Saturday, June 24th, 2023

Día's POV

Even though we had to come home, at least we don't have to go back to school until September. Thank goodness.

Aunt Layla and Uncle Austin took Braelyn to Disney. They are still in California. I can't wait until they come back so Braelyn and I can play together.

We are all outside, playing in the pool while daddy is fixing us something to eat. Mommy was teaching Gabby and Angelo how to swim.

"Daddy, look at Gabby and Angelo swimming!!" My dad ran over to the pool just in time.

"Good job, baby. Lunch is ready so everyone out of the pool."

"Aww man." Daddy helped us out the pool, then we went to the table. Daddy fixed our favorite thing - pizza with lots of cheese. Daddy uses the oven he bought to make homemade pizza. We don't eat any other pizza.

We had burgers, hot dogs, and so much food.

"Uncle Marco has a surprise for you. They will be over the house shortly."

"What is it, dad?"

"I'm not telling. It wouldn't be a surprise, would it? You all will love it. That's all I am going to tell you."

While we were eating our food, we heard a car pull up to the house.

"Uncle Marco is here!!!" Rocco yelled.

Isabella was about to take off until daddy said, "Stay right at the table until Marco and Noeli come to the yard."

When they came into the yard, Uncle Marco had a carrier. Then, we heard barking!!

"Daddy, Uncle Marco got us a dog?!"

"Take a look in the carrier." Uncle Marco sat the carrier in the grass, opened the door, and out came the cutest puppies I have seen. Well, other than Braelyn's puppy, Nala.

"You guys have to give them names. They are sisters," Uncle Marco says.

"Thank you, Uncle Marco!!!" We all ran over to him and hugged him until he fell to the ground.

"You're welcome, kiddos. And, don't forget to thank your mom and dad."

We all ran over to mom and dad. "Thank you, mom and dad!"

"You're welcome. We both thought it was time. And, we saw how much you loved Braelyn's puppy. Cris and I love you all very much. Always remember that, understand?"

"Yes, mommy."

"And, you all remember to share the puppies."

"Let Dia and Isabella name the puppies. I can't think of any girl names," Rocco says.

"Mommy, can you help us pick out names?"

"I sure can. I'll be right back." Mom went into the house. She then came back with her laptop and sat on the couch outside. Bella and I ran over to mom while the boys played with dad and Uncle Marco. Aunt Noel came with us too.

"Okay, let's search for cute puppy names." Mom turned on her computer and found a page with a list of cute names.

"Can we name one of the puppies Isabella, like me?"

"Hmm, how does Ella sound?" Mom asked.

"I like it," Isabella says. Sometimes Isabella gets on my nerves. And, not just mine either. One minute she is sweet. The next minute she is trying to get one of us in trouble, even her own twin.

We continued looking at the list so I can pick a name.

"I like that one, mom. I shall name her Ginger."

"Good job, girls. Let's go tell the boys." Mom put her laptop back in the house. Then we let the boys know the names.

"Girls, tell the boys what you named the puppies," Mom says.

"I picked Ella," Isabella says.

"And, I picked Ginger."

"Those are cute names. Excellent choices," My dad says.

Isabella and I joined our brothers to play with Ginger and Ella.

Kam's POV

"Thanks again, Marco and Noeli. Even Gabby and Angelo love them. They are cute, little puppies."

"You're welcome, Kam. We got puppies too for Marco Jr and Sofia. We named them Tucker and Simba. They are actually the brothers to Ella and Ginger."

"Aww, they probably are just as cute."

"They really are. Sometimes they jump on Junior's bed at night and sleep with him. We took pictures of it."

"WAAH!!!"

"Uh oh, looks like Gabby has had enough. I'll be right back." I walked over to my crying, baby girl and picked her up.

"Come to mommy, sweetie." She laid her head on my chest. After I started rubbing her back, Gabby stopped crying.

"Cris said I am getting a new bodyguard, and he is coming over next weekend."

"How's Jake doing?" Marco asked.

"Jake is great. He is enjoying retirement and even popped the question. The wedding will take place in the Spring of next year. He says we are already on the wedding list."

"That's great news. I'm happy for him."

"Me too. He deserves it. His house feels empty without him. So, Cris says that he wants us to hire live-in housekeepers, and the house will be for them. We are not going to just hire anyone neither."

"Good for you. And, how is the daycare center going?" Marco then asked.

"I love it. My dad and uncles are planning a luau for the kids. I checked with the kid's parents first, and they were okay with it."

"Hey Kam, Marco and I had a discussion about me leaving the hospital. We have two, small children and I don't want to always rely on dad to watch them. And, between us, we are financially set for the rest of our lives. So, if you need any more help, I would love to come work with you at the center. Of course, the kids would come with me."

"Yes, I would love for you to come. We are going to have so much fun working together."

"My last day at the hospital is in two weeks. We scheduled a vacation with the kids for two weeks, so I'll be available in a month."

"That will not be a problem. Thanks, sis." Gabby fell asleep, so I took her to her room. By the time I came back outside, Angelo missed his twin and started crying. So, I picked him up. Those two stick to each other like glue. Their bond is strong.

The rest of the kids got back in the pool with Cris. So, I whistled and both puppies came over to where we were sitting. They sat on the couch with us. Baby Marco and Sofia played with them. Just like Gabby, Angelo was knocked out.

"We bought food and water dishes for the puppies. I'll get them out of my truck. Be right back."

"We are going to go into the living room, Marco."

Baby Marco and Sofia got off the couch. So did the puppies. Then, we all went into the living room.

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Narrator's POV

Cris traded places with Kamea - he watched Gabby and Angelo while Kam got in the pool with the rest of the kids. Marco joined them. They had fun for the rest of the evening.

Kamea was busy throughout the week with daycare, as well as interviews for housekeepers. Cris let Kam pick the number of housekeepers she wanted. Kam chose 4.

She gave the ladies a tour of the house and showed them their living quarters. Kam also invited the ladies to dinner to formally introduce the kids.

Meanwhile, Cris was nervous about meeting the new bodyguard. He was hoping the new guard previously didn't have a crush or was attracted to Kam.

Cris did like Jake, but a part of him always wondered if Jake would take Kam from him. He was glad Jake didn't because it would have been a losing battle, for Jake.

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Saturday, July 1st, 2023

Kam's POV

Dia and Isabella rode with me to pick up Rihanna. She will be staying with us through Sunday.

On the way home, I noticed Isabella was sad. I'll talk to her when we get home.

We are going to have so much fun with Rihanna. She is a sweetheart. Mason Jr is spending the weekend with Bliss and Shane.

As soon as we pulled up to the house, Cris and Gabby were waiting for us.

Gabby and Rihanna have formed a friendship bond. It's too cute because they are only two years old.

"Dia sweetie, help Bella out and then grab Rihanna's bag from the trunk. I'll open it." After pressing the button to open the trunk, I went to pick Rihanna out of her seat.

As soon as I put her down, she ran over to Gabby. They remind me so much of Braelyn and Dia.

"Bella baby, come talk with mommy." I locked my Escalade, then we went to her room.

Isabella's POV

"Come sit in mama's lap. What's wrong, sweetie? Don't be sad."

"Dia has Braelyn as a friend. Gabby has Rihanna as a friend. But nobody is friends with me. Even Rocco, Devin, and Kekoa don't play with me. They all said they don't want to play with me anymore because I am trouble."

My mommy wiped away my tears.

"How about on Monday, you come with me to the daycare center? Some of the kids are the same age as you. I will help you make some friends, okay?"

"Yes, mama."

"Now, let's go find your brothers and sisters for a family chat."

Mommy and I went to find everyone. They were all outside. Mommy whistled to everybody.

"Dia, Rocco, Devin, and Kekoa, please come out of the pool. We are having a family chat!"

We all sat on the couches outside.

Kam's POV

"Now, who sitting here told Isabella they didn't want to play with her?" Nobody answered, which means they all did.

Rocco answered first. "Isabella always gets us in trouble. And, did she tell you the reason why?"

"Name an example," Cris says. He has an irritated tone in his voice, but we need to hear this and end it today.

"Mom and dad, just last week, Dia, Devin, and I were outside playing in the yard. I came inside to get something to drink. I heard something break and ran into the living room. Isabella was standing near a broken glass bowl. She screamed and said that I broke it. I was the one who got punished."

Cris' POV

"Is that true, Isabella? Let me just say that no one will get punished. So, I want each one of you to tell me the truth."

"Yes, Papa. I didn't want to get in trouble."

"Princess, do you think it was fair for Rocco to take the blame for something you broke?"

"No, Papa."

"Dad, Isabella comes into my room and touches my things. She broke my Minnie Mouse glass statue, and blamed Gabby."

"I'm sorry, Papa. I was scared."

"Isabella baby, come sit with me." She did as tears streamed down her little cheeks.

"Sweetheart, you can't blame others for something you did. And, you can't touch your brothers or sisters things without asking first. Next time, come to me or your mom. And, ask first before you touch, understand?"

"Yes, Papa."

"Now, Dia, Rocco, Devin, and Kekoa that was not a nice thing to say to Isabella. You wouldn't want anyone to say that about you, would you?"

"No. But dad, sometimes Bella would hit me for no reason, then go crying to either you or Mom," Kekoa then says.

"Listen, it is not 'Gang up on Isabella' day. I want each and every one of you to listen to my words - clearly. Starting today, if any of you say something negative about your sibling, or blame someone for something you did wrong, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

They all said, "Yes, dad."

"Now, starting with Isabella I want you all to apologize to each other."

"I'm sorry Dia, Rocco, Devin, Kekoa, Gabby, and Angelo."

"We are sorry too, Isabella."

"Beginning in September, Bella and Kekoa will be going to the same school. So, Devin, Rocco, and Dia I want you all to look out for your brother and sister."

"How about a group hug?" Kamea held Rihanna, I held Gabby, and Rocco held Angelo. We stood in a circle and hugged each other. "Your mom and I love you all very much."

"We love you too, dad."

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The kids, along with Kamea are getting ready. Marco, Noeli, and Kalani are coming over as well. We will meet with Kamea's bodyguard this evening.

The kids love the pizza that I fix, so I made some more for dinner, along with grilled food.

Ella and Ginger are running around in the back yard. They really are adorable puppies. And, well behaved.

Kamea, Gabby, Angelo, and Rihanna were the first ones to come outside.

"Papa, the doorbell rang!" Isabella yelled as she came outside.

Kam's POV

"I'll get it, Cris. Bella, sit with Rihanna and Gabby until I come back."

Rocco, Devin, and Kekoa ran past me outside. I looked through the peephole. He must be my bodyguard. So, I opened the door.

"Hi, are you Mrs. Kamea Fiore?" He asked.

"Yes, I am come on in."

"My name is Trevor Noel."

"It's nice to meet you, Trevor. My family is in the back yard. Follow me, please."

We walked outside so Trevor could meet the family. I whistled to get everyone's attention.

"Fiore huddle. I want to introduce you all." Everyone followed Cris to where I was standing.

"Cris, kids, this is Mr. Trevor. The littlest kids are Angelo, Gabby, and Rihanna. Starting from Kekoa, introduce yourself."

"Hi, I'm Kekoa."

"I'm Isabella."

"Hi, I'm Devin."

"Hi, Mr. Trevor, I'm Dia."

"Hi, I'm Rocco."

"Hi, Trevor. I am Kamea's husband, Cris. It's nice to meet you. We have two, little dogs - Ella and Ginger. I hope you are not allergic."

"It's nice to meet everyone. Thank you for having me over for dinner. No, I am not allergic to pets."

"You're welcome. Speaking of, dinner is ready. Everyone head to the table," Cris then mentions.

Sounds like Marco, Noeli, and dad are here. Within 5 minutes, they entered through the gate to the yard. Dad had food bags in his hands.

"Nonno Kalani is here!!" The kids screamed.

"Thanks for the food, dad."

"You're welcome, Kami. I have dessert and pineapple chicken." Dad sat the food on the table.

"Marco, Noeli, and dad, this is Trevor Noel, my new bodyguard."

"It's nice to meet you, Trevor. I am Kam's sister. Marco is my husband. And, the two little ones are Marco Junior and Sofia."

"I am Kalani, Kamea and Noeli's, father."

After all of the introductions were done, we sat down and ate dinner.

Cris and Trevor talked about when he would be needed to guard me. Cris also gave Trevor his and my phone numbers.

We were having a great time. Then, dad dropped some news on us.

"Kami and Noeli, I want to try dating someone again."

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Picture portrayal of Kam's bodyguard is courtesy of Canstock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / curaphotography