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His triplets were coming home. After 10 years of searching, 10 years of obsessing over little dead end clues, he finally had them back.
"Hello I'm miss Jessie Moore, is this Rafael Romano."
"Well Mr Romano I'm from social services in Ohio and I'm calling regarding Alexander, James and Skye"
Rafael's permenant glare darkened "dont you dare" he was cut off though
"I'm sorry sir but they were brought in a few days ago, a DNA test was done and it matches yours, would you like to take custody"
"I swear if you're messing with me" Rafael practically growled.
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The siblings were given the all clear from the doctors, they had no life threatening injuries just severely bruised with extensive scars.
A week past and once the police visited and took statements from the boys since Skye wasn't willing to talk to them, a social worker came in.
"So your DNA was run through the system and we found some family in New York" she said excitedly.
Alexander wasn't happy about this. "We are okay on our own" he spoke with no emotion.
"You're still a minor kid" the police officer said.
"Will they know about this abuse sir" James asked.
"Yes" the officer said.
"Please can you not tell them, we would like to be the ones to inform them, we don't trust easily and we want to make sure they are nice to us before we tell them our secrets, sir" James said quietly, hoping to get his way by showing emotion.
"We don't have a choice I'm afraid, besides what are we suppose to say when they ask where you have been" the officer said sadly.
"Please don't tell them, sir" Skye whispered with so much emotion it made the police officer a little emotional "they will want to know where you were" he said
"Tell them were were in the foster system and their was a car accident so we ended up in the hospital " Alexander said.
The police officer looked at the social worker who didn't know what to say. This was totally against protocol but the children were so afraid and especially Skye that they couldn't help agree.
"I only mentioned to their father that they ended up in hospital. I thought it would be best to explain what had happened in person, it could work " the social worker said to the officer.
"He will no doubt want hospital records though " the officer said still in doubt.
"Not necessarily, by the time he wants them I'm sure they will be comfortable enough to have told them the truth. They have just been discharged so he won't have to sign any papers"
"We could get into trouble "
"Maybe but he said he would come pick them up as soon as possible "
"Fine. We will not disclose this information but it would be wise to tell him when you feel ready too" the officer finally agreed.
After that they were taken to the social workers office to wait for the arrival of their father.
They had been given fresh clothes and allowed to shower at the hospital so they almost looked like normal kids. They even had their hair cut, it had been nerve wracking but it needed doing. The bruises on their face had almost dissapeared, the social worker had said she would tell him that they got it from the car accident.
Earlier
Rafael had been in the middle of torturing some fool who thought he could steal from them, when his phone rang. He cursed as he looked at the unknown caller. Usually he wouldn't anwser especially when he was torturing someone but this time he did.
He wiped the blood splatter from his face with a towel and headed out of the room to take the call.
"Hello who is this" he asked.
"Hello I'm miss Jessie Moore, is this Rafael Romano"
"Yes. What do you want" Rafael asked harshly, he wasn't happy that a woman he had never heard of was calling him.
"Well Mr Romano I'm from social services in Ohio and I'm calling regarding Alexander, James and Skye"
Rafael's permenant glare darkened "dont you dare" he was cut off though
"I'm sorry sir but they were brought in a few days ago, a DNA test was done and it matches yours, would you like to take custody"
"I swear if you're messing with me" Rafael practically growled.
"No sir, they are currently in the hospital but should be out in a day or so"
"Why are my children in a hospital" Rafael asked.
"It would be best to speak in person. Would you like to take them in"
"Yes. Send over the details and I will be there as soon as I can" he said then proceeded to give the social worker his personal email.
That evening Rafael went home in a somewhat good mood. His triplets were coming home. After 10 years of searching, 10 years of obsessing over little dead end clues, he would finally have them back.
Lorenzo was telling off Marco and Nico when Rafael entered the house.
"What is going on" Rafael demanded.
"These little shits decided it was a good idea to take my car out. It's scratched all the way along the side now...it will be coming out of your allowance" he explained, telling the two boys the last thing.
"That was very reckless of you both. You will both loose driving privileges for a week" Rafael said knowing Lorenzo would fully handle it as it had been his car. Rafael couldn't care less about the car at this moment.
"Lorenzo with me, you can deal with them later" Rafael said glaring at his sons.
Lorenzo nodded also glaring at his brothers as he followed his father up to his office.
"What is it father " Lorenzo asked once inside the office.
"I had a phone call of a social worker today" he said taking a seat at his desk. He began turning on the computer to access his emails.
"Did the boys joyride get them in trouble with the police involving social services " Lorenzo asked.
"No, they found the triplets"
Lorenzo was speechless when he heard this. He remembered everything about them, he had been 13 when they were born and 17 when they were taken.
"Are you sure this is real" Lorenzo asked knowing the amount of people they had punished for telling them thought found the triplets or trying to pass themselves off as one.
"A DNA test confirmed it. I'm flying out later on"
"Very well. Would you like some company" Lorenzo asked.
"Yes, I'll be getting Leo to make them some rooms up"
"Okay where are they now"
"Ohio I'll have their location exact when I get up the details. Go inform our pilot that we will be going to Ohio and send in your brothers"
Lorenzo nodded and left.
Not long after there was a knock and once Rafael said enter, the others walked in.
"What's up father " Leo asked, being summoned was never a good thing especially since he had been summoned to the office with his idiot brothers.
"The triplets have been found and I will be going to collect them soon. Yes it is them, a DNA test has been done and I've just received a copy of the results through an email" Rafael announced.
"Why do they have to come back. It's been 10 years, send them to an orphanage" Marco snapped.
Rafael was furious. He was about to speak his mind when Leo spoke "how dare you, we ought to send you to an orphanage simply for your lack of respect. I suggest you apologize for your comment. Right now" he said, his tone was calm but it had an undertone which promised nothing good.
"I'm waiting Marco. I suggest an apology before you really do cause me to loose my temper " Rafael spoke.
"Ugh fine I'm sorry" Marco said not wanting to anger his father.
"I wonder what their favourite colours are. God I've got so much to do, I wonder if the mall is still open" Leonardo said voicing his thoughts.
"What are you talking about Leo" Nico asked.
"Their rooms of course, I need to get them ready" he paused and turned to his dad "I can do that right? Whilst you go get them"
"Yes but hold off on customising them to much, they can do that themselves" he said.
"got it"
"Can I help" Nico said happy that his brothers and sister were coming back. He didn't remember much but he missed them.
Rafael and Lorenzo walked into the social workers office. The only knowledge they had was that they had been in the hospital.
They couldn't help but enjoy how everyone ran away in fear or stopped talking as they went down the corridors. They finally reached a reception.
"I'm here for my kids" Rafael said to the receptionist.
She gulped when she saw Rafael and Lorenzo. "Name?" She asked.
"Rafael Romano" Rafael said.
She typed away for a second and then nodded. "I have notified their Social worker of your arrival. She will be here shortly, can I get you anything whilst you wait"
"We are fine" Rafael said.
It only took a few minutes for Jessie Moore to come down. She gulped when she saw the men and she worried for the children. This probably wasn't the best option for them but they were family. "Good afternoon Mr Romano we spoke on the phone, I'm Jessie Moore, the children's social worker" she introduced herself.
"You said they were in hospital, what happened"
"They are okay Mr Romano, it was a car accident but the hospital released them and so if you follow me we can go meet them. I do have to warn you though that they are very nervous "
Jessie proceeded to lead them to her office. She walked in first, she had told them before she left to get them that their father was here.
"It seems your brother is here too. Anyway kids meet your father and brother" she told the kids and allowed Rafael and Lorenzo to enter.
Alexander and James were sat with Skye in the middle of them, they both were extremely protective now they were meeting now people.
Lorenzo analysed his siblings, an emotional expression on his face. Alexander saw what he was doing and did the same back. It took Lorenzo a little by suprised. Where did his carefree bubbley siblings go?
"Hello children, I'm Rafael your father " Rafael introduced. It was still blunt but he managed to not sound so angry.
"And you are?" Alexander asked looking at Lorenzo.
"Lorenzo, your eldest brother" Lorenzo said with no emotion.
"You have all grown up so much, can you introduce yourselves" Rafael asked, still being rather blunt but Lorenzo was a little suprised as this was considered 'kind' for his father.
James looked at Alexander who glared at the two men. "What kind of father doesn't know his own children's names" Alexander finally said.
Lorenzo wasn't happy with the disrespect but said nothing because the social worker was still in the room.
"I do know your names, judging by your attitude, you are the eldest, Alexander, which makes you James. And you Skye" he said turning to each sibling as he said their names.
Lorenzo was silently happy Alexander had been put in his place.
"Why don't we get started on the paperwork. Of course I am aware you live in New York so this case will be transferred over and a house meeting will be scheduled in the next month or so. It's nothing to worry about, we just need to check on the kids for their own welfare" Jessie explain.
"Very well" Rafael said.
Jessie smiled and grabbed the paper work from her desk drawer.
Rafael was busy looking through it and signing it, with Jessie explaining stuff that he wasn't paying attention to his children.
Lorenzo and Alexander were still glaring at each other. Lorenzo finally had enough and sat down besides Alexander. He whispered lowly "I suggest you cut out the nonsense. We don't accept this behaviour, it's rude and disrespectful" he warned.
Alexander gulped. He automatically went into protective mode and turned his body to face Lorenzo meaning his body was also sheilding his siblings.
"I suggest you bare that in mind. The only reason I am going to look past this is because the social worker is here, next time I won't be so nice" he continued before getting up like nothing had happened.
"Right we are all set. Thank you for contacting me" Rafael said as he and Jessie said goodbye. He then turned to his kids "lets go"
Rafael was a little taken back again when he watched, Alexander made sure he had hold of his siblings hands as they followed him out. He presumed it was out of instinct to protect James and Skye from them, they were practically strangers to the siblings.
The car ride was silent. James was lost in thought whilst, Skye laid her head on Alexander's shoulder as he stroked her hair.
"You can sleep if you're tired Skye" Rafael said looking in the mirror as he checked on his kids, he noticed Skye looking extremely tired.
Skye didn't know how to anwser so she looked up at Alexander in hopes he would do it. "She will sleep when she's ready"
Rafael nodded "very well, I suppose it is best for her to stay awake another half hour whilst we get to the plane" he said.
Lorenzo looked up from his phone and looked back at the siblings. Skye in particular looked terrible, she looked as though she would pass out any second. His focus then solely went to James who was looking out the window lost in thought.
And then to Alexander, the boy was clearly very protective and got a bit too defensive at times. It was annoying really.
Alexander and James were quick to note their family was rich when they finally boarded the plane but Skye seemed to out of it to acknowledge how rich they were. Despite being in the hospital she had only slept a little due to passing out from exhaustion. That was 5 days ago. She would pretend to sleep at night so they didn't sedate her.
"She needs sleep" Lorenzo stated as he watched how Alexander and James helped her to her seat. Without them she would probably have collapsed.
On the way to her seat, Skye tripped and due to how malnorished Alexander was he wasn't able to stay standing when she fell into him. Knocking them both over. Lorenzo smirked when he saw.
James automatically tried to help but Lorenzo simply rolled his eyes and walked back over.
Rafael had purposely not gone over, instead he had nudged Lorenzo to go because he saw Lorenzo wasn't pleased with them. He wanted to get Lorenzo talking to them.
"Clearly you are all too incompetent to even find a seat. You two go sit" he said the last part to the two boys.
They refused without Skye but he sent them a deadly glare "now" he ordered.
Skye nodded at them to go, not wanting them to get hurt because of her.
They reluctantly took the closest seat, both ready to get up again if he did something to her.
Lorenzo felt them staring at him but ignored it and helped Skye up "as soon as we get in the air you're going to go have a nap" he told her as she stumbled.
She shook her head fast. She couldn't sleep, especially on a plane with two strangers. There was no where to run. Nowhere to hide.
"It's non negotiable, you can't even walk you're that tired"
She tried to walk to prove him wrong but she was too tired and everything went dizzy. She almost fell again.
Lorenzo sighed and picked her up. Alexander was quick to react, but before he could say or do anything, Lorenzo had placed her back down, this time in the seat next to Alexander.
"When did you last sleep" Rafael asked.
Skye looked to Alexander. "Skye isn't a fan of hospitals so it's effected her sleeping whilst we have been there " Alexander calmly said so they couldn't see it was a lie.
"Well that's understandable but Skye you need to try get a bit of sleep" Rafael said looking at his only daughter with concern. Something Lorenzo had only seen a few times.
Alexander and James were worried about Skye, her sleeping habits were bad.
"She's going to try" Alexander said looking at her in concern.
"Very well"
Once in the air and the seatbelt sign went off, Lorenzo got up and walked back to them.
"What are you doing" Alexander asked instantly.
Lorenzo rolled his eyes "we all just agreed she needs sleep. Come on Skye" he said.
"No" Alexander said as Skye nervously undid her seatbelt.
"Excuse me?" Lorenzo said not liking Alexander's behaviour.
"I said no. You're not taking her from me" he said with panic. He couldn't let her get hurt.
Lorenzo rolled his eyes and picked up Skye. She normally would have freaked out but at this point she couldn't concentrate and wasn't fully aware. She was exhausted and sitting down on the chair was probably the most comfiest thing she had sat on before and so it drained her further.
Alexander and James jumped up and followed Lorenzo."give her back " Alexander said. "Let her go. Let her go Please just let her go" he was frantic by now. Rafael was quick to jump in "boys it's okay, you can go with him, he's only putting her in the bed. We have a bed for long night journeys. He's only going to put her there so she can sleep easier" he spoke, concerned at how they freaked out. Again he played it off as a stranger taking away their baby sister.
James nodded but Alexander was quick to follow Lorenzo. He watched him carefully as he placed her down on the bed. By this point she had passed out as he had been carrying her.
"You are protective I get it but don't you dare yell at me like that again " Lorenzo warned and left.
Alexander let his walls falls, a tear ran down his face. Everything was a mess.
"It's going to be okay isn't it" James whispered after entering the room.
"I don't know. How could we let her reach the point of exhaustion" he said angry with himself that he hadn't taken care of her proper.
"She's sleeping now though Alex" James replied.
"Yes but I doubt we will be on the plane for long. We need her to sleep more" He replied.
"Are we in trouble for how we just acted" James asked, he was scared to go back out.
Alex thought for a minute."I don't know, why don't you take a nap too" he said fully planning on taking whatever punishment they give before they could get angry with James.
"But what about you" James asked.
"I'm fine" Alex replied.
James usually would say no but he was tired and didn't want his sister waking up alone so he agreed.
Alex waited until James was asleep which didn't take long, before quietly leaving. He rather stay and watch his siblings but he needed to get the punishment over with before they woke.
Whilst all this was going on, Rafael and Lorenzo had been discussing what had just happened. Rafael had scolded Lorenzo for walking off without talking to Alexander.
"I will not have him speak to me like that" Lorenzo said.
"Well next time calmly explain where you're taking her. He's obviously very protective of his siblings, it's admirable really. You need to remember, they have no idea who we are, we are just strangers to them"
"Fine"
Alexander entered and took a seat.
"Where's James" Rafael asked.
"Taking a nap too"
"That's good, maybe you should have a little nap as well" Rafael replied.
Alexander looked at his father, suprised he hadn't lashed out yet but then it hit him. Rafael obviously wanted him to fall asleep so he could punish his brother and sister for how he acted. Not a chance would he let that happen.
"Okay how about you ask us some questions. It's obvious you don't trust us which makes sense since you don't remember us so ask away"
"Why do we not live with you" Alexander asked. It had been on his mind since he had been told they had a family
Lorenzo and Rafael shared a look. Rafael didn't seem to be replying so Lorenzo anwsered "you were kidnapped when you were 4, from a birthday party one of your friends was having "
Alex nodded. It made sense. Those people who had them were criminals, they had connections. But why kidnap three 4 year olds. It didn't make sense.
"You say you're the eldest, how many of you is there" Alex asked.
"Three more brothers, Leo, Marco and Nico" Lorenzo replied.
Alexander managed to keep his emotionless expression up, inside he was freaking out though. Living with 5 other men. Would they make him do dope runs? Would they threaten James and Skye? They looked even more stronger than the men who hurt them, how bad would their hits hurt. What will they have him do? How bad will the punishments be?
He was already making a plan to keep his siblings safe in his head. He wouldn't let them get hurt like that. He had been failing as a brother recently. He should have just said thank you for the bread and that man wouldn't have touched Skye like that. He would need to be extra careful, Lorenzo kept warning him about disrespect, just like they had done. He would need to try harder not to be disrespectful.
And then a new worry, Skye would freak out. James would probably hide it but he'd be a mess too.
He knew he couldn't leave them alone with 5 others in the house.
"Do James and Skye speak" Rafael said finally snapping out from reliving the awful nightmare, the day his triplets were taken from him.
"They do but they are shy"
Alex half lied. Sure they were shy but they had been beaten to the point where they feared to speak.
"So I presume this means you will be speaking for them" Rafael asked.
"Most likely. I want to apologize for the disrespect I've shown you both so far. I'm just very protective of them and you guys dont seem like the warm and friendly type" Alex said getting in a small insult.
"It's understandable and I will give you time to get used to us but then any disrespect will not be taken lightly but we will give you a few days to settle in"
"A few days?" Alex asked suspicious of why they were given time."yes a few days. did you expect me to summon you to my office after we have eaten dinner to give you all the rules, perhaps about how you can only talk to us and no socialising with kids your age" Rafael said with sarcasm so heavy even Alex could tell he was being sarcastic.
Alex didn't even expect dinner though so that confused hin.
Alex realized he probably meant after he (Rafael) had finished eating. Of course he wasn't going to feed James, Skye or his self.
He made a mental note that when given food to say thank you and be greatful. He wasn't going to make that mistake again.
"Well you could give me the rules now, saves screwing up" Alex needed to know the rules or he would overthink every little thing however he knew they would add more rules just to have them break it so they can punish them.
" Respect. We all, especially Lorenzo and I, expect you to respect us. That means no back talk, no insults, no cheek. In return we will treat you with just as much respect.
Secondly we appreciate you are teenagers wanting to try new things but you are 14, no alcohol, dopes or smoking"
Flashbacks of what they made him do were brought back at the mention of dopes.
Maybe they wouldn't use him to deliver dopes if they were telling him no dopes.
Or maybe they just don't want him getting high when he's suppose to be selling it.
"Apparently you were home schooled, however the new school year starts in two weeks so we will be getting you enrolled there. I expect you to put in effort, if you do poorly its not the end of the world, we will get you a tutor, any slacking off though is no accepted, you will respect your teachers and peers."
Alexander slowly nodded. They had never been to school. When they were younger they were taught basic things, they were able to catch on quick. But Alexander worried about his siblings, he not only had to protect them from their family but now a whole school.
"That brings me on to my next rule, you befriend whoever you want just no relationships just yet, you are too young at the moment"
Alexander nodded shuddering at the thought. He knew what guys were like, he would need to keep a careful watch on Skye.
"And finally if we ask you to do something, you will do it" Rafael finished. He hadn't meant this in such a bad way but Alexander took it as a bad way.
"What happens if we break the rules"
Rafael knew Alex would probably have a hard time being respectful. "we will talk about it and why you broke the rule before we give out punishments. I have a feeling you will struggle to be respectful out of protectiveness for James and Skye which I will accept but if you don't have a valid reason that's when it becomes a problem"
Alex nodded. He would try his best and would make sure his siblings knew.
"I'm a busy man so most likely Lorenzo will deal with the punishments" Rafael said.
Lorenzo looked up from his laptop. He had took to doing some work whilst they talked.
He smirked when he heard the sentance "if you would like an example, Marco and Nico stole my car and got it scratched, they have now had their cars taken from them and they will be working at the garage in town for a month" Lorenzo said.
Alexander didn't think that seemed too harsh. Maybe they wouldn't beat them up as punishment.
What if the garage wasn't a car garage but a torture place they called a garage.
Yes he was an overthinker.
"Anyway we will give you a few day, go wake your siblings up we are landing" Rafael said ending the conversation.
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