Page 85 of The Sting of Love
While Willow and I both work in the city, we decided the beach house in Marsala would be our base. The place we called home. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made because I’m as happy here as I was when I used to visit as a boy with my family. Sometimes in the breath between night and day I imagine my mother walking on the beach the way she used to.
She loved it, and Willow, Dominic, and I love it here too.
Today is our anniversary party. We’re a few months out from the date but we wanted to celebrate when we could get everyone here together. We managed to pull it off gathering all the people who are special to us. We’ve got family here from both sides and friends. They’re on the main part of the beach.
Dominic has an affinity for this section here. He loves it. It’s funny, it’s quite near where I saved Willow that day so long ago. That was when I first realized how much I loved her. It seems fitting that he would be drawn to it.
I look away from them when Pa walks up to me.
He gazes out and a bright smile lifts the corners of his mouth as he looks at my treasures.
“Beautiful,” he says with a nod. “Do you see what I mean now when I told you it was all worth it?”
I chuckle and nod with complete agreement. “I do father, I do.”
He gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze and pride lights up his eyes. “Good. Go to them. The picture isn’t complete without you. I’d like to stand here and watch my son with his family.”
I nod obliging and set off down the path to the beach.
Willow lifts her head and beams when she sees me coming. She stands up and circles her arms around me. Dominic follows and takes hold of my legs.
“You came to join us,” Willow says as I kiss her.
“Yes, I know we should be mingling with the guests but I think they’ll forgive us.”
“Yeah.”
“Papa…” Dominic says pulling on my leg.
I laugh when he lifts his little hands into the air beckoning me to pick him up. I do and Willow snuggles against me.
“I like this,” she says.
“Which part Bellissima?”
“All of it. I love you mio amore.”
“I love you too, mio amore.”
As we kiss and our little baby puts his arms around us, I savor the feel of them.
They really are treasures of my heart.
Willow
Donny’s putting the baby to sleep.
I stand by the window of our bedroom and gaze out to the storm that’s brewing and the waves as they clash against the rock.
It’s like a dance of danger. The fierce sea showing its true power, fueled by the oncoming storm.
I recall that day when I tried to escape this house. Now it’s my home.
It’s my sanctuary, a place I never expected to find in my life. Just like the man.
I live my life in happiness every day with the man I love and the child that came from our love. It’s been wonderful to celebrate two years of marriage with Donny over the last two days.
We’ve had a full house with friends and family staying over for the party. It was great to see everyone. We haven’t had that much of a gathering since our wedding. It made me think of that first wedding that never happened with William. I look back now with happy reflection. Happy for the door that closed and the window that opened for me to explore a new path.
