I continued to cry in relief for a few minutes, I was so shocked to see him awake I couldn't believe it. Thinking I was perhaps in a dream I reached forward and took his face in my hands. Federico managed to lift his hands to my arms holding my hands in place, softly muttering comforting words to me. So caught up in my relief without thinking I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Federico's head. Then I let him go without a word I ran out of the room and down the hall. Finally I reached the study throwing the doors open I found Maria, and Giovanni. They looked at me with frightened concern which I could understand I must have looked like a mad woman, my hair all tangled, eyes puffy, and tear-streaked face. Taking a second to find my voice I finally choked out.
"The fever's broken." Not needing anything else Maria ran out of the room Giovanni hot on her heels. I followed them a little more slowly letting them have some time with their healing son. When I got there it seemed Maria was giving him a once over, his bandages were pulled back and she was washing his wound with a cloth. It seemed that while tired Federico was still wide awake because he looked at me with a very roughish smirk. Gesturing to his bare chest he spoke in a falsely commanding tone.
"Amelia, please I'm in no state to be in the presence of a lady. Avert your innocent eyes at once." I rolled my eyes not holding back my smile, or my retort.
"And then what about Maria, she's a lady?" Maria was the one that responded with a hint of laughter in her eyes.
"Mother's prerogative." Then she leaned back in her seat and half turned to me speaking in her surgeon's voice.
"I think in another week we can remove the stitches. Then he can begin sitting up, but no walking, and no hard food just broth and maybe a little bread." After re-wrapping the bandages Maria smiled at us and excused herself from the room. Federico pulled a face as he addressed me.
"One thing I hate about my mother curing me, she always talks like your not in the room." I nodded in agreement and took my seat by his bedside sighing as I relaxed. He looked at me seeming a little bit serious now.
"You seem so somber lately Cara. What's the matter." Not being able to help it I got a little bit upset with him.
"What's the matter. You almost die, lay there unconscious for what feels like forever. And you ask me what's the matter?" Federico's eyes went wide at my little outburst and then looked a little bit shame faced.
"Cara, I'm sorry I hadn't realized that you worried so much." I sighed and pressed my forehead to the edge of his mattress and said in a defeated tone.
"No I'm sorry, I shouldn't be bothering you with this not when your recovering." Federico scoffed at me and flashed his cocky grin.
"Recover? Please Bella I'm like a bull, nearly impossible to kill." But you were nearly killed, I thought to myself. I looked at him and was struck by how sunk in and tired he looked, nobody should be bothering him right now. Standing up I removed my chair and said in a gentle tone.
"You need to rest, I'll leave you alone now." Before I could turn away Federico grasped my small hand in his large one. Giving me a quiet smile Federico brought my hand to his mouth and gently my hand and the inside of my wrist. Feeling a scarlet blush creeping on to my cheeks I gently pulled myself from his grasp.
"Rest well Federico." With that I turned away trying to fight back the girlish giggle I felt threatening to come.
Third POV
Federico lay there in silence for a few moments and nearly drifted of to sleep when there was a loud bang. Eyes shooting open he looked to the door that had been slammed open and saw his younger brother running up to his bed side.
"Mother told me you woke up." Federico opened his mouth to answer Ezio, but his brother cut him off.
"I should murder you myself for frightening the family like this." Looking incredulous Federico replied in an equally snide tone.
"I'll have you note that I did not plan this. Now show some respect for the invalid." Glaring at each other it wasn't long before they both cracked up. Laughing very hard Ezio found a seat and got his brother up to speed on everything that had happened. Not being able to avoid the question for long Federico asked Ezio honestly.
"Is Amelia alright? She looked a little sickly when she was in here." Ezio nodded his head sadly and responded without a lot of hesitation.
"She's been sick with worry. She barely left your side the whole time you had the fever." Federico looked guilty as if he'd ordered Amelia to neglect herself for him. Ezio how ever smiled in his classic troublemaker's way.
"Honestly brother the girl could not be any more smitten with you. If you play your cards right I see myself having a new sister by spring." The younger Auditore laughed at his brothers expression at the thought but they didn't have the chance to talk anymore. Having heard there laughter Maria came storming in demanding that Ezio leave his brother to rest. Federico chuckled to himself watching his brother being escorted out of the room like a misbehaved schoolboy. Laying his head down it was mere moments before Federico fell into his first restful sleep in ages.
Here just a small chapter to keep the story going, sorry I'm falling down on the job. Please Review.