Paid to love

Chapter 15

Emma corressed Massimo's face as he slept soundly and pulled the covers up closer to him. She sat at the side of his bed for what felt like forever as she waited for him to wake up. It had been a week since he was brought home and he hasn't moved an inch.

"He's going to be ok you know." I looked up at her as she stood with a glass of water in her hands. I took a sip before placing it on the table beside the bed and holding his hand. "I don't understand how you're so calm about this, I'm literally over here freaking out."

"Because I know my son. Over the years he's put me through hell and back but he always manages to survive... I can tell you have grown feelings for him." I smiled shyly as I looked back at her.

"I don't even know when it happened. One minute I hated home and was afraid and the next his presence alone comforted me. It was like the years we were apart never happened and we were those little kids still having a strong bond." Wiping the tear away I got up and made my way to the door." I should go and get some rest so I can be ready if he wakes up tomorrow."

"You know he's in love with you right? Always has been, for years he waited till you came home, never gave himself to another because in his mind you were always gonna be the one."

I paused as I looked at her while she nursed him. Her words replayed in my head as I lay in bed struggling to fall asleep.  Was he really in love with me? After all of this time? I tossed as I tried to figure out my feelings before I was fast asleep.

*Next day*

I squinted and sat up as I yawned and rubbed my eyes."Good morning." As I responded, my body froze and I stared at the corner of my room to see Massimo sitting in a chair with a cup of steaming tea. As he came closer, he brought the cup to his mouth and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Oh my God, you're ok. when did you wake up?"

"Actually I woke up-"

"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? I mean what sensible person jumps in front of a knife. You could've died do you not understand that? I mean God Massimo, does the concept of death not run through your brain cause it doesn't look so to me."

"I take it you're ok then"

"No, I'm not. The thought of you dying because of me...that will never be ok." I exhaled and looked down at my trembling hands as I felt myself being pulled into a warm hug. Tears rolled down my eyes and I sniffed as he pulled back and held my face.

"As long as I can protect you I don't care what happens to me."

"Did you not hear I word I just said? I literally just ranted about you taking better care of yourself."

I looked up as the door opened and smiled shyly as I saw her shy face. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No it's ok, we were just talking, you can come in." Although when we first met I thought she was an evil bitch who want intent to ruin my life, months of getting to know who she truly was brought us closer together, and almost losing Massimo brought us even closer. "Well I was coming to tell you more about your family, but I've decided to wait until tonight, you seem more than occupied at the moment."

As she closed the door Massimo gave me a nervous look. "What? Why do you look so nervous? Is something wrong?"

"Well, as I was saying earlier, I woke up last night while you and my mom were talking and I heard what she said about me loving you."

"Oh, I didn't know."

"You didn't respond last night, don't you feel the same?"