The Mafia's Babies by Kaycee Romano (howl and other poems txt) 📗

Dr. Johnson's Phone

"But Mommy, we never go to the beach anymore!" Kiara whined as she curled up on her mother's lap, tugging at her shirt sleeve.

"Because it's so crowded in the weekends baby and I told you right, Grandma said no outings for a while." River tried to pacify her. Susan had taken up the case as a favor to the guy because he had helped her out when she was starting out in a world where women were looked down on. But she knew the consequences of helping him out, so she had to take her precautions.

Susan hadn't hidden her worries from her daughter. She knew that River could take it but she told her mother-in-law and everyone else that this was because of the media lurking around.

"At least to Uncle Sebby's house?" She asked, pouting.

River almost gave in when Lucas said. "Wow Ki, that's very disrespectful to Auntie Jackie. She's here and you are not even playing with her."

The doctor raised a brow as she watched Kiara jump off from her lap and charge at Jacqueline who gave her best friend an amused look before welcoming Kiara into her arms, Lucas joining them.

Lucas really was mature beyond his age. And he was also much of an indoor person. Even Kiara was trying to adjust to the new pattern but it was a Saturday and they had nothing to do so she had reached her limit.

"Let's play Zenga!" Lilith exclaimed out of nowhere, wheeling into the room with the Zenga set on her nap.

"YES!!!" The kids chorused excitedly.

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"All the major organs are functioning normally. He just has a bit of trouble breathing and digesting food so we are putting him on a nutrient drip and oxygen supply. He will be fine." The nurse assured Michelia before checking all her vitals and leaving them.

"I am so sorry Lia." Mateo said, squeezing her hand. "This was all my fault."

"Shut up, will you? We are all safe and that's all that matters!" Michelia replied, though he could see the pain of being separated from her son in her eyes.

Suddenly the door banged open and Mateo spun swiftly on his heels, taking his revolver out.

It was just Leonardo.

"Took you long enough." Michelia smiled.

"You okay?" He had tears in his eyes.

"Capo to the Italian Mafia and you are crying?" She chuckled.

The two Capos rolled their eyes before Mateo gave him a nod and side-hug before leaving the room, letting the couple have some privacy.

"Cugino?"

[Cugino - cousin]

Mateo turned around to look at his cousin, who had his arms around his wife.

"Don't beat yourself up for this. It wasn't your fault."

He nodded again and walked out.

'But it was my fault. If I had went to the conference in Italy instead of Leonardo, he and Michelia would have still been in Chicago, and safe.' Mateo thought to himself as he made his way to the cafeteria.

"Mr. Adesso?" He looked up to see a nurse grinning like a Cheshire cat at him. She looked familiar but he couldn't remember from where.

"Yes?"

"I am Bianca. I was assigned to you last year." She said hopefully.

He nodded. He remembered the other brunette due to whom he still remembered Bianca and wondered if he could see her again.

"What brings you here?"

"My cousin had a baby."

"Oh, convey my regards."

He nodded again. He was too tired to even be mad. He had stayed awake all day yesterday and today. And it was past six. The adrenaline rush had passed. And he was beyond exhausted. He needed sleep.

"Where's Dr. Johnson?"

The two turned to look at a disheveled man around Mateo's age, his face etched with worry and his eyes sagging with lack of sleep. Mateo guessed he probably looked the same.

"She won't be back until tomorrow afternoon." Bianca smiled warmly. Was she always this nice? "Unless there's an emergency."

"Can I have her number?" He asked.

"No we can't do that-"

"I can call her for you." Mateo butted in, regretting it instantly. The exhaustion was messing with his head. And the man looked desperate. And seeing her after a whole year, he was desperate to hear her voice too.

"You can?" Both of them looked at him, dumbfounded.

"If she still uses the same number." He pulled out the phone from his pant pocket and dialed the number.

It rung four times before someone answered.

"Hello?" Said a small sweet voice. Mateo's breath hitched in his throat. "Dr. Johnson's phone." She continued.

"Can I speak to her?" He asked slowly. This must be her daughter.

"Mommy, a mister wants to speak to you!" He heard her yell and the sound of her running. Her voice was so melodious that it rung in his head as his brain etched it in his memory.

"Hello, Mr. Adesso?" River spoke after a few mumbles.

"Hi, someone wants to speak to you."

"Willow Jensen's father." He said and Mateo conveyed it to her.

"Yeah, hand him the phone."

The man moved a bit away and spoke to her.

"I didn't know you and Dr. Johnson were close." Bianca spoke up and he could see the evil glint in her eyes. Oh great, drama!

"My sister saved her number, just in case." Mateo shrugged, though Alessia had never seen River in her life.

She just nodded and walked away.

"Thanks." The man returned, passing him his phone.

Mateo nodded and resumed his task of getting food.

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"So.. You and Mateo huh?" Jacqueline appeared out of nowhere, giving her best friend a teasing grin.

Now where the hell did she hear that from?

"Who?"

"You know, the hot Italian with the-"

"No, I mean who is gossiping?" River cut her off, ticking stuff off on her phone. A few more hours left and she could go home.

"Make a wild guess." She chuckled.

Oh she was enjoying this, wasn't she?

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