Viola

Chapter 3

Alessandro's POV

I freeze where I am.

"Alessandro?" Veronica asks

I can't find words to answer her. 

"Alessandro!" She shouts

This seems to wake me up because I quickly answer.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Sandro a girl came in. She was running from somewhere, some people found her at an intersection and brought her here. When she was going in she woke up and when I asked what her name was she said 'Viola Calvetti'. I took another look it's her I swear Sandro!" 

I was quiet for a moment

"San-" she began to say

"I will be there in 20 minutes don't let her out of your sight" I rushed out before hanging up.

"Was that mommy?" Lucas asked.

In my shocked state, all I could do was nod. 

"Are you okay papa?" He asked as he gripped my cheeks.

I took a deep breath before scooping him up excitedly and spinning him around in a circle

"We have to go gather your brothers," I said and ran towards the stairs.

-

- 

"Boys!" I yelled as I reached the stairs

They ran down guns in hand, expecting danger from my tone.

"What's going on," Lorenzo asked

"We need to go to the hospital immediately."

"Is everything okay?" Marco asked

I hesitated before saying 

"...It's Viola"

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Lorenzo's POV

I stare at him for a moment before grabbing my keys and rushing to my car. 

"Lorenzo, "He calls after me. I get in and drive away, speeding all the way to the hospital.

When I get there, Roni is standing by the door. 

"Lorenzo where is your father?" she asks

"On his way. Where is she?" I say

"Enzo you need to wait, she's in surgery" she tries to calm me

"No, I need t-to see if it's really her. Please, Roni, I need to see." 

She sighs but nods as she guides me through.

We get to a room and she presses a button and asks them to uncover her face. 

As I look at her on the table I break down. 

I sob as I see her black and blue. Roni holds me as I cry, soothing me while tearing up herself. 

I haven't cried since the night she disappeared, but when I saw her it broke me. 

-

My sorellina. 

Alessandro POV

When I tell them, Lorenzo runs. I call for him, but I know there is no way I could stop him.

"What?" Antonio yells

"Sissy?" Lucas asks 

Benedetto looks baffled while Marco and Nicolo are simply blinking at me trying to figure out how to react.

I grab Lucas's jacket trying to rush. 

He bops up and down not understanding much other than the fact that he might get to meet his sister today.

The rest of us rush into the car. I strap Lucas into his car seat and rush over to the driver's side. Marco and Benedetto hop in my car while Antonio drives with Nicolo. 

--

-

When we arrive we all rush out of the car. Benedetto grabs Lucas and we head inside. 

Once we have finally found someone to bring us to Veronica, we find her supporting a sobbing Lorenzo. 

Seeing this Marco moves to go in. I stop him before he can touch the door.

It has been far too long since my eldest son has been able to let his guard down enough to cry. He needs to release his emotions and he won't do that if he feels that he's a burden to anyone else, especially his siblings. 

We sit down on the chairs outside the room and after 20 more minutes Veronica comes out. 

She engulfs me in a hug. 

I pull her back after a moment.

"Baby, talk to me, what's happening?" I plead

"Lorenzo saw her face. He said it's her. He's sure. I mean I was pretty sure, but he's dead set. He won't leave the gallery. Maybe you should go in there and see for yourself."

I try to respond but can only nod. She pushes me into the room. As soon as we enter Enzo straightens up and wipes his eyes. 

I walk to the glass and stare straight ahead, afraid to look down. I don't know whether I want it to be my Principessa or not. 

Silent tears slide down my face as I try to make myself look. I feel a hand on my back and turn around to see Enzo. He nods at me. 

I hesitantly turn and look down. When I see her my breath catches in my throat. 

My baby girl.

___________________________________________________________________________

Antonio POV

"It's Viola," Dad says

After that everything blurred and before I knew it I was at the hospital.

Veronica walks out of the room and talks to dad before pushing him inside and then rushing away. I don't know what to do with myself. What happened? Is this Viola? Is she going to make it? I couldn't get the questions in my head to quiet down. 

Quickly, the breath that was caught in my throat made it clear that it isn't finding its way out. I sit down, trying to focus on controlling my breathing, placing my hands on my head to stop the buzzing of my thoughts and fears around and around. 

Lucas looks over at me and seems to see that I'm upset.

"Are you okay bubba?" He asks nervously as he hops off his chair and slowly walks towards me.

We haven't had the best relationship and I know it's my fault. He's my little brother but I was hurting so badly that I couldn't be much of an older brother to him.

He looks at me expecting me to lose my temper like I usually do when he talks to me. I try to respond but I can't seem to get any air. I put my hands on my chest. 

"Bubba?" he says as he steps up and hesitantly puts his hand on my chest. 

Trying to find the strength to control my breathing, I shock him and myself by picking him up and hugging him close to me. Listening to his heartbeat and letting it guide me.

His once tense body, confused by me hugging him instead of yelling, relaxes as he hugs me back and plays with my hair. She would do the same thing, it never failed to calm me down. As he does that I feel my breathing slow, quickly returning to its normal rhythm.