Chapter Eleven

Change is Constant

It had been about two weeks since the Opera. Since Gia was taken in by her father. Change took over her life at a rapid pace. The time since Lucia and her mother's death felt like ages. The days at first slowly dragged on, Gia felt numb. The days were no longer at the slow pace they were. She found things to do to amuse herself. Desiree would come and talk with her, listen to her talk about her books she would be reading. Her interest in Anne Boleyn and the Tudor dynasty still in her mind and she could go on and on about the subjects. Desiree was amazed how precocious Gia was. She was more interested in reading and practicing her music than playing. Although seeing the little girl play with her huge dog, Duke, was pretty fun to watch. Gianna was doing much better than she was. She's smiling and becoming more and more loquacious. She charmed really anyone she met, a trait you could trace to either of her parents.

Since her talk with Pavi days earlier he had been visiting her more and would watch as she played piano or listen to her talk about what she was reading. To him, she seemed to be everything a child should be, smart, polite and pretty. As much as he had never been too fond of children, there was just something about Gia that could make anyone like her. Perhaps somewhere deep down inside he was learning to be a father. As Gia said, he felt that his mother would be proud of him, and that only made him more driven to be a father to Gia. Certainly a better one than his own.

Today however, was a busy day. Desiree had things to do on her own and Pavi had to attend to things with his siblings and the business. As everyone expected, Amber couldn't handle things all by herself. Gia would be left to amuse herself until later in the day.

"Duke, I wanna do something really fun today," she said, the dog's large head resting in her lap. She sat there in her purple, damask, dress. She wasn't in the mood for playing the piano, reading or really anything of her normal routine. She may not have been aloud out much with her mother, but she was sometimes taken outside with Lucia or her mother. Neither Desiree or her father had actually said she wasn't aloud outside... Neither of them should be on this floor of the building...

"We're going outside Duke!" she decided attaching Duke's collar and leash. She couldn't think of anyone really stopping her from leaving, but to be cautious, she wouldn't waste time. Her boot's heels clicked as she ran through the building, smiling to herself. She waited patiently in the elevator with Duke and then smiled at the receptionist as she skipped out. She felt the rush of cool wind blowing through her hair. It was very chilly out, her only being in her dress with stockings and boots.

"I could've planned this a little better Duke," she said, scratching him on the head as she looked around. She decided to just wander around until she found the graveyard again. No doubt she'd find something to peak her interest there. So she started to wander randomly. She only had a vague memory of how to get to the graveyard from her home, and she wasn't at her home. It wasn't too hard to tell the distinction of getting close to the graveyard though. It seemed to grow more ominous by the second.

"Hey, you!" a boy's voice called, startling Gia, initiating Duke to be protective. She looked over to see a boy who couldn't be much older than her. He had dark brown hair, pale skin and piercing gray eyes. He was in baggy jeans and a black and gray long sleeved shirt. He had a smirk on his face.

"You're the Largo kid, right?

"Who wants to know?"

"Lucas Steele," he said, bowing dramatically.

'Gia..." she introduced, not knowing quite what to say for the last name. "This is Duke," she said petting Duke on the head, relaxing him.

"Never seen one of these kinds of dogs before," he said, marveling at Duke who relished the attention.

"Do you know how to get to the graveyard? I don't really know my way around yet,"

"I'm heading there now, come on," he smirked, leading the way.

Gia shrugged and agreed to follow.

"So, whats it like in that big, dreary, tower you're shut up in?" he said , walking along, kicking a rock.

"It isn't horrible. My room is filled with all the things I need to be happy,"

"Your mother isn't in there," he sniped.

Gia stopped, she looked hurt.

'You're right she isn't. She is in a much better place. I won't take cruel comments from someone I just met," she huffed. He already looked guilty.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I' just not used to hanging around around with people my own age," he muttered, dark hair falling over his eyes.

Gia nodded and they continued walking until they found the graveyard, it's haunting atmosphere was peaceful to Gia in a way.

"So... your life must be pretty crazy now, huh?" he questioned. She looked over at the boy, not really knowing him, but she sensed he was someone who could be a friend.

"Yeah, it seems like my life has been constant change since the Opera,"

He nodded, then awkwardly looked off to the right, "Hey, Graves!" he exclaimed.

The Graverobber sauntered up to the kids, fresh zydrate in his gun. Brazenly walking around the graveyard was no rise now. Since Amber took charge, she didn't enforce graveyard patrols. If Graves couldn't get his product, where would she get her hits? Even being in charge, something she was already loosing control of, she wouldn't use the GeneCo brand zydrate. Street Grade and Graverobber was the only way she'd go.

"Ah, if it isn't my little graverobber in training, Lucas. I see you've met Gia," he said smirking. He liked Gia, she was an intelligent kid. He also greatly pitied her. She was thrown into the lion's den.

"Gia, it's actually a good thing you came, follow me," Graves instructed. She followed him off into a more secluded, less crowded area of the graveyard. There was a clean and elegantly done tombstone that read,

Lucia Rose Evans

Beloved friend.

An Eternal Flame that even death cannot extinguish

2025-2056

She keeled down to the stone commemorating Lucia. She traced the birth year and death date, her mind flashing back to Lucia's shocked face as the Repo Man removed all of GeneCo's property from her body. She shook that out of her mind and thought of Lucia's sweet smile. She had a smile that was so beautiful, Gia always went out of her way to make her smile. Lucia was always a good, loving, figure to Gia. She would always miss her.

"Thank you for making sure she was taken care of Graves. I appreciate it. I'm sure she would too,"

"No problem, kid. Couldn't let her be dumped like the rest. She's too good for that," he said of his task. His old friend had a tough life for awhile, he could at least say she was happy for the remainder of her life since going to help Mag.

"Gotta scram, kids. I'll see ya later," Graves said before sneaking off into the shadows.

"So, Lucas, how old are you by the way?"

"I'm thirteen," he said proudly, puffing out his chest to make himself seem more manly. Oh Boy, Gia thought to herself as she rolled her eyes.

"Not many kids around here are much fun. I hope you could be some fun? I know that tower is a good place for some mischief!" he plotted deviously. Gia laughed.

"Maybe. You realize I'm only ten though? But I will be eleven in a few days," Oh. Her birthday was approaching. Her first birthday her instead of home. First birthday without her mother, or Lucia. A bittersweet feeling quickly swept over her.

"You're much more mature than I'd expect from a regular kid," he smiled at her. This was new. She's made a friend. Since she wasn't aloud out much, she'd never made any friends. She never really needed to. She was content to be at home with her mother and Lucia and Duke.

"Gianna?"

She could recognize Pavi's voice. How'd he find me? She hadn't told anyone where she was going or what she was doing. She just took Duke and left. Was it obvious she'd be here?

"I'd better go," Gia said to Lucas, who nodded.

"Until next time, Princess!" he said running off into an alley energetically.

"Who're you calling a princess?" she shouted at him, with a smirk on her face.

"Who're you-a talking to? She turned around to see Pavi standing a few feet off, looking amused.

"Well, I wasn't talking to myself! There was a boy here, Lucas,"

"Oh, you-a have a boyfriend?" he teased, smiling down at her. Her cheeks immediately turned bright red and she stammered, "No! I-I just m-met him!" she hastily defended, hiding her flushed face under her thick black hair.

"Anyways, you-a being here is-a good thing. I-a have something to-a show you," he said. Again, she nodded her head and was lead to a large stone tomb. Pavi opened the door and led Gia inside to see the tomb of Mag, Duke waiting outside. The white stone was glimmering, fresh and new stone. The inscription on the tomb was this,

Magdalene Marie Defoe

2015-2056

Loving Mother and friend

"O Death, rock me asleep, bring me to quiet rest, let pass my weary guiltless ghost out of my careful breast."

Her mother was finally put to rest properly. Gia smiled, tears brimming in her eyes. These tears weren't as sad as usual, but in a way happy. Her mother was taken care of in a beautiful way. More than she had asked for. Her tomb was erected with great precision and beauty.

"May I have a moment on my own in here?"

Pavi nodded and went outside, still within earshot of Gianna.

"Hi, mamma. I miss you. I miss you a lot. I miss Lucia a lot too. I think you'd like this, it's really very pretty. Although, I'm sure you can see it... I know you'd be worried about me, especially since Lucy died too, but I'm okay. Duke's with me. I'm with my father. I understand why you wouldn't tell me, but it's okay. I'm okay here. It's actually very nice. He's nice. He made sure you were taken care of. I also really like Desiree. I'll never stop being sad or missing you or Lucia, but I think it won't be as bad as you thought it would be. I love you mamma, I'll always love you." she finished and kissed the slate where her mother's name was written.

Pavi admired the little girl She was so sweet and innocent. Mag did all she could to make sure she's remained like that. He would try his best to ensure that was well.

Author's Note

Yet another chapter! Yet another new character! Yay! I really enjoy writing this story, it's letting my creative side really work. I know I'm not the best writer, but I do appreciate those who read this and like it. Not much to say, I had to get this up tonight, I just had to. Reviews are always appreciated and wanted!