Act like my wife

55: No More Acting

True to his word, Federico wiped out several mafioso leaders; this threw the whole of Italy into a state of disarray. The families of those who were assassinated went into hiding. For fear of being targeted next, other Dons fled the country to the United States. Trust was lost among the clans, they began seeing one another as enemies, which led to fights among members. It was tumultuous, to say the least. But while all this was happening, I was busy legalizing my family's businesses without anyone catching a whiff. I sold what needed to be sold and shared the money with my relatives; I gave them all high-paying jobs at the company while I maintained ownership. I didn't have many male relatives around because most of them had left Italy years back and settled in other countries. The Moretti clan was slowly fading into the background. No one saw it coming, so no one opposed it.

Meanwhile, back in Spain, Alberto succeeded in finding those employees who connived with Antonio behind my back. In Alberto's own way, he 'fired' them.

Felicia finally woke up from the coma. Vera and I went to visit her in the hospital with the children. We thanked her for protecting the kids. She took a bullet to the neck to keep those traitors from getting to them, she is a true friend and I will forever be grateful to her.

***

I stood listening to the voice of the priest as my parents' caskets were being lowered into the earth. Today, I said goodbye to the two people who brought me into this world. Today, I said goodbye to my childhood. Memories flashed through my mind as I forced myself to say farewell forever. I was surrounded by a sea of somber faces, but I had never felt so alone.

The funeral was a haze of tears, condolences, and eulogies, but there was an emptiness in my chest that nothing could fill. As I gazed across the crowd, I saw familiar faces who came to pay their respects; family, friends, colleagues. Federico was in attendance, and so was Alberto. Tessy and her kids flew in this morning, and Felicia would never miss this for the world. But my eyes kept drifting back to Gio and Bella, who sat in the front row holding white roses. They looked so lost, and my heart broke a million times more for them. Veronica looked in my direction and our eyes connected, a reassuring smile graced her lips as she mouthed "I love you." I blinked to show her I received her message.

It was at that moment that I realized that I wasn't alone, I had a little world of my very own.

After the service, we made our way back to the house, where a reception was being held. I barely had time for myself as attendees came to offer me their condolences. I looked across the room to see the kids sitting quietly, unlike their usual selves. I walked over to them and knelt beside them. They rested their heads on my shoulders, their tears soaking into my suit.

"Pappa, I miss Nonno and Nonna," Gio whispered in a trembling voice.

"I do too" Bella joined.

"I know, children," I replied, hugging them tight. "I miss them too. But we'll get through this together, okay?"

Gio wiped Bella's tears and then his. He was growing into such a fine gentleman, I couldn't help but be proud. He looked into my eyes: "Pappa, promise you won't leave us and go."

"I promise you, son. And you too, daughter." I kissed them both. In no time, they were cheered up and hungry. I sent them to go get food while I continued talking to the guests.

***

It was late at night, the constant chirping of crickets filled the atmosphere as it did every night. The kids had gone to bed, but I was far from sleepy. I sat on the balcony outside my bedroom. The midnight cold hit differently when mixed with the sadness I felt inside.

As I was starting to fall into the rabbit hole, otherwise known as my painful memories, I felt a soft touch from someone behind me. Her perfume filled my senses as she drew closer, caressing my chest with those blessed hands. This was followed by a feathery kiss on my head.

"Baby" she cooed.

I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her to sit on my thighs. As usual, my first instinct was to enjoy the feel of her smooth skin underneath my own. She ran her fingers through my hair and placed another kiss on my forehead.

I took a deep breath. "I can't remember the last time we were like this."

"Ages ago," she chuckled.

I intertwined our fingers. "We made it through."

"Yes, we did, baby."

I closed my eyes as she stroked my beard gently. The world around me slowly disappearing with each passing second. I was enjoying her loving, I had craved it for so long. She is my world, my everything.

I opened my eyes and let my gaze go from her gorgeous face down to her alluring cleavage. I buried my face in the valley of her breasts, catching her off-guard. She was shocked at first but laughed. "Daniel is finally asleep, we can't wake him up."

"Daniel isn't that selfish, I know my son." I replied with my face still in place.

"Oh really?"

"Uh-huh," I hummed. I placed a light kiss on her chest and felt her quiver. I pulled my face away from that paradise and gazed into her eyes... "I told you you'd like his name."

She gasped. "Don't be too cocky, sir. I just think you did a good job, this time."

"I am a master at naming children. Gio's name is perfect."

"I named Bella, and she is perfect." She retorted.

I nodded. "Yes, she is. You name the next one."

"Well, duh"

I brought our entwined hands to my lips and kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you for being here."

Her cheeks turned red. "I am happy to be here." She pressed her lips against mine and without hesitation, I deepened the kiss. I groaned softly as I savored her taste. She rubbed her nose on mine, and her lips traveled down to my neck.

I slipped something onto her finger, something round and shiny. She looked down at her finger and froze when she saw the ring. Her eyes widened as she stared at me in disbelief.

My heart raced as I started to speak...

"Mia Vera, two years ago, we made a deal that you would act like my wife. But today, I am asking for an amendment of that deal to a lifetime commitment. Will you be my wife?"

She raised an eyebrow. "No more acting?"

"No more acting," I answered.

"Well then, Don Patrizio, I accept."