When Vittoria came back into the room, I turned around, prepared to tell her I wanted to be alone with my wife. But before I could, she said, “My youngest son was in a coma when he was just eight. He was always climbing trees and doing dangerous things. I think he gave me most of the grey hair I have.”
Vittoria took another step closer to Drea’s bed. “After a frisbee flew on the roof, he climbed up to get it, and then fell off. It was so touch and go while waiting for his brain to stop swelling.”
Shaking her head, Vittoria said, “I never left his side. Not for three days. I just kept talking to him. Telling him to wake up. Bargaining with him that if he would, I’d buy him a certain video game he wanted or all the candy he liked.”
“And then he woke up.” She stared into my eyes. “He told me that wherever he was, he could hear me talking. That my voice called to him, especially the parts about candy and video games.”
She placed a hand on my shoulder. “I tell you this to say, talk to her, Leo. Tell her all the things you’re struggling with. Even the bad parts. Make her angry if you have to. She’s just stubborn enough to wake up to tell you off.”
The corners of my lips quirked. “Yeah, she is.”
With a knowing look, she said, “I’m going to the chapel. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
At my nod, she started out of the room. Just as she got to the door, I said, “Thank you, Vittoria.”
“You’re welcome.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: DREA
Slowly, I came back into my surroundings. Each time I tried opening my eyes, they wouldn’t budge. But I could hear the machines around me. And I could smell the antiseptic.
But there was another smell. One I was so familiar with. It was Leo’s cologne. I’d given it to him for Christmas. He’d said it was his favorite present since whenever I got a whiff, I threw myself at him.
“Drea, can you hear me?” he asked.
Yes, I’m here.But I realized it was just in my mind, and that my lips were wrapped around a breathing tube.
“I hope you can hear me because there are some things I need to say to you.”
Okay. I’m listening.
“I’m sorry for the way I acted at the gallery. I should’ve taken some time to really think about the reasons for your actions before I came to see you. I know you didn’t have a choice.”
No, I didn’t.
Leo sighed. “At the end of the day, what you did was honorable because you were willing to throw away your ownhappiness to protect the lives of your baby and Vittoria. I know you’d do the same for me if push came to shove.
I’m no angel, Leo. I made mistakes, especially what I did at the party. Even though I want to regret it, I can’t. It gave me Luca.
“I hope you can forgive me. I want a second chance to show you how much I love you.”
Oh Leo, I want that so much, too.
“Vittoria told me to tell you the good and the bad, so here it is. I don’t know if I can love Luca like you need me to.”
Pain sliced through me. How could Leo apologize and want a second chance, yet tell me that he couldn’t love my son?
“I know it’s horrible, but I’m so angry with him right now. Fuck! I’m so angry with myself right now. What kind of bastard am I? Like maybe I am my father.”
He squeezed my hand tighter. “Drea, please, I can’t do this without you. I need you. Please, please come back to me.”
If I come back now, it won’t be for you. It’ll be for Luca. I won’t come back to you until you accept him.
To my surprise, he chuckled. “I get it now. You’re playing hardball. You’re not going to wake up until I get my head out of my ass about Luca.”
You got that right.
His breath warmed against my cheek. “You know I don’t like to lose, Drea. And I’m not going to lose you.”
