Round Here

Chapter Eighteen

April '83

TEN YEARS LATER

It's been a long ten years in the making, but Sonny and I have made it. In the past ten years we've added two new additions into the family. Caroline who is now eight and Rafael who is six. The other kids have grown up so fast. My little Marble is fifteen, Vinny is twelve, and the twins are ten. Dad and Connie also had Romeo, my brother, on the anniversary of my mama's death. So it was a bitter sweet moment. He's ten now. It's kinda weird, but it is what it is. I'm happy they have a kid. It gives my poor father something to do besides going to the bar every day. I've had to get a hysterectomy since because I had issues, so no more babies for Sonny and I. I think it's okay because the six we have are plenty. Freddie also had a son, who he named Freddie too but we call him Junior. He's still with us and is happier than ever raising his son. We're all happy and it's been the best. This year will mark two anniversaries for us. It'll be fifteen years since Em died, and eighteen since mama died. Sonny and I will celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary though. So something happy to come out of it. Freddie and I have also discovered this new band Wham! and they're great. That George Michael is one good looking man, but I will always think my Sonny is cuter.

Today was a nicer day than yesterday. It rained all day and the kids complained that they couldn't go outside. I was stuck listening to them complain while Sonny and Tom were busy having sex upstairs. I was waiting for the kids to come home now. I just had Rafi with me. I decided to go into the living room since they were gonna be home anytime soon. I spoke too soon since they all came running in. "Mama guess what?" I heard Marlon say. "What Marls?" "I got an A on my science project." They all came in. Vinny just laughed at him. "You're such a nerd. Play sports man." Little Sonny came in with them too. "Mama, mama, Vinny ruined my hair in the car." I watched Lucy come in with her hair a mess. I rolled my eyes at my second oldest son. "Come here sweetie, and Vincent what did I tell you about bothering your sisters?" "Not to, but she started it." "I did not!" "Did to." Sonny came into the living room. He seemed tired. "Will you three knock it off? I've had enough of your arguing already." He sat down beside me. I watched as my husband looked at his son. Vinny sat down and took his school book out. Lucy sat in front of me so I could fix her hair. Marlon and Little Sonny were too busy doing their work to talk to me anymore. So I left them be. 

Sonny wrapped his arm around me. "So how was your day baby?" He asked me. "Well, Rafi and I sat and watched some t.v. and then listened to Freddie bicker about C. I had a nap and then waited for you guys to come home. Where's Tom?" He smiled. "He's upstairs sleeping." I didn't know that. "Oh, weird. I'm gonna go start on dinner, so you watch the younger kids? I'll take the older ones in to do homework." He agreed to that. "Marly, Sonny, and Vinny come with me." "Why mama?" Vinny asked. Marlon and Sonny knew the drill. They were more happy to go with me into the kitchen. "Because I said so that's why now let's go. I need to make dinner." "I'll be fine out here." Sonny was getting a bit angry. "Vincent go with your mother." He got up and followed me. Sonny smiled at me. I gave him a little wink. He blew me a kiss before I went to the kitchen with the kids. 

I was starting to get things ready when Vinny started in on the other kids. "What are you losers doing?" "Our work unlike you." He laughed. "I finished mine. So eh." He stuck his tongue out at them. "Cannoli where are you?" I heard dad say. In the kitchen." I went back to cooking. "You guys are just nerds." Little Sonny looked at him. "I'd rather be a nerd than a jerk." I heard dad and Romeo come in. "Hey sissy." "Hi Romes. How was school?" "It was good. Mrs. Lows was away today. I didn't like that." He hugged me. "Ah not good. Did daddy pick you up today?" "No Sonny did. Daddy was at home talking to C." "Ah, well if you want Sophia and Lucy are in the living room. You can go play with them." "Okay sissy." He left the kitchen. I turned to see dad. "How was your day dad?" "I'll tell you later. I just wanted a kiss." I gave him one. He went back to the living room too. I heard Marlon crying. I turned to face them. Vinny threw his books at him. "Vincent Santino Frederico Corleone! Go sit with your father now." "Ooh you go full named." Sonny said. He didn't listen. I was getting frustrated. "I'll give you two seconds before I call your father, and if he has to come in here you're not gonna like it." He smirked at me. He was such a little shit sometimes. "I'm doing my work mama." "No you're not now go into the living room." He didn't listen. "Sonny can you watch the pot for a minute?" "Yeah I can auntie." "Thank you." I said as I left the kitchen. I went back to retrieve my husband.