Their affair continued for many years. Jiraldan knew that Giovanni slept with other women in addition to him, but he knew it was a desperate effort to produce a male heir to the Peccati name since the boy that had destroyed the ring had renounced his birthright.
"A woman is nice once in a while just for something different, but all they're really good for is producing heirs," Giovanni had told him.
But even though Giovanni had been with other women, Jiraldan knew that there was no other man besides him. And when it became evident that there would be no further male heirs to the Peccati name, Giovanni gave up trying and focused his efforts on training his eldest daughter, Tessa, to become the next leader of Team Rocket.
One afternoon, Jiraldan came into his partner's office and found Giovanni pouring himself a drink.
"Ah, there you are, Jiri. Join me in a drink." He poured another glass of brandy for his partner and handed it to him.
"Why are you in such a good mood today, Gio?" Jiraldan asked as he sat down in the ornate chair next to the picture window that overlooked the gardens of the Peccati mansion.
"The reason I'm in such a good mood today, my dear Jiri, is that I saw Tessa earlier and she had some rather interesting news for me."
"News? What kind of news?"
Giovanni settled himself in the rococo chair opposite his partner's. "Ah Jiri, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Tessa truly is my daughter."
"What do you mean, Gio?"
"What I mean, Jiri, is that my daughter just informed me over lunch today that she is a lesbian. Has been for several years, as a matter of fact. And she wants me to meet her 'significant other' this Saturday over dinner at Il Cuore. I believe she said that her name was Carrie or Cassie or something like that." Giovanni laughed at the shocked expression on his partner's face. "Why are you so shocked, Jiri? Like father, like daughter - we prefer those of the same sex."
"I…I just can't believe that Tessa is…that she's…"
Giovanni took a satisfied sip of his drink. "Actually, Jiri, it's the best news Tessa has ever given me."
"I don't understand, Gio. Don't you want grandchildren someday to carry on the enterprise?"
"Of course I do, Jiri. I have two other daughters besides Tessa, you know. But that's always been where the problem lies – having daughters means that their children will no longer bear the Peccati name. But Tessa…" Giovanni grinned broadly. "She's my daughter not only in blood but in soul. She told me today that she and her friend have agreed that any children that they have together will bear the Peccati name."
"Children? Are you saying that Tessa and her friend are…?"
"That's why Tessa invited me over for lunch today. She and her friend are planning on having some kind of commitment ceremony or whatever they call it when two lesbians get married, and she want me to walk her down the aisle next month. Oh yes, she also told me to tell you that you're invited, of course."
Jiraldan continued to stare at his partner. "I still can't believe it."
"And now I will have grandchildren that will bear my name and the Peccati lineage will continue. My mother, God rest her soul, would be so proud of Tessa. She reminds me so much of her."
"Tessa will make an excellent Madam Boss someday, Gio. You've taught her well."
"Speaking of which, Jiri, that's something else I want to discuss with you."
"Discuss what, Gio?"
"Jiri, if something ever happens to me, I want you to help guide Tessa in running Team Rocket. You know the intimate workings of the organization as well as I do."
"If something ever happens…Gio, is something wrong? Are you ill?"
Giovanni shook his head. "No. But I am sixty-three years old now and some days I feel as my age is beginning to catch up with me."
"Sixty-three isn't old, Gio. Most people nowadays live well into their eighties." And even though Giovanni's dark hair was heavily streaked with silver, Jiraldan still thought him the handsomest man he had ever known.
"True. But you're also nearly twenty years younger than I am. You'll be around a lot longer than I will. And that's why I want you to promise me that you will help take care of Tessa and Team Rocket after I'm gone."
"Don't talk that way, Gio. You'll be around for a while."
"Unless you've somehow acquired Future Sight, you don't know that, Jiri. And neither do I. That's why I want you to swear to me that you will show Tessa how to run Team Rocket if something happens to me."
"Gio, you're starting to frighten me."
"Swear to me, Jiri."
The intensity of his partner's gaze sent a chill up Jiraldan's spine. "All right, Gio. I swear it."
Giovanni finished his drink. "Good. Now I'm going to go lie down for a little while. Would you care to join me?"
Jiraldan put down his glass and followed Giovanni upstairs.
"I must be getting old, Jiri," Giovanni sighed as he lay down on the bed he and Jiraldan had shared for so many years. "I'm now getting into the habit of having to take a nap each day."
Jiraldan, who was in the middle of removing his shirt, felt another chill run up his spine. "Are you sure you're all right, Gio?" he asked worriedly. Their conversation from a few minutes earlier was still troubling him.
"Yes, I'm fine," Giovanni said impatiently, yanking loose the knot in his tie and tossing it aside. "It's just that my age is starting to catch up with me."
Jiraldan sat down on the bed and began to undo the buttons of Giovanni's shirt. "Does that bother you, Gio?"
Giovanni nodded. "Yes. Old age means frailty, frailty means loss of strength, loss of strength means loss of power, and loss of power means loss of control."
"Is that what you're worried about, Gio?" Jiraldan slowly ran his fingers through his beloved's hair, tracing out the few remaining streaks of black among the gray.
Giovanni closed his eyes and relaxed at his lover's touch. "Ah, Jiri…you're the only person I can confess my hopes and my fears to. You're the only person I can trust with the secrets of my heart, caro mio."
"You are my heart, Gio," Jiraldan said softly as he kissed his lover's forehead and proceeded to finish unbuttoning Giovanni's shirt. "There, Gio, now you're…"
Giovanni opened an eye and saw his lover staring at him with a shocked expression on his face. "What's wrong, Jiri?"
"Gio…when did you lose so much weight?" He ran a hand along the prominent ribs.
"I told you that month at the spa in Olezza did wonders for me," Giovanni smiled with satisfaction. "And I have you to thank for suggesting that I go there."
"Yes, but the only reason I suggested that you go was because you were working too hard, Gio. I never said that you needed to lose any weight." Jiraldan continued to trace out each individual rib with his fingertips. "You're much too thin."
"Nonsense. I think I look better minus a few pounds." Giovanni winced as his lover's fingers touched a tender spot under his ribcage. "Watch it, Jiri. Not so hard. I know you're eager since we haven't seen each other in over a month, but try to control yourself."
"I wasn't being too rough, Gio," Jiraldan replied, his face pale. "There's something here, Gio. It's like a swelling of some sort."
"Well, whatever it is, stop touching it, Jiri," Giovanni said irritably. He pushed his lover's hand towards his pants. "I'd rather you start touching me there."
But the younger man's attention was riveted to the lump that was plainly visible under his lover's ribcage. "Gio, maybe you should see a doctor about that."
"Stop talking, Jiri. We don't have all day." He grabbed Jiraldan's hand and firmly planted it between his legs. "I thought this was why you came up here with me."
Jiraldan began to undo Giovanni's pants. "It is, but…"
"But what?"
His attention was still focused on the disturbing swelling in Giovanni's upper abdomen. "Gio, I think you need to see a doctor. I'm worried about you."
"Jiri, I'm getting bored with your talk about doctors. Enough talking." Before Jiraldan could react, Giovanni seized his arm, pulled him down atop him, and kissed him passionately.
Giovanni immediately fell asleep after their lovemaking, which also disturbed Jiraldan. Usually they would have a drink afterwards and savor the moment, but as soon as Jiraldan reached for the bottle of brandy that was sitting on the table next to the bed, Giovanni rolled over, closed his eyes, and was snoring softly within a minute.
Jiri lay with his head resting atop Giovanni's chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of his lover's heart.
Oh, Gio…you are my heart. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you.
He lightly touched the lump under Giovanni's ribs once more. Even though he was asleep, Giovanni flinched, filling Jiraldan with a sense of dread.
Oh Gio…please let it be nothing. I can't even bear the thought of losing you.
But in his heart, Jiraldan knew that something was wrong with Giovanni…very wrong. And their conversation earlier had done nothing to alleviate his fears. Giovanni had never spoken about his death before.
Jiraldan closed his eyes and clung fiercely to the man he loved – the man who had been the center of his life for nearly twenty years.
I won't let you leave me, caro mio.