Chapter 50

**Annika…**

It’s been four weeks since the explosion. It's been four entire fucking weeks since I last heard Raffaela’s voice. It was four weeks ago that I last looked into his eyes. The children miss him and I could tell that it was affecting them to see their father like that.

Raffaela has been in a coma since that day. He still hasn't woken up yet. I wish there was something I could do to take the children's pain away. Enzo had been sleeping in his father’s room since they brought him here. He doesn’t want to leave his father’s side. The first week was rough with all three kids. They refused to go to school, giving me a hard time. I told them that they only get a week after that and that they will go to school, whether they like it or not.

Flavio and Thea had been helping me a lot, along with Chiara.

I still remember when they brought Raffaela home. I cried when I saw the bruises he had on him. He looked pale and on the verge of death. They made him comfortable in his room and to be honest, it’s hard to see him hooked up to machines and tubes. He didn’t look like a mafia don. He looked vulnerable. 

Flashback…

I woke up when I heard someone talking at the front door and looked around me. I noticed that we had fallen asleep in the living room. Romeo and Catarina were sleeping on one couch and I was on the other one. I sat up straight as I listened to the voices. It sounded like Flavio and someone else. I got up and ran to the door but stopped in my tracks when I saw them bringing Raffaela in on a hospital bed.

They haven't seen me yet as I make my way towards them. A loud gasp left my mouth when I saw Raffaela. He had a bandage around his head, and he had bruises on his face.

“Annika,” Flavio called my name.

I looked up at him and I noticed how tired he looked. He was covered in dust and his hair was messy.

“Flavio, is he alright?” I asked as I looked at Raffaela.

“I will explain everything to you. But first, we have to get him up to his room.'' He nodded his head towards a few men who started carrying Raffaela up to his room when a woman dressed in a white jacket walked past me. I looked at the stairs, wondering why they brought him here and not to the hospital. Shouldn’t he be in a hospital?

“Annika.” I hear Chiara’s voice. I turned to her and saw that she was crying.

“Oh, Ciara,” I said when I saw tears roll down her face.

I took her in my arms as I let her cry. “I thought I lost him,” she sobbed.

“He didn't respond when we called his name. When Flavio saw him buried under all that rubbish, I thought he was dead,” she cried. I just held on to her as tears rolled down my face. I knew it must have been hard on both of them to see their brother like that.

“He will be alright.” I soothed her.

“He has to. I can't lose him.”

We stayed like this for a few more seconds before we pulled away. "Come, I will make some coffee.”

I walked to the kitchen and prepared coffee for everyone. Flavio walked past the kitchen, followed by the same woman. “Thank you, doctor. We will call you if we need anything.” I hear him say:.

I heard the door closing and then footsteps. Flavio walked in and I handed him his coffee. “Thank you.”

“Pleasure. I will start with breakfast soon. I just want to go freshen up. Why don't the two of you go freshen up before breakfast?” I asked.

Although I wanted to know what the doctor said, I knew they were tired. I looked at the time and saw that it was past seven. “Um, I’m not sending the children to school today.” I told them what happened last night or rather, this morning.

“Alright, I will explain everything once they are awake.” Flavio says, placing his mug on the counter.

“I’m going to shower.”

I watched as he left, and soon Chiara also left. I decided to freshen up so I could start with breakfast. I quickly took a shower and when I came out of my bathroom, I noticed that Enzo was still sleeping. I put my hair in a bolla and walked out of the room.

I was just done with breakfast when the kids walked in. “Hey, you're just in time for breakfast.” I smiled as I grabbed plates.

They sat down on the chair and asked, “Are our fathers back yet?” Catarina asked.

I was just about to answer when Flavio walked in. “Yes, but I first need to talk to all of you,” he said.

"Flavio, is Daddy okay?”

Flavio nodded. “Yes, let's have breakfast, then I will explain everything.”

We had breakfast in silence. I didn’t really eat, as I was too nervous to eat anything. I wanted to know what was going on and why Raffaela was still unconscious.

Once we were finished, I looked at Flavio and said, “Okay, I think you should tell us now.”

He rubbed his face and looked at us. “Raffaela is in a coma,” he finally said.

Loud gasps were heard from the children and me. “What? How long will he be like that?” I asked.

“We don't know. The doctor said it could be a few days up to months. It all depends on him.”

“What happened to Daddy?” Catarina asked.

“The explosion caused the building to collapse on your father. He hit his head pretty hard from the impact. He has a few broken ribs and a punctured lung. He broke his leg and his arm. But the hit to the head is worse, as there is swelling and bleeding on his brain,” I hear Flavio say. What? No, this cannot be happening. 

“Why isn't he in the hospital?” I asked.

“We can't take that chance. Not with Tony still on the losing side. The doctor will check up on him on a regular basis. And Raffaela won't be happy if he wakes up in the hospital. We will take turns watching him.”

“Uncle Flavio!” I hear Enzo’s voice and look up.

“Where is Daddy?” he asked, walking up to Flavio.

“Enzo, buddy. Why don't you eat first?” I asked him.

He shook his head and said, “No, I want Daddy.”

I was just about to say something when Flavio stopped me. “It’s alright. I will talk to him.” He stood up and took Enzo’s hand. 

“Let’s go for a walk.” I watched as the two of them left and turned to the others. ”You two should get dressed,” I say as I stand up. I cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen. Once I was done, Enzo ran up to me and hugged my legs.

“Hey buddy, Are you okay?” I asked, bending down.

He shook his head and said, “No, I want to see Daddy.”

“Okay, why don't you eat? Then I will take you to him.” I suggested.

“Promise?” he asked.

“I promise. Now come, I will get you your food.”

I waited for him to finish so I could take him to Raffaela when the other two walked in. “Can we also see him?”

“Yes, let's wait for Enzo, then we can go.”

We walked up the stairs and stopped in front of Raffaela’s door. I look at Enzo and say, “Remember, your daddy is only sleeping.” I say.

I slowly opened the door and stepped inside, waiting for the children to come in. We walked over to his bed and when I saw all the tubes and masks on him, I started crying.

Oh Raffeala.

End of flashback...

“Annika.” I hear someone calling my name. I turned around and saw Thea standing there in the doorway.

“Thea, sorry I didn't hear you. Why are you here?” I ask, putting the last clothes away.

“I came to check up on you. I'm really worried.”

I shook my head. “I am alright, Thea. I'm sorry I have been quiet these past few weeks. It's just that I had a lot on my plate.”

She took my hand and turned me so I was looking at her. “Annika, you have bags under your eyes. You have lost weight so don't tell me you are alright.”

I swallowed hard, fighting the tears back but I couldn't. For the first time in weeks, I finally broke down. A sob escaped my lips as I flung myself into her arms. “I miss him, Thea. It’s been four weeks. I don't know how much longer I can take this. I try to be strong for the children. I have to be strong for them. I can't sleep; every time I close my eyes, I see Raffaela’s face.” I sobbed.

"Oh, honey, he will wake up; just give him time. The doctor said he was healing well. I promise you, one of these days he will wake up,” she said, rubbing my back.

“When? When will he wake up? The children want their father. I don't know what to tell Enzo anymore. He asks me every day, when I pick them up from school, if his father is awake yet. My heart breaks every night when Enzo lies down next to his father and prays, asking God to wake him up. It's taking its toll on Romeo as well. I know he acts tough but I hear him cry when he visits his father. The same is true for Catarina. It breaks me to see them like that.”

“I know. And I understand all of this but you can't go on like this. When was the last time you had proper sleep? When did you last have a decent meal?” She asked.

I shook my head. “I don't know. Honestly, I don't know.”

“Exactly. This isn't good for your health. That is why Chiara and I decided to give you a break. We will handle everything starting now. I want you to take a long, relaxing bath. Then I want you to get in bed and sleep. I asked the doctor to prescribe you something to help you sleep.”

“I don't know. I cannot except that the two of you do my work. I have to get the children from school and help them with homework. I have to cook. I still need to.” 

“Enough. We can take care of all those things,” she says and drags me out of Romeo’s room.

“Now you are going to listen to us.”

She pushed me towards my room and when I opened it, I saw Chiara standing there. “Surprise! I already gave you a hot tub. Once you are finished, your food will be served.”

I wanted to protest but the two of them wouldn't hear any of it and pushed me towards the bathroom. “Fine. I'm going.”

I don't know how long I spent in the bathroom but when I walked back to my room, Thea was standing there with a tray in her hands. She sat by my side, making sure I ate everything. Once I was done, she handed me my juice and the tablet the doctor prescribed.

I swallowed it and lay down. Thea sat next to me and played with my hair without saying anything. I soon found myself drifting off to sleep.

I woke up feeling refreshed and when I looked at the time, my eyes almost popped out. How the hell did I sleep seven hours? It's four in the afternoon. I was just about to panic when I remembered that Thea and Chiarab were helping me today. I stood up and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and made my hair into a bun.

I decided to check up on Raffaela and made my way to his room. It always makes me sad to see him like this. He went to sit on the chair next to his bed and took his hand in mine. “You know, I'm beginning to think you like being lazy. I mean, it's been four weeks and you are still sleeping. When are you planning to wake up?” I asked. 

I look at my handsome boyfriend and smile. He needs a haircut when he wakes up. I run my hand through his hair and say, “I miss you so much. Please wake up.” I sat like this for a few more moments, then I kissed his forehead.

“I will check on you later.”

I was about to let go of his hands when I felt him squeezing my hand. I looked at him, wanting to make sure I wasn't imagining things.

“Raffaela? ” I asked and then I felt it again.

“I'm going to call the doctor, baby. Hold on.”

I was just about to get up when I heard, “Annika.”