"Make sure that bat doesn't hit my kid," Dante warned.

Lucian didn't respond, simply flipped his brother the bird and went back to the kids Dante didn't even care. Gio picked up on that right away.

"Seriously, what the fuck is up?"

"Nothing, I said. So hey, you're really done having kids?"

The best way to get Gio off a topic was to distract him with something else. Especially if that something else meant someone was questioning his choices.

"Seems early to be making big decisions like that," Dante added.

Gio scowled. "Considering there was a needle and knife to my balls to make sure it wasn't going to happen again, yeah, I'm done."

Dante cringed. "Ouch."

"One of the perks you don't have to worry about, man."

Well, maybe not. Dante didn't correct his younger brother.

"Kim was really okay with it?"

"Kim hated being pregnant. It wasn't easy on her. She was sick from the day she found out to five minutes before Andino was born. Add in she could barely do anything because of the constant sickness, then the postpartum hemorrhage, and the depression from feeling like she failed somehow, she didn't want to do it again. I didn't want my wife unhappy, and my son is more than enough."

"I get that," Dante said, passing a glance towards his own son out on the lawn.

"Besides, I was thinking about stuff."

"And?"

Gio shrugged. "And maybe I want to go back to school in a few months and get a start on finishing my law degree. After all, Paulie isn't getting any younger and he's been ready to retire from being consigliere ever since Dad stepped down. Things are slow for me right now, and I have guys handling my shit all over the city because it's becoming dull. Who are you going to choose to give that position to, huh?"

"Still focusing on criminal defense, little brother?"

"Of course," Gio replied with a smirk. "God knows someday one of us is going to need it."

"Dad never did."

"Dad isn't us."

Dante exhaled heavily. "Truth."

"Kim wants me off the streets, too."

"Makes sense," Dante said quietly. "You've been doing it for years. Time for something new. I wouldn't mind you as my right-hand now that you've got your shit together."

Gio tossed his brother a look, still wearing his smug grin. "Do you think Dad always had it planned out this way? Like all three of us would end up running the family?"

"I have no fucking doubt about it."

"He told me once he gave his life to Cosa Nostra."

"What's your life?"

"Andino."

Dante nodded. "And we are his entire life, Gio."

"Yeah, I know."

"Ready, piccolo?"

"Ready!"

Dante looked up to see Lucian holding a ball and standing just a few short feet away from Johnathan who was holding the miniature wooden bat. Ten feet back, Michel sat on the grass, waiting as patiently as he could for his turn.

Dante wasn't entirely sure Lucian's closeness was a good plan after the ball was tossed. After all, Johnathan's bat was just about the right height to send the ball to connect with his father's groin.

"Ah, Lucian, I don't think that's a smart-"

Gio shook his head beside his brother, stopping the warning. "Let it go, Dante. I live for shit like this. Plus, if he's stupid enough to do it, let him suffer while we laugh at his expense."

And that right there was why the kids loved Gio.

Sure enough, Johnathan hit the ball, sending it flying directly at his father. Luckily for Lucian, he saw the ball coming and managed to dodge the worst of it, but it smacked his inner thigh pretty damn close to the special spot.

Both Gio and Dante roared with laughter, waking up Andino still snuggled into his father's chest in the process.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Lucian shouted.

Johnathan dropped the bat. "That's bad word."

A tiny fat hand popped out palm up.

"What in the hell is he doing?" Dante asked.

Gio chuckled, but didn't answer.

"That's bad word, Papa," Johnathan repeated, hand still out and waiting. "Gives one, now."

"Johnathan Antony, I told you-"

"Gives one now, Papa."

Gio's chuckles became louder as he tried to hold the laughter back and failed miserably. Dante was so damned confused but amused at the same time, he didn't know what was going on. Chances were, it had something to do with Gio.

"Mamma!"

"Fine," Lucian snapped. His own hand disappeared into his pocket, pulling out what looked to be a piece of candy wrapped in shiny paper. He handed it over to his son which quieted the child's blackmail instantly. "Here, take it and go."

Gio laughed louder. "God, that's fucking golden. Some of my best work right there."

Finally, Dante understood, his own laughter shaking his body. "You're so awful, Gio."

"I know, I know. But it's awesome, right?"

Lucian stalked across the lawn, glaring at his youngest bother all the while. "I hate you for teaching him that."

"No, you don't," Gio replied. "You just pretend like you hate it."

"How often do you cuss in front of him?" Dante asked Lucian.

"Obviously too often. Gio couldn't teach him something useful, like a fucking swear jar or something. No, it had to be candy."

Johnathan's constant energy suddenly make a hell of a lot more sense.

"You think so low of me, Lucian. Pretty soon I'm going to teach him why money is more valuable than candy," Gio informed like it was nothing. "Jordyn's going to need a break, anyway. That's what you get when you choose me for a Godparent. Should have thought that one through a little better."

Lucian glowered. "Still fucking hate you."

"Like I said, no you don't."

Gio stood, spreading out a blanket to the grass and setting a now awake Andino down. The baby blinked up at the world surrounding him, tiny arms waving and legs kicking. Gio patted the baby's belly before coming to sit back down with his brothers.

For a long while, Dante watched the three boys out on his back lawn and he realized something. The age order of the brothers' sons followed the same pattern as their fathers' birth order. Lucian had the oldest, Dante had the second oldest and Gio had the baby. What were the odds of that?

Of course, there were still two more births to come over the next year, maybe more if Lucian and Jordyn continued growing their litter of kids. Strangely, Dante felt some sort of finality that these would be the only boys.

"You know Michel will never be able to join la famiglia," Gio said quietly, side-eyeing Dante.

"I'm aware."

The rules for La Cosa Nostra were clear. The man had to be at least half Italian and it needed to come from his father's side. Michel's full bloodline was unknown, and while they could safely assume he was full Sicilian, someone could try and dispute it. Dante wouldn't have his son being looked down upon because of his blood.

"And I really don't care," Dante added, chuckling. "One less thing for me to concern myself with over him as he gets older."

"What about Cat?" Lucian asked, cocking a brow. "She might be slowing down a little, but she's still got a team of people working under her. She's always going to be a Queen Pin, Dante. Michel might follow after her. Think about it."

Dante didn't have to. "I guess he'll have one hell of a teacher, then. I wish him luck, and I'm glad it's not me."

Gio laughed. "Yeah, considering how particular she is, me, too."

"I got an interesting call this morning," Dante informed his brothers.

Both men glanced over at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Something about Chicago," Dante said.

"What about it?" Gio asked.

"Apparently the ground for our syndicate there is ... shaky."

"Terrance Trentini, you mean," Lucian said.

"Yep." Dante sighed, kicking out his boots and crossing his ankles. "Feelers were being put out to the Commission. Get what I'm saying?"

Lucian coughed, hiding his surprise. "Seriously?"

"I guess so. That boss is a few steps away from meeting his maker, man."

"Shit," Gio muttered.

"Who put out the feeler?" Lucian asked.

Dante shook his head. "Not important and not our business. We could do with a new leader for the Chicago syndicate, anyway. Terrance has worked enough of our nerves. I had no issue with sending an affirmative back on my end for the hit."

"What about the other members of the Commission?" Gio asked.

"Wait and see," Dante replied. "And while we're waiting, stay the fuck out of it. Especially if it does go down. Just because I give an affirmative on a boss's death doesn't mean I want to be involved with a war in Chicago."

Gio's brow furrowed. "Why would there be a war?"

"His only son is unmade, his grandson is a major fuck-up, and nobody knows who'll take the open seat. Half of the men will want someone they can manipulate to fill it while the other half will want a man who can be the manipulator. You know what that means."

"Blood," Lucian answered.

"Not ours, though," Dante said.

Gio nodded, resting back in his chair. "Yeah, we got it."

"What are we supposed to teach them, huh?" Dante asked, not directing his question to either of his brothers in particular. He stared out at the kids on the grass, even little Andino still kicking his legs and waving his arms.

"Who, the boys?" Lucian asked.

"Yeah."

"About what?"

"Life, I guess."

"Same thing Dad taught us," Lucian replied, glancing to his brothers.

"Have honor," Gio said.

"Love fiercely," Lucian added.

Dante smiled. "Be filthy."