Page 56 of Bella Rosa
I stand and move a chair next to his bed so I'm not crowding him. "She's downstairs." I glance down at my lap. "She's leaving, dad. They always leave."
He tilts his head to the side. "Why?"
I sit down in the seat and lean back, thankful for a softer place to sit than the floor. "She got the job."
He scratches his chin. "So she accepted?"
I shrug. "Seemed like she was excited about it to me."
"Have you asked her to stay?"
I shake my head as I cross my arms across my chest. "No. I didn't want to influence her decision."
"Do you want her to stay?"
I throw my hands in the air. "Of course I do." He tries to lean forward, but gets snagged on some wires. I hold my hands out in front of me. "Don't push it."
He motions for me to come closer. "Well you come here then." I do as he says. "Listen closely. That girl is special." I open my mouth, but he holds up his hand to stop me. "Listen to everything I have to say. After everything that girl went through with her dad, she still showed up here for you. You're a fool if you think that girl is going anywhere. You go down there and beg her to stay here with you. You fight for her to stay or you'll spend the rest of your life wondering what if."
I lean forward, "But—"
He holds his hand out to silence me once more. "No buts. I see what she has done for you. You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't do everything in your power to keep her."
"I can't just leave you here like this."
He wags his finger at me. "Like hell you can't. Get out of here. Come back and tell me all about it in the morning."
I stand and kiss my dad on the forehead and say, "I'll see you in the morning." I turn and run out the door.
I barely hear him say, "You better bring Rosalie with you! And my glasses!"
I run down the halls, trying to find my way out of this maze. A few nurses yell at me to stop running, but I don't give a damn. I feel like I'm running in circles until I hear a clicking sound. I stop in my tracks. I know that sound. I round a corner and come face to face with Rosa. She's pacing back and forth down a hallway. Her phone screen lights up her face. Her shoes are making the familiar click on the tile floor.
She looks up from her phone screen and starts running. I open my arms and let her warmth consume me. Frosting and sunshine filling my nose. Home. This is home.
I can feel her tears run down my neck where she buries her face. "I'm so sorry! How is he? Can we go see him?"
I run my hand down the back of her head as she pulls back to look me in the eye. Her big brown eyes staring back at me. "Stay with me."
She nods her head. "I'm here. Whatever you need."
I shake my head. "No. Not here at the hospital. Here, in Italy. Stay with me. You asked me once if I had one day left to live, how would I spend it. I would spend it with you. You're my true north, Rosa." I kiss her cheek. "Let me show you every day how I would spend my last day." Then I kiss her nose. "Stay with me." Then I kiss her lips. "I love you, Rosa."
She smiles at me, I've never seen such a beautiful sight. "I was never going anywhere." She pulls me in for a kiss that almost makes me fall to my knees. "I love you too, Matteo."
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. It doesn't let up as I kiss her. When we finally pull away I pull my phone out of my pocket while I hold Rosa with my other hand. "What the hell?"
She laughs, "That was probably me."
I go to unlock my phone but she pushes my phone away. I smile at her. "Hey! I want to read them!"
She shakes her head. "There isn't anything on there that hasn't already been said." She pulls me down for another kiss, and all is right in the world.
Can you die from happiness? I guess I'll find out for all of us.
35
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