Family: Out of Business

Thwarted

Claire's pov

That night before going to sleep, I thought about what had happened at dinner and the conversation I had with my aunt. I'm so excited she's having a baby. I'm getting another uncle and my first ever cousin. I can't wait to play with the baby. I hope Aunt Lexie and her fiance stay here and raise the baby in the mansion, that way I'll get to see my cousin all the time.

If she has a girl, I'll get to do her makeup and play barbies with her. I can braid her hair and paint her nails. We can play dress up and have tea parties. OMG, it'll be so much fun. She'll be like my little sister. I've always wanted a sibling. If it's a boy, we can do whatever gross, stupid things boys like to do. It'll still be so much fun cuz I'll be bigger than him and older so I'll be able to boss him around and tell him what to do. I'm gonna be an awesome big sister, well older cousin, same diff.

I haven't spent much time with Aunt Lexie's fiance Luciano, who's going to be my new uncle. I only really met him at Grandfather's funeral. Come to think of it, Aunt Lexie doesn't ever bring him over here. I'm betting it's because Dad and Uncle EJ don't seem to like him. I don't even know him but I'm sure he must be cool if Aunt Lexie likes him.

I know he's super handsome. He was all dressed up in a really expensive dark suit at the funeral and I've seen him drop Aunt Lexie off at the mansion a couple of times after their dates. He has dark black hair and green eyes and he's really muscular and in good shape. I remember thinking he kinda reminds me of someone but I don't know who. He must be really nice too though cuz Aunt Lexie wouldn't date a jerk. I wonder if he'll be allowed to spank me after they get married and he moves in here, like Uncle EJ's allowed to. I hope not cuz Luciano looks really strong.

I shuddered, picturing my aunt's fiance pulling me over his knee and spanking me. Yikes! I don't want to think about that anymore. Now it's time to think of more positive things like Dante, before drifting off to sleep. I wonder if my aunt was serious about trying to set up a day soon that me, Dante, Alex, and Samantha could get together when she goes to visit Samantha's mom. I know she said she would remedy the fact that I haven't seen or talked to him much since we returned to Italy, so that's a good sign. Hopefully, she'll handle my dad and Uncle EJ too like she said, so they won't be so overbearing and annoying about me hanging out with a boy.

I got up and knelt beside my bed to say my prayers, like Dad showed me.

"God, thank you for helping my dad and grandfather find me and bring me and Uncle EJ back to Italy to live with Aunt Lexie. Even though it's not like California, it's still okay cuz we're all together like a family, except for Grandfather, who I know is an angel up in heaven with you. Please tell him and Mom I love them and I said hi. And thank you, God, for putting a baby in my aunt so I get to have a little cousin. It'll be awesome not being the youngest anymore so I don't get picked on and bossed around as much. And lastly, God, please help me be good so I don't get spanked this week. Amen."

The next morning

Claire's pov

When I came down for breakfast, it was obvious the minute I walked into the dining room that I had interrupted something important going on amongst my uncle, dad, and aunt. I heard them talking rather loudly before I got to the door, but they all stopped as soon as they saw me. It was so deathly quiet as I took my seat at the table, it was downright creepy.

"Hey guys. How y'all doin'?" I asked trepidatiously, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hi, Sweetheart," my aunt said, patting my hand. "How did you sleep, Baby? Good?"

"Yeah, I slept fine, thanks, Aunt Lexie."

"Morning, Sweetpea," my dad greeted, as he stood up to give me a little hug and a kiss on top of my head.