Page 48 of Taking His Heart

“Sorry.” I’m not, and the wide smile on my face tells her as much.

“Don’t be. I’ve finally got a brother I like,” Rosie says as she hugs me.

“Rosie, you’re not even the slightest bit funny,” Aurelio tells her. “You.” He points at me. “Should have called me. You got hitched without me, Daniella? Congrats.” My brother pulls me in and kisses the top of my head. Straightening, Aurelio then glares at CJ. “If you hurt her, I will kill you.”

“Aurelio, stop,” I groan.

“I’m serious,” my brother says.

“Noted.” CJ grips my hand tighter and I turn to look at him. “You okay?” he asks.

“Me? I’m not the one with an infection. You all need to get out. My husband needs to sleep.”

“Ugh, that really does not suit you.” My brother shakes his head and slinks back through the door into the hallway. Rosie stands and follows after him. But then my mum knocks on the frame. The polite one of the family.

“Come in,” I tell her.

“How are you feeling?” she asks CJ.

“Good. How are you?”

“Well, my daughter got married without a white dress or her father to walk her down the aisle. So I’m great,” Mum tells him sarcastically.

“Sorry, Mrs. De Bellis.”

“Don’t be. She wouldn’t have gone through with it if it wasn’t what she wanted.” Mum walks over to my side of the bed. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good.”

She stares at me. “Really? Is that why you look like you want to cry?”

“I’m not going to cry,” I insist.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. Dad says he’ll throw us a big wedding,” I tell her.

“In Melbourne,” my mum clarifies. “Are you really okay?”

“I’m just tired,” I tell her.

“You should sleep, both of you.” Mum looks to CJ. “Aiden just got here. Your mother is heating up food for you.”

“Can you tell her to hold it for a bit please?”

“I will. Try to get some rest.” Mum stands and walks out.

“What’s wrong?” CJ asks as soon as we’re alone.

“I’m scared.”

“Of?”

“Myself. What’s going to happen when they all find out, CJ? What is your mother going to think? She already hates me. What’s she going to think when she finds out I can’t give her grandchildren?”

“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about us or our life, Dani. All that matters is you and me.”

“But I want your family to like me.”