The Moretti Heiress

The moment Serena stepped into the house, the foyer exploded with sound.

"BAM!"

Confetti burst from above, showering the air in a cascade of glitter and paper rainbows. Serena froze mid-step, blinking like a deer caught in a disco ball.

"SURPRISE!" chorused several voices at once.

Luca stood grinning with a party horn still in his mouth, Adrian held a massive "WELCOME HOME" sign that looked suspiciously handmade, and Dante had somehow found a party popper that still had smoke trailing from it. Diego, Noah, and even the ever-silent Theodore were present—Theo with a single raised brow and a tiny "Welcome Back" balloon tied to his wrist.

Serena gawked, confetti still tangled in her hair. "You guys didn't..."

"Oh, we did," Adrian said proudly.

"Entire plan. Orchestrated. Flawless," Luca added, clearly impressed with himself.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," Serena muttered, brushing sparkles off her hoodie.

"You gave us a heart attack," Dante shot back, arms crossed. "This is payback. Emotional damage for emotional damage."

Serena turned to Alessandro, Nico, and Kayden who stood just behind her. "You all knew?"

"Of course we knew," Alessandro said, completely deadpan. "I paid for the cake."

"And I lit the scented candles," Nico added, sniffing dramatically. "Smell that? Cinnamon and chaos."

Serena walked further into the house, her gaze settling on the dining table. There sat a two-tiered cake, white frosting swirled with pastel pinks and purples, and piped in neat blue letters were the words:

"WELCOME BACK, SERENA!"

A tiny fondant version of her stood on top holding a mini ice cream cone.

"Okay, I take it back," Serena said, visibly touched. "You guys are the worst. I love it."

"We know," they all said at once.

Later that evening, after hugs, teasing, and way too much sugar, Serena finally escaped to the sanctuary of her room. She sat on her bed, now dressed in her favorite oversized hoodie and fuzzy socks, breathing in the peace.

Knock. Knock.

She rolled her eyes. "If that's Nico again with 'just one more slice,' I'm gonna throw him out the window."

But it wasn't Nico.

The door opened to reveal Kayden... and Dante.

"I'm leaving," Dante said, eyes narrowed like a protective dad in a teen rom-com, "but I better hear talking only. No funny business. And the door stays unlocked."

Serena threw a pillow at him. "Yes, Mom."

Kayden then said innocently. "Scout's honor."

Dante squinted suspiciously. "You were never a scout."

"Still counts," Kayden called as Dante walked off muttering under his breath.

Kayden stepped inside, holding two cups of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. "Well, our ice cream part was rudely interrupted by gunfire and chaos, so... take two?"

Serena smiled, scooting over on the bed to make space. "You remembered."

"I always remember dessert. It's a survival instinct."

They sat side by side, feet brushing lightly as they dipped spoons into the creamy sweetness. The room was dim, the only light coming from her bedside lamp, casting a warm glow on their faces.

"So," Kayden began, licking his spoon, "you planning to give me more heart attacks this month, or was getting shot your grand finale?"

Serena snorted. "Please, I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve."

"Figures. You've always been dramatic."

"I'm theatrical," she corrected. "There's a difference."

Kayden smiled, watching her fondly. "You know... I meant what I said. I was terrified back there."

Serena glanced at him, her eyes softer now. "I know. Me too."

Silence settled for a beat—comfortable, charged.

"You know," she said quietly, "I think this is the first time I've felt...safe. Like really safe. And not just because there are five overprotective lunatics in the house."

Kayden chuckled. "They are a bit intense."

"Understatement."

Their laughter faded into quiet as their eyes met, the playful tension slowly shifting into something heavier, warmer. He set the empty ice cream cup on the bedside table. She followed suit.

Then, he leaned closer.

"Are you sure about this?" Kayden asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Serena's heart thudded loudly in her chest—but her answer was calm. "Yes."

He kissed her, soft and tentative at first. Her lips were warm, familiar and new all at once. She kissed him back, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as his hand gently cradled the side of her face.

The kiss deepened, emotions unspoken pouring into the quiet space between them. There was nothing hurried, nothing rushed—just them, and the comfort of finally letting go.

Kayden pulled her slightly closer, and Serena found herself melting into the warmth of his body, the world fading beyond the safety of this moment.

And then—

"I don't hear talking!"

Serena jerked back, eyes wide. Kayden let out a startled laugh, burying his face in her shoulder.

"DANTE!" she yelled toward the door. "CAN YOU NOT?!"

Outside, there was a satisfied snort, followed by receding footsteps.

Serena sighed dramatically. "I can't even make out in peace."

Kayden grinned. "Honestly? Kinda impressed he held out that long."

They both burst into laughter, the earlier tension replaced by a shared understanding—this was something real, and it was just beginning.

A/N:

Operation Welcome Home: Executed Flawlessly.
From confetti attacks to cake-top figurines, Serena's return came with the full Moretti-Martinez flair.

Kayden redeemed himself with ice cream, flowers, and a very interrupted kiss. But that spark? Oh, it's there.
Dante out here acting like the CIA. Man deserves his own sitcom.
Serena may be bruised, but she's far from broken—and now she's got her snark, her strength, and a house full of chaos-powered love.

So tell me:

Are we team Serena x Kayden or still cautiously observing?
What do you think would have happened if Dante actually caught them mid-kiss?
What's next for Serena at Casa Moretti?

Drop your theories, favorite lines, and any snarky Serena moments below!