Ricardo stands on the doorway holding his nose as his parents take care of his brother's business, he shrieks as Richard wraps the diaper and goes to throw it away, so he jumps out of his father's way.

"Don't act as if you never poop" Richie chuckles.

"I always flush" he states grimly.

"Come here, you need to take care of your brother's poop" Alana states commanding his son who shakes his head no.

"No"

"If I remember correctly you were the one asking a brother, now that he is here you have to make sure he is clean and not smelling" she grins.

"I wanted a clean brother"

"Come clean him" she teases, and he steps away from her.

"I am too young" he argues.

"Guess then doggo will have to go as you are too young"

"Doggo cleans after his poop at least he poops in the garden" he states clutching his dog.

"Stop talking and help me with your brother, we will be late for the party" she sighs as she picks up Richard in her arms.

"We are"

"What party?" both father and son ask at the same time.

"I will clean Richard while you help him clean up, I am sure you have a tailored suit ready for him" she sighs picking up Richard in her arms.

"What party?" Ricardo repeats as he pulls his father's pant a bit.

"A life changing one"

"But you need to change my clothes first" he states making his father chuckle as Richie picks up his son.

"And did she say you got me a suit?"

"Yeah"

"Is it Iron man or superman?" he asks making Richie chuckle as he replies.

"It's a Batman" he winks taking his son out of the room.

*******

"Batman? I do not look like one" Ricardo pouts as he keeps on pulling his neck bowtie.

"Be glad it's not a joker costume" Alana sighs as she makes Ricardo tie again.

"Ouch" Ricardo shouts startling his father who glances back to check on him.

"What is it?"

"He bit me" Ricardo accuses his brother.

"He does not have any teeth for that, Rick" Alana sighs.

"Why was your finger in his mouth, though?" Richie asks his son who grins.

"Checking his teeth" he replies and Alana goes to grab her son who screams.

"Stop that, both of you" Richie laughs.

"He is being too much these days" Alana snaps at her husband who nods his head in agreement.

"But I am you favorite son" Ricardo grins as he jumps on Alana's lap.

"Rick" Richie warns as his son jumps from back to the front seat.

"Mommy, do I have to like everyone I meet tonight?" he asks holding her fingers.

"You can try"

"Can I have ice-cream for being a good boy?" he pleads making his mother smile.

"Double scoop if you take good care of your brother?"

"Easy, all he does is sit on his princess carriage, wiggles his hands and legs and cry for mommy"

"You were once in that same princess carriage" Alana reminds sweeping his hair away.

"That's because you made me, I had no other choices" he shrugs his shoulder and Alana hugs him tightly.

"Don't grow up so fast" she kisses the back of his head.

"Three scoop and I will try not to" he bargains.

*******

Alana sighs as she looks around the room, before eyeing her husband. Clutching her younger son she enters through the door and once again looks around.

"You look nervous"

"I am"

"Why?"

"Where will the boys be while we play happy, happy?" she asks instead agitated.

"We are happy" he reminds her and she glares at his playfulness.

"If you want me to do this, you better keep your mouth shut and where will the boys be?" she asks again.

"This way" he grins as he wraps his arm around her waist.

"I got everything covered"

"And there better not be a nanny" she grits through her teeth.

"I am never going to have one, now can you just relax?"

"I will once this night is over, also make sure Ricardo does not do anything"

"He will be fine" he assures her.

*******

Ricardo grins as he finds the room where all the dogs were at, he runs to get close to them but is airlifted by someone making him scream.

"Your mother will kick my ass if your clothes are crumbled" the man chuckles picking him up.

"Gramps" Ricardo shouts in excitement hugging the man.

"Now, what are you doing roaming around alone?"

"Just, so why are we here"

"To party"

"Okay, but why are my dogs here?"

"The party is for them"

"Yeah, dad said about it, it's sad"

"Relax, he got more from where they come" he pats on his grandson's back as they walk out of the room.

"Did you meet my brother?" he asks as they walk out.

"No, but I will"

*******

"Mom" Ricardo shouts as he wiggles out of his grandfather's arms and runs to where his mother was, clutching on her leg.

"Where were you?"

"I was with gramps, where's Richard. Gramps is here to see him"

"He is sleeping, you should go sit with him"

"Then I will feel sleepy, I rather not"

"Rick" she warns and the boy pouts.

"Can't believe I wore this suit to watch over my kid brother" he mumbles as he makes his way towards the bed.

"Your tongue is running too much" Alana warns the boy.

"Let him be, so, how are you?" Alana's father asks making her walk and hug him.

"Why are you supporting him?" she asks her father.

"You are not the only one who was devastated with your brother's death, Alana. He was my blood too" he sighs.

"If something goes wrong..."

"Nothing will go wrong, Salvatore needs someone he can trust but more than that he needs someone who can handle the work...

With Lia out of picture he needs someone and not everyone is happy about his acquaintance with the Lucero, friendship is one thing but now that it is clear his heritance will go to the Lucero's things are bit disturbed" he fills her in.

"Please don't tell me all of this"

"You need to know before you meet him tonight that it's not us who wants to get in with him but it's him who wants you be back" he cheers as he holds his daughter's arms and squeezes it a bit.

"Now, show me my second grandson" he grins walks towards the bed.

*******

"You okay?" Richie asks as he wraps his arm around her waist.

"Don't ask that question, the boys are to stay away from him"

"I did not bring them to hide them"

"You cannot..."

"You think us not showing our sons will make him believe we don't have anyone?"

"Still"

"I will not let anyone hurt them"

"I know, if I had not that much faith in you, we would not have been together now" she smiles before stepping closer to him as their lip meet.

*******

"My dear Alana" Salvatore's voice makes Alana stiffen in Richie arms but he tightens his hold around her and deepens their kiss before letting her go.

"Mr. Salvatore" Richie states as he walks to shake the man's hand.

"Hello Alana, it has been a while" Salvatore grins as he ignores Richie.

"A whole while" Alana replies a she intertwines her fingers with Richie's.

"I did not believe when I heard you were actually throwing a party and invited me, but now that I see you I must say it's a pleasant surprise"

"I would not say the same about you"

"I see you are still mad about..."

"I do not have any feelings when it's you" Alana jabs back making the man laugh loudly.

"Does she talk to you like that as well, Russo?" he asks and before Richie can speak Alana starts.

"I don't even let him talk because we don't need words to communicate" she finishes.

"So, I thought Flora was joining you as well" Richie asks changing the topic.

"She has actually" Salvatore nods before eyeing Alana.

"Alana why don't you join me for a drink, for old time sake?" he asks but she refuses walking past him.

"Excuse us" Richie smiles as he follows his wife.

"What do you think you are doing?" Richie asks his wife.

"What I am supposed to?"

"Pissing him off"

"Remember one thing, Salvatore did not just take eight hours flight just to come and watch some dogs getting auctioned so you my dear husband better have faith in me...

Because he is the one who needs us not the other way around" she pats on his arm as she keeps on walking.

*******

"Hello, Russo, may I know the way to the kid's room?" Flora asks as soon as Richie greets the couple.

"Uh, yeah this way" he nods as he points towards the way but before she could step away Lucero grabs her arm.

"Give him to me, I will put him away" he states but she just rolls her eyes.

"I will not trust the man who threaten to throw my son out of the plane when he cried" she jabs before handing Liam in Richie's arm.

"I trust Russo better who actually has kids with HIS wife, unlike some I see around these days" she smiles before they walk away.

"You really love to piss him off, don't you?" Richie asks Flora who laughs.

"Oh, trust me I am not the only one who loves it, he is no better"

"You brought the kids just to piss him" he points out.

"Maybe" she grins as they reach the room.

"Are they yours?" she asks pointing at the bed.

"Yeah, the big one is Ricardo the small bundle is Richard"

"Aww this must be fate" she gushes.

"What?" he asks confused.

"Both of us have two sons and both of them are so cute" she grins as she puts Liam next to Richard.

"And he watches over his younger brother just like my Leon" she smiles brushing Ricardo's hair.

"He tries" Richie smiles staring at his son's sleeping form.

"Leon, come here" Flora calls her son who hesitates before walking to where his mother was.

"He is not much social" she smiles before holding him.

"Say hi to Uncle Russo" she smiles turning the boy to face Richie who hides his face in his mother's arms before replying with a small hi.

"Where's Alana?" she asks.

"She is around. Leon, do you want to come see some dogs with me?" Richie asks the boy who glances at his mother's way for permission.

"Dogs? I want dogs" Ricardo jerks up from his sleep and looks around the room.

"He is crazy about dogs" Richie chuckles as he bends to pick his son up.

"Can we take them home now?" the boy asks.

"Not so fast" he smiles before he holds Leon's hand.

"Can we?" Richie asks Flora.

"Be my guest, Lord knows he needs someone as a father figure around" she nods before kissing on Leon's forehead whispering something in his ear and the boy nods his head.

"He already has a father" Lucero voice makes Leon jump as he clutches his mother hand.

"You boys have fun" Flora rushes them out.

"You need to stop being too friendly with Russo" Lucero voices out.

"As if I listen to you" she rolls her eyes making Richie chuckle as she reminds him of his own wife.

*******

Alana looks around the room for her husband but does not find him, she groans when Salvatore makes his way towards her with two drinks in his hands.

"Don't be such a sour faced, my love" Salvatore raises the glass for her to grab.

"I don't drink"

"Don't or can't"

"Same" she replies.

"Well, lets' start from the beginning, shall we? Congratulations for your wedding and kids, surprise will not cover the feelings I had when I heard you were off the market...

And then the news of your motherhood was the whisper in many of rooms I entered. I know your brother's death was shocking, even I was..."

"Don't pretend as if you did not order your goons to kill him" she grits through her teeth.

"One mistake that will forever haunt me"

"Oh please, nothing haunts you except the fact how things did not go your way"

"Alana, Alana, my dear Alana, you always have been one the best, but what I do not understand is how you can be so stupid or maybe your brother's death gave you a trauma that you end up marrying a Russo...

Is he not loyal to the Price to his core? I thought you knew better, I always had so much faith in you but you are just as stupid as any girl...

You think him marrying you in a co-incidence? Have you ever thought perhaps he has been using you?" he states making her stare at the man for a while before she replies.

"Or perhaps I have been using him to get close to the Price?" she smiles taking the drink from his hand and gulping it in a go.

"As I said, I have always had faith in you my Alana" the man grins as he sips on his drink eyeing Alana.

*******

"Why do I keep finding you alone with him?" Lucero demands as he stands in front of Flora who scoffs as she tries to push past him, only to get annoyed as he does not move an inch.

"Pretense Jealousy does not suit you" she comments when he does not budge.

"I am not pretending anything also I am not jealous, stay away from him. I will not be warning you again" he commands, so she grabs hold of his jacket trying to pull him close but instead she ends up moving closer to him.

"I am your wife for the world not for you to command me as you please. You don't like Russo too bad because I kind of have a thing for Russo...

Now, be a good daddy and watch your son while I go wash off my hands that touched you"

"One of these days, Flora, one of these days"

"What.... you will give me one more son to look after? Try something else Luc, you are getting old for your childishness...

Have as much as sons you want, your dick, your sperms your slut to fuck, just keep your mouth shut and yourself away from my sight and we both will have our own happy endings" she smiles turning and walks towards the washroom to cry.

"Who are you?" Ricardo's sleepy voice makes Lucero turn to face the little guy sitting on the bed.

"Who are you?" he asks instead.

"Where's my mommy?" Ricardo asks again as she shifts and gets down from the bed.

"Somewhere" he mumbles as the kid stand in front of him.

"Are you buying my doggo?" he asks staring at Lucero who frowns.

"Doggo?"

"Yes, he is a good boy and even play with me. His brain freezes when he has ice-cream though. Do you like ice-cream?"

"What?"

"Ice-cream? The coolest thing?"

"No"

"That's why that lady does not like you" he states as he walks out leaving Lucero glare at the boy.

*******

"Who are you?" Ricardo asks again as he steps out to find his mother to find a boy of his age.

"Leon and you?"

"Ricardo, I got bigger name than yours?" he grins and the boy smiles.

"But I got stronger meaning than yours" he replies making Ricardo grin.

"I like you and I don't like many people"

"What are you doing here?" Leon asks and Ricardo grins again as he asks Leon to follow him.

"I am going to pout so my mom can let me have some ice-cream" he announces.

"Ice-cream? I it not bad for your teeth?" Leon asks as he walks beside Ricardo.

"Teeth that will fall off anyways? Don't believe everything your teacher says, for them it will always be A for Apple"

"But it's true"

"Yeah still A can stand for Apple juice too, it's more fun that way"

"Umm okay"

"So, where is your mommy?"

"With that man" Leon sighs as he turns around to stare at the way they walked from.

"That ice-cream hater?" Ricardo points out and Leon laughs.

"He does not hate ice-cream"

"He does not like it, either. My dad is way cooler than yours, he loves ice-cream and my mother"

"I don't have a dad" Leon whispers and Ricardo frowns.

"What about that man?"

"He is just that, that man" Leon shrugs his shoulder and Ricardo nods as he claps Leon's shoulders and stares in his eyes.

"Do you want to go see my dogs?" he asks Leon.

"Sure" the boy replies as they make their way towards the room where the dogs were kept at.

*******

"This is heaven" Ricardo grins as he walks towards the cage.

"Uh, are they not dangerous?"

"Nah, I know them. Come" he asks Leon to step forward.

"I will just stand and watch"

"Your choice. Anyways dad is going to sell all of them though"

"Why?"

"Adults, I don't understand them" he shrugs his shoulders.

"But you sound so adult" Leon points out and Ricardo sighs.

"That's cause, I have big responsibilities"

"What?"

"I need to look after my brother"

"I look after mine too"

"But have you seen him poop and smell?" Ricardo deadpans and Leon shakes his head no.

"See, it's all on me. Then there is my mother, she goes mad crazy when my toys are all around the room. She makes me pick them up, all by my own self, a boy has lots of toys you know...

Then, my doggo, I must feed him, bath him and sometimes I don't have a mood to play and he wants to play...

I get tired and just want to watch some cartoons but no, he will jump on me wanting to play. And, do not get me started on my school, that's a mess...

Life is tough for a kid, I cannot wait to grow up and be just like my dad. Who gets to drive and sit in front of computers and do nothing and one glare from him and mom does everything on her own" he sighs and Leon nods.

"My mom is sweeter than yours, we got nannies and don't have to go to school"

"Oh, we had nanny once and mom left because she gave...

"What are you two doing here?" someone calls and both jump turning to face the voice.

"Ricardo, you are not allowed to be here, go now. We are taking the dogs for the auction" the man opens the door pushing both out.

"Going, going" he grumbles as they walk out.

*******

"I hope you know what your husband plans?" Salvatore asks Alana who raises a brow in question.

"He has been friends with Nicholas Price for quiet a long time, I even heard he has been a regular guest for quiet sometimes at your house and now all of a sudden your husband is interested in our business"

"You heard, hmm...so is it too presumptuous of me to think you had your eyes out on us"

"There is a saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

"So, what are we? Friends or enemies?" she questions.

"Whatever you choose" he smiles glancing around.

"My father is getting old, he wants Richie to help him out" she clarifies.

"I would be more at ease if you were the one handling things"

"I cannot, I have different priorities now"

"Your son?"

"Sons, two of them"

"Hmm, strange to even imagine you with two of them. I never heard of your second pregnancy" he points out and she smiles sweetly.

"You perhaps also did not hear about how Price took Lia storm out not until it was too late" she jabs, and he nods his head.

"Alana, let us forget all of our mistakes and mishaps. Even if your husband it will be a delight to know if you are the one handling the business...

I know, your wounds have not healed yet, but it will in time. Ricardo was a good boy, he will always be in our memories but I..."

"Ricardo is still a good boy, he will always be. Don't feed wrong things in my mommy's head" Ricardo's voice makes Salvatore turn to face the kid.

"Excuse me?" he asks the kid.

"You said my name and don't ruin my ice-cream chances" he frowns running towards his mother.

"Rick is soundly asleep, I put pillows around him" he explains his mother who picks him up.

"You both were asleep when I left"

"Yes, but I am awake, and I made new friend, Leon she is my mother. Mommy, that's Leon.

"Where's Flora?" Salvatore asks the boy, who shuffles.

"With Liam" he replies and the man sighs.

"This is Lucero's bastard" Salvatore sighs and the boy stares at his feet.

"People call you a bastard as well behind your back, daddy, always remember that" Flora's announces and Leon's head jerks towards his mother's voice rushing to her side.

"Hey baby" she smiles ruffling Leon's hair.

"Where is Lucero?" her father asks ignoring her jab.

"Chances of him with you is more than him being with me, now excuse us ladies" she smiles as she goes to hug Alana.

"I see our sons have met each other"

"That they have" Alana smiles as she puts her son down.

"Leon say hello to Alana, she is a good friend of mine"

"Hello" the boy waves his hand and Alana smiles at him.

*******

The music blares and Alana stop talking as the doors open, her eyes lands on the dogs who calmly walks in before taking their respective place to be displayed and she could not have been prouder of her husband as she stares at the each of the dogs who are so well-trained.

"May I have my wife's attention" Richie whispers in Alana's ear as he appears behind her and she smiles.

"They are well-behaved" she cannot help but praise him.

"That's my area of expertise" he grins wrapping his arms around her as he pulls her closer to his side.

"Oh please, don't rub your relation on my face" Flora groans as she pushes them apart and Richie laughs.

"Go stand next to your husband" Alana suggests as she wraps her arms around Richie.

"I would rather go hug these dogs than go stand next to him" she grumbles before gasping as an arm wraps around her waist.

"They may seem calm, but something may tick them off" Lucero voices as he refuses to stare at her face.

"Yeah perhaps my scream may be the reason, Russo I would like to buy the most vicious dogs of yours who will jump and bite off my husband's hands on the sight...

As they are on my body, now I will have to take a shower" she tries to fight off his hold on her.

"You are making a scene" Lucero hisses as his hold tightens.

"As if wrapping your hands around me did not already, get your hands off me"

"No"

"Guys" Alana tries to cool them down.

"No? Fine, then would you like if I strip down my dress to get away from you?" Flora warns her husband who glares at her before slowly letting her go.

"Don't you ever, ever touch me again" she warns before walking away from him.

"She would not have stripped down, right?" Alana asks, and Lucero keeps quiet as he stares at his wife's back.

*******

Alana focuses back on her husband once Lucero leaves, she smiles as she holds his hand before she speaks.

"So, now what?" she asks nodding towards the dogs who were sitting on their places.

"Now the auction begins"

"Just like that?" she asks confused.

"Well their features will be pointed out and then whoever the high bidder is will take them"

"Okay, but who is going to point out their features obviously they will not start barking right?" she asks making her turn her head around as he stands behind her while the light goes dim.

"I think I got it covered" he whispers as their son walks towards his spotlight with a microphone in his hands.

"Mommy look" he grins as he waves his hands before clearing his throat and getting serious.

"Hello to everyone who is here to take my dogs away from me, I don't like you! But because daddy says we must do it, I got no choice...

He pays for my ice-cream" Ricardo shrugs his shoulders making everyone laugh.

"I am going to tell you about my dogs, they are one of a kind. First is my doggo, they are Golden Retriever, very friendly and sometimes over excited otherwise my best friend...

He loves ice-cream" Ricardo grins as he pats on doggo head who barks once wiggling his tail.

"This is Akita they are very intelligent but not so when there are unwanted people, then comes German shepherd very friendly but attacks people who tries to hurt his friends...

This is chow-chow, you can laugh at their breed name, but you will not when it bites your body part off, he gets angry real fast just like my mommy" Ricardo announces.

"Did he just compare me with a dog?" Alana gasps as she turns her head towards her husband who chuckles.

"No, he just made a good point" he grins, and she rolls her eyes.

*******

"Russo" Salvatore calls as he walks towards the Richie who excuses himself away from the group to meet the man.

"Impressive party" Salvatore compliments and he nods in response.

"Quiet smart of you to use your son and his knowledge of dogs to lure us in" he comments and Richie smiles as both of them turn to watch Ricardo giggling having his cone of ice-cream.

"You are smart enough to use your son and I know you are smarter than you show, so you know I did not came here for your guard dogs...

I do not let any stranger in my business but this time, just once I would like to see where this goes. Don't fuck up, next month we have a gathering in my house...

Bring your son as well" he states before walking away and Richie sighs as he eyes his son who was wrapped in his wife's arms.

*******

Richie unbuttons his shirt sleeves, as he pulls his tie off with a frown. Sitting on the edge of the bed he starts to pull his shoes off when his wife walks in the room.

"I swear Ricardo is getting more and more demanding, you need to talk with him. You are the only one he listens to these days...

Ugh, this dress. I have been dying to take it off. Help" she asks as she stands in front of him with her back.

"Can you believe Richard was so calm tonight? He and Liam slept so well all through this it was..." she stops as she pulls her earring off.

"Richie, zipper" she requests before she starts to pull the clips off her hair letting it flow down her neck.

Richie wraps his arms around her waist pulling on her his lap and he sighs.

"Richie" she gasps trying to fight his hold off.

"You won't double cross me, would you?" he asks and she shifts a bit to stare at him.

"What?"

"You are not doing all this for revenge are you, for Richard" he asks and she scoffs.

"This was your idea, I don't need to wear this dress, play a hostess while my son is all alone surrounded with pillows in a room sleeping....

Unlike you, I don't trick people" she replies angrily before getting away from him.

"I heard your conversation with Salvatore" he sighs rubbing his face.

"So? Is that not what you want from me? To play as if I am in his team? You planned all of these so don't sit there and start to put blames on me"

"I am not"

"So, asking me that if I am thinking about double crossing you, are not anything?" she asks.

"Your history with him"

"Is history. I don't even know what games you are playing but just don't drag me or our boys in this. I am happy being at home"

"I am sorry, I just..."

"Just so wrapped in your own games that you have no way out? I know, You, Price, Lucero, Salvatore all of you I do not know what the games you all are playing with each other...

But let me tell you, it will not be a pretty story to read. You still have time, get out of this before you dig bigger grave one you cannot get out of on your own...

My history with Salvatore taught me to never trust anyone because the one you trust will be the first one to stab on your back" she points.

"The one I trust is you, so are you saying you will be the first one to stab me?" he questions and she sighs shaking her head.

"Let's not talk about trust between us, it does not sound so very good coming from your mouth"

"Turn around, I will help strip you" he changes the topic.

"Should have done that the first time" she grumbles.

"And I am fucking you" he adds as he unzips her dress.

"Only if you get up when Richard cries" she states.