Blood vs. Water

Blood

The following morning Daphne woke up to find herself lying with her head on Aurelio's shoulder blade. She was confused when she saw him texting on his phone already awake.
How did she get here, clinging to him for dear life? She moved her arm from his one peck and wiped her eyes.

"Why didn't you push me away?" She said getting sitting up. Her hair was a total mess and her shirt had ridden ip to her sports bra and when she stretched it revealed her whole middle. Shit. She realized her leg was wet and sticky.
"Shit." She said throwing away the covers and seeing blood everywhere. "I think I might have been too active last night."

He sat up to check the damage on her thigh by pulling her by her leg over his lap. "Daphne." His stern morning voice hit her like a truck and she couldn't focus on anything but his voice.
He gently unwrapped the bandage and threw it to the side. The blood was all caked up and dried so he moved her leg so he could get up and walk into the bathroom.

He returned with a fresh bandage, alcohol wipes, some healing gel and pain meds. He gave her the pain meds along with a glass of water that stood next to his side of the bed. He cleaned the wound then reapplied the gel and the bandage.

After he was done he gave her thigh a peck before standing up. "Thank you Aurelio." She said having the urge to hug him.

She hopped with one leg off the bed with Aurelio's protests and ripped off the bedding. He came over and took it from her. Before he could leave she grabbed him by the arm and threw hers around his neck, giving him a much needed hug. He dropped the bedding between them and wrapped his arms around her waist. "And this?" He asked her.

"For showing me what being cared for is like." She said pulling away to give him a kiss on the cheek. She blushed almost instantly not expecting it to happen so naturally.

He chuckled and carefully picked her by her waist, putting her on the mattress. He picked up the bedding again and put it to the side of the room. When he called Chiara and checked back in on her he said. "I'll be back later. Luca will stay here for protection if you need him."

He gave her a nod and she gave offered him one last smile, before he walked around the corner and left.

-

Two days had passed by in a blur and Aurelio fell into his busy schedule. He never slept in the same bed as her again and they barely saw each other. Daphne was thankful after the first day, because she knew she was catching feelings at a fast pace for the Mafia Don. She started walking again with a little limp in her step, but getting better and better by the day.

Stella and Rocco kept her company and followed her everywhere she went. After the first night she asked Chiara to help her move into a guest room, not wanting to keep Aurelio from his own room.

Her room still had the smell of blood in the floor even though the carpets had been removed. She was currently standing in said room.

Today was the day they had to go to her old home for brunch. She felt sweaty and nervous as she stood on the cool tiles.

She called out to Chiara and the lady showed up in two minutes. "Yes Mrs. Romano?"

"Please just call me Daphne." She had insisted several times but Chiara said she was afraid of Aurelio. "I need some advice. Do you think I should wear a dress to brunch or just my normal oversized jeans and shirts?"

"Well, do you want to impress?" She asked her and Daphne thought about it for a moment, before nodding. "Then a dress. It will look nice with your hair."

"Thank you Chiara." Daphne smiled at her, holding up the dress to her body and looking at her for approval.

"I can make your hair if you want?" Chiara offered her wiping her hands on her apron.