𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 • 𝐗𝐕|| ❝𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬❞

> 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

𝐃 𝐈 𝐄 𝐆 𝐎 • 𝐆 𝐑 𝐄 𝐂 𝐎

It was late once again, I haven't looked at my phone for the whole day, it's been going of non-stop but if I'm being completely honest, I really need the space. I can't cope with all of this going on. It's so hard to deal with.

I look out of the window and notice that the pitch black sky is painted with the stars once more which help brighten the smallest bit of darkness, yet again the stars remind me of Serena. I roll my eyes and look away from the window and toss to the other side of the bed where I'm facing the door that leads to the shower. I fall asleep with a close of my eye.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The next day arrives with pure darkness, the sky is grey and the rain begins to fall from the sky, landing on the window, ready to play race with the other drops. I stare out of the window longer standing there in my shorts, desperate for a shower. I turn myself around and head for the shower and turn the knob, I put my head against the wall and wait for the warm water to splash all over my body, leaving it to sink into my skin.

Minutes passed and I forced myself out of the shower, I didn't want to get out, I wanted to keep myself locked in there. I looked at myself in the steamed up mirror and began to think of Serena... Why do women like her get stuck into your head? I grab my tooth brush and begin to scrub my teeth with the minty toothpaste on the brush. I turn the brush in circular motions and wait a few more minutes until I'm finished. I spit into the sink and suddenly feel weak. I look out of the bathroom door and everything goes blurred and funny looking, I fall onto the floor and everything goes dark.

𝐒 𝐄 𝐑 𝐄 𝐍 𝐀 • 𝐑 𝐔 𝐒 𝐒 𝐎

My anger boiled, I could see that Diego had read all of my messages but has decided to ignore them. I wouldn't have minded if he wanted space but I would've appreciated it if he told me. My body becomes full with the annoyance I have for him, I put my phone away in my draw and head to the hospital, it was mid-day, I'm sure they're accepting visitors.

The car journey wasn't long, I made it to the hospital and the smell of hand sanitiser filled the whole building, I looked around on the bottom floor and noticed a large desk placed in the middle with two woman sat beside each other, I walk over and notice the pile of files that they have stacked on top of one another. One woman had glasses and was looking down on a file while having a black ball-point pen in her right hand, her hair was all pinned up out of her face, I turned to look at the other woman who was also engrossed, but this time onto the computer, her hair was short and platinum. Her icy eyes caught mine as she pulled her hands away from the keyboard.

"Can I help you?" The woman asked and raised a brow, I nod and she draws her full attention to me.

"I'm looking for Maria Ricci?" I lean forward over the desk to watch as her facial expression changes, before she questions me.

"Are you family?" I nod and smile at her, she begins to type on the keyboard, a few moments went by and she managed to gaze her eyes back to mine.

"She's in room 103, which is just down the hall." I nod and walk towards her room, she was transferred from her last room so that she could be closer to the baby unit which was opposite. I knocked on the door where a doctor walks out with his smart white clothing on.

I walk over to Maria who is laying peacefully on the hospital bed, the room smells like medication and Maria has her hair tied back and she has large dark circles under her eyes, she's probably exhausted, it's not like she can sleep when she's worrying about her baby boys.

"Hey Maria, how are you?" I grab the blue chair and planted myself on it close to Maria, the chair had a lot of padding underneath it as I felt like I was sinking into it.

"I'm okay, worried but Nicolas is always checking up on them." Her face turns to worry and it must be awful. Worrying about your children who should still be safe inside of you.

"Is he there now?" I question where the presence regarding my brother, I know its not my business but, he's family and by what Maria is saying, he probably is up there, standing there watching the babies.

"Yeah, you can go see him if you like? I'm going to try and get some rest. " I look at her and release a smile, her face reveals relaxation, I leave her be and close the door so no noise comes through and disturbs her rest. I walk over to find my brother standing opposite a pain of glass, the pain of glass that is acting as a barrier between my brother and his sons, I stand next to him and he releases a sigh.

"They're so small." Nicolas stares at the glass which reveal his two sons, in their own little contraption, unable to get out or see the world, but its for the best. They will end up severally ill.

"I know." I sigh and analyse my two nephews, it's so hard to see any child ill, but these babies shouldn't even be outside into the world yet. It just shows how keen they really are.

"When can you hold them?" I question and Nicolas sighs again as he focuses his gaze further onto his sons.

"I'm not sure yet, longer than a week that's for sure." He turns away from the glass barrier and looks at me, I look at him and release a small smile to show my reassurance and the fact that I am here for him and Maria, every step of the way.

"Have you eaten?" I question and raise my brow, if I don't ask my mother soon would. I want to chuckle at the thought but hold it in and stay serious as I'm looking at Nicolas.

"Yeah." He turns away as he lies to me, he always used to do that as we were kids, if he made a mess he'd always look away after lying.

"Nicolas Russo." I say his full name and he turns to me and gives me the 'Really' look, but he needs to eat.

"You want to stay strong for Maria don't you?" He looks to the floor as he nods.

"Well, you need to eat then, you can't stay strong for her if you're not eating." He nods, I know deep down he doesn't care about himself, his care is now transferring to his sons, but he needs to take care of himself too. He needs to realise he is what those boys and Maria have at the moment, they need his strength in order to stay strong.

We walk to Maria's room where Nicolas stands outside as I inform Maria of what we're doing, she nods and agrees that Nicolas must eat. I leave her to go back to sleep as I close the door I notice Nicolas leaning against the wall waiting for me.

"Ready to fill the belly?" I ask and chuckle, Nicolas releases a smile and I gain satisfaction out of it, I've made him smile which is one thing of today.

We sit outside of small café which isn't far from the hospital, which was the best idea for Nicolas. I could see the dark circles under his eyes too which matched Maria's. He probably hasn't been able to sleep because Maria hasn't, especially as they're both worrying about their babies.

I order a milkshake and I order Nicolas a ham and cheese toastie with a large coffee. I thought he'd need the caffeine.

I take a large sip of my vanilla milkshake... I know I'm basic. I feel the coldness rush down my throat leaving a delightful taste behind. My taste buds have the feeling of satisfaction and happiness because of the burst of flavours running over my tongue.

My gaze travels to Nicolas who has already eaten half of his toastie and drank half of his coffee, I knew he'd be starving himself to not make himself feel bad, luckily Maria has been eating well. I still feel awful she's eating hospital food, I travel through the cafe and order a cupcake with plain frosting, it's placed in a beautiful white box with a clear plastic window at the top, I smile as u head back to Nicolas.

By the time I got back Nicolas was ready to go back to the hospital, we must've only been out for nearly an hour.

We travel back through, I notice that one of the women at the desk has disappeared, probably on break or something. I look at the other woman as her glasses rose up and her eyes clicked onto mine.

"Hi are you okay there?" She asks and gives us both a smile.

"Yes thank you, we're back to see his partner." She nods and smiles as we both head to Maria's room, we open the door and she's already awake reading a book.

"Hey Maria, I brought you this!" I gave her the cupcake that is protected by the white box, she opened it and her eyes enlightened.

"Wow, thank you." She smiles at me as she brings the cake closer to her lips and opens her mouth wide, taking a large bite out of the cake.

"This is so good" I laugh at the fact that her mouth is so full yet she is still speaking, I leave her and Nicolas be as I head back home. Before I do I go and watch my nephews once more.

They both lay there, peacefully. Sleeping so beautifully. I wish they were still protected in the womb, but now they're out in the open and are at risk at any infections or germs. But they're fighters.

I wave goodbye and them and head to the car park, I jump into the car and bring the car to life and travel home.

I was welcomed home by the smell of chicken, I walked through the kitchen and saw my mother and Lia cooking together.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The evening consisted of eating the delicious chicken and going into my room and having a cold shower, it released the warmth from my body leaving me feeling cool, I look into the mirror and the mirror has hardly any condensation. I clean my face and brush my teeth, I get into my cozy pajamas and turn everything off, a knock emerged on my door making me question who it was.

"Yeah?" I question and sit up on my bed and wait for the person to come in.

Lia and my mother both stand in the doorway staring at me, their face is pale and Lia's eyes are puffy as if she's been crying.

"What's going on?" I question and my mother takes in a deep breath before parting her lips, making way for the words to be said.

"Have you not checked your phone? Your father has called us all several times! We've only just noticed!" I gasp and turn my phone on, but it's too late, my mother already begins to tell me.

"Diego passed out this morning." The room goes silent and scenario's play in my mind. Is he okay?