Tangled In Strings

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The nurse is gone, and we're in that nervous stage between when one leaves and the other has still yet to arrive for the next shift. There's not much to do, but try to keep the fever down. Try to keep him comfortable.

But this is the first time he's woken since I've been home.

I scoot closer to him. "Norman."

He moves his mouth, as if he were thirsty. I quickly reach for the water on the nightstand, not sure if he'll be able to drink it, or worse, keep it down. We've prepared with chipped ice for when that happens. I smile, unable to contain my relief when he drinks a sip of the water and swallows it. Some of it escapes his lips, so I grab the rag and wipe away the wetness.

He coughs, and it's a vicious sound. And the air he sucks back in is worse.

"How long?"

I glance at the clock. "You've been out for a few hours."

It takes him a long time to speak but eventually he smiles, slowly. "Still fighting?"

I laugh, only hearing nervousness. "No, no. We're okay."

"You both are so stubborn." I nod, as his teeth chatter, and he closes his eyes, humming. "It's real cold."

I stand, and grab one of the blankets from the bottom of the bed, knowing it won't help chase the chill away, but it might give him comfort.

"I need you to grab me the binder, on top of the desk. Bring it here."

I set down the blanket over him, curiously looking over to the desk. Surely enough, there is a binder on top of a stack of papers. I retrieve it, and place it by him on the bed.

"Open it."

I realize he can't grab it. I nod, and open the flaps, blinking when I find his will inside.

"Everything is there. I made a...change to it, today."

"A change?"

He nods, slowly. "Yes. Scarlett, y-you have to make him take it."

"What?"

"Giovanni," I blink, shell-shocked as he continues, "There's a portion for him, so he can work...he chose right, doing what he did. Don't hold it against him."

"I don't know how to make him take it."

"You stay as stubborn, as you always are. I took a portion of Monica's cut to do it, so she may get upset about that, but I don't...I don't really care."

I smile. "I'll handle her."

"I know you will."

"There's...there's another thing too." He points to the folder, with a trembling finger. My eyes sweep over the will, and land upon a section that makes my head snap up to him.

"At his or her twenty-fifth birthday, after college...there's enough to get a house, a car, and some extra. If-If you have more, it allows you to split the amount to accommodate."

I shake my head, gaping. "H-How did you know?"

"Giovanni, he let it slip."

I hold up the binder. "Does he know about this?"

"No."

"Norman, I was going to tell you."

"I know...but I'm glad he did. I got to see h-how excited he is for it. I think he'll make a good father."

My heart aches, painfully. I set down the binder, and reach out hastily, clasping onto Normans hand with both of mine. I expect them to be ice cold, due to the paleness of his skin, but they're hot. Burning hot.