19: Finally she is Home

Lucca

It has been ten long hours since my angel was brought to the hospital. And it killed me to see her like that. Her soft, pale neck was covered with ugly hand marks, her eyes were swollen and bloodshot red from the strangulation and her face was so pale. She looked so fragile and weak lying there, and I couldn't do anything except hold her hand in mine.

"Lucca." I hear Ciro call my name from the end of the hallway. I glance to my right and lift my chin up in acknowledgement.

"Hey." I reply weakly as I take few step towards him.

Francesco was right behind Ciro and he was holding Eleanore's hand in a very possessively grip. I bet he was never letting her out of his reach now, losing her once was more than enough for him we all have seen his crazy side, not again.

"How's buttercup doing?? Is she awake?? Any pain?? When can we take her home??" Ciro bombarded me with so many questions all at once without taking a single break or giving me a chance to reply.

"She is doing much better now. Ms.Isa just came by to visit her. So I gave both of them some space to talk." I replied calmly and glanced at Francesco.

"Is Ms.Isa matter taken care?" Ms. Isa , Eleanore and my angels mother had no place to stay or no family to go back to. And according to Eleanore they didn't have anything on them, no money, or debit card, no id or passport and no even a cell phone. They weren't allowed to go out meet new people or make friends. They were always under Corbinano's watch 24/7. He kept them as prisoners and treated them both like trash.

So when we rescued them both from Corbinano's house last night I asked Francesco to take them to my home until my angel wakes up and to make them feel welcomed. And today morning Ms.Isa asked Francesco that she couldn't sleep the entire night thinking about Bella and how she was. So when I informed Francesco that my angel was awake. He suggested to let Ms.Isa visit her , so they could both have spend some time together and my angel might need her mother next to her after what she has been through.

"Yes, I have arranged Ms.Isa living arrangement and Eleanore will be staying with me." Francesco informs me as he wraps his thick muscular arm around Eleanore's tiny waist. She seemed shocked at first and then she tired to move away from him, but he didn't.

"Is buttercup going to stay with us too?" Ciro asked with gleam of excitement in his eyes and hope in his tone.

"No, she is going to stay with me. Not you or us. Me." I explained in an irritated tone. She was mine not anyone else and when have Ciro and my angel became close.

I know Ciro always made my angel feel welcomed and always supported our relationship from the start. But they both bickered 24/7 and then some more. they are like siblings who like the same thing and want it at the same time.

"It's all the same Lucca. Don't focus on the words, concentrate on the meaning." Ciro says with a playful smile on his face as he pats on my shoulder. I roll my eyes and decide to ignore him.

"Can I go in?" Eleanore asks me form next to Francesco, causing my attention to divert from Ciro to her. She had my angel's eye, those eye brown eyes but her were cold and empty. Not like my angel warm and filled with so much love and hope. Her face looked bare, pale and devoted of any expression. There was light yellow bruise mark on her right forehead, which she didn't even tired to cover with her long hair. Her hair's were tied up in a ponytail and they looked lifeless.

Eleanore quivered under my gaze and I wondered what Corbiniano had done to her. Not that I had meet Eleanore before . But she wasn't the girl from the photo he showed my angel at the cafe. In the family photo she had fancy clothes on and makeup to make her look pretty. But the girl standing next to my brother Francesco, seemed to be fighting a battle with herself.

I shifted my eyes to Francesco and said "Actually I think we should give them both some time and then we all can head in. And until then why don't we all eat breakfast." I said as I looked at Eleanore and she seemed more pale at the mere mention of eating.

"Yeah, El I think Lucca is right, we should give them some time until them you eat." Francesco says softly trying to be very careful with his tone.

"I will take care of the breakfast." Ciro volunteers in a cheerful tone. "You guys have thing in particular you like?" He asked politely but it was meant mainly for Eleanore. Ciro knows what Francesco and i usually have for breakfast because we alway eat together. But he had no idea what Eleanore preferred, so instead of making her more uncomfortable he asked us all.

"Get something soft for my angel, see if they have chicken soup or some porridge for her." I inform him and pull my phone out of my pocket to check on stuff.

"Got it, boss." Ciro said and then looked at Francesco and Eleanore "What about you guys?? coffee or anything?"

"No thank you, I am not hungry..."

"Get her a chicken sandwich with no tomatoes and a big cup of fresh orange juice." Francesco ordered to Ciro and when Eleanore tired to protest "You need to eat breakfast El, you didn't even have dinner properly." Francesco informs her in gentle but stern voice which left no space for argument. He seemed genuinely concerned for her wellbeing and I seriously couldn't blame him.

Eleanore silently drops her head down in defeat and let Francesco order. "Also get Lucca some egg sandwiches along with coffee." He added without even asking me.

I wasn't hungry and I just needed some coffee to wake me up. But it seemed like Francesco was on a mission to feed every single one of us.

"Okay got it, I will be back in ten." Ciro replied quickly and left the three of us in a awkward silence.

We remained quite for a moment, everyone in there own world, thinking about what happened last night before Eleanore said. "Lucca, thank you so much for saving my sister and us. I don't know what would have happened if you or Francesco was even a minute late." Her words send a quick sutter down my spike and closed my eyes.

"I was still late" I murmured under my breath, getting annoyed at the whole situation all over again.

"Lucca I bet you must be tired and Miss.Gabrielle's mom needs some time to talk to her. Why don't we give them space and wait in the waiting room." Francesco says and I hesitant, I was not going to leave my angel again. And I didn't need rest, I could get plenty of that when I am dead.

Francesco noticed my hesitation and adds "Lucca the entire floor is secured by our security and I double checked before coming, everything is in order. And the waiting room is right across Miss. Gabrielle's room, you can keep an eye on the door from there."

I hesitate for a second but I knew, the mother and daughter some time to talk and I should let them. They have been away from each other for so many years and they have so much talk. I nod in defeat as I sigh loudly and drag my foot to the waiting room which was right across my angel's room.

I open the waiting room door and hold it for both Francesco and Eleanore to enter. Then l leave it open and took the couch which gave me direct view to my angel's door. I might be a bit paranoid right now but the love of my life was just taken away from me and I was this close from losing her forever.

I sigh once again and relax back in the couch and wait for Ciro. He comeback within 10 minutes with two kitchen staff each one carrying a food trolley.

"The breakfast here ladies and gentlemen." Ciro chippered as he walked in front of the two kitchen staff and asked them to move the food to the table in front of us.

"Lucca this is for buttercup should I send them in with her food?" Ciro asked as he pointed towards a big bowl of soup and some chicken sandwiches and coffee.

"I think it's best if we don't disturb them now right now. Let them talk for sometime and then we can take breakfast to her." I replied as I glanced at my wrist watch. There was still an hour before my angel took her medication and I wanted her to eat something before that. But I knew they both need time and space and that's what I would give them.

"Okay, so why don't you take it back to the kitchen and bring it back when I call you." Ciro said as he moved from out of their way and let them leave after serving us.

I pour the hot coffee from the pot and relax back on the couch, while sipping on it quietly. I had so many things in my mind but the top priority was my angel's safety and that she was coming home with me. I needed to add two bodyguard on her 24/7, not that I would be out of my sight again, but still just in case. I was done taking chances with my angel.

"You need to eat Eleanore. Last night you just had soup." Francesco says in a firm tone from beside me as he hand back Eleanore the sandwich.

"I ate half of it Francesco. I don't think I need anymore." She replied while pushing back the sandwich gently.

He looked at her with heated gaze and then handed her the orange juice from the tray in front of them. "Fine, then finish the orange juice."

She took it from him and started drinking it slowly. Francesco kept his eyes fixed on her and grabbed the sandwich which Eleanore left and started to munch on it. I was still not able to understand their story but I won't ask, that wasn't my place or nature to put my nose in other people's business.

After an hour I ask Ciro to call the kitchen staff and get my angel's food delivered up, alone with some other food items for her mother. Then I knocked softly on my angel's hospital door, just in case she fell a sleep. My angel's soft but still abit raspy voice said coming.

I push the door open just a bit and peek my head inside. My angel was snuggled in the bed close to her mother and when her eye meet mine's she smiles softly. "Hey angel, you got some guest." Do you feel like meeting them?" I inform her softly.

"Bro move, we need to see her too." Ciro shouts from behind me in a teasing tone but I keep a tight hold on the door not letting anyone it. My eyes remain on her and I notice the exact moment they soften up and she laughs at Ciro words and her face brighten ups.

I reluctantly move, hating sharing her with anyone but I know miss them too and would like to talk to her sister too. The moment I push open the entire door open Ciro walks past me quickly and goes directly to my angel. He then embraces her in a tight hug. "You scared all of us buttercup." At first she looked shocked at his sudden action but his words cause her to relax and accept the hug.

I barely wait for two seconds before I grab Ciro shirt from the behind and pull him off my angel. "Get your own women, she is mine." I say with a hint of proudness and a lot of posessiveness in my tone. Then I move and wrap my arms around my angels shoulder and pull her closer to my middle. She laughs softly as she hides her flushed face against my chest. I gently run my hand over her head and the softly run my finger down her hair.

"Bro I was just welcoming her. No need to get all touchy here." Ciro says with a fake pout as he face and  places a hand over his chest acting all hurt and sad.

I just roll my eyes at his dramatic response and my angel just continues to giggle against my chest. I missed her laughter so much and I swear I would cherish each and single one of it from here on.

"I hope you are feeling better Miss.Gabrielle." Francesco says as he pushes Ciro out of the way. "And.." He adds but hesitates to continue "Thank you so much, I owe you one." He ends as he looks at Eleanore and then back at my angel.

My angel tilts her head back to acknowledge Francesco with a smile and then her eyes moves to Eleanore. She was standing next to Francesco and smiled sadly at my angel with tear filled eyes.

"I am so happy you are okay Bella." Eleanore says as she dips her chin down with shame? or embarrassment? I could tell.  "I am so sorry for what happened to you Bella. I am really sorry." she adds with a sob as she continues to avoid my angels eyes. Francesco hugs her from side and she moves closer to him.

My angel moves out of my arms and tires to stand from the bed and I quickly help her. She then takes a step closer to Eleanore and place a hand on her shoulder. "Eleanore please look at me." My angel says softly and waits patiently.

Eleanore hesitates for a second but look up at my angel. "You have nothing to be sorry about Eleanore you tried to warn me but I didn't I chose not to. I wasn't going to leave my mother and sister there all alone." Then my angel gently pull Eleanore from Francesco embrace and hug her.

They exchange stories back and forth for the next thirty minutes before the doctor and nurse come in for the rounds.The doctor informs us that all the results were normal and my angel is fit to be discharged in an hour. I ask him if he was sure and if he needed to keep her for one more night. I wanted my angel back at home but I didn't wanted to take her healthy lightly. She is my everything.

The doctor reassured me that it wasn't necessary. I nod reluctantly and tell Ciro to handle all the necessary paperwork and arrangement for the discharge. It took the hospital doctor just thirty minutes and he handed the discharge summary.

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"Welcome Home Buttercup" Ciro announced as he pops one of the party poppers.

"Thank you so much Ciro. This all so beautiful." My angel replies from beside me as she places her hand over her chest and admire all the work Ciro has done.

My house main entrance was completely covered with welcome home balloon and there was a large banner in the middle, it read 'Welcome Home Buttercup'. I wanted to roll my eyes at Ciro playful ness but when I saw how touched my angel was with everything, I patted him on his back and thanked him.

"Thank you so much Ciro, you always make my angel feel like this is her home."

"No problem bro, I got your back." He says as he moves in front of us and yell "Guys c'mon the lunch is ready." At this we all laugh and follow him.

We all eat the lunch together with my angel sitting right next to me and Ciro next to her. Francesco was sitting with Eleanore on my left and next to them was Ms.Isa, Eleanore and my angel's mother. It felt different but at the same time it felt complete, I felt complete.