The Medici Girl

Young Love

The late afternoon sun gave perfect lighting for the party that Ezio and his wife descended down on from the Villa. It was clear with the expression on her face that she had not been expecting such a thing and Ezio felt he had accomplished something. The people from Monteriggioni and the surrounding farms had all come at the chance for celebration. Of course, they had all been curious about the 'Medici Princess' that he had drug back from Firenze, but the Touranelli sisters kept real quiet on the matter.

In the middle of the square was a long table that could seat all of the villagers, except for the smaller table where the children could sit an eat. Barrels of wine had been brought in from one of the local vineyards, with the jovial owner included. Enrico was very happy to supply the entire village with enough wine to stir a bit of drunken happiness. Ezio noticed that Gambalto had already poured everyone a glass and was going on about the politics of Siena again. It was not until the baker and his wife came out with fresh pasta that his stomach started to complain about being empty.

Contessina had been speaking with the two women that organized this whole celebration when the call for diner came. Everyone sat down with Contessina being pushed to sit at the end of the table while Ezio knew where he sat. It was custom for husband and wife to always face each other at the diner table no matter how long it was. Between the two of them sat around fifty people on each side, but thankfully they could still see each other. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Fiona running around with two other children her age before being fussed at to sit down by one of the women.

"All of this spectacle is for Contessina." Claudia said as she sat down on his left. "When we came here no one did any of this for us." Ezio rolled his eyes hearing his sister complain about how they were not given such treatment when first arriving to Monteriggioni.

"Claudia, what are you talking about?" He looked over to her with a hard look on his face. "We did have a party." It was a few months after they had come that the villagers found an excuse to have a good get together. He specifically remembered it because that was when most of the women learned he was married already. He almost felt sorry for disappointing them, but half of them were married anyway. "Are you jealous?"

"No." She said looking down the table towards her blond headed sister. "Maybe." Ezio sighed before raising his glass in the air for more wine. "Alright, yes I am jealous." Sometimes the way women found themselves jealous over each other made no sense to him, but then again Claudia had every reason to feel the way she did. It was not her fault that Contessina took the spotlight and he doubted his wife really cared for it anyway.

"Claudia," He said as his glass was filled with wine again. "I love you. You are my sister, but you get a party every year. From the time you were seven years old to now. I think you can let Contessina have her night." His sister's jaw dropped at his words and Ezio did not feel a bit guilty over his opinion. It was honesty. Contessina deserved this night since the last time she had some function was on their wedding day and he recalled her being miserable then. He sat back in his chair as Maria sat down on his right and gave him a small smile. "Mother." He said as she put her hand on his.

From the other end of the table, Contessina sat with a nervous smile as the women around her chatted about. Vittoria Touranelli sat on Contessina's left while the auburn-haired woman's sister, Carlotta, sat next to her. Gambalto sat across from Vittoria at Contessina's right with a snarky smile on his face at the comment his wife just made. Even with the nervousness, the blond could not help but to laugh at the bashful nature of the younger brunette girl at her sister's side. She was the same age as Contessina and not yet married, though it was on the opinion of her parents that she should marry one of the wealthier sons of Siena.

"And she said of course there are grapes, it's a vineyard you idiot!" Gambalto said telling the story of how he and Vittoria met at her parent's villa. "From then on, I knew she was the woman for me." The other men laughed about the table as bread and cheese were passed around. "How did you and Ezio meet, Contessina?" All attention turn to her as she sat there pondering where to start. "How does a Medici girl end up with a man like Ezio?"