29th November- Canary Islands, Spain
Dom’s beach house
Dom’s POV
It was a tense dinner and I found myself watching Letty closely, her hatred for Elena was clear and it made me feel awful after all this wasn’t planned it was just supposed to be the three of us plus Ava. Not much was said through dinner and I noticed how Leon seemed glued to Letty’s side the two seeming to have silent conversations between them and it made me feel worse.
“So Elena what are your plans?” Leon asked suddenly and I paused.
“What do you mean?” She asked confused.
“Well you and Rosa can’t go back to Rio I was just curious as to where you planning on going?”
“I was planning on staying, we’ve been looking at a house not far from here.” I frowned the house was news to me. Taking a glance at Letty I saw that she didn’t look happy about the news and honestly I wasn’t sure what I thought of it either. I mean yes I’d asked her to stay but she’d told me she wasn’t going to be here forever, a house seemed like she was planning to be.
“You didn’t tell me about a house?” I said quietly.
“You haven’t exactly been around the last couple of days Dom.” I detected a slight edge in her voice and I looked at her confused but that was the end of the conversation. Suddenly it was a lot tenser in the room.
They went to leave straight after dinner but I begged Letty to stay for a moment and she reluctantly agreed sending Leon and Ava on their way as we left the house and headed for the shore line.
“What do you want Dominic? I’m tired and I need to go home to put Ava to bed.”
“Letty I swear I didn’t know they were going to be here.”
“Okay.” I sighed angrily and glared at her.
“Why are you being like this? I’m trying here and you’re the one that told them to stay, I had every intention of telling them to leave.”
“So this is my fault?” She demanded but I shook my head quickly.
“No that’s not what I’m saying, none of this is your fault.” I sighed.
“Dominic I can’t keep doing this.” She said tiredly and I looked sharply at her.
“Doing what?” I asked fearfully.
“This, going around in circles with you.” I watched as she pointed between us and I nodded feeling very much the same way. We were silent again and I stared at her taking her in completely. God she was beautiful what I wouldn’t do to have her back in my arms.
“You love her Dom.” I froze at her words and she smiled rolling her eyes at me.
“No I don’t.” I choked but she gave me a look.
“Yes you do, stop denying it and admit it to yourself and you might be able to work out what you need to do.” I let her leave not sure what to say to her last comment. Looking out at the waves for a moment I turned away and headed back inside. I paused at the door that led into the lounge room. There was nothing different about tonight than any other night they had stayed over Rosa and Nico where on one couch and Elena was on the other with her legs curled underneath her. I couldn’t help but let my eyes wonder down her body and I had a sudden urge to reach out and touch her but the thought stopped me cold.
‘Shit.’ I swore silently turning away as I shut my eyes tightly. Mia and Letty had been right I have feelings for Elena and I suddenly understood everything. Letty’s hatred for Elena was suddenly clear and I cursed myself for being so stupid and not realizing it before. I was trying to keep them both and it wasn’t working, she wanted me to choose.
“Guys I’m going for a drive don’t wait up.” I said hurriedly as I grabbed my keys and took off towards my car not waiting for their reply. I needed to think so I drove fast towards the lookout point getting out the minute I arrived, breathing in deeply as I looked out to the view in front of me calming myself down.
“Shit.” I swore out loud as the reality of the situation dawned on me. All those moments I spent with Elena while Letty was here it was no wonder she hated me, I was unknowingly rubbing it in her face and Elena…all those times I spoke to her about Letty and asking her to stay knowing how she felt about me, I was stringing her along giving her hope and I hadn’t even known it.
“This is so fucked up.” I muttered to myself as I sat myself on the hood of my car rubbing my face tiredly. It was a no brainer really who I wanted, no needed to be with. I wanted Letty and my daughter, it was just a matter of finding a nice way to tell Elena that I needed her to leave. Then there was Leon…he was a friend and part of the family much like Elena had become but he was in the way as much as Elena was.
“Thought I’d find you up here.” I looked around shocked as Brian started towards me. I hadn’t even heard his car.
“What are you doing here?”
“Elena rang she was worried after you took off in a hurry. Mia filled me in on what she said to you the other day, thought you might need a friend.” I smiled at Brian.
“I can’t believe I was stupid not to see it. Everyone else did.” I said shaking my head.
“Well I didn’t see it until Mia pointed it out one day.”
“That supposed to make me feel better O’Connor?” I joked and he grinned.
“Nah not at all man.” I grew serious again.
“I want Letty Brian, both of them. I just found them I’m not about to lose them again.” I said quietly and he didn’t need to ask who I meant he just knew.
“How are you going to tell Elena?”
“I don’t know.”
“She can stay with us until you work it out. I know how hard it will be to have her there but Dom you can’t draw this out, you need to tell her soon.” I nodded smiling in thanks.
“What about Leon?” he asked.
“That’s a decision she has to make. I just hope we can finally start to work through things when this is over.”
“It’s not going to come back over night.” I nodded.
“I know, but I’m willing to start as friends again until she’s ready.” We stayed in silence for a while as we both took in the scene in front of us.
“So you’re niece is missing her uncle, he hasn’t been around lately.” I grinned.
“I’ve been spending time with my own baby, she’ll have to get used to sharing.” Brian laughed.
“It’s amazing how much they change your life huh?” I smiled and nodded.
“Yeah, I miss Ava like crazy when she’s not with me.”
“Much like you and Lexie used to be.”
“I still miss Lexie like that, just because I have Ava it doesn’t change a thing.”
“At least she’ll settle for me now.” He joked and I smirked.
“What can I say she likes me better then you.” Brian shook his head smiling at my words and I grinned.
“So O’Connor where’s my niece?”
“Come on man she’s at home, stay with us for the night we’ll get Elena and Rosa tomorrow.” I nodded and we both jumped back into our cars racing through the streets back to the house.
“Dom.” Mia called as she ran to give me a hug.
“Mia.” I said hugging her back tightly.
“You had me so worried. What happened?”
“I was cooking dinner for Letty, Ava and Leon and suddenly they showed up I didn’t know they’d be there. Letty got pissed and we were talking for a bit outside before they left and she pointed out about Elena. When I got back inside I realized everything and I just freaked and left.” I sighed as I led Mia into the house.
“What are you going to do Dom?” I raised an eyebrow at Mia and she smiled softly.
“I was just checking.”
“We’re going to have them stay here for a bit until Dom can find a way to tell her.” Brian voiced.
“Dom you need to tell her soon.”
“I know Mia, I will I promise.”
“I had a phone call from Gisele today, asking about Christmas and Ava’s birthday.”
“I haven’t even thought about it to be honest.” I said as I sat down tiredly. I smiled though when Brian came out with Lexie handing her over.
“Shouldn’t you be in bed miss?” I asked as she giggled playing with my face.
“Soon. I was thinking we’d get everyone here again for Christmas and Ava’s birthday.” I nodded.
“I’ll have to speak to Letty about the latter I don’t know what she has planned.”
“Why don’t you surprise her?” I looked up intrigued.
“How?”
“Well plan Ava a birthday party.”
“I’ll think about it.” I said and she nodded.
“Dom’s staying with us tonight.”
“I figured as much, well you know where the bed is.” She said happily.
“You’re just happy you get to sleep tonight because you know I’ll get up to Lexie.” She grinned but didn’t say anything as I handed Lexie back and Mia went to put her down for the night.
“Any ideas on how to tell Elena?” I asked Brian quietly.
“Gently but firmly?” I rolled my eyes.
“No shit O’Connor, I don’t want to be a jerk. I want to do it in the nicest possible way.”
“I don’t know man that’s something you’ll have to decide on.” I nodded knowing he was right.
It was just over three weeks until Christmas I had to do it by then and with any luck by Ava’s birthday maybe Letty and I would be on more stable ground.