Chapter 30
LEONARDO
Time had become a nonentity, my thoughts slipping in and out of consciousness, distorting reality.
I was fighting against a heavy nothingness that completely weighed me down when all I wanted was to grasp onto that voice—the one that remained just out of reach.
“Fight for me. Fight for us,” Gabriella repeatedly called, luring me from the elusive shadows, teasing a world of light and love that I desperately sought.
Please, stay with me. Pull me out of this abyss.
I wrestled against the fog for the millionth time, and was pleasantly surprised when my body responded to my commands.
My lids fluttered open, my mind adjusting to the bright surroundings when my vision cleared on the most beautiful sight.
“Welcome back, husband. We missed you.”
I had slept through the entire aftermath.
Shortly after I passed out from blood loss, emergency services arrived. Nico was promptly arrested, and I was rushed into surgery to remove the bullet and repair the artery that was hit. That definitely explains the blood loss.
Post-op, I was placed in a medically induced coma to aid in my recovery. Days passed for Gabriella and the family. For me, it was mere seconds.
It was early hours in the morning. The girls were staying with Daisy, and Austin was safe at his aunt’s house.
After a thorough nurse and doctor check-up, I was finally left with my wife. Her emerald eyes were misted in moisture as she fussed with my bedding in an attempt to hide the trembling.
“It’s okay, darling,” I managed to croak, catching her hand with my weak grip. “I’m okay.”
Gabriella paused for a moment, collapsed in the seat sidelining my hospital bed, then dropped her head on top of my chest, her frame jolting with silent sobs.
I remained quiet, stroking through her soft, silky hair, letting the familiar strands anchor me to the present.
She soon pulled back, wiping a loose sleeve over her dishevelled face. Then her expression gradually hardened. Yep, I was in for it.
“I’m mad at you,” she said.
“Mmhmm.”
“I’m serious, Leo. So mad.”
Rallying the rest of my strength, I lifted her fingers to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “What a relief,” I murmured.
“Huh?”
“Stay mad, Ella. Give me your all. I can take it.” I preferred mad over sadness or pity.
She huffed. “You’re barely alive as it is.”
“I’ve fought this hard. I can fight some more.”
“Go to sleep, idiot.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I settled back into a comfortable position, and when exhaustion threatened to claim me once more, I caught her pleading whisper.
“Don’t ever do that again, Leo.”
“I’ll do whatever you want, darling. Just don’t leave me.”
Then, I let my mind drift into slumber, imagining my wife’s pout at my getting the last word.
“Dad!”
I was sitting upright in my hospital bed as Angelina raced in and jumped on top of me. I immediately wrapped her up tightly, despite the sharp pain piercing my torso.
Gabriella soon followed, shifting Angelina to my side, giving a soft warning to be careful with Daddy before depositing Celeste on my chest. I swear, my insides fucking melted when my baby lifted her head and gave me her big, toothy smile.
I kissed each one of my daughters’ heads, whispering my devotion and love over their crowns as if in blessing. That’s when I caught Austin dawdling in the doorway, averting his gaze.
I cleared my throat. “Come here, Austin,” I said gently.
He took his time, shifting to the vacant side of my bed, scared to venture close. I patted the free space next to me, encouraging him to sit. He did after a few seconds of coaxing.
I ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair—so much like my own—and considered it a win when he raised those similar grey eyes to mine.
That’s when I clocked my boy’s expression, hard lines carved with fatigue and worry.
“Oh, son,” I murmured, pulling his head down to settle in the side of my neck. He came willingly, bunching in next to his sisters.
Austin sniffled into my shoulder. “I arrived at your house, and there were so many people! Police cars, an ambulance. There was even a guy in handcuffs! Mum and Dad made me stay in the car, even though I didn’t want to.”
I hummed, stroking his back. “That must have been scary, huh?”
He nodded. “I didn’t know what happened. I was worried about you, about everyone. I was so scared, Dad.”
I froze, my heart suddenly bleeding for a completely different reason. That was the first time Austin had ever addressed me as Dad, and I thought I would pass the fuck out right then and there, which wouldn’t be a good idea—to scare the shit out of my kids.
Instead, I embraced my overwhelming emotions and kissed his temple. “I love you, Austin. I promise to never scare you like that again, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, easily accepting my promise.
I shifted my stare to Gabriella, reaching out and squeezing her hand, grasping that last piece of connection. My family.
There was no denying we had a long road ahead of us, with all the struggle and trauma we had to unpack.
But it was right there, buried beneath the combined weight of my children and the loving support of my wife. I knew I was on the cusp of finding complete and utter fulfilment. And I was willing to sacrifice anything to make sure that we achieved nothing less.
Recovery, forgiveness and healing were the goal, and there was no way I was going to let that vision out of my sight.
As I was dying, Gabriella’s words had sunk deep, resonating through my core until the vow was ingrained in my very DNA.
“Fight for me. Fight for us.”
Till my dying breath.