Four days later…
“Her vitals are still good. It shouldn’t be long now before she wakes.” The nurse spoke quietly as she gave me a small sad smile before leaving the room. I’d spent the last four days hearing those exact words on replay. It was getting old, fast.
“Hey.” I looked up and gave a small smile to Mia as she entered the room with Leon and Jesse flanking her either side. She’d been discharged yesterday on strict instructions that she was to stay on bed rest for a week at least, help to heal her ribs.
“What are you doing here Mia?” I asked as I stood, guiding her into the seat.
“I wanted to see Letty.”
“Mia.” I groaned in frustration.
“Don’t. If they couldn’t make me stay home what makes you think I’ll listen to you?” She spoke quietly. I chose not to speak as I turned to look accusingly at Vince. He gave me an apologetic shrug before he looked to Letty.
“Any news?” I shook my head sadly, falling into a second chair.
“Nothing we haven’t already heard.” I spoke quietly, my gaze resting on Letty.
Four hours later…
“Please wake up baby.” I whispered as I leant my head against the bed, my hand locked tightly around hers.
I sighed, my eyes closing as I kissed her hand, drawing it closer to my face in comfort. The steady beeping of the monitor was the only thing giving me hope. Her vitals were stable, no incidents since she’d been brought in for treatment. It was the only piece of comforting news I had to hold on to.
I felt a slight twitch within my hand, the movement making my head snap up and my eyes open. Moving to the edge of my seat I gripped her hand in mine as I moved my free hand to smooth back her hair, careful of her healing cuts.
A low groan and another flutter of movement flooded me with overdue relief.
“Let? Baby can you hear me?” I asked as kissed her hand.
“Dom?” She croaked out.
“Oh thank god. Oh baby it’s so good to hear your voice.” I cried, breaking down as I kissed her hand over and over again.
“Dom?” She whispered, her eyes sleepily searching mine for answers.
“What’s wrong baby? Do you want me to get a doctor? I’ll go get one.”
“No, no stay.”
“Tell me what I can do Let?”
“Just tell me it’s finally over.” She begged, tears shining in her eyes as she looked at me for answers.
“Yes, yes baby it’s finally over. Jason’s dead.” I croaked out as we both broke down.
Epilogue
I was tapping my fingers nervously against the steering wheel as I drove. Out of the corner of my eye I noted the confused looks Letty was sending me but I didn’t speak. My throat dry and choked up I doubted I’d be able to utter even a word.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been really withdrawn and quiet this week.” Letty spoke quietly. I looked over at her, surprised by her words.
Had I been withdrawn? Quiet definitely but withdrawn?
“Sorry baby just a lot on my mind.” I spoke softly, lacing our fingers together as I rested our joined hands on my thigh.
“Like?” She questioned.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Just garage stuff.” I smiled as I was forced to lie.
“Okay we’ll just pretend I buy that.” I grimaced but said nothing as I squeezed her hand softly.
“So where exactly are we going?” She asked as she curled up on the seat beside me. I couldn’t help but glance over at her. She was wearing a knee length dress and heels, her hair curled and left to hang down her back. She was gorgeous. Breathtakingly beautiful and it made me even more nervous for tonight’s outcome.
“Dinner.” I smirked knowing she was rolling her eyes at my answer.
“I already know that. Hence why I’m all dressed up.”
“You look beautiful.” I spoke honestly.
“Thanks.” She smiled shyly as she leant forward placing a kiss on my cheek. Before she could meet my cheek I turned my head, letting her lips brush against mine instead. I grinned at her as she laughed softly, her hands making me turn my head back to the road.
“Eyes on the road mister.” She teased.
“You know we wouldn’t crash.” I spoke cockily making her laugh louder.
“Let’s not test it on our anniversary.” I didn’t say anything, choosing instead to focus on the winding road ahead of me.
It was a couple of quiet minutes before I pulled to a stop at our destination. I could see her shooting me a confused look from her seat but I said nothing as I jumped from the car, jogging around to her side to open the door.
“Where are we?” She spoke as I helped her from the car.
“Close your eyes.” She gave me a calculating look before she did as I asked. Taking her hand I walked her slowly over to my carefully planned surprise.
Laid out in front of me was a something you only ever heard about in fairytales but somehow I had managed, with the help of Mia, to create the perfect setting. Blankets were carefully laid out on the ground, pillows and a throw rug were specifically placed on top. Candles and lanterns littered the ground and surrounding trees creating the romantic atmosphere I had envisioned. Dinner was tucked away in a picnic basket, and a cooler of ice held coronas and a bottle of champagne. Everything was picture perfect but what really set it off was the added rose petals that littered the ground.
‘I’ll have to remember to thank Mia for that.’
I placed my hands over her eyes, bending to place a kiss on her neck as I readied myself for the big reveal.
“Ready?” I asked quietly.
“Yes.” She whispered back as I let my hands fall, placing them on her hips as I watched her reaction.
“Dom.” She gasped in shock as she took in our surrounding.
“Do you like it?” I asked nervously.
“Dom I love it.” She whispered before she turned, her lips meeting mine with intense passion.
“How long have you been planning this?” She whispered as we pulled away from one another, both breathing harshly.
“All week.” I admitted.
“Is this what you’ve been worried about?” She asked now in understanding.
“Yeah. Come on.” I spoke, kissing her once more before leading the way down to the rug.
“I’ll have to remember to thank Mia for dinner.” She grinned as we finished up with our meal.
“Yeah, I was going to cook but…” I trailed off jokingly.
“We’d have gotten food poisoning had you cooked.” She laughed.
“Hey.” I laughed as I pushed her backwards, towering over her as she fell back against the rug.
“No offence of course.” She grinned up at me.
“None taken.” I spoke before swooping down to steal a kiss.
“Mmm as much as I’m enjoying where this is going I know for a fact you have strawberries in that basket.” She whispered as I pulled away from her lips. I grinned, pecking her lips once more before I drew back.
“Stay.” I ordered playfully.
Turning my back to her I grabbed the two champagne glasses I’d hidden earlier and poured two glasses. Casting a subtle look over my shoulder I let my hand pass over Letty’s glass, hearing a satisfying ‘clink’ at the bottom of the glass a second later.
Smiling to myself I held the glasses in one hand while I grabbed the plate of chocolate covered strawberries in the other. Turning back to Letty I smiled as I took notice she’d taken off her heels and gotten more comfortable.
“Since when do we drink anything but coronas?” She smiled as she took my offered glass. I shrugged, trying not to drop my own glass as my hands started to shake. Once I was comfy on the rug Letty curled into my side, holding her glass as I fed her a strawberry.
“You know a girl could get used to dates like this.” She teased after I’d kissed her gently.
“Let’s have a toast.” I offered, pleased she nodded in agreement.
“To?” She asked.
“Us. The future. Our anniversary.” I spoke quietly.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been three years already.” She whispered in awe.
“I’m just glad you’re still here to celebrate it with me.” I spoke honestly, pulling her closer as we clinked our glasses together.
I pretended to drink but I was watching for her reaction. She took a couple of sips before she realized something was sitting in the bottom of the glass. Confused she tipped out most of the liquid before she fished the object out. Hey eyes widened as she held the ring out between us.
Smiling as her eyes met mine in question, I took the ring from between her fingers rotating it as I held it up between us.
“Dom…?” She whispered.
“I love you more than anything else in this world Letty. I can’t picture my life without you in it and I don’t ever want to. Letty will you marry me?” I asked nervously. I barely had time to take a breath before I was flat on my back, Letty’s lips moving against mine furiously. I gripped the back of her neck gently, burying my fingers in her hair as we kissed passionately.
“Let… Don’t leave me hanging.” I whispered as I pulled away from her lips.
“Yes.”
“Yes?” I asked, excitement welling up in my chest as her answer registered in my brain.
“Yes. Yes Dom I’ll marry you.” She spoke giddily as I took her left hand, sliding the single solitaire on her ring finger.
“You know you’re stuck with me forever now.” I whispered, gently pressing my lips to hers as I spoke.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Letty whispered before our lips met again.