I can't say I knew the people I was looking at, but there were many pointers that made it obvious. The Maestri siblings looked pissed off as they glared at our guests, which was the biggest giveaway besides the fact that the man looks like an older version of my husband.
"I will only ask you once more. What the hell are you doing here?" my husband asked lowly.
"Caro, calm down," I said, putting my hand to his chest. His breathing was ragged and he was getting red in the face from his anger.
"So it's true then? You still insist on ignoring me, and you went and got married to a black whore," the woman spoke, glaring at both Raphael and I.
"Mariya," Florencia said in warning.
"Of course you support this circus show. You don't know any better," Mariya sneered at Florencia.
That's it!
"Get out!" I told them.
"Do you know who we are little girl?" the man I know as Raoul Maestri, asked me.
"I know exactly who you are, and I know how my husband feels about you. Your wife has been here for a minute and I don't mind the insults thrown at me, but you do not come into my house and insult my family, so get out," I told him.
"That is my mother you stupid girl," Raoul said to me.
"Then you clearly do not value her if you let your wife talk to her the way that she just did," I pointed out.
"She's my mother and I will talk to her any which way I wish," he scoffed.
"Not in my house you wont. My family is respected by everyone who walks through that door, so get out before I call security to escort you out," I threatened.
"You don't scare me little girl," he narrowed his eyes at me.
"Not my intention," I said before going over to the house phone. I called Sven and asked him to come in with some of the team. Seconds later, Sven walked in with three other men.
"Please escort them off of the property and ensure that they do not ever have access back here," I instructed.
"Yes Mam," Sven nodded before the guys moved to escort our 'guests'.
"Wait!" Salina said.
"What is it?" Marcia asked.
"I need to talk to my siblings," she replied.
"No," Fabius, Raphael, Luigi and Marcia refused. I remembered that Lui grew up with them, and they considered him a sibling as well, so it made sense.
"I am begging you," she pleaded. There was something about the way that she was begging.
"Salina! We never beg!" Mariya snapped.
"Let her go," I told Petro, the guy who was holding Salina.
"Thank you," she said in relief.
The siblings looked upset with me for letting her stay, but then again, what's new right? This family is stubborn beyond belief in any case. Mariya and Raoul were escorted off the property as I'd requested, while I indicated for the siblings to head over to the entertainment room down the hall. I figured taking the elevator to Rafe's study would be prolonging the tension.
"Alright, I'm going to leave you in here, and I'll come check up on you in fifteen minutes," I said before turning to leave. However, my husband had other plans.
"You're not going anywhere. You're the one who's behind this, so you going to stay here and facilitate because God knows nothing will happen if you leave," he told me.
"Fair enough. Hello Salina. As you probably know by now, my name is Aretha and I'm Raphael's wife," I introduced myself.
"I know. Your wedding was beautiful and I'm sad I missed it," she said sadly.
"You are?" the brothers asked.
"You think you know me, but you know nothing about me. None of you ever tried to get to know me as your sibling. You all just assumed I was your spoilt little sister, and you were right about that, but you were wrong in how you treated me because of it," she replied.
"What are you talking about?" Marcia asked in confusion, though I was quickly connecting the dots.
"Do you know what it feels like to have so many siblings and have none of them care about you? Ralph is the only one who ever cared about me in this family. Fabius and Luigi were always close to Ralph and Ambrosi, so they made no time for me. Ambrosi never paid me any attention because of all the girls throwing themselves at him, and that was before that stupid bitch entered his life. Marcia, you're the worst. You're my older sister for heaven sakes! Do you know how much I looked up to you? And you never made any time for me. You were so set in isolating yourself from the bullshit in this family, that you just made me a part of it. Of course that made me a horrible person in the end, but can you blame me? I've been alone from the day I was born!" Salina ended angrily, furiously wiping away her tears.
I don't know whether what she was saying is true, but from the looks on her siblings' faces, it probably was. Guilt settled on their faces, and the four of them didn't look like they knew where to even begin, so I did it for them.
"Why crack now?" I asked curiously.
"When I saw Marci in the wedding pictures, I knew that she and Ambrosi made peace, so I thought I could also give it a shot," she replied.
"That's not the only reason," I picked up. She looked shocked that I realized that.
"It's ok Salina. Even if your siblings aren't on your side, I am," I comforted.
"You don't even know me," she scowled.
"She doesn't have to," her siblings said simultaneously.
"Meaning?" I looked to them in confusion.
"You are a good hearted person Rita. It's so obvious that you're taking her in, whether or not she's a bad person. You're just that person," Luigi replied.
"Fabs is right. Aretha will have your back through anything and everything. I mean, we wouldn't even be here without her," Marcia told her little sister. Salina looked to me and I gave a slight nod with a small smile.
"Our parents are bankrupt and they're giving me away to some Spanish Count in an arranged marriage, in exchange for money to save themselves," Salina informed.
"They can't do that!" Raphael, Luigi and Fabius said protectively.
"Yeah well, fighting the battle alone isn't exactly doing much for me. They're forcing me into this and there's nothing I can do about it. They threatened to cut me off which is funny considering they have nothing to offer me in any case," Salina replied dryly.
"Like hell! You're not going back there Sali. We've failed you your entire life. We're not going to fail you again," Luigi said strongly.
"Look at you guys coming together," I smiled, attempting to break the tension in the room.
"And again, it's because you're such an incredible person," my husband smirked, pulling me into him.
"You look so happy Ambrosi," Salina whispered.
"I don't understand why you never wanted me to be," he told her honestly.
"You think I never wanted you to be happy?" she asked in confusion.
"What else would explain why you sabotaged all my relationships? You were working with mother right?" he asked.
"Are you mad? Do I seem anything like that woman? Wait, don't bother answering that. I wasn't sabotaging your relationships because of her or because I wanted you to be unhappy," she told him.
"I don't understand," he admitted.
"I sabotaged your relationships because I wanted you to be happy, and I knew none of those girls would make you happy. I unfortunately failed at keeping that snake away from you," she said angrily.
"Wait, you mean you were helping him?" Fabius was the one to ask.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Because I was younger, the girls thought I was some stupid little girl, so they didn't think twice about stating their true intentions with Ambrosi, so I would get rid of them one way or the other. Gabi was smarter than that though, and she caught on pretty quickly. She turned Ralph against me and that's how she maintained the trust of my brothers. I couldn't tell Ambrosi about it because he already believed me to be a menace, and I would've rather have him hate me than for him to end up with a horrible woman. Unfortunately I failed him with Gabi," Salina replied, crying once more. I nudged Rafe and signalled for him to comfort her.
He walked over to her and unsurely took her in his arms. I knew he was nervous, but she settled in his arms just fine. He seemed to relax then. I could see the guilt and regret growing on his, Fabius, Luigi and Marcia's faces.
They needed a moment to themselves.
"I think I've facilitated enough. You guys can stay in here for as long as you'd like," I told them before walking out of the room.
"How is it in there?" Florencia asked worriedly.
"Don't worry grandma. Your grandkids are finally coming together, or at least I hope that's the case," I smiled.
"Is Salina ok? The poor child looks devastated," Anita asked.
"She'll be ok with them standing behind her. Apparently Raoul and Mariya are broke and they're setting her up in arranged marriage to cover themselves," I explained.
"They are such despicable people," Rhonda scowled.
"Yeah, but she'll be ok. I don't think those four are going to let her out of their sights any time soon," I sighed.
"You did good sweetheart. You have no idea how happy it makes me every time I see you helping others," my grandmother smiled, tears in her eyes.
"I just want to be a good example for the girls you know? I want them to grow up as better people. Speaking of which, where are they?" I asked, not seeing them around.
"I sent them up to their room a while ago. They seemed unsettled by seeing their grandparents," Florencia said sadly.
"Let me go comfort them," I excused myself.
It was quiet when I arrived on the girls' floor. I didn't expect to find them looking lost in thought. They were so focused on the wall before them, and it didn't take a genius to know that what they'd seen upset them.
"Hey angels," I said softly. They looked up and came to hug me.
"Mummy, why do grandpa and grandma hate us so much?" Caterina asked as we sat on the large waterbed they have. It's just for 'chilling' as I was told.
"They do not hate you my angels. They hate your father for whatever reason, and so they don't like you much either, but that's their problem. I never want you to worry about them ok? There are plenty more people who love you and would do anything for you," I said strongly.
I knew it was no use lying to them. They're too smart for that, so I'd rather assure them that there is nothing wrong with them, because there isn't. I love my daughters and anyone who doesn't can suck it for all I care.
I'm tired of being pushed around and having people meddle where they don't belong.
"Like you and daddy," Calinda smiled.
"Like daddy and I. For as long as we love you, you don't need anyone else's love ok?" I told them.
"We know. It's just bonus love," Camilla giggled.
"Exactly!" I tapped her nose.
"Are you and daddy spending the weekend with us?" Caprice asked.
"Of course we are! What did you guys have in mind?" I asked.
"We just want to have a fun day with you guys. It doesn't matter what we do," they shrugged.
"Ok, deal! I'll plan a super cool day for us," I said thoughtfully.
"Kay! We love you mummy," they hugged me.
"I love you guys too, so much," I hugged them back.
"Hey, I want some love too," Raphael said before joining in on the hug. This caused us all to fall back as laughter filled the room.
"Is everything ok daddy?" Caprice asked him.
"Everything is ok princess and only because mummy here is a superhero," he smiled.
"How did we survive so long without her?" Calinda giggled.
"We didn't. We were falling apart," Caterina said.
"And she glued us back together with her love," Camilla beamed.
"See? She's a superhero," my husband chuckled.
"We should totally give her a name. We already know that her superpower is love," Caprice said thoughtfully.
"And kindness," Calinda added.
"And hope," Camilla also added.
They were actually serious about this.
"And not forgetting faith," Caterina said seriously.
"How about Maestri Mum?" Raphael suggested. I shot him a look.
He was in on this too?
"That's not bad at all daddy," Calinda smiled.
"Oh? Were you expecting something bad?" my husband scowled.
"Well..." the girls and I trailed off before giggling at the priceless look on his face.
"This is what my life has come down to, the ultimate ambush. We need to get some boys in here," he complained.
"Don't worry daddy. If it's in God's plan for you, it will happen," Camilla held his hand. I could see the surprise in his eyes at the gesture.
"In the meantime, we get to bully you," Caprice smirked.
"Oh joy!" he huffed, making us laugh.
"You know we love you daddy," I said in a baby voice, earning myself a glare as the girls continued to laugh.
"I wouldn't trade you guys for anything," he said seriously.
"Neither would we, daddy," Caterina said before hugging him. The girls and I joined in on it, and we let ourselves enjoy the moment.
This is my love.
This is my family.
This is my life.
"And there," a new voice joined us. We looked up to see Rhonda holding her phone up. She'd just taken a photo of us.
"Please send that to me," I requested.
"Already did girly. Unfortunately, it's time for the girls to go to bed," she reminded. I didn't think it was already that late as the clock struck eleven.
"Thanks for the reminder," Raphael told her. She smiled and left us with the girls.
"Can we sleep with you guys tonight?" they pleaded.
"Well, our bed wont be big enough to fit all six of us, but this thing is. I guess we can sleep here tonight," I smiled.
"Yes!" they cheered.
"Go ahead and change into your pyjamas. We're going to do the same and we'll come down and join you," Raphael told them before dragging me to the elevator. It was a five second ride to our floor.
"Why so impatient Signor Maestri?" I giggled.
"I'm not impatient Signora Maestri. I just wanted to have a few minutes with you to myself now that you've taken away my night plans from me by condemning me to what I know will be an uncomfortable sleep," he groaned.
"That's not nice Rafe. Our babies miss us," I smiled.
"I miss them too, but I don't miss sleeping with them. You've clearly never slept with them. After tonight, you wont be so eager to agree to it," he sighed.
I had no idea just how right he would be.
"I can't feel my back," I whined as we sat in the kitchen the next morning. It was four in the morning and we'd basically given up on getting any sleep.
"I told you," he grumbled, putting the ice pack on his cheek.
"I really am sorry caro," I bit my lip from laughing.
You see, we both couldn't sleep, so we settled for just laying in silence while the girls slept away, their bodies somehow entangling each other. We were both just about to fall asleep, when Caterina somehow managed to turn and sleep upside down, in the process kicking her father's face just as he was looking up to check what she was doing.
"Don't lie to me cara mia. Quite frankly, you're enjoying this a little too much," he huffed.
"How can I make it up to you?" I sighed. That seemed to catch his attention.
"Last I checked, you can be quiet when need be," he smirked.
"Anything but that," I whined.
"You asked, and this is my answer, unless if you enjoy me not talking to you," he crossed his arms, the icepack long forgotten.
"You are a most cruel man Raphael Maestri," I glared at him.
Nonetheless, I complied with his request, despite the torture- granted there was pleasure in store for me. I never thought I'd ever be able to enjoy such, uhm, activities, but my husband makes it all the worthwhile.
"Don't hate me for this because this was your way of gaining my forgiveness, but our room is actually soundproof," he said in my ear before collapsing beside me.
"WHAT?" I managed to shout, despite my panting.
"I had the walls soundproofed while we were away," he said sheepishly.
"And you just made me suffer right now?" I asked incredulously.
"You have to admit that the thrill of keeping quiet makes it all that more enjoyable," he argued.
"That isn't the point here," I snapped.
"I'm sorry mia moglie," he pouted.
"No, I'm mad at you now," I huffed. He got up and hovered over me.
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to earn your forgiveness?" he asked, peppering kisses along my neck.
"No-oh my hmm..."
And just like that, my anger vanished.
"You are infuriating do you know that? Why can't I stay mad at you?" I whined, this time collapsing beside him.
"Well, the list is pretty long, and I'm pretty sure the girls are up and wondering where we are by now," he chuckled.
"The press is going to have a field day trying to figure out who you got into a fight with," I giggled, caressing his bruised cheek.
"It doesn't hurt, but I'm guessing it shows?" he sighed.
"Yep! It's pretty big as well. She must've kicked you with her whole foot," I replied.
"Then I guess I get to make her feel guilty about that," he smirked.
"You will do no such thing Rafe," I said in warning before going to take a shower.
Of course he joined me, but he managed to keep his hands to himself. We made it downstairs to find that the girls actually weren't awake. Marcia informed us that they'd been really busy with setting up our 'Welcome Home' party, so they were probably burnt out. Instead, the young adults were awake. The elders had left with Florencia.
"Are you settled in ok?" I asked Salina. She was drinking coffee in the kitchen, which is where we were apparently gathered.
"Yes thank you. Lui's taking me shopping today so that I don't have to encounter my parents since they probably wont let me get my stuff," she replied.
"That's not right," I scowled as I took out the ingredients I need to make breakfast.
"Oh no, don't worry about it. It's not like I have any valuables there. Everything I value, I kept at my boyfriend's place," she smiled.
"Boyfriend?" Raphael, Luigi and Fabius asked.
"No, you're not pulling that older brother protective crap on her. She's happy!" Marcia warned them.
"What's his name and how long have you been together?" my husband disregarded his older sister's warning.
"His name is Marco and we've been together for three years now. I love him Ambrosi," Salina said strongly.
"We'll have to see if he's worthy," Fabius joined in on the 'Marcia's threat means nothing to me' train.
"If you mess anything up for Salina, you'll have me to deal with," I told them sweetly.
"That's not fair," my husband scowled.
"Life isn't fair, what's new?" I shrugged, making the sisters laugh while my husband sulked.
"So, what do you do?" I asked Salina as I started cooking.
"I'm an art major," she beamed.
"You're kidding!" I said excitedly.
"Why are you so happy about that?" she giggled.
"You just solved the problem of who would be helping her with the art gallery and museum she's opening," my husband laughed. She looked momentarily shocked by the action.
"What?" he asked her.
"You're laughing, like truly laughing. I can't say I can remember the last time I saw you do that," she confessed.
"Rita's to thank for that. Trust me, you're not the first person to react that way, and certainly not the last," Luigi chuckled. She turned back to me.
"I'd be honoured to help you if you'll have me," she smiled.
"Most definitely! That covers the restaurant and the art gallery. Now, who to recruit for the bakery," I said thoughtfully.
"Who do you have for the restaurant?" Bianca asked me.
"Giuseppe," Raphael and I replied.
"You met him?" Marcia smiled.
"Yeah! He hates his job back in the States, so I figured why not recruit him? That way it stays in the business you know?" I said.
"Not many men are lucky to marry women who take to their family so easily. You are lucky brother," Fabius told his brother.
"Don't I know it," my husband smiled before winking at me.
"Good morning everybody," Jonathan said as he walked into the kitchen. He looked dashing in a simple tan suit with a light blue shirt and brown shoes and belt.
"Morning," we all responded.
"I said good morning, but ok. You can all be selfish with your goodness for all I care," he mock glared at us.
"Oh look, it's Joel being a baby. No shocker there," Rhonda said as she walked into the kitchen as well. She looked absolutely stunning in a green dress.
"Is Rita the only person who calls you Jonathan?" Luigi asked him.
"Yep! It's her special best friend privilege," Jonathan smirked. My husband scoffed but didn't say anything.
"Where are you off to so early on a Saturday morning?" I asked.
"Millicent and I are heading out to a business meeting across town," he informed.
"Millicent?" everyone in the kitchen asked in confusion, while I turned to my best friend who was digging a grave for him.
"Why would you do that?" I asked him.
"Oh, she secretly loves it," he chuckled, looking straight at her.
"Your name is Millicent?" Luigi connected the dots, asking my best friend.
"She wont openly admit to it, especially since she only told me because she was piss drunk as I held her hair for her while she puked all over my shoes. I'm such a gentleman," Jonathan replied, patting his own back.
"I think the words you're looking for are dead idiot," Marcia said, looking at the fuming Latina in the kitchen.
"Oh please. There are lots of things and people that could kill me. Millicent here is not one of them," Jonathan said confidently.
"I wouldn't put it past her," my husband commented as Rhonda stormed out of the kitchen.
"What did I do?" Jonathan scowled.
"She hates that name Jono. Her abusive father gave it to her. She told you what it is while she was drunk, and you should've been clever enough to know that she doesn't want you calling her that," I explained. Guilt crossed his features.
"I have to go and make this up to her don't I?" he groaned.
"Pretty much! Good luck with that," Salina waved at him. He glared at her before going after my best friend.
"He'd better make it up to her because a pissed off Rhonda is not one that I enjoy being around," Fabius scowled.
"Amen to that!" Luigi said.
"Anyway, happy couple, what's the plan today?" Marcia asked us.
"We're spending the day with the girls. I was thinking we could just spend the day outside. Have a picnic and just have fun with them. We really missed them," I replied.
"Are you that sick of each other already?" Luigi teased.
"Most definitely not," my husband smirked, making me blush.
"You probably did the dirty just this morning," Marcia teased.
"Can we please talk about anything else?" I complained, making them laugh.
"Malia said to tell you that she'll be back next month. She's moving back home," Luigi smiled.
"Well that's exciting!" I beamed.
"Not as exciting as you being the Chairman of the Board for Maestri Empire and all related businesses. How dare you not say anything?" Bianca scolded.
"I thought you knew," I scowled.
"I didn't tell anyone," my husband jumped in.
"Why not?" Fabius and Luigi asked him.
"It took a while before my wife came to terms with it. I didn't want anyone else pressuring or overwhelming her. I needed her to be ok with everything before telling everyone else," he explained.
This man is too sweet for words.
"It's like I'm looking at a completely different man," Fabius commented.
"You'd better believe it. This woman makes me a better man," my husband smiled at me.
"Poor Rita is going to end up resembling a tomato at the rate that you're going," Salina giggled.
"I doubt that's possible, but she'd make a cute tomato," Raphael shrugged.
"Aren't you just raking in the brownie points?" Luigi teased, making us all laugh.
We got to talking as adults for quite a while. The girls must've been really tired, and while I missed them, I was also grateful for the opportunity to just be one with the adults. We hadn't really bonded since we'd all been truly brought together, and it was most definitely enjoyable.
These people are after all my family.
It made me smile to realize that I'd come so far in such a short time. I thought back to the night I met Raphael and how crazy the idea of being married to him sounded at the time. I never imagined that I'd find myself in this position.
I never imagined that I'd ever be this happy.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked me. We were sitting on a bench in the garden, waiting for the girls to wake up.
"Just how lucky I am, and how crazy I thought you were when I first met you," I smiled, looking up at him.
"Definitely not one of my finest moments, but your beauty made me forget everything I wanted to originally say," he chuckled.
"And you went with 'marry me'?" I giggled.
"Well, it worked, didn't it?" he defended.
"That's debatable," I replied.
"I'm really glad that you decided to give this a chance. I was so afraid when I realized that there was a chance you could back out and move back home," he admitted.
"Well, you did kill that thought when you decided to sell my grandmother's house. Where would I have gone?" I joked.
"That's not what I mean Ari, and you know it. You could've chosen at any time to leave and go back home," he sighed.
"I know, but I prayed that God would give me the strength to stray away from such thoughts," I confessed.
"Really?" he asked in shock. I nodded.
"I was afraid Rafe. Moving here with you guys is probably the hardest decision I've ever made in my entire life. Even the day before we came here, I cried while my grandmother held me. She told me to trust in God's plan for me, and to pray that God blesses this decision. I couldn't be happier to have taken the risk. I've earned love, a new home and a new family from the decision," I smiled, tears in my eyes.
"You've brought us all together, and I'm pretty sure that everyone feels the same way I do that you're truly valuable to us. I'm thankful to God for not only bringing you into my life, but for granting you with your superpowers. I know you think it's a stupid concept I made up for the girls, but you truly do have superpowers. You're an amazing woman, and thanks to you, the world knows that you're mine," he smirked.
"And only yours," I giggled before kissing him.
"Mummy? Daddy?" we heard the girls calling us.
"WE'RE HERE," we shouted. Seconds later, they were before us.
"What are you guys doing out here?" Caterina asked. They were still in their pyjamas.
"We've been waiting for you sleeping beauties to wake up," Raphael teased.
"How late is it?" Caprice scowled.
"It's almost twelve," I replied.
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Calinda asked with wide eyes.
"Your aunt mentioned how tired you were from planning our party, so we wanted you to rest," Raphael explained.
"Oh. Did you guys rest? You must be tired as well," Caprice pointed out.
"We are, but we'll rest later. We want to spend the day with you first," I smiled.
"Ok! What's the plan?" Camilla beamed.
"You're going to go and get washed up while mummy and daddy make you food. You can change into your swimming costumes and we can have a barbeque. How does that sound?" Raphael offered.
"It sounds like the perfect day!" Calinda said excitedly.
"Well go on and get ready then. Daddy and I will set everything up for you," I said.
They ran off excitedly, while Raphael and I got up to get everything prepared. We settled on having burgers and hot dogs, so he got the grill ready while I prepared everything else. He set up the slide by the pool and we also headed up to change.
"I cannot get used to this sight," my husband said, dark eyes drinking me in as I stood in my white bikini. I was tying my hair up in a ponytail.
"What sight?" I asked.
"You in a bikini. In fact, I still can't get used to the fact that you're my wife," he smirked.
"It's surreal, isn't it?" I blushed, wrapping my hands around his neck. His arms automatically wrapped around my waist.
"Without a doubt," he replied before kissing me.
I had to break the kiss because I knew we'd get carried away if I didn't. We got downstairs and the girls still weren't down. The adults had all left for one thing or the other, but I knew that they were giving us space to just be with the girls.
"Ok, we're here," the girls announced. They looked adorable in their Smurfette swimming costumes.
"Alright, help me carry these bowls out to daddy and then you guys can swim," I instructed. They did as requested before cannon-balling into the pool.
"I do not look forward to the days when they go through puberty. One girl is a nightmare, and I have four who will be experiencing it at the same time," Raphael complained.
"You also have a loving wife who will be there every step of the way," I reminded.
"That I do," he smiled before kissing me. We were brought out of our kiss by a cold splash. The girls had thrown water on us.
"Oops," they giggled.
"Why you little," Raphael said before chasing Caterina and Camilla as they squealed and giggled.
This is what happiness is.
Or at least my happiness.