CPOV.

I watched the dogs chase the ball around the garden that Ana threw to them, her beautiful laughter piercing the silence. I had to pinch myself that she was still here sometimes, pushing thoughts from my mind to what would've happened if she was not. My wife is the strongest person I know, and she proves it every day.

The house is so quiet now, just Ana and I here. Lucy is back at school, although at first, I was reluctant to let her go. My Dad and I had taken her in, speaking to the head while we were there. She had security, more than she ever had before, but they were needed to keep my daughter safe.

She was happy to be back, happy to be amongst friends again and even though I hate to admit it, happy to be near Kian.

That boy, I have to admit is a fine young man. Shit I sound like my Granddad when I speak like that. Lucy was struggling with everything that had happened, keeping the nightmares she was having away from everyone except him. Kian came to the gate of the house, to speak to me. I thought he was going to ask for permission to date her, or even for her hand, so I was armed but what he did come for, broke my heart.

He felt like he was betraying her trust by speaking to us, but he was worried about her. Lucy was happy, bouncing around like she always is, or so we thought.

She had fears that she had only shared with him. Lucy was upset that he had spoken to us, but it did help her talk while he was there.

She didn't reveal anything that wasn't common knowledge to him, but she did reveal her fears for our safety, her mother especially. That was a long emotional conversation that needed to happen, even when Kian had left us. To say that Lucy has changed again since our talk is an understatement. She said she felt lighter, her laughter filling the house once more. Lucy didn't want to worry her Mum, but Ana told her that although it still hurt to move, to share her worries, is what we're there for.

"Are you leaving me, to go to the club" Ana called out, gesturing for me to leave my place by the door, to join her on her bench.

"No, you're stuck with me for eternity and you wear the ring to prove it" I said, walking over to her.

"I do that" she smiled, kissing her ring. "It's Wednesday, what's on the agenda for today. Do you want to go back to bed."

"Don't tempt me Ana. Spending the morning in bed, kissing you will only get us both hot and bothered" I told her, pulling her back against me where she carefully rested.

"I'm sorry, we can't do more."

"I'm not. We'll get to that point Ana, but I have you here and that's all that matters."

"Tell me what's on your mind then, if you don't want to go back to bed" she asked as I kissed her head.

"Work, as usual. More, tomorrow."

"Thanksgiving has crept up on us. I don't even remember Halloween."

"I know Princess. Sometimes it feels like a life time since your birthday, then other times, it feels like no time at all. Hain is coming tomorrow."

"Really" she smiled.

"Yes, I wore him down. The cheeky bastard said he would be happy for a free meal as long as I'm not the one cooking it."

"Your cooking is good, under supervision" she giggled.

"I'm getting better. Although I do worry when the dogs see me in the kitchen, and they run from the room."

"Don't worry, they do that when Granddad tries to cook as well. Ninety-four years old and he can still burn water."

"Mafia men bring the money in, mafia women spend it and turn it into gold, namely the delicious food on the table."

"Well this mafia woman is depending on my mafia man to bring home the bacon, so to speak as I'm unemployed."

"You're not unemployed, you're on a break. Can I tell you for the hundredth time, how happy I am about that."

"You can" she smiled to me, as I kissed her lips.

"Would you two like something to drink" Beatrice called from the door.

"I didn't know you were back. I will help you unpack" Ana called to her.

"Stay where you are, now drink."

"Tea please Grandma."

"Only water for me please" I added, holding my wife closer. "I thought they would've been back before now."

"Granddad was with them. He's worse than the kids for putting crap in the shopping cart. Not as bad as you yet, but he's not far off."

"My crap is essential to build up my sugar allowance."

"You're supposed to decrease it, not increase it" she laughed. "The amount of sugar you eat, I'm surprised your teeth don't itch."

"Here you go, you two."

"Hi Granddad, thank you" Ana said, taking the cup of tea from Antonio, as I took my glass of water from him. "Did you get everything for thanksgiving dinner."

"Yes, we got everything on the list, including the meds I doubt you will take" he said, looking to Ana.

"I'm fine Granddad. If I have a bad day and my body hurts then I will take something for it, but I don't want to be popping pills when I don't need them."

"I finally agree with that statement, that doctors are the worst patients" he said, laughing at Ana.

"Men are the worst patients, they moan more than women. Women just get on with it."

"I can't disagree there, not with you" he laughed.

"I forgot to ask, how did the fittings for your tux's go" Ana asked, as to our men's day out yesterday.

"It didn't" Antonio told her, taking a seat on the end of the bench when Ana moved her feet.

"What do you mean."

"Luca doesn't want us all in tux's or morning suits, he just wants us to wear a normal suit."

"Define normal" Ana asked, as she sat up, looking to me.

"We will still all be in Armani, but you know our son. Getting him in a suit in the first place is like pulling teeth. The suit he chose is midnight blue and he is wearing a tie that Oriella has picked out for him. We will all be in the same coloured suit. The simple the better as far as Luca's concerned."

"That's fine. I was thinking you were going to say he was going to wear a suit jacket and cut off trousers that resemble shorts. That's more Luca's style" Ana laughed.

"Don't mention that to him as he will probably wear it" Antonio told her.

As we finished our drinks, Ana left us to go and see the other women in the kitchen. We had a large family to cater for tomorrow and there is no way my wife will not want to be involved. My parents offered to have it at their home, but it is our year to host it and Ana will not have it any other way.

"She will be fine" Antonio told me as we watched Ana slowly make her way up the path, with cane in hand. "We have a lot to be thankful for tomorrow."

"I know. My amazing wife and daughter are just two of them."

We eventually made our own way back to the house, calling the whining dogs to follow us. They had been at the fence, looking longingly to the water beyond. Those four boys bringing cold water into the house, my wife would have a fit.

...

Dinner, although quieter than it would be tomorrow, still had enough loud mouths to keep the level raised.

"So, Son. Have you decided on your bachelor party yet" I teased him, already knowing what the answer would be.

"Yes, I don't want one" Luca said.

Matteo and Theo both complained.

"What! I have never been a bachelor unless you count kindergarten. I don't need a last party to get drunk and be shown what I will miss by getting married. I won't miss anything, as I have always had everything I need."

"You're so whipped" Matteo teased him.

"You can't say anything. One word, Chiara" Luca shot back.

Matteo smiled, shrugging his shoulders, knowing Luca had him there.

"Speaking of Chiara. Is she coming for dinner tomorrow, Ava too" Ana asked.

"Ava is coming later on; her Mum is insisting that she goes there. She even told me that I was expected."

"What, no" Ana protested.

"I told her, I was expected at my own parents table and that is where I will be. Her mother is..."

"A bitch, yes I know" Ana said, making us all laugh.

I had to agree on that. Ava's father is great. Being in the business, he expects and shows respect. His wife is a pampered princess, only seen on his arm. Nothing like their daughter who went against the family mould and wanted to work. My wife may have been injured but she's still the Queen around other wives and I expect her to be treated as such.

"Matteo, what about Chiara" Ana asked him.

"She will be here for dinner" he told his mother, smiling.

"Good, good" Ana clapped, happily. "Theo, do you want us to save some food for Ava."

"Please Mum, her Mum can't cook. Who knows what they will be eating or who will be making it."

"Isn't McDonald's open tomorrow" Luca teased.

"I bet it would taste better if it was."

…..

Waking the next morning, the bed beside me was empty. I hated waking alone, especially with what happened, but I could hear Ana's laughter echo through the house, so I knew she was fine.

I took a piss before making my way down to the kitchen, where Ana was shooing Milo and Sprout away.

"They're trying to get the turkey" she laughed, as she pushed it further back onto the counter, away from the paws and drooling mouths.

"They're playing with you" I told her, kissing her lips.

"I know. They never put their feet up like this. Apart from poking them with my cane, they are too heavy for me to push off. Maybe they're hoping I will push it too far and it will end up on the floor on the other side where Gizmo and Rocco are waiting."

"Did you pick this up" I asked, lifting the tray that the turkey was in and bringing it closer to us and away from canine mouths.

"What would you do if I did."

"Put you over my knee and spank your bottom."

"As nice as that sounds, I don't think my back could take it. Something for the future though" she laughed, making me groan. "Mac put the turkey in the tray for me. I'm just trying to stuff it and could do without the additional help."

"I will take them out, wear them out hopefully."

"No water" she told me.

"I know, I'm not spending thanksgiving morning drying the dogs. Do you want me to take the girls out as well?"

"They're fine, they are staying out of the way of these four."

I kissed my wife, taking the boys outside, grabbing my coat on the way. The weather had turned a lot colder as the year end approached but I know the weather in Sicily will be much worse.

We walked around the perimeter, passing guards who were doing their morning patrol on the way. We made our way towards the gates, a place these dogs had spent a lot of time while Ana was away. A bark had me turning to Milo, who was looking back the way we had come.

"Soon boy" I told him, knowing he wanted to be back with Ana, but the purpose of this walk was to get them out of the way.

Reaching the gate, I told them all to sit as they started to open. I could feel my gun in the back of my trousers, but it was not needed as Kate drove through.

"Has she kicked you out" she laughed.

"No, I'm getting these boys out of the way who were trying to make Ana drop the turkey."

"Those dogs get more like Hugo every day. Speaking of that pup, has any of them shown interest in Hope yet."

"Milo and Gizmo, although they don't get anywhere. If they start to bother her, she snaps at them and puts them in their place."

"See even male dogs can be trained to know that females are in charge, just like husbands" she laughed, leaving me with the dogs.

Husbands trained, not fucking likely. Ok maybe a little but who can resist my wife when she asks for something, certainly not me.

We continued our uneventful walk back to the house where thankfully the turkey was in the oven and the dogs were more interested in being back with Ana again.

"What's going on in the living room" Matteo asked me, joining me in the kitchen with Chiara.

"Hi Chiara" I greeted her, before turning to my son. "I don't know Matteo, I haven't gotten that far yet."

"Hi Christian" Chiara said, as Matteo wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Mum told us that it was a girl's zone. No men are allowed in until later."

"You had better listen to your mother then" I laughed, before going to find out what was going on myself.

I opened the door, ignoring the protests from some of the women. Mainly from my mother, who I hadn't realised had arrived.

"I live here. Your living room is down the street if you have a problem… Princess, are you ok."

"I'm fine" she smiled, coming slowly over to me. "Our last girls day out didn't end as it should have, so I thought we could have a small do over here."

I pulled her tightly against me, not wanting to let her go.

"It's safe here Christian. We can have our fun and keep an eye on the turkey at the same time" she smiled

"Have fun. You know where I am if you need me."

"I do, I love you Christian."

"I love you too Princess."

I made my way out of the living room and through to my office.

I had only been in there a few minutes when a knock on the door came, and my office started to fill up with my family and friends

"We have a meeting room outside, if everyone is going to pile in" I told them.

"We have all been banished, so we thought we would come and annoy your unsociable arse" Elliot told me.

"I'm only unsociable when I want to keep out of the way. Last time I looked, you all had your own homes to go to. Considering you were not due here until three, I'm sure you can find something else to do or find a game to watch."

"It's more fun to annoy the shit out of my brother" he told me, receiving the finger from me.

Considering no one was moving, I brought the bottle of bourbon out that I kept in here, and the few glasses that I had. My sons didn't like the taste, so they were happy to pass, so the older generations were able to have a glass.

We were a fucking rowdy lot when we get alcohol into us, only silencing when a knock came on my office door.

"Hain is here, but I think he's probably safer with us, than in here with a bunch of piss heads" my wife told me, trying to hide her laughter.

"Blame them Princess. I only drank to drown out their mouths."

"You're full of shit. Are you sure you don't want to escape" she asked Hain, who was stood by her side.

"I'm fine Ana, thanks" he laughed.

"Ok, don't say I didn't warn you. You lot, anyone stinks of alcohol and you will be sitting outside with the dogs for dinner. One hour" she told us, before leaving us alone, as I poured a drink for my friend.

"How's she doing" Hain asked me, nodding in the direction of where Ana had gone.

"Very well. Back to bossing me around" I laughed.

"Dad, she was bossing you around from her hospital bed" Luca told me.

"I know" I smiled. "She is strong and determined to be back to how she was before. Yes, her back hurts, but she pushes through it."

I don't tell them how much the pain can sometimes bring her to tears. Although they probably know, the ones who live here anyway.

"Since my son does not want a bachelor party" I announced, focusing on something positive. "I would like to propose a toast. To Luca and Oriella, not forgetting my granddaughters. I hope your life is as amazing as the one your Mum and I have shared. Yes, life is crazy but if I can give you only one piece of advice, it's to stick together. You're a team, an unbreakable one and you face it head on with your best friend by your side. Without your Mum, who the hell knows where I would be."

"Probably prison" my Dad said, and I had to agree.

"To Luca and Oriella."

I lifted my glass to my son, before knocking back what would be my last drink of the day.

…

Arriving in the dining room, the girls were all seated. There were red faces all around, either through laughter or embarrassment. My mother was sat next to Oriella, whispering in her ear. Seeing Ori's face get redder and redder, the poor girl needed rescuing.

"Mum, whatever you're telling Ori, stop" I told her.

"I'm just explaining..." she smirked.

"You're just putting her blood pressure up" I told her, seeing a smile of thanks from Oriella as she leaned into my son's side.

"Well all I can say is, I don't know what you're all having" Mac told us, arriving into the dining room holding the tray that held the giant turkey."

"We're eating what is in your hands" Matteo told him.

"You can all have some, if you help your mother bring the rest of the food in so she doesn't have to carry it."

"Mac, I can lift some things" Ana shouted from the kitchen.

"Shush and do as your told."

"You have more chance of winning the lottery, than getting mum to do what you want her to do" Theo laughed, going to help his mother.

As the table filled up in front of us, my nephews helping too, my mouth watered. I had to retrieve my wife to make her sit down.

"It's your job to carve" she smiled, taking a sip of her wine.

"Don't cut yourself, I haven't brought my bag" Eamon told me.

"Don't worry old man, I'm sure we have a plaster around here if I do" I laughed, patting his shoulder. I have so much to be thankful for this year, that man is mainly one.

As we were all seated, I took my wife and daughters hands in each of mine. Beatrice like always, liked to say grace at thanksgiving and this year was no different.

"We thank you for the family that surrounds us and the food before us. We thank you for the extra strength that has been bestowed upon our family this year and for us all to be here to witness it. May you bless everyone around this table for the years to come, Amen.

We all knew this would be an emotional thanksgiving and it turned out to be so. As everyone took their turn around the table, they were all thankful that my wife was still here. Jac and Daniel were also thankful for girls being put on this planet just for them, but that's teenage boys for you.

"I'm also thankful that aunt Ana is stronger than everyone on this planet and is back to kick arse" Daniel told her, holding his glass of cola up and making Ana giggle.

"Mum, it's your turn" Luca told her.

"I'm not sure how to top Jac and Daniel's so I won't even try. I'm just thankful to be breathing, to be able to share this meal with you all. I'm thankful that I have this amazing family that surrounds me and helped me through this ordeal, every step of the way. I can never express how much each of you mean to me. I'm thankful for my parents and my grandparents" she said, raising her glass to Frankie and Isabella, Beatrice and Antonio, Eamon and Claire too. "Eamon, I'm very thankful that you came into my life. There is no doubt I would not be here if you hadn't. I know without a doubt, I would've never reached my eleventh birthday had you not fought for me and I wouldn't be sat here now, if you hadn't done it again. To Eamon" she smiled, brushing her tears away, before taking a sip of wine. "To my sisters, I'm thankful for the love and the bond we have always shared. I know you fought to keep me with you on that day. You kept me safe until you could deliver me to Eamon….To my children" Ana continued. "I'm thankful for your strength, the closeness you all have to each other and even though you like to wind each other up, I'm thankful for the comfort you show one another. Christian, you are my rock, my best friend. I thank whoever brought you into my life everyday and know we're never to be parted."

I pulled Ana to my side, kissing her forehead.

"Forever Princess" I told her, receiving a little nod.

"Now, I'm going to finish before I dilute my wine with tears. Just know that, I'm thankful for you all."

My own thanksgiving was the last and was short but sweet. I was thankful for my wife, my family and the love they all share and bring. If truth be told, I was trying not to get emotional after seeing my wife share her thanks, so I wanted everyone to quickly focus on the meal.

When the turkey was cut, and my wife received the first slice, everyone dug in.

Talk turned from thanks, to the upcoming wedding. We leave here the middle of December, only a few weeks from now. My speech was written, proofread by Ana, Oriella's dress is nearly finished or so I'm told. Like all the boys I know nothing about it. The only thing I do know is that Oriella will be wearing the Mancini veil.

We have a lot of things to celebrate coming up, a lot to look forward to. My son's wedding, my grand children's birth. Who knows what the future brings, I don't. All I do know is, I will have my Princess with me through it, standing by my side.

Thank you for reading.

We are back to Sicily next chapter for the wedding.

There are only a few chapters left in this story. It's going to be sad to say goodbye. I have written about this family for so long, they feel like family.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.