"The more you praise and celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate." -Oprah Winfrey

Isabella POV

I sit up with a sigh. We've been out of school for fall break for almost a full week now. The first 4 days were like being forced to stay home those 2 days all over again, but over last 2 days they've all been super secretive. In fact, I've only really been seeing Ilias nowadays. I don't know if I should be thankful that I'm not being driven to insanity anymore or worried that they don't seem all too interested in me now.

I asked Ilias if he knew what was going on, but he wasn't really helpful because all he did was just shrug his shoulders. I only see everyone from my family at dinner time though I have noticed that Aunt Andrea, Mateo, and Nonna have been leaving earlier than they usually do. I'm probably just looking too much into it. Ilias and Apollo did say that I seem to do that a lot.

Anyhow, I've really been missing school or more specifically my friends-I still find it really weird to say I have friends-it's been really easygoing since Hailey was expelled. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock were really mad about that, they even went on the news about how Hailey was wrongfully expelled.

They even went as far as to say that I was making the whole thing up because our family business was beginning to lose to their cosmetic business, we bribed the principal and school board all to get their daughter expelled. I don't really know much about business but according to everyone I've talked to, our business is way ahead of theirs. Uncle Tommaso did end up hacking into TV networks though to stop it from airing. Pavel even told me he did something to the Whitlock's, but he won't tell me what exactly he did.

More importantly though, I've even made another friend! His name is Lucas, he has light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He's a transfer student from Canada which I think is really cool.

Someone knocks on my door; I sigh a come in. I already know who it is by the knock.

"Good morning little sister!" Ilias cheered, his normal goofy smile on his face. He runs and belly flops on my bed before I can even greet him back. I scrunch my eyebrows seeing him fully dressed in his regular clothes, he normally just wears some gym shorts and a t-shirt when he's just hanging around the house. "You need to get dressed too, Nonna said that Nonno wants to take us somewhere for 'our special day.'" Ilias informed me, making air quotes with his fingers as he said our special day. Did he just read my mind? Did we just have a twin moment? Wait, what does he mean our special day?

Ilias shoots up at my confused expression. "Don't tell me you don't know what today is! It's October 27, It's our 14th birthday, sorellina pazza!" Ilias expressed looking absolutely bewildered. (crazy little sister)

Gabriella (Nonna) POV

"Alright bye miei preziosi nipoti have a good time with Nonno." I kissed Ilias and Isabella on the cheek, Ilias rushed out the door after Rocco handed him the car keys. Isabella went behind her brother but not before giving me a wave goodbye which I gladly returned. She is far too sweet to be a Romano. (my precious grandchildren)

Once the two of them are out of view, I turn to my husband. Giving him a stern look, "You keep them in your view at all times. I don't care if they are 14 or 81, you better not let them wonder off especially Ilias. Now remember you're taking them to the movies to watch an age-appropriate movie and afterwards get them ice-cream. That way we can finish setting up their birthday party, understand?" I question my husband. Rocco nods his head frantically. Making him look like a child being told by his mother what to do when she leaves him alone. Honestly, how are people scared of him?

Rocco leans down letting me kiss his cheek. "Alright, I love you. Be good, don't make me regret letting you supervise our grandkids alone. And Rocco if I find out you had ice-cream with the twins, I will murder you, we both know what your doctor said about staying away from sugar."

"But Gabby-" He begins his whining.

"Rocco." I say sternly, raising my eyebrows warningly.

"Whatever you say, amore mio." Rocco sighs defeatedly. I smile triumphantly at my win. (my love)

We both walk away from each other. He goes out the door, I go to find our children and other grandchildren to see how they're doing with the party decorations. I let out a sigh of annoyance already hearing the bickering coming from the dining room.

"Theodore, Aldo don't make me come in there and hurry up with the balloons!" I yell, afterwards no longer hearing the pair's arguing. I love being feared.

I head up to the conference room on the third floor, where I stationed Romeo, Luca, and Mateo to wrap the presents. I peek in the room to see how they're doing. I smile as I watch Luca work diligently on wrapping the presents for his little cousins. It's not obvious but I've noticed how happy Luca has been since he's gotten here. The faint smiles, his face lighting up more, putting more effort into his tasks. I just hope he figures how to be happy again without his boyfriend, and one day find another person to open up his heart to.

I watch the other two work just as hard but it's clear that Romeo isn't the best person to have wrap presents. But he's trying his best. Mateo doing much better at it than the others.

Might as well go help Andrea and the maids in the kitchen.

Isabella POV

I laugh at Ilias as we get out of the car, Nonno right behind us, Ilias covered in the chocolate ice-cream he was in the process of eating on our way home before Nonno hit a speed bump. Which led to Ilias being covered in the ice-cream.

Ilias only pouts as I and Nonno laugh at him. This is why he should've gotten a milkshake like me.

"You're both so mean to me! I would expect this out of Nonno, but I thought you were nicer than this, Isa." Ilias groaned, continuing to pout.

"I'm-I'm s-sorry Il-ias." I drawled out in between my fits of laughter. Nonno just shook his head playfully getting in front of us so he could open the door first. Ilias and I followed behind Nonno, Ilias wiping his hands off on his pants attempting to get the already dried ice-cream off.

"I'm going to have to take a shower again." He commented.

"It's sort of your fault, you insisted on bringin-" I begin, stopping mid-sentence when everyone came running out from different places in the house.

"Surprise!" They all yelled in unison. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my beating heart after hearing the loud yelling. Though I have to do a double take when I see Mia, Calista, Anthony, and Lucas coming towards me.

"Happy Birthday Isabella." Lucas is the first to speak out of the five of us.

"Thanks, what are you guys doing here?"

"Bella, it's your birthday we wouldn't have missed it for the world, plus I've always wanted to see what the inside of the Romano's house looked like. But your birthday is obviously more important out of the two." Mia blurts out. I laugh and shake my head at her boldness.

...

I smile happily as I sit in between Ilias and Pavel at the dinner table. Mia, Lucas, and Calista sitting in front of me while Anthony sits on the other side of Ilias. It's safe to say that Ilias is dying on the inside due to how quiet he's being, I've also taken note of how red his ears are. Ilias' friends not too far away keep laughing then look towards Ilias with smirks on all their faces.

"Isabella," Pavel whispers from beside me. I turn to him leaning down so he could say something.

"Judging from Ilias' body language and how his pupils every time he lays eyes on your friend, I think he has a crush on your friend." Pavel advises me.

"I know Pavel, but please don't tell anyone, ok?" Pavel looks a little confused but, nonetheless, he nods assuring me he won't tell anyone.

"Then do you also know that your other friend, has a crush on you?" I turn my head over to him fast, looking at him like he's crazy.

"What are you saying Pavel? Which friend?"

"Well, that boy-what was his name Liam? Louis?" Pavel trails off.

"Lucas?" I question, feeling my cheeks grow a little warmer.

"Yes, that's his name, he's been having the same reaction with you that Ilias is having with Anthony." Pavel says nonchalantly.

"Are you sure you aren't imagining things, Pavel?" I squeaked out, already knowing my face must be bright red by now.

"Yes, I'm absolutely positive. Would you like me not to tell anyone about this too?" Pavel pondered looking to me. I nod my head yes quickly, no longer having the ability to speak. Aunt Caterina and Aunt Andrea come into the dining room, each holding a cake. One with blue fondant with gold accents and the other one pink with flowers. Each topped with crowns.





Are-Are those for us? I've never had a birthday cake before.

I fight the urge to cry at finally having a birthday cake. Ilias grabs my hand from underneath the table giving me a smile as everyone starts singing us happy birthday.

I look around the table, seeing the warm smiles on everyone's faces. This table that is filled with everyone I love and everyone who loves me.

I can't help but let the tears fall. As I think about what my life was like just 2 and a half months ago. Just 2 and a half months ago I was sleeping in a cold basement, my only friend being a stuffed animal, barely being allowed to eat, unloved, and alone.

And now I sit here surrounded by the people who I know love me more than I thought anyone ever could. The very people who hug me when I have a nightmare and tell me it's all going to be ok, the people who help with my homework when I'm stuck, the people who happily listen to me talk about my day, the people who became my light when I was in the pitch black.

How could I not cry?

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A/N

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." -Ernest Hemingway

I have mixed emotions about finally finishing this book. But for the time being thank you all so much who have read this all the way to the end. To be honest I feel like I could do much better on it, but it is what it is. However, this isn't the end of me, I do have a new book already started. It's called The Society and it would mean a lot to me if you checked it out.

The Society description:

In a society where the government takes 10 young children each year for unknown purposes. They come in the dead of the night, taking only one child from 10 randomly selected households. No child has ever returned after being taken, that was until someone did. She did.



Annie Rain Hudson



She was ripped away from her loving parents and younger brother when she was only 6 years old. When one day-with no warning-she is dropped off at her home with a suitcase. It was obvious she was Annie, but it was very clear that she had changed. The light and joy that used to be radiating off of her is no longer there. It is also evident that she acts more like a soldier rather than an average 16-year-old girl.



How will she readjust into society?

Will anyone ever learn about what she went through?

What did she have to do in order to be brought back?