“I’m still in the room, you two,” Carter grouses.
I blush as I look over at my dad, but he has a small, happy smile on his face. There’s another knock on the door and Carter gets up to answer it, coming back with a tray of food.
I wrinkle my nose as he sets it down.
“I need to check in with Jude and Keegan, and Cole will be up from his nap soon. I promised him we’d bake brownies today. Will you be okay while I step out?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
He looks at me in concern. “I can always bake with Cole later… Maybe after his dinner.”
“No,” I say firmly. “I know firsthand what it’s like to grow up in this life. I know how hard Cristian and Ten worked to make my childhood as normal as possible, but there were still a lot of broken promises and missed moments. I don’t want that for my brother. So, go. I have Ignacio. I promise, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” Carter steps closer and Ignacio shifts a little to give him room to lean in and kiss my forehead. “Ti voglio bene, Figlio Mio, sempre.”
“Love you too, Dad. Tell my brother I love him.”
“I will.” Carter gives Ignacio a look. “Take care of my son.”
Ignacio tightens his hold on me a little. “Always.”
Carter leaves, and when it’s just me and Ignacio, I look up at him. “Are you okay? Do you need to sit? Fuck, did I hurt you by hugging you too hard?”
He smiles softly. “No, you didn’t hurt me, my Love. I promise, I’m fine.”
I look at his face, trying to find any signs of deceit in it, but all I see is his love for me. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry. Scooting back on the bed, I silently ask him to sit with me.
He sighs, but gets onto the bed beside me. He reaches over and pulls the tray table closer to the bed before he settles in, holding an arm out for me to snuggle into.
The bed should be too small for the two of us, but I fit perfectly at his side. I acknowledge my lack of appetite has negatively affected me. My normally slim, trim figure is more gaunt than it should be, but for now, Doc is letting me get away with small meals, so long as I show him I’m eating something. Even a bite or two, because that’s all I’ve been able to stomach. Though with Lio getting stronger, I know I’m going to have toput in the work as well. Skating by on the bare minimum isn’t going to cut it anymore.
So, when Ignacio sets the plate on his lap and cuts a small piece of waffle with the fork, I open my mouth and accept it.
He feeds me a fourth of the waffle before I shake my head, pushing the next mouthful away.
Ignacio sighs. “You need to keep your strength up, Little One.”
“I know. I promise, I’m working on it. Everything is just so hard…” The lump in my throat is back as tears form in my eyes once more.
“Shhh, it’s okay.” He sets the plate back on the tray table, holding me tightly to him.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Hey, nothing’s wrong with you. You’ve been through a rough ordeal, and you’ve been healing.”
“My foot barely hurts anymore,” I lie. Though is it a lie when my soul hurts more than any physical pain ever could?
“Yeah, but your heart and head are healing as well, and those things take time. It may not be physical, but it’s still important for you to keep up your strength, so you can put in the hard work.”
“It’s stupid. I’m not as hurt as Lio?—”
“No!” He shifts us a little so he can put his fingers under my chin and force my eyes to his. I gasp at the intensity in his dark gaze, finding myself getting lost in them. “There is no comparison to the type of pain you both are in. No one has it better or worse than the other. Your pain is valid, and no one should ever make you feel bad for having the emotions you do, or for needing help.”
I swallow back more tears. “I don’t deserve you,” I whisper. “You’re far too good for me. Hell, I’m surprised you haven’t gone back to Benjamin yet. He’s far less work than I am.”
His grip on my chin tightens a little, not enough to leave bruises, but enough to get his point across. “Benjamin…he isn’t what I need. I loved him, yes, and I do care for him, I always will, but you are my heart and soul, Roman. I am nothing without you. I know now you’re my forever love, and I won’t let you tear yourself down because you think I deserve something better than my soulmate.”
My heart flutters in my chest and I lose my battle against my stupid fucking tears. Shit.Why can’t I stop crying?
