CHAPTER 9

~ The Anxious Phase ~

August is rounding out and so is Pauly's traveling. He still has more cities to visit however, before ending it at home in Vegas at Haze. It's been a grueling schedule and he cannot wait.

Meanwhile, Deena hit the ground running after the okay from Pauly about sending Pauleena to stay with Nicole and Jionni in Jersey. Luckily this is the month that they would not have an interview with their Social Worker regarding Pauleena. So Deena is making it count.

Everything is coming together beautifully and so is Nicole's project for Deena. Deena was amazed that after three weeks she started to see the results. She notices the tone coming in on her physique. It's what she's missed since leaving the gym. Another three weeks and she won't recognize herself.

She has yet to see the other effects to the drink but only that will tell when Pauly returns. They have been in contact with each other just about every day for some reason. Deena chalks it up to the fact that this is the longest Pauly's been away on a consistent basis. She doesn't want to set herself up for something that may not be there but she cannot wait to see him, even for the simple fact that he's her best friend as well.

-In Tampa, Florida-

It is a week before the crew heads back to Vegas and even though it has been fun on the East coast, everyone is tired. Pauly goes through his phone, clearing out space and then he smiles at a text Nicole sent to his phone when he comes up on it.

Biggie sitting nearby responds.

"What's that?"

Pauly, "Snooks sent me a picture of 'Leena with Lorenzo of course."

Bigg, "Let me see?"

Biggie laughs. Pauleena is sitting on the couch with her arms around Lorenzo, cuddling him like a Teddy Bear.

Bigg, "Ha! They're gettin it cracking early huh? Sorry Bro' but I don't think there's anything you can do about it. Pauleena will be engaged to Lorenzo by her sixteenth birthday."

Pauly, "Afraid so…I would say that she'll most likely be the savior to any kids they would have, Lorenzo not having a prayer in the height department but…"

Biggie chuckles, "…Deena…"

Pauly shakes his head, "Exactly. Let's just hope the DelVecchio genes kick in big time."

Biggie laughs and so does Pauly.

Pauly, "They're a perfect little Family though (he had to throw that in there). I'm proud of Nicole and I'm glad Jionni stepped up. Nicole says they're most likely gonna be gettin their own place soon."

Biggie looks at Pauly and responds.

"What about your Family? Where do you see you, Deena, and Pauleena in let's say…five or six years down the road?"

Pauly shakes his head, "I honestly don't know. Deena is real excited about what she's started again with her online site. I'm completely immersed in what we're doin…I think we'll just keep doin what we're doin as a Family, keepin it together."

Biggie digs further, "So…Marriage…That's not in the picture? Do you want more kids down the road?"

Pauly, "With Deena?"

Biggie smiles, "I never said with Deena…Is that who you see yourself doin those things with?"

He just came right out with it, placing Pauly on the spot. Pauly doesn't know how to answer that.

Pauly, "Well I thought you were talking about us?"

Bigg, "I am but I can't force an answer out of you. I don't want to seem like an after school special and persuade you by saying everybody's doing it but come on P'…How much longer do you think this can continue before something starts to go in a different direction?"

Pauly acts dumb, "How so?"

Biggie gives him a look, "I know you're smarter than that…You can't expect Deena to stay with you for as long as Pauleena is dependent and not want to spend her youth with someone, she can see herself being with."

Pauly, "She knows that she can date if she wants to."

Biggie says something next that strikes a core, touching on something Pauly has said to Deena.

"Okay, but I'm sure you made it clear that you don't want it to happen while she is living in the house with you…"

Pauly is silent and Biggie knows he's hit it right on the head.

Bigg, "You all are creating illusions in your head of how you think things should be because your daughter needs a tight-knit Family. Really, you're hurting each other in the long run by disregarding your true feelings. I bet some shit has already started to come out hasn't it?"

Pauly is hesitant to tell Biggie anything but he'd rather tell Biggie than anyone else because Biggie has the mature relationship that he eventually wants.

Pauly, "…We kissed each other the night I went home from Haze, when I said I needed to recharge."

Bigg, "Is that all? Or did you really recharge…?"

Pauly smiles, "No…that was it…but I've had these feelings though. We've talked before, but we talk like almost every day now since I've been away this time. I actually miss her as opposed to saying I miss bein home."

Biggie nods.

"…There's nothin wrong with that but I think this will be the perfect time to hash this shit out while Pauleena's stayin with Nicole and Jionni. Don't you think?"

Pauly thinks, "We gotta pick her up next month because the girls' Finale taping will start soon and they're going away to some ranch."

Bigg, "You'll be home next week. That's a full week to get this sorted out. Just do it Bro."

Pauly is in thought and just about comes to his conclusion when his cell phone plays. He looks down at the screen and sighs in frustration. It is the other person who has tried to talk to him just about every day but it is hit or miss.

Tonight, it hits.

Bigg, "That Angel again?"

Pauly, "Yeah…I told her in our last convo that she needs to call if she's thinkin about comin to a venue and she's taken that to heart. I think she's tryin to come out to Haze next week, I don't know."

Bigg, "What's up with that? Doesn't she have her job back home?"

Pauly, "I haven't even gotten that deep into a conversation with her about it. I don't know what to do but I gotta talk to her. I don't want her just showing up anymore. It's not about me, I have a job of my own and I can't have people hanging around sayin they know me causin trouble. Not sayin she will…"

Bigg, "Well, she's definitely actin strange lately. I would check that before it gets to that point."

Pauly agrees, "Yeah."

He goes to his room to call Angel back in private.

A/N: It is another Super Saturday my friends! I am rested and raring to go! As promised, another Chap before the week is done. Things are going to start revealing themselves in the next posts, so catch up if need be. Alright, make it a good one, Shine on Sunday, and I will see you on the other side!