Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Forty Four:
"Tea and...Pains"
Carmine had entered into the kitchen of his household, saw his wife crying, her hair everywhere, and Nick by her side which led Nick to ask him whether he was going to believe what he saw or what any of them had to say. Andrea would sense her husband's presence and the two would get to talking, the former revealing that masked men invaded their home and attacked her after she told Allegra to run for it before insinuating that Carmine would think of her as a "freak" since her hair was chopped off. The Mangano patriarch would reassure her otherwise to which she would apologize and explain that with the incident being so harrowing, her mind wasn't in the right place. Stefania would speak up and tell her to take it easy with Carmine while she and Nick go outside and look around before turning to her father and telling him not to blame Nick as the duo just got there. Nick would echo the same thing before mentioning Allegra to which Andrea asked if he saw her to which Stefania told her parents what Allegra did before Nick would add that she was safe along with Silas, Victoria, Audra, and Eugene. Andrea would voice her gratitude and Carmine would inform her of what all the masked men did in regards to the church, Father Margolis, Audra, and Cara & Mariah which would horrify Andrea to the point of making an attempt to get ready to possibly join a search party only for her husband to tell her that she needed to stay home as it was much safer and she had been through enough for one day. Vincent and Simonetta would come in and ask what had happened to Andrea & where Italia and Allegra were which led to Carmine informing them before telling Nick and Stefania to come outside with him to which they did, but not before Nick would ask if the Mangano patriarch would point the finger at him & call him names to which Carmine said no. All the while, back at Barkley Ranch, the person at the door would be revealed to be...Carl Wheeler. Carl would shoot the breeze with Victoria and Eugene, telling them he was there to see Nick before the conversation would be interrupted by the Mourning Dove that followed Nick, Stefania, and Allegra into the house moments earlier. Eugene and Victoria both wondered why the bird was there, Carl would voice that the bird's presence could be some sort of sign and a positive one as Doves are known for representing positive signs. Victoria would seem to agree only to change the subject and hint that she had a feeling that Carl was there for another reason besides wanting to see Nick to which Carl admitted that he did indeed have another reason for being there. He had been writing to Audra for two months and after receiving no reply, he grew worried and decided to come to Stockton in order to see if everything was alright. Victoria would tell him that everything was alright until recently, revealing that Audra had been through a harrowing situation earlier that day and from what she heard, it had to be traumatizing (Oh, Victoria. If only you knew) to which Carl voiced how sorry he was and while hoping that Audra would be okay, he'd say that even though he planned on seeing her that same day, he would respectfully give her time and space to regroup & whenever she was ready to see him, he'd be there before asking if he could wait for Nick in the meantime to which Victoria said he could. The trio would then turn their attention to the Mourning Dove and fail at trying to catch it before hearing a noise come from outside. Carl would go out to see who or what it was which led to him going into the barn and back at the Mangano household, Nick, Carmine, and Stefania were checking outside to see if the coast was clear. As of now, Carl was battling a Python that was constricted around him, Nick got his broken leg caught in a bear trap, and there was a figure behind a bush at the Mangano household watching the whole thing. The questions that remain are as follows: Who is the figure/person behind that bush?, Will Carl be freed from the Python?, Will Carmine get Nick's foot unstuck from the Bear trap?, Will the search for Cara & Mariah begin?, Will Jarrod convince Fred to get a posse together?, Where's Italia?, Where's Paulie?, Will Carl meet up with Nick?, Will Audra and Carl see each other?, Where's the Cherokee or Navajo girl?, What happened to Esther?, and most importantly, will Nick and Carmine start to have a cordial relationship? 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, Emilio Mangano, Serafina Mangano, Santo Mangano, Francesca Mangano, Cara & Mariah Mangano, Chet and the men Heath rounded up, Jess and Mavis Chaney, the Animal Team, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, Violet Pascucci, Julissa Kurilenko, Daphne Gubenheimer, Simonetta Mangano, Father Margolis, Caleb (the little boy in the church), the Masked Men, the Cherokee or Navajo girl, the Mourning Dove, the Python that is attacking Carl, and the Mangano family. As I stated in previous chapters, I'm modeling the relationship between Jarrod and Violet after the one of James Bond/007 and Miss Moneypenny & Marshal Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell which by the way, those characters, the James Bond franchise, and Gunsmoke rightfully belong to their owners. Happy reading! :D
Warning/Trigger Warning: Pregnancy and baby delivery will be hinted at and partially in this chapter. If it makes you uncomfortable, please feel free to skip this chapter.
(Flashback to part 43)
"Let's go outside? Carmine, you're teaming up with not only your daughter, but me as well?" Nick was surprised.
"As strange as it is to you, yes. Yes, I am, Nick." Carmine nodded.
"Aren't you going to point the finger at me? Call me a bad man or something?" Nick asked.
"No, Nick. I am not. I'm not going to blame you. Now, let's go." Carmine stood up and gestured for Nick and Stefania to follow him before going outside.
Nick and Stefania exchanged glances before joining the Mangano patriarch.
*Meanwhile back at Barkley Ranch*
"Not at this moment. Nick just left with Stefania. However, if you want to wait for him, come right in." Eugene said to the person before stepping aside so they could come in.
"Sounds good." the person said before coming inside.
"Say, you look familiar. Do I know you?" Eugene asked as he shut the door.
"I think we met a few times before you went off to school for a while." the person nodded.
"Eugene?" Victoria called from the top of the stairs.
"Yes, mother?" Eugene said.
"Who's at the-Oh my goodness!" Victoria started to come down the stairs only to stop and get a smile on her face when she saw the person, "Carl? Carl Wheeler?"
"Mrs. Barkley. Hello." Carl looked up, smiled, and tipped his hat before taking it off, "It is a pleasure to see you, ma'am."
"I knew you looked familiar." Eugene nodded.
"Carl, what brings you here?" Victoria asked.
"I was in town and just wanted to drop by for a visit with Nick, but seeing as he isn't here, I'll wait patiently." Carl told her.
The Mourning Dove flew off of the mantle to the stair rail and made the "coo-ah, coo-coo-coo" noise.
"Oh my! Looks like we have another visitor." Victoria looked at the bird, "Eugene, where did this little guy come from?"
"I'm trying to solve that mystery myself. All I know is that when Nick and Stefania came in along with Allegra, the bird followed them." Eugene told her.
"Maybe the bird's presence could be a sign of some sort?" Carl suggested.
"You think so?" Victoria asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Since it is a Mourning Dove, it could be a positive sign. Usually when a Dove is around, it's a good sign." Carl replied.
"That could be since it is a Dove after all." Victoria nodded in agreement, "That being said, Carl, forgive me, but I do have a feeling you're not only here just to see Nick."
"Well, I'll be honest with you, Mrs. Barkley, I'm not here only to see Nick. I'm also here to see Audra. I've been writing to her for two months, but never got a reply. I got worried and decided to come to Stockton in order to see if everything was alright." Carl admitted.
"Everything is-Well, everything was alright until recently." Victoria started.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking, what's happened? Is Audra alright?" Carl got a look of concern on his face.
"It's too long of a story to go into detail, but today, Audra has been through a harrowing situation. She hasn't told me what happened, but from what I heard, it was traumatizing." Victoria sighed.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs. Barkley. Well, I hope she'll be alright." Carl sucked his teeth and shook his head, "I was planning on seeing her today, but since you said that, I'll give her some space and time to regroup. I'll be in Stockton and whenever she is ready, I'm here."
"Thank you for understanding, Carl and when the time is right, I'll see to it that you two get the chance to see one another. I promise." Victoria told him.
"Much obliged, Mrs. Barkley. That being said, if you don't mind, I'd like to wait here for Nick." Carl smiled.
"I don't mind at all, Carl. Make yourself at home." Victoria said before looking back at the Mourning Dove, "Now, in the case of this little guy right here, we best get him back outside where he belongs."
The Mourning Dove looked up at Victoria and cooed.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you back out in nature." Victoria went to gently grab the bird.
The Mourning Dove flew off of the stair rail and landed onto a nearby drum table that had a drawer.
"I'll get him, ma'am." Carl walked over to the bird and held out his arm, "Come on, fella. Easy does it."
The Mourning Dove flew off of the table and up the stairs, landing right at the top of the staircase.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Eugene tried to stifle a laugh.
"We tried, Eugene. It's your turn now." Victoria told him.
Eugene nodded before walking up the stairs and bending down to pick the bird up only for the bird to fly back down the stairs and land perfectly onto a curtain rod.
"Looks like that bird is here to stay." Carl said.
Before Victoria or Eugene could respond, a noise could be heard outside, yet again.
"What on Earth?" Carl turned his attention to the direction the noise came from.
"Sounds like something is out there..." Eugene got a quizzical look on his face, "Again."
"I'll go check it out." Carl headed outside.
*Outside*
The mere second Carl stepped outside, footsteps could be heard running and very fast, too. Curious, he decided to run in the direction he heard the footsteps in the hopes of capturing the person and possibly interrogating them. Unbeknownst to him, a large snake could be seen slithering right behind him only to switch directions and head into the barn.
Pretty soon, the horses were heard whinnying and by the sounds of the whinnying, something spooked them. Believing that whoever was out here could be inside the barn spooking the horses, Carl ran into the barn in order to check.
"Okay, whoever is in here, come out where I can see you then state your business!" Carl called out.
No answer.
"Alright, you wanna play tough guy, huh?" Carl asked.
Still no answer, but a faint hissing sound could be heard.
Carl continued to look around before feeling something around his ankles and getting a weird look on his face for a brief moment only to shrug and shake his head.
The hissing sound was heard, again, this time louder and closer.
"What in the world?" Carl said before going to take a step only to fall down, "Ooh! What the hell?"
The hissing sound was heard for a third time.
"Ohhh! What in the-Why does my body suddenly feel like it is being squeezed?! Hey, what's the-" Carl looked down and got wide eyed after discovering that there was an Albino Burmese Python constricted around his ankles and now his waist, "Sn-Snake! Sn-Sn-Snake!"
The Python lifted its head and practically got face-to face with Carl, hissing for a fourth time while tightening its hold on his body.
"Hey! I-I did-didn't do anything to you!" Carl grabbed the Python's head with one hand and part of its body with the other in order to hopefully loosen its grip and get free.
*Back inside*
"I wonder what is taking Carl so long and if he found who or what was the source of that noise." Victoria said.
"I'll go out and-" Eugene was cut off.
"Signora Barkley?" Allegra called from the top of the stairs.
"Yes, Allegra?" Victoria turned her attention to the top of the stairs.
"Signora Audra wants to talk to you. I was up there talking with her and she wants to talk to you about what happened." Allegra told her.
"Oh, okay. Thank you, Allegra." Victoria said before starting to make her way up the stairs.
"Should I tell her who is here? She heard somebody talking." Allegra asked.
"Don't worry. I will, dear. In fact, could you see what is going on outside?" Victoria asked.
"Sure thing, but what if it is one of those masked men?" Allegra got a fearful look on her face.
"Well, if it is, you'll be protected, because there's a good friend of the family out there right now probably confronting them. However, that family friend is taking a long time, so could you see what is going on and Eugene, go with her." Victoria told the two before going up to Audra's room.
"Sure thing. Come on, Eugene." Allegra went downstairs and headed outside, Eugene following her.
*Back outside*
Allegra and Eugene headed outside and looked around only to find no trace of Carl or anybody anywhere.
"Carl, couldn't have left that-" Eugene was cut off.
"Eugene, I-I'm in here! Th-The barn!" Carl managed call out, albeit in a somewhat raspy voice.
"In there." Eugene went into the barn, Allegra following.
"Signor Carl, where where are you?" Allegra called out.
The Python sensed Eugene and Allegra's presence and hissed, yet again.
"Serpente! Serpente!" Allegra gasped and exclaimed.
"Serpente?" Eugene asked.
"That's Italian for snake and I heard one hiss just now!" Allegra told him.
*Back at the Mangano household*
Carmine, Stefania, and Nick were outside searching around in the hopes of maybe confronting one of the masked men and to see if the coast was clear. So far, they found absolutely nothing and were ready to quit. Well, quit here and continue elsewhere.
"Well, whoever was here is obviously gone now." Nick sighed.
"Yeah, but where are they now?" Stefania asked.
"Lord only knows." Carmine replied.
"Well, let's go searching everywhere. All of over Stockton if we have to, because those little girls' lives are at stake. Possibly many more lives along with theirs and it is only a matter of time." Nick put his hat back on.
"I'm with you." Stefania told him.
"No, you're not. You're going to take your mother, sister-in-law, and brother to Barkley Ranch & stay with my mother and the others there. It is the only way for you guys to be safe." Nick shook his head.
"Oh no, you don't. I'm going with you!" Stefania replied.
"No, Stefania." Nick said.
"Nick, I wasn't asking your permission." Stefania shook her head.
"Stefania, I never thought I would say this, but I agree with Nick. You went through hell once. We won't stand for round two in your case." Carmine told her.
"Unh uh. I'm going with you two. Besides, a woman's place is..." Stefania walked over to Nick and hugged him, "with her man and besides, I failed you two once. I am not aiming for that, again."
"Stefania, you didn't fail us." Carmine shook his head.
"Yes, I did. You both went over that waterfall!" Stefania's voice started to break.
"Stefania, you had no control over that. None whatsoever. It was just one of those things..." Nick paused.
"That just happened." Carmine finished Nick's sentence.
"Which by the grace of God, we survived and lived to see many more days." Nick added before making his way back to the door.
Then, as if on cue, a metal sound could be heard which was followed by a clamping sound.
"YEEEEEOUCH!" Nick shouted before falling to the ground.
Stefania and Carmine ran over to him to see what just happened.
"Ohhhhhhhh!" Nick groaned.
"Nick, what happened? What's wrong?" Stefania knelt down beside him and gasped, "Trappola!"
Unable to speak due to the excruciating pain since the trap was clamping onto his broken leg, Nick panted and made heavy breathing noises in response.
"I bet those masked men did this! I bet they set this trap!" Stefania shook her head in disgust.
Nick muttered incoherently and nodded in response.
"Don't worry, Nick. We'll get this off. Papa, hold him still while I-" Stefania was cut off.
"Stefania, this thing is too heavy for you to get off. You better hold him still while I get it off." Carmine told her before grabbing the trap.
"Alright." Stefania held Nick close to her as tightly as she could.
"You got him?" Carmine asked as he got a good grip on the trap.
"Yes." Stefania nodded.
"Okay, Nick. Hold still now." Carmine told him before making an attempt to pry the trap off of his foot.
Nick groaned, winced, and grunted.
"Stay still, Nick. It'll be off before you know it." Stefania rubbed his head in order to comfort him.
From behind a bush, a figure could be seen watching the whole thing.
(Now)
Nick hissed and groaned as Carmine was doing his best to get the bear trap off of his foot.
"It'll be off before you know it, Nick." Stefania continued to rub his head.
"I almost got it, Nick. Try and remain still." Carmine almost had the bear trap completely loosened.
"Carmine, Stefania, Nick, what's happening?" a voice asked.
"Paulie, there was a home invasion. Allegra is at the Barkley household, Andrea had her hair chopped off by those masked men, and Nick is caught in a bear trap." Carmine recognized the voice to be that of his brother's.
Before Paulie could reply, there was a rustling sound coming from the bushes. This drew his attention to the point of him going over and getting behind the bush. What happened next would only add to the situation, because pretty soon, fighting sounds were heard followed by Paulie grunting.
"What on Earth?" Stefania got a weird look on her face.
"Paulie, aren't you too old to be wrestling with a bush?" Carmine shook his head.
Paulie and a figure came rolling out from behind the bush. After a few more minutes of struggling, the former had the upper hand and ended the fight by putting his foot on the figure's chest.
"Paulie, what are you doing?!" Carmine asked.
"Carmine, you'll be happy to know that I found a prowler on the grounds!" Paulie said before taking his foot off the figure's chest and forcefully got them to their feet, "On your feet!"
"Let me go!" the person said.
"The only place you're going is to the local jail after we interrogate you!" Paulie retorted before forcefully walking the person to a nearby chair.
"Oh my goodness! Nick? Nick, is that you?" the person seemed to recognize Nick.
"Huh? Who are-Nadine? Nadine Clearwater? Oh my word, what brings you here?" Nick gasped after looking up and recognizing the person.
"Nadine?!" Stefania immediately let go of Nick and folded her arms, "Who is she?!"
"Oh, you have a mistress now?!" Carmine went from loosening the bear trap to tightening it, "How dare you cheat on my daughter?!"
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Mistress? No way! She's...She's a...She's a family friend. We g-grew up together. Her parents used to help out around the ranch. Her father Randolph was of Navajo descent and her mother Claudine was of Irish ancestry. The Clearwaters are dear friends. Ouch!" Nick winced while quickly trying to explain, "Carmine, I would never cheat on your daughter!"
"Well?!" Carmine turned to Nadine.
"Mister, he speaks the truth." Nadine replied before shushing everyone and whispering, "Now, if you don't mind, could you keep your voices down?"
"Alright, but why?" Paulie whispered.
"Those horrible masked men could be lurking around anywhere." Nadine whispered.
"Wait a minute! Did you see my sister?" Stefania whispered her question.
"If she was a girl with dark hair like mine and wearing all black, then yes. Is she okay?" Nadine whispered.
"Yes. She's at Barkley Ranch where you and Andrea will be after I get this bear trap off." Nick whispered.
"No, no, I want to join you." Nadine shook her head.
"Nadine, it's not safe. Those masked men are very vicious. You don't-" Nick was cut off.
"Nick, they captured my brother Brent and sisters Wren, Cleo, and Kai! Who knows what they're all going through?! Who-Oww!" Nadine grabbed at her stomach.
"Did they stab or shoot you in the stomach?" Paulie asked.
"No, no. I'm...ooh! Ah! I'm...carrying...my baby." Nadine rubbed her belly.
Paulie's mouth went agape after his eyes got big.
"Zio Paulie, you...you-" Stefania stopped mid sentence due to realizing that her uncle had wrestled with and put his foot onto the chest of a woman who was expectant.
"Paulie, shame on you! You know better than to get rough with a woman who's expecting!" Carmine chided his brother before turning to Nadine, "I'm so sorry my brother did that."
"I'm sorry, Nadine. I...I...I..." Paulie was so remorseful that he couldn't find the right words.
"It's okay, Paulie, is it?" Nadine asked.
"Yes." Paulie nodded.
"It's okay, Paulie. You didn't know. You thought you saw a prowler and acted in a natural way." Nadine assured.
"I know, but I never attacked an expectant woman before nor would I ever." Paulie sighed.
"Paulie, it's fine. Really." Nadine put her hand on his shoulder.
"Well, let's get you and Andrea to Barkley Ranch then I'll join Carmine, Nick, and Stefania in the search for those masked cowards." Paulie helped Nadine into the house.
"Paulie, I suggest you stay with them." Carmine told him.
"Unh uh. I'm joining you guys and if I were you, Stefania, I'd stay with the women." Paulie called out.
"No, zio Paulie. I'm going and that's that." Stefania stood her ground.
"Okay, but so am I." Paulie insisted before taking Nadine inside.
"Phew! Finally!" Carmine managed to get the bear trap off of Nick's foot.
"Ohhhh, thank you, God!" Nick breathed a huge sigh of relief before turning to Carmine, "Thank you, Carmine."
"You're welcome. Now, let's go." Carmine stood up, helped Nick get to his feet, and headed into the house.
"When all of this is over, I'm gonna give you a nice foot massage." Stefania dusted Nick off.
"Say thanks." Nick smiled before going into the house, hand-in-hand with Stefania.
*Inside*
As Carmine, Nick, and Stefania entered, Paulie was helping Andrea and Nadine out the front door when the younger woman turned around to face the trio.
"What's wrong, Nadine?" Nick asked.
"Nothing, Nick. However, before you leave, I have something to say." Nadine rubbed her belly.
"What is it?" Nick asked.
"Vaya Con Dios (Go with God.)" Nadine held her hand up.
"Vaya Con Dios (Go with God.)" Nick held out three fingers and pointed them at Nadine, Andrea, and Paulie.
"Please, find Brent, Wren, Cleo, and Kai. Please." Nadine pleaded.
"We will, Nadine. We will and when we find them along with Cara and Mariah, we'll bring them straight to Barkley Ranch. We promise." Nick nodded.
"Speaking of which, you three better get there." Stefania said as she walked over to her mother and hugged her, "Non preoccuparti, mamma. Sarai al sicuro al Barkley Ranch. (Don't worry, mom. You'll be safe at Barkley Ranch.)"
Andrea nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek before walking over to her husband and kissing him on the lips.
"Zio Paulie, dove sono Vincent e Simonetta? (Uncle Paulie, where are Vincent and Simonetta?)" Stefania looked around.
"Fuori prendendo il passeggino e il mio cavallo Ennio. (Outside getting the buggy and my horse Ennio.)" Paulie replied.
"Paulie, Chiara aveva già il puledro ? (Paulie, did Chiara have her foal yet?)" Carmine asked.
"No, non ancora. Tuttavia, in qualsiasi momento-(No, not yet. However, at any given moment-)" Paulie was cut off when the sound of whinnying could be heard.
"Paulie, get Andrea and Nadine to the ranch. Carmine, Stefania, get to Chiara. I'll be right there." Nick instructed.
Paulie nodded and left with Andrea and Nadine while Stefania headed straight out to Chiara.
"Nick, what's the-" Carmine was cut off.
"Carmine, do you have an apron and alcohol?" Nick looked around.
"Yes, I do." Carmine nodded.
"Good. Go get 'em, please." Nick said as he took his bandana, gloves, hat, and shirt off.
Carmine nodded and went off to get those very things.
*Meanwhile, back at Barkley Ranch; inside the barn*
"H-Help me!" Carl gasped as the python continued to tighten its hold on him.
"Carl, where are y-Hey, I found him!" Eugene looked around and knelt down beside Carl after spotting him.
"Eugene, the sn-snake! H-Help me!" Carl started to breathe heavily.
"Allegra, you grab the tail. I'll grab the head and together, we'll pry this guy off of Carl." Eugene grabbed a hold of the python's head then turned to Carl, "Carl, you just hang in there and we'll have you loose from this thing faster than the blink of an eye."
Allegra did just that and before anyone knew it, the duo managed to get Carl free from the Python.
"Whoa!" Carl exhaled and took a few heavy breaths in order to gather himself.
The Python hissed at the trio before slithering away.
As soon as Carl pulled himself together, Allegra and Eugene helped him to his feet and into the house.
*Inside*
"That was a close call." Eugene said.
"Close call? More like being nearly squeezed to death." Carl coughed.
Allegra muttered something, but it was too incoherent to understand.
"You alright, Allegra?" Eugene turned to Allegra.
"Huh? Oh, yes. Just totally fine. Cannot believe that I actually handled something I've been deathly afraid of, but I'm okay." Allegra nodded.
"You have a fear of snakes?" Eugene asked.
"Yes, but apparently, I must've just conquered it." Allegra shrugged.
"Thank goodness you did. Otherwise, I would probably be in the process of being eaten or digested by now." Carl lightly joked.
Allegra nodded then shuddered, clearly wanting to forget about the snake.
"I echo that shudder." Carl replied.
Faint crying could be heard coming from upstairs. This got the attention of Carl, Allegra, and Eugene.
*Upstairs*
Audra was crying into her mother's arms. Victoria still didn't know what all had happened other than what she heard, but after a long moment of total silence, the Barkley daughter finally broke down and collapsed into the arms of her mother. After a few minutes of shushing and trying to soothe her daughter, the Barkley matriarch decided it was time to get down to business and find out exactly what happened.
"Audra..." Victoria started.
"Hmmmm?" Audra said in between sobs and sniffs.
"Audra, I heard bits and pieces of what happened at the church and Carmine Mangano's granddaughters. From what I heard, it was quite harrowing, but I need to hear what happened from your perspective. I need to know." Victoria rubbed her daughter's back.
"Oh, mother! It's all my fault! It's all...my fault!" Audra sniffed.
"Honey, what's all your fault?" Victoria asked.
"All of it!" Audra held onto her mother.
"Audra, you're not making a bit of sense. Now, what's all your fault?" Victoria asked once again.
"Mother, you know how I teach Sunday school at the church." Audra started.
"Yes." Victoria said.
"Well, Mr. Mangano's granddaughters Cara and Mariah are among the students and today seemed to be going as any other Sunday would. I taught Bible verses, we held a prayer, just the usual routine." Audra added.
"Go on." Victoria replied.
"Father Margolis came and decided to stay around and watch. Then, there was...there was a knock and I went to see who was there only for Father Margolis to go instead. He didn't come back and didn't come back which started to worry me after awhile." Audra continued.
"I take it that you went to check to see what was happening, right?" Victoria asked.
"Well, I had planned to after I ended class in which I did. I ended class early, told the children to go out to the playground, and just as they were getting lined up, I heard a gunshot and that's when...that's when-" Audra trailed off by sobbing some more.
"That's when what?" Victoria had a concerned look on her face.
"That's when...I knew something was wrong and went to see what was wrong. That's when...I saw...Father Margolis laying on the floor...unconscious and...b-bloody. The church was partially ransacked and that's when I was confronted by...a masked man. However, there wasn't just one masked man. There were many as it turned out." Audra sniffed, "I don't know why they were there or who they were. All I know is that they were horrible men. The leader gave me quite the beating before he and the others..."
"Before he and the others did what? I see the bruises they inflicted upon you, but what else did they do and what do Carmine's granddaughters have to do with it?" Victoria asked before taking another look at Audra's wounds and cringing. It broke her heart and made her angry that somebody let alone a group of men would not only scare, but physically harm her little girl. She got a look of determination on her face, indicating that she wanted these masked cowards to pay and pay dearly.
"Before he and the others grabbed Cara and Mariah and took them to...heaven knows where!" Audra's sobbing started to get uncontrollable, "Just flat out kidnapped them and treated them like they were animals even telling them they would never see their family again! Why? Why take innocent children who didn't do anything to anybody? Why shoot a priest? Why destroy God's house? Just why?!"
"Who knows, Audra? Who knows why people do bad things? Then again, as your father and I have taught you and your brothers, besides the good ones, the world is also full of bad people unfortunately. The only one who knows why these things happen is God. God knows and sees all, even the stuff that we do not understand or accept." Victoria explained while fighting back tears of her own.
"Oh, mother! Mother, it should've been me! It shouldn't been me instead of Cara and Mariah!" Audra wept.
"Audra, don't say that. Don't...ever say that, honey." Victoria gently lifted Audra's head from her shoulder and cupped it in her hands before looking her eye-to-eye, "It shouldn't have been anybody. Neither you, Father Margolis, Cara & Marah, anybody."
"But mother, I feel so guilty! I mean, because of me, the church got destroyed, the baptismal father built was knocked over & probably destroyed by now, the cross you donated was hung upside down & probably damaged by now, Father Margolis was shot & is fighting for his life, and Cara & Mariah are in danger! It's all, because of me, mother! It's all my fault!" Audra had fresh tears stream down her face.
"Audra, it is not your fault. None of it." Victoria shook her head.
"But mother-" Audra was cut off.
"Audra, listen to me. You had no way of knowing that those masked cowards were going to invade the church, destroy it, shoot Father Margolis, kidnap Cara & Mariah, and beat you in the process. You had no idea that, that was going to happen nor could you prevent it. Some things are just beyond our control. They happen for reasons we do not understand or like, but nonetheless, they happen. That being said, the main thing is nobody was murdered. Granted, Father Margolis may be in the fight of his life, but I have a feeling that he'll be just fine. May have to recover for a good while, but he'll be alright. After all, he has God on his side, too." Victoria gently told her.
"Well, you are right in that aspect, because the main thing is that nobody was dead at the scene, but in regards to Father Margolis, how can you be so sure, mother?" Audra brushed a piece of her hair out of her face.
"Two things. One, it has been said that he has the heart of a Bull & a strong will to back that up and two, I just have that optimistic feeling. Am I scared? Oh, absolutely, but I also have that positive feeling that he'll recover just fine." Victoria explained.
Audra, knowing her mother was right and becoming somewhat reassured, half smiled and nodded in response.
"There's that pretty smile." Victoria said before gently patting Audra on the back, "Would you like for me to bring you some tea?"
"I would love some tea, mother." Audra nodded.
"You got it, sweetheart. Oh and before I forget, you do have a special visitor here, but I told said visitor that you may need some space and time." Victoria gently broke away from the hug and stood up.
"Who's here?" Audra asked.
"Carl Wheeler. He's also here to see Nick as well." Victoria said as she walked over to the door.
"Carl? I haven't heard from him in two months since I have been writing to him which has also been for two months. Is he alright?" Audra's eyes lit up at hearing Carl's name.
"Oh, he's fine and you know what? He said the same thing. He received no reply and-" Victoria was cut off.
"Mother, could you send him up here?" Audra asked.
"I could, but don't you think-" Victoria was cut off, again.
"Please." Audra said.
"Honey, under any other circumstances, I'd say yes, but since you went through a harrowing ordeal today, I think you need to rest and regroup before you have any visitors." Victoria sound firm.
"You're right, mother. It's probably just as well that I rest up and pull myself together. However, I just don't want to miss Carl." Audra conceded.
"You won't, honey. He'll be in Stockton for a while, so, you have time to pull yourself together and see him." Victoria replied before opening the door.
"Alright." Audra nodded.
"You just sit tight and I'll go get you that tea." Victoria started to leave the room only to bump into someone, "Oomph!"
"Hi, mother." Eugene smiled.
"Eugene, what have I told you about eavesdropping?" Victoria folded her arms and gave him the "mom" look.
"It's mean, but I wasn't eavesdropping." Eugene replied.
"Oh, no?" Victoria asked.
"No." Eugene shook his head before taking a deep breath, "Mother, you remember Nadine Clearwater?"
"Now, how can I forget a dear friend to our family? Of course, I do. Such a sweet young lady and her parents, Claudine and Randolph were such lovely people. What makes you bring her up?" Victoria smiled as she fondly remembered Nadine and her parents.
"Well, one of those masked men terrorized her along with Allegra and Mrs. Mangano, kidnapped her siblings Brent, Wren, Kai, & Cleo, and now, she's here along with Mrs. M. and Paulie and...and...she looks...she uh..." Eugene struggled to say the last part.
"Signora Barkley, Nadine is here along with my zio Paulie and mama & she looks very big. Especially, with her belly sticking out like it is." Allegra added.
"Oh my heavens. Looks like-" Victoria was cut off for the third time.
"Oh, don't say it, mother! I think I might faint or get sick if I hear that word!" Eugene cringed.
"Eugene, you, Silas, and Allegra get the first guest room ready for Nadine. Carl, Paulie, and I will get Nadine to the first guest room then get Andrea to the second one." Victoria instructed.
"Silas is putting zio Paulie's horse away and putting a new shoe on him & signor Carl, zio Paulie, and my mama are in the process of helping Nadine up the stairs, taking a few breaks here and there due to the pain she is in." Allegra told her.
"Alright, well in that case, Eugene, Allegra, help me get the guest room ready." Victoria said before starting to leave the room only to be stopped when a hand was placed on her shoulder.
"I'll help too, mother." Audra chimed in.
"Audra, you've been-" Victoria was cut off for the fourth time.
"I know I've been through something harrowing, but like you and father always taught us, we can't always think of ourselves and I want to be of some use." Audra insisted.
"Alright, if you're sure." Victoria replied.
"I'm positive." Audra nodded.
With that, Victoria and company left Audra's room and headed to the first guest room. Once inside, they immediately went to work in order to have it ready for Nadine.
It was while Audra, Allegra, and Victoria were getting the bed ready that Heath came limping into the room. This caught the Barkley matriarch's attention almost immediately.
"Heath, you're supposed to be resting." Victoria started to lead him out of the room.
"I know, mother, but I overheard everything in regards to Nadine being expectant and needing the guest room. I want to be of use as well." Heath told her.
"That makes two of you." Victoria looked at Audra then back at Heath with pride in her eyes, "Well, Heath, you can go get some towels and a bucket of water along with Eugene while Audra, Allegra, and I finish up here."
"On it. Come on, Gene." Heath nodded before leaving the room, Eugene gladly following.
*Out in the hallway*
"Heath, how do you know Nadine?" Eugene asked as he and Heath approached a cabinet.
"You weren't here for this, but after the iron box incident, Nick and I were on the mend. Mainly I was, because out of the two of us, I got the worst of it. Anyways, long story short, mother and Audra were helping her father Randolph who was on the mend after being shot. I guess Randolph didn't want his wife to see him wounded which is why he was here. Eventually, Nadine caught wind of it and stayed here after Randolph made her promise not to fink on him to her mother. Randolph was almost fully recovered when Nick and I came back home from that godforsaken prison. Upon seeing the shape we were in, even though she was ready to go on her way, Nadine changed her mind and decided to stay by until we were fully recovered. Randolph did as well. After we explained how I came here, Nadine and Randolph were not only understanding and accepting, but the three of us became fast friends and talked as if we were catching up on old times." Heath opened the cabinet and grabbed some towels.
"You and Nick had an iron box experience? What's that?" Eugene raised an eyebrow.
"We'll explain that later. It's a very long story." Heath handed him the towels and closed the cabinet, "As of now, you get those to mother, Allegra, and Audra while I go get the bucket of water."
"Righty-O." Eugene nodded before heading back to the guest room with the towels while Heath headed downstairs.
*Downstairs*
As he was on his way downstairs, Heath stopped in his tracks when he saw Nadine holding onto the stair rail and resting her head on it, Paulie, Andrea, and Carl by her side. By the looks of it, the young lady was clearly having a bad pain and waiting for it to pass.
"It's alright, young lady. Take some deep breaths now." Andrea said as she rubbed Nadine's shoulder.
Nadine cried out in pain and hissed, as she rubbed her belly bump.
"Pardon me." Heath said as he squeezed by Nadine and Carl.
"Oh. Hiya, Heath." Carl greeted.
"Howdy, Carl. Long time, no see. However, I hate to cut this short, but I need to get a bucket and some water." Heath told him.
"You-Hey, what happened to your head and your leg?" Carl's eyes got big when he saw Heath's head and leg bandaged up.
"I'll explain later. Right now, I need to get the bucket of water and just to let you know, the guest room will be ready for Nadine whenever the pain passes." Heath said before going off to get the bucket of water.
"Alrighty." Carl nodded.
Nadine started to get relaxed after a few minutes and began taking calmer breaths, indicating that the pain had eased up.
"You feel okay now, young lady?" Paulie asked.
"Y-Yes, mister." Nadine nodded before lifting her head from the stair rail, "Was that Heath I just heard?"
"Yes, ma'am. He's getting a bucket of water and said the guest room will be ready for you." Carl told her.
"And I didn't say hi to him? How rude of me!" Nadine started to feel bad.
"Don't worry. You have plenty of time to say hi to him once we get you up those stairs." Carl tried to reassure her.
"I suppose so." Nadine shrugged.
"Do you feel ready to keep going?" Andrea asked.
Nadine took a deep breath and nodded before continuing her way up the stairs, Paulie and company helping her.
*Back at the Mangano residence*
Carmine returned with two aprons and the alcohol. He handed one apron to Nick and put the other one on before opening the bottle of the alcohol.
"Nick, do you think-" Carmine was cut off.
"Being the son of a rancher and having delivered a few fillies and colts over the years plus cow calves and piglets & if my instincts are correct, I believe Chiara is going to have her foal and now." Nick nodded.
"I hope it is an easy birth for her and that this foal makes it." Carmine sighed as he poured the alcohol on Nick's hands before putting some on his own hands.
"I take it she's had a tough time before." Nick replied.
"Oh yes. Last year, she had a breech. Paulie, Santo, and I tried to save her and her baby. Baby finally came, but sadly, he had already passed on before he came into the world. Prior to that, we lost other horses and a donkey to difficult births. Too much stress on them. Poor things." Carmine put the cork back onto the bottle and placed it into his pocket before heading outside, Nick following.
*Outside in the stable*
Stefania was sitting with Chiara who was snorting and breathing heavily. She was doing everything she could to help keep the horse/mother-to-be calm, even softly singing to her. Just as Nick and Carmine came in, they stopped when they saw this and smiled, clearly showing how proud they were of and amazed by Stefania.
"I always knew she had a way with animals." Carmine whispered to Nick.
"She has a beautiful singing voice." Nick's smile grew brighter.
"Oh! Papa, Nick, I uh I didn't see or hear you come in." Stefania got startled when she saw Nick and her father.
"You never told me you could sing. You have a beautiful voice." Nick walked over to Stefania and Chiara.
"My papa told you I sing?! Oh, how embarrassing!" Stefania got a look of embarrassment on her face.
"Embarrassing? It's beautiful as is everything about you, Stefania." Nick replied.
"You really think so?" Stefania asked.
"Yes." Nick nodded before turning his attention to Chiara, "Hello, Chiara."
Chiara snorted and whinnied at Nick.
"Whoa, girl. Easy now. Easy. I'm your friend. I won't hurt you." Nick's voice took on a gentle tone as he petted Chiara.
"It's alright, Chiara. He's gonna help you." Carmine walked up to the horse.
Chiara rested her head on Carmine's chest.
"Good girl, Chiara. Good girl." Carmine petted her head.
"Alright, I'm going in now. Stefania, could you come over here and hold Chiara's tail?" Nick took a deep breath.
"Yes, Nick." Stefania came over to where Nick was standing, "Papa, can you handle her up there?"
"I already am. Are you two okay back there?" Carmine called out.
"We're good." Stefania held Chiara's tail.
"Okay, officially going in now." Nick started to reach into Chiara in order to feel the foal.
"Nick, how do you know Chiara is going to have her foal now?" Stefania asked.
"Well, being the son of a rancher and having delivered cow calves, fillies, piglets, and colts over the years plus just following my instincts, I figured that at any given moment she could go into the stages of labor. I believe my instincts are correct, because she is having the tell tale signs of labor pains and by judging Nadine's condition when she was here, the same could apply to her." Nick explained.
To Be Continued...
R.I.P. Gene Hackman, Betsy, and pupster & R.I.P. Michelle Trachtenberg
Nadine: I hope Heath didn't think I was being stand off-ish.
Carl: Nah. He doesn't.
Stefania: Nick, you've delivered before?
Nick: I sure did.
Carmine: Impressive.
Nick: Say, where's Jarrod?
Eugene: Where's Daphne?
Victoria: Wait until the next chapter.
Jarrod: What's happening?
Audra: Where are Brahma and Ciego plus Chet and the others?
Paulie: R&R, everybody. R&R.