The Castillo's Caregiver

23. Celebration of Love.

The early, dim light of dawn seeps through the drapes on my balcony and I watch the light get brighter and brighter... my head nestled on Leo's chest, slowly rising and falling.

I've been awake longer than I care to remember, and I'm not sure why. Maybe to savor these moments of peace in Leo's arms before I face Raphael... or maybe because I simply can't stop thinking about how everything has changed in the last 24 hours.

Raphael knows about us.

And Leo spent the night in my room.

"How long have you been awake?" His deep, morning voice seeps through my thoughts and I blink, drawing my eyes away from the balcony.

"About an hour." I mutter shamefully and Leo lets out a sigh.

"Liv..."

"I'm supposed to attend to him in a few minutes and I just can't help it, I'm sorry." I say shakily and Leo pulls me closer, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Hey, it's okay. I understand. You don't have to apologize." Leo says and I look up into his deep, grey eyes, thankful he stayed overnight.

"Do you think he hates me?" My voice comes out in a tiny whimper and Leo gives me the softest look.

"Of course not. My father is upset for a lot of reasons but he does not hate you. And I want you to remember that none of this entire thing unfolding is your fault, okay? None of it."

"Okay."

"And you're not going to be alone this morning, so you don't have to worry. I'll come with you when you're ready to see him."

"Really?" I ask, unable to hide the relief in my voice and he gives me a brief kiss.

"Really."

We remain that way as dawn turns to day, his slow rubs on my shoulder easing my battle with rising morning sickness and headaches.

Thank goodness because he can't see me throw up.

Time seems to do anything but slow down and minutes later, we both leave my bedroom and head for the kitchen, where he helps me make breakfast.

We set breakfast by the patio when I'm done and by the time I'm laying out the medication, Raphael walks into the patio and takes his seat by the table.

"You don't have to stand there guarding her, you know." Raphael says, slightly turning to Leo standing in the corner as I wrap the blood pressure monitor around his arm.

Leo remains quiet, sipping his coffee and Raphael turns to me.

"I'm not upset with you, Miss Washington. I'm just disappointed that you coul—"

"I think you said enough to her yesterday." Leo snaps from the corner and I focus on my task, more than thankful that he came with me because I don't think I could have heard that either.

Surprisingly, Raphael stays quiet too and when I'm done, Leo follows me back into the house.... His arm around me the whole time.

"He's never going to forgive me, is he?" I say the minute we're out of earshot and he turns me to face him, gently cradling my face as he looks me in the eye.

"Olivia for the last time, it's not your fault."

"But he said—"

"Not your fault." He says slowly and I let out a sigh, leaning into his hold as I reluctantly nod.

"Good girl. Now go get dressed, I want to take you somewhere."

"Now? I thought you were going to talk to him—"