1st December- Canary Islands, Spain
Letty’s beach house
Dom’s POV
Mia and Letty seemed to be getting on well and in a way I was glad but I was also jealous of my sister. She seemed to be starting to rebuild her relationship with Letty with little effort and for me it felt like I was struggling to keep my head above water.
The conversation at dinner was a change for good, it was no longer awkward and tense. Letty and I left with Ava after dinner so I could spend some time alone with them. I played with Ava for an hour or so until she began yawning and I offered to give her a bath.
“Thanks for that.” Letty said quietly as I finished dressing Ava for bed.
“No need to thank me Letty, she’s my daughter I’d do anything for her, just like I’d do anything for you.” She nodded and I kissed Ava’s cheek smiling as she patted my cheeks giggling.
“I believe it’s your bed time miss.” I said quietly as she laid her head down on my shoulder her little hand playing with the chain on my necklace.
“I have to feed her first, I don’t think she’ll last long though.” I handed Ava over to Letty as I followed them into the lounge room. I was a little confused as to where she was going watching as she sat down on the lounge situating herself to feed Ava.
“If it makes you uncomfortable I can go elsewhere.” I shook my head as I watched her from the doorway.
“No I don’t mind, I love watching you like this… I mean that in a completely innocent way.” I clarified and she smiled slightly nodding to the spot next to her on the couch and I didn’t wait to be told twice as I sat next to her leaning back against the lounge watching in silence. Watching Letty nurse Ava was completely mesmerizing; I couldn’t tear my eyes away from either of them. I used the time to look over Letty, really look her over and I started to notice just how different she actually was now. Her hair was longer then I remembered and lighter in colour, she was definitely thinner which worried me but I silently hoped that would change over time. Her breasts were fuller and bigger then I had remembered. Back in the D.R after she had told me she was pregnant I had noticed the changes in her body but now looking at her I could tell the difference. These changes were from nursing Ava and I couldn’t help but smile at the thought. She was fucking beautiful and even after all this time she still didn’t realize what she did to me.
Ava was the perfect blend between both of us but Leon was right she looked like me. She had soft brown hair, my nose, chin, Letty’s slender frame and the most breathtaking feature about her was that she had Letty’s eyes. The big brown doe like eyes I used to get lost in.
“I’ve missed out on so much…” I said quietly and she looked up at me.
“I know… I missed out on things too. The best I can do is tell you about them.”
“You looked beautiful pregnant.” I said softly and she frowned at my words.
“How would you know?”
“Leon he gave me a stack of pictures, I thought you knew.” I said quietly.
“He told me he took those out.” I shook my head silently and she sighed.
“I wasn’t big but I did gain a lot of weight, I hated it. I was glad I lost it all almost immediately after Ava was born.”
“I wished I had of seen it, I remember when you first told me. I felt like such an idiot for not noticing the differences in your body when we met up. I loved how your body had started to change… I regret not being able to see them all.”
“We all have a lot of regrets Dominic… you didn’t miss much in regards to the pregnancy. All day morning sickness, mood swings, being fat and unable to see my feet.” I shook my head at her words.
“I would of loved every second of it. I have a lot of regrets but I’ve never once regretted getting you pregnant. She was the best thing to ever happen even if the timing was wrong, even if we weren’t together.” I said softly and she nodded.
“I don’t regret her either, she’s been my world. I don’t know what I would have done without her.” We sat in silence as we watched Ava sleep now finished for the night as Letty carefully fixed her top and stilled again letting her sleep in her arms.
“She’s a heavy sleeper.” I pointed out and she nodded smiling slightly.
“She gets that from you.”
“Not so much anymore, Lexie’s trained me to be a rather light sleeper.”
“Well it’s about time.” I grinned at her words.
“Can I ask you something?” I said quietly as I turned my gaze from Ava to Letty.
“Depends.”
“About Ava’s birth.” I said quietly and she nodded.
“What were the complications?” She sighed and turned to face me a little.
“I wasn’t dilating fast enough they were worried they’d have to do an emergency C-section because she wasn’t coping with the stress I was in. I wouldn’t do it, at least not until I had no other option. I eventually got there and after I’d given birth we were doing fine but I got up not long after to go for a walk and I started hemorrhaging. They stopped the bleeding and everything was fine after that I was just really weak for a while because of the blood loss. I was glad for Leon and Charlotte, they’ve been a huge help.” I was saddened by the news and felt guilty for not being there for her like I was meant to be.
“Was there any lasting side effects?” I asked carefully.
“None that I’m aware of but it was a Mexican hospital Dom, they don’t exactly have five star hospital equipment.” I nodded smiling at her words.
“True.”
“What’s the deal between Leon and Charlotte?” I asked curiously and she grinned. Not a fake one either but a proper one and I caught myself smiling back.
“He had the hots for her but she kept turning him down. One day he got really ticked off and snapped at her asking why she wouldn’t date him. She turned around and told him she was batting for the other team and he believed it at least until the truth came out, then he was just pissed that she’s played him. He still holds that grudge, can’t seem to let it go. She likes to annoy people in general but Leon’s her favorite person to annoy the shit out of.” I laughed quietly as I thought about Leon’s reaction.
“So she isn’t gay?”
“No not at all, she just didn’t like Leon that way and thought it would be easier to lie than telling him the truth.” She laughed a little and I smiled loving the sound of her laugh.
“Have you got plans tomorrow?” I asked suddenly.
“No, I thought you’d probably spend the day with Ava.” I nodded.
“I want to but I was wondering if you were if interested in doing something together, all three of us?”
“What exactly did you have in mind?” I could hear the uneasiness in her voice and I decided to do something to stay on safe ground.
“Picnic? Or something along those lines, we spend a lot of time at the beach already I thought we might be able to find a park somewhere to spend the day.” I said hopefully and I could see her hesitating before she nodded.
“Yeah I think that would be nice, I could use a bit of time away from this place.” I was shocked I had expected her to turn me down.
“I’ll be by in the morning then.” She smiled slightly and nodded.
“Do you want me to help put her to bed before I go?” I asked and she looked panicked for a moment and I frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh no it’s nothing…”
“Come on Let we’re supposed to be friends remember you can tell me.” I said softly and she turned away to look at Ava before looking back at me.
“Right…I know that. As a friend would you mind if I asked you to do something for me?”
“No not at all, I’d do anything for you.” I said quietly.
“It’s just I don’t do very well on my own, especially at night and with Leon gone again… it’s going to take some getting used to again. I don’t really want to be alone tonight. I know it’s a lot to ask but do you mind staying the night?” I sat dumb founded but I could hear the fear in her voice and I nodded.
“Of course.”
“It’s just strictly as a friend, this doesn’t change anything…I just…” She started tripping over her words and I shook my head.
“Let its fine I understand.” I whispered quietly as I cut off her rambling.
“Right sorry.” She whispered and I smiled slightly reaching out to tuck a curl behind her ear on instinct but when I saw her flinch I stopped and dropped my hand.
“Uh…would you like me to put Ava to bed?” I asked quietly and she nodded giving Ava a kiss.
“Yes thank you.” I smiled at her and took Ava carefully into my arms as I stood and made my way to her nursery. I laid her gently down in her cot and tucked in her in before switching on her night light and the baby monitor as I left the room. Shutting the door quietly behind me I was a little surprised to see Letty standing waiting for me.
“Uh you can either have the room between mine and Ava’s or the one at the front of the house.”
“I don’t mind Letty which one would you prefer me to have?” I asked gently still catching onto her uneasiness.
“The one closer to us if you don’t mind…” I shook my head.
“No I don’t mind, I told you I’m here for whatever you need.” She sent me a tiny smile and I returned it as she pointed to the room across from us.
“It’s through there.” I nodded and I went to make sure the house was locked up. I walked back to the room but I paused when I saw Letty still standing there.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I just wanted to say thank you.” She whispered.
“You’re welcome.” I whispered back as we stood in silence for a while longer. She cleared her throat suddenly and I snapped out of my trance.
“Goodnight Dom.” I felt my breath catch as I watched in silence as she fled down the hallway into her room closing the door behind her.
“Goodnight Letty.” I whispered to no one as I too retired for the night feeling happy and relieved she had finally called me Dom. Maybe things would work out after all.