Page 6 of Falling for the Knockout

“And let me guess, the nurse told you that Elio was here. Did you ask her why?” he asked.

“I did and she basically told me that it was none of my business. I’m not on his HIPPA form,” Aurora said.

“Yeah, me either, but I plan on changing that while we’re here. Elio put me down as his emergency contact but didn’t put me on his HIPPA form. That’s kind of messed up, right?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, it is,” she said. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the hallway. She grabbed Tony’s arm, stopping him from walking over to the nurse’s station. “Why do you think he’s in here?” she asked. “Do you think it has anything to do with his doctor’s appointment today?”

“I almost forgot about that,” Tony said, “today’s been so crazy that I didn’t remember to call him. Shit, what if something happened at his office visit and I wasn’t there for him?” Aurora knew how much Tony worried about his grandfather. She couldn’t blame him—Elio was a pretty awesome guy.

“Let’s not stand here and speculate. How about we find Elio and ask him what’s going on?” Aurora asked.

Tony nodded and walked over to the nurse's station. “Excuse me,” he said.

“Hold on one minute, honey,” the nurse said. He rolled his eyes at Aurora, making her giggle. “Okay, what can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for my grandfather, Elio Vitale,” he said.

“Oh, yes,” the nurse said, “you and your wife have a seat over there and I’ll find out if I can take you back. Just give me a minute.” Aurora wanted to correct her, but Tony smiled at her, took her hand, and led her over to the waiting area.

“Why didn’t you say anything to her?” Aurora asked.

“What’s the point?” Tony questioned. “I mean, who cares if she thinks that we’re married? It doesn’t hurt her to believe that, and it gives me a chance to do this,” he said, holding up their joined hands. “And this,” he leaned in and gently brushed his lips over hers, causing her to gasp. He wasn’t what she had expected. She woke up today thinking that Tony hated her and now, he was gently kissing her lips and holding her hand. God, his lips were so warm, and he tasted good—she never wanted him to stop kissing her. But when the nurse walked over to them and cleared her throat to get their attention, Aurora knew that the kiss was going to end, and why did that actually upset her?

“Sorry to interrupt,” the nurse said giving them a saucy wink. “You two must be newlyweds.”

“Um, yeah,” Tony said, “can we see my grandfather?”

“He’s dressed and ready to get out of here. You’ll just have to sign a few papers when the discharge nurse comes to his room, but that shouldn’t take too long.” The nurse motioned for them to follow her, and they did. Aurora was worried about how they were going to find Elio—especially since neither of them knew what had happened to him or why he was in the hospital.

“He’s the second door down the hall,” the nurse said.

“Thank you,” Tony said, not bothering to stop walking to Elio’s room. “Nonno,” he called.

“I’m in here, Antonio,” Elio called back. He was the only person to call Tony by his Italian name. She thought that it was sweet, but every time Elio used that name, Tony made a face. Aurora wondered if he knew that. Elio did. She could tell that the old man did it on purpose. Maybe he did it just to see Tony make a face. He smiled every time his grandson did.

They walked into the small room where Elio called from, and from the look on his face, Aurora could tell that whatever was wrong with him wasn’t good. “What’s going on?” Tony asked. She could tell by the worried look on his handsome face that he was just as worried as she felt.

“I think that you should both have a seat, and then, we can talk,” Elio said, nodding to the two chairs next to the bed. He was always a little dramatic, but this was over the top, even for him.

Aurora sat down and patiently waited for Tony to do the same. Elio seemed a little less patient with his grandson. She reached for Tony’s hand just as he had hers downstairs in the lobby. “It’s going to be okay,” she assured, but she couldn’t make him that promise. She was just as scared as he was, but for some reason, they both seemed to be able to give the other comfort. And if that was what Tony needed right now, that was what she’d give him.

Anthony

Tony knew that his grandfather was going to give him news that he didn’t want to hear. It was the same with his grandmother when she told Tony that she was sick. He sat there, holding Aurora’s hand, taking the comfort that she was offering. He could tell that she was just as nervous as he was and he wanted to tell his grandfather to just get on with what he needed to tell them.

“I’m sick,” he breathed, his shoulders slumping as though he had just released a big burden that had been weighing him down.

“Well, we kind of figured that, Elio,” Aurora said. He smiled at her and nodded.

“It’s nice that you both came together,” Elio said. “I didn’t know that you two were dating.” Tony knew that his Nonno was stalling, and he wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of thinking that he and Aurora were a couple. He knew his grandfather would enjoy taking credit for putting the two of them together.

“We aren’t dating,” Aurora said, beating Tony to the punch.

“Oh, I just assumed,” Elio said looking at where their hands were joined. Tony saw the flash of disappointment and he actually felt bad for wanting to take away his grandfather’s joy.

“Nonno, can you please just tell us what’s wrong?” Tony asked.

“I just told you,” Elio said, “I’m sick.”

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