The Greatest Secret
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly
A/N:
Chapter 197 (When Grandfathers Collide)
January 20th rolled around and Valerie was visiting for a few days. Today was a big day and Jonah's family was over with him along with Freddie. No one was too sure what Valerie wanted to happen, but they were going along with it all anyhow. Jonah, Freddie, and Carly were resting in the living room while Valerie talked to her parents. Neither her grandfather, nor Jonah's grandfather had arrived yet. Michael and Denise were in the kitchen with Vincent, Viola and Valerie. "You know something, Jonah? I'm surprised, the Castagno's and the Guglielmo's hate each other almost as much as the Shays and Davidsons do! To top it off, you married the mafia!" Jonah rolled his eyes and playfully flipped off his best friend.
"That means don't piss me off. My wife's grandfather's a part of the mafia and that's the way it is." He actually had felt a chill when Valerie told him the news of their family's history. Even though the thought was scary, he knew their families would have to deal with it regardless. "She was so certain I'd want a divorce or something once I found out about that fact, I didn't know she was so scared that I would leave her like that." Freddie shrugged his shoulders and Carly crossed her legs over.
"We women are frightened easily when there's something that could threaten our relationships. No matter how secure that relationship is. Valerie's fear is probably that you'd be afraid of her grandfather orchestrating a hit on you or your relatives, so you'd leave her. Just reassure her that you love her, you wouldn't leave her for anything in the world, and therefore she's safe in her relationship with you. Besides, girls like Valerie are once in a million, right? So she obviously means the world to you."
"Hey even if my life turns into the Godfather movie, I'm still pretty freakin' happy with my relationship with her. I love that woman!" The two friends smiled and looked over to the kitchen to see Valerie and the parents glance in briefly. Valerie's eyes met Jonah's and their lips curled upwards just before she turned back to the parents. Jonah let out a sigh and turned back to Freddie. "What about you man? How's life with Tyrone? Did he and Era meet up yet?"
"Yes, you should have seen it bro, I swear I've never seen Tyrone so jittery before." Jonah raised an eyebrow and Carly chuckled. When Tyrone saw Era for the first time, he froze up and stared at her for the longest time, not saying a word until she acknowledged him. "When she confirmed him as Drita's son and herself being Drita's sister, he practically broke down and cried. It was kind of humbling to see, actually. I mean, since when do we see Tyrone so emotional like that?"
"I can't imagine it, but if that's what you say, I have to admit that I am shocked."
Carly smirked and folded her arms over. "I bet a lot of stuff shocks you now, huh Jonah?" He glanced over at her as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I mean you thought that I would be against Sam and Freddie or something like that." Jonah rolled his eyes and Freddie's throat emptied out his rich laugh. She was never going to let Jonah down for all that, even though she knew he was just concerned about his friends and had been protecting them. "Now you know I won't hurt them, neither will Granddad. He's accepted that he's a Davidson, or at least, he's in the process of accepting it."
"Well that's good to hear. Isn't he dating your grandma again?"
"Oh yeah!" She grinned brightly nodded vigorously. "I'm not sure if you can call it dating or not, but they do a lot of things together. I think they're growing on each other. Grandma deserves some happiness, and so does Granddad, whether you think so or not."
"And oddly, I'm okay with that." He bumped his eyebrows and turned his gaze back to the kitchen. "If Tyrone's making a turnaround, fine. I'm not going to judge anymore, anyway. I'm more concerned with how things are going for Valerie. What she has planned. She asked Olivia and her sisters to take Aaron for a stroll in the park and she's talking to the parents, so she's up to something."
"Yeah I bet she is," Freddie remarked. His tone became a joking one and Jonah slowly looked over to him, anticipating and questioning what he was about to say. "Hey, maybe she's setting up a hit on you. Perhaps you pissed her off somehow so she wants to rub you out?" Carly laughed and smacked Freddie's shoulder while Jonah slowly shook his head.
"Freddie. Don't joke about stuff like that. Especially if you want to keep your head intact." Freddie laughed again, causing his friend to glare at him. Valerie and the parents walked into the room and Jonah quickly stood up. "So what's going on?"
"We were just talking about Grandpa," Valerie replied cautiously. "We'll get to that later, but first I just want…" She moved to Jonah and wrapped her arms tight around him. "It feels like it's been forever since we've held each other, I've really missed you."
"I missed you too, Val." He moved his arms around her waist and gently kissed her forehead. "How has the Food Network been treating you? I still say I prefer Chef Irvine to any of the other chefs there." She chuckled and shook her head.
"You're only saying that because you get a high every time he smashes something on the show with that sledgehammer."
"What can I say? I'm a guy and we guys love destruction." Valerie giggled and kissed his cheek. Freddie nudged Carly and motioned for her to get up from the couch. She nodded and rose up with Freddie, then the two of them led their friends onto the couch. Jonah smiled at them and Valerie brought her legs up to the cushion, then rested her head on his shoulder. "You know, I've been counting the days till you came back and visited. I'm glad you're here now, but it's going to be so damn hard to see you go off again, and this is only the first time for the next few years."
"Be strong Jonah, be strong."
"Oh you know I will be." He smirked and poked her teasingly. "Besides, I married the mafia, didn't I? Fell in love, you're stuck with me, so you know I'm strong." She laughed and started squealing as he continued tickling her side. Her face became red as a tomato and she quickly smacked his arm, albeit playfully.
"Okay! Enough Jonah! I can't take it." He grinned triumphantly as she started panting, trying to catch her breath. "You are so lucky that it's only my grandfather who happens to be a part of the mafia." Jonah laughed once again and planted his lips onto hers. The others started to turn away, all wondering if they should take their leave from the room and let the two have their privacy. He pulled back and smiled at his dazed wife.
"I think we're being rude here, Valerie. Our parents and our friends are here, let's spend some time with them." She nodded and glanced over to the family, smiling cheerfully at them. They returned her smile and moved around the two. "So what's the plan? You haven't seemed too upbeat today like usual." She shrugged her shoulders and sighed. What would he think about her making their grandparents meet up?
"I just want to try and resolve any issues between our grandparents."
"Oh dear, I see where this is going. You invited them both over here didn't you?"
"Yes. Yes I did. Whatever issues they have need to be laid to rest. Remember, your grandfather would not come to our wedding, now we know why!" Jonah chuckled nervously as Valerie stretched her legs out and stood from the couch. "I have mom and dad ready to hold Grandpa back if he does anything, same for your parents and their father. I want to make absolutely sure there's no bad blood."
"Well I don't know if I can promise there won't be bad blood between the two of them, but I can definitely say…I don't know any other woman that would attempt something like this." He smiled at her as she slowly brushed the ends of her hair. "I love it, actually." He rose from the couch and glanced over at the door, he could have sworn he just saw something outside the window. The doorbell rang and Vincent made his way to the door. Valerie grinned and Jonah started to feel just a tad sickly.
"That's grandpa now!"
"Awesome." Freddie smirked at Jonah and folded his arms over. He personally had never met Valerie's grandfather, but Jonah had several times. He wanted to see what it was about this man that terrified him, if terrified was even the right word. Catching Freddie's eyes, Jonah brought up what he knew of the man. "Valentine Guglielmo is an eighty year old man who, as far as I know, is a former mafia man in the Italian Mafia." Valerie glanced over nervously and took a deep breath as Vincent opened the door.
A man with a full head of white hair and a white mustache stepped inside, smiling cheerfully at his family. He wore a black suit and held a black cane with a golden eagle's head on the top. He saw Valerie and held his hands out, speaking with a rich Italian accent. "Valerie! My granddaughter, how are you?" Valerie hurried over to him, laughing happily and hugging him close.
"I'm good grandpa! Can I ask if you granted anyone's wishes on my wedding day?" Valentine laughed and ran his hand through her hair. He stood at about six feet and five inches tall, a height that truly intimidated both Freddie and Jonah. Freddie looked over to Jonah as if to complain about the height. Jonah chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
"You get used to it." Valentine looked to Jonah and made his way over to him, giving him a hug and a traditional Italian greeting.
"Ah! Giona! Il mio genero, Ciao! Ciao!" Jonah returned the greeting with a smile and the others watched with eagerness.
"Piacere di vederti, nonno Valentino!" After the greeting, Valentine went on to his son. Freddie stepped next to Jonah and asked him what the hell was said in the interaction. Jonah smiled and shook his head. "Well when he came over he said 'Ah, Jonah, my son, hello! Hello!' A sign of respect, I am his grandson in law. I responded, saying that it was a pleasure to see him and I refer to him as Grandfather, Valentine, as he is my wife's grandfather." Jonah pushed his chest out proudly and Freddie narrowed his eyes with envy.
"How long did it take you to figure out you had to do that?"
"Not long. However, I know how I'm going to appeal to him when he finds out about…Grandpa Castagno. Oh, and for the record, since you're always saying it wrong…it's not stag, it's Cah-st-on-yo, ignore the g."
"Oh…okay then…so what are you going to tell him? I'm certain he's not going to be happy to see your grandfather and then realize the inevitable." Jonah pat Freddie's shoulder and walked a bit out of earshot from the family. He breathed in and closed his eyes.
"In essence, I'm going to ask that they put aside their grievances so that we can all be a family, but whatever they decide to do, I want them to understand and honor the fact that I love Valerie. I'm married to her and my love for her is forever, so there's nothing that will come between us, I just won't let it happen, and that includes their grudge."
"Ah, and are you going to say it in Italian?"
"Considering I find it respectful to address him in the proper language, yes. Yes I am going to say it in Ital-" The doorbell rang again and the two men looked over in time to see Ryan entering the house. "Uh oh." Ryan was wearing a brown jacket with brown khaki dress pants, he had a grey comb over and a clean-shaven face. The two elders froze and stared at each other and the air of the house grew deathly chill. Jonah whispered and cringed. "A little sooner than expected." Now would come the cursing in Italian that he was sure there would be.
Valentine's rage shot up and he quickly grabbed Ryan's shirt, shouting obscenities at him. "Castagno? Perché cazzo sei in casa mia? Fuori! Fuori! Credevo che tu fossi morto, come osi mostrare il tuo fallo, brutto culo in mia presenza! Io ti avrei ucciso un baleno!"
"Nice to see you too, Valentine…"
Valerie's face drained of its color and Vincent quickly began to scold his father. Freddie cleared his throat as Jonah smacked his forehead.
"Uh Jonah, what did he just say?"
"You don't want to know."
"That bad?"
"It can get worse from here." Ignoring his son, Valentine clenched his fist and pushed Ryan up against a wall.
"Rispondimi! Perché sei in casa di mio figlio?" Ryan pushed the man off him and dusted himself off.
"Don't get your panties in a twist. My grandson's a part of this family."
"What?" Like a volcano erupting, Valentine shifted his glare to Jonah. "You are a Castagno?" Jonah stood erect as Freddie slowly shook his head.
"A regular Montague and Capulet thing going on here…" Jonah growled through his teeth and nudged Freddie.
"Hush, show some respect!"
"Sorry!" Freddie lifted his hands up and took a step back. Valentine narrowed his eyes and turned to Vincent, yelling and pointing at the door.
"No! Io non permetterà questo! Si gettaranno le Castagno cazzo fuori dalla porta immediatamente! Se non vuoi che rinnegare te, figlio mio, farai come dico io!" Jonah scoffed and Valerie gasped, this was not going as she wanted it to. Freddie wasn't sure what Valentine was saying, but he had a feeling that the elder wanted Jonah and his family out. Vincent stepped forward in protest.
"My daughter is married to him, they have a son together, how can you expect me to turn them away?" Ryan growled and walked forward.
"Hey, if you have a problem, you can say it to my face! Do not take out our grudges on my family!"
"Potete prendere la vostra famiglia e ottenere I'inferno fuori del mio viso. Per quanto rigurada la mia nipotina, lei può trovare un altro uomo. Un uomo di una Castagno!" Valerie's hands flew to her mouth and Jonah clenched his fists, he'd had enough. He didn't need Valentine, or anyone else, suggesting that Valerie find another man!
"Mi scusi!" Jonah's voice echoed over the two old men and they stared at him with arched eyebrows. "Ho intenzione di dire la mia ora, grazie." The elders turned towards him and crossed their arms over, listening intently. He told them he would have his say now, so they would give him that respect. He moved his eyes from his grandfather to Valentine, took a deep breath as he motioned Valerie to his side. She nodded and carefully walked over to him, then placed her hand in his.
"We're listening, Jonah."
"Say what you have to say, Castagno."
"Please sir, call me Jonah, that is my name. Now…" He bowed his head for a moment, then lifted it back up, speaking in his rich, deep Italian voice. "Adoro questa donna. Lei è la più bella, più dolce donna che abbia mai incontrato, e non c'è niente al mondo che potrà mai cambiare la situazione." Valerie blushed crimson and turned her head to Jonah, smiling sweetly. He'd just said she was beautiful, that he loved her and that she was the sweetest woman that he'd ever met, and there was nothing in the world that would ever change that. "Lei mi ha dato un figlio che sono molto orgoglioso. Ora, so che voi due avete una storia pericolosa insieme, ma se siete disposti ad ammettere o no, siamo una famiglia. Si può combattere tutto quello che volete, ma io disegnare la linea a tutti coloro che suggeriscono che Valerie stare con un altro uomo. Quando ho detto i miei voti e la devozione a lei, erano per lei e lei soltanto. Io ti rispetto con tutto il cuore, nonno Valentino, e nonno Castagno, ma vi prego di capire ... se si tenta di strappare ci distingue, io ti lottare unghie e coi denti. Non c'è modo che io sto dando a questa donna. Così si può accettare questo e cercare di lavorare attraverso il vostro rancore ed essere parte di questa famiglia, oppure si può continuare a odiare l'un l'altro mentre la tua famiglia cresce, con o senza di te. A voi la scelta, il nonno."
(And a translation for you. I do not do this in the middle of the chapter, but since the statement is so long, here's what he says: "I love this woman. She is the most beautiful, sweetest woman I have ever met, and there is nothing in the world that will ever change that. She has given me a son that I am very proud of. Now, I know you two have a dangerous history together, but whether you're willing to admit it or not, we're a family. You can fight all you want, but I draw the line at anyone suggesting that Valerie be with another man. When I said my vows and devotions to her, they were for her and her only. I respect you with all my heart, Grandpa Valentine, and grandpa Castagno, but please understand...if you attempt to tear us apart, I will fight you tooth and nail. There is no way that I am giving this woman up. So you can either accept that and try to work through your grudges and be a part of this family, or you can continue to hate each other while your family grows, with or without you. It's your choice, grandfather.")
The two elders watched as Valerie reached up and kissed Jonah's cheek, smiling with pride. Freddie moved over to the couch, feeling a bit winded from all the Italian. He looked up at Carly and saw she was just turning the whole thing out. Valerie turned her eyes to Valentine and walked towards him.
"Grandpa, please don't fight. I don't know what happened all those years ago, but it's past. Right now, Jonah and I love each other, we have a son together, and that's what is important. There's nothing that can change that, and I wouldn't want it to change anyway. He's my husband. We can all be a family, all we ask is that maybe you put aside your differences for once, just try it?"
Valentine took a deep breath and held his granddaughter's eyes. His expression was stern, but at the same time, he was moved by his daughter's tenderness, as well as Jonah's courage to stand up for what is right. He looked up and slowly nodded. "My apologies, maybe I reacted too harshly. I will try to get along with Mr. Castagno and I approve of your marriage. You do indeed have my blessing."
"Same here," Ryan added with a bright smile. He lifted his hand and pat Valentine on the shoulder. Valentine huffed and glared at him, causing him to recoil fast.
"Don't push it."
"Got it."
"Now Valerie, where is your good friend? Samantha?"
"Oh, she's in another city right now. These serial killers, Bana Shay and Lionel Shay, I guess they're around and they're really bad." Valentine rubbed his chin and looked over to see Freddie shuddering at the mention of the men. "They're hurting my friends, I just wish Bana would go away, you know? Leave my friends' family alone."
"I understand." He hugged his granddaughter and she smiled slightly. "Venite a me la mia bellissima nipotina, mi permetta di attesa."
"I love you grandpa…"
"I love you too sweetheart."
Jonah heaved forth a heavy sigh and sat next to Freddie, who was bewildered. He chuckled and crossed his arms. "You look a bit tired there, Benson."
"Oh no, not at all, just…in shock."
"In shock?"
"Oh yes. I didn't know the Italian language could be thrown about so much!"
"Well, you met our grandfathers, maybe they can put their old grievances aside. Only time will tell."
"Yeah…dear god…"
Mhmm, well then. We just learned something, Jonah's family may be in the mafia too. Guglielmo family and Castagno family, once rivals. Way to stick up for your girl, Jonah!