't so bad,' Momma giggled, glancing between mine and Daddy's white-as-sheet faces and clenched jaws. Playfully rolling her eyes, she led the way to the baggage claim and right out of the airport as soon as all of my things had been collected.

As we walked out of the airport, a wall of heat hit me full in the face, making me wrinkle my nose. 'Is it always so hot here?!?'

'Texas weather is bipolar, sweetheart.' The woman standing in front of us couldn't have been my great-grandmother, could she?!? Kind eyes stared back at me from an unexpectedly youthful looking face, though I knew she had to be at least seventy years old; the only wrinkles that marred her face circled her mouth, a clear indication of a life full of laughter and smiles.

'It could be one hundred today and sixty tomorrow,' the man beside her smiled, eyes twinkling. He didn't look as young as she did, but then again, what Alpha did?!? 'You'll get used to it, given time.' His eyes looked over my shoulder, towards Momma, as he opened his arms. "Hey, Bells, watcha been up to?!? Keeping your Mate fat and happy, I see..."

"More like stressed and overworked, Rooster," Daddy chuckled, leading us both closer to the older couple. Pressing a quick kiss to my forehead, he grabbed Momma around the waist and smiled between us all. 'Giselle Eleonora, I'd like to introduce you to your great-grandparents, Rooster and Moo-Maw."

Ten minutes later, Rooster had loaded all my luggage into the back of their suburban, and we were leaving the airport. As an airplane lifted off into the distance, I mutely wondered whether Momma and Daddy were on it.

I knew that, no matter what, they'd always be a part of me- all of them. Momma and Daddy, Noná and Popá, everyone; hell, even the entire two Packs that I called family. I'd always have our memories together, always have our love. No matter where I went, I would always be carrying their love with me.