Second Chance at Love(48)

Unconsciously she ran her hand over her flat belly. She tried not to think about the fact that the last time they were together they hadn’t used birth control. She had stopped taking her birth control months before Gregory had died. There had been no need for them since he had become disinterested in sex…at least with her.



“Mom?” Ashley called again for the third time. When she didn’t answer she tugged on her sleeve.



Snapping out of her musing, she said, “I’m sorry baby. What were you saying?”



“Can Mr. Dom stay and watch the movie with us?”



“Yeah, can he?” Kyle pleaded, holding on tight to Dom’s hand.



Karen ran her hand over Ashley’s braids. Smiling she said, “Sure, why not?”



“Yay!” Ashley and Kyle yelled, giving each other a high five. Karen or Dom didn’t miss the sly grin brother and sister exchanged.





Chapter 24





“Thanks for carrying the kid up to bed,” Karen said as she stretched before covering the yawn she couldn’t keep at bay. Her day had started at five-thirty that morning and as usual she hadn’t stopped moving until she’d sat down to watch the Disney movie with the kids and Dom.



“Excuse me, I’m so sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.” And she hadn’t. Not since she was last in his bed.



Reaching the bottom step, he pulled her into his arms. “Baby, you’re not by yourself. I haven’t been sleeping well, either.” Rubbing his hands up and down her back he whispered in her ear, “I got so used to waking up with you next to me. I think we should run away and get married.”



Karen went still. Did he just say what she thought he said? No. She needed to get her hearing checked. Swallowing hard she asked him, her voice shaky, “What did you just say?”



Stroking her cheek with the back of his hand, he repeated, “I think we should run away and get married.”



Tears welled up in her eyes. She ducked her head so he wouldn’t see them. “You don’t mean that.” Idiot! Why do you keep on doubting this man’s love for you? the tiny voice in her head screamed.



Dom lifted her chin so he could look at her. The trembling of her bottom lip tugged at his heart. He had to let her know that this is where he wanted to be…always.



“Baby, I love you. I love your kids, our kids. It’s killing me knowing I have to walk out that door tonight. I want to come home to you and the kids every night. I want to start my day with seeing your beautiful face every morning. I want to be the father Ashley and Kyle never had.” Karen’s knees went weak when he flashed a devilish grin. “I want you to have my babies.”



Karen’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. He’s gotta be joking.



Dom chuckled. Holding up two fingers, he implored of her, “At least two babies.”



Karen shook her head laughing, the whole while tears streamed down her face. Everything he just laid out before her on a silver platter, she dreamed about since the first night they made love. Well, with the exception of the babies. But right now at this moment she’d have twenty more babies if he wanted her to. Little did he know, he just might get his wish. She’d know in another week if they’d created a new life.



She stood on the tips of her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too. And I would love nothing more than to be your wife. I don’t know about the two babies, though.” She laughed when he gave her the sad, puppy dog look. To appease him she joked, “But I just may have a baby tucked away, somewhere inside of me I can share with you someday.” She wouldn’t dare tell him until she was sure if she was pregnant or not.



Cocking his head to the side, his expression became serious. “Is that a yes?”



“Most definitely. It’s a yes,” Karen answered just before she slid her tongue into his mouth.





Dominic looked up from his newspaper to see his son sauntering through the doors of the Melrose Diner. His broad shoulders shook as he chuckled. Everyone woman, young and old, had openly stared at his son in appreciation of his ruggedly handsome good looks. Dominic stood, giving his son a tight hug and firm slap on the back.



“How’re you doing, son?”



“Can’t complain, Pop,” Dom replied as they both slid back into the booth facing each other.



Picking up the menu, he asked his father, “Did you order yet?”



“Nah, I was waiting on you.”



“I’m just having coffee. I told Karen and the kids I’d be over for lunch.”