24.- "I Love You, Daddy."

On the second floor of the house, Luccia taught every corner of her room to Francesco, light lilac walls, her bed besides the window covered with white veils had a blanket with images of fairies, something typical like a little girl, a panel full of simple drawings, some plush toy and a couple of dolls sitting on a shelf, in other shelf had many storybooks, at the foot of the bed a trunk for her shoes, next a closet with her clothes, finally a small desk for homework, the drawer was filled with textbooks and school notebooks.

- You like my room? – The girl asked to her father, who was sitting on the floor of the room, on a round rug, watching everything she suggested.

-Beautiful, perfect for a princess like you. - He held all that was his daughter, really thought she was… perfect.

The little girl, happy was into the arms of Francesco, with her arms around his neck, laughing and sitting on his lap. She felt so good that he is there; it was as if she had known him long before a couple of days ago.

-I love you, daddy. - Said the girl, snuggling with him.

- I love you too, sweetheart. - He gives her a kiss on the cheek and hugs her tightly. - Do you have homework to do?

- No, not today, don't let us duties for return from vacation but we fill the days ahead of school work, we will be slaves of the education system again. - She played those last sentences as if it were a work of drama. Placing one arm over her forehead.

Francesco was surprised, at that age he didn't know what it meant to be a slave of the educational system, but assumed he was safe ahead of time because he didn't attend to college.

-It's not so bad, piccolina... Believe me... - He said, patting her head. - Hey, I'll go help Mom with dinner. Why not change your clothes and wash as she said it? See you down, I promise I will be a good dinner. - Showed the right hand and put thumb with index and middle fingers to kisses them, was a Italian expression that meant the food would be scrumptious.

Luccia got down from Francesco's lap and smiled with pleasure.

-All right, I know that everything will be fine, Mom does very good cuisine, and she will leave very happy everyone's stomachs tonight. - She was excited.

- Oh, yes, no doubt. - He smiled and quickly got up to leave the Luccia's room.

When the Italian left, she closed the door of the room to change clothes. Going through the same corridor in the next room, was Lucciano, interestingly very quiet, although there were sounds like paper being torn or cut. Francesco would not bother him, frankly felt a bit of fear of his reactions, sometimes thought the child was a little angry with him and just wanted to get him away. It was something that some part it made him sad.

Just put a hand on the railing of the stairs, Francesco felt a couple of steps behind him, and a couple of small pulls on his jacket.

- Huh? - Curious looked back, over his shoulder, and met Lucky, even with the hand holding the fabric of the racer clothing. Lucciano eyes looked down, looked like he wanted something. So his father turned around and giving room to abandoning the second floor kneeled to the child's height. - What's up, Lucciano? You wanted to tell me something? –

Lucky shyly nodded a few times and then put his beautiful blue eyes on the dark eyes of his father.

- Do…. Do you want to see my room too? - Asked a little nervous.

Italian racer felt his face lit up, it was perhaps unexpected work, or his thoughts and concerns were heard by someone. This was a big step, and then his son did not want him away. Was it just his imagination? Would soon find out, now smiled as widely as possible.

-Yes! I want.

Lucciano is encouraged with the response, and hand by hand went together to the room, only to in, could tell he had less things that Luccia, his bed was also close to the window, his room had pale green walls glued some cuts and posters alluding to soccer and car racing, also had a diploma hanging near the door, was for participating in a children's martial arts tournament. Next to the closet was the hanger for his school uniform, a desk and a small table that consisted of a drawer for goodies and a door where he kept his collection of Formula Racing magazines.

Francesco looked around, it was obvious that Lucky enjoyed sports, at least they had something in common, and time to add another nod to what could be a good father-son relationship.

- You have a great space for you, Lucciano. That's great do not you think? - Francesco spoke sympathetically. But the child just shook his head in the affirmative. - You like soccer? Me too. -

- Yes... - Replied the child, it was like he was thinking about something else, looking in any direction, except to Francesco. More than anything was analyzing the Italian man. Kids will love to test adults. - Hey, Dad... - began a conversation.

- Yes? -

- You really do not like that woman of black hair? - Launched a curious question, this time he looked at his father.

-Well, of course not. Why? - Answered seriously, and fast, wondering why so suddenly that, although for some reason he regretted having asked "Why?" Fear of the answer, perhaps.

- Is that I have something for you. - Lucciano ran to his desk and picked up something from ther, it was a paper that gave to the racer. – Here, hope you like it. –

It was a piece of one of the magazines of Formula Racing of his collection, specifically the number that Kaori read weeks ago was the page containing a photo where Francesco was with Gina, one where they announced their marriage in Interlagos. But Lucciano managed that, and took away Gina from the picture, putting in place a photo of his mother when she was with his former boyfriend, one of those divided photos, he had taken this album to the house of his grandfather, before going to school, got it into his bag without anyone noticing. Obviously the side where the ex-boyfriend appeared and Gina, had gone to the dustbin.

That was the sound Francesco heard before Francesco of cut paper, the child had prepared a collage, and it was just perfect, it was beautiful. The photo had seen it before, in the house of Jin, then Lucky was not angry with his dad for having seen the album on the floor; he was planning all that from before and did not want to raise any suspicion. Smart.

The Italian racer was so relieved, all he thought before, it was a product of his imagination. His son loved him and more than that, this demonstrated that the wanted them all together as a family.

- Thanks Lucciano. - He smiled at his son and took the gift. - I love it. -

- You can call me Lucky, if you want. - Gave as an option.

-All right, Lucky, and what do you like more? Lucciano or Lucky? - Francesco had heard a couple of times to his mother call him like that; he also had, but did not understand why? But he thought to be his child, he was excellent as a diminutive and to be part of Francesco, clearly was perfect. Imagining Lucciano in the future would a man totally successful.

- Well, I like both, but usually all have appreciation to me call me Lucky, it all started the first time I playing soccer at school and made two goals in game, between a friendly local match, coach and gym teacher said I brought good luck. - Made a small silence and then continued. - But if you want, and you like my full name, you can keep saying that. – Lucciano explained.

The racer smiled, approached to his son, hugging him with one arm.

-I love you, Lucky. - He caressed his hair with little dark curls, which is still preserved in a small ponytail behind his back. Lucciano's hair blended with Francesco's, when he put his head next to his son's head to give him a kiss on the forehead, by having both the same shade of black. The oldest is suddenly surprised to feel the boy's arms around his waist.

- I love you Dad. - His tiny nose rubbed on the belly of his father. - Stay with us forever, if you do it, I promise I'll be good. -

In life, you really learn to love a person, was something of long time and although Lucciano meditated really quite at his young age about Francesco, as did most wanted Lucky to have a father figure, to see once again by action and what dictated the heart, that love the Italian for them was really sincere, the child could finally accept that he had a father, was true and reliable.

To his side, the racer was full, and hugged him with both arms.

- Sure... I made a promise. -

- Thank you. - Lucciano smiled very happy.

Francesco broke the hug and looked at the boy.

-I'm going to the first floor; I will help your mother, put yourself handsome for dinner. Though not think it's difficult for you. – The Italian told it playfully.

- Hehe, I just going to change my clothes. - Lucky it was not like Luccia and clear, not responded with such vanity.

- Oh, yeah, okay, that also is good. Well, see you. - He messed the little child's hair and left the room, with his gift in hand.

Quickly lowered the stairs and headed for the kitchen, as everything there was next to, it was easy to find where to go.

- I'm back. - He told to Kaori, who was looking at a few packs of food, deciding what to do while the water is boiling in the pots.

- Um, I do not know what to prepare, I had bought the ingredients to make lasagna, and I have also ravioli, meat, and rice and... You know ? Now I think, it is wrong cook Italian food for people that came from Italy visiting another country where obviously not looking to eat something from their place of origin. It's foolish. - She was a little desperate.

- Hahaha... Hey, calm down, do not think that bothers to Giuseppe, he did not even wait a dinner, maybe just a cup of coffee. - Francesco put his hands on her shoulders to massage a bit, forgetting a second that he brought the paper. - Relax. Listen, I have an idea what if we do something for both places and can call it: "Japanitalian Food" -

- "Japanitalian Food"? Ha, sounds so international. Hey What's this? - She takes the paper from his hand, although massage was delicious and the movement she made was over, the redhead regretted for a second. Then she glanced at Lucciano's collage. - What's this?

- Well, it's a gift that Lucky did for me. Do not you like? I love it. – The racer answered.

-T... That picture was where I was with... But Lucciano…. How? - Kaori began to babble and blushed a bit, mostly because she hoped that Francesco had not seen that photo with her ex-boyfriend, he was so ashamed because even after long been preserved yet, all passed the time were only unfulfilled dreams.

-He said he wanted us together, the four, and forever. So he did this, I guess it's like a message and I wanted to show you. - He sighed. - I know that guy who was next to you in this photo made you happy at some point; I guess it's the ex-boyfriend who you told me about that time. Sorry, I could not help take and look at the album that was in your room, in your grandfather's house.

- No, It's fine. I swear I had forgotten that was there, I have more things to take care to be aware of something that I do not care. Just, it gives me a little embarrassed that you've seen it, and more, that Lucky had seen it. – She lowered her voice at the end, revealing what she felt, walked a couple of steps to the dining table, depositing the paper on it.

- You don't need to explain it to me. - Francesco's gaze followed her as she moved.

- Well... - She gave a big sigh, back where she was before. - You know what I regret a lot? Having wasted my first kiss and losing my virginity with that guy. But anyway, back in the culinary business. - She put her hands on her hips, watching a cookbook open on a cutting board.

- Do you need to tell me something with that? - He tried to understand why she had said that now? Perhaps it was her way to defend herself after spending those embarrassments.

Kaori immediately put her eyes on the Italian, which look at her a bit scared to want to hear the answer, it was so... Fast.

- It's just... - She blushed again; it was hard to admit what was going to reveal. - Well... You're a thousand times better than him doing those" things" But no one has a crystal ball... - At the end smiled shyly.

- Oh, I see... I know, all women say me the same. - He smiled back, but it was between mocking and vain.

-You! Get out of here! Go upstairs with the kids! - The redheaded expression immediately changed to an annoying, but was faking. And she gave him a push to get him out of her space.

Francesco started laughing, anticipating that she would react that way. But do not let her that she pushing him away, he hugged her tight.

-You're very grumpy... – He said without stopping to look at her. - Kaori, close your eyes. -

- Huh? - She did not resist his hug, but if given a little curious his request. - Why?

- Just do it. - Insisted.

The redhead sighed, and staying well, closed her eyes as he asked. Hoped it was not a joke.

But it was not; Francesco closed his eyes and rubbed his nose to hers, and then put his lips against hers.

- Now, imagine, I give you your first kiss, the first kiss of your life and the most significant. - He whispered.

Kaori said nothing, but her face was again heated, tried to relax and imagine that both were elsewhere, perhaps a park.

When she began to feel that he pressed his lips against hers, her heart beat hard and fast, especially when intensified this with the touch of his tongue pushing through her teeth to meet hers.

The passion of that kiss was nothing comparable to what happened that old first time, and then what was the first time? That kiss meant nothing once.

While they were at it, Kaori took from her pocket the train ticket and crumpled it in her right hand, holding it. Francesco stopped the kiss, listening to the sound of the paper, so she opened her eyes again, slowly.

-Thanks... - The redhead told with sleepy voice and a smirk, as if she were back from the world of dreams.

-It was a pleasure. - He smiled, and noticed her right hand. - You're not going to hit me, do you?

-Oh! No, no... Of course not, it's something in my pocket and was going to throw it away. - Kaori sincerely cared little about the ticket, she knew Francesco could not have bought it, not even left Todoroki's house that day, could not speak in Japanese. How could he buy it? She guessed all the favor was by Chuki, or maybe Shu. Also, what mattered was that he was there, now. - Hey why do not you take a shower before dinner and you wear your new clothes? Oh, by the way, my grandfather brought the luggage from his home, so there at the door are your things, you can accommodate them anywhere.

- Oh, so when I heard the bell ring, it was he. – Francesco said. - Well, yes, the truth is I want to take a shower since the morning. Where is the bathroom? - He looked from side to side.

- Come on. - She passed him to go to her bedroom which was a few steps, opened the door and invited him to enter. - This is my bedroom. You see the door there? - She pointed next to a full length mirror. - Is the bathroom. -

- Pretty bed. Double? Were you expecting someone? - He smiled.

- Shut up and go to take a shower! I'll make dinner. -

Kaori back again to the stove and Francesco watched her go with discomfort; it seems that he was enjoying this to make her angry, but in a way. He'd bet anything that if she was really mad, the world would explode. Finally he locked himself in the bathroom to wash up and relax a bit.

To be continued...

Disclaimer:

-Kaori, Lucciano and Luccia are characters that originally belong to me as this history. (c) Shadoru

-Other characters belong to (c) Disney. PIXAR