In my fan fictions, Claudia is never responsible for Michael's shooting. I hate the storyline so much and it was never intentional and I do not like the way they are writing it out, so I like to keep that storyline out of my fics. Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

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The morning came faster then I had expected and I was dreading the afternoon activities that were on my calendar. Sonny wanted to help me, which was a good sign. But, was he really going to be able to keep Izzy safe? I mean, this is the man who's son was shot in the head in Spring. I had to think positively though. The bullet wasn't meant for Michael, it ricocheted.

Izzy woke up an hour after I did, giving me time to shower and dress before she skipped out of her bedroom. "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" I heard her scream happily, laughing in between words. A tear fell down my face. I was finally reunited with my daughter and I couldn't have been happier. She trotted out of my bedroom and ran to me. I picked her up in my arms and twirled her around. I gave her a big kiss on the cheek and sat her in one of the kitchen chairs.

"Good morning princess," I greeted her.

"Good mornin' mommy," she smiled. I laughed, as she poured some salt onto her eggs. Well, it was now or never.

"Izzy sweetie," I started.

"yesmommy," she jumbled, with food in her mouth. I snickered and sat down in a chair next to her.

"We are going to have some company today," I informed the three year old. She looked at me strangely.

After swallowing she asked, "company?"

"Yes, company. Today you are going to meet your Uncle Johnny and Grandpa Anthony and Grandpa's lawyer Trevor, and a friend of mommy's, named Sonny," I explained some more.

She laughed, "Sonny?"

"Yes, Sonny. Mommy has to call Sonny now, so eat your breakfast and then after everybody comes over I'll take you to the park," I told her, wiping the eggs off her face with a napkin.

"Will Sonny come too?" She asked. I was taken back. She never really asked much about my friends, back in Italy, especially if they were men. Growing up without a dad, Izzy just liked it to be the two of us girls. She hated it when Uncle Rudy would come to the park with us, or if one of the guards were too close when we were out together. She just liked it to be the two of us. Things obviously changed a lot since I last saw her.

"Why would you ask that sweetie?" I asked her curiously. She put down her fork and turned to look at me.

"Well, we're going to the park and his name is Sonny, and he sounds like a happy person, so I was just asking," she stumbled on some words. I laughed.

"Happy person? You would think so wouldn't you?!" I whispered to myself. She took a sip of her juice and then went back to feeding herself her eggs. I took a deep breath and walked over to the house phone, picked it up, and dialed Sonny's number. It rang, and rang, and rang, and rang, and…

"Hello?" A brisk voice asked.

"Hey, Sonny it's me," I answered.

"Hey she up yet?" He asked,

"Yeah, she just…" I didn't even get to finish my sentence, before I saw Izzy standing right next to me, talking into the machine.

"Hi Sonny!" She yelled. Then his voice sounded through the machine; she put him on speaker.

"Hello, sweetie!" He cheerfully called out to her. He was so different when it came to children. It surprised me sometimes. But, it was fun to watch.

"Honey, what did you do?" I asked her, picking her up in my arms.

"I press speaker button," she told me.

"Yes you did," I laughed.

"I'm going to take that as a yes," Sonny interjected. I smiled, unbeknownst to him of course.

"See you in a few?" I asked, wondering if he was going to still come.

"Yeah, I'm on my way," He informed me.

"Okay, see you soon," I alleged.

"Bye Sonny!" Izzy giggled.

"Bye sweetheart!" Sonny stated, laughing. I pressed the end call button and turned to Izzy.

"You are so nosy, do you know that?" I asked her, tickling her stomach. She laughed loudly and gave me a big kiss.

"I love you mommy," she whispered, still laughing.

"I love you too, princess," I told her, a big smile spreading from ear to ear on our faces.

*

A knock sounded from the door as I sat Izzy down at her make up table. "Is that Sonny?" She asked, excitedly.

"Yes," I answered her, patting her head. She smiled and went back to putting on her fake makeup. I had never seen her so happy to meet anyone before, especially a man. It was so incredible to watch her glow and laugh. I walked over to the door and opened it. "Hey, Izzy's been asking for you." He smiled and walked in.

"I can't wait to meet her," he smiled brightly. That was the first time I had ever seen Sonny genuinely smile. He had a gorgeous smile and such sexy dimples. But, I couldn't think about that. He was engaged and I had a daughter to take care of. I was not going down that path again.

"Izzy, sweetie, I want you to meet…" I didn't get to finish before she jumped out of her stool and ran toward Sonny and hugged his leg.

"Sonny!" She shouted. He picked her up and smiled, tickling her a bit.

"Hello, Izzy, it is so nice to meet you," he cheered.

"Nice to meet you too," she let out. The both laughed and giggled and I just watched them. Again, I had never seen her so happy with any man before. Well, she was only three, but she didn't have a male figure in her life, besides Uncle Rudy, but he was more my Uncle then hers. She brightened up when she saw Sonny and she laughed. She didn't scream for him to go away like she did when some of my other guy friends would try to hold her or play with her. It melted my heart, "Are you okay mommy?" I snapped back to reality, as I saw them staring at me.

I quickly smiled and answered, "yeah baby, I'm fine. I'm great!" I gave her a kiss on her forehead and she flung into my arms. I held her tightly on my hip as her head rested on my shoulder. Sonny smiled as he watched me hold her and sway back and forth with her.

"I love you mommy," she whispered into my ear.

"I love you too, Izzy," I whispered into her ear.

"Can I go back to playing now?" She asked.

"Absolutely sweetheart," I laughed. I wanted her to be able to stay a kid forever and to have as much fun as she possible could. I placed her down on the ground and she toddled over to her make up table. She picked up her brush and began to brush her short, silky black hair, and she twirled her silky, black bangs. She had beautiful hazel green eyes and she wore a pink, fluffy, princess dress. At least that's what she would call it.

"She's precious," Sonny interrupted my thoughts this time.

"Thank you," I thanked. It was awkward. Trying to act like I was glad he was here without remembering how much we hated each other.

"She looks a lot like you," he tried complementing.

"Really? A lot of people say that," I confessed.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked, moving closer to me.

"Uh… sure," I allowed.

"Where's her father?" He asked in hushed tones. I stuttered for a few moments and then walked away to retrieve my cell phone from the coffee table.

"Like I said, it's complicated," I finally answered.

"Okay, I can take a hint," he commented.

"Is it time?" I asked, waving my cell phone in the air.

"Max and Milo are outside guarding the door and I'm in here with you and your daughter, yeah I can say it's time," he answered.

I took a deep breath, dialed daddy's number, and let it ring. He picked up after a few rings and answered, "yes Claudia, what is it I can do for you?"

He was irritated, but there was no way I could back out now, "you and Trevor need to come by the apartment, immediately, and tell John to come to. There's something I need to tell you all."