After that it had gotten easier.
They still bickered.
They still fought.
But they always made up.
They were all hardheaded men, ones that were very controlling in their own right. So they were bound to butt heads eventually. But for the most part it was little things, and they were settled quickly.
It also helped that everyone knew now what it could be like.
What it would mean if they were to lose their family.
Dominic knew now.
And he wasn’t going to let anything tear them apart.
Sergio was there too.
She had to admit that watching him tear Dominic a new asshole after hearing about everything had been worth it.
She had been terrified of meeting the man. But she should have known that anyone that raised a man like her Mark, would be a good man. He had walked right up to Marks’s hospital bed, and leaned down, his forehead resting against Mark’s.
“I’m glad you are safe son,” Sergio had whispered.
Then he had turned and given her a big hug.
“It’s very nice to meet you, sweetheart. You keep my boy happy, okay?”
She would forever remember that moment.
Turning she had met Mark’s gaze, the lightness, the love shining back.
Her Mark.
So now it was back to normal life.
Mark was back to working security with Dominic and Danny, and she was taking a few classes with an online college. She didn’t know what she wanted to do, or even if she would stay in school, but the learning was fun, and she had time.
They also had dinner with her brothers every week. They were slowly working through the pain of their past and building a relationship with each other. Their life was different than hers. Their allegiance supposed enemies, but they made it work.
She had to admit that having her family, her brothers, her friends, and her Mark. It soothed a part of her soul that she never knew needed it. It was as if her life was finally coming together.
She had a family.
Her brothers.
Friends.
And it was all because of her Mark.
***
“That looks good,” Christine said as she chopped up the lettuce with one hand, her little boy in the other.
He was a cutie, looking just like his daddy. Even though he was only a few months old, Christine was adamant that he was going to have Rick’s eyes as well.
“You touch that cheese, and I will shoot you,” she warned Dominic, while stirring the sauce. He was standing beside her, peeking over her shoulder, looking like a starving man. As if Alice didn’t feed him at all.
