Love in Unusual Places Spain/Fem Romano uno

Love isn't always the easiest thing to find, and sometimes, I shows up where you least expect it. Admitting it though, is harder than finding it, especially for Katirina Vargas, a teacher with a history of pushing others away. Antonio Carriedo however, has no problems admitting it, getting his Italian to accept him however, is more difficult than he ever imagined.

"Ve sorella! I made a lunch for you!"

"Shut the hell up! I'm trying to get ready!"

Feliciano chuckled, expecting such an answer from his older twin sister. She had always been the fiery twin, which is why when she came home one day about two years prior smiling he was worried. His worry soon turned to thinly veiled shock when she informed him she had gotten a job as a day care teacher at the local private school.

He'd smiled and congradgulated her, but internally he couldn't help wondering how long she'd last. To his surprise and happiness after two years she was still teaching, and seemed to love it and the children.

Running down the stairs the fiery Italian stopped in front of him, glaring.

"Why aren't you dressed?! You have to be at work in 30 minutes idiota!"

Feliciano smiled broadly, holding out a hot pink lunch bag with light pink hearts decorating it.

"I wanted to make you a special lunch today! You've been sick and you need the nuerishment!"

Katirina rolled her eyes and looked at the bag, cringing at the colour.

"Why is it so...pink?"

"Because I really like pink! It makes me smile so I thought it could do the same for you!"

"You're such an idiota Feli!" The woman snapped, snatching the bag from his hands.
Feliciano's smile fell, and he sighed, looking at the ground.

"You stupid, but you're stupido mio fratello." She said quietly, kissing his cheek.
Kissing her cheek he grinned.

"But you love me ve!"

Her perfectly tanned face darkened and she stormed past him, stopping only to grab her purse and keys. Pausing in the door way to him one last harsh glare she slammed the door.

"Everyone loves you bastardo."

Feliciano winced when the door slammed, her words echoing in his head.

"But...you won't let anyone love you sorella..."

Sighing he began to get ready for his own job, happy the resaurant was just up the road.
___________________________________________________

"Ms. Rina! You're here!" A small boy cried, tackling the Italian in as tight a hug as his four year old body could.

Katirina smiled looking down at his freckled face. This boy was the reason she fought so hard for the job. When she first applied the two year old toddled over, immediately latching onto her skirt, not wanting to let go. It was love at first sight.

"Yo también te extrañé! I was so preocupado!"

Katirina chuckled, he was getting so excited he was mixing Spanish with English again.

"Miguel calm down sweetie."

The boy blushed, looking up at the woman he adorred.

"Lo siento...I'm sorry Ms. Rina."

Giving the boy a smile she picked him up.

"How would you like to help me set up for the day?"

Miguel smiled, his green eyes shining brightly.

"Si!"
________________________________________________________

"Ms. Rina! You're back!" A chorus of cries sounded, children bounding to the normally stoic woman. Smiling she knelt and hugged each of them.

"I'm sorry everyone. I was sick last week, but I'm better now I promise. I won't be gone anymore for a while. So, shall we get started?"

A chorus of yeses followed, and a rare gentle smile bloomed across her pretty face.

Lunchtime came quickly, and she happily sat on the floor of the cafeteria with her kids, sitting in the middle of a circle to be near them all. Opening her lunch she smiled.

Despite how much she yelled at him, and how cruel she could be to him, her brother always treated her well. Today was no exception. Feliciano had made her his special pasta dish, with extra tomatoes just for her, and packed some of the garlic bread they had made together the night before. Along with two rice balls, their faces on each, a thing he had learned from his Japanese friend Sakura.

"What's that Ms. Rina?" one of her girls, Lilli, asked, green eyes wide.

"It's a rice ball."

The blonde child blinked, and suddenly all of the children were crowded around gaping at the item.

"What...what is it?"

"It's a ball of steamed white rice, with a tomato in the center. My fratello decorated them to look like he and I." Katirina explained, showing the rice balls to her children.

"Ms. Rina...what's a...tello?" Another child, a petite bleu eyed blonde, Yekaterina Braginskaya, asked, head cocked in confusion.

Katirina laughed softly, smiling at the tiny child.

"My brother, he made me lunch today. Fratello is Italian for brother."

Yekaterina's eyes widened, and her mouth formed a little 'o'.

"Ms. Rina has a brother?"

"Yes I do, he's my twin brother, though we don't look like each other." Katirina explained with a smile.

"I bet Ms. Rina is much prettier than he is!" Miguel exclaimed.

One of the bigger kids sneered as they walked past, shoving him over.

"Of course she is. Boys aren't pretty, stupid."

"Sadik! You apologize right this second! Then you go on a time out!" Katirina exclaimed.

The boy sneered, laughing and jabbing at his friend, who looked oddly uncomfortable.

"You're not my teacher."

A shadow fell over him and he looked up, frowning at the stern green eyed stare he was fixed with.

"But I am. Now, do as you're told." Heracules Karpusi; the fifth grade teacher; calmly said.

Sadik pouted, but turned to the sniffling boy.

"I'm sorry you big baby."

"Sadik!"

Sighing the boy glared.

"Sorry Miguel."

"That's better. Now go, we have some talking to do." Heracules said, pushing the boys back gently.

Miguel sniffled softly, Lillie hugged him tight.

"It's okay Miguel. He's just a big meanie."

The boy nodded, hugging his friend tight.

"Lillie is right Miguel. Sadik is just a bully, don't let what he says hurt your feelings, okay?"

The child looked to her, giving a bright happy smile.

The Italian smiled and began to eat her food happily, listening the to chatter around her.

At the end of the day everyone had gone home save for Lille, Miguel, and Lillie's older brother Vash.

"Why are they always so late?" Vash asked, growling angrily.

"You know your father's work Vash. I'm sure they will be here any minute." Katirina explained, trying to stay calm. She was calm with children, but Vash's attitude always rubbed her wrong, and she wanted to scream at the teenager.

Within seconds the door swung open, revealing a panting brunette.

"I'm so sorry we're late! I had to pick Feliks up and then we got stuck in traffic!"

"It's alright Toris, I don't mind waiting with the kids." Katirina reassured him.
Toris nodded, too afraid of Feliks stories about her wild temper when opposed to say anything.

Finally his blonde husband appeared, holding out his arms to Lillie, who immediately jumped into them, wrapping tiny arms around his neck.

"Papa!"

"Lillie! Like, I missed you today!" He exclaimed, hugging the girl. He held out an arm to his son, who sneered and refused before shoving past him.

"You may be our legal fathers, but you'll never be anything to me." He hissed.
Both men visibly deflated, Toris sighing softly while Feliks hugged his daughter tighter.

"He like, hates us." The blonde male whispered. Toris was silent, hugging his lover close.

"He doesn't hate you Feliks. Give him time to adjust." Katirina spoke softly, feeling sympathy for the pair.

Feliks turned to her, tears filling his green eyes.

"A year isn't enough time?"

Not understanding what was going on, but knowing they were upset, Miguel moved in between the couple, grabbing both of their hands, hugging their arms. Toris leaned down and picked him up, hugging him close.

"Feliks it's a bigg change. He went from having a happy family to only his sister in under 5 minutes. Then suddenly he's thrown into a family of strangers, with two fathers, in a brand new country. His only sense of 'home' is Lillie, and he feels he has to protect her and remind her of their parents. He needs to adjust, and you can't push him. The more you push, the more he will pull away."

The blonde nodded, knowing the woman's words were true. Hugging the small child he set Lille down to take Miguel into his arms. Cuddling the boy he kissed his cheek before setting him down as well.

"How about going home Toris? We can like, go out for dinner and like, rent a movie for all of us."

Toris smiled, taking his daughter's hand, Feliks taking the other, before walking out the door.

Katirina smiled, before a tug on her skirt had her looking down at Miguel. Crouching beside him she smiled.

"What is it bambino?"

"When will my daddy come for me?" The boy asked softly.

"Soon Miguel. I haven't ever met him. I've only met your mother."

Miguel frowned, shaking his head.

"She's not my mommy. She's my baby sitter. Daddy works, so she has to come get me until he gets home for dinner. My mommy...she died when I was born."

Katirina's smile fell, and she hugged the boy, feeling horrible.

"He'll be here soon Miguel. I bet he just got caught in traffic, just like Lillie's daddies. Want to play till he gets here?"

At the child's eager nod she pulled a bleu ball down from a shelf and sat in front of him. Rolling the ball to him she smiled when he laughed and rolled it back.

They played for nearly 15 minutes before the door opened.

"Lo siento mi hijo!" A voice with a heavy spanish lilt to it cried, breathing heavily.
Miguel jumped up, tackling the man in a hug.

"Papa!"

The man smiled, bright green eyes shining as he spun the boy, hugging him tight.

"Lo siento Miguel. I never meant to be so late. Please forgive me."

"It's okay papa! I want you to meet Ms. Rina!" The boy exclaimed, taking his father's hand happily.

"Ah! Eres bella profesora si?"

"Si!"

Katirina blinked, having forgotten most of the spanish she learned once in high school.

The boy lead his father over to the woman, grinning up at her, showing his missing teeth.

"Ms. Rina! This is mi papa!"

The man smiled a kind close eyed smile. It faultered when he saw the woman, his eyes widening slightly.

"Muy hermosa en verdad...ah! I'm Antonio Carriedo! Please forgive my tardiness! I got stuck in traffic on the way here!" He explained, reaching out a hand.

Katirina took the extended hand, shaking as she smiled, a dangerous glint in her olive eyes.

"I'm Katirina Vargas."

The Spaniard's eyes widened at the name.

"Ah! Su hermano es the chef at the Italian restaurant near here si?"

Katirina held back an angry scowl, forcing a smile to her face.

"Si, that's Feli, my younger twin brother."

Antonio smiled, laughing softly.

"I thought you looked familiar!"

Unable to hold back her scowl any longer, the woman glared, stopping his laughter.

"I think Miguel was anxious to go home and spend time with you Mr. Carriedo. I certainly don't think you came here to tell me how much I look like Feliciano, did you?"

The Spaniard shook his head, shocked such harsh words came from the woman his son spoke so highly of.

"Ms. Rina...are you angry with me?" Miguel asked, his voice barely audible as his eyes rapidly filled with tears.

Olive eyes widened as she fell to the floor, sweeping the boy into her arms.

"No Miguel. I'm not angry at anyone, I promise."

Miguel sniffled, cuddling her, listening to her heartbeat.

"I wish you were my mama." he whispered into her ear.

Katirina swallowed, hugging him once more before setting him down, smiling at him.

"Why don't you go grab your bag and jacket?"

Giving a bright smile the boy ran to the back of the classroom and collected his things.

Antonio smiled softly at the woman, blinking in confusion when she shot him a dark glare, before it melted into a smile when Miguel ran to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow okay bambino?"

He smiled wide and latched onto his father's large hand.

"Bye Ms. Rina!"

Katirina smiled birghtly, waving to him as they left.

"I wish I was too Miguel." She whispered once the door closed. Slowly she sat down on the ground, pulling her knees to her as she cried. After calming down she packed her bag and left, she needed her brother's calming presence.