Forbidden love for a Barkley

Part Twenty Eight:

"Pride and Prejudice, pt. 4: The Morning After"

After rounding up the horses and Carmine's mule Ignazio, Victoria and company set up a camp of sorts then sat around in a "cerchio del silenzio" ("circle of silence"). She, Jarrod, Heath, Stefania, and Paulie were among those alone with their thoughts as the silence continued. Within their thoughts were feelings of guilt, remembering the loss of some loved ones, the willpower to try & remain calm in spite of how difficult that was, and the refusal to believe Nick and Carmine were dead due to remembering how tough the two men were. Who could blame them? Victoria, being a mother, couldn't bear the thought of having to bury one of her children. Parents shouldn't outlive their children and plus, it was bad enough that she had to bury her own husband. Jarrod, being the eldest sibling and "Pappy", blamed himself, because Nick and Carmine were both within his reach and just as he was about to get them to shore, they were swept away. He couldn't help, but feel absolutely guilty. Likewise to his mother, he had to bury his father and his wife which was bad enough. Heath, being the younger sibling who was close to Nick, refused to believe that a wave of water could take Nick out as he had been through a lot worse and was still standing each time. He had been through enough things himself and the thought of losing his big brother just drove him up the wall. Stefania, being Carmine's daughter and Nick's girlfriend, blamed herself for everything that has happened. She felt that it was, because of her getting r*ped that Nick was kidnapped and badly hurt by her uncle and the friends of him and her father then assaulted by her cousin Italia, even though she didn't mention that part in her thoughts for obvious reasons, and now, the possible reality that she not only lost Nick, but her father, too. She felt it was all her fault and that she didn't deserve to live. Paulie, being Carmine's brother, refused to believe that a silly splash of water sweeping him over a waterfall would be his undoing. He knew Carmine to be a very tough man that was unbreakable. Carmine had been the strong arm of the Mangano family for so long that there was just no way he was dead. No way at all. Fast forward, after a few moments of silence, Jarrod and Paulie would finally speak up and say how sorry they were about what has just transpired. Now, the latter asked the former about a deal he was starting to talk about with Carmine and was curious as to what it was. The questions that remain are as follows: Will Jarrod tell Paulie about this "deal"?, Will Paulie and the others realize that Stefania was right; the Barkleys are not bad people?, and most importantly, where are Carmine and Nick & will they resurface alive or have they perished? Stay tuned and find out!

Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Carmine Mangano Sr, Carmine's friends, Paulie Mangano, Italia Mangano, Chet and the men Heath rounded up, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. This is the fourth part of however many parts of this multi chapter saga. As you can very well see by the title, I modeled this chapter after the Jane Austen book, tv shows, and movies of the same name. Full disclosure, I have neither read the book, watched the 1958, 1967, 1980, 1995, or 2014 series, nor seen the 1940 or 2005 film. I just think the title is fitting. Oh and before I forget, I modeled another part of this chapter's title after the Friends episode of the same name. However, this chapter will not be at all like the episode of Friends. "Friends", "The Big Valley", and "Pride and Prejudice" belong to their rightful owners.

(Flashback to part 27)

*Stefania's POV*

'I can't believe it! I...I just can't believe that...that two people who mean very much to me can possibly be-'

I feel tears spring to my eyes.

'I can't say it. It's-It's too horrible!'

I remember what all has happened and get the feeling of guilt.

'This all resulted from Seth McMahon and his gang raping me! This is all my fault!'

I feel the tears pouring down my cheeks and quickly wipe them away.

'It's, because of me that papa, zio Paulie, and the others took Nick and did what they each did to him and now, it's because of me that now...now...Nick and papa are-'

I shake my head and put my face in my hands.

'It's all my stupid fault! I-I don't deserve to live!'

I sniffle and start to softly cry.

'I don't deserve to live! First, I cause Dominique to drown and now, Nick and papa could be gone!'

I wipe more tears away.

'I can't ever look at the Barkleys or my family in the face ever ever again!'

*Outside of Stefania's mind*

Despite her cries being soft, Stefania's sniffling was loud enough for both Jarrod and Paulie to come over to her, each putting a hand on her shoulders in order to comfort and reassure her. They each knew how she was feeling, because they themselves were feeling the same exact way. Jarrod was having the reminders of Beth and Tom play out in his head whereas Paulie was most likely having the murders of Emilio and Santo playing out in his mind. Having already lost his own father and younger brother, Paulie was now facing the possible reality of losing his older brother and best friend. He likewise to everyone else in his family couldn't afford to lose Carmine. Hardheaded as he was, deep down inside, for those who really knew Carmine knew that he was actually a nice charming man underneath that tough exterior. One just needed to get to know him better and let his grouchiness slide like water off a duck's back in order for them to see that he was the type of person who had one's back at the end of the day and was only hardheaded for their own good. Paulie knew this all too well as did Stefania. After all, he was Stefania's father and Paulie's older brother. In fact, Paulie always looked up to him ever since childhood. Carmine always stuck his neck out and did stuff for Paulie and his other siblings, even his close friends & none of them ever forgot that. That's the kind of loyalty the Manganos and their friends held to one another. Never did any of them ever go back on their word and if someone dared to do so, well, they were banished for good. Ostracized, exiled, you name it. Stefania knew it, Massimo and the others knew it, Santo knew it, Emilio knew it, and Paulie knew it. The whole Mangano family knew it and now with Carmine possibly gone, it would be the biggest blow to them since the murders of Santo and Emilio. That being said, Paulie started to think about Carmine and his toughness which brought a short lived smile to his face. Short lived, because while it gave him hope knowing that Carmine was too tough to let some silly wave of water be his undoing, he started to think about Emilio and Santo's toughness and where it landed them.

*Paulie's POV*

'No! No! No! I refuse to believe that some stupid wave of water could kill Carmine!'

I shake my head.

'No! He's too tough for that! Way way way way way way too tough for that! There's just no way! There isn't!'

I think of the times Carmine came close to dying.

'My brother has been A) thrown from mules ever since he was a kid, B) nearly mauled to death by a bear, C) sick with pneumonia, and D) bitten by a wolf four times in his life and still managed to keep on going, so there's just no way a wave of water could do him in!'

I think about it more and more & feel tears starting to spring to my eyes.

'No! No tears! No crying! Carmine wouldn't want anybody to cry over him! No! No tears, Paulie! No tears!'

I do my best to hold them back.

'Come on, Paulie. Send those tears back to wherever they came from. You're sitting in a cerchio del silenzio (circle of silence) with others. Don't you dare fold and start blubbering like a baby.'

I then think about papa and Santo & sigh.

'Papa and Santo were just as tough as Carmine and...well, look what happened to them! Just look what happened to them! Papa was pulled off of his mule and murdered! Santo was lynched due to the white woman's lie! Ohhhh! Hasn't my family suffered enough?! Haven't we-'

I take some deep breaths.

'Take it easy, Paulie. Take it easy. You can't assume things and get yourself all worked up. It doesn't erase what all has happened, but man, it's hard not to be angry! It is very hard not to!'

I look over at Stefania and sigh, once again.

'Poor Stefania. She needs someone to lean on and it won't do either of us good if I just lose it. I need to be strong for her, for Carmine, and for myself, but it is hard!'

*Outside of Paulie's mind*

Like everyone else in the cerchio del silenzio, Paulie also continued to try and hold himself together, but it was hard. Who could hold themself together during what looked like a tragedy that took place moments earlier? Who could be that strong? Who?

As the minutes kept passing, everybody continued to sit in total silence. Well, that was until Jarrod and Paulie locked eyes. They continued to lock eyes until Jarrod decided to be the first one to speak up.

"Paulie..." Jarrod sighed and cleared his throat, "For what it's worth...I'm sorry about Santo, your father Emilio, and now, Carmine. God forbid he and Nick...well, you know."

"I never thought I would say this to a white man, but signor Jarrod, I apologize too for your brother Nick, if...well, you get the point." Paulie had a hard time saying all of this.

"I hope to God they wash up somewhere and make their way back." Jarrod turned away from Paulie and stared at nothing in particular.

"Make that two of us." Paulie sighed, "Jarrod, you talked about a deal. If I may ask, what was it? What did you have in mind?"

(Now)

"Paulie, I think it is best that we discuss the deal a little later." Jarrod said while continuing to stare off at nothing in particular.

"Normally, I would say that you're pulling a fast one, but in light of what has happened and the possible reality we could each face, it is just as well that your deal or proposition for that matter could wait until morning." Paulie nodded in agreement.

"Nick and Carmine have to have washed up somewhere by now and possibly trying to make their way back to us." Jarrod picked up a pebble and tossed it.

"If that's the case, then let's all go search for them." Massimo spoke up.

"Yeah. There's no use for us to be sitting here like stones." Chet added.

"No. It's best to wait until morning." Paulie shook his head.

"Wait until-Paulie, with all due respect, those two are not just anybody. One is my big brother Nick and the other is your brother Carmine. We can't just idly wait while they're out there going through God knows what." Heath spoke up, sounding firm.

"No, Heath. Paulie is right." Jarrod turned to Heath.

"You're agreeing with me?" Paulie was surprised.

"Yes, because one time, a while back, a child got lost. Nick, father, and I told the parents that we would scour this area as there was that possibility the child was here. We split up and searched all day until sundown. Upon meeting up, father said it was best if we built up a camp, settled down for the night, and waited until morning to search again. Nick said the same thing you, Chet, and Massimo just said. In fact, you three echoed his exact words which brings a bit of a chill up my spine, but that's neither here nor there. After Nick said that, father told him and I quote: "Nick, you are not using your head. It would be wise if we waited until morning, because after sundown, not only is it hard to see, but it also gets very dangerous. Especially, during the dead of night. You never know who or what may be lurking around. It's not worth your safety and life." unquote. Nick, of course, kept insisting on searching, but eventually and reluctantly relented and we settled down for the night." Jarrod told him.

"Your papa was wise. Sounds like he had a good head on his shoulders." Paulie nodded.

"That he was, Paulie. That he was." Jarrod replied.

"What happened to the child?" Massimo asked.

"Oh, we found her the next morning. She had fallen into a hole while running around. Nick tied a piece of rope around himself and went down while father and I held onto the rope. Long story short, it was a harrowing experience due to the ground being very loose, but we got the girl to safety and back to her father. Nick would have another go at saving a little girl named Sarah-Jane who fell down an old well only this time he had a gypsy girl named Pilon aiding him." Jarrod told him.

"Pilon? He didn't tell me about this Pilon woman." Stefania seemed a little taken aback.

"Stefania, sono io o avverto un po' di gelosia in te? (Stefania, is it me or do I sense a little jealousy from you?)" Paulie turned to Stefania.

"Zio Paulie, con tutto il rispetto, cosa te ne frega? Odi Nick proprio come fa papà. (Uncle Paulie, with all due respect, what do you care? You hate Nick just like dad does.)" Stefania gave him a weird look.

"Stefania, posso mettere da parte il mio disprezzo per i bianchi quando c'è la possibilità che una tragedia incombe su ciascuno di noi. (Stefania, I can put my disdain for the white people aside when there's the possibility of a tragedy hanging over each of our heads.)" Paulie told her.

"Zio Paulie, io credo che sia così come credo che agli asini possano crescere le ali e volare. (Uncle Paulie, I believe that just like I believe that donkeys can grow wings and fly.)" Stefania gave Paulie a look, clearly showing she wasn't buying any of what he just said.

"Perché mi guardi in quel modo e che tipo di crepa era quella? Cosa intendi con questa osservazione? (Why are you looking at me like that and what kind of crack was that? What do you mean by that remark?)" Paulie raised an eyebrow.

"Quello che intendo è che ora ti comporti bene quando pochi istanti prima, tu e papà avete detto cose orribili su Nick, tra gli altri. Troppa ipocrisia? (What I mean is that now you're acting nice when moments earlier, you along with dad said horrible things about Nick among others. Hypocrisy much?)" Stefania stood up, walked over to the water, and stared at it.

"Stefania, cosa c'è di così ipocrita nel fatto che io e tuo padre siamo così protettivi nei tuoi confronti? (Stefania, what's so hypocritical about your dad and me being protective of you?)" Paulie walked up to Stefania and stood behind her.

"Zio Paulie, non sto dicendo che il tuo amore e la tua protezione e l'amore e la protezione di papà siano ipocriti. Ciò che è ipocrita è che ti comporti in modo gentile e stavi solo parlando con Jarrod quando all'inizio dicevi cose orribili. Non ha senso. (Uncle Paulie, I am not saying your love and protectiveness and papa's love and protectiveness is hypocritical. What's hypocritical is that you are acting all nice and were just talking with Jarrod when early on, you were saying rotten things. It doesn't make sense.)" Stefania shook her head.

"Stefania, come ho detto, posso mettere da parte il mio disprezzo per i bianchi, cosa che sto facendo ora, perché c'è una possibile tragedia che incombe sulle nostre teste. Detto questo, non cambia affatto i miei sentimenti verso i bianchi. Non li perdonerò mai per quello che hanno fatto alla nostra famiglia. Mai! (Stefania, like I said, I can put my disdain for white people aside which I am as of now, because there's a possible tragedy looming over our heads. That being said, it doesn't change my feelings towards the white people at all. I'll never forgive them for what they have done to our family. Ever!)" Paulie explained or at least tried to.

Stefania, still with her back to Paulie, didn't say anything and shook her head, again, following it with a long sigh. Paulie went to say something, but seeing that he couldn't possibly convince his niece, walked off instead.

Heath, not wanting to wait until morning, walked over to Charger and started to saddle him up. Seeing this, Jarrod walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Before you ask, I'm going to go search for Nick and Mr. Mangano." Heath said, his back still facing Jarrod.

"Heath, it's almost nightfall and did you not hear the story I just told?" Jarrod put his hands on his hips.

"I heard it loud and clear, big brother." Heath nodded, before turning his attention to him, "However, that won't stop me from searching for them. I mean one of us has to try."

"Heath, like father-" Jarrod was cut off.

"I don't care what father told you and Nick during that time. Our brother is out there and so is Stefania's father! I'm going to go see if they washed up." Heath got mounted, "You're welcome to join me."

Jarrod opened his mouth to say something, but stopped in his tracks when Heath rode off.

"Jarrod..." Victoria walked up to him, "Where is Heath going?"

"He's going to go search for Nick and Mr. Mangano." Jarrod sighed and shook his head, "He's making a mistake, mother. It's almost nightfall and heaven knows who lurks up here during the hours of the night."

"I understand and share your concerns, Jar-" Victoria was cut off.

"Then again, Heath is right. It's not just anybody out there. It's Nick and Mr. Mangano. I'm going to go with Heath." Jarrod walked over to his horse and started to saddle her up, "I know what you're going to say, mother and before you do, don't try to stop me."

"I was going to say that I understand and share your concerns, but it doesn't hurt to try. It is still daylight out. Sunset, but still daylight to a degree and it doesn't hurt for one of us to go off and search." Victoria put her hand on Jarrod's arm.

"Well, I'm going to join Heath. If I didn't, I'd never forgive myself." Jarrod gave her a hug before getting mounted and riding off.

Victoria watched Jarrod ride off before going over to Stefania and standing next to her.

"Ciao, Signora Barkley." Stefania said while still staring at the water.

"I know how and what you're feeling, but in spite of the worried feeling, I'm sure they're alright, Stefania." Victoria tried to sound reassuring & optimistic even though she didn't believe her own words.

"It's all my fault." Stefania sighed.

"Stefania, it's nobody's fault. I-" Victoria was cut off.

"It's just one of those things that happens, right?" Stefania seemingly finished what Victoria was saying.

"Unfortunately, it is, but it was also an accident. Nobody knew that bridge was going to collapse or those waves would sweep Nick and your father away. They were both just...strange and shocking occurrences. Of course, we're going to fear the worse and have that guilty feeling, but we need to be strong for them. No matter how hard it is. We just need to remember that they are strong men and very tough, too. In fact, since we know how tough they are, do you think a wave of water would take them down?" Victoria placed a hand on her shoulder.

"No, but I still feel responsible, Signora Barkley. I still do." Stefania turned to her, "No matter how many times I am told that it is nobody's fault, I still feel it in my heart. I feel in my heart that I am."

"You're not alone, Stefania. We're all feeling that way, but Nick and your father wouldn't want us to mope around and blame ourselves. It doesn't accomplish or solve anything." Victoria told her.

"I know. I just wish I believed it." Stefania sighed, before sadly walking off.

Victoria watched Stefania walk over to the remnants of the broken bridge and sported a sympathetic look on her face.

"Poor girl." Paulie walked up to Victoria.

"I wish she didn't feel responsible." Victoria said.

"Same here and I also wish that she would believe that I can put my disdain for your people aside when a possible tragedy looms over all of us." Paulie told her.

"I'm glad to hear that, Paulie and maybe just maybe you and your friends might see that my family and I are not bad people." Victoria smiled a little.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Signora Barkley and while you're at it, don't put words into my mouth. I simply said I can put my disdain aside. I didn't say this situation will change my mind. There's a big difference." Paulie said in a very snide way.

*A few minutes later*

After looking around to see if Nick and Carmine washed up somewhere, Jarrod and Heath were heard returning. Feeling what seemed to be a glimmer of hope, Victoria, Stefania, and Paulie went over to the two men.

"Jarrod, Heath, anything?" Victoria asked.

"Yeah, did my brother wash up?" Paulie asked.

Before Jarrod and Heath could say a word, a voice was heard saying: "Help! Somebody...please help!" followed by the sound of running footsteps. This caught everyone's attention as they were now looking around to hopefully find the source of the sound. A figure that appeared to be that of a man came running towards them.

"White man!" Massimo grabbed his shotgun.

"That's Jess Chaney. I wonder what he's doing up here." Victoria walked over to the man.

"Victoria Barkley? I didn't expect to-" Jess cut himself off in order to catch his breath.

"It's nice to see you too, Jess. What brings you up here?" Victoria asked.

"Jess?" Jarrod spoke up.

"Sorry...just needed to..catch my breath...there." Jess cleared his throat, "Anyways, have any of you seen Mavis anywhere?"

"No, we haven't. Why?" Jarrod shook his head.

"Mavis never came home from school and I've been looking everywhere she could've gone. I haven't been able to find her." Jess had a worried look on his face, "God only knows where she is!"

"What makes you think she is up in these parts?" Heath asked.

"Mavis comes up here at times with her friends plus this is the way she usually goes to and from school." Jess sighed and ran a hand over his face, "She's always home on time! She's always been conscientious of everything ranging from homework to chores. Oh my lord, if something's-"

"Jess, you must not think that way. Look, how about you stay here in this camp with us for the night and tomorrow morning, we'll each search for Mavis?" Victoria suggested.

"I-I suppose, Victoria. I really do not intend to intrude or anything." Jess replied.

"No intrusion. Besides, we're searching for our family members, too. Nick and Carmine got swept away and...God only knows." Victoria's voice started to crack.

"Who's Carmine?" Jess raised an eyebrow.

"Where are my manners? Ciao, Signor Chaney. My name is Stefania Mangano. This is my zio Paulie and our friends: Massimo, Vito, Enzo, Arturo, and Luca." Stefania introduced herself, Paulie, and their friends to Jess, "Carmine is my papa and Nick is my...good friend."

"Very pleased to meet you, ma'am and the rest." Jess shook her hand and nodded at Paulie & the others who followed suit.

"Jarrod, Heath, anything on Nick and Carmine?" Victoria turned to her sons.

"Afraid not, mother." Heath sadly shook his head before getting dismounted, "However, it is nightfall and morning will come soon enough. That's when we'll find Nick, Carmine, and Mavis."

"I sincerely hope so." Victoria sighed.

"We will, mother. I know we will." Jarrod also got dismounted, walked over to Victoria, and kissed her on the side of her head.

"We must." Victoria quietly said to herself.

"My poor little Mavis. She's-She's all I have left of Joanna. God rest that lovely woman's soul." Jess took his hat off and placed it over his heart, "My beautiful sweet darling Joanna."

"She was an amazing woman, Jess. She truly was." Jarrod walked over to the man, "I do not know how we all got through her funeral."

"I don't know what I'd do without my little Mavy. She's the sole reason I keep going and if something has happened to her-" Jess was cut off.

"Jess, don't worry yourself none. We'll find her. I know we will. Now, how's about we turn in for the night and start our search at sun up?" Jarrod put a comforting hand on Jess's back.

Jess didn't say anything and just nodded.

*The very next morning, somewhere far from the broken bridge*

The sun was shining and all of the creatures were going about their business. This was all on the outside, because inside a dark cave, there was nothing, but total darkness with the exception of a small hole above the cave showing some light.

Over in the right corner was a pile of rocks and after a good 10 minutes passed, the pile started to move. At first the movement seemed weak, but it got stronger and stronger after a few seconds. As the pile continued to move, in the back of the cave, a man was heard groaning. The groaning caught the attention of whatever or whoever was under the pile, because after a rock was hit hard enough to be sent flying, a hand emerged. This was followed by another hand emerging and finally, the figure of a man. Well, only half, because the other half was still trapped under the rocks.

As the man continued trying to get the rest of himself out of the rock pile, the other man continued to groan.

"Are you alright?" the man called out.

"Who's there?" the other man quit groaning and asked.

"Me. Look brother, try to get up and follow the sound of my voice." the man said.

"Okay...I guess." the other man was heard standing up and walking.

"Just follow the sound of my voice." the man instructed.

The other man's footsteps were heard approaching.

"That's it. Keep coming." the man instructed some more.

Before the blink of an eye, the figure of the other man was seen and once he and man #1 came face-to-face, their eyes got big.

"Nick Barkley? You're in here, too?" the other man asked.

"Yes, Carmine. I am. We both got-" Nick was cut off.

"That's Mr. Mangano to you." Carmine reminded him.

"Normally, I would say "Mr. Mangano", but right now, we're Nick and Carmine." Nick told him.

"Nick, we're not anything except two people who-" Carmine was interrupted.

"We're two people who just awakened after being unconscious which resulted from being swept away from our families over a waterfall and into this cave." Nick pointed out the obvious.

"Unfortunately, I had to get swept away with you." Carmine said in a very snide way.

"Look, I know this is no picnic for either of us, but we're together whether we like it or not, so we may as well play nice." Nick gave him a firm look.

"I suppose, but it doesn't change my mind about you and your kind & it doesn't make me believe you're worthy of my Stefania!" Carmine slapped the wall of the cave, "Plus, it doesn't make me believe you're innocent in what happened to her!"

"Carmine, is this really necessary? I mean we just narrowly escape our own deaths and you're still blaming me! Can't you for once put aside your hatred and everything? After all, even though we know we're alive and barely with it, our families may be thinking otherwise. Some may be blaming themselves, too. Why don't you think about that?" Nick folded his arms.

Carmine didn't say anything and let what Nick said sink in & process. He would never ever admit it, but he knew Nick was right. For all the two men knew, their families could be thinking they're dead. Unbeknownst to them, they had that thought enter their minds despite trying hard to remain optimistic.

"Well?" Nick asked.

"I never thought I would ever ever say this, but you are right, Nick. Our families may be thinking we have gone over to the other side." Carmine nodded and sighed, "Alright. I will put my disdain for you and your kind aside, but once we are reunited with our families, the temporary truce is over. Capisce?"

"Fair enough." Nick reluctantly nodded.

"Good. Now, let's get out of this cave and hurry back to our families." Carmine started to walk off.

"Uh, Carmine?" Nick cleared his throat.

"What now?! Don't delay our reunion with our families and the end of the temporary truce!" Carmine let out an annoyed grunt.

"I'm stuck in this rock pile. I need help!" Nick told him.

Carmine made an annoyed noise and kicked the ground.

"Please, Carmine!" Nick started to plead, "I think the lower half of my body is starting to lose some feeling, not to mention that some of these rocks are crushing my legs plus my lower back and I can't lie, it hurts like hell! Please, help me. Please."

To Be Continued...

Happy belated Veterans Day (11/11/2024) to all of our veterans! Thank you for your service and sacrifice! BIG salute!

Happy belated 73rd birthday to Lou Ferrigno!

Born: November 9, 1951

Nick: Ouch! Please, help me out of this pile!

Jess: Mavy, where are you? Mavis! Mavis!

Jarrod: Nick, Carmine, Mavis, where are you?

Stefania: I hope we find them!

Carmine: R&R, people. R&R!