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

"You left because of what you heard right?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

He nodded, pursing his lips. Guilty.

How the hell this woman made a Capo of the Sicilian Mafia feel like a kid who was going to get grounded was beyond anyone.

She blew out a breath before plastering another 'if looks could kill' glare on her face. "So this," She pointed at the dressed wound, "-could have been avoided if you had just communicated earlier?"

Mateo pouted. He couldn't argue on that one either.

"It's almost one in the morning. Get some sleep woman." He patted her pillow, giving her his sweetest smile.

"You know I am immune to cute shit." She rolled her eyes. "I happen to parent the cutest pair of children in the world."

"At least you admit I am cute." He smirked.

"I was never one to disagree with facts." She said as she turned the lights off.

"Night River."

"Night Mateo. And don't think this conversation is over." She replied.

Mateo mock-saluted her yet again but he doubted she saw it in the dark.

.

.

.

Mateo blew breaths in and out as he stared at the ceiling. It was four in the morning and no matter how much he tried, he couldn't go back to sleep.

He snapped his eyes shut again, summoning his exhaustion to take over and suppress the stupid need.

He opened his eyes again, wriggling uncomfortably.

He needed to pee!!

"River.." He called out to her.

"What?" She almost gave him a heart attack as she started awake, already sitting up.

Mateo was stumped and guilt-ridden thinking that it was all the stress and fear that was doing this to her.

She turned on the light and turned to him. Her eyes were wide but it softened when she looked at the expression on his face. "It's not your fault, and it's not because I am scared. Most doctors are like this. It's an occupational hazard in my profession."

He nodded. River was not one to lie about how she felt. She was always clear about and she always handled everything. She was not afraid to show her fear or sadness because she was way too strong. So of course, he believed her when she said that.

"You okay?" She asked, rubbing her palms to her face. "Your analgesic should be working for another three hours." She said, checking the time.

"I need to use the bathroom." Mateo said, biting his lip. "But my right leg is numb. I can't move."

He knew it was nothing to be embarrassed about but he felt pathetic and even more so since he had to get help from her who had no obligation to.

She just nodded and got off the bed and walked over to his side, lifting his leg up and shaking it to relieve the numbness and then helping him to his feet. She handed him the crutch and walked with him, opening the bathroom door for him.

"I can do the rest myself." Mateo stopped her when she was about to enter the bathroom.

She turned to him and gave him a look. "I know. I was just going to put the seat up because you would have to bend down for that."

Mateo nodded as she walked in. Right, he had to put the seat up every time now that he was sharing a bathroom with a woman.

.

.

.

A sudden jolt of pain to his abdomen woke Mateo up from his sleep. His eyes snapped open. It took a moment for him to register his surroundings and realize that he was in the guest room and not the ICU anymore. And then he realized that this early morning torture was the outcome of him turning in his sleep.

And then he realized that it wasn't early morning. In fact, he checked the time on his phone to realize that it was afternoon.

He wondered why he had slept so long. He felt fine the last night.

Mateo had a text. He had several texts but he had a message from River which was the only one he was in the mood to open and it said,

Call me when you wake up. Do not try to get up.!!!

Mateo rolled his eyes. One month away from work and the woman was going ballistic over the one patient she got.

Mateo tried to get up and groaned.

He wondered if she couldn't have just said, 'You can't get up so don't even bother.'

He dialed her number and waited for her to pick up.

"Coming." She said and hung up before he could even say a word.

She was indeed crazy.

"Hello my dear husband!" She exclaimed as she walked in.

'Husband? I could get used to that.' Mateo couldn't help the grin that made its way to his face.

"Someone's in a good mood." He commented as he held his arm out so that she could help him up.

"Well I defeated Adam today at the shooting range so.." She shrugged.

"Stop boasting. Sheesh." Adam walked in, looking grumpy. "Everyone know I let you win on purpose!"

Mateo smiled proudly at River who returned it with a breathtaking grin.

"Come on." She turned to the bathroom door.

"Ahhh.. I think Adam should help me." Mateo cleared his throat, feeling really embarrassed.

"No thank you!" Adam scrunched up his face while River gave him a confused look. "I don't want to see your teeny-weeny."

Mateo gave him a disbelieved look while River burst out laughing. He turned to her and raised a brow. "Really? Is it 'teeny-weeny', River? You should know." He smirked at her.

She bit her lips and cleared her throat. "I am not going to answer that."

Mateo's smirk widened as he stepped closer to her. "I thought you weren't one to disagree with facts."

Her face scrunched up as she tried to stop herself from smiling.

"Eww gross. Get a room!" Adam spoke up.

River and Mateo turned to give him an 'Are you for real?' look.

"This is our room, you idiot!" Mateo said, rolling his eyes.

Adam and River looked at each other and shrugged. They did not understand what he had said.