Page 55 of Always You
“Wow! That sure is a lot of toys,” I say.
Dominic’s smile falters, but he shrugs his shoulder and leans into a whisper, “I haven’t been around for him. I want to make up for the lost time. I know I’ll never get lost time back. So, I want to start now by giving him everything I can, Mila.”
I smile in awe.
“O. M. G.!” Dante screams. “Look, Mommy, Spiderman.” His face lights up like a Christmas tree.
“Give your dad a hug and tell him thank you.”
He runs into Dominic’s arms, hugging him. “Thank you, Daddy, you’re the best dad ever.”
Dominic swallows and replies with a choked emotion, “You’re welcome, my little man, anything for you. I love you so much, Dante.”
“Love you too, Daddy, like this much.” He extends his little arms, showing him how much.
Man, I’m a crying mess again. God, and the tattoo on Dominic’s forearm is the icing on the cake. It’s beautiful. He said he had gotten it a couple of days ago.
The evening passes pretty quickly, and today I feel complete. It eats away at you when you’re engulfed in grief for a long time. The pain of losing my father was unimaginable. He was my best friend and my rock. When you lose the love of your life, your soulmate, the pain renders you terminally ill and lifeless. My insides shattered. Dante was my purpose to keep going. Without him, I wouldn’t have survived.
Dominic’s thumb skims along my cheek. The warmth of his calloused touch vibrates a hum throughout my body. We sit on the couch watching Venom with Dante. He was in shock when Dominic confessed to him that he’s never watched Venom before. He gasped with his little mouth. The facial expression had me laughing.
Throughout the night, Dominic’s eyes hold mine hostage, where I can’t seem to look away. I’m afraid to look away. What if this is all a dream?
He must feel the same. He traces his thumb along my lips. He softly whispers, “So beautiful.”
His touch sends a bolt of electricity, waking me up in a way I’m not sure how to resist this beautiful man. I’ve missed his touch, the tingling feeling you get in your stomach. When butterflies are ready to erupt. Only Dominic has the power to make me feel this way. Onlyhim.
The soft sound of little snores makes me giggle and a relaxed smile tugs on my lips. Dante is sitting between us, sound asleep.
“So much excitement, he didn’t even make it through the movie. You really know how to party,” I tease with a big grin.
He replies, “He’s amazing, Angel. He’s perfect. I hate that I missed so much. I’ll make it up to you both for the rest of my life. You’ve done a fantastic job raising him, Angel. I’m so fucking proud of you. I didn’t expect him to warm up to me so soon. It feels incredible, Mila, like we didn’t just meet today.” His hoarse voice cracks with emotion.
He's correct. Dante felt at ease right away, perhaps because of my conversation with him about his father. No matter what, their bond is strong. I sensed it the moment he took him into his arms. I stare into his beautiful whiskey-eyes that keep me hostage.
“He loves you, Dominic, he feels safe with you. You showed him love, immediately, without hesitation. Your aura is so strong and positive he felt it. This is how a father should make their child feel, and you did just that. You made him feel loved and special.”
He’s quiet, then sighs with a breath of relief. His whiskey eyes gaze up at the ceiling for a few silent moments. “Baby, I haven’t been this happy in so long. I’m afraid I’ll blink, and you will both disappear from my life.”
I see the desperation on his face.
“I’ll be here as long as you want me, and Dante will always be in your life. You’re his father. Let’s put our son in his bed. Can you carry him?” I want to take back my words immediately.You idiot Mila, why would you say you can have me as long as you want me?I’m not a toy he can play with and then toss.
He pulls me to him as I lift off the sofa. “Angel, I want you forever. If it’s not you, it’s not anyone.”
I frown because he had someone else.
He sighs. “Let’s putourson to bed. Then we can talk.”
seventeen
MILA
Dominic chuckles. “Damn, I’m jealous; this is a kid’s dream room.”
Dante’s room is awesome. I spent a lot of time decorating it. Red comic Spiderman curtains, a blue car bed, I had printed out Spiderman pictures on photo paper and hung them up in his room. Spiderman wallpaper as border trim. Let’s not forget the bins of toys he has. Dominic lays him on his bed and tucks him in under the sheets. Dominic smiles with so much love for him, and he kisses him on the forehead.
“Good night, buddy.” He glances at the nightstand where Dante has the picture of Dominic and me. Picking it up, he smiles.
