Viola discovers that her husband Niccolo has been denied the title and lands he expected to inherit, dooming her to remain the lowly wife of a schoolmaster. When she confronts her brother Beniamino with the denial letter, he confirms Niccolo will never rise above his current station. Though pregnant, Viola is desperate to escape her hopeless situation but sees no way out of her marriage or to improve her status.
Erocle, the son of a wealthy merchant family from Venice, travels to London to open a new branch of the family business. He stays with his cousin Netta and her family. Erocle is immediately attracted to Netta's companion, Tina. That night, Tina brings candles to light in Erocle's room, and they share a passionate kiss that leads to more. The next morning, they agree to keep their relationship secret for now, though Erocle insists his feelings for Tina are true. Their secret romance begins in Netta's household.
This summarizes a document about the Emerson family. It describes Scarlett Emerson's birthday party where she is ready to stop using pull-ups. It then discusses Natalie giving birth to twins, Ryan and Angela, after already having a daughter Tara. The family enjoys time together on the beach until Natalie goes into labor. It concludes by describing the triple birthday party for Tara, Ryan, and Angela and teasing what may be in store for the large Emerson family.
Vanessa and Forrest have added onto their home in anticipation of their new baby. They hire a nanny, Nanny Willow, to help care for the baby while they work. Jake is born and is very demanding of attention. One night, a burglar breaks into their home but Forrest catches her and calls the police. Jake continues to be spoiled and difficult to care for as he grows. Vanessa starts writing a novel but finds it difficult. Their love for each other and Jake remains strong despite their challenges raising Jake and working long hours.
The Devereaux Legacy: Chapter Six - Part 6 (A)peasant007
The document summarizes the tensions in the Devereaux household after Bella Goth moves in following her engagement to Quinn Devereaux. Bella makes rude comments about Eden's age that make Eden feel self-conscious. Quinn also begins fighting frequently with his father Rhys and avoiding meaningful conversations. The tensions rise further during dress shopping for Quinn's upcoming wedding.
The document provides context for letters exchanged between characters Giacomo and Beatrice. It introduces that Giacomo has been secretly corresponding with Beatrice in hopes of convincing her to be his wife. Their letters have been posted online but not explicitly mentioned in previous chapters. The reader is encouraged to read the letters to understand the storyline.
The Legrand Legacy Generation 1- Part 2WistfulRose
Anette is pregnant with their fifth child. Money is tight since Phil quit his stable job for a lower-paying dream job. Anette takes a job as a golf caddy to help support the family. Their four children, Anton, Brielle, Charnell, and Desiree, try to figure out why their mother has been sick. Anton suggests she may be pregnant. They also encourage Charnell to change her style to fit in better at school.
Giac finds Kari at a tavern and they spend the evening together, rekindling their past romance. The next morning, he leaves her bed to return home. Alessandra convinces Giac to let their younger sisters Renata and Ghita move in with her, allowing Giac more freedom to see Kari without worrying for the girls' safety. Lucio continues pursuing a romantic relationship with Alessandra, though she insists they must forget the kiss they shared.
The three Lightning siblings - Annabeth, Anakin, and A'Tuin - mysteriously collapsed after telling their partners that they knew who the serial killer was. They have since woken up with no memory of what happened. Annabeth and Anakin seem confused but well, while A'Tuin claims to remember but refuses to see Celeste or explain what happened. Their partners are left worried and without answers about what caused the siblings to collapse or why only A'Tuin remembers.
Erocle, the son of a wealthy merchant family from Venice, travels to London to open a new branch of the family business. He stays with his cousin Netta and her family. Erocle is immediately attracted to Netta's companion, Tina. That night, Tina brings candles to light in Erocle's room, and they share a passionate kiss that leads to more. The next morning, they agree to keep their relationship secret for now, though Erocle insists his feelings for Tina are true. Their secret romance begins in Netta's household.
This summarizes a document about the Emerson family. It describes Scarlett Emerson's birthday party where she is ready to stop using pull-ups. It then discusses Natalie giving birth to twins, Ryan and Angela, after already having a daughter Tara. The family enjoys time together on the beach until Natalie goes into labor. It concludes by describing the triple birthday party for Tara, Ryan, and Angela and teasing what may be in store for the large Emerson family.
Vanessa and Forrest have added onto their home in anticipation of their new baby. They hire a nanny, Nanny Willow, to help care for the baby while they work. Jake is born and is very demanding of attention. One night, a burglar breaks into their home but Forrest catches her and calls the police. Jake continues to be spoiled and difficult to care for as he grows. Vanessa starts writing a novel but finds it difficult. Their love for each other and Jake remains strong despite their challenges raising Jake and working long hours.
The Devereaux Legacy: Chapter Six - Part 6 (A)peasant007
The document summarizes the tensions in the Devereaux household after Bella Goth moves in following her engagement to Quinn Devereaux. Bella makes rude comments about Eden's age that make Eden feel self-conscious. Quinn also begins fighting frequently with his father Rhys and avoiding meaningful conversations. The tensions rise further during dress shopping for Quinn's upcoming wedding.
The document provides context for letters exchanged between characters Giacomo and Beatrice. It introduces that Giacomo has been secretly corresponding with Beatrice in hopes of convincing her to be his wife. Their letters have been posted online but not explicitly mentioned in previous chapters. The reader is encouraged to read the letters to understand the storyline.
The Legrand Legacy Generation 1- Part 2WistfulRose
Anette is pregnant with their fifth child. Money is tight since Phil quit his stable job for a lower-paying dream job. Anette takes a job as a golf caddy to help support the family. Their four children, Anton, Brielle, Charnell, and Desiree, try to figure out why their mother has been sick. Anton suggests she may be pregnant. They also encourage Charnell to change her style to fit in better at school.
Giac finds Kari at a tavern and they spend the evening together, rekindling their past romance. The next morning, he leaves her bed to return home. Alessandra convinces Giac to let their younger sisters Renata and Ghita move in with her, allowing Giac more freedom to see Kari without worrying for the girls' safety. Lucio continues pursuing a romantic relationship with Alessandra, though she insists they must forget the kiss they shared.
The three Lightning siblings - Annabeth, Anakin, and A'Tuin - mysteriously collapsed after telling their partners that they knew who the serial killer was. They have since woken up with no memory of what happened. Annabeth and Anakin seem confused but well, while A'Tuin claims to remember but refuses to see Celeste or explain what happened. Their partners are left worried and without answers about what caused the siblings to collapse or why only A'Tuin remembers.
The document summarizes a meeting between four Reapers - Oberon, Ilyena, Ruyven, and Owen - and their boss, Mr. Reaper. They discuss the status of a secret genetic experiment to create living Grim Reapers. Oberon reports success with his children Puck and Nichole showing Reaper abilities. However, he is concerned about forcing Puck to join against his will when he comes of age. Mr. Reaper insists they must ensure Puck cooperates with their plans.
Luke has his 13th birthday party but gets angry when his cousin Savannah laughs at his transition outfit. He tries to hit her but is stopped by her brother. Luke storms off saying he will go downtown without waiting for his cousins as promised. His father stops him and they have a talk about Luke's behavior. Downstairs, Savannah feels bad and asks her twin sister if she should apologize to Luke.
Laura Lynn is moving into the Greek house after living in a dorm. She tours the house with Jill and they discuss plans to renovate and expand the house to accommodate more students. They decide to add more bedrooms upstairs and expand the downstairs living areas. Laura Lynn and Jill are pleased with the completed renovations which added space and more color to the house.
Laura Lynn is moving into her sorority house after living in a dorm. Her friend Jill gives her a tour of the small house and they discuss plans to renovate and expand it to accommodate more students. They decide to add more bedrooms upstairs and expand the downstairs living areas. After the renovations are complete, Jill and Laura Lynn are pleased with the results. Later, Laura Lynn attends her little sister's birthday party and brings Jill along.
1) Anna is worried after a cryptic warning from Tara Kody about replacing what was lost and the Pokémon legacy.
2) Anna calls her friends Ani-Mei and Pony for advice but they cannot make it. Unexpectedly, Anna's ex Andrew shows up at her house.
3) Anna tells Andrew to leave, as she is now married to Cleve. However, Andrew does not seem willing to leave without a confrontation.
The twins Mel and Rizzi celebrate their birthday, aging into children. At the party, Rizzi takes an interest in Thai's glasses and offers to trade all her toys for them. However, Thai explains that without his glasses he wouldn't be able to see to get home. Meanwhile, Cleve worries about a random passerby who joined the party but doesn't have the heart to kick the old woman out.
This chapter summarizes the events of the Pokémon sisters' second semester of college. Bulbasaur establishes their house as an official Greek house and recruits Kendal to live with them as a pledge. They pass their finals again and celebrate with a toga party. Bulbasaur also proposes to her boyfriend Greg and asks him to move into the Greek house.
This chapter continues the story of Charrie and her family. Charrie's triplets Squirtle, Wartortle and Blastoise have their birthday party. Pony remains concerned about Rizzi and warns Charrie about the potential dangers of the witch Tara Kody. Squirtle enjoys her first day of school. Later, Pony hints to Charrie about the legacy's potential power but says they will discuss it more later.
Quinn acted heroically but accidentally caused the death of Zane's wife Tina. Bella Goth has returned to work with Lillian. Puck Summerdream, a reaper-elf hybrid, had his powers stripped and is now mortal. He has been sentenced to die of old age as punishment for refusing his role as a reaper.
This summary provides the key details from the multi-paragraph document in 3 sentences:
Hollie tells Thai that she is pregnant with their second child. Thai proposes marriage to Hollie, which she joyfully accepts. Meanwhile, Anna and her family prepare for the girls to start their first year of college while dealing with Tara Kody's continued unwanted presence and influence attempts in their home.
This summary provides context and key details from the document in 3 sentences:
The document begins by introducing that Charlie has given birth to her daughter Nadine earlier than expected. It then discusses Amar and Dom's concerns about being new fathers, which Gil reassures them about based on his own experiences. The chapter ends by discussing Gideon proposing to Tazama and Kate feeling lonely now that her children have moved out of the house.
Dawn receives a call that her father has passed away. She and her fiancé Gabe travel back to her hometown for the funeral. At the funeral reception, Dawn's ex Don shows up, causing a confrontation with Gabe and Dawn's brothers. Don refuses to accept that Dawn has moved on and threatens Gabe, though he eventually leaves. Dawn introduces Gabe to her family as her fiancé.
A Victorian Legacy - Chapter 16 All That Has Gone BeforeDi Meeeee
- The group visits the narrator early on a Sunday morning asking for a recap of the Victorian Legacy so far.
- The narrator reluctantly agrees and summarizes the origins of the Legacy, started by Gabriel William Legacy who built a small shack on land he purchased.
- Gabriel married Elise Brown and they had two children, George and Elizabeth. George went on to university and married Allyn, founding the next generation.
- Mel and her sisters are deciding which of them will become the heir to their family legacy. Bulba declines as she is taking her fiancé's last name per his family's tradition.
- Rizzi suggests Bulba should be the heir as the eldest sister, but Bulba refuses as she does not want children, a requirement for continuing the legacy.
- Mel had forgotten about the heir decision as she was focused on her exams, but discusses it with her fiancé Jimmy, deciding they want Mel to take his last name rather than become heir.
Desi has become the heir to the Legrand Legacy by default. She worries about how to fulfill this role. Bobby seems to like her without the influence of the voodoo doll, and they go on a fun day out together. Brielle accompanies a secret agent to headquarters below Rodney's Hideout. There, the agent fails to report successfully capturing a rogue vampire. Her boss scolds her for the failure while another woman in the room knows more about the situation.
Sydney wanders downtown late at night to clear her head after a fight with her family. She meets Taz, an old family friend of her parents, who was asked to check on her. Taz convinces Sydney to return home, telling her that her family understands her and will support her through hard times. The next morning, Sydney's father has an outburst at breakfast where he forbids the family from playing rock, paper, scissors, confusing everyone. Later, Paige considers applying to college early so she can leave home, as being there makes her uncomfortable with memories of her brother's death.
Aerith searches for the vampire Contessa at nightclubs to get answers about her transformation. She becomes angry and leaves when a man stares at her. Meanwhile, Asher has returned home for his wedding to Melanie, which his father Andy is hastily planning for that evening without much input. Aerith anxiously paces, waiting for nightfall to come to attend Asher's wedding.
- Charrie has returned home to take her place as heir of the legacy house. However, she is pregnant after a drunken mistake at a party with Thai, who is now married.
- Bulba is also pregnant after spending time with her boyfriend Greg before the party. Both sisters' pregnancies were unexpected but will not impact their roles in the legacy.
- Anna works to support both her daughters during this difficult time, while also dealing with her own health issues from overexerting herself on the exercise bike. Bethany the cat is thriving in her new career.
Paige visits her parents for a break from university where she finds the social environment different than expected. During dinner, her parents encourage her to be more social and open to making new friends, bringing up an "unsavory character" who Paige insists is unsuitable. Meanwhile, Rose struggles to find employees for the nightclub she recently purchased, and her business partner Heath expresses concerns about mounting debts if they cannot turn business around.
This chapter provides updates on the Pokémon Legacy families. Anna gives birth to twin baby girls, Charmeleon and Charizard. The older daughters enjoy their first day of school. Cleve receives a promotion at work. Pony proposes new legacy rules involving Pokémon evolution sets and various handicaps. The chapter ends with Pony and Thai playing video games at the beach house.
Niccolo Moretti arrives late to a dinner party with a woman named Signorina Riverso, worrying Viola Buondelmonti who has designs on Niccolo. Throughout the evening, Viola charms Niccolo and dances with him frequently. The next day, Niccolo asks Beniamino for Viola's hand in marriage, having been swayed by her attention. Viola is overjoyed at the prospect of becoming Baronessa Viola Moretti. Years later, Niccolo's children Giacomo and Alessandra return home and are introduced to their new stepmother Viola, much to Giacomo's surprise.
The document describes a wedding between Heather Centowski and Cosimo Costa in Florence, Italy. After the ceremony, the wedding party processes through the streets to the Costa villa for a feast. Renee Moretti grows tired during the procession and returns home with her husband Niccolo. That evening, Renee goes into labor and gives birth to a daughter with the help of a midwife. Niccolo is notified of the birth upon returning home from teaching his son Giac at his academy.
The document summarizes a meeting between four Reapers - Oberon, Ilyena, Ruyven, and Owen - and their boss, Mr. Reaper. They discuss the status of a secret genetic experiment to create living Grim Reapers. Oberon reports success with his children Puck and Nichole showing Reaper abilities. However, he is concerned about forcing Puck to join against his will when he comes of age. Mr. Reaper insists they must ensure Puck cooperates with their plans.
Luke has his 13th birthday party but gets angry when his cousin Savannah laughs at his transition outfit. He tries to hit her but is stopped by her brother. Luke storms off saying he will go downtown without waiting for his cousins as promised. His father stops him and they have a talk about Luke's behavior. Downstairs, Savannah feels bad and asks her twin sister if she should apologize to Luke.
Laura Lynn is moving into the Greek house after living in a dorm. She tours the house with Jill and they discuss plans to renovate and expand the house to accommodate more students. They decide to add more bedrooms upstairs and expand the downstairs living areas. Laura Lynn and Jill are pleased with the completed renovations which added space and more color to the house.
Laura Lynn is moving into her sorority house after living in a dorm. Her friend Jill gives her a tour of the small house and they discuss plans to renovate and expand it to accommodate more students. They decide to add more bedrooms upstairs and expand the downstairs living areas. After the renovations are complete, Jill and Laura Lynn are pleased with the results. Later, Laura Lynn attends her little sister's birthday party and brings Jill along.
1) Anna is worried after a cryptic warning from Tara Kody about replacing what was lost and the Pokémon legacy.
2) Anna calls her friends Ani-Mei and Pony for advice but they cannot make it. Unexpectedly, Anna's ex Andrew shows up at her house.
3) Anna tells Andrew to leave, as she is now married to Cleve. However, Andrew does not seem willing to leave without a confrontation.
The twins Mel and Rizzi celebrate their birthday, aging into children. At the party, Rizzi takes an interest in Thai's glasses and offers to trade all her toys for them. However, Thai explains that without his glasses he wouldn't be able to see to get home. Meanwhile, Cleve worries about a random passerby who joined the party but doesn't have the heart to kick the old woman out.
This chapter summarizes the events of the Pokémon sisters' second semester of college. Bulbasaur establishes their house as an official Greek house and recruits Kendal to live with them as a pledge. They pass their finals again and celebrate with a toga party. Bulbasaur also proposes to her boyfriend Greg and asks him to move into the Greek house.
This chapter continues the story of Charrie and her family. Charrie's triplets Squirtle, Wartortle and Blastoise have their birthday party. Pony remains concerned about Rizzi and warns Charrie about the potential dangers of the witch Tara Kody. Squirtle enjoys her first day of school. Later, Pony hints to Charrie about the legacy's potential power but says they will discuss it more later.
Quinn acted heroically but accidentally caused the death of Zane's wife Tina. Bella Goth has returned to work with Lillian. Puck Summerdream, a reaper-elf hybrid, had his powers stripped and is now mortal. He has been sentenced to die of old age as punishment for refusing his role as a reaper.
This summary provides the key details from the multi-paragraph document in 3 sentences:
Hollie tells Thai that she is pregnant with their second child. Thai proposes marriage to Hollie, which she joyfully accepts. Meanwhile, Anna and her family prepare for the girls to start their first year of college while dealing with Tara Kody's continued unwanted presence and influence attempts in their home.
This summary provides context and key details from the document in 3 sentences:
The document begins by introducing that Charlie has given birth to her daughter Nadine earlier than expected. It then discusses Amar and Dom's concerns about being new fathers, which Gil reassures them about based on his own experiences. The chapter ends by discussing Gideon proposing to Tazama and Kate feeling lonely now that her children have moved out of the house.
Dawn receives a call that her father has passed away. She and her fiancé Gabe travel back to her hometown for the funeral. At the funeral reception, Dawn's ex Don shows up, causing a confrontation with Gabe and Dawn's brothers. Don refuses to accept that Dawn has moved on and threatens Gabe, though he eventually leaves. Dawn introduces Gabe to her family as her fiancé.
A Victorian Legacy - Chapter 16 All That Has Gone BeforeDi Meeeee
- The group visits the narrator early on a Sunday morning asking for a recap of the Victorian Legacy so far.
- The narrator reluctantly agrees and summarizes the origins of the Legacy, started by Gabriel William Legacy who built a small shack on land he purchased.
- Gabriel married Elise Brown and they had two children, George and Elizabeth. George went on to university and married Allyn, founding the next generation.
- Mel and her sisters are deciding which of them will become the heir to their family legacy. Bulba declines as she is taking her fiancé's last name per his family's tradition.
- Rizzi suggests Bulba should be the heir as the eldest sister, but Bulba refuses as she does not want children, a requirement for continuing the legacy.
- Mel had forgotten about the heir decision as she was focused on her exams, but discusses it with her fiancé Jimmy, deciding they want Mel to take his last name rather than become heir.
Desi has become the heir to the Legrand Legacy by default. She worries about how to fulfill this role. Bobby seems to like her without the influence of the voodoo doll, and they go on a fun day out together. Brielle accompanies a secret agent to headquarters below Rodney's Hideout. There, the agent fails to report successfully capturing a rogue vampire. Her boss scolds her for the failure while another woman in the room knows more about the situation.
Sydney wanders downtown late at night to clear her head after a fight with her family. She meets Taz, an old family friend of her parents, who was asked to check on her. Taz convinces Sydney to return home, telling her that her family understands her and will support her through hard times. The next morning, Sydney's father has an outburst at breakfast where he forbids the family from playing rock, paper, scissors, confusing everyone. Later, Paige considers applying to college early so she can leave home, as being there makes her uncomfortable with memories of her brother's death.
Aerith searches for the vampire Contessa at nightclubs to get answers about her transformation. She becomes angry and leaves when a man stares at her. Meanwhile, Asher has returned home for his wedding to Melanie, which his father Andy is hastily planning for that evening without much input. Aerith anxiously paces, waiting for nightfall to come to attend Asher's wedding.
- Charrie has returned home to take her place as heir of the legacy house. However, she is pregnant after a drunken mistake at a party with Thai, who is now married.
- Bulba is also pregnant after spending time with her boyfriend Greg before the party. Both sisters' pregnancies were unexpected but will not impact their roles in the legacy.
- Anna works to support both her daughters during this difficult time, while also dealing with her own health issues from overexerting herself on the exercise bike. Bethany the cat is thriving in her new career.
Paige visits her parents for a break from university where she finds the social environment different than expected. During dinner, her parents encourage her to be more social and open to making new friends, bringing up an "unsavory character" who Paige insists is unsuitable. Meanwhile, Rose struggles to find employees for the nightclub she recently purchased, and her business partner Heath expresses concerns about mounting debts if they cannot turn business around.
This chapter provides updates on the Pokémon Legacy families. Anna gives birth to twin baby girls, Charmeleon and Charizard. The older daughters enjoy their first day of school. Cleve receives a promotion at work. Pony proposes new legacy rules involving Pokémon evolution sets and various handicaps. The chapter ends with Pony and Thai playing video games at the beach house.
Niccolo Moretti arrives late to a dinner party with a woman named Signorina Riverso, worrying Viola Buondelmonti who has designs on Niccolo. Throughout the evening, Viola charms Niccolo and dances with him frequently. The next day, Niccolo asks Beniamino for Viola's hand in marriage, having been swayed by her attention. Viola is overjoyed at the prospect of becoming Baronessa Viola Moretti. Years later, Niccolo's children Giacomo and Alessandra return home and are introduced to their new stepmother Viola, much to Giacomo's surprise.
The document describes a wedding between Heather Centowski and Cosimo Costa in Florence, Italy. After the ceremony, the wedding party processes through the streets to the Costa villa for a feast. Renee Moretti grows tired during the procession and returns home with her husband Niccolo. That evening, Renee goes into labor and gives birth to a daughter with the help of a midwife. Niccolo is notified of the birth upon returning home from teaching his son Giac at his academy.
Bianca receives a letter from her friend Analisa updating her on life since escaping the abbey with her lover Marco. Analisa details that she and Marco traveled to Venice where they purchased a home, married in a small ceremony, and Analisa has since given birth to two sons - Erocle and Cosimo. Analisa expresses her wish that Bianca could have been at the wedding and shares sketches of her new home, hoping to reassure Bianca that helping Analisa escape was the right decision.
Giac, the young son of Niccolo Moretti, attends his mother Renee's funeral with his father and cousin Heather. Niccolo has been planning the elaborate funeral to honor Renee. Giac misses his mother and home, and asks his father when they can return home, but Niccolo is unsure, as he continues to grieve deeply over Renee's death. The story provides background on Niccolo and Giac's family and the funeral preparations.
Giulietta tells her children the story of Christmas, explaining how Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem because Mary and Joseph could not find room at the inns. She mentions they will celebrate Epiphany in 12 days to honor the Three Wise Men. Later, the family attends a grand feast at Isabetta's house to celebrate Epiphany, where gifts are exchanged and carols are sung. That night, Giulietta unexpectedly gives birth to a baby boy, who is christened Christoforo.
Caterina reads to Renee from Dante's Inferno to try and comfort her as she is dying from an infection. When Caterina looks up from the book, she sees that Renee has passed away. Overcome with sadness, Caterina drops the book and cries out "Oh, Madonna!" mourning the loss of her dear friend.
"The Raven" in Pleasantview (Halloween 2014)kgcowbelle
The narrator is disturbed by a tapping sound at his chamber door one night. When he opens the door, nothing is there. Later, a raven flies into his room and perches above the door, uttering the word "Nevermore" in response to the narrator's questions. The narrator becomes increasingly unsettled by the raven's ominous presence and its constant repetition of "Nevermore," which seems to symbolize his inability to forget his lost love Lenore.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmaskgcowbelle
The summary describes a Christmas morning where the Clarke children wake up excited to open presents with their parents, but are disappointed when their parents leave for a benefit. The three youngest children, Janice, Jennifer, and Benjamin, open their gifts in the parlor while Bernard watches detached. Despite their efforts to perform a song for their parents before they leave, their parents hurry out for the benefit. Mabel then takes the disappointed children upstairs to finish opening presents in the nursery without their parents.
Giacomo summons his stepmother Viola to discuss her living arrangements now that his father has passed away. He gives her two options - join a convent or find lodging elsewhere within three weeks, as she will no longer be allowed to stay in his home. Viola goes to her mother Margherita for help, but learns her brother Beniamino has also passed away, leaving Margherita in debt. Margherita cannot support Viola and sends her away. Viola returns home with her son Nico, where they learn Nico has inherited his uncle Beniamino's estate, making him a wealthy man.
Margherita visits her daughter Viola and discovers she is breastfeeding her infant daughter Renata, which Margherita disapproves of. Viola's husband Niccolo insists she breastfeed. Viola later reveals to her mother that she is pregnant again. When Viola goes into labor, her stepdaughter Alessandra helps with preparations. A healthy baby boy, Nico, is delivered. Viola is happy to have a son to secure her place in the family, while Alessandra must now help care for two children.
This summary provides the key details from the document in 3 sentences:
Giacomo reads to his young sister Alessandra in the nursery on her birthday and teaches her a French nursery rhyme, though she finds it difficult. Niccolo Moretti receives letters from his son Giacomo, who writes to him often from boarding school, as well as a letter from Heather. Niccolo's brother Giusseppe visits and encourages Niccolo to remarry and provide a mother for his children, which gives Niccolo something to think about.
Violet bakes a cake for her mother Sophia's birthday, as Sophia is aging into an elder and will lose her ability to hide her elf features. At the party, Sophia blows out the candles and her glamour fades, revealing her ears and exposing her family. Meanwhile, Rick hears mocking voices as he packs up his deceased parents' belongings and prepares to renovate their room.
Alessandra is startled by noises in the courtyard and sends her siblings inside for a snack. A man named Lucio emerges from the bushes, explaining he arrived early to give Alessandra a gift from her brother Giacomo before meeting with Alessandra's father. Lucio leaves to retrieve his horse. Later, Alessandra finds one of her father's students, Riccardo, crying and offers to tutor him privately in exchange for payment, as Riccardo struggles with Italian and Latin. Lucio continues to tease Alessandra about her secret lessons.
A Victorian Legacy - Chapter 9 A New BeginningDi Meeeee
Diane visits her friends Angela and Gin to catch up. They encourage her to visit the Legacy family and check on how they are coping after Henry's arrest. Diane is reluctant due to feeling guilty for not preventing Henry's actions. She works up the courage to visit and finds Allyn deeply distraught, spending much of her time crying alone in her room. William has returned from university to support his family during this difficult time.
The document is about the Moretti family in Florence. It describes Giulietta putting her daughters Maddalena and Lucrezia to bed, as the next day is Niccolo's birthday. The family gathers to celebrate with a cake. Later, Giulietta and Piero have a debate over Niccolo's education, with Giulietta wanting him to attend school and Piero wanting him to become his apprentice. Giulietta wins the debate during a game of chess. The document then provides updates on other family members and their relationships and lives over time.
Charming meets a woman named Tina who is interested in his legacy family. She warns him that strange magical things have been happening and to keep a close eye on his twin sons, Changeling and Griffin, as well as any women they bring home. Charming rushes home where he finds his father Ethan caring for the crying baby Changeling. The family celebrates the twins' birthday with their grandparents. Griffin is tired and goes to bed while Ethan begins teaching toddler skills to Changeling.
Clark helps Liberia fix her car and flirts with her. He asks her to prom and on a date, which she accepts. Later, Liberia and Latvia sneak out to meet their dates, Clark and Joss Fitzhugh, though Latvia is unhappy that she didn't have time to change clothes. Israel talks to his friend Ethan about missing his parents, who died when he was young.
The Penguino Legacy Ch. 24: Foundationspenguingirl
This passage describes several events in the lives of the Penguino family. Jeanie attends her cousins' birthday party despite not wanting to see her parents, but feels guilty about leaving her sister Gloria. Gloria hopes to plan a family dinner to reconcile her parents and sister. Vicky discovers she is pregnant with her first child, though is sad her parents cannot share in the joy of the news.
Niccolo returns home from university with plans to renovate his family's estate and restore their noble status. His father reluctantly agrees to fund the project. Niccolo has the family home demolished to make way for new construction. His mother updates him on the lives and families of his many cousins, who have all married and had children. The summary provides a high-level overview of Niccolo's plans and updates on his extended family members in 3 sentences.
A Victorian Legacy - Chapter 14.1 Back to NormalityDi Meeeee
This summary provides context and key details from the Victorian Legacy document in 3 sentences:
The document is a chapter in a story about the Legacy family set in Victorian England. It introduces William Legacy, who has just been released from prison, and focuses on his daughter Alexandra seeking permission to invite her boyfriend Joe to stay with the family. The chapter also includes scenes of the family attending a birthday party for William's sister and discussing Alexandra's request, which William ultimately agrees to after some hesitation.
A Victorian Legacy - Chapter 21.1 - Oh I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside.Di Meeeee
Marielle has been forced to move into a small run-down cottage after being thrown out by her husband Edward when he discovered her infidelity. Inside the cottage, she is haunted by memories of her deceased mother and their impoverished past. Meanwhile, Edward's son Bertie is reluctant to leave home for a trip to Simmouth with his grandmother, as he has never been away from his father before. The story provides backstory on the characters and sets up future plot developments around Marielle adjusting to her new circumstances and Bertie being away from home.
John is worried about his wife Lily who did not return home the night before. He questions his sons over breakfast and learns that Lily left with their neighbor Rick Contrary. John's instincts tell him something is wrong, as Lily always tells someone where she is going. He calls on friends Sophia and Violet to help search for Lily at Rick's house. Meanwhile, Lily is being held captive by Rick who reveals he has killed others due to past trauma and abuse. Lily stalls Rick to buy time for John to rescue her. John and the team develop a plan to force entry into Rick's house to find Lily and rescue Rachel.
Renee visits her sister-in-law Caterina to catch up on town gossip. Caterina shares that her daughter Heather, who is almost 18, has caught the eye of a wealthy Venetian merchant's son named Cosimo. Caterina expects Heather and Cosimo to be betrothed soon. Renee is surprised that one of her nieces is already of marriageable age but offers her congratulations regarding Heather's potential match.
A Victorian Legacy - Chapter 15.2 University HazeDi Meeeee
- Theodore Harrison has returned to the Legacy Society after his summer project arranged by his grandfather to stay with 7 ladies. He tells his cousin Edward about one lady in particular, DrSupremeNerd, that he is interested in taking to dinner.
- Victoria Legacy leaves her family home to begin attending finishing school at the Acadamie, where she will be reunited with her sisters and cousins.
- Joe Grundstrom visits Victoria's family home to ask her father for her hand in marriage, however he struggles to convincingly say that he loves Victoria when questioned, causing her father to have doubts about Joe's intentions.
The document is a chapter from a story. It describes several teenagers who have been forbidden from attending their prom due to safety concerns from the dangerous individual Drea. However, some of the teens try to sneak out to go anyway, including Spica and Teak. Spica manages to sneak out and makes it to the prom to meet up with her friend Quinn, who has just been named prom king.
A Corporate Conspiracy Chpt 1.5 Myths and LiesStephanie Sahr
Goopy Gilscarbo, the boss of a small subsidiary corporation, has been drinking heavily and missing work for a week. His executive assistant Heidi tries to get him to return to work as the owner of the larger corporation will be visiting that night for an inspection. Meanwhile, Stanley accidentally hit his daughter Melinda in the head with a vase the night before, thinking she was an intruder. His wife Cat sends him to see a doctor while she cares for Melinda and keeps the family separated from Stanley until they better understand his condition.
Chimerical Victorianism: Chapter 1.2 A Bit of Machinationiceskater7
Tilden, a fishmonger, is engaged to Viola after meeting her at his market. Viola visits Tilden daily after work. Madame Raganeau, wife of Viola's boss, suspects her husband of having an affair with Viola. She confronts Viola at Tilden's home, accusing her of the affair. Viola denies it, explaining she is happily engaged to Tilden. Madame Raganeau does not believe her and leaves, though the unpleasant encounter upsets Viola for the rest of the evening when she tells Tilden about it.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Pleasantviewkgcowbelle
The narrator is awakened on Christmas Eve by noises outside. Looking out the window, they see Santa Claus and his reindeer landing on the roof. Santa climbs down the chimney with his bag of toys. He fills the children's stockings and leaves. Before taking off in his sleigh, Santa wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.
As summer draws to a close in Tuscany, Serena does laundry outside under the shade of a tree while watching over her children and baby Giorgio. Donna Beatrice, Giorgio's mother, pays an unexpected visit to see her son. Serena's brother Stefano then arrives, having dislocated his shoulder in an accident. Serena and Stefano take him inside for treatment, leaving Beatrice alone with the children. She struggles to watch over them by herself.
This document provides a summary of what has happened with the Moretti family in the last 4 years and sets up the story to follow. Key details:
- Nico studied canon law at university while Giacomo married Beatrice. Renata and Ghita now live with Alessandra after their mother was sent to a convent.
- Alessandra is trying to arrange a match between her cousin Alberto and Renata. She is also having an affair with Lucio while her husband Carlo is away.
- Giacomo's mistress Kari recently had their son Albertino and is now pregnant with their second child. However, she refuses to flee the city with Albertino despite the rumors of plague
Meredith is a ballet instructor who also works as a web designer. She oversleeps and misses her morning class. Later, her brother Jiang unexpectedly shows up at her dance studio, though he is forbidden from being there. That evening, Meredith stays up late working on a design project. The next day, her dance studio manager has closed it for the day, forcing Meredith to audition for the local production of The Nutcracker. Though she is initially reluctant, Meredith auditions and later receives a call offering her a role in the production.
Hannah discovers that her brother Theobald has been lying to her and is not actually a witch. The townspeople have found Theobald guilty of witchcraft and plan to execute him. Hannah realizes that the people she thought Theobald had accidentally killed were actually killed by her own hands unknowingly. She tries to see Theobald one last time but he has already been taken away for execution. Cecily tells Hannah that there is no mercy for those accused of witchcraft.
The protagonist barely sleeps in the tower, thinking about her decision to go with Gustaf to his village. In the morning, Gustaf instructs her to wear many layers of clothing for the long, cold hike. They use her severed braid as a rope to climb down from the tower. Upon arriving in the village, Gustaf sneaks them through alleyways due to the presence of the Dame. He leaves the protagonist alone in an abandoned house while he checks his own home. She is frightened alone but Gustaf returns and takes her to meet his mother Klara, who warmly welcomes her.
The narrator lets a stranger into their tower after seeing him struggling through the snowstorm outside. The narrator had been warned about the dangers of outsiders by their mother but felt they couldn't leave the cold man outside. Upon entering, the stranger quickly warms himself by the fire while the narrator studies him, noticing he seems healthy and strong like a soldier, though he claims not to fight for anyone.
This summary provides context about Beverly Smart and her new husband Tony on the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor and in the following days:
Beverly and Tony had just gotten married and were settling into their new home on December 7th, 1941 when they heard a news bulletin interrupting the radio that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. Tony was called back to serve in the navy, leaving Beverly alone on their honeymoon. In a letter to Tony on December 22nd, Beverly expresses how lonely and afraid she feels without him but finds comfort in her new neighbor Ruth and her family who are also experiencing separation due to the war.
All i want for christmas are my two front teethkgcowbelle
The three kids - Julia, Maggie, and their cousin James - wake up in the middle of the night and hear bells upstairs. They sneak up to investigate and find "Santa Claus" by the Christmas tree. Santa talks to each child, reminding Julia to be nicer to Maggie about her missing teeth and telling Maggie her new teeth will come in time if she's patient. He says James has been good but could eat his vegetables more.
This document summarizes the narrator's life story, beginning with their sudden appearance in a village as a child and the rumors and intrigue that surrounded them. It then describes how the narrator was raised by Mother Gothel in an isolated tower, where they spent their time reading the only book, a Bible, and later many novels that Mother Gothel brought them. The narrator developed a love of reading and writing stories of their own. One day, the narrator spotted an injured man outside and lowered their long hair to help pull him into the tower, where they learned the truth about their life and Mother Gothel.
Giac presents his new wife Beatrice to the wedding guests gathered to celebrate their union. The party enjoys entertainment and dancing late into the night. As the festivities wind down, Giac and Beatrice retire while Lucio gives a toast wishing them happiness and many male children.
- Father Healy performs a last-minute marriage ceremony for Turner and Fanny at St. Lawrence Church after midnight on Christmas night. Turner had been bitter after returning from war but has realized he still loves Fanny.
- The impromptu wedding party consists only of Turner, Fanny, Alonzo, and Charlotte. Father Healy marries Turner and Fanny despite his initial reluctance.
- After the ceremony, the new Mr. and Mrs. Turner Moore depart in a sleigh for their honeymoon as Alonzo grins, having orchestrated Turner and Fanny reuniting after all these years.
Owen receives a letter from his fiancée Mary Bradley on Christmas Eve 1915 while stationed with the cavalry in France during World War I. The letter accepts his marriage proposal and looks forward to their return home. Owen is relieved and happily shares the news with his fellow soldiers, looking forward to dancing with Mary after the war.
A boy named James has dinner with his mother Angela and her boyfriend Rick. James acts out during dinner by throwing peas and not wanting to eat. Later, Rick tries to entertain James by showing him Angela's engagement ring, but James has a meltdown, saying he already has a daddy. When Angela returns to pick up James, Rick lies about what happened. Angela mentions that James' father canceled their Christmas plans. Rick offers to give James a gift from his father to make up for it.
The story is set in a saloon where Henry Leath plays piano and sings with the barmaid Kathleen. Their performance is interrupted when a drunk cowboy named Kit enters with his gun drawn. Kit accuses Kathleen of being a "soiled dove" and claims ownership of the saloon. A struggle ensues where Kit fatally stabs Henry. Kathleen tries to fight Kit off but he overpowers her. The story then takes a twist, revealing the events were part of a film production and not real.
The document describes a wedding celebration between Magdoline Elizabeth Seabrook and her new husband. It focuses on Magdoline and her sisters - Theodora, Eleanor, and Elvira (Ellie). The sisters bicker and argue about their dresses and appearances. Lieutenant Brian James Dawkins, their uncle, tries to keep the peace between the sisters at the celebration.
Cadence and Giovanni discuss holding a party for their daughter Isabetta to find her a husband. Isabetta overhears and is excited at the prospect of a normal social experience. However, she later overhears Antonio mocking the idea, saying no nobles would attend a party at her poor home. Upset, Isabetta devises a plan to get back at Antonio and prove the nobles wrong.
Giovanni and Cadence start a family in Florence. Cadence becomes pregnant with their first child after their wedding night. She gives birth to a daughter named Isabetta. Over the next few years, Cadence gives birth to two more children - a daughter named Bianca and a son named Piero. Isabetta discovers a magic lamp containing a genie and gets to make three wishes. While in town with her sister Bianca, Isabetta meets Antonio Costa, a wealthy businessman from a prominent banking family in Florence.
Giovanni, from a wealthy family, loses his inheritance and is left with an empty plot of land. He builds a small house on the land through hard work. His childhood friend Cadence, who is being pressured by her father to marry, visits Giovanni. They fall in love and Cadence accepts Giovanni's proposal of marriage, though he has little to offer. Cadence's father approves of the marriage due to Giovanni's family name and agrees to a dowry, and they plan a spring wedding.
2. This painting’s not too bad. Though it could stand to be replaced… Viola had busied herself taking inventory of her husband’s belongings for the past few days and the more she found, the more she was convinced the house was due for a renovation. At the very least, a good scrubbing and airing out. She had already made several plans to update the rooms with her personal touch once Niccolo received his title and lands and the family was rich once more. She had been shocked to discover the true state of the family funds when she moved in; they barely had enough money to keep the house running!
3. Her thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening. Viola turned to see Giacomo enter, carrying his schoolwork. She waved at her stepson and he forced a smile in return. Giac quickly marched past Viola, refusing to meet her eye. He behaved cordially towards her for the sake of appearances, but Viola knew he wasn’t happy to have someone replacing his mother.
4. “Giacomo, wait please. I wish to speak with you.” Viola followed him into the next room. Giac arranged his papers on the desk for as long as he could before turning to answer. “Yes, Viola?”
5. “What would you say if I told you that, in a few weeks, you will be able to live at your school? With other boys your own age!” Viola nodded encouragingly, hoping that he would leap at her offer. Instead, Giac frowned, “Father says we don’t have enough money for me to live at school.”
6. “I know that’s what he said, but I’m talking about now! You’re how old? Seven, eight? Plenty boys your age will be leaving home about now so you can make lots of friends!”
7. Giac rolled his eyes and brushed past Viola, speaking over his shoulder as he left. “Je suis onze ans. Et je ne veux pas vivre à l'école. Je me plais ici.” * Viola cringed upon hearing Giac speak to her in French. She had heard him talk to the little one in French a few times, but this was unacceptable. * French: I’m eleven. And I don’t want to live at school. I like it here.
8. Viola followed Giac all the way to the nursery and came in to see the boy singing a French rhyme with his sister. Frère Jacques, frère Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong. She stood by the door, watching them without so much as a clue to what the rhyme actually meant.
9. When he was finished, Giac looked up to see Viola glaring at him. “Quoi?” He raised his hands in an innocent fashion, though he was secretly pleased to be frustrating the woman he privately referred to as l’intrus*. * French: the intruder
10. “Giacomo, answer a question for me: Where do we live?” He looked up quizzically. What an odd question! “Italy.” “Exactly! And what is the language of Italy?” “Italian?”
11. “Good boy.” Viola stood straight and looked down her nose at Giac. “Your mother may have been French, but you live in Italy and are Italian. From now on, I expect to hear no more of that odious language coming from your mouth. From this day forth, I will hear only Italian spoken in this household. Is that clear?”
12. Throughout the conversation, Alessandra had sat there, blissfully unaware of the power struggle occurring above her. Giac watched her as she stood up and toddled around in search of something to play with as a plan formulated in his mind. “I said, is that clear?”
13. “Perfettamente chiaro, matrigna.” * Giac stalked from the room as Viola sighed and forced herself to relax, glad that she had one this round. * Italian: Perfectly clear, stepmother.
14. Later that evening, Giac entered his father’s study cautiously. “You sent for me, father?”
15. “Ah, my boy! I did, I did.” Niccolo replaced a scroll he had been studying back on the self and beckoned his son to enter. “Come, let’s sit on the seat. I want to talk to you.”
16. Giac took his spot next to his father and waited for him to start the conversation. “Viola passed on some discouraging news to me today, Giacomo. She said that you would not respect her wishes when she asked you to speak in Italian.”
17. Giac’s mouth opened in shock, “That’s not true! I haven’t spoken French to her all day!” “That may be so, but you spoke only French to Alessandra the entire afternoon. Is that not so?” “Well…”
18. Niccolo looked sternly at his son, “Giac?” “I suppose it’s true, but it was only to Alessandra! Viola said nothing about that!” “Now, Giac. Please try to be understanding towards your stepmother. She isn’t educated like you! How would you feel if I spoke nothing but Japanese? She only wants to understand what is being said.” Giac hung his head in response to the scolding.
19. “Come stand here.” Niccolo pulled Giac off the seat and positioned him eye-level. “Promise me that you’ll listen to Viola from now on.” “Yes, father. I promise.” Giac’s face was blank but his emotions were smoldering inside. It simply wasn’t fair! Giac bowed quickly to his father before dashing from the room, nearly in tears. _ _
20. “Mother, I wasn’t expecting you this morning!” Viola exclaimed and pulled Margherita into a hug. “I’ve come to check up on you.” Margherita answered and held her daughter at arm’s length to look her over. “You look pale. How are you feeling?” “Fine, fine. I suppose everything is going well.” “So things between you and the children are good?” “Well…”
21. “Come, sit down and tell me everything.” Margherita pushed her daughter towards the window. Once they were settled in, Margherita leaned forward, “Start with the boy: Giacomo.”
22. “To put it plainly, mother, he hates me. Half the time he ignores me completely, and the other half he is purposefully antagonizing.” “Well what about your behavior towards him? Have you been kind? Have you talked much? Found out his interests?”
23. Viola sighed, “Yes, I’ve tried to talk to him, but before his mother died, she taught him French and that’s what he usually speaks around the house.” “Just our luck; looks like it’s too late for the boy to be on our side. How about the little one? The girl.”
24. “She’s quite young still and I think she will be more welcoming towards me. She has no memory of her mother, though Giacomo isn’t helping the situation much. He insists on teaching her French.” “And what are you going to do about that?” Margherita snapped. “I’ve already got it taken care of. I’ve insisted that only Italian will be spoken and Niccolo backs me up one hundred percent.”
25. “Good, good. Though I think the best course of action would be to keep Giacomo from influencing his sister too much. Without him poisoning her opinion of you, it’ll be easy enough to assume the mother role in her life.” “I agree completely. As soon as we get some money, Giacomo is going straight to school. Permanently.”
26. “This whole situation does pose a problem, however. A rather large one you seem to be overlooking.”
27. Viola panicked for a moment but couldn’t think of anything she could be missing. “What are you talking about?” “Giacomo is set to inherit everything, Viola! When Niccolo is dead, you’ll be here only at the mercy of your ungrateful stepson! Did you ever even think what will become of you if he decides not to let you remain in his household?” Viola looked down sheepishly, “No, I hadn’t thought of that.”
28. “There is one solution, however. Are you pregnant yet?” “Mother!” “Answer my question. Are you? You’ve been married for a while now. Surely your husband has visited your chambers…”
29. Viola blushed and managed to squeak out her reply, “Yes. A few times.” “And? Any results?” “I don’t know…”
30. “What do you mean, ‘you don’t know’? A woman knows her own body, Viola.”
31. “I’m not sure. I-” Viola’s complexion paled suddenly. Her face became flushed and she stood. “I need the chamber pot.” She bolted out of the room, leaving Margherita staring questioningly after her daughter. Margherita stood as quickly as her stiff joints would allow and followed.
32. She came into the bedchamber to find Viola bent over her chamber pot, heaving her last meal into the porcelain container. She smiled smugly and waited for her to finish.
33. “Follow me.” Margherita turned quickly and went back out into the other room with Viola following on her heels.
34. “Sit down.” She commanded once they were back by the benches. Viola did as she was told.
35. “I am pleased to confirm your pregnancy, my dear.” Margherita said with a smile. “I have no doubt as to your condition, but I will send over a physician this afternoon to be absolutely sure.” “Are you serious, mother?” Viola asked nervously.
36. “Absolutely. You’ll need to go easy for the next several months; no strenuous activity and certain foods will have to be avoided. When I get back home this afternoon, I’ll have a list made up for you to follow. Oh, I’ll also copy down some recipes for you to follow to make sure it’s a boy.”
37. “Thank you mother, but why must I have a boy?” “Don’t be silly, Viola. It is imperative that your child is a boy. That way your future is secure; there is the possibility that he could inherit the estate someday and, even if he doesn’t, he will be able to care for an aging mother.”
38. Viola nodded in agreement to her mother’s instructions. “I should get going about now.” Margherita turned to leave. “I’ll send the physician over right away.”
39. “And the items you’re writing down for me?” “I’ll stop by again tomorrow.” Margherita answered and left with a wave. Viola remained sitting while her mother exited. She was looking forward to the physician’s arrival. _ _
40. It came! Niccolo gripped the letter firmly in his hand and eased himself into his desk chair.
41. He carefully turned the parchment over and over, admiring his name written on one side and the Medici seal stamped on the other. He broke the wax seal and read.
42.
43. He read through twice to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. By the second time, Niccolo understood perfectly.
44. They’ve denied me! He gripped the page angrily and resisted the urge to tear it to shreds. If they think they can just give away what’s rightfully mine, they’ve got another thing coming! Even if-
45. Before he could plan out his next course of action, he was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Curse that woman! She shows up at the most inopportune moments!
46. He stuffed the letter in a drawer and picked up a different packet of paper to scan while Viola came in. “What are you reading?” she asked, eyeing the pages suspiciously.
47. Niccolo glanced down to see what it was he had grabbed, “The latest avvisio, I guess.” “Is there anything interesting in it?” “No, not really,” he said quickly, trying to hide the fact that he had no idea what any of the articles talked about. He folded it up and tucked it away in the drawer as well. Viola watched him closely, “I heard you received a letter today.”
48. “That I did.” Niccolo stood and patted his wife’s stomach. “From whom?” “Don’t worry about it, dear. Just an old friend sending word of his nephew’s wedding.” “Oh,” was all Viola answered, not trusting her husband’s description of its contents. She looked over Niccolo’s shoulder to try to catch a glimpse of the letter, but all she saw was a drawer slightly ajar. Perhaps if he left…
49. “Isn’t it time for you to head off to school? Giac is waiting downstairs.” “I suppose you’re right,” he pulled himself up to his full height, unintentionally blocking her view. “You should take it easy today; maybe have your mother over for lunch in your rooms.” “That’s a wonderful idea.” She smiled sweetly and leaned in for a quick goodbye kiss. “Though I think she has plans. Perhaps I’ll invite Beniamino instead.”
50. From downstairs, Giacomo impatiently called for his father to hurry up. “Sure, sure. Invite whomever you like.” Niccolo hurried out of the room, not noticing that Viola made no move to follow.
51. She waited a few seconds until she heard his footsteps on the stairs before rushing to the desk and yanking the drawer open.
52. Immediately she set to rifling through the stacks of paper, searching for the letter that Niccolo had hidden from her. She found it lying underneath the avvisio and pulled it out. Turning it over, she saw the Medici seal and gasped. So he was lying! Beniamino will certainly be interested in reading this…
53. “Viola? I’m here for lunch!” Beniamino announced himself when his sister didn’t immediately appear to greet him.
54. “Oh, Beniamino, I’m so glad you could make it!” Viola ran out of her bedchamber to hug her brother.
55. “So what are you serving this afternoon? I’m starving!” he looked around eagerly for food, but didn’t see any. “Lunch isn’t important, Beniamino! See what I have here,” she pulled the letter from her pocket, “it came this morning for Niccolo.”
56. He snatched it away from her and opened it, “How did you get it?” “I took it.” Beniamino smiled approvingly and held his hand up for silence while he read. Viola watched as his eyes scanned the page and his expression grew angrier with each line.
57. When he finished, he thrust the page back to Viola, “This is ludicrous!” Viola carefully folded it back up and tucked it back into her pocket, “So it’s bad news?” “Didn’t you read it?” Beniamino asked irritably. “Well, yes, but I didn’t understand it. It seemed to me just local gossip.”
58. “Stupid girl, read between the lines! Guiliano De’Medici praised Niccolo’s teaching abilities and wished him “much success in his studies”. What does that say to you?” “That he thinks highly of my husband?”
59. Beniamino erupted with rage “Of course not! It’s his way of making sure that idiot husband of yours knows his place! He’s saying that Niccolo will never amount to anything more than a teacher; he has no hope of getting his title back!” Viola shrunk back from her brother’s angry gesticulations and spoke timidly “And the second part? Why does he talk about the wedding?”
60. “The Careggi Villa that the couple received as a gift was the Villa in question. It was taken from the Moretti family many years ago by the Medici as payment for large debts they were owed. It seems they took a liking to it and couldn’t stand to relinquish it. Everyone knows that what Il Magnifico wants, Il Magnifico gets.” Viola bowed her head in disappointment. “So that means no title? I won’t be una Baronessa?” “Of course not! Don’t be foolish; you’ll never be a baroness now!”
61. “But, but…” Viola floundered for words to describe the acute disappointment she felt. “There has to be a way to remedy this! I cannot remain the wife of a lowly schoolmaster for the rest of my life!” “And what do you suggest I do? I’m a merchant, Viola. Not a miracle worker! It looks like you’re stuck, honey.” “Wasn’t his getting a title a term of my marriage contract? Can we get out of it? Is a divorce possible?”
62. Beniamino looked down at Viola’s waist and smirked, “Not a chance now that you’re pregnant. I didn’t write anything in the contract about his title because his promotion seemed so imminent! As for a divorce, there’s no way our family could survive a scandal.” “So you’re saying I’m just stuck here? Wasting away as the wife of a nobody? I tell you I cannot manage it!” Viola stamped her foot crossly. “Stop it, Viola. You’re behaving like a spoiled child. You pressed for this marriage, now you must bear your fate. It’s God’s will!”
63. “You pressed for the marriage as much as I, Beniamino! You cannot abandon me here!” “There’s nothing I can do! I cannot advocate for Niccolo as I was not supposed to know about it in the first place!” Beniamino held his hands up and backed towards the door. “Don’t leave me!” Viola cried and began to tear up. With a last sympathetic look, Beniamino exited into the hall, “I’ll see what I can do, but don’t hold your breath.”
64. Viola slammed the door behind him, collapsed onto her bench, and let the tears fall. With Beniamino gone, she saw the hopelessness of her situation and could think of nothing to do but bawl. At least no one else was home to hear her.
65. “Good afternoon, Viola. How was your day?” Niccolo asked with forced cheer that afternoon once he had returned. He had spent the majority of his day debating with various lawyers and officials but had made no process on trying to argue his claim to the Villa. He was in a terrible mood, but tried to hide it from his wife and son.
66. “Don’t sound so agreeable, Niccolo. We have to talk.” Viola snapped at him as soon as he entered.
67. “Don’t take that tone with me, Viola. You don’t have to be so quick-tempered; what’s wrong?” “What’s wrong?! You tell me! I found that letter you hid from me this morning; you lied to me! It wasn’t just a friendly note! I know that you weren’t able to get your Villa back.”
68. “You went through my correspondence? How dare you, Viola! You have no right to involve yourself in something that is none of your business!” Niccolo unleashed all of his pent-up anger onto Viola. “None of my business, Niccolo? I am your wife and part of this family. What affects you affects me as well!” “You may be my wife, but I am the head of the family. As such, I am in charge of all the business and you are to stick to your wifely duties. Understand?”
69. “No, you understand me: the only reason my brother orchestrated our marriage was because he heard through a very reliable source that you were going to receive the title of Barrone. If you thought I actually liked you, you were wrong and now that the deal fell through, I know not what he will do.” Viola knew Beniamino wouldn’t intervene on her behalf, but Niccolo didn’t and she relished making him feel like he had been played.
70. “Now see here, woman. Who do you think leaked that oh-so-important information? I did! I was just as sure as you were that I would get it. It looks like we were both played.” With that, Viola’s entire argument fell away and she couldn’t find the proper words to respond with. “Well…I…You…you should not have lied to me!”
71. “I don’t care! From this day on, you are never to involve yourself in my affairs again and you will do well to remember that you are my wife now and part of my family. You owe your allegiance to me now, not your brother. Capisci?
72. “Yes I understand.” Thoroughly admonished, Viola hastened from the room in tears. Niccolo silently bade her good riddance and took up a knife to begin angrily carving a slice of turkey.
74. “What are you doing?” Alessandra asked Giac curiously when she came upon him scribbling away in a notebook.
75. When he saw his sister, he closed the cover and turned to answer, “I was doing sums. You know: arithmetic.” Alessandra looked longingly at the pages on the table, “I wish I knew how to do arithmetic.” Giac smiled slyly answered in a voice dripping with sarcasm. “You know the rules of l’intrus, Alessandra. She’s forbidden you to be educated.”
76. “I know that, mon frère*, but we both know that’s never stopped us before.” She looked up at him with pleading eyes, “Please teach me? Viola never has to know.” Giac pretended to consider her request for a few moments though they both already knew that his answer would be yes. He loved going behind his stepmother’s back and teaching Alessandra everything he could. Defiance was the only way he could endure her presence. “Just let me finish my exercises and I’ll meet you in your chambers in ten minutes.”
77. Alessandra gave a gleeful yelp and dashed off to smuggle a fresh pot of ink out of her father’s office. She had used up her last pot two nights ago while she was practicing her Latin.
78. “Do you still have paper left to practice on? And what about ink? Do you have any left?” It was already dark outside when Alessandra and Giac got around to holding their lesson. A very pregnant Viola had kept Alessandra running errands for her all afternoon and it wasn’t until she retired for the evening that they were able to meet.
79. Alessandra turned and began to sift through her trunk in search of her supplies. “I keep them in here, in the very bottom. I’ve got some paper left and my ink supply is doing well. I just acquired a new pot this afternoon.”
80. “Good, good. Get them out and we will start.” Giac busied himself lighting the candelabra on her sideboard.
81. When she was situated in the center of her room, pen poised above paper, Giac stood up and began to introduce her to the world of numbers. As usual, he chose to teach in French. In some sort of a silent agreement, the pair fell naturally into speaking their mother’s native language whenever they were alone. As often as they could, they met in secret to hold lessons. They both knew the trouble they would face if they were caught, but Alessandra couldn’t get enough of French, English, Latin, Greek, rhetoric, and now arithmetic.
82. Giac often teased her that she was becoming a genuine Humanist, but she didn’t care. She loved every minute of it.
83. Though she had retired early, Viola was woken back up several hours later with her first labor pangs. Clambering out of bed as quickly as she could, she shouted for her maid stationed in the next room to come to her attendance. Tonight’s the night. Finally!
84. Late the next morning the maid came into Alessandra’s room to wake her. Having spent half the night awake and studying, Alessandra was reluctant to get up.
86. “A surprise?” That got her attention. “What kind of surprise?” She pushed back the blankets and swung her legs over the side of her mattress.
87. The maid held out her hands and pulled her out of bed. “Get dressed and come see. It’s a good one, so hurry!”
88. Alessandra set about to dressing as quickly as she could and, five minutes later, she was walking excitedly down the hall. When she got just outside the door, she heard a baby cry from within and she knew exactly what the surprise was.
89. “Come see the newest addition to your family, Alessandra!” the maid was standing at the foot of Viola’s bed, holding the newborn and beckoning for her to come look.
90. “How cute you are! But are you a brother or a sister?” she cooed and asked the infant in a silly tone.
91. “A sister.” Viola answered somewhat bitterly from her position on the bed. She had been assured repeatedly the past hour that she should be thankful for such a healthy baby, but she couldn’t help but feel disappointed that it hadn’t been a boy. Her mother certainly hadn’t been pleased either and was now tidying up in the other room in a vain attempt to calm her nerves.
92. “I like her,” Alessandra decided. “What’s her name?” “Well, little girl, the final decision is up to your father, but your mother here is leaning towards ‘Renata’.” Margherita came into the room and jumped straight into the conversation.
93. “She’s not my mother.” Alessandra answered grumpily. “She’s my stepmother.” “Don’t be ungrateful, girl. She may as well be your mother. She’s devoted her life to raising you properly.” Margherita reprimanded her sternly, causing the baby to start to cry. “See what you’ve done, girl? The baby hears your unappreciative attitude and doesn’t like it. You make her cry.” Alessandra turned away from Margherita, afraid to talk back. The woman was nothing short of daunting and she was terrified of being yelled at by her.
94. Viola sighed and pushed herself off the bed. “Give her to me; she’s hungry, I’ll wager.” Alessandra shied away from Margherita and offered an arm to Viola.
95. “Do you want help?” “No thank you.” Viola recoiled at her offer and brushed past to take the baby. She had her own daughter now whom she could focus on raising properly. Not like the ungrateful Alessandra who seemed to have it in for her. “Why don’t you run off and play or something.”
96. Alessandra shrugged and left the room, happy to get away from Margherita. Viola rocked Renata back and forth a few times, hoping to get her to fall back asleep. Luckily she did and Viola escaped having to feed her. Breastfeeding was a degrading business and as soon as Niccolo got back from teaching that afternoon she would insist they hire a wet-nurse. So far he had insisted his child remain at home, but Viola wanted to try to persuade him one last time.
97. “You should be stricter with that one, I’m telling you.” Margherita advised her daughter once Alessandra was out of earshot. “I do try, mother, but she just doesn’t like me. She’s not as bad as her brother, though. Everything he does is to antagonize me. And I’ve given up going to Niccolo for help; he is never on my side anymore.”
98. “Well I’m afraid that’s your fault, my dear. You should try harder to please him.” “I do try! Believe me, I do! But since that day with the letter, things haven’t been the same.” Margherita snorted, “That’s your fault as well, dear. You should have never gotten involved; leave the business to the men, I always say.”
99. Yeah, right. Just like you ‘left it to the men’ when you schemed to arrange our marriage?” “Don’t start with me, girl!” Margherita raised her voice, waking up the baby again. Viola looked in despair at her daughter, “And I suppose it’s my fault she’s a girl?”
100. “Of course it is! You didn’t take all of the tonics I sent over to ensure her gender. Next time you need to listen better!” Viola sighed and muttered “Yes mother”. She bent to pick up the baby, regretting her ignorance and resolving to follow her mother’s instructions perfectly next time.
101. Alessandra spent the rest of the night wandering around the house alone. The wails of the baby interrupted the usual tranquility of the house during the day and she wasn’t able to work on her arithmetic.
102. So she wandered aimlessly, entertaining herself the best she could. It was strange to have a baby in the house. Renata was a little foreigner residing upstairs, distracting Viola and ensuring the presence of Margherita who, at times, bustled around the house giving instructions as if she ran the household.
103. When Giac came home late that night, Alessandra’s spirits lifted and she ran out to greet him.
104. “Giac! You’ll never believe what happened today!” “What?” “Mother had her baby!”
105. Giac’s attention snapped to the doorway, from which he could hear the distant cries of an infant floating out. He was so shocked at the news that he missed Alessandra calling Viola ‘mother’.
106. He dashed past Alessandra and took the stairs two at a time.
107. “Viola? I just heard the news!” Giac entered her chambers and was greeted with an exhausted Viola trying to quiet down a squealing baby.
108. “Ah, Giacomo! Yes, come see your sister!” Viola spoke with relief that someone else had arrived. Margherita had left an hour ago and everything had gone downhill since. No matter what she did, Renata would not go to sleep! “She looks like father.” Giac answered blatantly. He made funny faces at the baby until she stopped making noise.
109. “Oh good, she likes you! Here, take her.” Viola shoved the baby into Giac’s arms and went straight to her mirror. Giac scowled at his stepmother’s back but rocked the baby anyway.
110. “I look frightful!” Viola lamented her appearance in the mirror while Giac tucked his half sister into her cradle. “As soon as I get a nurse hired for the baby I can relax a little. A good bath and a nice supper will be in order.”
111. Giac rolled his eyes and ignored his stepmother, turning instead to tuck a blanket tightly around Renata and tell her “Bonne nuit, bébé. Dormez bien!” * * Goodnight baby. Sleep well!
112. Hearing the French, Viola whirled around and shouted desperately, “Giacomo Moretti! If I have told you once I have told you a thousand times: there shall be absolutely none of that revolting language in this house! Especially not around my daughter!” Giac made a flippant gesture and turned to leave, “N’importe quoi!” * * Whatever.
113. “Giacomo, do not walk away from me! I am your stepmother; you must show me respect!” Viola shouted, though her efforts were futile. He kept walking, leaving Viola to vent her frustration to an empty room.
114. “Why must you be so irritating?” She shouted and stamped her foot, but Giac didn’t respond; by now he was long gone. At the end of her rope, Viola threw her hands up in surrender. God grant me the strength to handle this; I cannot go on much longer. Something has to change!
115. Alessandra had been waiting patiently at the bottom of the stairs for her brother to come back down. When he finally appeared from around the corner, she was relieved to see that he wasn’t scowling despite the shouting she had heard.
116. When he came down and stood next to her, she saw that his expression was much graver than she had originally thought. “Come with me; we need to talk.” Without saying a word, she followed her brother into the living room.
117. Giac took a seat on the bench in front of a cold fireplace and beckoned Alessandra to join him. She did and shrank back under her brother’s critical look. “When I got home a little bit ago, you called Viola ‘mother’. Why, Alessandra?”
118. Alessandra frowned but answered truthfully, “Margherita made me call her that. She was here all day, correcting my every move and constantly telling me that I should be grateful for ‘the sacrifices her daughter is making to raise me’. I just got so sick of her that I finally gave in.”
119. “Ah,” was all Giac could think of to say. He certainly felt sorry for Alessandra being stuck here all day with that hateful woman parading around the house as if she owned it! Alessandra squirmed around a bit on the bench. “Perhaps she’s right though; Viola has been kind enough and acted as a mother towards me. I should be grateful.”
120. “Never say such a thing, Alessandra! Our mother was kind, and beautiful, and smart, and fun! Much more than Viola will ever be.” “But you are lucky, Giac. You got to know her before she died. I haven’t even the faintest idea what she looked like, let alone how she acted! Father never talks about her.”
121. “You want to know what she looked like? Just look in the mirror! You have the same blonde hair and I bet you will grow up to be just like her some day.” “Is that a good thing?” “Of course it is, silly!” Giac pulled his sister close and hugged her.
122. “Tell me something about her?” “Alright. Well, she’s the one who taught me French, which I have passed on to you. She also loved to paint. She would paint all the time, sometimes angering father when he wanted her to take it easy.”
124. “It’s true! Come with me.” Giac stood up and crossed the room quickly, stopping in front of a painting that had been hanging on the wall for years.
125. “Did she paint this?” Alessandra asked, looking up quizzically. She must have walked past it a thousand times but never truly considered who the artist had been.
126. “Yes, she did. Before you were born, there had been another little girl. She died when she was only a few hours old, but mother painted this to honor her memory.”
127. “Oh. Nobody ever told me.” Alessandra admitted sadly. There were so many things she had been missing!
128. “There a couple more hanging upstairs.” Giac took Alessandra’s hand and pulled her upstairs to their father’s chamber door. Standing in the hallway, he knocked a couple of times and, when there came no answer from within, he entered.
129. Alessandra followed behind timidly; she had never been in her father’s chambers before. On the wall opposite his bed she saw two portraits hanging side by side. “It’s you and father!” she exclaimed, recognizing the subjects immediately.
130. “Yes it is! I still remember sitting for that portrait so many years ago. I was about your age and it was right around the time you were born. In fact, it’s the last thing she painted.” “She was quite talented, Giac. I only wish she could have painted me before she died.”
131. “Don’t be sad! She is watching over us from her seat in heaven, guarding and guiding us. Someday you shall see her, but until then we must make her proud with what we do. Can you do that?” “Oui, je peux. * And I shall call Viola ‘stepmother’ from now on.” * French: Yes, I can.
132. “Good!” Giac leaned down for a hug and whispered in her ear, “Now, let’s go work on your arithmetic some more!” Alessandra agreed and happily the pair left for her room.
133. Niccolo crept quietly into his wife’s room, careful not to make a noise. It was quite late, later than he had anticipated being home, but he had taken on several more pupils to bring in some extra coin. He had had no luck in arguing his claim to the Villa and his next plan of action was to try to earn enough money to buy it back. So far he still had a long way to go.
134. He had received a message around noon informing him of the birth of a daughter. He crept across the floorboards, overjoyed to finally be able to see her. She was sleeping peacefully in her cradle, swaddled and healthy-looking. He bent down and gently caressed her head, thinking of how long since a baby had last been in the house. Watching her steady breathing made him realize what a delight it was to have a new child around. This time around, he promised silently, I won’t miss watching you grow up.
135. “Niccolo?” Viola cracked one eye open and saw him leaning over the crib. “Ssh, go back to sleep, Viola. I just came in to see the baby.” Niccolo tried to coax her back into bed, but she refused to listen and got up.
136. “She’s beautiful, no?” “Very!” he kissed her quickly on the lips. “What shall we name her?”
137. “Well, I would very much like to name her Renata.” Viola held her breath, hoping he would agree. “Renata?”
138. “Yes, it’s the Italian form of ‘Renee’ in honor of your late wife.” Niccolo couldn’t help but smile at her offer. “I would like that very much.” “Renata it is, then!” Viola matched his smile with one of her own, glad that he had accepted the name. She had meant it as a sort of peace offering between them and she hoped he took it that way. “Before you go to bed, though, I’d like to ask again about hiring a wet-nurse for Renata.”
139. “Now, Viola, I’ve already made my decision about that! I don’t want her out of the house. You know I missed many years with Giac and Alessandra; I don’t want to make the same mistake again.” “But Nic, it’s not seemly for a lady to breastfeed her own child! If I do I shall surely be a laughingstock amongst my friends!”
140. “Then it’s a good thing you’re not a lady! You’re the wife of a professor. Get used to it!” Niccolo stomped angrily from the room, not willing to listen to her persistent whining a minute longer.
141. With nothing else to do, Viola resigned herself to her fate and went back to bed. It seemed Niccolo would never listen to her, no matter how she tried to cajole him, and she couldn’t help but thinking that their marriage had been a mistake.