This Dom

by Alaska Angelini

  “Wow, this really is good.”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “We’re definitely coming back. I think I could eat this every day.”

  “I hope not. These patterns you go through are killing me. Last weeks’ Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza nearly did me in.”

  Amusement filled her face and my fingers laced through hers as we slowly walked back to the car. Regardless of my groaning, the last few weeks had been the best in my life. A pregnant fiancée, a beautiful, healthy little girl, with another baby on the way…they were mine and they loved me so much that I didn’t have to question it. Harmony had made a home in my life for the first time ever and I found myself giving back to everyone I knew, just to make up for the shitty person I had been in the past. Not necessarily with money, but in selfless acts, attention, but the most important thing, time. My employees, the ones who used to tiptoe around me, were now getting to know the new me. The environment in my office wasn’t dreary or quiet anymore, but thriving in laughter and good conversation. I met wives, girlfriends, kids, and even introduced them to my own family. Life was so great that I almost couldn’t believe that it was mine. That my dream had finally happened.

  “It really is nice having my mom back, isn’t it?”

  I paused, blinking past my thoughts and swallowing the food. “Yeah, she seems happy. She’s missed Ava. You can tell by the way she fawns over her. I like watching them together. I really wish my mom could have met her granddaughter. She would have loved Ava. And you.” I sighed. “She would have adored you, Victoria.”

  A sad grin pulled at her mouth while her head turned slightly to the side. “I’m sure I would have loved her as well. After all, she made you, and you do have my heart. Always have.”

  I reached out, gently squeezing her hand. We continued eating in silence while I pushed all of the could-have-beens away. I knew my family was looking down from somewhere. I had to take comfort in that and look toward the future — focus on the here and now and how to make it best for everyone.

  I took the foil wrappers to the outside trashcan resting a few businesses down while Victoria sat in the car. Forty minutes. Then, I could finally have my son’s room decorated. The plans were perfect and I couldn’t wait to set up all the sports things I’d bought to place throughout. It was going to look just as I had envisioned from the moment I learned Victoria was pregnant.

  “Devlin? Devlin Black.”

  My eyebrows drew in at the female voice calling my name. It sounded familiar, but not enough to where I knew who she was. I turned on instinct and wished I hadn’t. A woman I barely recognize launched herself into my chest, wrapping her arms around my neck. My hands shot up, grasping around her wrists to pull them off.

  “I haven’t seen you in forever. Not since Mystique. Didn’t the guys tell you I was back in town? I kind of thought you’d call me.” She ran her fingers through her red hair, sweeping it back from her face, not even fazed by me taking steps backward.

  “I don’t go there anymore. I’m actually—”

  “Don’t go there anymore? Really? I was there last night and it was okay. Kind of same ol’ same if you know what I mean. So how have you been?”

  “I’m great. I’m—”

  “Getting married and having a baby.” Victoria’s voice had me cringing. I turned, forcing a smile to my face. My arm reached out, gesturing for her to stand by me. Relief filtered through when she did.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.” Victoria’s arm outstretched to the redhead’s, who was staring at us uncomfortably, if not a bit bewildered.

  “Charlotte.” As they shook, Victoria leaned in closer to my side.

  “Hello, Charlotte. I’m Victoria. It’s been a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry to be so short, but you’ll understand if I ask you to excuse us. Devlin and I are on our way to find out what we’re having.” She rubbed her stomach, displaying the ring on her finger. “Very exciting day.”

  Charlotte slowly nodded and her attention rose up to mine, but went back to Victoria. “I’m sorry for uh, throwing myself on…him. Your fiancé. Wow. I just didn’t imagine Devlin ever really getting…married.” She was stumbling all over her words. “Congratulations to you both.” She stepped back as Victoria smiled and nodded. At the pull, I turned, bracing myself for the hell storm that might possibly be coming. The moment we got in the car, I waited.

  “I thought she looked familiar. Coffee-shop girl.”

  I swallowed, glancing over. “I didn’t see her or else I would have kept walking.”

  “Oh, no, it’s okay. Things like this are bound to happen, Devlin. I’ve accepted that. I hope you don’t mind that I interfered.” Her head lowered. “I thought I’d save you the trouble and truthfully, I guess I got a little territorial.”

  Her, territorial? I held in my grin, reaching behind her neck and drawing her mouth to mine. “Be as territorial as you want. I think I kind of liked it. Although, I was a little afraid of you getting upset.” My other hand settled on her stomach. “You have nothing to worry about, though. I love you. As long as you know that.”

  “I do. And I love you, too.” She kissed me again and drew back. “We should get to the hospital.”

  “Sounds good to me. I can’t wait to confirm what I already know, that way I can start fixing up the nursery. The wait has been killing me.” Even though I went back to normal conversation, I couldn’t stop looking over to make sure she was really okay. It appeared so, although she seemed a little saddened. I couldn’t stand it, but truthfully, there was nothing I could do.

  I merged into traffic, taking comfort in Victoria’s hand holding mine. Such a simple embrace, but one that put me at ease. It told me she wasn’t closing herself off or withdrawing like I feared. These first few months were going to very sensitive, but we had to learn to work through everything. So far, it appeared we were doing okay in that regard.

  The miles stretched out while I convinced myself we were fine. The ride couldn’t have lasted any longer and I had to make myself slow down as I led her through the front doors of the hospital, focusing solely on what was to come,

  “Devlin, slow,” she laughed. “We’re still a little early.”

  I glanced over, leading us further inside. “Maybe if we get there faster, they’ll take us in right away.”

  “Don’t count on it. I’m sure we have another half hour of waiting before we even get called to the back.”

  I pushed the clinic’s door open, taking in the crowded waiting room. Maybe Victoria was right. We’d be lucky to see our child any time soon. The last time we’d been here there wasn’t nearly this many people. Figured. The one time I wanted to get to the back, the place was packed.

  “Hi.” Victoria smiled at the receptionist as she filled out the sign-in sheet. I pulled at my tie as I waited. Although I wanted a boy, I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps it was another girl. Happiness fluttered in my stomach, visions of Ava taking over. A girl would be good, too. Either would make me just as happy. My real fear stemmed from the actual sonogram itself. What if they found something wrong? Sure, she’d had a sonogram in her early pregnancy, but what if it didn’t detect a problem then? The baby was growing. Issues could have arisen in the process.

  Sweat started taking over my skin, causing my long-sleeve shirt to stick to my chest. Victoria turned around, her forehead drawing in and her smile fading at my expression.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I led her to two empty seats, moving in to wrap my arm around the back of her chair as I came closer. “What if the baby isn’t okay?”

  The moment her eyes lowered, the uneasiness grew more intense. I couldn’t read her and I didn’t like it. Her gaze lifted and she stared straight at me. “If something is wrong, we go from there. We work through it. My feelings for this baby won’t change. I’ll love him or her just as much as I do now. We’ll just have to be strong and do whatever we can to make things the best they can be.”

  I nodded, letting her
words sink in. “My love for our child won’t change either. I’m just not sure how I’ll react to anything being wrong. I think it would break my heart.”

  “It would mine, too. But there are parents who learn something is wrong every day. Working in the nursery, I’ve seen the worse. There’s one thing I know for sure though, no matter what the outcome is, this baby is a blessing. One that I wouldn’t trade for the world.” She grabbed my hand. “Everything will be okay. No matter what.”

  Feeling her in my arms was all the comfort I needed. I kissed her head and leaned back, trying to calm my nerves. She was right. We’d get the sonogram done and face whatever happened head-on. This was our child, nothing would change the love I held for it.

  What felt like an eternity went by while Victoria rested her head on my shoulder. She was already getting tired. It happened a lot lately. It didn’t help that I kept her up late into the night. Even when I had every intention of making it quick, it never turned out that way. I couldn’t get enough of her passion. Her body. Hours disappeared while I tried to bring her over the top in every way. To show her how much I wanted her…and what we shared.

  “Ms. Farris.”

  Victoria’s head lifted and my pulse went skittering all over the place. Breathe. Everything will be fine.

  “You ready?” Her smile was dazzling as she peered up at me. I nodded, holding her hand while we walked to the back. The hallway was long and we came to a stop at a room in the back. It was dim and the main lighting came from the screen of the monitor.

  “Just lie back and we’ll get you set up.” The man looked younger, maybe in his mid-twenties, and pretty damn good looking if I was to judge on his appearance. I couldn’t help the surge of possessiveness that shot all the way to my fingertips. He was smiling and staring a little too much for my liking.

  “First child?” he asked, his eyes only for her.

  “Second.”

  “Awesome.” He glanced over to me, and then back to Victoria. “Nice ring.”

  “Thanks,” she said, quietly.

  I stepped forward, crossing my arms over my chest. My eyes narrowed while he kept stealing glances at her.

  “I didn’t know you got engaged.”

  Victoria’s lips parted and she looked back over at me. Apparently, they knew each other and I wasn’t so sure I liked it.

  “For a few weeks now,” she said, giving him a grin, but turning to stare up at the ceiling.

  I wasn’t a jealous man, but when it came to Victoria, she was mine. All mine. “I’m just curious, is this the protocol for getting a sonogram? You like…go over recent history or something? Maybe throw out a few compliments?”

  “Devlin.” Victoria frowned and I couldn’t help but shrug.

  “No, I’m sorry. It’s just, I know her. Well, kind of.” He turned back to her. “I mean, we’ve exchanged a few hellos in the cafeteria. I was just curious, that’s all.”

  “Well, she’s taken so…” I motioned my hand, “I’d like to see my child now.”

  “Absolutely.” He grabbed what looked to be a white sheet but thinner, and put it over her hips. Victoria held it in place as she pulled up her dress, exposing her stomach. I stepped in closer, stopping next to the bed, level with her feet. Damn bed was against the wall leaving me no way to be at her side. I couldn’t stand it. Not with super-model medical guy hovering above her.

  “This is going to be a bit warm, Ms. Farris.” His fingers squeezed a tube and gel pooled a good inch or two below her bellybutton. My eyes went to the screen, watching shapes appear at his movement. “Here we go.” He punched a few buttons on the keyboard with his free hand and the profile of my child became present. I clutched Victoria’s ankle, nearly choking on the emotion that slammed into me. Our baby had a face. The last time I’d seen nothing but a black dot.

  Again, he hit a button, just in time for me to watch my baby bring its hand up to its mouth. I stepped closer, mesmerized at his movements.

  “Look at that. I think she’s sucking her thumb,” Victoria said, laughing.

  I couldn’t tear my gaze from the screen. “Yes. It’s so amazing,” I said lowly. “Absolutely…amazing.”

  “She? You hoping for a girl?” The sonographer looked over at her and with it, the picture changed. My jaw clenched, annoyed with the interrupted view. I’d been having a moment dammit and he’d ruined it.

  “Just a feeling I have.” Victoria was still staring at the monitor and he glanced back, moving his hand more to the side. Legs came into view and I was edging in closer, nearly right behind the guy before I realized it.

  “What do you think about having a girl?” He turned and his head reared back at seeing how close I was.

  “I want healthy. How’s that looking?”

  “The doctor will have to give you the results.” He lowered his voice. “But so far I’d say everything looks great. So…girl? What do you think about that?”

  A smile came to my face as he turned back and started taking more pictures. “A girl would be nice. Is that what we’re having?”

  Silence.

  “He wants a boy. You should see everything he’s already bought.” Victoria reached for my hand and I took hers in mine, giving it a little squeeze.

  “Boy, yes, but I would love a girl just as much.”

  “Good, because that’s what you’re having.” The sonographer turned around, smiling. Mine faded. What did he just say? We were having a girl?

  “Seriously?” My head shook. “Are you sure? Because I…” the truth had shock sinking in. “I was so sure it was a boy.” Another girl? How? My thoughts fell from my mouth. “But how?”

  Victoria laughed, but I barely noticed as I leaned around him toward the screen. Something wasn’t right. Okay…legs…what the hell was I looking at? At the man’s movement, it took me back to what I assumed was the stomach. Another girl? Okay…a girl. A girl was good. But I’d been so sure!

  “I’m just messing with you both. It’s a boy. Congratulations.”

  My brain froze. The amount of adrenaline running through me collided with the processing of his words and I clutched his shoulder. “That wasn’t cool. Jesus. I’m never wrong when I get these feelings. You had me confused there for a minute.” More like a complete mind fuck. My thoughts were still sputtering, trying to make sense of everything.

  “Had to be done. You’re way too serious.”

  I let go, reality starting to sink in. Joy exploded through my entire body as everything registered. A boy. I was really having a boy. Blaise. I knew it.

  “There’s nothing wrong with being serious,” I countered. “Besides, you shouldn’t do things like that. It’s liable to come with consequences.” I reached up, pulling at the collar of my shirt while he wiped off Victoria’s stomach.

  “Are you sure?” she asked, pulling down her dress.

  As I helped her to stand, I knew what she was feeling. I’d just been there.

  “Positive.” The sonographer held up a picture and handed it to her. Her eyes widened and I took the palm size print she held out.

  “Definitely a boy. I was just so sure it was a girl. I knew with Ava. I thought I knew this time, too.”

  I tucked the picture into my wallet, winking at her. “Abagail will just have to wait another few years, kitten. Then, I’ll give her to you.” After I got my time of having Victoria to myself, of course. Fuck, I couldn’t wait to unleash my darkness on her…unrestrained.

  Chapter 8

  Victoria

  “You’re positively glowing.”

  I laid the baby down in the cart and smiled up at Lorraine, who was standing at the entrance of the nursery. Her soft eyes were focused on me, but there was nothing welcoming about her expression, which put me on edge. “Am I? I feel great. Couldn’t be better, actually.”

  “So, things are going well on the home front?”

  I sighed, walking over. She’d been so busy through the whole shift that I thought I’d escape without having to face her. I
t didn’t appear I was going to be that lucky. “Things are great.”

  From the skepticism on her face, I felt myself tense for what I knew was going to come. She still hadn’t warmed up to the idea of me and Devlin getting married so soon. Her pleas for me to take my time and see how things played out were starting to get old. I knew she cared and that’s why she was pressuring me, but it was only giving my worst fears life and I was over worrying about them. I loved Devlin. He’d changed, at least that’s what I was making myself believe. Trust would come over time, I knew that. Still, I wasn’t going to keep pushing him away when I longed to move forward.

  “You sure you won’t reconsider marriage until after the baby? I’d hate for you to go from filing for child support to getting a divorce, too.”

  I bit the insides of my cheeks while heat rushed through my limbs at the anger she caused. Maybe she was right, but I had hoped I’d made the right decision concerning Devlin. To me, I believed I did. “I won’t be getting a divorce.”

  “So, you signed the contract?” Her voice was full of shock with just the right amount of aggravation that had me walking around her and heading for the back where I kept my bottled water.

  “No,” I said, glancing back. “I made him choose, marriage or the contract. I guess I don’t have to tell you what he picked.”

  Silence only lasted for as long as it took us to come to a stop in the room. “No contract…that’s a plus. At least you’ll only have to deal with one legal battle instead of two. Divorce would be easy enough, but divorce and getting out of a binding contract, that would be rather difficult.”

  “Will you stop it?” I exploded. “There’s not going to be a divorce, Lorraine. What has gotten into you lately? For years, you’ve been pressuring me to give him a chance and that was when he was a drunk manwhore, now that we’re together, you’re warning to me back off? I don’t get it.”

  Her head shook. “That was before you fell, because of…” She stopped short of saying Justine’s name and I had to slow my breathing so I would calm. “Before he lied to you. You love him, I’ve always known that, but I’m afraid I haven’t forgiven him. Victoria,” she walked over closer, tilting her head to get a better view of my lowered face, “he was with another woman after he knew you were pregnant. After. That changes thing in my book. I’m not so sure he can be trusted.”