APOV

I was going home today, finally being released from this room. It hadn't been so bad here, but I was a home bird and home was where I needed to be.

I was surprised to wake to an empty room, but I suppose they're all busy this morning. Christian left last night, wanting to make sure everything was perfect before collecting me today.

I didn't care if there were dog toys across the floor, smelly socks to pick up. That was normality with a large family and that was what I wanted back.

I can walk, although the pain in my back grows after a while when I do. My Granddad gave me his cane which he was supposed to use years ago when he was shot. I think I have used it more than he ever did.

Getting out of bed now, I reached for the cane, carefully stabilising myself before I started to move. The bathroom was my destination this morning, to empty my bladder that felt ready to explode. It's my own fault for having that second cup of tea before bed.

I opened the bathroom door, my steps faltering as I found Matteo, with his arms wrapped around Chiara, their lips very acquainted with the others.

"Do you mind if I use the bathroom please, otherwise there will be a mess" I asked them, trying to hide my smile.

Neither said a word as they moved out of the way, both shocked that I had not said more. I locked the door, hearing their muffled voices behind, as I let my laughter go.

I used the toilet, struggling to hold a cane and wash my hands at the same time.

When I made my way back to my room, only my sheepish son remained.

"Where did Chiara go. I did see her lips stuck to yours or has my mind gone mad" I teased him.

"Mummm please" he groaned, which made me laugh even more, than I did before.

"I like Chiara" I told him.

"I do too" he smiled.

"I did wonder why I kept seeing her around the ward, as she has not been my nurse for a while. Sooo."

"She was there, when you were sleeping. Chiara listened, while I cried" he told me, looking down at the floor.

"Matteo come here."

He took my hand, sitting beside me on the bed.

"I'm sorry you have all been through hell for the past, how many weeks have I been here now."

"Too many Mum, too many."

"I wish it had never happened, but I also know if it happened again, I wouldn't think twice about covering Lucy, all of you in fact. You're my children and I live to see you happy. If Chiara makes you happy, then follow your heart. It has a home somewhere and Chiara just might be the one who you give it to."

"You have Dad's" he told me, smiling.

"From the moment I stitched the cut on his head in this very hospital."

"I love you Mum."

"You too son" I told him, as I was pulled into a careful hug.

…

"The prison guards are all occupied, so we've come to break you out" Mac declared as he came through my door, an amused Christian following behind.

"We would be shit out of luck if this was a real prison break, as your mouth is so loud" Christian told him, coming to my side. "Do you have everything ready" he asked me.

"Yes, although I don't have a clue where my shoes went."

"Shoes, shit we forgot about shoes" Mac told her.

"You might have, but Lucy didn't" Christian laughed, holding up a bag with thankfully flat shoes inside.

"Your Chariot awaits Mum" Theo told me, coming to the door with a wheelchair.

"Can't I walk" I asked them.

"Princess, you were tired when you walked to the nurse's station. I don't want you exhausted before we get you home."

"Ok, but do not let Mac get hold of that wheelchair."

"What have I done" he protested.

"I've been in a car when you're driving. You're worse than Christian and that's saying something."

"I won't take offence to that" Christian told me.

"Good" I smiled, stealing a kiss, before taking a seat in the wheelchair.

We left the room, stopping at the nurse's station for a few minutes to say goodbye. For every ward or unit I have been on, they have all been Angels. Not just for looking after me, but my family as well.

"I will leave you in Eamon's care now" my doctor told me as we reached the elevator.

"Thank you" I replied, as he shook Christian's hand.

Travelling down the elevator, I finally took a breath. I know it will be a while before I'm running around the garden with the dogs, but I will get there.

"Are the kids at home" I asked Christian as he did my seatbelt. I could've done it myself, but I didn't disturb him as he did his checks.

"Lucy is, but Luca and Oriella have their scan."

"I forgot. I told them I would go with them."

"I know Ana. There will be more ultrasounds before the babies are born though. For now, we need to get you home."

The drive was quiet home as I took everything in. How can things change in such a short amount of time. The trees which were once full, had now shed most of their leaves. Flowers that had still been in bloom down the drive way of our home, were dead now.

"I feel like I have been away forever" I told Christian, who squeezed my hand.

"I know, it feels like that for all of us."

We were greeted at the door by my very excited daughter, who was practically bouncing as she held onto my Dads arm.

"You're home" she squealed as the car door opened, making me laugh.

"I am sweetheart, is the kettle on."

"Of course. It was flicked on as soon as the gate let us know you were here."

My Dad held his hand out for me to take, as I carefully emerged from the car. Being so close to losing me had hit Dad really hard. Like Christian and our children, he had not left the hospital for a long time.

"I'm home Dad" I said, smiling as I took his arm.

"You are sweetheart, this is where you belong."

We walked towards where Lucy was stood, linking arms with her Dad as we heard the dog's barks from behind the front door.

They could see me, as I could see them. Six furry faces pushed up against the glass.

"Open the door" I told them.

Theo opened the door, but the dogs didn't run out. They waited for instructions from him before making their way over to me. I was quickly surrounded by fur and it was lovely. None of them pushed, all of them waited for their turn as I stoked and scratched each one's ears.

"Ana you need to sit down" Christian told me.

"I know, I just didn't want to get squashed as we made our way into the house. There is more room out here."

We reached the kitchen where my Grandma was waiting, a cup of tea in hand. I took it from her, placing it onto the counter before I pulled her into a hug.

"I'm so happy you're home sweetheart… oh ignore an old woman's tears" she sniffed, rubbing her eyes.

"Never Grandma. I don't think I have cried all mine away yet, so yours are in good company."

I enjoyed tea with Grandma, sitting in the living room, although my focus was outside.

"What is it Princess" Christian asked, wading through the dogs who surrounded the couch.

"I want to be out there, sit with Hugo for a little while. It's raining though. I think I have spent so much time inside, being out in the garden appeals to me more."

"Before this, you were always outside."

"I know" I told him as I watched the raindrops, make their way down the windows. "I have to make sure I don't get sick though, or I will be back there again" I could see his dislike of my comment, it was written all over his face. "Come here."

He finally reached me, taking a seat by my side as I rested my head on his shoulder.

"I found Matteo kissing Chiara this morning" I told him, expecting to see surprise, which was not there.

"Chiara has been a surprise in everything that has happened. She has been Matteo's crutch if you can call her that, his shoulder to cry on."

"I think she's more to him than that."

"I know, I think with his brothers all having their someone to hold their hand through this, he felt lonely. At the beginning, I think she filled that void as the one person he had to himself to talk to"

"He told you this" I asked, wanting to cry for my boy.

"Yes, Chiara spoke to him a lot while you were in the ICU and she had the excuse to see him, checking on how you were doing when you were moved to high dependency. They were growing closer and I don't think either of them were willing to stop whatever was happening between them."

"I don't want them to stop" I told him.

"Neither do I Ana, they all deserve to be happy. I will tell you this though, Lucy has spoken to her friends a lot about what happened and you being in hospital. One of those friends being Kian."

I could hear the disappointment in his voice that she was talking to boys and growing up, but it just made me laugh.

"I love that sound Ana. For the rest of our lives, I want to hear you laugh every day."

"I will try" I smiled, cuddling in closer to my husband.

….

"Are you going to tell us" I heard Lucy say as I opened my eyes.

I had obviously fallen asleep on Christian, who was in no rush to move.

"Sorry, I think I drooled on your t shirt."

"It's fine Ana, I can live with drool."

"Hey Mum" Luca said as he joined us in the living room with Oriella.

"Hi, I'm sorry I missed your scan."

"It's ok, we're glad you're back home again" Oriella told me.

"How are you, how are my grand babies."

"They're fine, growing very well, although one is slightly bigger than the other."

"You always get that, one has to try and eat all the food. It will be no different, when they're born" I laughed.

Luca passed scan photos of the babies over to Christian and me, making me smile at what I saw.

"They're getting big."

"They are that. I feel like my stomach has grown over night."

"Fortunately, or unfortunately for you, they will only grow bigger. Did you get to see what they are" I asked them.

"Yes, we have something for you. We thought we would copy your reveal when you were expecting Lucy" Luca told me.

He handed me a little bag as Christian and I peered inside.

I laughed, pulling the two tiny pairs of pink socks out.

Lucy, seeing the colour scared the shit out of us, as she screamed so loud in excitement.

"Are you trying to put me back in hospital Lucy, god they heard you on the other side of the water" I told her, laughing.

"Mum, we're having more girls in the house."

"I gathered that" I laughed, turning back to the happy parents to be again. "I'm so happy for you two, we need to get shopping."

"Um, Mum we wanted to talk to you about shopping, well everything in general" Luca said. "We were thinking of postponing the wedding. We don't know how you are going to be with flying and we won't get married without you there."

"Please don't, I want you to have your wedding on Christmas Eve like you wanted. I will be there if I have to crawl to the airport. If Eamon says I can't fly, I'm sure I can get a ship that will get me there in time. We have enough shipments coming and going between Sicily and here. Don't change it please."

"Ok. We can't get married without you Mum."

"You won't be."

I spent the rest of the day with Christian glued to my hip. He was never far away, and I didn't want him to be. Like our children needing their partner with them, I needed Christian close to me.

When night came, he carried me up to bed and held me until I had fallen asleep. His arms were still wrapped around me come morning.

….

"Don't go far" Christian told me, when we had finished breakfast.

"I will only go as far as the fence" I told him, as he headed to his office.

"Princess" he groaned, turning to face me.

"I would like to enjoy my tea with Hugo this morning. The rain stopped last night, and I will wrap up, but I just want to sit out there and enjoy the peace, the breeze on my face."

Christian helped me from my chair, pulling me close to him.

"I will take you, I can speak to Lorenzo later."

"No, you go, do what you need to do."

"Ana, letting you out of my sight at the moment is hard."

"I know" I told him, kissing his lips. "I need you close too Christian. I will only be outside."

"Ok, no paddling and no jumping off the jetty."

"I wish" I giggled. "I will get back to the point when I can do that."

"And I will be watching, cheering in fact."

"I'll take you out in the garden" my Dad said, joining us in the kitchen.

"Ok, but no running down there."

"No running anywhere" I told Christian, seeing his smile before he left to make his call.

Dad and I made our way slowly down the path and to my bench. I patted the statue of Hugo on the way, before taking a seat.

"Where's Isabella, I haven't seen her this morning."

"She has a bit of a cold. She's worried about being near you in case you get sick."

"I don't think I have a chance of getting sick out here."

I had a thick sweater on, over that my coat and then Christian's thick winter coat. I felt like a butterfly trying to escape a cocoon but at least I was warm.

"I have spent a little time out here myself, since this all happened" Dad told me, joining me on the bench.

"It's a good place to think" I sighed, taking my Dads hand into mine. "I'm home Dad."

"I know sweetheart….it was too close."

"I know, I can feel it every time I move. I have to push past it otherwise, I will never leave the house again."

"I don't think you will be back at work for a while Ana."

"I know, being confined to a bed gave me a lot of time to think. I need to speak to Christian, but I'm going to take a break for a while. I want to be here to help with the wedding, more so when the twins arrive. Oriella and I had many conversations in the hospital. I want to be here to support them when they need me in those first few weeks and months."

"You have to let us support you too."

"You do Dad, you all have. I want my life back, but my life is here, more than out there. What..." I asked seeing him smile.

"You have always been focused, ever since I found you. Ever since you were born I would bet. You do what you want to do Ana, however long it takes to do it and we will be by your side."

"I know Dad. We have a lot to do in the upcoming months. Firstly, getting Lucy back in full time school."

"I know. I don't know who that is going to be harder on though, Lucy or Christian. Lucy wants to be close to you and just like he is with you, Christian doesn't like her out of his sight."

I looked to the house, knowing what my Dad said was the truth. Christian liked me in sight, just like he was at the moment. He may be on his phone, but he was at the door, checking that I was still here and no doubt ok.

"It's going to take time Dad, for all of us."

….

"Oriella dear, do you have a minute" Grandma called to her, shooing my son from the room as Oriella came to take a seat.

"Is everything ok Beatrice" she asked.

"It is now the family is back together again" she smiled, squeezing my hand. "I wanted to discuss one detail of the wedding or more importantly, what you will wear."

"Ok."

I knew Oriella was anxious to get her wedding dress, especially one that fit. Sofia and Isabella have been out and found someone who will make it for her. It was the veil that Grandma was talking about now.

"You have seen Ana and Christian's wedding photos, so you know what she wore."

"Yes, her Mother's dress and your family veil."

"She did, and she looked beautiful. The veil has been in my family for many years and will do so for many years to come. Each Mancini bride has worn it, so I'm offering it to you. You may not have the same surname as any other in this house at the moment but that does not matter. You're family, a daughter to Ana and Christian, which makes you a granddaughter to us."

"I would love to wear it" Oriella said quietly, brushing a tear away.

She hugged my grandmother, or she tried to with her expanding stomach.

"I still have a dress to find" she smiled. "One that would look perfect with the veil.

"I know. Sofia and Isabella have sorted that out. They found a dress designer who will work with you on what you want, maybe they can sort Lucy out as well."

"We will have to make sure the boys are out of the way when they come" Lucy told us.

"We will. Maybe she has some idea for mother of the bride and groom, Grandma's too."

"I'd like that. I don't think I would feel safe visiting the mall at the moment" Oriella told us.

"I know Oriella, me too. How's Luca" I asked her.

"He's...he's dealing with everything as best as he can. He has been quiet, his thoughts going wild. He knows I'm here when he needs to speak to someone, but I don't push him to talk about it. We've all gone through so many different emotions over the past month. Add to that, the babies and he's panicking on how to protect them."

"They will be protected Oriella, you too. What happened, no one could've predicted. We don't know what is around the corner but if we live in fear, they win. We're a strong family and we stick together."

...

Our strong family were all in attendance at dinner that evening, the boys teasing Matteo about his girlfriend. He took it all in his stride, like I expected him to do. He was happy, incredibly so and letting me know that he had asked Chiara to Sunday dinner, sealed the deal for me. I would not be cooking it as standing at the stove for hours is not something I can do at the moment, but I will help out as much as I can. I will get back to the way I was before though, I'm determined to.

My sons all have their someone now and I know someday, Lucy will be the same. Our family is growing, and I will move heaven and earth to make sure I'm here to witness it.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.