45. Chapter 45
Mariana
It's been years since I've been this busy during a holiday season… or this happy.
The morning after the gala, I woke up to a text from my mom.
She asked to have breakfast with Dom and me and, in a flurry of last minute prep, we invited them to Dom's place.
We put a few servings of gorditas in the oven, from the permanent stash Dom's mom and grandmother keep in his freezer.
We cut up all the fruit Dom had in the house and, alongside fried eggs and lots of coffee, we had brunch together.
What began as a stilted, careful conversation, ended in heartfelt reassurances from my parents that they want my happiness, like they want my siblings', too.
And that they see Dom and I are happy and it's why we want a life together.
That they're willing to shift their expectations and let us find our way.
They even promised to help us in any way, if we need it.
Dom held me for a long time after they left. I cried against his chest and he let me.
"It's going to be okay," he said. "You'll see. We'll be so happy. So happy, Mari."
I know we will be. We already are.
Now, only two days later, Dom and I attend Damián's New Year's party at his and Nat's homey place.
Dom stops me before I ring the doorbell. We stand on the porch for a moment, alone. He looks into my eyes and holds me still with the joy reflected there.
"I used to feel your absence every time I attended a get together like this," he says. "Not anymore. Never again, okay?"
I grin. In moments like this, it seems like happiness will never end for us.
I kiss him. "I don't think I'll ever let you out of my sight, so no. We won't be lonely for each other again."
He returns my smile, kisses me one more time, then takes me into the party with our friends. This time as a couple, at last.
They welcome us in, tease us, and celebrate with us in equal measure.
It's easy to relax into the evening when everything looks like it's been loved and lived in for a couple of decades, with plants standing out against wide white walls, and a fluffy dog running around excited to have company.
Everyone was invited in the group and everyone showed up with drinks and side dishes.
Music plays in the background and almost every surface has bottles, glasses, and food containers on them.
But it's finally nearing midnight and no one is eating anymore. The twins managed to stay up, but Sofi is sleeping on the couch, unbothered by the noise. The rest of us mingle, distributed through the large, open space. We've talked, we've teased and been teased, and we've laughed. So much.
"One minute, people," Damián calls.
I smile at Nat but she goes to her husband and I go find my boyfriend.
Funny to think Dom and I are officially that to each other.
We wasted no time in organizing our life around being an item, either.
Cora, Dom, and I went to drop Maisie and Amira at the airport, and hugged close.
They teased Dom more than they did me, and I laughed and hugged them extra close for it, because I know they meant it to be a show of loyalty to me.
Now we have meetings scheduled with HR. Selena gave me a preliminary yes.
All-in-all, the rest of our lives has already started.
I find Dom with Saint and Ames, but he and I move to find our own little space. The countdown begins and I walk into his arms.
"Fifteen! Fourteen!" people call around us.
Dom pulls me closer. "Come here, Princesa."
"I prefer it when you call me Mari."
"I like to save that for special moments."
"Eight, seven!" gets called around us.
Someone put a New Year's Eve countdown stream on the TV. It's a night view of the city, with buildings lit up and waiting for fireworks. Big gold numbers roll back the last seconds of the year.
"Like what?" I ask. "Share your criteria with me, please."
"Oh, you know." He puts his hands on my face.
"One!"
The sounds of fireworks explode through the speakers and distant in the city. The twins exclaim, but all the noise disappears when Dom smiles and kisses me.
"Like this." He kisses me again. "Happy New Year, Mari. I can't wait for our first full year together. Whatever it brings."
I'm wrapped in Dom's arms and it's the only thing keeping me tethered to the ground.
I grin with the power of the love and hope glowing inside of me, brighter than the sun, calling me up to the skies to make day out of the night.
People around us begin hugging each other, filling up the space with well wishes, but Dom and I stay close and they leave us alone for now.
I lift my hands to his face. "Last New Year's Eve, I knew I was getting divorced, and that this year was my chance to find myself.
What I wanted. So my resolution was to seek my happiness.
I never thought it would bring me back to you but, after the past few months?
I can't see my happiness without you in my life. "
His smile is so big I feel it in my palms. It's so sweet, it dazzles me.
"Maybe this year we can have the same resolution, then," he says.
"What's that?"
"We'll figure out what happiness looks like together. It's the first time we're coming into our relationship expecting it to last. We have some challenges coming our way…"
I know what he's talking about. My parents and I need to find our footing, and I would love to see if I can get to know my brothers a little more.
I want to figure out work and fully take over my position with the Strike.
And, maybe when Dom retires, what it might look like to leave the team to start a new branch of the family charity here in the US.
Then there's hoping Dom's injury heals in time for at least some of the playoffs…
I sigh.
"I love you, Dom." I bring him down for a kiss. "We'll figure it out. We'll fight for each other. You won't have to second guess my love for you. I'll never let go again."
"Love you, Mari." He drops his forehead on mine. "There's no future where I stop loving you. I know that now."
"Yes, okay. I'm good if you want to keep that nickname for moments like this."
"I'll pick wisely for any other times, mi reina." He grins.
I groan. "That wasn't permission to keep using those silly ones."
"Just wait until I start teasing you for being older than me."
"I'm only two years older!"
He laughs and pulls me in for another kiss, before we're interrupted.
"Come on, now." Logan frowns my way. "Time for all the rest of us to get our hugs, too. You belong with us now."
My heart flutters, each heartbeat taking in more pieces of this new life of mine. I can't stop smiling as we take turns hugging him and Evie, then move on to Nat and Damián and the rest of our friends. The feeling in my chest grows and glows, until a new certainty engraves itself in my marrow.
I'm solid. My body is grounded like the most beautiful marble, sculpted from life and the best decisions I've made.
I found my place. I have roots now. I'm nurturing this new life with hope. Knowing I belong with Dom and my siblings, but with these friends as well. Love is the bond that makes everything else worth it. And I'm never letting go.