“Everything happens for a reason,” Baldassare broke the heavy silence following the other man’s words. “Maybe, if they would have gone through with the wedding, the Fates would have found another way to intervene, and they would have been apart anyway.”
Brian cast a suspicious look in the younger man’s direction. “Is it only me, or you are a bit obsessed with the idea of my sister getting into an arranged marriage?” He asked in a half-joking-half serious voice. “This is an outdated practice, and, at some point, it was even partially banned by the then-Council.”
“Yes, but it was about those arrangements when at least one of the spouses-to-be were underage or engaged with someone else,” Baldassare replied. “Look, I don’t defend the institution, I’m just saying you should, at some point, ask Miss Stephanie what she thinks about it.” He checked his watch, eyes wide in surprise. “Oh, my, how did time fly by so fast? I have to go, but I promise to get back soon. Meanwhile, don’t be a stranger, you are dearly loved and missed at our house.” He left his chair.
Brian did the same and, going around the desk, enveloped the younger man in a warm, tight hug. “I won’t, I promise. Say hello to Elyan and little Miss Eugenie,” he said, eyes shining with paternal affection.
Baldassare stepped out of the office and, after petting Magick some more, he headed to the exit and left the building. Brian also returned to his work routine, but, no matter whathe did, he kept thinking about the conversation he and The Council’s War had earlier, especially about the young man insisting Stephanie should find out about the institution of arranged marriage, as it was practiced in the Old-World Mafia.
Did Baldassare do that out of genuine concern for Stephanie, and because he wanted to make sure she was protected in case something bad would happen, or did he have other reasons, he preferred to keep secret for the time being? Brian frowned, trying to figure out the answer to the question, and sighing in frustration because he couldn’t.
From all the heirs he protected at all costs, now the members of The Council, Baldassare was the most difficult to read, even more cryptic than Luca at times. That wasn’t a bad thing, on the contrary; his undecipherable facial expression was always one of his biggest advantages in the meetings and negotiations with the opponents, whoever they were.
At some point during their conversation, Brian wanted to cut Baldassare short, reminding him that his marriage to Elyan was based on mutual attraction and affection, but stopped before committing a big mistake. Although the two of them loved each other immensely, their union was the political marriage that ended all political marriages.
Through one of his fathers, Elyan belonged to the Fenellis, one of the most respectable Mafia families from Detroit, and through the other, to the wealthy and powerful Ballard family. The latter were connected to the Stark and Bloom clans, whosemembers had an enormous influence on the country’s economy, politics, finances, and diplomacy.
Of course, the two teen boys were oblivious to that aspect when they madly fell in love with each other, and they put their own feelings beyond any other reasons when they got married, but that didn’t make their union to be less political. And, as Don Calogero once told the librarian when they talked about Liam’s future, an alliance that brought more money and power to the couple’s families didn’t exclude love.
Baldassare is right, Brian said to himself, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to Stephanie about this. However, the man decided to postpone the discussion until when his sister would be in a better place, and the pain produced by the untimely death of her fiancé would lessen to some degree. Maybe in a couple of months from now, he continued his internal monologue.
Besides, Bailey was pregnant again, and they needed encouragement from both Brian and Stephanie. Of course, Lennox was always at his spouse’s side, taking care of their each and every needs, but the presence of his siblings always made them feel more confident and induced them a sensation of overall well-being.
It is baby season, Brian smiled, thinking about Oisin, who was pregnant again, this time with twins, and who needed him maybe even more than Bailey did, because he and Ian had only each other. Of course, the librarian sensed the pregnant young man’s father’s presence permanently, but wasn’t sure if Oisin could do the same.
At that moment, the door opened, and Ian, holding his husband’s hand, came into the library. “Hello, sir, how are you?” He greeted, giving the librarian a smile, his eyes filled with familial affection. “I came to pick up the books I’ve told you about, and my beloved wanted to see you, too, so here we are.”
“Hello, boys,” Brian warmly gazed over the two, his eyes resting on Oisin’s swollen belly, “I’m very happy to see you. I put the books aside, I’ll bring them here in a minute, but first let me look at you.”
“Nothing to see about me,” Oisin whined, “I'm bigger than a barn door, and I’m still growing. It’s not funny at all.”
“Love, you’re gorgeous.” Ian cast a pleading look in the librarian’s direction, silently asking for his help. His eyes brightened at the sight of Magick, who came meowing with her crinkle in her mouth. She gently pawed at Oisin “Aw, look, love, even the lovely white cat says you are beautiful, and she doesn't lie, right, darling?” He crouched down and petted Magick. “Look, she has a present for you.”
“Thank you, furry lady,” Oisin smiled, still sniffling. He took the toy, then looked in confusion at the small feline, who meowed, then jumped in a chair, meowing some more and pawing at it.
Brian gestured to Magick. “She wants you to sit down so she can purr a song for you and your little one.” He smiled softly. “As my darling always says, you’re so cute with a baby bump.”
“Yes, my sweet white lady cat.” A small smile played on Oisin’s lips, replacing the sad expression from earlier.“Sing to me, please.” He sat into the chair and closed his eyes, as Magick put her crinkle toy on the baby bump, then rubbed her head allover his belly, purring loudly. “Thank you, my lady white cat,” the young man petted her, continuing to smile. “The babies in there are very happy.”
“Whose babies are you talking about, love?” Ian, who was looking at the scene without saying a word, intervened, flashing a grin in his husband’s direction. “Ours or hers? Because the one you’re holding is a heavily pregnant feline.”
Brian looked at the young veterinarian, convinced he was joking, but the expression on his face was serious. “I really don’t know what to say, I thought she was just big. The people at the shelter told me the owner told them she is fixed and they couldn’t afford her anymore, because she was eating too much.”
“Moron!” Ian hissed between clenched teeth. “How cold-hearted can someone be to surrender a pregnant cat to a kill shelter? The vets from there have no excuse, either, they should’ve checked on her.” His expression softened at the sight of his husband petting the white cat, who continued to purr. “She is really a magical creature, she’ll do wonders for the kids.”
Ian’s words turned out to be prophetic; Magick seemed to sense when children, especially the youngest ones, were sad or distressed; she let them pick her up and soothed them with sweet, low purrs. Brian always smiled at the sight, telling the little ones she was singing to them the song of her people. No matter how often the librarian was saying these words, they made the little ones laugh every time.
Comforting those who needed it most wasn’t the only thing Magick was great at; she also liked the company of the more social kids, who gathered in small groups and talkedbetween them, bonding over different mutual interests, or at least trying to. She managed to become the little ones’ center of attention, making them giggle in delight.
In the short time that passed since Brian brought her to The Base, Magick won the affection of all the residents, from the youngest to the oldest. She loved everyone, too, but also had a few favorites, with Reardon at the top of the list, closely followed by his firstborn, Ferris, who the sweet cat climbed like a tree whenever she saw him, and in whose arms she purred a storm.
There was also an older boy, who was brought recently, and who avoided everyone, flinching violently when someone came too close to him. He called Magick by her name, but also used the endearment of my lady white cat, invented by Oisin. The kid’s tired eyes went a bit brighter whenever she jumped into his arms and, in a whispered voice, he thanked her for just being there, kissing the tips of her white ears.
Magick also had a preference for the pregnant persons, especially Oisin and Bailey. Brian noticed that, every time his sibling came to the library, the cat greeted them with the crinkle toy, let them pick her up, and cocooned in their arms, with her delicate head on their belly, like she was communicating with the babies inside.
Brian was not the only one whose heart melted at the sight; Lennox, who, in the Irish Mafia world, had the reputation of a tough guy, adored Magick, too. He picked her up and kissed her nose, thanking her for singing her song to the babies andmaking Bailey feel much better for a long time after they left the library.
The cat with immaculate fur seemed to live up to her name, because, ever since Brian brought her to the library, the place seemed surrounded by a protective circle of white magic. Children, even those who were put through the most horrific nightmares, smiled at her sight, petted her and listened to her soft, soothing purrs.
