Everything To Lose

Chapter Seventeen

I feel awful, not just physically either. I am currently resting on the sofa with a blanket and pillows as Kat rushes round after me. Adam is out running errands. Since I came home they haven't let me lift a finger, I am only allowed to move to go to the bathroom. Believe me if they could do that for me as well they would. I love them but they are driving me insane with the constant fussing. Damn Dante and his stupid instructions. 

'Tell everybody you have exhaustion and that's why you are fainting. Just give me time and we can figure something out. Just trust me please.' Yeah because that's the smart thing to do. I am now the invalid on the sofa because I trusted him.

'Do you need anything? More tea, water or something to eat?' Kat asks as she brushes the hair off my face and fluffs my pillow. I want to slap her hands away but I don't want to hurt her feelings. Damn Dante. 

'No thanks, I still have a full bottle of water and I am still full from the cheese toastie you made me an hour ago. But thanks. Maybe you should sit down before you end up like me.' I laugh trying to lighten the mood.

'Do not joke about this Natty! I could kill that bloody man, look what he has done to my best friend. You could of been seriously hurt hitting the concrete like that.' She slumps down next to in a huff as I run my fingers over the stitches on my forehead, it almost matches the other side just a little bigger. Apparently I hit the concrete quite hard. Flicking through the channels she settles on re-runs of Judge Judy. For the next hour we play jury just like the good old days, laughing our asses off at some of cases and I feel a weight lift. I miss this, just chilling with my best friend. The need to tell her about the mess I am in is nearly overwhelming me but I keep it bottled, I have to trust Dante. Or at least try to.

'I'll get it. It's probably Adam.' She chirps when the door goes as I adjust to find a comfortable position, I swear my butt has gone numb.

'Do Doctor's usually make house calls anymore?' She is flirting with Dante and he looks uncomfortable, that's a new one. I have never seen anyone rebuff her before.

'This one does.' He mutters as he walks past her. 'Can we have some privacy?' He asks her but his eyes are fixed on me, he is making me nervous. Please tell me he hasn't told him.

'Sure... I'll just... Go erm... Yeah.' She grabs her shoes and she's gone. Thanks best friend. Once she is gone Dante startles me by dropping to his knee at the side of my sofa. 

'Are you okay?' I worry, who just drops like that, other than me.

'Marry me.' It's not a request, it's a demand. One that steals my breath and causes a full blown coughing fit. Never in a million years did I expect this. I mean seriously, I barely know him. You barely know Dominic either the little voice taunts. Yes I do. Don't I?

'Dante...' What the fudge am I meant to say to this?

'It's the only way I can think of for you to have help, the baby to have a Dad and my family not to lose a member we haven't met. You might not know this but us York's are very big on family. I can't let you walk away with our newest member and not try everything in my power to help.'

'Dante... we don't love each other. I mean it's sweet but...'

'We don't have to love each other, just as long as we love this baby. Say yes. Please just try.'

'What if it doesn't work out? What about Dominic?' Shit am I really considering this.

'It will. If it doesn't I will help you escape, I will help support you both but please try it this way first. Leave Dom to me. Nobody has to know the baby isn't mine.'

'You don't have to do this, I mean I could ask Adam...'

'What and ruin his life?' He looks frustrated as his gets up off the floor and sits down on the chair Kat just vacated. Kat. What would she think of all this? It's insane, that's what. I can almost here her voice yelling at me to stop and think.