CHAPTER 57 - THE FAMILY'S FAITH
The following hours Courtney was wheeled to take the examination room and Ben was with his fiancée just outside the door. It took only fifteen minutes for the test to be completed until Courtney was bought back to her room with Ben holding her hand.
“The food is ready, what would you like to have tesoro?” Mrs. Montini asked her daughter who seems to be spacing out a lot after they heard about the possible outcome of the result.
“I am not yet hungry.” Courtney answered in monotone.
“Hunny, you haven’t eaten anything yet and its way past dinner. You need to have energy and give nutrients to our baby.” Ben faced her upset fiancée.
“What’s the use of eating if I can’t have this baby? What if Doctor Sartoni is right? Eating will not make it any better because it will not change I can still lose our baby?” She suddenly broke down.
“Court, hunny, listen to me; we are still not sure what the result is, we still have biggest chance that the Doctor, right?” Ben gives her the outmost understanding and care.
“I’m scared Ben.” Courtney is now sobbing on Ben’s chest.
“I know you are and so do I but right now I want you to focus on the bright side, think of this like a confirmation test. I don’t want you to regret this day that you missed getting the right nutrient for our baby if the results came out negative.” He encouraged Courtney more.
“What if we lose our baby and I can’t get pregnant anymore?” Courtney faced him with red fluffy eyes.
“We can just make another baby and make sure that our future kids will know about their sibling. Regarding not conceiving again, we have a lot of options to look and you will not feel less of a woman for me.” Ben convinced her more.
“That is true princess, there are a lot of ways to do that but for now don’t think too much and just focus on the present.” Mr. Montini comforts her daughter too seeing she was greatly affected by it.
“Carlos is right dear, for now all you have to do is eat and rest as it will help you regain your strength.” Mrs. Venoso also supported her.
"Yeah that's right Ni-Ni, remain positive just like what you always tell your patients. Stop being a pessimist.” Nathalia joins in.
“I totally agree, so fix your bum face and we will eat because I’m starving!” Nicolo touched his now growling stomach.
They all heard the sound making Courtney stopped sobbing and joined their laughter. Nicolo and Mrs. Venoso took out the food they ordered from the same restaurant where the birthday event took place.
“I haven’t thanked all of you for coming to my celebration.” Courtney says in the middle of their meal.
“You don’t have to it’s your day and we’re glad to be there to witness my son’s proposal.” Mrs. Venoso grinned.
“Oh yeah that was the sweetest birthday/proposal I ever witnessed how wish I can get a man like Ben.” Nathalia gushed.
“Can we see the ring?” Mrs. Montini requested.
Courtney extended her hand to show them the 24 carat white gold princess cut with a 5 carat square shaped diamond ring.
“Oh my Gosh! It’s so beautiful.” Nicolo reacted in his gay lingo style.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and all their heads turn his way with different reactions. Eric and Mr. Montini gave Nicolo a stunned yet confused stare while Mrs. Montini and Mrs. Venoso raised their eyebrows like they want a confirmation of their hunch. Nicolo realized what he did and didn’t move for few seconds before he speaks when he suddenly got his sister’s help.
“Most of the time he copy my expressions as well, perks of being twins I guess.” Nathalia added support for her brother.
“Nicolo was just carried away like the rest of you, so don’t take it seriously.” Courtney saved him too.
“Yeah, isn’t right bro?” Ben makes sure to emphasize the last word.
“I think it’s time for me to do this, I’m also tired of hiding who I really am.” Nicolo looked at everyone.
“What are you saying Nicolo?” Mr. Montini made the first move to ask.
“I am gay, I’ve known it since I was eight but that time I told it was just normal to play dolls and dress up games considering my twin and my best friends are girls but I realized it was not the case.” Nicolo finally let his skeleton out.
“I have always known there is something off about you when growing up along with Courtney and Nathalia but I can’t figure that out until now.” Mr. Montini says in serious tone.
“I would understand if you will be disgusted with my sexual preferences and I’ll do my best to stay away from Courtney.” Nicolo accepted that faith.
“You don’t have to do that Nicolo, you’re already part of our family and the way we treat you will never change just because you’re gay.” Mrs. Montini placed her hand on Nicolo’s shoulder.
“Arianna is right, you’re sexual preferences can be different but it’s still you, the same person who helped us in difficult times.” Mr. Montini cautiously reminded him the time when his wife was diagnosed with Orthorexia.
“You’re a good friend and a true person Nicolo so there is no reason for us to treat you indifferently or be repulsed. Being a gay is not a crime and the world is now ready to take that change.” Mrs. Venoso stated the fact.
“Thank you so much everyone for supporting me for giving such wonderful acceptance. I just hope my parents mind will be impartial and accepting as you are.” Nicolo felt tears forming his eyes for their kind words.
“I guarantee they will accept you because no parent would like to see their children suffer. Parents love are unconditional believe me.” Arianna added.
“That’s what I’m telling him for weeks now.” Nathalia joins in.
“You’re not convincing enough babe.” Eric chuckles and playfully winked at Nathalia.
“Hey that’s still my sister, gay or not you go through me before you date her... no pun intended.” Nicolo let out his protective side.
“All right let’s cut the awkwardness and let’s continue eating before visiting hours ended.” Ben suggested.
“Reminds me Benjamin, just stay with Courtney she needs here. Enrico and I will handle the conference tomorrow at La Vigna with the brewery.” Mrs. Venoso advised his eldest son.
“I was about to talk to regarding that, thank you for bringing that up Mamà.” Ben almost forgot the important meeting.
“Your brother can drop by at your pad to get few clothes for you that way you don’t have not leave Courtney alone.” Mrs. Venoso looked at Eric.
“Can you also go to the office and get some of the files that I need to sign?" Ben fetched the key inside his pocket.
"Sure. I'll be back tomorrow." Eric captured it the key that was threw his way.
“At last Ben will experience your tantrums and your midnight cravings. I've been suffering that for two months." Nicolo butts in with a playful pout.
"Don't you complain missy! It's your godchild who demanded those cravings maybe I'll just opt you out on the list of my child’s Baptism." Courtney countered trying to grab a pillow.
"That's better idea actually! I could be the godparent instead of my crazy sibling here." Nathalia turned to mock her brother.
"Who says I'm complaining? You can stay with me until forever and I will get whatever cravings you have no matter what time it is." Nicolo take back his words.
"Nicholo, Nathalia, stop bickering like kids. And you Courtney, you just got recovered and yet you initiated it." Arianna reprimanded them.
The three immediately stopped but Courtney managed to stick her tongue out to Nicolo and the latter did the same and Nathalia followed.
"Anyway since Ben is here to watch over you, we will go home to bring some of your clothes.” Mrs. Montini copied her friend’s idea.
“I can tag along with you guys since I’ll be packing the clothes she left at my place too.” Nicolo suggested.
“I’ll come too but I’ll drive back here instead, besides don’t you remember that you have a photoshoot tomorrow?” Nathalia reminded her brother.
“Oh my gosh! Thank you so much sister for reminding me that.” Nicolo gasped.
“Thanks to my brilliant mind.” Nathalia flipped her hair.
“Yeah right.” Nicolo rolled his eyes.
“Since its settle we will leave after this I also have an early meeting tomorrow with the Board.” Mr. Montini agreed rationally.
When the dinner was over, Eric and Liliana was first to bid goodbye since Eric needs to travel back and forth for Ben’s clothes.
“We need to get going too and I need my beauty rest tonight but I'll be back tomorrow okay?” Nicolo hold her friend’s hand.
“I’ll be back for you stuff Ni-Ni, don't worry about the Clinic. I'll handle the patient’s schedules and let them know in advance about your condition. Just get well for you and the baby okay?" Nathalia gathered her things as well.
"All right, thanks so much for doing this Nic-Nic and Nat. See you all tomorrow." Courtney yawned.
“Goodnight princess we will get going." Mr. Montini kissed her forehead too.
"Get well soon tesoro we still have a wedding to plan.” Mrs. Montini went to her daughter’s side.
“Ben, thank you for taking care of our daughter, see you both tomorrow." Arianna hugged Ben.
"No need to thank me Arianna. She is my soon to be wife and my responsibility." Ben proudly claimed.
