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Zane stopped the Mercedes at the main entrance, and Rocco and I climbed out. He opened the trunk of the car and brought out the art supplies I stopped to get for Jacob as a present from us. I also dressed casually, jeans and a scoop shirt, just in case we decided to paint together.
Rocco adjusted his suit jacket, shirt, and cufflinks. He was handsome and stylish as always, but today, he appeared…nervous.
“Are you okay?” I asked him, grinning.
“Yes,” he said, clearing his throat. “I’m more worried about you, Bella.”
I raised my brows. “Why are you worried?”
He hesitated. “Because I want us all to get along. And I want to make you happy.”
I hugged his side and smiled. “You’re so thoughtful. Don’t worry. You do.”Every day I’m with you.
He placed his arm around my waist, and we walked through the glass doors and over to the main desk for check-in. It was more of a medical station, with computers and staff in flowery-patterned hospital gowns and some with white jackets.
The woman at the front asked us, “May I help you?”
“We’ve come to see Jacob Belfiore,” I said, beaming at her. “I’m his sister, Adelina—”
“Marini,” Rocco added, hugging my side.
The woman asked for our IDs, which we handed to her. Then, she checked for our names on the approved visitor’s list.
She smiled and as she tapped on her computer. “Yes, you’re scheduled to see Jacob. However, you’ve come to the wrong building.”
“We’re in the wrong building?” I repeated, raising my brows. My stomach flipped over.“What’sgoing on?Is he okay?” My voice changed to panic.
“He’s fine. He’s been moved into the assisted living home.”
My jaw dropped open. “But how?”
“Jacob was asked first, and he agreed to try it out,” Rocco said calmly.
“Oh, my goodness, Rocco.” My eyes watered, and I covered my mouth. The assisted living apartments were costly, especially for Jacob, who needed twenty-four-hour care. It was something my grandparents said was too expensive. “I can’t take any more surprises, please.”
“You’ll take a kiss?”
I threw my arms around him and kissed all over his face.
He laughed. “Calm down, wife.”
I squeezed his waist. “No more surprises for the rest of this visit.”
Someone giggling nearby had us turning around. Jacob’s social worker, Cindy, who’d made our regular FaceTime calls, stood nearby chatting with a coworker.
“Cindy?’ I called to her.
Her eyes widened, and she rushed over with her hands out. “Adelina?”
She opened her arms. “I’m so happy to see you. Jacob’s going to be so excited.”
I gave her a hug. We’d communicated for eight years. She was Jacob’s champion, even within the limits of contact at the center.
We broke apart, and Rocco extended his hand, which she took hardily.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Marini. Follow me.”She gestured with a wave, and we walked behind her back outside to a golf cart parked in a space out front. We climbed in, and she drove us to a newer building across the campus.
“When did Jacob move here?” I asked her.