The next morning, the air was crisp, and the sun's rays seemed to stretch longer as if coaxing Fina out of her cocoon of quiet moments and deep thoughts. The weight of the past few days was still with her, but there was a lightness she hadn't felt in a while—something about the conversation with Aiden, the way he made her feel accepted, that made everything else seem just a little more bearable.

Aiden had to leave for the day to handle some of his own responsibilities, and although Fina felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of him being away, she knew that he was right: they didn't have to figure everything out all at once. He had been a steady presence in her life for so long now, and he'd continue to be—whether he was right there or not.

"Call me if you need anything," Aiden said as he grabbed his jacket, pausing by the door to look at Fina with a soft smile. "I'll be back later. Don't overdo it, okay?"

Fina nodded, offering him a small smile. "I'll be fine. Go take care of what you need to."

He leaned in for a quick kiss on her forehead, his touch lingering for just a moment longer than usual. "See you soon," he whispered before leaving.

The door clicked shut behind him, and Fina let out a long breath, her gaze following the spot where he had just stood. Part of her wished he didn't have to go, but she knew he had obligations—he had a life outside of their little world. She needed to get used to the idea that their time together wouldn't always be uninterrupted.

Turning away from the door, Fina found herself drawn to the kitchen, where Isabella was bustling around, preparing breakfast. Alessandro was reading the newspaper at the table, occasionally glancing up with a quiet smile when Fina entered.

"Good morning, sweetie," Isabella said, her voice warm. "How are you feeling today?"

"Better, actually," Fina replied, taking a seat at the table. "The cramps are still there, but nothing like yesterday."

Isabella nodded, setting a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. "I'm glad to hear that. You've been through a lot, darling."

Fina smiled gratefully, then glanced at her father. "What's on the agenda for today?"

Alessandro lowered the newspaper, looking at her with a faint smile. "Well, we were thinking of taking you out. A bit of a change of pace. You've had a rough couple of days, and maybe a little distraction is in order."

Fina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Where are we going?"

Isabella shrugged, her eyes mischievous. "It's a surprise. But trust me, you'll enjoy it."

Fina chuckled, despite the lingering thoughts of Aiden. It felt nice to be with her family in a way that wasn't clouded by the events of the last few days. She needed this—to be around people who loved her without complication.

After breakfast, Fina joined her family as they prepared to head out for the day. Isabella and Alessandro were already bustling around, but Fina could hear the familiar sounds of her brothers in the background—laughter, playful teasing, and the occasional loud comment. It was a welcome sound that reminded her of the comfort and chaos that came with having a big family.

"Ready, Fina?" Isabella called out as she grabbed her purse, glancing toward the front door.

Fina stood up, nodding. "Yeah, I'm ready."

As she walked into the living room, she was greeted by the sight of her five brothers, each of them in varying degrees of casual attire, waiting by the door with their usual mix of enthusiasm and impatience.

Antonio, the oldest, was the first to greet her. He gave her a warm, reassuring smile. "You feeling better today, sis?"

Fina nodded, appreciating the genuine concern in his voice. "Much better, Antonio. Thanks."

Enzo, the second oldest, leaned against the doorframe with a grin. "Good. Because if we have to drag you out of this house kicking and screaming, we will."

Luca, Matteo, and Dante all chuckled at that, knowing their younger brother's teasing tendencies well. Luca, the quiet one, just gave Fina a nod of acknowledgment, while Matteo, always the playful one, stepped forward with his usual exuberance.

"You're not allowed to be in a bad mood today, Fina," Matteo said, his grin infectious. "We're going on an adventure."

Dante, the youngest, rolled his eyes but smiled. "Adventure is stretching it, but we'll make it fun."

Fina laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, alright. I'm not backing out of this one."

With the group ready to go, they all piled into the car. The energy in the vehicle shifted between playful bickering and easy conversation as they drove through the town and out to the trails. Fina couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at the familiar chaos that came with being around her brothers. It was comforting, grounding her after the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days.

As they arrived at the forested area, Antonio turned to her with a teasing smile. "So, how are we doing? You feeling up to it, or do we need to get you a blanket and hot chocolate?"

Fina shot him a playful glare, rolling her eyes. "I'll be fine. I just needed some fresh air."

With a collective cheer, the group started their hike through the winding trail, their chatter filling the air as they made their way deeper into the woods. The cool breeze rustled the leaves above them, and the sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Every so often, one of her brothers would pull ahead or slow down, but they all made sure to stick together, a family united by their shared history and the bond that ran deeper than words.

Matteo, always the curious one, was the first to veer off the main trail. "This way, I think it's a shortcut!" he called out, waving his hand.

"I wouldn't follow him if I were you," Luca muttered under his breath, earning a laugh from Fina.

She appreciated how, despite the bickering and jokes, they always had her back. No matter how many days went by, no matter how much time they spent apart, they always came together when it mattered.

As they walked deeper into the forest, Dante and Luca stayed close to Fina, keeping a watchful eye on her. Dante, ever the protective little brother, kept up a steady stream of jokes to lighten the mood. "If you feel faint, just remember—Luca's strong enough to carry you," he said with a teasing wink toward his older brother.

Luca rolled his eyes but didn't protest, knowing Dante had a tendency to speak before thinking.

At one point, they reached a clearing that opened up to a beautiful lake surrounded by trees. The water shimmered in the sunlight, and for a moment, Fina just stood there, letting the peacefulness of the scene wash over her. She hadn't realized how much she needed to breathe in the calmness of nature, away from all the noise in her mind.

"This is amazing," she whispered, the weight of the past few days feeling just a little bit lighter.

Isabella stepped up beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We thought you'd like it. Nature has a way of helping us reset."

Fina nodded, taking in a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air. "It's perfect."

Her brothers began to settle around the clearing, chatting and joking among themselves, giving Fina a bit of space to reflect. It wasn't long before they were all gathered together, sitting on the grass and enjoying the tranquility. They made small talk, teasing each other and sharing old stories, but underneath it all, there was a deep sense of family, of love, of protection.

Fina felt the comfort of their presence, and for the first time in a while, she didn't feel so alone. Even without Aiden there, she had everything she needed in this moment. The bond she shared with her family was unbreakable, and no matter what lay ahead, she knew they'd face it together.

After a while, Antonio stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright, people. It's getting late, and we have to head back. We've got a family to feed."

As they began their way back to the car, Fina's heart felt full, her spirits lifted. She didn't know what the future held, but she had a sense of peace now. And with Aiden by her side when he returned and her family around her, she knew she could face whatever came next.

a/n

not proofread at alll