"McDonald's or Burger King?" Carla asks her six year old while packing him in the back seat of her van.

"McDonald's, please," his cute, mousey voice replied back to her.

"You got it, Kid," she said sliding the door shut after making sure he was safe and tight in his seat. She was jogging to the driver's seat with pride. Lud proved he could blend in with the rest of the rowdy, dysfunctional Tortelli-LeBec clan. Who taught him how to light shoes? She bet it was Gino since he was the one who babysat him most of the time.

"Mommy, when we get there, make mine a double!"

"A double?!"

"Yeah, I'm hungry!"

"You sure do have a big appetite for a small guy."

"Yeah, but I won't be small for long."

"Don't remind me," she says sighing as they pull into the McDonald's parking lot. She parks and then gets out to help Lud out of his seat. He really must have been hungry because he made a mad dash for the restaurant.

"Bennett Sam!"

Lud stops in his tracks. He knew he was going to get it once his mother called him out on a middle name basis. He just stood there in fear as his mother got to him. She grabbed him under the arms and he was afraid she was going to spank him right then and there but she didn't. She picked him up, hugged him to her gently and carried him into the restaurant. Lud can't help but think this is weird, she usually didn't act this way after he had done something like that. She had ordered a double cheeseburger for him, chicken nuggets with barbeque suace for her, a large fry to split and two small cokes. She finally put him down when their order turned up and they went to find a seat. They were both really quiet during the first half of their meal.

"Is it good, Lud?" she asks finally breaking the silence.

"Yeah, thanks Ma," he replies stuffing a couple of french fries in his mouth.

"Don't mention it."

"Hey, Ma,"

"What?" She asks dipping another nugget in sauce.

"How come you didn't spank me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"For lighting Dr. Crane's feet on fire and for running away from you like I did. Usually I would get a smack."

This causes her to put down her food and just stare at her son and ponder. She knows maybe she has been a little rough on her kids. She has been under so much stress since she could remember she really hasn't stopped to think about how her behavior may affect her kids. Her kids grew up to be fighters but maybe it was because all they've ever seen was her fighting her way through life. She looked at her little beautiful brainiac and realized what a blessing he was.

"Bennett Sam, I love you."

"I know Ma, I love you, too."

"I would never intentionally hurt you. It's just what I was taught to do whenever kids got outta line. It's not the best way. I'll try not to do it anymore. Have I ever hurt you?"

"It hurts a little but it goes away. I know you don't mean to hurt me."

"I'm glad," she says trying to keep it together. This whole scenario was making her want to cry.

"Hey, Ma?"

"Oh, God, what?"

"Did you name me after your boss?"

"You have your father's first and last, but your middle name, yes I did."

"Cool," he says brushing it off to take another rip on his double cheeseburger. He was almost finished with it.

"Hey, Lud, who taught you how to use matches?"

"Gino."

"I thought so."

"He says it was like a tradition. Anthony taught Sarafina, Sarafina taught Anne Marie and Gino, and then he taught me and Lucia. I love being part of my family."

"And we're proud to have you, Lud."