Authors Note: Thank you to everyone left comments or sent me feedback about previous chapters of this story. Thank you again to Margaret who proofread for me. ~ellie
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On December twenty-third Peri packed a few last minute things into a tote bag with the help of Madeline, who always seemed willing to help her in anyway needed. The two nannies would accompany them to the farm along with Bridgette who maintained both a nanny role as well as overseeing the kitchen staff.
"I think that's everything," Peri said looking around the room.
"I'm sure that if you have forgotten anything we will have enough there to make do," Madeline smiled.
"Have you been at the farm over the holidays before?" Peri asked.
"No Ma'am, but Heather says it is wonderful. I'm very excited to be able to accompany you," the young woman smiled widely.
"It's a huge celebration, and while my babies maybe a little young for most of the festivities I hope you will get to enjoy as much as you can," Peri said warmly.
"Come on ladies, it's time to get going," Dante came into the room to hurry them along.
"I'm ready," Peri smiled and walked toward him. "Did Josh's plane leave on time?" she asked.
"I haven't heard otherwise, so hopefully he will be back tonight," Dante took her hand and walked out with her.
They were the last to leave the house. A skeleton staff would remain for the holidays to keep the big house running and secure. When they arrived at the plane, the babies, nannies and luggage were already on board, and Madeline automatically took her place beside Eden. Peri had hated to pull rank with Bridgette but with all her other duties she couldn't be there for the smallest of her babies the way Madeline could. Peri had insisted she let Madeline and Heather do their jobs, and that Bridgette supervised the nannies along with the household staff which she wasn't doing effectively at that time. The change meant that Madeline could care for the elf-like Eden and assist Heather with her two brothers.
Heather though being older and having been with the tables for many years knew the value of Donati sons and was content when the shift in power came to the nursery. She eagerly took over as Bridgette stepped up to run the household staff not leaving as much time to attend the nursery. Bridgette had become even busier once Joshua employed extra staff to assist with the constant stream of visitors recently. Bridgette still favoured Eden above the boys but rarely showed it now, being content to help as needed. She was glad to be accompanying the family back to the farm so she could prove her worth to Antonia Donati, who had been sceptical of her appointment despite Andie's assurance that she would do well with Peri.
She watched as Dante led Peri into the plane and ensured her secure seating before taking his seat beside her. She didn't pretend to understand the relationship between Peri and the two brothers. She knew she was married to Josh, but it was as if little by little Dante had taken on that role as well. He shared the marital bed with the couple and doted on the children as if they were his own, particularly Blaze who had been named for his deceased brother. She wished for the times when she had first come to Peri's service where they had bonded, and she could ask those awkward questions without feeling like she was overstepping to much.
The babies first experience with air travel was not as successful as they had hoped. The take off had caused them all to cry as they lay strapped in the capsules. It was only as the flight levelled out that they could be picked up and calmed. Dante immediately claimed Blaze and brought him back to his mother. Peri held each of her children during the forty-five-minute flight as always being careful not to favour one over the others.
The landing was equally distressing for them and even though they were calmed easily, Peri went with them as they were shown to the nursery in the new cottage that had been purpose-built for her family. Antonia had accompanied them and after cuddling each of her grandchildren had spoken to Dante quietly as Peri fed them.
"I'd like you to stay here until I return please," Dante said solicitously, but she heard the tone in his voice and knew instantly that this was more of a command than a request.
"I'll stay," she said quietly so as not to disturb Cruze, who was feeding contently.
"This counts as the lunchtime feeding," he said to ensure she had no illusions about spending her days in the nursery with the babies no matter if they were distressed about their new surroundings. The nannies would bet there to comfort them. "I'll be back in half an hour," he said checking his watch and nodding. Then he left abruptly leaving her wondering what was going on with him.
It was barely five minutes later when Antonia returned and ordered the nannies out of the nursery. She picked up Eden from her cot and sat opposite Peri, who now nursed both of her sons. They'd talked every day on the phone about what her life would entail now and the expectations that would be placed on her once the announcement was made formally.
"Tomorrow when the other families arrive, you will need to prove you are everything we expect from the mother," she said. "You will need to take Emily and Carmen in hand over these two days." She smiled down at the bundle in her arms. "They will have the most resistance to your new role and have influence over their husbands. Well, Emily does, of that I am sure. Carmen only thinks she does." Antonia gave a small laugh. "Romeo sees his marriage as a business partnership; he chose her specifically for the qualities he thought the mother of the table would need."
"I understand though I am not sure they will let me take on the younger matriarch role," Peri said softly dreading the trial she had been given. Emily and Carmen had always shared that standing with the other wives it seemed and she would have happily let them until now. She hadn't told Josh or Dante that she was under as much supervision as they were at this time.
"Emily will be easy because you have triplets. Talk to her about the lengths you go to feed each of them and make them feel special as individuals. Having triplets is a miracle don't play that down for one second. Revel in it and mention it often in terms of how well you are coping and how little the nannies have to do. Even if that isn't true all of the time, use it and own it," Antonia advised. "You are a wife and mother and still in touch with the team you built at work; that deserves respect and will even make Carmen mellow toward you. She never had a career separate from her family."
I understand," Peri said slowly. "I have organised to sing with both Josh and Dante and Josh will do an extra one with me." They had spoken about Carmen's love of singing with Josh and Antonia had suggested that she to deprive her of that was a way to pull rank, if only slightly.
"It would be better if you did two with Joshua, but one will do, if you do the other with both of them," Antonia agreed. "Keep her at arm's length, don't let her give you advice about the babies. Remind her how special triplets are and that you are handling everything just fine."
"Are you sure about Bianca and Rosanna?" Peri asked.
"Rosanna has always known that Angelo was not destined for leadership and honestly once she finds out what his seat entails and the power that comes with it I think she will be one of your biggest supporters. I have hinted as much to her since the arrival of the triplets. Seek her out if you need help, no one is threatened by her standing in the family, but she is a strong and intelligent woman. A sister, that will be good to have on your side."
"I am glad there will be someone on my side. I feel like I am entering a tank of sharks or something," Peri laughed nervously. "Bianca?" she asked.
"Jules has been told already," she said thoughtfully. "It is part of his and Bianca's trial that they disclose this information to no one not even Romey. It will be a hard trial for him, but he will have Joshua and Dante to confide in once he is here unless he chooses Romey over Joshua and then there will be a challenge. I believe once she knows the high life in Prague is in her future Bianca will support you above everyone else, even Carmen. A challenge could see that future taken away."
"How will I know what she plans to do?" Peri asked.
"Secrets are so hard to keep. I imagine she will seek you out and talk to you just to be able to talk to someone. If she doesn't then you know, that she plans to challenge you." Antonia said smiling down at the baby in her lap who gurgled happily. "You make the most beautiful babies," she said wistfully. "You will need all the support you can get over the next decade or more so make these holidays count. They will be the basis of your power, not only here but within all twelve of the tables. Carmen, Bianca, Emily, Rosanna and even I all came from another table and as the power shifts they will look to us for information."
"As if this all wasn't daunting enough," Peri took a deep breath. "I love him that much," she said softly. "I will be all that you ask me to be and more because it's him that's asking in reality."
"And Dante?" she asked knowing that Peri had spoken of Josh.
"I have always loved him in some way, but I am still learning to love him in the way he needs me to," she admitted. "We never had that courtship," she tried to explain. "He came into my life when I was already in love with Josh, so it's different." She knew that honesty was always the best policy with Antonia, who had a way of seeing into her heart and mind.
"I felt the same way," Antonia admitted. "Christo was so very different to Joseph, softer somehow. Others will see only that angry, dark exterior he has worn for so long but I think we both know that he is a man who loves deeply, which is perhaps why he became so dark after Celeste betrayed him. Joshua, on the other hand, has a demanding persona but is seen as fair and ultimately good and kind but has a darker, unemotional side that can make hard decisions regardless of the cost and stick with them. I think they will balance each other out, much like my two loves. I have the feeling Dante and Josh have more similarities than most people realise as well. Take the time to fall in love with Dante. There is enough room in your heart for both of them. Trust me on that."
Peri thought about this without saying anything. She did love Dante. He was so similar to Josh in so many ways, but she could see what Antonia was saying about that hidden soft side. Joshua had it too, she knew. She considered if Antonia knew who had fathered each of her children despite the name on the birth certificate.
"Could you call Heather and Madeline back in please?" Peri asked knowing Cruze well and truly asleep on the twin feeding pillow that surrounded her and not wanting to ask the question about paternity. The boys were changed and put to bed while Eden was given a bottle.
