Serafina's POV

It had been a couple of weeks since Aiden and I had started spending more time together. Things were... good. Better than good. But life had a way of reminding you that not everything was as simple as it seemed.

It started that morning. The familiar ache in my lower abdomen made me groan as I rolled over in bed, blinking groggily at the clock. 7:30 AM. I rubbed my eyes, still feeling the remnants of sleep tugging at me.

That's when I noticed it. The telltale signs—dull cramps, the slight discomfort, and the cold realization that my menstrual cycle had returned.

I winced, reaching for the bottle of painkillers I kept in my nightstand drawer. It wasn't unbearable yet, but I knew it would get worse as the day wore on.

I quickly got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, grabbing a pad from the cupboard. As I changed into my clothes for the day, my thoughts drifted to the morning ahead. School was something I had been managing well lately. I had found my rhythm, or at least, I was trying. Aiden was there for me, and my brothers—despite their protectiveness—had started to loosen up a little. I was starting to feel normal again.

But then, the pain came.

It wasn't just the dull cramps anymore; it was a sharp, stabbing sensation that had me pausing mid-step as I reached for my backpack. My stomach clenched in protest.

I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath. The pain wasn't new. I'd had these cramps before, but today it felt worse. I could feel the heaviness of it creeping up, making it hard to focus on anything.

"Hey, Fina, you ready?" Matteo's voice came from downstairs, calling up to me.

I clenched my jaw. "I'll be down in a minute!"

But I was struggling. I needed to get through today. I needed to make it through school, to stay strong like everyone expected me to.

At school, everything felt like a blur. The pain continued to intensify as the hours passed, and by the time lunch rolled around, I felt like I might collapse. My stomach was cramping badly, the pain creeping into my back now, making it impossible to focus on anything anyone said to me.

I could hear Aiden's voice, distant but comforting, asking me if I was okay. But even with his concern, I felt small, vulnerable. I didn't want anyone to see me like this.

I made it to the bathroom between classes, trying to get some relief, but nothing was working. The cramps had only gotten worse, and I was starting to feel lightheaded. I braced myself against the sink, breathing through the pain.

I'm fine. I'm fine.

But my body wasn't listening.

As I exited the bathroom, trying to steady myself, I bumped into a familiar face.

"Whoa, hey! You okay?"

It was Aiden. His concerned eyes met mine, and before I could stop him, he gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Fina, what's going on? You look pale."

I winced, not wanting to explain. "It's nothing, Aiden. I'm just... tired."

But he wasn't buying it.

"Is this about your cramps?" he asked softly. "I've seen you clutching your stomach all day."

I bit my lip, feeling a lump form in my throat. I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want him to see me like this.

"Fina," he said, his voice low but firm, "you need to take care of yourself. This isn't something you should just push through."

"I'm fine," I muttered, but my words were shaky. I hated this. I hated feeling so weak.

Aiden's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand still on my shoulder. "Fina, listen to me. If you're in pain, it's okay to ask for help. You don't have to do this alone."

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing as the tears started to prick at my eyes. I wasn't fine. I wasn't okay. The pain was too much.

I hadn't realized I was shaking until Aiden pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tightly. The warmth of his embrace was like a lifeline, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"I'm here," Aiden said quietly, his voice reassuring. "I'm not going anywhere, Fina."

By the time I made it home that evening, I could barely hold myself up. The cramps hadn't relented, and the dizziness from the pain was making everything spin.

As soon as I walked through the door, my mother was there, her eyes scanning me with concern.

"Serafina, what's wrong?"

I tried to smile, but it was weak. "I'm fine, Mamma. Just... cramps."

"Just cramps?" She frowned, her voice laced with worry. "You look like you're going to faint. Come sit down."

She guided me to the couch, sitting beside me and placing a hand on my forehead. "You're burning up. Do you want me to get you something for the pain?"

"I already took something," I whispered. "But it's not helping."

Isabella's eyes softened, and she looked over at my father, who had just entered the room.

"Alessandro, could you call the doctor?" she asked.

"Of course," he said, worry creeping into his voice. "Are you sure you're okay, Fina?"

I nodded, but the tightness in my chest told me otherwise.

"I'll be okay, Papa," I said, my voice small.

That night, I lay in bed, the pain still gnawing at me, unable to escape. It was as if my body had turned against me. But as I lay there, I couldn't help but think about how different things had been since Aiden came into my life.

He had been there for me today, had held me when I thought I might break. Maybe, just maybe, things didn't have to be as hard as they had been before. Maybe I didn't have to carry all of this alone.

And for the first time in a long time, I believed that healing was possible.

The next school day had started off like any other, but by lunchtime, I knew something was wrong. The cramps that had plagued me all morning were no longer the manageable kind I had grown accustomed to—they were excruciating. It felt like my body was ripping itself apart.

I sat at the corner table in the cafeteria, barely touching my food as the room buzzed around me. My head throbbed, and nausea churned in my stomach, making it hard to think. Aiden's voice broke through the fog.

"Fina, you've been quiet all day," he said, sitting down beside me. "What's going on?"

"I'm fine," I murmured, my words weak and unconvincing.

"No, you're not," he pressed, his eyes scanning my pale face and the way my hands trembled as I clutched my water bottle. "You look like you're in pain. Are your cramps worse?"

I didn't respond right away, too focused on trying to keep myself upright.

"Fina," Aiden said again, more firmly this time, "you're scaring me. Talk to me."

The world started to tilt, and I clutched the edge of the table for support. My vision blurred, and I felt my body sway.

"Fina!" Aiden's voice was sharper now, his hand gripping my arm to steady me.

"I... I don't feel good," I managed to whisper before everything went black.

When I came to, I was lying on the nurse's cot, the fluorescent lights above me making my head pound. Aiden's worried face hovered above mine, his hand holding mine tightly.

"Thank God," he breathed, his voice a mix of relief and fear. "You scared the hell out of me."

I tried to sit up, but the pain in my abdomen made me wince.

"Don't move," Aiden said, gently pushing me back down. "You passed out. The nurse wanted to call an ambulance, but I convinced her to let me call your mom first."

"My mom?" I asked weakly, panic creeping into my voice.

"Yes," he said firmly. "You need to see a doctor, Fina. This isn't normal."

Before I could protest, the door opened, and my mom rushed in, her face etched with worry.

"Serafina!" she exclaimed, kneeling beside the cot and brushing my hair back. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mamma," I said, though the words felt hollow.

"She's not fine," Aiden interjected, his voice steady but concerned. "She's been in pain all day, and then she passed out in the cafeteria. This has been happening for weeks, hasn't it?"

I looked away, guilt and embarrassment washing over me.

My mom's expression softened, and she took my hand. "Tesoro, why didn't you tell me? You should have said something."

"I didn't want to bother anyone," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

"This isn't about being a bother," she said gently but firmly. "We're going to the doctor. Right now."

Aiden stood up, his jaw set. "I'm coming with you."

"Aiden, you don't have to—"

"I'm coming, I want to come" he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The drive to the doctor's office was quiet, the tension in the car palpable. My mom kept glancing at me in the rearview mirror, her worry clear. Aiden sat beside me, his hand resting lightly on my knee, offering silent reassurance.

When we arrived, the nurse ushered us into an examination room, and the doctor, a kind woman with gentle eyes, began asking questions about my symptoms.

"How long have you been experiencing this level of pain, Serafina?" she asked.

"Off and on for a while," I admitted. "But it's been getting worse lately."

"And the fainting? Is that new?"

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat.

The doctor frowned, her gaze thoughtful. "Based on what you've described, I'd like to run some tests. It's possible you could be dealing with something like endometriosis, which can cause severe pain and other symptoms."

"Endometriosis?" my mom repeated, her brow furrowing. "What does that mean?"

"It's a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it," the doctor explained. "It can cause significant pain, especially during menstrual cycles, and can sometimes lead to other complications."

The room felt heavy with the weight of her words.

"Will she be okay?" my mom asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"With the right treatment, we can manage the symptoms," the doctor assured her. "But we'll need to do some imaging and possibly a minor procedure to confirm the diagnosis."

I felt Aiden's hand slip into mine, his grip firm and comforting. "We'll figure this out," he said softly, his voice meant just for me.

By the time we left the doctor's office, I felt drained, both physically and emotionally. The diagnosis wasn't confirmed yet, but the possibility of something like endometriosis weighed heavily on me.

In the car, Aiden reached over and took my hand again, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.

"You're not alone in this, Fina," he said quietly. "Whatever happens, I'm here. We all are."

My mom glanced back at us, her eyes misty. "He's right, tesoro. We'll get through this together."

For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe this was the start of finally understanding what was happening to me—and learning how to fight it.

The morning started quietly. Light filtered through the curtains, but I didn't feel the usual comfort of a new day. My body ached, my abdomen throbbed, and the heaviness in my chest hadn't lifted since the doctor's visit yesterday.

Staying home from school was the right decision; I barely had the energy to move. But even in the silence of my room, I couldn't stop the thoughts from spiraling. What if this pain never stopped? What if it was something worse than they thought?

I buried myself deeper under the covers, trying to block out everything, when a soft knock came at the door.

"Fina?"

It was my mom, her voice full of concern. She stepped inside and sat at the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling, tesoro?"

"I'm okay," I whispered, though the truth was far from it.

"You don't have to go to school today," she said gently. "Just rest, okay?"

I nodded, thankful for the reprieve. As she left the room, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it, half-expecting a message from one of my brothers, but instead, it was from Aiden.

Aiden❤️

Hey, how are you feeling? I'm skipping school. Thought I'd stop by with a few things for you. Stay in bed.

A small smile tugged at my lips. He didn't need to do any of this, but that was just who Aiden was.

About half an hour later, I heard the doorbell ring. A few minutes after that, Aiden appeared at my bedroom door with a large basket in his arms.

"Delivery for Miss Serafina Romano," he said with a grin.

I sat up slowly, wincing at the cramps, and gestured for him to come in. "What's all this?"

"Just some stuff to make you feel better," he said, walking over to the bed. He placed the basket beside me and started pulling things out: my favorite snacks, a heating pad, a fluffy blanket, and a few silly trinkets he knew would make me laugh.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Aiden, you didn't have to do all this."

He shrugged, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I wanted to. You've had a rough few days, and I just... I want to make it better."

I felt a lump in my throat at his words, the kindness and sincerity behind them.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Of course."

The hours passed in a comforting blur. Aiden stayed by my side, making sure I ate, keeping me distracted with movies, and talking about anything and everything to keep my mind off the pain.

At one point, I leaned back against the pillows, clutching the heating pad against my stomach, but it didn't seem to help much. The cramps were worse than usual, sharp and unrelenting.

"Fina, you okay?" Aiden asked, noticing the way I tensed.

"It's just... the cramps," I admitted, my voice strained.

He hesitated for a moment, then moved closer. "Can I try something?"

I nodded, too tired to question him.

He slid onto the bed beside me and gently pulled me toward him so my back rested against his chest. His warm hands moved to my stomach, applying gentle, soothing pressure as he began to rub slow circles over the painful area.

The warmth of his touch combined with the steady, rhythmic motion made some of the tension ease.

"Does that help?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

"Yeah," I murmured, closing my eyes. "It actually does."

For a while, we sat like that, his hands working to ease the pain, his presence grounding me in a way I hadn't expected.

Later, as the afternoon sun began to dip, we switched to one of my favorite movies. I was curled up against Aiden's side, the warmth of his body and the sound of his heartbeat a comfort I hadn't realized I needed.

At one point, I shifted to look up at him, noticing the way his eyes focused on the screen, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Aiden?" I said quietly.

He glanced down at me, his eyes meeting mine. "Yeah?"

"Thank you," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper. "For everything. For being here."

"You don't have to thank me, Fina," he said, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "I care about you. I'd do anything to make you feel better."

Something about the way he said it, the honesty in his voice, made my heart ache in the best way. Without thinking, I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

He froze for a moment, his eyes widening slightly as he looked at me. "What was that for?"

"I just... I wanted to," I admitted, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

His lips twitched into a small smile, and then, before I could overthink it, he leaned down and kissed me—soft and tentative, as if he was giving me the chance to pull away.

But I didn't. I kissed him back, my hand finding its way to his chest. The moment was brief, but it was enough to leave my heart racing.

When we pulled back, Aiden rested his forehead against mine, his thumb brushing gently over my cheek. "You're amazing, Fina. You know that?"

I felt a shy smile tug at my lips. "So are you."

We stayed like that for a while, the movie forgotten, lost in our own little world. For the first time in days, the pain in my body didn't feel so overwhelming. With Aiden beside me, everything felt a little more bearable.

Omniscient Pov:

The early morning hours passed as Fina and Aiden slept soundly in her room. Their bodies were nestled together, Fina curled against his side with his arm draped protectively over her. The blankets were tangled around them, and the room smelled faintly of the lavender-scented pillow spray Aiden had brought her the night before.

It was peaceful—too peaceful. For a while, neither of them moved, lost in the comfort of their shared space, the pain that had plagued Fina the day before having momentarily subsided.

But eventually, the sound of footsteps in the hall disrupted the quiet.

"Are they still sleeping?" Matteo's voice was soft, barely above a whisper as he peered into Fina's room. He had been up early, as usual, pacing the house with concern.

Dante, ever the protective older brother, stood just behind him, his brows furrowed. "They're in there together. I don't think she's feeling better."

Enzo, ever the curious one, had followed the two of them into the hallway, his footsteps a little louder than they should've been. "Does she look okay?"

"I don't know," Matteo replied, his voice still quiet. "She looks... peaceful. At least, for now."

They all stood in the hallway for a moment, hesitant. As much as they wanted to check on their sister, they didn't want to intrude on her privacy or disturb her.

Antonio, who had been standing at the back of the group, leaned against the wall with arms crossed, a look of concern etched on his face. "It's hard to see her like this. I don't think she's ready to open up yet. But she's not alone. Aiden's been good to her, and that's something, right?"

They all nodded in agreement, but their collective worry for their sister was palpable.

Alessandro and Isabella, Fina's parents, had woken up a bit earlier, though the house was still quiet. Alessandro had heard the murmurs of his sons in the hallway and joined them outside Fina's room. His hand brushed against the doorframe as he stood there for a moment, watching his children.

"Maybe we should give her some time," Isabella suggested softly, her tone filled with understanding. She reached for Alessandro's hand and squeezed it gently.

He nodded, though his thoughts were heavy with concern. His daughter, the little girl who had once been so full of life, had been through so much. It hurt to see her struggling with the weight of everything she had endured.

But there was something about the way Aiden was with her that eased some of his worries. The young man had become an unwavering pillar of support, and though Alessandro wasn't sure of the depth of their relationship, he could see how much his daughter trusted him.

Fina deserved to feel safe and loved, and if Aiden was the one who could give her that, then Alessandro was willing to put his trust in him too.

Inside Fina's room, the light from the morning sun bathed the room in a soft glow. Aiden remained asleep, his chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. Fina was nestled against him, her head resting on his chest. Her arms were wrapped around him, and his arm was draped protectively across her, fingers occasionally brushing her hair.

For a moment, it looked like nothing could disturb them—like the world had stopped spinning, allowing them to find solace in one another's presence.

But eventually, Fina stirred. She shifted in Aiden's embrace, her face scrunching up slightly as the familiar cramping from her cycle returned. Her body had grown accustomed to the discomfort, but the constant pain had left her exhausted, emotionally drained.

Aiden, ever observant, shifted with her, his hand immediately moving to her stomach as if instinctively knowing how to soothe her.

"Hey," Aiden murmured, his voice low, groggy with sleep. "You okay?"

Fina nodded slowly, her eyes fluttering open. The room felt hazy, the morning light diffused through the curtains. She looked up at Aiden, a small, tired smile tugging at her lips.

"Yeah," she whispered. "I'm better... with you here."

Aiden's smile was soft, and he kissed the top of her head. "I'll always be here for you, Fina."

In the hallway, the brothers were still waiting, unsure whether or not to enter.

Enzo's eyes flickered to the door once more, a mix of curiosity and concern in his gaze. "Maybe we should let them have some space?"

"I think that's a good idea," Matteo agreed, glancing back at their father, who had quietly joined them.

Dante, ever the protector, stood a little closer to the door, his hand resting on the frame, but his attention was on his father. "Do you think she'll be alright, Dad?"

Alessandro's voice was calm, but it carried the weight of years of experience. "Fina is strong. But she's also human. We can't force her to open up, but we can be here for her. When she's ready, she'll talk. Until then, all we can do is let her know she's loved."

Isabella, standing next to Alessandro, nodded in agreement. She placed a hand on his arm, a silent reassurance.

"I trust Aiden," she added, her voice firm. "He cares for her, and that's enough for now. Fina is safe with him."

The boys exchanged glances, their worry still there, but their parents' words offered a sense of comfort. It wasn't easy to watch their sister suffer, but they were learning to accept that they couldn't always fix things. They had to be patient.

And so, the family stood there in the hallway for a few moments longer, each silently offering support in their own way.

Inside Fina's room, the morning continued to pass quietly. Fina and Aiden stayed close, the bond between them growing stronger with every shared moment of comfort. The cramping was still there, but it was more bearable with him by her side, his presence offering her a calm she hadn't felt in a long time.

When the door to her room opened softly, it was Matteo who peeked inside. He caught sight of Fina and Aiden, still lying together, and couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at his lips. He wasn't sure how long they'd been like this, but he knew one thing for sure—his sister had found someone who made her feel safe again.

He quietly backed out of the room, signaling the others to follow him.

As the family retreated down the hallway, Alessandro turned to Isabella, squeezing her hand.

"She's going to be okay," he said softly.

"I hope so," she replied, her voice filled with both love and concern. "I hope so."



a/n

happy new year kidsssss, hope you enjoy this year better than last year.