Authors note: I have deleted some characters from the original Corleone Family. To give a proper overview, here is the list of my Corleone family: Vito Corleone, Tom Hagen, Nicolas "Nick" Corleone, Sonny Corleone, Patrick Jones (adopted son replacing the role of Michael), Connie, Valentino Corleone (cousin), Ricardo Corleone(second cousin), Camela, Johnny Fontain, Anonymous narrator and many more that will be described.
Christmas was just around the corner when it happened. I recall the day most vividly. It was just a few days after I had witnessed the meeting in the Café. I was again enjoying a warm beverage, however this time by a warm fireplace and most importantly- with company.
At that point, I had known the Corleone family for a year, to an extent I had become part of them. I played a big enough part in their lives to be invited for Christmas. It made me feel a little bit like the famous detective 'Hercule Poirot'- he always got a free pass to the households of the elite for no apparent reason. He knew a lot of people, which turns out to be rather useful when one is in the business.
The holidays were being celebrated in the family villa located in North Italy. It was large for a very large family. The whole mansion consisted of three floor and uncountable rooms and chambers including a dancing hall on the groud floor and a large garden. No better complex for Christmas celebration. We were sitting in the cosy living room sipping on tea.
" How is Johnny doing?" a question asked by Connie. The daughter of Vito Corleone. Her question was targeted at Tom Hagen, who had recently dined with Johnny Fontaine- the beloved godson of Vito Corleone. A popular figure amongst the family and amongst thousands. His voice had won him the hearts and minds of countless worshipers ready to fall at his feet.
"He's doing fine. Got out a new single. He is doing very well alone. I suppose it was a good thing that we had arranged a meeting with the band leader." Tom Hagen was the adopted son of Vito Corleone. Sonny had found him at the age of eleven alone on the street. Although he had never been legally adopted, he was the part of the family. The calmness of his voice had always helped tense situations and his indifference in usual conversation made him a plausible companion. A certain indescribable admiration that I had for him had always took me aback.
"Ha. Never was a big fan of Johnny Fontaine. " this remark came from Sonny. Santino was known for his aggression. He always had an opinion and did whatever he could to get his way through. Although his explosive nature contrasted vividly with Tom's tranquility, those two got on well. Tom had always idiolized him. Maybe it was connected with his gratitude for Sonny's past actions.
"I think he is a nice young man." this time, Fontaine had gained the praise of Camela Corleone. The dutiful and trustworthy wife of Vito Corleone. For the women of her size, she was very shy and kept quite most of the time, dropping random comments in conversations just to be a part of them.
"He's got a great voice" So far one of my only contributions to the conversation.
"Not as great as mine!" the last word was song in a high pitched voice coming from right next to me. Nick Corleone was the second son of Vito and Camela. His reputation as a joker would have earned him almost no respect in such a company of differing personalities, if it would not have been for his unusual talent for singing. Nick could sing a whole opera by himself, including the female voices. He was always right on pitch, never a note off. It was his hobby that he performed mostly at night when everyone was fast asleep. His great and yet remarkable sense of humour had always made my day a lot better.
"Nick you sing like a girl!" a teasing shout came from the back of the room. Patrick Jones entered the room with a broad smile and a gentle slam of the door.
"That's exactly the point my dear brother!" was the reply. Patrick was the adopted son of Vito Corleone. He was the youngest of the whole family. Some, including Sonny considered him a black sheep. He was originally Irish, and spent his schooldays in a Scottish boarding school, where he was sent by his new Italian father to live up to his origins. When Patrick was not much older than three, he was the only survivor of a bomb attack in Glasgow, where he lost both his parents. Don Corleone had took him in his care since the bomb was planted by the Rossi family in an attempt to murder Corleone and his companions. Corleone was not affected since his bodyguards knew about the bomb and had made sure he was somewhere else at the time. When he found out what happened he felt guilty and sorry for the only surviving orphan. Since then, Patrick was his favourite son, envied by the rest of the family. Except Nick, who became his best friend and trusted companion through childhood.
Nick and Patrick jumped into each others arms in a brotherly manner. Like friends who hadn't seen each other in months. Before the newcomer even had time to greet any of us, the doorbell rang.