Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:09:10 +1100 From: max dowling Subject: Impossible Love 77 Impossible Love 77 Maxieplus Sabine and I sat and talked about her charity appointments she's going to be busy and she also reminisced on last years spring racing carnival, I have to get onto doing the Gianni event, I have some ideas but I need to talk to him first, I know the boys have been working on it for weeks because I saw their fake notes hanging around the apartment, they do this to try and throw me off my game. This year we decided that Gianni's will have a display, the first year was all about the Cartasso, and last year Gianni didn't bother, other things were happening in his life. So this will be his first solo event in the Birdcage, and I have to make it great, not good, great as in awesome. The tent is a standard size so I have booked that and talked to Nina about the catering. I talked to Iris about having a combined event but she said her wines are very every day and were aimed at the cheaper end of the market. I wondered if Gianni could make her some new ones, but lost that thought when Iris and I had a board meeting and she insisted he didn't involve himself because other wineries will start up nasty rumours. I sort of agreed with her and anyway her wine is barrel cured reds and a lot of cask-type ones mainly for her hotels and bottle shops, a sort of home brand. Sabine was telling me she has three new outfits and will decide on the day which one she will wear. Gianni has done some smaller events but we won't revisit them they weren't very lucrative, just a waste of money in my books, his wine sells itself. I have no idea what the boys had planned for their event, but as per usual it seems we are in a race to win the event of the carnival once again. I have to be careful to hide my doodles from them, so much of the time I have paper stashed down my underwear or in Lukas's backpack he will keep it safe for me. The babies hair has grown and dark brown curls framed their little faces, put them beside Lukas and you would know they are brothers add Gianni, and then you would know who their father is. We all know them individually now but some still struggle and have to look closer, the tell-tale signs are their smiles. Luca has a twisted smile and Gianni has a small dimple when he smiles, and he's always smiling. When Antonio grins his mouth stays shut, but we four can tell them apart even without their smiles. Sabine was shaking me and said. "Antonio are you ok?" "Yes dear mother-in-law, just thinking to myself that's all." "I thought you had gone into a trance." "Boys, I was thinking about the babies smiles." "I see, that will do it every time, Tony has to shake me occasionally also." She laughed. "So you have three outfits did your ladies make them?" "No Antonio, Cody Mitchell had had them made for me. I didn't approach him he came to me, it's all about advertising. He thinks I am a sure bet to win fashions on the field so he wants to dress me. I have my final fitting when I can get to his warehouse." She sat back and stretched her legs out, she's still the queen of style, no matter how hard Iris tries. Sabine has won it two years running now, we didn't enter again so I only got the one trophy for men's fashion on the field. "Okay okay Jack in a minute." I giggled to myself, Brent was somewhere near I can hear him once again trying to settle Jack down. I ordered two frothy treats and a piece of cake with a coffee for him. "Good morning my friend how are things," Sabine said. "Hi Sabine good morning Antonio, just at a loose end this morning Conner is practicing what he's going to say on the radio." "My god he's going to get it, tell him to be ready for anything." "Well if it's anything like the last one he is going to love it." He smiled then took the kids out of their ride, they have grown so much and Jack still insists on his baby cino's when they go out. "Where Lukas?" Curtis asked. I lifted him onto a stool and told him he was at kindy for a few hours, did I just see him blush. "He's got a crush on him." Brent leaned over and whispered. "How the hell do you know that Brent?" "He talks about him all the time and, just a kiddy crush Antonio." He laughed. "Awesome." I laughed back. It was about then that the boys came downstairs moaning about all the work they had to do, they said they have to go and get facials for tomorrow night's radio show. "As I always say Leon, it's radio, no one can see you." "But we must look our best, our Iris insists on it now." Oh does she. "Hello Iris, it's good to see you again." Brent hugged her. "Is he ready for the show?' "Yes, he's at home practicing his answers." He laughed. "Don't you be laughing at our questions Brenten Walsh, we do not want your husband to be talking about his concerts on Iris's little show, if he does that he will get a very big account for advertisement," Leon sat up straight. "He won't, he's sticking to the questions he wants to talk about his babies anyway." He winked at me. "That is so not so fair Iris, he gets to talk about his babies but Gianni cant talk about his much, I want equal air time," Gianni demanded. "You can talk about them all you want Gianni, but I think you have run out of things to say about them." Iris gritted her teeth, if she doesn't be careful she will have to take a trip to her dentist. "Lukas is in school now, he is a student of the highest degree, I must tell my fans he is a duck in his school." "That's dux Gianni, don't tell them he's a duck, they quack he's dux, they are clever." I laughed. "Well he's something, I know he is." "He's a top student Gianni." Sabine threw her ten cents worth in. "Yes mama he is tops." "When do your boys start going Brent?" Iris is changing the subject. "Next year Iris, they are looking forward to it." He looked at me. "You should start them now, I know there are younger kids than Lukas there." I offered my ten cents worth. "Iris are you ready?" Carlos said. "Yes boys, I'll just get my purse." "Where are you going?" I inquired. "To the spa with the boys, got to look my best for the radio." She winked and grinned, bloody smart ass. "We could have started the boys at kindy Antonio, but Conner wants them at home for a little longer." "He has separation issues?" "Yes, he can't stand the thought of them leaving home, that's what he imagines anyway." We laughed, Sabine started leaving. "Where are you going, dear mother-in-law?" "I might have a spa myself Antonio, got to look my best for tomorrow." She grinned. When Brent and the kids left I went about cleaning up a bit, Gianni was behind the wine counter and I sidled up to him and said. "Do you want to see my duck?" "What duck Antonio, what nonsense are you talking about." "I have a duck in my shorts and if I let you play with it, it will quack for you." I winked. "There are cartons to be broken up Antonio, sometimes you confuse me even some more." "Oh okay." I went out the back and started breaking up the cartons, in a split second I was swept into the bathroom and Gianni was face to face with my pink duck. We thought we would give Lukas a treat today and let gran and grandad pick him up from kindy, he screamed into the market and flew into Gianni's arms then he wanted me, his brothers, Alice, then he went with gran to see Remo. It didn't take him long to do all that and Gianni and I stood there and stared at each other, then he started laughing. "Our son is growing up Antonio, no more cartoons with his brothers." "He's excited baby, he will settle in with them when he gets his business out of the way." "I hope so, he should never forget his brothers." "They all slept together again last night, he's never going to forget them." I smiled. "That is a good thing Antonio, I remember those days." "I am more afraid when they discover they can get in with us we won't have any free time." He looked at me then he grinned. "We better not encourage them, Antonio." "Yes husband, we had better not, just like we discouraged your brothers not to sleep with us." "But they still do Antonio." "Point taken Gianni, we will find time and I like the idea of all of us in that big bed." My gypsy blushed and replied. "We can have fun in the bathroom." Then he kissed me. "Papa, where are you?" "In the back son," Gianni yelled. "We have ten more to make for tomorrow, business is good papa." I saw gran behind him smiling so I winked at her. I doubt whether she is making a fortune out of her sauces, I think she does it for Lukas, just to give him something to do with her. He made sure we were both there then he scooted off again, he's such an excitable kid. "We have to talk about the spring carnival when you get time Gianni, I have ordered the tent and talked to Nina about catering. Can you talk to Stavros about getting the liquor license?" "Yes Antonio, what have we planned?" "You will love it, oh and we have to go to Cody's shop and get new suits also." "So you didn't say what we are planning Antonio." "I didn't, did I," I walked off because he knows he's got a big mouth, so I will direct him to do what he has to, and that's it. He won't be seeing my plans before the event. He followed me out and stood hands on hips so I sealed my mouth with my fingers. "What is this disrespect Antonio, why do you do that?" "If I tell you my plans you will tell the boys and that's never going to happen." His jaw dropped and I rushed into the florist shop to cuddle our boys. He was back behind the wine counter and Lukas had followed me out he wanted to sit with his papa and tell him all about his day, he was so excited he will be spending tomorrow with his business partner gran. The cafe is filling up again, and familiar faces are coming back, I wonder if the girls from Sydney will turn up for the racing carnival, probably yes. The invitations will be ready soon so I will give them a few for the grand day. I am going all things Italian a take on the first Cartasso event but bigger better and more dramatic. A troupe of gypsy dancers this time, card readings palm readings, and hundreds of good luck charms will be made available, I don't know if they worked but I like having them around the house, when I look at one I think back at all the luck we have had not the nasty stuff that happened. The crowd came back and the boys with Iris headed for the tea room, Sabine looked amazing as usual and I could hear the top being taken off a bottle. I hadn't opened a wine today because my drinking partners had other stuff to do. I grabbed a glass and looked them over, even Iris looked refreshed. "You should have come to Antonio, it's just the best to be pampered for an hour or so." She smiled. "Well it worked, you look ten years younger Iris." "Thank you, my friend, oh I forgot, tomorrow night I would like you to be there when Rick is, bring Brent also." "Not happening Iris, it's just not happening." I will wring her neck like a turkey if she's setting me up. 'I just wanted some backup that's all." "You're not setting me up because Iris, I will tell you, a little bird told me they were out to get me on the radio to goad me into a flying fit." "No, that's not what it's all about Antonio, would I do that to you?" "Yes, you would, if your friends asked you too," She stared at me and I went to see if there were any customers. I really shouldn't have bought it up especially with Iris, she has a major radio show and I suppose it's all about handling the boys with her, I think she's trying to keep them in check but she doesn't have to include me, I'm her friend. My heart sank and something I haven't felt in a long time, jealousy. I felt it badly with Gino and his girlfriend Maria but haven't felt it with Gianni. Iris is my friend and I shouldn't be thinking along these lines, she's been so good to us all. I saw her coming with a bottle in her hand and she smiled and said. "May I sit with you, my friend?" "Yes Iris I apologize, I'm being silly again." "That's all right Antonio, why the big cold shoulder, that's what I want to know?" "I was told that you and the boys were setting me up for tomorrow night and I am sorry but I thought you and I were a team." "We are, can you do something for me?" "Yes." I dropped my head. "Can you come along tomorrow night I will have a small announcement to make and it concerns you, I can't tell you what it is I want to see their reactions, please just do this one thing for me?" "Yes I will come, it's not you Iris it's just I don't trust the others, and there is no need for them to pick on me all the time they know I love them all to death." "I know and I am going to rectify it in one sentence tomorrow night." She grinned at me. "I will come for you then." "Good, now let's toast new beginnings, and hopefully I will put all this crap to rest." We clinked glasses and toasted each other. I lost my evil thoughts and decided just to go with it, maybe Lukas heard wrong maybe they were trying to set me up anyway but not Iris she's my friend she wouldn't do that to me. If anyone gets set up it will be Rick Conners and iris. My son was coming down from his high so I started locking up again, and again Gianni was staring at me. "I'll drive, you have been drinking." "I'll drive Antonio, I have only had one glass today." I went to collect the tribe and started taking them out to the van, Gianni had turned the lights out and Iris and Alice started walking home, they are getting more exercise than me lately. The boys helped and we got the kids settled for their short trip home. They sang along with the cd Gianni played and it was nice to hear their little voices, they sounded like angels. Upstairs I took their jackets off and they headed for the tv then the boys opened a bottle and Lukas helped me unpack his backpack, he surprised me with a painting today. "Oh my god look at this will you, our Lucas is an artist." They grabbed the painting and oohed and ahhed over it, I think it's his house and I can see three little almost stick men playing on the floor. "Where am I, Lukas?" Gianni said. "Over there papa on the couch with daddy." He looked closer and sure enough, there were two heads poking up. What an imagination he has. "And us beautiful nephew?" leon said. Lukas laughed loudly and almost screamed. "On the balcony stupid ass, there with the wine." Leon looked closer you could hardly see them but they were there. "Did you do one for nonna baby?" I asked. "Next week the teacher said I can do some more." "Well this is a fine piece of art isn't it poppa, we must put it on the fridge for everyone to see." I got a magnet and placed it in the center of the fridge. He puffed up and received his cuddles then went to join his brothers. Every now and then he would look over to see if it was still there. Gianni pointed at me. "You, with me, boys look after the babies please." Gianni almost pushed me into the bedroom and I heard Carlos giggle. He gently sat me on the bed then got in beside me and pulled me back into his chest, his arms went around me and he whispered in my ear. "Now what's going on." "What do you mean?" "You do not talk to me anymore, I am your husband and I need you to talk to me, you can answer now." "Nothings going on Gianni, what do you mean?" "You do not tell me about our birdcage, you are having more secret talks with our Iris and you still have not told me about Nona's talks. I am feeling very left out Antonio, I do not like it this way." I wasn't surprised at all, he lifted himself on one elbow and kissed me deeply, I am toast in his arms. "Gianni, gran signed over the Italian club to me, it's her business, she wants it kept a secret from everyone. I am to keep it for Lucas and his brothers." "So why not tell me, your husband?" "I don't know Gianni, she wanted it kept a secret, and I thought you will tell your brothers and mama, that's why I haven't said anything about the birdcage also. You will tell them or they will get it out of you. I don't want them knowing about my business, they make a big joke out of it like it's nothing. And grans so much loved and doesn't deserve all that nonsense, it would hurt her if it was common knowledge. The birdcage is the same they will try and sabotage it for us and the least you know the better. I have gone everything Italian again, and I want it to be awesome for us. The boys will only poo poo it and try to outsmart us, I don't want them to know our plans." "They are doing the same Antonio, they are hiring dancers and trying to get Rick Conners to be a guest." "That's all?" "Yes Antonio, you should talk to me more. You know the birdcage is all about decorations and free wine, something they said about you Antonio, they said you were a class act and hard to beat in the decorating departments." Oh God, thank you, just what I needed to hear and my heart leaped. "Thank you, and I try Gianni, but sometimes I get like gran and I want everything private just for me." "I will not be telling them anything especially the Italian club, the birdcage is different they know whatever you do it will be a spectacle, and they know they have to try harder that is all, it is a game to them they are not hurtful to you, they love you." "As I love them also Gianni, please, you can tell them about the birdcage but not the club, please?" I looked back at him and he kissed me again. "Now our Iris?" "Lukas overheard them saying they were going to try and get me on radio and goad me into flying off the handle, on air. Iris asked me to come, and I thought she was in on it too. I was mad and a little jealous that she thought more of them than me." "And are you coming?" "Yes, I will come because whatever happens, I know they wouldn't be cruel to me." "They are not thinking that at all, Lukas must have misunderstand them." "I guess he did, I am sorry." "You have no need to be sorry my Antonio, just tell me next time and I will try and fix it for you. They have never grown up like their older brother, and I do not think they ever will, is that such a bad thing my love?" "Of course not, they are wonderful brothers and I know they tease me because I'm the only one that reacts." "We have now finished our corporate meeting. I want this to be a once-a-week thing Antonio, no more secrets from your husband please." "Yes, no more secrets my love." "You may suck on me now, can you go slow I want to feel you good." "Coming up husband, our meeting is adjourned." We took our time and it was wonderful as usual, Gianni is the husband, I hope we haven't damaged the bed because he wanted it every way tonight. When we came back, Maxie and Tommaso with iris were sitting at the table, Leon had put dinner on the table so we sat and ate. "Thank you, Leon." "That is okay my brother, we heard you were very busy with your gypsy in the bedroom." "I was." "He was giving you a good shafting we think, was it you that screamed out, deeper?" I blushed and didn't react but they all started laughing, even Iris, her imagination must be running rampant again. "No that was Gianni screaming." Gianni slapped me and said. "Don't disrespect your husband Antonio, you know it was you." More laughing and then he added. "This time." He winked. It was a great night and when we went downstairs everyone was there, Sam was screaming at the bubs to come and play with him and a ball was once again produced. There was so much chatter I found it hard to keep up because Gianni was in a kissing mood and held my attention for most of the time. Gino and him discussed wines and Gianni handed over a new recipe to Iris to make samples. She tucked it in her handbag and smiled. Anna was very chatty and she and the kids talked about orders that needed to leave by tomorrow, and my boys talked about the birdcage. I told them what I was doing and felt a lot better because I hate keeping secrets. "We are having celebrities this year Antonio, Mr, Conners will be there," Leon said. "Have you asked him yet?" "No, we will do that tomorrow night." "He won't do it." "Why not and how do you know he won't do our display?" "Because the Gianni brand has already signed a contract with him, Brent dropped it off today." Leon's mouth dropped and he was about to say something when Gianni looked at him and said. "Are you happy for your brother he has a celebrity at his display?" "Yes Gianni, we are very happy for you and Antonio." He wasn't happy at all, but he put on a brave face as I laughed my head off, I still have a few secrets up my sleeve. They were banished from our bed when we got back inside, because it was Gianni's turn to scream deeper, and he wanted it perfect. "You got them good Antonio." "Yes, I did so why do I feel so mean." "Because you are a wonderful person Antonio, and you do not do guilt very well. Can you try deeper now?" "Of course my husband coming up." They were with us in the morning, they crawled in around one, and once again Carlos was shoving his butt in my face and Leon was watching. "Do it, do it." He whispered. I did do it, I licked his butt then kissed it. "Yes." Leon nearly yelled. "Don't you two be playing with my Antonio, he will leave me for Carlos one day." "Good." Carlos pushed his ass once again in my face. "You will take the babies also, and I will be the border so I do not need to clean." He backed off I guess they are thinking about it. They do help with the cleaning but having four boys to look after may be a bit of a stretch. "Gran was banging around the kitchen when I went to check the kids, grandad was in there getting Lukas up and three sets of eyes smiled at me as I checked them out, three wet nappies, so I went to get the washcloth and warm water. "Do you need a hand, Antonio?" Gran asked. "If you want gran but I can do it, Giannis is not far behind me." "Okay let your husband help then." "Grandson, I will leave an envelope under your mattress today I am running out of room so can I use your safe?" "Of course gran, anytime. I will put it away when I get home." She smiled then she hugged me good morning, whispering in my ear. "Thank you." I noticed three boxes stacked by the lift door and asked what they were. "Your grandfather's project for the next three days Antonio, he has bought the babies some tricycles so they can ride around the rooftop." "Why three days gran?" "Because he has to put them together, and he's no good at that." She laughed. "I will get Gianni to do it, he did Lukas's in no time." "At last he has something he can do better than your grandad." she laughed again. Grandad was always tinkering with something around the place, Gianni on many occasions has told him he will do it but Grandad moves mountains to get it done himself. Gianni came out and we headed for the boy's room just as Grandad and Lukas came out and headed for the tv. The boys were standing up and banging away on their cots, so I grabbed one for a kiss and cuddle then gently laid him on the changing table Gianni did one and the other was left to continue his banging. "Just so you know husband, gran has asked if she can use our safe, she's leaving some of her money with us." "That's very good Antonio, do we have room?" "Yes, but I will talk to her about putting it in the bank at some stage, and we must do the same baby it's getting cramped in there." "I will look tomorrow maybe we get a bigger safe." "Maybe." I kissed him then put little Gianni on the floor, he ran out to join his brother. The next one was done and in record time they were all sitting on the floor watching a cartoon. "Now Antonio, I need you to pick them up after work, no lingering at the cafe because I have to go to Mrs. Agostina's place next door, her daughter is going to do my hair." "That's cool gran, we will try and lock up early." "Thank you, Antonio, I must look my best for Iris's radio show tonight." I stifled a laugh she's got the Leon and Carlos bug I think. "You will look just lovely gran." "Next week I try a Spa for the first time, I believe it takes ten years off my life." "Yes it does." I smiled. I cant dash her expectations and a Spa will be really good for her. "Call the kids and Iris up please Antonio, Grandad are you going to start on those cartons?" "In a minute my amore." Gran giggled. "Well put them in a bedroom I want them out of the way, our Iris may trip on them." He got up looked at me and smiled, then he started stacking the cartons in the spare bedroom. "What are they, Antonio?" "Tricycles Gran and grandpa bought for the babies." "Cool, they will join their brother Lukas with his." "They need putting together." "I will do that Antonio." "Leave it to grandad husband." He looked at me and winked. The boys arrived and the first thing they did was kiss gran then they went to play with the babies, they are going to grans place today with Lukas, so they will take our van and we will take grandad's car, I found the spare set of keys and left them on the breakfast bench then I sat with my husband and finished my coffee. Iris came up and headed for the boys then she sat with us and winked at me. I have no idea what she is up to but it cant be good. "Did you do your talk?" "Yes, Antonio, it's in the can as they say." "What talk Iris?" "The wine talk Gianni, I have to talk about wine at some stage so I have pre-recorded a ten minute one, it will be less harassing." "I understand our Iris, did you talk about my new bubble wine?" "Not yet Gianni, after I do a tasting and it's approved." "Okay it will be nice, I think I have the recipe right." "Better than your other one?" "Of course Iris, what do you think I do put an inferior product out there?" "Sorry, Gianni." Iris dropped her head. The kids arrived and Maxie was in his summer gear today tank top and jeans with muscle for days, he's so awesome to look at. They greeted everyone and grandad had dragged a carton over to the couch to open it. I think he's going to start his project. That was the start of it, the boys helped him unpack the bike and the kids dived in to help. It took them ten minutes and when little Luca sat on it he screamed in delight, so they did the others while gran held up breakfast. Grandad cuddled Lukas with a grin on his face and they watched their program. I insisted they have their meals but they kept looking at the bikes, they can't wait to show the boys how to ride them. It was cramped in grandpa's little car I must talk to Gianni about buying them a bigger one for when they have the boys over. "This is a very old car Antonio, grandad needs to upgrade to a new one." I agreed and smiled to myself, Gianni will be ordering a new one very soon I think. Alice was a bit lost and sat with me several times today, she understands and will get the kids tomorrow. I guess if Lukas and grans business takes off it will be a different story indeed. Iris grabbed me at one stage and we sat out the front and shared a cake, she shoved a piece of paper in my hands and said. "Sign this." "What is it?" "A contract, the station is allowing me to hire a producer, they think Leon will do very good. I want you." She grinned. "Oh, so you are going to fire him?" "No we need him but I want you as a producer, fewer hassles." I signed it and asked her how much I was getting, she said the same as her, nothing. "So what job are you give to Leon?" "He can help Carlos with the makeup." I felt this will blow up in our faces when it is revealed but she assured me it wouldn't because she has the last word. The day went slow and I missed the kids badly, Lukas won't be back at school until Tuesday next week he's so excited to be doing more artwork and I'm just as excited to see it. I believe it's a window into a child's mind if you can decipher it all. Gianni was a little flat I was also but the boys were very excited and they left around one to go and have a touch-up at the Spa. It didn't ride well with me that Iris has done this, she thought it was funny I felt bad for the boys but I will go along with it. I went to talk to Nina about the birdcage event she assured me she has staff to do it and the waiters are at the ready. "Do you have enough for both events?" "Yes Antonio, there's plenty of staff to go around, have you looked at the menu, it's different than the Cartasso one. I have tried to make them both appealing." "Yes and the menu's fine," I replied. "I believe you have Rick Conners appearing, so the boys tell me." "Well, not yet I am going to talk to him tonight." "They said he signed a contract." "He didn't, I was teasing them." "Okay then I won't say anything, from what they tell me they can fly in Andrea Bocelli for the week if they are in a bind, is this true?" "Yes Nina, he sang at Luca's funeral, I don't know the connection but Sabine and Ramone know just about anyone who is everyone in Europe." She smiled, I think Nina has a crush on Andrea. I ticked my list and now all I have to do is convince Conner to turn up for a couple of days, he won't come cheap. Back at the cafe, Gianni had been looking for me so I did my husbandly duty and we made love once again. I felt a lot better after that, Carlos's ass was that close this morning I nearly jumped him, but his big brothers is a lot better. We locked up a half-hour earlier and drove to grans place, Lukas and the boys were in the garden and we were all pulled outside to look at it. It was blooming everywhere and little Gianni passed a small bunch of flowers to me he was so proud of himself. Gianni was talking to grandad and he was red-faced then I overheard. "It will be delivered in two days with baby seats for your grandsons. Please don't try and argue with me it is a thank you present for you and gran." "Thank you Gianni but I can afford to buy my own you know." "I know, but you can not buy yourself a thank you present grandad, I want to do that." Grandad started laughing at Gianni's reasoning, the boys tugged on my pants they wanted to go home and ride their bikes. Lukas had a big smile on his face and I asked him how many sauces he did today. "Twenty-five daddy, we did that much." "Did you do some for papa?" "Yes, daddy in my bag now." "Good, gran thank you for looking after them I hope they behaved themselves." She grunted and shooed us out the front door she has an urgent appointment. "Did you buy them one baby?" "Yes Antonio, I cant have our babies riding in a hay cart." "Thank you." "I have had Gianni's cafe printed on it also." He started laughing his head off. I looked at him with love, he's enjoying this. "It is all about advertising Antonio." He then took my hand and kissed it.