Choices We Make: The Moretti Brothers Series Page 14

  Dominic collapsed beside her with his eyes closed and his hand on his head trying to regulate his breathing; he heard her whisper “I love you.” He was so shock by her revelation that he turned to face her and she was gone. He sat up swiftly looking around, the moonlight illuminated throughout the room, allowing him to see that he was indeed alone. He flipped the covers back and he was still wearing his pajama bottoms but did notice the remnants from his wet dream. “What the fuck…” He went into the bathroom, changed and when to check on Victoria. He opened the bedroom door slowly and could see a sleeping Victoria. He closed the door and headed back to bed. “Damn that dream was so real,” he thought as he turned over in the bed and tried to get a few hours of sleep. The next day Dominic dropped Victoria off with the promise of picking her up for Sunday dinner at his parents’ house.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Sunday afternoon rolled around quickly and Dominic was on his way to pick up Victoria when Anna called.

  “Hey Babe, what’s up?” Dominic said.

  “I was going to ask you the same thing. Why don’t you come over and I can make you dinner?”

  “I’m actually on my way to my parent’s house for dinner.” Anna thought about Sunday dinners at his parents’ house and cringed, she really disliked his sisters, and they were always so judgmental.

  “Okay, call me when you get back.”

  “It will probably be late, Victoria is going over, my mother and sisters want to see her.”

  “You’re taking her over your parents again? I thought they already met her?”

  “Like I said Anna, they want to see her. Look, I have to go, we’ll talk later.” He disconnected the call, he could hear the onset of an argument in her voice and he was not in the mood for it.

  Dominic and Victoria arrived at the house at the same time as Francesca. “Hey Victoria, how are you feel…WOW, where did that come from?” She said as she pointed to Victoria’s stomach. Dominic noticed Victoria frowned and grabbed her around her waist and gently pulled her towards him

  “Fran do you ever think before you speak?” he chastised as they walked past her. Francesca reached for Victoria’s arm

  “Victoria I’m sorry, I wasn’t being insulting, I was just surprised at how fast my nieces and or nephews are growing.” She said as she rubbed Victoria’s stomach.

  “It’s okay, I’m just really sensitive about my weight gain but I really need to get over it, I am, as you pointed out in the past, carrying three Moretti babies” Victoria said with a slight smile. Francesca hooked her arm around Victoria’s and they walked in the house arm in arm. Francesca started talking about her week and issues she was having with her current boyfriend. Dominic followed the two into the family room. Everyone looked up when they entered. Both Marco and Francesco walked over to Victoria each kissing her on the cheek before shaking their brother’s hand. Maria walked in from the kitchen and gave Victoria a hug, “how are you feeling Victoria?” She asked as she touched her stomach. “I’m feeling pretty good, I have my good days and bad days.” She looked at Maria with a smile. Today is a good one.”

  Maria returned the smile, “sit and relax, dinner will be out in a few minutes.” Victoria sat and continued to talk to Francesca and Maria when their father walked in the room. “Hello,” Lorenzo said as he sat in his recliner. “Hi Mr. Moretti how are you today?” He looked surprised that she responded. “I’m good,” he said as he directed his attention to the TV. Dominic looked at his dad and was about to speak when Annette that walked in, “Victoria! I didn’t know you were here?” She hugged Victoria as she rubbed her stomach, “how are my grandbabies?”

  “Your grandbabies are fine, growing every day.”

  Annette hooked her arm into Victoria’s as they walked into the dining room. Everyone was seated at the table; about to eat when the doorbell rang. Francisco stood, “I'll get it.” He returned to the dining room with a strange look on his face as Anna followed behind.

  “Hi everyone, I hope I'm not imposing, Nick invited me and I didn't think I could make it, but my plans changed, I hope you guys don't mind?”

  Annette, Maria and Francesca all looked at each other when Annette stood, “of course you're welcome, there's plenty of food. Have a seat and I will get you a plate.”

  Dominic was clearly irritated by Anna’s arrival. Anna scanned the table, seeing one person she didn’t recognize; a very pretty African-American woman. It took a few seconds for it to register that she must be the woman carrying Dominic's babies. Anna could not hide the shocked look on her face; she never imagined that the woman was black. Everyone could feel the tension in the room as Anna’s head bobbled back and forth between Dominic and Victoria. Anna looked directly at Victoria, as her eyes moved quickly to her stomach. Fury could be seen in her eyes. Anna tried to smile as she directed her attention at Victoria.

  “I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Anna, Dominic’s Fiancée.” Victoria looked directly at Anna knowing she was staking her claim. She wanted to let Victoria know that Dominic was her man, but Victoria wasn’t going to play that game with her.

  “Hi, I’m Victoria, it’s nice to me you.” She said politely.

  Anna sat in the only available seat next which was next to Francesco.

  “So Victoria, are you friends with Maria?” She asked, still not wanting to believe that Dominic slept with a black woman.

  “No Anna, Victoria is the woman who is carrying my babies. Dominic said as he stood “Anna can I speak with you for a second, in private?”

  “Nick we can talk later, I want to talk to Victoria.” She said dismissively.

  “Now Anna!” His deep baritone voice was low, but harsh. The tone was so commanding that the entire table became quiet. Dominic didn’t wait for a response from her, he walked towards to the living room and everyone looked at Anna.

  “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” She walked into the living room furious. “How could you embarrass me like that Nick, in front of...”

  Dominic interrupted her “Why are you here?”

  “What are you talking about; I have always been invited to your parents’ home for Sunday dinner.”

  “I’m going to ask you one more time, why are you here, because in all the years we were together you came to my parents home once for dinner, so why now?” He didn’t wait for a response before he continued. “If you think I’m going to have you come here to start trouble with Victoria you are sadly mistaken. I will not have her feeling uncomfortable in my parents’ home because you’re having insecurity issues.”

  “Wow, aren’t we very protective?” She said in a mocking tone. “You are so naive Nick, don’t you see that she is using you, she has gold digger written all over her face. I can’t believe that your family is also falling for that act.” She said loud enough for the rest of the family to hear her, but she didn’t care she needed Victoria to know how she felt.

  “And you learned all that from saying what… three words to her?” Dominic was so angry, he grabbed Anna by the arm and ushered her into the foyer further away from where the family was gathered. “You don’t know shit about Victoria or our situation and this conversation is over, it’s time for you to leave. I will come by your house later and we’ll finish this conversation.”

  “I’m not leaving, I just got here.”

  “Yes you are!” he said looking directly in eyes. She could tell Dominic was furious and didn’t want to push him too far.

  “Okay Nick, I’ll be waiting for you.” She could see that he was very protective of Victoria and didn’t want him to make a rash decision, like ending their relationship over the mistake in the dining room. They would get through this. She gave him a soft kiss on the lips, but he did not respond. “Tell your family I forgot about another appointment and I will see them another time.” He nodded and walked her to the door. As she walked through the door she turned to say something else but decided against it and continued to walk to her car. Dominic returned to the dining room alone.


  “Where is Anna?” Annette asked as Dominic sat.

  “She forgot about another appointment she had, she offered her apologies and said she would try to make it to dinner again soon.” Dominic looked over at Victoria as she gave him a quizzical look. He gave her a slight smile.

  “Well good ridden!” Francesca blurted out.

  “Francesca!” Annette yelled.

  “Oh please Momma, that witch was always too good to have dinner with us when she and Nick was together, now that Victoria is here, she conveniently decides that now she wants to join us for dinner?”

  “That’s enough Fran.” Dominic said as he turned to Victoria and gave her a compassionate smile.

  “Nick you know it’s true.”

  “He said that’s enough Fran!” Marco said in a firm voice.

  She started to speak again but decided against it, she knew not to push her big brothers too far.

  “You okay Vic?” Dominic whispered in her ear. The rush of his breath, in her ear, gave her a warm tingling feeling inside. She put her lips close to his ear “Yes, are you okay? She didn’t have to leave, I don’t want to make this uncomfortable for your fiancée.” Dominic could smell mint on her breath as she spoke to him, her soft voice stirred things in him that he was still have trouble figuring out. It was the same feelings he had on the island. His heart began to race as he tried to form his next sentence. She touched his hand under the table. “Hey, you okay?”

  He took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze “I’m good and she in not my fiancée, we just started seeing each other again. I….”

  “Hey you two, didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s impolite to whisper with others around,” Francesca interrupted “Unless you want to share.” She smiled.

  “Mind you own business Fran, maybe if you did then you could keep a boyfriend more than a week,” Dominic said. The entire table chimed in on Francesca’s inability to keep a boyfriend. Victoria remained quiet as she looked around the table.

  The food was passed from hand to hand without thought as they continued to engage in the several different conversations, each moving in and out of the conversations with ease. Looking around the table, she missed the experience of having siblings, just her and her mom, eating mostly at restaurants when her mother didn’t have time or the energy to cook. She faintly heard Marco call her name. He brought her out of her daydreaming. “I’m sorry Marco, what did you say?”

  “I asked how much longer do you think you will be able to work. Being CEO has to come with extraordinary responsibilities and stress.”

  “Actually I haven’t thought about when I would leave, I’ve been feeling pretty good so I’ll continue until these babies say no more.” It was at that time that Victoria realized that the entire table was quiet and everyone was listening to her.

  “Just don’t push yourself too hard sweetie, multiple births are not easy, I know.” Annette said as she looked at her set of twins.

  “I’m slowly letting go of the reigns, assigning more work to my VPs and my partner Jacqueline is amazing and very supportive.”

  “That’s good to hear and you know we are here for you if you need anything, you are a part of our family now” Marco said. Victoria felt overwhelmed with the love for her in the room.

  “I am really appreciative that you all treating me like family, despite the circumstances that has brought you all in my life, I am very grateful for all of you. Victoria needed to get out of there before the unshed tears started to fall. She turned to Annette. “My I use your bathroom?”

  “Yes dear, it’s right down the hall, on the left.”

  Victoria was out of her seat and heading down the hall trying to make it to the bathroom before she lost it. As she reached the restroom the tears slowly wet her face. As she tried to regain her composure she heard a soft knock at the door but could not get herself together to open it, the door opened and Dominic stood there his large frame almost taking up the entire doorway.

  “Can I please get some privacy? You can’t just walk in the bathroom Nick.”

  He could tell she was upset when she left the dining room. “I knocked; when you didn’t answer...I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” She began to cry. He walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace, which caused her to cry harder.

  “What is it Vic, tell me, I want to help?” he said as he comforted her holding her as he rubbed her back.

  “I miss her so much Nick and when I’m here spending time with your family, it reminds me what I’m missing.”

  “This is your family now Vic and we can help you get through this. I know your mom wouldn’t want you upsetting yourself and getting stress out over things you can’t change, I’m sure she would want you to take care of her beautiful grandbabies.” He said as he began to rub her stomach. Dominic’s smooth sexy voice helped her to calm down and her tears finally stopped. He grabbed a tissue and began to wipe away the residue of tears that remained and kissed her on her forehead. “You ready to go back?” She nodded. They walked back into the dining room and sat when Annette announced, “Who’s ready for dessert? Victoria I have your favorite pie.”

  “Mrs. Moretti, I don’t know who is putting the weight on me faster, these babies or your cooking,” she said with a smile. They ate dessert and talked for a little while longer.

  As Dominic and Victoria were leaving, everyone said their goodbyes and Francesca pulled Victoria to the side, “So do you think you can make time for me this week to have lunch together?”

  “Sure just call me and we can set a day and time,” she said as they hugged.

  Marco walked up to Dominic. “We need talk. Can you meet me for a drink later?”

  “Sure I need to go by Anna’s, but after that I’m free.”

  “Okay, I will meet you at the spot.”

  “Okay.” Dominic said before hugging his brother.

  Marco kissed Victoria on the cheek, “I will see you next week and take care of yourself and my nieces and/or nephews,” he said with a smile.

  They pulled into the garage of Victoria’s condo she looked over at the Dominic “I really do appreciate how your family has welcomed me, considering we are not together, I’m having your babies and you have a girlfriend.” She smiled “When did our lives become the making of a bad really show?” She said trying to lighten the mood. Dominic returned her gaze; his expression was warm and caring. “They really like you Victoria, and that is not always easy, especially with my sisters. They still dislike Anna, but have taken to you like you have been in the family all along.” Victoria smiled as Dominic got out of the car to open her door. He walked her to the door and kissed her on her forehead before she walked into the condo and shut the door behind her. Dominic walked towards the elevator still able to smell her perfume that lingered faintly in the air. He loved her smell; it was a constant reminder of the time they spent at St. Maartin.

  When Dominic arrived at Anna’s home, her mood had totally changed. She was dressed in a very provocative nightgown, offering him a drink as they walked in. He looked at her and remembered a time when he would have been so excited at the thought of being inside her that he would have ripped that nightgown off of her and taken her against the wall, but tonight he was just irritated. “No I don’t want a drink, we need to talk.” He walked into the living room but didn’t sit. “I don’t want you showing up at my parent’s home unannounced.”

  “Unannounced?! I’m your girlfriend Nick, I should not have to announced myself, and I should be welcomed without invitation.”

  “You were, don’t you remember, but you decided you didn’t like going to my parents home so you never came over, then you left town.” Dominic felt his patience dwindling. “Look, I don’t want you coming over my parents’ house on the days that Victoria is there. You are welcome to come on the days she’s not.”

  “And why does she get first preference I was in the picture first and longer, Hell we would have been married if….”

  “I
f what Anna… you didn’t leave, say it Anna, we would be married it if you didn’t leave; but you did leave and now we are here; please don’t push me into making a choice, you may not like the side you land on.” He started to walk towards the door.

  “Where are you going, I thought you could stay longer so we could talk?”

  “I have to meet my brother, I will call you tomorrow.” He said as he walked out the door.

  *****

  Dominic entered Charlie’s and spotted his brother at a booth. He slid into the booth on the opposite side of the so that he would be facing his brother.

  “So what did you need to talk to me about?” Dominic asked as he signaled the waiter and ordered a drink.

  “How is Victoria, is she okay after today?”

  “Yes she’s good; I always call her before I go to bed to make sure she’s comfortable.”

  “And Anna, is she alright?”

  “Yeah, she’s fine, what’s with all the questions?”

  “That’s just it bro, you have two women so I have to ask you what’s going on?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “What I mean is you sent your girlfriend home because the woman carrying you children was there.”

  Dominic didn’t answer right away. His drink arrived and he took a sip. “Come on Marco you know why I did it, Anna only came there because she knew Victoria would be there. I didn’t want that kind of drama for Victoria, she doesn’t need to be stressed out.”