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I missed what I wanted our marriage to be.
I missed the chance to make it that.
Molly had reminded me yesterday that she was seeing her parents for Sunday family dinner and I knew I had maybe my only opportunity to experience the kind love of a giving family firsthand.
So I hatched a hair-brained plan, with Molly, thanks to her knowledge of the secretive tunnel system in the walls of Armarow and my ability to blend in as a nobody.
Molly’s father, Davide, had been wearier of my sudden appearance. Molly told me he was the head gardener at Armarow and he no doubt knew the trouble I was bringing to his doorstep. Though he chose to remain quiet about it, placing a smile on his kind face and allowing me to fold in with his wife and four daughters.
“Tell me, Ari,” Isabella asked as she stirred a pot of sauce on the stovetop in their simple yet efficient kitchen. “How have you found your time at Armarow so far?”
“It’s been-,” I bit my bottom lip as Molly looked up from her task of tossing a salad. “Different.” I tried to find a gentle way of expressing my feelings towards the estate that both of Molly’s parents fondly worked at most of their lives. “My home in West Shores was inside of the city, so I didn’t grow up with the beautiful scenery that surrounds your town.”
“It is quite beautiful this time of year, isn’t it?” Isabella winked.
“I enjoy the serenity that it offers. The noise of the city could be deafening if you let it.”
“The shopping is much better though,” Molly smirked and added toppings to the salad.
I chuckled and nodded, “How far is the nearest city from here?”
“About two hours.” Davide answered, “If you go, make sure you visit the Café Rosa in the city square.” He groaned and kissed his fingertips in a traditional Italian way and I giggled, “It’s the best.”
“It’s where we met,” Isabella added, smiling at her husband affectionately.
“Not this story again Mama.” Molly’s younger sister Rosa groaned and rolled her eyes.
“Is that where you got your name?” I questioned.
“I think I was conceived there.” She grimaced and shuddered as I hid a laugh at her expense behind my hand.
“Oh, hush.” Isabella swatted at her daughter playfully, “You’re embarrassing our guest.”
“She’s fine, honestly. I enjoy the banter. It’s refreshing to see from a family.”
Davide nodded from his seat at the island with his cup of coffee. “Molly tells us your family dynamic is-” He paused, “strained.”
I chuckled and raised my brows at him, “Strained is putting it gently. My parent’s marriage was one of business. There was no love between them, and I don’t think any ever grew between them over the years either. Therefore there was no love for them to share with us growing up.”
“That’s a shame.” Isabella looked sad as she wiped her hands on the dishcloth.
“At least I’m free of it now.” I tried to sound reassuring, “It’s my siblings I feel poorly for, they’re still there inside of a loveless home with one less person for my parents to disperse their anger onto.”
“Yeah, but you married Nicolas Capasso,” Rosa said like it was as clear as day. “You could have done far worse.”
“Rosa.” Molly snapped. It was the first time I’d seen any real outwardly display of anger from her before and I raised my brow at her quizzically. “She doesn’t know what goes on between a husband and wife, and she shouldn’t comment on it.”
“Thank you,” I nodded but turned to her younger sister who reminded me so much of my sister Anita. “You’re right, there were far worse men my father entertained when taking bids for my hand in marriage,” I said calmly and her eyes widened in shock. “My life at Armarow is much better than the one I had before with my parents.”
“But is there love?” Isabella asked quietly with a knowing look.
“Mama.” Molly hissed. “Not appropriate.”
“It’s fine.” I grinned at her and took a deep breath before answering her mother. “There could be, maybe someday,” I said truthfully. “I think Nico is a complex man who carries many burdens on his shoulders as the Don. And being a husband is unchartered territory for him, but I do think he wants to be a good one, even if he tries to hide it.”
She smiled and nodded, “I was there the day he was born,” She shook her head in memory, “It was the first birth I ever attended.”
“You worked at Armarow?” I asked in surprise; Molly hadn’t told me that.
