Matteo

Matteo quickly rushed out of bed, eager to get to the hospital as soon as possible. He started his car and drove at an alarming speed, his mind racing with thoughts of Aurora and her condition.

As he arrived at the hospital, Matteo couldn't help but feel a sudden wave of anxiety wash over him. He parked his car and took a deep breath before stepping out of the vehicle. The atmosphere of the hospital was tense, with doctors and nurses rushing around, tending to patients and conducting tests.

Matteo made his way to the waiting area, where he saw Jamison already sat with Cordelia. She was sitting quietly, her eyes downcast, looking tired and worried. When she saw Matteo, a small smile spread across her lips.

"Matteo, it's so good to see you," Jamison greeted him warmly. "We need to talk, as soon as possible."

Jamison led Matteo and Cordelia into a private room, where he explained the situation in more detail. He told them that he had managed to secure the donor for the bone marrow transplant, and that Aurora was a match.

Matteo couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he felt a newfound hope for Aurora's future. He noticed the look on Cordelia's face as well to know that she was able to help Aurora and it warmed his heart.

"What do we have to do?" Cordelia asked, her voice filled with determination.

Jamison explained that there were several steps they had to take before the transplant could be performed. They would need to run some tests, and prepare the facilities, as the procedure would take a few hours.

Matteo nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He knew that the procedure wasn't without risk, but he was willing to do whatever it took to save Aurora's life.

Matteo paced nervously outside the operating room, his mind filled with a mixture of anxiety and hope. He couldn't help but worry about Cordelia and Aurora, wishing he could do something to help or make them comfortable.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, but it was no use. The weight of the situation was almost too much for him to bear. His heart ached for the two women he cared so deeply for, and he felt helpless in the face of their struggle.

As each minute ticked by, Matteo felt like his patience was thinning. He needed to know how Cordelia was doing, but all he could do was wait. The uncertainty was killing him, and he felt like he was going to burst with anxiety.

All he wanted was just to see her radiant smile. Her voice that held so much care and joy in it and he wanted to listen to her speak. He never felt this restless yet uncertain before in such a case where the surgery could go wrong or both would walk out the door and Aurora cured.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door to the operating room opened, and Jamison stepped outside. Matteo rushed forward, hoping for good news.

"Cordelia is still in surgery, but the procedure is going smoothly," Jamison said, with a relieved smile. "Aurora is stable, and the doctors are doing everything they can."

A wave of relief washed over Matteo, and he let out a sigh of relief. He knew it was early, but he couldn't help but feel hopeful. Although he remained stoic in his expression, Jamison could see that he was tired and drained but Matteo was a stubborn man and he wouldn't close his eyes until Aurora was in front of him with her beautiful smile.

Reggie rushed in with his striped pyjamas that reminded Matteo of the movie where the jewish boy got killed in the German concentration camp. Matteo furrowed his brows as he noticed the stuffed animal in Reggie's hand as he rushed over to his side.

"How is my girl doing?" Reggie gasped for air and wiped his forehead.

"Your girl?" Matteo raised his brow.

Reggie flicked his wrist. "Our girl." he says casually and looks around. "Any news?" he asks Matteo.

Matteo sighs and sits down onto the chair. "They said Cordelia is stable and everything is going smoothly. Nothing to report yet."

"Good." Reggie says and plops down onto the chair and clutches the teddy bear in his arms.

Matteo looks at him oddly. Reggie notices and raises a brow.

"What?" he asks.

Matteo just stares at him which causes Reggie to look down at the teddy bear he holds against his chest. He blushed a tiny bit and looks away.

"It was a gift from our girl, okay?" he snaps, but the blush was still present on his face.

Matteo cracks a smile but it disappears and he stares ahead of him and they both wait until the moment Jamison will come out and tell them any news he has for them.

After a long wait, Reggie had fallen asleep and was leaning against Matteo's shoulder as he snored. Jamison exited the room and Matteo sprang up which caused Reggie to topple over and whine.

"What's the status?" he asks Jamison with a serious look.

Jamison takes off his face mask and smiles. "Matteo. It worked. It worked." Jamison smiles and chuckles softly.

Matteo's heart raced as the words left Jamison's mouth. He was frozen on the spot, the cheers of Reggie behind him grew distant and all he could think about was the future that could commence with his dear Aurora. He was feeling an immense amount of satisfaction to know that there were no issues for them any longer, and they could continue their lives without any doubt.

He just stared at Jamison. "S-so...How is she now?"

Jamison still had a smile on his face. "She is stable. Cordelia as well. They will most likely wake up in a few hours, their bodies need rest." he says.

Matteo nods and looks over at Reggie and he smiles softly.

His woman will be okay.

Matteo had fallen asleep on the chair and his hand was still holding Aurora's but he felt the soft stroke of someone's hand on his head. He sighed softly in his sleep but the way his body responded to the touch made the moment seem like something so familiar that made his eyes peel open. He glanced up and the face that came to view made his eyes widen and he jumped up from his seat.

She giggled at him. "Evening." she says with a smile. "You must have been so tired."

Matteo just stared at her with wide eyes. She was sitting up straight and smiled at him, the smile that he had missed so much whenever she would look at him with her adorable kind eyes. He was frozen to the core and unable to comprehend that this might be real.

A moment long awaited yet he was not prepared.

He blinked at her. "Am I dreaming?" he asks softly. "Aurora- Aurora you are here...tell me this isnt a dream." he says.

She smiles and cups his cheek with her hand and wipes away his tear that had fallen. "You made this all possible. I heard about everything that you did for me, Matteo."

He lets out a soft sound, like a broken sob and a sigh of relief. "Baby. You're awake." he says and he holds her tightly against his chest as his tears fall.

She wraps her arms around him and Matteo felt the love blossom inside his heart the moment her touch soothed him.

"Damn it, Aurora. When you passed out in front of me...I don't ever want to experience this again." he says with a small sob. "God, you're everything to me. You're cured now, baby." he kisses the top of her head.

He heard her sniffle. "Thank you." she says and sobs in his chest.

They held each other tightly as they continued to bask in each other's warmth and love.

She peers up at him with glossy eyes. "It would have been mean if I left you without telling you how much I love you." she whispers.

He kisses her on the mouth, stealing the little but of air that comes from her. He kissed her with longing, with compassion and with so much intensity and a promise to her.

"I love you." he kisses her again. "I love you so much. There is so much more I am willing to do for you. I love you."

He kisses her once again.

A few weeks have gone by. Cordelia and Aurora were both discharged from the hospital after the successful surgery. Matteo did everything in his power to make sure nothing went wrong while Aurora was with him. He ensured that she stayed in bed and he cooked for her every evening and even surprises her countless times with breakfast in bed.

He would sit on the bed and monitor her as she eats, feeling content to see that she was eating and gaining her strength back. He would place her in bubble baths and sit on the edge while he washes her hair and she would play with rubber duck. Matteo felt like never before, unable to understand how a man like himself could settle for taking care of someone like this which would be derogating in his father's eyes.

However, he could care less.

Aurora put on her pyjamas and sprang into the bed.

Matteo smiled at her and opened his arms which she crawled into and he wraps his arm around her. He places a kiss on top of her head and rubs her side with his palm.

"Bed time story?" he asks softly.

She smiles up at him. "Bed time story." she says and Matteo smiles before grabbing a book from his night stand and read her a story.

His woman was okay now.

Matteo's once cold heart was now filled with warmth and love only because of the strange girl he met in the park that one night.

Thank you so so much for everyone who read Aurora!!! I love and appreciate every single one of you for engaging in this book with your positive feedback and your sweet comments, thank you for supporting my work.

This journey was amazing and you all made me feel so happy by your responses and how much you guys loved this. I hope that I start with another book soon because I really enjoy your guys' love and support.

Thank you all so much <3