Babel Novel
Chap 28
Antony’s house was bustling that evening. Claire had returned from the hospital, carrying a baby boy in her arms. Ignazio’s new playmate. That’s what her younger brother said when he found out that their mother had given birth to a baby boy for them.
Claire’s family, consisting of Abigail, her older sister, and all their children, gathered. Antony’s parents, who intentionally came from Manhattan, along with Altezza and Adaline, who chose to reside in Kansas, arrived with the twins Falisha and Geremia. They ended up causing a disturbance in Ignazio’s room, who, in fact, didn’t like his territory being disturbed.
Gladwin? Of course, Claire’s twin came. Surprisingly, he came with Phoebe, Penelope, and Julie.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“Are you okay?” A soft voice in his head made him look up. The handsome Altezza with his characteristic stubble bowed to Flavia and looked at her anxiously. Flavia smiled and nodded. “Is she Gladwin’s future wife?” He asked again, looking towards the beautiful woman sitting gracefully between Penelope and Julie, engaged in conversation with the other women. Meanwhile, on the other side, the men seemed to have their own gathering.
“Maybe, Uncle. I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “Aunty herself, when is she going to give birth?” Flavia asked in return.
“Probably within the next three weeks. Falisha doesn’t want a baby sister. She says she wants to be Uncle’s most beautiful child.” Altezza smiled to himself, recalling his eldest daughter’s wish to be the most beautiful woman after her mother. “Luckily, the ultrasound results said our child is a boy. Otherwise, I don’t know how furious she would be.”
“It won’t happen, Uncle. After the baby is born, I’m sure she’ll adore him,” he replied sincerely.
“Ah, Uncle can’t handle having another daughter like Fali. Fali is enough.” Then they laughed simultaneously, unaware of someone observing them.
“Yoo-hoo, the superstar is back…” Abigail came in from the front door with her usual flair. Altezza and Flavia looked at each other. “Why aren’t you welcoming me??” She said with a pout. She looked at Flavia and Altezza alternately.
“You never change, do you?” Altezza stretched out his arms and hugged Abigail tightly, kissing the top of her head affectionately. For Altezza, Abigail was like his own niece. Her cheerfulness was just like his daughter Falisha.
“Where are Fali and Geremia, Uncle?”
“Upstairs, in Ignazio’s room.” Without waiting for a command, Abigail went upstairs. She intended to tease the pair of twins who often screamed. Flavia followed her from behind.
“Thought you were going to check on the new baby,” he said as they walked behind Abigail.
“Later, when it’s quiet. So I can have a monopoly.” She replied casually.
They walked towards Ignazio’s room, preparing to settle the usually occurring World War when those kids gathered. But their assumptions were wrong. Instead of a commotion, Ignazio seemed deserted because it turned out the kids were having a serious conversation in their typical childish manner.
“Oh, why is it quiet? No World War?” Abigail, who opened the door, looked at two boys sitting on the bed holding a guitar and a book, while two girls were sitting on the carpet with tablets in front of them.
“What war?” Falisha replied to Abigail. “We’re grown up now. We’re older siblings. So, according to Mom, we’re not allowed to fight anymore.” Falisha’s statement was nodded in agreement by her twin brother, Akara. Abigail pouted, disappointed not to get a free show.
“Princess, let’s try a new song.” Ignazio strummed his guitar. Akara stood on the bed, rolled up the book he was holding, and began to sing. Shortly after, the nine-year-old boy jumped down to the floor and approached Flavia. His eyes sparkled as he sang the lyrics:
Have you ever wondered
What shape water takes without a container?
Have you ever imagined
What form love might take?
His voice was as melodious as his mother’s, Gisna. Flavia knew because she often heard her aunty singing and even dueting with a top singer at her parents’ wedding ten years ago.
Colorful hair, like cotton candy
Cute and adorable, though not too tall
Chubby cheeks and fair skin
Sweet smile, bunny teeth
Making me realize
That’s the shape of love
Yes, it’s you
(Eclat Song)
Then, playfully, Geremia winked one eye at Flavia. Involuntarily, Flavia burst into laughter. Oh my, this kid is clearly going to be a playboy when he grows up, all thanks to his Uncle Erhan’s influence.
The call for dinner echoed. Abigail and Flavia invited the kids to join them downstairs. Since it wasn’t a formal event, there wasn’t a special dining table for the guests, as everyone who came was family. Except for two people you know who.
The kids eagerly grabbed their food and headed towards the family room, where Altezza and Gisna were already seated, feeding each other. Flavia and Abigail had taken their plates and were getting ready to get food, along with Gladwin, followed by Phoebe who also wanted to get some food. No words were exchanged between them, only the clinking sound of utensils as they served the dishes onto their plates.
Flavia and Abigail chose to eat with the kids in the family room. The four kids were already sitting on the floor with a carpet underneath and had placed their food on a glass table. Abigail nudged Ignazio with her foot, asking him to move. Meanwhile, Falisha kindly made space for Flavia by patting the square pillow beside her.
“I misses Uncle Gian and Auntie Joanna,” she sighed as Flavia settled comfortably. They didn’t know that Gladwin was also eating in the family room, sitting right on the sofa behind Flavia.
“I didn’t know you already have a suitor,” Adaline’s voice diverted the attention of the kids. They followed Adaline’s gaze, except for Flavia and Abigail. They knew who Gisna was talking to, as the only family member of her mother known to Gisna was Gladwin. Considering they had been in the same high school for a short period, although not for long because Claire and Gladwin participated in an acceleration program that caused them to separate again.
“Then we just have to wait for the invitation,” Altezza responded to his wife’s words.
“What are you guys talking about?”
“Just pray.”
Both of their answers came simultaneously. From the tone of their voices, it was clear who was more enthusiastic here.
Flavia could smell a rather strong women’s perfume behind her. Being someone who didn’t like any kind of perfume, she immediately swallowed hard. Everyone in her family knew about it, including Gladwin. That’s why no one wore perfume when close to Flavia. Except for baby perfume.
Usually, she could still restrain herself from adult perfumes for the sake of courtesy. But for some reason, this time it felt so nauseating. Perhaps it was because of her physically unwell condition, so smelling such a strong scent had an excessive effect.
Flavia got up from her seat and half ran to the farthest bathroom, unwilling to make any sound. As she hadn’t eaten anything yet, all she could vomit was water. Her stomach ached, and her head throbbed. “Are you okay?” a voice greeted her as she just opened the door.