“The surgery went well,” she says.“He’s stable now.You may see him.”
I let out the breath I’ve been holding and joy floods my chest again like the sun coming through thick storm clouds after heavy rain.
Bella steps aside, letting me go first and I remember none of the long walk down the corridor.I just remember entering the intensive care room where Matteo is hooked up to more beeping and flashing monitors than even my sister had been.But I hear none of the beeping.I just see his face, his beautiful face, and his strong body, covered in black symbols of death, but so full of light and life anyway.
I walk up to him and take his hand.It’s warm, almost hot.
He opens his eyes and there’s the sunshine I’ve been craving.It washes all over me, hot and pure.
“Everything will be all right now.Everything will be perfect,” I tell him as I squeeze his hand.“You just rest now and get better.And I’ll be right here beside you.I won’t ever leave.”
He smiles faintly, nods and closes his eyes again.But I can still feel the sunlight of our love.I feel it in my very soul, because it’s bright enough to dispel any darkness.It’s made of the magic the two of us being together creates, that our love creates.I know that now.Just as I know that it will never fade, never waver, never fail.
He’s mine and I am his.Beyond all curses, beyond all obstacles, beyond even death.In spite of them.
Forever.
Chapter42
MATTEO
Waking up still hurts.My throat is raw, the wound in my chest pulses with pain and I’m stiff like I’d been lying down for ages.The first time I woke up, I was sure it was in hell and that made perfect sense.But then I saw Goldie’s eyes staring into mine, kinda scared, kinda hopeful, mostly happy.And all the pain went away.
The same thing happens now whenever I wake up.She’s always there.Sometimes sleeping in the armchair beside my bed, her golden hair draped over the back of the chair, sometimes standing by the window looking out over the city, sometimes sitting real close, holding my hand, her head resting on the pillow beside mine.I love those times the most.
Today, she’s standing by the window, looking at the pale yellow morning light, her hair pulled up into a messy bun at the back of her head, her cheeks rose gold like she’d just been outside in the cold.But it’s not cold outside and it’s certainly not cold in this hospital bed.
“Why don’t you come over here?”I call to her.My voice is so hoarse I barely understand what I said myself.
She turns, the smile on her face bright enough to light up the whole room.“You’re awake.”
She rushes to me, takes my hand and plops down in the chair by my bedside.I’d prefer it if she climbed under the covers with me.
“What’s wrong?”I ask.Because I know that look in her eyes and I don’t ever want to see worry and pain there again.I’ve seen enough of that in the past few weeks to last a lifetime… which I hope will be long now that I’ve escaped this brush with the curse.
“Nothing,” she says.“I just want you home.And to put this behind us already.”
There might be something she’s not telling me.But the good news is, I’m done with hospital stays.
“I’m getting out of here today,” I tell her.
She gives me a confused look.“The doctor didn’t say anything about that.”
I grin at her.“That’s because I haven’t told her yet.But it’s time.I have an empire to rebuild and my intended to take care of.”
She flinches, even as she smiles wide.“Don’t call me that… the curse… you barely survived.”
She’s right.I’d needed two surgeries, it was touch and go for three days, but I’ve been in the hospital for a week now and I’m definitely on the mend.I can do the rest of my healing at home, with Goldie.In peace.
I rise, ignore the twinge of pain in my chest, and kiss the top of her head.Kissing her, touching her, even just looking at her never fails to take all my pain away.
“How about I call you the mother of my child?”I say.“Would that work?”
She smiles.“Yes, you can call me that.And we’re both doing fine.”
She takes my hand, lays it over her stomach, then leans down and kisses my lips.Slowly, gently, making it last.I don’t know what pain even is by the time she pulls back.
“My father wants us to marry.He wants you to make an honest woman out of me,” she says.“I told him no way, never.That’s why I was worried before, because he’s insisting.Citing some ancient paternal rights for a say in the matter or whatever.He’s been driving me insane.”
