Page 109 of Accidental Doctor Daddy

“Dom, it wasn’t like that?—”

“I did, Ella. I won’t make that mistake again.” He pressed his forehead to mine, breath unsteady. “I love you. And I won’t let you out of my sight. In a healthy, respectful way.”

A shaky laugh escaped me. With that, I opened the door, my heart pounding with anticipation. We stepped into the hallway, ready to introduce Dom to the life he never got to share, but hopefully would from this moment on.

Because sometimes, second chances do exist, and maybe we’d just found ours.

Epilogue

Ella

I’d never planned to come back to New York, certainly not like this. Yet here I was, stepping onto a sprawling lawn, holding one of my twins while the other wriggled in Dom’s arms.

My heart hammered in my chest at the sheer vastness of his family home. Oaks and maples dotted the property, and the wraparound porch framed an enormous house with more windows than I’d be bothered to count. It felt like stepping into a pastoral painting.

“Are you nervous?” Dom asked gently, shifting Marissa higher on his hip. He must’ve seen my knuckles go white around Summer’s little jacket.

“Yeah,” I admitted, blowing out a shaky breath. “I’ve never...had a big family get-together like this. And we’re about to meet your kids—all at once. Well, your older kids.”

“You’ve already met one,” Dom said with a small smile. “Just not under the best circumstances.”

“You can say that again. Leo…” My stomach flipped remembering the last time I’d seen him—angry, bitter.

Dom reached over, touched my shoulder. “He’s changed. Rehab helped. He told me he’s ready to be a brother to Marissa and Summer. He’s even looking forward to meeting you sober.”

“Sober,” I echoed in a murmur, glancing down at Summer. Her big eyes peered back at me, as if telling me not to worry. Maybe she was right.

Martha trotted over, craning her neck at the house’s third story. “So this is the upstate mansion, huh? My word. You told me it was big, but this is something else.”

“Welcome, Martha,” Dom said warmly. “Plenty of space for you, too. I’ve got your room all set upstairs.”

She brushed a strand of gray hair from her face and grinned. “I’ve never been upstate. As soon as the babies are settled, I might wander around, see if it’s as pretty as I’ve heard.”

“Go for it,” I said, adjusting Summer. “We’ll handle the introductions to Dom’s kids.”

“I’ll leave the complicated stuff to you two.” She winked, heading inside ahead of us, presumably to find her quarters.

As Dom guided me through the front doors, I couldn’t help letting out a soft gasp at the wide foyer with polished wooden floors. Family photos lined the entry with Mortolis throughout the years. The house exuded history, warmth, and a touch of sorrow.

I pressed my lips together, passing the pictures. “I never realized you had such a big place.”

Dom nodded, glancing at one photo of Gina as a teenager, her arms folded in teenage rebellion. “I like a lot of space.”

He paused at the mantle, where a more recent photo of Gina—her on the cover of a design magazine. Next to it, a frame with a picture of me holding Marissa and Summer, taken in Chicago during the Friday Fried-Dough Festival.

My chest constricted. I had no idea Dom had put that up. Gently, I brushed a finger over the photo’s edge.We’re part of this home now.

Summer squirmed in my arms, letting out a small whine. “Ready for the big meet-and-greet, baby girl?” I murmured, bouncing her lightly. She responded by drooling on my shoulder.

Just then, the doorbell chimed—a clear, old-fashioned ring echoing through the halls. My heart jumped. Dom smiled. “Let’s do this.”

He led the way back to the foyer, and I trailed him, trying to quell the flutter in my stomach. Gina’s familiar voice drifted through the door as Dom swung it open.

“Dad, hello!” Her sing-song greeting carried into the house before she stepped in, rolling a pair of suitcases behind her. In person, Gina was tall, with stylish boots and a sleek bob. She took one look at me holding Summer and practically squealed. “Oh my God, they’re so cute in real life!”

I managed a smile, letting her swoop in for a hug. Her enthusiasm was like a warm hug. She patted Summer’s back, cooing softly. “Hi, sweet baby. Your big sister has a whole bag of goodies for you!” Then she looked at me, eyes bright. “Ella, finally! It’s so great to meet you face-to-face.”

“You too,” I said, my tension easing at her genuine excitement. “Thanks for, uh, not being weird about all this.”

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