In The Name Of Thy Father ~ A Borgia AU

Chapter Two

By the time, Cesare walked out into the large marble foyer his sister was already surrounded by her family. His mother, Vannozza, had her in her arms and was rocking her slowly back and forth. Gioffre, his youngest brother was standing at her side with a huge smile on his face. It was a wonderful sight to see; his beloved Lucrezia back where she belonged. Standing in the archway, Cesare just observed the interactions in front of him as he smiled. It wasn't as if he wasn't in a hurry to be reunited with his sister. On the contrary he was. However, he would wait his turn. Until then he was happy just letting his eyes fall upon her.

With the family spending their summers in New York and their winters in Rome, Rodrigo and the boys had already taken up residence in the Borgia winter home in late August. His mother arrived around the first of September. Lucrezia had wanted to spend some time with her douchebag of a boyfriend so she spent the extra months in New York. Cesare hated the thought of being separated from her for so long. What she didn't know was that he sent extra men to New York to keep an eye on her. Yet they failed to report back to him about William's little extracurricular activity. They would pay for that. He would whip them and for every tear his sweet beloved sister shed, another lash would be dealt out.

"Aren't you going to come welcome me home Cesare or are you just going to stand there?"

The sweet voice shook him out of his thoughts as Cesare stood up straight. There standing in the middle of the foyer with his parents around her, was Lucrezia. She was as breathtaking as ever and he couldn't be prouder of her. She wore a simple sundress of rose colored linen that caused her cheeks to look flushed. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a neat braid around the crown of her head. Yet it was her sparkling eyes that had his attention. While her face looked happy to be home, her eyes held the sadness of being betrayed.

Cesare honestly didn't know how he got from where he was standing to Lucrezia but all he knew was in an instant he was hugging her. His arms were wrapped around her body and he was laughing softly as he rocked his sister in his arms. It was just like old times when each of them would return from boarding school at the end of the year. He hugged her as if she were the very thing keeping him alive. "I missed you dear sister!"

"You mean you missed teasing me." Lucrezia giggled as she looked up at him. It seemed that being the youngest also meant being the smallest. Coming up barely to her brother's mid chest, Lucrezia always felt safe when Cesare was around. He was her guardian angel and her protector. She knew nothing could ever happen to her when he was around. When she was away from him it not only hurt her heart but her soul.

A huge grin nearly split Cesare's face apart as he chuckled. "There is that too." He reached up and tweaked her nose playfully. "It's so good to have you home." He hugged her again. Despite her laugh, he could see the sadness in her eyes. He would make it a point to talk to her tonight when they could be alone.

Lucrezia stepped away from Cesare and then she sobered a bit when she saw her middle brother standing there. "Hello Juan." She gave him a warm smile. "How have you been?"

Juan's eyes had been focused on his siblings and jealousy raged through him. He hated the fact that Cesare and Lucrezia were so close and here he was always left on the outside. When they were kids, Cesare and Lucrezia would go off together and leave him alone with his father. Even now it was as if they shared a secret understanding that no one remotely comprehend. His lips turned up and he tried to keep them from sneering. "Hello sister. I hope your trip was good? I mean as good as a walk of shame can be."

Lucrezia's face fell as Cesare's filled with rage. Their father whipped around to stare at his oldest. "Juan!" he seethed. "That is enough!" The head of the Borgia family lashed out.