CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Milo Ventimiglia

full name: Domenico Vitale

nickname(s): Nico

pronouns & gender: He/Him, Cis Man

sexuality: Heterosexual

birth date: January 31st, 1982

birth place: Palermo, Italy

time in town: Since Age 11, 29 years

housing: Rural Countryside

occupation: Owner of Romano’s Vineyard & Winery

family: Fiance- Lennon Davies, Children- Alessandro (6, 02/05/2016), Dante (1, 06/23/2021), Luciana (2 mths, 10/10/22)

personality: Nico knows no stranger. The Italian loves to host and enjoy company with plenty of delicious food and drinks to go around. He’s a bit of a flirt, but only one woman has his heart - Lennon. The male is quite handy and normally handles the upkeep of the property his family owns. He is a kind hearted man, but has a temper for those that want to test him or hurt anyone he cares about. For the most part, Nico can get along with anyone as long as they treat others with respect.

BACKGROUND / BIO

Trigger warnings: murder tw, death tw, parental death tw, mafia tw

Born and raised in Palermo, Italy to loving parents Giada and Severo Vitale, Demenico, or Nico as he preferred, barely remembered much about the beautiful land he spent the first 11 years of his life in. The rare memories Nico still held on to were those of his father taking him on trips to the churches and anywhere playing live music. His father played guitar and often sang to Nico and his mother. Growing up, Nico had the privilege of learning both Italian and English. A skill that later was quite useful… When Nico was around the age of 10, his father had picked him up from school like any other day. However, that day would be quite far from ordinary. Nico only recalled his father shouting something he couldn’t make out before his father’s body shielded him… and loud booms filled the air.

When the scene was secured, Nico only remembered being wrapped in the arms of his mother while his father was rolled away on a gurney with a blanket over him. The funeral for his father and the small length of time his mother and Nico remained in Italy after that all blurred together. Nico wasn’t aware of the exact reason his mother packed them up and left Italy, but soon enough the last two Vitales arrived in Merrock, Maine. His maternal grandparents lived and operated a small 15 acre vineyard there. His mother never remarried after losing his father, so the next father figure Nico had was his grandpa, suo nonno. The young Nico grew up in the endless rows of growing grapes and learning the ways of best wine-making.

When he started school, Nico never thought much about all the interest he gained from peers due to his Italian accent and being bilingual. He was a natural flirt and enjoyed the attention of the ladies. It was around age 12 that Nico first met Lennon - at a park that basically every kid played at. He liked the spunky 10 year old immediately and wanted to bestow the title of girlfriend on her. However, Lennon was different. Like she was immune to him it seemed. It only made Nico want her even more… He asked her out countless times from elementary school through high school. Even though Nico would verbally express that he wanted to date her, the two of them kept a close friendship throughout the years. Meanwhile, Nico coasted through his classes and helped his mother and grandparents on the vineyard after school. He came to love the life of caring for the grapes until harvest then creating various wonderful tastes from them. Despite not being of age, his nonno always let him have a small sip to enjoy his hard work as he’d say.

Going into high school, Nico enjoyed the lifestyle of being single and definitely played the field as far as the girls went. There were several flings but nothing serious. Nico started playing soccer his sophomore year and had a natural talent for the sport. Through all the changes of starting high school, Nico always remained friends with Lenny. Then, finally at the end of Lenny’s Freshmen year and Nico’s Junior year, the cycle changed when she agreed to a date with him. After her saying ‘yes’, Nico and Lenny were inseparable and basically got labeled as the cutest couple in their school. Being such good friends before starting their relationship actually helped the couple develop a deeply connected love instead of just lust. It was during his Senior year in high school that Nico overheard his grandfather and mother talking one day about Cosa Nostra, the Italian mafia, and his father. Confused and wanting answers, Nico confronted them and his mother admitted that his father was an associate of the mob. Apparently, there was a rumor that Nico’s father wanted to overtake an important member of the organization and back in the day those threats were answered with death… Which is why his mother packed up and left Italy to get away from that lifestyle shortly after his death. Having some sort of answer for his death didn’t help Nico’s grief for the loss of his father though.

After graduation, Nico took over ownership of the winery and vineyard from his grandparents since his family was getting older. Adding in the twist of offering wedding packages and private events in the tasting room, the Romano’s Vineyard & Winery became a big hit within the town of Merrock. The Italian kept his relationship with Lenny strong even while she went to college. If he had to drive hours to see her, Nico would. Throughout the years of learning the ropes from his grandfather, Nico also learned how to be quite handy as well. He kept the upkeep of his grandparent’s old farmhouse for them as best as he could. Knowing that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Lenny, Nico decided to have a house built for the potential family the two would share. His grandparents and mother stayed in the simple 3 bedroom, 1 and half bathroom farmhouse near the tasting room.

While Nico chose a spot a few miles away with several rows of grapevines separating them for a bit of privacy, the 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom more modern version of a farmhouse was constructed. With their busy lives, it seemed Nico and Lenny never came around to the traditions of marriage first. Rather, when Nico was around 34 in 2016, they had their first child - a bouncing baby boy they named Alessandro. Several years passed before Lenny and Nico had another child in 2021, another baby boy they named Dante. With much encouragement from his mother and grandparents, Nico finally proposed to Lennon quite literally that same day Dante was born in the hospital room. He couldn’t wait any longer before giving her his last name. They started to plan for a summer wedding… However, life had other plans. Lenny got pregnant again and they welcomed their third child, this time a baby girl they named Luciana, in October of 2022. With the wedding being pushed back, Nico and his fiancé decided to settle for a winter wedding and the two will be exchanging vows on 01/21/23 at their family run vineyard, Romano’s.