CPOV

"And Nicole said yes" Lucy giggled beside me.

My daughter had spent the whole journey to school today letting me know about the date Nicole had planned with some boy this coming weekend. All of it had gone over my head as I nodded at some parts and hummed at others.

"Thanks dad" Lucy giggled as we pulled up to her school.

"What for."

"For the thousand dollars you have just agreed to give me" she said, laughing at the look on my face.

If it got me out of hearing about teenage relationships, then she can have the entire contents of my bank account.

"Whatever you want sweetheart" I told her, shocking my daughter as I got out of the car and went to her door.

"You are funny dad" she laughed as I walked her into the office, followed closely behind by her guards.

Getting back into my car, I looked towards the building where my daughter would be for the day. I still hated her being away from me, but what choice did I have. I would not make Lucy a prisoner, any more than I would make Ana. She is guarded, they both are, more now than ever before.

Heading into the club, I made my way to my office. Even at this time of day, there were men here winding down after a long night. Personally, I would rather wind down with my wife, but I dropped her off at Oriella and Luca's house on the way to take Lucy to school. They were going over the last of the interiors and what plans they have for the babies' room. Oriella has three months left of her pregnancy and is exhausted most of the time so they're getting everything done while she is awake.

The twins had just celebrated their twentieth birthday only a week before and unlike their nineteenth which was constant parties, this was just the family. We had a family meal at Palermo before going our separate ways after. Matteo and Chiara went who the fuck knows where, but they didn't turn back up again until two days later. Luca and Oriella came back home with us. Oriella fell asleep against my son's chest while they watched a movie in the den.

Ana is getting better at walking and doesn't need the cane much any more. She is not running anywhere yet but does like to go on the treadmill at her own pace. She won't go on her own and I'm only too happy to catch her when she stops walking and slides off the end.

"Hey boss" Ros greeted me, handing me this month's figures from the club below.

"How's it going" I asked her.

"New year was sold out as you know, and we sent more than our fair share away who just turned up, hoping to pay on the door when the tickets sold out months before. We kicked a few out as well, trying to bring in the new year by getting high. Since then, it's been steady. Friday and Saturday are our busiest nights and Thursday has picked up as well since we opened a couple of hours earlier."

"That's good. Anything we can do to bring more money in."

"Like you need any more" she laughed.

"You can never have too much. The problem is, I have a wife who hates shopping, so it never gets spent. Maybe I will spend it on my grand-babies."

"You a Granddad, where the fuck has the time gone."

"God knows. Speaking of time, isn't it about time you retired." I asked her, smirking.

"And leave someone else to run this place, not likely. I will retire when you fucking do" she said, leaving my office to the sound of my laughter.

Fuck Ros has managed the club down there for so long, I'm surprised she doesn't want a gold watch for continued service and for putting up with my shitty moods.

After Ros had left, I went through the paperwork. Business was booming, not just here but Ana's bakery's, the kid's legit businesses as well. Add to that all the extra business we do, and we are doing better than we ever had before.

I heard talking outside of my office as Matteo entered with Max.

"Hi dad, how's mum doing."

"Pottering around. She's with Luca and Oriella. How's Chiara, has she been asking any more questions."

"No, don't worry dad."

"I'm not. I just know how nerve wrecking it is to bring someone into this family."

"Mum's born into it" he told me.

"She is, but she didn't know it at the time. I had all the worries that I know you have had."

"Chiara is amazing. She has been so calm with the little I have told her. I know mum spoke to her in Italy. I actually think Chiara is in awe of her."

"We're all in awe of Ana" Max told us.

"We are that. How's business going" I asked him.

"Busy. There are a lot of criminals in this city that are in desperate need of help and a lot of cops who want them putting away."

"Any criminals I know of" I asked Max.

"None that you would want me to take on and save. I do have a good reputation for putting the petty crook away."

"Yes, put anyone that could set up against us in the slammer before they can even start" Matteo said.

"It's either that or in the morgue."

"Dad, anyone we kill doesn't get to the morgue. Well apart from him."

"I know."

I'm the first to admit that I take pleasure in getting rid of anyone who tries to step on our toes. Only one, the man who I would've taken apart piece by piece got the easy way out. The man who shot my Princess.

"Dad it's done, he's gone and putting a few more bullets in him wouldn't have changed his outcome" Matteo told me.

"I know. I wouldn't have gone the bullet route though" I told him, seeing him cringe as he knew I would've took pleasure in taking him apart, piece by piece.

"Ok, I will tell him…No, I won't have to bribe him… I will see you later."

We all looked at Theo when he entered my office, wondering who the fuck he was talking to and who my son wasn't going to bribe.

"Speak" I told him.

"Ok don't shoot the messenger though. Lucy called me because she couldn't speak to mum."

"Hold the fuck up" I told him, pulling my phone from my pocket. "Why couldn't she get hold of your mum."

"Because Mum was in the bathroom. She's not going to answer the phone while she's having a piss, you know that better than anyone."

"Ok, I'm calm and I'm not going to shoot you, so what's up with my baby girl."

He mumbled something before I told him to speak the fuck up.

"Lucy has a date on Friday night. Kian asked her out."

"WHAT, NO FUCKING WAY" I told him, calling my daughter.

It continued to ring out before my phone was snatched from my hand.

"Give it fucking back" I told Theo who ended the call.

"I didn't realise we had gone back to kindergarten" Jason said from the doorway, where he was stood with John, watching me try to get my phone back.

"Dad, this is Lucy. She is sixteen and the boy is Kian. The same one who came to tell you she was struggling. The same one who's helped her with her nightmares. If you can find one thing that is wrong with him, then I will give you the phone back."

"Who the fuck is the parent here" I said, snatching it back from him.

"One thing dad."

"I should beat your arse for what you just did."

"I'd like to see you try" he laughed. "When have you ever raised a hand to us."

"Never" I told him and that was the truth with all of my children. Besides Ana would kick my arse.

My phone beeped then with a text from Ana.

Breathe Sweetheart Breathe xxx- Ana

I don't know what you mean xxx – Christian

I call bullshit. Plus, Matteo has just sent me a video of you trying to wrestle your phone from Theo xxx – Ana

I turned to Matteo, looking directly in his eyes, before he turned away whistling.

"Traitor" I mumbled, going back to text my wife as everyone burst out laughing.

Leaving them in my office, I made my way to the bar.

"Beer" I said to Carlton, who quickly handed one to me.

Is my face that scary today as everyone quickly left, needing to be someplace else, fast. As I told Carlton to quieten the music, I called my wife.

"Ana, what's going on."

"Our daughter has been asked out on her first date and she said yes. You can't deny that you didn't see it coming."

"No, but I had hoped."

"Would you rather it be someone who you know or some random guy who decides it's Lucy's turn to be asked out this week."

"I would kill him" I told her.

"You would have to get in line behind me. I have a cane and I'm not afraid to use it."

I chuckled to myself thinking how far Ana had come.

"I thought you were walking without it from now on."

"I am, doesn't mean I can't hit someone with it. Now Kian."

"What about him" I asked.

"He's a good kid Christian. He's respectful to us both and despite anything that may happen in the future, a good friend to Lucy."

"I know Ana. It's hard to think of her as anything but my baby girl, my little Princess."

"She will always be that Christian. Even when she goes off to college, marries or has children she will always be your little girl. Lucy is a daddy's girl through and through."

"I know another one who's like that."

"I don't deny it" she said. "I have been a daddy's girl from the first moment he held me in your parents living room, all those years ago. I grew older, married you and had your children but I'm still a daddy's girl, nothing will change that."

"I'm overreaching" I said.

"No, you're being a dad. A fantastic one at that."

"Where and when is this date then" I asked her.

"I'm not sure at the moment as I only spoke to Lucy for a few minutes before you called. She mentioned movies and something to eat but no real details. Kian knows how you are with Lucy and he knows what nearly happened to her. He won't take her anywhere without you knowing first."

"It's hard."

"I know, she's growing up."

"I didn't mean that, although watching her get more and more beautiful everyday, makes me more and more protective. I meant, it's hard that I can't find anything to dislike about Kian."

"I know."

I spoke to Ana for a few minutes more as I calmed down about my daughters upcoming date. I was just coming to terms with Lucy being sixteen and now this.

"Did mum talk you down from the ledge" Theo asked, getting up from my chair.

"Piss off you and stay out of my chair. It's not yours yet."

"I hope the fuck not as I like my work now. That job is staying yours until I'm at least thirty."

"You thirty would make me nearly sixty. Fuck that I will be on a beach by then, sunning myself with your mother while you run around back here."

"When then" he asked, and I could hear a nervous tinge to his voice.

"When you're ready and not a moment before" I told him, earning a smile

I know Theo is nervous about stepping up and being Boss. I would never force him to do the job, having them in the business is enough for me. When I decide to retire, or my wife says enough is enough, then I will speak to him but I'm in no rush.

"So, Friday. What time do you need us to be at the house" Matteo asked me.

"Why would you need to be there."

"To intimidate the boyfriend."

"Hold the fuck up, it's one date. No one said anything about boyfriend and not a few moments ago you were all saying what a great kid Kian was and I didn't need to worry. If I don't need to worry, then why do you all need to be there."

I could see I had them there. I know they would want to be the big scary brothers and try and intimidate my daughters date. Kian has been at our home when they were all there and he wasn't scared one bit.

I tried to do some work, kicking everyone out of my office. Jason stayed, informing me of an argument between two of the drugs suppliers that we deal with.

"It they think we only deal with one supplier, they have obviously been snorting what they sell."

"I think they have, especially Jonah. The last delivery he sent, went back."

"When" I asked him.

"The day of the twin's birthday. I think he was sending them a gift or something, but Nick tested it and sent it back with a message."

"How many teeth" I asked, smiling.

"Two."

"And they say I have a temper" I laughed.

"You do. Nick takes his job as quality controller seriously."

"Quality controller, who invented this shit."

"I think he did."

"Tell him to keep up the good work then" I told Jason, looking at my watch. "I'm off, I'm going to pick Lucy up from school."

"You going to intimidate the boyfriend" he asked me.

"No, and he's not her boyfriend."

"Yet."

I ignored his comment and made my way out of the club, heading for my car. It didn't take long to get to the school, as I had left early today, really early so I would be here not only when Lucy came out, but Kian as well. Parking up, I acknowledged Eric who was in his car, keeping an eye on who arrived at the school.

As the doors opened, I kept an eye out for my daughter. Lucy knows it's me picking her up today but with the revelation from earlier, I didn't know if she would be alone.

As Lucy finally came into view, she was with Gabriella and Nicole but no Kian.

"Hey dad, can we drop the girls off at Nicole's before going home" she asked me.

"Sure, get in" I told them, as all three giggling girls got into the back.

As I drove them over to Nicole's house, instead of ignoring the conversation like this morning, I paid attention to every word that was said. Boys were the main topic of conversation, but no one was named.

"Thanks for the ride Mr Grey" Nicole said as she and Gabriella got out of the car, while Lucy joined me in the front.

"You're welcome, we will wait here until you get in" I told them, as we watched them make their way into the house before they turned and waved.

"Dad, it's daytime" Lucy said, when I pulled away.

"I had realised that, as it's still light out."

"No, I mean that you don't usually wait until they're inside. You usually just drive off unless it's dark."

"I'm being responsible, normal. I'm a parent and they are your friends. I'm just making sure they get inside safely. You never know who is lurking around."

"Responsible, since when. Normal, never. Overprotective always, but something else's different. Out with it dad."

I looked over to Lucy as we stopped at the light, wondering who I was in the car with, my wife or daughter.

"Out with what."

"Oh my god, I know you know about my date with Kian on Friday. I would rather you go crazy than be the normal parent, it's weird."

I laughed, continuing to drive us home.

"Weird."

"Yes weird. I was expecting you to be polishing your gun, flexing your muscles all to intimidate him."

"No, not me. Where is the boy by the way?"

"Football practice, stop changing the subject."

"What do you want me to say Lucy. That I'm ecstatic that a boy has asked you out, that you're growing up. As your mother pointed out, it's Kian. Any other boy and I would be scouring the school for him. I actually like Kian so I'm going to be the calm normal parent about it."

"Ok, what's the punchline."

"I give up" I laughed. "If I go mad, I'm told to calm down and if I'm calm, I'm told I'm weird. Teenager girls are weird" I said parking outside of our house.

Getting out of the car quickly, I made my way into the house as Lucy ran after me. She was laughing before jumping onto my back as we walked into the kitchen where we found my wife at the stove.

"Mum, dad's being weird" Lucy told her.

"Our daughters being a teenager."

"You're both fine then I see" Ana laughed, stirring the spaghetti sauce that I could smell from the pot.

"Yes, we're fine. How's Oriella and Luca" I asked.

"Luca went out to collect the baby items that they ordered and Oriella is napping. Lucy, can you go and wake Oriella and let her know that dinner is almost ready."

Lucy quickly disappeared from the room as I wrapped my arms around Ana from behind.

"You ok" I asked her, knowing she would've been on her feet for most of the day.

"Yes, I'm fine. The dogs thoroughly investigated Luca and Oriella's house and christened their garden."

"There is no panic room there."

"Not yet but I'm sure you have somewhere in mind for one to be built."

"I do, just off the main bedroom. Their garden has no boathouse at the moment so inside will have to do for now."

"I'm surprised you don't already have a boathouse on order" she laughed.

"I do. The panic room needs to be dug in first and then that will come after. It just takes time."

"There is no rush. They decided today, that they will stay with us at least until their six-week check, longer if its needed."

"How about until the girls are thirty" I said, smirking to my wife.

"I don't know who will be worse, you or Luca when it comes to the girls, and boys."

"Me probably, although I was calm today. Me calm according to our daughter is weird so I can't win."

"Damned if you do and damned if you don't."

"Pretty much" I said as Lucy and a tired Oriella came into the room.

"These girls are exhausting" she said, taking a seat.

"They come from my DNA" I told her. "If they're anything like their father and his brother, wait until they arrive, then you will know exhausting."

"I will send them around here if they play up" she told us, laughing.

"Fine by me."

Luca arrived a few minutes later, letting us know that everything is still in the van outside. It can wait a few minutes otherwise there will be nothing left of the delicious meal that my wife has just placed before us.

"Where are you going on Friday" Oriella asked Lucy.

"Yes, details little sister. We need to know where to stake out."

"What no, please. It's bad enough to know that I will have a guard there without my brother's hiding around the corner."

"They won't sweetheart" Ana told her.

"They won't, but I might."

"No, he won't" Ana told Lucy laughing, before she could complain.

No, I won't. I will be at home, wearing a groove in the carpet as I pace.

…..

The pacing began as soon as they left the house. Lucy wore the dress she had chosen for Valentina and Garrets wedding and she looked beautiful. Kian looked smart too.

Kian had said hello and shook my hand. I still cursed myself that I couldn't find anything to dislike about the boy.

Theo had taken them both, dropped them off at the movies where they were going to see the new Avengers or some shit like that. I see enough action in our daily life, I don't need a movie to give me more.

After that they were going for something to eat, driven by Eric this time.

"Christian, you will be replacing the carpet if you continue" Ana complained as I went to sit by her side.

"Sorry Princess. They have been gone for so long."

"Christian they have been gone thirty minutes. The adverts wouldn't have even finished before the movie yet, calm down. You know where she is, let them have fun."

"You know. It doesn't help my worrying when you keep laughing at me."

"I laugh because you're funny. Do you want to watch our own movie."

"Sure, put something on" I told her.

It was me though, who ended up wading through fur to put one of my favourites on.

"Let me guess, mission impossible" she said, as I shook my head at my wife's answer. "The godfather" that one made me laugh.

"No, I put a classic on" I said pressing play as it started, making Ana laugh.

"The Goonies."

"Who wouldn't want to be a Goonie. We used to annoy the shit out of mum, looking for buried treasure when we were kids and digging her garden up."

"You're such a boy" she laughed as I pulled her down on the couch and lay beside her.

...

We watched the movie as Ana lay in my arms, but I was constantly listening for a car approaching. I was at the window, looking down the long drive when Luca came into the den

"Oriella sleeping" Ana asked him.

"Yes, those twins are wearing her out."

"I know how it feels" she told him, making Luca smile.

"They will be here soon and then no one will be getting any sleep" Luca said.

"I don't mind, I will stay up and feed them. They will need granddads cuddles."

"Remember that when I knock on your bedroom door at two in the morning and hand a baby to you, to feed just so Ori can get some sleep."

"Doesn't bother me. I used to come in from the club and do the night feed before I got in bed."

"He did, I think I slept more than your dad" Ana told him.

"Well I'm hoping to get some sleep of my own, but Lucy is not back yet."

"She will be here soon" Ana told him.

"Not freaking out yet dad" Luca asked me.

"Yet. He was pacing a groove in the carpet before they even got down the drive."

"Ignore your mother, I have had a perfectly calm evening."

"You're full of shit" Ana told me as I quickly turned when I saw a car approaching. "See what I mean" Ana laughed as she sat up too. "I would sit down otherwise your daughter is going to know you have been pacing."

"There is no proof of that" I told her, sitting back down but Ana nodded to the floor, where the carpet had been flattened with my pacing.

"Hope, come here girl" I said, as she came to lie by my side. Lying over the evidence of my anxiety.

Lucy came into the house with Theo, happily chatting away to her brother.

"How did it go, do I need to have words" I said, looking away from the TV.

"No dad. Thank you for letting me go and not freaking out."

Ana burst out laughing as I threw a cushion at her, turning her laughter into a fit of giggles.

"Me, freak out, never" I told Lucy before she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed my cheek.

"I believe you dad, not. I'm off to bed, good night" she told us as we received a hug and kiss, before our daughter disappeared up the stairs.

"That wasn't so bad was it."

"I suppose not. She is growing up and I can hope it was just one date and she had her fill for the next twenty years."

"Keep wishing" Ana laughed as I helped her from the couch.

I could wish for my daughter to remain little, I could wish that she would always need me. As we passed Lucy's room, hearing her giggles as she told her friends of her date, the only wish I really had was for my little Princess to be happy. After all, I'm a parent, weird or not.

Thank you for reading.

Before this story ended, I had to write the meltdown of Christian dealing with Lucy's first date. I was trying to fit it into another chapter, but it didn't go anywhere so it ended up becoming a chapter of its own.

Until next time, which will be the final chapter, take care.

Caroline.