Everything To Lose

Epilogue

I close my eyes turning my face towards the sun, feeling it warm my face. It has been five years today that I helped condemn My Father to fifteen years in prison. My Mother and Sister served ten months for false imprisonment and since the day I saw them in court I haven't looked back. It has also been nearly six years since I saw Dominic. 

'Mummy! Mummy! Come see this!' The voice that lights up my world calls from his swing set in our garden. Looking up from my lounger I shield my eyes from the sun, there he is. My little man. Nicholas Dominic York was born on the 24th September weighing in at a respectable 7lb 7oz. He is the double of his Father and everyday I love him more. He is my happiness, my light. 

'What is it Nicky?' I stand to go over to him when a shadow falls over him. I start to move faster, knowing deep down it could only mean one thing. He found us.

'It's Daddy.' Nicky calls to me. He is practically bursting with excitement at seeing the man he has only seen in pictures stood in front of him. I want to snatch him up and run away but in doing so I would hurt the only thing that has ever really matter. I take tentative steps toward the man who broke my heart who is now holding onto the little boy who fixed it. It is such a bitter sweet feeling seeing them like this but I know that it has to stop. He wasn't suppose to find us.

'Dominic.' I greet nervously as I wring hands together to fight the urge to snatch my baby back. Our baby.

'Natalia.' He greets but says nothing more as Nicky starts to talk a mile a minute about everything and anything he can think of. He has so much to say. When he asks if he got his letters I blanch. We have written letters to Dominic since Nicky was old enough to understand. Only I never sent them to him. I hid them in the back of the closest when he went to sleep. Dominic never misses a beat though as Nicky continues to blabber on about our lives and his school. Anything and everything that he can think of. 

The years have been more than kind to him, he is still as beautiful, rugged and sexy as ever. His hair is a little longer but other than that he looks exactly like the man I left behind. Is he married? Does he have more children? Does Nicky have a family out there that I am not part of?

'Can we mummy? Can we?' I have no idea what I am agreeing to but I do anyway not wanting to dampen his mood. I love to see him like this.

'Are you sure your okay with this?' His voice is like rich, dark chocolate and I want to melt into a puddle. The feelings I have tried so hard to shove into a locked box in the back of my mind break free and consume me.

'Huh?' I am too distracted by him to actually listen to his words. It's pathetic.

'He asked you if I could stay for tea and bedtime?' He repeats raising one perfect eyebrow. God I need to get laid. I blush when he smirks because his expression can only mean one thing. I said that out loud. Damn it!

'What's laid mean Daddy?' Nicky asks his face a picture of confusion. Dominic bursts into laughter breaking the tension and I blush. It looks like he is staying for tea and bedtime.

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'He was out like a light.' He comments as he enters my kitchen. I am chugging wine down likes it water to try and calm my frayed nerves. It was easier when we had Nicky as a buffer but now...

'Why did you run?' He asks just going straight for the elephant in the room. Shit.

'How did you find me?' I counter chugging down another glass. I haven't drank this much in years so I am feeling the effects after the third glass. He just stands there but wisely doesn't comment.

'Gibson died two weeks ago. He gave you up on his death bed.' He informs me and I feel sad for the loss of the man who gave me my freedom. Then took it away.

'What are you doing here Dominic?' I am feeling braver now. I push back my brown shoulder length bob and straighten in my seat. 

'I made you a promise.' He states like it's the most simple, obvious answer in the world.

'What?' I splutter, cough up the wine that I was swallowing down.

'I told you that where ever you went I would come for you. It may of took me five years but what can I say Gibson was one of a kind, but I am here now. I have come to make good on my promise. Plus where else would I belong. You and our son are all I need. I won't let you go this time.'

'What?' Is he crazy? He doesn't speak as he takes the wine glass from my hand and drains the last of the fifth glass. When he places the glass down on the table, my eyes following his movements but my body darn't move, he slams his lips to mine and it's like home. All the feeling I have buried down so deep come crashing back to life in full luminous colour. I wonder how I ever made it this far without his kisses.

'Dominic.' It comes out a breathy moan as he hoist me up on to the table.

'Is there anybody else.' He asks, his eyes flashing dangerously. 'Our Son seems to know about me like I am the only man he has ever known but if there is someone I should know about tell me now because I don't want to mess with his head...'

'I wouldn't do that.' I snap defensively. How could he think that I wouldn't put Nicky first?

'I needed to be sure because once we do this there is no going back this time. I have nothing left to lose.' He looks straight into my eyes and I know. I know I need this man and if I could do it all again, the lies, the betrayal, the hurt. I would. However the only thing I regret was not being brave enough to fight for him. Well no more. This time I am going to jump and just hope he catches me. I have nothing left to lose.

'I love you.