Chapter Three

Just Like Mommy

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"Gia, wake up! You want to go see Mama rehearse don't you?"

The toddler slowly opened her eyes to see Lucia, smiling down at her, ready to get her going for the day. Gia sleepily outstretched her arms to Lucia and was scooped up into a hug.

"I know momma works so early, but it's exciting to get to see her get ready for work, huh?"

Gia nodded her head eagerly. She loved to see the elegance of her mother in her rehearsals, to see her costumes and observe all the work that went into preparing for the opera. She may have only been two, but she loved it all.

"Let's get ready now so we can head out. Do you want me to get an outfit out for you?"

"No! I'm a big girl! I can do it!" Gia exclaimed, ready to show her independence.

"Okay. Go for it." Lucia placed Gia down on her black comforter, and exited the room. Gia's room was colored with purple walls and black wooden furniture. She stretched and got out of her bed and walked over to her dresser. She could only reach two out of the four drawers, so she chose the lowest one and rummaged through it, making a mess that Lucia would find later…

She picked out a deep blue dress that had lace on the trim and collar. She slipped into it and called Lucia back into the room.

"Well, look at you Gia. All ready to go?" Lucia grinned at the toddler who smiled brightly up at her.

"You can't leave with that bed head my dear," Lucia told her, as she handed her the little hand mirror off of her dresser. Gia's thick hair was wild and curly. "Can you do my hair Lucy? Please?"

"Of course, go brush your teeth first."

Gia did as she was told and toddled off to her bathroom to get ready. It really amazed Lucia how well behaved she was. She certainly wasn't as well behaved as a child.

When Gia came back Lucia started brushing her thick, shiny black hair, which was down to her shoulders. She pulled a small ponytail into the back, leaving dark locks under it and tied it with a blue satin bow.

"There, pretty as a picture. Don't you agree?"

Gia looked into the little mirror and giggled "You always make my hair pretty Lucy."

"Let's go now Gia." Lucia said, picking up Gia in her arms and walking down the stairs. Gia clung to Lucia, playing with the golden necklace that fell on her neck, twiddling the pendent that held a small diamond in the middle.

"Pretty necklace Lucy,"

"Do you like it? My daddy gave it to me when I was little."

They got out to the yard, where Mag's car waited; she had sent it back to her house to pick them up. Lucia strapped Gia into her car seat, and then they were off.

"Lucy, who's my daddy?"

Lucia looked over at the little girl. She was always inquisitive, but Lucia had hoped that this question would be to her mother, or not at all.

"You'd best ask your momma that question Gia."

Gia accepted this. She was soon distracted by the things beyond the window of the car. She giggled excitedly when they arrived at GeneCo tower. Lucia thanked the driver and helped Gia out of the car, letting the little girl walk on her own, but holding her hand tightly. As they entered the building, Lucia couldn't help but to scoff at the genterns, whose dresses were hardly longer than Gia's.

Once they found the elevator, they headed up the floor where the opera took place; the room was busy with setup and rehearsals. Gia was excited, she wanted to see her mother and watch her practice, and she managed to slip out of Lucia's hand and ran off behind the stage. Looking all around her, she didn't notice the woman she bumped into.

"I'm sorry." Gia said, looking up at the intimidating woman, who had long black hair, lavender eyes and big red painted lips. She wore a neon pink dress that went down to her knees and had feathers on the trim, Gia had certainly never seen a dress like this before.

"Who's this?" the woman questioned, looking down at the child. A man came up next to her, a scowl on his face.

"It's Mag's brat." He spat.

The woman picked up the child, looked at her face, into her eyes. She smirked.

"She seems much too cute to be Mag's. Look at her eyes Luigi, remind you of someone?" she sneered. The man peered over at Gia, he scoffed.

"He's such a fucking idiot,"

Meanwhile

"Gia? GIA! Oh God, where did you go?!" Lucia was in a panic, searching all over the theatre, searching for where the girl could've run off to.

"Where-a did who-a go bella?"

Lucia was grabbed around the waist and pulled to Pavi Largo. She squirmed, Pavi had done things like this multiple times, he had somewhat of a fascination with her, and it made Lucia grimace.

"I'm looking for Gia." Lucia huffed, she was eager to escape his grasp and return to her searching. Pavi simply smiled.

"I believe that-a I hear- a small voice-a backstage, allow-a me to assist you in your-a search." Pavi didn't relinquish the firm grip her had on her small waist, but led her off toward the back stage.

"Pavi, let me go! If I don't find Gia before Mag comes in, she'll kill me!"

"Is it really Mag you need to worry about killing you Lucia?"

Lucia looked over to see Amber and Luigi, Amber held Gia on her hip, Gia seemed fascinated with Amber, and was only glad to be held by her.

"Amber, please give her here,"

"Relax Lucia, I'm just chatting with little Gia. She's very cute, very pretty, and she has beautiful eyes, wouldn't you agree brothers?" she said this looking at Pavi. Pavi wasn't affected by this. He did however admire the little girl, because as he had seen when she was a tiny infant, she was beautiful. Her Italian features shined on her face. Though she bore a striking resemblance to her mother, she was highlighted by features from the other side of her family.

"Besides, I think Gia likes me. Do you like me Gia?" Amber cooed. Gia nodded her head vigorously, smiling up at Amber. Lucia was stiff, she didn't like being surrounded by all three Largo siblings, one was too close for comfort, the other holding Mag's daughter, and the third was dangerous to just be around in general.

"Anyways, what a bad nanny you are Lucia, letting precious little Gia run off on her own," Amber taunted "She could've gotten hurt." Amber emphasized the word hurt with scorn in her voice.

"I realize this Amber, thank you." Lucia growled. Amber Sweet was not someone Lucia liked to associate with. She was deep into her zydrate addiction, almost always high to lessen her pain from her periodic surgeries. She certainly didn't want Gia around her and knew for sure that Mag wouldn't like the situation she was in.

"If you don't mind, I need to take Gia to see her mother now."

Amber shrugged, and let the little girl down, who skipped over to Lucia. Lucia picked her up, a stern look on her face, "Gia, do not do that again. I can't have you running off without me."

"Yes ma'am." She pouted, she felt badly about scaring Lucy like that. Gia looked off to her right, where she really noticed the man standing next to Lucia. She noticed there was something odd about his face.

"Lucy, what's wrong with his face?" Gia blurted out, causing the other two Largo siblings to laugh. Lucia couldn't help but smirk, looking over at Pavi, who she was surprised didn't look irritated or even offended at the accusation that his face was anything less than perfect.

"Gia, don't be rude. Apologize to Mr. Largo." Lucia scolded.

"Sorry Mr. Largo." Gia muttered, clearly still curious to what was on his face and why it was there.

"Little-a children don't-a understand beauty-a yet." He dismissed. His brother scoffed while his sister rolled her eyes. Lucia then took that as an opportunity to leave, wriggling her way out of Pavi's hold, she wasted no time in leaving. She took a seat out in the audience, which was of course empty.

About five minutes after taking their seats, Mag glided out, her dress was long and black. The top was corset style and the train was silk. Her hair was long and loose, glimmering in the lighting, her eyes, heavily made up in silver and black, which glistened in the lighting. Lucia never understood why so much had to be done for the rehearsals; it was as if they were the actual performance. Mag was a professional and surely didn't need so much practice; she never had any issues during her shows.

Nonetheless, Lucia was happy to watch, Gia in her lap, listening to the beautiful songs of her friend. She and Mag had become quite close over the two years Lucia had been with her and Gia. She knew how Mag grew up and how difficult it was to be blind, how her best friend, Marni had found a way for her to see again, thanks to her then fiancé Rotti Largo. Mag signed over her life so she could see, in return, becoming the 'Voice of GeneCo'. How not much later than that, Marni met Nathan Wallace, got married to him and got pregnant. Mag described how Marni became sick and she and her daughter had both died.

Lucia of course elaborated on her story as well. Lucia was as she explained, a very sickly child. She got sick very often. Her older sister took care of her as best as she could, since their parents had been victims of repossessions when she was eight. Her older sister, Lana died when she was twenty-seven; she was repossessed too, for her heart. Lucia herself was twenty two, by this time; her sister had saved enough for Lucia to replace her organs. She was able to become a nurse by her intelligence thankfully. Lucia like Mag, resented GeneCo, it had slaughtered all of her family.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mag's beautiful voice, singing her gorgeous song. Airily moving across the stage, her body movements were graceful and charming. Her daughter watched her with wide eyes, her mother was captivating. Lucia knew Gia loved to come see her prepare for her shows, but she was always curious as to why she could never attend a live show. You're too young was usually the answer to her question, though she'd ask when she was older. Like most she'd have to watch on TV.

Once Mag had finished, Gia jumped out of Lucia's lap, running towards her mother, who was ready to receive her with open arms. Her little legs took her as fast as they could up the stairs of the stage and to her mother. She ran into her mother and hugged so very tightly.

"Mommy, that was amazing."

"I'm so glad you liked it my love." Mag smiled. She picked Gia up and kissed her on the cheek. Gia smiled happily, she loved being with her mother, nothing could make her quite as happy.

"Mommy, I met a really pretty lady today."

"Did you? What's her name?" Mag questioned.

"Amber." Gia said simply.

Mag's demeanor changed at this, her head whipped around to Lucia. Lucia shrugged and hurried to Mag.

"She got out of my grasp when we arrived! She ran off backstage, she was found by Amber and Luigi and I was being harassed by Pavi. I found her five minutes later." She explained. Mag's look was still cross. Sighing,

"Well, no harm done. Gianna Angioletta, you are not to ever do that again, do you understand?" Mag scolded.

"Yes mama."

"Good, now you two should head back now, my show is in an hour, I mustn't be distracted."

Lucia nodded. Mag hugged her daughter and kissed her forehead, and passed her to Lucia. Lucia smiled at her and turned to exit. Mag shook her head; she did not want a repeat of today. She never wanted Amber Sweet or her brothers near her daughter.

"Come on now Gia, don't diddle-dally."

Gia, clinging to Lucia's hand obediently followed, they were right outside of the building when Gia noticed something in an alley.

"Wait, Lucy! Look!"

Lucia directed her attention to the alley; she saw a little puppy, pitifully skinny, with scruffy dark brown fur with brown streaks in it. The puppy seemed to be searching for food.

"Oh! Lucy! Can we keep him?"

"Gia, I have no idea if he's a nice puppy or not. Besides, I can't make that decision, only your mother can."

Gia looked up at her, sympathy in her eyes, "But he looks lost, and hungry." She begged. Lucia looked off to the puppy, which was quite sad looking. Sighing, she clicked her tongue to get the puppy's attention. The puppy looked up, curiosity in his brown eyes.

He cautiously trotted over; Gia walked up to him, calmly and attempted to pet him. He shied away, looking frightened. "Let him smell you first Gia, he looks scared." Lucia instructed.

Gia followed her instructions and let the puppy smell her hand. He eased over to her and let her pet him. Lucia couldn't resist how cute this was. Gia's little chubby hand gently petting his tangled fur. Lucia gingerly came forward and allowed the puppy to smell her as well. When he was satisfied, she petted his side, feeling his ribcage through his fur.

"Alright, we'll see what your mother says when she gets home. I make no promises." Lucia said. That was enough for Gia. She led the puppy into the car and sat him down next to her. Lucia scooted in and tucked Gia into her car seat.

"What should we call him?"

Lucia frowned at this. She didn't want Gia to expect that he would be kept. Gia however just needed to call him something other than 'puppy'.

"Duke. I want to name him Duke!"

"Well, wait a moment," Lucia halted. She scooted over in her seat and lifted up the puppy's leg gently. "Duke it is." She said, confirming his gender. Gia was confused by this, Lucia certainly wasn't going to elaborate on what she did any more than simply saying, "I was making sure he was a he," this seeming to satisfy Gia.

When they arrived back at the house, Lucia insisted on washing the puppy before anything. Gia was eager to help and ran up the stairs to the bathroom, with Lucia holding Duke trailing after her. Lucia scrubbed hardly to get the filth out of Duke's fur, and when she was done, she felt more pity for him. His fur, being wet, clung to his body, enhancing how emaciated he was.

"I think Duke is hungry Gia. Shall we go feed him?"

"I think Gia is also hungry too Lucy. Can we feed her also?" Lucia giggled at this.

"Yes, of course."

Gia trotted down to the kitchen and sat up in her chair, looking happily at Duke who was placed down on the floor next to her. It was around seven P.M by then and in an hour, Mag's performance would be on, so she could feed them, watch Mag and put Gia to bed, Lucia planned.

They clearly didn't have dog food, so Lucia cut some steak up into puppy sized pieces and watched Duke devour it, and then lap up a dish of water. Lucia wondered when his last meal was…

She made Gia her dinner of chicken and angel hair pasta, and let her eat while she tried to find out the type of dog Duke was. After searching through a book of dog breeds in a book of Animals they had for Gia, she discovered he was a wolfhound.

"Duke is going to be a big boy, Gia."

Gia grinned, and excused herself from the table, Duke following her into the living room. She sat up on the couch and waited for Lucia to come in and turn the Opera on. She cuddled up with Duke, who seemed perfectly docile and happy to be shown affection.

Lucia walked into the room and turned on the TV. It opened to Mag, just in time to see her perform. It was just as it was when they watched, graceful and elegant. Gia, head resting next to Duke's on the couch started to doze off about ten minutes into the opera. Two hours passed by and Lucia had to take pictures of this, it was just too cute.

"Cameras, how old fashioned!" Mag said from behind, Lucia hadn't even noticed her come in, she was a bit startled.

"Well, Miss Diva, not all of us have digitally enhanced corneas!"

Mag smirked at her friend and then she realized that what was on the couch was not a stuffed animal. "Care to explain?" Lucia laughed and explained how they found Duke and how attached Gia had already grown to him.

"Well, I guess we have a puppy now." Mag conceded. She thought this would be good for Gia to learn responsibility and love for him. She looked down on them, it really was a cute image, one to be saved.

Author's Note

I'm very happy with how this is shaping up and me being able to keep up with updates. Also for future reference, I will be skipping ahead in years in the next chapter, because I have ideas for later dates. Just saying, it was always planned that way, just a heads up. Please review! And thanks to all that have reviewed so far! :D