Alexis's pride.

The family was everything for him.

His siblings were the only people he trusted.

His father was the person he looked up to but I'm his grandfather was more of a mentor.

His mother, however, was the life.

The only one who he would lay his life down for without a second thought.

********

"I can't believe it," Lucas Chuckled over the phone, "I am going to be the head of the department."

Without blinking or even letting an expression appear on his face even remove li Salvatore replied, "That creates congratulations. If I did not know any better, I would have assumed that you are squealing but I know you already are."

"Yes!" Lucas 'squealed'. "You have no idea how big of a thing it is Salvatore."

"Hmm," those were the words said to the don of the family, "I completely understand." He was completely uninterested. 

Lucas was silent for a few seconds. He knew what he had done. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright." It had been long since his feelings had shut down. The only one that has heart ever beaten was for his mother.

"No, Salvatore, I should have taken over the role as the first child but I am not even remotely involved with the business and I'm sorry for that."

"It's alright." He repeated. He managed it just fine.

"No, I mean it." Lucas stressed, "If you want I can help with the legal business—"

"I said," Salvatore hissed, the command in his vivid clear, "It is alright and Bella Rosa is helping enough. I assure you that there is no help needed, brother."

He heard Lucas sigh but didn't say anything.

"Mama worries about you," Lucas revealed.

Salvatores is snapped to the receiver of the phone with was on the speaker, "What did you tell her, Lucas?" He barked. "I told you not to worry about her anything!"

"She can see, you know. You need rest." Lucas shuffled around and muffled words were heard. "Hey, why don't you come for dinner tonight? Mama would love to see you and Bella Rosa."

Mama. He would love to see her too.

"Alright. Inform her about it." He leaned over and took the phone and hung up on the call without waiting for what his brother wanted to say.

During dinner time half an hour prior would always to his parent's home. Experience home was perfectly cosy and had his mother's touch to it that you had added over the years. His own was too big for one person.

"Mama," he walked directly to the kitchen and wished her. Kissing her cheek, he hugged her.

"Ah, my baby, Salvie," she kissed his forehead and patted him on the back. "Come on, I had the chef cook your favorite." She took his hand and gently pulled him to the dining room which allowed.

Bella Rosa along with her husband and children, Lucas and his father were already sitting and talking. Glanced down at his mother's left hand which still had the sapphire ring.

He knew what it was and what it meant. She had never forgiven her husband for the biggest crime he had ever committed.

Alexis was given an emerald ring at her marriage and is a sapphire ring to match the sapphire necklace she had on the twin's birth as a gift from her husband to her welcome the motherhood she had entered into.

She still wore it. The Sapphire.

He took his seat and their dinner commenced. Classic Italian dishes of their country were served.

"Salvatore," his father placed his fork down meaning that he wanted to talk. "You are turning Twenty-eight this year, aren't you?"

"Yes, father." He answered looking straight into the ones most feared Mafia Don's eyes.

Angelo leaned forward with a sigh and with a glance at his mother, he knew that she was not liking the topic.

"Child, don't you have a woman in mind?"

Salvatore shook his head and Alexis's grip on her fork lightened.

"No marriage then?" His niece pipped out. "Don't worry, I'll find you a bride!"

"Oi, find your mouth first," Rosie wiped the sauce on her cheeks.

"Son?" Angelo probed.

Salvatore leaned back into the chair, slightly uncomfortable with the topic. "Arranged marriage, perhaps?"

"What?" Lucas spoke what was on everybody's mind. Even his mother was staring at him with surprise in her eyes.

He nodded, standing by his point. "Yes, I want to marry someone ready for the lifestyle I am going to offer her and no one is going to be better than a daughter of a mafia family head." Saying so, he went back to eating.

Everyone present in the dining room nodded understanding that the conversation was over and so was his decision.

"Take some more." Salvatore looked up and saw his mother serving him some of his favorite food.

He knew that hidden in her eyes, was pride.