Falling over the edge with such pleasure had washed away all of my anger and frustration.
Dominic’s mouth went to my ear with his final spasm. “Ahh, I love you,” he whispered.
“Love you, too.” I felt as if I was splattered against the wall; not a muscle in me was able to move. “Shower?” I croaked out.
He tried to keep his lips attached to mine while he picked me up bridal style and carried me to the bathroom.
Dominic kicked the lid to the toilet down and sat me on it before starting the shower. I leaned my head to the side against the wall and closed my eyes, feeling like rubber and completely drained. When the water was warm enough, Dominic reached a hand out for me. Once the water hit my skin, I began to revive. I turned to face Dominic with body wash in my hands and caressed his torso while I washed him. Running my fingers over every inch of him, I reconnected with him in a different way—a more sensitive way. We were making love with our souls and our minds instead of with our bodies. I looked up to see his face and caught him staring down at me. Immersed in our moment, in our deep connection, I told him with my eyes how much I loved and appreciated him.
~*~*~
Later, I wanted to ask Dominic what he said to my father and where they stood now, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
“What is it?”
I smirked because Dominic was very good at reading my face.
“What did my dad say to you?"
Dominic looked away for a moment. I knew by his expression he didn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t want to cause friction between my father and me. I understood, because I didn’t want any problems with him either, but I needed to know.
“He was just concerned about you and Lucia. Look, he didn’t want Lucia to get attached, call me ‘dad,’ and then have things not work out between us. He needed to know how serious I am about this relationship with not only you, but with her as well. It’s a big deal, and I understand his concern.”
“Whatever it is, you can tell me,” I coaxed.
“Okay, here it goes,” he mumbled. I kept my eyes glued to his, searching to try and catch a glimpse of regret or distress.
“You know that I love you and Lucia so much and that I want to be a part of this family very much, right?” Dominic’s eyes bore into mine, waiting for an answer.
I didn’t need to think about it; the reply flew from my mouth as soon as he’d finished speaking. “Of course I do.”
“Well, your dad brought up a great point, and it’s one I’ve thought about myself, so don’t get any angrier with him, okay?”
I nodded, waiting for him to continue.
We lay together in the bed. He pulled me to him and held me close while he spoke into my hair. I could feel his warm breath fan out on the side of my face and forehead. It was soothing.
“So, if I’m going to be a true part of this family, I can’t stay home all day and not contribute financially. I need to get a job and make money and help in every way I can. And I’ve thought about this, tried to plan it out in my head.”
He paused to see if I had anything to say about it. In all honesty, I wanted to hear his plan before I freaked out.
“I have skills in accounting and can work from home and, when I get some clients, I can spend a few hours at their office consulting, teaching, and picking up paperwork. That way I can still be here when you and Lucia need me, but I will be bringing in some income. I have a small trust fund that I started using after I lost my job, but it won’t last forever.” He took a deep breath and let it out between scattering quick kisses on my head. “I just need to contribute monetarily, too, you know?”
Because I was torn, I wasn’t sure what to say. Somehow, I managed to gather my thoughts and speak my peace.
“I understand that there is stigma attached to a man who doesn’t bring home the bacon, but I don’t agree with that. I’ve saved over the years and, even though I don’t make tons of money, I do make a good living. The condo is paid off, and Lucia has a college fund, so if we budget, you wouldn’t have to work.” Then I sighed because I hadn’t phrased that right. “I’m sorry. What I was trying to say is: I’m not with you and I don’t love you for what you can provide us, but I understand that as an equal partner in this relationship it’s important for you to contribute fully. And I think your idea is great, but only if you can tell me you’d be happy doing it.”
I felt him relax. “Thank you,” he said. “And yes, I’d be very happy because I could do it on my own time, and it’s not in some fast-paced world that’s going to tie me down. This would be my own business. When Gary and I were talking about my old job, he told me he knew a bunch of small businesses that need an accountant. The job could pay well, and I could make my own hours.” Dominic’s shoulders twitched in a small shrug.
“I’ll support you in whatever you want to do, and I have all the faith in the world in you,” I said truthfully.
He bent down, kissed my lips, and adjusted the blankets around me before settling down for sleep.
Chapter 22
Pick-up Sticks
Dominic told me his parents were coming for Christmas since they hadn’t been able to make it for Thanksgiving. I was anxious but excited to meet them. He described how his mother was sweet and his father was funny. Even with his constant words of encouragement, I was still nervous.
The closer to Christmas we got, the more anxious I felt. I wracked my brain over what to get Dominic for a gift. The man owned everything he wanted and could buy anything he lacked, so I needed to get him something we could enjoy together. He tended to be a very generous person, so I was hoping he wouldn’t splurge on me. I mean, I had no problems accepting gifts—I welcomed and loved them—but I didn’t want Dominic to go overboard. His unconditional love was the best gift he could ever give me. I was sure he would love the meaning behind my gift to him, since it would lead to us being naked on a private beach somewhere.
Lucia had been acting in a suspicious manner lately, as if she were hiding something. I found it strange; she was in a constant state of giggles and always snickering behind her hand. She had Dominic wrapped around her finger and was spending a lot of time with him— more than usual, and without including me. I asked and asked what was going on with the two of them, but they both said it was nothing.
My nerves were already strung like an archery bow, since I was hosting both Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner for guests I had never met. Even though I had always wanted to, I had never cooked for so many people. It was exciting because most of my relatives were going to be there, but stressful because I wanted it all to be perfect. Lori and Chris were coming, and Susan and Vitto had agreed to join us as well.
~*~*~
It was the morning before Christmas Eve, and I was getting ready for work. Lucia had started school vacation already and was enjoying the time off. Dominic had been busy helping me around the house and visiting with his parents. They had arrived a few days prior, and every evening they went out and did some sightseeing. I was happy Dominic was able to spend that time with them.
His parents were wonderful, so down to earth and not at all what I had expected. The things I’d heard about Dominic from Lori and from the stories he told me about his childhood made me picture them as uptight, high society types. The truth was, they were so sweet that I felt comfortable with them immediately. We met the night they arrived, and we went out to dinner at a great little Italian place, San Genaros, in downtown Culver City.
Dominic wanted Lucia and me to join them for more sightseeing, but I was just too busy with work and preparing for our holiday feasts. He asked if he could take Lucia with him and his parents, which warmed my heart, and without a second thought, I agreed. Every night, Lucia came back with more giggles and whispers, but with the biggest smile on her face. I knew that her relationship with Dominic was just what she needed—what they both needed.
One morning on my way out the door to work, I found myself trapped in the hallway when I hear
d Dominic and his mother speaking in the kitchen.
“Are you serious? You’re one hundred percent sure about your decision?” asked Emma. I held my breath, not knowing for sure what they were discussing, but I had an inkling it might be about me. I leaned against the wall next to the doorway so they wouldn’t see me.
There was a heavy sigh and the silence of a long pause before Dominic began to speak. “Mother, I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life,” he said with conviction.
“It’s just that you were engaged not too long ago to Porsha, and I thought you were sure about that. She didn’t come with the same kind of baggage,” Emma said. Her words didn’t sound mean, exactly; she just sounded like a worried mother. Either way, I still felt a pain in my heart.
“Mother, please stop it. First of all, Lucia is not baggage. Never—” His voice cut off, and then I heard him sigh again. “Look, I don’t know how to make you understand this. From the moment I met Mia, I knew I’d love her. It wasn’t like the love I thought I felt for Porsha. It wasn’t arranged or expected; it was my heart’s choosing. I need those girls, and they love me, too. I mean they love me, by choice — not for anything I have to offer them. I know that I will have a life full of love and happiness with them. I’m not looking through rose-colored glasses, either. I know with any relationship that’s worth having, there will be hard times, but I also know that what we have will get us through any struggle that may come. The relationship we have now is still new, but it’s already so much more than I ever had or felt for Porsha. Mia and I allowed our relationship to take its course; we didn’t try to stop it or rush it. It happened as it should have, and I will be forever grateful for having met her,” he said with so much strength in his voice that it made me fall in love with him even more.
“Oh, honey. As your mother, I’ll always worry about you and your brother. I just need to make sure you both are happy. And I see that you are, and there’s nothing in this world that makes me happier than that.” Her voice cracked. It sounded like she was crying.
“Thanks, Mom. I want you to get to know them and see how wonderful they are.” Dominic’s voice was muffled.
I cleared my throat and walked toward the kitchen, acting surprised that Emma was there.
“Good morning, Emma. I didn’t know you were here.” They were standing next to a bar stool, hugging, but they broke apart at the sound of my voice. Dominic looked at me with concern while his hand scrubbed furiously at the scruff on his chin.
“Good morning,” I said to him, and I rubbed his back when I walked into the kitchen.
“Oh, good morning, dear. Do you have to work today? We sure would like you to join us sightseeing,” Emma said.
“I’m sorry. I do have to work, but we have all weekend to do things together.” I looked around. “Where’s Dom Sr.?” I asked.
A worried look crossed Emma’s face. She covered it in a flash, but I saw it. “He’s resting at the hotel today. Said he was too tired and thought that it was jet lag.”
I looked at Dominic, and his brows scrunched together. So, his mother’s comment hadn’t missed his notice, either.
“What a shame. I hope he feels better. Let’s hope some rest will do it.” Then I looked toward Dominic and said, “I’ll be home for dinner, and maybe I can cook this time.” I laughed because I doubted Dominic would let me.
From his reply, he thought it was funny as well. “Yeah, I don’t think so, honey,” he said and pecked my lips.
“Lucia’s still sleeping?” I asked, though I knew she was or she would have been out here with us. I was stalling, not wanting to leave.
“Yes, she is. I’m taking them to the Queen Mary cruise ship today. I’m excited to see it for myself.”
“Well, you three have fun, and I’ll see you later. Call me if you need anything, okay?” We kissed and I squeezed him in a hug, wishing I could go with him instead of heading off to work.
~*~*~
Dominic was our savior and our reward for what we had gone through. Lucia and I had survived so much heartache, disappointment, and failure that Dominic had to be our light at the end of the tunnel. Still, there were things I had to work on personally, and I knew that. I understood the amount of effort involved in being in a relationship and keeping it—and my heart—safe. One of the first things I’d learned from my experience with Alex was that, if you didn’t continue to work on keeping your love alive, you could forget about keeping it at all. I knew I was happy with Dominic, and he made Lucia happy as well. He was invested in our lives. He treated Lucia as her own person. His affection for her was not conditioned on our feelings for him; it just existed on its own. Their developing relationship was so beautiful to watch, and it made my heart swelled with happiness.
Dominic was a gentleman with impeccable manners, and he had a sort of old-fashioned way of thinking about relationships. I was learning to be okay with it, respecting his ideas on working and wanting to take care of us, even though I knew I could handle it on my own. It was all about give and take, and if that was important to him, I could give it to him.
I was also under no illusion that our lives would be perfect. We hadn’t lived together for very long, but one day, we’d feel more comfortable with each other and have a real fight or I’d snap at him for no reason. He’d get to know me better, too, and get sick of my bullshit at some point. I didn’t want to fight, but I knew that was part of a true relationship and was looking forward to getting there.
Those were the thoughts that ran through my mind whenever I remembered the things my father had said during Thanksgiving. Yes, I had been insulted at his lack of trust in my judgment, but now I wondered if there had been a little truth in what he’d said. Nothing in life was guaranteed, but I knew I would give my all to this relationship because I had never felt for Alex the way I felt now for Dominic. I also knew that Alex had never loved me the way Dominic did. Our lives were fated, and what happened between us was the way it was meant to be. I wasn’t going to play hard to get or fight what we deserved.
~*~*~
A few days before Christmas, with the little time I had left, I wrapped all of the last-minute gifts and put them under the tree. Our house looked so amazing. It wasn’t overdone or gaudy; it was perfection. I had always wanted a white tree, so Dominic had gotten us one, and we bought red lights and bulbs to decorate it. While shopping throughout the year, I had found different types of snowflake ornaments and bought each one I saw. We also had ten big silver rings the size of a grapefruit with a twirling snowflake in the middle. I found five big, white, sparkly snowflakes with a small red bead in the center, as well. A bunch of small ornaments just like the big ones were hung onto the three garlands I’d strung around the banister on the balcony. The garlands had small, white lights with cranberries that we all strung ourselves. We had tons of candles and other lit decorations placed in a strategic manner all around the house.
I loved Christmas, and I knew this was going to be the best one ever. Lucia and I had more loved ones to spend it with this year, and that was the most special part about it.
Chapter 23
Tag, You’re It
I woke before the sun rose, feeling excited and nervous. The room was dark, and Dominic was still sleeping. There was so much to do to prepare for our first Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebration. I wanted it to be perfect. Tiptoeing out of the room, I went to the kitchen where I brewed myself a cup of coffee. Trying not to make too much noise, I began to prepare all the dishes for the traditional Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes.
The tradition called for us to make seven fish dishes to represent the seven sacraments. I had marinated and salted everything two days prior, and all the vegetables had been prepared the day before. Today, I had to pull it all together. I started with the cioppino, a delicious soup with vegetables and four different types of seafood. The second dish was a baked, stuffed fish served with rice pilaf. The third dish was a sea bass with an herb butter and frisée salad �
�� and the list went on. Homemade cannoli would finish off the big meal.
Immersed in my work, I felt Dominic wrap his arms around my waist. “Mmm, you smell so good. Or is it the food?” he joked with his nose buried in my neck.
I reached behind me to smack his shoulder, laughing. “Both, baby.”
He squeezed tighter and left a trail of wet kisses down my neck. It felt so good, but I had so much to do.
“Where do you need me to start?”
I looked around and contemplated his question.
“Oh, I know. Can you get the china down? And the silver? You can just put it on the table for now. I have to wash it all.”
“You’ve got it, babe. I’ll even wash and dry them for ya.”
I looked at him, and he had the most beautiful smile plastered on his face. “You’re in a great mood today. Any particular reason?”
He shrugged and shook his head. His beaming smile subtly changed to a smirk.
Before I could read into that, Lucia came barreling out of her room. “Momma, Daddy, everyone’s coming today, right?”
“Yes, my little munchkin. I’m going to need your help later. We have a very special night ahead of us,” said Dominic. Watching their interaction, I tried to figure out what they were up to.
After breakfast, Lucia began decorating the table. She made little stockings out of construction paper and put our names on them. Then she cut tons of different sized snowflakes and scattered them around the table on top of the red tablecloth. I told Dominic where I had stored some Christmas candles for the table, and he got those down as well. The house was beginning to look like a true winter wonderland.
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