Dominic

Chapter 42 (Just revised)

Camille

The last thing I remembered was walking down the sidewalk to pick up some trash that had been blown by the blustery day we were having, a bright flash of light as my hair was blown back and then my body felt like it was floating through the air, then nothing.

  I vaguely thought I saw Dominic but I couldn't be sure given all the pain meds they had me on, my knee hurt like hell and so did my head.  I slowly began trying to open my eyes, they felt so heavy almost like I had no control over them but finally they cooperated; I made out several blurry figures in my hospital room and could hear their voices.  

Dominic, Valentina, Beni, Dante and Carlo...they were here.  I raised my left hand up to my head but before I could touch anything a hand gently grabbed it and placed it back down on the bed. 

 "You have a few stitches, cara.  Do you need me to get the doctor?  Do you need anything?" Dominic asked, his face looking like he hadn't slept.  My throat was very dry, I could definitely use some water. 

 "May I have some water please?" I sounded hoarse.  He stood up, poured some water and put the straw between my lips so I could drink.  Oh the water was so good, my throat felt instantly better.  "Thank you" I told Dominic. 

 He leaned down and kissed my lips tenderly and then said "Can I have the room for a minute, please?"  Everyone nodded and said they would be back in a bit. 

 "Camille, I cannot tell you how sorry I am and how bad I feel.  I should have never ignored your text messages and I should have never gone off on you like that either.  I was so pissed off about having to leave.  Can you forgive me?" he asked, his eyes searching for what he already knew he would find.  A few silent tears dripped down my face and I heard him tell me not to cry. 

 "I'm sorry too.  I know how important my safety is to you and I should have never acted so nonchalant about it" I said sniffing.  I grabbed the bed remote and pushed the button to help me sit up, I couldn't stand feeling like I was laying all the way down.  We talked some more about other things but he never brought up what he thought happened or my shop, so I knew I would have to be the one to mention it.

"Dominic, was anyone else hurt?" I was concerned maybe an innocent, anyone that had stores or apartments around my shop, could have been injured.  He shook his head as I sighed with relief.  "How bad is the damage?" I asked and I knew when he didn't answer me right away it was bad.  "Dominic?  How bad is it?"  I needed to know what I was dealing with here.  He shook his head before answering me.

  "I'm so sorry, Cam.  It's a total loss."  I just stared at him like he was speaking another language.  My shop?  It was gone?  I felt like someone had taken my heart out of my chest and stomped on it; this business was my life, my livelihood and others, and it was gone.  I turned my head to face the wall.

  "I...I need a minute, please" I told him as my voice cracked.  I could hear him walk away and when I knew he was out of the room, I lost it.  I never heard Valentina enter the room but I felt a gentle hand on my arm plus I could smell her subtle perfume.

  "Darling" she started, reaching over to pull me into her arms and then the water works started again.  It was very comforting, somehow, having her hold me like that.  I had grown up without a female presence and she provided that to me when I needed it most.

  "Camille, I know what that shop meant to you.  I know you are dealing with a type of loss right now, but sweetheart, it can be rebuilt but you couldn't be replaced;  this family would have never recovered if we had lost you, especially Dominic.  I'm sure you are probably angry as hell at him but I am asking that you please try and forgive him.  He's dealing with emotions here that he's not used to dealing with.  This is all new to him too" she advised.

  I knew what she was trying to do and I couldn't fault her for that but yeah I was pissed off and the funny thing is I didn't know if it was Dom I was pissed at or myself or both.  I thanked her for her comfort and asked her to let everyone know they could come back in.

While waiting for my family to rejoin me, my doctor came in and spoke with me for a moment.  "Ms. Devereaux" he began. 

 "Just Camille, please" I said smiling at him. 

 "Okay, Camille.  I am preparing your discharge papers.  Now, in regards to your injuries, let's start with your head.  It will probably hurt for a few more days but if the pain becomes excruciating or blinding, get back here right away.  The cuts and bruises will heal with time and your knee, keep it in the brace for about a week, you may take it off for showers or baths and at night when sleeping but you must wear it at all other times.  I would like to re-examine it in a week and see if we can rid you of it.  Any questions?" he asked me.  I shook my head and told him thank you.  As he was leaving my family came filing back into my room. 

 "What did the doctor say?" asked Dominic. 

 I filled everyone in on what he had said and then turning back to look at Dominic I said "I'm ready to go home."  He smiled and nodded.  We still had a lot to discuss, he and I but I wasn't in the mood right now.  Home, that's where I wanted to be.