Second Chance at Love(77)

Dom stood back as he watched Karen walk around the enormous room. As she slid her hands across the mantle of the fireplace he could imagine her racking her brain trying to figure out why the place was so familiar to her. His lips curled up in a smile as she pivoted around on four inch heels.



Karen covered her mouth with both her hands. No, he didn’t. “Dom?”



“Yes, baby?”



“Is this the brownstone you were working on?”



Crossing his arms across his broad chest, he nodded. “Yes.”



A perplexed expression washed over her features. “But…I don’t understand,” she stuttered, not wanting to believe what she was thinking.



“It’s yours.”



“It’s mine?”



“Well, technically ours.”



“Oh, Dom!” Karen cried as she ran the short distance between them, lunging herself into his arms.



Dom’s laughter was a deep rumble as she peppered kisses all over his face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She had always wanted to live in a brownstone. She knew it was crazy, but while watching The Cosby Show as a young teenager, she imagined herself one day raising a family in one just like the Huxtubles.



Jumping out of his arms, she grabbed his hand, “Show me where the light switch is.”



Hitting the switch on the wall, the room was bathed in soft light.



Karen’s mouth hung open in disbelief. The living room was absolutely gorgeous with its high ceiling, pristine white walls, crown molding, and baseboards, which made the gleaming hardwood floors stand out.



Dom gently tugged on her hand. “Come on, let me show you the rest.” Smiling over at her he said, “I didn’t furnish downstairs because I figured you would want to be in charge of the decorating.”



Karen winked at him. “Smart man.”



The crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling in the dining room sparkled like thousands of diamonds. Karen’s gaze traveled around the room imagining how they would entertain their family and friends. In her mind she saw them laughing, talking and enjoying home cooked meals.



Just off the left of the dining room, Dom opened a door to another room. The room wasn’t quite as big as the others, but it was still a pretty decent size. “This will be my office.” Winking at her, he teased, “If you’re nice to me I might share.”



Karen playfully rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Dominic.”



As they moved on to the kitchen, Karen stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn’t keep the tears from coming if she wanted to. Dom had designed the kitchen with the stainless steel appliances and center island with a hanging pot rack, exactly the way she’d described to him several weeks ago. “Dom, it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to start cooking for you in here.”



“Well you’re going to have to wait until after the honeymoon. I don’t want you lifting a finger until then.”



“Okay, whatever you say. You’re the boss.”



Dom chuckled. “No, babe. You’re the boss.” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he steered her over to the left of the room through a swinging door.



Dom’s male ego soared at Karen’s gasping response. The room they’d just entered was a sunroom and breakfast room. Walking over to the wall, Dom hit a switch that automatically raised the shades between the double-pane glass windows. Peering through the window, she could see a privacy fence had been installed.



“I haven’t done anything with the backyard other than put the fencing up. I thought you might want to meet with the landscape designer to come up with something.”



For his thoughtfulness he was rewarded with a kiss. “I’d like that. Thank you.”



Dom lovingly squeezed her hand as he led her up the back staircase, bypassing the second floor to the third floor. Coming to the first room Karen smiled. The door was painted white with a beautiful script A painted in pale yellow. Stepping in, Karen felt for the light switch. Spinning around, she nearly fell to the ground. Dom was quick though as he caught her. “When did you do this?” The room was every little girl’s dream. For one thing the room was enormous. The pale yellow walls gave the room a warm, glowing feeling. The white full size sleigh bed was the room’s focal point. Matching wardrobe, vanity, dresser, and nightstand were country style in design. Karen smiled at spotting the white bird cage in the corner.



His eyes twinkled as he grinned at her. “Remember those weeks I would pick the kids up?



“Yeah?” she answered, walking over to the windows, fingering the white lacey curtains.