Impossible Love

Impossible Love 18

I felt good after the skype call and diligently went about cleaning up the apartment while Lukas crawled around the room, it took him a long time because he kept falling sideways, and then he would want to suck on his hands, have a drink, a whinge, something to eat, like all those baby things, he certainly has a busy schedule on today.

I couldn't help but think that Sabine knows more than she lets on, about Gianni's father. I don't even know why she mentioned him but as per usual I aim to find out. I dressed him in fresh clothes and headed for the market, it took me a while because I kept running into customers who wanted to see our baby. He's such a chick magnet and he did what he does best, he charmed them all with his olive skin and black curly hair. I had deliberately put him in a blue jumpsuit so he doesn't get confused with being a girl, I think he would be insulted.

I eventually made it and parked the stroller outside the café. I saw it first from a distance, it was like a beacon in the dim market, I saw the neon sign over the shop it read Gianni's, nothing else, it was apt and so elegant. The front door and windows were new and shiny, and the whole look was so sleek.

The lights inside were on and there were racks for wine along both sides that finished before the coffee bar and cake bar, inside to the left of the front door was a cake display unit sitting quietly, but it would be filled with delicious delights sometime today. There are three wine fridges at the back and in front of it was a long counter with a cash register sitting on it. It was amazingly fresh and so European looking. The bar tables were powder-coated black and again sleek as they stood silently waiting for tomorrow morning's rush of customers. Stavros had scored a new black hexagonal table with six comfy chairs, I noticed a reserved sign already displayed on it.

I opened the front door and a bell went off, there were a couple of workmen still there and they told me that Gianni was out the back unpacking wines. I stopped to look at him when I went through, he had the tradie's crack showing as he bent over, and I so wanted to lick it.

"Wow," I said.

"Antonio, do you like it?"

"Do I ever, it's beautiful Gianni, well done, I can't believe the room you have leftover."

"Yes, and I aim to keep it that way, do you like the name?"

"I love it, and I love you." I kissed him.

He nodded looking at all his work. Lukas had to have a look too so I placed him on the floor and he immediately started exploring.

"I am sorry about the name Antonio, but when I get my wine business off the ground I am going to call it Gianni's, so I thought I would do some early advertising of the name."

"That's awesome baby, I don't mind in the least what you finally decided to call it, and yes, that's a very good idea."

"Did they install a new toilet?"

"Yes Antonio, only one for staff, the market toilets aren't far away, I don't want drunks falling asleep in there." He grinned.

"If you are referring to me boyo, think again because I have you in my sights for the next time you get plastered."

"I don't get plastered Antonio, I get more lovable." He grinned. I thought about a quick answer but thought again when I decided he was right, he does.

"The cakes?"

"Coming soon, I have just turned it on to cool it down a little, when a tray is nearly empty all I have to do is ring the baker's head lady and order another, I think the cooks are going to be very busy."

"They certainly will be and I will be your first customer too."

"Would you like a coffee now Antonio, I will have a break."

"Yes please." He set about making me one on the big machine, and he did a very good job of it too.

We sat out the front, the place looked smashing and I looked to the right at the florist shop which looked like it was asleep, it was dark and dingy now.

"I might renovate my shop now, it looks dull beside yours, and maybe a name change, what do you think about Antonio's?"

"Perfect, I can give you telephone numbers Antonio, I have many." He had picked Lukas up and was showing him daddies new work. Lukas was very interested in the table setting with the sugars, tissues and stirrers in it. The boys were packing up and one dropped a piece of paper on the table as Gianni fished the cash out of his backpack. They waved us goodbye and I looked at my man who had a huge smile on his face because Lukas had tried to say goodbye in his baby talk.

"I spoke to Sabine this morning baby."

"Why, did she ring?"

"No, I rang her, we had business to discuss, she sends her love to you."

"What business do you have with her Antonio?"

"I had her pack up all your family photos and she is express posting them to you. I made sure she packed all of them too."

Of course, he stared at me then shook his head.

"Thank you Antonio, I wouldn't have the bravery to ask her for them."

"Well they are yours and I used a little bit of blackmail to get her to do it."

"What blackmail?"

"Her grandson or grandnephew Lukas." I laughed.

"She would not like that Antonio."

"I was very nice about it Gianni, the photos are your property, not hers, and so is Lukas. If she wants him to call her nonna then she has to do my bidding."

"Be very careful of her Antonio, I think she might get you back."

"She won't Gianni, it was all very casual and she understood those photos weren't hers to keep, she thought you maybe had forgotten them so I put her straight."

"When are they coming?"

"I'll give her two weeks, and if they aren't here by then I will remind her, nicely."

"Thank you Antonio, you are so good to me, I don't know how to repay you for your kindnesses."

"You don't have to pay me, all you have to do is love me and look gorgeous around me, you are very good for my image."

"No Antonio, you are good for mine, you are the handsome one in the family, not me."

"Thank you Gianni, would you like a suck in your new toilet?"

"Yes please." He blushed.

It was then I heard a couple of supermarket trollies coming through the covered up stalls.

"Ciao Antonio, Gianni, and little prince Lukas, we have a delivery." It was Nina and two of her girls with their trolleys stacked up with cake trays. "Ciao ladies, I will show you where to put them." He looked at me and made a sad face, then he took one of the trollies and showed them into the shop. They fussed over Lukas, he was the first to be cuddled, then me, then Gianni, why do they linger?"

The cake cabinet looked wonderful when he turned the lights on and Nina gave him a list with prices and a phone number on it so he will know what he's doing when ordering, she also placed four clear cookie jars onto the coffee counter.

"We don't want the customers to help themselves so they are best sitting on here." She also handed him another piece of paper.

He paid her cash and told me later there was extra, coffees were made and I couldn't wait any longer, I had to have one of those cream cakes to celebrate the opening.

Lukas got some off my finger, he loved it and Gianni followed suit after offering the ladies one which they declined.

"We cooked them Gianni, so we had to do a taste test with the leftovers." Nina laughed.

"Have you gotten any further with the cup marquee?"

"Yes Antonio, it's all organized, we just have to decorate when it's erected next week and fill it up with beautiful ladies and guys."

"Do you need a hand interviewing the guys?" Gianni slapped me.

"No thankyou Antonio, I don't want you to wear yourself out before the event."

"I won't."

"You will because I am hiring you for five days."

"Oh no you're not Nina, I don't wait on people, I would drop everything." She leaned over and winked at me.

"We don't need you for waiting, we need you for stripping." I can't have this but replied,

"Well that's okay then, I am good at stripping." Another slap from my man.

"Apart from that what have you got in mind for the interior?"

"Like Gianni's display cabinets, on either side with a big tasting table across the back, a pergola covered in vines and grapes end to end, some pretty girls, boys, good food and maybe some dancers. A couple of ice sculptures or cake sculptures, many flowers, roman god statues and one Antonio, holding up the roof looking like an Italian goddess, stark naked." They all laughed at me as I took Lukas off her and cuddled him, at least he doesn't embarrass me in public.

They had to go and Gianni turned the lights out but left the cake unit on. He made love to me on the new floorboards while Lukas crawled around, we sucked each other for ages and used the new tissues to wipe up, I was exhausted.

"Where did Lukas go?"

"He's behind the café machine."

"Sure enough, he had curled up and gone to sleep, he must be very tired like his dads. I helped him clean up then we headed for home, he had a big spring in his step today and looked taller than ever.

"You suck very well Antonio."

"I have a great subject to suck on Gianni."

"Must be all that practice in the toilets down the road you have had." He got a slap then.

Gino and Anna were out the front and I put Lukas in their front bedroom while Gianni went to get a couple of wines. They told us about their day out with Alice and they had a blast buying all sorts of stuff. Anna wanted to show us but we said we would look later on as we were relaxing now.

"You had sex in the new shop didn't you?" Gino asked.

"What makes you say that Gino?" I asked.

"You spilled something on your t-shirt, it looks like dried cum." Anna looked and giggled.

"How would you know Gino?"

"I'm a man and I have eyes Antonio." He giggled and Gianni nearly fell over laughing, I had another drink and prayed that the boys would turn up soon, I have a job for them tonight.

We had him on the bed naked with a carrot shoved in his butt, then we bent him over and Carlos got on top of him, then Leon, then me, but I wasn't playing games, I was hard and fully up inside him when the cameras snapped away. Loads of close-ups and a few moans from Gianni, next time he wants to laugh at me I will have a ten-inch dildo at the ready, just watch him moan all day after that. The boys slept the night, they got scared when I told them about Sabine's call. I told them not to worry but they both held onto me in case she came in the night. I was an inch away from screwing them both but I was too exhausted.

In the morning Gianni screamed when he went to the toilet.

"Antonio, there's something wrong with me, I am sore down there." He pointed to his bum, I handed the phone over, movie and all.

"You moaned, but I think you liked it Gianni." I thought he was going to blow a gasket but instead he went to shower and I could hear laughter coming from the bathroom.

"That is so funny Antonio, I better not get drunk anymore because you take advantage of me."

"What? I take advantage of you, what about me, five times you have made movies of me, I only have one?"

"Well I had better get drunk again tonight so you can do more."

"Thank you," I replied as I dressed Lukas, we had to get to the market early to open the new shop. The boys came with us and as per usual they abused me on the way. I was in disarray when I got there and looked like I had a hard night in the sack. I immediately headed for Gianni's small powder room and tidied myself up. He had called the three casuals in for the day and we met them, they were all nice and gushed over Lukas and Gianni. I said hello to Alice who was checking the place out and the boys started displaying the wines on two smaller tables and filled up the rest of the brightly lit racks.

We were open for business and it started almost immediately, three cakes and three espressos was the first order from Gino, Pat and Anna, they sat at the new tables and looked comfortable enough. One young lady stood behind the big counter and plated the cakes up and the boys went into adult mode when they got their first wine customer.

My baby was whisked away by Alice and her girls, they are very clever ladies, they now he attracts the customers.

"I won't be a minute Antonio." Gianni got up from the table we shared with the others and went out the back. When he came back my jaw hit the pavement and Gino nudged me.

"Did you make him do that Ant?"

"No, but I am so glad he did." He had a black pair of stretch football shorts on with a black tank top and a black apron with Gianni's in gold across it, at first glance I thought he had gone nudo but he did a turnaround to give us a show.

"My new uniform Antonio, do you like it?"

"No, it's hideous, of course I like it, turn around again." He did while giggling to himself. I didn't notice it immediately but all eyes were on him and the tables were filling up quickly. Stavros and his mates arrived and ordered coffees, no cakes. I suppose they are watching their cholesterol. He was looking at the shop and I saw a smile as the place exploded with people.

Business cards had been printed and were placed on every table in their very own display holders. Ladies giggled and talked behind me and some men stared including Cal who had come to have a look. He also had three of his shitty mates with him and they were all staring at my man and his brothers who had done the same as Gianni with the sexy look. They are working for us today just to get the girls educated with the wines, but I suspect by the fun they were having it will be an everyday occurrence.

I didn't even look at Cal's table and I didn't want them hanging around either, but business is business I suppose.

"Do you want me to put poison in their coffees Antonio?"

"No thank you Carlos, as long as they are buying they are welcome."

The ladies behind me were the first to order a bottle of white wine and then their party started, the boys didn't do the waiter service, the girls did and there were plenty of questions asked about the hunky men. Gino and Pat had to go and Anna sat with us until she missed him and went to his veggie stall. I doubt whether Cal even opened today, they sat there bitching about someone for ages, but they finally left when Gianni sat with me and even managed to kiss me lightly, it's that Italian thing again.

"He's gay."

"He's not."

"He is, you know."

"It's the Italian thing, don't read anything into it." The girls were having an argument about Gianni and it was so funny to hear.

"If you want Antonio, I can fuck you across the table, that will stop them." I gave him my pursed lips look, and yes, I would like that very much. I got up and walked into my shop and started looking around to see how I could spruce it up.

"Don't you even think about it Antonio, it's perfect as it is." Alice scorned me for even thinking along those lines.

"Okay, where is my son?"

"In the back, all this excitement has tired him."

I poked my head in and there he was, fast asleep with that smile on his face.

I served a few customers but they weren't in there to get flowers even though they did, they were looking out the window at the eye candy. It got really busy about lunchtime and there were wine buckets on every table, even Stavros'. I went back into his shop where it was standing room only, while the boys, Gianni and the spare girl served them, there were strict rules also, if you're not sitting down you can't get an opened bottle wine. Many tried but we didn't want customers walking around the market with open wine bottles in their hands.

The tables were full and no one looked like they were leaving anytime soon, so I did a subtotal on the till and it came up with a nice big total, and when I looked in it the cash was overflowing. I told Gianni to grab it and stash it in his pocket so he tapped his apron pocket and said,

"Is it full again?"

"Yes, full baby." I am not needed here or my shop so I thought I might run home and do some washing, but that wasn't to be. I was shown out the back where there was an extra bar table with a wine bucket and glasses, Leon was sitting there having a glass of wine so I had one too.

This was their tea room and he was having a break, Gianni joined and us he was smiles for miles as he gushed about all the money he has made in such a short time.

"I will have to order more cakes Antonio, and I am thinking I will double it."

"That's good baby, you can keep the extra trays in the tea room fridge." I grinned back at him. "All right, I had better go buy one tomorrow."

It all died down around one and Stavros and his mates had gone so the reserved sign was put under the counter, we had stragglers after that and it was a breather for the girls who had started stacking glasses and storing empty bottles, a very quick clean up and we all pitched in then we sat out the back and had another vino.

At the end of the day Gino drove me home as I didn't think I could walk that far, but Gianni stayed back to do a little cleaning on his own. I was seated out the front with yet another wine when I saw him coming up the road. Lukas was in Gino's flat asleep and I went to get Gianni a glass. He was counting his money when I got back, wads of it, his bigger sales like the wine were mainly credit or tap card transactions, but a lot also paid by cash.

"We mustn't sit here all night Antonio; I have to arrive at my business early tomorrow."

"Yes, just have the one and we'll go upstairs, I'm a little tired myself."

We did just that, I grabbed Lukas then we three headed upstairs, it was fifteen minutes later when the boys arrived, they had missed us, the others followed later. We all sat on the fire escape and the bottles flowed.

I remember locking the balcony doors in the faces of two whining men who wanted to sleep the night, then I stripped myself and Gianni and we went to bed to sleep.

I had set the alarm this time and we must get into a routine because he has to be there to open up. I tried everything, a suck, a cold cloth and I even pushed him out of bed at one stage, but he crawled back in again so I left a note and headed for the market, he can join us later, looks like I am working again. I opened the shop and the ladies dropped off more cakes and I paid cash, turning on the espresso machine I replaced the reserved sign on Stavros' table then I wiped them all down again.

The girls arrived a half-hour later and couldn't get over how busy it had been yesterday, that was until we started trading again. It was organized chaos by the time Gianni arrived with Lukas, again he got into his uniform after I gave him a Panadol or two for his headache.

"No drinking today Gianni."

"But Antonio, I have too much fun." "I mean it Gianni, no drinking."

I wasn't pissed off, I was more concerned for Lukas, he needs sober adults around him, god only knows what would happen if something went wrong with him.

Stavros arrived and started dealing out the cards and coffee was ordered, I noticed Gianni watch him, but he didn't participate.

"Can you cope for one hour Gianni?"

"Yes I think so Antonio, the boys will be here soon, where are you going?"

"Shopping."

I grabbed Gino and his truck and we went to Dimitris' all goods electrical shop. I bought a smaller, upright display fridge and Gino helped me load it up onto his truck. We unpacked it in the car park at the market and then carried it through the back door into Gianni's shop. All in all, it took less than an hour. I plugged it in and it whirred into life, the boys had arrived and I handed the bill to Gianni.

"We can pay Dimitris on the way home, cash if you don't mind."

"Thank you Antonio, you are so good to me, I love you so much." He kissed me deeply this time, but that was okay, we were in the tea room come storeroom. When the cakes arrived I replaced them in the display cabinet and I put the rest out the back. That was after I unloaded the smaller food fridge of extra wines that had mysteriously appeared in it. I placed them to one side and put my lovely cakes in, it looked a lot better.

The boys looked disappointed until I pointed out they have a shop full of wine and three double cooler display fridges, how much cold wine do they need?

"But Antonio that is for the customers," Leon whined, he's always whingeing.

"Get a grip Leon, you're not here to party all day, there's room to put a half dozen in the fridge out the back, and no more."

He stared at me like I had pinched his candy bar.

"Okay Antonio, if you want it to be like that then we won't argue."

"Good."

I felt awful for spoiling his fun but business is business and play is for home.

It was almost an hour before I saw it, a big bright blue bucket filled with wine bottles and ice had appeared next to my reserve cakes fridge, on top of the table was an ice bucket with an opened bottle in it, I give up. I made coffee from my machine in my shop then I sat out the front staring into space. A chill all of a sudden moved up my back and I knew someone was staring at me again, when I looked up I didn't see anything out of the ordinary except a man with a woollen beanie pulled down over his forehead was standing by the men's toilets. He was looking straight at me, I could feel it, his overcoat was full length and he almost looked like a hobo but in top label gear. He saw me staring and ran off into the crowd.

Come on, make yourself known. I have a good idea who you are so let's not play games.

"Are you all right my Antonio?" I was still deep in thought when Gianni appeared.

"Yes Gianni, I'm fine, what's up?" I snapped out of it.

"The boys were just joking with you Antonio they feel very bad."

"I couldn't give a shit what they do Gianni, they can play their games all they like but this little duck isn't playing anymore." I got up and walked into the florist shop and only heard one word from him.

"Antonio?"

I wasn't mad at the boys, I was mad he had disturbed my line of thinking, there was something important I had to work out in my head, no something disturbing. I sat with our son and thought some more, why is he making a show of himself now after all this time, and why now?

No one came near me, they had guessed I was upset about something so left me alone. I placed my sweet prince in his stroller, he wanted to sit up today and watch the folks going by. I then left the market by the back door and when I was out of the car park I sent Gianni a text, 'on my way home, see you later'.

I looked around every corner, every shop front and at everyone passing by, it was the eyes that got me, those familiar eyes, you can't hide them sir, not from me.

I eventually made it home without incident and changed and fed some food to Lukas, but then he wanted playtime so I laid on the floor playing tummy farts and leg exercises with him.

After a while I put the TV on and made coffee, then we slumbered on the big sofa. It was late afternoon when Gianni arrived home but I hadn't put anything out for dinner and I didn't care, my mood hadn't left me. He cleaned out his pockets and started counting money.

"I paid Dimitris on the way home Antonio, are you feeling a little better my love?"

"What do you want for tea Gianni? I'm done for the day."

"Please Antonio, sit here with me." He pushed his chair back and placed his hand on his knee, I looked at him and my heart was feeling that brick again. But I sat on his knee and his arms went around me, his lips kissed my neck and he asked,

"It's not the boys, is it my Antonio?"

I shook my head from side to side and I was trying to decide how much I could tell him but in the end, I didn't want to involve him yet.

"No Gianni, can we not do this now. I will apologize to them and I apologize to you, it's just there's something I have on my mind and I can't shift it, but I promise when I work it out I will tell you."

"Tell me now."

"I can't explain it or put it into words yet, but can you answer a question for me?

"Anything Antonio."

"When your momma died did your poppa leave home immediately or was it weeks or months?"

"What are you asking Antonio, it was immediately after the funeral I think,

why?"

"Something I have been thinking about Gianni, it was sparked off again today, but I can't tell you any more than that."

"You think my poppa is living in Australia, or to be precise in Melbourne and not with his gypsy kinfolk?"

"I don't know Gianni, it's just a feeling at the moment that something's going to happen and I don't know whether it's good or bad." I leaned back into him and he started stroking my tummy.

"I know this Antonio, when my momma passed away I think he stayed with me for three weeks then said he had to go back to his family for a while, you can imagine the distress I was under. That's when Sabine started to call me son and she was more friendly to me, I hated her for it because she wasn't my momma and I knew my poppa loved me more than her."

"Did you ever try to find him?"

"Yes, I asked every gypsy that camped on the common ground, I used to sit in the field and wait for them every day, but they had never heard of him, every time I saw those caravans I asked, it nearly drove me crazy."

I stood up and turned around and placed my arms on his shoulders.

"For now I don't know anything more than what I told you, but I promise you this Gianni, I won't let this go, I will find him." He pulled me in and breathed heavily into my neck and I knew he wanted to cry.

I couldn't get mad at anyone but I will find whoever this is and get some answers as to why anyone would do such an awful thing to a child.

I pulled some food out of the freezer and thought of one more thing.

"Gianni, I will apologize to the boys, they know I love them but I will reinforce that. Please, can you do something for me, something important for us."

"Yes Antonio, anything."

"Can you not tell them what was spoken about in here today."

"I promise baby; can I play with my son now?" I smirked and answered,

"Only if you kiss me again." He did and I couldn't let him finish, it was too good.

He laid on the floor and watched Lukas and it will only be a matter of time before he's chasing him around the room. I heard the boy's balcony door so I went out and across to see them.

"It wasn't you guys, you know I love you too much to get angry with you."

"We know Antonio, there was something else wasn't there?" Carlos was hugging me.

"Yes, but I can't tell you about it, it's just that I want to keep it a secret for the time being. But I do love you both a lot."

"Yes, and us also Antonio, was it the rapist you saw?"

"No, I think something much worse Leon."

"Okay, we will not talk about it anymore until you give us a name and we have them extinguished." He smiled.

"Your both full of shit, you know that."

"Antonio, can we take you out for a drink tonight?" I thought about it and why mess up a daily gathering so I said,

"We will see you there in ten minutes."

"Carlos promised me a suck so can you make it fifteen?" To which I rolled my eyes and said,

"Knock on our door on your way past."

I went back to our apartment almost laughing and Gianni was staring at me.

"Yes, they are going to knock on the door when they go downstairs, how many bottles will we be taking baby?"

He smiled and held up two fingers so I got them and the glasses out, but I would have much rather have watched Carlos suck Leon off.

"Gianni?"

"Yes, my love."

"Drop your shorts." He looked surprised when I went down on my knees.

We arrived just as Federico and Alice did, they were given the comfortable chairs, we of course sat on the steps. I had Lukas while Alice filled her glass then she took him, he wasn't sleepy anymore and wanted to play with her hair, so she let him. Every time he had a handful she would cry and he would sit back and look at her, it was a game and my heart swelled just listening to his baby giggles. I was still thinking about Gianni's dad and I second-guessed myself at every turn. I got no joy, but even though I couldn't see the eye colour, they were Gianni's eyes staring back at me, his father also has the same shaped neck and body by the look of him, maybe I'm just going bonkers, that would be nothing new.

I talked to the boys about their plans to move here permanently and they said after the cup they will tackle Sabine and reinforce their wishes to stay put. They even said they were going to open an Italian take away at the market, after all they know some awesome cooks. I wondered if Stavros had another shop he wanted to rent out, there are more at the market, the perimeter is full of lock-up ones. They didn't spike my drink tonight because I walked home on my own two legs while Gianni carried his son, and when we got in I put the food on, the boys were there within minutes and sitting at the table waiting for me to serve them. Lukas had crashed so Gianni changed his nappy and put him to bed, then he opened a bottle of wine. I laughed to myself thinking, if they don't get us downstairs they will upstairs, and they did after dinner on the fire escape.

It wasn't that bad really and I woke up feeling quite good. Gianni had somehow slipped into me and was having a ball with my ass, I was in heaven but I didn't let on to him, his head is too big already.