33. Lia
Chapter 33
Lia
After listening to Dante grumble for another four days, I organized with the doctor to take him home.
Rafe is chuckling lightly to himself, while Cade is pushing the wheelchair to the room, ready for the three of us to surprise him.
"Hello gorgeous, are you ready to go home?" I say as I enter his room.
Dante's face lights up at the prospect of finally leaving, but when he glances behind me, his expression quickly shifts to one of disbelief, or possibly annoyance.
"I'm walking out of here."
"Doctor’s orders. You have to leave in a wheelchair."
He narrows his eyes as he looks closer at the wheelchair. "What the hell did you do to it?"
I can't help but burst into laughter.
We bought him a wheelchair and then Cade, Rafe and I spent the better part of last night decorating it before they went to work.
We transformed it into what can only be described as a mobile party.
Streamers hang from the handles, affixed to one arm is a small disco ball, and the perfect sign on the back reads "Caution: Mafia Boss in Training."
"We thought you might need some cheering up," Rafe says, barely containing his own laughter.
Dante scowls, but I can see the corners of his mouth twitching. "I'm not riding in that thing. I have a reputation to maintain."
"Oh, come on," I tease, "think of it as your victory chariot. You took a bullet, after all."
Cade chimes in, "Plus, we added some special features." He presses a button, and suddenly the wheelchair plays "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.
For a moment, Dante looks like he's about to explode. But then, unexpectedly, he bursts into laughter. It's a rich, genuine sound that I haven't heard in far too long. I missed it.
I missed him more.
"You're all insane," he says, shaking his head. But there's affection in his voice.
Before I can react, he reaches out and grabs me, pulling me onto his lap in the hospital bed. "And you," he says, looking into my eyes, "you're the insanest of them all. But I love you for it."
I wrap my arms around his neck, careful of his injuries. "So, does this mean you'll let me ride you in the chair later?"
"Lia," he chides.
"She really is horny," Cade adds, and winks.
"We need to get him home first. Are you getting in?" Rafe asks, pressing a button and fairy lights dance along the metal.
"It's so pretty," I add.
He sighs dramatically. "I suppose I have no choice. But if anyone takes pictures, there will be consequences."
We all laugh, the tension of the past few weeks finally breaking.
And as I help Dante into his blinged-out wheelchair, I can't help but feel grateful. We may be unconventional, but we're a family, and it's moments like these that remind me of why it works. The reason I'm so happy I gave our love a chance.
I'm sure in this world, love, laughter, and a healthy dose of stupidity are what will keep us going, even in the darkest times.
As we make our way down the hospital corridors, following two bodyguards, I can't help but grin at the spectacle we're creating.
Dante, despite his initial protests, seems to enjoy the attention his decorated wheelchair is attracting. Nurses and patients turn to stare, most smiling at the sight.
Behind us, another three burly bodyguards follow at a discreet distance. All under Dominic's orders. He spoke to me, and he doesn't want any chances with me or his family. Tensions are still high after the deaths of so many mafia heads.
"I feel like I'm in a parallel universe where I've joined the circus," Dante mutters, but I can hear the amusement in his voice.
I swear I see one bodyguard fighting back a smirk.
"You need to laugh, Dante. Our lives are about to change and I hope we can still find the fun in living," I say, seriously.
And then I blow a raspberry and dance around him.
Dante rolls his eyes, but there's no hiding the grin spreading across his face. "Alright, alright. You've made your point. Though I have to say, you'd make a terrible clown."
I stop my ridiculous dance and lean down to kiss his cheek. "Don't worry, I have no plans to run away with the circus."
"They wouldn't employ you. You're terrible," he deadpans.
I slam my hand on my heart. "I'm wounded." Then smile. "But not as much as you are." I burst out laughing.
"My god! Your jokes are abysmal."
I tilt my head. "It’s a good job that I'm useful with a gun."
That makes him laugh out loud.
As we approach the hospital exit, I spot our car waiting at the curb. Two more bodyguards step out as we approach, their eyes scanning the area with practiced efficiency.
"Looks like your father's taking no chances," I whisper to Dante. "Because, apparently, we were taking too many stupid chances." I shrug my shoulders.
He nods, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Can't blame him after what happened."
"I forgot to tell you. Cade found Lucia on the security footage stalking my apartment and she was seen running away the day I was shot. Proving how much of a terrible shot she is." I rub my now healed thigh.
"She could have caught you in the elevator." He sighs.
"But she didn't. And she would've died earlier if she did. I carry weapons and I don't miss, unlike her."
We pause on the sidewalk, and one bodyguard approaches us. "Sir," he addresses Dante, "we're ready when you are. Johnson will stay in the car and keep the engine running."
A sign to let us know the car doesn't have a bomb strapped to it.
I watch as the designated guard slides back into the driver's seat, the low rumble of the engine joining the ambient noise of the street.
From our vantage point on the sidewalk, I take in the scene. Dante in his blinged-out wheelchair, surrounded by stone-faced guards, and Rafe and Cade.
"Ready to go home?" I ask Dante, squeezing his shoulder gently.
He looks up at me, then at Rafe and Cade, a smile playing on his lips. "More than ready," he says. "Let's get out of here."
Rafe nods to the guards, and they help Dante into the car.
I'm struck by a wave of emotion that I suddenly encounter. We've been through so much, faced dangers I never imagined, but here we are, the three of us, together, stronger than ever. Whatever comes next, I know we'll face it as a family.
Soft, golden light from the setting sun floods the room, filtering through the sheer curtains and casting elongated shadows on the floor. The candle on the nightstand fills the air with a delicate aroma of vanilla and berries.
I'm lying in bed, the soft sheets draped over my body, and Dante's warm hand resting gently on my growing belly.
My head rests against his chest, where I can feel the comforting rhythm of his steady breaths. The gentle thumping of his heart beneath my ear brings tears to my eyes, reminding how close I was to losing him. After everything he went through, I'm so glad to hear those thuds.
A gentle tap on the door interrupts our moment of bliss. It creaks open. Rafe pops his head in first. Cade's head pops over his.
"We're going to work soon, but want to check on how you're feeling, Dante," Cade asks, his voice low and caring.
Dante's chest rumbles beneath my cheek as he responds, "Brilliant."
Dante's fingers trace gentle patterns on my belly as Rafe adds, "Can we come in?"
"Of course," I say, patting the spacious bed beside me. The mattress shifts slightly as I move, and I lift my head to look at them properly.
"For a few minutes," Dante adds, his tone playful, but with an undercurrent of possessiveness that makes me smile.
"Dad called," Rafe begins. "He wants you and Lia to go to Antonio's tomorrow if you're feeling well enough."
I nod. The Syndicate needs its new leaders in place, else other mobsters, and other mafia types will think we're for the taking.
The bed dips as they settle on either side of us. "We can go."
"Lia," Dante chides.
"Listen to your wife," Rafe retorts.
Dante grins. "Yes. My wife."
"Ah," Cade adds. "You think because you married her, she's yours?"
"I took a bullet for her," Dante says, but he smiles and I know he is joking.
“Nice try, de Luca, but you’re not getting her all to yourself just because you nearly died,” Cade says. "We’re sharing our wife."
I smile and kiss Dante on his lips. “We're married on paper, but in my heart, I’m married to all of you. And I've been thinking about that.” I wiggle my finger in the air. “I want to make this darker. I want everyone to see I’m yours.” I glance at Cade and Rafe. "And yours."