A Pure Heart

Chapter 21

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!" The Priest exclaimed. Dom grinned and wrapped his arm around the latina's waist. He pushed her closer to him and kissed her. Letty felt her feet leave the ground and dom spun her through the air. She laughed and smiled into the kiss, which she gladly returned. Dom pulled away when he heard a small laugh. He looked down and saw their daughter smiling at the couple. He engulfed her small body in his arms and kissed her forehead.

"I'm the luckiest man ever; to have my two favorite girls with me," Dom said softly.

"I'm the luckiest woman ever; to be with such an amazing man... and father," Letty added.

"I'm so happy that I finally have my family back!" Antonia exclaimed, wrapping her tiny arms around her parents. The newly wedded couple grinned and placed a kiss on either side of her cheeks.

"I love you, mami! I love you, daddy!" She declared.

The three smiled at one another... And for just that moment...

They felt like a family.

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"BANG! Bang! Bang!"

Antonia's eyes shot open, realizing the past fifteen minutes of her life she had been dreaming.

"AGH!"

"BANG!"

"STOP!"

She heard yelling, gunshots, and painful groans from another room.

Panic coursed through her small body.

She ascended from her small bed, only to duck under it once more and curl up into a ball. She prayed nobody would spot her.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The shots became louder and louder as if they were getting closer to her room. The little girl began to tremble. She rocked back and forth, sobbing into her knees.

Would she ever see her parents again?

Would she die now?

Within seconds, the door slammed to the ground. Her cries ceased. She carefully inched her head closer to the tile floors.

Boots.

Coal black boots.

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She waited.

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And waited.

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Still waiting.

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"Antonia! Baby are you there?"

Antonia stood silent. The voice was greatly familiar. But she didn't dare move. Not a muscle.

"Antonia, please come out. It's daddy."

Antonia immediately crawled out from underneath the bed.

"Daddy you came! I thought I would never see you again!" Antonia said running to Dom with tears on her face. Dom hugged her tightly while wiping his own tears.