Caught In Bliss

A Walk In The Park

     She couldn't breathe. To say she was even trying was an understatement. Her face had finally left the pillow as she gasped for air and yet, she couldn't catch her breath. A whimper came from the small pup at Dom's waist, his constant licking of her hand caused the brunette to turn herself and sit upright. Bernie climbed into her lap, licking her face over and over again, her fingers trembling as they met his fur. She couldn't breath, she didn't want to.

            The small pup bumped his head against Dom's chin as she smirked against his fur. The black and white tuffs tickling her chin as she pulled away. He whimpered, trembling in her grip as she realized the small animal had been in the house with her for hours. It was late, almost eleven at night and Dom knew he'd need to walk. Her phone thankfully stopped ringing hours ago, her hand falling over the device as she gazed at the name. It was Melanie, calling her over and over again for some reason. With a shaken breath, she dialed her back before standing.

            "Dom, are you okay?" The woman's question had came out of nowhere.

            "W-why do you ask?" She tried to sound as normal as possible, brushing her tears away with the back of her hand.

            "Because if you are, I'm going to strangle you. Did you forget something important?"

            "Uh..." The brunette was distracted for the time being, pacing towards the front door to pick up Bernie's leash. The excited dog dropped onto the hardwood, happily wagging his tail.

            "You were supposed to call me. You said Ray came into town on Friday and it was like you dropped off the face of the earth."

            "Oh." The man's name triggered what she had just done, a pained sighed leaving her before her friend went silent. The two paused on the line, trying to see if the other heard them.

            "I didn't.. Dom, are you okay?" This time, with a calmer and more serious tone, the brunette on the other line awaited the answer.

            "I'm just breaking my own heart." Dom cried out, her tears coming back as Bernie brushed against her leg. "It's nothing."

            "What happened?"

            "I don't want to talk about it and I have to walk Bernie."

            "Dom. Tell me." Melanie had been waiting for her response but she couldn't' get the words out. It was fresh. New. She had practically told Kat that she couldn't be with her because there was someone else, Ray being that person. She didn't want to be a horrible friend to give the woman an ultimatum because who was she to ask that of her? Melanie continued to speak, trying to get her friend to answer.

            "Mel, I can't talk." Without saying goodbye or much else, the small woman ended the call, powering her phone off as she felt a ripple of sadness take over her. She did this. She told Kat that they shouldn't' be together. She took the heart of the woman she loved most in the world and practically stepped on it to protect her from hurting her any more. Before she could crumble up on the floor and cry to herself, Bernie had barked. Dom nodded, assuring the dog she was going to take him out. The moment she opened he door her heart dropped. She prayed that no one was outside to stop her. With a hesitant breath, she faced the house across the way to see the upstairs light on. She was sure both Kat and Ray were inside, still talking, still arguing.

            Dom closed the door and lead the pup down the block, knowing that Kat would usually walk with her at such an hour. But she had Bernie, and as friendly and anxious as he was, he was insanely protective over the people he loved. Dom brushed her fingers through her hair, her breath catching every so often as she tried to take in the scenery instead of letting her thoughts devour her. But she could feel the lump in her throat form as she thought to herself how stupid the thing she had done was. Kat said she'd fight for her, but at the last minute, Dom couldn't take the pain she saw on the redhead's face.