Claimed | Second Love Romance ✔️

17| Meds

Chapter Seventeen

Alice

I may have paced the room hundreds of times since Alessio hung up the phone. His deep voice, the way he touched me and spoke my name as if it was a poem, was almost taken from me. I almost lost of the most influential people in my life. What was the last thing I said to him this morning?

Did I tell him I loved him? Did I kiss him? Hell, did I hug him? When was the last time we kissed? These questions swirled my mind too many times to count. They say when your significant other dies, you think of these things. But I never thought that I would have to think of such morbid things now. Maybe in seventy years, when we're both in our nineties with our great-grandchildren running around.

But, not now, not when we're not even saying our vows to one another. God, where is he? I need to see him, make sure he's okay.

And Aria, God, she's probably shaken to the core. She's too young to have to go through something like that. Alesio and I have only been in her life for a short time, and shits already fucked to no end.

For most of her life, she had to struggle. She's probably scared shitless right now. God, Aria.

The door opens, and I see them. Alessio in the same suit I picked out for him without the tie, I fixed. Aria is in her jeans and t-shirt that says peace and love. Peace and love? Something I promised her, and now look at the mess she was in. I run a hand through my hair as I take them in-living breathing for me.

There isn't a hair on their body out of place. I wouldn't even know what they went through if I hadn't seen it on the news. "You two," I stutter out. I rush toward them, engulfing them in a tight hug. Aria smells sweet, while Alessio's rich woodsy smell engulfs my nose. I memorize the way they feel in my arms and their rhythmic heartbeat. "I was so worried about you guys."

One of Aria's hands escapes my grasp. She rubs her hand along my back while Alessio's hand goes through my hair, soothing me.

"Alice," Aria grumbles in my grasp. "I know you were worried about us. I completely understand. But, please let me go at least. You're gonna kill me if this hug lasts any longer. I can hardly breathe." Almost immediately, I release the two. Both of their faces are red. I reach for Aria's arm, "what are you doing?" She stammers out.

"Checking for any nicks or cuts that you can't see or feel."

"Can't see or feel?"

"You may be in shock," I add as I check for any nicks or any wounds.

"I'm fine," she assures me.

I don't care what she tells me. I need to see for myself. I spin her, inspecting every inch possible. I'm no medical professional, but I have two sets of eyes that are more than enough to see if she has a wound or injury. If even a tiny part of her is nicked, then we're going straight to the hospital.

This part, the analyzing, is what I'm a pro at. I've done it too many times to count-looking over a person's body, making sure that they are in their top form. I checked Joseph from head to toe for bug bites and sunburns that he didn't know even existed.

"Do I look sufficient to you?" Aria asks, visibly irritated with my entire body inspection.

"Yes," I stare into her eyes.

"How are you mentally?"

She shrugs her shoulders, "okay, I guess. Alessio was there when everything went down, and we drove off before we were in any real danger."

I nod my head and look up at Alessio, then back to Aria. "Aria, honey, you're a bit dirty. How about you go take a bath? I'm ordering pizza, and we're gonna watch a movie together."