Chapter Text
On December 15th, 1888, a baby boy named Anatole Lewis was born. His mother was unwed, disowned by her family. She was only 18 years old when she gave birth. Her name was Mary Lewis.
Mary had become pregnant after an encounter with a charming and mysterious man named Dio Brando. It was one night, and Mary had not expected to have a child after.
She was unable to track down the father- she had hoped she would, and the two would wed, and she could have a happy family.
But she did not find Dio Brando. She never heard his name again.
However, word of a woman searching for the father of her child, reached the ears of a man named Robert EO Speedwagon. After the death of Jonathan Joestar, the last thing him and Erina Joestar wanted was another Dio.
Speedwagon kept a close watch on Anatole and Mary, but one never interfered. He never let them know that he even knew they existed.
Mary struggled for years, alone and afraid. She only wanted a good life for her son. He carried the charm of his father, but he held the kindness of his mother.
After many years of making desperate money, Anatole found himself an education and a job.
Mary would not live much longer after that.
When her son was 22, Mary Lewis died of an unidentified illness in her lungs. She was only 40 years old, and Arthur was left to fend for himself.
On February 26, 1910, on the day of his mother’s funeral, Anatole Lewis promised he would never let his children suffer like he and his mother had.
In 1919, Anatole would meet Nottella Giovanna while on a trip to Italy. She was a rich, fun loving girl who went to parties every night and was sought after by many men. Arthur just happened to win her heart. The two fell in love, and wed one year later.
On April 16, 1924, Anatole and Nottella Lewis would welcome their son into the world.
They would name him Giorno Giovanna Lewis, but all those close to him called him Giorno Giovanna (or Giogio) as a nickname.
Giorno was blessed with his father's golden hair, and his mother’s blue eyes. He was a beautiful child, even from birth. Those around him called him an angel, and he lived up to the expectation. Giorno was a quiet child, who always behaved and listened to adults. His life was bliss, and that was all Anatole ever wanted.
Yes, utter bliss…
Until it was all destroyed in just one day.
On a cold, dark night in 1931, Anatole Lewis was killed in a house fire. He was passing by the building when he saw a child trapped inside.
The child was saved, but at the cost of Anatole’s life. He died a hero, in a blaze of glory.
Nottella was horrified. She was a new mother, now a widow.
Giorno's face was a distorted reflection of Anatole, and Nottella couldn’t take it.
She began to ignore him. She would cry, and when her son would try to comfort her, she would hurt him.
But she hated when he left her alone just as much.
Neglect and abuse overtook the household. The Speedwagon foundation’s close watch finally came to use- not to save the world from Dio’s bloodline, but to save Dio’s bloodline from the hurt of the world.
Giorno Giovanna Lewis became Giorno Giovanna Speedwagon. Raised not by a mother and a father, but by Mr. Speedwagon and his entire foundation- and the remaining Joestars.
It was a big family, but it was wonderful that way.