Page 95 of La Dolce Vita

"Twins are a blessing. You and your sister were a blessing. Our sons are a blessing. Something remarkable happens when a woman can carry two souls in her womb at once. Did you feel that when you were pregnant?" he asked.

She stopped molesting him. She sat back and considered the question. She was happy when she carried her sons. Much happier than she was with Eve. But that was because she had the love of her life, and all her dreams had materialized. When she gave it deeper thought, she had to accept there was more to it.

"Bella?" he asked, waiting for an answer.

"Oh, sorry. Yes. I felt something special with each pregnancy. It's the most wonderful feeling to have your love growing inside of me. Now the delivery? That's a different story," she laughed.

He nodded in agreement.

"So, the story starts with these twins Romulus and Remus?" she asked.

"No. The story begins with a king," he began.

"Doesn't it always," Mirabella said. "Will there be dragons too?"

He chuckled. He kept the horses steady on their chosen path while her head rested against him. "King Numitor had a jealous brother who was called Amulius. His brother thirsted for power. It drove him near madness. And finally, when his envy became too great, brother loyalty was cast aside. Amulius stole the throne from King Numitor. And he didn't stop there. He killed the King's male heirs. He also forced his only daughter Rhea into a sworn oath of chastity."

"Sounds like a charming guy," Mirabella said.

"Jealousy between brothers is the root of evil inla famiglia."

"Not our family," she said.

"That's right, Bella. But sibling rivalry is common. All the way back to the Bible it speaks of it with Cain and Abel. No?"

"Yes. I agree. Wars, kingdoms, and many lives have been lost because of envy and pride. If Amulius killed the male heirs of Numitor how did the twins survive?"

"Rhea, the surviving daughter of the King, agreed to become a vestal virgin. But soon after taking the vow of chastity she became pregnant. There is plenty of debate over who the father was. Some think he was the God of Mars and others believe the father was Hercules."

"Hercules? Really? Wasn't he mortal?"

"Half mortal half God."

"Like you?" Mirabella teased.

"I'm no god," he sighed.

"Really? Tell that to the men who worship and fear you, to your children, to your sister!" she chuckled. "You may not be God, but you are the all mighty powerful in their lives."

"Is that a problem? For you? For them?" he glanced over at her.

She smiled. "Nope. Because I know parts of you, they don't. I know you're a man who strives to do the right thing even if you have to do many bad things along the way. To me, you're not a God. You're just my husband."

They traveled into the night at a slow trot. The clip of the horse hooves over the earth beneath them, and the warm breeze made the journey peaceful. She relaxed and almost forgot about the story of the twins who founded Rome. Until Giovanni began again with his story.

"Amulius discovered the truth about Rhea's pregnancy and was furious. He thought the twins would grow up and one day challenge him for the throne. To save their lives from the jealous king, the babies were put into a little basket and sent down the Tibris river."

"Is this a sad story? I want a love story," she sighed.

"Well, it's the only story I know right now. Let me finish."

"Reminds me of Moses, the baby in the basket part..."

He sighed.

"Okay, go on, sweetheart. I'm listening."

"The basket ran aground. It was discovered by a she-wolf."

---