Dominick
He was anxious, nervous, and scared…
He had to admit that Nerea's crazy plan had sounded good at first, but now, after receiving confirmation from the brunette, he began to question whether what he was doing was right. He didn't want Jade to react the wrong way or think something that wasn't true.
He sighed. That night, he planned to bare his heart and hoped he wouldn't end up broken. He didn't know how to start... The only thing he was sure of was that he couldn't stay away from her anymore. They were adults; they needed to face things as such. Nerea had been right when she said that the constant push and pull between them was no longer healthy. It hadn't been for a long time, and they couldn't go on like that.
He shook off the negative thoughts and went to the kitchen. He had prepared some food in case she decided to stay. Opening the fridge, he grabbed some juice and smiled as he poured it. Some time ago, he would've been pouring himself a shot of whiskey to calm his nerves and relax.
He served himself a glass and went to look for his phone. He texted in the group Marcus had created and chatted with them while waiting for Nerea to arrive. He learned that Maximiliano had been living in London for a while and had apparently managed to avoid the wedding between Irina and Mikhail. He congratulated his friend and turned off his phone.
Several minutes later, he heard a car pulling up. Dominick frowned.
"How fast was she driving to get here so soon?" he wondered.
He went outside and saw Nerea getting out of the car, walking toward her.
"She's practically about to wake up. I only gave her a few drops to make her sleep for about twenty minutes," she said, opening the passenger door. "Or at least I think so," she shrugged.
Dominick lifted Jade out and carried her over his shoulder.
"Where am I?" Jade mumbled, trying to lift her head, though it felt too heavy.
"When you said you'd bring her by tricking her, I didn't think you'd literally put her to sleep," Dom admitted, tightening his hold when she stirred.
"Jade's as stubborn as a mule, and this was the most effective way. It's too late for regrets now, there she is. The rest is up to you." Nerea turned and got back into the car, sticking her head out the window. "Luka will sleep at Floren's apartment. See you tomorrow."
Dominick carried Jade inside, hearing her faint, incoherent murmurs. He went straight to his room and laid her on the bed. Afterward, he went back to the kitchen to put the food away, running a hand through his hair.
With nothing left to do but wait for Jade to wake up, he served himself a slice of cake, took a fork, and stepped out to the balcony. He ate quietly and without realizing it, he fell asleep in the chair.
~•~
Jade opened her eyes. Everything was dark, and her tongue felt heavy; her throat was dry. She sat up, trying to understand where she was. She got out of bed and walked around the room. On one of the shelves, she saw a framed photo of Luka, which was enough for her to know where she was.
Then, she noticed Dominick's arm hanging lazily over the side of the chair. She walked closer —he was fast asleep. Jade leaned in near his face; he had a smear of chocolate on the corner of his lip. Instinctively, she raised her thumb and wiped it away.
Dominick stirred awake, startled. He grabbed her wrist.
"Jade—" He blinked, rubbing his eyes. "I'm glad you're awake."
"What am I doing here?" she asked, standing up completely.
"I want us to talk," he said, standing in front of her. "About what happened at your apartment."
"I guess it's necessary," she sighed. "In fact, I was planning to call you tomorrow, so we could meet and talk…"
"I know this wasn't the best way," he admitted with a small laugh, "but when Nerea explained the plan, it didn't sound that bad."
"I'll deal with her later. For now, what matters is clearing things up between us," she said softly.
"You're right. Sit down," he gestured toward the small couch. She sat, and he joined her. "When I woke up and couldn't find you, they told me you had left and might come back in a few hours, but you never did."
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I panicked and left. Besides, I had to go to the pharmacy." She looked away awkwardly.
Dominick covered his face with his hands. "I'm such an idiot... I completely forgot about protection. In my defense, it's been a long time since I've carried a condom in my wallet." He smiled, seeing her cheeks flush. "And honestly, I wanted you so badly that I didn't think straight. I never do when you're near."
She looked at him, trying to process his words, and their meaning.
"It was reckless."
"You didn't say anything either," he pointed out.
"I couldn't think at that moment," she confessed, and immediately regretted it.
Because all I could do was feel... whispered her subconscious.
A small silence fell between them as they looked at each other.
"Jade, I want to be completely honest with you," he began, adjusting on the couch. "Please listen, because tonight I need an answer from you. I'm tired of walking blind. I can't go on like this. We're too old for these kinds of games."
Jade nodded quietly.
Dominick exhaled deeply. "After what happened, I felt like the worst man alive. All I wanted was to find you and apologize. As time went by, people kept asking me why I insisted so much, why I didn't just leave things as they were…" He smiled faintly, and Jade stayed silent, listening. "I asked myself the same question many times, at least, when I wasn't too drunk to think clearly."
"As the days passed, I realized it wasn't just guilt. At first, I thought I only wanted to fix the harm I caused you, to earn your forgiveness so I could move on."
"And what changed?" she asked in a whisper.
"I found the real answer that afternoon we talked here, when you told me that after hearing me, you wanted me out of your life because it was for the best. That day I understood I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay, because I wanted you. It hurt deeply knowing you didn't feel the same. I was ready to leave, thinking it would be better for you, that maybe you'd be happier without me.
"But then I found out about Luka… and I decided to look for you again."
He lifted a hand to brush a loose strand of hair from her face.
"Luka made me realize I couldn't walk away. That I had to fight. Because I finally understood, I'm in love with you, Jade, and I don't want to hide it anymore. I want to shout it to the world. I want you to know that I'm willing to do whatever it takes for a chance— just one chance—, to prove that what I feel for you is real, stronger than I ever dared to admit."
"I want to share more than a child with you. I want to see you smile every day. I want to fall asleep next to you every night and wake up to your beautiful face every morning. If you cry, if you laugh, if you're angry or sad, I want to be there for you. I want to be one of the reasons you're happy. Maybe you don't feel the same, but I swear I can make you love me, just give me that one chance. Because in this life, the thing I want most is to build a family with you and our son.
"And please, don't feel pressured. If you tell me you don't want anything to do with me, I'll understand. I'll limit myself to talking to you about Luka. But if you say yes… I promise I'll do everything in my power to make you happy."
He paused, voice softening. "Maybe you won't believe me, but I'm being more honest than I've been in years. And it feels… amazing. New. It fills me with happiness. I just hope you can feel even a little of what I feel."
Jade took a deep breath before speaking.
"Honestly, I kept denying anything I felt for you, because I didn't think you deserved even one good feeling from me. I couldn't trust someone like you. I was scared. And I still have doubts… Sometimes, it's all too much." She looked down. "I left because your presence made it impossible for me to think clearly about what I wanted. But someone made me see that we don't get many good chances in life, and that time is too unstable to waste it on fear or silly thoughts, in my case, my indecision, my fear of feeling…"
"Dominick, I don't want to put a name on what I feel for you, because it still feels too soon. All I can tell you is that it's strong... It burns inside me, and I don't know how to handle it. I can't stand the urge to kiss you every time I see you, and I used to fight it, but not anymore."
Jade had finally accepted that denying what she truly felt for Dominick only made her suffer. It had been a battle between reason and heart, and she had decided to surrender, to stop fighting something stronger than herself.
"Does that mean…?" Hope flickered in Dominick's eyes.
Jade nodded eagerly. "Yes, Dominick, I want to try, and may God do the rest."
Dominick jumped up, pulling her into his arms and lifting her off the ground.
"God! Put me down!" she squealed, laughing.
"I'm just happy!" he confessed, setting her gently down. "You make me happy, Jade. You have no idea how much. And I'm glad nothing turned out the way I imagined."
"Oh really? And what did you imagine?" she teased.
"Well, first that you'd be furious we tricked you into coming here, then that you'd tell me you didn't feel anything for me… stuff like that," he shrugged.
"I hope you understand that all this is new to me, and I don't want to rush anything or say things just to say them, okay?" she said, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll wait as long as it takes. All I want is for you to know that I love you, and I won't stop saying it until it sinks into that stubborn head of yours." He gently tapped her forehead with his finger, making her smile.
"I'll make sure to chase away your fears and doubts, Jade," he whispered, pulling her close. He cupped her face, brushed his thumb over her cheek, and kissed her, slow and tender, taking his time to savor the moment.
He wanted to remember that night as the most beautiful of all. In that moment, nothing else could make him happier.
Jade's heart raced, like it always did when he touched her.
"From now on," he murmured when the kiss ended, "I'm yours, completely, Jade. Every damn part of me belongs to you." He gave her another soft kiss. "Do whatever you want with me. I'll take anything, as long as I'm with you."
She smiled, and he laughed softly.
"So… what now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, lost in his deep brown eyes.
"Well… fucking like starving rabbits sounds good to me," he said with a teasing grin.
"Dominick!" she gasped, scandalized, and he burst out laughing.
"I'm kidding, that's for later," he chuckled. "Aren't you hungry? Because I am."
"Now that you mention it, yes, I'm starving," she said, touching her stomach.
"Then let's eat."
They went to the kitchen, where Dominick reheated the food in the microwave. The atmosphere between them had grown more relaxed as they talked. Things were finally taking a hopeful turn.
Jade smiled as she listened to him, watching his lively expressions while he spoke about the time he'd spent with Luka while she was away. Sitting on the stool by the island, she couldn't help but notice the view, and blush when her gaze lingered on him a little too long.
"Want some orange juice?" he asked, pulling the pitcher from the fridge.
She nodded.
They spent the next hour chatting, and after eating, they returned to the balcony. The view was wonderful.
Being with him like that felt strange, almost unnatural, she had never imagined it. But to say it didn't feel right, that seeing him smile at her like that wasn't wonderful, would've been a lie.
And as she'd said before, she didn't want to name what she felt, she just wanted to enjoy it.
They fell asleep in the early hours of the morning. Jade spent most of that time talking about Luka, her pregnancy, and the terrible things she had gone through to move forward. She couldn't help but cry at the bitter memories, but Dominick wiped her tears away.
Dom was certain that night was the beginning of something big, something good for both of them.
It was time to start over.