“So,” Maria placed her hand on Luc’s shoulder. “The neck is the worst. As I said, he’s to rest his voice completely for two days. When he does try and talk, it’ll probably be pretty bad. He’s not going to be able to work for a while, Con.”
“Not a problem.”
Luc turned to glare at his sister and she read his mind again. “If you do go to the pub, I’ll expect Con to limit the amount of time you spend out front. You can’t sit and chat, and recover.”
Connor smirked. Maria was a little scary.
“There’s bruising and some swelling,” Maria continued. “But they did more scans and had a look with a camera.” (Luc shuddered.) “They were happy that the swelling is at its worse now. The bruising will get worse and then gradually fade.”
Stefano patted his grandfather’s leg, but kept his eyes on Nana. “Maria gave them the third degree. If she wasn’t happy, Luc would still be in hospital.”
“But if the swelling gets worse,” Luc’s grandfather worried. “What if he can’t breathe?”
“They wouldn’t have sent him home if there was any chance,” Maria reassured them calmly.
“The EMT that checked Aydin over. He said cool cloths would be soothing.”
Luc’s head whipped around to Connor.
“Is Aydin okay?” Maria asked sharply, voicing Luc’s concern.
Connor frowned. “He will be. He has a concussion and some scrapes. His head was cut, but the EMT was finally persuaded to leave him in Gently’s care. Sorry, I thought you knew.”
“We didn’t know he was hurt.”
“It was Aydin who stopped Liam’s attack.”
All eyes in the room widened. “It was?” Maria asked, before Luc could try to speak.
Connor nodded. “Yea, but some of the guys from the building site across the road were right behind him. They broke it up, held Liam, and called 911.”
Nana stood and took Luc’s shirt from his hands. With quiet dignity, she pulled it the right way and then tugged it gently over his head and down.
“Tomorrow your grandfather and I will walk back to the pub with you, and take Aydin some Ciambella.”
“My Ciambella?” Stefano protested. His eyes dancing when Nana smiled.
“I will make him one. Connor will need both Luc and Aydin close to be able to keep an eye on them both. And I will make some soup and pasta for the fridge so you do not have to think about food.”
Luc looked at her, his eyes damp.
“You go home with Connor tomorrow, but tonight you stay with us, yes?”
Luc nodded and hugged her.
When she pulled back she gently ran a hand over his chest, stopping before the bruise. “My brave boy. Do you think you can try some minestrone now?”
Laughing with delight when Connor grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I can. I can.”
-X
When Connor walked into the kitchen the next day, with his entourage, he was surprised to see his Aunt Pat. Her normally bushy hair was secured back and she, along with his cousin, Rob, were busy with paninis and sandwiches.
The kitchen smelled of cheese, ham, roasted vegetables. All sorts of heavenly delights.
She paused and watched, smiling as Luc followed Connor in, along with his grandparent’s. Although her eyes, full of concern, were on Luc.
“Aunt Pat? What’s going on?”
“In brief, we’re helping with lunch. Dave, Erin, and her Dave are in the bar. Gently has just popped home to shower and change. Aydin is sleeping in the spare room. And you’re Luc?”
She smiled when he nodded. “Come here and kiss my cheek. I’ll say a proper hello when I’m finished preparing food.”
Obediently Luc crossed the room and pressed his lips to her cheek when she bent down slightly. This was Connor’s proper mother as far as he was concerned. Then he gave Rob a shy little wave.
“He is not allowed to speak yet,” Nana Giotto confirmed. Liking the look of the other woman, and the sympathy in her eyes.
“Did you say Aydin is in the spare room? It’s a mess.”
Pat raised an eyebrow at Connor. “Not once Erin and Dave, her Dave (Luc indicated the third finger of his left hand, confirming to his grandparent’s that she meant Erin’s husband) had swept through it. They transferred him and tidied your room, so you can go and rest whenever you want to,” she added to Luc.
“Where’s Erin’s kids?” Connor’s voice cracked a bit and Luc moved quickly to wrap his arms around his waist, knowing Connor was moved by the help that had been given.
“At their grandparent’s for a few days. It was already planned, although her youngest took some persuading apparently. He wanted to come and take care of Aydin.”
A shudder ran through Connor as he held back an emotional sob.
“Connor. It would be useful if you can give the bar an hour to help cover lunches. I’m sure Mr and Mrs Giotto can keep any eye while they sort out whatever lovely food they have in those containers.”
“Oh, but.”
“Of course, we can.” Nana Giotto smiled. “We’re staying for a little while, and I want to check on Aydin, so you go, Connor, and help your staff. It will settle you down.” She exchanged a knowing look with Pat.
Connor seemed torn, but Luc settled it by tugging his head down for a kiss and disappearing up the stairs.
“Okay, I guess. I’m right here if you need anything,” he yelled up the stairs. Nana gave him a wink as she passed him.
“He’ll be fine,” Pat assured him. “Go. Shoo. Send Erin back here to help us.”
Outnumbered, Connor did as he was told.
Luc led his grandparent’s to the small kitchen area. That was really just a small fridge, kettle, and microwave.
Nana placed the cake on the counter, and then took the soup and placed it in the fridge. Looking around, unimpressed.
“This isn’t a kitchen. It’s a shelf!” she exclaimed, horrified.
Luc just shrugged and pointed at the floor, reminding her of the large, well equipped kitchen below.
“Oh, well. I suppose so,” she agreed, slightly mollified.
“Erin, is that you my brightest love? I’ll give you my eternal slavish devotion if you just please get me some Tylenol.” Aydin’s voice carried through the open spare room door, although it was weak compared to his usual.
They hurried over. Nana entered first to find Aydin sat on the edge of the bed in his underwear. His elbows were on his knees, and his head was resting on his hands. He looked pitiful.
Although Luc was surprised to note his definition. He had always thought Aydin a little skinny for his height. He was actually subtly built.
Nana stroked a gentle hand over his hair and bent down to kiss his head. “Kisses and Tylenol work better,” Aydin begged as he looked up. “Nana!” Then his eyes widened and he looked around immediately seeing Luc.
“Luc,” the tears started even as he held his arms open, and Luc hurried forward, letting Aydin enclose him. “Oh, sweet Jesus, Luc. I’ve been so worried. Luc?”
Nana touched his arm, “He’s not allowed to try and talk yet.”
“What? Why? Oh God, is there damage? It’s my fault. I’m sorry, I was too slow.”
Luc shook his head as hard as he dared and sent his Nana a pleading look. She was a little emotional herself though, at seeing Aydin’s concern.
His grandfather stepped forward. “Gattina. Why don’t you go find Erin and see if she has Aydin’s Tylenol. I’ll bring him up to date.”
Nana nodded, kissed all three men and disappeared downstairs to pull herself together while he reassured Aydin.