Monday, September 22, 2025

Kam's POV

While reading the kids a story, I heard a knock on the theater room door. It was one of the aides that work with me at the center.

"I'll be right back, kids."

"Kam, I'll continue the story until you come back."

"Thanks, sis."

I stood up out of my chair and left the room.

"Kam, you have a call from Lakewood. It's about Dia and Rocco."

"Thanks, Kate."

I followed Kate into the library and answered the phone.

"Hello, this is Mrs. Fiore. Are the kids okay?"

"Mrs. Fiore, this is the principal of Lakewood. I'm calling in regards to Dia and Rocco Fiore. They were involved in an altercation at lunch today."

"I'll be there shortly with my husband."

I ran back to the theater. "Noeli, can you stay a little longer? Cris and I have to go to the school. Dia and Rocco were involved in a fight."

"Of course, Kam. Go ahead. I'll call Marco to come over."

"Mama, can I come?" Gabby asked.

"Of course. Come to mommy." Gabby walked over and I carried her to the main house to find Cris.

"Cris, where are you?!"

"In my office!" Gabby and I went to Cris' office.

"Cris, we need to go to the school immediately. Dia and Rocco were involved in a fight."

"In a what?!"

"I just got a call from the principal. We both better drive."

"Let's go." Gabby and I went to grab my bag, phone, and keys for my Escalade. Cris was outside already. After putting Gabby in her seat, I went to the driver's seat. Cris and I then pulled away from home to head to the school.

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"Mr. and Mrs. Fiore, I am Principal Tomás París. Please follow me to my office."

Devin, Isabella, Kekoa, and Angelo were sitting out the office on a bench, along with their bodyguards. "Gabby, honey sit with Isabella and Devin. We'll be right back."

"Okay, mama."

Dia and Rocco were sitting in the Principal's office as we entered. I couldn't be upset yet because we don't know the facts.

"Mr. & Mrs. Fiore, sitting opposite of your son and daughter is Mrs. Ana Moya. She was the aide assigned to oversee the middle school kids during the lunch break. Mrs. Moya will speak first. Then, we'll have your son and daughter speak."

Mrs. Moya - "I didn't really see how or why the fight started. As I was breaking up a disagreement between two separate students, suddenly I heard the kids yelling, 'Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! As I ran to break up the fight, I saw Rocco Fiore punching a male student in the face. I also saw Dia Fiore being restrained by one of the kids' bodyguards from punching a female student. The bodyguards informed me that the kids who were getting beat up instigated the fight with your son and daughter. The bodyguards also stated that the kids were defending themselves."

"Dia and Rocco, please tell us what happened?"

Día's POV

"Mom, Dad, Sarah, Noah, Devin, Rocco, and I were eating our lunch when several boys came over to start trouble. They tried to start trouble with us before. Those kids are nothing but bullies. The kids came over and started complaining about missing school. Mom and dad, they started blaming Braelyn for what happened. Rocco told them to leave me and Braelyn alone, but they wouldn't stop."

Rocco - "Dia even told them about the bodyguards watching us. We all started getting up to go back to our classes. Some girls then came over and started to get in Día's face. The bodyguards came over to escort us to our classes. Mom and dad, as we were leaving, one of the girls pushed Dia, and someone pushed me. We only got into the fight to defend ourselves. Dia punched one of the girls in her face and smacked another. Dia is my sister, and Braelyn is my friend. I had to defend them."

"Mr. and Mrs. Fiore, your children's version of what happened goes along with what was caught on tape. The other students claimed your kids started the fight, but I needed to hear both sides of what happened. Nonetheless, it was still a fight. This was not an easy decision to make. Your son and daughter, along with the other students involved are being suspended from school. Dia and Rocco, I am suspending you for two weeks. The other students are also being suspended, but for one week."

"That's not fair, Principal París! We were minding our own business while eating lunch. We never would have gotten into the fight if they didn't start it."

Cris' POV

Kamea and I were equally pissed. Kamea went first.

"I agree. Why are my kids being punished more? And, what if any other children in the school decide to pick a fight with any of my kids?! Are they going to continuously be punished for defending themselves?! What about my kid's safety?! We raised our kids to never get into fights and to respect others. You just heard what they said. The only reason Dia and Rocco fought was to defend themselves. This is ridiculous!"

"Mrs. Fiore, I have two students with broken noses. And one with red cheeks from being smacked hard in the face. I can't ignore the fact that Dia and Rocco caused damage to these kids."

"So, my children were supposed to just stand there and listen to those bullies berate them and potentially get beat up?! They should have gotten two weeks alone for being bullies. And I guarantee once Dia and Rocco come back to school, some other kid is going to try the same thing. My wife and I are not happy at all with this decision. For those kids to blame Braelyn for what happened is beyond ridiculous!"

"Mr. and Mrs. Fiore, I understand your frustration but my decision stands."

"Do you really understand? Mr. París, how would you feel if your children were in the same situation as my kids? Would you punish them for defending themselves? I'm not saying they shouldn't be suspended for fighting. But, all the students involved should have gotten the same suspension. My kids have excellent grades and have never gotten in trouble. I have a four-year-old daughter who is afraid to come back to school because she thinks something like this is going to happen again. Now, if she ever comes back, you're telling me my child will also be afraid of being hurt by some bullies?! I don't think so. Mr. París, my wife and I are taking our kids out of this school for their safety, so don't worry about suspending them. Dia, Rocco, and Kamea let's go!"

"Dad, do we have to go to another school?"

"We'll talk more when we get home."

Kamea picked up Gabby and we all left the school.

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Rocco's POV

"Listen, kids, you know Kamea and I do not condone fighting, but in this instance, we understand why you did it. It was clearly self-defense. As for going to another school, the answer is yes. Your mom and I will not be going back to that school because someone else instigates another fight and you both get suspended for it. I'm still miffed that you and Dia got two weeks. You both already missed two weeks. In the meantime, tomorrow, your mom and I will look for a new school."

"Thank you mom and dad for believing us. You both have always told us to look out for one another at school. And that's what I did, defended my sister and Braelyn. We tried to walk away. I'm sorry about fighting."

"We know you are. We saw it in your facial expressions when we entered the principal's office. How about helping Aunt Noel with daycare while your dad and I search for a new school? You won't have to get up as early as if you were going to school. Set your alarm clocks for 8:00 am. I'll already have breakfast ready by the time you all come downstairs."

"Okay. We can do that." We all gave mom and dad a hug. I do regret getting into a fight. But I don't regret protecting my sister, and Braelyn. As I was walking to my room, Dia stopped me. And she surprised me by giving me a hug.

"I know we don't always agree on everything but thank you for looking out for me and Braelyn."

I hugged her back. "You're welcome, Dia. It's my responsibility. I always saw how dad always protected mom, so I need to do the same for you, Devin, Kekoa, Isabella, Gabby, and Angelo. Of course, I care about Braelyn, Noah, and Sarah. They are my friends. It sucks that we won't see Noah and Sarah again."

"We can ask mom and dad about inviting them over."

"That's true. I'm sure Isabella will miss being in the same class as Sydney." Speaking of Isabella, she was getting ready to go into her room.

"I sure will. I asked mama and papa if Sydney could come over. They said yes. I was afraid for you and Dia today. I'm glad you both are okay. We saw the whole fight from where we were sitting and told mama and papa what we saw. Why do people not like our family, Rocco?"

"Isabella, I wish I knew the answer to that. But it's our responsibility to protect each other."

"I'm glad you and Dia are my big brother and sister." Isabella came to hug us too.

"And I'm glad you're my sister."

"Hey, what about us?" Devin, Kekoa, Gabby, and Angelo joined us. We had a group hug in the hallway.

"Remember, we are all siblings. Whatever we face, we'll face it together."

Once we broke free from the hug, I stuck my hand out, and Dia put her hand over mine. The smaller kids understood what I did so they joined us. "On the count of three, everyone say, 'I am a Fiore kid."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"I am a Fiore kid!!!"

"Cris, look at our kids, all growing up, no more babies." Mom and dad were watching us. "Now how about a mama and papa hug?"

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Sunday, October 12th, 2025

Kam's POV

Thankfully, Cris and I found schools for the kids. Kekoa, Angelo, and Isabella are in a separate school. They attend Ocean View Elementary School. And, they actually have a view of the ocean from their classrooms. So, far they like it and have even made some friends. I told Layla and Bliss about the school too. Andrea sends Rihanna there for preschool.

And guess who wants to go back to school? Gabby, my baby girl. Gabby and Rihanna are in the same class. Cris and I are so proud of her.

Dia, Rocco, and Devin go to Oceanside Middle School. It is about 10 minutes from Ocean View. I am so glad we were quickly able to find them new schools.

Dad, Salomé, Lucian, Daniella, and the girls came over for lunch. Noeli, Marco, and the kids are here too. Dad says they have an announcement.

"We wanted to get everyone together to announce that we picked a wedding date," my dad said. Then, Salomé announced the date.

"With the kids still being in school, we figured it would be best to wait until the end of the school year. So, the wedding will be on June 20th, 2026. Kam and Cris, we wanted to ask you about having the ceremony and reception here at the house."

Cris went first. "We would love to have the ceremony here."

"I agree. One of the reasons we both loved the house was for the space. I love to host parties for the kids and family. Thank you for thinking of us."

"We wanted each of the kids to be a part of the wedding. With Gabby being the youngest girl, we want her to be the flower girl. Angelo, how would you like to carry the rings?"

"Gabby and Angelo, how would you like to be a part of your Nonno's wedding?"

"Thank you, Nonno."

"You're welcome kiddos. For Rocco, Devin, Kekoa, Isabella, Dia, Ana Maria, and Angelina, how would you like to be junior groomsmen and junior bridesmaids?"

The kids all shook the head to say yes. "Thank you, Nonno!" Isabella replied as she ran to give dad and Salomé a hug.

"You're welcome, Bella."

"Kamea, I also wanted to include Bliss and Shane. That's also why we wanted to wait until after she gives birth to Jordan."

"They would like that. We'll set up a lunch date with them. I'm really excited now - picking out dresses, etc. Come on June."

Well readers, looks like it is wedding time again for my fam. We are going to have a blast.

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