Page 81 of Always Meant To Be

With all my strength, I squeeze Romeo's hand in mine, and he gasps. "That's it,farfalla, wake up, come on…."

Come on….

I screw my face and blink but squeeze my eyes tight at the light before blinking again, then opening them. I make eye contact with my favorite blue ones. They look so tired.

He tears up as he rasps, "Fuck me, you're a sight for sore eyes…."

I allow my tears to fall and choke, "I-I love y-you…."

He lets out a sob and leans down, placing his head into the crook of my neck. I move my hands, one to his head, the other to our son's small head.

"I've fucking missed you, El, so much," he rasps, his tears soaking my skin, and I thread my fingers into his hair, gripping him, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

I don't know how long we stay like this, but Romeo sits up a little when we hear a coo, and my eyes go to the little bundle in his arms wearing a blue onesie with clouds on.

My tears coat my cheeks, and Romeo smiles as he gently guides our son into my arms, then grabs his phone.

I hear several clicks of his camera, but I don't look up from the perfect baby in my arms.

"H-he's perfect," I croak, my throat dry but I ignore it and gently run my finger along his papa's nose.

Romeo gently sits on the edge of the bed, cupping our son's head, and then my cheek. I look at him to see he's smiling a little, his eyes wet.

"He doesn't have a name,farfalla," he admits, and I nod, looking back at our son.

"Luca Romeo Russo after his uncles and father," I speak.

Romeo chuckles. "Leonardo and Antonio are both going to gloat."

I smile a little. "I'm just glad they have the same middle name."

He hums, his hand squeezing mine a little, and I look at him.

"You scared me, El. It's been five weeks," he whispers.

Five weeks….

My tears fall and I admit, "I'm a murderer…."

His grip tightens, his face hardening. "No, you're not. You're a kind soul with a heart of gold. You saved our son. She would have killed you, El, and Damian nearly succeeded."

I nod. "I-I remember turning and seeing him right behind me, after that everything is blank…."

Apart from my dreams, but I don't think he's ready to hear them yet.

He nods. "He grabbed the bat and hit you. You fell on your stomach, but thankfully, our boy was happy to stay in you for four more weeks." I sniffle and look down at the perfection in my arms. He speaks again, "I'm sorry,farfalla…." I look back at him with confusion, and he flinches. "Before our son was born last week, I hadn't been in this room, only standing outside for five minutes every night. I-I couldn't be in here knowing, knowing…."

His words trail off, and I whisper, "Knowing you w-were going to l-leave our son without a parent if I died…." He flinches again, and I ask, "What about now, though, Rome, n-now you've held him, l-looked after him?"

He swallows, looking at our son, and admits, "I'd still follow you." My tears fall, and he looks at me, his own shining. "I love our son; he's my everything, but you, Elena, you are my universe, and I wouldn't be able to breathe without you. I wouldn't be able to be the man you love or the father he needs if you're not here."

I nod, understanding. I don't like it, but I understand.

Leaning forward, he gently presses his lips to mine, and I lift my hand, gripping his head to keep him connected to me, needing to feel him as my tears fall.

He doesn't deepen our kiss, just presses his lips against mine, connecting us….

After a few minutes, the door opens, causing Romeo to pull back a little as a man in a white coat rushes in. He sighs when he sees me awake, while my mother follows with my father, and bursts into tears.