Sweet Girl (BWWM)

Chapter Twenty-Four

NOT EDITED.

"Oh Santo."
Iyesha cried as she saw Santo laying there, almost lifeless.

His chest rose up and down slowly, almost in slow motion. It felt like her whole world was crashing down.

"He's a fighter, Iyesha. He'll be fine."
Luciano spoke with a supportive hand on her back.

Iyesha noticed his mother sitting in the chair closest to his bed, her hand in his. Their eyes met before more tears began to run down Iyesha's face.
"I-"
Francis stood to her feet before embracing Iyesha in a hug. The hug was warm, and comforting. The two women couldn't help but cry in each other's arms.

"I'm so sorry."
Was all Francis said before leaving and dragging Luciano along with her.

Iyesha's feet led her to the right side of her lover's bed. Her hand reached out to touch his, it was warm and it made her heart swell.
"My sweet boy."

Santo could hear her, feel her stroking his cheek. He could feel the tear drops against his cheek as she bent down to kiss his face.
"What happened?"
Her voice was like a feather, light and delicate.

Two gunshot wounds infected his body. One to the shoulder and one to his lower abdomen. But he was alive and he could hear his lover's voice as it shook with fear of the unknown.

She placed her hand in his and she felt him squeeze he hand even so slightly. And Santo felt her hand, her left ring finger was empty and he was going to change that. By the end of the year she would be a Genovese.

Their moment was interrupted by a nurse.
"Hi, I'm just here to check Mister Genovese's vitals."
Iyesha nodded silently, her eyes only resting on Santo's face as he laid there.

He looked peaceful, at rest almost. He was so handsome, so rugged.
"When will he be waking up?"
Iyesha asked.

"Pretty soon, what they gave him down in surgery should be wearing off soon."
Iyesha hummed in response.

Iyesha watched as the nurse went about her routine, checking Santo's vital signs and making sure everything was as it should be. She couldn't help but think about all the moments they had shared together, the laughter, the tears, and the love that had grown between them.

As the minutes passed, Santo began to stir. His eyelids fluttered, and he slowly blinked into consciousness. Iyesha's heart skipped a beat as she leaned in closer, her hand still firmly holding his.

"Santo," she whispered, her voice filled with relief and joy.

He turned his head slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. A weak but genuine smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Iyesha," he rasped, his voice barely audible.

Iyesha felt tears welling up in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of happiness. She leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, careful not to disturb his wounds.

Santo's fingers tightened around hers, and he mustered all his strength to speak. "I love you, Iyesha."

Ayesha's heart swelled with emotion as she replied, "I love you too, Santo, more than anything in this world— besides Romeo."