War

Chapter Thirty-Six

A/N - IM BACK 🫶🏾🫶🏾

TW: this chapter contains brief mentions of self harm

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Aniyah
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I'd been in a hospital bed for a week just over a month ago, and I'd underestimated just how horrible it must've been for Marco to see me there because today- the day of his wrist surgery- was terrifying.

He was lying there in a hospital gown, a major change from his usual formal attire, a lack of sleep evident on his face; the aftermath of yet another nightmare he'd endured last night.

"Aniyah", I blinked, looking at my husband's face even though his gaze was fixed elsewhere- my practically vibrating leg to be precise. I halted the movement instantly, placing a hand on my knee and giving him a weak smile.

"Sorry", I said sheepishly, reaching over and placing my hand on top of his, "how are you feeling?".

"You're more nervous than I am", a smirk tugged at his lips as he turned his hand over, intertwining our fingers, "I'll be fine, it's just a wrist".

"Just a wrist?", I snorted, shaking my head incredulously, "you're something else". He hummed, bringing our hands to his lips and kissing the back of mine, just as the door to the room swung open; all three of my brothers in law piling inside, Emiliano and Elijah grinning while Zeke looked mellow- apparently I was the only one who was terrified for Marco.

"Sorry to break up the lovey-dovey shit, but Valentine's isn't for another eight days", Eli was the first to speak, causing Marco to roll his eyes.

"My birthday", I grinned, "the big twenty-four".

"The day of love", Eli mused, "Marco's gonna spoil the shit out of you". My husband stayed quiet, but the smirk on his face told me everything I needed to know- he was gonna put a dent in his bank account for me.

"I expect the same treatment on our birthday", Zeke spoke up, folding his arms after pulling down his sleeves, "you only turn twenty once".

"A new car would be great", his twin grinned, moving to the other side of the bed and sitting down in a slouched position, "a bike? Anything that goes fast really".

"I'm sure we can discuss the demise of my bank account after I've gone under the knife", Marco narrowed his eyes, focusing them on Emiliano, "you're quiet".

"Everyone's quiet when Eli's in the room", he scoffed, his nineteen year old brother just holding up a peace sign, "you feeling okay?".

"Fine", he grumbled, "eager to get out of here". The procedure was to place pins inside of his left wrist in the hopes that it would straighten the bones that weren't healing properly; I just wanted him to be in less pain than he currently was in, I knew it was affecting him more than he was letting on.

"Well, you should be able to leave the same day", I smiled at him, "and I'll be driving us home".

"I could always do it", Eli lifted a shoulder, "I can get you home in half the time".