Page 42 of La Dolce Vita

"Cecilia will come. The kids need to visit Chianti with Zia," he said. "She's not been happy lately."

Mirabella looked over to Zia who sat in a chair alone knitting. She didn't complain. But she knew that Zia was only there to help out because of Mirabella's night terrors and frequent trips to the hospital. It had to be hard, being separated from Rocco. And since Rocco was banished to the vineyard, no one could mention his name. She didn't want to argue with Giovanni. She kissed his lips softly and looked into his eyes. Her hands held the sides of his face. "Don't be so grumpy. Our life is wonderful.La dolce vita."

He nodded.

Mirabella left him and walked over to her sister and children.

"Well? Someone looks relaxed," Mirabella said. "We missed you at the party."

Marietta glanced up above the rim of her sunglasses. She stood and hugged Mirabella. "I'm sorry. I plan to make it up to the birthday girl. But we had a great time. Didn't we, Lo?"

He stared at Mirabella from behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses and moved his toothpick around in his mouth as Gianni kept reaching to pluck the toothpick free of his mouth. He looked over to where Giovanni was. Lorenzo tossed Gianni in the air and then gave him a squeeze before he set him down on his feet.

"It was great," he kissed Mirabella's cheek "Sorry we didn't make it to the party. I had to take care of my wife."

"As you should," Mirabella said with a smile.

He nodded and headed toward Giovanni.

"It's almost time for dinner. Let's see if Ana needs anything." Mirabella hooked her arm around Marietta's and led her out the door. Eve and Gino were left to go through the bags of treats, but Gianni grabbed hold of the hem to Mirabella's sundress and left with his mother and aunt.

"You cut your hair? Does Gio like it?" Marietta frowned.

She glanced back at her husband. "He didn’t say. But don’t worry. I know what he likes.”

Marietta laughed.

***

"You're late," Giovanni said as he accepted a packaged truck from Gino. He sat forward to open it so his son could play with the toy.

"Is everyone here?" Lorenzo asked and glanced around.

"Not Carlo," Giovanni glanced up at Lorenzo to gauge his response. Lorenzo was careful not to react. The last thing he needed was for Giovanni to get wind of what went down in America between Carlo and Shae. It cost him a small fortune to clean up that mess with the Armenians. He had it contained. For now. Carlo, on the other hand, needed his skull cracked for getting involved with those fuckers.

"Domi!" Eve squealed.

Lorenzo glanced back and saw Dominic pick up Eve. No matter who else was missing, the three of them were all that was needed for this meeting.

"Looks like the gang is all here," Lorenzo said.

Giovanni ripped open the plastic cover to the toy dump truck and gave the toy to his son. He stood and dropped his hands in his pants pockets before he started down the steps of the terrace towardvilla Rosso. Lorenzo glanced to Dominic who nodded that they would keep their bargain. They had to unite to bring Giovanni to his senses. It was the only alliance that made sense. The men followed.

***

"Ciao, bella!"Catalina kissed Marietta on both cheeks. "I'm mad at you!"

"Awe, why? I called you, sugar! I’m so sorry I missed the party. I know it was fierce!" Marietta laughed.

"It was! Oh my goodness, did you hear what Giovanni and Mirabella gave me?"

Marietta nodded. "Sure did. The place is beautiful. Ideal location for you and Domi to make a bunch of little gangsters."

"I can't wait to get married," Catalina grinned.

Mirabella picked up her whining son Gianni and put him on her hip. Her sister had been gone for what felt like an eternity. The quiet stillness in Melanzana without her made it feel more like a year.

"You look rested," Catalina said and walked over to the fresh pitcher of water. She poured Mirabella a glass. The women gathered in the second kitchen where the cooking was only reserved for Zia and Mirabella. Ana was in full swing in the master kitchen, and none of them had any desire to join her.

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