Chapter Twenty Eight - Christmas Eve

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ARIA POV

The situation seemed to calm down. No one mentioned the cousins or our uncle again. Everyone simply agreed not to mention it. It's easier to do that way, but I wish we wouldn't keep doing this. Every time there is a breakdown or an argument. We pretend it didn't happen.

Right now I'm with Zoe, my secret girlfriend, shopping for Christmas tomorrow. Last-minute panic. I'm having my first Christmas with family who loves me, and I love them back. I made it. My dream came true.

Buying gifts for everyone was a total mystery to me. Despite Andrea's repeated promises, he always seemed to be very busy at the hospital, and the rest of the staff are either too lazy or robots to assist me. In my family, one brother has a doctorate, and three siblings have the emotional maturity of a three-year-old. How could that be? A three-year-old would be more useful than these idiots.

Zoe points to every chocolate we pass in Target as she asks, "So what about chocolates for your brothers?". I sigh, "I guess, but it does not feel good enough to me.". "I know but give you some credit here. How long have you known your siblings? Only a few months," Zoe replies.

'OMG! Look over there! An octopus reversible plush. I think Matteo would love this when he is on his man period."Zoe dragged me over to the kid's section and picked up the plush and threw it in my arms.




"Andrea's a doctor right?" Zoe asks

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"Andrea's a doctor right?" Zoe asks. "Yeah, why?" I scrunch my eyebrows. "I was thinking what if you got him a kids doctor toy. You didn't share a childhood, so it would give it a sentimental meaning plus it would be funny."

"How would it have sentimental meaning? It would just make us even sadder." "No but it shows a fresh start and that your childhood hasn't ended just yet. You are still in high school, and he is still your brother. Who gives a fuck if he is technically an adult."

"That's one way to look at it."

"Hey, look its operation."

"This game has even more sentimental value

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"This game has even more sentimental value. You can play it as a family again and be kids again."

It's perfect, I'm betting Matteo will still lose. I wonder if he'll throw this game as well as Monopoly. I didn't cheat. He was the banker and motherfucker can't even count and kept giving me too much money. I wasn't going to complain, though."

"Okay, come on. Give him some credit here. He graduated from nursery."

"Doesn't everyone, though?" "Your such a bully," Zoe teases me. "Okay, let's go now."

"How about we go and look at some clothes. There might be a suit or tie you can buy for your brothers. Gabriel, we will just have to find something funny."Zoe suggests. She grips my hand and guides me through the store.

I kept looking through everything until my eye catches something in the corner of my vision. I see the perfect for Gabriel.

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