Love, Evangeline

36.

Domenico had jumped in the shower about ten minutes ago. The sound of running water echoed about the room as I sat on my bed with my back against the pillows. The sun rested high in the sky, sunlight infiltrated its way into the room through the curtains. I had been reading 'Island of The Blue Dolphins', a book my mom gave me for my thirteenth birthday. I had read the book a million times, yet reading it all over again nearly felt like the first time.

Right as I flipped the page, a knock sounded at the door. Getting off the bed, I placed the book on the nightstand before walking up to the door and opening it. To my surprise, Alessandro and Mateo stood in the hall. I smiled, " hey." " Shocked to see us?" Mateo asked. I chuckled, " believe it or not, but we still live here," Alessandro teased as he smirked. " What do you guys need?" I asked. Alessandro sighed before saying, " since you're here, and todays the only day dads off work, mom is making us all go to the art museum this afternoon." I raised my eyebrows slightly, " unless, you have plans already," Alessandro said. He eyed my room before looking back at me. " Uh no, I don't have any plans today. Besides, the museum sounds like fun," I commented.

Mateo scoffed, " what part of walking around and staring at paint stuck on paper sounds remarkably fun to you?" I smiled, " it's the people I'll be with that I enjoy." Alessandro shook his head at Mateo's question before asking me, " so, you coming?" Right as I was about to open my mouth, a cold, wet hand rested itself on my hip. I flinched before looking up at Domenico, who I simply couldn't deny, looked like he had been sculpted by the gods themselves. His dark wet hair stuck to the sides of his face, perfectly. Droplets of water hung at the end of his air, dripping down onto his shoulders and defined chest.  He wore nothing but grey sweater pants, that hung low on his hips.

" Good morning," Domenico said calmly. An annoyed, and slightly disgusted smile planted itself across Mateo's face before disappearing. Alessandro stood up tall as Domenico's eyes averted over at him." What kind of museum are we going to?" Domenico asked. Alessandro clenched his jaw as he eyed Domenico's hand as it rested on my hip, before looking back up at Domenico. " An art museum," Alessandro answered calmly. Domenico stared at Alessandro before saying calmly, " sounds like fun." I swallowed hard, I had to admit, my brothers trained daily, worked out more than anyone I had ever known, yet taking In Domenico, he had to have been the most well built person I'd ever seen in my whole life.

Leaning against the doorway, Domenico slid his hands into his pockets. Slight jealousy glimmered in both Alessandro and Mateo's eyes as the stared at Domenico. Swallowing hard, I folded my arms before asking, " where's dad?" " Up in his office finishing up work," Alessandro informed. Domenico simply smiled, a muscle in Alessandro's jaw twitched.  Inhaling softly, I said, " the museum sounds amazing." Alessandro looked at me, " mom wants you to come." Domenico held back a smirk, I sighed before saying, " we're coming." Leaning off the doorway, Domenico said happily, " can't wait." My brothers looked at me, " we'll be ready soon," I assured the.

Turning, I watched Alessandro and Mateo walked down the hall before rounding around the corner. I sighed as I closed the door. Inhaling deeply, I turned around to see Domenico laying comfortably in bed with his hands behind his head. " What are you doing?" I asked irritated. I placed my hands on my hips as I walked up to the end of the bed, " you're not making any of this better." " I did nothing wrong," Domenico said defensively. I scoffed as I raised my eyebrows, " you're taunting my brothers Domenico, which I specifically told you not to do." " I was being friendly, which you ordered me to do the second we got here," Domenico said back. I sighed, I didn't want to fight him on this, let alone get mad.

" Look, I understand you don't necessarily like my brothers, but please, for me, be nice to them," I begged. Domenico sat up, " I really want things to work out, and telling my family about our baby will only end well if you and my brothers are getting along," I explained. " Come here," Domenico said. I sighed, Domenico's eyebrows raised slightly, forcing me to walk over to him. As I sat down beside Domenico, he said calmly, " I love your brothers Evangeline. If they mean everything to you, then they mean just as much  to me." I raised my eyebrows in utter doubt to Domenico's claim.