The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"But..." Eleanor trembled, clinging tightly to him. "I don't want you to go." She whimpered, holding on to him and refusing to let go. "Let me go with you," she begged him desperately.

[AnnaCat17]

"No baby. You need to be with Matteo. You two need each other. You can't come with me right now but I promise I'll be home before you even notice Im gone. You won't be alone." He kissed her cheek, aching to cheer her up. "Can you give me a smile before you go, Angel?"

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eleanor whimpered, shaking like a leaf as she held on to him. She forced a smile, gently kissing his forehead. "I love you, Daddy," she whispered, trying to smile for him but tears were blurring her vision and she was trembling so much the bed shook.

[AnnaCat17]

"I love you too Eleanor. I promise to call you as soon as I can." Romeo said as he kissed her forehead. He wished she could go with him, but he knew the hospital wouldn't allow it. They were already breaking the rules by letting her and Matteo stay with him over night. He forced himself to let go of her as Matteo gently picked her up out of the bed and held her in his arms. "You look after her until get back, ok kid?" He said to Matteo.

Matteo nodded. "Yes sir." He set Ellie on her feet but kept an arm around her as the nurses took Romeo out of the room, holding her back so she couldn't go after him.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eleanor whimpered, clinging tightly to Matteo's shirt. She stared at Romeo with upset eyes, trembling and trying to break free from his grip to run after him. "Daddy," she sobbed, trying to push past Matteo's arm. "Daddy!" She wailed, crumbling against Matteo as her legs gave out, sobbing.

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo held tightly to her and held her up when her body gave out. "He is ok, Ellie. He is going to be ok." he kissed the top of her head as he held her and once her sobbing had subsided enough he picked her up and carried her out to the car to go home. He couldn't tell her what he had done. She would hate him forever if she ever found out how badly he had betrayed her and broken Romeo.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eleanor clung tightly to him, burying her face in his chest. "I want Vice," she sobbed, clinging tightly to him. "Please? I want to see him." She let him carry her out to the car, holding on to him tightly.

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo didn't even try to hide the pain on his face. He liked Vice. He was having a hard time making sense of anything in the selection but he knew he liked Vice and he was a good distraction from whatever was going on with Jakob. Why did Ellie have to take another one from him? "Ok... Ill take you to him." He muttered as he buckled her in and drove home, knowing he never would b able to tell her no.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Thank you," Eleanor whispered. She hadn't expected him to agree. She closed her eyes during the ride back to the palace, trying to block out the look of pain on Matteo's face. She hated hurting him. She didn't want to take Vice away from him, but she liked him. A lot. And she needed his comfort right now as well as Matteo's.

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo stayed silent during the drive as well and once they got back to the castle he walked her up to Vice's room. "Can i get you anything else or do you just need him?" He asked softly.