Deporting Dominic

by Lindemann, Renee

  “Thanks Cassie. I am very happy,” I squeal. Sidney pulls me from the crowd off to the side. I know she wants to discuss this proposal and everything else she has missed.

  “I knew this was more serious than even you two were trying to convince,” Sidney informed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We both told you this was serious Sidney. I love him so much you know that,” I replied with tears once again threatening.

  “I know you have always loved him but I had no idea that he was this serious. No offense Sam.”

  “It’s so much more to this Sid. We will find sometime to talk later on today okay.”

  I promise her with a hug that I will tell her everything that has transpired. We walk back to join everyone as they discuss the plans of today.

  “We are going to get everything set up at our house. You guys just show up in an hour okay,” my Uncle Winston announces. Dominic’s family insists on helping so they make plans to follow my aunt and uncle to their house. Morgan, Charlie, and Bryce are going to help get the graduation celebration underway. This gives Dominic and I a chance to have some alone time to consider our new engagement.

  “Okay well we will see everyone in an hour,” I said smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. Dominic has his hands around my waist smiling just as hard as I am. As we walk off we receive more congrats from several graduates we do not know and their families. My left arm is wrapped around Dominic’s waist while his right arm is wrapped around mine. When I think my mood could not get any better it sours immediately. Standing in front of us with her arms folded tightly across her chest wearing the face of a defeated woman is none other than Annalisa. She was Dominic’s last relationship that ended presumably because of me.

  “Can I please speak to you Dominic,” she asked without acknowledging me at all. I release my hold on him to allow him the chance to speak to her in private. I am in too great a mood to deal with leftover baggage. I want to gloat over my ring and relive that wonderful proposal. Dominic reluctantly releases his hold on me to walk over towards Annalisa. I am unaware of their conversation as my mind still reels over the wonderful day that has already unfolded and it is barely noon yet.

  “I hope you’re happy with your green card marriage,” Annalisa hisses interrupting my thoughts. I initially laugh directly in her face but I regain my composure enough to speak eventually.

  “I am sorry this has hurt you but being bitter does not suit you Annalisa,” I replied back stifling my desire to laugh. Dominic is thankfully, back at my side holding my hand.

  “You are the desperate bitter one Samantha. That fake proposal was laughable.”

  “If you are so convinced that the proposal was a fake then why are you so upset?” I question increasing my grip on Dominic’s hand.

  “I do not want to see you get hurt because you obviously love Dominic. I am just not convinced he feels the same way.”

  “I can guarantee you there was nothing fake about my proposal. I have never loved any woman like I love Samantha. And you of all people know exactly how true that is.”

  Annalisa tried to retain her composure but it was a losing battle as the realization became apparent. “If you loved her so much all this time why did you lead me on Dominic?”

  “You are the one who helped me to realize the feelings that I had for Sam. Regardless of blame this is neither the time nor the place Annalisa.”

  “You owe me an explanation as to why you chose her over me. I love you Dominic.” The tears flow as her voice trembles. We were both grateful when a friend of Annalisa moved in to console her. The friend shoots both Dominic and I dirty looks as she pulls a crying Annalisa away.

  The pain on Dominic’s face was cutting into our joyous celebration. Walking to the minivan I could tell he was feeling the effects of his encounter with Annalisa.

  “Today is not the day to consider your previous relationships or behavior Dominic. We are celebrating today so please put the sour face away,” I order getting into the passenger side of the minivan. Dominic gives me a quizzical look before brandishing a resolute smile opening the driver’s side door.

  CHAPTER 23

  Dominic drove us to the aquatic center so that we could sit on the bleachers. We found a nice spot under the tented bleacher stand to sit quietly holding one another.

  “I am sorry about that scene with Annalisa. I never thought she really loved me that much or that we were ever that serious,” he blurts. The pain and regret register on his lovely face. I caress it slowly knowing that he wants to talk whether I want to hear it or not.

  “Tell me Dominic what happened?” I ask forcing his gaze on me.

  “I thought we were just you know having fun but exclusive. One day we were out and when I walked her back to her apartment she said that she loved me. I didn’t know what to do or said because I didn’t feel that way. I froze Samantha and she got upset storming into her apartment. The next day we talked and I explained that I really liked her but I wasn’t in love with her,” Dominic explained. “She was upset and accused me of being in love with you. I couldn’t deny it. I apologized and that was the end of it. But I never thought she really loved me for real.”

  “I understand why she would be upset. You are very easy to fall for Dominic. You can’t help who you love trust me I know,” I said the only thing I can think to said. The pain she feels is the pain I have felt all these years watching him with other women never thinking I was good enough to be with him. It is bittersweet to know that I was not the only woman unable to resist falling for Dominic.

  “I just wish we had both been honest about our feelings sooner.”

  “Dominic we were not the same people then that we are today. This was when it was right unless you are having regrets about us,” I demand as my body stiffens.

  “This feels so right as it should be Sammie. I hope you understand there was nothing phony about my proposal. I love you so much and I want to marry you. I want to make you happy.” Dominic said this with so much honesty and sincerity that I practically feel proposed to all over again.

  “I love you too Dominic. I am just so happy right now. I feel complete with you by my side.”

  Dominic places his hand on my cheek catching the lone tear that strays down my cheek. His kiss is so soft and so tender I melt under its simplistic intensity. As he continues his kisses he pulls me to straddle his lap. I am lost as his hands trail down my nearly naked back. Slowly my hips grind against him as he moans.

  “Geez I want to make love to you so badly,” he murmurs. “When will you be off?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about that,” I stutter, “I was thinking since we are going to get married right away that maybe we could abstain until our wedding night.”

  “What? Why Sammie?” He is full of alarm as his beautiful face frowns with displeasure.

  “I just want our wedding night to be special. And I know enough about your faith that premarital sex is a no-no.” I tried to sound confident but I really just want to be naked in bed with him.

  “But we have already crossed that line and I love that line we have crossed.” Dominic’s face is pleading with me to reconsider.

  “I know I love it. I mean I really, really love it but I thought it would be something special if we waited. I was hoping that in the next few weeks we could you know date since we kinda skipped that portion of our relationship.”

  “I think that we should go out on dates but do we really have to stop the sex? These last few days have been killing me. I want you so much right now especially wearing this dress or seeing you in those black panties.”

  I could feel him harden underneath me as an indication that he was dead serious.

  “I just want our wedding night to be special. What if we can have our wedding at the campus ministries? I would feel bad knowing that we couldn’t abstain for just a few short weeks. I want to understand your faith Dominic,” I explained trying to remain as still as possible.

  “I understand Sammie. We c
an try but it’s going to be hard, literally. I am so attracted to you and I enjoy our sex life immensely.”

  He moved my hips with his hands against his hardened crotch.

  “Ah Dominic. I do too baby. You make me feel so good when we make love. I just want to have this one special thing as part of our wedding night.”

  “You do still want me Sammie?” Dominic said this in a way that if sex were words he discovered how to pronounce it. I am so turned on in spite of my girlie nature. I want to rip him out of his clothes and have my way with him.

  “I want you almost every second of every day Dominic. I love you so much baby. We can still make out right?”

  To answer my question Dominic kisses me. He is all tongues I drown under the intense passion moaning loudly.

  “I love you Sammie. I will do whatever you want but be prepared we will be making out a lot,” he moaned between kisses. It’s the heartfelt smile that reassures me that he is okay with this decision.

  “What all can we do without violating the rules?” I ask wondering if I should ask Father Foster on our next visit.

  “We can do what we are doing now and maybe a little more touching but no penetration,” Dominic said waggling his eyebrows. I laugh burying my face in the crook of his neck.

  “I am sure we can work with that. Our wedding night will be so special for both of us.”

  Dominic lifts my chin so that I am gazing directly into his beautiful brown eyes.

  “I need you to know Sammie that no matter what happened before. It’s always been you. I want to marry you more than anything else in this world. You and the kids are my whole life. I now know that you are the only woman I have ever loved and will ever love.”

  I immediately lose control of my emotions once more as I blubber out my response, “Dominic I am so happy to hear those words. Since the first day I met you I knew you were the only man for me. I am so in love with you it scares me sometimes.”

  “Why Sam? I promise you I will not hurt you or the kids.”

  “I know it’s just the thought this may come to an end someday or you may change your mind frightens me.”

  “Mi angel, you never have to worry. I am not going anywhere. We are going to make babies and raise our family together.”

  Our very private moment is ruined with the guffaw sounds of yet another bitter woman. I am really starting to think this is bitter ex day, some unofficial holiday of previously scorned women.

  “I think I have a toothache just listening to you two,” Mackenzie said laughing. It is not a real laugh as it is laced with pain. It is more of a defense mechanism designed to protect Mackenzie’s fragile ego.

  “Excuse me but you could go away and then our words would not affect that lovely smile of yours,” I said still straddling Dominic’s lap. He drops his head against my chest in despair.

  “I am surprised that someone who recently graduated would fall for such bullshit,” Mackenzie spat venomously.

  “I am surprised that one so pretty is still hung up on the guy she tried to seduce in the men’s locker room. Please just go away and let us celebrate our engagement,” I brag unable to resist the opportunity.

  “Engagement? You mean you were for real? Samantha you must be very desperate. He is just using you so he can qualify for the Olympic swim team in Beijing.”

  This statement would have hurt me before but I know with every fiber of my being that Dominic loves me.

  “And if he does I will be right there with him as his wife cheering him on in Beijing.”

  I am sick to death of his exes attacking me right now.

  “I guess with all those mouths to feed you need a daddy around for the kids,” she sneered. I am off Dominic’s lap before he can catch me I am heading down the bleachers. The stupid sandals are preventing me from moving as fast as I want to get to her. Mackenzie is relaxed in a swimming suit and shorts. It occurs to me that she could not really see us at the top row of the bleachers as her face falls when she takes in my appearance.

  “Yeah bitch I clean up nice,” I think to myself. Mackenzie’s eyes follow my entire outfit from my sandals to my newly cropped locks.

  “I do not care what your beef is with Dominic or with me but if you ever bring up my kids again you will be very, very sorry Mackenzie. Now if you want to call Annalisa and form some sort of Dominic support group then by all means, be my guest. But this is the last time you have anything smart to said about my relationship with Dominic. He is mine I am his, we are getting married end of story. He is no longer available to you or any other female on this campus. So if you want to be a dear and spread that around at your next lonely girls meeting I would appreciate it.”

  I move closer to her hoping to intimidate her but she doesn’t back down. I can appreciate her tenacity but it is going to get her slapped in the face.

  “You are the lonely one using your kids to trap Dominic,” she laughed this time meaning it.

  “Correction I was lonely,” I said slipping my hand in Dominic’s hand, “We have a graduation slash engagement party to get to. Enjoy the water alone.”

  “Dominic you really chose her over me? If you just needed your green card you could have picked someone prettier.”

  “I did choose someone prettier. It’s Samantha and our kids every time,” Dominic added with an icy stare. Mackenzie returns his icy stare unable to formulate her next set of words. She is still standing there fuming when we make our way to the minivan.

  “Samantha I am so fucking sorry right now,” he apologized his face near tears.

  “No Dominic this is exactly what needed to happen. You need to know that if we do this for real, it will not just be another one of your ‘relationships’ where you leave a broken heart behind with no consequence. This is real Dominic and I will not let you treat me like you have done other women in the past. You had better be damn sure you are doing this for love because if it’s for any other reason I deserve to know,” I advised loudly. Dominic flinches under my words as I get into the passenger side of the minivan. He walks around to the driver’s side of the van opening the door getting in quickly. The air conditioner is blowing cool air, cooling my burning skin but not my internal rage.

  “Samantha, I meant what I said. I want to marry you because I love you so much. I am sorry that I was such an animal before I realized my feelings for you. I honestly never thought that any of the girls I was with in the past ever truly cared for me except I now know Annalisa. I can assure you that this isn’t some booty call or bid to stay in the country. If I can’t be with you in the way that we are now I would rather go back to Guadalajara. I love you Samantha and these two incidents should show you just how much.”

  “Dominic, please do not hurt me. I can’t take any more pain,” I wailed loudly. I do not want to end up like Annalisa and Mackenzie. Dominic grabbed me from my seat pulling me to his lap. He wraps his arms around me dropping his head against mine.

  “Samantha I love my country. It is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. The problem is you are not there. Being deported would mean that I would not be able to see you everyday. I would not be able to read Bryce a bedtime story. I would not be able to talk to Charlie about sports and things that bother him. I wouldn’t be here to protect Morgan from teenage boys. I wouldn’t be able to hold you every night while you snored in my arms. I love you so much I would never ever hurt you.” Dominic reaches into his pocket producing his cell phone. I sit rather uncomfortably on his lap not saying a word as he dials. After about thirty seconds the other line on the phone rings.

  “Papa es Dominic,” he said into the phone.

  “Felicitaciones mi hijo,” his father replies. “Estamos tan orgullosos.”

  “Gracias papa. He propuesto matrimonio a Samantha papa.” I hear a barrage of Spanish that I cannot translate as Dominic’s father Luis speaks. Dominic nods his head as his father speaks occasionally saying, “Si papa.”

  Dominic hands the phone to me paralyzing me with fear. />
  “Samantha this is Luis Castillo, Dominic’s father,” he introduces. “I know you and my son have been friends for years. Do you love my son?”

  “Mr. Castillo, I love your son with all my heart and I have consented to be his wife.” I said this turning away from Dominic so that he cannot hear what his father is asking me.

  “Are you a catholic Samantha?” He asked his voice stern but pleasant.

  “No but I will be,” I respond honestly.

  “You are converting? Why did Dominic not say this?”

  I try to move off Dominic’s lap and get into the passenger seat but he holds me in place. I lean forward and whispered my answer, “He doesn’t know it’s a surprise.”

  Mr. Castillo continues to speak to me about the importance of a solid marriage and family values. Eventually he allows me to speak to Sofia, Dominic’s mother. She gushes and cries over the phone her English extremely broken. I am trying to follow her words as she wishes us a long and fruitful marriage with lots of babies.

  “We will pay devotion to La Generala for your marriage my new daughter,” Mrs. Castillo said through tears. I give the phone to Dominic who speaks to his mother and it is the first time I have ever seen him shed tears since my parents funeral. They speak fluent swift Spanish and my heart is warmed by this grand gesture to show me how much he loves me. When he finally hangs up the phone we officially have his parents blessing. I assure Dominic that we will pay for his parents and siblings to attend the wedding. It occurs to me that Dominic bought this beautiful ring, which is simple understated elegance. I love the one-carat princess cut center stone, which is surrounded by several round small baguettes.

  “Dominic, how did you pay for this ring?” I ask inspecting the beautiful symbol of his love on my hand.

  “I took the money out of my savings,” he replies.

  “Dominic that was not necessary. You could have just gotten me a simple silver band. You were saving that money for a trip home.”

  “I was saving that money for something special and this was that something special.” Dominic leaned into me kissing me lightly before moving to my neck and back to my lips. I wrap my arms around his neck as his tongue invades my mouth. I feel his hand slip beneath the thin fabric of my dress. His thumb massages my nipple as I moan into his mouth. “I can touch you like this,” he murmurs against my lips as I smile. I am so engrossed in our kissing that I do not immediately notice the campus security police at our window. The officer knocks on the window interrupting our passionate embrace. Dominic rolls down the window as I try to cover my extremely erect nipples.