Chapter 4

They all arrived at Quinn's Pizza and immediately were escorted to a table.

Celine was dressed in one of her new outfits that she had put on this morning, choosing it with Dana's help. It was a simple outfit that fitted a lot better than her old clothes and didn't have humongous holes in the knees of the jeans or patches on the shirt that had been sewn on to conceal the rips and tears in the original fabric, which meant that the shirt was all mismatched as the patches hardly matched the original color of the shirt.

Celine's new outfit was a simple pair of white washed jeans with a belt, because Dana had bought them several sizes too big on purpose so that when Celine gained weight, they wouldn't have to be given away to charity because they wouldn't fit anymore. Once Celine gained weight, the belt would no longer be needed, except as decoration, so the jeans didn't fall off.

As for the shirt, it was a simple T-shirt with a picture of a cute dog on it that simply said So what if I love dogs? Above the picture and below the image of the dog it said, if you have a problem with that deal with it. Again, it was a bit big, but that was on purpose just like the jeans so that Celine could grow into it once she started to gain weight.

"How may I serve you today?" asked the waiter once they were all seated.

"We'll take the extra-large pizza," Dana said, "with ham, sausage, pepperoni, extra cheese, peppers, onions, and sun-dried tomatoes."

"Lynnette and I will take a large pizza with ham, pepperoni, extra cheese, bacon, mushrooms, and peppers," Dave ordered.

"Very well sir, ma'am," The waiter said politely typing on a small electronic pad, using a stylus to push the letters on the small keyboard instead of using a paper and pen. "It should be ready in 15 minutes."

With all the new technology in this future time, food was prepared much faster than it had used to be, because back in the late 20th century, it would've taken at least half an hour to 45 minutes for that pizza to be ready. The ovens were much more effective than their predecessors and cooked food, faster, depending on what it was, of course, but usually it took only half an hour to have a meal on the table.

"There was no reason to bring me to such a nice place you know," Celine said, even as she studied Dana's grandparents who still looked to be in their late 30s early 40s and not as old as they supposedly were.

"You think this place is nice," Lynnette told her with a wink, "just wait until you get to go to a really fancy restaurant. Pizza places are entirely casual eating, which means you don't have to dress up for it, but a lot of the fancy places require you to wear fancy clothes not just jeans and T-shirts."

"True and I plan on taking you somewhere fancy for our anniversary that is coming up soon," Dave told Lynnette with a wink.

"I'll look forward to it," Lynnette told him kissing his bearded cheek, smiling.

Celine watched Dana's grandparents, Dave and Lynnette and thought that the pair of them were still very much in love or at least she believed so and they had been married forever.

She was well aware that pizza places were casual sorts of restaurants, but she still thought it was a really nice place despite that. She had often passed them when she was walking somewhere and wished that she could go in and grab her a slice of that delicious goodness. She knew that she would only be chased away if she dared enter someplace like that in her shabby clothes with rips and tears. The fact that she also stunk because there was no way for her to get a shower except when it rained would've seen any employees chase her out so that their customers could eat.

The elder Rossis certainly seemed friendly enough, which Celine didn't really understand considering that she knew they were very wealthy. They had simply come back to the states to hear her sing, because their granddaughter had asked them to, and for no other reason. That they had done so, because Dana had asked them to come hear her sing and play still amazed, Celine.

They had come just to hear her sing and now the elder Rossis were treating her to an amazing lunch and all because she had sung and played for them.

She didn't think she had done anything for anybody to treat her to lunch, but apparently the senior Rossis disagreed.

"So, Celine, are you enjoying living with Dana?" Lynnette asked the young girl who looked startled at the question.

"Yes ma'am, very much," Celine answered. "Ms. Dana has been so kind to me and bought me all these amazing clothes," Celine added, pointing at the outfit she was wearing. "I've never owned so many beautiful things in my life, and I tried to tell her that it was too much but she insisted. I now have a whole closet full of clothes, jeans and T-shirts slacks and blouses, tennis shoes, sandals, and even a pair of boots. It cost her a fortune and yet she insisted."

"I did indeed," Dana agreed with a smile at her grandparents and then at Celine. "Celine didn't want me to buy her more than two new outfits and then I explained that she'd have to wash clothes every day and waste laundry detergent, which meant she would have to buy it more often. If Celine is anything, it's frugal not that I can blame her for that considering."

"I've never had much money to just waste it," Celine said.

"No, I suppose you haven't," Dave said. "Not considering you were living on the street, which means you didn't have a decent roof over your head and were likely out in all weathers. You must have a hardy constitution because it's easy enough to get sick if you don't have any decent place to live. You could've ended up with pneumonia, for example "

"Still, I think Dave and I can understand why you're struggling to accept your new, circumstances," Lynnette added. "You probably figured that all this generosity comes with some kind of price tag."

"I've been alive long enough to know that most people are not so generous and kind as your family seems to be, so yes, I guess I am wondering what the price of all this generosity is," Celine admitted candidly looking sheepish, because she suspected the Rossis and Ms. Dana to want something other than what they had stated from her.

"I've never known of anyone that just gives somebody something for free with no strings attached."

"The only thing that my family wants from you, Celine, is for you to become a fantastic singer, as you certainly have the voice for it," Lynnette told the young girl.

"Dave and I believe in supporting talent and you certainly have that in spades. There isn't enough beauty in the world as it is, as it is often an ugly, and depressing place."

"Your singing is part of that beauty Celine," Dave added once Lynnette was done. "Your voice is so beautiful and pure and Lynnette especially hates to see such talent go to waste. As it happens, I agree with her that the world can be an ugly and depressing place, but with people like you and my wife in it there is hope for humanity."

"That was so beautiful," Celine said with tears in her eyes. "I've never met anyone that has said anything like that in my life. In fact, it seems that the human race just wants to get one over on someone, steal something from someone who has more than they do or bully them just because they're different. I've seen all of the above out on the street. I mean, just look at what happened to Maestro."

"What happened to your mentor is a tragedy," Dave told her, his tone of voice sympathetic. "I'm only sorry you have seen the darker side of humanity before you're even an adult Celine. Something that no child should even know exist, but unfortunately, it happens all too often."

Their pizza was delivered just then, and the conversation ceased so the waiter wouldn't overhear what they were talking about. The waiter left a plate in front of each person.

"Thank you very much, sir," Lynnette told the waiter with a brilliant smile.

"You're quite welcome, ma'am," the waiter, whose name was Anthony said not being able to help smiling back. "Enjoy your meal."

Anthony left and Dave started serving Lynnette some of the pizza they had ordered while Dana served herself and then Celine.

Celine ate in silence, seeming to be absorbed in her thoughts, and all the adults let her be, as they chatted quietly with each other, even as they ate their pizza.

"So next, we need to have Celine tested to see what grade level she's really at," Dana was saying quietly to her grandparents as the teenager was lost in her thoughts. "There is so much to be done before the summer is over and the school year starts again in the fall."

"You need to get the proper paperwork, so that nobody questions it when she starts school," Dave said quietly, and Dana nodded.

"As far as I know, she doesn't even have a birth certificate much less a Social Security number and even if she does, how would we ever find out that information?

"We have no idea who her parents are or if Celine is registered as being born in a hospital. We don't even know her surname, so there's no way to find out that information. A lot of women have births at home nowadays, and a lot of times that child never gets registered in the system and therefore, isn't issued a Social Security card.

"Also, I don't even know if her birth name is Celine, or if it was given to her by the Maestro, who took her in."

"That's a good point, honey," Dave told her. "Still these problems are not insurmountable, they'll just take a great deal of money to fix."

"I know and it's probably about time for me to move elsewhere anyway, as I've been here in Los Angeles for decades now. A fresh start for both me and Celine would be good and she can start school in another state or even another country, but all these details need to be worked out before we can take any action."

"Lynnette and I will be glad to help," Dave told Dana, "but we can discuss that later once we get back to your house."

"A good idea," Dana agreed, glancing at Celine, who was enjoying her pizza and seemed absorbed in her thoughts, as she ate her third slice.

Three pieces of pizza was her limit, as she felt very full and whatever was left would be taken home to be gobbled up by Celine over the next few days. Celine would never let such good food spoil, as Dana had learned that much about her.

It all went back to her living on the street where every scrap of food she ate was a blessing. Dana somehow doubted that Celine would lose the habit of eating every bite of food on her plate, even the crust when it came to pizza. In a way this was a good thing, but in another, it wasn't, because by eating every scrap of food on her plate, Celine might become overstuffed to where she got a stomachache or even threw up because she had overeaten. Neither would do her any permanent harm, but neither option would be pleasant for her.

Finally, Celine sat back, obviously, filling very full sipping on her soda. She had eaten two pieces of pizza, which was good for her, as after she had come to live with Dana she had been only able to eat one, as she had been used to eating so little and she was also lucky to get one meal a day, so her stomach hadn't been able to hold much, so she was all skin and bones. What this meant was Celine had no insulation against chilly weather and Dana was sure that her ward had probably shivered at night when it was colder despite the mild winters that they had in California.

The clothes she had been wearing when she had first seen the 13-year-old would hardly have protected her from the chilly weather at night.

At least though, it didn't get cold here in California, as it did in other places, like Minnesota, New York, or Denver in winter.

Considering that Celine had been living on the street and probably had made somewhere like an old warehouse that had been abandoned her home this was not a bad thing.

"If you bring me a takeout container, I would appreciate it," Dana told Anthony once he came back to check on them.

"Make that two," Dave told Anthony before he could leave to refill Dana's request.

"Of course, ma'am, sir," Anthony said, leaving on his task once he had handed the two bills to the people at the table and receiving their credit cards.

A few minutes later, Anthony was back with their credit cards and two takeout boxes for the pizza that had not been eaten.

It was only minutes later that the group left the restaurant with two boxes of pizza that was left over from their meal.

~~~Dana and Celine~~~

"I think it's time that we buy you a better musical instrument than the one you've been using," Lynnette told Celine a few days later.

"I won't say the one you've been using hasn't served you well, but you deserve a better instrument then the one that was found in a trashcan because somebody threw it away."

"Oh no, that's too much," Celine protested. "I know such things are expensive, really super expensive. The instrument I've been using is fine," Celine tried to assure Lynnette, who wasn't taking the bull that Celine was handing out.

"If you really want to succeed and have a good career as a musician once you are grown, you need a good instrument," Lynnette told her firmly. "You're a part of this family now and we always go out of our way for those we love and care about."

"But Dana has already bought me a whole new wardrobe, even though I protested," Celine told her. "I don't need anything else. I mean, I'm being fed royally and actually have a roof, over my head, one that doesn't leak, with air conditioning and heat and that is enough of a miracle for me."

"We're going," Lynnette said her tone brooking no argument. "I want you to become a great musician, even if you don't want to follow the same path I took and become famous. The world would be an even sadder place if there wasn't art, stories, music and crafts like painting and sculpturing.

"Ever since I made a success of myself with Dave's help of course, I always want to help new talent whenever it appears. You attracted Dana's notice because of your beautiful voice and how you were making music on such a poor instrument that is way past its prime and hasn't exactly been taken care."

What Lynnette said was true as the guitar that Celeste was using was covered in scratches in several places, and yet it still made a lovely sound. It was clear that at one point it had been well cared for as there was still signs of polish in the places that were not scratched.

"You need a learn to accept generosity from others, Celine. I know it's hard for someone who's been living on the street to understand generosity where there are no strings attached other than you do your best to study hard, so that one day you will emerge like a fledgling bird and wow everyone with your voice and you're playing.

"You have such talent Celine and I want to see it nurtured like a tiny seed that will grow into a magnificent tree if given enough encouragement and care. That is exactly what you are a seed that will eventually germinate and grow into an adult who will wow an audience with her talent.

"Those audience don't have to be big and you don't have to become famous to use your talent to give others pleasure. You could volunteer at the hospital, for example, in the children's ward for children who are stuck there because they are sick. You can play in clubs to audience of 300 or more and be paid well for your ability. There is so many ways that your ability to sing and play can be used for the good.

"To do that, though you need a decent instrument, not one where the wood is scratched and even gorged in some places. I'm not saying that you need to throw that guitar away, just that you can keep it in remembrance of your father figure and mentor to help you remember the good times you had with him despite both your situations. Do you understand what I'm trying to get at Celine?" Lynnette finally ran down, and Celine stared at her.

"That was so beautiful," Celine finally spoke her voice cracking, and Lynnette could tell she was near tears.

"Don't cry, sweetie. Just accept the gift when it is offered and quit protesting when somebody wants to do something for you. I know you're still getting used to your good fortune, but just accept the situation for what it is, somebody who wants to help you succeed. Dave and I need to get back to New Zealand within the next few days, but before we do, I want to buy you a decent instrument.

"This will probably not be the only guitar you'll ever own in your life because once you start making your own money, you can buy another one, as there are many different kinds of guitars that make different sounds, but some of those are for more advanced musicians than you are at the moment.

"Believe me, I have multiple guitars at home, but the one I brought with me is the one I usually travel with as it doesn't require any extra equipment to be carted along. It doesn't require an amplifier or speakers and it's not electric like some guitars."

"I doubt I'll ever own multiple guitars," Celine protested looking shocked at that very thought, as owning more than her current guitar had never occurred to her. Of course, it hadn't considering that the 13-year-old had been living on the street, so Lynnette was sure that Celine had never even dreamed of owning even one fine instrument much less multiple ones.

"You'll see how much money you make once you're grown and actually working," Lynnette told Celine with a smile. "You'll see what you can accomplish when you really want to."

Celine couldn't imagine that, but she supposed she'd see if Lynnette was right or not in a few years.

"That's impossible for me to imagine but all right, fine, I give in," Celine said finally. "I still think it's too much and that your family has done more than enough for me already."

"Oh honey, my family is just getting started on helping you do anything you want with your life," Lynnette told her with a broad grin. "You just wait and see how fantastic and exciting it can be."

Celine said nothing, but head her doubts, as she didn't want to dampen down Lynnette's enthusiasm.

~~~Dana and Celine~~~

A month later

"Why didn't you contact us about this homeless girl you took in?" Michelle asked her daughter over the communicator.

"The truth is, I never thought about it," Dana admitted looking rather sheepish, as it had never occurred to her to tell her parents about Celine. "Things have been a whirlwind here and when I heard Celine singing, I knew that Grandma Lynnette would be very interested in her, because she always likes to support emerging musical talent and Celine has one of the purest voices I've ever heard.

"Considering how she was living out in all weather's, her voice could easily have been ruined by a bout of laryngitis or some other voice disorder that comes when you get sick. There were so many ways that your speaking and singing voice can be affected that I think it's a miracle that Celine still has a singing voice at all. She could be just croaking out her words whenever she talks and whenever she tried to sing, it would sound like fingernails across a blackboard, because some kind of disease took her voice from the world. Living rough on the street like she was means such a disease is more likely to happen," Dana said.

"I'm sorry if I offended you and dad, but it never occurred to me to contact you to tell you about Celine."

"We weren't offended," Spencer said, speaking for the first time,

"But we were hurt, that we had to hear the news from dad and Lynnette, instead of my own daughter," Michelle added given Dana, a severe look making Dana cringe.

"Look I'm sorry, I just knew you were enjoying your lives living in Hawaii," Dana apologized

"Quit trying to guilt our daughter Mellie, you're not being fair to her," Spencer told Michelle. "It's not the end of the world that Dana forgot to contact us about Celine. Of course, she would think about contacting her grandparents first because of my sister."

"Alright, fine," Michelle sighed, pretending to be put out at the admonishment, but Dana could tell that she wasn't really upset, because she knew she had been being unreasonable.

"So, we have heard Dave's and Lynnette's side of things, so why don't you tell us about this girl you rescued from the street," Spencer suggested to his daughter.

"I was in Lancaster Market just, looking at all the merchandise and had just bought some T-shirts with sarcastic sayings on them when I heard the purest voice I've ever heard other than grandma of course. I was in disguise, as I didn't want people to recognize me. I had on a big floppy hat and a large pair of sunglasses to disguise the upper part of my face and a scarf that covered my chin. "

"That was probably smart," Michelle said. "People often miss the obvious and probably wouldn't have bothered to look underneath to see who it was that had covered himself so well."

"Exactly," Dana agreed smiling. "No one recognized me and it saved me from having to do something more elaborate with makeup and putty, which always takes much more time."

Dana left out the fact that Walter Mosley, who had sold her those T-shirts had recognized her laugh despite her disguise.

"In any case, I tracked down the female voice to find this young girl singing, and I could immediately tell she was homeless, as her jeans had huge holes in the knees, and were also way too big for her thin frame. As for her shirt it was more patches than original cloth. I waited until she had finished her set and for the crowd to disperse before I approached her.

"I asked her for her name and she was immediately suspicious. Not that I can really blame her actually. We went back-and-forth for a few minutes and I told her if she would tell me her name I'd reveal who I was under the hat, sunglasses and scarf. When I finally did so I made sure that there was no one near enough to see me as I didn't want to be mobbed and for the girl to disappear on me, because I was distracted, dealing with the crowd. If she had disappeared, I probably never would've seen her again.

"I managed to convince her to have lunch with me and to let me pay, though that was a struggle, as she made quite a bit of money, singing and playing, and said she could pay for her own food."

"Everyone has their pride, even someone who is homeless," Michelle offered.

"True, they do," Dana agreed with her mother. "Anyway, I told her why I had wanted to talk to her once I had revealed my identity.

"You told her about the scholarships that my sister and Dave set up over 100 years ago," Spencer said and Dana nodded.

"I knew she would be the perfect candidate once she was old enough to go, as she certainly fits the financial bracket and also has a very strong talent. I haven't heard a voice like hers since grandma's. I told Celine that my grandparents believed in helping those with musical talent achieve success, and while she listened, I wasn't sure she believed me or truly understand why they would bother to set up scholarships for others. I'm sure she's never really encountered who was so generous. Someone who didn't expect anything in return for their generosity," Dana continued and then explained the rest of what had happened.

"That was a very nice thing you did and I'm proud of you," Michelle told her daughter with a brilliant smile.

The pride in her eyes made Dana feel all warm and good inside. It was nice to have her mother, proud of her since she knew her drama queen tendencies had often made her frustrated and annoyed with her in the past.

Of course, it had been a long time since she had been a child, but still, she was sure that her mom was glad to see such traits as generosity, compassion, and kindness develop in her oldest daughter who had used to be very self-centered and selfish.

"It was a very nice thing you did Dana and I'm also very proud of you as well," Spencer told his daughter.

The pride in both her parents eyes meant the world to Dana.

"You've certainly changed from the little girl that threw tantrums to get what she wanted," Michelle added.

"I told granda and grandma that I'm surprised that none of you throttled me when I was young, since I know I was such a trial to all of you," Dana said smiling as she remembered.

"Yes, she could be very frustrating," Spencer admitted.

When her father said she had been frustrating Dana knew that was rather mild word for the brat she had been, but then her father was rather famous for his understatements, at least within her family.

"I was a right royal terror, and you know it, dad," Dana told her father with a laugh.

"I will neither confirm nor deny that you were," Spencer said his mouth moving upward slightly in a slight smile.

Both Michelle and Dana laughed at that one, as Spencer could unintentionally be amusing.

"In any case, we'd love to meet Celine sometime," Spencer said.

"You will at some point, but really I'm already making plans to move elsewhere, as I've been here in Los Angeles too long already," Dana said.

"How are you as explaining to Celine that you're leaving Los Angeles though," Michelle asked

"Well, at first, I thought I would tell her that I've been wanting to travel some now that I'm retired, but I just never got around to it," Dana said.

"As she gets older, I thought we might go so far as to tell her our secret and perhaps offer to change her," Dana added.

When she saw her parents shocked expressions she added, "Don't worry, I don't intend on being rash and I intend on saying nothing for a good few years. I will also consult you and my grandparents before I do anything.

"It's just that I've already grown quite fond of her and really come to love her in the short time she's been with me. She's such a bright girl that I would mourn for a very long time when she died when it was her time. I've never had children, because I've never met my mate, but I am beginning to think of Celine like a daughter.

"I never imagined that I would ever get attached to a child or that I even wanted children since I remember very well what a brat I was as a kid and how I resented my siblings, because I wanted to be an only child. I've just never been the maternal type, but I've gotten attached to Celine very quickly," Dana explained to her parents.

"She's such a sweet child that hasn't let living on the streets turn her bitter despite the death of her father figure. That might've changed by the time she was an adult, but right now while she's still wary and expects my generosity to be taken away at any moment underneath that cynical, suspicious nature is a bright lively child that deserves a chance to have a good life."

"We do understand though, we've never told anyone our secret before," Michelle said glancing at her mate and added. "Well except for Spencer here, but he was my mate so that's different," Michelle said. "I should say we've never told anyone who wasn't the mate of one of us."

"You had to tell Grandma Lynnette," Dana pointed out.

"Technically, she already knew what was going on, because of those nightmares she had been having," Spencer said. "She already suspected that she was reincarnated, even before I ever said anything when she came to see me because of her intense night terrors. Yes, your grandfather did tell her, once he realized that my sister was his mate come back to him, but she wasn't being told totally blind, so while she was surprised, she wasn't shocked or disbelieving like I was.

"I was the one that had the most trouble believing in immortality was real, as I was very logical and scientific minded, which is partly because of your great-grandfather, William Reid leaving his family like he did. I turned to logic to hide the hurt I was feeling at my father's betrayal, and it just became part of my personality over time. By the time I was an adult, it was just who I was."

"It was just a rather weird situation and an odd coincidence, but my father was so happy when he finally discovered his mate again, even if it was kind of a strange coincidence that she was the younger sister of my mate," Michelle added looking pensive as she remembered what had happened so long ago.

"It was odd, but I would have it no other way, as Lynnette and I were always closer to each other then we were to our brother and sister," Spencer added. "It wasn't even that we didn't love Roxie and Rocky, just that I always felt closer to Lynnette than to my other two siblings and my sister felt the same way I did."

"I know I've heard all the stories," Dana said. "It might seem strange, but I've come to believe that fate takes a hand with special people, and I think that immortals fall under that umbrella."

"That is very profound, sweetie," Michelle said, staring at her daughter in surprised shock.

Dana wasn't exactly known for her profound statements, but then anybody could change in 100 years.

"I can be profound," Dana protested with laughter in her eyes.

"So anyway, to change the subject, how is Celine doing with her schoolwork? I believe Dave and Lynnette told us that she was 13, so will she be able to enter the eighth grade or is she going to have tutors until she catches up?" Spencer, her asked changing the subject.

"Maestro, her protector and friend made sure that he did at least a few hours of school lessons every day and taught her how to read, write and do math, so she's not too far behind when school starts in a few weeks. She should be able to enter the eighth grade, though we might have to get a tutor for some subjects that she's farther behind in, but we'll see how it goes," Dana said.

"Well, I'm actually glad to know that this Maestro, whatever his real name was, took in a young girl and treated her like a daughter," Michelle said. "Such kindness and compassion isn't exactly a common trait on the street, but then, I understand why it isn't, as people that don't really have a home are just trying to survive anyway they can and that doesn't leave much room for such feelings, of compassion, kindness, or generosity as they often can't afford to have such emotions."

"Yes, I will admit Celine was lucky," Dana agreed. "She was lucky that someone who actually cared about her well-being and wasn't going to abuse her. Luckily, Maestro found her before the predators began to circle. It's a shame that her mentor died before Celine was grown, but I know bad things happen to good people."

"That is often the case unfortunately," Spencer said. "It might be wise to stick to the states until Celine is done with school, even if you travel to other countries doing holidays, as the school systems are different in places like Europe, then they are in the states.

There are also legal considerations like visas for living in another country. I'm not saying that these huddles couldn't be jumped just that it would be easier if you stuck to the states until she graduates."

"That's a very good point dad and thanks for the tip. I'll let you know how she's doing and you're welcome to come and visit anytime. I'll make sure I'll tell you if I move somewhere else. I really need to move elsewhere through, since I've been here in Los Angeles for 100 years.

"I know people are living longer nowadays than they used to and that there are many ways to look younger than you actually are in this century, but still, it would be smart for me to move elsewhere just for safety sake," Dana said.

"We are both really proud of you, honey for helping this young girl out of her situation," Michelle told her daughter with a proud smile. "You've really matured on us, which is something I never imagined would happen at least not this soon."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, mom," Dana said sarcastically.

"You're welcome," Michelle told her with a serene smile.

"We really are proud of you for doing this and we will come and visit sometime once Celine has time to settle in a bit more," Spencer said. "I think it's enough that she's met Dave and Lynnette for right now, as we don't want to overwhelm her until she gets used to her new situation."

"You're likely right dad," Dana agreed. "Still, I want her to meet you sometime within the next few months, but it can wait awhile as there is just so much going on right now. Celine is always practicing on the new guitar that Lynnette bought her as a welcome to the family present, and though Celine protested the expense, she really loves it."

"Well, even a basic guitar is expensive," Michelle said. "They're several thousand dollars I know, even though I'm not a musician and things like electric guitars are even more than your basic guitar, so it's no wonder that Celine objected to the expense. That she has so many morals, and ethics is amazing considering where she was living before you discovered her."

"We also know that my sister likes to support new talent and it's not like she can't afford to buy Celine a decent instrument to practice on," Spencer added.

"That's very true, and Celine was overjoyed when Lynnette insisted on paying for it and then handed it to her. She hugged it like it was the best gift in the world and then she hugged Lynnette and kissed her cheek in thanks.

"That she isn't the least greedy and out to get as much as she can from the family is a miracle considering her past situation, as I know lot of street kids just would accept anything someone wanted to give them knowing the gifts could stop at any time.

"A lot of them would try to screw whoever was nice to them to get even more gifts before they disappeared back onto the street, but Celine isn't like that at all, so Maestro protected her from a lot of the darker side of humanity," Dana said.

"She might have objected to the expense, but that's only because she's still not used to people who actually care about her and don't mind spending money on her," Dana said smiling as she well remembered what had happened when Lynnette, Dave and her, had taken Celine to one of the best music stores in Los Angeles.

"Celine was still beaming the next day, even as she played scales on her new guitar before starting to play some songs she had learned from grandma. We all enjoyed listening to her practicing, as she's really good despite her young age, which means she can only improve when she goes to Juilliard. She picks up songs quickly and I think she might just be a musical prodigy."

"It's good you rescued her and not just because she might be a prodigy in music at least," Spencer said. "I was certainly a prodigy too, but in all academics, not of music as I couldn't play an instrument to save my life. That talent rests solely with Lynnette and her branch of the family."

"It doesn't matter as they are all different kinds of talents in this world and that there are two prodigies, even if that's in totally different fields in the same family is pretty amazing," Michelle told her husband while Dana listened.

"I guess we just come from an amazing family through my grandmother. I've got to go though it was really nice talking to you. Talk to you soon," Dana said before she signed off, after telling her parents goodbye, telling them that she loved them and that she'd keep them informed.

~~~Dana and Celine~~~