The movie is absolutely exciting with lots of fast paced action. I love Terrance Howard and Robert Downey Jr so I am in rapture the entire time the movie plays. Dominic does take the opportunity to kiss me several times during the movie. Those are times I gladly miss the action in exchange for kisses. When we leave the movie it is still quite early in the afternoon. I am happy he wants to head home for some rest. It feels funny that we do not have to get up and go to class in the morning. I will be working hard tomorrow as I initiate both my new business plan and start the planning of our wedding.
“I still have some money left in my savings to put towards the wedding expenses,” Dominic said as he drives to our apartment.
“Oh okay. Maybe that can help your parents and siblings cover their expenses to get here in time,” I suggested calmly. Dominic nods his head in agreement.
“I am sure my father will not like that idea. He will insist on paying for their expenses and a portion of the wedding.”
“I have a feeling my Uncle Winston will insist on helping out as well. I plan to keep the ceremony as simple as possible Dom. So please do not worry about it. I have some money in my savings too. We are in this together.” I place my hand upon his right hand holding it the remainder of the drive to our apartment.
Inside our apartment I slip into the bathroom to change my clothes. I opt for a long pajama shirt as I slip out of my skirt and blouse. My period is finally wrapping up its four-day appearance much to my combined happiness and dread. It will be harder to resist the urge to make love to Dominic if I am capable of having sex. I suspect after today’s revelation in church that Dominic will be less incline to attack me.
Dominic is comfortable on the couch with the television remote in his hand surfing through the available channels. I can see he has shed his Sunday best for a pair of basketball shorts and t-shirt. Dominic motions for me to join him on the couch. He is stretched out on the brown couch my mom helped me to pick out. I find his chest warm and comforting as I snuggle into his arms. I cannot believe that we are here after almost four years of friendship. I am madly in love with Dominic and vice versa. We are going to be married and with the exception of my parents absence I couldn’t be happier with my life.
“You are trying to kill me aren’t you,” he asked staring at a silly commercial on television.
“No! Why would you say that?” I lift my head to look at his face and he won’t look at me.
“Sammie you are laying on top of me in a flimsy pajama shirt and panties.”
I laugh as he speaks and a slow mischievous smile creeps across his face. I am squealing before I know it his hands are everywhere. I am doing a piss poor job of fighting him off as his hands slip underneath my shirt.
“Dominic please we just left church,” I blurted out as he finds my nipples.
“We are not having sex. We are just fooling around,” he responded in a low sexy voice. I am such a girl I totally melt under the sound of his voice and the feel of his fingers. I finally snap out of his touch after a few minutes enough to force his face in my direction.
“I am a Catholic Dominic and it means a great deal to me as I know it does to you. We will wait until we are married to have sex again,” I notified him firmly.
“What I saw today was dedication Sammie. I am not going to do anything to violate our beliefs. I just want to kiss you and feel your skin next to me. We will not have sex until our wedding night I promise.”
I hold out my pinky finger as he laughs hooking his finger around mine.
“I love you Dominic. I am so happy that I am going to become your wife.”
“I love you too Sammie. I am so happy that you will work primarily from home and in our bedroom right where I will want you.”
I laughed loudly, “Once we are married will I be allowed to come out of the bedroom?”
“Yeah to help with the kids but then you get to go right back to our bed.” He kisses me before I can launch a protest. I enjoy the feel of his kisses so much and strangely what we are doing is enough. I feel really good about today and our ability to refrain from actual intercourse. I know that this kind of touching is skirting the edges of that promise but we know that it’s not about lust it’s about love.
“Ah Dominic,” I groaned as his mouth gropes my breasts through my flimsy pajamas.
“You are so beautiful,” he replied back finding my lips. Somehow I am no longer on top of him and he is hovering over me.
“You are to baby,” I cooed back to him running my hands the length of his chest stopping just short of his navel. His t-shirt has magically disappeared and I marvel at his bare chest. Dominic pushes my shirt up slowly revealing my tummy and breasts. The skin on skin contact is simply amazing as he rubs his chest against me. I moan loudly and I can feel him hard through his shorts as our skin connects once more. Dominic pulls my shirt off tossing it to the floor. I am lost in the wonderful feel of our bodies pressed together when a new sensation hits me. He is no longer contained in his shorts I feel him hard against the cotton of my panties. The slow grinding as he kisses me tenderly is a welcome relief from our brief abstinence.
“Sammie mi angel, I love you so much.” Dominic groaned as he continues to move against me right there. I wrap my legs around his waist as he picks up speed. This in turn intensifies the pressure in the right spot ten-fold. I cry out when he growls softly warming my stomach with his release. I savor the sound of his pleasure and the look on his handsome face as he lets go.
“I love you so much Dominic baby,” I cried softly with my hands caressing his face. Dominic kisses the palm of my hand as his breathing returns to normal. I watch as he cleans off my stomach and then lays his head between my breasts. I run my fingers through his curly hair and relish this moment. Just three months ago we were best friends and now he will soon be my husband.
“I know the Olympic trials are coming up soon. If you get to tryout we can skip planning a honeymoon,” I offered.
“I’m not sure I can swim for the U.S. but we are not skipping a honeymoon. We can do something local and not too expensive,” he replied nuzzling my breasts.
“I am not saying we will not have a great wedding night but I would be happy if it were in our bed. If you try out for the Olympics I know you’re going to make it, Beijing would be our honeymoon.”
“That wouldn’t be much fun for you if I was practicing around the clock.”
I lift his head up delicately by his curls glaring at him.
“Dominic if they allow you to tryout and you make the Olympic team we are going to Beijing. I will be your biggest fan cheering you on and watching you in practice like an extra coach.”
Dominic kisses my lips tenderly then nestles his face against my neck. “I wouldn’t do well without you there anyway. That’s too far away too soon after we are married.”
“It would be difficult to leave the kids but I do not think I could be away from you that long either.”
He pulls my body to the side so that I was resting in the crook of his arm.
“I think it would be nice as man and wife to spend our first night in our own space and then maybe spend a few days in a nice hotel,” I suggested running my finger from the base of his throat down to his navel.
“Perhaps we should spend our first night here. I am going to make love to you for hours. What just happened felt really good but it doesn’t compare to being inside you Sam,” he whispered against my lips.
“Dom when you said stuff like that it drives me crazy.” I move on top of him straddling him as he ogles my naked breasts.
“You look so beautiful Sammie. I am going to be a good husband to you. I promise.”
“I know you will be Dominic.” I said the words slowly in a husky sexy voice as I grind against him. Dominic pulls me down to kiss him and I immediately slip my tongue in his mouth. I nip and suck on his bottom lip as I feel him harden once more under me. It is such a rush that he gets so turned on by me, after everything we have been through to
gether. His fingers trail down my back in a slow methodical dance while I rest my head against his chest. We both fall into a peaceful slumber.
In the distance I hear my cell phone ringing but I can’t quite pull myself out of this peaceful sleep. I am grateful when I hear Dominic’s voice grumble into my cell phone. He is able to wake up instantly as he closes the phone.
“Get up Sam. The kids are on their way up,” he informed me as he bolts upright. I sit up a little too fast feeling dizzy as I realize I am still in my panties and nothing else. Dominic is pulling his shirt over his head and suffering the effects of sleeping next to his almost naked fiancée. He quickly hands me my pajama shirt as I hear voices coming from beyond the front door. I manage to get off the couch dashing to my room for a pair of shorts. Dominic is right behind me trying to quell the effects of our semi-nude slumber in his shorts. I am back in the living room fixing the couch pillows when Morgan unlocks the door.
“Hey mom,” she said brightly. Morgan still has on her swimsuit cover up and shorts.
“Hey guys. Sorry we were sleeping,” I explained with a weak smile. Bryce runs to me as soon as my uncle sets him down.
“Mommy look I hurt my knee,” he whimpered pointing to two Band-Aids covering most of his small knee.
“What happened baby?” I am concerned by how serious the bandages look.
“We took care of it. He was running near the pool and fell,” Uncle Winston answered for Bryce. Bryce shakes his head as a few tears stream down his cheeks. I pull him onto my lap lavishing attention on him immediately.
“That happened like five hours ago,” Charlie informed me but I still console Bryce and his boo-boo. Dominic finally puts in an appearance and my grieving son quickly forgets me. He is in Dominic’s arms explaining his injury before the bedroom door is shut.
“Hey Morg, Charlie, Uncle Winston, Aunt Camille. How was your day?” Dominic asked politely as he scoops Bryce in his arms. My heart melts at the love he pours into my son with a simple hug and kiss to his dirty blond hair.
“We had a great day lounging by the pool. My friend and his wife grilled up a nice feast for us,” Camille explains.
“That’s awesome thanks for that.” I moved to give my aunt and uncle hugs of appreciation.
“Did you tell them the good news Sammie?” Dominic asked as he inspects Bryce’s boo-boo.
Everyone turns their attention to me. I have a sinking feeling my aunt and uncle think I am about to announce another unplanned pregnancy. The queasy looks in their eyes confirm my suspicions so I quickly dispel that notion with the truth.
“We set a date with the church to be married at the end of this month. It would mean the world to me Uncle Winston if you could give me away.”
Relief washes over my Uncle and Aunt like a summer rain. Uncle Winston immediately hugs me again beaming with surrogate parental satisfaction.
“Of course I will sweetheart. It would be an honor,” he said kissing my hair softly.
“I am so happy for you two,” Aunt Camille cried softly. Does this woman have an endless supply of tears and is this where my emotional education has come from lately?
“Morgan I want you to be a bridesmaid and Charlie we have a special job just for you.” I said pulling them in my direction for hugs.
“What about me mommy?” Bryce asked no longer interested in his boo-boo.
“You get to carry the rings buddy,” Dominic informed him with a tickle to the tummy. My son giggles with laughter as he tries to defend himself from the tickling.
“That’s all the good news right?” My Aunt Camille questioned nervously.
“Yes Aunt Camille. No other surprises,” I smile brightly. I can physically see my aunt and uncle heave another sigh of relief.
CHAPTER 28
Wedding plans move fast and I am working hard to get the business reorganized. Dominic has been amazing getting the kids to camp, helping with dinner, and just being a wonderful fiancé. The past week has been a fast one for us with all the kid’s activities with camp and Dominic practicing every chance he gets. I am still uncomfortable knowing that the scheming Mackenzie is there most times but I trust Dominic. When I have some free time I try to attend his practices to show my support and to stand my ground where she is concerned. So far so good she has not tried anything untoward and is generally polite to my face anyway.
I am sitting in the living room on the couch surrounded by all things wedding. Morgan and I are looking at pictures of wedding dresses. I have decided to wear my mother’s wedding dress and a local dress shop has promised to give it some modern touches. I want to be sure of what I want it to look like because once they start augmenting the dress there is no turning back. After much debate I settle on changing the neckline of the dress and adding some embellishments. Morgan helps me as we cut out pictures taping them to a much larger picture of my mother’s wedding dress. The neckline will go from an off the shoulder style to a V-neck halter style. I know it is a sexier look but I am not too top heavy so it shouldn’t look indecent. I love my arms and with this style of dress I can show off how well toned they are. I just have to work on toning up my midsection a little more to pull off my mom’s slightly smaller figure. The silhouette of the dress will remain a sleek column however the seamstress is going to add champagne colored sash that will wrap around my waist and lead to the train of the dress. The sash will have embroidered beadwork that will give it a more modern feel. Since those are the only changes I am making to the dress I am working out almost every day in preparation for our big day.
“I love this for the bridesmaids dress,” Morgan said holding up a picture of a young girl wearing a daffodil cocktail dress. I am imagining the dress in the champagne color I have chosen and I love it. The dress is made of chiffon with a V-neck top and pleated A-line knee-length skirt. The dress looks simple but elegant and flirty without being garish. I like that it can have an ivory ribbon encircling the waist of the dress forming a small bow at the hip. I allow Morgan to make the call and after thirty more minutes of looking through pictures she goes back to her original choice.
“I am picturing all of you wearing this dress and it works Morgan. Great job we just have to make sure it’s available in a champagne color,” I remind her.
“It said here that it is available,” Morgan said pointing to the color chart next to the dress. Opening my brown wedding folder I insert the picture of the dress that Morgan has just torn out of the magazine into a protective sleeve. I put the picture of what I want my wedding dress to look like in another sleeve towards the back so that Dominic does not see the final product.
Morgan is getting ready to head out for a few weeks to gymnastics camp after completing an intensive two weeks with her new coach. I wanted to make sure that she had input on the wedding before she left for camp. It is important to me that everyone has a role in the wedding so that we bond as a family. Morgan will be back in time to participate in the wedding before she has to return to camp.
“Mom, we can go tomorrow so I can try on the dress,” Morgan said excitedly after hanging up the phone. After calling four bridal shops she has finally found one that has the bridesmaid dress in stock. Dominic and the boys walk in from playing basketball spying the wedding stuff they all groan collectively.
“Mom we wanted to play on the Xbox,” Charlie exasperates.
“Sorry we can move to the table,” I apologize as Morgan and I collect up the magazines.
“Charlie all you had to do was ask not whine,” Morgan retorts sticking out her tongue.
“Sorry ladies can we please have that area so I can cream Charlie in some Madden,” Dominic asked politely blinking his eyes rapidly. Morgan and I move everything we have to the table while they plop their sweaty butts on the couch to play video games.
We can stand only another hour of wedding preparations as the guys have become very loud with the video game. However we do have the bouquets picked out, my shoes, the bridesmaid shoes, and flower arrangements for
the church pews.
“Sweetheart I forgot to tell you that we can have the reception in Biltmore hall,” Dominic informed me as he works the video game controller forcibly.
“That’s great news,” I said clapping my hands before high fiving Morgan. If we had the reception at the rectory we would not be able to play any music other than gospel music. While I am okay with gospel music I really want to be able to dance during the reception. I look down at my folder and the working budget I have constructed smiling pleasantly. We have kept our wedding down to the bare minimum and it will still come off as quite elegant considering the rush.
My Uncle Winston has insisted that he pay for the wedding as my surrogate father. We came to an agreement that he would cover the reception and we would cover the wedding expenses. Charlie, Bryce, and I went to pick out Dominic’s wedding ring together. I deferred the final decision to Charlie who will host the wedding. He will make sure everything runs smoothly and act as master of ceremonies at the reception. We decided on a simple platinum band with two stripes of detailing and our names inscribed inside. Dominic and his friends are going next week to get measured for their rented tuxes. Considering the costs involved with his family traveling from Guadalajara we have absolved them of paying for any portion of the wedding. Dominic’s siblings are sending their measurements ahead of time so that we can have their wedding clothes ordered before their arrival.
Dominic is happy with my crazy A-type personality at a time like this. He knows I will not wait until the last minute nor will I spend too crazy. My Aunt Camille is handling the caterers after I submitted the menu that Dominic and I chose. This takes another weight of responsibility off my shoulders. I am sending out invitations now that we have confirmed the location of the reception in a few days.
We attend our pre-marriage counseling classes with Father Foster and it helps us to understand how to deal with conflicts that can arise in a marriage. The counseling also helps us to focus on the fact that the commitment we are entering into is a huge undertaking. I continue with my conversion classes having great debates with Father Foster regarding the interpretation of the gospel. Morgan was able to try on the bridesmaid’s dresses before leaving for gymnastics camp. After providing her thumbs up to the decision I informed the other bridesmaids of the dress style.
Deporting Dominic Page 17