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He made it down the aisle without tripping. A few tears had escaped, but he was only human. Anyone would have cried at the sight of his boys' faces when they first saw their brides. And maybe a few more tears were shed for Gabe, who should have been there, maybe with a wife of his own, his babies giggling with the others being tended by various grandparents. But he wasn’t, and he never would be.
Dom knew that he'd made mistakes, that he'd hurt the people he loved with his knee-jerk reactions to his grief. Jo's acceptance and forgiveness was his first step to making things right. He hoped that the fact that all of his children had found their people because of his impulsive decision would weigh in his favor, also. Realistically, he'd never hear the end of it over Friday dinners, but that was fine. That was family.
He also knew that though Gabe was gone, he'd never be forgotten. Dom would keep his son's memory alive for the generation currently swaddled in the front row. He'd work to let go of the loss, but keep every bit of the love. That looked more attainable with Jo back firmly by his side.
He turned at the end of the aisle and sat literally by her side, and Jo magically produced a tissue for him. It was a blessing to be with someone who knew him inside and out, even if they'd gotten a little lost along the way. Rebuilding that knowledge of who they were now was a challenge he was ready to tackle.
This was a happy day.
Dom wouldn't remember most of the ceremony. That was just words spoken by a preacher. He would remember the way Jo had rescued baby Laurel from Seth, swapping her flowers for the baby so that she would calm down. She swayed at the side of the aisle, rocking Laurel in that instinctive rhythm she'd used for their own babies, while their children spoke their vows. Abuela Cici had brought Baby Gabe over to join them, and Brandy had carried Ash asleep on her shoulder. So much love for so many babies.
He would remember the way Adrian's sisters had thrown flower petals at their new sister Sofia as they'd walked back down the aisle with shrieks of laughter, and the way Adrian had scooped her up at the end of the aisle, triumphant.
He would remember clearing the chairs to turn the slab into a dance floor and watching Enzo and Natalie share their first dance with Daisy and the twins. Never had "My Girl" seen so many spins and giggles.
He would remember ducking into the kitchen for more wine, and catching just a glimpse of Jake slipping a ring on Frankie's finger before ducking back out empty-handed.
He would remember dancing with his wife, while Winston serenaded the crowd with an acoustic version of "Thinking Out Loud." Holding her in his arms, while the song spoke of loving her until they were seventy. They were nearly there. Maybe they should change that to eleventy...
He chuckled and pulled her closer. He was grateful to have been given a second chance with his amazing woman. He danced her onto the path and into the darkening night towards the future they'd build together. It wouldn't be exactly the same as they'd dreamed all those years ago, but it would be full of love and family and laughter. A dream come true.
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CHAPTER35
Keep readingfor a sneak peek ofReclaimed Dreams,the final book in the Exposed Dreams series.
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Dom Valenti wasa man who got what he wanted. Confident and outgoing, he led with his charm. If that didn’t work, he put his shoulder into it and worked until he had it. At the ripe old age of twenty-one the world was his oyster. He had a strong back and a sturdy if sometimes stubborn mind. His future was bright.
So when he walked into the bar for the blind double date with his brother and sawher,he had no doubt someday she’d be his. Across the smoky bar, she smiled and laughed and he couldn’t look away. Everything else fell away. Tony elbowed him to get him moving again.
As he made his way to the bar to order his beer, he kept an eye on her hanging out near the pool table. She clinked her bottle with Elena, Tony’s girl, and his hopes rose. If this was his blind date, he’d take back every bad thing he’d ever said about Tony.
When he finally approached her, it with the confidence that life had given him as a favored son. He leaned against the wall behind the pool tables and watched her.
It wasn’t her looks that drew his attention, although those would have been enough for a second glance. No, it was her smile. The curve of her mouth, the flash of teeth, the glint in her eyes, finding delight in a dive bar, it was open and amused and fucking sexy. He wanted to know what she was smiling about. He wanted to know her secrets.
He realized that he’d been standing there for ten minutes, and she hadn’t made eye contact yet. Tony had abandoned him, cuddled up in a booth playing tonsil hockey with Elena. Fate wouldn’t have put this glorious creature in his path if she wasn’t supposed to be his. Dom straightened his collar and tucked a hand in his pocket. He leaned forward and placed a small stack of quarters on the edge of the pool table.
“I’d like your next game.”
She twirled her cue and looked him up and down.
“I’m meeting someone,” she demurred.
“Me, too. I’m meeting you. I’m Dom.” Dom grinned and held out a hand.
“Nice try, but I don’t think so.”
“How about we play a game before you decide if you’re meeting me too?”
The friend she’d been playing abandoned their game and waved her off with a smile. He leaned forward and reached past her to grab a cue from the rack. Close enough to touch, but he didn’t. Close enough to smell and God help him he did. Her scent, deep and sultry sweet filled his head and swam through his senses like a drug, temporarily stunning him.
She stepped around him and began expertly racking the balls, while he tried to shake himself from his intoxication.
