Chapter 15:

"Charlie! How are you sweetie?" Isabella Rosetta asked as her daughter in law as Charlie opened the front door. She entered the house and gave Charlie a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. Behind Isabella was her husband Vince and Angelo's sisters Arabella, Bianca and of course Clara. Charlie welcomed each of them as they entered. Angelo slowly rose from the lounge, wincing as a small shot of pain hit him in the stomach. He gritted his teeth and gave his mother a huge hug. He gave his father a manly hug and kissed each of his sisters on the cheek, also giving them sisterly hugs.

"Happy birthday sis" Angelo whispered into Clara's ear. When they broke off she gave him a grin and nodded and mouthed "thank you".

Isabella fussed over her son and told him to sit. Ever since his stabbing, she was constantly worried about his health.

"Angelo, how are you honey?" she asked concerned.

"Mum, I've told you over and over, I'm fine! Charlie has been looking after me" he looked at his wife and smiled proudly. "I'm going back to work in a few weeks" he added.

Isabella looked shocked and opened her mouth to protest but Angelo put up his hand to stop her "don't worry mum, it's just going to office work for a little, until I'm ready to get back into the action".

His mother sighed in relief and Vince added "son, your mother has been worrying about you for weeks now; she was very upset when Clara called her and told what had happened".

"Yeah totally, you should have seen mum, Angelo, she was a wreck. But I'm really glad to see you're ok big brother" commented Arabella with a smile.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Charlie opened it and welcomed Leah, Irene, Ruby, Annie and Rachel. Angelo again stood and welcomed the new guests as well as introduced them to his family. They chatted for a few minutes before Charlie welcomed them to sit down and have some food. After eating, Charlie pulled out the cake and they all sang Happy Birthday to Clara.

Charlie observed that whenever Clara glanced over at Angelo she looked guilty.

"Angelo was right, she does feel guilty" thought Charlie but she was quickly bought out of here thoughts by a loud agonising groan from Angelo. He was clutching his stomach and wincing as he rose from his seat. Charlie dashed to his side, followed by Isabella who face had gone white.

"Babe are you alright? What's wrong?" she asked his putting arm over her shoulder and leading him into the kitchen, followed closely by his mother.

"Ah" he cringed "Charlie I think I forgot to take the meds this morning, my wound is killing me" she groaned.

Charlie was dashing around looking for her husband's little medicine bottle when an upset Clara walked into the kitchen. Charlie saw that she looked as if she about to burst out in tears but she continued to look for the pills. Angelo closed his eyes whimpered again and this set Clara off. She let out a small sob and ran past Angelo out the door.

"Oh crap.....Clara wait!" Angelo shouted after her and quickly stood up, clutching his stomach. Isabella tried to stop him but he just pushed past her and followed Clara outside.

Please update and tell me what you think.....xx

PS I'm thinking about a sequel....what do you think?