14th January- Canary Islands, Spain
Letty’s house
Letty’s POV
“Ava.” I called as I wandered through the house looking for my run away child. Ever since she had learned to steadily walk on her feet she was impossible to catch up to. I sighed again as I got down on my hands and knees looking under beds. Hearing her infectious giggle I turned just in time to see her breeze past the open door heading for the lounge room. Smiling to myself as I let out a chuckle I got to my feet and followed behind.
“Ava.” I sung out, egging her on with her game of cat and mouse.
“Mama.” She giggled back as peeked out from behind the lounge.
“What are you doing princess?”
“Dada.” I smiled softly as she pointed out the window.
“Daddy’s not here, he’s at aunty Mia’s.” I explained softly as I reached down to pick her up.
“Car?” She asked innocently and I had to laugh. She was definitely our kid through and through.
“Not right now baby, maybe later we’ll go see aunty Mia, uncle Brian and Lexie. Want some lunch?” I asked blowing a raspberry on her cheek at the same time.
“Mama.” She squealed, squirming in my arms as I tickled her.
“Lunch?” I laughed, asking again after she stopped laughing. With a nod of her head I walked us both into the kitchen, strapping her in her high chair before I started on her sandwich. Cutting it into small triangles I placed it on her plastic plate before setting in front of her. I tried not to laugh as she picked on triangle up before messily shoving it in her mouth, but it was hard not to.
Sitting at the table I reached for my phone, surfing the internet while she was quiet. It had been almost an entire day since I had seen Dom and I had been trying to work up the courage to phone him. I hadn’t asked him to stay the night again but only because he hadn’t mentioned it. I had taken it as a hint that he needed to think things through and kept my mouth shut despite what I wanted. As strange as it felt after all this time I felt safer when Dom was in the house but I knew asking him to stay the night every night was asking too much too soon. Our relationship needed time to heal. Things needed to be done properly this time around.
“Ba.” I looked up at Ava watching as she babbled to herself in between chews. I smiled before glancing down at my phone again. I fingered the button that was set to call Dom’s mobile. I was battling an internal war inside of me; to call or not to call. After a few moments the desire to call overpowered the more reluctant side of me and I pressed the call button, placing the phone to my ear as I listened to it ring.
“I was just about to call you; I guess we had the same idea.” Was the reply I got after one ring. I found myself smiling; happy to know yesterday’s topics of conversation hadn’t run him off just yet.
“I guess so.”
“Did you sleep last night?” He asked and I grimaced. Truthfully I had been plagued with nightmares all night like every other night.
“It was alright. Ava slept right through.” I offered, steering the subject away from me.
“That’s good she looked tired when we picked her up yesterday.” I noted the slight pause at the start of his words and was thankful he let it slide. I knew it worried him, he had admitted that before after he witnessed one night terror.
“Yeah she crashed straight away.” I nodded along before silence fell over us. A quick glance at Ava told me she was still eating, though I wondered whether she had actually gotten any considering the amount smeared on her high chair table top.
“Letty-“
“Dom-“ We both stopped at the same time and chuckled.
“Sorry you go.” He offered.
“I was just going to ask if you wanted to come over.” I spoke quietly.
“I’d love to.”
“Good. What were you going to say?” I asked.
“I was going to ask if I could come over. I wanted to see you both.” I relaxed hearing his words.
“I’ll see you soon. I’ll leave the door unlocked.” I offered and he agreed eagerly before we hung up.
“Dada?” Ava asked as I looked at her and I laughed.
“Dada? Where’s dada?” I asked as I unclipped her, picking her up carefully as I carried her towards the front door. I flicked the bolt, unlocking the door before I headed for the bathroom.
“Car.”
“Car huh? You’re gunna be a grease monkey, daddy will be proud.” I spoke to her as I walked into the bathroom.
“You are one messy eater.” I sighed as I sat her down on the sink. Grabbing a wet cloth I wiped her face and hands before I peeled her top off her. She giggled and squirmed as I picked her up heading for her room.
Pulling a clean t-shirt out of her drawer I sat her down just long enough to pull it over her head and stick her arms through.
“Dada.” She squealed in my ear, her legs kicking out excitedly as I turned around with her. Dom stood at the entrance of the door smiling at Ava. Placing her down I watched as she ran towards him, eager to be picked up and cuddled.
“Hello princess.” He spoke as he lifted her up, holding her close as he gave her a kiss.
“Car?” She asked pointing out the door. I laughed and shook my head as I walked forward.
“Hey.” He spoke, turning to me as he gave me a smile.
“Hey. She’s been asking for you all day, however I think your car may have something to do with it.”
“My car huh?” He asked grinning at me. I rolled my eyes knowing exactly what he was thinking.
“I guess she likes American muscle after all.”
“She is our kid.” He reminded, his pride coming through loud and clear.
“Car!” Ava yelled in annoyance, squirming in Dom’s arms so she could be put down.
“Alright daddy will show you the car, hang on. Is mummy coming too?” He asked looking at me with hope. I nodded and together we walked out of Ava’s room, through the house and out to where Dom had parked the charger.
“Car.” Ava squealed clapping her little hands together as it came into view.
“She likes that car way too much.” I muttered quietly, making Dom chuckle.
“She just has good taste.” I snorted, shaking my head in disagreement.
“No she just likes to go fast and let’s face it, this beast can do just that.” I said, gently running my hand over the hood of the charger. Dom was talking to Ava quietly, telling her about all the mechanics of the car. I noted with a smile she looked as if she was hanging onto his every word with understanding but I knew better; she was just looking at the shiny car.
Fondly I stared back down at the charger. Flashes of LA crossed my mind, bringing me back to the times where I slaved over this car day and night while I was pregnant with Ava. I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t love the car as much as Dom did. I had put a lot of work and love into her, maybe that was why Ava seemed to love it just as much. Maybe she sensed a connection with car as well. I glanced over to Ava and Dom again, finding Ava sitting on the hood playing with Dom’s keys while Dom watched me.
I smiled, embarrassed over being caught out. He smiled back, glancing down at Ava as she held the keys out to Dom.
“Ta?”
“Ta, thanks baby.” He spoke taking the offered keys.
“Wanna go for a drive? We could go visit Mia and Brian.” He asked me and I looked at the charger before looking at Ava.
“Sure. I’ll just go lock up and grab a few things.” I said and he nodded.
“Need some help?”
“No I’m good. I don’t think she’ll move anytime soon.” I smiled, nodding my head to Ava as she sat watching Dom and I interact intently.
“Princess want to go in the car?” He asked as I walked inside. The last thing I heard was her excited squeal before I went about gathering a few things.
14th January- Canary Islands, Spain
Mia and Brian’s beach house
Dom’s POV
Sitting with Letty in the passenger seat and Ava in the back felt right. Letty and I both couldn’t help but chuckle when Ava got excited by me starting the engine. She was definitely our kid, there was no denying that.
“You know you didn’t answer my question earlier.” I spoke gently as I glanced at Letty.
“Which question?” She asked confused.
“How did you sleep?” I asked and I noted immediately the way her face fell.
“I thought I did answer.”
“Only by deflecting the question. Let I wanna help, I know you still have nightmares. I just want to know what I can do to help those subside, even just a little.”
“I don’t know.” She sighed heavily. I was silent for a minute, lost in my own thoughts.
“Does me being there help any? I didn’t hear you wake the other night when I stayed.” I admitted quietly. I hadn’t told Letty I hadn’t slept much the night I had stayed with them. I had spent a small part of the night watching Ava sleep and once I was sure she wasn’t going to wake I slipped into Letty’s room. I never went near the bed or her, instead I pulled a chair into the corner of the room and watched her for the rest of the night, only making my way to my own bed at the sign of first light.
“I feel… safe, when you’re there. I don’t remember dreaming that night.” She admitted and I smiled softly at her.
“If you ever want me to stay Let all you have to do is ask. I’m not going to ask, I want you to make the first move.” She turned her head to me as I drove. I noted her frown and I glanced at her.
“What?”
“Why wouldn’t you ask?” She asked quietly.
“If I asked Letty I would be over there every minute of the day. I hate being away from you both but I know we have things to work through and you don’t need me suffocating you.” I explained, hating the way it made me feel.
“Can you stay tonight?” I glanced at her, almost unsure whether I had heard her right.
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes. It’ll give us more time to talk too.”
“Then I’ll stay, we’ll talk after Ava’s gone to bed.” She nodded and I sent her a small smile, reaching out my hand to give hers a small squeeze. She didn’t move her hand away like she had just days ago but she still tensed under my touch.
“Maybe you could tell me about what happened after the D.R.” I hinted as I pulled into Mia’s.
“Maybe.”
Letty’s house
Letty’s POV
“Ava.” I called as I wandered through the house looking for my run away child. Ever since she had learned to steadily walk on her feet she was impossible to catch up to. I sighed again as I got down on my hands and knees looking under beds. Hearing her infectious giggle I turned just in time to see her breeze past the open door heading for the lounge room. Smiling to myself as I let out a chuckle I got to my feet and followed behind.
“Ava.” I sung out, egging her on with her game of cat and mouse.
“Mama.” She giggled back as peeked out from behind the lounge.
“What are you doing princess?”
“Dada.” I smiled softly as she pointed out the window.
“Daddy’s not here, he’s at aunty Mia’s.” I explained softly as I reached down to pick her up.
“Car?” She asked innocently and I had to laugh. She was definitely our kid through and through.
“Not right now baby, maybe later we’ll go see aunty Mia, uncle Brian and Lexie. Want some lunch?” I asked blowing a raspberry on her cheek at the same time.
“Mama.” She squealed, squirming in my arms as I tickled her.
“Lunch?” I laughed, asking again after she stopped laughing. With a nod of her head I walked us both into the kitchen, strapping her in her high chair before I started on her sandwich. Cutting it into small triangles I placed it on her plastic plate before setting in front of her. I tried not to laugh as she picked on triangle up before messily shoving it in her mouth, but it was hard not to.
Sitting at the table I reached for my phone, surfing the internet while she was quiet. It had been almost an entire day since I had seen Dom and I had been trying to work up the courage to phone him. I hadn’t asked him to stay the night again but only because he hadn’t mentioned it. I had taken it as a hint that he needed to think things through and kept my mouth shut despite what I wanted. As strange as it felt after all this time I felt safer when Dom was in the house but I knew asking him to stay the night every night was asking too much too soon. Our relationship needed time to heal. Things needed to be done properly this time around.
“Ba.” I looked up at Ava watching as she babbled to herself in between chews. I smiled before glancing down at my phone again. I fingered the button that was set to call Dom’s mobile. I was battling an internal war inside of me; to call or not to call. After a few moments the desire to call overpowered the more reluctant side of me and I pressed the call button, placing the phone to my ear as I listened to it ring.
“I was just about to call you; I guess we had the same idea.” Was the reply I got after one ring. I found myself smiling; happy to know yesterday’s topics of conversation hadn’t run him off just yet.
“I guess so.”
“Did you sleep last night?” He asked and I grimaced. Truthfully I had been plagued with nightmares all night like every other night.
“It was alright. Ava slept right through.” I offered, steering the subject away from me.
“That’s good she looked tired when we picked her up yesterday.” I noted the slight pause at the start of his words and was thankful he let it slide. I knew it worried him, he had admitted that before after he witnessed one night terror.
“Yeah she crashed straight away.” I nodded along before silence fell over us. A quick glance at Ava told me she was still eating, though I wondered whether she had actually gotten any considering the amount smeared on her high chair table top.
“Letty-“
“Dom-“ We both stopped at the same time and chuckled.
“Sorry you go.” He offered.
“I was just going to ask if you wanted to come over.” I spoke quietly.
“I’d love to.”
“Good. What were you going to say?” I asked.
“I was going to ask if I could come over. I wanted to see you both.” I relaxed hearing his words.
“I’ll see you soon. I’ll leave the door unlocked.” I offered and he agreed eagerly before we hung up.
“Dada?” Ava asked as I looked at her and I laughed.
“Dada? Where’s dada?” I asked as I unclipped her, picking her up carefully as I carried her towards the front door. I flicked the bolt, unlocking the door before I headed for the bathroom.
“Car.”
“Car huh? You’re gunna be a grease monkey, daddy will be proud.” I spoke to her as I walked into the bathroom.
“You are one messy eater.” I sighed as I sat her down on the sink. Grabbing a wet cloth I wiped her face and hands before I peeled her top off her. She giggled and squirmed as I picked her up heading for her room.
Pulling a clean t-shirt out of her drawer I sat her down just long enough to pull it over her head and stick her arms through.
“Dada.” She squealed in my ear, her legs kicking out excitedly as I turned around with her. Dom stood at the entrance of the door smiling at Ava. Placing her down I watched as she ran towards him, eager to be picked up and cuddled.
“Hello princess.” He spoke as he lifted her up, holding her close as he gave her a kiss.
“Car?” She asked pointing out the door. I laughed and shook my head as I walked forward.
“Hey.” He spoke, turning to me as he gave me a smile.
“Hey. She’s been asking for you all day, however I think your car may have something to do with it.”
“My car huh?” He asked grinning at me. I rolled my eyes knowing exactly what he was thinking.
“I guess she likes American muscle after all.”
“She is our kid.” He reminded, his pride coming through loud and clear.
“Car!” Ava yelled in annoyance, squirming in Dom’s arms so she could be put down.
“Alright daddy will show you the car, hang on. Is mummy coming too?” He asked looking at me with hope. I nodded and together we walked out of Ava’s room, through the house and out to where Dom had parked the charger.
“Car.” Ava squealed clapping her little hands together as it came into view.
“She likes that car way too much.” I muttered quietly, making Dom chuckle.
“She just has good taste.” I snorted, shaking my head in disagreement.
“No she just likes to go fast and let’s face it, this beast can do just that.” I said, gently running my hand over the hood of the charger. Dom was talking to Ava quietly, telling her about all the mechanics of the car. I noted with a smile she looked as if she was hanging onto his every word with understanding but I knew better; she was just looking at the shiny car.
Fondly I stared back down at the charger. Flashes of LA crossed my mind, bringing me back to the times where I slaved over this car day and night while I was pregnant with Ava. I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t love the car as much as Dom did. I had put a lot of work and love into her, maybe that was why Ava seemed to love it just as much. Maybe she sensed a connection with car as well. I glanced over to Ava and Dom again, finding Ava sitting on the hood playing with Dom’s keys while Dom watched me.
I smiled, embarrassed over being caught out. He smiled back, glancing down at Ava as she held the keys out to Dom.
“Ta?”
“Ta, thanks baby.” He spoke taking the offered keys.
“Wanna go for a drive? We could go visit Mia and Brian.” He asked me and I looked at the charger before looking at Ava.
“Sure. I’ll just go lock up and grab a few things.” I said and he nodded.
“Need some help?”
“No I’m good. I don’t think she’ll move anytime soon.” I smiled, nodding my head to Ava as she sat watching Dom and I interact intently.
“Princess want to go in the car?” He asked as I walked inside. The last thing I heard was her excited squeal before I went about gathering a few things.
14th January- Canary Islands, Spain
Mia and Brian’s beach house
Dom’s POV
Sitting with Letty in the passenger seat and Ava in the back felt right. Letty and I both couldn’t help but chuckle when Ava got excited by me starting the engine. She was definitely our kid, there was no denying that.
“You know you didn’t answer my question earlier.” I spoke gently as I glanced at Letty.
“Which question?” She asked confused.
“How did you sleep?” I asked and I noted immediately the way her face fell.
“I thought I did answer.”
“Only by deflecting the question. Let I wanna help, I know you still have nightmares. I just want to know what I can do to help those subside, even just a little.”
“I don’t know.” She sighed heavily. I was silent for a minute, lost in my own thoughts.
“Does me being there help any? I didn’t hear you wake the other night when I stayed.” I admitted quietly. I hadn’t told Letty I hadn’t slept much the night I had stayed with them. I had spent a small part of the night watching Ava sleep and once I was sure she wasn’t going to wake I slipped into Letty’s room. I never went near the bed or her, instead I pulled a chair into the corner of the room and watched her for the rest of the night, only making my way to my own bed at the sign of first light.
“I feel… safe, when you’re there. I don’t remember dreaming that night.” She admitted and I smiled softly at her.
“If you ever want me to stay Let all you have to do is ask. I’m not going to ask, I want you to make the first move.” She turned her head to me as I drove. I noted her frown and I glanced at her.
“What?”
“Why wouldn’t you ask?” She asked quietly.
“If I asked Letty I would be over there every minute of the day. I hate being away from you both but I know we have things to work through and you don’t need me suffocating you.” I explained, hating the way it made me feel.
“Can you stay tonight?” I glanced at her, almost unsure whether I had heard her right.
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes. It’ll give us more time to talk too.”
“Then I’ll stay, we’ll talk after Ava’s gone to bed.” She nodded and I sent her a small smile, reaching out my hand to give hers a small squeeze. She didn’t move her hand away like she had just days ago but she still tensed under my touch.
“Maybe you could tell me about what happened after the D.R.” I hinted as I pulled into Mia’s.
“Maybe.”