Bellissimo Angelo - Book Three

Chapter 24 - The Bridal Shop Scene

THREE MONTHS LATER...

Maggie's POV

Dom and I have been hot and heavy the past couple of months, and I have been moved in with him for three months now. We haven't come clean about our relationship at work, but the rumors are swarming. We haven't done much to hide how close we are, and we even ride in together on the nights he works with me. He has been training another part-time security guard for the nights he's not working, so he has been picking up extra shifts lately. Apparently, the last one quit after having a nasty run-in with Charlie Vance. Dom has been the only one that can handle that crazy animal. Today is my day off, so I'm hanging out at Momma's house while Dom works.

In the evening, while I'm snuggled up with Chloe on the sofa with an afghan watching television, the front door opens. Momma slips in the front door as Chloe jumps off the sofa and greets her, tail wagging. Momma kneels next to her, "Aww.. hello, pretty girl." She says as she strokes her soft curly white fur.

"Hey Momma, how was your day?" I ask her.

She places her hand on her knees and struggles to a standing position, "Shewww... exhausting. I swear, pushing that heavy med cart down those long hallways is so tiring. It just wears my body out. I sure can't wait until I can retire."

I watch as she limps across the floor to hang her purse up on the coat rack. Poor Momma. I hope that my business takes off so she can just come work with me. I know nursing is so hard on her body. Those long shifts on your feet, I'm sure, are hard for someone in their fifties.

She walks over and plops down on the sofa next to me, "Are you off today, dear?"

"Yes, I'm off, but Dom is training a new security guard, so he's working."

She nods her head, "Ahh... well Earl will be home from his route tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do around this house. We need to hang the Christmas decorations and put up the tree." she says. 

"I can help you; I'm off work today." I offer.

"That would be lovely, dear, but I'm far too tired to do it tonight."

"Ahh, Momma, it's okay. I can go ahead and do it. Is everything boxed up in the garage?" I ask. 

She nods her head, "Yep, it's in the far left corner labeled Christmas decor." 

"Alright, I'll get started on it tonight," I tell her.

"So, have you been able to get anything done with Brie's wedding?" she asks. 

I roll my eyes, "Yes, she's freaking out because apparently Stacy, her old college roommate, can't make it up here until after New Years' to get fitted for the bridesmaid dresses. She's worried about alterations not being completed by the wedding date."

Momma begins to chuckle, "Didn't you tell her that the lady who runs the bridal shop is Gran's best friend Ruby's daughter and that she said she would expedite it?"

"Momma, you know Brie. I told her, but she is still making a fuss about it."

Momma shakes her head, "Well, thank goodness she has you helping her. I hope she is treating you a little better."

"She has her moments that I can tell ya, but I called Stacy, and we are going the weekend after New Years' to get fitted, so she's driving here to get that all taken care of."

She reaches out and pats my leg, "Well, good. By the way, how's my future son-in-law doing?" 

I flash her a shy smile, "He's doing really good. Everything is just perfect between us. He's been picking up a lot of extra shifts lately at Tito's. I guess he's a workaholic like me, and that's okay."