Wannabe Me

Ten years old Lorenzo watched as his mother entered the living room. He quickly turned down the volume of the TV and sprinted to help his mum and the baby she was carrying in her belly.

“Do you need some chocolates, mum?” He asked as his mother got comfortable on the soft couch.

“No, but thanks for asking, my little soldier.” She patted his head lovingly. “Where are the other kids?”

“Roman and Mason are playing in the backyard and Jace and Gray are asleep.” He told his mother.

Elena nodded as he kept looking at her belly.

“Can the baby hear us?” He asked.

His mother chuckled slightly.

“Yes, baby. She can hear you. She knows how helping her brother is.” She said as she kissed him on the cheek.

“My baby, already a gentleman.” She muttered looking at him lovingly.

He just gave her a cheeky smile.

“I’m going to love and protect my baby sister.” He promised as he kissed his mum on the cheek.

His mum smiled.

~Some weeks later~

“Where are Mum and Dad?” Roman asked in his small voice as all of the Costello brothers sat in the dining room for lunch.

“They’ve gone to do something important.” Their nanny answered.

“They’ve been gone since morning.” Mason whined. Just then a phone rang.

“Hello?” Nanny said as soon as she picked up her phone.

“Sure sir..I’ll arrange it right away.” She said and hung up.

“Okay kids, get up. We have to go.” Nanny chirped, seeming happy.

“Where?” Lorenzo asked.

“To the hospital to meet your sister.” She jumped on her toes and smiled at them.

The guys jumped up and cheered.

“I can’t wait to see my baby sister.” Lorenzo muttered, taking hold of Roman and Mason’s hand and following Nanny to the garage.

“She’s so cute.” Roman gasped as he saw his sister. Lorenzo and Roman were standing on either side of the crib admiring their sister.

“I wanna see too.” Mason jumped up and down sounding frustrated.

Francesco chuckled and got up to help the little boy. He picked him up and showed him as the little boy squealed.

“Can I hug her?” He asked excitedly, turning to look at his father.

“She’s too small for that, little one. Even I haven’t hugged her. How about you go hug your mum instead?” He suggested. Mason wiggled out of his hold and went to hug Elena.

Lorenzo was admiring her. His fingers twitched to touch her, hold her soft hands in his and hug her.

~3 years later~

Jace(5) Grayson (4) and Amelia(3) were sitting on the floor playing with the toys scattered all around the room.

Lorenzo(13), Roman(10), and Mason(7) were sitting on the bed watching TV and watching their younger siblings fight and play.

“Okay, kids, time for bed.” Francesco, their dad chimed as he popped his head in.

“Dad!” Amelia squealed. She got up and jumped on her dad who chuckled while picking her up and swaying her around.

“Let’s tuck you in, little one.” He booped her nose and put her down to get the younger boys.

Lorenzo woke up in the middle of the night feeling crushed and suffocated. He groaned as he opened his eyes and looked into the covers to find his angel hugging him and sleeping on top of him.

He smiled before hugging her and turning to the side as he stroked her hair and she leaned into the loving touch. He fell back asleep within seconds.

During the night, he woke up many times to see her sleeping in a weird position with her knees to her chest and butt in the air.

He woke up the next morning to find her laying on top of him again. He stroked her hair as she stirred awake.

She lifted her head, looked at him then put her head on his chest again. He chuckled.

“Why do you love crushing me so much?” He asked. She gave him a cheeky grin and giggled.

“Cheeky monkey.” He muttered as he picked her up and went to put out some clothes for her to wear after shower.

She went back to her parent’s room to get ready.

~2 more years later~

15 years old Lorenzo returned home in the evening. He had gone to buy something for his angel. He went to the living room to find his younger siblings watching TV. He slid the beautiful pink heart necklace he bought for her into his pocket.

“Where’s Amy?” He asked.

“She was in her room, the last time I saw her.” Grayson replied.

Lorenzo nodded and started walking to her room, excited to give her the necklace and see her reaction.

“Amy.” He called out.

Silence.

“Baby?” Again no response.

“Angel.” He called out louder this time.

Worry took over when he found both her room and bathroom empty.

“Mum.” He called, rushing out of her room.

“Mum!” He called out again. He saw the guys rushing upstairs.

“What happened?” Roman asked as he looked at Lorenzo.

“I can’t find Amy.” Lorenzo said, getting his phone out of his pocket with trembling hands.

He called Elena but it went into voicemail.

“Oh god!!” He whispered as he started fiddling with the phone, trying to call his Dad.

“Dad, where’s mum? Has she gone to Grandpa’s with Amy?” He rushed out.

“What? No. What happened Lorenzo?” Francesco asked with a worried tone.

“I-I can’t find them anywhere.” He stuttered.

“I’ll call some men to search for them. Till then, wait for me. I’m coming home.” Francesco rushed out and started making his way home.

Lorenzo watched as the men searched for them everywhere. Praying his mum and angel were okay.

He watched his Dad rush home. His always young-looking face was now etched with worry, making him look much older.

“We couldn’t find them anywhere, sir.” One of the men said. “We looked around the mansion too.”

Roman finally broke down and started crying. Francesco went to hug his son. Lorenzo just stood up and walked out hearing his Dad barking orders at the men to arrange for a search party and find any clue if it was a kidnapping.

Lorenzo walked upstairs to Amy’s room and sat down on her bed looking at the photo on her nightstand. It was a photo of him and her. He had lifted her in the air while she looked down at him and he looked up at her, his arms stretched wide.

He sniffed as he rubbed his thumb over the picture. He put it back and looked around the room.

That’s when he noticed. Crayons scattered on the floor with papers and her drawings. He noticed the half-open door of her closet. He stood up and walked towards it.

He went inside, only to see his hoodie lying on the floor. Amelia was wearing this hoodie today and it covered her whole body. He picked it up with his shaky hands and took deep breaths trying to control his emotions.

But the dam finally broke and he just sat there for hours clutching the hoodie and crying, praying for them to be okay and come back.