A Fragile Thread

Chapter 15: Giggles

It took everything in me not to laugh, but I couldn't hold back the smile. It was small, but it was there. The smallest tug at the corners of my lips, the smallest warmth in my chest.

Raffaele's face lit up, his grin practically glowing. "There it is!" he said, like he'd just won a prize. "Told you I could make you smile, love."

I'd never seen someone so genuinely happy to be around me.

I didn't answer but something about what he said gave me a small feeling of confidence.

"Can I get up?" I whispered, my voice still hoarse.

Raffaele's brow furrowed immediately. He stood up and took a step closer, his face filled with concern. "You don't have to do anything, sweetheart. You've been through a lot. Let's just rest a bit more."

I hesitated, not wanting to stay in bed any longer. I could hear everyone else moving around downstairs, and it was hard not to want to join them. The house felt different, quieter, like something was hanging in the air, but I wasn't sure what. I wanted to move, even if just to get away from the thick silence of the room.

"I'm fine," I said, trying to sound convincing, but my voice wavered.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with a gentle look. "You don't have to be fine, baby. It's okay. You need to rest."

I shook my head, trying to sit up. "But I want to go downstairs."

Raffaele immediately knelt beside the bed, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. "I don't think you should get up just yet. You've had a rough time, and your body needs a little more time to recover."

I winced slightly at the thought of being stuck here, but Raffaele was right. My body still felt weak. I wanted to push past it, to be strong, but I wasn't sure if I could.

He watched me, waiting patiently as I struggled with the decision.

Then, after a long pause, he added, "Sweetheart, if you want to go downstairs, I can help you. But only if you want me to. I'm not going to make you do anything you're not ready for."

I hesitated. Part of me wanted to feel independent, to prove I was okay, but another part of me was scared to move, scared of how weak I felt.

"Are you sure?" I asked, still unsure.

Raffaele's smile softened, and his eyes became even more tender. "I'm always sure when it comes to you, sweetheart. But I need you to tell me what you need. If you want to stay here, that's fine. But if you want to get up, I'm happy to carry you downstairs. But only if that's okay with you."

I blinked, feeling a mix of emotions welling up inside me. The idea of him carrying me was strange, but there was something comforting in his offer—something that made me feel like I wasn't alone.

"Can... can you carry me?" I asked, my voice quiet and unsure.

Raffaele's expression softened, and he immediately nodded, looking slightly surprised. "Of course, love. But only if you're comfortable with it. You tell me if you don't want me to, alright?"

I nodded slowly, a small sense of relief washing over me. "Okay... I think I want to. Just... be careful, please?"

His smile grew, his eyes full of warmth. "I'll always be careful with you, sweetheart. Always."
Raffaele's voice was gentle, but it felt like a promise, steady and calm. "I'm gonna pick you up now, alright, sweetheart?"

My chest tightened at the question. It wasn't that I didn't want to be held, it was just... I wasn't used to it. Not like this, not with someone who cared, not someone who would hold me carefully, like I mattered. But Raffaele's voice was soft, and the way he looked at me—like he wouldn't do anything unless I said it was okay—made something inside me settle, just a little.