Owning the Mafia Don

Proserpina

Rachel must have done this, I told myself as I pulled them on, admiring the adjustable gold buckle.

There was also a white pearl tulle bow for my hair and I smiled as I fastened it, leaving my hair to fall down my back to my hips. Finally, I clipped on the earrings, a pair of two stacked gold bar pendants that added a minimalist effect to the overall picture. I had opted for a sun-kissed, rosy lip look and light, smoky eye makeup for my face.

I twirled and dimpled as Ria came to look at me.

‘You look like a bride, Mumma,’ she breathed admiringly and I laughed, hugging her to myself. Little Ria was also dressed in an old-pink delicate taffeta ballerina-length dress with a full gathered skirt and a beautiful off-white silk organza overlay.

It was fully lined with a generous petticoat and covered buttons at the back.

Coupled with a V-neck and lovely transparent frill collar in off-white silk organza, it was topped off with a sash and the little girl looked breathtakingly beautiful. I hugged her tightly. When did my baby grow up?

*

Piers had as always, come in with his twin. Bespectacled, his blonde hair combed down and, wearing a solid suit and tie complete with waistcoat and jacket. He was wearing a pale grey one and Claude ambled in, wearing a similar suit. I scooped the fat fellow into my arms as Paddy drifted in shyly, his spiky hair combed down, grinning toothily at me.

” Mumma!’ he smiled and lisped and I stroked his hair lovingly.

Camille appeared, wearing a white outfit and a small hat perched on her head, carrying Tara in her arms. The baby was wrapped in a flowing ivory christening gown, her small pink face wreathed in smiles as she chuckled and waved her arms on seeing me. She was wearing a small white bonnet and I gently lowered plump Claude and turned to gather her in my arms. The rich lace dress, silk dupion dress, pearl buttons and silky ribbons and topped with lace booties, made her look adorable.

“Why did Rachel get this? Surely we aren’t taking the babies along?’ I said turning to Beatrice as she entered and then I stopped, mouth falling open.

Beatrice was also dressed in a pale ivory suit, a hat on her crisp black curls, beaming at me. She was holding little Louis who was wearing a christening suit in ivory as well, complete with a cap, his inquisitive grey eyes darting around the room. He began to howl on seeing me and I laughed, exchanging my beaming Tara for little Louis. The nurse glided in, holding Dom wearing an identical ivory suit, three-piece, cotton and quilted, complete with a cap perched at a jaunty angle.

The boys looked so much like their father that I began to laugh, my heart filling with joy. little Lou also had a way of raising an almost invisible brow in the manner of his formidable father, an action that made my heart clench.

‘Oh, if only Lucien had been able to see them!’ I sighed, burying my face in little Louis’s shoulder, inhaling that precious, unique baby fragrance of milk and baby.

I noticed with amusement that the boys’ jackets had fold-over collars and even functional pockets, with the light blue linen trim adding a princely charm. The fitted pants complete with pleated front creases, and shell buttons added further detail to the adorable christening outfit. Together with the matching newsboy cap and delicate booties, my littlest men looked captivating.

So we were all going along, I thought and smiled at Melissa who had entered, smiling shyly, with her children in tow. She was wearing a pale pink outfit that made her look lovely, her blonde hair in a low bun.

I had only intended for the twins and Claude to accompany me but…

‘You look beautiful,’ Melissa said as she smiled at me and I reached out to hug her with my one free arm.

Rachel walked in, wearing a suit, her long strong legs encased in a pair of pants that emphasised her height and her width. Her baby pink lapel neck blazer and tailored pants set was at once simple and elegant.

She grinned broadly as she studied me.

‘You must have spent a bomb on this!’, I cried plaintively as I rushed to my best friend and threw my arms around her, hugging her.

She smiled.

‘Ah, no, besides, your…’

And then she stopped, clapping her hand to her mouth with a wide grin as Ria shrieked and jumped up and down.

‘What is it?’ I asked in astonishment but Beatrice stepped forward.

‘Girl, you better get the army on the road or you is going to be late.’ she snapped and I sighed. But I saw the quick look that Ria and Rachel had exchanged and wondered what was afoot.

The cavalcade of cars outside stopped me in my tracks.

Philippe stood beside a waiting car, wearing a suit, white in colour, clutching a bouquet and smiling shyly.

Was he coming too? I wondered in resigned puzzlement and then, Ria darted to him, prancing and twirling, throwing her arms high above her head.

‘Don’t I look like a princess, Philippe?’ she giggled, her long blonde curls bouncing boisterously as she jumped up and down in excitement.

‘Poppet, you might spoil that dress!’ I cried, laughing but the look on Philippe’s face made me stop.

If ever I saw a boy entranced by a girl, it had to be this! I thought wryly.

He was staring at her with his heart in his eyes, a silly smile on his handsome swarthy face.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Like a princess.’ he said softly,’ you look like a princess.’

And Ria tipped her head back and shouted,

‘ I am a Mafia Princess! My Pappa’s Mafia Princess!’

I felt a cold dread spread over me.

As though the sun had suddenly vanished behind a cloud.

*

But the moment passed as Rachel strode to a waiting car and bundled us in with her.

Of course, we would have required a bus to fit my family and friends and staff inside one single vehicle!

But we were separated, and finally, after the mandatory commotion, the four cars and the accompanying vehicles with the security men were finally on the road.

I had all my six children with me and Paddy, in the main SUV, with Camille and Beatrice to help. Tadana and the nurses were coming in another car.

*

Lam Ghiang was coming directly from the Club where she had been staying at. Grace and Danielle would accompany her.

After a while, I realised that we were heading in the wrong direction, away from the city.

We were entering the countryside.

Bewildered, I tapped the glass partition in front of us and asked Beston, who was riding with us,

‘Tony, where are we going? ‘

I had been under the impression that we were going to a small place in the centre of Hollowford, which Rachel had told me about.

Beston cleared his throat sheepishly. He avoided my eyes as he spoke.

‘Uh…huh.. Miss Rachel had asked for a change in the venue.’ he said I looked about me. This was the way to our lake house!

But Lucien had not told me about it…and there was no way this was happening without his knowledge!

I turned to look at Ria who had a wide grin like a Cheshire cat splitting her pretty face. Even my serious Piers looked as though they were sharing a secret joke.

‘Chill, Mumma.’ she said in a low voice and I sat back.

Something was going on and my kids seemed to be in on it. Beatrice sat, her lips pursed in a line but I could see her eyes were dancing in merriment. She held Claude in her hands and I looked across at Paddy who was stifling a giggle with his hands and getting pinched by Ria , in an attempt to stop him.

What was going on? I thought, frowning in alarm.