Nightswan

Chapter 40

It had been two weeks since Alessio had come home from the hospital. Vasilisa had tended to his wounds as much as he had allowed, but Alessio was more distant than he had ever been before in their relationship. It terrified her. He never touched her beyond what was necessary. No more kisses atop her head or her forehead. No brushes of his hand against hers. No more hugs. She felt like she had done something wrong.

But she couldn't figure out for the life of her what it was. She didn't want to talk to him about it because she feared his answer. Vasi thought she'd quieted the voice in her head that told her she wasn't good enough, but she was wrong. It was back with a vengeance. Even when she tried to initiate contact with Alessio, he didn't respond. He moved away like he had been struck. It scared her. She wasn't sleeping anymore. She ate because she knew she needed sustenance to survive, not because she was hungry. And because Alessio would give her one of his piercing glares if she didn't.

Maybe that was one of the reasons why she wasn't eating. She wanted that little bit of contact between them, even if it was him being irritated with her.

They rode in the taxi to Washington Square Park to meet Liliana, Uncle Thaddeus, and Karisa. Vasi still didn't like going to places where there weren't a lot of people. Tourist areas made her feel safe. The Flight and Total Eclipse were both gone, but she was still seeing ghosts around every corner. Neither of them said anything. Vasi wanted to hold Alessio's hand, but he had his arms folded across his chest, and he wasn't looking at her.

He was first out of the car when it stopped. By the time she'd unbuckled her seatbelt, Alessio had already come around to the other side of the vehicle and opened her door. She took his offered hand and let him pull her out. Vasi tried to hold onto it, but Alessio slipped her grasp. She tried not to think about what it might mean.

Uncle Thaddeus and Liliana had beaten them there. Karisa was skipping around, occasionally commanding her parents to watch her. Thaddeus smiled at her antics. He must have said something to her, for Karisa's attention turned to Vasi and Alessio. A grin stretched across her lips before she ran toward them, as fast as her little legs could carry her. Vasi bent down to accept the girl into her arms, hugging Karisa tightly to her chest and kissing the top of her head.

Karisa started babbling. All the words didn't make sense, but Vasi didn't mind. Vasi loved this little girl, and she wanted to bury her face in her soft baby skin. She kissed Karisa's cheek, the child squealing in glee. Vasi slowly stood, transferring Karisa to her hip. She kept her other hand dangling at her side, but Alessio didn't take it.

"It's been too long since we've seen her. She's getting so big," Vasi said, pulling her fingers through Karisa's hair.

"She's more grown up every day," Liliana said.

"Growing up isn't allowed," Uncle Thaddeus said.

"Before you know it, you'll have boys to contend with," Vasi said.

"Absolutely not," Uncle Thaddeus said.

Vasilisa laughed. When Karisa began wiggling in her arms, she handed the child over to Alessio, who held her close and smiled at her. It was a smile that Vasi hadn't seen directed toward her since the day he woke up in the hospital. When they'd strapped him to a stretcher and then carried him away in an ambulance, Vasi felt like a part of her had been ripped away. She couldn't think straight. She couldn't imagine life without him. Her panic only worsened when the doctor said he needed surgery.

"Let's talk," Lily said.

"What?" Vasilisa blinked.

"Come on, you can take me for a walk." Liliana stretched out her hand toward Vasi. Vasi glanced at Alessio. When he didn't say anything, she took the other woman's hand. She pulled Liliana up, and Lily looped her hand through Vasi's arm. "Let's go."