Third Person's POV:
Gabriel was stunned to see that Ariana was standing there for who knows how long and she had listened to him talking to his wife. But he quickly calmed down.
"Princess, come on in." He called her in his room and Ariana went to him a little ashamed because she was caught eavesdropping.
"Papa, I wasn't eavesdropping. I was just going to my room after drinking water when I saw that your room's light was on. So I came here." She explained quietly. Gabriel smiled.
"It's ok princess. I know that you didn't deliberately listen to me. Come here I will tell you about your mom."
Ariana went and sat down beside him. Then she saw the picture of Beth Romano, the wife of Gabriel and her mother. She was beautiful. She has a kind of beauty that gives you peace just by looking at her. She was smiling so carefreely in the picture like she had no worries in the world. She looked like she lived her life happily.
"She is beautiful." Ariana said.
"Yes she is." Gabriel said in affirmation. He was looking at her picture adoringly like she was everything to him. It was at this moment that Ariana realised how sad it was for them to lose her like that. She can never imagine that pain and suffering because she always had a mother.
"You know, we were childhood sweethearts. We knew everything about each other and shared everything. There wasn't a thing that she didn't tell me or I didn't tell her. We were each other's best friends first. Then we slowly cultivated our feelings for each other. Do you know Ariana that she always wanted a daughter? She always told me that daughters are the best support that anyone could have."
"She said 'Gabriel, she will wrap you around her little finger and you will do everything she told you to.' and I always said that I will do anything for my princess. I never had a sister so I always wanted a daughter and when you came into our world you have no idea how happy we both were. We were over the moon to have you in our arms finally after your brothers. It isn't that we love them less but you always had a soft spot for us. Your brothers also were equally as happy to have you...."
He was smiling and telling her about her birth. He was very happy to be able to share all of this with his daughter after so much time.
"You know the blanket that you were wrapped in, the one which Hollan gave you, was knitted by your mother personally. We had decided long ago that we will name you Ariana. Beth knitted the blanket and the twin clothes for you and Matteo. She was very happy that we were going to have twins and on top of that a baby girl."
Ariana was listening to him quietly.
"But then I was kidnapped and you all lost mom." She said sadly. She always felt guilty about this aspect.
"Princess, you getting kidnapped was my fault because of my lack of protection, you were kidnapped. Beth had a complicated pregnancy because she was carrying twins. After you both were born she was very weak and was recuperating. But after getting to know that you were kidnapped she went into depression and couldn't handle it. So if you feel like this is anyone's mistake then it's mine. I failed to protect you and also lost Beth. I also failed Matteo because he lost not only his twin but also his mother." Gabriel said, tearing up.
"Papa, it's not your fault. If anyone is at fault then it's the kidnapper. You did all you could to keep us safe. You didn't fail me or anyone. If mumma was here then she would also say the same thing. So papa don't blame yourself please."
Ariana said that because she now understands that no one is at fault other than the kidnapper. She didn't want to get kidnapped and Gabriel did everything he could. There is no one to blame here.
Gabriel also nodded and hugged her tightly. He now felt a little bit relieved that he has talked to her and told her everything that he has to say.
He thought, "Beth, look at our little princess who has grown up so beautifully. She is like your exact copy and you were right she has me wrapped around her little finger. I wish that you were also here to experience everything but I am sure that you are seeing all of this from wherever you are. Look after her, Beth. I will come to you when my time is up. Love you Beth."
He was silently talking with the picture of Beth and Ariana was also looking at her picture imagining what she looked like in the real.
"Good night papa, mumma."
"Good night princess. Sleep well."
She then went to her room and slept peacefully.
****
Ariana's POV:
I was getting ready for school and thinking about what happened last night. Papa is hiding so much sorrow that I didn't imagine a bit of it. He always smiles with us and acts so carefree that I didn't know that he is hiding so much deep within him. He is a support pillar that holds us but he is also burdened so much with his sorrows.
We always say that a mother is the most important in one's life and she supports us unconditionally but a father's love is like an umbrella that keeps us safe from all the harm. He may be strict with us but no one's love can be compared with his love. He is like a protective shield that we can't see but it saves us from all the bad things.
I was thinking all of this when I noticed the time and hurriedly went downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning papa and fratelli." I greeted them and went to sit at the table.
"Good morning princess." They all greeted me back.
We had breakfast. Papa and I didn't talk again about mumma. It felt that it was fine that way.
"Twinnie let's go." I stood up and went with him to school.
After school we came back home and I went to my room to take a nap. After waking up I finished my homework when I received a message from Raf fratello.
"Ari, can you come to my hospital? I want to talk to you about something."
"Ok fratello. I will be there in half an hour."
I got ready and headed to the hospital. I don't know what he wants to talk about but I think it is something serious. I hope everything is fine.
I reached his hospital and went directly to his cabin. I knocked and he quickly opened the door like he was waiting for me.
"Ari, you are here. Come in."
"What happened fratello? Is everything alright?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ari, I am thinking about telling everyone about my relationship. I can't let him down. He deserves it. I want to tell everyone about our relationship and I don't want to hide it anymore."
"That's great, fratello. I am sure everyone will like him."
"Umm... but I.. I am afraid that they will not accept us."
"Fratello... I told you already that they will all like him and accept him. Don't be afraid. If they dared to say anything unpleasant then they will no longer have a sister to talk to. I promise you that."
"Thank you Ari." He hugged me tightly. I can feel his nervousness. I know that it is hard for him but I will be there for him all the time. They are my family and I won't let them down.
"So when are you going to tell everyone?"
"Today."
"That's great then. Let's go. Will Luka also come with us?" I asked curiously.
"No. I will bring him with me when all of this is sorted out."
"Okay fratello." I can understand him. He wants to protect him. I admire him for this. He doesn't want Luka to get hurt again.
We went home and saw that no one was there yet.
"Did you ask them to come early?" I asked him.
"No. I will tell them when they are home. I didn't want them to worry too much. Anyway they will be here in half an hour right?"
"Yup." Then we went to our rooms. I quickly completed some assignments online. I do some jobs online that are related to hacking. Currently I am placed no.1. I have progressed little by little and I am where I am thanks to my hard work. Now I only take important jobs. Just when I finished my job I heard voices from downstairs. It seems that all of them have arrived. I went downstairs and saw that Raf fratello was also sitting there already.
"Hello papa, fratelli, how was work today?"
"It was good." We started chatting but Raf fratello was way too silent and everyone seemed to notice that.
"Raf what happened? You seem to be in some dilemma." Papa asked him. Raf fratello glanced at me and I nodded slightly to tell him to go ahead. He took a deep breath.
"Umm... actually I want to tell you all something very important."
"What is it?"
"Is everything alright?"
"What is this about?"
"Did you kill somebody?"
One by one all of them started asking.
"Did you get someone pregnant?" Yes you guessed it right. Nobody but only twinnie can ask this question. Everyone turned to look at him.
"What? It's possible, you know. I was just asking. No need to look at me like that." He mumbled the last part but I heard him.
"Raf, ignore him. Tell us what is wrong?" Tony fratello asked him.
"Actually I am in love with someone and want to introduce them to you all." He said slowly.
"What? Really? That's great. But what is the problem? Why are you so nervous?" Ben fratello asked one question after another.
"Ben shut up." Leo fratello said. Ben fratello immediately quietened down.
"Raf continue."
"But I am gay." He said it and all of them fell silent. It got so silent that one could hear anyone's breathing. I looked at all of them and they were all staring at him blankly. As minutes passed by, Raf fratello got more nervous.
"Um... say something, anyone." He said nervously.
"So what do you want us to say?" Papa asked him expressionlessly.
"Aren't you shocked?" Raf fratello asked incredulously.
"And why would we be shocked?" Tony fratello asked.
"I said I am gay." Raf fratello said.
"Yes we heard it loud and clear. And?" Leo fratello said.
Raf fratello looked at them blankly. He was like he can't believe what is going on at this moment.
"I.. I don't understand. Shouldn't you guys be shocked and react somehow? I don't know." He murmured.
"Why would we be shocked? We all know that you are gay. Do you think that you were very secretive about your sexuality?" Alf fratello asked.
"What.. You all know?" Raf fratello was very shocked. Even I am very shocked hearing this. I didn't know that all of them know about Raf fratello being gay.
"Yes. We all know. We were waiting to see when you will tell us. What do you think that we won't know? We are family. We all know everything about everyone. It's how we keep everyone safe." Tony fratello said.
"So don't you have anything to say to me?" He asked.
"I have. I am very disappointed in you." Papa said.
I saw that Raf fratello's face turned pale at a visible speed. I know what he is thinking. He is thinking that they are disappointed in him because he is gay but I don't think so. I don't think that my family is so narrow minded as to despise him for being gay.
*******
Here's the chapter guys.
Happy reading.
Love, Stella.♥️