𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫 | 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢

The Blossom Is In

I woke up to glaring white lights and something beeping off to my side.

"Where am I? What happened?"

I tried to push myself up in bed, but a shooting pain stopped me. I looked down to see my wrist in a brace.

Just then, a nurse walked in. "Starai bene, signora. Puoi dirmi il tuo nome?"

"Wh-what?"

"Tuo nome." The woman repeated.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak--"

"Toni!" Cheryl rushed into the room, and my heart squeezed with gratitude and relief at the sight of her.

"Cheryl, thank god! What's going on?" I asked.

"Let me see if I can translate." She turned to the nurse. "Che cos'ha?"

"Lievi ferite." The nurse read from the clipboard in her hand. "Il suo polso e fratturato, e potrebbe avere una commozione cerebrale. Tutti gli altri stanno bene."

Cheryl thanked her, and she wrote something down on the chart before leaving.

"She said you only have minor injuries, but they're worried about a concussion." Cheryl revealed. "Veronica will have to translate anything more complicated than that."

She reached out to cup my cheek, and I leaned into her touch. "I was worried when I got the call from the hospital. I thought that.." She choked on her words, then swallowed hard.

I reached out to touch her hand. "I'm okay, Cher. I'm right here." I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers.

"Toni.." She whispered.

The kiss was gentle and sweet, the perfect comfort for both of us.

Cheryl touched her forehead to mine for a moment, sighing deeply. "I don't know what I'd do if--"

She cuts off as there was a knock, and Veronica enters the room. "I left the twins down the hallway with Marcus. I didn't want them to come in here if things were too.. you know."

Cheryl stood and cleared her throat. "Thanks. I'll tell them they can come back now. Can you translate when the doctor comes back? My business Italian doesn't get us very far."

Veronica nodded as Cheryl left to get Casey and Chelsea. She looked down at me. "How are you feeling?"

"You don't have to pretend you care just because I've been in an accident." I rolled my eyes lightly. "No one is watching right now."

She placed a hand over her chest in offense. "I'm not pretending, Toni. I'm truly sorry to see you in this condition. I know we've had our back and forth, like a sibling rivalry, but you've inspired me to do the right thing in more ways than one. I.. ended things with you-know-who. I've decided I'm going to focus on Cheryl and try to be the wife she deserves."

I stared at her blankly. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

For the first time, Veronica avoided my eyes as she nervously played with her fingers. "I know things between you and Cheryl are.. complicated, but I thought you'd want to know that I plan to take care of her after the wedding."

My head started to spin as I tried to wrap it around the conversation. Thankfully, I was saved from responding by the kids bursting through the door.

Chelsea rushed to my side as she frantically scanned me over for any injuries. "Toni! I'm so glad you're okay! We were so scared."

"We are truly glad to see you, Ms. Topaz." Marcus said.

"Thanks, Marc. Come here, kiddos." Casey and Chelsea piled onto the bed. Even though they jostled against me, I ignored the aches and wrapped my arms tightly around them.