"Lord, make me a rainbow. I'll shine down on my mother. She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors."

🌹🌹🌹

"Mama, look!" Wide eyes were full of excitement as they looked ahead. "Red flowers!"

"Those are roses," she told her little girl as they walked the field, little hand held firmly in hers.

It was year five, and this trip to the flower field had become something they both looked forward to all year. Her husband's new job at the hospital forced them to move away from the little house near the flowery field after the third year, but still, mom and daughter made a trip out there to honor the tradition.

"Can we pick some?"

"Not these, London. They have thorns."

"Oh," a frown took over her little face.

"Don't be sad. Some flowers are only meant to be looked at. We can admire them just how they are without ever disturbing them. Let them grow, bloom and die all on their own." Her own words caused sadness to wash over her.

The words fell short on the little girl's ears, though, as she was too busy admiring the red roses.

"What if we take some pictures of you with the roses?"

"Okay, mama!" The little girl stood before the bush and beamed a big bright smile.

Laughter fell from the mother's lips, her sadness momentarily forgotten. "Give me a minute to get my camera phone out, silly girl."

Little London loved posing, and they took several photos that day.

Then they huddled together in the field and scrolled through them.

Photos, she could never take enough of her children. Her husband teased her and liked to call her the paparazzi. He didn't understand why they meant so much to her.

"Mama, when we get home I'm gonna color the flowers!" London broke up her melancholy thoughts with her cheerful voice.

"Well, that sounds like a great idea, sweetheart. We'll get you some fresh crayons and blank paper on the way to pick up your cake."

"Yay!" She ran to the middle of the field again and began spinning around, her red locks flying all over, covering her face.

So much joy.

A tear slipped down the mother's cheek as she watched.

🌹🌹🌹

Thursday evening was calm at the Donato house as they waited for her aunt, uncle, and cousins to arrive. They hadn't been back for over a year, and Loni was so touched they were coming for her birthday.

The house was spacious, with grey wood floors, bright white walls, and stone trim. It also had enormous windows that gave it a lot of light. It had a great open layout with lots of space for the kitchen and living room. A large staircase sat in the center of the living room and led to Loni and Lissa's bedrooms and a few guest rooms.

Their parent's room sat downstairs off the living room on the main floor, and a small office sat near the kitchen.

Loni lounged on the couch with Kit watching television, while Luca prepared dinner. Lissa was outside playing on the little jungle gym her dad built for them several years ago.

Chaos in the form of her two eight-year-old twin cousins, Ruthie and Len, broke up the peace when they both came running into the house without warning.

"We're here!" Len screamed; he'd gotten taller but was a skinny little thing. Blonde locks were hanging in his green eyes.

"Happy birthday, Loni!" Ruthie yelled even louder. She was even tinier than Len, and her hair was a mess of blonde curls.

"Aren't you two full of energy," Kit laughed as she stood to greet them, giving them each a kiss on the head.

"We can see you; you don't have to yell," Luca chuckled.

"Uncle Luca!" Ruthie was all smiles as she started running to him.

"Hi, Ruthie!" Luca lifted her in the air as she cheered, he gave her a kiss on her cheek and she giggled. Len raced over next as Luca put Ruthie down scoop him up for a hug.

Their old golden retriever Lucky came bounding down the stairs to see what the excitement was all about.

"Lucky!" Len raced over and started playing with him, getting the dog all riled up while Ruthie laughed gleefully.

"Go easy on him. He's getting old," Loni warned just as her uncle Andre and aunt Carly walked in.

"You and me both, Lucky," Andre said as he patted the dogs head.

"Why don't you two take the dog outside and see Lissa?" Kit suggested. "she's in the backyard."

The two blonde twins bounded out the back door with Lucky in tow. He'd be exhausted tonight.

"Loni!" Carly clasped Loni's hands in hers. "Girl, you are flipping gorgeous. Look at you! Those long legs, and those, lips, I can't stop staring at you, you should be a model, seriously"

"Settle down, she's not modeling" Luca growled, and Andre laughed.

"Did you just growl?" Andre teased as he walked into the kitchen to see what Luca was cooking.

"She could be a model," Kit said proudly. "She's so tall and those cheekbones. Just like her dad."

"Everybody stop!" Loni was blushing hard.

"And she's bashful. Stay this sweet okay," Carly kissed her cheek. "Don't ever change."

If anyone could be a model, it was her aunt Carly. She was beautiful, with curly blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a figure to die for. She was always dressed up in the most fashionable clothes too.

Her uncle Andre was much more casual looking; he kept his light brown hair cut short and usually wore jeans and a tee shirt or a flannel.

Her mom told her he used to be very formal and conservative, but had loosened up a lot when he and Carly started to travel. Loni and Lissa loved hearing stories and seeing photos of all the places they'd go.

"So, Loni, have you met any boys you like yet?" Carly asked teasingly as she sat down at the table and Kit joined her." or girls, I didn't mean to assume."

"Boys and just one boy," Loni blushed harder than ever.

"Manny," Kit said with a cheeky grin. "He's adorable and so shy."

"Ah! Andre was shy!" Carly cheered happily. "Is he sweet? What does he look like? Tell me more!"

"There are just friends, and that's all they're going to be until Loni is eighteen," Luca spoke up from the kitchen, causing Loni to glare at him.

"Dad, eighteen? That's silly!"

"You're right, let's make it closer to twenty."

"Luca!" Kit shot him a look as Andre cracked up laughing.

"Not funny, little brother."

"Have you and Stone given him the poison yet?" Andre asked, and a smirk took over her dad's features.

"That's an idea."

"The what?" Loni frowned in confusion. "That sounds bad. Dad, you better not!"

"He won't," Kit said and then looked at Luca. "I told you and my dad that was banned a long time ago. You are not testing our daughter's dates with it."

"What is it?" Loni asked curiously. Her grandpa Stone was funny; he drank and smoked a lot. A lot. But he was super fun. Probably the funniest guy she'd ever known.

"It's a horrible liquor concoction your grandpa put together."

"And he tested your boyfriends with it?" Loni asked.

"I'm the only one that passed," Luca bragged as he came to set the pasta he'd made down at the table.

"Really?" Loni asked curiously.

"The guy before me almost died from it."

"What?" Loni's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "I don't want you to give that to Manny then!"

"He won't," Kit said with a steely look at Luca.

"She's right, Loni. I won't," Luca said. "You want to know why?"

"Why?" Loni asked.

"Because I don't want you with anyone that can drink that shit," Luca explained. "Don't end up with a mini-me."

"Well, someone that loves her like you love, would make me happy, but not someone that drinks the way you used to," Kit mused. "...and, I think one mini-Luca in the family is more then enough."

"Maybe we should go into hiding when Lissa starts dating?" Luca suggested. "I'm already anticipating the angry parents she'll be sending to our door."

"That's probably a good idea," Kit agreed.

"We're still going to test this Manny out, though," Andre pointed out. "With a bunch of questions. Got to make sure he's good enough."

"Should we take him into the walk-in pantry and drill him?" Luca asked, and Andre nodded in agreement.

"Great idea," Andre said, "small space so he can't get away."

"You the good cop, and I'm the bad cop then?" Luca asked as he smirked at Loni's horrified glare.

"Nah, let's both be bad cops; see how much we can make him sweat."

"Andre," Carly laughed. "Be nice to the boy; he's shy like you were."

"It's good practice for when Ruthie dates," Luca pointed out.

"Mom! Don't let them do this!" Loni looked at Kit for help.

"Sorry, honey," Kit said with a smile. "I can stop the poison, but I can't stop them from protecting you."

"Dad be nice, please," Loni begged.

"Oh, relax, pumpkin," Luca patted her head affectionately. "I like Manny. I plan to chat with him, but not at your birthday, okay?"

Relief washed over her, well, momentary relief anyhow. At least she bought some time before her dad scared Manny away.

"He's a good guy, dad," Loni assured him.

"No one's good enough for my baby girl," Luca said with a sad smile.

"Oh, dad," she hugged him and he squeezed her tightly.

"Stop growing up so fast," he said as he kissed her head.

"Is it time for dinner yet?" Lissa and the twins came running back in. "We're starving!"

"As soon as you set the table," Luca directed.

"Why can't Loni set the table?" Lissa whined.

"Because she worked today, and she always sets the table. Now stop arguing with me and move your little legs," Luca demanded.

"Fiiiiiiine," Lissa groaned.

She stomped into the kitchen as if he asked her to scrub the entire house from top to bottom.

"Yeah, she's you," Andre noted.

"Yup," Luca agreed, he still had Loni tucked under his arm and affectionately patted her head. "This one is dad's gift. That one is dad's revenge."

"Luca!" Kit exclaimed, but she laughed anyway.

🌹🌹🌹

Later that night, Loni woke up on the couch with Lucky's head on her lap. Their parents had popped in a movie for them after dinner.

Lissa was sprawled across the recliner, snoring, Len was on the floor on an air mattress her mom had brought out, and Ruthie was on the other end of the couch.

Ruthie woke as Lucky got up with Loni shaking the couch. Her cousin yawned as brushed her long blonde locks from her face.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Loni whispered. "I'm going to head up to bed. You can have the whole couch."

"Okay, Loni," she yawned again.

"You warm enough?" Loni asked as she stood up.

"I'm-"

She didn't register the answer as the room began to spin, and black dots filled her vision.

"Loni!"

A cry from Ruthie caught Loni's attention, and she sat up from the floor.

Her head began to clear, but she frowned. She fell? Did she black out for a second? This was worse then the head rushes she'd been getting when she was too focused on panting.

It must just be a head rush from watching television in the dark, she told herself. No big deal, just tired that's all.

Ruthie was running to her, and Loni sat up quickly to comfort her worried cousin.

"I'm okay, Ruthie. Just tripped is all."

"I'm gonna go get uncle Luca," Ruthie said with a frown.

"No, don't!" Loni stopped her by gently grabbing her arm.

He'd make her stay home and rest tomorrow if he thought she was getting sick. She couldn't risk him canceling her party. All her friends were going to be there, not to mention Manny.

"But Loni-" Ruthie's blue eyes were full of worry.

"I'm fine, Ruthie," Loni assured the little girl as she stood. "See. All better."

"But you fell down.."

"It was no big deal, don't tell my parents. They'll worry for no reason."

"Okay," Ruthie was returning to the couch to lie down, but her face was still full of worry.

"Are you sure you're okay, Loni?" Ruthie asked after Loni kissed her forehead and pulled the blanket over her.

"Of course I'm okay," Loni promised. "Now get some sleep. It's a big day tomorrow."

An uneasy feeling came over Loni she she headed upstairs with Lucky in tow. She did her best to ignore it, but it lingered.