Mafia's Art [COMPLETED]

37: HairDay

Charlene's POV

Shit.

"OKAY! Okay, I'm coming!"

Who the fuck is knocking at the door so harsh and early in the morning. I take a sip of my coffee and make way to the front door.

I open up and meet the sight of Santino... on one knee. With a big, and I mean large, humongous bouquet of purple Arum-lillies. Is it weird that they're my favorite kind of flowers?

I didn't even tell him.

Behind him, is the whole family and the kids too. Everyone is holding a flower, the kids each holdings baskets. It's all very beautiful and oh so heartwarming. I smile at all of them, looking down at him and clearing my throat going back to being serious.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry..." He takes a deep breath, "I was scared of what my heart wanted and that made me feel powerless. I made a rash, stupid decision without thinking of our relationship and everything we've been through. One night sleeping without you was a nightmare. I tossed and turned , searching for sleep and all I found was a cold emptiness. The house was not the same, dinner was not the same and even the family felt incomplete. You are so important to me and to everyone else, but marrying you shouldn't be based on only that. It should be based on how I feel with your presence around me, how I want you here forever and the space you take in my heart. I need you, the family needs you and the mafia needs you. We need your strong leadership instincts and your love, we need your care. Damnit even the guards want you to stay. I'm really sorry. You've got me wrapped all around your fingers. I long for you, I yearn for you, I thirst for you e voglio che tu mi sposi. Just marry me, please?"[and will you marry me.] Is he about to cry? Oh man.

I don't answer him though, instead I close the door roughly. Leaving him kneeling there and the family standing further back from him. Why? I was crying, damn I'm still crying so bad. I can't let them see me. As I break down. Falling to the floor and throwing the coffee mug, causing it to break. My friend rushes toward me with a facecloth and hugs me.

"Girl, you better fucken wipe those tears and dust yourself up. That man is waiting out there, on his knee and his whole family right behind him. Stand up! Marry that man!"

"Okay..."

I stand right up get myself togeather and open the door. He's still kneeling there, with that smile and tears brimming his eyes. I kneel right with him and kiss him so much. I look in his eyes and take the ring, placed in one of the flowers, putting it on myself.

"I'll marry you, and fuck you for the rest of my life." I say, whispering the last part in his ear.

"I'm looking forward to it."

He pecks my lips and he looks at my hair. Oh, I forgot... Angelo helped me take the braids off last night... SURPRISE.

"Principessa! We missed you!" Stella shouts, wiggling out of her mother's grip.

That little girl. She jumps down and runs to me with open arms. I hug her and soon the rest of the kids run to us and we have a group hug

"Principessa why your hair's so big now?"

"Well, little girl. This is my natural hair."

Angelo clears his throat from behind me.

"Okay, everyone get inside now. You've been outside for too long." He says.

The kids and I head in first, all asking a whole lot of questions. My brain will come out of my skull for sure. Everyone follows after and Angelo takes the flowers. I see Mateo follow him and they disappear into the kitchen.

"So we missed you." They continue bombarding me with words.

"Zio Santi was so lonely and grumpy." [Uncle]

"We thought you'd never come back."

"Your hair changed now."

"We waited through dinner for you."

"I asked them to leave you a plate of food."

"We were searching for you all morning."

"You weren't in the house so we all didn't eat breakfast yet."

"Are you coming back with us?"

They all ask in unison. WOW! Kids talk a lot!! Oh god, this is so much. What do I say, what do I say? Answer just the last question? Bingo!

"Uh, of course I'm coming back with you. I missed you lovelies so much too... Howbout we just chill today? Angelo won't mind that we stay here for a while."

"Yeah that's totally cool, plus this house is always so lonely anyways."

"Angelo said yes. So howbout we go ruin his kitchen and make breakfast for everyone."

"Yes!" They say altogether. Squealing and jumping uncontrollably, we all head to the kitchen togeather. Santino and Mateo's moms following us to help 'neutralize the squad.'

..

Breakfast was great and now I'm just chilling with everyone. Well, everyone except the kids. They're all playing in Angelo's awesome backyard, with Mateo and Angelo watching over them. Those two...

"Principessa come play with us!" Stella says, storming into the lounge room. By the way, is it not weird for kids to call me princess. Don't get me wrong I'm cool with it but...

"Sure thing, what do you wanna do?"

"Uhhm..." She puts her index finger on her chin making a cute thinking face. Gosh I want a child, look how- No! "Let's play with your hair!!"

Oh fuck no.

"Uh, haha. O-okay sure." She pulls me up by tugging on my hand.

"Excuse me."

With that, I follow her to the backyard. Where the kids and I all sit in a circle on a rug, placed to the center of the patio.

"Okay, you guys play with my hair while I play with yours. How's that?"

"Great, you can start with mine!" Stella says, this little girl is always so enthusiastic.
..

Playing with the kids was truly amazing. Tiring, but amazing nonetheless. We're all on our way home now and I'm just sitting with Santino in the backseat, gosh I can't believe it. Here I am, engaged, with a family, a friend... a whole ass mafia full of people. Dangerous people, but people nonetheless right? I can't help but be excited.

He's my fiance now! I look at him and I just smile, leaning my head back on the seat.

_____________

Author's note

I wanted Charlene to spend a little time with the kids here. What a rollercoaster ride!