Gia stood still as she watched the group. Yuri was right they were afraid. Bobbie wrung her hands. Mike stared at the ceiling. Sonny's gaze did not waver. His gaze adjusted from sister to brother. Gia's did not care. She and Zander had all the power. They controlled what happened.

"Thank you for having us to dinner." Bobbie said quietly said as she looked across the table at the young family. "Zander, I know you're in school. What are you studying?"

The silence stretched across the room. Yuri bite into his food and wrinkled his nose. "Last night Gia makes a pot roast that you could cut with a fork. Soon she will finish her classes and open her restaurant."

"You want a restaurant?" Mike looked up excited but Gia pressed her lips.

"What's your plan?" Jason asked watching Sammy play with his food.

She sat quietly deciding whether to answer. Yuri gently pressed "Gia, please…"

"There's a warehouse on Port Street. It's large and has a huge kitchen. I plan on buying properties, fixing them than sell them at a profit to get the money. Then buy it."

"That's risky." Jason replied.

"Life is risky." She speared a piece of beef. "I wanted a fifties diner feel. My grandmothers' recipes. I would cater to the workers and elite alike with comfort food. Favorites like meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, pot roast, salads and fresh fruit. Three days a week, we would do half price family nights to give working families a break. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, eight different desserts, a morning special to draw the workers in. Free wi-fi and specialty coffee."

"How will you cover cost?" Jason asked as he ate.

"There are lots of single men in this city. Most men don't know how to cook but they enjoy a quality meal." She took a breath barely able to contain her excitement. "The warehouse is in the center of the district there's lots of traffic. I looked at the traffic reports any business would make a killing in the area."

"Dreams, what's your plan?" Jason said harshly.

Gia glared at the man. She opened her mouth but Zander interrupted her. "We don't need you."

"But Sammy does." Yuri said quietly. "Sharing a child, no matter how it was conceived, is a blessing. We are a family now. I will protect you and your sister from your parents and Sonny. Jason must protect you from his enemies." He took Sammy's finger. "You are smart. Show Jason your plans. Make him see your dream."

Gia contemplated Yuri's words. "Fine, come with me."

Yuri smiled when the girl hurried up the stairs with Jason behind her.

Sonny bristled at the man's assumptions. Gia did not need protecting. Not from him. If he had known she was his sister he would have protected her.

"Why do you trust Yuri?" The enforcer asked. "How can you be sure he is being honest with you?"

"I know Yuri is dying. I can see it in his eyes. He told me about his family. The type of cancer he has goes in remission then it always comes back. Always." Gia sat on the bed. "I can live with this lie because it helps him fight. So if I get a man who loves me and protects my family I'm not walking away. Yuri loves me. No one has ever loved me other than Zander and Grandmother."

Jason mulled over her words before he nodded. He felt the same way about Carly before he messed that up. Wordlessly he began looked at her files. The research she did was impressive.

"Why a diner?" He asked curiously.

"I found some papers of my mom's when my grandmother died. This was what she wanted. There were books of recipes from her mother and grandmother."

Jason gave a slight smile. "I can back you. We'll split the profit in five years you can buy me out."

"What's the catch?" She asked looking out the window.

"None, I promised Yuri I would not rush you but Sammy is my son. I want him to know a life better then the mob."

"Good luck, I did this. I had a plan to protect my family and I screwed it up."

"If you hadn't you wouldn't have met Yuri." Jason sighed. "I…I can see he makes you happy."

"He does." Gia looked sad. "Don't tell him I know. It would make him feel weak."

"I won't." Jason stopped at the opened door. "I'm sorry Gia. I should have…"

"So am I." She whispered touching his arm .

Yuri played with Sammy as the pair walked down the stairs. He nodded satisfied at Gia's relaxed look. This was good. She needed to learn how to trust more people. She and Jason, they were family now. "Well?"

"I'm going to back Gia's restaurant. We can meet with my contractor tomorrow. I own the building but I want it in your name. I want a sample of the dishes you have laid out as specials in a few days. If you need a bigger kitchen I can get you access to one."

"You can use Kelly's." Bobbie hurriedly volunteered. "We can shut down when you need it."

"Tomorrow at four then we can go to Kelly's." He hesitated. "The cops may give you a hard time but I promise the money we use will be clean and traceable."

"Thank you Jason." Yuri smiled. "It is late we should be leaving."

"You don't live here?" Bobbie asked surprised.

"No, Gia and I are not married. It is disrespectful to her and Sammy." Yuri kissed the infant then his mother before turning to Zander. "You have done well. I am very proud of you."

Mike watched jealously as the younger man hugged the older. He wanted that bond. "Thanks Yuri."

"We will leave, now." The Russian said forcefully. He held the door open as the group filed out. "I will be back with breakfast."

"Will you come and look at the shop with us?"

"If you wish, I will request the time off in the afternoon." He agreed. Gia beamed.

"I will bring you lilies." He whispered as he kissed her again. "Sleep well my lamb."

"Yuri," She stepped closer to him. "I love you."

He muttered something in Russian over his shoulder as he walked out.

"Wait, what does that mean?"

Yuri laughed as Sammy chewed one of her braids. "There's no happiness without your love, my Gia."

"Good answer." She shouted walking back into the house. She knew he would not leave until she shut the door. Several guards were scattered around the exterior.

Zander took Sammy and sat him on the floor with his toys. The pair fell into each other's arms. The tears silently fell. All their lives they wanted a real family. Not this family. Wordlessly they began cleaning the house. Zander washed the dishes while Gia bathed Sammy. The siblings' chose not to speak about the day's events. As they had done many times before they put the past behind them.