Chapter Forty-eight
RONAN
Present Day
ITALY
“Are you sure you want to come?” I asked Nina, gently tracing her cheek as I admired her still-bleary but radiant face.
After our unforgettable night together, she joined me at my hotel, and waking up beside her was blissful. Her beauty, framed by tousled curls and bathed in the morning light, felt like a dream come true.
I was dressed in a crisp shirt, white coat, and tailored pants, ready for the day ahead.
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled playfully. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I want to see you all doctor-y today.”
“Let’s go then,” I said, taking her hand as we left the room.
“So you have a hospital here?” she asked as we stepped into the hallway.
I shook my head. “No.”
She frowned slightly. “So how are you going to see a patient?”
“Doctors have the option to consult on cases outside their primary hospitals,” I explained. “When a situation is complex or requires a specific specialty, other physicians can be called in. Patients can also request a particular doctor if they feel that doctor’s expertise fits their case.”
She tilted her head. “So this patient asked for you?”
“Yes.” I pressed the elevator button. “She wrote to me after her doctors recommended getting another opinion. I reviewed her medical records, spoke with her primary team, and we discussed the risks and possible approaches. Once they were comfortable with my involvement, they invited me to come in.”
“And today?”
“Months ago, I examined her, ran my own assessments, and saw whether my initial thoughts still hold up.” I glanced at her and smiled. “Sometimes a fresh set of eyes makes all the difference.”
“And today?”
“Progress report check basically.”
She squeezed my hand gently. “You sound important.”
I chuckled. “Not important. Just thorough.”
“So you’re basically the specialist they call when things get complicated?”
“Something like that,” I said as we stepped closer to the car. “And complicated cases are often the ones that matter most.”
Rachel was waiting by the car, briefing me on the day’s agenda as we settled in.
“We’ve got a four-hour drive to Milan,” she said, handing me patient files. “First, we stop at the hospital to see Mrs. De Luca. These are her latest reports. Review them before the visit.”
Nina glanced at the files, curiosity in her eyes. “What’s next?”
“After the hospital, you’ll head to dinner with your aunt. We’ll be back in Florence by nightfall.”
I nodded. “Sounds like a full day.”
“We always have full days,” Rachel replied.
As the car moved, Nina rested her head against the window, content. I felt a wave of gratitude.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She nodded. “I texted Inaya to take over for the day. It feels good to get a break.”
I kissed her cheek, holding her close.
An hour into the drive, I started reviewing Mrs. De Luca’s charts. Most of it was routine, but a few notes caught my eye. I’d need to discuss them with the team in person.
My phone buzzed, interrupting my focus.
“It’s Dillon,” Rachel said, handing me the phone.
I answered quickly, hoping it wasn’t urgent.
“Ronan,” Dillon’s voice came through, tinged with impatience. “Where are you?”
“Italy,” I replied.
“Did you just say Italy?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m here for work. What’s up?”
“Work? Or Nina?” Dillon teased, but with a serious edge.
I smirked. “Can’t it be both? She’s right here if you want to say hi.”
Nina leaned in. “Hi, Dillon.”
“Hey, Nina,” Dillon’s voice brightened. “Well, that saves me a phone call. I’m actually calling to invite you both to a surprise birthday party for Azzaria. It’s in Greece.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I said.
“Great,” Dillon replied, relieved. “I’ll send you the details soon.”
We arrived in Milan, the city buzzing with its usual energy. As we pulled up to the hospital, the shift from personal to professional was immediate. I turned to Nina, who was lost in thought, gazing out the window.
Inside the hospital, I quickly changed into my medical gear. The familiar shift into my professional role was seamless.
When I emerged, Nina’s eyes locked on me, and a smile spread across her face.
“What happened?” I asked.
She smirked, her gaze full of admiration. “Sei sexy.”
I smiled at her compliment and kissed her softly, savoring the moment. As I pulled back, Rachel approached with the patient files.
“We should head inside,” Rachel said, handing them to me.
I gave Nina a reassuring smile. “I’ll be right back.”
Nina stayed in the waiting area due to patient confidentiality. I walked with purpose, following Rachel down the corridor to Mrs. De Luca’s doctor. He greeted me warmly.
“Dr. Romano, good to see you,” he said, shaking my hand.
“Good to see you, too. I have a few concerns about Mrs. De Luca’s charts.”
We moved to a private examination room where the doctor updated me on her status. I made mental notes, considering adjustments to her treatment plan.
Entering her room, I greeted her with a warm smile. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better than yesterday, Doc,” she replied weakly.
I made a few notes. “That’s good to hear. I’ve reviewed your charts, and I’d like to discuss some of your symptoms and medication side effects.”
I conducted an exam, talking with her doctor about the inconsistencies I’d noticed. She mentioned some nausea and fatigue, which were expected but needed attention.
“We may need to alter your medication,” I explained. “I’ll confer with your doctor to make sure we handle it.”
She nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Dr. Romano.”
I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll keep an eye on things.”
After finalizing the details with the doctor, I rejoined Nina and Rachel in the hallway. “How did it go?” Nina asked.
“Good. We have a solid plan. Now, let’s see my aunt.”
I turned to Rachel. “Please have those notes ready in a document for her primary doctors. We may need to adjust her treatment soon or have her transferred to New York.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Rachel replied.
The drive to my aunt’s flower shop was filled with quiet moments and Nina’s growing excitement. As we arrived, Nina marveled at the peonies displayed at the entrance.
“This place is beautiful,” she said.
“It is,” I agreed, a sense of nostalgia washing over me. “Aunt Rosa has a real talent for this.”
Inside, I called out, “Zia Rosa!”
From the back of the shop, a petite woman with silver-streaked hair appeared, her face lighting up as she embraced me. “Mio figlio! It’s so good to see you!”
“It’s good to see you too, Aunt Rosa,” I said, hugging her tightly. “And we also have–”
Aunt Rosa’s smile widened as she turned to Nina. “The lovely Nina! It’s wonderful to see you again, dear.”
Nina blushed but smiled brightly. “Wonderful to see you too, Signora Rosa.”
“I keep forgetting you’re Italian!” Aunt Rosa exclaimed, leaning in to kiss her cheeks. “Meravigliosa!”
Nina laughed. “Il vostro negozio di fiori è assolutamente splendido.89”
“Thank you, dear,” Aunt Rosa said, clearly pleased. “I’ve put a lot of love into this place.”
We spent some time chatting among the fragrant flowers, Aunt Rosa showing Nina around. Her passion for flowers was evident in every arrangement, and Nina seemed enchanted.
“Peonies are my favorite,” Nina said, gazing at a particularly beautiful arrangement.
“That explains a lot,” Aunt Rosa teased. “A couple hundred bouquets over the years, to be exact.”
I smiled shyly while Nina blushed.
“You are something else,” Nina whispered.
“He tries his best to be,” Aunt Rosa replied with a wink.
“They’re one of our most popular flowers,” she continued, “symbolizing romance and prosperity.”
I watched them bond over their shared love of flowers, a warm sense of contentment settling in. After a while, we left for lunch at a cozy café nearby, with a view of a small square. The smell of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee filled the air.
Aunt Rosa shared amusing stories, like the time Lucio and I tried to surprise her by planting a garden, only to present her with a bouquet of weeds.
“You should visit more often, Ronan,” she said, affectionately. “You’re always so busy.”
“I will,” I promised, though I knew she’d see through it. “When I’m less busy.”
“You’ll never be less busy,” she replied, smiling knowingly. “But I’ll hold you to that promise anyway.”
Our conversation shifted to my parents, and Aunt Rosa asked gently, “Have you visited their grave recently?”
I nodded. “Lucio and Marina went a little while ago. I went there the last time I was here.”
Aunt Rosa sighed, a mix of sadness and fondness in her expression. “I miss them every day. But it’s good to know you and Lucio are keeping their memory alive.”
“Always and forever, Zia,” I whispered.
She grabbed my hand, gazing at me softly. “Always and forever, figlio.”
Nina smiled at me, offering her quiet support as my aunt shared more memories of my parents. She talked about how they would bring her fresh flowers from their garden, a tradition she held dear.
As lunch ended, we returned to the flower shop. Aunt Rosa hugged us both tightly. “Take care, both of you. You’re always welcome here.”
“Thank you, Aunt Rosa,” I said, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. “We’ll see you again soon.”
We headed back to Florence as the evening sun bathed the city in gold. Nina’s presence made everything feel lighter, more right, and for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to hope.
The drive was peaceful, punctuated by comfortable silences and small, meandering conversations about the day. Rolling hills and quiet streets softened the weight I carried in my chest.
Before taking her home, I treated her to dinner at a cozy trattoria. The smell of fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza filled the air, the candlelight casting a warm glow over our corner table.
“You have a way of making even the simplest meals special,” Nina said, her eyes reflecting the flickering light.
“It’s not the meal,” I replied, squeezing her hand, “it’s the company.”
After dinner, we wandered through Florence’s quiet streets. When we reached her door, I walked her to it, the street lamp spilling soft light over us.
“Thank you for today,” Nina said, her voice gentle, almost shy.
“I should be thanking you,” I murmured, holding her hands. “You made everything easier just by being here.”
She searched my face. “Are you going to be okay?”
I nodded, though the ache of missing my parents lingered. “I will. I just… miss them.”
“I understand,” she said softly. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
“I know,” I whispered, “That means more than you’ll ever know.
We lingered in the quiet, neither of us wanting to break the moment. I brushed a stray curl from her face, my fingers lingering at the side of her jaw. Her breath caught, and I could feel the electricity between us, soft but undeniable.
I kissed her gently, and she returned it, a little longer this time, her lips warm and insistent. When we pulled back, our foreheads rested together, breaths mingling.
“Goodnight, tesoro,” I murmured, my voice husky with emotion.
“Goodnight, bello,” she whispered, her eyes shimmering. “Thank you… for today.”
“Thank you for being here,” I said, my thumb brushing her cheek. I couldn’t let go yet, even as the moment demanded it.
Finally, I watched her step inside and lock her door, my hand lingering in the air where hers had been. The day replayed in my mind—the laughter, the warmth, the closeness—and contentment settled over me as I drove to my hotel.
I changed into comfortable clothes and collapsed onto the bed. Before sleep took me, I pulled out the picture of her from my wallet—a candid shot of her laughing. A swell of love and gratitude filled me.
“I got my heart back,” I whispered to the empty room. “I’ll never lose her again.”