Second Chance at Love(42)
Giggling, Zoe covered her mouth. “And after they get married they’re going to kiss all the time, too.”
“Ewww! That’s nasty!” Kyle said, pretending to spit out something that had an awful taste. Frowning up his face he asked, “Why do big people have to kiss all the time? Auntie Starr and Uncle Kevin kiss. Auntie Summer and Uncle Nick kiss.” Throwing up his hands, totally disgusted, he complained, “Even Grandmom and Pop-Pop Patrick kiss!”
Ashley and Zoe laughed. “Silly, that’s what married people do when they are in love,” Ashley confirmed as if she was the love guru.
Vigorously shaking his head, Kyle adamantly stated, “I’m never getting married because I don’t want to kiss any girls!”
“Well, you better get used to it. Because when Mommy and Mr. Dom get married they are going to kiss.”
Kyle smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Oh, brother!” He particularly didn’t like the idea of kissing. But if it meant Dom would become his dad he would put up with the whole disgusting act.
The girls rolled over on the floor holding their tummies as they laughed at Kyle’s antics. Wiping laughter tears from her eyes, Ashley sat up and Zoe followed. The fun was over. It was time to get down to some serious business. Getting back into their huddle, Ashley said, “This is how we’re going to get them alone…”
Janet hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the kids. She had come upstairs to tell them to wash their hands because lunch would be ready in five more minutes. She became intrigued when she heard the children discussing kissing. Just as she was about to barge in to see why in the world they were talking about kissing, she froze in her tracks when she heard Ashley commenting that Dom and Karen would kiss after getting married.
Janet wanted to shout, “Yes!” She wasn’t alone in her quest to see her son marry a terrific young woman with two beautiful children. Children she and her husband would immensely enjoy grandparenting. The woman had to contain herself. She nearly skipped into the room and plopped down on the floor to join her granddaughter, and hopefully, future grandchildren in their scheming. Listening a few seconds longer revealed the children’s plans. She was tickled pink at how clever the three youngsters were. Well, she could be just as clever.
Instead of interrupting the children, Janet made a beeline downstairs. She had left Donna in the living room talking with the men. As soon as her foot hit the bottom step she called Donna into the kitchen under the guise that she needed help in the final preparations of lunch. Once in the kitchen alone, Janet shared with Donna the children’s plan.
Donna held her hands up in front of her face as if praying, hiding the smile on her lips. “Oh, how darling!” Without hesitation she asked Janet, “So what are we going to do to help those babies?” She hadn’t seen her daughter so happy in years. And she knew Dom was responsible for it. She also appreciated how loving and caring he was not only towards Karen, but towards her grandchildren as well. Donna knew all too well what it was like to be a single mother with two small children and having to struggle to do everything on your own. Sure, her deceased son-in-law had left her daughter financially comfortable, but she still had the burden of being the sole caregiver of the children.
Donna remembered those days of being physically and mentally exhausted. Her then deadbeat husband was more interested in running the streets and staying away from home instead of being a participating parent in raising their girls. And when he was home, it didn’t make a difference because he hadn’t wanted to be bothered with Karen and Starr.
Janet grinned at Donna. “A woman after my own heart.” Nodding to the kitchen counter, Janet instructed, “Grab that pitcher of lemonade. If you’re husband is anything like mine, he’s going to wonder what’s taking us so long.”
Laughing, Donna agreed. “Patrick was just complaining about how hunger he was. I know he’ll either come in here or send Dominic to see about the food. So we’ll have to talk later about our little mission.”
Picking up the tray of sandwiches, Janet suggested they meet for brunch the day after New Year’s.
“Sounds good to me. I’m staying another week in Philly. Patrick’s brother wants him to fly down to New Orleans on January second to go over some newly discovered family business. His flight leaves at eight-thirty in the morning.”
“Perfect. Dominic will be in the office by nine.”
Heading toward the kitchen door, Donna stopped to look over her shoulder at Janet carrying the glass pitcher of lemonade. “This is going to be so much fun.”