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Sal looked down at his hand before he pulled Gio into a hug, shocking every one of us in the room. Boss does not hug. Ever. “Grazie figlio. Ciò significa più di quanto tu sappia. (Thank you, son. That means more than you know.)”
Gio lifted his hand and held the back of Sal’s head firmly which looked like a moment of genuine affection. He locked eyes with me over Sal's shoulder as he tugged a hair follicle quickly, distracting Sal by saying, “I hope I am going to be the best man?”
Sal chuckled. “Of course you are.”
I peered over at Toni who couldn’t hide his jealousy quick enough, and I gave him a wink before slapping him on the shoulder. If I ever became Boss in the future, this fucker would be first to go and he knew it.
Sweet Love
Olivia
“Come on munchkins, time for bed!” I shouted for the zillionth time as Sani and Raya ran circles around me in their pyjamas, their hair still damp from the bath and in no way seeming the least bit ready to wind down. They had been playing up a little more than usual since Cecilia left to live with Sal which was understandable. They were confused and strangely excited. Cecilia came by earlier today and spent some time with them and told them about the wedding. She made it seem like it was going to be a small party with cake and music which I guess was true. Even though her voice was upbeat, and she had a smile plastered on her face, her eyes were void of any emotion.
“I am counting to five and if your bottoms are not in your beds, there will be no story tonight!” I used my teaching voice which caused them to halt in their screaming and to stare out at each other, contemplating my words. It lasted a whole three seconds before they squealed and started jumping on Sani’s bed.
“Right! Time to call in reinforcements… you made me do this!” I warned as I strolled towards the door. They paused their jumping and watched with anticipation in their eyes as I gave them a knowing look and opened the door.
Marco was stationed outside, ever the obedient protector and I nodded at him to enter. A small smile played on his lips which he transformed into a stern expression as soon as he entered the room.
“Ahhhh!! It’s monster Marco!” Sani screamed, pushing Raya out the way as he leapt off his bed to run.
“Monster Marco is feeling hungry! And naughty children who aren’t in their beds are my favourite snack!” He boomed as I folded my arms across my chest and watched with a smile as he stomped like a giant towards the frantically running bodies around the room.
“Quick! Get in your bed Sani so he can’t get us!” Raya shouted excitedly as she raced through the adjoining door to her room.
Sani did some weird action man roll across the floor and through Marco’s legs before hitting his bum and laughing as he sprinted to his bed and climbed under the covers.
“Owww! No! They escaped again! Looks like I will have to try again tomorrow night,” Marco spoke loudly as he straightened up and walked back towards me. We gave each other a sly fist bump before he left the room and I walked over to Sani’s bed to tuck him in.
“Good night you crazy kid,” I smiled as I kissed his forehead.
“Liv… is zio Sal not going to be my zio anymore? When he marries mamma will he be my new papi?”
Anger rose in me as I thought about how messed up this all was and how confused these two little people must be feeling. “No Sani. No one can replace you Papi. From what I have heard, your Papi was a very special man and he loved you very much.”
“I don’t really remember him that much,” he said sadly and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“That’s okay because he is always with you. Even if you can’t see him, he is right here.” I poked his chest, indicating his heart. “The people we love never really leave us.”
“Do you have a papi Liv?”
I smiled sadly at him as I stroked his black curls away from his face. “I do. Just like you, he’s right here.” I rested my hand over my heart and he nodded in understanding.
“Good night sweet boy,” I tucked him in as he grabbed his teddy and turned on his side.
After I tucked Raya in and closed her door, I had to take a moment to compose myself. These little people who meant so much to me were the ones who were going to suffer through this family’s mess. They needed their mamma. We had to stop this wedding from happening but how?
Making my way towards the stairs to the top floor, I paused when I heard giggling and laughing from behind Cami’s door. I smiled knowing at least one good thing had come out of all this mess. When I entered our bedroom, I found Giovanni dozing on the bed, shirtless in a pair of grey joggers with the TV on in the background. I tiptoed towards him, so I didn’t wake him up. As I reached his side, his eyes flew open and as quick as lightning, he grabbed my hips and flung me onto the bed, caging me beneath his enormous frame as I squealed.
“I thought you were asleep!” I chuckled as he ran his nose up my throat.
“I was but my body knows when you are near,” he mumbled as I ran my fingers through his hair. “Did they go down okay?”
I scoffed. “In the end. Sani asked if Sal was going to be his new papi.”
Gio groaned and rolled off me, holding his hand over his eyes.
“Are you going to let Cecilia go through with this?” I asked, pulling myself up on my elbow.
