Fiore Mortale (mxm)

57.

"Have you taken your medication yet?" Alanine's voices startles the shit out of me, as I'd been caught digging through Isla's stuff for her master plan.

"No, why?" I ask, pretending like Alanine wouldn't tell on me. She absolutely would. I keep my hands still so it wouldn't be blatantly obvious I was flipping through Isla's diary. Or as I called it, her personal death book.

"It's almost nine in the morning, you're supposed to take it every eight hours."

"Oh, I'll get right to it." I lie with no intention of taking that medication. It was an antibiotic along with a few hydrocodone that always made me drowsy. I'd be sleep almost all day, and I wanted to know what Isla was planning next. Just because we'd both almost been killed didn't mean she was giving up.

Especially if she's anything like her brothers. "Do that, I don't need Arsenio on my ass about not looking out for you. That's exactly what I'm doing, by the way. Looking out for you, since I'm home for good now there's no need for you to not take your medication and breast feed your child." Her eyes narrow at the notebook in my hands, but she meets my gaze again with an intensive glare.

"What did you do for milk when I was in the hospital? Isn't she too old for breast milk anyways? It's hurting me, and I'm not supposed to be breast feeding while taking medications." I decide to answer for only the milk part of what she said.

"I used the milk I had you pump about thirty minutes before you were shot. She's almost out is what I'm saying and it's not like you let her attach to your nipple anyways, so what hurts? And by now, you should know Arsenio. There's not even an excuse. Per his request, the doctor prescribed medication that wouldn't affect your milk."

"I'm just doing lessons Alanine, nothing else." I respond to her hard tone, briefly wondering where the baby even is.

"You stopped doing lessons a long time ago. You know, when you complained to Arsenio all the time about being tired so he told Vinalla she didn't have to return until requested. You're spoiled and you know it, we've established this. Let me handle my sister, you need to stay in your lane." She reprimand me.

"How do you even know that? You weren't here."

"Bebè. All she does is talk about how much she loves Rosabelle and wished you'd get it together. Anyways, as long as you understand what I'm saying here."

"Where's Georgie?"

"With her father."

"What?"

"Arsenio took her for a check up. He told you all of this after breakfast this morning, when I was helping you dress her? Is none of this ringing a bell?  You're supposed to be on bed rest, Eli." I sit pondering her words. Had he said that to me? Why didn't I remember?

I hand Alanine the notebook. "I'll do just whatever I want."

"No, you won't. I told you those things because I didn't think I'd come back. Normally the family a woman marries into is legally able to kill her if she doesn't produce an heir. Being a Morandi saved me. So I'll handle this. Got it? " I roll my eyes knowing she's right.

***
"Alanine told me you didn't take your meds today and was snooping in Isla's stuff she'd left on her bed." Arsenio starts, keeping his arms wrapped around my waist. I don't bother rising up to meet his expression and remain lying on his chest.

"But I w-" Lightly he swats my behind, but firm enough to know if I started my bullshit again he'd incapacitate me.

"Take your medication, I know you're in pain."

"It makes me drowsy, and all I do is sleep. It only hurts if I move my torso too much. It's been like two weeks anyways and I think I'm getting better."