It is early evening on Sunday when the men start to arrive, Vincent and Danilo coming from their various rooms, Chase is alone when he arrives, Vanessa, true to her word has not been seen for some time now, I’m beginning to get suspicious. Eva joins us in the living room where I have the kids so everyone can say “Hi” Matteo is the last to arrive. He carries Caela from Tommy immediately, kissing her cheeks and whispering “Princepessa” Eva has Angelo at her hip, his fingers wrapped around the index finger of her other hand blinking up at her with wide blue eyes. Matteo sways from side to side, causing Caela to giggle her little palms on his cheeks “When will you make me a proud grandpa?” he asks his son “I’m getting older by the day” I pat his arm “What do you mean old? You’re still very dashing Matteo” Laughing blue eyes turn to me and he shoots me a wink, I almost swoon. The man is handsome and he knows it. Eva is very lucky in this regard. I shoot her a secret smile but her att
Tablet on my lap, I look at my phone vibrating on the table, I’ve just put Caela down for a nap and fed Angel so he is happily playing by himself on the floor. Having finished with my work before noon today, I was feeling very good and was hoping to catch up on some soap operas I’ve missed. My eyes fall back to my phone. Father barely calls me, The last time he contacted me was the card he sent along with gifts to the children, before that was to scold me for not having better control over my husband's actions, not sure in what universe he thought that’d be possible. Pursing my lips, I debate letting it ring but with a roll of my eyes, I exchange the tablet for my phone, taking a sip of sweet tea as I’m sure I’ll be needing it for the bitter conversation I’m about to engage in. I swipe answer and bring my phone to my ear for what is likely to be another scolding. “Delores” as always his voice lacks warmth. “Hello Father” “When do you plan to have another child?” he asks
Still pacing, I start the moment the call connects, “Why would father think to ask that if I happen to have another baby, a boy, I should think of sending him to Chicago? I mean no offense, I’m not against them coming for a visit, Chicago was my home, I was raised there, I want them to know where I grew up, and my family, you, and my other cousins, but for them to stay there indefinitely? I don’t think so.” “I didn’t think he’d actually suggest it” Mama sighed and I knew she was probably doing the sign of the cross. More like demanded, but that is his default setting. “You might not know this but your father has been trying to get another child, for years” I nod, That doesn’t come as a surprise to me while he is pleased that I was able to snag a powerful husband, Father isn’t one to be content, he always wanted a son. “He does this even knowing the risk to your health? Your life? Maybe it's time you consider moving to New York permanently?” After I was born, the midwife unlucky en
I try not to think more about Father and his demands for the rest of the day. As I fed Angel, the both of us curled on the couch, and my tablet popped to stand on the table to watch the next episodes of Triumph del Amor. When Caela wakes up, I put him in his chair, changing the movie to a cartoon on YouTube while I bathe his sister. Taking them to the living room, I place her in her chair as well as I prepare their food. When I’m done, I leave it to cool for a bit while I turn off the TV. And get some napkins from the kitchen I return with their food. Today, the kids are determined to be good because the feeding goes off without a hitch and I didn’t have to go change afterward. I kiss their heads loudly for their good behavior and turn the TV back on to keep their attention while I clean up and eat my dinner. I’m tired by the time I finish washing and drying the used utensils. “Want to go and watch movies with Mama?” I ask the twins out loud as I pop Calea on one hip, then le
The kids are awake by the time I drag myself out of bed, Maria is feeding them in the kitchen. “Why didn’t you wake me? Good morning” I greet her. I don’t know how I overslept and the babies are up and about before me. I yawn walking closer, Maria spoons some mashed carrots and feeds Caela. “Niko said to let you sleep and I’m happy to take care of these little munchkins” She pats the side of Caela’s lips with a napkin before feeding her some more. I look up “Is he still here?” He’s usually gone by this time, looking around though there’s clearly no one else around. “In the gym downstairs I believe” Now she holds another spoon to Angel who leans forward little mouth parted in an O. “Alright thank you, I’ll go shower quickly and be right back” I lean down, dropping kisses on the children's heads before hurrying back. It’s afternoon, Niko having left after kissing the children goodbye. His eyes lingered on mine as he leaned down to brush a kiss on my cheeks before leaving. Father
I lay on the exam table after having done the usual check-up on the twins, it’s my turn next, I’m wearing a loose dress, in the clinic downstairs that had been converted to a full blown hospital at the time I had the kids. Every other week, Dr. Andrea comes by for check ups. It’s safe to say I’ve forgiven her for the last time, when she delivered my babies, placing them in my arms safely. I would have let bygones be even with the devil himself. I am indebted to her. She goes on asking me questions as she just does at the end of our visits. “How are you feeling?” “Better, not as tired as I used to be” Thank God for that. Taking off her gloves, she tosses them in the trash before rolling her chair back with a push. “Anything you’d like to tell me?” My eyebrow goes up as I sit up straightening my dress “Such as…?” I trailed off as I was lost. “How you’re feeling any pain during sex?” My heart jumps to my throat, trying to keep a straight face I shake my head negative. There’
“You do know you will have to expand your circle of friends?” “Hm?” “Your little coven I mean” she drawls. I sputtered, laughing “Goddess Eva, you make us sound terrible” She ignores me “While they work on keeping you informed it’s not enough, you must mingle more, it is your duty” I shrugged, unconcerned. I suppose at some point I’d have to start holding court like my aunt Sara. “Niko doesn’t like people at the house though” excluding his trusted men and cousin. “Then you will find another way, you will have to start making plans, for yourself, for the children, the younger women will come to you for advice, the older ones too, all of them will have ulterior motives, but, like it or not, you will have to entertain them, host parties and gatherings.” I close my eyes as she leans forward, a headache brimming behind my eyes. “Their children will be the next generation, not just yours, wouldn’t you rather start knowing which ones would be threats in the future?” Her brow goes up
Niko left early this morning, kissing the children and hugging me tightly. “Are you taking some men?” “A few” “Take care of yourself,” I tell him.He leans down, placing a soft kiss on my lips.“I love you,” I say to him and he kisses me again.“Text you when I land”“Okay, bye” Releaseing him, I clap my hands behind my back. Now that he’s leaving I don’t want him to go. It’s only for two days I remind myself.The moment he leaves I get to work, trying to keep busy. Telling myself he’ll be fine. Even with the tension in Chicago, he’ll be fine. And he took some men for protection.I drown myself in emails and paperwork the rest of the morning.“There’s my favorite niece” Tommy appears from behind me chucking a finger under Caela’s chin making her giggle. “She’s your only niece” I correct with a smile, then my face twist in confusion “Right?”I know Niko hadn’t been living a chaste life before we got married, but I just assumed he couldn’t have impregnated a one-night stand when he w