“That’s a stupid question!” Quinn laughs at my answer before Enzo interrupts us.
“Luci, when I ripped the sensor off the door I broke it on the outside. I need to bust the door in. Get as far away from the door as you can.” I’m almost in the bathroom when Enzo slams through the door, Quinn running right past him.
“Wow, that’s impressive. Go you.” She turns her attention to me, where I’m standing in the doorway to the bathroom. “Okay. I’m here. I see your water broke. How is your pain level?”
“Not too bad. Period cramps are worse.”
“Good. Let’s keep you comfortable and we’ll work through this together. Before you know it, your daughter will be here and everything will be perfect.” If she only knew.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur and before I realize it I’m in the bathtub in Gia’s nursery. Quinn is kneeling while she rubs soothing circles on my back. Enzo stands close by, turned away from me as he focuses on the empty bedroom. Has he been here this whole time? I notice it’s dark outside, but I have no idea what day or time it is. Quinn turns my face with her hands before speaking.
“Listen to your body when you’re ready to push. I’m here and Enzo is going to help. He’s here for you to squeeze his hand as much as you need.”He whips around, Quinn’s comment catching him off guard. “I’m what?” The look Quinn gives Enzo could blow his head up when he gives her a nod and walks over, offering me his hand. “I got you, Luci.”
I can’t tell whose screams are louder, Enzo’s or mine as I squeeze his hand while pushing. Quinn’s voice is an echo in the distance as she’s coaching me. Suddenly an intense burning sensation radiates through me and I phase everything out. One more push. That’s all I need when relief hits and I reach down, grasping onto Gia to bring her close to my chest as I hear her cry.
“Luci you did so good! She’s beautiful!” I look down at Gia, noting her papa’s dark hair and my hazel eyes.
“She’s perfect.” And that’s when I let everything out I’ve been holding back since officially going into labor and cry. I cry because I hurt. I cry because she’s perfect. And I cry becauseI’m terrified Alessandro may never meet her and she’ll be raised without her papa.
Quinn helps me afterward get out of the tub, get myself and Gia dressed, and get in bed.
“Are you comfortable?” Her voice would normally comfort me if it wasn’t for what is going on in my head.
“Quinn?” She grabs my hand before I ask the question I’m dreading. “What’s happened to Alessandro?”
“I’ll find out. You rest.” I lay down, putting my hand in Gia’s bassinet, and fall asleep, too exhausted by today’s events to stay awake.
Chapter 78
Alessandro
38 Weeks Pregnant
Shooting pain goes through my core as I bring my hand to my stomach, noticing the blood as I pull it away. Someone shot me. No. It can’t be. Luci screams when I collapse in her arms as she yells at me, trying to keep my focus on her.
“Alessandro! Alessandro, stay awake. Please! Stay awake for us. For our daughter. For Gia. I want to name her Gia. Stay awake for Gia please!”
Gia? She wants to name our daughter Gia. I turn my head to Luci but immediately focus on a figure that’s appeared behind her shoulder. A figure I’ve seen in pictures and the first woman who loved me. Looking at her, I realize how beautiful of a woman she is, how beautiful she was.
“So beautiful.” A rush of calm floods me when Mamma nods her head, her way of saying it’s okay to close my eyes.
I wake up in my bed, confused about the vivid dream I had. When I roll over I notice Luci isn’t there and shoot out of bed, throwing on a pair of sweatpants before I search for Luci. She needs to be resting.
“Luci! Luci, where are you?” I notice a figure appearing off in the distance. As I get closer, I notice the person I see is slightly taller and leaner than Luci with dark hair that matches mine. I halt when she turns around, realizing it’s Gia. It’s my mamma.
“Alessandro, mio figlio. Come here, appease your mamma with a hug.”
I approach my mamma as she embraces me, a tear falling down my face and it hits me. My mamma hasn’t held me since I was a newborn and I’ve never had any memories of Mamma’s hugs.
“Oh my, have you grown? The last time I held you in my arms you were smaller than me! Now look at you. You’re such a handsome man just like your papa.” The mention of Salvatore makes me stiffen, and she senses it. “Don’t be too hard on Salvatore. Losing me was harder on him than he’ll admit. Geno did an amazing job making you into the man you are today. I’m so proud of you.” She lovingly cradles my face in her cold hands, sending a shiver down my spine.
Wait, if Mamma is here then where is Luci?
“Where’s Luci?” Mamma answers with a sad smile. That can’t be good. “Where. Is. Luci?”
“She’s okay. Luci is with Quinn and Enzo right now.” My body relaxes when Mamma says she’s okay. My eyes widen when my brain registers she said Quinn.
“Why is she with Quinn?” My heart stops, waiting for the answer I don’t want to hear but know is true.
