Adele opened her eyes to the early morning sunshine that entered through the windows. The next day had arrived already which meant she had to say goodbye to Francesco soon.
Adele was being held in his strong arms as her back was hitting his chest. He liked holding onto her possessively throughout the night keeping her warm. They had a long night. Their lengthy make out session the night before had been intense just like always. Adele and Francesco could never get enough of each other.
No matter how many years went by, Adele still felt like how she did on her wedding night whenever they made out in bed. Her heart still beat as fast as it did the first time Francesco had touched her with love and care in ways that no one else could. To Francesco she was a fragile flower still. He handled her like she was a delicate rose. He looked at her like he was looking at the sunshine after living in the dark for so long just like always.
Adele knew she was lucky and she was grateful. She was happy. Her husband provided for her everything that she needed. He granted almost all her wishes. That was it. There were wishes that couldn't come true even though she felt truly happy. She wanted her husband to be free from this life he was leading but it was impossible.
Adele prayed for her husband in church every Sunday. She prayed for his soul to find peace. She felt that her prayers were answered too at times. Francesco by some miracle hadn't gone after his uncle and his father. He had let them live ... for now. He also had forgiven his cousin Antonio for taking sides with Francesco's uncle piero. Francesco had slaughtered Antonio with ridiculous workload when he had come back but he had let him off the hook. She did fear that one day Francesco was going to spill the blood of his family members if they pushed their luck and she dreaded that very much.
Francesco had noticed her breathing had changed. He noticed she had woken up. He had laid awake in bed for sometime now revelling in happiness at holding his beloved so close to him. He had missed her so much. He whispered " You are awake sweetheart?"
Adele moved slightly and without being asked, Francesco loosened his hold on her so she could turn around. He wanted a morning kiss like he always did. She turned around and looked into his eyes. She was now laying on her side facing Francesco in bed mirroring his posture. She smiled and reached her hand up. She cupped his cheek as she whispered " How long have you been awake Francesco?"
Francesco smiled " Long enough that I have become impatient for a kiss... Sweetheart your husband needs care."
Adele smiled back and moved closer as she planted a kiss on his cheek " I love you."
Francesco replied " I love you too sweetheart." He then locked his arms around her waist making sure she had no where to run to avoid him " Sweetheart. Something is bothering you. I know you have something on your mind. You must tell me. I noticed it last night but didn't push you for it. Tell me everything..."
Adele looked away " All is well..."
Francesco insisted " Sweetheart. Don't try to avoid my question. Tell me what's wrong."
Adele closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She then opened her eyes and looked up into his gorgeous eyes that looked concerned " Francesco, I told you last night that I am fine. I have been watched while you have been gone. Costanzo and Antonio have been taking shifts looking after the compound and sancia has been around too. All is well... There is nothing to worry about... Life is not perfect always but there is nothing that can't wait and there is nothing that you should worry about..."
Francesco warned "Tell the truth sweetheart. Last night, you seemed tired so I let it go. You have something on your mind... Tell me... I need to know..."
Adele hesitated and then leaned closer to Francesco " This is nothing new Francesco.... I am worried about you and the kids like I usually do..."
Francesco shook his head " You don't need to worry about me. I know what I am doing sweetheart but which one of the kids do you have on your mind?"
Adele hesitated " All of them..."
Francesco stated " Leave my sons to me . Besides you need to worry about anyone who crosses our sons and gets on their wrong sides. Believe me sweetheart, I have trained them to take care of themselves.... You have nothing to worry about our sons. I know you want them to not take over from me. You know full well I never force them to do anything. If they wish to walk away at any point, they can. Now, tell me what is it about Vienna that worries you."
Adele breathed " You don't want to hear it... You never do..."
Francesco frowned " Sweetheart... I can't grant your wish. You have asked me this many times. I can't separate my child from the boy. Vienna has chosen him."
Adele spoke urgently " It is not too late. I don't think Vienna understands who she is dealing with. She is not too attached to him.... Tristan is not an ordinary kid. He is ..."
Francesco finished her sentence " A first born heir, like Vincenzo... Sweetheart, we have been through this. I will grant your wish only if I see evidence that our daughter doesn't wish to be associated with him. Give our daughter some credit...."
Adele replied " She is just a child..."
Francesco replied calmly " You were fourteen too when you met me. She is almost fifteen. Her birthday is in a few weeks near end of July... Tristan is almost sixteen... He is turning sixteen around same time as Vincenzo in August.... These kids don't need protection. They have protection. I didn't work so hard in my life for my my kids to have no choices. I had no say in what went on in my life and I vowed to myself that I will let my children choose their path so they won't have any nightmares later. Of course I watch over them. I will not let them choose the wrong options that would hurt them... I will guide them but won't force them to do anything unless there is a safety concern ... Tristan hasn't given me any reasons to doubt his intentions towards our daughter. He is honourable. O'Neil didn't raise a loser. He didn't raise a failure. He raised an honourable son. He raised a son who has shown maturity. I have been watching him from far for years. So have you. I am his godfather. You are his godmother. I don't think he has anything less than our own sons. If you trust the manners and values of our sons that I raised, then you should trust Tristan too. Vincenzo may not be a saint but he is honourable. So is Viggo. Do you doubt our sons?"
Adele automatically said " No..."
Francesco stated "Then you can't doubt Tristan either..."
Adele stated " It's not about him ... It's about Vienna. I want her to be happy... How can she be happy with a kid who is so ... possessive... I know you will say but we were fine... We were... You were separated from me. I had choices to meet other people and in the end I didn't fall in love with anyone else when I had other choices... Tristan will take away our daughter's choices away. He is a dictator. I have heard enough about him to understand that..."
Francesco sighed " Sweetheart... I know you don't want to hear it but Vienna is not like you... She is different. She knows what is going on around her. She is intelligent like you but she knows about this world more than you did when you met me... I know you worry about her because you nearly lost your family to mine. My uncle was going to execute your entire family... But Tristan won't let anything happen to Vienna and her family even if O'Neil was an enemy of ours. The young man has determination. He has potential. He has honour. Even if he was faced with same situations as I was he would protect our daughter. I know he will... But Tristan won't be faced with the same challenges as I did ... I trust O'Neil ... with my life. Do you trust O'Neil?"
Adele hesitated and thought over his words. She then whispered " I trust you..."
Francesco smiled and leaned closer. He kissed her forehead " Thank you sweetheart. Leave it all to your husband."
Adele searched his eyes and knew she was fighting a losing battle. Francesco approved of Tristan but she didn't. She couldn't. She trusted Francesco. She accepted his arguments but she couldn't help think of her dreams to Vienna to end up with a normal person. Someone like Edward Blake. She didn't want her to be tied to a life of crime. But she fought a losing battle. Part of her knew she was being unreasonable. Francesco was right. Tristan could be a brutal dictator but he was honourable. Maybe that was what scared Adele. He was honourable but also loyal. His kind only loved one woman. Only one. Her biggest fear was for Vienna falling out of love with him. That was her worst fear. If his kind accused their women of unfaithfulness then he'll was going to break loose. She wasn't sure if Vienna knew the extent of the dangers. Could she handle it? She tried to put these thoughts to the back of her mind. As long as her husband was alive he could take care of Vienna and any difficulties she had. That was the thought that made her feel better.
Adele tried to get up. She needed to go to the bathroom but strong arms pulled her back as she heard him whisper " Sweetheart.... Where are you going?"
Adele sighed " Let me go please. I need go to the bathroom."
Francesco reluctantly let go and then watched her get off the bed. He liked her walk away in her silky night dress. The black silk against her pale skin really matched. She had learnt her lesson and hadn't brought any cotton night dresses with her to the hotel. Wise move. He only liked the silk that was easy to slip up and down to his pleasure. When he made out with her in bed he did become impatient and if their clothes got in the way he simply ripped them to Adele's annoyance.
When Adele returned, she walked to the wardrobe and she started getting changed into her formal dress.
Francesco put his hands behind his neck " Do you have to go to church so early in the morning?"
Adele nodded " Gabriel Giovanni and his wife insisted for everyone to go to this early morning church service. Are you not coming?"
Francesco frowned "You go to church when you want sweetheart. He is not allowed to dictate to you when and where he wants you. Our family can go where they wish, when they wish."
Adele walked to him " Please get up, you know, when we come back from church I can make it upto you... we can have breakfast in bed... We do it your way. Just do come. It's important to me for us to go as a family. I want to go to this early service so we can have breakfast together before you leave."
Francesco stated " You can start making it upto me now sweetheart. Now is as good as a time as any. Come to bed."
Adele gasped " Francesco.... Not now... when we come back we do what you want..."
Francesco chuckled "I want you now...."
Adele insisted " Francesco... we must go..."
Francesco nodded " This is too early...."
Adele suggested "It is... because I want to wake the kids up and get them ready...." she then walked away to the door.
Francesco called from behind her as she put her hand on the door handle " You need to take care of my needs too. You are my wife. It's your duty..."
Adele knew Francesco was teasing her wanting her to declare who he was. She turned around " I know... I am your wife. I never forget it... When we come back you can remind me who you are and what my duties are...."
Francesco retorted " Oh, I will. Remind you.... It will be ... my pleasure..."
Adele couldn't believe how Francesco never allowed the mood change between them even just before he had to return to his trip. He never brought his work into his personal life. He made the most of their private time together and never let her feel distressed. When he spoke so casually all Adele's worries evaporated. Francesco made her feel like they were a normal couple. He never let her feel stress of his business... But she did still worry for him. But when he was with her, she felt no fear.
As Adele opened the door and was about to walk out the room, Francesco spoke " You forgot something. Goodbye kiss."
Adele turned around " I am only going to wake the kids up and wait at the lobby while you sort out the security of the cars escorting us. There is no need for a kiss.... And we are going to church..."
Francesco sat up on the bed " Sweetheart, we committed enough sins last light right here on this bed. Don't you think? A kiss on the cheek can't make it any worse."
Adele sighed. She preferred not to having any intimacy with her husband before church. She shook her head " No. I am sorry... You get a kiss when we come back...."
Francesco stood up and spoke with promise behind his words " I know that ... And you are going to pay for refusing to give your husband a goodbye kiss.... See you in the car sweetheart...."
Adele knew not to argue and she had to go now before Francesco changed his mind " Goodbye husband..." But of course that was going to set him off more. He liked it when she called him her husband. She quickly walked out and closed the door as she heard him shout from inside "That calls for serious penance."
Adele took a deep breath and walked to wake up her children.
Adele knocked on her daughter's door and saw she was all dressed up already when she opened the door " Hi mum... I don't know which pair of shoes to wear. Can you help me?"
Adele nodded and smiled as she entered " Of course darling."
Adele loved her daughter so much. Too much. She wished she could save her from the destiny that awaited her now that Tristan O'Neil had claimed her as his. Adele wished so badly she could prevent her daughter from being immersed into a life of crime. But she felt helpless. She knew she couldn't do anything. Vienna was destined to spend the rest of her life with a boy who was to soon become the head of a business empire that ruled the underground crime lords working for O'Neils and Giovannis. What was to become of her daughter? No one could stop Tristan O'Neil. No one could get in his way if he wanted her daughter and it was hard for her to accept it. It was impossible to stop him because Vienna loved the young man. Francesco knew that too.