Page 14 of Shattered Love

“Hey baby. I missed you.”

I frown up at him, breakfast forgotten. “I don’t understand. I’ve been here.” In fact, I haven't left the house since that night.

He shakes his head. “The look in your eyes that sparkles, the one that lights up when I look at you, had faded, hidden amongst the hurt.”

I'm confused. It’s like I have the jigsaw puzzle in front of me, but I can’t make sense of the pieces. Then it clicks, and everything falls into place. “That’s why you always look in my eyes before you talk to me! As soon as you see it, your body relaxes. It’s why you always say hi to me.”

Dominic nods sharply. “I need that sparkle to survive. It’s my air, my addiction, my weakness. It tells me everything I need. You said that night nearly broke you. If I didn’t get to see that sparkle, it would kill me,” he whispers, but they’re the most powerful words I have ever heard.

I hold his face in my hands. “Baby, I’m going to get hurt, but I will always, always love you. No matter what my eyes tell you, my heart will be yours.”

“You don’t understand. That day in class, you looked up at me, and that sparkle appeared. That day, I knew you saw me. Not Dominic Stone, but me, the man. That’s when I knew what my shitty life had been for, because if I had a normal upbringing, I would have missed that sparkle. That’s when I knew you were my reason, my girl.”

I’m completely speechless. Dominic was not one for talking about emotions, saying he was no good at pretty words, but here he was in our kitchen, speaking the most beautiful words the world has ever heard.

He looks up at me. “Imagine if the night sky had no stars or the sky had no sun. That was me before you. That sparkle is my stars in the darkness, my sun in the sky.”

* * *

Going backto work on Monday was a task. Dominic and I had spent the whole weekend as if we were newlyweds. We couldn’t take our hands off each other and Dominic was more playful and relaxed than I had ever seen him. The final guard that he had worn around his heart was broken.

He still searches my eyes every time he looks at me. I was happy to be his lighthouse to guide him out of the darkness and into the home where he belonged.

We only got out of bed to take Cooper for a walk. Travis’ training was coming along amazingly. Cooper was still playful, but he listened to every command Dominic gave him. He was amazing and completed our family.

Cecelia rested her head on the desk. “My uterus is a raging bitch.”

I laugh as she throws daggers my way. “Come on, that was funny! Plus, I may have a chocolate bar.”

Her eyes narrow. “You better not be joking. You don’t mess with a woman and chocolate when shark week hits.”

I smirk, handing over my Galaxy bar which she devours in seconds.

“Damn you, Mother Nature.” Cecelia snorts, making me laugh.

* * *

Dominic ison the latest shift tonight. I was a mess the first night he worked but Molly came over and stayed the night with me. She also hated staying in the house on her own and Carter was back now, as their three-week honeymoon was over. But I am getting better now.

All I want to do tonight is have a bubble bath and fall into bed with my Kindle. There is a new book I can’t wait to jump into. The author is K.L. Humphreys, one my favorites.

I run the bath, even lighting a few candles. Dom should be home in the next few hours, but it still gives me anxiety knowing he is putting himself in danger. There is a real possibility of him getting shot again, but he was made for this job. It was built into him to protect others.

I am grabbing the towel when I realize my tampon box is unopened. I frown, trying to remember the last time Mother Nature called.

Was it just before I was sick? But that was over three months ago!

I run into my bedroom, opening my bottom drawer where I hid the pregnancy test that Cecelia gave me a few weeks ago.

I grab one, ripping the box open and rushing back into the bathroom.

I look at the little plastic like it’s the devil. Seriously, how can something so little, something you just piss on, give you the result that could possibly change your life?

I pace back and forth. I hadn’t realized how long ninety seconds was until I am waiting for it.

I turn the test over. “You have got to be shitting me!” There are no pink lines like the box says there should be. Am I meant to press something? Say something?

“Abracadabra!”

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