Page 55 of Deadly Don's Baby Contract

In the hall, she stops a few feet away from the guards. They are out of earshot but within a comfortable enough range so that they don't get jumpy.

"Mr. Morelli, your wife has been through a tremendous amount. I know that you know that, but what you may not realize is that when the body experiences this kind of trauma, it kind of goes into shock, which causes parts of the body to shut down, and all its resources go toward healing the affected area. It's miraculous but also dangerous because the longer we allow the body to focus purely on one area or don't start exercising and resetting the way it works, the more likely it is that the damage will become irreversible. Aria is right-hand dominant. That means that, yes, the therapy will be painful, but it also means that should it be successful, she will be able to use the arm with problems like tremors, spasms or freezing. You guys are going to be parents, and the last thing you want is for her to be picking up the baby and be unable to hold her or him securely. It will devastate her. Please, let us do what we need to and stop stressing out. She loves you, and she picks up on your fear and discomfort, but that's not good."

Not many people, regardless of who they are, would have the guts to speak to me like this—I'm used to the Morelli name, making everyone obedient. It's a relief because it shows that her only interest is in making my wife whole and helping her be the best mom that she can be. It pleases me, and I have decided to back down.

"I love her too."

"I know." She goes to sit on a bench just outside another room. I follow her. "I've only been doing this a few years, but I've begun to figure out a few things about healing that they don't teach you in medical school. Believe me when I tell you that you two are going to be ok. Your wife will be back to full health in no time. It's great that you love her, but don't make her more concerned with your comfort than her healing. It often happens in situations like this—feelings of guilt and fear make us crazy. Let it go. No one blames you, especially your wife." She gets up and taps my shoulder before moving on to her next patient. She's no more than Aria's age but so centered and wise. She’s quirky as fuck, but a good person, like my dad likes to say.

***

Aria has been released, and I'm bursting with joy. I don't know why, but having her in there was tough for me. Being away from her and not sleeping next to her night after night was torture.

It's made me reflect on a lot of things, like how my eagerness to have her home had more to do with me than her. I didn't like being away from her and the not knowing.

The doctor was right about the guilt and fear. It took me a minute, but eventually, I did learn to temper it. I'm still not perfect, like the time I yelled at her physiotherapist when she screamed out during a session. "Mrs. Morelli is not happy with you," the therapist said mockingly and with her thick accent after the session. She was right. Aria read me the riot act, but that's over now, and we're in the car on the way to our new home.

I haven't told her. I wanted it to be a nice surprise, but now that we're almost there, I'm beginning to worry that maybe it wasn't such a great idea to keep it from her. A new home is a really big deal, and it might have been insensitive of me to make the decision without her. It's going to be our home, not mine.

I've loved the property since I first set eyes on it, and when it went on the market, I knew that I had to have it. I knew it was where I wanted to spend all our lives together.

She perks up when she realizes that we're not headed toward the compound.

"Where are we going?" she asks while her eyes take in the unfamiliar landscape.

"I just need to pop in and see someone. Won't be long." Thank God I can still lie convincingly.

She fusses with her hospital clothing.

"Oh, honey! I wish you'd told me. I can’t meet anyone now. I look terrible like I've gone ten rounds with a rabid wolverine." She pulls down the visor to look at herself in the mirror.

"You look beautiful," I say, trying to reassure her without giving the game away.

"On that subject, you are not a reliable source. Pregnancy hormones and being shot trying to save your brother have colored your testimony." I laugh, and she joins me. Even on the mend, she still keeps me on my toes and is quick as a whip.

I reach over and take her hand as she tries to take down her updo.

"Will you just trust me? It's fine. It's not that kind of appointment." She side-eyes me.

"It better not be if you want to enjoy the benefits of that hormone surge that makes expectant mommies so randy! That's all I'm saying." She closes the visor and looks away. "It is a beautiful area though."

"Yes. I've always loved it."

We pull up to the estate, and a canopy of trees welcomes us as we make our way up the driveway.

"OMG! It's a deer and a fawn!" She looks so happy that the last month simply melts from her face and body. She stares out at the amazing lawns and the wildlife that come here to feed. The mother deer gets on her hind legs and munches at an apple on one of the trees before ripping it off and nudging it toward her baby. Who, true to form, first tries to grab one of his own and is rewarded with a tumble.

The house erupts in front of us like a mirage. It's beautiful and modern but with understated classical touches that somehow work to create a feeling of warmth and welcome.

"Wow! This is beautiful. I don't care how I look. I want to see inside!" she says like a naughty child.

We walk up to the house hand in hand, and it occurs to me that this is the first time that I've held her hand like any other normal couple. We walk up to the door, and I reach out to open it.

"Hey!" She smacks my hand away. "You don't just walk up to someone's house and let yourself in. Unless...this isn't a hit, is it? Franco, not on my first day out of hospital!" She looks exasperated, and it makes me hunch over as my body's wracked with laughter.

"Babe, no!" I say through fits of laughter. The door opens, and the house manager smiles.

"Welcome home, sir, madam!" He says, looking at Aria.

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