Chapter 49

**Annika…**

“Alright guys. Tomorrow is school day. Time for bed.” I said as I looked at the time. We already had dinner, and the kids had their baths. The only thing left was for them to go to bed.

“Can we watch one more movie?” Romeo asked and I shook my head.

“No, Mr., it’s a school night. You know the rules. Now march upstairs and get to bed.” He groaned but luckily listened.

“Catarina, you, and Enzo as well. Now come.”

The older kids followed me and Enzo up the stairs. “Goodnight guys. See you bright and early tomorrow.” I smiled.

“I can't wait to be grown up,” Romeo groaned, opening his door.

“Yeah, until you realize how many responsibilities a grownup actually has.” I laughed. Funny how children always say that until they are grown up and then they wish they were children again.

“Good night, Annika,” Catarina said, closing her door.

"Okay, buddy, now we need to get you to bed.” I took his hand and made my way to his room.

“Up you go,” I smiled as he climbed on his bed.

“Do you want me to read to you?” I asked.

“Yes, please.” He grabbed his favorite book and I opened the book.

Half way through, I saw him asleep and smiled. “Good night, buddy.” I whispered and gave him a kiss on the head.

I went back downstairs and cleaned the living room where we had a movie day since it’s getting colder outside. Once I was done cleaning, I went to the kitchen to make myself a cappuccino. I wonder where Raffaela and the others are. It’s already ten and they aren’t home yet. I looked at my phone to check if I had received any messages yet but nothing.

They are probably still busy, since they always come home around this time. I decided to stay up a while longer to wait for Raffaela. I went to the living room and switched the TV back on. I might as well sit here and watch a movie while I wait.

I woke up feeling cold and noticed that I was still in the living room. The movie I had watched was long overdue. I looked at the time and saw that it was past three in the morning and that there was a message from Thea. She texted me an hour ago and asked if Raffaela was home yet.

I frowned as I looked around. I don’t think they are back yet, because Raffaela would have woken me up if he saw me sleeping here.

I dialed Anthea and after the second ring, she picked up. “Annika, are they home yet?” she asked.

“No, I thought they would be home by now. I stayed up waiting for them, but I fell asleep on the couch. Have you heard anything from Flavio yet?” I asked, and now I was getting worried. They never stayed out this late before.

“I tried calling but he wasn’t picking up. I’m starting to get really worried. Flavio said that he would come by tonight but he never showed up, and this morning, when he called me, he told me that he loved me. Something felt off but I thought it must be from the incident that happened with Enzo that still has everyone on edge.”

“I also got a bad feeling when Raffaela greeted us this morning. It’s as if he was saying goodbye. Look, I will call you back as soon as I get answers. I’m going to try calling Raffaela.”

“Thank you.”

I hung up and immediately dialed Raffaela’s number but it went straight to voice mail. Now I am starting to worry. Why would he switch off his phone? He never does this. I called Flavio but he didn’t answer. I tried again a few times and still got no answer.

“Why the hell do you have a fucking phone?” I groaned in frustration.

Chiara! Maybe she will tell me what's going on. I called her and the same thing happened. “Answer your goddamn phone!” I yelled and the fourth time I tried calling her, she picked up.

"Chiara, what is going on? Where are Raffaela and the others?” I asked.

“What?”

“Don’t you what me. It’s three in the morning, Raffaela isn’t home yet, and no one is answering their damn phones when I call. So tell me, What the hell is going on?” I asked, getting frustrated.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied but I could tell she was lying.

“Chiara, don’t lie to me. You sound stressed and on the verge of crying so tell me what the hell is going on.” I pleaded.

“Annika-”

"Chiara, tell me.” I cut her off.

“”It’s Raffaela.”

“What? What happened? Where is he? Is he alright?” I asked in one breath.

“Oh, Annika. I don’t know how to tell you this,” she sighed.

"What, Chiara, tell me what?”

“We are at the warehouse. I will let Flavio explain to you,” she said.

I heard the two of them arguing when I finally heard, “Annika.”

“Flavio, tell me what happened. Where is Raffaela?”

“We are still at the warehouse, as Chiara told you,” Flavio said.

I rolled my eyes. “You already told me, Where is Raffaela? I want to talk to him. It’s three in the morning and you guys are still there.”

“Annika, the mission. Something went wrong. We were searching for Tony when Raffaela asked me to take our men to safety. He told me there was a bomb, and once I had everyone out like Raffaela told me to do, I went back to find him when there was an explosion. He, um, he was still inside when it happened. He was, and he is still buried under a lot of rubbish. I could only see his face, Annika.” I hear him say:.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I heard him say those words, “No, god, no! Tell me this is a joke; please tell me you are joking, Flavio,” I screamed as a sob ripped through my body.

“I wish I was Annika.”

I tried to control my tears, as I wanted to know if he was still alive.

“Will he be, um, will he be alright?” 

“He will be. The doctor is here as we speak. They just got him out. He is unconscious.” He told me.

“I want to see him.” I said this as I got up from the couch.

“I don’t think that is a good idea, Annika. Stay with the children.”

“Please Flavio. I need to see him. I need to see if he is going to be alright.” I begged.

“Annika, I wish I could tell you yes, but I can’t. I can only promise you that he will be alright. I will keep you up to date as soon as I hear more. In the meantime, try to stay calm. I know you are worried about him; we all are but there is nothing you can do now.”

I knew he was right. I can't leave the children alone at home. I needed to be here for them. “Okay, but promise me you will let me know when there are any changes.” 

“I promise I will.” He hung up and I sat back down, putting my head in my hands. "Please, God, protect him. I can’t lose him.” I cried.

“Annika?” I hear Catarina calling my name. I quickly wiped my tears and looked over my shoulder, seeing her and her brothers standing there.

“What are you guys doing out of bed?” I asked.

“We heard you screaming and I thought there was something wrong with Enzo so I ran to his room to check on him,” Catarina replied.

They walked closer to me and said, “What is going on? Why are you crying?” she asked.

How do I explain to the children that their father is fighting for his life?

“Um, I was watching a movie. I’m sorry I woke you guys.” I tried to lie but Romeo and Catarina knew I was lying.

“Where is my father?” Romeo asked.

“He, um, he is still at his warehouse. Something came up that needed his attention.”

Romeo raised an eyebrow and said, “Really? That’s the best excuse you can come up with.”

I swallowed hard as I looked between the children. “I will explain everything to you but let’s get Enzo back to bed first.”

“I’m not tired,” Enzo objects but I shake my head.

“Oh, no, mister. You need to sleep.” I say standing up. 

“Come, let’s take you to bed.”

“Can I sleep with you?” he asked.

“Fine.”

“I will be right back,” I whispered to the older kids as I took Enzo up to my room. I opened the bed and helped him get under the covers.

“Will Daddy be alright?” he asked as he snuggled closer to me.

“Of course he will be alright. He is still working and should be home later.” I didn’t want him to know what had happened until we knew that Raffaela would be alright.

“Promise?” he asked.

“I promise, buddy. Now close your eyes and sleep.” I hold him close to me and hope that Raffaela will come home safely. I can’t break my promise to Enzo. 

A few minutes later, Enzo was sleeping. I looked down at him and smiled. Now to talk to the older children.

I got up, making sure I didn't disturb Enzo. I made my way downstairs and noticed the kitchen light was on. I walked into the kitchen and saw them making coffee. “Here, I think you need this.” Catarina said as she handed me a mug.

“Thank you.” I took a seat on one of the chairs as the children looked at me.

“Are you going to tell us?” Romeo asked.

“Guys, I don’t know if I should. I mean, you are still children. You don't have to be worried.” I began but Romeo stopped me.

“Annika, our father had told us all about his business when we turned fourteen. We know what they do and that it can get dangerous sometimes. He made sure we were prepared for anything that could happen. So you can tell us.”

“Okay, Flavio told me that there was an explosion.” I told them exactly what Flavio told me and I could see the worry in their eyes. This was why I didn't want to tell them. They are still kids. They don't need to worry about things like this.

“Is he going to be alright?” Catarina asked, wiping her tears.

“I pray that he will be alright. Flavio will call me if there is any update.”

Romeo and Catarina were both in tears. I got up, walked over to them and took them in for a hug. “He is a strong man, guys. He won’t leave you. I know that he will fight to come back to you and Enzo. We need to believe. And most importantly, we need to be strong,” I whisper as tears roll down my face.

We stood like this for a while when I pulled away. “You should sleep; it’s late.”

They shook their heads and said, “No, I won't be able to sleep until I know my dad is going to be alright.” Catarina said and Romeo agreed.

"Guys, you have school tomorrow.” I tried, but I knew it was a lost case.

“I don't care. I won't go to school either. I want my father.”

I knew I couldn't convince them otherwise. “Okay, let's go and wait in the living room. Grab blankets. I will be right there.”

“What are we going to tell Enzo in the morning?” Catarina asked.

“I will tell him what happened once I know what is going on. In the meantime, I don't want you to say anything in front of him. I don’t want him to worry about this now.”

They nodded and went to the living room. I should probably call Thea and tell her what's going on. I completely forgot to call her back with everything that had happened since she last called me.

I knew this was going to be a long day as I took my phone from my pockets.