We waited another six weeks before announcing the pregnancy to them at the dinner table one evening. For a moment, they both just stared wide-eyed. Then they began to applaud. They did not know what a baby meant: babysitting and diaper changing. Gianna laughed with relief. Simona leapt up from her chair and rushed toward Gianna, throwing her arms around her neck.
“Careful,” I said.
“Your mother has a baby in her belly.” Simona nodded with wide eyes and stared at Gianna’s still flat belly. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes.” She leaned down. “Please be a little sister. Boys are annoying.”
“Hey! You’re annoying.” Daniel had spoken with his mouth full and a few noodles had fallen out when he spoke. Simona wrinkled her nose.
“You stink.” Daniele swallowed and emitted a belch.
“Eww.”
“Eww!”
“Enough,” I said firmly.
“We’re having dinner.” Daniele nodded, but kept his eyes fixed on Simona. Simona stroked Gianna’s belly as if it were a magic lamp and would grant her a wish before she returned to her seat. Daniel stuck his food-covered tongue out at her. She swatted at him. I cast a glance at Gianna. Do you really want another one?
“I’m looking forward to another one,” she said.
Gianna
I was in my eighth month when Mansueto had another heart attack. The doctors were not sure if he would ever leave the hospital again. When he asked me to visit him alone, I was seized with terror. He was pale and thin in the hospital bed. His eyes were even duller than usual and he could barely raise his head in greeting when I entered. “How are you?” I asked gently as I sank into the chair beside the bed.
“I don’t have much time.” I touched her wrinkled hand.
“You don’t.” She smiled weakly. “I am going to die, Gianna, and there is only one thing I have to do before I leave this earth.” “And what is that?” “I want my blood to live on, to reign.” He nodded his head toward my belly. “You carry the true heir to the Moretti name. Daniel should not be allowed to become Underboss. It’s not fair.” I leaned against the backrest and pushed my hand away. This is exactly why I wished we had not told Mansueto the sex of the baby. If it had been a girl, he would not have been so obsessed.
“Do a dying man the favor of telling Alessio the truth about those boys. He needs to know.” I shook my head. “I won’t tell him, and you shouldn’t tell him either. Why would you ask me to do that?” He smiled wearily.
“I am an old man. I don’t have long to live. Alessio would never forgive me if I told him. I can’t leave this world with him hating me. But if you tell him…”
“You can’t be serious.”
“He loves you, Gianna. He would forgive you. How could he not?”
“Even if I told him, it wouldn’t change anything. He loves Daniele and Simona. He would still want Daniele to become Underboss.”
“If that were true, then why did he never want to know the truth? It is ingrained in every man, the need to create a legacy, and his legacy grows in your belly. The only legacy Daniel carries is that of betrayal and incest.” My eyes opened wide. A fierce feeling of protection bubbled up inside me. I could not believe that he had the audacity to insult my son in front of me. “How can you say such a thing?” Mansueto struggled to sit up. “Because it’s true. Don’t you want your son to become Underboss? Don’t you want him to have the position he deserves?”
I could not speak. I brought a palm to my stomach, stunned. Mansueto misunderstood the gesture. “Every mother wants the best for her child, and that child in your womb is Alessio’s and yours. If you ask Alessio, he disinherits Daniel and makes your son the true heir.” I shook my head slowly. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“He would. For you. He would do anything for you. Even that. He loves you more than anything else.”
“The person he loves would never ask him to disinherit his son.” Mansueto’s eyes became pleading. “Then don’t ask him. You might accidentally let the truth slip out. If people found out about Daniel’s father, they would never accept him as sub-chief of the Family. Incest is something shameful and disgusting.”
“Daniele and Simona can’t help who their parents are.” “Gianna…” “No,” I said firmly.
“You know I respect you, Mansueto, but that you would even think of suggesting such a thing…” I took a deep breath.
“I won’t. I will pretend that you never asked me.” I reached out to him and took his pale, wrinkled hand again.
“Promise not to tell anyone. Promise.” Mansueto sighed, narrowing his eyes in regret. My pulse quickened.
“Who? Who did you tell?” “Your father.”
Gianna
How could she have told my father? He could have even announced it on the news! I turned and hurried out of the hospital room, almost colliding with Mia on my way out. She held me down with a firm grip on my shoulder.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I forced myself to smile.
“I forgot an appointment. I’m sorry. I have to leave.”
“That’s okay.” Hesitation and concern were reflected on his face. Elijah, who had been waiting for me in the hallway, came to my side, but I motioned for him to give me some privacy while I called Dad. He stood up after the second ring, in a cheerful voice. Of course, he was ecstatic. “Gianna, how is my grandson?”
“Don’t tell anyone, Dad. Don’t. I swear.” Silence on the other side.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. Daniele and Simona. Don’t tell anyone what Mansueto told you.”
“Gianna,” Dad began as if he was still talking to my naive seven-year-old.
“Dad, I’m serious. I don’t want the news to get out. You are the only one who could spread it.” My steps became faster, but the added weight of my belly made me slow, and I had to wait for the elevator because taking the stairs was out of the question.
“You cannot expect me to sit on information that may lead my grandson, my flesh and blood, to become Underboss. You should want that too. Do you want your son to be just a captain and servant under the result of incestuous adultery?”
I gritted my teeth at the insult. Elijah looked at me worriedly as we took the elevator down to the underground garage.
“I’m coming to Baltimore. Don’t talk to anyone. I’ll be there in two hours. I swear.” Dad sighed.
“I swear. I’ll tell your mother to have the cooks cook us a nice dinner.” I hung up.
“We have to go to Baltimore.” Elijah frowned.
“To your parents’ house?”
“Yes. We have to leave right away.” Elia led me toward the car and opened the door.
“You have to tell Alessio first.”