Bella Mafia

Chapter 25

Vincent had to admit that when he walked into the kitchen and asked his mom where Calli had gone to, she directed him to outside and that's when he saw her, the water and moonlight reflecting off her beautiful hair.

She was just standing there, totally at peace, and looking completely relaxed.  His heart leapt when she told him how beautiful it was here and that she didn't think that she could live anywhere else.

She had actually told him the reason was because she had him and all of this, she could never return to anything else.

"Do you mean that, princepessa?"  Vincent asked.  She turned to him and said "I do Vincent.  I really do."  Then she asked if he was ready for bed, just the way she had said it filled him with promise.

He found, since Calli had come into his life, that going to bed and getting up had meant so much more now that she was in his world.  Before, women would come in, they'd f*ck and then leave and he'd be all alone again.

Taking her hand in his, they went back into the house and finding it all but dark had indicated the house's occupants had already retired.

They made their way to their room, showered and climbed into bed.  He loved the way that Calli automatically came to him, her body cuddled up into his.   He loved how she felt laying next to him, like she would always be there.

"Good night, Vincent" she said softly.   "Good night, gattina" he replied with a kiss on her forehead and they drifted into peaceful slumber.

Vincent woke up and fully expected to find Calli wrapped up in his body but no, she wasn't there.  Just the forlornly crumpled sheet reminding him that she had been at one time.

Pulling on black sweatpants and a tight gray tank shirt, he made his way downstairs for coffee and an explanation of her absence.

"Good morning, Vincenzo" his mother sings while handing him a cup of coffee and before he could ask, his mother pointed out to the backyard...and that's when he heard them.

Calli, Bri and their Russian wolf hound, Alfonse, were running and frolicking in the backyard.  He admired and almost was jealous of their carefree attitude, but shook those thoughts from his mind.

"She's a lovely girl, Vincenzo.  Your father and I and certainly Bri, love her.  She will make you a fine queen.  When are you proposing?"

Her question should have come as a surprise but since he knew about the open line of communication that his parents maintained, it was only a matter of time before his father and mother had discussed it.

"I have the ring already, mama, I just wanted to give her a few days to get acclimated and settled in.  I plan on, with your help of course, asking her night after tomorrow.  In the garden, under my tree" was his answer.

Vincent's dad had planted trees in their garden, one for each of them and for whatever reason, his was a wisteria and was completely in bloom now and gorgeous.

He stood watching Bri and Calli, as they continued to play with the family pet, her hair wild and flowing behind her as they ran all over the backyard.

Alfonse had called it quits, turned in a few circles, before plopping himself down, with Calli and Bri following soon after.

He watched as the two most important women in his life, besides his mom, lie there in the soft, green grass animatedly talking about whatever girls talk about these days.

He was looking forward to taking her and Bri out this evening and just spending more time with her and hopefully he would get a chance to observe her beautiful body on the dance floor.

Not even realizing how lost in his thoughts he was, he never heard them come in until Calli walked up and threw her arms around his waist and wished him a good morning.

Smirking and smiling at the same time, he looked down and asked her if she'd had a good time.  Smiling brightly at him gave him all the answer that he needed.

"I'm heading up to Bri's room.  We're going to compare notes on what we're wearing tonight.  Do you want me to fix you breakfast?" She asked sweetly.   Shaking his head he told her to go have fun.

He watched as Bri and Calli ran up the stairs like a couple of teenage girls who'd just had a sleepover.  They could be heard laughing and giggling all over the house.

"You know, not only is she good for you, Vincenzo, she is good for your sister as well" his mother commented wisely.

Any one with half a brain could see the truth in what she said.  Calli was good for Bri and he truly loved seeing the innocent side to his sister once again.

Vincent had a series of meetings with his father's winery shareholders, so he kissed his mother's cheek and headed to take a shower, but before he could disappear into his room, he heard a conversation wafting from his sister's room and couldn't help but eavesdrop.

"You and my brother look amazing together" Bri said.  Calli responded with "Do you really think so?"   Why did she sound so insecure?

"Oh my gosh yes!" Bri gushed.  "You're both Italian, with amazing hair, skin and eyes and you both have a model's body.  No doubt you guys will turn everyone's heads tonight."

"Bri, I hope you know that I'm not with your brother to get anything from him and I don't want other people to think that of me either" Calli was sincere in her statement, of this he was sure.

"Oh Calli no one in this family is even suggesting that at all and anyway screw what anyone else thinks and I'll tell you something else as well" she started.

"What's that?" Calli asked.  "My brother is in love with you."  You could have heard a pin drop as Calli responded while Vincenzo held his breath.

"Do you really think so Bri?  I mean we just met and everything but do you really think he is?"  She almost sounded like she wanted it to be true.

"Yes I do and here's something else I think.  You love him too" Bri was batting a thousand today but at any rate, Vincent held his breath waiting for her response.

"Is it that obvious?" Calli asked quietly.  He heard Bri chuckle and say "A blind man could see it."

Vincent backed away, a smile on his face, and retreated to his room, putting his proposal plan into play.  He would need help with this and all of a sudden it was becoming a family affair.