Impossible Love

Impossible Love 59

Maxieplus

I could barely shift in the morning, Gianni had given me a really good seeing to last night, Leon had popped his head into the bedroom, but when he saw what was happening he had second thoughts. Angie was up with one baby, he had woken up and wanted some cuddles and a change. I tested the milk and made coffee then took little Luca so she could check the others and maybe grab a quick shower. Leon and Carlos came out just as Lukas arrived, he is running now and is very quick to get to the TV, he also likes to bump into anything in his way.

"Excuse me little one, what about my good morning kiss?"

"Daddy." He almost scooted over to me and I bent down to kiss him, then he scrunched his nose up then disappeared.

Leon sat and looked at me as Carlos made more coffee, jock straps and tank tops were the order of the day today.

"Did you have fun last night Antonio?"

"Yes thank you Leon it was amazing."

"He's good isn't he?"

"Yes, he is." I wondered how he would know what Gianni is like in bed.

"When we used to play he was the best."

"Shut up Leon, you always make up silly stories."

"Give it up Leon, I'm not going to bite, and thank you for the babies rides, maybe next time you could run it past me before you buy in bulk."

"Sorry Antonio, we thought they were awesome." He dropped his head.

"Well they are, but too bulky for the van we need to find something simpler like scarves until they can go into a stroller built for three or three separate strollers, they would stack better."

"Maybe that would be a good idea Antonio."

"It is a good idea Leon I told you they were too big." Carlos agreed with me.

"Sorry baby, I do get carried away sometimes."

"Yes you do, Antonio do you think you and Gianni will let us sleep with you tonight?" His moo-cow eyes were at it again.

"Of course you can, we only had some unfinished business to discuss last night."

"Looked more like he was teaching you a lesson on how to be a real Cartasso Antonio." Leon laughed.

"Yes he teaches me very well baby." I reflected on last night's effort, Gianni was the star of the night.

I kissed little Luca's head and he looked at me and smiled. Angie had another baby in her arms and handed him to Leon.

"He needs changing." Funny enough he didn't complain he just got on with the job of making little Gianni comfortable.

"What are we doing today Antonio?"

"Well I'm going to go and see what Iris is doing to the apartment then I don't know maybe chill around here all day, you know play with the kids, maybe take them to the park for some fresh air."

"Okay."

Gran and grandad came up and the first thing she did was greet Lukas, then the babies, then our kitchen was hers again. Angie had finished her baby duties and now she's intending to bathe the boys this is where I get to play with them some more. I was wondering why Gianni was taking so long to show himself so I went to look for him, he was leaning up against the hand basin in the bathroom waiting for me.

"I thought you would never get here."

"Oh, okay I had things to do baby." He stripped me of my underwear and pulled me into the shower, then he wanted to play again.

The morning dragged on and gran did a splendid job of cooking breakfast, she insisted I invite Maxie and Tommaso up and they had arrived within minutes of my call.

I was given some of grans biscuits then went to look at Iris's apartment, Tony and Sabine were there and the workers were doing a great job of the new kitchen and bathroom. It had been fully painted out and there was some furniture already.

"This is beautiful Iris, it gives me a really good happy feeling inside." I winked at Gianni, I'm teasing him this morning.

"Well I like light and bright Antonio, when it's finished you all come down for lunch one day." I pulled her aside and told her I would pay for her renovations, she slapped me. I went back upstairs and Gianni couldn't take his hands off me. Sabine Iris and Tony had followed, Maxie and Tommaso went back home to clean their apartment. That left us with gran doing her cleaning and cooking, grandad on the sofa with my boy Lukas, and Leon and Carlos playing with the babies who have now been placed on the floor. I couldn't help myself and took several photos before Sabine started picking them up.

"Antonio, please ring Anna and Gino to come for lunch," Gran said as I sat with my beautiful husband.

I sent a message to Anna and her reply was, be there in ten.

"They are coming do you want a hand gran?" She stared at me and made a noise. Angie and Iris were already in the kitchen helping, I poured a drink and celebrated with my husband brothers and babies.

Anna and Gino arrived with little Sam who was placed on the floor with the others, he immediately tried to move around to see them better.

The food was loaded onto the outside table, grandad had woken up and headed for it to get himself and Lukas something to eat. The boys were called up and the babies with Sam, have now gone back to bed. They must be excited because we heard a lot of baby chatter as they got to know each other some more. Angie had a glass of champagne with the boys and Gino, while Anna and Sabine talked about babies as the party started in earnest outside in the sunshine. The boys were soaking it up big in their speedos as they plied Iris with another drink. Alice and Federico had been summoned and arrived just as I had filled my plate, Maxie was now helping gran in the kitchen.

Alice sat with Lukas and grandad to watch a wildlife show and Federico sat with us all on the vast rooftop. Three hours of sunshine and wine took its toll on us all especially gran, she didn't look too good when she woke grandad up and they said their farewells to go home.

It was just a fleeting thing but I didn't imagine that she grabbed hold of her back and slowly stretched. I need to get into grandad's ear and find out if there's something wrong.

All in all, it was a wonderful day at our house, when Gianni grabbed me I left Tony and Sabine sitting at the table with Iris and Alice they were making plans for the following week, I think. Angie was still outside laughing with the boys and I guess still getting an eyeful of their lumps and bumps.

He locked the door and stripped me, then he displayed me out on the bed just the way he likes it.

The house was very quiet when we finally went to sleep, two heads had popped in and we had visitors for the night, when I woke there were six in the bed, Maxie and Tommaso had joined us. Tommaso was the lucky one to have Carlos's bum in his face today, I missed it.

I heard babies crying and jumped out of bed to help, all three were upset it had been a big day for them yesterday so I guess they are a little out of sorts, they weren't crying just making loud baby sounds.

I fed little Gianni, Luca was in his basket with a pillow propping his drink up and Antonio was with Angie. Gianni came out and picked Luca up then started talking quietly to him as he sucked on his milk.

"I think your Nona is doing too much Antonio, maybe have a word with her," Angie said.

"She doesn't mind Angie, but I will tell her to slow down, I noticed yesterday she was stuffed."

"Do not think I'm interfering boys, it's just I see her all the time and she is struggling sometimes."

"Maybe you should talk with grandad then Antonio." Gianni looked at me.

"Yes I will do that first, I don't want her getting sick on our account."

"Just a suggestion Antonio, but try and talk her into coming here twice a week again instead of every day, I am paid well to be your housekeeper, I should be the one cooking for her."

"You are quite right Angie, I think it's just the initial excitement of having the babies in the house, she knows she can have them at her place anytime she wants them, she often takes Lukas home with her and we pick him up after work."

"Well she's their grandmother not their carer, she should be enjoying their company."

"Has anything happened between you two I don't know about?" She waved her hand at me.

"Not at all Antonio, she's a wonderful soul and I love talking to her she's very sensible. I just think she's doing too much unnecessary work that's all."

"Okay, first we talk to grandad."

"Mines gone to sleep." Gianni smiled.

"You need to burp him Gianni, he might get uncomfortable." Angie is a lovely lady and I know she's only got grans best interests in mind. I have been a little worried about gran and it's going to be hard to tell her to slow down a little. Angie is right she's our housekeeper and she should be doing that job. I know she can cook and clean, and I don't want to use gran up too much those days are long gone.

Eventually they had all gone back to sleep except Luca he was on watch. But it didn't last long his eyes also closed and they were placed back in the bedroom. Gianni and I sat on the balcony to watch the morning sun appear.

"I love you."

"I love you more." I replied.

"Don't forget to talk to grandad Antonio, he may be on the same level as us."

"I will do that as soon as possible baby, now for the bigger problem, how are you going with the blackmailers?"

"Okay Antonio, they will leave Brisbane shortly and Menowin will greet them at Da Vinci."

"So they are being sent back home then?"

"Not yet baby the Gypsy need to access their bank accounts to retrieve the money they stole from Magdalena, they will have a gypsy trial when they arrive back."

"What will happen do you think?"

"They will be stripped of all their wealth and sent to sell postcards at Pisa or Rome square, eyes will always be on them."

"Good, so we don't need to worry about it again."

"Yes baby the only worry you have at the moment is being attacked by me in the shower." He grinned.

I was wondering if Magdalena would get the money back after all it was her that did all the hard work for the Gypsy. I will speak to Menowin when I get time on my own which is a rare thing nowadays, Gianni usually does all that.

We showered after the boys arrived three in shorts one nudo, if Angie was surprised she wasn't saying anything, that Leon pushes it to the limit sometimes, but I guess the boys and Angie were getting a good eyeful. The shower was hot and steamy and I use my tongue to do all Gianni's bits and pieces, a thorough clean is what he needs today, and I love cleaning.

When we came out Carlos was playing with Lukas on the floor he was teaching him how to tumble, between his spit and giggles he finally almost got it and practiced for the next half hour. Then he had to go watch some TV. I watched as he tried to stand on his head on the sofa and I could see he was going to tilt and fall off, I have never moved so fast, but I caught him just in time.

"No baby not up here only on the floor okay?"

"Ok." Then he climbed down and did it again, I guess he can understand me now he's a very intelligent boy, he will most definitely go to college.

The boys went to sit on the balcony with Leon and Carlos, Lukas had noticed and wanted to go out also, he headed for Maxie's lap because he wanted to talk to him. I made more coffee as Gianni talked to Angie about the babies. I think he was making sure she would cope without gran being here all the time. I took the coffee out and topped up whoever wanted one then I sat in the sun watching my son waffle on about nothing in particular.

I had already planned a holiday in Italy when everything has settled down a bit with the babies, and yes we will be taking Iris with us maybe she will find someone to row her around the lake. This all meant that gran and grandad would probably come and Angie of course.

"We are thinking of going to Italy after new year Tommaso start saving, Angelo's won't be busy and you need a holiday before you start University."

"Fat chance of that happening Antonio."

"Well you never know what's around the corner." I grinned at them.

Gran was a bit slow again when she arrived and grandad was now sitting at the table playing cards with Lukas that was after he showed him how he does a tumble.

"The envelopes and totals are in the backpacks I will get them."

"Okay son, I will do them in a minute when this one is fed."

Gran placed some food on the table and grandad started feeding Lukas.

"Are you feeling okay gran?" I thought I had better ask.

"Just feeling a bit sluggish Antonio, nothing to be concerned about." I looked at grandad and he shook his head slightly.

"Well you had better slow down a bit gran, you're not needed here every day, you know that."

"Yes grandson I know, I have an appointment with the doctor today he will find out a bit more."

"Okay, but I am thinking I will semi-retire and stay home more. I can do my business from here I am not needed anywhere in particular."

She gave me that sour look and I need to talk to Gianni some more. When Maxie arrived back looking refreshed and hunky he made our breakfast under grans supervision and it was pretty damn good.

"Do you want me to come home while grans at the doctor's Angie?"

"No Antonio, all is well and the babies are wonderful to look after, I will just place them on the floor and watch them. I hate locking them in their room."

"Okay but if you need me let me know it's not far from the market."

Gianni and the boys had finished and he grabbed his money bag and me and we kissed everyone and went off to work.

It was getting darker in the mornings now we are almost coming to the end of summer and autumn will be upon us in no time. I have organized some gas heaters to be installed over the café tables, it can get pretty cold in the big shed.

Gianni made us a coffee and we sat out the front.

"I don't think you are going to be busy in winter baby, the crowds drop down a bit especially on rainy cold days."

"I will survive Antonio, we don't need to worry about it much because I have the wholesale accounts, and there's something I would like to ask you to do for me."

"Yes baby anything."

"I have been thinking and we need to sit and talk about the little ones, I don't like it when they aren't around. I want to ask you if you would stay home a few days a week just to help Angie and to get to know our sons better. I think we are missing out on the best months of their lives."

"I was thinking that this morning Gianni, I don't want a stranger bringing up our sons, well not so much stranger, I want us to be involved too."

"So we have a deal you stay home two days a week and I will work because I am a man and I have to work to feed my family." I smiled at him, he is the man and I think I solved grans problem. I will do a roster sometime today and cut her work down, it's not that I don't begrudge her time with the babies it's just that they aren't awake all that much, and she works in that time sweeping wiping down things and dusting. She misses out on her afternoon naps and gardening. God knows what that looks like at the moment, so I made a roster.

Gianni got us another coffee then he sat and looked at my list, he screwed it up and put it in the rubbish.

"As you have just found out it's a nightmare why don't we just play it by ear, I will talk to grandad some more and we have to find out what the doctor said first." I smiled then added.

"Okay but I am willing to stay at home permanently Gianni, I can do my business from there but I will miss you all."

"You are your own worst enemy Antonio, you make a big hill out of an old mountain, leave it to me please."

"Okay." I blushed and giggled at his words.

The workers had arrived and we set about doing our chores, Gianni filled the wine fridges and I did the rubbish, I don't do much during the day I often think I'm here just in case Gianni wants something, you know, sexual.

Alice gave me a scornful look and I said I could go and get him she rolled her eyes. Another one that's missing out on her cuddles I hope Gianni works it all out. I spied Sabine sitting out the front and went to have a word with her. She was also looking at a list but a different one. Tony had given her Iris's appointments for the next three months, I did see her smile a little.

She was telling me she's hired another lady for her shop and will only come in a few days a week from now on. She has too much to do with the business luncheons, she needs to look after herself more if Tony wants to show her off to his clients.

"You are going to be his biggest asset Sabine and you know this kind of work back to front."

"I was going to settle down a little Antonio but it looks like I'm back at work again."

"You love it, admit it, it's your passion."

"I suppose I had better go get a whole new wardrobe made." She giggled.

"When do you think we will all go back home again?" She's asking me?

"I thought around mid-Autumn there won't be much going on around here so I thought about then."

"I will move some appointments around or cancel some then."

"Are you feeling all right Sabine, you look a little tired."

"Tony had me up late talking." She winked. I thought I may change the subject so I said.

"The new shops are well on the way and David is going to try and get an exemption for Remo to leave school early, just a couple of months. I want to be here when he sees his new business."

"It's a lovely thing for you and Gianni to do Antonio, not many people lend enough helping hands."

"Well, he's settled on pasta making for a career, and from what he tells me, he's going to rock it." I laughed.

"What about cheeses?"

"He hasn't got any."

"I believe my son is maybe moving over to the cheese industry his new lover knows this trade back to front."

"James? well, who knew." I smiled, Adamo had told me when we spoke a few days ago.

"They are in love Antonio, I spoke to him last night and he is excited to be going into a different business. His father will still run the vines and we will still buy the grapes but James knows his cheeses."

"If Remo keeps it maybe his shop will look more like a delicatessen, we have two in here already. When will the cheese be available?"

"It already is Antonio, James parents run a very successful cheese business, awards and all. I think they are going to repackage it while theirs mature, it all takes time with some of them."

I thought about it most of the morning and wanted to do something to help Matteo and James out, just to give them some confidence and a kick start. I came up with my brilliant idea around three in the afternoon and the first thing I must do is find out when the cheese will be ready, and the prices and packaging. I was thinking Gianni's cheese and nibbles would be a winner in the café, an assorted cheese platter with good quality Italian dry biscuits. I looked out the front and saw Nina having a vino with a very attractive lady, Iris had cornered her to have a catch-up.

"How are the shops coming along?"

"Good Antonio, maybe four weeks away and the painting will start."

"Do you know any Italian cracker biscuit importers?"

"What for?" Trust Nina she will want to know everything now.

"Something I have in mind lovely lady that's all."

"I do know an importer do you want a price list?"

"If I may Nina."

She pulled out her phone and rang someone. I looked at Iris and she lifted her eyebrows.

"Matteo and his new partner are going into the cheese business, I thought he might repackage it with Gianni's label and we could sell platters of assorted cheeses with his wines."

She was thinking about it and said it was a great idea but will it be viable to just import for one business why not many.

"It's only an initial thought at the moment just to help them out a bit I believe James's parent's factory is full of awards and they are using it before they can get their stock up and running."

"Umm, I have forty-five bottle shops that will keep it, if you get stuck." She grinned. My mouth gaped as I took in what she just said.

"Iris, I will put you on the list."

"You do that, and talk to Tony or Sabine about it when you're ready, I envisage a display case next to Gianni wines filled with his cheeses and crackers."

"I didn't want to go that big Iris, but it's a great idea."

"We are always on the lookout for new lines and cheese isn't on our list yet, and it makes so much sense we keep it."

"I will get back to you." I grinned.

"Yes they will send you some samples and a price list Antonio, maybe you will receive it in a few days time." Nina said.

"Iris can help me with the cracker tasting." I laughed she sipped her vino and smiled to herself.

"Don't you dare run off on me again," Nina shouted, I looked around and saw the boys trying to sneak out.

"Sorry Nina we have something to do." Leon whined.

"Not anymore, get up those stairs we need to have a meeting. I will talk to you later Antonio, Iris I will be back." She grinned as she grabbed two very naughty boys then escorted them upstairs.

I spied Angelo standing out the front he was giggling to himself.

Iris drove home with us mostly and she was always one of the first to sit out the front with Gino Anna and Sam. they had become fast friends. I wanted to help him get some more money into his family but was stumped for ideas, maybe he will keep a cheese fridge but maybe not because that would place him in opposition to Gianni's café.

We kissed the babies while they slept then collected our big baby and a few bottles and went downstairs to see the crowd, tonight we had three local drag queens walking by and had a lot of fun talking to them, they were off to the gay club to rehearse a number. We didn't promise but did say we may call in one night to catch their show. A few makeup tips for Anna and a cuddle or two of the babies and they walked off feathers and all blowing in the gentle breeze, at last, a little color in the street.

"They have just moved into a flat down the road," Gino said.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"That's where they came from Antonio, and I haven't seen them before." He grinned.

"Oh." I giggled, of course Gino would know, after all this is his street and home office.

"How are you going with the flower pots by the way?"

"Very good Ant, but it will die down once winter comes potted flowers aren't popular then. You would be changing to winter plants I suppose, but people don't do any gardening in winter."

"I will be changing them soon we will come up with something mate, can't have you being left out."

"Thank you." He sipped his wine then he picked little Sam up for some daddy love. I knew he would be a good father he should take him into his work to attract the ladies.

"Anna you should get some eggs and pre-packed nuts and start your a little business at Gino's."

"Baby Antonio," Anna replied.

"Take him, he would bring in the ladies for sure."

She looked at Gino and he ignored her, I wondered if he just wants her to stay at home, then he giggled again.

"Do whatever you want baby, I'm behind you one hundred percent."

I was pleased and she should do good with her small stall if she decides to do it.

The kids arrived with their cheese and biscuit platter and I wondered how they were going to survive when Tommaso goes to University, he will still have his part-time job but Maxie will have to go full time because they will need the money. Maybe Maxie can supply Iris's bottle shops that will give them a good income and he does know his cheeses, the penny dropped.

"When do you start Uni Tommaso?"

"I have a few months to go Antonio,"

"Okay and have you sorted out your work, or is school full time?"

"Full time, I can get it done quicker if I do it that way. My Maxie is going to do more shifts when they are available and mum and dad are going to help when they can."

"So you will need a hand then?"

"No Antonio, we are still working on it and at the moment we are trying to save as much money as we can."

"Would a rent reduction help?"

"It's already at bare minimum thanks to you. Don't worry if we need help we will ask, but Maxie wants to do this on his own, he thinks having a Uni student as a boyfriend is a real turn-on." He smiled I laughed and looked sideways at my Gypsy boy.

We took Iris and the boys upstairs for dinner, Gino and his family are always invited but Anna gets their meals ready during the day, so maybe once in a while they come up later for a drink and if the babies are awake they play with Sam.

The boys opened a bottle when we got there and Angie was playing with the babies on the floor. I knelt and looked at their little faces, yes they are identical but by now I knew their personalities and that's how I manage to identify them. I did some belly farts and three little boys were giggling. Carlos helped me and Gianni showed Lucas how to do it, then it was his turn, we three attacked him and farted all over his exposed parts, he screamed the babies cried.

"Do they need feeding Angie?"

"No Antonio, I think they heard Lukas and have gone into sympathy mode for him."

"Really?"

"Well you don't see it, but when he's home he sleeps on the floor with them they have bonded even though they don't know what it is yet. When he's had enough I usually put them in front of the TV and he watches them he's a smart little boy that one."

Iris had pulled a chair over and wanted to cuddle them all so she was handed a baby to do just that.

"I suppose you will get babysitting rights when you finally settle in." I grinned.

"Yes Antonio, but I will have to be supervised I am well known for my baby-snatching." She laughed.

"Never, not you." I smiled.

"Well I tried to snatch Angelo but he wouldn't be in it, I told him I had a spare room but he only laughed at me."

"I wonder why," Gianni said and rolled his eyes.

"There's still a lot of go in this old girl yet Gianni Cartasso have some respect."

"Sorry, Iris." He blushed.

"Well maybe you will find a man in Italy when you come with us."

"Am I going overseas Antonio?"

"Yes when we go, you are coming with us, and Angie, you might like to roam the hills with a gypsy boy occasionally."

"I would adore that, hopefully, my divorce will be through before we go, thank you."

"Maxie and Tommaso you're coming too, there's a lake with boats that needs cruising on."

"We might opt out Antonio, Tommaso will have started Uni by then and we really can't afford to be frivolous with our money."

"We will see then, can you give me the correct date you start Tommaso, when you have time."

"What are you up to?" Gianni whispered.

"It's time to start planning, the kids can come for a few weeks surely, they don't have to pay we can do that."

"It will be a lot of money Antonio, maybe they would appreciate the cash instead."

I never thought about that, maybe I'm being too much of a mother hen again.

We settled the babies then we sat outside to eat, I was watching Maxie he was deep in thought.

"What's on your mind Max?"

"Nothing just trying to work stuff out."

"You need to go into your own business, something that doesn't take much thought." I winked at Iris.

"Yes and what do I know, only waiting and smiling at customers all day and my kickboxing which pays nil."

"Waiting is a very important job mate, the face of Angelo's isn't him, it's his staff." I nudged Iris, we are on the same page.

"I am thinking about expanding my range at the bottle shops if you're interested?" Iris smiled.

"What are you going to do?" At least he heard her.

"I have the opportunity to put some cheese and crackers into the shops but I don't have the time to organize it, you know your cheeses don't you?"

"I do indeed there was always cheese on offer at home, it was my after-school snack."

"Well, I have found a really good supplier overseas and am having a price list sent over. They will package it under any brand name I think Antonio is going to get some done for Giannis café, and I thought if some enterprising young man would like to take it on it would take the pressure off Tony and myself. You can call it Maxie's snacks or Tommaso's cheezie treats something like that. Put it in a display case with some dry biscuits and it will fly out the door. I have forty-five bottle shops so you will be laughing all the way to the bank."

"Sounds like a lot of hard work to me Iris, sure you don't want to do it?"

"Quite sure, you could earn a very lucrative income owning that, all you have to do is sit back, do the orders and count money. Maybe you can rent some warehouse space off Antonio for a cool room." She giggled.

Maxie's jaw was nearly on the table and he looked at Tommaso and kissed him.

"What do you think?"

"I think it's an awesome offer but we don't have the financing maybe we will let it go, Gianni can do it he's good at that stuff."

"Sorry boys too much for me to do, I am happy with just my brand at the Café, maybe I should just buy it directly from you. I will pay you cash in hand." Gianni was on board also.

"Cash is also good Maxie, you can stash it away for a rainy day." She winked at him.

Iris was now giving financial advice.

"Can we think about it I want to talk to dad first, and would we have to buy the display cases, or do you already have them?"

"I have them, at the moment they are filled with salad rolls and sandwiches, but we can reduce that and add your cheeses."

"And the supplier?"

"Matteo and his friend James," I said.

"Why do I have the feeling we have been stitched up?"

"Because you have been, we wait until we get the price list then we will work on a logo and you both discuss a name for your new business. Stavros will help to set it up, he knows people." I smiled.

They chattered away with Iris for the next hour or so then they had to go home, they have an early shift tomorrow but they did thank us for thinking about them, and Iris and myself got a peck on the cheek each. Gianni was a little putout but I soon sorted that out when we went to bed.

I was up at one helping Angie feed some hungry babies, Lukas had woken also but only because the babies disturbed him. We leave all the doors open as a precaution so he hears them sometimes. I cuddled him then put him in with Gianni who pulled him in for a cuddle, they will drop off soon. The bottles were ready and Angie did two I did one, it's easier now they are getting bigger they aren't so demanding and the night feeds are getting less and less urgent.

"Did you mean it for me to go to Italy with you?"

"Yes, although there are plenty of ladies there to look out for the babies I need familiar smells around them so you come, we pay."

"Cool and you say there's plenty of men there." She giggled.

"Plenty of hunky gypsy and Italian men around the village you may never come back." I laughed then I stared at her, shit what have I done, now I am getting rid of my housekeeper.

"Oh don't even think about staying there girlie." She giggled.

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