A Love Restored

I let Julian lead the way to Nico’s house, even though I was the one who used to be a frequent visitor here. I wanted him to be the first one to face whoever opened the door.

It was Nua.

She opened up and smiled at us, Nua usually wore heels. Barefoot, today, in her house, she was even smaller. She was wearing a cute pink dress and her hair were done in a simple updo.

“No.” Julian said curtly. She smiled and stepped to the side, letting us in. Julian was quick to rush in. He spotted Donna and ran to her, leaving me behind to speak to Num.

“Hey,” I extended a hug, and we hugged for a few seconds, “How are you?”

“Good,”

the nodded, “You? I heard about the scare. I wanted to visit but there was a lot going on.”

“That’s alright.”

She had called a bunch of times. And sent flowers. It was incredibly sweet of her.

I handed her our small gift bag. We had gotten scented candles because we didn’t know what else to get.

“Thank you, there was really no need,” Nun said politely, and I shrugged. “I just need to check on the food. Please sit down?”

She went way to the kitchen, and I made my way inside. Jullian was sitting on the couch with Donna. The rest of the people were nowhere to be seen.

“Donna,” I greeted, “Hello”

She smiled brightly, beaming up at me. “Please, Ginevra, sit down. Also, you look beautiful. You’re positively glowing.”

“I’m really okay,” I told her as I sat down, but she shook her head at me. “Where is everyone else?” I asked hesitantly.

“Manano and Emilio went out for a smoke, and Bethany is ” She stopped short, looking behind me. I turned around too, as Bethany and Nico emerged from his room. They spotted me, and Bethany rushed to my side, pulling me into a hug. She asked about how I was feeling, but didn’t dwell on it. She wasn’t pitying me or extremely worried like

everyone else. It felt really nice. Normal. It was good to feel normal.

“Hey,” Nico said from behind her. I stood up to hug him, but be awkwardly shook my hand instead. That was new. Where was this coming from?

“Come with me,” He said urgently. He took my hand, leading me to his room. I could feel Julian’s eyes follow us like a trail until we disappeared from his line of sight. But he didn’t say anything. We had talked about this, that he would control his jealousy. Or if not, at least he wouldn’t act on it. It was going well till now, but the night had barely started.

Nico pulled me inside his room, and then into a hug. He didn’t let go for maybe a whole minute. “I was so scared,” he whispered, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I smiled, “Yeah, me too. It was really scary, but its all okay.”

He nodded, laying a kiss on my forehead.

“Why are we doing this in your room? It looks weird.”

“I know,” he sighed, sitting down on the bed, “I don’t know the protocol now that I’m married. I don’t know what all is acceptable and on the table.”

I smiled, “I think you can hug me freely. In public would be better. For bo

For both Nua and Julian.”

Nico nodded

“I have to tell you something.

“Yeah, what’s up?

I excitedly took his hand in mine and squeezed. “Our daughter. We’ve decided her middle name.”

“What is it?”

“Nicola.” I let out softly.

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“I mean,” I added, “If you agree. If that’s okay with you. And I’d also love for you to be her godfather.”

“Okay with me?” Nico shot up from his seat. “Thank you, thank you! I can’t believe that.”

ran out of the b

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bedroom and into the living room where everyone else was seated. I followed him, giggling.

“They’re naming her after me!” He announced excitedly, “Nicola. Their kid’s middle name.”

Everyone looked at us, and Consigliere and Don shared a look.

Bethany beamed at me. “That’s wonderful. Have you decided a first name?”

I looked at Julian, who patted the couch beside him. I walked to him and sat down, and Julian put his arm around my shoulder. “There’s a lot of disagreement on that.” He commented, smirking down at me. I rolled my eyes. We had had a lot of arguments on baby names.

“I think we’ll know it when she’s born. There’s no rush.”

Donna nodded.

1. d. She had a drink in her hand, and took a sip. “Agreed. When Leo was born, we couldn’t decide his name for a whole week after.”

“And you still chose Leo, Consigliere Emilio commented, “The most generic of all names.”

Donna furrowed her eyebrows at him, but then everyone else laughed. So, she didn’t say anything.

Consigliere looked at me, “Hope you’re not going with something generic.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “You named your kid Nico. I don’t think this family is great at names.”

Consigliere chuckled. That was good. At least they were being polite to each other.

Julian pretended like he didn’t care that his brothers were mad at him, but he did, I knew it. I knew he searched for their approval, and I knew he wanted them to be close

again. Emilio and Mariano were both much older than Julian. They both treated him like a child, like their own child. He had that kind of relationship. Less brotherly than

fatherly. So this conflict had hit him really hard. I knew that they would eventually be all fine with each other, but I really wanted it to happen quickly.

I wanted their family back together, without any conflicts and confusions. All the grudges and the anger. Especially Julian and his brothers. And I would be trying my best today to do that.