Gio was sitting with Piero in the inner courtyard of the Palazzo Medici. His brother seemed deeply more upset that they had not been invited to see Cosimo take their grandfather's seat in the Signoria than Gio was. Gio was only upset because he knew Ormanno Albizzi was there and he wanted his father to trust him with such matters as Rinaldo apparently trusted Ormanno.

"You're working yourself up over nothing, Piero," Gio said. "So, Father didn't have us come this time. There will be other times. The Signoria meets quite often, it seems."

"It's not nothing," Piero said. "Father does not seem to want us to learn how to run things when it is our turn."

"Now, you know that's not true," Gio said.

"It is time that you and I take our place in this family," Piero said. "I'm going to say something to Father when he returns."

"And, what would that be, exactly?" Gio asked.

"That I am ready and willing to learn what it takes to run this family," Piero said. "You should do the same."

"I plan on it, but there has to be a better time than right when he walks in the door," Gio said. Piero looked away. "Piero, I agree with you. I want Father to think that we can handle the same things as he does. I just think that there are other ways and other times to approach this."

"When?" Piero asked. "Did you not hear? There is going to be a war. There may not be other chances."

"Father is not going to go to war, Piero."

"Perhaps not, but my point is that things change when we least expect them to," Piero said. "Look at what happened to Grandfather."

The Medici brothers looked up as their mother walked towards them. "I'm sorry that you were not there to witness your father take the seat today," Contessina said. Gio got up from his spot on the bench next to his brother to allow her to sit. "You should have been there."

"Yes, we realize that, Mother," Piero said.

"I'm going to speak to your father when he gets home," Contessina said.

"Mother, we can speak to him ourselves," Gio said. "I am grateful that you want to help, but he should hear it from us."

Just then, the door to the Palazzo opened and Cosimo walked in along with Lorenzo and Marco. Piero and Contessina stood and Gio turned when they heard them. "Father!"**

Cosimo stopped and turned to find his sons and wife walking towards him. "Is it true there will be war?"** Piero asked.

"It is possible,"** Cosimo replied.

"Piero and Gio were meant to be there to see you take your father's seat today," Contessina said. She glanced at her younger son out of the corner of her eye and then looked back at her husband.

"We both should be working with you, Father," Piero said.

Cosimo looked at Gio, who had yet to say anything, and then back at Piero. "Is there nothing else you dream of being other than a banker?"**

"It's what Grandfather wished, is it not?"** Piero asked, looking at Contessina.

Cosimo looked at Gio again. "Gio?"

"I want to be a help to you, Father, and to our family," Gio said.

Cosimo admired his younger son's diplomatic answer, but looked back at his oldest son and put his hand on Piero's shoulder before turning and walking away. The two brothers watched as Contessina went after Cosimo and the two talked in hushed tones. Marco and Lorenzo continued on their journey, leaving Gio and Piero to speculate what their parents were discussing.

Cosimo began his journey up the stairs. Gio and Piero looked at each other for a moment before Piero joined Contessina and Gio went after Cosimo. Taking the steps two at a time, Gio caught Cosimo when his father reached the top step. "Father…"

"You didn't exactly answer the question," Cosimo commented.

Gio followed his father down the hallways of the Palazzo. "Father?"

"When I asked if there was anything else you wanted to be," Cosimo continued. "You didn't answer the question. Neither did your brother."

"I think that's because we have grown up under the assumption that we would have no choice but to become a part of the family business," Gio said. "Like Piero said, it's what Grandfather always talked about."

"Your grandfather is no longer here," Cosimo said. He stopped and turned to face his son. "I am. I will ask you again, is there anything else you would rather be?"

"Yes," Gio said, without hesitation.

Cosimo motioned for his son to continue. "Happy," Gio continued. "I want to be happy. I don't care if I am a banker, an artist, a writer, or a merchant. I just want to be happy and live my life the way that I want to live it."

Cosimo stared at his son for a moment and put his hand on Gio's shoulder, just as he had done with Piero. "And, you will be."

"Father, please allow us to come to the Signoria with you," Gio said. "Since we are to inherit the bank from you one day, it would be good for us to learn how to deal with the things you deal with."

Cosimo nodded. "I know, son," he said. "And, you will come. The next time the Signoria meets, I promise."

Gio nodded. "Thank you, Father."

Cosimo sighed. "Where is your sister?"

"She's outside in the courtyard with Lucrezia, I believe," Gio replied.

Cosimo nodded and turned to continue on down the hall. Gio watched as his father walked away, a smile spreading across his face at the promise that he was going to be able to get more involved.


Flashback – Florence, 1426

Allegra leisurely walked through the streets of Florence, with Lucrezia by her side. Lucrezia had suggested that they go shopping in the Marketplace and Allegra thought that was as good a reason as any to get out from within the walls of the Palazzo Medici.

"Anything in particular you're searching for?" Lucrezia asked. "I'm thinking of having a new dress made."

"I just want the fresh air," Allegra admitted.

"You could take a walk in the courtyard for that."

"I know," Allegra said. "But, this is better. Seeing new faces, smelling new smells. It's nice to just…get out once in a while."

Lucrezia smiled at her. "I know the meaning behind those words," she said. "You want an adventure."

Allegra almost rolled her eyes at her friend, but couldn't hide the smile from her face. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said. "There's no adventure to be had in Florence and certainly no adventure to be had when you are a Medici."

"Nevertheless, that is what you want," Lucrezia said. She returned her friend's smile.

They walked out into the street and Allegra stopped and looked back at their home. "Can you blame me?" She asked. "It's only a matter of time before my family tries to marry me off to some stranger. Then, any chance I have of any sort of adventure would be gone for good."

"Or, if we are looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty, it could be the adventure of a lifetime," Lucrezia replied.

"Not with my luck," Allegra complained. "With my luck, I'll be married off to some man twice my father's age and twice his size too."

Lucrezia couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, come, Allegra," she said. "You know that Cosimo would never allow such a thing to happen." She took a few steps away from her friend. "Come on," she continued. "The matter of your future marriage is not even close to coming true. You're still free. Let's focus on the here and now, not on the if and when."

Allegra smiled as Lucrezia continued on towards the marketplace. She looked back at her home, with her family seal on show for all to see. She sighed as she turned to follow her sister-in-law, looking down as she did so. Her attention was taken away from the ground when she heard shouts and screams. She looked up and her eyes widened. A runaway horse was coming straight for her. Lucrezia stopped and turned when she heard the commotion and she screamed when she saw Allegra frozen in her spot.

"Allegra!"

Allegra's eyes closed as she thought that the horse was going to trample her but, instead, an unknown force pushed her out of the way and to the ground. She opened her eyes to find the horse still running away and a young man on top of her.

"Are you alright?"

He was handsome, with dark hair and dark eyes, not unlike her own. He had the makings of a beard growing on his face, but she could tell that he kept it trimmed. He offered her his hand and she took it graciously. She cleared her throat. "Yes," she said. "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks to you."

"No thanks necessary," he said. "I am just glad that you are alright."

"There must be something I can do to repay you for your bravery," Allegra said. "After all, you just put yourself at risk for me, someone who you don't know. Surely there is something I can do for you?"

The young man smiled. "Then, allow me to get to know you better," he said. "I am Vincenzo. And you are…?"

She smiled. "Allegra."

Vincenzo smiled back at her. "Nice to meet you, Allegra," he said. "How about you meet me in the Marketplace tomorrow?" He looked back at Lucrezia, who was watching them with worried eyes. "You can bring your friend as an escort, if you so choose."

Allegra shook her head. "No, I will meet you," she said. "I don't need an escort."

Vincenzo smiled again. "It's settled then," he said. "How about tomorrow around noon?" Allegra nodded. "See you then, Allegra."

She watched as he walked off and Lucrezia rushed to her side. "Are you alright?" she asked. "Are you hurt?"

Allegra shook her head. "I'm fine, I promise."

"In that case," Lucrezia smiled. "What were we talking about adventures? Because, if I'm not mistaken, I think that you are about to have one and his name is Vincenzo."

Allegra looked at her friend and smiled. The two of them started laughing as they continued on their journey to the Marketplace. Allegra was not sure, but she felt like the sun was shining a bit brighter than it had been before.


Gio and Allegra stood amongst their family at Mass. Neither one of them were really paying close attention to the words being said by the priest, their minds elsewhere. Fortunately, they were far enough away from their grandmother that she didn't notice the distracted looks on their faces.

Gio turned when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye and saw a man tap Cosimo on the shoulder. Cosimo turned and, when he saw the man nod for him to come with him, quietly left. Gio nudged his sister's arm and, when Allegra looked at him, she followed his gaze until she saw Cosimo speaking with the unknown man.

"Who is that?" Allegra whispered.

Gio shrugged. "I have no idea," he replied.

Allegra turned back to look at the Mass. "Is something like that really what you want to get yourself involved in?"

"Something like what?"

Allegra looked at her brother. "Politics," she replied. "Secret conversations. Oh, they may be talking in public, but their words are a secret. No one else here is paying attention or can hear them."

"My life does not have to involve such things," Gio said.

Allegra turned back towards the Mass. "When you start going with Father to the Signoria, it will," she said. "For those are the games that our family plays."

Gio looked back at his father and the unknown man before looking back at the Mass, knowing that his sister was right and wondering whether or not he was as ready as he thought he was.


Flashback – Florence, 1426

It had been almost four months since the day that Vincenzo had saved Allegra from being trampled by a runaway horse, but the two had met at least once a week practically without fail.

It hadn't taken Vincenzo long to figure out who Allegra was. Though she didn't say anything at first, Vincenzo knew that she was of an important, perhaps even noble, family. When he finally figured out that she hailed from the Medici, he wasn't exactly sure how to react. The Medici were a powerful family and he assumed that grand plans had been set out for the only Medici daughter. But, he was wrong. According to Allegra, there were no immediate plans for her future. In fact, there were no plans at all. That gave Vincenzo a small grain of hope. While he may not be deemed a suitable match by Allegra's family, at least he still had time with her until her future was determined.

They talked of simple things, mostly of each other's lives. Allegra would ask about his life and he would ask about hers. She found the stories of his life interesting, which was strange to hear considering that Vincenzo didn't believe that his life was all that interesting at all. Sometimes, Allegra would come alone and other times she would come with Lucrezia, who Vincenzo learned was Allegra's best friend and sister-in-law. He had yet to meet anyone else from the Medici family, but he figured that their relationship – if that was even what he could call it – would never get to the point where he would gain that privilege.

"I have two brothers," Allegra was saying. This visit, it was just them, no chaperone. "Piero is the oldest and Gio is the younger of the two. I'm the youngest of the three."

"So that means that you are spoiled, I'm sure," Vincenzo teased.

"That comes with the territory of being the youngest and the only girl," Allegra replied, with a smile. "My father dotes on me, I can't deny it. It frustrates my grandparents to no end, for they believe that I should be married and have at least two children by now."

Vincenzo laughed. "I am happy that your father does not share their view."

"Why is that?"

"Because then you and I would not be here right now."

Allegra smiled again and then looked down at the grass, a blush rising to her cheeks. "I'm happy too."

Vincenzo took Allegra's hand in his own and brought it to his lips. Allegra watched him as he did so and the gesture nearly took her breath away. "I thank God every day that I was there to save you from that horse," Vincenzo said, softly.

"Me too." Allegra matched his soft tone.

The two stared at each other for a moment before both of them leaned in for a kiss. The feeling was like none Allegra had ever experienced before, but she could tell that this wasn't the first for Vincenzo. Vincenzo broke away and cleared his throat. "Forgive me," he said. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Why?" Allegra asked.

"Because it was improper, especially for a lady of your standing," Vincenzo said. He looked away from her. "You're destined to marry a man far higher than me."

Allegra put her hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "I don't care what my destiny is," she said. "I am determined to live in the here and now. And, right now, you are here. That's all that matters."

This time, Allegra leaned in for a kiss, taking Vincenzo by surprise by her boldness. But, it only made him like her more as the two kissed again. The two broke away and touched their foreheads to each other. "You are a wonder, Allegra de' Medici," Vincenzo whispered. "An absolute wonder."


Gio knew that he wouldn't be able to avoid the battlefield now that war had been declared.

It wasn't because he assumed that his parents would send him off to fight. In fact, he knew that they would probably want him to stay home, where he would be safe. But, he wasn't going to sit at home and do nothing knowing that Ormanno Albizzi was going to be there, fighting for Florence. His feud with Ormanno probably initially stemmed from the feud between their fathers, but Gio knew that wasn't entirely the case. He and Ormanno had their own issues and the major one was very near and dear to Gio's heart: Allegra.

Gio couldn't stand the thought of Ormanno marrying his sister and was relieved when Cosimo had denied Rinaldo's offer of marriage between the two. And, if he were honest with himself, he often wondered whether or not Ormanno had anything to do with his grandparents finding out about Vincenzo. Gio wouldn't put it past the Albizzi to do something like that to get what they wanted. But, that was in the past and there was nothing to be done to change it. What he could do, however, was prove himself to be a better warrior than Ormanno ever was.

And, also to help protect Florence, he couldn't forget that.

Gio knocked on the door of his father's study and waited for Cosimo to tell him it was alright to enter. When he did, Gio entered the room and closed the door behind him. "May I speak with you, Father?"

Cosimo looked up from his paperwork and nodded once. "Of course."

Gio stepped up to Cosimo's desk. "What I am going to say isn't going to be easy to hear."

The worst possible thoughts entered Cosimo's mind. Did his son kill someone? Did he get a girl pregnant? "Speak freely," he said.

Gio took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I want to go to the war."

Cosimo looked back down at his paperwork. "Absolutely not."

"Father, every other young man in Florence is going out there to fight for their city," Gio said. "Why can't I?"

"Not every other young man is going to the war," Cosimo said. "Your brother isn't."

"I am not Piero," Gio said.

"You are a Medici," Cosimo said. "You're needed here."

"I'm not," Gio said. "I spend my days wandering around the palazzo, going for rides in the country, or taking walks with Allegra. At least by going to war, I will be doing something useful."

"You do more than that, son," Cosimo said. "You are going to help with the bank and our affairs."

"Let Piero do that for a while," Gio said. "He is your firstborn, after all. It is his shoulders that the bank will fall on when you die."

"Are you not going to share the burden with your brother?"

"I will, if that's what you wish," Gio said. "But, right now, I want to help defend Florence. Ormanno Albizzi is going to be fighting alongside his father. I want to be more than just a banker. Let me bring some honor to the Medici name by fighting for Florence."

Cosimo sat back in his seat and looked at his son. "If this is what you truly wish, then I won't stop you," he said, which caused Gio to smile. "But, I can't say that I am happy about it."

"I will come home, Father," Gio assured him. "I promise you that."

Cosimo stood and walked around his desk until he was standing in front of his son. He took him into his embrace, a gesture that was not completely uncommon, but still took Gio by surprise. "I know you will," Cosimo said, pulling away to look at his son's face. "I know that you will do the Medici name proud."

Gio smiled. "Thank you, Father."

Cosimo nodded once and then went back and took his seat at his desk. "I will discuss the matter with your mother," he said. "After that, we can make a formal announcement at dinner tonight."

Gio nodded. "Yes, Father."

He turned and went to leave, but Cosimo's voice stopped him. "Gio?" Gio turned back to face his father. "I'm proud of you, son."

Gio smiled again. "Thank you, Father," he said.

Cosimo returned his attention to his paperwork and Gio went back out in the hallway, closing the door to his father's study behind him. He let out a sigh of relief and then went back to his chambers to prepare for his journey.


It was not easy to stand on the sidelines, watching as her brother marched off to the battlefield.

The Medici family had gathered, as had most of the city of Florence, to see the men off as they headed off to war and to give them their support. Piero stood with Lucrezia, Contessina with Cosimo, and Allegra in between her brother and mother. They were watching all of the men, but they were all keeping an eye out for Gio.

They had said their goodbyes back at the Palazzo Medici, which had been a hard thing to go through and witness. They all knew that there was a chance that Gio would never return home again. Gio knew this as well and took a long look at his home and his family before he left, as if he was trying to ingrain their images into his memory.

Finally, Gio came into their view. He turned when he saw them and gave them a reassuring smile and nod as he walked by. Allegra felt another tear roll down her cheek. She felt Piero grab her hand and squeeze it at the same time that Contessina tightened her grip on Cosimo's arm. Allegra looked at her eldest brother and Piero gave her the same reassuring smile and nod that Gio had just a few moments before. Allegra returned the gesture and they both looked back out at the crowd. Allegra still held onto Piero's hand as the Florentine army continued on their journey out of the city, sending a silent prayer up to God that Gio would be alright.


First thing's first, I owe everyone a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR apology for taking an absolutely ridiculous amount of time to post this new chapter. Right around the time I posted this fanfic, I got involved in another TV universe (TVD/The Originals - Good god, those shows are addicting!) that took up all of my imagination/attention and this Medici story clearly fell to the sidelines. It's not an excuse, I know, but it is the truth. I am terribly, terribly sorry that you all had to wait SO LONG!

Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter and even recommended it to their friends! I am so glad that you liked the first chapter and I hope that you like this new one as well! And, thank you to those who patiently waited to see if I would update again! I hope this new chapter does not disappoint.

That being said, I will now say that I am going to TRY and update this story more often. I certainly don't want to keep everyone waiting for months on end again. So, please bear with me in case updates for this story are slow in coming. But, I do promise to keep updating!

Thank you, again, for your patience and I hope you enjoy this new chapter! Please let me know what you think!