Faith - Part 1 - The Family Auditore

by tavingtonsbeauty

Esperanza was born to Rodrigo Borgia, but was always treated as a second class citizen by her family. When she runs away she is chaotically thrown into a war she does not know or understand and she is the bridge between the two worlds. Even as her family looks for her another has taken her in and she lives at peace. For now. That will, however, change. Not slash.

10. The Auditore Brothers – late fall 1476

The Family Auditore – Chapter 10 – The Auditore Brothers – late fall 1476

It was a month after her initiation ceremony and Isabelle had grown ever closer to her family.

Isabelle's belly was growing larger and Petruccio was growing stronger.

It was a good time for the Auditore family.

Petruccio could be out of his bed for two hours or three if he had rested. He would color in the parlor under the watchful eye of his mother and nursemaid. He would also play with his carved toys his father had brought for him. Something had not managed to do until recently.

Isabelle for her part had climbed into the tree in the courtyard. She had an apple and some cheese with her and was snacking as she read.

"Hello, Sis." Came Ezio's voice.

She looked down. His face was level with her hips as she reclined there. She smiled as he looked up at her. "Hello, Ezio."

"I am going to go have a little fun."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Vieri was to settle a score. On my honor I have to answer."

"Need me to go?" She asked shutting her book. "You know for moral support?"

He laughed. "I do not want you to be harmed." He reached up and patted her ever expanding belly. "You have much at stake in your delicate condition Belle. Stay and relax. I will return."

She nodded and watched him go. "Be safe, my brother." She whispered.

ZzZ

Federico arrived sometime later and found her nearly asleep in the warm cool spot in the shade. Her sash hung down from where she had it belted high like a girdle above the swell of her abdomen. He gently lifted her from her spot and set her on the ground. "Hello, my sweet."

"Federico." She said, taking his kiss.

"Something trouble you?" He say her face as her hand went to her belly.

"No. Just feeling the butterfly." She said with a smile.

He looked at her tenderly. "You can feel it? It has quickened?"

She nodded.

He gave a cry of joy and kissed her. He chuckled. "That is wonderful news. We must tell Papa and Momma." He took her hand.

"Federico…wait." She said trying to get him to let go.

He did just before the door to the inside and turned to face her. "What is it?"

"It's Ezio. He has gone to see Vieri de' Pazzi."

"And you are afraid our young pup may get hurt."

"Yes."

He chuckled. "All right. Go inside and rest. We will tell them when I get back."

"Promise?"

"Promise." He said pressing a kiss to her before he turned on his heel to go find his brother who was likely stirring up trouble. God help him if he got himself arrested by the guards of the town. Giovanni would not be pleased.

ZzZ

A group had gathered at the Ponte Vecchio. The old bridge crossed the Arno at its narrowest point and was supposedly built by the Romans nearly three hundred years before. The two previous incarnations of the bridge were swept away in floods before the present structure was built in 1345. A tower was built at the southeast corner to defend it from attack. The bridge consisted of three segmental arches. It has always had shops lining the central passageway and the open central part that was arched to look out over the Arno.

It was here where Ezio and his friends were facing off against his rival Vieri de' Pazzi. Ezio had a claim to seek vengeance for Vieri trying to rape the love of his life and his beloved sister-in-law. He had nearly succeeded with Isabelle and had he done so Ezio would have killed him. Assuming Federico did not get to him first.

The pair already had a strong rivalry due to Giovanni being the lead witness in a case against Vieri's father for murder of several people. It was rumored he was also linked to the death of the Duke of Milano who was a friend of Lorenzo De' Medici and one time rival.

Ezio stood at one side of the arches with his group. He looked backward and saw Vieri had about an equal number of people with him. Today Ezio would make him pay.

Ezio walked before his group. "Insieme per la vittoria!" He said lifting his arm.

The group raised their arms in unison. "Insieme!"

Ezio smiled and spread his hands. "Silenzio, my friends, silenzio."

Cheers and shouts were heard from his side in his support.

Ezio smiled more. "Grazie." When he had their attention he spoke. "Do you know what brings us here tonight? Honor. Vieri de' Pazzi slanders my family's name and forces his own miseries upon us. If we–" A stone landed near Ezio's foot.

Vieri who stood only thirty feet away could hear it all and had had enough. "Enough of your nonsense, grullo!"

Ezio turned and grinned. "Buona sera Vieri! We were just talking about you! I'm surprised to see you here. I thought the Pazzi hired others to do their dirty work?"

Vieri's fists were at his sides. "It's your family that cries for guards when there is trouble, codardo! Afraid to handle things yourself?"

Ezio laughed. "Your sister seemed quite satisfied with the handling I gave her earlier!" He shot back. It was true. He had seduced her and the poor little Viola de' Pazzi had almost been in the alley with her skirts up to her hips. However, Ezio settled for kissing her senseless. She staggered away a pleased smile on her face. How close she had been to ruin. Ezio was not about to compromise her as Vieri had tried to with both Christina and Isabelle. It was not fair to the girl to bear the brunt of her brother's sins. Especially when she doubtless knew very little about them.

Vieri lifted a stone and threw it at Ezio who turned back just in time to have it deeply cut his face along his lip. Vieri had aimed for the back of his head in the hopes of knocking him out, but as Ezio lifted his head, his golden eyes angry, Vieri looked at his men. "Uccidetelo!" He cried.

Ezio brawled for a while. He had taken down two men already and was holding a third.

Federico came on scene and assessed the damage. Ezio looked like hell with blood running down his chin from the deep cut, but he was still fighting. He moved behind Ezio and smiled. "Eh, behind you."

Ezio blinked and turned. "Federico! What are you doing here?" He asked.

Federico was not about to tell him that his wife sent him to watch Ezio's back. Not that he would not do it anyway, but still. He moved out of the way of a man who charged him and sent him to the ground.

Federico chuckled. "I've come to see if baby brother has finally learned how to fight."

Ezio head-butted the man in his hands which knocked him out. The man fell to the ground as Ezio tossed him aside. "...And?" He asked.

Federico laughed again. "You have style! But endurance is what counts. Let's see how many of them you can ruin before they get the best of you." He nodded to the others.

They took down three more between them before Vieri realized he was losing and badly. "Fall back! Fall back!" He cried.

Ezio moved to follow, but his elder brother moved in front of him.

"Hold on." He said lying a hand on his chest.

Ezio looked up crossly. "What?! We've almost won this!"

Federico regarded him. "Your lip." He said. "Isabelle will never forgive you coming home looking like that."

Ezio shrugged. It hurt like hell, but he touched it. "Just a scratch."

Federico was insistent. "Let the doctor decide."

Ezio sighed. "That's not necessary; besides, I've no money for this doctor of yours."

Federico chuckled. "Wasted it on women and wine, huh?"

Ezio grinned a little. "I would hardly call it wasted. Lend me some florins then, or have you done the same?" He arched an eyebrow.

Both brothers laughed, and then Federico pointed to Vieri's knocked out goons. "Search them. There's bound to be something in their pockets." He folded his arms. "Also remember I have a wife and coming child I have to think on."

Ezio dropped to the first unconscious body. "Thinking to get a job again to help with that."

"Ouch. Yes I am working on it. It is all this responsibility. I have no idea how Papa manages it." He said folding his arms.

"You sound terrified." Ezio said looking up as he put the coins he found in his own purse.

"Not so much terrified as worried. Isabelle is such an amazing woman. I am not sure I deserve her and now with the baby…" He looked at Ezio as he moved about. "You will understand better when you are a father."

"God, I hope that isn't any time soon." Ezio said wincing.

"Keep bedding women and it may happen, baby brother."

Ezio gave him a look as he continued. "I will marry Christina if her belly starts to swell."

"Why not before?"

"I like my freedom." Ezio shrugged.

Federico chuckled. "I used to as well. Now I cannot imagine life without her in it."

"Okay I have 300 florins. Should be enough, right?"

"Va bene, that should be enough. Let's get out of here before the guards arrive." Ezio agreed and followed him up to the roofs of the buildings. "Hurry, Ezio! The sooner we're done with the doctor, the sooner we can sleep."

Ezio laughed. "Like you will be sleeping."

Federico landing on the next roof and looked back. "Contrary to what you believe I do not bed my wife constantly. We talk more than anything. She has a very intelligent mind that is eager for knowledge."

"Hummm." Ezio said landing next to him. "With you as a lover I would think she would be eager for something else."

Federico laughed and pushed him lightly.

They jumped down and went to the doctor's cart. The doctor was wearing a long beaked plague doctor mask and he regarded the two as they came to him.

Federico smiled. "Ben trovato, doctor."

The doctor shook his head. "Hmm, fratelli Auditore, why am I not surprised? You've made quite a mess of yourself, young man." He said lifted a hand to look at the injured Ezio. He turned his head looking at the cut from different angles.

Ezio shrugged. "It's nothing, really."

Federico laughed and lifted his hands. "You must help him! That pretty face is his only asset!" He teased.

Ezio looked at him and growled. "Fottiti!"

Federico smirked. "Haha!"

Ezio paid the doctor 200 florins and the doctor nodded. The doctor treated Ezio's wound as the young man stood there. The doctor nodded to them. "There we are. Now get out of here." He said.

Ezio sighed. "Grazie."

Federico walked to the middle of the square. "This way." Ezio joined him. The streets were becoming quieter as people started to go to bed. "Quite a night!"

Ezio nodded. "Indeed. I only wish they were all as much fun. Oh, wait. They are!"

Ezio laughed as did his brother.

Federico looked up at the stars. "We should head home, Ezio. Father should be wondering where we've gone."

Ezio sighed. "Yes. I'd rather avoid a lecture."

"Let alone the one you will get from Isabelle." Federico said.

Ezio hissed. Hers would be worse because it would have guilt in it for him.

Federico grinned then. "Up for a little race, then?"

Ezio arched an eyebrow. "To where?"

Federico took a breath. "Uh... Roof of that church."

Ezio nodded. "Okay."

"On the count of three. One…Two…Three…"

The pair raced and Ezio made it with only a couple feet to spare before his agile brother. Federico laughed and nodded to the steeple. "Come on then. This way."

Ezio blinked. "Where are you going?"

Federico was already climbing up. "You'll see!"

The elder brother made it to the top first and then offered a hand to the younger to help him up. The both stood together on the roof and looked out over the city.

Federico continued to hold his arm and smiled. "It is a good life we live, brother." He said turning.

Ezio agreed. "The best. May it never change."

"And may it never change us."

They stood together. A storm was coming in. They could hear the soft sound of thunder in the distance.

Federico sighed. "Alright, enough of that. We really should head home. Let's go–"

"Wait!"

"What?"

Federico looks towards Cristina's house where Ezio was looking. There were not many lights on.

Federico looked at him. "Ezio... let Christina sleep." He said folding his arms.

Ezio grinned. "There will be time enough for that... later."

Federico waved him off. "As you will baby brother."

Ezio then leapt from a perch into some hay below as Federico sat down enjoying the view for a while longer.

ZzZ

Federico remained at the church for a while longer.

There was a storm coming in and the thunder, heady scent of the rain, and the bright lightning made him watchful. He watched it coming. It was beautiful, but he needed to move.

He watched his brother make his way to Christina's home and then climb up to her window. He just shook his head. His younger brother would be in for it if he was caught there in the morning. Meanwhile, he had his own wife who needed to be attended to.

He skirted around the Pazzi thugs and made it home just as a thunderstorm hit.

He walked upstairs. His father was in his study. He tip-toed to the stairs.

"Federico. Where is your brother?"

"Ummmm he…" He looked up and saw his wife, standing with her arms over her chest. She gave him a look. He sighed. "He is with Christina, Papa."

"After getting in a brawl?" Giovanni asked.

"How did you…?"

"Do not play stupid with me, my boy. I am not a fool. I know you were there as well." He said. He looked up at Isabelle.

Federico realized his wife had followed anyway and used her assassin skills to remain undetected. He looked back at his father. "Why did she spy on us?"

"She went by herself and only returned an hour ago. I was going to send a search party for her." Giovanni hissed. "Between the three of you it is a wonder I do not go to an early grave."

"Do not say such things father." Federico said.

Giovanni nodded. "You are right."

"What did she say?"

"She brought me back news that is appalling. My sons brawling like street thugs."

"Vieri needed to…"

"Vieri is not your concern. This family is and so is that dove there. Go to her. Make your peace with her. She is not happy."

"I can see that." Federico said watching her walk back to their rooms and close the door.

"Be gentle, my son. She is not so much angry as afraid. The child makes her more emotional." Giovanni said.

Federico nodded.

He slowly walked up to their rooms and found her. She was seated on the bed drawing a brush through her thick hair as she looked out at the rain falling in sheets against the window glass. She was softly humming and he walked closer.

He had never heard her soft voice before singing. He had heard from Petruccio that she sang like an angel, but his baby brother was enthralled by his wife. Apparently, this was not an exaggeration. He watched as she cupped the swell of her belly. Soon she would not be able to move with as much ease as she was. Already she became wearier than she had before. He realized she was softly humming to the baby she carried.

He came to her and took the brush. She was startled, but he then, tenderly brushed her hair in long strokes. She closed her eyes at the feeling. Federico did this often and it soothed her. She visibly relaxed and he bent forward to kiss her neck.

"I am sorry." He said softly.

"Sorry?" She asked opening her eyes.

"Sorry I got into a brawl. I only wanted to help Ezio. To protect him."

"He was still hurt."

"I know. It was not as bad as it looked, though." He said. "He will have a scar though."

She turned to him and he looked down at her. "It is a dangerous time, Federico. You two can't go making it worse for us."

"I know."

"Papa was worried."

"I know."

"I was worried."

"I know."

He was looking down and she realized he really was sorry for it all. She moved and leaned up to him. She pressed a kiss to his mouth. He did not respond at first, but then his eyes lifted and he let his hands find her back and the back of her head to draw her closer to kiss her more deeply.

"Can you forgive me? I only wished to protect the family." He told her. His forehead pressed to hers.

She nodded. They kissed again and this time his hands lifted and pulled her dress down to pool at her hips. Her breasts were larger and the nipples darker. He bent and took one in his mouth and she moaned softly. They had become more sensitive as well. He tenderly laid her back and pulled her dress off her body revealing the swell of his child growing within her. He leaned down and kissed the swell softly, nuzzling her as she smiled in pleasure at his acceptance of his own child and her swollen body. He laid his cheek against her.

He was startled by something pressing back against him and looked up startled as his wife winced a little. He blinked and lifted his hand to the spot. Again he felt it. He looked down in sudden awe. His child was moving.

He looked at his wife who had tears in her eyes. She was not upset at all. She was smiling as she realized Federico was feeling his baby for the first time. His look of wonder made her laugh a little through her tears. He looked up at her with such love.

"It's alive."

"I know." She smiled.

"It is moving."

"I know."

He knew that she had been feeling the baby for some time now, but it was the first time he had the baby move within her. He knew the feeling. He well remembered when Maria had put his hand on her expanding belly when she carried Claudia and Petruccio. It was different with your own child.

He was in love again.

He looked up at his wife and kissed her deeply as his hand rested on her, savoring the feeling of the baby moving. He looked down at his wife's smiling face. "I love you. I love you both. So much."

"I love you, Federico." She whispered.

He shifted and lay so his cheek was against her bare swollen flesh and just laid there enjoying becoming acquainted with his own child. She caressed his hair as he laid there. She had never felt so loved before and she savored the feeling.

She was content.