13. Sandro
Sandro
Iwould be the first one to admit that I was enjoying my time in Banff with Leo immensely.
There were no interruptions, no reminders of everything that had happened to me or Vitto, and Leo was absolutely the sweetest. He was energetic, sincere, and open to just about anything.
We had been on several hikes, had experienced some of the local wildlife, and Leo especially enjoyed the trip out in the canoes on the lake.
We had spent hours talking and getting to know each other without using our bond, and I felt that gave us a stronger connection.
But despite us still having another week left before we were expected back at the villa, it was most likely time to return to Italy.
Leo hadn’t been able to shift into his leopard for over a week now, and he’d not eaten much last evening.
His energy was depleting quickly, and he’d spent many days taking naps.
Not that he couldn’t take a nap. We had spent quite a bit of time not sleeping through the night.
I was becoming worried about Leo. I already cared for him deeply, and not only because he was my beloved.
Leo was an amazing person. But I was concerned about his health.
He was unquestionably pregnant. I’d been able to scent the baby.
I wasn’t sure Leo realized that just yet, and if he had, he’d not mentioned it out loud.
That wasn’t really what I was concerned about though.
Loss of appetite and energy were often normal symptoms of pregnancy.
It was the unease that I was feeling through bond.
Specifically, the one in Leo’s stomach. I had little doubt he would be making a dash for the toilet once he woke; it seemed inevitable with how uncomfortable my stomach was.
Unfortunately for us, I had little ability to help him beyond offering comfort and support.
I heard a noise behind me and turned just in time to watch Leo running for the small bathroom that was here on the ground floor of the cabin.
Not surprisingly, seconds later, I heard him getting sick.
I grabbed a clean cloth from the counter in the kitchen and wet it before I followed behind my beloved to go help him if needed.
If nothing else, I would be able to offer support.
Leo wretched again just as I entered the small room.
“Sandro, help,” he panted out.
Immediately, I knelt behind him and placed my hands on his shoulders.
“I’m here. What do you need from me?” I wiped the cloth on the back of his neck. “This is normal for pregnancy, but hopefully, you only end up with a very mild case of pregnancy sickness.”
Leo was panting as he laid his head down on his arm. “Is it over?”
I used the damp cloth and wiped his face.
I knew he was miserable and had most likely never gotten sick before.
“It might be for the time being,” I told him.
“You will most likely get sick again if it’s truly pregnancy sickness.
If this is simply because you haven’t eaten much, then we can help with that by making sure you eat small meals frequently. ”
Leo blinked at me several times, then lifted his head before laying it back down. “Pregnancy sickness?”
I continued to wipe his face. “Did you not realize?” I asked. I tossed the washcloth toward the sink, then stood.
“No,” Leo replied. “Do you think I’m pregnant?”
I bent down and easily lifted my beloved. He wasn’t heavy to begin with, but I knew he had been so worried about me lifting him because of my injuries. What he either hadn’t realized or simply chose to ignore was that I’d done a whole lot of healing since we’d claimed each other.
“No, I do not think you’re pregnant. I know for a fact that you are.
I scented the baby.” I carefully moved out of the bathroom and went out to the kitchen area.
I set Leo down on the counter next to the sink and got him a glass of water.
“The fact that you didn’t realize explains why you haven’t mentioned the pregnancy to me. ”
Leo took the glass, swished the water, then leaned over and spit it out in the sink. He did that twice more before he wrinkled his nose and held out the glass.
“Yes, I’m certain that despite rinsing, you still have a foul taste in your mouth.
I’ll get you a drink that will help.” I went to the refrigerator, and after I found what I was looking for, I pulled out a can of ginger ale.
After opening it, I held it out to Leo, who took it with excitement.
I reached up and ran my fingers through the side of his hair.
“I don’t have anything here to take care of you,” I told him.
“Nothing beyond some crackers and ginger ale. I know Rio has special tea at the villa that both Mazzi and Abel drank. It helps with the pregnancy sickness.”
Leo took another drink before he started nodding. “Are you ready to go home, then? I’m not against it. I’d like to get to know your coven family. I have no doubt that they’ll be so much more amazing than my pride.”
“Despite who we are, what has happened in your pride would never be allowed. If Marcello didn’t put an end to things, Master Vincent would. But that is why Marcello is the coven’s second. He takes care of things before they even get close to Master Vincent.”
“I don’t really know much about all of that. But I would think that’s what he’s supposed to do? Or is that not what a second does?”
I smiled at Leo. “Yes. Marcello does many things, and taking care of business is certainly one of them.” Marcello was…
someone to be experienced. I didn’t know how to explain him beyond that.
I had no doubt that he was going to be accepting of Leo and his own beloved becoming friends.
But he could be a bit difficult to explain to someone who wasn’t around the “family,” so to speak.
“I know we have more time here, but I wouldn’t mind going back. It’s not like we can’t continue getting to know each other there. And to be honest, I could really go for an authentic carbonara, because what that little place that we found here is calling that isn’t what it is.”
I laughed at that. He wasn’t wrong. We’d happened to stumble on the restaurant on one of our many trips into the local town to explore. We’d both been excited about the place, and even I would admit that the food wasn’t horrendous, but it certainly was nothing like the food at home.
“I can make certain you have your carbonara as soon as your stomach can handle it. For now, let’s stick with ginger ale and crackers,” I told him.
“Speaking of crackers…” I left briefly to go to the pantry and pull out the bag of square crackers.
He should eat a few until I could get ahold of Rio and we could return to Naples.
“Here,” I told him. “Eat a few of these, and I’ll see if I can get ahold of Rio.
It’s late evening there, and I can’t be certain what time he retires.
I know he checked on me often, but I don’t have his schedule memorized. ”
Leo took the crackers and immediately started eating one. “It’s fine, Sandro. I’m good with staying here if we need to. I’m not the first person to be pregnant and get sick. I’m certainly not going to be the last.”
He wasn’t wrong, but both sides of me didn’t like the fact that he was experiencing sickness.
The doctor side wanted to take care of him and offer medical assistance to help him feel better.
The beloved side wanted to burn the world down for him and ensure everything he needed to be safe, comfortable, and well was given to him.
I wanted him to have everything he ever desired if I could do so, and I was certainly going to find a way.
I walked over to the counter and picked up my phone where it had been sitting charging.
After waking it, I found Rio’s contact, and instead of making a call, I decided on a text.
It was less intrusive, and if he wasn’t readily available, I wouldn’t disturb him.
If it were truly an emergency that we return home now, I would call and wake the entire house. That wasn’t the case though.
Me: Good evening. I hope this isn’t too inconvenient of a time for you.
If you have already turned in for the evening, it’s not an urgent need at the moment.
It is possible that Leo has started experiencing pregnancy sickness.
As I don’t have anything beyond crackers and ginger ale here to help him, if you could help us to return to Italy, we would appreciate it.
We have explored what we feel we could, and Leo’s energy isn’t really where it was a few weeks ago, and going on even a short hike has become taxing for him.
Any assistance with his care would be greatly appreciated.
I sent the text before returning to Leo. He was eating another cracker, which was promising. “How are you feeling? Any better?” My stomach didn’t feel nearly as uneasy, but that didn’t mean anything.
“Better. But I’m tired still. I know I was just having a nap, and I should be full of energy because I’m young, but I feel not quite like I do after a heat, but not far from it either.”
I ran my hand across the side of his head, then down his cheek before I settled it on his shoulder.
“You being tired is expected, and rest is the best thing for you. It’s not being lazy; it’s being sensible while pregnant,” I told him.
“Unless you need me to stay here with you, I’m going to go pack our things. ”
“Can I come with?”
“Of course. You are always welcome wherever I am.” I held out my arm, and Leo used it to steady himself as he slid from the counter.
He seemed stable enough on his feet, but I walked slowly beside him to the stairs that would take us up to the loft.
We didn’t have much to pack, as we didn’t have a whole lot here with us.
In fact, Leo didn’t have much of anything.
We would certainly be changing that in the near future once we returned to Italy.