Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
TWO WEEKS LATER
Ariana
I was sitting at my desk, staring at the beautiful roses Luca gave me when he stepped into my office.
“Hey, I was just thinking about you.” I smiled.
“I just received a call from Julia. She asked me to get hold of you since she couldn’t. Your father, or should I say grandfather, had a massive heart attack,” he spoke with sadness.
My heart started pounding out of my chest as tears formed in my eyes.
“What? Is he?—”
“He’s in the CCU at Boston General. Jeffery is waiting downstairs to take us home to pack a bag, and I have a plane on standby. Just say the word.”
I slowly pushed myself up from my chair and swallowed hard.
“Will you come with me?” I softly spoke.
“I already planned on it.”
Swallowing the hard lump that formed in my throat, I walked over to Luca and took hold of his arm. After Jeffery drove us home and we packed a bag, we headed to the airport where Luca had a plane ready and waiting to take us to Boston. I was quiet on the plane, thinking about the man who raised me as his own, and I prayed to God that he would be okay.
Luca had arranged for a car service to pick us up from the airport and take us straight to Boston General. The thought of seeing my family terrified me, and Luca knew it. He held me on the plane and in the car, making me feel safe.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I spoke as my head lay on his shoulder.
“You don’t have to thank me. I was coming whether you wanted me to or not. I know how difficult this is going to be for you. But,” he kissed my head, “it doesn’t have to be.”
“You just don’t understand,” I spoke.
“I do understand. More than you think. But this is a time when all family needs to come together, regardless of what anyone did. A man’s life is on the line, sweetheart. A man who you’re so mad at but still love with all your heart.”
Tears fell from my eyes. Luca was right. I did love him, and if anything were to happen to him, I didn’t think I would ever be able to forgive myself. Luca reached over, grabbed a tissue, and handed it to me.
“Dry your eyes. I’m here for you every step of the way, sweetheart. You don’t have to do this alone.”
I dabbed my eyes with the tissue, lifted my head, and kissed his cheek.
“I love you,” I softly spoke.
“I love you too.”
We arrived at the hospital, and Luca helped me from the car, refusing to let go of my hand. When we took the elevator up to the CCU, I asked the nurse behind the desk which room John Williams was in.
“Are you family?” she asked.
I looked at Luca for a moment and then back at the nurse.
“I’m his daughter, Ariana Williams.”
“He’s in room 410, but I think your mother is in there with him now. He’s only allowed two visitors, so your friend must wait in the waiting room.”
Luca clasped my shoulders and kissed my forehead.
“You can do this. I’ll be in the waiting room if you need me.”
Luca
I walked into the waiting room and saw Julia sitting there next to someone I presumed was her husband and Ariana’s father.
“Luca,” Julia spoke as she got up from her chair.
“Julia.” I nodded. “I’m sorry about your father.”
“Thank you. Is Ariana here?”
“Yes. She’s in with him now.”
“You must be Luca Russo. I’m Tom Brooks, Ariana’s?—”
“Father. I know,” I spoke as I shook his hand.
“Have a seat,” Julia said as she sat down and patted the chair beside hers. “How is she?” she asked.
“Scared,” I replied.
“I’m happy that things worked out for you with your trial.”
“You can thank your daughter for that. She’s an incredible woman and lawyer. In fact, I made her a partner at the firm.”
“Wow. Since you’re here, I take it the two of you are?—”
“In a relationship? Yes, we are. I love Ariana very much. She means everything to me, and I will do whatever I have to in order to protect her.”
“Does that include keeping her away from us?” Tom asked.
“That’s not my decision to make. It’s Ariana’s, and I will stand by whatever she decides.”
“Thank you, Luca, for taking care of her.” Julia placed her hand on my arm.
Ariana
I slowly walked inside the room, and my grandmother lifted her head from my grandfather’s arm and looked at me.
“Ariana, my sweet girl.” She began to cry.
Shit. I took in a deep breath and slowly walked over to her.
“I’m here for him,” I spoke as I looked at my grandfather lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to several machines. “I can’t deal with anything else right now.”
“I understand. Thank you for coming. He’ll be so happy to see you when he wakes up. We’ve all been so worried about you.”
“I’m fine, so there’s no need to worry.”
“He’s going to be out for a while. Why don’t we go grab a cup of coffee?”
“You go. If you don’t mind, I would like to be alone with him for a while.”
“Sure.” She gave a small smile. “It’s good to have you home, Ari,” she spoke as she left the room.
Sitting in the chair alongside his bed, I placed my hand on his and stared at him.
“Are you okay?” Luca asked as he walked into the room with his hands tucked in his pockets.
“He always took me to the park, and we’d fly kites together. Just me and him. He called it our ‘daddy-daughter dates.’ As I grew older and flying kites wasn’t important anymore, he’d take me to the marina, and we’d sit on the dock with our feet in the water, watching the boats go by. We’d talk for hours. Just the two of us. He told me that I could be anything I wanted and that I was strong enough to overcome whatever obstacles I faced. Now that I reflect on those conversations, I think he wanted to tell me the truth, or at least prepare me for it.”
Luca walked over and clasped my shoulders from behind, softly massaging them with his magical fingers.
“He loves you, Ariana. Your family is fighting to keep you, and you’re fighting to let go. As much as you want to hate them for what they did, you can’t, and the sooner you accept that the sooner you can find the peace you’re searching for.”
My grandfather opened his eyes and slowly turned his head, and looked at me.
“Pumpkin.” A very small smile crossed his lips. “You didn’t have to come,” he spoke in a soft whisper. “I wouldn’t have blamed you.”
“Yes, I did.” Tears filled my eyes.
“I’ll leave the two of you alone,” Luca said as he kissed the top of my head and walked out of the room.
“Who’s that?”
“The love of my life.” I smiled as a tear fell down my cheek.