11th January- Canary Islands, Spain
Letty’s beach house
Letty’s POV
I rushed around the house madly trying to get everything ready in time for Ava’s birthday lunch with the family. Leon and I had spoken about Elena and I had agreed to be civil and so far we were doing okay. There was still some bad blood between us because of her and Dom’s relationship but at least we could have small conversations if needed without biting each other’s heads off.
“Let?” I looked up as I heard Dom call from the front of the house.
“Kitchen.” I said back and I heard him move throughout the house before he became visible to me.
“Hey I thought I’d come and give you a hand.”
“Thanks Ava’s in a bad mood. Maybe you could get her out of it.” I said as I finished cleaning the kitchen.
“Where is she?” I pointed to door of the lounge room.
“Ava.” Dom called and I heard a loud thud as blocks hit the floor before she came walking out of the room eager to see Dom. She was still very wobbly on her feet seeing as though she had only been walking on her own for a week.
“There’s my princess.” He said as he scooped her up kissing her face and I had to smile as I watched them.
“Happy birthday baby, you’re growing up too fast.” Dom said quietly as he gave Ava a kiss.
“Car!” she yelled as she pointed outside as she caught sight of Dom’s car.
“Very good baby it’s daddy’s car.” I rolled my eyes. Her third word had to be car. I knew how much Dom wanted her to be able to say dad but at the same time he was beaming with pride when she came out with the word car as well. Ava had picked up a few new words over the last few weeks car being one of them along with no, mine and bird. Her two new favorite being mine and no.
“Well someone’s in a better mood.” I muttered quietly to myself and Dom gave me a smile.
“Do you need a hand with anything?” He asked.
“Ah no not really everything’s already at Mia and Brian’s.” I said as I tied my hair up again watching as Ava babbled to Dom.
“You ready?” He asked and I nodded.
“Yeah.”
“You taking your car? Or are you guys riding with me?” I thought about it for a minute but I didn’t get a chance to answer as Ava pointed to Dom’s car.
“CAR!” I laughed a little and nodded to Dom.
“I think she wants yours.”
“It’s a charger, who wouldn’t want a ride in the charger?” He asked jokingly as he tickled Ava and I rolled my eyes.
“She doesn’t care what brand car it is, it’s just the fact it’s a car.” I stated and he grinned.
“For now.” I shook my head smiling.
“So we going or what?” I asked picking up Ava’s bag and he nodded as we walked out to the car.
“We owe Lexie a new ball by the way.” I frowned.
“Okay…why?”
“Uh… it kind of put a hole in it.” He said hinting to Ava’s kitten she was about to get.
“Of course it did. You had to pick the most disobedient.” I sighed and he gave me a look as he stood up from strapping Ava in.
“Correction you picked it.”
“It was cute.” I defended.
“Yeah we’ll see how long you think that when you bring it home.” I made a face at Dom while he laughed as we got into the front of the car.
Mia and Brian’s beach house
“Birthday girl’s here.” Tej called as we arrived and I got Ava out making my way over to where everyone was set up. I passed Ava to Mia as she gave her a kiss.
“You’re a big girl now.” I frowned as I looked over Ava. Had one year already passed? Where had the time gone because Dom was right she was growing up fast and I hated it.
“You okay Let?” Mia asked as Brian took Ava to play with Lexie.
“Yeah sorry just thinking.” I said quietly.
“They can’t be little forever Let.” She said guessing the real reason behind my sadness and I smiled at Mia.
“I can wish.” I said as she smiled wrapping an arm around me in a hug and I hugged her back.
It was a quiet day really, Ava was excited about all the balloons and being the center of attention especially when it came to Dom. Dom disappeared inside with Brian at one point and he gave me a pointed look.
“Ava baby come here mummy and daddy have something for you.” I said calling for her as she sat on the ground not far away playing with Leon.
“It’s something really special.” Leon said excitedly to her as he passed her over to me. She sat on my lap somewhat patiently watching Han and Roman play cards.
“Ready?” Brian asked as he came out and Mia nodded as Dom came out as well holding something behind his back. It caught Ava’s attention and she tried to lean around to see it.
“Put your hand out.” I said as I held her hand out carefully as Dom revealed the kitten. Ava looked at it unsurely as Dom held it out in front of us.
“Can you say cat?” Brian asked as everyone watched Ava look at her new kitten.
“Ava want to pet the kitty?” I asked and she shook her head but the kitten seemed to have other ideas as it sniffed Ava’s hand before licking it. Ava squealed and then started crying as we laughed at her reaction. Dom took the kitten away a bit and I hugged Ava as she cried.
“It’s okay it didn’t hurt you. It’s saying hello.” I said softly as she calmed down still looking at the kitten.
“You can say hello to her.” Dom said as he pet the cat. Ava watched Dom and put her hand out as Dom moved it closer again.
“Have to be gentle though.” I warned as she petted the cat’s head hesitantly with the help of Dom.
“See she won’t hurt you.” Leon said softly as Ava pet the cat on her own and she grinned back at me as I smiled at her.
“Good girl.” I said as I placed a kiss on her cheek. I placed Ava on the ground in front of me and Dom put the kitten on the ground in front of her and we watched carefully as Ava reached for the cat again petting it.
“She seems alright with it.” Mia voiced and I nodded.
“What are we going to name it?” Dom asked me and I shrugged.
“Something easy for her to say.”
“Mine?” Leon joked and I smirked shaking my head.
“Funny Le.”
“Mine?” Ava voiced and I nodded at her sending a glare at Leon.
“Yeah baby kitty’s all yours.”
“Ki…” I raised an eyebrow as she started saying kitty but then stopped.
“Close say kitty…” Dom encouraged.
“KI!” I laughed quietly along with everyone else.
“Close enough.” Han laughed.
Dom and the boys had taken the girls and Nico down to beach for a swim leaving Mia, Gisele, Rosa, Elena and I to ourselves.
“So when are you and Brian going to have another one?” Gisele asked Mia and she looked horrified.
“Are you kidding? One is enough, at least for a long while.” I laughed at Mia’s face.
“What about you Gisele? When are you Han going to settle down and have kids?” Elena asked.
“I don’t think either of us are ready for that commitment just yet.” She laughed.
“Speaking of commitment Elena…you and Leon huh?” Mia smiled.
“Yeah who would have thought? He’s amazing.” She said quietly sparing me a glance but I smiled slightly at her.
“What about you Letty?” I looked confused at Rosa.
“What about me?” I asked.
“Are you planning anymore with Dom?” I froze at the question.
“Uh…Dom and I have a lot to work through. Having more kids has never crossed my mind.” I said as lightly as I could and they let the subject drop instantly as the boys made their way over to us.
“DADA!” Everyone froze as Ava’s squeal washed over us. Dom stopped tickling her and just stared at her dumb founded.
“Did she just say…” I nodded at Dom still in shock myself.
“Did you say dada?” He said quietly to her.
“Dada.” She giggled.
I felt my heart stop at her words looking between Dom and Ava my walls and even my strength to fight came crashing down. It was like the last two months had been nothing but a blur and with that one word that had tumbled from her lips I felt tears prick my eyes. I knew what I needed to do now as I found myself staring longingly at Dom. I was done fighting, I was done trying to be strong. We had to talk and sort things through once and for all. I wanted Dom back, not just as a friend though and I was going to fight to make sure that happened. I had given him till Ava’s birthday and as far as I was concerned he had proved himself to me.
I blinked away my tears quickly before anyone saw and smiled at Dom as he gave Ava a kiss. Everyone was chatting and talking again as they sat down but my eyes hadn’t left Dom’s figure as he placed Ava on the ground next to Lexie and Nico. He looked up at me and gave me a worried look but I smiled shaking my head. I watched as he came to stand by my side as we watched the kids play and the kitten walk around in wonder.
“You okay?” He asked softly.
“Yeah I am...” Out of the corner of my eye I could see him looking at me worried so I turned to face him.
“Let?” He asked quietly confused as I placed a hand on his arm.
“Dom I’m ready to talk now... about everything.” I said quietly as I stared into his eyes and I could feel his breath catch as I smiled softly up at him and although it took a few minutes I watched as a wide smiled spread over his face as he released the breath he’d been holding.
“You have no idea what it means to hear you say those words.” He breathed as his hand covered mine as we smiled at one another.