Impossible Love 88
Maxieplus
I enjoyed my stroll home and when I got in I sat in front of the computer, I had bookmarked the write-up I had been reading last night, so I went with that one first. It was a history of the family and although very interesting there was no clue to grans secret so I did another search.
This one was about the resistance and the many people they saved during the occupation, although my great grandparents were mentioned several times nothing was said once again about a daughter.
There were a few chapters about them that weren't very authentic I felt, it was the story of the missing millions that the escapees left behind. Some guy was searching for it and the names were mentioned, but when I checked the write up it had only been written five years ago so I chased that one and came up with a whole different story about the D'Corsico family.
People fleeing Italy during the war handed over their wealth to the Vatican if they had any that is, and in return, it guaranteed them an escape route thanks to the resistance. The writer was saying that the Vatican kept all that wealth and never returned it to any of the owners. The deal was they took some and then they were supposed to send the rest on when houses and lands were sold but that never happened. He said the D'Corsico family took a big part of that wealth. I couldn't fathom what had gone on in those days, it must have been hell on earth for everyone that was caught up in it. I made a note to ask Sabine or better still Federico about the occupation and how their family handled it.
Eventually, after searching the author and treasure chaser, Maria D'Corsico was mentioned. He had gone to a small village and talked to a family that told him rumor has it that she lived in the village for fifteen years but disappeared, her adoptive parents who were simple farmers were long gone, so he deemed it another dead end. If he's still out there chasing buried treasure then that would set alarms off, maybe gran got wind of it.
The author of the write-up also said that the D'Corsico family had shifted their wealth to a London location but didn't say where. Going by what I read in the will it is still in the vaults of the Vatican, only gran can fill in the gaps and I can't ask her because I don't want her upset.
I opened a wine and searched on then read more on the resistance fighters and how they survived. It said that a lot of fine families helped feed them and arm them through a network of mafia and gypsy sympathizers and smugglers which the two identities were well known for.
I went to sit on the balcony to clear my head and sipped the wine while I sorted everything out. Gran wouldn't know what happened back then she was only a baby born near the end of the war. I wondered if she has always known about the will or did it just turn up years later after gran fled the village.
Gianni woke me up and Lukas kissed me he wanted to know where I had been he had missed me. I think he would have been told but he wanted confirmation. I stretched and pulled him in, he giggled then ran off to watch his tv.
"Did you rest Antonio?"
"Some Gianni, I dropped off here about an hour ago." I sat up and found the babies then hugged them. The boys had gone to the Cartasso apartment and were clearing it out of the bulky furniture, Iris was with them so Gianni and I were all alone.
"Did you do any more research?"
"Yes, and I am still none the wiser."
"Maybe you are looking in the wrong place Antonio, maybe you should be asking Stavros."
"Why Stavros?"
"He knows everything, and he can keep his mouth closed."
"Gran will go ballistic if I tell him anything."
"He and grandad were around when gran was younger maybe he saw something."
"Maybe, but gran said even grandad didn't know her secret," I said.
"Maybe she said that to throw you off the scent."
I thought about it and I might ask him what gran was like as a young teen but that's as far as I can go, no I have to leave this up to her but I hate it when someone I love has a problem and I cant fix it.
I started getting dinner ready and Gianni gave the boys some milk, Iris came up shaking her head, and told us the boys are decorating the studio.
She also said she will be going to Rutherglen in the morning to do the interview, so she will be having two days off.
"Have you written out the questions Iris?"
"Yes Antonio, I will get one of the boys up there to film it because apparently, I have to do it live." I passed a wine to her and sat.
"Do you know who's on the show?"
She blushed and then she laughed.
"Brenten Walsh."
"Is he going to do it?"
"Apparently."
"He never gets in front of a camera."
"He does now." More laughing.
"Anyone else?"
"I have no idea Antonio," She rolled her eyes.
In the meantime, Gianni was looking through the emails and I was up to my neck in spaghetti sauce, I could hear one of the babies laughing his head off, he couldn't stop so I went over to see what was happening. Luca was having a laughing fit the panda bear on tv was tickling his fancy, every time it appeared on screen he laughed. My heart warmed and I went back to what I was doing. I cant ask Stavros he wouldn't know anything anyway, and tomorrow I will look for a Panda at the market, these kids have been spoilt already, one more present won't hurt.
The computer was put to sleep and the kids arrived, they had a good day and had hired two casuals to look after the warehouse, so they spent much of their day showing them the ropes.
"Call the boys up Gianni, dinner is almost ready," I said as I passed a bowl to Tommaso and Maxie, they grabbed a kid each, and I grabbed the last one. They were dumped into their high chairs and Lukas sat on his cushions at the table. Helping the babies to eat is nearly impossible they only wanted to play with their spoons but we managed to get at least half into them Lukas was different he loved his sauces and ate it all up. When he had finished he started feeding his brothers and they did have some more which surprised me. The boys arrived and we all sat to eat together.
"Did you get it all finished?"
"Yes Antonio, it is ready to go. Iris, we have to do a lighting and camera test so you will be required at the studio one hour before your little talk."
"I can do that." She smirked.
"Carlos will be doing your makeup also."
"I can do that myself."
"Carlos is a trained make-up director, he used to do mamas all the time."
"God, help me," She moaned.
On the steps later we talked about the new men and Maxie said they were from the club and needed extra work, he told them they will get the orders together and they can come in after their day jobs and pack it all getting it ready for delivery the next day. I think they have solved their problems now, and hopefully, things will run smoother. Gianni gave Gino some orders and Anna was very happy she had some help.
The kids played in the background and once again I took them upstairs early. They played some more in the apartment, then it was their bedtime. We will have gran in the morning so I think Lukas will go with her.
I cleaned up the kitchen and closed off everything, then they all came up to have a nightcap, and hopefully, the place will be quiet once again.
Gran was on board the next day, there was nothing out of the ordinary except she looked a bit worn out. I wanted to talk to grandad but this wasn't the time because the kids come first and they had his attention on the couch.
Iris had left early to catch her train, so we won't have her for a few days. I asked the boys who they were having on the show and they kept tight-lipped.
I thought this time I could slip in and watch from the back.
I was a bit out of whack this morning because there was no Iris, I missed her company. I helped Gianni with the wine counter, drank coffee went to check the little ones, and generally stayed off the computer, if I let it, it will consume my every waking hour. I will leave it up to gran she has always known best. I was sitting out the front with my cake and coffee when I heard a man whisper in my ear.
"You will have new neighbors on the weekend Antonio," Stavros wants to talk.
"Are you moving in with them?"
"No, I wouldn't do that to them Antonio they need space even though Bella said she was quite happy to be living with me."
"Maybe they won't like living in the apartment Stavros and move back to your house." I was trying to be positive.
"Maybe Antonio, but my grandson has plans, so many plans now it's like he's come alive again, and thinking out of the restaurant."
"He was only consuming it because he didn't want to date anymore." I smiled.
"Yes he's a good boy Antonio, but I do sometimes wish you should have taken him as a lover."
"So do I Stavros, so do I." I mused.
"Stavro's what was gran like back in your village, I mean did she get along with everyone, or was she just as stubborn back then?"
"Just as stubborn Antonio, why do you ask?"
"No reason, it's just something I have never done, pursue grans background, and I wanted to know that's all."
"She won't like you prying Antonio."
"She never likes anyone to pry, I guess that's why she's so secretive."
"She was a beautiful girl full of energy and she was loved by the whole village and as you know loved by me and your nono also. When she left the village she left a big gap in everyone's lives, your grandfather and I chased her to Roma." He laughed.
"So you both missed her, why did she go to Rome?"
"She wanted to work Antonio, she has always been a worker. She was working in her parent's small bakery for years then she wanted to know more about cooking so she went to Roma to find a job in a Ristorante which she did straight away. We traveled to see her a lot and she was very happy back in those times.
"So she learned all her cooking skills from there then?"
"Yes Antonio, three years she worked there and saved every Lira she earned, something happened to her in Roma, she grew up a lot, and by that time she and your nona were seeing each other constantly. I asked her to marry me but she said she will marry my friend, I was disappointed but knew they were in love."
"So what happened to her in Rome?"
"I don't know Antonio she became very secretive and certainly didn't talk to me much about it. They were married in Rome and we three decided to immigrate to Australia, and the rest you know."
"That's the problem Stavros I don't know."
"Well you should have asked a long time ago, we worked hard and bought a house together then another then another and when they were paid for we took one each and began our investments, land was cheap back then."
"Did you meet your wife out here?"
"Yes god bless her soul I met her the first week of our arrival."
He didn't want to talk anymore because his mates were calling him back to the table, so he patted my shoulder and left me on my own, but before he left he said.
"You should talk to your grandad Antonio, he will have the answers you seek."
"Thank you, maybe I will."
"So, Antonio do you think you will be speaking with me today, or do I have to make an appointment?" Gianni sat down.
"What would you like to talk about my dreamy man?"
"Stavros?"
"He was telling me that Angelo and Bella are to become our new neighbors on the weekend."
"And?"
"A little about how they came to Australia Gianni nothing else. Gran worked in Rome for three years before they came here."
"Okay if there is anything you are hiding from this husband of yours you will let me know."
"Of course I will Gianni, I am not getting anywhere with this problem."
"Maybe you should talk to your grandfather then."
"Maybe I will." I almost groaned.
With no Iris I didn't have anyone to talk to, the boys did come and sit with us but they were doing a sort of plan for the radio night but we weren't invited to contribute. We will pick Lukas up from grans on the way home but that's not a good time to talk to grandad, I will have to get him on his own.
Iris did ring and said she arrived okay and was now on her way to do the interview and talk to Mr. Ferguson about making some wines. I told her everything was under control and I haven't found out anything about her radio show the boys were keeping secrets again.
When we got to grans Lukas rushed out the front door and was already talking at a hundred miles an hour. He had learned how to do tomatoes the olden ways so he was showing us his bucket he had to stomp in to crush the tomatoes, he had so much fun and then he started showing the babies how he does it. I looked at gran and she was smiling I think she did good today she said she took a small video and had sent it around to the family. I checked and there it was, he wanted to see it for the fiftieth time and then he wanted the kids to see it. I told him we would put it on the big tv and his memory stick so he can watch it anytime he wants.
Grandad was fussing around and when the kids got bored he took them out to the backyard. I walked out with Lukas to see his garden, I think he will have heaps of work to do now all grans tomato plants are fruiting.
I walked down the yard to where grandad was standing throwing the ball for the kids and I whispered.
"We have to talk grandad."
"Oh, have you bought a new business, Antonio?"
"No it's about gran, I need to know a few things."
"She won't like it Antonio,"
"I have to ask, it's driving me crazy, and your the only one that might know about what happened in Rome when she was younger." He lifted his eyebrows and winked.
"You want to know about Maria D'Corsico don't you?"
"How the fuck did you know, gran said you didn't know anything."
"I know a lot of things Antonio, I know about the will and I know about the medals and I know there's a safety deposit box at the Vatican with her name on it."
"How do you know?"
"She was very secretive even back then. I saw these things in her small room and asked, she told me it would mean her parents reputation if it was ever revealed who she was, that's when I encouraged her to marry me and move to Australia."
"What is she so scared of?"
"The mafia, the gypsy, who knows, she thought as long as she stayed hidden she was safe, they will blame her for keeping the wealth that belonged to the poor people that her parents were trying to help, some had to pay to use the escape route Antonio it was different back then, the wealthier ones also left some family possessions with them, and they sent them along later when they got word they were safe, I doubted her parents had kept anything from the poor souls."
He walked me further into the garden and went on.
"She had gone to the Vatican and looked in the storage box and saw brown packages with names on them. They were the ones that weren't sent on but kept. Her parents sent the belongings on through some trustworthy Cardinals, but the ones that were left in the vault were owned by the poor people that never made it through the mountains, and it hurt your grandmother very much that her parents would keep it. She didn't realize up until now she can use the internet to search out the ancestors of these people, so she has asked Roberto if he would do that little job for her."
"Does she know your talking to me about it?"
"Yes Antonio, she knows, and she has something to give to you but she also said she will not talk to you about it until her family shame has been fixed. Come, walk to the garden shed with me."
I followed him and the boys followed me, he opened the shed and we went in. I could tell gran had been in here it was spotless and every tool every garden implement had its place. He reached into a wall cabinet and took out a box wrapped in brown paper tied with old fraying string.
"These are for you, never lose them and never let the children play with them. Look at them when you get home Antonio don't make a big fuss with your nona."
"I won't grandad can you tell me why Francisco had to deliver the envelope, like, why not have it posted out to her?"
"Roberto trusts him, and it could have been lost in the mail, so your grandmother says. Her task was to place the will and her consent into it and Francisco will deliver it safely." he laughed.
"But you haven't asked me the most important question yet Antonio."
"What would that be grandad?"
"Are you the current Count D'Corsico?"
"What?" It never crossed my mind the title would have come to me, I thought it may have died when my great grandfather did.
"Am I?"
"Yes." He laughed his head off as he locked the shed door behind us, then he picked little Gianni up and walked back to the house.
"Your father was the count, now you, then Lukas. It is only symbolic nowadays Antonio you have no clout with the Italian government." He laughed again.
I gathered up my kids and kissed my husband, then I looked at gran and walked over to where she stood, she must be so worried. I leaned in and kissed both her cheeks and said.
"Whatever happens I have your back, you will never be afraid to hold your head up high again, not with me around." I kissed her again and saw the tears.
"What is in the package, Antonio?"
"Something personal gran wanted me to have, I haven't looked yet."
"We will look when we get home Antonio."
"Yes, Gianni." I held onto the parcel and I knew what was in it, the two Savoy medals her parents had been awarded. They must have been held at the Vatican for her collection I suspect.
I felt a lot better and when we got in, thank God grandad has her back also. Gianni sat next to me while I opened the package, I hadn't told the boys but I will have to now because they were hanging out to see them.
The medals were beautiful and in pristine condition, I held each one and kissed them, then they all wanted to do the same. They were returned to their boxes and placed in the safe for now. I will sometimes get them out in years to come to kiss them out of sheer gratefulness for having a wonderful daughter.
"Antonio, why didn't you tell us before?" Carlos asked.
"Because I was told not to say anything."
"Well, Mr big Secrets I have some news for you, so there."
"What news would that be Leon?"
"The gypsy and Mafia have been looking for Maria D'Corsico for decades, they also have medals to grant her in her parent's names. Why would she think that the mafia was chasing her."
"What, you told them." I looked at Gianni.
"They wouldn't let up Antonio, and I knew with their contacts in the mafia, and mine in the gypsy, we would find the real story."
"They're not a mafia's asshole Gianni they play games they lie cheat and upset their best friends, how do I know they have contacts with that mob?"
Leon stood over me and looked down.
"Because we are mafia, the fountain in the village, the carpark at the market, and several others that upset our family, we don't put flowers on new buildings Antonio we use flowers for a burial," The blood drained from my body as I tried to stand up but my leg gave way and I fell on the floor. They were onto me and fussed about so much the babies started crying. Lukas ran over and started hitting them, thank god they were laughing because I couldn't stand it if he had nightmares.
"How did you find out there were no hard feelings with grans ancestors?"
"We asked Antonio, a simple question and it was answered honestly. In fact, our gran is a legend in both tribes she is almost up to sainthood at the Vatican, knowing our gran she should know this is how she has been remembered, but she shouldn't make it public because we will lose her to her fans if it breaks, it will be worldwide news." Leon said.
"No, definitely not, you know how she is boys no one will know her history. I also think you should be the ones to tell her everything is all right she won't get mad with you."
"We know Antonio, she loves us the best." Dear Carlos said.
I was so relieved and decided there and then I would keep my promise to gran and I will protect her with my life, she is such a wonderful woman. I will talk further to grandad about their lives but for now I have Leon printing off the emails from his mafia people, so he can show her.
"There is one more important letter to come, Antonio, we will wait for it before we say anything."
"Who from?"
"The Cardinals."
My head spun again.
The kids arrived and the wine was opened as I put the food in the oven, Leon and Carlos had finished their chores and Tommaso went about answering and printing the daily mail. He passed one to Maxie who read it I think about six times.
"What do you think?" he looked at Tomas.
"We do it, let's get this business off the ground, yes let's do it." I lifted my eyebrows and he passed the email to me. It was a price list from Matteo,
he had sourced some Olive oil and Olives from a company called Daniel Enterprises, the cover note from Matteo said it was the best in their region and Daniel was also a good friend of theirs. He indicated they can rebrand and supplies are unlimited.
"We don't know much about this stuff Antonio." Maxie is asking for my help.
"Ask Nina or gran about it then place a big order I'm pretty sure you won't have any trouble getting it onto the shelves." Their little business is huge now and I was so pleased for them even though they haven't reached their complete confident state yet, but they will.
"Did you get the apartment title boys?"
"Yes thank you Antonio, do you want another feel?" Maxie grinned.
"Yes please." Gianni was onto it straight away then the boys and I went last. We all thanked them and I was disappointed because the deal was over and we may never get to feel their asses again.
"Are you going to renovate soon?"
"No we want it to be perfect so we are still at the planning stage, it won't take long and the noise will be limited."
"Okay you should get the boys onto it they know their stuff."
"We already have Antonio." They laughed.
Lukas didn't go back to the tv he wanted to sit with me for a while, I think he was watching them all in case they attacked me again.
maxieplus@hotmail.com