BAMBINO

The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to hum in sync with Adriana's racing heart as she sat stiffly in the clinic's waiting room. The antiseptic scent that filled the air was familiar, yet it still made her stomach turn. Her fingers gripped the crumpled patient form in her lap, and the words "gestational period: 12 weeks" stared back at her like a harsh reality check. Her phone buzzed violently in her Gucci handbag, making her jump. The sudden vibration was startling in the quiet waiting area, and she could feel the nurse's disapproving look on her. Adriana tried to open the bag, her manicured nails caught on the gold hard material that was on the bag's clasp. When she finally pulled out her phone, the caller ID indicated it was not a saved contact. An Unknown Caller. Her thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating. These days, unidentified calls usually meant trouble - her father's men checking in or Isabella and her associates with another stern warning. The phone vibrated again as if it could sense her hesitation. "Pronto?" (Hello) she answered cautiously, keeping her voice low. "Cuore mio." (My heart) That voice. That beautiful, rough-around-the-edges voice she'd feared she might never hear again. Marco's words washed over her like warm sunlight breaking through storm clouds. With her free hand, she covered her mouth, stifling the sob that wanted to escape. The waiting room, the clinic, the entire world blurred around the edges as her universe narrowed to that single voice on the phone. "Mio Amore," she finally managed to answer. And in that moment, multiple emotions came crashing down. Relief, longing, fear - all tangled together in her chest. "Dio, how I've missed you. These few days...I understand everything so clearly now." On the other end, Marco's breath was rapid. "I've missed you more than life itself, cuore mio. Where are you? Tell me it's safe to come to you." 'I'm at the Sant'Elena clinic, would you come to see me here?" The line went silent for a bit too long. Adriana's grip tightened around the phone, she was somewhat confused. "Sant'Elena?" Marco's voice dropped lower, rougher. 'Are you alone?" She glanced around the waiting room, the elderly woman flipping through a magazine, the young couple whispering to each other, and the nurse now typing loudly behind the reception desk. No one seemed to be paying her any attention. 'Yes," she breathed. 'For now." Another pause. At this point, she could practically hear his mind working, calculating risks. 'Don't move," he finally said. 'I'll be there in fifteen minutes. If anything changes…," 'I know," she interrupted softly. 'I will call you, my love." The line went dead. Adriana lowered the phone, her hands unsteady. The nurse called to her, "Signora, the doctor is ready for you" but she shook her head, and pointed to the young also waiting for the doctor, as she said, 'I need to wait for my husband," the lie smooth as silk. The nurse's lips dropped, but she said nothing. Adriana left the room and went to the hallway near the elevators, her back pressed against the cold wall. Every second crawled by. She checked her phone. Five minutes. Then ten. Had something happened? She couldn't help but think of the worst possible scenarios. The elevator bell rang, and she quickly lifted her head. The doors slid open and there he was. Marco looked like hell. His hair looked rough and dirty, his knuckles raw and bruised. A fresh cut spoiled his brow, the skin around it was very red. But his eyes, Dio, his eyes… locked onto hers with an intensity that stole her breath. She didn't remember moving, but suddenly she was across the hall, crashing into him. His arms wrapped around her, crushing her against his chest. His scent flooded her senses. 'You're really here," she whispered into his shoulder. He placed his hand on the back of her head, and with his fingers, he tangled in her hair. 'I told you I'd be okay." She pulled back just enough to get a proper view of his face, her thumb brushing the cut on his forehead. 'What did they do to you?" He caught her wrist, pressing a kiss to her palm. 'Nothing that matters now." His gaze dropped to her stomach, then back up, dark with unspoken questions. 'Why are you here?" he asked, scanning her for injuries. 'I umm…" she began slowly. I came to see the doctor." She answered frantically as she dipped her hand into her bag to retrieve something. Her hands shook as she handed the thing from her bag over to him; an ultrasound photo. 'Twelve weeks," she whispered. Marco froze. His eyes locked onto the image of their baby. For a moment, his tough exterior cracked, his knees wobbled, and he leaned against the wall. 'A baby," he breathed, voice breaking. He cupped her face, kissing her fiercely. 'Sei la mia vita, Adriana." (You're my life, Adriana) But joy faded as reality set in. His jaw tightened. 'No one can know. Not Luca. Not your father." Adriana nodded. 'We will try to keep it away from Luca now. But I don't think it will matter in the long run, Luca is getting married to Bianca… and my father knows already." She paused 'I suppose you k La he doesn't approve." Marco placed his hand gently on her stomach, his touch warm through her dress. 'I will protect you and the baby, with my life," he swore. The elevator dinged. A doctor walked past, and Marco instantly straightened, hiding the ultrasound in his pocket. His face turned cold again, but he kept hold of Adriana's hand. 'Come with me," he said. Let's go to the doctor, then we will leave here.