Hello lovely readers. Back again with an update! This chapter is mostly family fluff I guess. With a little detective work as well.
Thank you all for reading, reviewing and adding this story to your favorites and alert list! You guys are awesome!
The incessant ringing of his cellphone woke Sam from his slumber. With eyes still closed, he stuck a hand out, groping the top of the nightstand trying to locate the small device. The ringing stopped, and Sam let out a deep breath, turning on his side and slowly falling back asleep. Not even a minute later, the ringing started again.
"Turn it off." Mercedes whined, nudging him, and placing her pillow over her head to block out the sighed, getting out of bed to find his phone. Following the sound, he finally located it in his jeans that had been tossed to the floor the night before. Without looking at the caller ID, the blonde answered, slightly irritated.
"What?" He sharply whispered into the phone, stepping out of the bedroom as not to disturb Mercedes anymore than she had been already.
"I know it's supposed to be your day off, mine too, but we've got another body." Mike spoke into the receiver.
"What the hell?" Sam let his partner know he'd be at the crime scene in half an hour before disconnecting the call. He checked the time on his phone, 4:25 am flashed on the screen. He headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, wrapping a towel low around his waist. Brushing his teeth and combing his hair to make himself look decent enough, Sam moved back to the bedroom, grabbing a pair of boxer briefs out of his dresser drawer, before quietly opening the sliding door to his side of their shared closet. He slid his underwater and jeans on, buttoning them up, just as Mercedes stared awake.
"Babe, come back to bed." She whispered. The street lights dimly illuminated the room, and Sam could see Mercedes watching him. T-shirt in hand, he walked over to her side of the bed, kneeling down in front of her.
"I have to go to work for a couple hours, baby." He told her softly. A small frown graced Mercedes' face, but she nodded, bunching her pillow under her head looking back at him. They were supposed to spend the day together
"Fine" She huffed, not upset, but a little disappointed. "But you have to make breakfast when you get back."
Sam gave her a small smile. "I will make you breakfast and serve it to you in bed." He one upped her, placing a kiss in the crook of her neck and whispering I love you to her in Italian, sending a shiver down her spine. Urging her to go back to sleep, Sam finished getting dressed, grabbing everything he needed before heading out.
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"The victim is Brianna Thompson. She was killed the same exact way as Sarah Martinez." Mike informed Sam as he made his way to the scene, ducking under the familiar yellow tape that blocked off the area. He flashed his gold shield to the uniformed officer securing the location. The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the area along with the few street lights in the alleyway.
The duo made their way to where the body was. The young woman had been left by the dumpster just like before. There were marks on her neck from being strangled and a deep gash on her head. Dark purple marks painted her legs and arms, as well as a few cuts. From the looks of it, she fought back against her killer.
The Medical Examiner was preparing to move the body. Her belongings that had been with her at the time were gathered and put in a plastic bag. Her phone battery was low at nine percent, but Mike quickly scrolled through it, checking to see who was last to text or call her.
"Twenty missed calls and fourteen texts." He told Sam. "Most of them from a guy named Noah Puckerman who I'm guessing is the boyfriend."
"I say we pay him a little visit." Sam and Mike headed off to find out where this guy lived.
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Pulling up to the brownstone where Noah Puckerman resided, according to city records. The partners got out of the car, heading up the few steps to the front door. The light of day was beginning to show. Sam rapped his knuckles against the door, and they stood waiting. After no answer, he knocked again, louder this time. A few seconds later, the door opened to reveal a young man, shirtless, in a pair of sweats rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Noah Puckerman?"
"Who's askin'?" The man questioned, his voice gruff from sleep.
"I'm Detective Evans, and this is my partner Detective Chang. We're here to talk to you about Brianna Thompson." The two showed their gold shields identifying themselves.
Noah took in a sharp breath, already knowing it before they said it. "She's dead isn't she?"
"I'm afraid so Mr. Puckerman. wWe just need to ask you some questions. Is it alright if we come in?" Mike inquired, and the other man nodded, moving aside to let them in. They followed Noah into his living room and he motioned for them to take a seat on the couch. He sat down across from them in the large chair. His leg started bouncing uncontrollably, and he ran a hand quickly over his face, swiping at the stray tears that fell.
"Fuck" Noah cursed pinching the bridge of his nose willing himself to gain his composure again.
"If you need a minute…" Sam started. Noah shook his head, clearing his throat. They asked him a series of questions, getting information about the day she went missing, and the last time he'd seen or talked to her. Noah stated he had been at work at the time she was taken, and he advised that his coworkers could vouch for him.
"I know I have a few priors. Went to juvie a couple times when I was a teen, but I grew up. I would never hurt Brianna. I love...loved her." Noah corrected, willing himself to face reality. "Was even gonna ask her to marry me. Bought the ring and everything."
Both detectives knew what it was like to be a man in love. However, that didn't rule him out until they got confirmation about his whereabouts on the day Brianna Thompson went missing. After finishing up their questioning, Mike and Sam advised Noah not to go anywhere out of town until he was completely cleared. Next, they'd to talk to her friend's and family.
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It was a little after eleven am when Sam made it back home. With grocery bags in hand, he made his way in to find Mercedes sitting on the couch in black leggings and an oversized NYU t-shirt. She'd straightened her natural hair, and placed it in a messy bun on top of her head with a few stray aways framing her face that was free of makeup. She was painting her toenails and watching Moana when he walked in.
"Hey Merce"
Mercedes looked up giving him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey" She went back to focusing on the task at hand as she ran the mini paint brush over her toes making them a dark plum purple.
Sam sighed, moving across the room to get to the kitchen. Placing the bags on the counter, he started unloading them, spreading the contents on the counter in front of him. "I know I said I'd be back in a couple hours, but-"
"A couple means two, Sam. You know that, right? You and I are a couple. One, two" She held up two fingers for emphasis. "is a couple."
"I know that babe-"
"I waited for you until around nine, then I gave up cuz I was hungry, so I went ahead and ate breakfast. You could have called or texted you know." Mercedes informed, more than a little irritated.
Sam stopped what he was doing in the kitchen, making his way back to the living room. She had just finished painting her toes, setting her feet down on the floor, slowly, as she waited for them to dry. He kneeled down in front of her, settling himself between her legs. She spread her legs a little more, making room as she murmured for him not to mess up her nail polish.
"I won't." Sam responded, placing an arm on either side of Mercedes, blocking her in. "I'm sorry for not calling, and I'm sorry for being late, but I have a feeling that's not really why you're upset right now." He stated, looking her in the eyes.
Mercedes looked down, focusing on her hands as she fiddled with the hem of her t-shirt. " I watched the news earlier." She picked some lint off her leggings before looking back at her fiancé. "The woman that was found murdered early this morning, she's your case, isn't she?"
Sam nodded, and Mercedes sighed. He didn't want to tell her that it wasn't just a homicide, and that he and Mike were now in search of a serial killer, since whoever killed Brianna Thompson also killed Sarah Martinez.
"Starting tomorrow, Mike and I are working round the clock until we find the person responsible." It was Mercedes' turn to nod. Unwillingly, she felt her face getting hot, a knot formed in her throat, and her eyes burned with tears. "Hey, hey, hey, sweetheart, why are you crying?"
Mercedes quickly brought her hands up, wiping her streaming tears. Sam ran his large hands slowly up and down her thighs, bringing some comfort. "I c-can't protect you." She told him through hitched breaths. The blonde frowned, bringing his hands to cover her smaller ones. He gently removed them from her tear stained face. Her eyes were red now from all the tears, and she closed them to stop any more tears from falling.
"Protect me from what, bella?" Sam asked softly, holding her hands and rubbing small circles on the back of the with his thumbs. Mercedes took a deep breath attempting to clear her head of the unwanted thoughts of seeing her love in the hospital, bloody and pale and unmoving. The thought of that horrible monotone sound of the heart monitor when his heart stopped beating. Mercedes couldn't protect him then, and she couldn't protect him now. There was a damn murderer out there somewhere that he was seeking out for goodness sake.
"I can't protect you from all the bad things." She confessed aloud, opening her eyes again. The last of her tears fell as she blinked them away. "When you were home recovering, I had some peace of mind knowing you were protected, but I don't have that anymore. You haven't even been back a full week yet, and you're already chasing after a damn killer!" Mercedes' shoulders slumped as she looked Sam in the eyes again.
"Oh baby, I'm sorry I put you through all of that." Sam spoke, bringing his hands up to cup her face, wiping the remaining tears away. He hadn't realized that him returning back to work had affected her so much. His own eyes were now tinged pink. He hated seeing his girl cry.
Mercedes shrugged at his words. "It's not your fault, my love." She reached up, wiping the few stray tears that fell from his eyes. "I knew what I was getting myself into when I started dating this really hot cop six years ago." He let out a snort, laughing a little, and Mercedes smiled. This time it reached her eyes. "Just be careful, okay. I plan to marry you in seven months."
Sam smiled, leaning in to plant a kiss to her lips. "I can't wait 'til you're officially Mrs. Evans." He whispered against her lips. Mercedes kissed him once more before pulling away, and stating how Sam's gun had been poking her in the leg for the past five minutes.
"That ain't my gun, baby." He told her with a smirk, and she let out a loud laugh, playfully pushing him away.
"Boy, you play too much. Now go make breakfast or lunch or brunch like you said you would." Sam kissed her one more time, giving her a yes ma'am before standing up and heading back to the kitchen.
Mercedes continued painting her nails as he cooked, making brunch for both of them. Sam had gone to the bakery a couple blocks from their apartment and gotten those cinnamon apple croissants that she loved so much. He made waffles, sausage, scrambled eggs, and cut up some fresh fruit. When everything was done, Sam made a plate with a little bit of everything on it, poured two glasses of orange juice, and put it all on a tray before heading back to join Mercedes in the living room.
The two shared the plate of food with Sam feeding Mercedes as she waited for her nails to dry. They finished watching the movie, and ate, afterwards cleaning up a bit around the apartment before settling back on the couch. Mercedes sat on the end of the couch, making room for Sam to lie down placing his head in her lap.
"Wanna go over wedding plans with me?" The diva asked, holding up her binder where she'd been collecting all of the things for their wedding. Sam nodded, moving around a bit to get more comfortable. Once he was settled, Mercedes placed the binder on his chest opening it. "First things first, who's gonna be your best man?"
"Stevie" She made a note in her book, writing Stevie's name next to Tina's since she would be her maid of honor. She noted everyone that would be in their wedding party, making sure everyone had a partner to walk down the aisle with.
"Okay, our wedding colors are burgundy, champagne, blush and navy. The girl's dresses are gonna be burgundy, so I figured the boys will wear navy with burgundy accents." Mercedes looked down at Sam for his opinion. He nodded agreeing with what she said. The young woman sighed, jotting down more notes. "Come on babe, it's your wedding too. There must be something special you want. Tell me, and I'll make it happen."
Sam thought about it for a minute before answering. "I want a groom's cake, and…" She jotted down a note about the cake, waiting for him to continue. When he paused, Mercedes looked down at him.
"And…"
"On our wedding night, I wanna put a baby in you." Sam told her with a straight face.
Mercedes covered her face with her hand hiding a smile. "Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack." He confirmed, staring up at her with his head still resting in her lap. A small smile played at his own lips as he watched her. She thought about it for a minute before brown met green. His eyes were sparkling as he waited for her response.
"You really wanna have a baby right after we get married?" Sam nodded again, taking her free hand in his and lacing their fingers together. The contrast in their skin tones warmed his heart. He wanted a little version of them running around, a perfect mix of him and her.
"I do, but only if you want to as well." Those hopeful sage eyes stared deep into her soul. For as long as Mercedes had known him, she had been unable to deny those gorgeous hues of his.
"Alright Evans, looks like after we get married, we should start planning for a little one." Sam's smile grew and Mercedes couldn't help her own smile. He kissed her hand, and the diva made a mental note on when she'd have to stop taking her birth control. She jotted a few other things in the binder, and the blonde silently watched her for a while before breaking the silence.
"Do you remember when we first met?"
Mercedes finished what she was writing, thinking back to the day they met. "Now how could I ever forget the day I saw the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever seen before, hmm?"
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6 ½ Years Ago
"I'm telling you, man, this is the best hole in the wall café I have ever been to. You'll wind up coming here more than once after today, trust me." Officer Artie Abrams told Sam. He and Artie had been partners for the past month. They were still getting to know each other, but the blonde could already tell the other man was going to be ten times better than his previous partner who'd recently been suspended indefinitely.
The two were currently on their lunch break, and since they had already been in the neighborhood, the shorter man suggested they have lunch at what he deemed the best damn café in NYC, A Cuppa Joe. After parking and getting out of the squad car. Artie and Sam made their way into the small café. There was a good amount of people sitting and enjoying their food and drinks. Jazzy music played softly through the speakers, and the scents of coffee and what Sam was one hundred percent sure was warm apple pie, filled the room giving it a warm, relaxing atmosphere.
Both officers chatted as they stood in line waiting for their turn to order. A few minutes later, they stepped up to the counter, prepared to order. However, what Sam wasn't prepared for was the site of the gorgeous girl standing behind the counter. She had the most beautiful brown skin he'd ever seen, and her mocha colored eyes were bright and shining. She smiled at them, and Sam swore his heart stopped.
"Hey Artie! What can I getcha?"
"The usual Cede, and whatever Officer Evans is having." Mercedes entered Artie's regular order in the computer, then turned looking at the tall blonde expectantly. Sam just stood there staring at her, and Mercedes couldn't help but admire the man in front of her. He was definitely handsome. His navy blue police uniform fit him in all the right places, especially with the way the short sleeves of his shirt hugged his biceps. The blonde bangs that hung just above his eyes, made him look younger than he probably was, and those eyes were the most gorgeous shade of green she'd ever seen.
Mercedes snapped out of her daze. "What can I get you, officer?"
Artie nudged the other man when he didn't respond right away, knocking Sam out of his thoughts.
"Oh! Um…" He looked up at the menu above her head that had been written in colorful chalk and perfect penmanship, and Sam wondered if that was her perfect handwriting. His mind went blank on everything else, including what he'd previously had in mind to order. He looked back to the gorgeous girl in front of him. "I-I, uh...what do you- what's your favorite thing on the menu?" Sam stuttered out, mentally punching himself for sounding like a complete idiot. Artie snorted, amused with the scene playing out in front of him. Mercedes couldn't help the small giggle that came out as she watched the man in front of her.
"The turkey, bacon, and avocado melt is really good. It has tomato and mozzarella on it as well. And you look like a guy who likes mozzarella." Mercedes joked, winking at him.
Sam let out a small laugh in response.
"Sounds good, I'll have that and a coffee."
Mercedes nodded, putting their order in and handing them the number for their table. She let them know she'd bring the coffee to their table when it was ready before turning towards the coffee machine. Sam's gaze lingered on her amazing backside for a few moments before Artie snapped his fingers in front of the man's face, nodding to an empty table by the window. The duo sat down as they waited for their meals with Sam glancing across the café every so often. When their coffee was ready, Mercedes brought it over letting them know their food would be out as soon as it was ready.
"Thank you!" Sam spoke a little too loud, but Mercedes smiled, going to check on the other customers.
Artie put sugar and cream in his coffee as he eyed his partner. "Someone's got it bad." He sing-songed.
"Huh?" The blonde brought his attention back to the man in front of him.
"Mercedes, man, I mean I don't blame you. Baby girl is fine as hell."
Sam took a drink of his coffee, letting the warm liquid ease down his throat. "Yeah, she's gorgeous."
"And smart. She goes to NYU." The brunette informed as the other man raised an eyebrow inquiring how he knew that.
"Mercedes and my girl are roommates...she also happens to be single." Artie wiggled his eyebrows causing Sam to shake his head with a smile.
The young woman brought over their food. Checking to make sure they didn't need anything else. Artie asked for the check, but the brown skinned woman advised lunch was on her today for her two favorite cops, along with two slices of apple pie if they wanted. Neither man was willing to turn down apple pie, so as they ate their lunch, Mercedes went to grab a couple slices of, still warm from the oven, apple pie.
"Here ya go boys. Two slices of the best apple pie this side of the Mississippi. At least that's what my Granny says anyway." She put the dessert plates in front of them, clearing the empty ones out of the way she eyed the blonde once more, sticking her hand out for him to shake.
"I'm Mercedes by the way."
"Sam" He responded,taking her hand in his. The two shook hands a little longer than Artie thought was necessary, but he smirked, silently eating his pie.
"Nice to meet you Sam." Mercedes reminded him not to be a stranger. Though she was certain she'd be seeing the blonde again. Everyone who ate there always came back.
A call came through on their radios, just as Artie and Sam finished their dessert, urging the two to their feet, heading for the door. Mercedes waved to them as they headed out, and Sam waved back with a smile. Yeah, he would definitely be coming back.
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Present Day
Family Dinner for the De Luca family was like going to church on Sunday, or breathing air everyday. It just was. For generations, everyone in the family would get together every Sunday evening to enjoy food and family. Bianca De Luca knew that her grandkids, for the most part, had stopped going to church every Sunday like they should, but none of them would ever miss a family meal. No matter what was going on in their lives. Even when Sam was in the hospital, they'd all gathered together in his room. Much to the dismay of the hospital staff, but Mercedes had some pull since she worked there.
With twenty-eight years of being a grandmother, and fifty-two years of being a mother, Bianca De Luca, at seventy-five, couldn't remember what life was like when she wasn't taking care of someone in some way. Having grown up in Florence, Italy, she loved everything about her country, but when she'd met Antonio De Luca one summer when she was just twenty years old, she knew he was the love of her life.
Antonio had been visiting Florence from America that summer. He spoke perfect Italian given that his parents, both immigrants from Sicily, had taught him. Bianca knew she loved him instantly after those three months they'd spent together. So when he asked her to marry him and come back to America with him, she agreed. It had been hard leaving her family and friends and all she'd known for the first twenty years of her life, but she knew she was making the right decision.
Antonio and Bianca were married two months later, and living in New York City. It was a culture shock for her for a time, but she got used to it, and became accustomed to American city life. One year later, Antonio joined the Police Academy, and two years after that, their first daughter Mariana (Mary) was born. Then a year and a half later Luciana (Lucy) came along. For a while, they didn't have much in money, but they were happy.
Over the years, her girls had grown, and eventually found their own loves. Mary had become a lawyer, and Lucy was an interior designer. The summer after her senior year of college, Mary had gotten married to her longtime boyfriend Dwight Evans.
Being more of a free spirit, Lucy and Robert Clarington had gotten married at the courthouse on a whim right after he proposed to her. The two girls were completely different, yet still best friends, so much so that they both married cops and had their babies around the same time.
Lucy's little bundle of joy came first. Nine months after she'd gotten married, Hunter was born. He was the first grandbaby, and from the day Bianca met him, she knew he'd be a little troublemaker. Then Sam was born. He was the one who tried to follow the rules, and Hunter was the one who always got them into some kind of trouble. And then there was Mike, who wasn't her biological grandson, but might as well have been. He was the quiet one, and always thoughtful. Then along came Stevie. He was the sneaky one, always getting into something he shouldn't be. And Stacy was as bubbly as they came, her only granddaughter. That is until Mercedes and Tina came into the picture. Though Bianca had to leave a majority of her family in Italy, her American family was just as lovely.
"Mamma a cosa stai pensando?" Lucy questioned, breaking the older woman out of her thoughts. Bianca, Mary, Lucy, Stacy and Tina were in the kitchen preparing the food for dinner. Tina and Stacy were working on the salad, Mary the bread, and Lucy the dessert. With the older woman making two large pans of her famous lasagna.
Bianca smiled answering her daughter in her Italian accent. "You, my sweet girl, and all my many blessings." She kissed her youngest on the cheek before getting back to work, putting the pans of lasagna in the oven.
"Nonna, Tina and I are finished with the salad. Can I go watch the game now? I still don't see how it's fair that the boys get to sit around doing nothing while us women slave in the kitchen." Stacy spoke dramatically.
Nonna playfully rolled her eyes moving to stand in front of her granddaughter. "Bambina, go watch the game, and send Hunter and Stefano in here. It's only fair I trade two for two. You are free to go as well T." She placed a kiss on each girl's cheek in thanks, and both young women left with smiles on their faces going to find Hunter and Stevie.
Mary stood at the counter cutting dough into slices for breadsticks. She shook her head at her daughter's antics, smiling nonetheless. "You spoil them Mamma."
"Of course I do, mi cara. They are my grandchildren, so I am supposed to,no?"
Mary shrugged as she continued her task, just as her youngest son and nephew walked in.
"You rang, Nonna?" Hunter spoke before finishing off the beer in his hand. He tossed the empty bottle in the trash, leaning against the counter. Stevie followed suit, sneaking a crouton off the top of the salad.
"Stop, Stefano, nobody wants your dirty hands touching their food!" Lucy exclaimed, smacking her nephew's hand away from the bowl. Stevie argued that his hands were clean before popping the small garlic cube in his mouth.
Nonna ordered both young men to wash their hands and help with the rest of the food. Stevie moved to help his aunt with dessert, and Hunter did the same with the breadsticks, with no complaints.
"You two are my favorites, you know."
Nonna smiled, going to Stevie, hugging him and pulling his head down to plant a kiss to his cheek. She did the same to Hunter just as the front door to her house opened. A few seconds later, Sam and Mercedes appeared in the kitchen doorway greeting everyone. Kisses and hugs were exchanged. Stevie hugged Mercedes, making sure not to get his flour covered hands on her before stepping back and not so subtly checking her out.
"Now, Cede, when you gonna dump my brother and get with me, huh? You know I've been in love with you since I was fourteen. I even proposed to you before he did!" Stevie grinned, flashing his pearly whites. He had the same blonde hair as Sam, but it was cut shorter. He was just as tall as his older brother with similar build and full lips, though not as full as the other man's. His eyes were a golden hazel. Stevie was handsome in his own right at twenty-one years old.
"I told you Stevie, I can't have all the girls jealous of me. What kinda selfish woman would I be keeping both Evans men for myself, hmm?" Mercedes eyes sparkled playfully at her future brother- in-law.
"I wouldn't mind it- Ow!" The younger man exclaimed, receiving a smack to the back of the head from Sam.
"Stop flirting with my fiancé. Don't you have a girlfriend?" The older man questioned as he took a couple croutons off the top of the salad and ate them.
"Oh my god, what is with you guys? This food is for everyone, Samuel. Keep your nasty hands away!" Lucy snipped, taking the salad and placing it in the fridge away from prying hands.
Sam shrugged, moving to the fridge to grab a beer. He closed the refrigerator door before popping the cap off. However, before he could take a sip, Nonna grabbed the bottle from his hand. He frowned looking down at her.
"You should not be drinking bambino. You are too skinny." Hunter and Stevie started cracking up at their grandmother's choice of words. "Silenzio, you two!" Both men stopped laughing immediately.
Sam rolled his eyes at them. Straightening up when his grandmother looked back at him. "Nonna I-"
"I am serious nipote, you have lost weight these past few months, and you need to eat more and drink less."
Sam looked to Mercedes for help, but she shrugged, not disagreeing with the older woman. He had lost weight since he was in the hospital, and even though he had gained it back, Sam was still smaller than he had been before he'd gotten shot. He gave up on trying to drink the beer, Stevie took it instead as the younger man finished his task. Mercedes was pulled away by Tina and Stacy who'd come in search of her once they heard the two walk in the house, so Sam decided to head to the den where he knew and his Uncle Rob were watching the football game.
"No beer?" Mike questioned the other man as he took a seat on the couch.
"I've been cut off until I gain another five pounds." Sam informed. His uncle chuckled, reaching into the mini fridge and handing the younger man a Michelob Ultra. The blonde smiled, thanking him as he popped the cap, taking a drink.
"How ya feelin' kid?"
"I'm good Uncle Rob. Just getting back into the swing of things." Sam leaned back against the couch, running a hand through his hair. Robert eyed the younger man before letting him know that if he ever needed to talk, Sam knew where to find him.
His nephew had been through a lot over the past two years, with his father dying and then almost dying himself. They say bad things come in threes, and Robert was praying that wasn't true because he didn't know if they would be able to handle anything else.
About an hour later, dinner was ready, and the group gathered around the dining room table filled with food, and everyone found their seats. Nonna said grace, thanking God for everyone at the table, and praying for those whom they'd lost.
"Mangiamo!" She announced as they all started passing food around the table happily.
I hope you all enjoyed it! Next chapters will be more on the detective side, I'm thinking.
Let me know what you guys think. I love reading your reviews!