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After a tearful call to her mother to say another goodbye, Alex boarded her plane. It was bad enough that her mind and heart were a jumble of irrational thoughts and tear-provoking emotions; but in addition, the turbulence on her trans-Atlantic flight was a series of jarring dips and turns that left her stomach in knots and her head pounding. The storm that seemed to hold the plane in its grasp for the entire last part of the flight also slowed down its descent and made its landing the stuff of which daredevils can only dream.
Nearly missing her connection in Frankfurt, Alex ran through the concourse and yelled for the attendant to hold the door at the gate. Once in her seat, she reached for the inhaler that she hadn’t used in ages, and calmed her exercise-induced asthma before the plane alighted back into the dark cloud from which Alex had just descended.
Several hours later, Alex stood by the conveyer belt in baggage claim, impatiently tapping her foot and continuously glancing at her phone for updates. There were none. Was Nicolas okay? Awake? Mildly hurt or seriously hurt? Critically - no, she couldn’t go there.
After what seemed like an eternity, she spotted her suitcase slide down onto the turnabout. She grabbed the bag and heaved it up and onto the floor. Without pausing, she pulled up the extendable handle and raced for the door. Thankfully, she still had the presence of mind to locate her car, but only because she snapped a photo of the space and aisle numbers before she left.
Alex followed the directions on her phone app and made it to the hospital in Verona in less than the fifteen minutes that the GPS originally calculated. She swung into a spot and sprinted into the building. Thankfully, Maria had received her text and was waiting in the lobby. The two women embraced.
“What happened?” Alex searched Maria’s face for clues about Nicolas’ condition.
“E' stata rapida. Era sul tetto, e poi e' scivolato,”
“Maria, please, I’ve been gone for almost two weeks, and you’re speaking so fast....”
“May I help?” A nurse with a British accent came toward them.
“Yes, please,” Alex implored. “My, uh,”
“Her boyfriend, my cousin,” Maria managed to say.
Alex blushed, but there was not time to explain. “Sì, I mean yes, I mean Nicolas Giordano, can you tell me what happened to him? Is he okay?”
“Let me check.” The nurse went to a nearby desk and typed into the computer. “Ah, I see,” she said, but Alex still didn’t see. She was desperate to get answers but waited patiently for the nurse to finish reading the information.
“Okay,” she looked at Alex and Maria. “Your name?”
“Alex, Alexandra O’Donnell,” Alex’s patience was wearing thin.
“Very good, you are on the list.” The woman smiled and continued, “I am not a doctor, but I can explain what happened and how he is. Mr. Giordano apparently fell from a roof at a vineyard.” Maria nodded in agreement. “He sustained multiple rib fractures, a broken leg and arm, and has a concussion. He is heavily sedated.” The nurse looked up, and Alex feared that she was going to tell them to go home, but her expression softened. “Of course, you may go see him, but he probably won’t know you are there.”
“He will know,” Alex said, feeling confident that Nicolas would somehow feel her presence. The nurse nodded.
“I’m Jacqueline, and don’t worry. It looks like he’s going to be fine. I’ll take you to him.” Alex thanked her and followed her closely through the double doors that led into the cavernous bowels of the hospital.
When they came to a stop outside of the room, Alex looked through the glass window at the unrecognizable man lying in the bed. His face was barely visible behind the oxygen tube, and his head was wrapped in white gauze. One arm was raised into the air in a sling that hung from the ceiling. A leg in a white cast peeked out from the blanket and rested in a similar sling. Tears welled up in Alex’s eyes, and Maria put her arms around her friend. Sensing their presence, Marta turned toward the window and stood from the chair.
“Can he breathe?” Alex managed to choke out the question.
“Yes, but he is in a lot of pain, and we need to be careful that the ribs don’t puncture anything. The oxygen helps him breathe easier,” Jacqueline said quietly.
Marta closed the door behind her and wrapped Alex in a warm embrace.
“I came as soon as Maria called.”
“I knew you would. He needs you.” Marta turned back toward the window, and Alex followed her gaze.
“You can go in if you want to.” Jacqueline touched Alex’s shoulder.
“Sì, go in,” Marta said, releasing Alex and moving away from the door.
Alex carefully opened the door and tiptoed into the room. She hesitated by the foot of the bed, the beeping and pulsing of the machines causing her heart to skip a beat. Slowly, she moved to the side of the bed and gently took his hand in hers. The bandages around his chest and torso stopped below his collarbone, and his arms were bare.
“Nicolas, it’s Alex,” she whispered and hoped for a reaction, a flicker of an eyelid, the twitch of his hand, but Nicolas remained still. Alex wiped away a tear with her other hand and sniffed. She let go of his hand just long enough to settle in the chair and drop her purse onto the floor as she sat down. She took his hand in both of her hands and began to pray.
Maria, Marta, and Jacqueline watched from the window.
“They are very much in love?”
“Sì, sono molto innamorati,” Maria said.
“Then it is good that she is here.”
Maria and Marta looked at each other and nodded. It was good.
“Alex.” Whether it was her softly spoken name or the gentle nudge, Alex was awakened a few hours later by Jacqueline, the nurse. Her mouth felt like cotton, her neck and back were sore from leaning over in the chair with her face on her hand, and the imprint of her knuckles and fingers was pressed into her cheek. She blinked a few times and registered the sounds and sights of the room, of Nicolas still motionless in the bed.
“I’m leaving and thought I would check on you. Visiting hours are almost over.”
Alex looked at Nicolas and wondered how she could leave him. His mother had gone back to the villa to rest and fix dinner, but Alex wanted to stay as long as possible.
“Thank you,” she turned to the nurse and whispered with a ghost of a smile.
Jacqueline nodded and patted Alex’s hand. “He’s going to be fine. It looks much worse than it is.”
Fighting back tears, Alex gave a quick nod and rose from the chair. She leaned toward Nicolas, wishing she could find a place on his face to leave a gentle kiss. She gave his hand a squeeze and reluctantly whispered goodbye.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” she promised.
As she headed back through the halls of the hospital, she saw people weeping and heard moans and cries from various rooms. She thought about Roberto and realized just how lucky they were.
Though Marta was at the villa, a feeling of loneliness hung over everything like a shroud. Alex put her purse on the chair in the front parlor and headed toward the kitchen. The house was silent. Alex expected the scent of Italian food to waft through the air when she opened the door, but the kitchen was clean and empty.
She quietly walked up the stairs and peeked into the extra bedroom, Nonno and Nonna’s room, that was now used by Marta and presumably other guests. Marta was wrapped in a blanket on the bed, her steady breaths were the only sound in the house.
Alex tiptoed back down the stairs and began to hunt for something to eat. By the looks of the empty shelves in the fridge, it seemed that Nicolas had not done much shopping while she was gone, and Marta must have eaten out since arriving the previous afternoon. If the circumstances had been different, Alex might have been annoyed that Marta had neglected to call or text her to bring home food, but Alex knew that Nicolas' accident, right on the heels of losing his father, must have been quite a blow to the poor woman asleep upstairs. What would they all do if they had lost Nicolas when he fell off of the roof of the winery?
Alex suddenly shut the door to the refrigerator and gasped. Nicolas had been in the process of fixing the roof and hiring the temporary workers for the upcoming harvest. Her heart began to pound as the realization sunk in that Nicolas would not be able to help, probably would not even be there to make the final decisions about staff. He wouldn’t be able to do all of the things he normally did to ensure a smooth and successful harvest. What exactly did he do? This was Alex’s first fall on the vineyard, and she was now in charge, and Nicolas would be counting on her. She could not fail him.
She reached out and placed both hands on the refrigerator to steady herself. Of course, Maria, Luigi, and Giovanni would know what needed to be done, but were there decisions that only Nicolas made? What were her responsibilities going to be now that she was the only owner of Belle Uve available to make them?
She opened the fridge back up and took out the bottle of wine she had seen moments before. Pouring herself a glass, she hunted for bread and olive oil, or anything else to stop her stomach from protesting its emptiness. She sat at the kitchen table and ate bread, a handful of olives, and a hunk of cheese. By the time she finished off the wine, it took everything in her to make the climb up the stairs, dragging her suitcase behind her, unmindful of the noise she was making. She used the bathroom and brushed her teeth, but she didn't even change out of her clothes before collapsing onto the bed and giving into exhaustion.
“Grazie mille.” Alex hung up the phone in the office and breathed a sigh of relief. Marta reported that Nicolas had slept peacefully through the night. There were no signs of further damage from the ribs, and the latest tests did not reveal any swelling or bleeding in the brain. He was still sedated and would probably not be taken off of the medication until later that day. She had time to focus on the vineyard. Though she wanted to be there when the doctor made his morning rounds, she knew that once Nicolas woke up, he would want a report on the winery. Thankfully, Marta was there to meet with the doctor and assuage Alex’s fear that there might be more damage than they had originally been told. Nicolas had been able to move his hands and feet when he was brought into the hospital, his spine was intact, and his reflexes were good.
“I need to see everything that Nicolas was working on before the accident.” Alex walked into the front room where Maria was going over their inventory of the recently delivered bottles, labels, and cases.
“You mean, other than the roof,” Maria said with a raised brow.
“Yes,” Alex rolled her eyes, “other than the roof.”
Maria spent the next hour going over with Alex every aspect of Nicolas’ work from the past two weeks. Alex read his notes, asked questions, and made decisions that had been left unanswered. Then she walked outside to continue the needs assessment with Luigi and Giovanni. She spent most of the day tying up loose ends and handling everything that seemed most pertinent while she gave orders to Luigi and Giovanni to choose which of the applicants would be called back. There were still questions to be answered and plans to be made, but she hoped that Nicolas could take care of those when he came home, even if it meant setting up a temporary office in the villa.
At 3:00, Alex told Maria that she was leaving for the hospital. She wanted to be there when Nicolas woke up, and the doctor estimated that it would be close to four when he was expected to start rousing from the medicine-induced sleep. There were further tests and more x-rays to be done once he was awake, but Alex wanted to be there when he opened his eyes.
“Is he still asleep?” she asked Jacqueline as soon as she spotted her.
“He is. Ordinarily, I wouldn't know since he’s not my patient, but I did check in on him a few minutes ago. I knew you would probably be in soon, and I thought it might be easier for you if I helped with any translation needs.”
Alex felt an instant release of tension in her neck and shoulders. “Thank you so much. That would be wonderful.”
“Is his mother still here? I didn’t see her when I was up there.”
“She should be. Perhaps she stepped out for lunch.”
They walked toward Nicolas’ room and chatted idly about the weather (it was hot, of course), Verona (it was beautiful but very touristy at this time of year), and Jacqueline (she met her husband, an Italian businessman, while vacationing in the South of France).
“I’ll leave you alone,” Jacqueline motioned to Nicolas when they reached the door to his room, “but here is my cell phone number.” She handed Alex a piece of paper. “Text me when the doctor arrives or if you have any questions or need anything before then.”
“Thank you.” Alex took the paper and smiled at Jacqueline, hoping that the woman knew just how much it meant to Alex to have her there.
Alex walked into the room and took Nicolas' hand.
“I don't know if you can hear me,” she said quietly, “but I’m back. I was hoping you would open your eyes and tell me that you’re glad I’m home.” Alex tried to smile and keep her tone light, but her voice caught on the word ‘home,’ and she had to choke back her tears. Then, she felt it, a slight twitch, the smallest of movements, then the light squeeze of her hand. Or had she?
“Nicolas, can you hear me?” She raised her voice just a notch louder and held her breath. A few seconds passed, and then she felt it again. There was no other sign that he was awake, but Alex knew that Nicolas had just squeezed her hand.
She couldn't contain her tears as she leaned closer. “Nicolas, I’m here. Can you open your eyes? Please,” she begged. And then she saw the movement, the rippling of an eyelid, so subtle, but there nonetheless.
The beeping beside her increased, and Alex turned to see that Nicolas’ heart rate was beginning to rise. She felt a moment of panic before the doctor entered the room.
“È buono,” he smiled. “Lui sì sta svegliando.” Alex had no problem translating the doctor’s news. Nicolas was waking up.
Marta rushed into the room, a cup of espresso in her hand. “What is happening?” she asked Alex.
“I think he is waking up.” Alex went to Marta and took her hand. The two women watched in anticipation as the doctor examined Nicolas.
Alex let go of Marta and reached for her phone. She sent a quick text to Jacqueline as she watched the handsome doctor check Nicolas’ vital signs. Though Marta was there, Alex wanted to know that she fully understood everything that the doctor told them. She observed the doctor gently lift an eyelid and shine a penlight into Nicolas’ eyes.
When Jacqueline came in, she smiled at Alex and Marta. “Good timing,” she said. “I just finished giving my patients their medication.” Jacqueline turned to the doctor and explained why she was there.
“Very nice to meet you. I am Doctor Graziani,” he said to Alex in a thick accent. “I can speak English, but it would be faster and easier for me to explain to Jacqueline, if that is pleasing to you.”
Alex turned to Marta who nodded her head in agreement.
“Sì, por favore. Grazie,” Alex said and then quickly added, “He squeezed my hand. Just now. Nicolas squeezed my hand.”
Dr. Graziani nodded and smiled before turning to Jacqueline. He spoke for a few minutes and then turned to Nicolas and folded his hand around Nicolas’ hand.
“Nicolas, riesci a sentirmi? Se riesci a sentirmi, spremere la mano.”
Alex watched and waited, and then just as he had done with her, Nicolas slowly squeezed Dr. Graziani's hand.
“Ottimo.” Alex understood, “Very good.”
“Nicolas, sì può aprire gli occhi?”
Alex watched as the rippling behind Nicolas’ eyelids began again, both eyes this time, and held her breath in anticipation. Jacqueline took her hand, and Alex could feel the nurse holding her breath as well.
“Nicolas, apri gli occhi.”
It seemed so painfully slow to Alex, but she watched through tears as Nicolas managed to lift his eyelids halfway. He closed them, and then opened them again and blinked twice.
“Bentornato.” Dr. Graziani smiled as he welcomed Nicolas back to awareness. “Qualcuno vorrebbe vederti.”
Alex needed no prompting. Yes, she did want to see him, as Doctor Graziani told Nicolas, but she turned toward Marta for permission. Smiling with understanding, Marta motioned for Alex to go to Nicolas. Tears streamed down Alex’s face as she looked into his open eyes.
“Ciao,” was all she managed to squeak out before wiping away her tears with her free hand and beaming at Nicolas.
He tried to speak and then seemed to notice the tube in his throat. For a moment, he looked panicked.
“No, no, va bene,” the doctor reassured him.
Alex let go of his hand so that Dr. Graziani could move closer and speak to Nicolas.
“He is explaining to him why he has the tube,” Jacqueline told Alex. “Once they are sure he can breathe normally without too much pain, they will remove it. I am guessing that they will remove the tube from his mouth and use nasal tubes. They will be much more comfortable.” Alex nodded. “He is telling Nicolas that he will be taken for some tests and that it might hurt, but that they need to assess his injuries.”
Dr. Graziani pushed the call button on the wall above Nicolas and turned and spoke to Jacqueline.
“You are welcome to wait here,” Jacqueline said as a nurse came in and began unhooking some of the machines.
Nicolas reached out from the blanket, and instinctively, Alex went to his side and took hold of his hand. Marta followed her.
“We will be here when you come back,” Alex told him. Nicolas looked from her to his mother and gave a slight nod before being pulled away and letting go.
When he returned to his room thirty minutes later, his face was pale and his breathing was heavy.
“Lui è nel dolore.” The nurse let them know that Nicolas was in pain before she began hooking him back up to the machines. A second nurse entered the room and gave him dose of pain medication through his IV.
“Dormirà,” the nurse told them, and the women knew they had only minutes before the medication would take effect. Marta leaned over her son and kissed his forehead before telling him goodnight. Alex then went to his side and took his hand. Holding it between her palms, she kissed the tips of his fingers.
“Andare a dormire, il mio amore.” “Goodnight, my love.”
Nicolas closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Early the following morning, Alex and Marta walked, arm in arm, out to Marta’s car.
“Are you sure, Marta? It’s your house, and Nicolas is your son. You are more than welcome to stay longer.”
“Grazie, Alex, I know that I am welcome in your home.” Alex’s heart did a flip at the sound of Marta’s words and her acknowledgement that the villa, and all that came with it, was more than just a house to Alex. “Nicolas is improving, and he is in good hands. I must return to Firenze. I have only been working at the Uffizi for a week, and I must not let them replace me so soon.” Marta smiled at Alex and embraced her tightly before kissing her on each cheek. Alex knew how excited Marta was about her new job at the iconic museum, and she couldn’t imagine how torn she must have been to have to choose between her job and her child. “Take care of our Nicolas.”
Alex’s eyes misted as she answered, “I will. Please tell him that I will be in to see him later.”
Marta nodded and hugged her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Alex watched as Marta drove down the driveway and was grateful for Marta, for her friendship, for Marta’s knowing, even before Alex knew, that her love for Nicolas was strong and true. Though neither woman mentioned it, and Nicolas and Alex had yet to profess it, Alex was sure that all parties involved could see what Signora had seen all along.