Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
XV. THE WORLD WEPT
THE morning of November 1, 1846, had begun like any other. The Virginia air was crisp and breezy— a sharp contrast to the once humid atmosphere that suffocated Virginia inhabitants in the summer months. The land had already begun to be tended to before the sun had reached its destination in the sky and the Salvatore family had already started their tasks for the day.
Lily Salvatore's stomach was swollen beyond words— limiting her movement and causing a dull ache in the low of her back. She was due to endure the torment of childbirth any day; the idea alone haunted her mind as her stomach protruded from her body— evidence of more than one child resting there in her body.
The swollen state of her stomach allowed her to off put the responsibility of looking after her firstborn, Damon, not that she spent her time with him prior to her pregnancy, but now she had a valid excuse.
Eleanor, his nonna, took on the responsibility of caring for her grandson, her darling ometto. Unlike her daughter-in-law, Eleanor Salvatore adored looking after her grandchild, often whisking him away from the ladies meant to care for him as assigned by his father.
That particular morning on the first of November, they spent the morning strolling the garden just outside their estate. Eleanor glanced down at Damon fondly, taking in his vibrant blue eyes that were similar to her own.
"You know, ometto, you are due to be a big brother soon. You know what this means, yes?"
"Yes, Nonna."
With a ruffle of his hair, Eleanor smiled at him. "And what does it mean, Signorino?"
"That I'm going to have a little brother or sister. I have to look after them."
"Very good, caro. You must protect your siblings when they come; I will not be around forever."
"Protect them against who?"
"Anyone who wishes them harm," Eleanor crouched down, becoming eye level with Damon, "listen to me, sweet boy. There are going to be people who want to hurt your little siblings— you cannot let them."
"Like father?"
Smiling sadly, Eleanor wiped her thumb against his cheek, "Yes, caro, like your father. A child should never have to fear the one meant to protect them, but your father is much more of your late grandfather than anything. I tried my hardest to guard him against the monster of a man he was, but I failed. The weight you will carry will not be fair, but it is your duty. Do you understand?"
