The rest of the day went surprisingly smoothly. I spent most of it watching movies and playing games with Alessia. We sat in front of the television until my dad finally came home. Then we ate dinner together before he retired to his room.As soon as my dad left the room, I hurried over to Zee and lifted her gently into my arms and carried her to her room, laying her down on the bed. I crawled into bed next to her and covered us both up with the blanket. She looked up at me sleepily and yawned, stretching her arms up above her head and arching her back slightly. I smiled at her and reached over to brush some hair off her forehead before pulling my hand back. I laid down on the bed next to her and rested my head on her chest. After a few moments, I let out a deep sigh and shut my eyes.I opened my eyes and looked up at Alessia's alarm clock. I yawned again, shifting so that I was lying fully on top of her, and rolled over onto my side so that I was facing her. I stretched out my ar
A moment later, she sighed and shifted so that she was lying sideways across my body, her head propped up by her arm which lay over my stomach. Her legs were tucked underneath her body as she nestled her body against my shoulder, letting her cheek rest against mine. I wrapped my arm securely around her and pulled her body closer to me. A sudden realization hit me, and I blushed slightly."Alessia..." I started. "Can I ask you something personal?"She looked up at me curiously, prompting me to continue."Uh...why'd you start avoiding me after we first got back here?" I muttered nervously. "You used to be all over me whenever I tried to talk to you before, so why now? Do you regret.""Oh my gosh!" Alessia exclaimed suddenly, cutting me off, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that! I didn't mean to ignore you! It's just..." She paused and lowered her voice. "I'm starting to get better at controlling myself these days." She said sheepishly."Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I gave
At least I hadn't had another nightmare. Well, I suppose that's good...at least until I wake up again anyway. That is if I woke up again. It seems like I've fallen asleep pretty soon. I opened one eye cautiously, not daring to move my gaze away from the ceiling. I was completely confused. Where the hell am.I blinked and looked around me. This wasn't my bedroom. I narrowed my eyes and raised my head off the pillow. I looked down at myself and was pleasantly surprised to find that I had changed into a clean pair of shorts and a long sleeved t-shirt. Why am I still wearing jeans? I sat upright and swung my legs round, allowing my feet to touch the floor. I glanced around the room again, trying to piece together where exactly I had woken up.I ran my hands through my tangled hair as I pushed myself off of my mattress and walked towards the door of my bedroom. After opening it carefully I stepped out into the hallway and looked around warily, expecting to see someone waiting there for
I tried not to let the tears escape my eyes. I couldn't help it, though. This was the worst thing I had ever experienced and I'm honestly surprised I haven't broken down crying yet. I mean, I knew this was a possibility, but to see it happen right before my eyes was definitely different. I hated it and I wanted to forget about it already."Are you ready?" The nurse questioned, staring at me expectantly.I swallowed thickly, shaking my head. "I-I'm fine. Can you just do it?" I stuttered, wiping the tears away with the sleeve of my sweater.The nurse sighed. "Alright." She nodded. "I want you to lay down on the examination table and pull up your shirt, dear."I bit my lip and nodded. I laid down on the metal table and pulled my shirt over my head. Once I was done, the nurse put a cold gel pack on my stomach and placed it over the area where the baby was supposed to be located. Then she reached for a thermometer, which I assumed was for checking my temperature. I closed my eyes tightl
When she finally left the room once again, I lay back down and stared down at the blanket draped over my body. I had been laying there for at least half an hour now, and I had already started to feel extremely tired. It didn't take very long for me to fall asleep, and before I knew it I was fast asleep once again. When I woke up, I found myself lying in bed for the second time that week. I wasn't really sure how long I had actually slept, but it felt like it had been longer than I expected. I stretched my arms above my head and rolled over onto my side. I yawned deeply and stretched once again before sitting up on the edge of the mattress. Everything still hurt and I still ached all over, but I managed to force myself to get up and make my way downstairs to the cafeteria. I made my way past the nurses station and towards the elevator, but when I arrived at the cafeteria I noticed that the place was empty except for one person sitting by himself near the corner. He wore a black t
I sat there at the hospital, staring at the ceiling and wondering if I could ever accept being a mother. I tried to remind myself that things will work out eventually, but my doubts remained. I wanted to believe that I could get through this and survive, but I was starting to doubt myself. I didn't know if I could get over this especially since I was only twenty-two years old. Would I be able to stay strong? Would I be able to keep going and move on? Would I be able to overcome everything that I've gone through in my short life so far? If I lost all hope then I wouldn't have a chance anymore. I'm scared of losing everyone, I really am, but right now all I want to do is run away from everything and pretend like none of this has happened. Maybe it's not the best idea, but I don't think I'll be able to stop myself unless I try. At the very least, I'm willing to try.When I got home from the hospital I decided to take a nap instead of going straight home to sleep. I couldn't risk fal
"Well, maybe you should give it another shot." She said before leaning forward and pecking me on the cheek. "Now get out of the car, we're already wasting valuable time, remember?"After opening the door, I hopped out of the car and made my way to the shop. A couple of minutes after entering the shop, I noticed Aunt Rachel sitting near the cashier counter reading a magazine whilst sipping on her coffee. I quickly ran up to her and smiled sheepishly as I greeted her."Good afternoon!" I said cheerfully."Hello dearie." She replied in return. "How was your day?""It was alright, how about yours?"Aunt Rachel set her magazine down on the counter and reached up to ruffle my hair. "It was okay. It was the same as always, really, nothing exciting happened."I rolled my eyes as I grabbed an empty stool and sat down next to her."Did you manage to find anything for today?" I inquired.She nodded slowly. "I did. Although I had to go shopping again." She said in an annoyed tone.I laughed lig
I swallowed thickly and stared at the wall in front of me. After a moment, I shook my head again."I don't want to burden you.." I said quietly, avoiding her gaze."Oh, honey, you won't. I love being here for you. Besides, I never minded dealing with problems that involved you."I looked at her briefly then, and my expression softened at the sight of her reassuring smile. After a few moments of silence, I eventually gathered enough courage to speak. I knew I couldn't avoid it forever, but I also knew it was better for me to just spit it out and get over with it."...I'm sorry for keeping everything a secret from you, Aunt Rachel." I murmured quietly. "I was scared that you wouldn't approve.""Don't worry about that sweetheart." She insisted. "Just tell me what's bothering you."I hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and finally meeting her gaze."I haven't been honest about things with you, Aunt Rachel."Her brows furrowed as she listened intently."My father was murder
"Here it is." She said giving him the jacket.Riccardo puts it on and turns around to face her."Thanks."She smiled sweetly at him."Where do you want me to carry you?" She asked."You can carry me over your shoulder." Riccardo said.Alessia roll her eyes."You know, I'M NOT THAT BABY. YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS AND DON'T ASK ME TO PUT MY BACK ON YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT."Riccardo looks surprised at how fast she reacted after what he said."Alright, whatever you say." He chuckled.And so Alessia carried him over her shoulders.As they were going towards the elevator Riccardo spoke."So, are you going back to work tomorrow?" He asks."I think so. My boss told me that she wanted me to come back to work as early as possible." She answered."That means I'll be able to spend more time with you, won't it?" He asked."Yeah, probably, but don't expect me to kiss you every time that you come home." Alessia joked.Riccardo laughs at her comment."Ok." He says "Well, I guess we sh
The next morning, Alessia woke up early. After getting ready quickly she went downstairs to see Riccardo waiting for her."Morning, baby girl," he greets her and give her a peck on the cheek."Morning, Riccardo." She replied as she sits on the table."Let's have breakfast together, I made you breakfast earlier." He said.She gave him a small smile."Thank you."After eating their breakfast, they decided to walk through the city. They walked hand in hand. It felt natural for them. When they reach near the park, they decided to sit on one of the benches."Have you been planning this for long?" Asked Alessia."Yeah, since last month. Why?""Nothing."Alessia leans her head against his shoulder. As they continue walking, Alessia couldn't hold it anymore."Do you really want to adopt my babies?" She asks."Of course I do." He answers without any hesitation."But I mean, why did you choose us?" Riccardo sigh."Honestly, I don't know. It's all I dream about for years." He paused. "When I wa
"That's a very valid question. And I don't blame you at all for missing me, Alessia. But don't feel guilty, okay? I would never be mad at you or upset if you ever thought about coming back to me. In fact, if you do decide to return, we'll talk more about this situation, alright?" She requested with a small smile.As soon as I heard the words we will talk being said aloud, I felt slightly relieved. However, it only lasted for a short amount of time because I immediately thought about what Ezra had said to me the night before. He had asked me to wait until tomorrow to give myself a chance to talk about the things that troubled me, so now, I was starting to wonder whether my decision to wait was a good idea. I decided I needed to ask her about it."Actually, I need to ask you something...about yesterday afternoon," I said nervously."What is it?" she asked curiously."I don't know how to word it exactly...but I have these weird feelings...and I'm beginning to think that maybe I should r
"This was a really fun game, Alessia. I think I'm going to enjoy playing it more often," she mentioned, smiling genuinely."Me too. And I'm glad you enjoyed yourself today. I missed you playing poker," I admitted."And I missed you too, Alessia. Thank you for everything you did. We wouldn't have survived without you," she said sincerely.Just then, someone knocked on the door and announced Ezra's arrival. A moment later, he entered the room with an excited smile plastered across his face."Sorry I'm late. I got caught up on a case and had to do overtime," he apologized."It's alright. You were lucky that it was only one extra hour," she commented.I gave Ezra a quick hug, while everyone else congratulated him on finally arriving back."Wow, you smell great!" I commented, noticing how fresh his hair smelled."Thanks. That means a lot to me," he said happily.We all then headed out of the house, saying our farewells. As we reached their car, I noticed the car seats had been removed and
We both got up and made our way down the hallway to the kitchen. There, I saw our family eating together. They all looked quite happy and excited. My heart filled with happiness upon seeing everyone looking so content. It was truly a perfect family.As soon as I arrived downstairs, I spotted them sitting together at one of the stools at the kitchen counter. I walked over to them and took a seat beside her."Hey," I greeted."Hey," Ezra responded."I'm sorry for waking you," I apologies."Oh, it's not a problem. I didn't mind getting up early anyway," She stated cheerfully, waving her hand dismissively.I chuckled softly to myself and turned my attention towards my mum who was busy cooking breakfast."Mum, please don't cook too much. I might not be able to handle it after all," I pleaded.She chuckled."There's plenty more where that came from," she reassured me."Thank God," I whispered in relief.Alessia suddenly jumped up from her seat and ran out of the room, running past me and a
Without saying another word, I followed him into the bedroom, closing the door behind me as I did so. I laid down on the bed and he crawled onto the mattress and pressed a kiss against my forehead. I immediately melted into his embrace. My eyelids started to droop tiredly. Dan chuckled and kissed my temple."Go to sleep, Alessia," he ordered softly.I hummed contently and closed my eyes, relaxing into his touch. Soon enough, my breathing slowed and deepened until it eventually stopped altogether. Ezra smiled to himself as he looked down at me, admiring my peaceful expression. I was sleeping soundly in his arms. The events of yesterday were finally catching up with me and I could barely keep myself from falling asleep. The exhaustion was setting in and I could barely keep my eyes open. I sighed softly as Ezra rubbed circles against my hip soothingly.He leaned forward and rested his chin atop my head, gently brushing away the strands of my loose hair and placing a gentle kiss on th
"Okay, love, I get it. Let's not talk too much and just get ready for breakfast. Then we should probably hurry up and eat before everyone arrives," he said playfully.I nodded and smiled.I felt so loved by Ezra. He gave me more joy than anything else in this world. Even though I'd never admit it out loud, he was definitely the most important person to me in this world. Every time I thought about losing him, my heart broke and I felt so empty. All I wanted to do was hug him tightly and tell him how much I loved him. I had never had anyone give me unconditional love Ever.I had never experienced that type of warmth. I was used to people only caring about the fame I brought them. It scared me to think that someone would ever care about me. And that they would love me unconditionally.I shook my head to clear my thoughts and glanced up at Ezra nervously. There was no way I would be able to hide the emotion in my eyes if I dared to speak. The words seemed stuck somewhere in my throat."
"Marry me," he muttered between heavy breaths."Huh? Why?" I questioned, staring up at him in confusion."Because...because I want you to marry me," he repeated.I gasped quietly in shock, unable to speak a word. Dan's dark eyes were filled with determination as he stared at me intently.ToYah, yah, yes! Of course, I'll marry you!" I blurted out hurriedly.I immediately slapped a hand over my mouth. My voice had come out so loud and I could tell that Ezra had definitely heard me. I bit my lip anxiously and glanced over at him nervously. But surprisingly, he didn't react at all he merely chuckled softly and kissed me tenderly on the lips."Good girl," he murmured softly. "Now come here," he added.I reluctantly crawled towards him. Once I was close enough, he pulled me into a tight embrace and hugged me tightly."Are you okay?" he asked worriedly."Yeah, I'm alright," I assured him.I couldn't believe I had just proposed to Ezra. Sure, I'd always known that it would eventually happen,
"I love you so much," he whispered in my ear before pressing his lips against mine.I felt my cheeks flush brightly again and I closed my eyes in anticipation. As soon as our lips connected, I felt my senses begin to dull and my body relax. All of my worries and problems melted away, leaving nothing but bliss behind them. Nothing mattered except for Ezra."I love you too," I replied softly.After a moment, I pulled away, breaking apart our kiss. I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly."So...are we going back to watching TV now?" I asked hopefully.He chuckled softly."We can continue watching whatever you want," he replied. "However, are you sure that you're alright?" he questioned.A part of me wanted to lie and say everything was fine, but I knew that I couldn't do it. I couldn't hide the truth from Ezra. Besides, he probably already suspected something, judging by the look in his eyes. So, I decided to answer honestly instead."Honestly? No. Not really. I' m just tired," I admit