Chapter 115
Maxieplus.
I had wondered where the ladies' workroom was, I didn't know they even had one. Babies were laughing and ladies were chattering in Italian to them, so I deemed them safe and happy and went into the large tea room to see gran, and to get a cup of coffee. She was busy with some other ladies and they were organising the food. Grandad was at the books again and I guess business is still good, he was smiling to himself. Lukas was running around the place I supposed he didn't want cuddles today, although I think the fact his papa was chasing him added to the moment. When they got to the tea room he was seated at the table and a big cake was produced out of thin air for him. I half expected Gianni to open a wine but he grabbed a coffee instead and sat with me.
The cake was too big so Lukas shared it around, after a few minutes Rose my old friend and confidant sat down and sighed, she was looking at the ladies, my hand was taken and a piece of paper was placed into it.
"For later my friend." I slipped it into my pocket and whispered a thank you, I had no idea what it contained.
"The dress."
Now I know, she can't keep a secret so I started giggling.
"What is wrong Antonio?" Gran turned around and inquired.
"Nothing gran, just that the cake is almost bigger than Lukas." I smiled at him he had fresh cream all over his mouth.
Rose started fanning herself with her apron she sighed a few times and I asked what was wrong.
"This very old lady will retire soon, the heat is driving her into an early grave."
"Nonsense Rosa, you are younger than this old grandmother, and she has a new heart that could stop at any time."
"Gran!" I almost yelled.
"You had a stent placed into your heart, not a new heart."
"Well, grandson it feels like a new one for me. Maybe Rosa you may ask Antonio what you really want and not tease him with your silliness."
I looked at Rose and she bushed.
"I don't want anything nona, but I wish I could afford a nice cool fan at home at least."
I was gobsmacked, gran huffed then placed her hands on her hips.
"Go to the electrical store and get one Rose put it on my account."
"I could not do that nona, that is not very nice."
"So you want another raise then?" I said, once again she blushed.
"That would be very welcomed, Mr. Antonio. Then I could afford to buy my very own."
I threw my arms in the air and said.
"I give up, every time I come here it costs me money, grandad can the business afford a fan?"
"Yes Antonio but I think a five percent wage rise across the board would be better."
"Do it."
"Thank you boss, now let us talk about your current lover." I could hear laughing coming from the workroom. I think Rose is the head spokesperson today they know I like her. I spent the next fifteen minutes wiping babie's mouths and trying to convince Rose there weren't any lovers, by this time the tea room was filling up, and the ladies were having lunch. Some had their own and some tried grans cooking. Gianni sat and smiled at me I know he has questions, mostly unfounded and he likes to stir me up also.
He now had little Gianni in his lap and he was being very resistant, he doesn't want to eat real food he wants more cake. I was amazed when Rose took him and at least got a few spoonfuls of food into him as she gently talked to him, but I don't think gran was happy, that's usually her job.
After a very long lunch hour, Gianni decided to take me for a walk into his warehouse while the kids were kept busy doing their floral arrangements.
All the Cartasso stock was in the first one and Gianni's wines were in the second one. Two workers today and they were having lunch, doesn't anyone work around here?
He dragged me into the Cartasso toilets and had his evil way with me all the while asking me if my current lover makes me feel like he does. Of course, I answered many times, no.
His phone rang it was the boys telling him they miss us and they are so bored, he helped them by saying they only had four hours to go, just stick it out, then he hung up and giggled.
"What do you want to do now, go to work or go home?"
"We go home Antonio, have you spoken to Iris today?"
"Yes, she is at work and I think a little pissed off with mama, she had her up most of the night talking about babies."
"Okay, I would like to ring Matteo and see how he is going Antonio."
"We can do that tonight."
We gathered up the kids and said our goodbyes, Lukas wanted to ride with gran so we had only three but that was enough to slow us down again. By the time we reached the lift I was exhausted from answering the same questions over and over, that were being asked by people passing by who wanted the lowdown on the boy's progress.
I leaned against the lift wall and Gianni kissed me then when the doors opened the babies screamed to be set free. Lukas was there waiting he was dressed in his bathers so I guess we are all going swimming. Gran had towels at the ready and she ushered them outside. Gianni followed because he has to take the cover off, I sat with grandad and he confirmed that I could afford the pay rise.
"Business is very good Antonio, I have increased the council contract and the hotel ones, not a lot but it's expected in this current climate."
"I will leave it up to you grandad, is the body corporate still in the black?"
"Yes very much so, the building does not cost that much to run, and the cleaning and retiling only take a fraction of money."
"Maybe we should think about investing in another property is that possible?"
"No Antonio, but something will turn up I am sure of that."
"What are you up to?"
"Maybe some storage sheds in the carpark."
"Okay, good thinking."
I was bored and wanted to go see my husband, he was in the pool with gran so I dropped my shorts and got into the cool water, Rose would love this pool I'm sure.
I took little Gianni from gran and she started to dry herself, she was going to rattle around in my fridge to see what was in there for dinner. Gianni had the other two and Lukas was practicing his floating. Sam screamed around the corner once again and bombed the pool, I reached out and pulled him up, and in between his coughing and laughing he was trying to talk. The kids were happy to see him and his mum. I will take them across the road soon so they can play amongst the bushes and plants, it's been a while since they have done that.
Maxie and Tomas weren't far behind and as Anna slipped into the water they stripped and joined us.
By now Gianni had lost his babies and had gone to grab a vino, I watched his tight ass as he went inside. Toys and balls were floating on the water and my day had been perfect up until now.
What made it go downhill a bit was the boys when they arrived, the complaints and moaning were plenty especially coming from Leon, I couldn't tell whether he was really mad or really really mad, but he was upset.
"It was a waste of time Antonio, we sat around all day when we could have come with you and had some fun."
"Well you know what to do next time, say no."
"I think we will Antonio, this is such bull. We never see anyone that looks like mafia and we argue with security because they were thinking we are terrorists or something else hanging around."
"Just tell Angelo you are not interested anymore he will understand" I'm sure he will.
"My Carlos said we should go home early but we had a job to do and we did it. Antonio, I do not think we will be Camorra anymore, we just like our mafia."
"You can quit Leon, no one is forcing you to be a part of that group."
Iris has arrived and Gino was looking for his wife and son, he stripped down and Iris poured herself a drink.
"Busy day my lovely?"
"Yes Antonio, it is always busy when we are short-staffed."
"Sorry."
"It's okay I got to work with young Pino from the office he wasn't busy and he did offer, he wanted to see the product he's handling."
"We will be there tomorrow so why don't you take the day off, go and do something for yourself."
"No, I like being at work and it's a good excuse not to go shopping with Sabine again." She giggled.
"When is she coming back to work do you know?"
"Soon, but only for a few hours she's under orders from the doctor to take it easy."
"Good, but being at home must be driving her nuts by now."
"It is." She grinned.
I remembered something, so handed Luca over to her and got out and dried myself, I went to sit with grandad and pulled the paper out of my shorts pocket, the dress was awesome, she's going full-on bridal no frilly stuff just miles of tulle and a beaded strapless top with a full-length veil. It will suit Bella to a T.
Placing it back in my pocket I looked at grandad and said.
"Personal business, nothing worth mentioning." If it's not about the business he's not interested.
As if on cue, father Angelo Bella and our Angelo arrived but not for a swim they were looking for Gino. Alice was already sitting on the steps and he was missing in action. He got out of the water and dried himself then Sam, my kids wanted to follow him so we all migrated down to the front steps. Gran once again grabbed grandad and they went home, our food was already in the oven and Maxie went to get his cheese platter and he will meet us downstairs. The boys grabbed wine bottles, they were almost running to get a hold of the best steps.
Gino was talking to Alice when we arrived, she grabbed two babies and kissed Lukas because she had missed them. Sam was throwing the balls around and one of mine was with him. Anna sat on one side of me and Gianni had the other, it was like a pecking order, Gino, Anna, Me, Gianni, and the boys. Alice Bella Iris and the Angelos had chairs.
Anna was asking Bella about the wedding plans, and Bella made out she didn't have a clue.
"All I was told was black evening suits for the men and evening dresses for the ladies. Antonio is providing the flowers and Gianni the wines. I am to be there three hours before the wedding with my parents and girls. That's it, that's all I know."
"And your dress?"
"I don't have a clue Anna, my instructions were to wear a strapless bra."
"Hair?"
"To be done on the day." She giggled.
"So your not doing anything then?" I asked.
"I want to, but have been told to butt out. My only worry is that I won't like the dress."
"Oh, you will," I muttered, and she will its so fairy princess.
"Okay Antonio, what do you know?" Bella heard me.
"Nothing much, but I have it on good authority the dress is a major winner."
She wasn't sure she could trust me but I won't show her the drawing.
"So when is everyone from Sydney turning up?"
"At the start of next week, Tuesday actually, that gives them a few days to get organised. I am spending the next day at your warehouse for fittings and hairstyle ideas."
"So you will see the dress then?"
"Yes."
"Have you guys been suited out?" I looked at Angelo.
"Yes Antonio, grandad and I went for a fitting today and the ladies will be going there to check the suits are right." Angelo giggled."
"They are a trusting lot," Alice said.
"They just want everything perfect."
"Flower girls, do you need any babies I have plenty?" Gianni said.
"Yes, Lukas, but the ladies will have him fixed up and I will need him on Friday also for a small rehearsal."
"For someone that doesn't know anything about her very own wedding, you sure do know a lot," Leon said, Bella blushed.
"I have my orders." I burst out laughing at her face.
"I forgot, Gianni and Antonio you are needed also on Friday."
"We are not in the wedding party."
"I believe you are." Bella grinned. Gianni punched the air and yelled.
"Yess."
"What are we doing?"
"I don't know." I looked at our Angelo he was stifling a laugh, he bloody knows what's happening they both do.
"I will not be wearing a dress," I said.
"No you won't be Antonio, you will be in a dinner suit." Then he leered at Gianni and said.
"But Fanny might be."
It was a great night and after we put the babies to bed the boys, who were still complaining about having to go to the airport tomorrow went to their bed. This was the night the babies discovered they maybe could climb over the cot rails, they also discovered that Leon and Carlos make much better bedfellows than their daddies.
Gianni stripped naked and I caught my breath as he lay on the bed next to me. He snapped his fingers, and I passed the drawing over.
"She will look nice Antonio."
"That she will baby."
"Good." It was a given I did that because he was watching me look at the drawing by the pool, he's always watching me. Getting myself a lover would be an impossible task at this stage.
We had a nona and a nono, one baby by the name of Lukas but no little ones.
"Where are the kid's gran?"
"In with the boys Antonio, such nonsense they didn't want to come out with me."
"I guess it's their uncle's turn to get them ready."
"I do not mind Antonio, they are safe that is the main thing." She slammed her hand into some dough.
"I went to Leon's bedroom and could hear the babies giggling as I looked into the room, they were all playing some sort of game so I said my good mornings and asked the boys what time they were leaving.
"We are not going Antonio, they play games with us and are not very good Camorra, so we are going into work."
"Okay, that's fair enough, the security from the airport will be watching you again anyway, it may get difficult for you."
"That is why we are not going, the mafia has to be unseen and we are not comfortable."
"Are you going to wipe the boys down?"
"Yes of course we are." Carlos looked bug-eyed at me.
"Good, then I will see you when I see you I guess." They went back to their playing and I went to greet Iris with a good morning.
"Do you want the day off?"
"No thank you, Antonio, I was just discussing it with Gianni, I like being at the cafe, and I don't have a life away from it now."
"So everyone will be back in place then." I smiled.
Lukas has kindy today so I went to find him some clothes, he followed me and sat on the bed while I wiped him down and then dressed him.
"Did the boys wake you up baby?"
"Yes daddy, I help them get out of bed."
Mystery solved
"So they did wake you then.?"
"They were noisy so if I didn't help they would not go back to nights of sleep."
"You did good baby." He grinned, his teeth are so white.
I helped him dress and he was very happy with my choice today then he ran into the boy's room to show them.
I went back to my now cold coffee and made a fresh one, Gianni was on the computer and the kids had arrived, they were talking to grandad about their plans to build. I overheard them say they were also thinking about moving into one of them.
"Never going to happen," I yelled. They both looked at me and laughed.
"Okay, it was just an idea."
"Well forget it, the kids need their big brothers around them."
"Not you?"
"And me, end of."
I looked at Gianni he was giggling to himself then he turned to me and said.
"Want to see some photos."
"Yes please." I sat next to him and he flicked through a dozen photos of Matteo and Nicky, both had smiles for miles and our Adamo was with them. I guess Roberto took the photo.
"Are they with them?"
"Yes Antonio, this last weekend they caught up, Adamo said they are very happy and planning a trip around Europe soon, Matteo wants to show it off to Nicky and I believe Nick has extended his visa for six months."
"That's good, he has nothing to come home here for, except us, this is awesome. Federico is smiling I feel."
"He is Antonio."
The babies roared into life as they ran out, their uncles are showering, Iris scooped one up and the other two headed our way. They were telling us about their night they had a lot of fun and one said they are going to move into Leon's room. I don't mind where they sleep as long as they sleep. Gianni had a goofy look on his face and I asked him what was up.
"They remind me of us, we were a little older but we hardly ever slept in our beds, I think we tried them all out at the house."
"That's the way I want it to be Gianni, they will feel safe wherever they sleep."
"Well, we had a lot of fun."
"Has Menowin written again?"
"Yes Antonio, the gypsy has decided that the mafia men that are coming here are attending Angelo's wedding, he is sending two of his envoys to attend it also."
"From Australia?" My stomach lifted because I thought Adamo and Roberto would come.
"Yes us two." He laughed. I was sad again it would have been nice to have them here.
Little Gianni was holding up gran in the kitchen he was sitting on the bench talking to her, is my kid speaking in Italian? It was hard to tell in between baby talk and giggles.
We had breakfast and showered, then we were ready for our day. Iris the babies and the boys came with us and Lukas went with his grandparents, gran said they will pick him up and get him home safely. I have no doubts they will be careful with their precious cargo, as Gianni is, with all of us.
After parking we each grabbed babies and travel bags, Leon and Carlos were going straight to their office to do some work with Nina and the boys will, as usual, go in with Alice, they were pretty excited to do that.
I fixed up the cake unit then I did the rubbish, I winked at Gianni several times but he had become busy as soon as he stood behind his counter. I made coffee and nodded at Stavros, he had started his first game and must be winning he had a big smile on his face.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned, standing there were Bella and Angelo.
"Good morning you two did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Antonio, could we go out the back this concerns Gianni also.
"Of course, what's up?"
"Soon my friend." I picked up my coffee and walked out the back, Gianni had finished and Iris was manning the counter. We grabbed him and we all sat at the table.
"Now we have left you two to last, we were given a plan and have been warned to stick to it. Bella, you can do the honours." Angelo smiled sweetly.
"Antonio and Gianni we would like to ask you to be Angelo's best men on Saturday."
"Wow, thank you, of course, we would be so proud to be included," I answered.
"We would have asked you last week only the ladies said not to, they said you would try and interfere with their plans, so we are so sorry this is last minute."
"I never interfere, what were they thinking?"
"That you do enough for the community as it is, and they want to do this for us and Angelo's grandad, so they want you to enjoy the wedding not to be working on it."
"Okay I am understanding, thank you guys this is awesome." Gianni grinned.
"Now there are some rules."
I groaned because I was already planning my grand entrance.
"Hit me."
"We need Lukas to be our ring bearer, there is no other option. Also, we want to include the tribes that represent Angelo's close family, so we want Lukas and Gianni and yourself dressed as a gypsy, Stavros will be in a dinner suit, and my girls in their evening dresses."
"So we are the only odd ones out?" I was disappointed I wanted to see my Gianni in a dinner suit, I was hanging out for it, so I said.
"Not going to happen Bella."
"What do you mean Antonio?"
"We three will have dinner suits on, do not insult us by making us wear fancy dress costumes to a formal wedding." She giggled at my face.
"Well, Angelo that joke backfired." They both laughed.
"Dinner suits it is my friends." I didn't like her joke so I pulled the piece of paper out of my pocket and gave it to her.
"Another joke my lovely." She opened it and screamed.
"Where did you get this?'
"It is not what you know in this world, it is who you know. Where do we go for our fittings?"
"The ladies are organising them, the suit hire place still had your measurements and the ladies are making Lukas's suit especially, he was measured up yesterday." They must have done that when I wasn't looking.
All was good and we hugged them and they left to go and do some work. Gianni was looking at me and finally, he said.
"What do you mean fancy dress?"
"Well I wanted to see you in a suit again, I already sleep with a gypsy every night. Just looking for something different that's all."
"Come with me Antonio, clearly you haven't been attended to today, you talk like a crazy person." He pushed me into the bathroom and had his gypsy way with me. I didn't mind, even if they wanted us to wear bathers to their wedding, but I do like wearing a suit.
The event didn't go unnoticed at the market either, many gifts were dropped off at Angelo's restaurant, mainly by people that couldn't attend for some reason or other, but they were piling up.
Sabine's shop was busy, and when she came in to check her accounts she was roped into serving her customers, the boys put a stop to that by helping, they restocked the shop and made sure she put her feet up every hour for ten minutes. She looked stunning even in her state, she is the one person that should have had a lot of kids, but unfortunately, it wasn't to be.
Names were thrown about, girls and boys, and she said she didn't want to know its sex she wanted the surprise.
"What are you wearing to the wedding, my lady?" I asked her on one of her ten-minute rests.
"Cody Mitchell is making it Antonio, peach I think." She smiled then she went about replenishing her lipstick. I nearly said that was the colour Anna was wearing but I didn't want to throw her into a spin, so I shut my mouth. I heard from good authority that Anna was wearing a frock she purchased in Italy. Gino is looking forward to escorting her and Sam has a new suit to wear. My three will have black pants and white shirts on but I think the bow ties will annoy them, but we can only try, I have left that up to gran.
Two new men today and they sat with Stavros, that would be the Camorra contingent that came from Italy, Angelo the father told me they were his closest friends at the Vatican and know about his son and wanted to meet him. They sat with Stavros and his mates for a few days then they decided to do a few tours of our countryside. When my boys heard about them they were pissed off, they thought Angelo was using them and taking the piss, so they went very cold whenever he was around. I made Gianni have a word with him, and he told him to back off on the Camorra stuff, which he did.
They weren't arguing with him they just clammed up and spent a lot of time in their room, we were all forgotten because the babies slept with them mostly.
The few days before the wedding it all heated up, Leon and Carlos packed their boots away and announced they were no longer Camorra they were just mafia, when Angelo said he was going to have a word with them, I nudged him and whispered.
"Leave it, they are happier to be mafia." He laughed but thank God didn't say anything.
The day before the wedding we all congregated at the Italian club, and a rehearsal luncheon was organised, I think it was mainly for us to mingle with Bella's lovely parents and to reconnect with her girls. Lukas needed to be trained for ring bearing.
We tried our suits on and as I expected the ladies fussed over Gianni, all I did was try to fight off that stiff thing in my underwear, it was a losing battle. I did notice he was half tenting much to the ladies delight. Lukas looked smashing, he took to the role immediately and did everything right, down to picking at his nose. I grabbed the tissues and cleaned up he thanked me and then checked it again. The boys had tagged along and were handing out the vino, they joked with both of the Angelos and I deemed them okay again. I missed them sleeping with us and apart from begging them to, I also was making the most of it by entertaining my husband at night time. Once I even served him up some strawberries and cream, which he found delicious and I found my "thing" as he munched away. Just even trying some new things rejuvenated our love life, we purchased even sexier underwear and enjoyed every intimate moment.
The dress wasn't on display and Bella and her girls were having their fitting in a separate room, she beamed when she came out to join us, and her girls were all chattery and were looking at their phones, I think many photos were taken. There was no bucks turn or girl's night out. Neither Bella nor Angelo wanted one, they didn't want their day spoiled by hangovers. And they will sleep the wedding night together, there was nothing regular about this wedding. Her parents were beautiful people and gran and grandad sat talking in Italian to them, as they nursed babies and eventually got some food into them. Angelo and Bella were being instructed on doing a bridal waltz and when that was finished, Nina crossed it off her list.
Lukas wanted me to show him how to dance so I placed his feet on mine and sort of waltzed him around the room. He giggled all the way and just as I suspected would happen, the little ones were lining up so their poppa and uncles could do the same. I wasn't put out that they were not included in the wedding party I was relieved. I had visions of chasing them up the aisle screaming. "Boys behave."
But we had a wonderful time trying to teach them at least how to waltz. Stavros had started up another game and it looks like he is going to settle in for the night, The two visitors from Roe sat with father Angelo and they were deep in conversation. How I wished I was a fly on the wall and I also wished I ad learnt more Italian.
The day moved onto early evening and the ladies put everything away, cleaned up then restarted the ovens for the night's meals and entertainment. A small band had turned up and lights were dulled. I was talking to Gianni and we agreed that we should go home because it had been a very long day for the kids and we all need to relax before the big day, which is tomorrow.
We said our goodnights and rounded up the tribe, the van was loaded up and my husband carefully drove us home. Gino was on the steps and we had to have a play with Sam, then one hour into that catch up it was time for baths and bed.
Carlos and Leon had been pretty quiet on the way home, so as we slipped into the bath with four kids I asked Gianni what was up with them.
"They get emotional at weddings Antonio." I stared at him and not in a good way, I know bull when I hear it but if he wants to go down this road again, I'm up for it. Lukas broke the air, he had enough bathing tonight and wanted out, plus the little ones have discovered splashing him with suds.
I dried him off and then dressed him in his pyjamas, then I was handed another one. When they were dressed they ran to the tv and joined their brother. When the lights were turned out we were graced with their company, the boys had locked their bedroom door so they joined us. I hummed to them as they one by one dropped off to sleep, it had been a big day for them so it wasn't hard to lull them off.
Gianni moved his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in, my hand was placed on his taut stomach and I willed myself to go to sleep.
"He is remembering his little boy's life Antonio, sometimes he gets flashes of what it was like and he gets depressed. He will pull himself out of it as he does always. I think it is time for him and Carlos to have a small holiday."
"I see, so it was bad after all."
"Yes Antonio, very bad, but I do not know the details only what I read in mama's paperwork."
"Why is he remembering things, do you know?"
"No Antonio, the babies remind him, maybe a flower or a noise or music reminds him. We do not know, it happens for a couple of days then it goes away."
"Okay if there is anything I can do let me know."
"You already do a lot Antonio, but yes, I will include you if it changes."
"Good night and thank you."
"No thank you, Antonio, you look beautiful in that suit today."
"Do you want a suck?"
"Yes please." I am such a fan of a compliment or two.
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