Chapter 32

"Family Chaos, in the Best Way"

Lorenzo's POV

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If someone had told me a few months ago that I'd be sitting in my parent's living room, about to announce that Valeria Kane—Cipher, the bane of my existence, the woman who'd flipped my world upside down—was my girlfriend, I'd have laughed in their face. But here I was, standing in front of my family like I was about to deliver the goddamn State of the Union.

"Why do you look like you're going to a firing squad?" Ria whispered beside me, her tone dry, but her hand was gripping mine tightly.

"Because this is a firing squad," I muttered. "You've met my family. You know how this is going to go."

Her lips twitched, trying to suppress a smile. "You're scared of your family. That's cute."

I scowled. "I'm not scared."

"Sure you're not, Enzo."

The way she said my name—soft, teasing, like she knew exactly how to get under my skin—made me want to kiss her right then and there. But I had a job to do, and as much as I wanted to ditch the announcement and drag her upstairs, I knew my family wouldn't let me get away with it.

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"Ren!" Mamma's voice rang out from the kitchen. "Come in here and say hello properly! And bring Valeria!"

I shot Ria a look. "Ready?"

She smirked. "Born ready."

When we walked into the kitchen, chaos greeted us. Mamma was stirring a pot of something that smelled incredible, Dad was leaning against the counter, looking like a mafia boss out of a movie but grinning like the teddy bear he was, and the twins were running around with a soccer ball that had no business being indoors. Marco was slouched in a corner with his headphones on, and Dante was perched on a stool, looking far too smug for my liking. Besides him was Lily.

"Finally!" Dante said, throwing his hands up. "Took you long enough to get here. Thought you might've gotten lost on the way from the car."

"Shut up, Dante," I said, but my tone lacked any real heat.

Mamma turned around, her face lighting up when she saw Ria. "Valeria, sweetheart! Come here, let me look at you!"

Ria hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, and Mamma wasted no time pulling her into a hug. "You're too thin," she said, stepping back and giving Ria an appraising look. "Ren, are you feeding her properly?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but Ria beat me to it. "Oh, he's feeding me just fine," she said with a wicked grin, and I nearly choked on air.

Dad let out a booming laugh, clapping me on the back. "She's got your number, my boy."

"Thanks, Dad," I muttered, feeling my ears burn.

The twins chose that moment to barrel into the room, shouting something about a goal and immediately zeroing in on Ria.

"Vee!" Leo shouted, practically tackling her in a hug. Luca wasn't far behind, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"We missed you!" Luca said, his voice muffled against her shirt.

Ria knelt down, ruffling their hair. "Missed you too, you little terrors."

"Hey," Leo protested. "We're not terrors!"

"Yeah, you are," she said, grinning.

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Once everyone had settled into the living room, Mamma with her knitting, Dad with a glass of whiskey, the twins on the floor with their soccer ball, and the rest of us scattered around, I decided it was now or never.

"So," I started, clearing my throat. "I have an announcement."

"Oh, God," Dante said, groaning dramatically. "Are you pregnant? or dying? Wait, no, are you moving? Please say you're moving."

"Dante," Mamma scolded, but her lips were twitching.

I ignored him, glancing at Ria, who gave me a small nod. "Ria and I are together," I said simply.

Silence.

And then...

"Finally!" Mamma exclaimed, clapping her hands. "I was starting to wonder if you were blind."

"Congratulations, big brother," Marco said, sounding bored but offering me a thumbs-up.

The twins immediately started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" because of course they did.

Dad leaned back in his chair, studying Ria with a thoughtful expression. "You make him happy," he said after a moment. "That's all that matters to me."

Ria blinked, clearly caught off guard by his sincerity. "Thank you," she said softly.

Just when I thought the chaos was dying down, Dante cleared his throat.

"Since we're making announcements," he said, glancing at Lily, who was sitting beside him on the couch, looking adorably nervous. "Lily and I are together too."

The room erupted.

"What?!" Marco shouted, sitting up straight for the first time all evening.

The twins immediately started chanting again, this time for Dante and Lily to kiss.

Mamma looked like she was about to cry. "Oh, Dante, my baby! Finally!"

Dad raised his glass. "About damn time."

Lily was blushing furiously, hiding her face in her hands, but Dante looked smug as hell, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.

"Well," Ria said, smirking at me. "Looks like your family just got even more chaotic."

"Welcome to the madness," I said, leaning down to kiss her temple.

And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.

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˗ˏˋ Author's note ˎˊ˗

Heyy (✿◡‿◡)

Please Vote and comment to make another insignificant human happy (^◕.◕^)

Question of chapter:

Marvel or DC?

Marvel!!

Be comfortable in your own skin <3

Byeeee

Izel

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