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And now, here at Nonna's bedside, my heart feels heavy as I look at her fragile form. She's still the feisty Italian grandmother I've always known and loved, but seeing her vulnerable like this breaks my heart.
I take Nonna's hand in mine, and she squeezes it weakly.
"Nonna...you're awake." My voice cracks.
"Of course I'm awake, mia cara." Her voice is hoarse but steady. She blinks, her brown eyes crinkling in the corners. "What do you take me for? A sleeping beauty?"
I smile through suddenly hazy eyes. "You always were."
She pats my hand weakly. "Oh no. No crying now. You'll make an old woman thirsty. Hell, I'm thirsty enough already."
"I'll get you some water." I quickly grab a cup from the bedside table and help her drink.
We sit in silence for a few moments before I finally find the composure to speak again.
"Nonna, what happened?"
She looks up at me with a playful twinkle in her eye. "I was trying to show off my salsa moves and slipped on a tomato."
I can't help but laugh through my tears. Classic Nonna Chiara.
But then she turns serious. "I'm sorry for scaring you, mia cara. But it's good to see you here by my side." She looks over my shoulder, eyes scanning the door behind me. "Where's Gio?"
"He's just outside. In the waiting room. He wanted to give us some time alone."
"Good. And Jacob?"
"How did you know that Jacob's here?"
"Because he adores the ground I walk—or should I say, dance—on." Nonna winks at me and I can't help but roll my eyes. "And he's here because you're here." She looks at me steadily, her eyes seeing more than she lets on. "I'm sorry for putting you in this situation, mia cara. But I'm glad he's here for you."
"Me too, Nonna. Me too."
I don't say the rest of what I'm thinking to her; that I'm glad Jacob's here now because he won't be around soon. That I had made rules with him about our fake relationship for a reason. That despite my growing feelings for him, I know it can't last.
And Nonna fills the silence anyway, smiling up at me.
"You know, this fall wasn't so bad after all," she says. "It made me realize how lucky I am to have such wonderful people around me."
I feel another wave of tears coming on and I try to blink them away. "We're the lucky ones, Nonna."
She pats my hand again. "Of course you are. Look at me, I'm a treasure." She chuckles but then her face turns serious. "But seriously, thank you for being here, mia cara. It means everything to me."
I squeeze her hand and kiss her forehead gently.
"Always, Nonna."
"That's what I like to hear. Now...will the two of you do me a favor? Will you go to my house and try to get that kitchen of mine in working order? After the fall I took, I'm not sure when I'll be able to cook for all of you again. Let alone run the damn pasta sauce company." She sighs and shakes her head. "I can't have my kitchen just sitting there, unused."
I nod, knowing that she'll never fully retire from her beloved pasta sauce business. "Of course, Nonna. Consider it done."
"Good. And bring Jacob's lasagna recipe with you. It's about time he teaches me how to make it."
"Will do, Nonna."
"Great. Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"T-tomorrow? You want me and Jacob to go to your house right now?"
