Chapter 15: Dom

One week. That is how long I have been home. I thought being out of the hospital would help my brain start to finally kick in, and I would get some type of feeling back in my legs, but there is still nothing, and its starting to get me frustrated.

Danil has been, well, kind and considerate. Really amazing, and I have, well, I have been a shit. I know that its not Danil's fault, I know that I shouldn't take it out on him, and yet I am. Danil keeps asking me why the police haven't come back to see me, and I lie. They came to see me soon after I woke up in the hospital, but I couldn't give them any details. I just remember hearing the sound of metal scraping and then nothing. They gave me their number and said if I remember anything to call them. But I don't want to remember anything about that day.

My nightmares are still plaguing me, but I haven't woken Danil up since that first time, and I haven't mentioned them to him. I know he would worry, and he doesn't need that on top of looking after me. They will pass, in time, I am sure of it.

"Afternoon," a voice sounds from behind me as the apartment door opens. Rory.

Rory has been, attentive is the only word I can think of, but there is this nagging voice in the back of my mind that says he's being too attentive. He seems different around me when we are here on our own compared to when it's the three of us, but he has been a great support for Danil, and I am not about to say anything to compromise that.

"Hey," I say over my shoulder to him.

Danil had a meeting in the office that he couldn't miss, even though he'd tried to get out of it. So he got me settled on the couch, made sure I had food and water within touching distance, and told me that Rory would pop over around lunch to check on me. I hadn't even really noticed the time. For the first time in years, I was actually reading books from start to finish. Normally, I would read a chapter before getting distracted by life and forgetting about it. Forced relaxation meant catching up.

"Do you need anything?" Rory asks, coming over to me. "Are you okay for the bathroom?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks."

Rory smiles, comes around to sit on the couch, and looks over at me.

"How was PT yesterday? Danil said they were pleased with your progress," Rory asks.

"Not sure how they can be pleased. I'm still in that damn chair and my legs aren't working. At the moment, they just seem to be doing exercises to make sure my muscles don't atrophy."

"Oh," comes his reply.

Sometimes I think he only asks out of politeness. That he isn't really interested in my recovery at all. But I could also be wrong, and I'm just projecting my own feelings of failure onto him.

"Yeah. I'm ready to get moving again."

"I can understand that, but there is no point rushing your recovery to only set yourself back," Rory replies, and I can see the logic in that.

We both fall into silence. I go back to reading my book and Rory pulls out his laptop, until we both jump to the sound of the apartment buzzer ringing. We turn to look at each other.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Rory asks, as he gets up and places his laptop in the seat he just moved from.

"Nope, not today anyway." With Matt and G working in the restaurant, they tend to come visit me late morning to early afternoon, so even if one of them did come to surprise me, it wouldn't be this late in the day. It could be Momma, but she likes to text first, she always wants to make sure that G and Matt won't be here.

Rory goes over to the security door phone, and I twist in my seat to watch him, as he picks up the handset and hesitantly says hello.

"Oh, okay, were on the second floor," Rory says before pushing the button to unlock the security door.

"Who was it?"

"Delivery. Did you order anything? Danil didn't let me know that anything was coming," Rory tells me, and hovers by the apartment door waiting for the knock, which comes a few minutes later. Turning, Rory opens the door, but with him standing there my view is blocked.

When Rory closes the door, he turns around and there is a huge bouquet of roses in his hand. They are stunning, but who on earth is going to be sending me roses? Unless its Danil being romantic, but I don't see him as the kind of guy who sends flowers.

"That is some bouquet," I say over to Rory. "Is there a card?"

"Yeah, let me just put them on the counter. There's an envelope here," Rory replies as he goes over to the kitchen and places them on the side and picks up a small white envelope. Coming back over to the couch, he picks up his laptop and sits back down before handing over the envelope. I twist it around in my hands, but its completely blank. No names on it at all. Carefully opening it, I pull it out and read the words Danil, love you always. What the hell?

"These aren't for me," I tell Rory, before handing him the card to read.

"Oh," is the only reply Rory gives me, but he doesn't seem that surprised.

"Do you know who they are from?" I ask

"No idea. Danil hasn't mentioned anyone to me."

Mentioned anyone to him? Why would Danil mention someone to Rory?

"Whoever it is, they don't know Danil very well," I tell him, as I watch him for clues. He knows more than he's letting on. Which wouldn't surprise me considering how close he is with Danil.

"Why do you say that?" Rory questions, flipping the card around like it's going to answer the question for him.

"These flowers, they arent from the family business," I explain.

"I didn't know Danil's family were into flowers," Rory says, and genuinely sounds surprised.

"Okay, family business might be pushing it," I say, as I think about the connection. "It's not Danil;s, but Frank's, Danils Papa. He works for our cousin Lorenzo, who owns a florist shop. Anyone who really knows Danil would go there."

"Not if they didn't want questions asked," comes Rory's reply.

"Sorry, I don't understand."

"Think about it, Dom. None of the family knows about you and Danil. Danil has only just come out to his Papa. Someone going to a business connected with the family would have them asking questions."

I really hadn't thought about it like that, but Rory is right. The way Danil spells his name is unique enough for Lorenzo to possibly question Frank on why someone was sending his son a dozen roses.

"Whoever sent these, must know Danil pretty well in that case," Rory adds, and I think he meant to say it under his breath so I wouldn't hear, but it was loud and very clear.

Twisting in my seat, I look over my shoulder to the flowers on the counter. They are beautiful, but they raise so many questions. I was in a coma for three weeks. I was sure during that time Danil was sitting at home just waiting for me. He couldn't come to the hospital and see me, so did he maybe seek comfort with someone else, and what would I do if he did?

There is no way that I'm going to be able to continue to stay here, but how do I explain my need to leave to my family? Coming here had been the best option. It was, as far as they were concerned, the neutral zone. I cannot suddenly say Danil cheated on me while I was in a coma. That would out us both.

"Dom. I'm sure that it's nothing," Rory says.

"What?" I ask, looking back over to him.

"The flowers," Rory answers. "I am just saying that I'm sure it's nothing."

I want to believe him; I really do, but something in my gut is telling me that something is going on. The only person who is going to be able to give me answers to this is Danil, and he's not going to be home for hours.

"Have the police been to see you yet?" Rory asks, looking up from his laptop.

"Yeah, they came to see me in the hospital, but I don't remember anything about the accident, so I'm not much use to them. I must admit, it seems odd that I haven't heard from them since. I'm guessing they will only contact me when they have something."

"You don't remember anything at all?" Rory asks.

"Nope, nothing. And I want to keep it that way, so maybe we can change the subject?"

I know talking about what happened would be good for me, and I know that Rory would listen, but I really don't want to think about that day, let alone talk about it. What if talking triggers memories, memories that I don't want.

"Yeah sorry, I didn't think," Rory says and turns back to his laptop, but I could swear I could see a slight smile on his face. Today is becoming a very confusing day, and also very draining.

"Rory, any chance you can help me to the bedroom? I suddenly feel really tired," I ask him.

"Yeah, of course."

Getting up from the couch, he places his laptop back down before moving my wheelchair next to me and helping me into it. He pushes me into the bedroom and I put my cell on the bedside table before Rory helps me onto the bed. I prefer to nap fully clothed when he is here. When I am settled, he covers me with a blanket and slowly leaves the room.

Voices coming from the living room wake me up. I must have been tired, as it looks like I have slept the afternoon away.

"He is sleeping," comes Rory's voice. "Has been all afternoon. I didn't want to leave in case he needed me."

"Thanks, Rory. I will take it from here," comes Danil's reply. "I'll text you later."

A few moments later I hear the door open and Danil gingerly walks into the room.

"Hey," I say to him, making him jump.

"Rory said you were sleeping."

"I was, but heard your voice," I tell him honestly. "But I need to get up anyway. Could use the bathroom."

Throwing off the blanket, I move my legs so they are over the edge of the bed, and pull my wheelchair closer.

"I got you," Danil says, taking the two steps over to me and picking me up.

"You really need to stop carrying me around like this," even though I am already nestling into his chest.

"I like it."

Danil gets me settled in the bathroom. He never stays to watch, which I am eternally grateful for, he just hovers outside the door and comes in when I call him. Normally carrying me back to bed or the couch.

"Who sent you the flowers?" Danil asks, as he carries me back to the couch.

"No one. They're yours," I tell him flatly. "Card's over there." Spotting the envelope on the coffee table.

"Oh." And Danil at least looks surprised. Placing me on the couch, he walks over to the table and picks up the envelope before coming back over to the couch. Sitting down, he opens it and pulls out the card, and I watch him closely, looking for any tell-tale sign that he's been caught. But all I see are his eyebrows raising higher. "What the hell is this?"

Danil spins the card around, looking at the back, but its blank. His brows then crease in confusion.

"You don't know who these are from?" I ask.

"Not a clue."

"Old flame, maybe? Trying to get you back?" I venture.

"There are no old flames," Danil states, still looking at the card.

"Looks like someone is after you," I say, and there must be something in my tone because Danil's head snaps up and he looks at me.

"They can want all they want. I only want you," Danil states.

There is nothing but honesty on his face, but there's a voice in the back of my mind telling me that, while that might be true, it doesnt explain why someone is sending him flowers. Someone who knows him well enough to know his address.

"Did Rory make something for dinner?" I ask, wanting to change the subject from the flowers.

"You believe me, right?" is the reply from Danil.

And I pause for a moment, but it's a moment too long and Danil can see my hesitation.

"Jesus Christ, Dom! Do you think I'm cheating on you, or something?" Danil demands.

"I have no idea," I reply, trying and failing to keep the anger out of my voice. "But people don't send flowers for no reason."

"Dom, when the hell would I have had time to meet someone?"

"Maybe when I was in a coma for three weeks," I counter.

"So, you think that while my boyfriend lay in a coma, that no one is sure he is going to come out of, that I, what, went out and got laid?" Danil demands.

"I have no idea what to think. But are you seriously expecting me to believe that some random person sent you flowers? How the hell did they get your address?"

Danil just keeps staring at me. His mouth is open, but his eyes are aflame with anger, and I think hurt. But I am going to stand by my words at the moment. There's also the fact that Rory didn't really deny it either, but I decided to keep that little nugget of information to myself.

"I have no idea how they got my address, and the fact you don't believe me, well that hurts," Danil says, the anger seeping out of him being replaced with hurt, and I know that I have caused it, but I still don't take anything back. I just keep looking at him, almost waiting for him to confirm that he has been with someone else.

But Danil stays quiet, just staring at me, before getting up from his seat, picking up his keys and walking out of the apartment. Without even giving me a backward glance, something that he has never done. Even when we argued before my accident he never walked away. Shit, this is bad. Really bad.

Looking around, I try to find my cell, but its not with me, and then I remember that I put it on the bedside table when I went for a nap and its still there with my wheelchair. Danil hadn't brought it back into the room yet.

I am stuck. There is nothing that I can do. I could get onto the floor and pull myself into the bedroom. We practiced getting in and out of the wheelchair in physical therapy, in case I fell out, but in those instances, the chair was right beside me. The effort just to get into the room would exhaust me, let alone getting into the chair. I have no option but to stay here and wait for Danil. At least my book should be close by, but looking around its not on the couch either. Shit, Rory must have moved it when I went for my nap, but I cannot see it anywhere.

Shuffling down the couch, I decide to see if I can sleep. I don't really have many options. Adjusting the pillows behind my head, I close my eyes, hoping sleep will take me.

"Alessia!" I call out her name, but there is nothing.

Opening my eyes, there is nothing but darkness, try as I might I try to feel my way out, but I cannot move. The more I struggle, the harder it is for me to move.

"Alessia!" I call out again, but the silence remains. The darkness remains.

I try to scream, but no sound comes out of my mouth. The only name I can call out is Alessia's, and she isn't answering me. Why isn't she coming, why can't I move? I manage to free my arms, but they arent of any use. There is nothing for me to hold on to, nothing for me to push against. I am locked in the darkness.

With a thud I wake and look around. I'm on the floor. What the hell am I doing on the floor? Then I remember the conversation with Danil, him walking out. I must have fallen asleep on the couch and then my nightmare came crashing back. I couldn't help Alessia. I couldnt save her, and a sob wracks my chest. I don't understand why she was taken. Why did she have to die? Why was I saved, only to have to face this world without her? The one person who knew me better than I knew myself.

"Dom, what happened? Why are you on the floor?" Suddenly I'm in someones arms, Being held tight. Danil. I had been so lost in my pain that I hadn't heard him come in. I try to answer him, but all that comes out of my mouth is a sob.

"Dom, its okay, I'm here. I should never have left," Danil whispers, holding me tighter. "Please, why are you on the floor?"

"Nightmare," I tell him.

"Oh Dom," Danil states, and his hold on me gets tighter.

"Danil," I manage to get out between sobs. "Why Alessia?" I ask, even though I know it's a question that can never be answered.

"I don't know, sweetie," Danil says. "It sucks, it really does."

"I didn't even get to say goodbye." The sobs are coming harder now. Grief completely taking over. "I tried to call out to you, but you weren't there. Where were you?"

"I'm so sorry, I should never have left. I'm so sorry," Danil exclaims, and I can feel myself being rocked back and forth. "I should have stayed. Why didnt you call me?"

"Cell in bedroom," I manage to get out between sobs.

"And your wheelchair?" Danil asks.

"Bedroom," I tell him.

"I left it in the bedroom. Shit! Dom I am so sorry," Danil states. "Here, let me get you back up on the couch. Put your arms around me."

Danil lifts me back up onto the couch, but he maneuvers us so that he is sitting behind me, wrapping his arms around my chest, holding me tight. I feel as his lips connect with the side of my neck and l lean back into him. Lean back into his warmth, but right now I need more. The fight and nightmare are lingering in the back of my mind.

"Danil, help me forget," I ask him.

"How?" Danil asks, kissing my neck again.

"Can you take me to the bedroom?"

"Well, I do have an idea and I think it will help us both forget about everything," Danil says, as he places more kisses on my neck while squeezing me tighter.

"Will there be stars?" I ask, because at the moment stars are what I need more than anything.

"Oh, fuck I hope so," Danil states.

Danil shifts, and I instantly place my arms around his neck, and I have no idea how he does it, but in one movement Danil is up on his feet striding to the bedroom.