Page 179 of La Dolce Vita

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Marietta shot upright in bed. She listened and heard it again. A baby cried. She pushed Lorenzo leg off hers and got out of the bed. The children weren't far, but they slept in the room together. She slept with Lorenzo. Before she could put on her robe, she could hear the toddler scream. Lorenzo sat up confused.

“It’s okay. I got them.”

She went into the hall and saw Eve coming out of the room. She carried a crying Gianni who was missing his diaper. The toddler was half her size, but she managed to lift him in her arms. Marietta smiled at her niece.

“He woke up!”

"Thank you, Eve," Marietta said. She took Gianni from her. She kissed his face. He hugged her neck and stopped crying.

“Va male--things aren't going well. I tried to change Gianni's nappy, but he wouldn't let me." Eve pointed to the room. "I already changed Gino!"

Marietta looked up. Gino came out of the room with his diaper on backwards and his two middle fingers in his mouth.

"I see. Well, you are the perfect helper. And good morning."

Eve grinned. She walked over to Gino and took his hand. Marietta followed her back into the room.How long had the kids been up?It was so early. She put Gianni down on the bed. He laid back and tried to roll over. She grabbed his little leg and forced him to come back. Marietta used the cast aside diaper and fitted it on him.

“Where’s my mommy?” Eve asked.

“She’s on her way home. Do you want to help me fix breakfast for her and Papa?”

Eve nodded. Gino climbed on the bed and stared at his brother who was kicking his feet and crying to have his pamper fastened. Marietta managed the task. The moment she did Gianni rolled away and scooted off the bed. “Come here. Let me fix your diaper.”

Gino came over to his aunt and lay down like a good boy.

“I am going to wake up Zio!” Eve said.

Marietta smiled. “You do that.”

Lorenzo felt a smack on his back. It was a small one, but it startled him. He looked up. Eve smiled at him. "Buongiorno. It’s time to get up!”

He frowned. “It is? Where is Marie?”

“Come on Zio! Let’s get up. I want to cook breakfast and then swing on that tire by the tree! Come on!” She pulled at his arm. Lorenzo groaned. He never had to deal with the kids. It would take some getting used too. He sat up but covered his lower half with the sheet so Eve wouldn’t get an unexpected glimpse at his morning wood.

“Go find Marie. I’ll be there in a few.”

Eve nodded and left the room; she closed the door behind her. Lorenzo sighed. He picked up his watch next to the nightstand. It was early. He wondered what luck his men were having in the search for Isabella. He picked up the phone and paged Carlo. He needed some hope that they'd find her soon. When he dressed and left the room, Marietta, and the kids were already downstairs. He came off the last step just as there was a knock at the door. Confused by the early morning visit he almost turned to get his gun. But they were in America. And there was no real threat to be leery of.

"Answer it, babe!" Marietta said.

He nodded and opened the door. Clyde stood there with what looked like two trays of food.

"Minnie wanted me to make sure you got this. Leftover barbecue from last night. And some of the sweets for the kids."

“Oh.Grazie!” Lorenzo accepted the trays and went inside. Clyde came in and closed the door.

“Morning Marietta,” he said.

“Morning Clyde. I was just about to start breakfast. Would you like to stay?”

“No. I have work to do. My boys are already out in the fields. I came to deliver a message. Minnie wants to bake you some pies, come over with the girls. I thought maybe I can take Giovanni and Lorenzo out for a few beers tonight.

Lorenzo peeled off the aluminum foil on the tray and ate some of the meat. He shrugged. "Sure. I'll tell Giovanni."

“Okay then. Maybe around seven.”

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