Hope Emily Nightingale

The past few months have been quite the rollercoaster ride. The day after the party, Serafina came into my room, visibly upset, revealing that her family wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret, forcing her to remain at home once she began to show.

Shortly after, Fina discovered she was expecting not just one, but two babies-twins, a boy and a girl. While I was overjoyed, her family remained somber about the situation. Though her mother and Samuel eventually warmed up to the idea, her father couldn't seem to accept it, his conflicted gaze fixated above her chin.

Serafina was constantly weighed down by sadness over how her children were deemed shameful. I pledged to provide a safe and loving home for them, even if it meant asking Serafina to move in with me. The people in my circle adore her, and I promised her kids would be treated like royalty, as they rightfully deserve.

Whenever I broached the subject of informing Remo about the kids, Serafina would deflect, citing his past actions of casting her aside. I disagreed, Remo had to let her go. She was a captive, but I felt perhaps she could return to him willingly this time, but she seemed convinced it was all a game to him.

As the due date approached, I remained by Fina's side, perhaps a tad overprotective, knowing the danger posed by the Falcone's enemies. Around mid-May, she gave birth to the twins after an exhausting twenty-hour labor. I stood vigil beside her, alongside her mother throughout the labour. Afterwards her mother left to get some rest, while Samuel stayed on.

I reassured Serafina that she could rest peacefully, as I would remain vigilant. The twins, with their dark hair reminiscent of Remo and Nino, had eyes as dark as night. As I gazed at them, I vowed to stand by Fina, showing them they were loved and cherished, willing to confront anyone who dared treat them otherwise.

After a few hours, Serafina stirred awake. She appeared slightly less fatigued now.

"I'd like for you to be their godmother," she murmured. "And if anything were to happen to me, take them to Bleakstorm Island. The only thing keeping them safe here in the outfit's territory is my presence. I know they'll be safe and loved with you and Dean, and they'll be best friends with little Ava."

"Nothing will happen to you, especially not on my watch," I reassured her. "But in the unlikely event that something does, I'll care for them as my own."

"You can never be too sure, Hope, especially since I'm involved in the mafia world. Let's face it, if the kidnapper had been anyone other than Remo, I'd be dead."

I offered her a gentle smile and kissed her forehead.

"Your brother probably wants to meet them. I'll be right outside if you need anything."

I stepped outside and informed Samuel that Fina was awake, then settled into the chair outside her room.

As the kids grew older, they increasingly resembled Remo, especially Nevio, who was like a mini version of him. I often looked after Nevio when Fina was resting or occupied, as her family barely acknowledged him, only fussing over Greta because, despite her resemblance to her father, she looked like a porcelain doll.

I spent time with Greta when Fina was around. Serafina and I took turns staying up at night because the kids woke up every two hours, and if one cried, it would wake the other.

One day, as I descended the stairs from the nursery after putting the kids to sleep, I overheard Fina arguing with her father.

"I can't stand it," Fina said sharply. "I can't stand how everyone whispers their names as if they're some kind of sin. I don't want them growing up ashamed of who they are."

I guessed something had happened at the gathering Fina attended. I was tired and not in the mood for being in the same room as all those pretentious assholes, so I stayed back to take care of the kids.

"Everyone knows what happened. Everyone knows what they are, and that won't ever change," her father tried to reason with her. That's a lame excuse if you ask me.

I chimed in. "And what exactly are they?"

"They are mine! They are your blood too. They are part of the Outfit! When will you accept that? Will it take Nevio taking the oath for you to come to terms with it?" Serafina burst out, her anger getting the best of her.

Dad and Samuel exchanged a look, and she took a step back. "He'll become part of the Outfit, right? He'll become the Underboss of a city one day? It's his birthright."

His birthright was to be the Capo of Camorra, but Fina was too hurt by Remo to accept that.

"Fina, he looks like a damn Falcone. They're all bloody insane. Remo's twisted blood runs through his veins. And just look at him. He's already got an impossible temper at only seven months.Our soldiers will never accept him, not after what his father did. We've still barely recovered from the attack. Every wedding is heavily guarded, every woman protected by twice the number of guards. That shame lingers, and your children are a constant reminder of it," Serafina stormed out of the room, dragging me along.

"Can you believe this crap? You know, if this continues after they turn one, I'll take up your offer and come stay on Bleakstorm Island. They'll be treated as they should be, with respect and affection. There won't be any stupid bloody hatred towards them."

Then she broke down. I went over and hugged her as she rested her face on my shoulder. I gently rubbed her back. My heart broke for her and the kids. They all deserve better than what they're getting.