BACK HOME IN THE US

OLIVER'S POV

It had been a long long journey. A total of 11 hours, fifteen minutes to get to America from Italy. We got to the guest house by 1 in the morning. As we walked into the reception, Laura the all time receptionist, did the favour of allocating rooms to everyone.

"Mr Grants" she smiled at me, your usual suite is ready, just call if you need anything.

"Yes we will be needing something" Lois cut in.

"Excuse me?" Laura replied, rather haughtily. I was about to talk, but Lois stepped on my toes, sending a silent message that she could handle the situation.

"I need a Rose water bath, please make it available soonest" Lois replied politely.

"Okay, that would be prepared in your room, and you are?" Lois smiled in sheer victory as she replied

"I'm Mrs Lois Grants. Can I have the key to the suite please?" She replied with a smile plastered on her face as she watched the whole colour drain from Laura's face.

Laura quickly scanned for the key and handed it over to Lois.

"Thank you...." Lois gestured for her name

"It's Laura, Ma'am"

"Thank you Laura. Let's go Olly" She replied as she walked away with her hips swaying effortlessly. "Goodnight Uncle Luca, goodnight Sofiah and a very good night guys"

Inaudible murmurs were heard through out the whole reception from the men. I noticed Sofiah smiled softly with a look of admiration on her face.

"Goodnight Lois dear"

"Have a nice night princess" Uncle Luca and Sofiah replied at the same time.

I rested my hand on the small of her back as I lead her to the suite, leaving the rest of them to sought themselves out. It was a short night as we woke up quite early to go home.

We alighted the car in front of our home, the whole family were in front of the house to welcome us. I smiled as Matthew walked over to me with a smile on his face

"Lil bro, feels good to be home huh?"

"So good" I replied with a smile of my own.

"My baby!!" That sounded like mom.

"Aunt!!" Lois ran into her open arms and hugged her tightly. Aunt Debbie soon came up behind her, and so did the rest of the family, including Matthew who was with me a while ago. All asking how she was faring.

"Oh wow! It's like nobody feels happy to have me around then" I shouted, to which they all laughed and turned to me. That was when the last car arrived. Uncle Luca alighted and so did Sofiah. I guess at some point, I couldn't hear my inner thoughts any longer, due to Harrieth's scream.

Everywhere was chaotic for a while.

Everyone was so excited to see him. I was happy, the family was complete again. After like 10 long minutes of excitement and screams, mom drew everyone's attention to someone they all didn't seem to notice.

"Luca, is she the one?" She walked towards Sofiah with a smile. It was only in a rare case, that one would look at Sofiah, without thinking of how beautiful she was. Sofiah would probably be in her late thirties or early fourties, but still had the body of a 28 year old.

"Ashley!! Oh please! Don't do this" Uncle Luca pleaded

"Awww she's so pretty!!" Aunt Debbie cooed.

"She's stunning, Debbie" Mom added.

Sofiah looked pretty much suprised and also confused.

"Mom, Aunt Ashley, Family, meet the beautiful Sofiah" Lois announced.

Uncle Luca looked like he needed a breather at this point, and I was willing to help.

"Come on everyone. Let's go in. The men are very tired and we definitely want to seat and talk" I suggested

"Yeah sure" Jake replied. I noticed he had been trying to get Harrieth talk to him, but she kept looking away. I smiled inwardly. We all went in with Aunt Debbie entwining her arm with Sofiah's, walking in with her.

We were all in the dinning room and we chattered and ate. Mom and Aunt Debbie engaged Sofiah in a discussion. Harrieth and Lois kept talking in low voices and giggling. Only the lord knew what they were on about.

I cut up on the things I missed out during my short vacation, with the guys. Uncle Luca, Uncle Jonathan and Dad had their own discussions going on. Paige and Becca had outdone themselves this time with such a delicasy. As soon as we were done eating and the plates had been cleared out, Uncle Jonathan spoke up.

"I'm sure we all are aware of the impending matter at hand. And for that reason, we have come to the conclusion... " he gestured towards Dad ".. That, everyone would have to stay together and be in one place, for better assurance of safety."

"Having everyone scattered around would do us no good. Because if one of us goes into trouble or missing, it would take a little while to find out." Dad explained further as everyone calmly listened.

"I also want to use this opportunity to say that we are sorry for your loss Sofiah, we are happy that we've finally got to meet you in person. Zachary was a good man and a great friend to Luca, which we truly appreciate. We are forever indebted to you."

Sofiah nodded with a bitter smile.

"Thank you all for having me in your abode. I really do appreciate."

"You are officially welcome to the family" Aunt Debbie replied with smile.

"Yes dear, you are part of us now. And it seems my baby, Lois has a soft spot for you" Mom added

"Hope Luca has been treating you well?" Aunt asked

"Yes he has" Sofiah smiled genuinely and I didn't miss the look of admiration for her, on Uncle Luca's face.

"Oh good then" Aunt chimed happily.

"So back to the discussion at hand" Uncle Jonathan gave us a quick reminder. "We have all agreed, we will be staying here in Oliver and Lois' house. Their BQ is Large enough to house all the men. We will have some workers come join us here, and send the rest on a leave."

"So I expect everyone of us to go back to our homes, pack up and be here before evening. How's that?"

"Sounds good enough!" we all answered chorusly.

I had a feeling this was going to be an interesting period. And same way, I thought I needed to let Lois know soon. Time was of the essence.