Bound by my blood

Chapter thirty-nine

You have a place in my heart no one could ever have
— — —
Vince doesn't move an inch and just glares at my brother who returns it with the same ferociousness. I roll my eyes, pushing Vince away from me before striding between the middle of them.

"Pack it in... no need to fight over who has the biggest ego" I huff, before wrapping my arms around my brother, "it is good to see you".

Nico kisses the top of my head before pulling back to look at me. He grabs my hand and spins me slowly. His eyes take in each detail and when he is satisfied I am well-cared for does he let me go.

Marcel chuckles and wraps an arm around my shoulder. He pulls me into his chest and I wrap my arms around his torso

"Two people are waiting for you in the living room" Marcel mutters into my hair and I pull away quickly. My eyes sparkle with excitement and he nods in the direction.

I bolt down the marble floor like an Olympic champion at the start gun. The sound of my footsteps echo and I nearly go crashing into multiple walls.

Skidding to a stop, I slam the door open. A scream escapes me as I throw myself into one of my best friends arms.

We slide down to the floor, tears running down both our faces as we embrace each other.

"guardare il bambino" Ameena laughs. I don't think what she says really hits me for a few minutes until I suddenly pull away. My eyes go straight to her stomach and my hand covers my mouth.

"You're expecting?" I whisper so quiet I'm surprised she even heard me. She nods, a grin spreading across her face as I gently put my hands on her stomach. She places her hands on my own and smiles down at the tiny bump.

Gio watches his wife and unborn child (if you could call it that yet) lovingly. I lean down to her stomach and stage whisper, "hello little one, you don't know me yet but we are going to be best friends and drive your dadda mad. I'm going to teach you all my favourite words. I love you so much already".

Ameena giggles and tears blur her vision whilst Gio looks petrified by what I had said. I assume it has just dawned on him that he is raising his child with a family of crazy people. If Marcel and Nico have a say the child will be firing guns at the age of 9. Better not let them babysit.

Someone coughs by the door and I face Vince, Nico and Marcel. I beam up at them all and Marcel laughs, "so I guess she knows".

"Knows what?" Vince questions as I nod excitably.

As I go to respond, Gio cuts me off, "knows that we will be spending the night".

He raises his eyebrows at me and I smile up at him; hiding my confusion. Vince refuses to smile with so many people in the room but his eyes are filled with affection.

"How long will you be staying?" He questions the group and they all share a knowing look. I pretend not to notice but made a mental note to ask Ameena about it later.

"However long we decide" Nico shrugs, "it will be just like old times in the cabin".

I giggle slightly as he brings up the cabin. Every year since Nico was 17 and the older cousins 16 they went up into alps for 2 weeks. I had joined in when I had turned 16 too with Elisa and Railyn. Mia had been counting down the months since she could join us.

Last year we had spent most of the time drinking. Me and Ameena had ended up painting the kitchen cabinets with flowers when the boys were sleeping.

They had woken up with quite a shock in the morning. Ameena's flowers had looked beyond perfect. She had an art degree and I was always jealous of her abilities. I thought she could be famous one day but she never agreed.

Mine were average but they didn't look atrocious so I hadn't painted over them.

"Just like at the cabin, Gio I'm stealing your wife and we are going to stay in my room tonight" I declare, leaving no room for debates. Ameena laughs and intertwines our fingers.

"What? She's my wife and I want her sleeping by me tonight" Gio tries to argue and I just roll my eyes.

"Well you can't! She's my best friend and we have a lot to talk about it. Unless someone is dying, don't bother us or I will not hesitate to shot you in the leg" I warn and Nico chuckles causing Gio to glare at him. Which only made Marcel join in the laughter.

"I expect her back to me tomorrow... in one piece. No drinking or staying up late" he relents and Ameena smirks in his direction.

"Whatever you say, daddy".

I pretend to vomit all over the floor but the look on Gio's face was priceless. His cheeks heat up a brilliant shade of red and he was staring at the wall behind us.

"Why don't you boys all spend some time together? It will be good if you all started getting along" I suggest, patting Vinces cheek affectionately (whilst standing on my tippy toes). I flip my family off for no reason at all except I wanted to before dragging Ameena up 3 flights of stairs and to my room.

Vinces clothes from last night were thrown messily across the floor and I throw them in the laundry basket as I walk past. Ameena pokes me in the rib as I do and we both burst into a fit of giggles. We both collapse on the bed like we are teenagers again and I close my eyes.

"Ohhhhh so you finally got it on with Mr hot stuff" she jokes and I roll my eyes, "oh bite me, Alexa, I can say he is hot! Was he any good?"

"Honey, that dick was 8 inches! It hurt like a bitch at the start" I confess dramatically. She gapes at me and I peek through my eyelashes at her.

I had missed my girl best friend more than I had realised.

"Okay maybe it wasn't that big" I confess after a minute of her staring at me wide-eyed.