Chapter 58
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Truth Bombs
Chiara
“Well hello, sis,” says Sophia, walking into the bedroom where I’m now propped up in bed, slowly eating a piece of homemade lasagna courtesy of Raf’s mom, Sienna. It reminds me so much of my mom’s version, the nostalgia is bittersweet.
I smile weakly at her, and she perches on the side of my bed.
“It’s got a nice ring to it,” I say.
“You sneaky Little Devil,” she says squeezing my leg affectionately.
“You might have to fight your brother for that nickname,” I say.
“I have sooooo many questions, but we have plenty of time to catch up on the details when you’re feeling up to it.
You were already one of my ride-or-dies, but it’s nice to officially have someone I can call a sister.
” She pauses. “More importantly, I love knowing Raf has someone who truly adores him by his side. He deserves it.”
“He’s an amazing man,” I whisper, overcome with emotion. “Part of me honestly didn’t know if I was going to see him again. But in my heart of hearts, I knew he would find me. Save me. Just like he’s been doing the whole time.”
“Love is a beautiful thing, isn’t it,” she says softly. I nod because I haven’t said those words out loud to him yet, even though I want desperately to tell him.
“Knock, knock. Is it okay if we come in and see Italy’s answer to Lara Croft?”
I look up to see Stella and Evie at the doorway.
My poor heart feels like it’s going to give out.
All these people rallied around me. Devastating loss and heartbreak may have driven me to New York to chase my dreams, but never in my wildest ones did I imagine that I would find my forever love and family.
“Of course,” I say hoarsely.
“Here, let me take this,” says Sophia, taking the tray from me and moving it off to the side.
Evie and Stella each bend to give me a kiss and a gentle hug.
“How are you feeling?” Evie asks.
“Like I went five rounds with Rocky Balboa and lost,” I joke. “Your hard work paid off, though, Evie. Your girl managed to slip a couple of our self-defense moves in.”
“So proud of you,” she says sincerely, but her lip quivers. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let you leave alone.”
“Oh my God, Evie. None of this is your fault. I don’t want you to give it another thought.”
“You must have been fucking terrified,” says Stella. “Letting your body heal is one thing, but make sure you look after your mental health too.”
“I mean, my track record does dictate that staring down death on any given day is kinda run of the mill.”
“But it shouldn’t be, that’s the point,” says Stella emphatically.
“I know you want to use humor to make what happened palatable for everyone around you, but what you’ve been through over the last few years, today included, is more than anyone has had to endure in their whole life.
So I need you to promise me you’ll give yourself grace.
Don’t try to jump back into work immediately, and make sure you up your therapy.
This is going to bring up a lot of repressed emotions and grief for you. ”
Tears streak down my face. Dammit! I’m crying again, but so too are the women I have come to think of as my sisters, including the one who now is by marriage.
My eyes flutter closed in exhaustion, but the pain in my body is keeping me from being able to rest. I can’t wait for the good doctor to finally arrive with some strong pain relief.
“You need rest,” says Evie, the first to stand. “But if you need anything else, you call us. Any time.”
“I think I’m going to need a few rounds of Stella’s famous cocktails after today,” I croak.
“Girrrl!” purrs Stella. “I think you’ve gone and done one better—you married the finest cock of ’em all.”
“Stella!” Sophia exclaims. “Please stop talking about my brother’s appendage!”
“Are you trying to kill me!” I wince.
“Not a chance. No one else appreciates my humor quite like you do, so I need to keep you around.”
“So do I,” rumbles a low voice from across the room.
I look up to see Raf leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed at his chest, an amused smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He pushes off the frame and walks towards the bed.
“We were just leaving,” Sophia says, kissing me on the cheek, Evie and Stella doing the same before heading towards the door.
“Oh and by the way, Stella,” says Raf now at my side, picking up my hand and stroking my wrist. “I can confirm she definitely married the finest cock of them all.”
“Oh God!” Sophia groans. The other two erupt into laughter.
“Seb might have something to say about that,” Evie chirps, looking back over her shoulder as she walks out the door.
“Oh no, not you too, Evie! Stella and Chiara have corrupted you!” Sophia chuckles.
“Well, well, well, Evie Grace Chalmers, you dark horse, you!” Stella says, throwing her arm around her shoulder. “Tell our dear bestie, it’s not me who’s corrupted you—it was Seb Princi’s cock,” she says in a mock whisper.
Sophia puts her hands to her temples and shakes her head in defeat. “Your mouth needs to have an explosives symbol attached to it!”
I go to laugh but it comes out as a pained groan, a sharp pain flaring in my ribs.
“We’re going to get you some pain relief in a minute, sweetheart,” says Raf, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “The doctor just wants to speak with you first. He’ll be down in a moment.”
“Have you heard from AJ?” I ask.
“Yes, he’s checked in a few times. I assured him you’re resting and well cared for.”
“And what about him, is he injured?” I ask, worry creeping in.
“He was a bit banged up, but he’s going to be fine.”
I worry my lip, scared about what this is all going to mean for him when my uncle and the Mafia heads find out.
“He’s handled everything,” he emphasizes, brushing my hair off my shoulder and gently stroking my jaw before trailing his fingers down my neck. “Once he’s back in the city, he’ll be over to see you.”
“Will everything be okay?” I whisper. “He can’t go to prison, or worse, for me.”
“No such thing is going to happen. I promise.”
I swallow thickly, staring into his warm, chocolate-brown eyes.
“I can’t lose anyone else.”
“Not even an option, angel,” he says, getting on the bed and turning on his side to face me, head propped on his fist. “I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Princi,” calls a voice from the door. “Is it okay if I come in?”
Raf waves the doctor in, and he comes to stand by my bedside.
“I’ve got some good news, and I’ve got some bad news.”
My breath hitches.
“Good news is your blood test came back negative for other drugs. Bad news is I still can’t give you any other prescription pain relief.”
“Wh-what. Why?” I stammer.
“Doc, she’s in so much pain, surely—”
“I understand, but it wouldn’t be good for someone in Chiara’s condition,” he says.
My brain is scrambling to understand what he’s trying to say, Raf clearly able to articulate my thoughts.
“Her condition?”
“Chiara, your test results came back positive for higher-than-normal hCG levels. It’s very early days, but it appears you’re pregnant.”
Time stops.
I can’t feel the pain in my body. I’m weightless. If I wasn’t already lying down, I would’ve passed out for a third time today.
Today.
What a fucking rollercoaster. It feels like I took a trip to the fun fair and did a lap through the haunted house for a jump scare, laughed at myself in the trick mirror, won the major prize at the games arcade, then ate a big stick of the pinkest, sweetest cotton candy while riding the Ferris wheel watching the lights twinkle around me and the world go by from a birds-eye view.
Raf cups my face and gently brings us nose to nose, his lips millimeters from mine so I can feel his breath with each murmur, like he’s trying to breathe life back into me.
“Angel. Breathe. Chiara, listen to my voice.”
I finally register his words and focus on him.
“Chiara, it’s going to be okay. Breathe for me.”
I finally drop back into my body, aware my breathing is shallow because—broken ribs aside—I’m holding my breath. I shudder on an exhale and can’t control the tears that begin to pour down my face. I’ve cried more tears today than I have in my entire life—and that’s saying something.
Raf tugs back the covers so he can gently pull me into his lap and cradle me.
“I’m sorry to have to drop the news like this,” says Dr. Middleton.
“Understandably, it can be a shock if it’s unplanned, but sometimes the best things in life are born out of the worst of times.
As for recovery from your injuries, you can have some Tylenol, but don’t exceed the recommended dose and not for a prolonged period. ”
Placing something on the nightstand, he says, “Here’s my contact details. Call me next week so I can discuss next steps with you if going ahead with the pregnancy is what you both want.”
I watch him leave, his words registering.
“Wh–what? Of course I want to have this baby,” I murmur before it dawns that Raf and I haven’t even discussed it.
And I’m on birth control but have clearly fucked up by missing a few pills here and there with travel and work.
“Raf,” I begin, avoiding his eyes, “I don’t even know if you want a family.
We’ve done everything backwards. I want this baby, but I understand if—”
He fuses his lips to mine to cut off my words, cupping my head with one hand and placing the other over my belly where new life now grows. He kisses me slowly, intentionally, and my lips part to welcome him. He pulls away and with a voice thick but sure, he starts to talk.
“Chiara, you rolled into my life like an electrical storm. Loud, dangerous, and ready to strike. And when you did, you cracked my heart wide open, making me understand that anything I had before you was not love. Nothing about our story is conventional, but it taught me that love can be freeing and feel safe concurrently. It’s a deep knowing you’ve found your better half and an all-consuming desire to discover new parts of them.
” He takes a deep breath, and I don’t even try to curb the sobs wracking my body. It’s pointless.