Chapter 5 CHAPTER
Turning away from Alessia's stare, I focused on the doctor. "We're doing this," I insisted.
"No, we're not," she said, her voice unvarnished.
Frustrated, our eyes locked, and then we both turned back to the doctor. Actually, we were quite bad together. Always at conflict, never in agreement. Still, I wanted her at my side in spite of all.
"Signor Ferraro, we are acting here. That is the last." Like a blade cutting through the tension, my voice was sharp.
Rising quickly, Alessia slammed her palms on the table. Her breath came fast and uneven as she yelled, "We aren't!"
Talking her down was the only way ahead. Knowing my wife was something else. Reluctant as always, but I had my ways. Though she would not confess it, sweet words always softened her.
Signor Ferraro put his hands up. "Enough. Try to silence your voices. Not your bedroom, but this is a hospital."
I stood and let out a sharp exhale. Closing my eyes, I willed my irritation to subdue.
"I apologized, sir," as coolly as I could. "Just give us a few minutes to chat."
"Excellent," he said. "But just a few. Other patients I have to see."
I turned to face Alessia right away when he left. She fired daggers with her eyes.
Ignoring the quiet hostility, I moved forward to encircle her waist and yank her against me. She continued to scowl, but I was unconcerned. I knew it was normal.
Glancing into her deep brown eyes, I only felt respect. She was engaging even in her rage. I wanted to kiss her for those long lashes, her pout of lips, and the way she pursed them together in irritation. I bent in to run my lips over hers.
She stiffened, then gradually her face softened.
With a tiny smile, I said, "I love you, sweetie."
She turned her back on him. "You say that, but you don't show evidence of it. You hardly want to pay attention to me."
"That isn't accurate." I simply sighed. "A child is what I want, Alessia." Our legacy will be carried on by whom? We cannot continually put this off."
"Why?" She looked at me, her eyes probing my own. "Three years is not particularly short. Is it not possible to wait? And why would one feel as though they are trying to replace me?"
"Change you?" My eyebrows squished together. "That is not at all possible. A surrogate is exactly what she is—that. She hardly ever will be in our life."
She stopped then let out a little breath. "You are not, therefore, replacing me? None of this will change us?"
"Never."
Her lips started to slant slightly. "Alright," she said in a whisper. "We will do it. I'll allow a surrogate."
"That's my female." Grinning, I adjusted her cheek and then let her fly.
I inhaled deeply and followed her toward the door to call the doctor back, but she reached for her bag.
"Leaving already?!"
She answered, "Yeah," with a little smile. "I have to get back into it. You phoned right in the middle of something significant."
I fluttered with disappointment in my chest. Oh.
She bent forward to quickly kiss my cheek. "Tell me when the doctor comes across a surrogate, okay?"
"Of course."
My heart sinking, I watched her go. Though she was committed to her work, I always wanted more time with her. And even if I detested it, I never would have asked her to give it up. That simply would drive her away.
Isabella:
I paced the living room, wrung my hands, my stomach turning with anxiety. Signora Lombardi would leave my mother's room with news just now. I prayed it was not terrible.
The door creaked open, and I hurried to her. "Signora Lombardi!" My voice wavered. "Is she making improvement?"
She slumped and shook her head. "Not sure, Isabella."
My heart sank. "What would you mean?"
"The only way is the heart transplant; I have told you before. Right now, the ventilators simply help her to survive. They are not meant to last indefinitely."
Tears blazing in my eyes, I murmured, "Oh, God." What am I meant to do? All she has is what I have. My voice cracked. "I am unable to lose her. Not following the loss of my sister and father. I am not going to
survive it."
"Don't give up, dear." She laid a hand on my arm. "Always there is a way. You simply have to get the money raised."
I laughed a little bit, broken. "How? How am I expected to have two and a half million dollars in less than a month? Not one regular job pays that much!"
She sighed, with a sympathetic look. "I understand it's rather extensive. And... there is more."
Horrible claws tore at my chest. "WHAT?"
She faltered. "Her situation has gotten worse. Right now, her left lung is under influence from her heart. Surgeons now get paid more for their work."
My knees buckled, and then I dropped to the floor. "No, not at all!" My sobs tore at my body. "I am destined to be bad. I am unable to do this. I'm unable—"
She got me upright and swept away my tears. "There is nothing more important than us. You will find it. You must."
She then disappeared, leaving my hopelessness behind.
I gripped my chest, and tears poured down my face. Was this it? Would I lose my mother exactly as I lost everyone else? Would I wind up entirely by myself in the world?
Sofia was correct. I had to go through it. That was the only quick approach to acquiring that kind of money.
I took a long, shaky but determined, deep breath. If others could have done it before, so could I. I simply had to make sure nobody ever found out.