A/N: KHR! does not belong to me and never shall.

It was sometime later when Papa and Signore DiCuccio returned. By then, Isabella and Lorenzo were seated on the sofa, on opposite sides of-course so Papa wouldn't get the wrong idea. I myself was seated at the window, gazing out at the garden. I hadn't noticed before, but the flowers were in bloom, casting the outside in a different kind of light. A beautiful light. "Isabella." Papa smiled at her. "We've come to an agreement, Signore DiCuccio and I." Isabella blinked clutching the material of her skirt lightly.

"An agreement, Papa?"

"Yes. Given a week, if you and the younger Signore DiCuccio still dislike the idea of marriage to the other, the elder Signore DiCuccio and I have agreed to revoke the betrothal. Agreed?" Papa's eyes told me he only wanted what was best for Isabella. That is why he wasn't forcing her into it like others of her status would have been. He really was such a caring Papa…

"Signore Critolli. From what little conversation I've had with Signorina Critolli—ah, the both of them, Signore—I feel that we would get along. But yes. I agree to this arrangement. Signorina Isabella?" Isabella gave a slight nod.

"I will agree to this arrangement." Lorenzo rose from the sofa, taking her hand gently in his. He smiled.

"Then, arrivederci, Signorina Critolli, until the morrow." Isabella held his gaze and I noticed Papa biting his lip. Apparently so did Signore DiCuccio.

"Renzo, we'll be off now." His voice was strong, but I heard the hint of the smile there. I suppose he had known who the young lady his son had been seeing. It would make sense, after-all. Lorenzo was his only son. He would keep an eye on him. Lorenzo smiled a bit wider at Isabella before releasing her hand and striding over to where his father stood waiting.

It was the next day. I had decided to spend it in the graden, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells that wafted from the multitude of foliage. Many of Mama's roses were in full bloom now. It was a beautiful sight and I felt as if she was still here, just around the corner tending to one of her precious plants. Maria told me once that Mama valued her roses very highly. More than jewels for, as Mama had said, jewels had no life in them. They were just rocks after-all. Plants had life and taking care of life was a great responsibility. One Mama had enjoyed very much. I had always known that Mama had loved them. She had often brought me, just a child, into the garden so she could tend to the little green plants that were just starting to poke through the dirt.

"Alessia!" The birds that were bathing in a nearby puddle were startled and flew up into the sky, wheeling away quickly at the sound of a possible predator. I turned my gaze to the double doors that had led me out here, to the garden. In the doorway stood a rather excited looking Stefano while his brother, Daniele, an older and more mature version of Stefano, stood behind him.

"Alessia. It's been sometime since I saw you last." Daniele greeted me quietly while he held his brother back. Why would he need to hold Stefano back?

"Yes, I suppose it has, hasn't it? Please, come and sit." I indicated to the bench beside my own. Daniele nodded. "We must speak, for it has been sometime since we have last seen each other. I must say, I wasn't expecting you today, else I would have prepared myself in a better fashion." I now rather regretted my choice of wearing my simple blue calico dress.

"There's no need to go through trouble for us. It is as though you are family, Alessia. There's no need." Daniele was much calmer and quieter than his younger sibling. He was much more mature and handled difficult situations with such a grace that even surprised my father. I smiled at him.

"Tell me, Daniele. What honor do I have of seeing you today? Are you not busy with the affairs of your estate? Or is something the matter?" Typically, Daniele didn't have time to make social calls. He was always occupied with his late father's estate, his estate now I suppose. Also making sure Teresa, his younger sister, didn't go wandering off as she was liable to do on occasion. She was quite a restless soul.

Daniele gave a smile. "Am I that easy to see through? We heard that one of the Critollis it going to be married. We came to offer our congratulations and good wishes to the bride." I gazed out at the wide expanse of grass.

"Yes... I'm to gain a brother and a sister through this marriage, did you know? I've never had an older brother... And a can't imagine any other sister than Isabella. It'll be... interesting to see how it all works out."

"That's wonderful, Alessia."

"Yes. I know Isabella will be so happy with him, so that puts my mind at ease." A silence passed and I glanced over at them. Stefano was frowning and Daniele was looking up at the sky. "Is something the matter?"

"Isabella, you say?"

"Why yes. Isabella is to be marr- Ah, correction. Might be married to Lorenzo DiCuccio. Isn't it grand?" Daniele rose fluidly from his seat, easily towering over me.

"Excuse me, Alessia, while I go and congratulate my dear friend. Brother, stay and give Alessia good compnay." And before I could even offer to show him the way to where she was, he was already at the door to my home, disappearing into it. I blinked at his sudden disappearance and the silence that insued. Stefano, who would usually be speaking rapidly to me by now, was still, gazing out at the garden.

"Oh... Well then. Stefano. How have you been?" I looked over at him as he turned his attention away from the flora. "Did you enjoy yourself at Signore Capro's party the night before last?"

"Very much so. Though I was greatly disappointed that I had not been able to dance with you. But I did hear that you did in-fact dance...?" I smiled, nodding.

"It was interesting, the dance I mean. It was the first time that I had gone with someone other than a dear friend or family member."

"The gentleman—I'm afraid I didn't qute catch his name—was pleasant company, I'm right in assuming?" He was oddly formal with me today. Which wasn't like him.

"Nor do I know his name. But yes. He was good company." He turned fully to me then, a deep frown marring his features. He looked as though... angry? But that would make no sense. There was no need or cause for anger.

"You do not know his name, yet still you danced with him?" Now he was being positively ridiciuolus and I couldn't help but to laugh at his behavior.

"Come now, Stefano! You sound like my Papa! Many women there danced with men they did not know! Why should I not do the same? It is not as though I will ever see this man again or marry him for that matter." He didn't shift his gaze from mine and I slowly started to feel uncomfortable. "Stefano...?"

"Forgive me, Alessia. I just worry for you is all. Nothing more." I smiled softly, patting his hand.

"There is no need for worrying. Nothing ill will come of this."

"Papa?" I had been looking around for my father since the Capellos had left. That had been shortly after dinner. It was now almost time for supper. Maria had told me to try the garden. Papa had a habit of going to the garden in the afternoon sometimes.

He wasn't there.

Our home was by no means small, but there were bigger out there. It was actually fairly difficult to find one person in the house. Isabella said it was easy, but I would beg to differ. So, I tried the next most obvious places; Mama's room, the dining hall, Isabella's room(which she wasn't in), the foyer—in-case someone came to discuss business with Papa—and then finally his study.

He was in his study, asleep, papers scattered on the floor. "Oh, Papa…" He gave a snort. I moved quietly to his desk, picking up the fallen papers and stacking them lightly on the corner of his desk. Papa would put them in order later. Reaching out, a shook his shoulder lightly. "Papa… Come on, Papa. You must wake up. Papa, you can't sleep right now…" I shook him a little harder and he gave another snort before opening his eyes slowly.

"Mngh, Rosella, Darling…?" He looked up blearily.

"No, Papa. Alessia." A noise in the back of his throat and he sat up in his chair, yawning loudly.

"Ah, yes, of-course. Alessia. What can I do for you, dear?" I smiled. Papa also had a habit of sleeping at the oddest times.

"I've was wondering where Isabella was. I asked Maria, but she said she didn't know. I thought that was odd, so I've been trying to find you." He stretched his arms above his head, yawning again, then rubbing at his eyes. "Don't you think that's odd, Papa?" he shuffled through some of the papers on his desk as he stood up.

"She's making wedding preparations at the DiCuccio's. Ah, almost time for supper. Join me, dear?" he held out his arm, which I accepted.

"Wedding preparations? She accepted Lorenzo?"

"Yes, of-course darling. They've gotten along so well since they were introduced, and the boy asked her shortly before supper to be his bride. She accepted. I find that odd, but I'm happy for her. I know she wouldn't accept anyone unless she was sure about them, isn't that right?"

"Exactly." He smiled, satisfied, as we moved down the staircase to the dining hall.

"Alessia!" My stomach lurched and my eyes shot open. The ceiling was suddenly a lot closer than I last remembered, but then I fell back onto the mattress. I sat up quickly, searching for the source of the sudden bird-like sensation only to see Isabella and Teresa grinning at me. come to think of it, they were grinning exactly like that crazy man had been before he… I shook my head, clearing it of those thoughts.

"S-sister, T-teresa…. So nice to see you… so early in the morning…" a yawn escaped my lips and I covered my mouth quickly. "Please excuse me." Isabella paid me no mind. Somehow, she was already dressed. And it was so early! I hadn't seen her when she came in last night, for I had already been asleep. She was excited, as far as I could tell right now anyway.

"Alessia! Me and Renzo are engaged!" she shrieked, Teresa laughing beside her. Why was Teresa even here?

"That's great, Isabella! I'm happy for you!"

"Now you hurry up and get engaged to Stefano!" Teresa added, still laughing. Isabella fell back on my bed, clasping her hands to her chest. I tried to politely ignore Teresa's remark.

"Oh, Alessia! It's just so wonderful! Being engaged! I feel so light! I feel so happy!" She gave a happy sigh and I smiled, sliding off my bed.

"I am truly happy for you, my sister. Now if you'll excuse me while I get dressed?" I gave them a look and they giggled like young girls, rushing out of my room and closing the door behind them. I gazed around me at the suddenly silent room. They had filled it with sound, but without them… it suddenly felt empty.

Hurry up and get engaged to Stefano? I laugh at the thought. Stefano had clearly stated not two years ago that he would never marry me for I was his best friend in the world. Strange, yes, for a boy to be friends with a girl, but it was of no matter. He didn't feel that way for me. And nor did I feel that way for him. But I suppose… if he asked me…

I shook the thoughts away, moving to my wardrobe, preparing myself for the day ahead. No doubt it would be filled with who to and who not to invite to Isabella and Lorenzo's engagement party, as Papa put it. Most likely relatives of all kinds, friends, Papa and Signore DiCuccio's business acquaintances, Isabella's school friends. And then of-course possible suitors for me. Papa had suddenly decided last night at dinner that I should begin thinking about marriage. He said he would invite some young men from good families that he had heard talk of.

Of-course I agreed. Papa was only looking out for me. I couldn't refuse his simple request. That would be rude. I also heard him murmur to himself about a Vongola? Perhaps a new business leader he had met at Signore Capro's party. He had talked about inviting him, seeing what his ideals were.

I said nothing, for I knew Papa was slowly starting to age. It wouldn't be uncommon for him to start talking of nonsense things. I didn't want to think of him as becoming old, but it happened, sadly. And with age came the… unusual peculiarities. Unfortunately. Mama's death had also taken a toll on him, so it would be only natural for him to begin to act this way. I just wish there was something I could do.

"Alessia! Are you finished yet?"

"A-ah! Not quite!" I hurriedly dressed, not wanting Isabella to wait for me.

Well. I didn't get Primo in here, but I mentioned him. Does that count? Of-course, Alessia didn't understand what her father meant when he spoke of 'the Vongola's ideals'. How is she really to know? Anyway, the party will be the next chapter. Primo will be in it, I promise.