The family didn't know when Cassandra's birthday was so they were thinking of dates for her birthday. How about the day she was brought to us, said Michael. Vito was uncomfortable with that celebrating on the nights her parents abandoned her he didn't want to remember the night her mother gave her up. He decided it should be on May 24. Vito loved seeing Cassandra every night he came home from work. Cassandra loved her parents and her brothers and sisters they all loved and respected her. Hey Pop what if she finds that picture of her Mom and starts questioning us? Asked Sonny. Don't worry I've hidden it in a good place if she does find it one day will be prepared to tell her don't worry she may never find it will never know she was brought to us and will love her just like Tom we love everybody equally in this family, he said. The baby they had found on the front porch 3 years ago was now a healthy little girl who was 3 years old and loved her family and was very playful and active. She loved her Mom and Dad she even got along with Connie they would play dress up have tea parties and other girl stuff. The brothers loved her too they were funny and cool they always looked out for her. Cassandra in the winter nights would sit in her fathers lap in her pajamas she would fall asleep in his lap or sometimes her mother's he would carry her up the stairs and tuck her in bed and give her a warm glass of milk and cookies he would sing a lullaby in Sicilian or Italian sometimes. Cassandra loved pasta she just loved Carmella's spaghetti and meatballs. One night Cassandra didn't know why her Dad wasn't home and the family was so worried. Mommy what's wrong? Asked Cassandra. Your father's hurt, she said. How? She asked. Carmella didn't know how to explain to her daughter that her father had been shot she didn't know what to say. Daddy's hurt where is he? She asked. He's in the hospital, she said. It hurt for Carmella to think of this for Cassandra to lose a man that was like a father to her and her mother that gave her up to the family. Days passed Cassandra missed her Dad she looked at the picture of them with her family. She started to cry she held onto her favorite teddy bear her tears soaked her bed. Cassandra missed her Father and she missed how he would tuck her in and give her cookies and milk and sing to her in Italian she missed that sweet low raspy voice of his. Fredo walked into her room, he sat down on her bed. Don't cry your just going to make me more upset, said Fredo. He held her in his arms. It will be alright I promise, he said. Pop will come home, he said. Don't cry your just going to make me upset and make me cry all over he will make it I promise, said Fredo. Maybe you can visit him in the hospital with Mom one time, he said. I always leave this little light on hoping he'll come home and tuck me in like he always does, she said. He's going to be in the hospital for awhile, said Fredo. Mama can we see Pop in the hospital? Asked Cassandra. Yes Cassandra we can go but there is going to be germs, she said. They went to the hospital they walked past the guards guarding the dons room. Look who I brought, said Carmella. Hi Daddy, she said. Cassie I've missed you so much, he said. Me too, said Cassandra. Come here I just wanna give you a hug, he said. Cassandra hugged him. She loved being in her father's warm embrace. I miss you Pop, she said. Me too I miss all my children including you but you'll visit me and I'll be home soon. 3 months later in October Cassandra and her family were waiting outside for her father. Cassandra was excited she missed her father and wanted to see him. The family all went in his bedroom to visit him. They all saw him. Daddy your home! She shouted she leapt up on his bed and hugged him tightly. I missed you so much I love you, she said giving him a kiss. I love you too Cassie I'll never leave you alone like that again, he said. He never wanted to leave her like that even though she wasn't his real daughter he still loved her family meant nobody got left behind or forgotten. That night while Cassandra was sleeping she heard footsteps in her bedroom it was Vito he put warm milk by her bedside and cookies. He tousled her hair and kissed her, she woke up. Dad your home, she said. Now your with me and safe, he said embracing her and smiling. I missed you too Daddy I waited and waited when you would come home and here you are you promise you'll never leave me again? She asked holding out her pinkie. I promise, he said holding his pinkie out and wrapping it around hers. I'll never leave you like that again, he said.
