Arya's POV -

I'm left a bit confused as my papa and Rome continue to talk and laugh, literally sitting next to each other as if they're best friends.

Papa had made some coffee and tea for all of us, Rome of course taking his usual black coffee and me just deciding on some tea.

Now they're chatting away like they've known each other for years about random thinks like sports and life in general.

"So Rome, where do you live?" Papa asks, finishing the rest of his coffee.

"I live about 10 to 15 minutes from here, with my two close friends James and Elijah."

"They're super nice," I add, "They've been just as welcoming as Rome has." That's a little bit of a lie when it comes to Elijah but he hasn't done anything wrong. I'm still determined to become his friend.

"Interesting," Papa responds. "Have you been with him the whole time Arya?"

"Yes, he's taken great care of me." I nod and smile at him, "Living with all three of them has been amazing.

Papa frowns slightly and then sighs, "I'm glad kiddo."

I'm becoming a little jittery knowing mama could walk in at any moment. I can feel my palms sweating because It's been well over 30 minutes.

"Hey papa, when do you think mama-" I pause. All three of us pause.

The sound.

The sound of the door opening is heard.

I freeze in place, and all three of our heads snap to the entrance of the living room.

The sound of the door closing is heard.

Rome moves from his position next to papa over to sitting beside me, running a hand up and down my back in reassurance but there's a cold look in his eyes.

Footsteps.

Mama's footsteps.

I feel like my throat might clog up at any second now. I'm about to see mama again.

"Dear? Are you home?" Mama calls out to papa and he looks at me before answering, "In the living room, hun."

More footsteps. Papa nods at me in reassurance as well.

"Therapy went well today, we talked about-" Mama stopped mid-step through the living room entrance, eyes widening as she looked at Rome and I in shock.

She looked different compared to when I last saw her. She looked less stressed.

Her brown hair was shorter than before. Her eyes looked more...alive.

Mama's eyes trailed over Rome for a split second before meeting mine with her mouth slightly agape.

"Mama," I whimpered, standing up to my full height.

"Arya?" She questioned, her eyes squinting as she looked over me.

"I'm here, mama. Please...I need you." I found myself whispering and she let out a quiet sob before rushing to me.

I met her halfway, her arms immediately wrapping around me as she cried.

"Arya I'm so sorry! Please forgive me, I've been going to therapy to try and be better. I've missed you so much and you had us both so worried about you." She said through shaky breaths and I hugged her tight in response, never wanting to let go.

A piece of my broken heart caused by her was slowly piecing itself back together, and I smiled through my own tears.

"I know you have, papa told me a little bit ago. I'm proud of you, mama." Hugging her as tight as possible, I listened to her sniffling.

"Please forgive me," She whispered in my hair, "I never...I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to be so hard on you, I just wanted what's best for you. But you're still so young and have so much to look forward to besides school."

Shakily sighing I pulled away slightly, "It's okay mama, please never do that again."

"I know my child, I won't. I never meant-"

"It's okay," Smiling at her when she pressed multiple kisses to my head like papa had.

As long as she knew what she did was wrong, it would all be okay.

"How long have you been doing therapy?" I asked once we were all seated on the couches again.

"Do you know about the people who..." She glanced at papa then back to me.

"Yes, papa told us."

"Us..." Repeating what I had said she then looked at Rome. Her shoulders tensed. "You're the one who took my daughter."

Clearing my throat I sat up straighter, "Mama this is Rome, my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" She asked, narrowing her eyes a bit at him. I could tell Rome was far from happy.

"He took you away from us Arya, practically kidnapped you!" She exclaimed.

"No mama, It's nothing like that. I've been living with him ever since the um events. He's been nothing but good to me." I look at her with a sad gleam in my eye.

Her eyes softened, "I can never say how sorry I am Arya. I'm a terrible mother."

"No," I said shaking my head, "You're not, everyone makes mistakes. As long as you know it was wrong."

"Are you sure he's been treating you right?" She asks suspiciously.

"He treats me like a queen mama." Flitting my eyes up to his he gives me a pretty smirk.

"How old are you, Rome?"

Rome's eyes slowly trail to mama before hardening, "24."

"You're 24?" She asks, her shock directed towards our age difference, "But Arya's only-"

"Arya can make her own decisions, she's going to be 18 in less than 2 weeks." His voice is tense when he speaks to her, nothing like when he talked to papa.

"Excuse me?" Mama asks, her voice hardening as well. I stare at papa for help.

"Honey, Rome has been taking good care of Arya."

She sighs in frustration and runs a hand through her hair as I give her wide, hopeful eyes.

One look at me has her resolve faltering. "Thank you then Rome, for watching Arya, but she's able to come back home now. You don't need to take her away again."

Her response has us both tensing, and I can tell Rome's getting more angry by the second.

I've been thinking about this moment for a little while now, and I knew what I wanted.

"Mama," I started softly. Her eyes meet mine. "I've been thinking about that and...I-I want to stay with Rome."

Mama and Papa stare at me in disbelief while Rome just looked a bit shocked. He probably thought I wanted to go back home.

But Rome's house is beginning to feel like a second home.

"You want to stay with him?" Papa asks after some silence and I nod, "Rome has been making me so happy, I don't-don't want to leave him."

I knew it would be easier to convince papa then mama, so my eyes moved to hers to see her staring at me.

"I've never been so happy before." I admit and I feel Rome's hand on my back again.

"Arya, you're only 17!" Mama almost yells making me bite my lip and nod. I knew she wouldn't be happy with this but...

"Yes but I'm going to be 18 very soon and-and If I were to stay here until then I'd just go back with Rome once It's my birthday."

Silence.

Dead silence in the room.

I guess no one expected me to say that.

"You would rather stay with him than us?" She speaks hardly and I swallow thickly.

I give her the smallest nod possible.

Mama seems to me contemplating as I hope and hope for her to say 'It's fine,' or 'If that's what you want.'

However, I didn't actually think she'd be fine with it.

"Alright," Mama blows out a breath and my mouth parts, "You can stay with him."

I've never felt so much love and happiness in my life. Love and happiness for everyone in the room.

Mama truly has changed, just months ago she didn't even want me near any guys.

Now she's okay with me living with one.

I look at papa and he nods, giving me the 'okay' as well and I squeal, charging for mama.

She lets out a gasp as I I run into her, wrapping my arms around her and chanting 'thank you,' and 'I love you,' over and over.

"You need to promise me you'll call and text all the time, Arya."

"I will! I will!" Beaming brightly I kiss her cheek and pull away. I then give papa a big hug.

Rome is definitely in a trance as he continues to look at mama.

"And you better continue to be good for her," Mama gives a threatening stare to Rome who looks unamused.

"Sì, proprio come hai fatto tu?" Rome mutters in Italian so of course none of us understand.

(Yeah, just like you have?)

Shaking my head, I grip his hand tightly in mine and give him a big smile.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rome ended up giving the three of us some space to talk, stating that he had some phone calls to make outside.

Mama talked about therapy and how much It's helping her. My heart truly thought it would bust.

We talked a little about their kidnapping which made my heart deflate. I couldn't help but feel like part of it was my fault. The Russians wanted me after all. However Rome thinks the whole thing is his fault. It's like we're running in circles.

I then talked a little bit about Rome and his home. I reassured them multiple times I was safe with him.

After a few more hours of talking, promising the two of them I'd text and call often, and more hugs, Rome and I were on our way back to the house.

Suddenly gasping, I turn to Rome. "I didn't even ask if I could stay with you! If-If you're not fine with it-"

"Baby," He smiles warmly, his pretty dimples showing. "You don't even have to ask. You can always stay with me."

Smiling sheepishly I rant off, "I can't believe they were both okay with it! And can you believe mama is doing therapy to help get herself better? I'm so proud of her and how she knows what she did was wrong. I missed both of them so much." I continue to ramble as Rome drives.

He hums in response and I can tell something is on his mind.

"What's wrong?" I frown and he sighs before looking at me briefly.

"Nothing is wrong sweetheart, I'm glad you were able to fix your relationship with them. It's just...fuck." He curses and runs a hand through his black locks.

"Are you sure you want to forgive your mother that easily?" He asks with caution and I bite my lip.

"After she hurt you...twice physically and who knows how many times mentally? That's good she's getting help, but are you sure you're still not hurt over what she did?"

Am I still in pain? Physically not really anymore. Mentally, though?

"I-" I try to speak but no words come out. "I think I am still angry." Whispering more to myself then him, the sentence that came out of my mouth shocks me.

"I am still angry." I say again for confirmation and Rome nods, "It's okay to be angry baby, you have a right to be. I don't want to interfere with your guys' relationship, but I don't want her to hurt you again."

No.

No he's right. Maybe I was a little too forgiving. I have a right to be mad, don't I? For how much hurt I'm feeling?

"You're right," I say sadly and peer my eyes towards the window, "Mama needs to make up for her actions."

"Fuck, I didn't mean to make you upset." Rome says with a sigh, most likely annoyed with himself. I'll just pretend he hasn't cussed in front of me multiple times.

"I'm not upset." I murmur and he sighs again but says nothing.

5 minutes later my eyes widen when he pulls through a Mc Donald's drive thru.

"What-"

"Shh," He cuts me off, "You haven't eaten in a while now, what do you want?"

Giggling lightly at his way of changing the subject, I gaze at the menu ahead.

Mc Donald's does sound really good right now.

"Can I just have some chicken nuggets and fries? The 10 piece?"

He gives me a warm smile and nods before telling the person on the other side my order.

Less than 5 minutes later I'm munching on my fries and handing Rome some as well even though he protested.

By the time we make it back to the house I've finished the food. It was so good and I was indeed very hungry.

He tickles my waist as we make it up the steps and I squeal lightly. A gorgeous chuckle escapes him as he continues his torture. He pulls me in for a kiss before he opens the door.

Once we make it inside both of us freeze at the sight of James and Elijah staring at us.

Elijah has an angry expression on his face while James is just smirking, but It's not the teasing one he usually has, It's almost...evil.

"Capo," Elijah tilts his head, "Amerai questa notizia."

(Boss.) (You're going to love this news.)

"Che cos'è?" Rome asks, his voice turning hard.

(What is it?)

James chuckles and shakes his head lightly,

"We caught Oliver."