I held her hand firmly against my chest, right over my wildly beating heart. “I’m in pain too, Angel,” I said quietly. “Every time I see you in pain, it hurts.”
Her hand paused over my cheek. “I…don’t want you to…hurt. I don’t like it.”
I held her tighter, sadness so thick in my chest I could barely breathe. My heart ached at her words and the sorrow in her voice.
This woman. I shook my head. She was hurt and in pain, yet she was worried for me.
“Alessio,” she murmured. My lungs squeezed at the sound of my name.
“Do you know how much I love hearing my name from your lips?” I said to her. I would never grow tired of hearing Ayla say my name.
She hummed against my neck. “I remember your name. And…your eyes.”
My lips tilted in a small smile. She actually remembered me. “Say my name again,” I begged softly.
“Alessio,” she whispered. I felt her smile without even seeing it. My own smile widened, my chest finally feeling lighter. Placing a kiss on her forehead, I stood up with Ayla in my arms.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, holding on to me as I carried us back to our room. Just when I was about to place Ayla on the bed, I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I called out, already knowing who it was. Ayla settled on the bed and looked over my shoulder. A half-smile curved her lips, and her face softened.
“Ah, there is my girl,” Lena said, stopping beside the bed. She pushed me away and sat down beside Ayla.
Lena placed a small bowl of warm coconut oil on the nightstand. “Are you ready for your massage?” she asked with a wink.
Ayla nodded enthusiastically. She looked up at me, a beautiful smile playing across her lips. Her cheeks were slightly flushed with giddy excitement. She looked…happy. A little shy, but at peace.
“Here,” Lena said, adjusting the pillow and helping Ayla recline back. Ayla pulled her dress up until her rounded stomach was bare. Her hands went to the bump, and she caressed it softly.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. With her black hair spread across the pillow, her cheeks pink, and her green eyes twinkling, she looked like an Angel. She was glowing.
“I loved having my belly rubbed when I was pregnant with Maddie,” Lena said, her voice snapping me out of my thoughts. She took some oil in her hand and brought it to Ayla’s stomach.
Lena had been doing that for a few nights now. And it was something Ayla excitedly waited for. I could see it was how Lena and her bonded again.
I watched Ayla stare at her stomach as Lena rubbed the warm coconut oil over the roundness. I saw the bump move under Lena’s touch.
“Ah, she is dancing in there,” Lena laughed. “Such a happy baby.”
Lena continued to gently massage Ayla’s stomach. “You have a beautiful pregnant belly. But you see how your skin is stretched tight?”
Ayla nodded, waiting for Lena to continue. “The coconut oil will smooth out your tight belly. This way you won’t feel too uncomfortable. And it soothes itching skin too.”
Ayla nodded again. She bit on her lips, suddenly looking nervous. Her eyes went up to meet mine before quickly moving back to Lena’s. “It feels good,” she whispered.
Lena paused, her lips parting in surprise. It was the first time Ayla spoke to her. From where I was standing, I saw tears forming in her eyes, and she looked down at Ayla’s stomach.
“I’m glad,” Lena replied, her voice a little hoarse. I took a few steps back, giving them privacy. This was their moment.
Lena talked mindlessly. And Ayla, she listened attentively, taking every word in.
After massaging the baby bump and Ayla’s back, Lena pulled the comforter over her.
Ayla was almost asleep. Her eyes were drooping, her breathing evening out. A small contented smile was still on her lips.
Lena came to stand in front of me. She patted my cheeks. “Keep doing what you’re doing. She…spoke to me after so long. And I know, if it wasn’t for you fighting to bring her back, she would have never taken that step. It’s all you.”
My chest grew tight at her words. My eyes moved to Ayla’s sleeping form, and I could almost feel my heart stutter.
“She’s been through hell. But you give her so much love, all the love you can give, so it’ll erase her pain and suffering. Don’t stop loving her,” Lena whispered before leaving.
She closed the door, leaving me alone with her words ringing through my ears.
She has been through hell.
I pinched my eyes closed at the reminder.
My beautiful Angel.
I dug my hand into my hair. I was the cause of her pain and suffering. If I had protected her, this wouldn’t have happened. I fucking failed her.