Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2021 07:28:40 +1100 From: Max Dowling Subject: Impossible Love 54 Impossible Love 54 Maxieplus I walked over to the baby stall and started rummaging through the stacks of romper suits, I had no idea what size I needed triple 0 maybe and the more I looked the more confused I got. All I had was a photo, so the lady said I was to get that size. I wanted three different colors so we could tell them apart. After twenty minutes I decided I will do it another day, I couldn't get my head into it anyway. I went back and Leon was sitting out the front with Gianni, I forced a smile and sat down. I looked around for Carlos he was over talking to Angelo. "I can't do it today and I think I will get gran to do it for us. I have no idea what sizes to get and I wanted to color coordinate them so we don't get them mixed up." "Leave it Antonio, they won't be here for another eight weeks or so there's plenty of time," Gianni said. "Yes, I suppose your right." I poured another vino and sat back. Leon still hadn't said anything and I didn't expect him to either so I saluted him and sipped it. "Has Sabine been in touch?" "Yes Antonio they are traveling by car to papa's place, taking their time." "Good." Carlos came back and he sat next to me I placed my hand on his knee and squeezed it. The cafe wasn't busy today and I enjoyed the quiet, so I sat saying nothing, and neither did the other three. Suddenly Carlos started laughing he must have thought of something funny, I looked at his face he couldn't stop. The others looked at him like he was mad, he nudged me and in between gasps for air he said. "You got to admit Antonio, it was bloody funny." He roared laughing then. If it was anyone but Carlos I would have walked away but because it was him I smiled a bit, then I started myself and the others joined in. "We got you good Antonio we got you the best time good." He screamed, it was infectious and the mood was broken. "You screamed so loud they chucked you out, the security guards asked us who you were and we said we didn't know you." Tears streamed down his face. I will get them back one day and the shame of being thrown out of the event left me and I was already planning to cut the brake lines on the van. The café came alive as Gianni leaned in and kissed me he said. "Sorry." "So am I," I replied. "Me too but I don't know what all the fuss was about, it was so fucking funny," Leon said. "It's okay Leon, I understand you're not as cool as my Carlos," I replied. "What? I am cooler than him much cooler." "Not really, dumber a bit maybe, but certainly not cooler." He was insulted and got up to clear the table. "Get the cheaper plonk this time Leon, this dear stuff is awful." "What do you mean awful Antonio, it's the best wine in the country." "Not in my book Gianni, it's terrible, the cheaper one is much better." I laughed at his face and now I have insulted him too. I leaned in and kissed Carlos. "I love you so much Carlos you are very good for me." "Me too Antonio." He blushed. Leon huffed and went to get another bottle, I turned to Gianni and asked him what Nina had really said. "She said she will talk to you." He laughed. The standoff had been broken and I was pleased it happened this way otherwise my pure stubbornness would have kept it going for weeks, maybe months. I ended up cleaning up the boxes and cardboard signs from the event and the back room was tidy again. I have to talk to Nina and I wanted the new housekeeper to start sooner rather than later so she or he will be confident living with us. I got a call from the conveyancer and the bottom flat was now in our names I can go ahead and rent it out when I get the time. We locked up and Gianni drove us home. I finally got to hold my son but he wasn't fussed because he has a big date with a Tv. He's growing and talking his head off now but I still can't understand most of his words. As soon as the Tv went on Gianni looked at Leon and Carlos and pointed his finger at them. "Stay here don't move one inch." He almost dragged me into the bedroom and slammed the door, I was on my knees, and in no time at all he had his dick in my mouth. "You are such turning me on Antonio when you are mad, I have used up all my willpower not to fuck with you." I muffled a. "Really?" "Yes you make me so horny watching you get mad, your eyes light up and your ass is mine, get on the bed." I complied and he stuffed me good and proper as soon as he found the lube. I was completely at his mercy, and as a lover, he was top of the list he left no part of my body untouched, nothing unlicked or unkissed. I wanted so much to be involved but he covered all my attempts to join in, it was just him in that bed and I was just his plaything. Finally, he readjusted himself and flopped sideways next to me. "That was wonderful Antonio, you are so good to me. I love you so much." "Me too you Gianni, thank you for taking care of me." "That's my job after all I am the man." "You are." I nearly cried because he had started in on me again and this time he wasn't joking I got well and truly stuffed. I could hardly walk when I finally left the bedroom, I gently sat at the table while he made me a coffee then looked in the freezer for something for dinner. "It's in the oven already.' Leon said. "Thank you," I replied and Gianni put the containers back in the freezer, he then sat next to me and played with my balls, his grin was covering his face. "That was awesome Antonio." "Yes it was Gianni, I loved it a lot." "Good because I don't want you to not love it." "Never." I passionately kissed him. I had my coffee then was passed a vino, a cheap one, this is my style cheap, and very nasty. On the steps I got many looks but kept my mouth shut, I felt no need to apologize to anyone they are all my friends and should be able to cope with my moods. Alice did say she was glad I have a smile on my face I just stared at her for being so insolent. Gino had Sam in his arms he was kicking his legs and squishing his face up then I heard a fart, I laughed and said. "Nappy change." He was passed to me with some very wise words from my friend. "You had better get used to it Ant, the nappies are in his bedroom." He laughed. I went to change the little fella he was all smiles but that is just wind but cute, so I took some photos. I placed him in his carrycot and took him back outside, he will probably sleep now. Anna was smiling at me and then she winked. "Three of them Antonio, just think what fun you are going to have." "Yes and when you babysit you can experience that fun for yourself.' She laughed then shut up. "We are getting a housekeeper, I didn't want to but it's a must now. I doubt whether we will be able to cope with all four on our own." Gianni said. "The hardest part is choosing someone that can put up with some nudity and a few crude jokes here and there, and someone that can cook breakfast also." They all smiled that would be so cool. I was also pleased because as you know my breakfasts aren't the best. I had a few wines and was mentally thinking about the ways I could use gran more but I didn't want to burden her with four babies, she would cope but she might crash also. "What do we pay a housekeeper baby?" I asked Gianni. "I don't know it comes out of the business anyway." "Does it? then I may start giving gran a wage." "You mean you are using your poor gran for nothing?" "Well I give her a hundred dollars every now and then, she seems happy with that." "It is clear to be seen Antonio you know nothing about having domestic staff, please leave that up to me." "Okay you win, boss." He tried to explain because the business holds the lease to the apartment, everything that is done to it or paid out has to go through it, not from our accounts. I was happy with that and I will fight for gran to get a better wage I think. All in all, we had a good night and it was a late-night because my husband wanted to sit with me on the walkway, he was telling me how upset he got about my spat and he will try to be a better man in the future. The rest was taken up by cuddling and kissing. I opened the bedroom door and two were in bed. "We thought you would never come to bed," Carlos said over the sheets. "We are here now do you mind if we have a fuck?" I said. "Not at all Antonio can we watch?" "Go to sleep boys." I laughed and stripped off watching my man do the same. Gran was at the ready in the morning she had added to her list and wanted to see where we were going to put the babies. I said they would be in with us for the first month then we will move them to the room next door, Lukas can have the one across from us, that will cover the boy's room and the housekeeper's room if they decide to live in. Someone will hear them during the night if they get upset. She was happy with that arrangement and I also told her we were going to place her on a wage for her two days work. She said no that she wanted the cash in hand because of grandad's tax, so we decided to give her two-fifty a week for a start. "So did you get into trouble with the police Antonio?" "What? no gran nothing that drastic." "Well you should have, treating your dear husband like that in public. If you were younger I might suggest he smack your bottom for some time." I saw her grin then I looked at Gianni and he was rising. What an awful thing to do to him just before he had to go to work. She laughed and started breakfast. Lukas was sitting in his high chair and she was talking Italian to him, and he was answering her, no wonder I can't understand him. "How come you didn't teach me Italian gran?" "I did, but you never went to college did you?" "No gran you know that." "Well I taught you, but it went in the one ear and out the other. I knew then you wouldn't be very academic. Lukas on the other hand will go to university he is a very clever boy." She bent over and kissed him, I could have shoved her ass in the hot oven. The boys were killing themselves laughing. "Oh, and by the way Antonio, have you someone in mind to do the housekeeping?" Hands to hips. "Not yet gran, Nina is looking out for someone." "I have a very nice young lady I play canasta with every Thursday she is a nurse and specialises in babies her husband is a mad man and went off with his secretary some months ago, she finds it hard to find work and she said she can live in." "What's her name gran?" "Angelina Antonio, can you give her a try?" "I will talk to Nina." "No, you are talking with me now, and I asked if you could give her a try." "Yes gran, send her around but we make no promises." "Okay I have had enough of your insolence Antonio, Angelina is a wonderful girl she's honest, caring, clean, respectful, and she doesn't mind looking at half-naked men. Her husband was a coward and left her high and dry she has bills to pay and she will be homeless by the end of the month, it is now becoming urgent for her." "Gran we won't hire just anyone they have to love babies and know how to look after them." "She's a baby nurse Antonio, didn't you hear that. Just like you didn't hear my Italian words also." She went off in a tirade of Italian, they all understood her but I didn't because I didn't listen, and they were laughing "Send her around or into the café." "Good, now how do you want your eggs?" "Cooked gran," I said. I got her death stare then I said. "Scrambled please Nona." "I guess that is that Gianni, we will have to hire her now." "She may be okay Antonio, your gran wouldn't let just anyone look after her babies." I thought about it and yes I would rather hire someone that a family member knows and trusts. "The next thing is colored ankle bracelets we need green blue and yellow ones with matching necklaces. Names we need names too." Gianni was laughing his head off, he nearly ran off the road. "You are so silly sometimes Antonio, I love you." I blushed because he had no idea what I was talking about. "We have to have names at the very least." "We will Antonio and we will have some fun thinking them up." We were a little late today because I wanted to banter with gran. I wanted to talk to Nina about Angelina she will know her. I don't know where it comes from but there was another stack of rubbish by the back door, but to be fair one of the staff had loaded up the fridges. I gave the display unit a thorough clean before I loaded it up with delicious cream cakes. Pat arrived and I had a coffee with her, she said her Fred was feeling a lot better and they are going to the club Saturday night would we be there, I said probably, that's if I didn't have another disaster on my hands. The ladies were busy in the flower shop and Sabine's frock shop was also a little crowded, I hope she has more stock coming. I wanted to go over grans new list and will start gathering stuff today, maybe I will get Gianni to come with me he knows babies. Nina called in to talk and she handed me a piece of paper. "She is the best and will be by this afternoon." I looked at it and yes sure enough `Angelina' was written on it. "Thank you did you talk to gran?" "No Antonio Angelina rang me when she heard there maybe a job going." "Is she okay for the babies?" "Yes she is more than qualified, she asked about cooking and cleaning I said she will have to work that out with you Nona, she said she will help her." Good luck with that Angelina. It is a big apartment maybe they can dissect it in two and job share or something. "Now I believe you will need baby items do you have the list of what you need?" I went out the back, she followed because she knows there's always an open bottle there. I poured her a drink and she looked at the lists. "Yes Antonio, less is best sometimes but I think you have it about right, I will get my girls onto it immediately." I slumped and was so grateful to her. "Thank you Nina I was getting confused with the sizes, but can you tell them to buy yellow blue and green outfits so I don't get the babies mixed up." She laughed and Gianni had that smirk on his face again. "They are identical we won't be able to tell them apart until they get their personalities." "What?" Gianni almost fell off his seat. Got you at long last, obviously Adamo left that little piece of information out. "They are what?" "Identical they all look the same, didn't you notice that in your photos?" "No Antonio, oh my God what are we going to do?" "You have to buy different colored bracelets necklaces and anklets Antonio so they don't get mixed up." Nina offered. "Well doh, what have I been saying for the past two days." "I thought you were mad and dressing our boys in jewelry." I gave him the death stare and he started laughing his head off. "You got me good Antonio, god I love you." He then kissed me. Nina jumped on her phone and was talking in Italian to someone on the other end. She laughed and did I see a tear in her eye. "The ladies are celebrating there hasn't been a set of identical triplets born around here since the fifties apparently, they are very happy to have them amongst us. Antonio, Gianni I have to warn you they are going to be very spoilt." I groaned. "When she left I went to hand her some money, she pushed my hand away and said. "No need this time Antonio, but when the boys are free send them up with a case of the cheapest wine will you, it's better than the best one." She laughed her way out of the shop and Gianni looked furious. "My god Antonio three that look the same, I hope they look like you." "They won't, believe me." I smiled back at him. I placed a box of wine on the back table with Nina's name on it, when the boys are finished flirting with the customers they can take it up, another hard chore for them. I fussed around for the next hour served the tables and generally cleaned up. The three boys took it in turn to man the coffee machine so they weren't standing there all day. I served up the cakes and restocked them and when I looked over at Angelo's he was busy, there wasn't a spare spot in his restaurant. Stavros looked at me at every turn and there's no way he is getting his hands on my wedding present. I took a phone call from the manager of my garden business he wanted to know how much he could sell the pots for, he said they had planted more than they needed. We agreed on a good price and he said the guy will take forty of them, it opened up another possible business, and I will have another look at the shops. At the moment I had whitewashed the windows for privacy but maybe I can place some excess stock in them. I have babies to attend to so I don't think I will get too much time to water any plants. The conference call was scheduled for eight so we topped up our glasses and sat in front of the computer, Sabine's face appeared then Tony's Ramones Alessio's Adamo and Roberto were also in the mix it was wonderful to see them all again. We crammed around the computer and the talking started. "One at a time please ladies, Alessio what's going on with you, I hear you are up and standing on the board again." "Hi guys, yes I am doing great my legs are much more strengthened, I have you to thank Antonio, and Ramone for bringing me here." He smiled. "Sounds good to me and Ramone you are happy in your new house?" "Yes Antonio we are well settled in the three boys have been helping Alessio with his surfing I just sit on the beach and watch." "You should learn also I believe it's great exercise." And so it went, we promised we would come over and see them but when we got around to talking to Roberto he got slammed for not coming for a holiday, we missed him and Adamo the most. "Guys we will come over as soon as you stop giving me business, I am flat out working for the Cartasso now. Gianni, that little problem of yours is slowly boiling away. I believe the deed has been done and the couple concerned are dancing around each other. I have to call in and give them a big push." He laughed. "Okay after that's over maybe you will deliver the boys over here?" "I don't know what's happening there Antonio, Menowin is being very secretive and I find it hard to contact him about them because I have to get passports organized." "Is it all on the up and up Roberto or do you smell a rat?" "I can't say, Gianni maybe you should ring Menowin you may be able to get more information out of him." "I went to the camp Gianni but he wouldn't speak to me about the babies so I went to the hospital to take more photos but they were discharged," Adamo said. "Okay leave it up to me then, I will ring him and let you know." I looked at Gianni and he had a worried look on his face. "The divorce has been settled boys and I am a free woman and your papa a free man, everything will go smoothly. Pleased don't speak to any journalists unless it's about the Cartasso wines babies." "We won't mama, we have it all covered but we don't expect any trouble here it's in Italy there may be a lot of questions," Leon said. "Yes son, we will put out a statement, hopefully, that will be the end of it." We talked for nearly two hours and Tony wanted us to go and visit Iris she sounded a little down on their last call, maybe she misses him so we said we will make it our mission to keep her busy. I have something in mind for her when I see her next. I couldn't understand if she owns that chain of poker machine, and hotel venues why isn't she busy it doesn't add up. We hung up and celebrated with a vino, Gino was still out the front when we arrived and Alice with Federico. Gianni stayed back to ring Menowin he was worried but insisted I go and he would look after it. We handed over all the news to anyone that wanted to listen and I raced inside to say hello to Anna and Sam, he was adorable and much more aware of his surroundings. I didn't want to make a lot of fuss because that will excite him and he won't sleep, yeah right, that's all they do sleep and poop. Gianni had arrived by the time I got back he didn't look too good and I was dying to ask him if he got through. I poured a drink and sat on it, Alice handed over the money bag and I thanked her. "We had better start doing something for iris baby, it sounds like she's bored." "Yes Antonio we will invite her over for dinner she hasn't seen our new place yet." He was far away. "I will do that tomorrow, how did you go?" "I don't know Antonio I think somethings going on." "What makes you say that?" "He didn't answer me." "Can we contact him through the family site?" "I will have a look I need to cast that vote also so can you help me tonight?" "Of course I will." I rubbed his thigh. "I need some input guys do I open a garden shop or not, it's just that I sold forty pots from the nursery today and the guys were asking." "Of course you do, put a heap in the window and let the guys look after it for you, just the flowery one's," Alice said. "You will have to get a few display racks clean the windows off and just do pots, don't get into the garden accessories it gets too messy." "I will think more on it." I was thinking more about the babies at the moment I can't concentrate on anything else. "Gino how is business you never say." "Good Alice, it could be better you know how it is, there's only so many veggies I can sell." "What about plant pots?" She looked at me. "I don't know it's something I haven't thought about." "Well start thinking there's a golden opportunity staring you in the face right now." He looked at me and I said. "I will wholesale them to you Gino, the guy today took forty, why don't you keep twenty, and if they need more send them to the garden center." "I will get back to you on that soon Antonio, thank you Alice." "My pleasure Gino." She smiled. "Will you have stock?" "Yes mate we are over potting in case some die, fifteen a pot you sell for thirty-five or forty." "Antonio." Gianni moaned. "Okay, ten a pot and that's the bottom line." "Thank you." We went upstairs and Gianni fired up the computer, he was signing into the Gypsy site he uses, it virtually lit up. "What the hell is going on here?" I looked at the home page and there were thousands of users talking. "Go up to the main post." He did scroll up and there it was, it was an alert from Menowin for everyone to keep a lookout for Magdalene Nino she will be traveling with three newborn babies." He looked at me and sat back to rub his eyes. "She's decided to keep them Antonio, our babies are lost." "Let's not jump the gun yet." I took over the mouse and started reading the replies there were so many and mostly they were saying they will keep an eye out, a lot said she wasn't in their district. My guts fell and I couldn't believe after all he has gone through this is happening. "They will find her Gianni, she can't hide from the Gypsy." "Maybe Antonio, I don't know what to do I want to go there to search for them but I can't just steal them from her if she wants them.' "I know baby, it's a mess, how well did Basilio know her?" "He would know her from the last time he organized that also." "He did say you were drugged and he did seem to know a lot about it." I wondered if he had something to do with this. My mind was running rampant so I said to him. "Whatever is going on the Gypsy will find them, she wouldn't harm her babies, Gianni you have to believe that. I reckon she's going to blackmail you with them it makes sense. Basilio might have got into her mind that you had a lot of money and they both were going to hold the babies over our head to make money." "Do you think that's possible Antonio?" "Very likely Gianni, very likely." "She has a contract with the Gypsy she is taking a big chance to do this if this is the case." "Will they harm her?" "No Antonio, I think they would just eject her from the Gypsy, like ban her I can't think of the name." "Exile baby." "Yes Exile her, what if they can't find her?" "Then we wait for a ransom note baby that's all we can do." "I must go to Italy and search, can you look after Lukas and my business please Antonio, give me this." That brick was back. "I will miss you terribly." "I know and I will miss you, but I have to do something." He was starting to panic. "I will book you on the next flight." I didn't want to but I have to for his sake he will hate me if I don't. I looked up flights and got him a seat in business class while he packed a carry bag, he still has clothes at the gatehouse he can use. He wrote a hasty note through the site to Menowin that he was on his way and could he vote for him at the council he hasn't got the time. The midnight flight saw three travelers out at the airport, the boys would not let Gianni go on his own and insisted they go with him. I stood at the departure gate and watched his flight take-off and that brick was heavy. I have no idea how long I stood there I was in shock that it had happened so fast. A cleaner moved over to me and said. "Sir the next flight out is five in the morning there are sofas over there where you can rest." That bought me out of my stupor, I thanked him and left the airport making sure I drove carefully towards my empty home. So much to organize and so little time to do it in. The first thing I did was lay on the bed with his pillow over my face I had started crying because I really should have gone with him. I will talk to Nina in the morning and see if she can take over my and Gianni's businesses for a few weeks while I go to join him. I slept off and on and managed a few hours then I got up out of pure frustration. Lukas was stirring and I had plans to make. I was groggy because I hadn't had enough sleep. He was happy to be changed and sitting in front of the Tv then I turned the computer on. The message from Menowin was grim they can't find her anywhere, a well-planned effort on her part or Basilio's. I told him Gianni and the boys were on their way and I must write to Tinker to pick them up from the airport in Rome. They will be staying at the family home he could update them there. I then called Tinker, Roberto and then Sabine, they will all head home in the next few hours and Tinker will go to the airport late tonight he has plenty of time to talk to Sabine and Roberto. I then rang gran to ask her to take Lukas for the day I will drop him off soon. I need staff I will be three men down so I rang Nina to get some emergency staff organized, I didn't tell her what had occurred and will talk to her face to face when I get there. I bundled Lukas up with his travel bag, I hadn't even done the money Giannis was laying on the table so I fished mine out and threw it in the hidey-hole come safe. "We are going to Nona's today baby, daddy will see you later on. "Papa?" "Papa's gone for a holiday to see your brothers he will be away for a week or so" "Oh?" he pointed to the bedroom. "No they are gone too there's just you and me." I kissed his beautiful face and took him down to the car. How much he understood I don't know but he wasn't upset in any way. I pulled up outside grans place she was standing at the handrail on her porch. "He took the late flight with Carlos and Leon Nona, They will still be in the air." "How could she do such a nasty thing to us Antonio what's is her reason for this?" "I think Basilio and her had a plan to extort more money out of Gianni and she's following it through. That's the only reason I can think of. I'm going insane at the moment but if you can take Lukas for today I will make plans tonight for him. I think I am going to be quite busy." "You have back up and I will come and stay with you Antonio I will look after Lukas." "No gran we don't need to panic at the moment I just need to get today over and done with." "Then do it and I will look after my grandson anyway." "Do not argue with your grandmother Antonio, we will both have him so do not concern yourself with him." Grandad was speaking, then he took Lukas then they both watched cartoons while gran made us some breakfast. Donations are gratefully accepted at Nifty.