45

                                    

                                          

CHAPTER 45
 Catalina
Sunday
"Ow," I hissed, blinking awake my heavy lids. The room was dark, and things were still a bit hazy.
My body ached while my head throbbed. I lifted a hand to my sore throat, realizing the tubing must have been removed. I squinted, struggling to let my eyes adjust to a room without light.
They soon landed on two figures across the room, Domenico lying next to Matteo on a couch that barely held them, while Lorenzo's head was in my lap, his arm cradling my sore abdomen.
I reached down, stroking my fingers through his messy hair; it had grown. His eyes snapped open with a quickness, and he sucked in a sharp breath, sitting up in his seat. He turned to wake the others, but I grabbed his hand, shaking my head.
"Water," I croaked out. My mouth was so parched it was harder to swallow with every moment that passed.
Lorenzo gave me a curt nod, hopping up from his seat and pouring water into a pale pink hospital cup. He grabbed a bendy straw, placing it inside before holding it up to my mouth. I gave him an appreciative smile as I wrapped my dry lips around the plastic, sucking up the cold refreshing liquid as he watched me with careful eyes. He was looking at me as though I'd disappear if he even so much as blinked.
Once I felt replenished enough to speak, I pulled back to peer up at him. "Thank you." I gave him another smile, but he just stared at me before placing the cup down at my bedside.
Lorenzo retook his seat still without saying a word. He was beginning to scare me with his silence, so I furrowed my eyebrows and reached out for his hand.
"Hey, I'm okay," I told him, knowing what he was thinking. "I'm here."
His body stiffened at my words, then his eyes fell shut, and when he opened again, tears brimmed the creases of his lids.
"I-I thought." Lorenzo shook his head. "Don't ever do that to me again, princess." A sob escaped his throat, tears began to run down his face.
I pulled him towards me by the hand, and he wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his head back into my stomach. I must have really given this man a scare because that wasn't a side of him I was used to seeing. Combing my fingers through his hair, his body shook, and he tugged closer, using me to muffle his cries. I shushed him and told him that I wasn't going anywhere ever until they lessened, and his body stilled, and he was just holding me.
"That true, little one?" Domenico's raspy voice caught my attention from across the room. I beamed despite the pain as he and Matteo made their way over to me, each taking a seat on either side of me on the bed.
"Very," I answered. "You guys are stuck with me."
Nic smiled and kissed my cheek, while Matteo did the same to my hand. It felt good to be back in the presence of my men again. I had no idea how long I was out but gauging their reactions, it was too long.
"Has the doctor been in to see her since she's woken up?" Matteo asked as Lorenzo popped his head up. Tears still welled in his beautiful icy blue eyes, and he shook his head before returning it to my belly. Matteo went to stand, but I tightened my hold on his hand.
"I'm fine," I tell him, pulling the gorgeous man back towards me. "Can't I just enjoy this moment with my men before I'm being poked and prodded?"
Matteo looked at me, then over at Nic, drawing his lips into a thin line. Nic gave him a subtle nod before they both turned their attention to me.
"Fine," Nic said, sweeping his lips over the apple of my cheek. "But only for a bit. They need to check you out to make sure everything's fine." The concern in his eyes was mixed with guilt, and it broke my heart.