ellaxmcretti

[ellaxmcretti]

Usually Ella might argue, but she was too tired to do so right now. She rarely managed to win an arguement with Lu anyway. Perhaps it was the reason why it was Lu who had won their father's favor and not Ella. Though he never said it out loud, he view the youngest Moretti as the weak link, sometimes the woman even wondered whether he'd wanted a third child at all; he'd got one of each already. Walking into the bakery, the brunette pushed those thoughts to the back of her head and took in the warm air, the scent of butter and freshly baked goods, her stomach suddenly growling while seconds ago she was feeling sick. "I'd like a cappucino and chocolate croissant, if they have one."

𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 of hard edges, danger and anger -- this bring the world that ludovica had found herself living in, her sister was the sun. she was kind, dedicated and the best of all? she was nothing like them. despite the confidence she exuded her entire life, since their father's death she had started to notice the world beginning to catch up to her. her choices. the mistakes she had made. and while she had never expected their father to tell the truth -- he had been wrong when he had believed them to have free reign over the world. while they may have owned the world in finances -- it would never truly be theirs.

" i know. " she murmurs in understanding, taking the other's arm in her own. she doesn't know why she can only be like this around so few. perhaps because very few have ever made her want to try. try to rip down the ice caging her. as they continued to walk, she pauses before gesturing to the bakery she had mentioned. " here we are... on me, okay? " it had been a decent amount of time since they had been able to spend time together and she was certainly wanting to make the most of it, despite the circumstances.

[ellaxmcretti]

"I'm sorry, your instructions weren't too clear." The night had already put her on edge, so right now Ella couldn't care less whether her words sounded harsh or bitter, probably both. "Besides, it's already too crowded in there anyway." Nor was she welcome there, despite what her brother might think. She doubted he'd even given it a second thought, though. "Seeing you're already acting like your usual self, I'll call mom and give her the updates. She might drop later. Now if you've got nothing else to say, I'll gladly get home to Torin."

"No you were supposed to go to Griffin and stay there until he wakes up so you can tell me about it." Dante explained, rolling his eyes like it was so simple. He spoke like he'd left detailed instructions with exactly what he expected her to do. "I didn't expect you to be quite this irritating but I suppose after knowing you your whole life I really should have known better."

[ellaxmcretti]

"You don't even believe this yourself." Ella laughed, shaking her head. She had to agree, though, it was something to worry about another time. Right now there was much bigger and more urgent threats hanging over their heads, which asked for more caution on their behalf. "Did you at least got a chance to see their face?" Ella bit the inside of her cheek. Her voice was suddenly completely drained out from its playfulness. The tension of not knowing who stood behind these attacks was catching up to her with each new secret being exposed, each buzz of her phone.

Griffin shrugged, "Why are we stressing about this? We have twelve years to raise perfect little angels who would never do anything bad ever." Maybe Griffin was delusional. He just had a strong need to protect Rae from anything bad that could hurt her. "Yay. Lucky me." He deadpanned as he looked back down at his sleeping princess. "She is too perfect to ever do wrong." In his eyes that was most likely true. "Hey! That is rude." True but still, "Thats not why i got beat up." He puts on a fake pout, "My charm works on everyone babe, that's why people still like me even after they find out I'm fucked up in the head."

[ellaxmcretti]

Were they? It was true that there was a stellar difference between her and the rest of the Moretti's kids. Her older siblings had both taken after their father whereas Ella had always been the one out of place. "Those are even worse than a regular high school." She let out a laugh. While she'd never been sent to one, Ella had a couple friends who have spent some years in such places and some of the stories she'd heard them share had been crazy. "I feel as if you'd enjoy that a little too much, wouldn't you?" She laughed again. "But I'm afraid she'd still need time to figure that out, so you can't escape facing the daddy's worst nightmare." She enjoyed teasing Griff about what future held for him, but at the back of her mind there was the same fear creeping. "Griff, I hate to break it to you, but good people with stellar personalities usually don't get beaten up. But I bet your charms worked even on her."

“That’s so different. My parents were shit and I could get away with anything and so were yours. We are better than that.” He said shaking his head. “But I think an all girls private school would be a great option” Ella may think he was being silly but he would put another 6ft under who messed with his girl. “Is it wrong of me to pray she’s a lesbian?” He said with a chuckle, that would make things easier right? “You may have a point about that but not when it comes to boys. Oh god and Torin will have all of his teenage dirtbag friends around and this is going to be a disaster.” He shook his head. If torin was anything like his father Ella might be the one having a hard time. “Ew. No. She’s old. That’s weird. She definitely isn’t flirting with me, ever think it’s because I’m a good person with a stellar personality?”

[ellaxmcretti]

Ella rolled her eyes again, seeing no point in continuing this banter. She even wondered why Dante had texted her, if he was going to act like this. Maybe for a moment there had been a glimpse of realization, but now that he was fully aware of his actions once more, he'd decided to put the mask back on. "You texted me. Was I supposed to just ignore it?" She already knew the answer, which is why she didn't wait for it before continuing. "Why even bother letting me know you're in the hospital, if you'll just throw me out of the room the second you wake up?"

As far as Dante was concerned he hadn't changed in the slightest since their father had died. He might have possibly became colder but he'd always been that way to some extent. "You've been unbearable since the day you popped out of the womb but I don't mention it because I'm so nice. I don't know why you're even here. Go see your baby daddy, you're no longer welcome in this room."

[ellaxmcretti]

While part of her couldn't be mad at Jordan for acting like this, Ella was too tired right now to consider her words more wisely. Too tired from the night spent in the hospital, too tired from the night itself, too tired for her past mistakes being pointed out. What was the point of being scorched over and over again for them anyway? It wouldn't bring back time. In fact, the only thing it resulted in was make her wish she hadn't returned at all. Then she wouldn't have to deal with all of this — the threats, her brother's bitter rage, the blame coming from both twins. The only thing keeping her from going through with this idea was Raelynn. "Well, it wasn't you or your brother I ran into the day I was going to tell him about the twins." She shrugged. And their parents had been very clear about not wanting her around their sons. "Raelynn has spent most of her live with you. You can't complaing from missing out on uncle time with her." Realizing her tone has turned too harsh, Ella took a deep breath in, then exhaled. "I'm sorry. It just felt like I wasn't wanted here. I know that's not true but... For a moment it was just a little too much."

He shook his head in disbelief, casting his gaze away from her so the red in his stare would hopefully start to fade. It normally took a lot to get this twin worked up, he was supposed to be the levelheaded one. But when it came to family, it was hard to see past any emotion he had. Even if Ella was family to him as one point too. "Griffin is laying in a hospital bed right now while informing me of my nephew, I'm willing to cut him the lack on things he may have left out." His eyes moving back to her as he began to speak again, "My parents are shitty people, Ella." He wasn't going to defend them, he knew better. "I would have helped you. I would have done anything, you know that." His words couldn't have been anymore true, it still broke his heart to think back to the day she disappeared on him and even more so to hear that she never had any plans on coming back. "I can keep you guys safe; I will keep you guys safe here. You can't just fucking do this to people, this is family, it means something. I was so fucking worried about you when you left and to know that you had my niece and nephew out there too, I'm fucking hurt, I don't know what else to say."

[ellaxmcretti]

Dry laugh escaped Ella's lips. Their father had managed to convince everyone, including his own family, that they were invincible. Untouchable. But perhaps they've got it all wrong, taking it literally when maybe this was what he'd meant. His legacy. His constant lingering shadows over them — his own family, his friends, his associates, his enemies, the whole god-damned city.

Ella didn't respond to Lu's suggestion, hoping her silence would count as an agreement. She wasn't picky, just as long as the coffee was strong and not having this bitterly sour aftertaste. "I'm just tired and want to go home." She sighed.

𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 about the emotions of others -- more hell bent on destruction than anything else, but there are a select few that she melts for. ella is one of them. while she and dante were tethered to their father -- ella was different. she deserved to run away from all of this, be free of them. and yet, she stayed. ludovica has certainly been plagued by the simple question from time to time -- why? what kept her here, when she could be better than this? better than them? she see's the exhaustion in her sister's eyes, and something in her wishes she could carry it for herself.

" we really are flesh and blood. " ludovica replies, accompanied by tired laughter. it really was true, the coffee in the hospital tasted like gasoline. perhaps maybe swamp water, but even then they were giving it too much credit. " i thought i spotted a little french bakery down the street when i went to pick up lunch. " she is silent once more until they breech the confines of the hospital, until her hermes shades are perched on the edge of her nose. " talk to me. " she begins. " your mind looks like it's running a marathon, dear sister. "

[ellaxmcretti]

Well, whether he liked it or not, there was certainly no escaping it. Whether it was her sneaking in boys or her sneaking out secretly; it was bound to happen. At least the first possibility gave a chance for some control to be enforced unlike the latter. "Do I need to remind you what we were like at this age?" Ella furrowed her eyebrow. "Besides, I highly doubt you'll be able to resist her big blue eyes, considering how she's already got you all wrapped around her little finger. So I guess this means no teenage dirtbag bodies in a ditch." Though, one could never be certain with the sort of fame that followed Griffin. "She's flirting with you then. You don't become a nurse's favorite without a reason."

Griffin looked down at his princess and shook his head, "No. I'm not sure." He let out an exhale. Part of him was scared of her growing up, what if he couldn't handle the tantrums turned into teenage girl problems. Right here, right now, he was good at this. "What? No. That is not happening. There will be no sneaking no boys. Nope. Not happening." He said firmly. "She can try all she wants but there will be a collecting of teenage dirtbag bodies in a ditch." He was adamant about that. "I am not flirting with her, she is like 60." The cute young nurses though were a different story.

[ellaxmcretti]

The lack of sleep was starting to take a toll on her. Or was is the stale air inside the hospital hallways? Her mind constantly drifting between the present moment and going through the most recent events as if rewinding the night could make her understand it. She couldn't. She wouldn't. Her mind was never designed to think like whoever stood behind the attacks and threatening messages.

Ella caught herself nodding and standing up a moment later, silently following her sister. She needed coffee. She wasn't going to survive today without one and today promised to be a long one. "Let's get coffee." She voiced out her thoughts, looking up to her sister. "But nice one. I don't like this cheap and watered down they have in here."

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 ludovica's eye twitch on many occasion out of stress, but, she thought -- he'd at least have some amount of dignity left to spare. and yet, he had hit a new low. of course she had read through the texts, and questioned whether it would have been better to simply live in blissful ignorance while the rest of the world imploded around her. no, as much as she'd like it to be -- it wouldn't. " it would have been hard not to. " she mutters, hands clasped. her gaze moves down to the floor before connecting with her sister's once more. ludovica was no saint, but she would never stoop so low. exploit someone's addiction for their own sick and twisted gain. considering their blood relation -- she wanted to understand. but she couldn't. despite her anger at her brother and his own stupidity, she couldn't help but worry. if he was to take the helm, would he be fit for it? what other secrets of his had their family unknowingly been carrying? " let's just focus on making sure griffin gets better and dante doesn't hurt himself even more. i think all of us can save the arguing for another day. " after another pause, she extends her arm. " walk with me? the air is rather stale. i can feel my skin drying out as we sit here. "

[ellaxmcretti]

Ella's gaze shifted between Griffin and Raelynn. "Are you sure you really want me to take her?" Because she wasn't. She knew at some point she'll have to or she could leave her and let his mother take her home, which she was sure the woman would be thrilled to do. Thrilled in what way exactly, though, she wasn't sure. Mrs. Gallo was hard to read, especially when it came to her current connection to her granddaughter. His words caused her to suddenly burst into laugh, almost waking up the little girl. "Okay, I really regret missing this sight. I hope at least I won't miss the one of your reaction when she's old enough to sneak in boys home. If you can't survive the change from baby to toddler who can handle herself, I can't imagine what that'd be like." Taking a moment to catch her breath, amusement still glinted in her eyes. "Why am I not surprised you're already flirting with the nurses too?"

Griffin shook his head. "You've ruined such a cute and wholesome thing, Ella. Take her, I feel icky now and probably will for the rest of my damn life. We might as well trade babies because I can't do the girl life anymore. She needs to stay two forever because I will not survive " he dropped to a whisper for his next words. "The changes." Even tho he told Ella to take her from him, Raelynn was just so peacefully asleep. "This is all her fault anyway. She knows how to play her daddy. She would just cry and cry in that hospital bed and even though it was one of those dumb small kid ones I got my big ass in there." He would never change that if he had to, and while that was one of the roughest things they would face, it cemented their bond. Griffin was always scared to have kids and feared he wouldn't be able to actually care or love them as he couldn't regular people. He didn't even feel that strongly about his own family, and siblings and they all knew it was what was wrong in his head. Raelynn brought back a piece of that lost humanity in him. "Cherry is nice she will let you in. She loves me and I'm her favorite patient"

[ellaxmcretti]

This time Ella couldn't hold back the eye roll. She wondered if perhaps the medicine they were giving him was making him think and sound so delusional because part of her — the part that still refused to believe her family was involved in so much dark stuff — denied that this was truly what passed through her brother's mind. That he really saw nothing wrong in his actions. "You've become unbearable since dad's death, you know." Ella knew everyone processed grief in their own way and she knew out of three Dante had been the one to take the hardest hit and while she'd tried hard to give him time and space, she also had her limit and her patience had slowly began running down.

"I'm not a drug dealer. That's beneath me. I occasionally give Freddie some of the things we manufacture because I'm a good friend who likes to help, and he happened to be very good on his knees." Dante laughed. That was probably information his sister didn't need to her but he didn't particularly care. He didn't need to know his best friend had been fucking her but he did. "You've known me since you were born, I've always been dramatic. Plus, I had very limited time to send texts before passing the fuck out. You're lucky you got one at all."

[ellaxmcretti]

She'd had her reasons for keeping the twins a secret from Griffin, which she'd convinced herself were the same reasons why she couldn't tell Jordan about them, too. She hadn't just walked out on his brother, but Jordan, too, when she left New York without a word. She never even gave him a chance. It was yet another one of those 'maybe' situations she was never going to know how it could have played out in the future. Was he going to keep her secret, if she'd explained everything from the start? Could he? "I assume Griffin left out most of the reasons why to himself." She said dryly. "No, there is no third. Or if there ever is, I assume you'll know. It's just Rae and Torin for now." She paused, not sure how to answer his question. She's had a chance at telling them both or at least Jordan about Torin. "Your parents were the ones who pushed me away, Jordan. Didn't want to have anything to do with their own grandchildren before they were even born. If it wasn't for Rae needing help and me not being able to provide it at that time, I probably would have never came back in the first place. New York, especially given the recent events, isn't exactly the place I'd wish to raise my children at." Was she sounding too harsh? Maybe. But she was also beyond tired of always having to justify her actions.

Jordan spotted her the minute that he turned into the hallway. A laugh of annoyance escaping from his lips as he thought about the news his brother had just shared with him. He felt like he couldn't even look at her, yet his eyes stayed glued as the two of them walked directly towards each other. He didn't even let himself take a breath as soon as he was in talking distance from the Moretti daughter. "Two of them, Ella? Are you kidding me right now? You better tell me right now if there's a third about to show up next." His eyes searching in hers for an answer, an explanation why she would do this again. Someone he once saw as family, fucking his over as much as she could. "Why didn't you tell me, tell Griffin, about him before?"

[ellaxmcretti]

Ella was probably the last person to be giving her opinion about it, which is why she only gave a small shrug. She'd had to learn it the hard way. Unlike Griffin, who at least had some family for support, she'd had no one. It's been all reading about stuff and following her instincts, but despite his wild nature Torin seemed to have turned alright. At least he listened to her when needed. "Well, I'm glad about that because I can only imagine the amount of explaining you'd have to do then." She found this whole situation amusing, barely holding back her chuckle. "My guess is you'll know when it's the right time. She'll show it herself." At least that's what she'd heard. She never had those issues with Torin, given she'd accustomed him to sleeping in his own bed from a very young age and there were ever very few occasions he'd stayed in hers. "Um, I'll think about it. You know, visiting hours and all." She teased.

"I have no comment." He said shaking his head. He couldn't fight it, it was true. "I mean, it's not like they teach you how to do this right." He said referring to parenting. He's read a few articles and books but thats all that was. books. "Ew ew ew Ella! She's a baby! And it's cute. I don't even let women sleep in my bed for her." He stated, which was also true. Miray was the exception. "I read that three is a good age to kick them to the curb and make them stay in their own beds. But the second she starts to wet the bed she gets annexed." He didn't have to worry about that yet, they weren't ready for potty training. She was starting to show early signs of it being time. "Of course I am. Was I not being clear?"

[ellaxmcretti]

"No, no, no," Ella shook her head, "that's on you. Remember who raised her?" Pain pierced her heart at the mention of it, but Ella tried not to show it. And if she had to be honest, she wondered if she'd done anything different, had Raelynn remained with her. "You may need to start thinking about how to break this habit before it starts to get creepier." So far, though, it was a cute sight and Ella was sure in time Rae will outgrow it on her own. It was the same with Torin. "Are you suggesting I sneak in later?" She exclaimed, pretending to be shocked by his bluntness.

Griff let out a chuckle. "I do love food." He said with a nod. Though that was not the way to his heart. His heart was locked up and the key was tossed away before it was dipped in water and set to freeze. There was a gap big enough for Rae and she was slowly melting him from the inside out. Griffin let out a groan, "I know. She does this to me all the damn time. I love her anyway but a man got needs." He said looking down at his daughter. "This one, though, she is needy as all hell. You made a clinger. I don't think there is a drop of my DNA in this baby." Even as he spoke he knew it wasn't true. He might have been the leading role in Rae's attachment style. "I guess that is true, they kept me alive this long, they should be able to finish the job an get me out of here still breathing. Though I will take you up on your consideration to help me at a later date., for old times sake, you know?

[ellaxmcretti]

"Oh, shall I bring out my pocket mirror and show you?" Ella teased him. He was right, though, even if he was her brother, she couldn't twist her heart that this rugged look did suit just like his usual sophisticated one. "You missed the part of being exposed as drug dealer." Ella said, letting out a dry laugh, despite that laughing was the least she felt but it was her usual reaction in situations like this one. "You also got a little overdramatic in your texts."

"I could never look like shit Ella, it's just not possible." He laughed. Not even a broken nose was going to put a dent in his massive ego. Rolling his eyes Dante pulled his hand away from hers but he didn't make another move to rip out the tubes... yet. Griffin got beaten and stabbed, I found him, tried to go back inside to get help but the guy slammed the door on my face hence the broken nose. I saved Griff's life, or at least I did if he survives. He's now fighting for his life and I'm here. I think that about covers it."

[ellaxmcretti]

This time Ella managed to suppress the urge to roll her eyes, but the annoyance still surfaced over her features. "Well, you know what they say," she shrugged. "The way to a man's heart is through their stomach." When it came to Griffin, though, she was almost sure the way was through his dick. Puckering her lips into a pout, she gave one quick and sad look at what seemed to be his main problem right now, contrary to the position he was in. "If it weren't for Rae, I may consider giving you a hand in that tough situation," her lips curving into a slight smile, "though I doubt they'd let you die of it. We're in a hospital after all."

"My stomach?" Griff asked playfully. "All I feel is anger most of the time." And he was being honest for once. "Well, you've seen it." Not his finest moments. But it settled down after a few weeks. "Yes, Ella I am. I haven't... you know... released in three days. Do you know how painful that is? My shii-stuff is stuck up right now. I think I will die if I don't get some relief soon." He said pushing the blanket off his lap, the only thing that weights his dick down. His hospital gown tented up before he covered himself again. "That f-u-c-k-e-r broke my good arm."

[ellaxmcretti]

Deep down Ella knew this party was a mistake. She knew it the second she got that text, demanding her presence; the way she knew following along with her plan and staying at home would be a mistake. Part of her wondered if this anonymous sender would be bold enough to come to her house, another part, though, didn't wish to ever find the answer to the question. The same part kept screaming at her to pack her bags and go, leave town; she'd done it once already, would it come as a surprise to anyone, if she did it again? "Did you read through all the texts?" She looked up to her sister as if seeking reassurance that it wasn't true. None of what's been said about their brother was true.

𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋 aware that there would always be more questions than answers in her life due to the last name she bore ( whether it was a blessing or a curse had always been up for debate -- even more so these days ), she had always known there would come a time when she would be simply tired of it all. the day had come a long time ago, but the ware on her mind and body was beginning to show. " i may be someone who enjoys vindication, tesora, but i certainly did not want to be vindicated about this. " her voice is low, her once loud and confident speech calmed to a dull roar. " that party... it was never what our father would have wanted. but for a minute, i know it felt good to be free. so please, i beg you, don't blame yourself. "