The faint light of dawn filtered through the curtains as Fina stirred awake, stretching slightly. She felt a comforting warmth behind her, and as her groggy mind cleared, she realized it was Aiden. His arm was loosely draped over her waist, his breathing soft and even. A small smile tugged at her lips—until she shifted slightly and felt something damp.

Her stomach dropped.

Carefully, she glanced over her shoulder to confirm that Aiden was still asleep. Then, she slowly lifted the blanket and froze. A dark crimson stain spread across the sheets beneath her. Heat rushed to her cheeks as the realization hit her. She had started her cycle during the night, and it was painfully obvious on the pristine white bedding.

Her first instinct was to panic. What would Aiden think? Would he be grossed out? She bit her lip, trying to hold back tears of embarrassment as she slid out from under his arm as gently as she could. She sat at the edge of the bed, head in her hands, not knowing what to do.

The small movement stirred Aiden awake. "Fina?" he mumbled groggily, his voice thick with sleep. He propped himself up on one elbow, his hair tousled.

Fina tensed, her back to him. "It's nothing," she said quickly, her voice higher-pitched than usual. "Just—go back to sleep."

Aiden blinked, fully awake now. He noticed her hunched shoulders and how she wouldn't turn around. "Fina, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft but concerned.

She shook her head, her face burning with humiliation. "I—I had an accident," she finally admitted, her voice trembling.

Aiden sat up, realizing what she meant as his gaze fell to the stain on the bed. But instead of recoiling or making a big deal of it, he reached out and gently touched her shoulder. "Hey," he said quietly. "It's okay. It happens."

Fina finally turned to look at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "You're not...grossed out?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course not," Aiden said firmly, offering her a reassuring smile. "It's natural, Fina. Nothing to be embarrassed about."

His calm response eased some of her anxiety, but she still felt mortified. "I'm sorry about the sheets," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Aiden chuckled softly. "They're just sheets. Let's get them cleaned up, okay?" He stood and stretched, then offered her his hand.

Fina hesitated before taking it. Together, they stripped the bed, and Aiden carried the sheets to the laundry room without a single complaint. While he took care of that, Fina quickly freshened up in the bathroom and changed into a pair of comfy sweats.

When she returned, Aiden was already back in her room, remaking the bed. He looked up and smiled when he saw her. "Feel better?"

She nodded shyly. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Anytime," he said, pulling her into a hug. "Now, let's get you some tea and something for the cramps. I'm not going anywhere."

As they headed downstairs together, Fina couldn't help but feel a little lighter. With Aiden by her side, even the most embarrassing moments didn't seem so bad.

By the time Fina and Aiden made it downstairs, Fina was already feeling the familiar ache deep in her abdomen. She hoped it would stay manageable, but as the minutes ticked by, the pain intensified, radiating through her lower back and legs.

Aiden, ever attentive, noticed her wince as she sank onto the couch. "Fina, are you okay?"

She nodded, trying to brush it off. "Just cramps," she muttered. "They'll pass."

But they didn't. Instead, the pain became sharper, more relentless. She curled up on the couch, clutching her stomach as beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Aiden frowned, clearly worried. "Let me get your mom," he said, standing up.

"No, wait!" Fina called weakly, reaching for his hand. "I'll be fine... I just need... time."

Before Aiden could protest further, Alessandro and Isabella entered the room, alerted by Fina's pained expression. Isabella knelt beside her daughter, her face etched with concern.

"Sweetheart, is it your endometriosis?" she asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from Fina's damp forehead.

Fina nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "It hurts so much, Mamma," she whispered.

Alessandro's jaw tightened as he exchanged a glance with Isabella. "What can we do?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Isabella shook her head. "She needs rest and some pain relief, but this... it's always unpredictable."

Aiden returned with a heating pad, gently placing it on Fina's abdomen. "Here," he said, sitting beside her again. "Does this help?"

Fina shook her head, her breathing shallow and labored. "Not really," she whispered.

The minutes dragged on, and nothing seemed to alleviate the pain. Her body trembled as waves of nausea hit her. She bolted upright, barely making it to the bathroom before she vomited.

Aiden followed quickly, holding her hair back as she retched. Isabella appeared moments later, rubbing Fina's back soothingly.

"You're okay, baby," Isabella murmured. "Let it out."

Fina sank to the bathroom floor, utterly exhausted. Aiden knelt beside her, his hand resting lightly on her back. "I hate seeing you like this," he admitted quietly.

"It's not your fault," Fina whispered, her voice hoarse.

Isabella helped her up and guided her back to the couch. Alessandro handed Fina a glass of water, his usual stoic demeanor softened with worry. "You're stronger than this pain, tesoro," he said gently.

Despite their efforts, Fina's condition didn't improve. Her body ached, and she could barely keep her eyes open. Aiden stayed by her side, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement while Isabella made arrangements to call her doctor for advice.

As the evening wore on, the family surrounded Fina with care. Her brothers took turns sitting with her, offering quiet reassurances, while Isabella stayed close, prepared to do whatever it took to ease her pain.

"I hate this," Fina mumbled at one point, her voice trembling. "I just want to feel normal."

"You will, Fina," Aiden promised, his eyes locked on hers. "We'll get through this together, okay?"

Her lips curved into a faint smile despite the pain. "You're too good to me," she whispered, squeezing his hand.

"You deserve it," Aiden replied firmly.

Later that night, after Alessandro and Isabella had reassured Fina that it was no big deal, she found herself back in her freshly made bed with Aiden. The cramps had returned with a vengeance, and despite her efforts to push through, the pain left her curled up under the blanket.

Aiden walked into the room, holding a warm heating pad and a glass of water. "Alright," he said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Let's see if this helps."

He slid in behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her closer. "Here," he murmured, pressing the heating pad against her stomach with one hand while the other rested lightly on her hip.

Fina let out a soft sigh, the warmth already easing some of the tension. She leaned back into him, her body relaxing as she felt his steady breathing against her back.

"You're too good to me," she whispered, her voice tinged with gratitude.

Aiden chuckled softly, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Always"

As the minutes passed, he shifted slightly to press a light kiss to her temple, then another to her cheek. Fina's breath hitched as his lips trailed down to her neck, each kiss soft and lingering.

"Aiden," she said, her tone half warning, half flustered.

He smiled against her skin. "What? Just trying to help you relax," he teased, his voice low and warm.

Aiden's lips hovered over the delicate curve of her neck, his warm breath sending a wave of tenderness through her. But as he gently pressed another kiss to her skin, he noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor. Fina's eyes squeezed tightly shut, her lashes fluttering against the tension in her face.

Concern flickered across his expression, and he immediately pulled back, his hand pausing at her waist as he searched her face. "Fina?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with worry. "Are you okay?"

Fina opened her eyes slowly, meeting his gaze. There was a flicker of vulnerability in them, something she hadn't quite let him see before. She bit her lip, trying to hide the swirling thoughts, but Aiden could see the shift in her. He could feel the hesitation radiating off her, even in the warmth of his arms.

"I—" Fina hesitated, trying to gather her thoughts, but the words wouldn't come. She wasn't sure if she wanted to speak them aloud, the doubts that had been growing in her mind suddenly seeming so much louder.

Aiden noticed the subtle tension in her posture and the way her breath caught in her chest. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," he murmured gently, his thumb brushing along her arm, offering comfort.

Fina gave him a small, uncertain smile. "I'm just... thinking," she admitted, her voice soft and distant.

Aiden didn't push her. He simply nodded, staying close, his hand resting lightly on her hip as he leaned back, allowing her the space to process. The moment felt fragile, and he didn't want to overwhelm her.

His thumb continued to trace soft, absent patterns on her skin as he waited, respecting her need for quiet. Fina's mind wandered again, the echo of Sophia's words still lingering in her thoughts. Are we meant for each other?

Aiden's presence was both grounding and confusing. He had been so gentle, so patient with her through everything, yet the reality of their worlds felt like an ever-present barrier—one that she wasn't sure she could cross. The future seemed like an abstract thing, uncertain and unclear.

She glanced at him again, his face full of concern and kindness, and for a brief moment, she wondered if he could sense the doubt churning within her. But Aiden, sensing her internal battle, gave her a reassuring squeeze, offering nothing but warmth and acceptance, waiting for her to come to him when she was ready.

Fina's breath wavered as she let her eyes linger on Aiden, the weight of her thoughts pressing heavily on her chest. His gentle touch was a quiet anchor in the chaos of her mind, and yet, the questions swirling within her felt too big to ignore. She wanted to reach out to him, to tell him everything, but her thoughts tangled, unsure of where to start.

Aiden remained silent, his presence steady and unwavering. He could feel the tension in the air, but he didn't rush her. Instead, he gave her the space she needed, his thumb still tracing absent circles on her arm. His patience was a comfort, but it only seemed to make her realize just how much she was grappling with.

"I'm not sure what I'm doing, Aiden," Fina whispered, her voice barely audible as the words spilled out. "I'm scared. I'm scared of what this is... or what it could become."

Aiden didn't flinch or look away. He remained close, his gaze soft, as if he were listening to every single word, feeling the weight of her uncertainty. He pulled her closer, just enough to hold her without suffocating her. "You don't have to figure everything out right now," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I'm here, Fina. Whatever you need, whatever you're thinking—I'm not going anywhere."

His words were simple, but they had the power to disarm her in a way she hadn't expected. She wanted to believe him, wanted to believe that everything would somehow fall into place, but the fear of her own doubts felt too strong to ignore.

What if this was just a moment? She asked herself. What if, in the end, we're just fooling ourselves?

The soft pressure of Aiden's lips against her temple pulled her from her spiraling thoughts, his kiss a quiet reminder that, despite her fears, he was still there, still holding her. Still waiting.

Fina inhaled shakily, her eyes drifting closed as she leaned into him. "I'm scared I'll mess everything up," she admitted, her voice small. "That I'll end up hurting you, or myself... or both of us."

Aiden's grip tightened slightly, but it wasn't the kind of tightness that felt possessive or controlling. It was the kind of hold that made her feel like she wasn't alone. "Fina," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper, "you won't mess things up. Not with me. We'll figure this out together, okay? We're in this together, no matter how messy it might seem."

She nodded, her body still tense but comforted by the sincerity in his voice. As he continued to hold her, she let herself relax just a little, leaning into his warmth. Despite her doubts, despite the fear and the uncertainty, there was something undeniable about the way he made her feel. Safe. Wanted.

Her mind wandered back to the ball, to Sophia's words. You and Aiden... people can see it, you know.

Can they? Fina wondered. She wasn't sure what was real anymore, but right then, in his arms, it felt real. The soft hum of his heartbeat against her back, the steady rhythm of his breath, the way his hand still rested lightly on her waist—it felt real.

"I'm not sure about everything," Fina said after a moment, her voice quieter now, "but when I'm with you, it's like... I can breathe. Like I'm not carrying the world on my shoulders."

Aiden smiled softly, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "That's all I want, Fina. For you to feel like you're not carrying anything alone." He paused for a beat. "Whatever happens, I'm here. You don't have to figure it all out on your own. Not ever."

Fina's heart swelled, the overwhelming uncertainty easing just a fraction. Maybe she didn't have all the answers, maybe she was still trying to make sense of her feelings and her life, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she could take things one step at a time.

And with Aiden by her side, maybe, just maybe, the pieces would fall into place.

a/n

ahhhh school's tmr for me so you guys won't be getting updates everyday.