Let me know what you really think of this chapter, it's not that long but it's a heavy one.

- Gabs

"Nonno I think you look great in a hat." I smile.

Etinnne adjusts the visor on his helmet so that he can see clearly. "I think you look stupid."

"Boy if you don't..."

Papa is quick to hold back Nonno from taking a swing at Etienne who is tumbling backwards in the gravel.

Another sunny day at the track, we were all stunned to see Nonno arriving fresly shaved and baring what looks like one of Whitey's famous cowboy hats.

Nonno takes a walk to cool off, he takes this opportunity to toss the hat aside letting it gather dust as it falls to the ground.

"Look what you did, you made him upset!" I lash out at Etinne who gets up from the ground to dust himself off.

"What's wrong with Nonno? Why has he been so moody lately?"

"Moodi-er" I correct.

Papa is the one to pick up the hat and dust it off, he hangs it on the handle of Etienne's motorbike. "Miss Renata..." He then sighs.

Etienne wrinkles his nose "Who is Miss Renata?"

Papa goes on to tell us about this woman that Nonno has started seeing or at least wants to see. Apparently she works as Whitey's Productions as a secrattary, Whitey has been the one to try and set them up, ergo suggesting Nonno up his style.

I never imagine Nonno wanting to be with someone else but Nonna, they were so in love. He must miss the essence of a woman, maybe everybody has to move on some day.

******

"Bonjour!"

Alessia rolls her eyes at Alicia's attempt to speak french.

From the moment she stepped her foot on campus, Alicia has fallen in love with La Fab and Paris. I can't help but to feel slightly envious of her, however I'm more happy for her than envious.

"So how's life on your side? '' She asks.

I had just finished cleaning Valentino's room, he has been gone all week and is returning tonight. It's a special day today, Nonna is turning 82 years old, although she refuses to have her age on the cake we bought her. Tonight when they boys come home we will all celebrate with a big dinner, Nonna and Mrs Rossi have been cooking all day and Luca had to help me with the cleaning of the house.

"82 you say. How many years do you think she has left?"

"Alicia." I quietly hiss. Anxious, I glance to the door that stands open, if someone were to hear our conversation.

"Just kidding, wish her a happy birthday from me."

"I will."

"Love you, bye!"

She hangs up before I get the chance to say goodbye. I sigh, she is really loving it over there, our phone calls are getting more and more brief.

********

Pots and pans overflow the kitchen table, there must be five different courses served. Everyone digs in, Valentino and Uncle Flavio, the most savage, have just returned back from the road, acting like they haven't eaten for days.

Before the cake is served we all stand up to sing happy birthday. Nonna slightly rocks back and forth and claps her hands as we do.

"Nonna, our lovely head of house." Uncle Flavio cuts the cake and hands everyone a slice. "Which are your fondest memories of your 82 years of life?"

For the first time something consideran and wholesem comes out of Uncle Flavio's mouth, everyone looks to Nonna with anticipation.

"My fondest memories...." She begins. Her voice is of age, a bit shaky here and there, but we all listen carefully.

"The first one that comes to mind is when Graziano came bearing my first grandson through the door." Nonna looks at Valentino and smiles.

"Rest in peace." Mrs Rossi whispers and holds her hand to her heart.

"If I knew how much trouble that child would have brought down upon this house, I would have told Graziano to turn around and return him right away."

Heartfelt laughter roams the table.

"Luckily a few years later..." Nonna stretches after Luca's chin. He tries to pull away but she is quick. "....your Mama brought home my little angel."

Valentino makes kissy faces at his little brother, taunting he's Mama's boy. I slap Valentino on his thigh, making him stop it.

"That's it? Your fondest memories are of children, what a waste."

I frown, Uncle Flavio's consideration and wholesomeness didn't last very long.

"Yes Flavio, and you'll be lucky to have your own one day."

Uncle Flavio groans.

" I am so blessed to be present to witness the birth of my great grandchild."

My cheeks burn as all eyes shift to me. I feel Valentino's hands crawl under the table, he goes to hold my hand.

"I don't know how I feel about becoming Nonna myself." Mrs Rossi smiles. "....but if it's as good as you say, I am looking forward to it." Mrs Rossi's eyes twinkled as she looked at me.

"So what are you naming the little fella." Uncle Flavio says as he has a spoon full of cake.

I clear my throat, ready to explain, when I feel Valentino suddenly squeeze my hand.

"We want to wait until the baby is born. It's better that way." He says.

Uncle Flavio nods agreeingly "Makes sense."

"It does?" Mrs Rossi questions.

Uncle Flavio makes a funny noise shrugging his shoulders. "Better to wait and see what the thing looks like."

"Flavio!" Mrs Rossi protested, hitting his side.

I'm offended by his comment, but Mrs Rossi hitting him makes us all laugh. She keeps on hitting him while he amusingly defends himself.

"I say wait at least 6 months that's when it will start looking like a human."

Now Nonna joins in on the hitting. We all laugh while Uncle Flavio crumbles in pain.

******

I am suddenly woken up from my dream, still feeling cloudy. It must have been a good dream, I was in deep sleep, my body still heavy, sweat dabbing my forehead.

A sudden cold breeze makes me shiver, now I am angry. I turn around to face Valentino, ignoring how beautiful he looks in his deep sleep.

"Vale close the window." I murmur, slightly rocking his body.

Valentino groans but doesn't move.

I am angry, why would he leave it open, I am freezing. I try bringing the covers to warm me but my body is still limb. "Vale!" I am using my feet now, pounding his back.

"What!" He rocks the bed, rapidly turning around, his expression tells me that he is annoyed by the sudden disrupter of his sleep.

"Close the window." I mumble.

Valentino fades away in the dark as my eyelids become heavy. I feel the bed sway as he gets up mumbling something about my laziness.

"It's not even open." He spits. Cold air swoops under the cover as he returns to bed.

"Vale!" I groan. Valentino is left staring at me as he holds up the covers, letting more cold air get a hold of my body.

Suddenly his frightened call echoes the room. "Mama!" he cries.

I frown, "Vale shut up, everyone is asleep!"

"Lessy you have to get up." He says anxiously.

As I go to move I feel the wetness below me. I have urinated on myself, on the bed. My hand touches the wet puddle beside me occupying Valentinos space.

"Mama!" I hear him yell again, although this time his voice is more distant, I am still feeling cloudy. I want him to stop calling out for his mother, we can change the sheets ourselves. Maybe he is angry with me for peeing on his bed? I look to see that, even his boxer has got some wet stains on them , he must have been laying in the puddle.

"Vale I'm sorry..."

The bedroom door flung open and as the light turned on, Uncle Flavio, Mrs Rossi and Luca were now standing in the room. They are all breathing heavily, they have been running.

I feel embarrassed, I don't want them to see me like this, why is Valentino doing this to me? I wanted to yell at him, but only the thought roamed my head, I couldn't get the words out. I start tugging at the covers, wanting to cover myself.

My eyes widen at the sight of the puddle. I look to my hand, I looked to Valentino's boxers, just like the puddle on the bed it is all red.

"Alessia sweetie, you have to get up." Mrs Rossi pulls me to my feet, as she begins shuffling me out of the room, my head keeps on snapping back to the blood stained mattress.