A New hope

Chapter 38-Time

Guys sorry for the MIA, I'm back lol. Realistically though school is back and with that my writing time is now fighting with homework, studying, practice, and sleep. SOOO as much as I'll try to stay to like a two-week posting schedule, I don't want to burn myself out so posting might be a little inconsistent. Sorry 🥲

Ciana-

It was hard saying goodbye to everyone, not knowing when I would see them again. Something selfish in me dreamed of having them all stay here with me, but I know that they all have lives outside of our family. They need to continue their schooling. Even though I know this, it hurts, watching the jet take off with half of my brothers within it. Not to mention that my friends and Roman left for Italy too.

The car ride back is silent. Cassio and I are looking out of the side of the convertible, watching the beautiful moving landscapes. Gio is driving and Alessio is reading over some important looking documents, no doubt mafia stuff. The thought still baffles me even though I've come to accept it.

When we get back to the estate, we are welcomed by the rest of our family: cousins, Zios, Zias, and our nonni. The silence is eaten up by their laughter and stories and suddenly it's not so solemn anymore. Perhaps everything will be okay.

*huge time skip get ready*

–Seven months later, mid June–

"Slam," my fist meets the punching bag. I hit it three times in a row before switching over to my left hand, pretending to undercut the bag. My breath comes out labored from the exertion of working out for at least two hours already. Sweat drips from me yet all I can hear is my own voice in my head yelling 'again, again. No not strong enough, again'.

My leg comes up to kick the side of the bag, my shin hitting the bag and knocking it towards the other side. I bounce on the soles of my feet as the bag slows down. Before striking it again, and again, and again. "Sorella, sei migliorata molto," I turn towards Cassio as he walks down the stairs, Roman by his side. My brain easily translates the Italian, 'sister you have gotten much better'. I grin towards him, thanking him before making my way to a bench with a few towels.

I wipe the sweat from my face and shoulders before looking towards the two of them. They both stare towards me. Confused, I look around before asking them what's wrong in Italian. When the boys left for school, I devoted myself to learning as much as I could while I wasn't healthy to begin physical training. Not only did I stay current in the topics I took in school, but I've also been learning a lot of other things. Some of those being from tutors, others from family. I'm now practically fluent in Italian and well on my way to the same for Sicilian and Greek. Two months ago, I was cleared by the family doctor, a sweet woman named Annia though everyone called her mama Annia to begin light physical training. She took over my care when Tullio left, and I have grown to see her as a grandmotherly figure. Apparently, she helped my mother give birth to all of her children along with some of my Zia's children too. Tullio already has his residency lined up with her.

Mama Annia was raised in the mafia and has created quite a name for herself. Everyone and I mean everyone respects mama Annia here in Sicily. The older woman got her doctorate in a time of great difficulty for women's rights. The woman fought for her spot in both the civilian and mafia world. She's the go to doctor for the mafia and has four clinics under her control, two of those being specifically for the mafia.

I took fighting like a moth to flame. I love it, maybe too much. In the beginning Alessio and Gio would only let me learn defensive skills such as blocking, evading, and self defense. I got bored of that quickly before being sat down for a long talk. They told me about the code and how I would be losing protections if I chose to take a more serious approach to training unless I waited for Roman to come back from school to train me. I had debated for a few hours before deciding that I didn't want to wait two months and that I didn't care if it made some protections go away.

After being completely cleared by mama Annia I actually started training. Working out has become an everyday activity of mine and you can tell. I've grown a few inches from proper nutrition and my body is beginning to fill out with lean muscle. Looking down at myself as always my eyes unconsciously drift towards my scars. They are so noticeable but I have come to be okay with them. The shorts I'm wearing are tight though it has an overlay for modesty. My upper body is only covered by a sports bra. My skin is tanned from hours of time outside and the sun has bleached my hair into more of a blonde than I was before.

"You look good amore," Roman's voice is slightly deeper and Cassio scowls at his use of the name amore. I walk towards them both and Cassio mock gags at my sweaty smell. I just roll my eyes. I try not to notice that the height difference between Roman and I has not changed, if anything it's gotten bigger despite my growth. The boys have only been back for a few days since school has ended. Though I was able to see them throughout the year on holidays and weekends, it's different knowing they will be with me for at least three months.

"You need to shower," Cassio interrupts, still holding his nose. I just smile and open my arms before stepping toward him. He glares down at me, "don't you dare". I pounce him, tackling him to the floor before pinning him beneath me. He shrieks, trying to get me off, I just laugh and slater as much sweat as I can to him. When I'm satisfied, I pat his cheek and mock pout, "looks like you need a shower now too".

-

I pick up speed on my motorcycle, the rolling hills and scattered trees of the Sicilian countryside blurring in my peripheral vision. Elio passes me in a blur and bliss fills me as I push the bike faster and faster to catch up to him. Finally we slow when we see a curve coming. Elio's laugh fills my ear, "man as much as I enjoy this, I loved when you used to backpack me". I respond back through the comms, "Don't act like I still don't do that on occasion Elio". We both come to a stop at the top of a hill, shutting off our bikes, ditching helmets, before finding somewhere to sit together. I groan as I crouch down, body aching. Elio just looks at me knowingly, "Sorella you shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard in training. You are already doing way more than we ever expected you to do and you're doing great. There's no need to overexert yourself.

I sigh as I lean back on my hands. "I know Elio, it's just that I feel in control while I'm training, I don't want to be vulnerable ever again. The more I train the less chance there is of anything happening again," My voice slightly quivers towards the end, and I internally curse myself. That long weekend over seven months ago is very hard for me to talk about. Even after countless therapy and cry-cuddle sessions, Nightmares wake me up more nights then less. Elio hooks his arm around me and assures me of my strength and how protected I am. We both watch the sunset before heading back to the estate.

-

I sprawl out on top of the boys, my legs land in Enzo's lap, my lower back in Cassio's, and my shoulders and head in Roman's. Cassio, still upset at me for the sweat incident, tries to push me off but Enzo and Roman hold onto me. After a few grumbles he finally gives up and crosses his arms. I grin looking up and my eyes land on Roman's. Surprise fills me, ah crap I didn't think this through. His face is way too close to me, and I am laying on his lap. Oh god and his hand is playing in my hair. I quickly look away, focusing on the TV as I try everything to stop my blush.

A Claymation movie is on, and I desperately focus on it. Drowning out what sounds like an argument in Arabic between Roman and Cassio, the language nerds. Uncle Hassan glances at them from the other side of the room, giving them a look. Huh, he must speak Arabic, well he is from there so it makes sense. I'll have to ask him what they're arguing about all of the time.

I finally relax a few minutes after the boys are done arguing (now death glaring), before long the sound of soft voices, the movie soundtrack, and Roman's head massage lulls me into sleep.