Adele was in her room wiping her tears while starring at the mirror. She didnt want her husband to see her upset. It never ended well if he saw her cry. She kept no secrets from Francesco but her tears had to be kept hidden. If her children saw her like this they would say "Dad would kill us." Francesco didn't like to see her son like this.
Adele couldn't believe how much Francesco loved her. It was beyond imagination how much one man could love his woman so much. He never fell out of love even in the slightest way. She at times lost her cool and argued with him but he never lost it. He cared for her and looked at her like the way he did the first time they had met as teenage sweethearts.
Adele applied some make up to her face while pondering if she could keep it together at dinner time today while her eldest son was sitting at the same table. When she looked at Vincenzo she got more emotional that day. He was his father's son and he was becoming him. The way he stood and walked, they way he talked resembled Francesco. She wanted his son not to walk in the path of his father. She could do nothing but to watch him enter the dangerous path that she could never get used to. Why couldn't her children remain innocent?
A knock came on the door. She heard his voice "Sweetheart."
Francesco entered his bedroom and saw Adele applying make up. He closed the door and smiled. He then walked towards her. Francesco could tell something was wrong from her silence and reluctance to look at him. He stood beside the mirror and looked at Adele "Sweetheart. Are you well?"
Adele found it hard to lie to him. She made herself look occupied as she stood up putting her make up in a small bag as she whispered "I am ok. We should get back."
Francesco walked closer to her and said "There is no rush sweetheart. Is this party stressing you out?"
Adele put her make up bag in a draw and looked up at Francesco "I am not stressed. Let's go."
Francesco took her hands in his "No need to rush. Tell me sweetheart. What is on your mind right now. Maybe I need to open your mind so I can read it." He then suddenly lifted her up and carried her bridal style to bed.
Adele complained "Francesco. Now is not the time."
Francesco put her on the bed and climbed on top of her. He put his weight on his hands on either side of her on the bed as he started kissing her neck "I have missed you."
Adele chuckled "Missed me? We went to lunch today. You have seen too much of me today."
Francesco said "I have seen you yes. But I can't get enough of you my wife." He then kissed her lips gently.
Adele felt lucky. Francesco was a caring husband. He hasn't changed at all in how he treated her. Even when he had bad days in the office, he was the same to her. He was always going slow, cautious, gentle and considerate. It was also a curse and a blessing when he questioned her about how she was. He dug deep when they made out. She had no escape and he knew it.
As Adele was caged in, Francesco kissed the side of her shoulders as he whispered "Are you going to be honest with me sweetheart and tell me what is the matter or I have to question you?"
Adele trembled at hearing his question and didn't reply. Where did she start? What could she say?"
Francesco pulled away slightly and looked into her eyes. He kissed her lips gently and said "I take it you want me to question you then. Sweetheart. Why don't you just tell me what is going on?"
Adele said "I don't know anymore Francesco. Nothing is wrong but something has gone wrong in our lives. I know it. But can't explain it."
Francesco said "Let me rewind the time to see where it went wrong. We married in one December in Sicily. You must have fallen pregnant with our first born child around Christmas since Vincenzo was born in August a few weeks early. It was all good ... Then he grew up. Then his siblings came along. A pair of twins of opposite sex. We couldn't be more happier. Then what happened? Let me guess. The kids became teenagers. That took a toll on you from then onwards. Teenagers are a nuisance as I always have said. They will wise up when they turn eighteen. Raising teenagers is harder than climbing Everest, fighting bears and planning the next year's government budget."
Adele laughed "Where do you get these figures from?"
Francesco shrugged "From other fathers I have met. No parent enjoys raising their teenage kids. It's harder than it looks. You deserve a medal sweetheart." He then kissed her lips.
Adele felt more at ease now. When he was with her, she felt little doubt and fear. It was the point of marriage to have someone to hold your hand if you had tough times so they could reassure you.
Francesco then pulled away and laid down next to Adele on his side. Be put one hand under his neck and one hand on her stomach. As he rubbed her soft belly he could see her smile. She was even ticklish there. He said "Adele. So here you can see. You are raising the teenagers and doing your best. You have drained yourself out with them. I am at work and so are you but you still make time for them. The kids talk about you all the time. Mum plans to do this for Christmas. Mum plans to do this for school. Mum has a charity dinner coming up.... You are always in their lives even though you have so much to do for me as your husband too. You are doing ok Adele."
Adele said "That was before... it's not like that anymore." She then looked away.
Francesco sighed "Are you talking about Vincenzo's departure? Sweetheart. He is not gone forever. He must make the journey himself on his own to learn what he seeks. Ever since he was born I told you that this kid would be different."
Adele swallowed hard as she recalled the day he was born. "Yes I remember." She knew a first born heir had a destiny that didn't belong to Adele and she was going to have no say in it.
Francesco took her hand in his on her stomach and squeezed it. "Don't worry about Vincenzo. He will be fine. But people he will be dealing with won't be fine if they cross him. Its true. How many times have I told you this not to worry for Vincenzo. Worry about everyone around him but not him. He sees the world differently to you and I. He is like me but abit different."
Adele whispered "He is different."
Francesco whispered back "He has honour like no one I know. He maybe the most difficult youth of his age but he has honour beyond his years. We have taught him well..."
Adele said "You are honourable and so am I but Vincenzo is not like us in every way... Do you have other relatives I don't know of?"
Francesco said "Of course. Don Vitorio had a younger brother. He has a family."
Adele was surprised " Really? Have you been seeing them?"
Francesco said "My uncle did business with them for a short time. When I moved to Oklahoma with my uncle for that one month they did come visit for business."
Adele gasped "Why did you never tell me you had family."
Francesco said "It never came up and I am not interested in them. They are not like us. They run different businesses to us. Luigi is my age and he is the oldest in his family. Many are dead. Why do you think that is? Mob wars. They managed to gain grounds in areas that I never touched but they lost many in their family. I keep clear of them but they do reach out. Luigi wants to make ties. I have met him on some business trips. We don't get along but luckily we have no common grounds to clash. He asked if our families could bond. I wasn't sure if I wanted you near them. His wife, Louisa is not like the rest of them. Like you she was an innocent bystander. She is a teacher. I can introduce you to Louisa. But for now I have postponed meeting Luigi's family as it is not on top of my to do list. Luigi is busy himself. He has children; Valentino and Verona. They are same age as our kids and attend another branch of O'Neil school in New Jersey. Maybe our kids can bond."
Adele asked "But if they live close how come they never come visit?"
Francesco sighed "Sweetheart. I didn't say they live in New Jersey. Their kids go to school there and I only know this because O'Neil told me about them when they enrolled. No one knows where they live. They are hard to trace. They move around a lot. They are involved in businesses that I won't touch. Their business is not just in one place. It's spread out. I don't even know where they gather for Christmas. They maybe in Sicily. Who knows?"
Adele asked "Sicily? So they are on good terms with the Don? How come they didn't come to the meeting where Vincenzo was chosen as the next young Don in training?"
Francesco said "Luigi gave the message to Sterling Johnson that his family approves and will give their congratulations in person to the new Don when they get the chance."
Adele asked "So has Vincenzo met them yet?"
Francesco said "I don't know. I haven't asked him. Probably not because like I said Luigi has a lot more to deal with right now. He is in the middle of negotiations with some tycoon. I know Valentino has written to Vincenzo. The letter went to Sicily and a copy came here too."
Adele looked at Francesco worriedly "Would they.... Would they ever challenge Vincenzo?"
Francesco smiled "No sweetheart. They wont. Being a Don is an honour thats only given to the one who has earned respect. Vincenzo earned respect on his own. No one can challenge him. Not now. If they wanted to challenge him they should have at the church when he was appointed. The title does not become inherited. Its earned."
Adele shook her head "Our son is only 17."
Francesco said "Thats why he was chosen as Don. Even though he is young, he has made an impression. They took him away to make him loyal before anyone else could turn him..."