Soul woke up to the sound of laughter.

He frowned but rolled clumsily out of his bed. He eyed the sheets and pillows on the small couch in his room that Maka had been sleeping on. Amara got Maka's room since it was more girly and suitable, and Maka had insisted taking the couch since he was so drained. Soul continued to eye the couch and shook off the guilt he felt for making Maka sleep on that thing before pulling his door open and heading towards the kitchen.

They had been home for two weeks and Amara had been crying less and less about missing her parents each day. Soul didn't want her to forget about Wes and Ana but he knew her memory fading somewhat at her age was inevitable. Soul had been slowly healing also, with the help Maka his guilt had lessened as he added to Amara's life. He could hardly believe he didn't know that little girl two weeks ago. He loved her so much already. She just reminded him so much of Wes. At first it was hard, but now when he saw them little qualities of his brother it made him chuckle fondly.

Soul made his way towards the laughter and he was met to the very pleasant sight of Amara and Maka laughing in the kitchen, Amara sat on the counter (something she scolded Soul for doing usually) and Maka making her way around the kitchen as she made breakfast. The sight made his chest tighten with happiness, though he was unaware why. Amara had taken to Maka like a fish in water. He knew that Maka loved Amara just as much as he loved her. It made him feel less alone. Like they really were in this together.

"Ah, Zio Soul! (Ah, Uncle Soul!)" Amara called as he entered, dangling her legs down in attempt to jump off the counter, though her size prevented her from being able to.

Soul chuckled at the pout on her face as she couldn't get down as he walked over to pick her up by the waist before bringing her to his chest and standing straight. She wrapped her arms snuggly around his neck before placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Buongiorno Amara e Maka, (Good morning Amara and Maka,)" he said gruffly before he kissed the child's forehead, she giggled.

"Buongiorno Zio Soul! (Good morning Uncle Soul!)" Amara laughed, the words flowing naturally through her lips before she turned to eye Maka, who frowned at them both as they looked at her expectantly.

"...I don't know Italian!" she exclaimed, making Amara and Soul laugh heartily before swaying Amara lightly in his arms.

"I'll teach you," he promised her, making a light pink dust her cheeks.

"O-okay," she stuttered, making Soul rumble with laughter once more. "But, how are you going to manage that? Give me tests or something?" Soul laughed again as he placed Amara down and patted her head as she buried her face into his thigh.

"Learning doesn't have to be as boring as you make it, Maks," he teased her. She rolled her eyes before swatting him with a cloth and turning her back to eye the eggs she was making.

"Yeah, yeah," she droned. "Anyways, the pre-school rang while you were sleeping and they've accepted Amara. You just need to sign a few more things and she'll be all set." She told him, Soul nodded and patted Amara's head as she looked up to him.

"Mara is going to school here?" she asked timidly. Soul chuckled lowly before mussing her hair up slightly.

"Of course you are, sweetheart," he told her. "Not for a while yet, though. We're still in the holidays and I'm sure you want time to settle down a bit more here anways. Don't worry about it." She nodded before walking back over to Maka, pulling on the bottom of her apron lightly as Maka turned off the cooker.

"What's up, baby?" she asked, and Soul couldn't help but widen his eyes somewhat as Maka used the pet name. He'd never heard Maka refer to anyone other than their given name. It was like she didn't notice she had said it. Amara seemed unfazed as she reached up to Maka, signifying she wanted her to pick her up.

"I just want a cuddle," she muttered and Maka cooed before picking her up by her waist and bouncing her on her hip as she turned towards Soul.

"You don't need to be scared about going to school! You'll have a lot of fun there!" Maka told her as she stroked her hair gently, Amara's bottom lip trembled slightly before she raised a hand, sticking her pinkie out at Maka.

"You promise?" she asked in a feeble voice. Maka laughed softly before curling her own pinkie around the younger girls.

"I promise." Amara grinned before kissing Maka on the cheek and reaching her arms out at Soul, who in this time who was grinning cheekily at the two in a daze. He blinked before offering a half smile and walking towards them, taking Amara from Maka's arms and bringing her to his chest.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart," he told her, swaying her again as a loud knock was heard from the front door.

"Hey, guys! Open up, it is me! Your God!" the obnoxious voice rang through making Soul and Maka sigh and Amara giggle with excitement. Soul didn't know why but Amara had immediately taken to Blackstar. It was almost like they had a build in bond.

"Coming Star," Soul drawled and he made his way to the door with Amara still in his arms. He unlocked the door and pulled it open the find the blunette along with Tsubaki. Black*star grinned before lightly tapping his knuckle to Amara's forehead, grinning fondly.

"How's the little brat then, eh?" he asked, Amara chuckled but feigned a pouty face as she crossed her arms firmly over her little chest. She smiled slightly before looking up to Soul, who laughed and nodded. She grinned before looking back to Black*Star and lifting her chin.

"Deficiente! (Moron!)" she called him, Black*Star reeled back as if offended, casting a accusing look to Soul.

"What did she just call me! I don't speak her language!" he exclaimed loudly, but a small smirk played at his lips as Amara buried her face in Soul's neck as she laughed.

"She only called you what you are, you moron," Soul replied as he led them into the apartment, chuckling as Amara laughed more so at Black*Star's loud accusations. Soul let her down so she could run over to Tsubaki, taking her hand and leading her to the couch as she told her she would be starting school soon. Black*Star followed Amara and Tsubaki into the living room. It seemed the little girl had a slight effect on people, making literally everyone she meets adore her. He laughed gruffly before making his way into the kitchen where Maka had finished her breakfast, his sitting on the table.

"Eat," she said as she chewed the last of her food and got up to wash her dishes. He sat down but didn't eat his food right away. His brow furrowed somewhat as he looked around the cramped apartment. He knew by the third day that it wouldn't do. Maka and him decided they would remain living together, not only because they're partners, but Amara needed them both. But Maka can't continue sleeping on Soul's couch and the apartment was simply too small to raise a child in. Soul sighed before swallowing thickly. Had to tell her sooner or later.

"So, Maka," he began feebly, she turned around stiffly at his tone of voice and narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah?" she drawled, tilting her head and Soul gulped again.

"Don't get mad, please? Hear me out." He begged. Maka frowned before sitting opposite him.

"Alright, I'm listening" she muttered. "What is it?"

"I've been looking for a new apartment." He admitted, but went on before she could interrupt. "You can't live on my couch! Amara deserves a bigger place to play, and her own room. A bigger room. And you need your own room to, you can't deny that."

Maka sighed before running a hand through her hair. "I know all of this, Soul," she told him. "I'd love to give Amara a bigger home and everything but we just don't have enough money!" Soul shook his head.

"That's not true. When my folks died, all their money went to Wes, and you know how well off they were. Wes put all that money away and he himself was already making big bucks with his music. I already got a shit loads of my Ma and Pa's money from Wes when they died, anyways. But I put that away to. But basically, all of Wes and Ana's money went towards Amara's wellbeing. That's more money they I've ever told you, Maks. And it's all been converted to dollars and sent to us. For Amara." Maka was speechless by now. Soul took a sharp intake of breath and leant back.

"I don't want to use this money for anything but Amara's wellbeing. I didn't and don't think you would take advantage of this, because that's not cool. But you have as much right to that kid as I do, Maka. Despite you not having to, we're raising her together. And she loves you. I've already found a good apartment closer to the academy. It's got four bedrooms, ensuite, a balcony, shit, it even has a second floor for two of the bedrooms." He ran a hand over his face before looking to Maka's bewildered expression.

"I know this is a big step," he told her. "But I really want to get it, and I want you to live there too. I understand if you want to stay here because... this is big. But Amara loves you Maks, you know she does." Maka swallowed audibly before looking up to Soul, blinking slightly before smiling gently.

"I don't even know why you'd ask." She told him, laughing lightly when he frowned. "Soul, imagine what an amazing childhood she'd have living in that apartment! The pre-school is right beside the academy, a balcony, she'd have her own floor! It more than we could ever want for her!" She grinned once more at his expression before reaching over the table to punch his shoulder lightly.

"I told you didn't I? We're in this together and I meant it. I think we should get the apartment, Soul." she said lightly.

Soul blinked at her. Maka was being… cool? He shook his head and smirked.

"Yeah. Yeah, we will. I'll put an offer in tomorrow and hopefully we can move before she starts school." He told her and Maka nodded in agreement, grinning as Amara entered the room, Tsubaki trailing behind her.

"Hey guys," Maka said, turning in her seat as Amara crawled onto her lap and Soul started digging into his breakfast. Tsubaki smiled and sat down at the table beside Maka.

"Hey, Amara was just telling us her full name!" Maka frowned and looked to the small white haired girl on her knee.

"It isn't just Amara Evans?" she asked, and the girl shook her eyes, her crimson eyes gleaming.

"Nope!" she cheered, laughing heartily. "Mara has two first names, one middle name and one last name." She told her, even Soul looked up with confusion in his eyes.

"Oh?" he rumbled, turning the attention onto him. "I didn't notice that on the papers. What is it then, sweetheart?" he asked. Amara grinned before sitting up straighter.

"Amara Katerina Valentina Evans," she told them, her Italian accent ringing out on each name as the name fell elegantly from her lips. Maka squeezed her to her, telling her that it was beautiful, Soul just smiled at Amara.

"Sapete chi erano Katerina e Valentina? (Do you know who Katerina and Valentina were?)" he asked her suddenly, Tsubaki and Maka quietening, not yet used to Soul speaking in a different language. Amara smiled gently.

"Katerina era mamma di papĂ  , e Valentina era la mamma della mamma. (Katerina was Daddy's Mama, and Valentina was Mama's Mama.)" she said quietly, a smile on her lips. Soul nodded at her, smiling.

"Katerina was my Mama too," he told her, Tsubaki and Maka only now understanding what they were talking about. "She was a lovely woman. She is where you got your white hair and red eyes. Cool, huh?" Amara's eyes widened at this as she touched her curly white her, a smiling spreading across her face.

"Davvero? (Really?)" She asked, and Soul nodded, smiling fondly as he patted her head.

"Davvero. (Really.)" he told her and winked, she giggled before wrapping her arms around Maka's neck and leaning into her.

"So, Amara," Maka started. "Looks like we'll be moving house soon, how does that sound?" Amara's eyes widened as she smiled, bouncing on Maka's lap.

"Really!?"

"Mhm," Maka hummed, smiling at Soul. "It'll be bigger, we'll have a balcony, you'll have a bigger room, it'll be great." Amara voiced her excitement as Black*Star walked in.

"You guys are getting a new place? Nice." He said as he walked up behind where Tsubaki was sat, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Yeah. I'll putting an offer in tomorrow so we can move in as soon as possible. Want to move in before Amara starts school." Black*Star nodded in agreement before squeezing Tsubaki shoulders and walking around the table to sit beside Soul.

"Sound's good, man." Soul nodded before looking back to where Amara was voicing he excitement about having a balcony to Maka, he grinned before looking back down to his food to chew the last of his meal.