Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Fifty Two:
"Ave Maria, pt. 6: Anxiety"
Nitroglycerin was found, Pilon and Marquis De Lacaise returned, Jarrod & Brent were bickering, Heath spotted a ring on Julissa's finger, Nadine just might be going into labor, and yellow eyes were staring back at Nick, Stefania, and Carmine. The woman shouting out Nick's name turned out to be Pilon, the gypsy woman he took to her arranged wedding a while back. Nick would tell Stefania all about it and about how he learned a valuable lesson the lies and truths about gypsies from the experience. Pilon would reveal that she and her husband were no longer married to which Nick would voice how sorry he was that her marriage ended & wished her best of luck on finding a new love before asking her what brought her to him. She would reveal not only a shackle that was still attached to her ankle, but the fact that she escaped from the masked men after she, her family, and friend Kisa were kidnapped by them. Nick would recognize Kisa's name and reveal that he was more than friends with her, something that didn't bode too well with Stefania as she hadn't heard of this one. Growling would be heard not too long after this and pretty soon, yellow eyes were seen staring back at Stefania, Nick, and Carmine while as instructed, Pilon took the seemingly deceased foal into the stable and shut the doors. Back at the fire, as Julissa took Heath home & the team of Eugene, Violet, Ciego, Silas, Brahma, Paulie, Vincent, and Simonetta continued the never ending battle against the blaze, a gallon of nitroglycerin and a crate of empty bottles were found. The nitro would turn out to be one of the ones supplied by Marquis De Lacaise during the time of that horrible forest fire only this one was a gallon that wasn't used. This not only gave Eugene an idea, but it would lead to the Marquis making an appearance. Eugene and the Marquis would engage in a war of words. All the while, Heath and Julissa would talk about all kinds of things before the former would say that he was eager to learn some words in the latter's language then spot a ring on her finger which in turn would cause him to sport an either perturbed or dismayed look on his face. Back where the hostages/prisoners were being held, Jarrod would reassure or try to reassure Brent and Randolph Clearwater that he was not working against them nor did he give the okay to Macklin. Randolph believed him whereas the same could not be said for Brent, but before the latter could say a word, Cleo Clearwater would come in bruised with a split lip, cigar burn on her shoulder, and shook up & Dieter Gubenheimer would be revealed to be a prisoner/hostage and alive. Jess Chaney and Italia Mangano would be revealed to be among the prisoners/hostages. Jess would voice his fear of the masked men killing Mavis whereas Italia would once again badmouth Nick which would lead Jarrod to defend him only for Brent to interrupt. As of now, while Jarrod and Brent started bickering, back at Barkley Ranch, Nadine would start to experience pains and upon looking underneath the sheet, Carmine Jr would sport a knowing look. The questions are as follows: Will Jarrod come up with an escape plan?, Will the subject of Julissa's ring come up in a conversation between Heath and her?, Is Macklin really involved in the lie about the Clearwater family supposedly stealing a home?, Is Chiara's foal really dead?, Who are the masked men?, Why else is the Marquis in Stockton?, Will Eugene and company use the nitroglycerin?, If they run out, will the Marquis supply more?, Will there be more revealed about Esther's departure?, Will Eugene and Daphne & Audra and Carl have more alone time with their respective partners and get alone time to rekindle their relationships?, Will more people come to help Eugene and company?, Where's Nadine's husband?, Is Nadine finally ready to give birth?, Will Valery and Nunzio be found?, and most importantly, what's the source of the yellow eyes staring at Nick, Carmine, and Stefania? 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, Dakota the Mourning Dove, the Python that attacked Carl, Nadine Clearwater, the Clearwater family, Dieter Gubenheimer, Valery, Nunzio Pascucci, Georgi Kurilenko, Chiara the Mangano family horse, Chiara's foal, 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. Ooh! One more thing, I'm modeling Nadine Clearwater after Lucy Lawless's character Xena in the show "Xena: Warrior Princess" and Sonny Landham's character Billy Sole in the film "Predator" (1987) [You will see why in another chapter or so] with her last name paying homage to the band Creedence Clearwater Revival a.k.a. CCR which happens to be one of my favorite bands. All of those (Xena, Billy Sole, "Xena: Warrior Princess", "Predator" (1987) and Creedence Clearwater Revival) belong to their rightful owners. Before I forget, as you can see, this is the sixth part of another multi-parter chapter saga & I modeled the title of this chapter after the song of the same name & the other part of the title after the song "Anxiety" by Doechii, which happens to be another favorite of mine. "Ave Maria" belongs to Franz Schubert and "Anxiety" belongs to Doechii. That being said and without further ado, happy reading! :D
Warning/Trigger Warning: There will be the start of another birth and all that goes with it, a raging fire, & more hints at characters suffering abuse in this chapter. If any of it makes you uncomfortable or bothers you, please feel free to skip this chapter.
Spoiler Alert: A familiar character may either return or be mentioned in this chapter!
(Flashback to part 51)
"Later meaning never, right?" Stefania folded her arms.
"No. Later meaning just that." Nick replied.
"It'll still mean never, right?" Stefania asked.
"Stefania, I promise it won't mean never. It'll actually mean later and at a better time might I add." Nick tilted his head to the side for a moment.
"Nick, I-" Stefania paused when she heard a rustling in the bushes.
"The masked men!" Pilon's eyes got big.
Growling could be heard coming from the bushes.
"What do you think it could be?" Pilon asked.
"Sounds like some kind of animal and it may have picked up the scent of the foal." Nick was staring straight at the bushes, "We need to hide the foal."
"I'll take it into the stable and shut the doors." Stefania told him.
"You sure?" Nick asked.
"Yes." Stefania nodded.
"No. I'll do it." Pilon held out her hands.
"Alright." Nick handed her the foal, "Be careful."
Pilon nodded before taking the foal to the stable, going inside, and shutting the wooden doors.
"Okay, Stefania, Carmine, stay close behind me. Whatever it is, I'm ready to face it." Nick got a determined look on his face.
Growling was heard once again before a pair of yellow eyes could be seen staring back at the trio from behind the bushes.
*Back at the fire*
"Heath, you're doing yourself no favors out here. You need to be resting." Ciego threw water on some flames.
"But-" Heath was cut off.
"Mr. Heath, we'll have this taken care of in no time. You just go on home." Silas gently told him.
"Boy howdy, I guess I am outnumbered on this. Well, if you don't mind, Julissa." Heath nodded before turning to Julissa.
"I don't mind at all. Besides, I will stay wit (with) you." Julissa said before guiding him to the buggy and heading off.
"Never thought he would ever listen." Paulie shook his head.
"Ah, that's Heath for you. He's hardheaded like Nick." Eugene replied.
"Sounds like my brother Carmine." Paulie chuckled.
Eugene laughed before walking outside and going to refill his bucket only to stop when he spotted a gallon of what appeared to be Nitroglycerin. He walked up to it, got a close look, and saw the label that read: 'Nitroglycerin. Property of Marquis De Lacaise'. He looked over to his right and spotted a crate full of empty bottles.
'Hmmmmm.' Eugene thought.
"Eugene, what is holding you up?" Brahma called out.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. I got distracted by something. In fact, it may be something that could help us put this fire out a lot quicker. In fact, come outside, everybody!" Eugene called back.
Brahma and everyone else quickly piled outside.
"Mr. Eugene, what is it?" Silas asked.
"Yeah, we can't stay out here for too long, because those flames seem to be getting bigger and bigger." Violet told him.
"I know. This will only take a few seconds." Eugene nodded before turning to Silas, "Silas, do you recognize this gallon?"
"Yes, I do. It's...Nitroglycerin! How did you get this? The last time that was in Stockton, there was a forest fire and a gentleman named Marquis De Lacaise supplied this to create a firebreak. Your brothers Mr. Nick, Mr. Jarrod, and Mr. Heath took this to the fire." Silas recognized the gallon almost immediately.
"Uh huh. This was one of the gallons that the Marquis supplied, but was never used. However, seeing as I found this crate of bottles, I have an idea on how we can use this gallon." Eugene pointed to his mind.
"That's good, but what if we run out and the fire is still going? I don't think we could go to the Marquis and request more." Brahma shook his head.
"And why not, monsieur?" a voice with a French accent asked.
"Who said that?" Eugene asked.
The source of the voice came forward and was revealed to be a gentleman with a well groomed gray mustache and gray hair to match, very elegantly dressed, and brandishing a fancy walking stick.
"You must be Marquis De Lacaise, I assume." Eugene stared the man in the eye.
"You are correct, monsieur." the man replied.
"I heard a lot about you." Eugene walked up to him and got within eye level.
"You have? And who are you?" Marquis returned the look.
"Eugene Barkley. The younger brother of Nick Barkley. He told me all about you." Eugene said.
"Your brother who is obviously a boor." Marquis cringed at hearing Nick's name.
"He may be a lot of things. A boor is not one of those, Marquis!" Eugene was offended, "If anybody's the boor-"
"Eugene, defend your brother on your own time. Right now, we need to know whether or not the Marquis would supply more Nitroglycerin for this fire. He may not after your confrontational approach." Brahma firmly told him.
"I know, Brahma, but I heard about the story of the wild fire, how he was all worried about his mine being affected, how he viewed all of us as peasants, how he acted holier than thou, how much he hated & probably still hates Nick, and how he planned to ask Nick to take the nitroglycerin to the fire only he had his daughter do the deed. Nick was sweet on her, so it seemed like it would be easy for him to do what the Marquis wanted, because his reward would be maybe one date with his daughter. The trouble was...Nick can't be bought off or tricked plus where the Marquis fell short was the fact that long before he came over to their home that evening, Nick, Jarrod, and Heath had already planned to take this stuff to that fire." Eugene replied.
"How did you know all of that? You were away at school." Ciego was puzzled.
"Nick told me after I returned." Eugene answered before looking back at the Marquis, "What's wrong, Marquis? No snappy comeback?"
*With Heath and Julissa, a few minutes later*
A few minutes had passed since Heath and Julissa left the fire and were on their way back to the ranch. As they rode, the two got to talking a little more about themselves ranging from how Heath came to the Barkley family, how he and Nick went from hating each other to having the closest bond siblings could ever have, if possible, and his military service to Julissa's upbringing in Russia, her close relationship with Valery & how he had to be mom and dad when their parents separated for a spell, and how she always dreamt of coming to the United States and now, she finally did it.
"How long did you dream of coming here?" Heath asked.
"Ever since I was a little girl. I always wanted to travel te (the) world. I do love Russia, especially Saint Petersburg and my birthplace Moscow, but tere (there) is a world out tere (there) waiting to be explored and after a long time of waiting, I finally decided to make my journey. Tat (That) is when I met Daphne Gubenheimer. We became fast friends and when I heard she was going to the United States, I decided to come along wit (with) her." Julissa told him.
"No fooling?" Heath asked.
"What does tat (that) mean?" Julissa didn't understand.
"It's another way of saying 'no kidding?'. It probably sounded a little weird the way I said it." Heath replied.
"No, you didn't say it weird. I'm still working on my English." Julissa chuckled, "It isn't quite perfect, yet. Plus, I still have my accent."
"Your English doesn't have to be perfect and you don't have to get rid of your accent." Heath told her.
"But I can't even talk witout (without) sounding funny to oters (others)." Julissa shook her head.
"Julissa, who cares what others think? They're very ignorant and narrow minded. You don't sound funny to me when you talk. I like hearing you talk. I like your accent and I'm eager to learn some Russian words. If you wouldn't mind teaching me a few." Heath placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't mind and do you really mean all of tat (that)?" Julissa started to smile.
"Of course I do." Heath said.
"Well, ten (then) when all of tis (this) is over and Valery is hopefully found, I will teach you some Russian words." Julissa told him.
"Deal." Heath smiled a little.
"In te (the) meantime, when we get back to your home, you are to rest. You're hurt and when you're hurt, you must rest." Julissa sounded a little firm.
"Alright, but what will you do?" Heath asked.
"Take care of you. Watch over you." Julissa told him.
"Oh, you don't have to d-" Heath was cut off.
"Nyet, Heath. I insist." Julissa gave him a look.
"I appreci-" Heath was cut off, again.
"And I won't have any protest, arguments, noting (nothing)." Julissa held her finger up.
"Fair enough." Heath reluctantly relented.
"Good." Julissa said.
Heath took a moment to gaze at Julissa and smiled even more. Never before did he have a lady friend care about him to the degree Julissa cared despite the fact that they were getting to know each other. Well, maybe Sally would've cared about him like this if they stayed together long enough and Allie Kay did look over him when he was wounded by one of her relatives, but that was most likely out of guilt. This was different. This seemed more genuine.
As he continued to gaze at her, Heath noticed a small diamond on her ring finger and got a perturbed look on his face.
*Back with Jarrod and the other prisoners/hostages*
"You want to know if I gave Macklin and that man the okay & if I am going against the Clearwater family, right?" Jarrod was taken aback.
"That's right." Randolph nodded.
"So, how about it?" Brent asked.
"The answer is no." Jarrod replied.
"No?" Brent raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, the answer is no. I would never give the okay for something like what happened to you and your family. Never." Jarrod looked Brent and Randolph in the eye.
"How do we know we can believe you?" Brent folded his arms.
"Brent, the Barkleys and the Clearwaters go back. The friendship between our families goes way way back. You know that and so do I. Now, do you believe that after all the years of friendship our families have had, I would stab you all in the back for some kind of gain?" Jarrod reminded him before turning to Randolph, "Randolph, do you believe in your heart that I would do such a thing?"
"Do you want me to answer that truthfully?" Randolph asked.
"Please." Jarrod said.
"No, I don't. Hearing your answer was enough for me to know that you still stand by the Barkley handshake and that a Barkley's word is the body, heart, and soul like your father once said." Randolph told him.
"Thank you, Randolph." Jarrod nodded then turned to Brent, "Well?"
Before Brent could say a word, a door was heard opening and footsteps were heard approaching.
"I wonder who they brought in now." Randolph had a concerned look on his face.
A young lady walked in and cringed when the door slammed behind her.
"Cleo!" Randolph ran up to his daughter and got bug eyed when he saw the fresh bruise on her cheek and blood on her split lip.
"Cleo? Cleo Clearwater?" Jarrod walked up to her.
Cleo didn't say anything and put her arms around herself, obviously still in shock from what had just happened to her.
"Cleo, little sister, what happened?" Brent asked.
"Cleo, what's wrong?" Jarrod asked.
Cleo still remained silent, only shaking her head in response.
"Cleo?" Randolph said.
"I didn't serve...the meals...on time or please...the boss." Cleo managed to say.
"What?" Jarrod sported a look of disgust.
"Uh huh. I served breakfast and lunch one minute late. I got beaten around. Then, the boss tried to kiss me and I made the mistake of slapping him. I paid hell for it. Look at my shoulder." Cleo pulled the sleeve of her dress up, revealing a fresh cigar burn that was on top of a previous one, "He said next time, the burns will be on my back from a hot piece of metal."
Jarrod, Brent, and Randolph cringed and made pained noises at the sight of the burn and the thought of burns from a hot piece of metal.
"The boss is going to kill me. I just know it!" Cleo looked at the ground.
"They're going to kill all of us!" said another prisoner/hostage.
"Jess?" Jarrod recognized the voice, turned around, and got a surprised look on his face, "Jess Chaney?"
"In the living flesh for right now at least." Jess nodded.
"Where's Mavis?" Jarrod looked around.
"Those cowards took my Mavy along with three other precious children! They're gonna kill my little Mavy and those other babies! I can feel it in the marrow of my bones! They even bragged about how the children servants never last long!" Jess was filled with dread.
"Not on my watch!" Jarrod shook his head.
"Not on your vatch (watch)? Jusht (Just) how do you figure on getting us out of here?" a voice with a thick Austrian accent asked.
"I know that Austrian accent from anywhere. Dieter? Dieter Gubenheimer, is that you?" Jarrod asked.
The source of the voice walked up to Jarrod, revealing themself to be a mature looking man with bruises on his cheeks.
"Dieter, what happened to you?" Jarrod asked, concern in his voice.
"Zhose (Those) cowards burned up my bakery! Burned me out of business and livelihood. Zhen (Then), zhey (they) kidnapped me, beat me around, and keep me in a dark room for five hours before subjecting me to hard labor. I am on my break right now." Dieter sat on a nearby stool and put his head in his hands.
Jarrod didn't say anything and just shook his head.
"I'm starting to zhink (think) Stockton iz (is) not safe anymore." Dieter sighed.
"That's what we're starting to think." Brent told him.
"It wasn't safe for my granddad or papa." a woman interjected.
"Who are you?" Jarrod turned to her.
"Italia Mangano. You must be Jarrod Barkley." Italia retorted.
"I am. Nice to-" Jarrod was cut off.
"Don't say 'nice to meet you', because this has been anything, but nice!" Italia snapped.
"I couldn't agree more." Jarrod replied.
"And what adds insult to injury is that my cousin Stefania is with that white man Nick Barkley!" Italia spat on the ground.
"And what's wrong with my brother Nick? He cares about Stefania." Jarrod walked over to Italia.
"He's a white man and white men are responsible for the murders of my grandfather and papa." Italia replied.
"I heard about what happened to your grandfather Emilio and father Santo. I heard and I am awfully sorry for what all you and your family had to endure. That being said, my brother Nick is not like the cowards who murdered them. He is a good man. Granted he is not perfect, but he is pure of heart, loyal, devoted, and somebody I would want in my corner when the going gets rough." Jarrod told her.
"I hate to interrupt you praising your brother, but you said none of us were going to be killed on your watch, Jarrod. Now, just how do you figure that?" Brent interrupted.
"I'm thinking of something right now." Jarrod turned his attention to Brent.
"Ohhhhhh, you're thinking of something? Niiiiice." Brent was clearly unenthused.
"Brent, it takes time and careful thinking." Jarrod gave him a look.
"Yeah, but in case you haven't read the room, Jarrod, none of us may have time for careful thinking!" Brent barked.
"None of us or just you?" Jarrod sounded smug.
"Oh, you just have to be smug, huh?" Brent shot back.
Soon enough, Jarrod and Brent started bickering and throwing their hands up. The bickering would become indistinct after a few minutes.
*Back at Barkley Ranch, a few moments later*
Nadine had been sound asleep for a while when all of a sudden, she started moaning in her sleep. The moans started to get louder and turn into whimpers of pain. The whimpers turned to cries and grunts.
Carmine Jr took this as his cue by walking over to the bed, lifting the sheet, and looking underneath.
"What is it, Junior?" Allegra asked.
"What's happening, Carmine Jr?" Victoria asked.
Carmine Jr put the sheet on top of Nadine's knees, turned to Victoria and everyone else, and gave a knowing look.
(Now)
"Carmine Jr?" Carl said.
"She is ready." Carmine Jr told him before turning to Nadine, "Nadine?"
"Y-Yes?" Nadine groaned.
"Nadine, you're going to have to start pushing, so put your feet flat on the bed and bend your knees." Carmine Jr told her.
Nadine nodded and did just that.
"Good." Carmine Jr said before turning to Victoria, "Signora Barkley, do you have alcohol?"
"Yes, I do." Victoria nodded.
"Could you go get it for me, please?" Carmine Jr asked.
Victoria went off to get the alcohol.
"Do we have any extra towels and a knife?" Carmine Jr looked around.
"We have extra towels, but why a knife?" Carl pointed at a pile of extra towels.
"Cut the cord, of course." Carmine Jr replied.
"I'll go get one." Carl said before going off to get a knife.
"Please, be careful." Nadine said to Carmine Jr.
"Do not fret, young lady. My son delivered my granddaughters. He knows what's he doing." Andrea tried to reassure her.
"I remember hearing that, but this is my first baby and I'm...nervous." Nadine rubbed her belly.
"We understand, Nadine. However, Carmine Jr is perfect for delivering the baby since he has first hand experience." Allegra added.
"Here's the alcohol." Victoria returned with a glass jar of alcohol and handed it to Carmine Jr.
"Grazie." Carmine Jr poured some alcohol all over his hands and rubbed it all in.
Dakota cooed before flying out an opened window.
*Downstairs*
Audra and Daphne were shooting the breeze when the front door opened very wide and in came Julissa with Heath.
"Julissa, vhat (what) happened to him?" Daphne asked.
"Heath, are you alright?" Audra walked up to Julissa and her brother.
"He was fighting te (the) fire and his head started to bleed. He is very hurt." Julissa explained as she and Audra guided Heath to the couch.
"He was hurt earlier, Julissa. I guess too much activity and the fire must've taken their toll on him." Audra replied, "You stay with him while I get the necessary stuff to clean the head wound."
"Okay." Julissa nodded before gently taking the bandage off of Heath's head.
"Heath, did you find any trace of Dieter?" Daphne asked.
"I'm afraid not, Daphne. However, do not give up any hope, because he could still be alive somewhere else." Heath told her.
"Vhere (Where) else vould (would) he go?" Daphne sighed.
"Maybe the masked men got him." Julissa replied.
"Ohhhh!" Daphne put her head in her hands, "God only knows vhat (what) zhey (they) are putting him through!"
"Heaven only knows what they are all going through at this time." Heath added.
"I can't even bear te (the) tought (thought). Tat's anoter (That's another) reason I brought you home, Heath." Julissa looked Heath in the eye, "Wit (With) Valery and everybody else missing, I didn't want to take a chance of you vanishing eiter (either), especially since you would be vulnerable since you're hurt."
"I appreciate that, Julissa, but I feel bad for leaving Eugene and the others behind." Heath replied.
"I'm sure they're doing fine, Heath." Audra came in with the necessary stuff, sat next to Heath on his right, and handed a wet cloth to Julissa, "Besides, Julissa had the right idea bringing you home. Being in your present condition, while it was very noble for you to help, you would've done more harm than good after a while."
"So I have heard, but I go by my motto of never leaving others behind whether you're injured, sick, or healthy." Heath nodded.
"Heath, don't vorry (worry) about it. Eugene and zhe others vill be fine." Daphne told him.
"Yeah, Heath. You just worry about yourself and let me-let us worry about you." Julissa added before taking a wet cloth from Audra and gently dabbing Heath's wound.
Audra looked at Heath and gave him a knowing smile as if to say: "I think somebody may fancy you, big brother.".
Heath returned it with a slight shrug before looking down at Julissa's ring.
Julissa set the cloth aside, grabbed some salve, and started rubbing some on the wound.
Heath cringed and made a pained expression on his face.
"I'm sorry, Heath, but te (the) vound (wound) needed salve. I didn't mean to hurt you." Julissa told him.
"I know, Julissa." Heath replied.
Julissa continued to tend to Heath only to begin to drift into a memory.
*Julissa's POV*
'Tis (This) takes me back to te (the) time Georgi was fixing our roof and got injured. My poor Georgi. Always working hard.'
I sigh then look at Heath and feel myself smile.
'The more I look at him, the more I find him handsome.'
I get bug eyed.
'Did I just tink (think) tat (that)? Did I just tink (think) or say Heath was handsome? If so, tis (this) is the first time I ever tought (thought) another man besides Georgi was handsome. In fact, I never once tought (thought) any oter (other) man could ever be handsome like my beloved Georgi.'
I look back at Heath and nod.
'Da. Heath is the second handsome man besides my Georgi. In fact, he reminds me a little bit of my beloved husband.'
I get a sad look on my face as memories of Georgi flow trough (through) my mind.
'Oh, Georgi. Why? Why did you have to leave? Why did te (the) good lord have to take you? So suddenly too.'
I look down at my ring and shake my head.
'I know you wouldn't want me to curse te (the) darkness and illness that took you, but I must and I always will.'
*Outside of Julissa's mind*
As Julissa continued to tend to Heath's wound and think about both the loss of Georgi and her obvious attractions for the blonde Barkley son, Audra & Daphne would observe the obvious attractions between the two and Heath wouldn't stop staring at Julissa's ring.
"That's a beautiful ring." Heath commented.
"Huh?" Julissa snapped out of her thoughts and looked a bit lost.
"I said that your ring is beautiful." Heath told her.
"Oh, tank you (thank you). A special man gave it to me a long time ago." Julissa looked at her ring, again.
"That was very nice of him." Heath said.
"He..." Julissa sighed and swallowed hard, "He is no longer here."
"Divorce?" Heath asked.
"No." Julissa shook her head, "He's passed on."
"Oh man. I'm so sorry for your loss, Julissa." Heath sported a solemn look on his face.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Audra said.
"I'm awfully sorry, Julissa. You never told me zhis (this)." Daphne added.
"So am I, Heath, Audra, and Daphne. I've been four years witout (without) my husband Georgi. Four long lonely years." Julissa choked back some tears, "Tat (That) is after six long monts (months) of his illness. Oh and Daphne, I didn't want to make tis (this) about me when we came here. Tat's (That's) why I never said anyting (anything)."
"I undershtand (understand), but I'm all ears if anybody needs to vent or talk." Daphne told her.
"I appreciate tat (that), Daphne." Julissa replied, "Same goes for me. Anybody needs to talk or vent, I am a good listener or at least, I try to be one."
"Same applies to Heath, Jarrod, Eugene, Nick, mother, and me. Silas, too and father when he was alive." Audra added.
"Zhank you (Thank you)." Daphne nodded.
"Tank you (Thank you)." Julissa said.
"Julissa, if you don't mind me asking, but what happened to Georgi?" Heath asked.
*Back at the Mangano household*
"Okay, those yellow eyes are staring at us!" Carmine grabbed a stick that was laying on the ground, "I am not liking this one bit!"
"Whatever it is definitely wants our attention." Nick said.
"Yeah, it wants our attention then it wants us...for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!" Carmine sounded a bit shaky.
"Papa, it's probably a helpless animal that needs our attention." Stefania told him.
"Helpless animal? With yellow eyes that are staring at your soul this very minute!" Carmine's hands started to shake.
"An animal can't stare at your soul." Stefania shook her head.
"Don't give me that, Stefania and don't say you are not scared!" Carmine replied.
Growling was heard once more, followed by rustling from the bushes and pretty soon, a paw stepping out from behind there.
"There's a paw!" Carmine's eyes got big.
The paw was followed by another one and before anybody knew it, the source of the growling and howling was revealed to be a canine of sorts.
"A Coyote!" Stefania gasped.
"No, that ain't a Coyote, Stefania." Nick started to have a nervousness wash over him as this canine was bringing back a certain memory, "This is a...Wolf!"
"Un lupo nero." Carmine said.
"A Black Wolf? What does that mean?" Stefania asked.
"Non lo so, ma non può essere un buon segno. (I do not know, but it cannot be a good sign.)" Carmine crossed his fingers.
Dakota arrived to the scene, perched himself on a tree, and cooed.
"Hey! It's that Mourning Dove from earlier." Nick got a puzzled look at seeing Dakota.
"I wonder what he is doing here. Oh, I hope the Black Wolf doesn't make a meal of him." Stefania started to worry.
"I hope not either and I hope it doesn't sense my obvious anxiety." Nick swallowed hard.
"Why is the wolf giving you anxiety?" Stefania turned to Nick.
"Well, I have the scent of Chiara's foal all over me and I was once attacked by a wolf a long time ago. I'll delve into it later on." Nick told her.
Dakota cooed once more, getting the wolf's attention. The wolf walked over to the tree and wagged its tail.
"Am I seeing what I am seeing or did I suddenly lose my mind?" Carmine couldn't believe what he saw.
Dakota flapped his wings and cooed.
The wolf pawed the ground a couple times in response.
"Are they talking to each other?" Nick asked.
"It sure looks like it." Stefania nodded.
The wolf whimpered and pawed the ground some more.
Dakota cooed, flew to the ground, and scratched it with his talons.
"That Mourning Dove is trying to convey some message to the wolf. I wonder what it could be." Stefania was a little curious.
"Who knows? I just hope that wolf doesn't make a meal out the bird or any of us or the foal which by the way, I'm going to go stand g-" Nick was cut off.
The wolf turned to Nick and started to growl at him.
"On second thought, I'll stay right here." Nick quickly changed his mind.
The wolf barked at Nick before starting to slowly approach him.
Nick, feeling his heart beginning to race and his anxiety going from one to 100 despite his efforts of trying not to show it plus the time he was attacked by a rabid wolf playing in his mind, started to back away from the wolf.
*Back at the fire*
"I will not stand here and carry on a conversation with a clod!" Marquis rolled his eyes.
"Uh guys, we still have a fire we need to get out and to find Dieter Gubenheimer." Violet glared at Eugene and the Marquis.
"You are right. Dieter is a good friend of my family and I hope nothing untoward has happened to him. It's bad enough my precious Michelle..." Marquis stopped and shook his head.
"What happened to your daughter?" Brahma asked.
"Masked clods took her from me to God knows where!" Marquis sighed.
"So your daughter was kidnapped and you want the help of a Barkley, is that it?" Eugene snarked.
"I want to know where Nick is. He's the only one who can-" Marquis was cut off.
"Hold it right there, Marquis." Eugene held his hand up, "You're not going to go trick my brother into saving your daughter or do any favors for you only to lead him into an ambush! Besides, he's over your daughter now!"
"So, you do not care if my daughter is being held against her will, monsieur?!" Marquis shot a glare at Eugene.
"Of course I care, but I know of the trick you and your daughter pulled on Nick during that wildfire and I will not let anybody trick him! I will not let anybody lead him to a premature death!" Eugene shot back.
"Marquis, Eugene, how about you engage in your war of words later and help put out this fire?!" Paulie shook his head.
"Eugene, you found the nitroglycerin and bottles, right?" Vincent chimed in.
"Yes." Eugene nodded.
"You said you had an idea or something, am I correct?" Brahma asked.
"Yes." Eugene said.
"Well, what is it?" Ciego asked.
"We fill the bottles up and create a firebreak on the bakery. Maybe it'll help put these flames out a lot quicker." Eugene replied.
"And what if we run out?" Violet asked.
"I will supply more." Marquis said.
"Oh, you will, huh? How do we know you won't ask us a favor or send us on a wild goose chase in exchange?! How do we know you won't withhold it until we agree to one of your demands?" Eugene snarked, again.
"Monsieur, your insinuation is insulting!" Marquis fired back.
"Eugene, you're shoving your foot deeper and deeper into your mouth!" Brahma shook his head.
Violet, Paulie, Silas, Ciego, Vincent, and Simonetta looked at each other and shook their heads before grabbing bottles from the crate and starting to fill them with the nitroglycerin.
*Meanwhile, with Jarrod and the prisoners/hostages*
Jarrod and Brent continued their session of endless bickering much to the annoyance of Randolph and the others. Having had enough of it, Randolph and Dieter exchanged glances before grabbing sticks and hitting them against the wall. This got Jarrod and Brent's attention almost immediately.
"Jarrod!" Dieter said.
"Brent!" Randolph said.
"Dieter, really?" Jarrod asked, placing his hands on his hips.
"Pop!" Brent shook his head.
"This bickering will not get us anywhere. Now, if Jarrod has an idea, I believe we should listen to him." Randolph told his son.
"Fair enough, pop." Brent nodded before turning to Jarrod, "Well, Jarrod, how about it?"
"Yeah, you said you had an idea. What is it?" Italia chimed in.
"Well, for starters, I'm going to need something to pick that lock over there." Jarrod started.
"Something to pick a lock? That's a strong start." Brent snarked as he folded his arms.
"Brent, I can do without the sarcasm." Jarrod shot him a glare.
"Well, anybody could-" Brent was cut off when Randolph slapped him on the back of the head.
"Thank you, Randolph. Anyways, once I get something to pick that lock over there, I'll leave the door open. While I go and try to discover their identities, one by one, each of you will sneak out." Jarrod said.
"One by one, we all sneak out, did I hear you right?" Brent still had his arms folded.
"Yes, you did, Brent." Jarrod nodded.
"Well, I'm all for it." Jess raised his hand.
"Me too." Cleo nodded.
"I can't believe I am saying this, but same here." Italia raised her hand.
"I." Francesca said.
"I." Dieter nodded.
"I." Randolph said.
"I think you're nuts!" Brent said.
"Let me go! Let...me...go!" a woman's voice was heard yelling.
"Get in there, french girl!" one of the masked men pushed the young lady onto the floor into the room.
"Ooh!" the woman cried out as she hit the floor.
"Get up and get to work...mademoiselle!" another masked man snarked before leaving with the other one.
"Who are you, young lady?" Jarrod asked as he helped the woman up.
A slap was heard, followed by a woman's scream.
"What in the world?!" Jess turned his attention to the direction the scream and slap came from.
"Please, tell me zhat (that) vasn't (wasn't) Daphne! Please!" Dieter was worried.
"Oh no, Daphne is fine last I remember." Jarrod told him.
"She iz (is)? She vas (was) shupposed (supposed) to meet me at my bakery, but never showed up." Dieter looked at him.
"Well, she reunited with Eugene." Jarrod replied.
"Oh, zhat (that) does my heart wery (very) good. I vas hoping she vould reunite vith (with) him." Dieter smiled a little.
"Well, she did and they came to my office. Afterwards, a chain of events happened and here I am. I haven't a clue what they are up to or where they are as of now." Jarrod said.
"I hope zhey (they) are alright. If shomething (something) happened to zhem (them), I vould never forgive myself. I am wery (very) protective of Daphne." Dieter sighed.
"Just like how I am of my siblings." Jarrod nodded before placing a hand on Dieter's shoulder, "Do not fret. Before we all know it, we'll be reunited with our loved ones."
"I hope so." Dieter replied.
"We will be, Dieter. We will be, I promise." Jarrod nodded before turning to the woman, "Now, as for you, young lady, who are you?"
To Be Continued...
Randolph: Who are you?
Dieter: Hey, I recognize her! She's-
Brent: Wait until the next chapter.
Nick: I do not like the way this wolf is looking at me!
Stefania: Nick, he's more afraid of you than you are of him.
Heath: Julissa, what happened to Georgi?
Violet: Please, tell me that Jarrod is alright!
Eugene: Violet, who are you talking to?
Daphne: I hope zhey (they) find Dieter shoon (soon).
Nadine:(groans).
Carmine Jr: Almost there, Nadine.
Victoria: You're doing good, honey.
Marquis: My precious Michelle. What in God's name are they doing to her?
Carl: R&R, everybody. R&R.
Happy Easter and Passover, everybody! :D