Tuesday, September 4th, 2017

Val's POV

"Uncle Val! Uncle Val! Wake up!"

Why am I on the floor?

"Uncle Val, you passed out," I heard Tosca mention.

"Guess I better get off the floor." Cam helped me stand up.

"Mr. Toscano, I'm sorry to spring this on you. Can we talk?"

"Uh, uh, um, of course. Follow me into the living room." After closing the door, uh Giulia and I walked into the living room.

"Have a seat. What is your mom's name sweetheart?"

"Rosaria D'Amato."

That means she lied to me. "How old are you?"

"I just turned 18 in February."

Other than Alyshea, Rosaria was the only other one I was intimate with.

"Your mom broke up with me in July 1999. And she never told me why. I wish she would have at least told me that she was pregnant. I missed the past 18 years of your life. We can never get that time back. What made you search for me?"

"Every time I saw a little girl holding her father's hand, I wanted that same thing. So, I would ask mom: 'Where is my dad?' She would coldly say: 'Your dad is dead.'"

"She said what?!"

"I didn't want to believe her. Almost every day I would ask her the same question. She would get so mad and defensive every time I asked."

I wonder why?

"She always treated me like I didn't exist. And that just made me really want to search for my father. One day after she left the house, I snooped around. Hidden in a box in her bedroom closet was a folder that was labeled 'Hospital.' I looked in it and there was my birth certificate. It had your name on it, but nowhere did it say deceased. I made a copy before I left. That was a week or two ago. And, I have a diary of what she wrote."

Giulia handed me the birth certificate and diary and I looked through it. She detailed the whole pregnancy. Rosaria is in deep trouble!

"I searched and searched all over the internet until I found that you were indeed alive and lived in Italy. I grabbed some money I found hidden and left my mom for good. I made it to your house, but your brother told me that you had moved to America. He gave me your address. Please don't make me go back to live with her. Now that I have found you, I can have the father & daughter relationship I always wanted. I will even take a blood test to confirm what you may be thinking."

"How about we worry about that tomorrow? Do you have any luggage with you or anything?"

"Just the backpack with a change of clothes in it."

"What about schooling?"

"I graduated from high school before I ran away. Math is my best subject, so I want to be an accountant."

"We'll take care of that tomorrow. Cam! Tosca! Cocoa!" They all walked into the room.

"Uh, I want to introduce you to your cousin, Guila. Guila, I want to introduce you to Cam, Tosca, and Cocoa. Have everyone come over for dinner tonight. And, will you all take Guila shopping for whatever she needs?"

They were speechless until Cocoa spoke.

"Of course. It's nice to meet you. Let's go to the mall."

"And, when you come back, show Guila to one of the guest rooms. Here, use this. Guila, you can get whatever you want." I gave her my CC for shopping.

"We got it, Uncle Val." The four of them then left the room.

I immediately called Ricardo and Dominic. They both answered.

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Ricardo - "I'm guessing you just met Guila."

Val - "I sure did. The poor girl was afraid. Rosaria D'Amato has some explaining to do!"

Dominic - "I haven't heard that name in a long time. What did she do?"

Val - "Oh, she purposely did not tell me that I was a father. She knew she was pregnant when she broke up with me."

Dominic - "Wait a minute! You're a father and didn't even know it until now?! Just like a D'Amato to pull a trick like that. What are you going to do?"

Val - Rosaria D'Amato is about to get a visit from a very, angry father who knew nothing about a daughter for 18 years!! Cam and Tosca are going to invite you over for dinner tonight so I can break the news to the family. Ricardo, I will be flying over to Italy this weekend."

Ricardo - "Okay. I'll go with you when you come. We can't have you going to jail because that's what that dang family wants."

Dominic - "I'll fly over with you, Val. You know how underhanded they are."

Val - "I sure do. Thanks, gentlemen. I'll let you know what time we are leaving on Friday Dominic."

Dominic - "Okay. I'll tell Eli about dinner tonight. See you later."

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Cocoa's POV

"So, Guila, what type of clothes do you wear so we can take you there?"

"I like casual - jeans, tank shirts, etc."

"Okay, let's start with clothes first."

"Um, I'll meet up with you. I'm certainly not shopping with girls," Cam says while trying to walk the other way.

"Oh, and why not?"

"Well, at least the clothes part. Text me when you are ready to shop for electronics. That's my speed."

"Hey, Tosca let's buy some short, club outfits."

Cam started walking back. "Not on my watch you aren't buying anything short."

"Last time I checked my father was Dominic Emiliano Calabro, not Cam," Tosca retorted.

"And, last time I checked dad wouldn't want to see you in any short clothes. I have the number on speed dial. Try me."

"Guila, Cam and Tosca are fraternal twins. They are always like this. Cam and I are dating. My mom and your dad are dating."

"Okay. Thanks for clearing that up. They are funny."

"I agree. I'll take you to my favorite place. I have two sisters that you will meet tonight. My middle sister is the same age as you. Her name is Lalita. The youngest is Leilani."

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We had so much fun shopping with Guila. I filled my truck, and so did Cam and Tosca. We told her not to feel bad about what she bought because that is how her dad is. She bought shoes, clothes, electronics, accessories, etc.

By the time we finished shopping, everyone was at the house. We helped Guila unload each vehicle, then took the bags and boxes to her room. Cam is going to set up the electronic devices. She even got herself a phone - Android of course. Each of us put our numbers in there.

All four of us then made our way downstairs to where everyone was gathered. Guila went to stand by Val.

"Everyone this is Guila. Guila, I'll introduce you to everyone in the room. Standing to my right is Alyshea. She is my girlfriend, and mother to Cocoa, Leilani, and Lalita. Next to Alyshea is Leilani and Lalita."

Both of my sisters waved to her. Val continued introducing everyone.

"Next we have your Aunt Eli and Uncle Dominic, who are parents to Tosca and Cam. Next, we have your Nonna and Nonno, my parents - Donatella and Luciano, or Luc. And, next is Nonna Aida and Nonno Emiliano."

Guila replied, "It's nice to meet everyone."

"Dinner is ready in the dining room."

Everyone headed to the dining room and took a seat. I see all of my favorites - lasagna, caesar salad, baked ziti, risotto, Nonna Aida's Tiramisu, Nonno Luc's Caprese salad, and my mom's macaroni salad.

Everyone passed their plates around the table until each plate had a little bit of everything. Then, we passed our glasses around until each glass had either wine or soda.

"Guila, what types of hobbies or interests do you have?" My mom asked.

"Math is my favorite subject, so one day I would like to be an accountant. I like drawing, working with computers, and watching television. My mother never allowed me to have any friends over, so I want to make friends here."

They were all upset when Guila says that.

"Guila, tomorrow, we are going to get you enrolled in college with Cam, Tosca, Lalita, and Cocoa. Alyshea is an accountant, so if you ever need assistance, she is your woman," Val says.

"I sure am. I can see about getting you an internship where I work. Cocoa would work with me in the summer. But, after she graduates this year, Cocoa will work with me until she is able to save enough to own her bakery," Mom adds.

"Guila, we will introduce you to our friends and show you around campus. Also, there are some people on campus to avoid. We'll tell you those too."

"Thank you all so much for this. I always wanted this type of family atmosphere. My mother never introduced me to her parents either. All I know of them is pictures in the house. My mother was not a friendly person at all."

"Well, honey you never have to worry about going back to her. You are staying here with us. Your Nonno and I live in Florida, but we came up for a visit. I'm glad we did," Nonna Donatella says to everyone.

"As for the computers, you and I are the same. I want to own an IT company one day. I can teach you that." That was Cam.

Val's POV

"Have you learned how to drive?"

"No. My mom never allowed me to even learn."

What in the heck did she allow Guila to do?! "When I come back from Italy, I'll teach you how to drive. How about you stay with Alyshea for the weekend? I'll be back on Monday."

"The girls and I would love to have you stay with us."

"Um, we didn't think about getting Guila any luggage today. Sorry, Uncle Val," Tosca says.

"That's not a problem. We'll go tomorrow after making a trip to the university."

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Guila went to spend time with Cocoa, Tosca, Cam, Lei, and Lalita. The rest of us were sitting in the living room.

"So, what are your thoughts on Guila?"

"She is a sweet kid with a horrible mother that hasn't even told her parents," My mother says.

"If you are even thinking about me leaving because of Guila, stop it. What kind of woman would I be to do that? She deserves a mother-figure and I'm going to be it. Got it, Mr. Toscano?" Alyshea says with arched eyebrows.

As soon as I met Guila, the thought did cross my mind. This confirms my thoughts to be wrong. "Loud and clear."

"Give that woman piece of my mind for hurting Guila. That's an order. I better find Lei, Cocoa, and Lalita. It is a school night after all. Good night, everyone."

The kids were all sitting on the enclosed patio in the back. "Ladies, it's time for us to head home. You all have school tomorrow."

"We'll see you guys later." I walked with them to their cars.

"If we don't see you before Friday, have a safe, trip," Alyshea says as she gets into her Denali. I waited until the ladies pulled away to go back inside the house.

"We are going to be leaving as well, Val. You, Dominic, and Ricardo better be careful around that D'Amato family."

"I promise, Eli. You all get home safe."

"Tosca and Cam, let's go! You all have school tomorrow too!"

They came quickly. "See you later, Uncle Val." Eli, Dominic, Aida, Emiliano, Tosca, and Cam got in their vehicles and drove home too.

I walked back into the house and locked the door. I went to make sure Guila was settled into her room. So, I knocked on the door.

"I liked this one if that is okay."

"It's perfectly okay. I came to see if you were settling in okay. And, don't worry about taking a blood test. Deep down, I already know. Try and get some rest. Tomorrow, we are going to the university to get you into school."

Guila ran over and gave me a hug. "Thank you for believing me. I could never lie to you. I have been lied to so much in my life that it hurts. I couldn't hurt you as much as my own mother hurt me."

"You never have to worry about your mom again. I'll handle her." I gave Guila a kiss on her forehead. "Good night, mia figlia." (Italian for 'my daughter')

"Good night, papa."

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Narrator's POV

The next day, Val and Guila visited the university to see what programs Guila would need to pursue her career choice.

Val paid in full her tuition for the year, and Guila will be able to start classes on Friday.

Val was able to get a flight for him and Dominic for the afternoon so he could send Guila off to her first day of university.

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Friday, September 7th, 2017

Val's POV

I am not one to be nervous, but I am this morning. Cocoa, Cam, Tosca, and Lalita are coming over. Guila will be riding with Cocoa.

"Valentino Jacopo Toscano, I know you are not nervous?" My mother says while chuckling.

"I sure am. I am about to send a daughter I just met three days ago to University. I already warned her about boys. I don't have to worry about her grades."

"Now, you understand the feeling of nerves. Luc and I were nervous with you, Ricardo, and Eli. Look how you all turned out. It's okay to be nervous. Sadly, you were cheated out of watching Guila growing up. But she is with you now. You can't get back the past, but you both now have a future. Mama knows best."

I gave my mother a kiss on her cheek. "You sure do." I hear vehicles stopping in front of the house, so the gang is here.

Guila came downstairs with one of the suitcases we got for her the other day. I carried it outside to Cocoa's Mercedes. After placing it in the trunk, Guila got in the front seat.

"Have a great first day."

"I promise. Please be careful around my mother."

"I promise to come back in one piece." Rosaria is the one who should be careful. I would never raise a hand to a woman. I sure do know people who can take care of her though.

Everyone then pulled off. "Well, I better get going myself. Dominic is meeting me at the airport."

"Drive safely and have a safe trip. We'll be here when you come back."

I hugged my mother, then got in my SUV to drive to the airport.

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Dominic was waiting at the plane steps. My emotional state is totally different than just a few minutes ago - anger. I grabbed my luggage and walked towards Dominic.

"Val, calm down."

"Dom, I am as calm as I am going to be. Let's get this mess over with."

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