“Honey, I’m home!” Serenity’s voice carried through the Lombardi Estate with a hint of vigour.
“We’re home.” Xander corrected amusedly, dropping their suitcases on the living room floor beside him.
Serenity stuck her tongue out at the bulky man who simply rolled his eyes at her. Their four weeks away had come to an end and despite the ups and downs they faced to get here, Xander couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Now it was time to repair the friendships he left behind.
Hearing footsteps in their direction, Xander sucked in a calming breath and took his woman’s hand in his. With her by his side he could face anything.
“Alessia!&rd
“Did you guys kiss and make up?” Serenity cocked an eye at her brothers and Xander as they slided in beside her at the entrance of the church.The memorial service her mother organised for Darrio was about to start and Caterina Lombardi insisted that the three siblings stand at the entrance to greet the guests and accept their heartfelt condolences. Ironically not a single guest she met till now was actually her brother’s friend.“Yeah because I’m not weirdly and spectacularly intertwined enough with your family as it is.” Xander smirked sarcastically.“Aww, as long as you guys made up, I don’t mind kissing you on their behalf.” She teased, pinching his cheeks for dramatic effect, earning her a disgusted
“Oh Alessia, it’s so nice to see you after all these years. I’m so glad your parents decided to patch things up, I never did want to choose sides, but I understand why you did my dear, us girls must stick together.”Serenity couldn’t quite remember the name of the woman commenting on her family situation, but the entitlement she felt grated on Serenity’s last nerve.“Of course.” Serenity offered her a tight smile.“So your mother tells me you started your own clothing company. My daughter is into fashion herself, perhaps you girls can get together and discuss working together sometime?” The unknown woman suggested coolly, but the eagerness in her eye told Serenity her intentions weren’t as no
“Mom?” Serenity’s eyes widened when she entered the living room of the Moretti residence and found her mother browsing the family pictures on the mantle.“Hello, Alessia.” Caterina smiled softly.“What are you doing here?” Serenity stuttered, taking a few cautious steps closer.“I’ve come to bring you home.” She stated plainly, looking her daughter directly in the eye.“Excuse me?” Serenity’s eyes widened, she was having a hard time believing the words coming out of her mother’s mouth.“Lorenzo told me you have been living at the Lombardi
Serenity peered at the man in the bathroom mirror as he got ready for dinner. The perfectly trimmed beard he sported sent a little tingle down her spine, but the thing that really made her excitement grow was the wisps of black hair that had grown out so much that it now brushed his shoulders.“Did you get a haircut?” She tilted her head to the side, loving the way the light caught his eyes when he looked at her reflection.“You noticed.” Xander smirked.“I did. It’s very…” She took a step forward and brushed the back of his head with her finger tips, “Bradley Cooper.” Serenity’s teeth sunk into her bottom lip.“Is that right?
Serenity swallowed hard, the lump formed in her throat was proving difficult to get rid of. After Giovanni’s revelation she excused herself and hurriedly made her way outside. The thin blouse she wore did little to protect her from the cool evening air, but she could barely focus on the weather over her muddled thoughts.This changed so much. Her mother had granted her the chance to experience a somewhat normal life, her teenage years were ones she cherished most and unlike all other American born children, she loved high school. At the same time she had unknowingly given away a decision which would have changed the entire trajectory of her life.“Penny for your thoughts?” Xander slipped off his suit jacket and dropped it over her shoulders, after watching her for almost an hour he finally had enough.&nb
“Hey, lunch is almost ready.” Serenity called to Xander when she saw him enter the kitchen in her peripheral vision, but when Xander didn’t breathe a word in response she turned to him with a frown, “Babe?” “Huh?” Xander mumbled, but his irate eyes were still glued to his phone while his fingers flew over the screen at the speed of light. “Lunch is ready.” She cocked an eyebrow and watched him ignore her once again, “Okay, that’s it.” She crossed the kitchen and plucked his phone from his hands before he could realise what hit him. “What the fuck?” Xander’s jaw dropped when she locked the phone and slid it into her back pocket, “What are you doing? I was fucking busy!” He reached out to grab her, but serenity managed to avoid him. “No, it’s time for lunch.” She slid the plate stacked with a caesar chicken salad sandwich his way, “Now, are you gonna tell me what’s got you so worked up?” She raised a single brow at him and slid into the seat beside him with her own plate. “Genino is
“I’ve got it.” Enzo stopped Xander when he went to help him get off the Jeep into his wheelchair.“You sure man?” Xander hesitated, but didn’t intervene even when he looked like he may lose his balance.“I said I got it.” Enzo snapped and rolled away as soon as he was in the chair.“Don’t take it personally man, Dad’s been giving him a hard time, he’s just frustrated.” Matteo patted Xander’s shoulder comfortingly as they walked towards the door of the bar.“Just when I thought your father couldn’t possibly be more of an asshole he finds a way to prove me wrong.” Xander sneered, “What&rs
“He’s here.” Alonso announced when security at the front gate informed him of Lombardi’s arrival.“Let the show begin.” Xander stood from his chair and buttoned his blazer with a confident smirk and made his way to pour himself a glass of bourbon.Before Xander could take a sip the door to his office flew open, halting his action, he spun on his heel and lazily dragged his eyes over Giovanni Lombardi’s grey suit.“Giovanni. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He questioned lazily, turning back to add a few cubes to his drink.“You know exactly why I’m here.’ Giovanni spat somewhat angrily.
FIVE MONTHS LATER “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Lorenzo Lombardi and Olympia Harper Ruiz.” Serenity shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she listened to the minister speak of the beauty of marriage. “Are you okay?” Caterina whispered to her heavily pregnant daughter beside her. “I’ll be fine.” Serenity whispered back, she somehow had to make it through the ceremony. “Are you sure?” Caterina frowned at her knuckles that were turning white on the armrest of the chair from the fierce grip she had on it. The little princess in her arms stopped her from reaching out to Serenity. “I’m fine.” Serenity gritted out. The strain of the day had finally caught up with her and the pain she woke with was steadily growing worse. From his position behind Enzo, Xander was sending her worried looks, he looked seconds away from marching across the room to her side. “Oh God!” Serenity groaned when she felt wetness trickle down her legs and all eyes turned to h
Serenity browsed through the grocery store without much care in the world as she decided on what flavour of ice cream to buy. “You should get both.” A timid voice muttered behind her and Serenity spun on her heels. “Ivy.” Serenity breathed and her eyes widened. The young woman looked worn out and altogether a shell of the person she remembered. “You look good, how far along are you?” Ivy’s eyes flitted to her protruding belly with a small smile. “Four months. How have you been?” Serenity asked with a tinge of worry in her voice. “Fine, I guess.” Ivy half shrugged, not bothering to hide the fact that she was lying and Serenity’s face contorted into a frown. “I’m just about done shopping, would you like to get a drink?” Serenity pointed over her shoulder at the tiny cafe at the front of the store. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Ivy’s eyes fell. “Please, I just want to talk.” Serenity pleaded, giving her the famous puppy dog eyes that Xander hated. “Okay.” She nodd
The courtroom was filled to the brim with spectators and media alike on the day the verdict on the case of Joseph Ledger versus The State was to be delivered. From her position at the front of the courtroom, Serenity could see the scores of Mafia associates and gangbangers lining the benches, but her eyes were focussed solely on her brother in the last seat of the second row.Matteo, unlike the rest of them, sat behind the defendant and only a few feet away from Ivy. His eyes hadn’t left her since he entered the room, and if it hadn’t been for the tensing of her shoulders when he sat down, Serenity would have thought she didn’t know he was there by the way she skillfully ignored him.“Relax, he’s a big boy.” Xander’s hand around her’s tightened, though his gaze was focussed
Serenity and Xander grinned when they entered the Lombardi Estate, after a long month on honeymoon they had tan lines and large smiles.“Oh my God, you’re back!” Selena rushed to hug Serenity as soon as her eyes landed on her best friend.“I missed you too.” Serenity giggled, stroking her hair softly.“Finally! For a moment I thought you guys decided to settle down there.” Darrio joked when he came up to greet them, followed by the rest of their rather large family.“Hi.” Ivy was the last to greet the pair and the moment Serenity’s eyes landed on her she instantly knew something was wrong.“Hey you, is everything okay?” Serenity frowned.“I’m fine.” She forced a smile, but the bags around her eyes were a sure sign that something wasn’t quite right.“So, how was it?” Olympia wrapped her arms around Serenity’s and walked with her into the house, once again the group was gathered at the Lombardi household for dinner, and it seemed the occasion would become a regular one.“It was wonderfu
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could please have your attention. Will the bride and groom please make their way to the dancefloor for their first dance as husband and wife!” The MC announced with vigour and the crowd erupted in applause. The beginning notes of “From this moment” by Shania Twain played through the speakers as Xander escorted her to the makeshift dance floor set up in the backyard of the Moretti Residence. “Finally.” Xander whispered in her ear when he took her in his arms and began swaying her to the beat of the music. Serenity smiled up at him with a perfect brow cocked in question, “Finally, what?” “Finally you’re all mine and no one can take you away from me.” He pulled her impossibly closer and tucked her head under his chin. Serenity felt her heart flutter, “Do you remember the last time this backyard was donned and decorated?” Serenity’s eyes travelled to the surrounding trees all draped in fairy lights. “My birthday?” Xander frowned questioningly. Seren
The door to Serenity’s room was pushed open, in the reflection of the floor length mirror she saw her family walk through the door one by one.“Mia Figlia, you look so beautiful.” Caterina brought a hand over her mouth to cover the gasp when she laid eyes on her only daughter in a wedding gown.“Hey guys.” Serenity spun on her heels and looked at them with a nervy smile.“You’re gorgeous, Sis.” Darrio looked at his baby sister in awe, she made a radiant bride.“Aww, you guys are gonna make me cry.” Serenity’s fists balled at her sides to avoid rubbing at her eyes where tears were already pooling.
“Don, Capo Genino is here to see you.” Alonso stuck his head in the door to notify Xander whose fingers immediately stilled on the keys of his laptop. “Bring him in.” Xander smirked and closed the lid on his device before leaning back in his seat. “Don Moretti.” Joseph Genino bowed his head in respect as the door closed behind him. “Have you come to me with a decision?” Xander cocked an eyebrow, but his face remained stoic. Joseph nodded solemnly, “I’ll do it, I’ll step down as Capo in return for my brother’s life.” He spoke the words as if they physically pained him, but Xander didn’t care much for the dramatics. “Fine.” Xander stood and buttoned his suit jacket as he rounded the table to stand before the downtrodden man, “Joseph Genino, you are hereby stripped of your title and privileges as Capo to the Mafia. Bow before your Don.” Xander sneered and held out his hand. Genino didn’t even seem begrudging as he kneeled before Xander and brought the Don’s ring clad hand to his lip
“Shall we?” Caterina motioned for them to follow her to the dining room.“Oh wow, Caterina, this looks delicious.” Rosa complimented seeing the large spread in the centre of the table.“You really went out of your way, Caterina, thank you.” Xander smiled gratefully at her, which earned him a blush in response.“Before we start, I’d like to say something.” Caterina cleared her throat in an attempt to get rid of the ball of emotions that seemed to have lodged itself in her throat, “These last few weeks-” She sucked in a deep breath.Dropping her napkin on the table, Serenity moved to her mother’s side where she wrapped a comforting arm around her, “You’ve got this.” She whispered softly in Caterina’s ear.“These last few weeks have been incredibly taxing on all of us for different reasons, but standing here today I am sure we would not have been able to do it without all of your support.” She looked around the table with teary eyes, “So, thank you.” Caterina sobbed a little at the end.
“In the case Alexander Moretti vs. the people on charges of human trafficking and drug smuggling. Based on the evidence presented to the court, Mr Alexander Moretti is hereby found not guilty and is exonerated of all wrongdoing.” The judge turned his gaze to Xander, “Mr Moretti, rest assured that as a result of the excellent work of your legal counsel, the evidence presented to the court will be used to bring the responsible parties to justice.” Dropping his gavel he announced loudly, “Court is adjourned.” With her hands clasped together on her lap, Serenity let out a heavy breath. The wild beating of her heart was the only thing thumping in her chest as she let the verdict wash over her. “Dio Mio, thank the heavenly father.” Rosa Moretti spoke beside her with relief dripping from her tone. When Xander’s parents arrived suddenly the night before, he didn’t know how to break it to them all the crazy that had transpired since they were set to arrive. “He did it, just like he said