A New hope

Chapter 30-Grandparents and more

Ciana-

I crack open the right door, pushing it in an inch. Suddenly from the other side, both doors are flung open and a stout, squat older woman comes barreling through the door. Before I know it, I'm hugged, kissed about forty times, dragged into the house, and passed around to three other women.

I'm surrounded by yelling in Italian and I think Sicilian. A middle aged, beautiful woman is talking to me quickly in one of the languages, pressing kisses to my cheeks with every other sentence. I look into her face, panicked. She frowns before stepping back a little bit and speaking slower, "sono così felice di vederti di nuovo Ciana. Dubito che mi ricordi ma io sono il tuo," (I'm so happy to see you again Ciana. I doubt you remember me, but I am your...) she pauses watching my face. A look of realization comes over her and she switches to English, "I'm sorry Ciana I assumed you spoke Italian. I said that I am so happy to see you again and that my name is Maria, I am your papa's younger sister".

"Ah," I mumble overwhelmed, "it's nice to see you, Aunt Maria". She smiles at me brightly. My eyes flick over to the room. Alessio is being held down by the ear by the older women who first barreled out of the door. It's quite a funny sight, a 6.6-foot (198 cm) man being scolded by a barely five-foot woman.

"Schiàtanu sugnu, picciridda, haiu avutu sta picciotta pi cchiù di tri misi e ora la purtasti a mia," (shame on you child, you have had her for over three months, and you just now bring her to me) I look away from them. My eyes quickly find Cassio and Lucio being almost strangled in a fierce hug by one of the women I was passed through. Romeo and Roman are shaking hands with some middle-aged men, and I see one quite literally bow to Roman, my confusion is quickly pushed aside, when quite literally the biggest man I have ever seen starts walking towards me.

Aunt Maria, who has been rambling this whole time, spots him, "ah Ciana this is your Nonno Francesco. Your papa's papa". I gawk at the man, by God no wonder my brothers are all giants. The man has to be 7 feet tall (213 cm), he's not skinny either, he had to be a bodybuilder when he was younger. Years of working out has left him toned and fucking huge. His gray hair and wrinkles around his face is the only thing that shows his age.

I step back, intimidated for a second before the older man kneels down in front of me, speaking in the softest voice ever, "hello Neta, it is so wonderful to see you again". (granddaughter) His brown eyes observe me, but I don't feel judged at all, not even as his knowing eyes look towards my bruised neck and hands. He smiles, "look at you, Neta. You've grown into such a beautiful young woman. Your papa and mamma must be smiling down at you". The yelling and shouting around us is still happening yet I focus on him. "Can I give you a hug, Piccola?" I nod, something about him is so calming, safe. It's completely the opposite of what I was expecting from a huge, intimidating man like him.

I step into his open arms, and they gently rest on my back, which surprisingly doesn't hurt it. He gently rubs his thumb on the back of my neck, and I let my head fall into his shoulder, well more like rest, the man is taller than me even kneeling. "I've heard that some people have not been kind to you lately". I nod into him, and he hums, "it's okay Neta, your familia is here now, we won't let anything happen to you". I find myself nodding. I rest in his arms for what has to be minutes, he lets me, not letting go. I finally look up when the yelling gets even louder. The older woman who I assume is my Nonna is holding the fast-food bag looking at an affronted looking Giovanni who's pointing to Lucio, who's holding onto Nonna like a baby with a pout pointing back at Giovanni.

"Hai datu a mangiari robba sfascinata ô me beddu tò? Giovanni, m'âggiu di stari scura, ti 'mparai megghiu di chistu. Chi dicissi tua matri? Hmm". (Have you been giving my sweet boy junk to eat? Giovanni I am ashamed, I taught you better than this. What would your mama say? hmm.)