Sunday, November 5th, 2023

Rocco's POV

Mom and dad let us stay up all night. Yes! And, thankfully we don't have school because it is Sunday. Their anniversary party was totally fun.

We are all sitting in the living room together - playing games, etc.

"Thank you, mom and dad, for letting us stay up late."

"It was a non-school night, and we wanted you all to have as much fun as your mom and I," My dad says.

"We did have fun, papa," Kekoa added.

"And, you all were adorable with your matching outfits. We are one, awesome family. I am very proud of you all," Mom added too.

"Mama, you're proud of us? Why?" Isabella asked.

"Your dad told me how each of you helped him to make the party successful. Even Gabby and Angelo participated. Always remember that we are a team. What would you guys like do today?" Mom asked.

"Can we watch a movie today?" Devin now asked.

"How about we just have a family movie day? Pick what you want to eat and watch," dad answered.

All of the kids looked at each other. Then we said together, "Pizza!"

"We want your pizza, dad. It's the best."

"Just pizza?"

"And, chicken nuggets, fries, and popcorn."

"Make sure you all pick movies that Gabby and Angelo can watch. You all pick the movies, and I'll go get started on the pizza." Dad then left the table.

"I'll start the popcorn. Dia and Rocco, take Gabby and Angelo with you to pick the movies."

After doing what mom said, I picked up Angelo. Dia picked up Gabby. We all then went downstairs to pick the movies.

"Can we watch the penguin movie? The one where the penguins smile and wave?" Isabella asked as she walked over to the movie shelves. She found it and picked the Penguins of Madagascar.

Devin picked Cars. And, Kekoa chose Finding Nemo. Dia and I let the younger kids choose the movies. Mom came downstairs with 3 big bowls of popcorn.

"I also ordered chicken tenders, french fries, and today everyone can have a little soda. The food will be here shortly."

"Yay!!" We were all happy because mom and dad do not allow us to drink soda. Our soda drinking is limited.

About 20 minutes later, dad came downstairs with two pizzas.

"There is another pizza in the kitchen after we finish these. I heard the doorbell ring as I was coming downstairs."

Kam's POV

"I'll go get it." I grabbed some cash from my bag to give the deliverer a tip. Then, I opened the door.

He handed me several bags. I put them down on the table in the foyer. Then, I signed the receipt and handed him the tip.

"Thank you, ma'am. Enjoy." The driver then walked towards his car. I waited until he got in because drivers are getting robbed lately. Yes, even in our ritzy neighborhood, the drivers get robbed.

I grabbed some plates and ketchup on my way downstairs. Then, I felt my phone vibrating in my pants pocket.

After placing the food on the table, I checked to see that my dad sent a text. He said he met someone but wants us to meet her.

I texted back okay and invite her to dinner for tomorrow. He said that was okay. I said tomorrow because I saw how excited the kids were about a movie day.

"Listen, everyone, Nonno Kalani is coming over for dinner tomorrow. And, he is bringing someone over for us to meet. Everyone needs to be on their best behavior, understand?"

"Yes, mama," the kids said in unison.

"That means you too, right Kamea?" Cris says with arched eyebrows. He knows me too well. I know this means a lot to my dad to have me and Noeli's support, so I guess I have to behave.

"Yes, me too."

"Good girl. Now, let's get comfy and pop in a movie." Cris started The Penguins of Madagascar, then he and I cuddled together.

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By the end of the third movie, all of the kids were asleep. Cris and I took Gabby and Angelo to their rooms first.

"Dia, Rocco, and Devin, it's bedtime. Go get yourselves ready for bed."

They tiredly said, "Yes, mama." Then, they dragged their feet upstairs. Cris and I then carried Isabella and Kekoa.

Once all of the kids were in bed, Cris and I did the same thing. We changed into our nightclothes. I got under the cover while Cris turned off the light. Then, he joined me, and we cuddled again.

"Good night, Cris."

"Good night, Kamea."

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Monday, November 6th, 2023

Noeli and I were waiting for the last parents to come to pick up the kids. Sydney and Trevor couldn't make it for dinner, so I'll invite them another time. Cris and Marco volunteered to fix dinner.

After my dad picked up the kids from school, he went home to get ready.

"Are you just as nervous as I am, Kam?"

"I sure am. Will she even like us? Or the fact that dad has 9 grandkids?"

"If she doesn't, good riddance."

The last two kids' parents have pulled up to the house.

"Sorry, Kamea. Thank you so much. You really are an angel to have the daycare."

"Thank you, Valerie. I love kids. And, this is my way to give back to the community."

"We appreciate it very much, Kamea."

"You're welcome, Eric."

"Bye, Ms. Kam."

"See you tomorrow, Tommy and Kayla." They both gave me a big hug. I make it my aim to know each kids' first name and call them that. I make them feel like they are my own kids.

"Let's lock up and prepare ourselves for this dinner." Noeli and I went back inside the house, grabbed our bags, then along with Trevor, we went to my house.

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"Thank you, Marco and Cris, for fixing dinner. You both fixed a feast." I gave both of them a kiss on their cheeks.

"You're welcome, Kam," Marco remarks.

"You're welcome, Kamea. I know you were nervous. And, you deserve a break."

"I love you guys. Thank you." Dad asked if he could bring anything. He is bringing a dessert and wine. This is a special occasion, so it's okay. Cris and I both have done a great job of resisting to drink. We are now occasional drinkers.

The kids were peacefully watching television, so I joined them.

"What are you all watching?"

"The Lion King, mama," Isabella says.

Ahh, an all-time classic.

20 minutes later, we heard a car pulling up. Sounds like dad is here. "Okay, kiddos, start making your way to the dining room. And, put Marco, Sofia, Gabby, and Angelo in their highchairs."

Rocco turned off the television, then the others followed him to the dining room. I went to answer the door.

"Hey, dad. Thank you for the dessert and wine." I grabbed the dessert, then hugged him. "Come on in."

"Kami, this is Makiko."

"Makiko, this is my eldest daughter, Kamea."

She shook my hand like I had a disease. This is going to be a long night for her because she messed with the wrong one. Wait until she sees the kids. I will embarrass her if she says one word.

"It's nice to meet you," she says with the phoniest smile.

"It's not nice to meet you," I mentally said. I gave her a fake smile, "Nice to meet you too. Please follow me into the dining room."

Everyone was already seated when we entered. They all looked up at the same time. "Family, this is Makiko. Everyone, introduce yourself."

"Welcome to our home. I'm Cris, Kamea's husband. Seven of the nine kids are ours. The twins in the highchairs to my left and right are Gabriella and Angelo."

"I'm Marco, husband to Noel. Our kids are the other two in the highchairs - Marco Junior and Sofia."

"I'm Kam's sister, Noeliani. But you can call me Noel. It's great to meet you."

Makiko's face was stoned. Not a smile or anything. Noeli and I looked at each other. The kids now took their turn.

"I'm Rocco."

"My name is Dia."

"I'm Devin."

"My name is Isabella."

"I'm Kekoa."

She just shook her head, and said, "It's nice to meet everyone." Dad and Makiko took a seat. I took my seat next to Cris.

For the highchair kids, Marco fixed chicken tenders and fries. For everyone else, we had caesar salad, lasagna, tomato bruschetta with crostini, and Risotto.

The kids' plates were fixed first. Then, everybody passed their plates around until everyone's plates were fixed.

"Let's all dig-in."

It was total silence at the table. I didn't think the kids were going to say anything. But a little one did decide to say something.

"Are you going to be my Nonna?" Cris, Marco, Noeli, dad, and I choked on what we ate after Isabella asked that.

Makiko just looked at Isabella like my child was stupid. Lady, do not play with my daughter. I will embarrass you.

She bluntly said, "No." That's it, then she went back to eating. But, she added, "This is just a first date."

"That's right, Isabella. Grandpa is not getting married any time soon," dad says to smooth over Makiko's reply.

"Phew. She is mean, Nonno," Kekoa then says. He's right, but I didn't think I would hear that out loud.

Cris gritted his teeth, "Kekoa Lorenzo Fiore, apologize right now."

"But dad, it's true. Look at the wrinkles on her face. Sorry, lady."

I was cringing on the inside. I hope to goodness this doesn't get worse. Baby Marco started throwing his chicken tender pieces. One of them hit Makiko in the face. Marco and Noeli placed their face into their hands.

Marco then said, "Please excuse my child. I'm really sorry."

She was trying not to blow up. She better not. They are kids. But, Cris is going to have a word with the kids when dad and Makiko leave.

Sofia, Gabby, and Angelo suddenly copied Marco Jr. Uh no! Dia, Rocco, Devin, Isabella, and Kekoa started laughing. Cris gave them the nastiest look ever. They stopped.

I snatched Gabby and Angelo's plates from them. Noeli did the same thing for Marco Jr. and Sofia. "Gabriella, Angelo, Marco, and Sophia Fiore, stop it."

"Yes, stop it." Lady, do not reprimand my kids. I'm trying dad. I really am.

"I don't mean any disrespect, Makiko, but Cris and I can handle our kids."

"Apparently not," she says while wiping her face.

"I'm trying really hard, dad."

"I know you are, Kami."

"Leave my mommy alone!" Isabella screams.

"Ouch! One of these brats just kicked me!"

"Lady, I'm not a brat! My name is Kekoa!"

This dinner was a disaster the minute she stepped into the house.

"Stop this nonsense now or no one gets dessert."

"Yes, mommy."

"Rocco, Dia, and Devin help me with the dishes." We grabbed the dishes from the table and made our way to the kitchen. "Take these plates into the dining room." I gave Dia and Rocco some dessert plates while I carried the dessert.

Noeli and I gave the kids a small amount of the pineapple cake dad made.

Sofia, Marco, Gabby, and Angelo started banging their hands on the highchair tables. Makiko gave the kids a mean look.

"See daddy, the mean lady is mad at Gabby and Angelo," Kekoa says.

She slammed her hands on the table. "Stop calling me that, brat!"

"Daddy, that's it!"

"Have at it, Kami."

"My husband and I invite you into our house for dinner, and you're calling my kids a brat?! First of all, you acted like I had a disease while shaking my hands. I let that slide. When you saw how many kids were at the table, you didn't say a word. And, you didn't even say hello back. Nobody and I mean nobody will call my kids a brat. So, get your bougie behind out of my house! My dad can find someone way better than you!"

"Good riddance!" Cris got up from the table, then we heard the front door open.

"My husband even opened the door for you. Get to steppin.' Good luck getting a ride home because my dad is not taking you!"

We heard Cris slam the door and come back to the dining room.

"Dad, we're sorry about what happened."

"You know what? I'm not. I mentioned to her that I had grandchildren and everything. She made a funny looking face then. She should have said no to begin with. Cris, don't chastise the kids. I saw the way she looked at them all night. Let's enjoy the dessert and have a good time with just us. There is plenty of fish in the sea. I'm not giving up yet."

"We love you, daddy. Hey, I just thought of something fun to do for everyone. Food fight!!!"

Everyone picked up their dessert and flung it all across the room. Hey, we'll worry about cleaning up later. I have a husband's face to smash cake in. I picked up my cake, walked over to Cris, and smashed it in his face!

"Of course, you know, this means war." Cris had a devious grin on his face as he chased behind me with a piece of cake in his hands. "Kamea Malia Fiore get back here now!"

Food fight or not, I will do anything to make my family happy.

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The theater room picture is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / lmphot