Song above for Chapter: "All The Kings Horsemen"--Karmina

FEDERICO

I spent the hours driving to Skaneateles reading and re-reading the note Elenora gave Domani with the signed divorce papers. She included an ultrasound that confirms we were going to have twins and the wedding band she was still wearing.

Her note is short but direct.

Rico,

From the very beginning, I tried not to love you. Even after learning the truth about your intentions. Though we were apart all these months, you were always with me through our baby.

But the darkness and the hate in your heart that was not only planted but still nurtured by Rosetta's manipulations and lies has shut out what little you might have felt for me at one time. Yet, it doesn't change the fact that I'm still sorry I hurt you.

I know you well enough that there's no changing your mind about what I did, or what you think my father did to your parents so, I'm giving you what you want and 'setting you free' as you called it.

I hope once you discover the truth about everything, you'll be able to have some peace in your mind and in your heart, because you deserve that.

~Nora

Her words replay in my head as I stare out the window, rolling her wedding band in my fingers. Domani's voice breaks through my thoughts telling me we're here.

The town is not as small as I thought it would be, but I'm still shocked to find where Elenora has been living all this time.

"This is where she's been living?" Mostro voice's my thoughts, standing in the doorway of the tiny studio apartment.

I can hardly believe it myself. It's no bigger than four hundred square feet, however, the loft above the micro kitchen makes it look larger than it is. There are a lot of her touches in the way she's decorated, but the place is pretty bare.

Some of her photography equipment is set in a corner. It gives me a sense of relief that she's been able to maintain her craft during this time.

I make my way up to the loft, finding the small twin bed she's been sleeping in. Turning on the lamp I find a framed photo on the small nightstand. It's a picture she took of us when we were on the carriage ride she had surprised me with.

I sit on the bed, holding the frame as the vivid memory comes to my mind. It was a long and frustrating day after waking up thinking I had betrayed her with Angela.

But I remember the elation that came over me seeing her waiting outside the hotel with a big smile on her face. Her eyes were squinted like they are in the picture.

I don't even recognize myself in the picture; the smile on my face only adds to the pain inside of me. I set the frame down and pick up a small book that looks more like a photo album with a large envelope underneath. My name is written on it.

The dark blue cover of the album is engraved with, The story of you. I open the cover and find a small picture of Luca's hotel with a date underneath it—the date of the speed dating event.

I recognize her handwriting as she also added a note and a smile spreads on my face as I read: "It all started with a kiss..."

I flip the page, and there's an ultrasound with the two images within the picture circled. "There were two of you at first." She adds little hearts and smiley faces; my vision begins to blur.

There's only one little image in the ultrasound on the next page. "But...sometimes not all twins walk side by side, sometimes one has wings to fly."

The pictures that follow are of her standing in front of a mirror facing forward or to the side. She's written the date and the number of weeks she is in each photo, and also what she felt during that week in regards to symptoms, what she was craving, if anything.

I can't help but study each one, focusing on her beautiful face and the smile she wears. There's sadness in her eyes, even though she's attempting to appear happy. Her small bump keeps growing as does my regret for missing every single moment with her.

As I get to the last pictures with the due date written, I learn the baby is due on my birthday.

I open the envelope and my breath hitches seeing she's photographed herself in the most beautiful poses and layouts, her belly being the main focal point in each of them. She looks amazing. Some of the material she used is sheer, but I can't get over how she takes my breath away. After going through each of them I set them down and open another letter.

Rico,

I don't know if you're going to find this, but hopefully, whoever reads this will at least make sure you get the photo album and pictures in the envelope. Though after seeing you, I doubt you'd even want them...regardless, you have to know I have loved being pregnant.

When Pia told me we were having twins, I was scared and then worried how you would react, but I never got the chance to tell you.

You probably think there was a way to tell you what was going on, but I wasn't thinking clearly and didn't want Rosetta to come after you. That last phone call between us haunted me—still haunts me. I hate myself for hurting you.

Even though you claim I didn't love you enough to tell you the truth, we both know you would have always chosen your family and your hatred of my father with this stupid vengeance you are so hell bent on finishing.

Tonight, I overheard Rosetta confronting my parents; for a brief moment I thought I was not going to be under her thumb anymore, but she seems to have a never ending amount of tricks up her sleeve. She's furious that the truth about her role in your parents death has been exposed and she threatened my dad with revealing he's not my real father; it's why my Nonno treats me with hatred.

You and your aunt took your vengeance out on me, based on another lie, but you know what? I feel sorry for you Rico.

I may have been lied to my whole life like you were, but I was still shown real love by my father, mother and sisters—even though this truth hurts, my father has always treated me like his own daughter. He loved me unconditionally.

I haven't forgotten that he didn't protect me from my Nonno, knowing why he treated me the way he did, but there's no point in holding on to resentment. Look what that's done to you.

Sometimes, I wish we met under different circumstances but then you wouldn't be the person I fell in love with under all those layers of negativity, bitterness and cynicism. And you probably wouldn't have approached me if it wasn't for your vendetta against my father, because I was not your type.

As painful as it was seeing that in person, with the beautiful woman you are with now—it was good that I did. I needed to see it. The truth hurts, but it also cures.

I intend to keep my promise to you, and even though I'm hurt, alone and scared—my Nonno, Leo, you, Rosetta and all the lies I've been told didn't break me.

Despite everything and even not knowing who my real father is, or the fact that I'm not a Borelli, a Barone or a Di Maggio, I know who I am.

I will tell our son about you. About us. There is a lot of pain and hurt when I think of you, but there's also good memories and when he's older, if he chooses to find you, I won't stand in his way.

~Nora

I need to find her. She needs to know I still love her.

I still want her.

I still need her.

"Did you find anything that might help know where she went, Boss?" Ciccio looks around as I shake my head.

"Based on how the drawers are pulled out and the hangers in the closet on the floor, it looks like she left in a hurry." His eyes move to the photo album. "May I?"

I nod as I re-read the letter.

"She sure is a beauty, if you don't mind me saying so, Boss." He looks at the photos appreciatively before his face flushes when he sees the other photos on the nightstand and he sets the album down over them.

"Call the crew to get the place packed up and taken back to the city." I stand almost hitting my head on the ceiling.

Ciccio clears his throat and makes his way down the stairs. I gather up the album, the pictures and envelope, placing the photos and letters inside before I follow him back down.

"Clara called, still no sign on their end from Nora," Domani informs me as he pockets his phone. "She thinks she may know another place where Nora went, but she wants to check it out and make a few phone calls before sending us on a wild goose chase. She also gave me an update on Maya."

I turn towards him as he continues. "The bullet wound was a graze, but some of the skull fragments were in danger of penetrating her brain. Doctors won't know if there will be any permanent damage until she wakes up."

I silently pray there aren't any lingering effects on Maya. "Ciccio's calling the crew to have the place packed up," I tell him.

Mostro chortles. "I could do it in a couple of hours, Boss."

"No one touches anything!"

We turn toward the sound of a shotgun being cocked; Cicco and Mostro pull their guns.

"I wouldn't if I was you's." A little old lady with blue-ish gray hair, points a shotgun at us. "You city boys forget; unlike you, I don't need to aim with a shotgun. I'll hit all four of you's with one shot."

"And whoever she doesn't get, I will," says the other little old lady next to her with dyed black hair, holding a smaller handgun.

The guys eye each other before they look at me for direction, but the little old lady with the shotgun speaks again. "Listen, we don't know who you are or why you're in Nora's apartment, but she ain't here. So, here's what's going to happen. All four of you overgrown meatheads are going to get out now and you might be lucky enough to leave with your balls still intact."

"Why'd you have to get so crass? That doesn't even make sense, Vi." The one with black hair complains.

"Zip it, Olive! I'm the one holding the gun," Vi states.

"I'm holding a gun, too, you old dingbat," Olive retorts.

"Well, mine's bigger," Vi fires back. Ciccio and Mostro can't keep their shit together and begin snickering at the squabbling old ladies.

"We're losing them," Olive comments and Vi raises her shotgun back at us.

"Stay put you goons!"

"Ladies, I assure you we are not here with bad intentions. We are only looking for Elenora," I explain.

"Why? What do you want with her?" Olive asks.

"To take her home," Mostro answers.

Olive and Vi look at each other. "So you're the father?" Vi points the shotgun directly at Mostro.

"What?" He looks back at me, terrified. "No, of course not."

"Then which one of you assholes knocked her up and left her to fend for herself, huh?" Olive moves her gun over each one of us.

I step forward. "She's my wife."

"Is that so?" Vi questions, eyeing me. "Then what color are her eyes, when's her birthday, how does she take her coffee, what's her favorite color? Is she having a boy or a girl? When is she due and what names is she considering?"

"Her birthday is September sixth, she takes her coffee with two sugars and cream, her favorite color is mint, she's having a boy, she's due August 18th. As far as names go, I don't know. But I can tell you her eyes are a soft, brown color and you can see specks of gold when light reflects in them."

"Yup, he's the one," Olive states. "And if he's not, I ain't holding the gun up any more, my arm's tired, Vi."

"He has to be, we only know her eye color and what she's having." Vi responds, setting the gun down and shrugs. "She mostly keeps to herself. She works at the diner downstairs but doesn't open up much."

"To be honest, I didn't know she was going to have a baby or that it was a boy." I confess.

"Why not?"

"It's a long story."

"We've got time." Olive sits down on the small cushioned chair in the living room area.

"Hey, Fabio!" Vi waves at Domani. "Make yourself useful and put on a pot of coffee would ya? Instead of standing there like my own personal Greek statue."

"We're Italian," Domani responds somewhat offended.

"Tomato, tomáto." Vi waves her hand at him again. "Both gorgeous countries, with gorgeous men if you ask me."

"Chop, chop, pretty boy, we ain't gettin' any younger over here." Olive claps her hands at Domani. He looks at Ciccio and Mostro and then me before he mutters under his breath, heading to the kitchenette.

"Sit down, fellas. We don't bite," Viola comments.

"Unless you want us, too," Olive adds. They look at each other, and erupt in laughter.

A loud clattering comes from the kitchen and Olive stands. "Oy vey! I better help Fabio before he hurts himself or burns the place down." She heads over to the kitchen area.

"Keep your hands to yourself Olive! Don't pull any of the you're going blind shit again, feeling your way around things." Vi warns her as she makes her way over to Domani.

"So, what's your name, handsome?" Vi looks at me and pats the seat next to her on the couch. I make my way over and sit down.

"Federico, but I go by Rico."

"I like it, so what did you do to Nora to make her come hide in our little town?"

I'm about to answer her when Domani yelps. "That is not the handle, Miss Olive!"

"You sure, Fabio? It's these damn glasses, been meaning to get my prescription updated." She tells him.

Ciccio and Mostro chuckle before I turn back to Vi and begin telling her about mine and Elenora's story.