Nice Shot

"Good afternoon, ma'am. My name is Dr. Ramirez. It's very nice to meet you. I heard that you have been throwing up lately. Do you have any idea what from?"

I look up at the Middle aged man dressed in a white lab coat and dress pants. He has lines around his eyes from smiling too much. I can already feel myself starting to like him.

"Will my medical records be kept confidential?"

He looks uncomfortable from my blunt question. I swear I can see a bead of sweat roll down his forehead.

"Well, by law they are supposed to be. But, uhm, Mr. Romero has a way of getting what he wants. I'm sure you are well aware of that."

"Well doctor. You can tell him I have a stomach virus and that I'm completely fine. Make up whatever notes or prescriptions you need to, but he can't know what's wrong with me yet."

I watch as his face pales and he gulps. How afraid of Alessi is he? Surely he wouldn't cause him any harm for keeping my medical records confidential.

"I'm pregnant with his baby, but I'm not ready to tell him yet. I guess you just need to check me out and get me some prenatal vitamins."

He simply nods his head causing some sweat droplets to fling off. He's so scared he is almost shaking. The sight makes me even more pissed at Alessi. How does he treat people to warrant this kind of reaction?

"Dr. Ramirez, I promise you that if you do as I say he can't hurt you. I'll make sure you are safe."

He nods less frantically this time as he pulls out his equipment and gets to work. He checks all my vitals and makes notes of my symptoms. I see him pull out a small sonogram machine and start hooking it up.

"I'm going to pull up your shirt a little bit, if that's okay, miss."

I nod at him and let him do his job. He rubs my stomach with the wand before he finds what he is looking for. I hear the steady thump of my baby's heartbeat. Tears fill my eyes and threaten to spill out. I blink them away and clear my throat as Dr. Ramirez puts his things away.

"Everything seems perfectly normal. You and the baby seem healthy, but I need you to come into my office for an official ultrasound. This small one here can't pick up everything, so it's important to get a proper checkup soon. I'd say you're at or just over 10 weeks. Congratulations."

I thank him as I watch him leave my room. I really am pregnant. I feel a lump form in my throat. Ady won't ever know that she would've been an aunt. My parents won't ever get to meet their grandchild. One after another, tears fall down my face. I've never felt so alone and hopeless as I do right now. How am I going to do this alone? I can't bare the thought of even talking to Alessi, much less raising a child with him. I quickly wipe away my tears as I see my bedroom door open. Vince and Dria walk in looking me over to see how I am. Vince is the first to make his way to me. He pulls me into his comforting arms and strokes my hair.

"It's going to be okay, Em. We are here for you. I'm here for you."

His touching words hurt my heart even more. What did I do to deserve such amazing friends. I let myself cry it out in his arms. I haven't cried this much in years and it makes me feel vulnerable.

"You can't stay like this. Why don't you shower and meet us downstairs?"

I nodded my head at Dria and made my way to the bathroom. I pull off my clothes and look into the mirror. I look completely different now with my short hair and sunken in cheeks. I've lost weight and instinctively put my hand on my stomach. I'm not far enough along to show or feel anything, but I swear I can feel my baby. It gives me strength knowing that this baby needs me.

"I'll do everything I can for you. I promise."

I smile down at my belly before hopping in the shower and try to scrub off the depression and despair. It seems to help as I get out of the shower feeling lighter and dry off. I have to be strong, not only for me, but for my baby.

I head downstairs towards the living room to find Vince and Dria. I see them sitting on the couch and talking. They would make a cute couple. I wonder if there is any history there. They look up at me as I walk through the doorway. I give them a small smile letting them know I'm ready to get my crap together.

"So what do you to help you when you get stressed or sad? I usually drink, but I don't think that's recommended for you."

I chuckle at Vince before thinking of what helps me.

"Training helps me a lot. Especially when my anxiety or depression gets me down."

"You're pregnant Emilia. I don't think you need to be training right now."

Dria's right. I don't need to be putting my body under a lot of physical stress since emotionally, I'm a mess. I look over to Vince before asking.

"You got a gun?"

His face breaks into a smile.

"Now we're talking. Let me go grab a pistol. Dria set up some targets in the back."

He walks out of the head heading to his car. Dria leaves soon after to go get targets I guess. I sit down and sink into the couch. Not too much later, Vince and Dria come back and lead me to the backyard. I see pictures of Alessi's face taped over the shooting targets. I laugh out at the pictures. Only Dria could bring humor to a situation like this.

"Figured it would make you feel better if you could shoot my brother."

She shrugs like it's no big deal. I smile at her thanking her. I will enjoy taking my frustrations out on his face. Vince hands me a gun and I line up my feet and get ready to take aim. Once I've gotten my hand steady and my target in sight, I shoot out four bullets welcoming the familiar feeling of the recoil and the smell of gunfire calms me. I look to the target and see four bullet holes decorating Alessi's forehead. I smile at myself before turning my attention to my friends.

"Nice shot, Em. I'm impressed."

Vince smiles down at me and for this first time in while, I feel like everything is going to be okay. My life might be turned upside down, but I can do this. I will do this.

We all three take turns littering Alessi's pictures with bullets.

"This is the most therapeutic thing I've ever done, and I've been in therapy for years."

Vince and Dria laugh with me and soon they are clutching their sides with tears falling down their face. I join in with them doubling over. My side hurts so bad from laughing, but it's such a good pain. I look over at them collecting themselves.

"You are something else. I'm glad you're back to yourself though. You scared us."

"I'm sorry Dria. I just didn't know what to do. I can't believe I'm pregnant with his baby."

She gives me a sad smile before pulling me into a hug.

"Always know that I'll always be by your side. No matter what. I'm sure Vince feels the same."

I look over to Vince nodding his head.

"I love you guys so much. I don't know what I would do with you."

That night at supper, I'm able to eat a decent portion and keep it down. Looks like the nausea was more from my mental health than morning sickness. I know I still need to go to Dr. Ramirez's office for a better ultrasound, but I can't go yet. I know Alessi will find out as soon as I walk in those doors. As long as I stay healthy, I think I'll be able to push off the ultrasound for a while. I'm still not ready to face him just yet.

Alessi POV

"Do you take me for a fool?"

My voice comes out cold bare of any emotion. I've always been able to put on a mask when dealing with anything mafia related, but it's become even easier since Emilia left me.

I look down at the traitor at my feet. He's been stealing some of the drugs he was in charge of delivering. He has done it little by little, almost not enough to notice, but I am the king of details. I wasn't able to maintain my position of being the capo of the Italian mafia by letting things slide. I had gathered a lot of my drug dealers to witness what happens to thieves. You don't steal from me and make it out alive.

"Tony over here."

I pause as I kick him in the side making sure he stays down.

"Thought he was smart enough to get away with stealing. Do you all know what happens to someone who wrongs me?"

I let my eyes float around the room taking in all the men nodding at me with fear in their eyes. I pull out my gun and turn off the safety. I barely glance at him as I pull the trigger letting the bullet sink in between his eyes.

"Clean this up."

I walk out of the warehouse and hop in my car. I look into the rear view mirror. My eyes are bloodshot and my face is covered in stubble. I've never looked so deranged. I put the car into drive and fly back home. Whiskey is calling my name.

Once I'm inside with a glass of whiskey, I pull out my phone to call Carlo. Carlo Ramirez has been my family's doctor ever since he graduated medical school. He has his own office and sees other clients, but my family is the reason he is successful enough to own his own place.

"Tell me how she is."

I don't bother with any greetings. I'm not in the mood and just want to know if my Rose is okay.

"Stomach virus, sir. I've prescribed her some medication, and she should be feeling better soon."

His voice sounds shaky, almost as if he is nervous.

"Is there anything you're not telling me, Carlo?"

He is silent for only a moment.

"No, sir."

"Do I need to remind you what will happen if you keep something from me?"

"Of course not, sir. I would never keep anything from you."

"Very well."

I hang up the phone and pour myself another glass. I need to get some sleep, but it's been almost impossible since she left. She's always in my dreams making it torture when I have to wake up, even if my dream is of her leaving. At least I get to see her, hear her, in my sleep. I need to make things right. I miss her more than I thought possible.