Fatal Wounds

35

Valentina

I hum feeling a pair of warm lips travel across my neck. "Valentina, amor. Will you wake up for me?"

I shake my head and lean to the side exposing more of my neck. Theo chuckles softly into my neck. He presses little kisses down the column of my throat and around the hem of my shirt. I hum with a content smile and let my hand find its way into his hair.

Theo kisses and sucks at the skin of my chest making my body go warm. "If you remember correctly Brooke and Brian invited us to their sonogram appointment and we have to leave soon."

My eyes peek open to see he's already pulled the curtains open to let in the sunlight. My eyes trial down his bare chest to the gray sweats that hang on his hips. My knees go to hug his hips, pulling his body slightly above mine. My arms circle around his neck and I pull him down. "We have time." I murmur running my nose along his jaw.

His palms come down to grip my waist and he lets out a small amused chuckle. "I wish we do baby," I feel his grin against my head, "but you slept in."

I groan and push myself further against him. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as you're ready," his arms circle my waist and he pulls me into a sitting position. "Come on. We have time for a quick shower."

"You said we didn't have time." I grumble letting him pull me to the bathroom.

Theo laughs as he starts the water and pulls our clothes off.

After feeling the warm water melt my tense muscles I'm reluctant to leave the steamy shower. Theo however pulls me out of the warm bathroom and helps brush out my wet hair.

We grab a quick breakfast and by the time Chicago Memorial comes into view my stomach coils with dread.

This is where mom was diagnosed.

This is where mom had her chemotherapy appointments.

This is where I-

Theo's warm hand comes over and cups my cheek. "Feeling alright mi amor?"

I give him a non-convincing nod, "yes."

Theo frowns but doesn't speak on it till he's parked. He pulls off his seat belt along with mine and pulls me over to his seat.

"Theo," I say nervously, "we're in a hospital parking lot, this looks very wrong."

"My windows are tinted my love." He assures and cups my face with both hands. "You got pale as soon as you seen the hospital."

My eyes drop to my fingers. My fingers play with the bottom of his shirt. "This is where..." my eyes flicker to his momentarily before glancing at the large white building. "This is where mom was treated."

His eyes soften with the uttermost understanding. "We don't have to go in."

"I don't want to miss it." I shake my head, "I don't have a problem going in, it's just that seeing the place brings up the memories."

Theo kisses my forehead and pulls me close to him. "See the memories as a good thing okay? Think of all her smiles and laughs and remember that despite what she was going through she was happy."

I nod and melt against him, we stay there in each other's embraces till we have five minutes before we're supposed to be inside.

Brooke blows up my phone with a million messages asking where we are and telling me her room number.

"Brooke?" Theo questions looking over at my screen. I nod and watch at his lips tilt, he turns his phone and lets me see his screen.

Brian: dude where are you???