Further adventures of the Moretti family.

2. “Honestly, Caterina!” Niccolo rolled his eyes in exaggeration when he saw his sister and her husband stealing kisses in the foyer. “We won’t be but a moment, brother.” she answered with a giggle and pushed her husband’s hand away. “Well hurry it up. We will start without you and you know how much mother wants you to be present.’

3. Outside it was a warm spring day and the family had gathered to celebrate the wedding between Niccolo and Renee. Upon meeting Renee in the church that rainy afternoon last fall, Niccolo had courted her ceaselessly until her uncle, and by extension her father, had agreed to a match between them. It was decided the best course to take was to send Renee’s things over from France, so she remained in Italy while the details of the wedding were worked out.

4. Giulietta had seen to most of the details personally as it had been her greatest wish to see all of her six children married off. As she stood in the courtyard that afternoon, she smiled to herself that her life was now quite complete. Well, a few more grandchildren couldn’t hurt.

5. As the couple stood under a decorated trellis, they exchanged their promises of marriage and exchanged rings. Quite a simple ceremony, actually. Niccolo had no idea what the fuss was all about- people married every day all over the world. But then again, what his mother wanted she usually got.

6. To seal the betrothal, the newlyweds shared a kiss.

7. When the banquet had begun later that night, Renee found her way to her new husband who was in the middle of cutting himself a rather large piece of cake. “Your mother has informed me that all my things have been arranged in my new rooms.” A part of their marriage contract was that Renee was to enter her husband’s household right away, as she had been still a guest in Florence with no home of her own. The whole family had worked tirelessly the entire week to bring her things over and set them up in her chambers in time for the wedding.

8. Niccolo smiled and cut his wife a slice of cake as well. “Then all is finally settled.” he said, pulling out her chair and then finding a seat for himself. The rest of the family wandered into the dining room and took dessert for themselves, congratulating Niccolo and Renee often.

9. It was late that night when Renee was finally able to leave to her chambers. Several of the guests still remained downstairs and she could hear their rowdy wine-fueled laughter floating up through the floor. She lit a fire and changed out of her gown before relaxing during the wait for her husband’s arrival.

10. “Renee? Are you up?” Niccolo asked softly when he saw the sleeping white form on the bench. He had stayed downstairs much later than he had intended to and had been practically pushed up the stairs to Renee’s chambers by his brothers. It was going to take a while for him to become accustomed to performing his husbandly duties.

11. Renee let out a large yawn as she sat up, “I’m sorry- I must have dozed off.”

12. “No need to apologize.” Niccolo said as he helped Renee up from the bench, wrapped her in his arms, and proceeded to plant kisses down her neck.

13. “My dear husband!” Renee said breathlessly, pulling back in shock. Sure she had stolen her share of kisses as a youth but none of them had ever been like that. Clearly Niccolo had more passion in him than he dared show. “Have I upset you?” he asked caringly. “Quite the contrary.”

14. “In that case…” Niccolo smiled as he took Renee’s hand and pulled her towards the inner chamber where the bed was. - -

15. Early that morning, Niccolo cracked one eye open to find himself faced with the back of his wife’s lovely head. His wife. The thought that he was actually married now was strange to him. Strange but good. Well, the word wonderful was a better description.

16. As the morning sun streamed in through the window, he shook Renee gently to wake her. She rolled over and nestled her head on his chest, not bothering to open her eyes when she spoke. “Morning already?” “Yes. I’m afraid the sun will not alter its schedule to suit us.” “I suppose we could always draw the curtains and ignore the sun.”

17. Niccolo smiled at his wife’s eagerness. “Unfortunately that is not the case- I have a lecture scheduled this morning at the University.” Renee frowned but moved to the side to let Niccolo rise and dress.

18. She lingered in bed for a while after Niccolo had left. Not bothering to dress, she had nothing planned for the day, she made her way down to the kitchen to find some breakfast.

19. While she was mulling over her thoughts, Giulietta entered the room and proceeded to wash her own dishes. While the Moretti family was a member of the noble class, Renee had discovered that they kept no servants. Apparently there wasn’t room in the small family income to support extra help and they were all expected to do their own cooking and cleaning. Not that she minded it much. She was no stranger to hard work and was eager to pitch in and become a valued member of the household.

20. “My dear Renee.” Giulietta said when she had placed her bowl back in the cupboard. “I wanted to welcome you to the family formally. Now that your marriage to my son is official.” Giulietta added a wink that made Renee blush. “Thank you, signora. I am sure I shall be very happy here and shall do all I can to please you and your son.” “Nonsense dear! Your mere presence is pleasing to me!” Giulietta gave her daughter-in-law a pat on the cheek before leaving the room.

21. After dressing and covering her hair- she was a married woman now- she came back down to the kitchen to fill her bowl once more. She was simply ravenous this morning!

22. Piero had gone out to visit some friends, Giulietta was marketing, and Niccolo was at the University. The house was empty as a tomb so Renee settled down for a nap.

23. When she woke, she went in search of some entertainment. Finding an easel and some paints, she took up a brush and began to paint. It was an art she had dearly loved back in France and she was glad her new household would be able to support her enthusiasm. However, she knew she would have to soon find something else to occupy her time with or the walls would soon be littered with her colorful canvases.

24. Her weeks continued thus- she would take breakfast with Giulietta and Piero until they went out. She would occupy her long days with painting or embroidery until Niccolo returned in time for supper. She kept to herself most of the time- she still felt a stranger to Italy. However, she made up for lost time with her husband each night. It wasn’t long before Renee found herself violently ill each morning and one thought continually echoed in her mind:

25. She was pregnant.

26. Her suspicions were confirmed when a delicate bump was found gradually protruding from her abdomen.

27. Niccolo was quite excited when he found out the good news. He spoiled his wife to no end, insisting that she be pampered and allowed to stop her work around the house until the baby was born.

28. So she would not be alone during the day, Niccolo arranged for his sister, Caterina, to stop by every once and a while to look in on things. The two soon discovered that they had much in common and became close friends.

29. Renee loved having the company, and was glad to have found a companion in her sister-in-law. They gossiped about anything and everything but most often the conversation turned to family.

30. “So you really grew up without siblings?” Caterina asked in disbelief. “My house was always so full as a child- I cannot imagine what it would be like!” “I never had a choice, really. My mother died when she was very young and my father never chose to remarry. I was somewhat close with my cousins though. I spend many summers here in Florence with them.”

31. “In that case,” Caterina said as she rose, “I hope you will find me to be a true and loyal sister towards you.” Renee beamed with pleasure at the notion of having a confidant.

32. “Speaking of sisters, mother is back!” Caterina hugged Giulietta tightly when she entered the room.

33. “And what are you two up to this afternoon?” Giulietta asked, casting a worried glance at her daughter-in-law. She didn’t look well. “Oh, just talking.” Renee said, rubbing her eyes. “I’m feeling a bit tired and if you don’t mind, I’m going to retire for a bit.” Caterina opted to show herself out while her mother helped Renee to her room.

34. Renee stripped quickly to her shift and went straight to bed. She was finding that the farther along she got in her pregnancy, the more easily mundane tasks sapped her energy.

35. She slept until the sun had set when she woke to a rumbling stomach complaining about her skipped supper. Quietly she made her way down to the dining room to find a plate of hot food sitting out on the table and her husband munching away quietly in a chair.

36. “Did you sleep well?” he asked between bites. “Quite well. How were your students?” “Inattentive as usual. I much prefer giving lectures to tutoring. Their parents only hired me because they can afford to and the boys all share a distinct lack of interest in my material.”

37. “I’m quite sorry for that, dear. I know how passionate you are about your work in science, if only your pupils could be half as enthusiastic as you.” “Thank you, Renee. You seem the only one that understands me.” Niccolo smiled over his plate at his dear wife. She was exactly what he had wanted in a spouse. Someone calm and loving who understood his interests.

38. “Well, I’ve finished so I believe I shall retire again.” Renee said, grabbing her plate to wash. “Well, goodnight then.” Niccolo said softly. He would love to follow her up to her room and…well, he mustn't think of such things. She was with child and abstinence was highly encouraged during her delicate condition.

39. “Oh, pardon me!” Renee exclaimed when she went into the kitchen to find Giulietta and Piero locked in a kiss. When the didn’t answer or make any acknowledgement that they had seen her at all, she slipped into the room and washed the plate quickly. It was an embarrassing situation, but she couldn’t help but feel lucky that she had married into such a, um, loving household.

40. * * *

41. Somewhere in the next few weeks, Giulietta had decided she wanted to get to know Renee better, so she asked for painting lessons. Renee eagerly accepted the request and spent long hours teaching the proper techniques of chiaroscuro.

42. It was their newfound bond through painting that made Renee call for Giulietta first when she found herself going into labor one night.

43. Giulietta sent Renee to relax in her room while she went in search for her son. “NICCOLO!”

44. “Goodness gracious mother! The entire city can year you when you yell like that!” Niccolo said as he exited his study. “I thought it important to inform you of the fact that your wife has gone into labor.” That got her son’s attention.

45. “Oh! Well in that case, I shall send for a midwife immediately! I can get the little boy from down the street to run the errand! Please see to her comfort while I dispatch the letter!” Giulietta chuckled. She had never seen someone so nervous over the birth of a child. “Now, now, son. That is unnecessary- I have delivered dozens of babies during my lifetime , including six of my own, and this one shall be easy.”

46. “I understand that mother, but I feel that a woman of Renee’s status really should be seen by a professional. I think it a good idea to send for a midwife. There’s an excellent one on main street that has received much praise.” Giulietta let out a sigh of annoyance, “Are you pazzo?! I can deliver a baby as well as any professional.”

47. “I’m sorry, mother, but I must insist. We are of noble blood and you shouldn’t be doing the work of one of lower class. You may attend to my wife until the midwife arrives, but after that you will hand the situation over to her. She is my wife and I shall decide how she is treated.”

48. Giulietta just turned angrily on her heel and went to see how Renee was doing. Niccolo felt bad about treating his mother that way, but he would see to it that nothing would happen to his wife.

49. “You asked for me, signore?” the midwife asked when she arrived an hour later. “Yes, my wife requires your services. She is upstairs at the moment, being attended by my mother.” “I see, sir. If you’ll just point me in the right way, I’ll see to your wife.”

50. “And I wish for my mother to be sent down. I would rather the job be handled by someone trained.” With another “si signore” the midwife climbed the stairs to do her job. - -

51. “Now mother, you must try to understand!” Niccolo tried to calm his mother down once more as he paced the room, waiting for news of the birth. “No! That woman had the nerve to dismiss me from the room as if she were in charge! I tell you, I’ve probably done this more times than she has! Besides, Renee is my kin!”

52. “I have an idea!” Piero interjected. The argument had been going on for almost half of an hour now and he saw no end in sight. “How about a game of chess, anybody?” Giulietta grumbled and leaned back in her seat.

53. “Honestly, father! How can you think of chess at a time like this?” Niccolo asked as he continued his pacing. “My boy, when you’ve been in this position as often as I have, you’ll soon come to realize there’s nothing you can do. I have found that chess is an excellent way to keep one’s mind off things. Sort of a distraction, if you will.”

54. “Well, in that case, I suppose I’ll go to my study then. Maybe I can at least get some work done.” “Fine, goodnight, son. We will find you should there be any news.” - -

55. The next morning, Giulietta was the only one awake when to hear the declaration of a healthy birth. She paid the midwife quickly and hurried up to see her newest grandchild.

56. “So this is him. Such a little angel!” she declared, picking up the swaddled infant and holding him close. “Did everything go alright?” Giulietta was still resentful about not attending the birth, but she had since resigned herself to her fate.

57. “It went well. I’m a bit tired though.” “That is to be expected.” Giulietta answered, rocking the baby back and forth. Renee looked longingly at her son and asked quietly, “May I hold him? I have not been allowed to yet.”

58. “Why of course you may hold your son!” Stupid woman! she muttered under her breath. What midwife didn’t allow a new mother to hold her child?

59. “Careful of his head. Make sure it’s properly supported.” Renee held her breath as her son was placed in her arms for the first time.

60. As soon as she felt his weight, instinct took over and she held him close, cooing gently and rocking like she had seen Giulietta do. Seeing how enraptured Renee was with her son, Giulietta took her leave quietly.

61. Out in the hall, she met her son. “Any news, mother?” “Actually, yes. The midwife has just left and you are the proud father of a healthy son.”

62. “That’s wonderful! But…can I see her? Is she well?” “Of course you may see her! Don’t be silly.” Giulietta clapped her son on the shoulder before going to find her husband.

63. When Niccolo entered his wife’s chambers, he found her relaxing on her bed. She smiled up when she saw him enter. “How do you fare, Renee?” “Quite well.” “And our child?”

64. “Your son is lying in the crib. Go see him!”

65. Niccolo did as his wife suggested. The child, in his opinion, was perfect. He had his mother’s brown eyes and his own black hair. He looked strong and healthy; the perfect one to carry on the family line.

66. “Isn’t he the most wonderful thing?” Renee asked, taking her son and smiling when Niccolo started making faces at the baby. “Absolutely.”

67. “You know, we shall have to arrange his christening soon. And think of a name. I was thinking Gregorio, or Giorgio, or Giacomo.” “Now, Renee. Don’t get ahead of yourself! We will have to wait a few weeks until your lying in is through; I know you will want to be present at the christening.”

68. “I suppose you’re right.” Renee said, handing the baby back to her husband and sitting on the bed. “It won’t be too long. I’ll talk to my mother and see what she recommends. We will hold his christening before you know it.”

69. Downstairs, Giulietta found her husband still sleeping on the bench he had been waiting on last night. Waking him gently, she told him that a boy had been born, much to his delight. - -

70. Much like Niccolo had predicted, the time Renee took to recover passed quickly and they scheduled the christening to happen when she was able to attend. After some deliberation, their son was christened Giacomo Piero Moretti and the family gathered in the house afterwards to celebrate and coo over the new addition. - -

71. On the other side of town, however, the news was not so happy. Leonardo had received an urgent letter from his mother, begging him to come home as soon as he could. He asked his superiors to grant him leave for a few weeks while he went to see what was going on. “Mother?”

72. He went through the rooms until he found his mother, dressed in her nightgown, in his fathers chambers of all places. “What’s going on, mother? Why did you send for me?” “Leonardo, it’s your father. He-he’s not well. Go see for yourself. He’s been confined to his bed.”

73. Leonardo entered his father’s bedroom to find him lying on the covers. He smiled when he saw his son enter. “Ah, Leonardo. I trust you’ve heard of my situation by now?” “Not quite. Mother said you’ve been ill, but that’s it.”

74. “Well, she’s exaggerated some. I feel fine. Healthy even!” To prove his point, Antonio rose from his spot and hugged his son. Leonardo smiled in return, but couldn’t help but notice how the effort to rise had winded the old man.

75. From her spot on the couch, Isabetta rose her voice in protest, “Honestly, Antonio! You should be in bed!” Antonio sighed but with an over the top “yes dear” he complied and settled down for a nap.

76. Isabetta quietly took Leonardo out into the dark hall. “I have supper prepared downstairs if you would like to eat. I cannot begin to say how much of a relief it is to have you here and know you are safe.” “I’m glad you wrote, mother. If only I had come sooner.”

77. The dining room was as dark as the hallway and just as cold. The fireplace stood empty, apparently no one had bothered to light it or the candles in a while.

78. “He has been like that for some time, you know.” Isabetta said as they sat. “Ill but refusing to accept the facts. I worry for him. I don’t think he will last much longer.”

79. “He’s strong. I wouldn’t lose hope yet.” Leonardo reassured his mother as he rose to fill his plate again. The thought put a smile on her face, but the rest of the meal continued in silence.

80. As it turned out, Isabetta did have cause to worry. That night, Antonio had gone in search of a midnight snack but was met with a very unwelcome guest in the hallway.

81. Isabetta had heard the commotion and came running to her husband’s aid, only to catch a glimpse of him as he faded away.

82. Leonardo had come too, but arrived to see only his mother bawling in the empty hall. Seeing his mother’s tears, he knew what had happened. “It’ll be ok, mother. Father is ill no more.”

83. Nevertheless, the stress and sadness of planning her husband’s funeral proved too much for Isabetta to handle. In the middle of the service, she passed on, reuniting with Antonio in death.

84. Leonardo laid his parents to rest side by side, next to the daughter they had lost so many years ago.

85. As the only son, Leonardo was left everything of his father’s., including the large house which he had no use for. He spent most of his time at the military base and, during the few weeks of leave he had a year were spent at his villa down by the Arno river.

86. He put out an advertisement which was soon answered by a young couple who agreed to rent the house, completely furnished, for a good price each month. Leonardo had business wrapped up quickly and was able to return to the military within a fortnight. * * *

87. Back at the Moretti house, Niccolo’s nightly visits to his wife’s bed recommenced shortly after the christening.

88. Giacomo, or Giac* as he had come to be known as around the house, was growing quickly and was constantly doted upon by his mother. *Pronounced like Jacques.

89. Giac was smart and had learned to walk and talk before he had even turned a year old.

90. By that time, Renee had announced that she was pregnant again, much to the family’s delight.

91. She continued to paint as before and was enjoying decorating the house with her works of art.

92. Caterina continued her visits as well, enjoying the time she spent with her nephew and sister-in-law.

93. That’s the end of this chapter! Sorry it’s been so long since the last one…a crash and a new computer sure take a long time to rebuild. Here’s a last shot of a very pensive pregnant Renee. I really do love this girl. :)