Chapter 27 ~
Alec ~
I listen to Alice shut Dom down over and over again.
I carefully rest my arm on the table and sigh.
My phone silently rings in my pocket but I don’t answer. Right now, Dom needs me.
John doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t offer his opinion—just reminds Dom when he’s getting too hot.
“What about when she picks one of you? Hmm? What happens then?” Alice clasps her hands in front of her.
“That’s not what a polygamous relationship is, Mama,” Dom says frustrated. “Rory doesn’t want to pick one of us. It’s like a normal relationship between two people but with seven.”
“What happens if you decide marriage is on the table?” John asks. “Or kids?”
That’s when I finally jump in. “If we decide in the future we want to get married, then we could do the whole ceremony thing with all of us but it would just be one of our names on the certificate. Rory would officially marry one of us but we would still all be in a loving relationship. Everyone would still have equal standing.” I glance at Dom who nods, looking thankful I took over.
“As for kids, it would be the same as any relationship. It wouldn’t matter who’s kid they are officially. They’d be all of ours,” I say softly, focusing on Dom. He smiles genuinely.
“That’s a nice fantasy but it would never last till marriage.” Alice shakes her head adamantly. “I thought you at least had some sense.” Alice points at me.
Taken back, I don’t respond. Alice has never spoken to me like that before.
“Mama,” Dom says sternly. “You’re allowed to disagree with us but please don’t say things like that—to Alec or Rory.”
The table falls silent again.
“Dad?” Dominic questions, resignation in his voice.
John glances briefly at Alice before answering, reluctantly. “I think Rory seems like a lovely girl and if you think that this will work then…it’s your call. But, I agree with your Mama that many things can go wrong,” John hedges.
Dom sighs, visibly relaxing. “Thank you, Dad.”
“You shouldn’t encourage this, John,” Alice scolds. She focuses back on Dom. “You just remember that I warned you. Thisrelationshipis destined to fail.”
Dom sits back in his chair and crosses his arms like he’s silently telling the universe to bring it on. I can’t help but admire Dom’s willingness to disappoint his parents for us and for Rory.
“What happened to her?” John questions as we clear the table. “She spooks easy,” he refers to when Red scared her.
“Life…hasn’t been easy,” Dom hedges. “She’s cautious with new people. She’ll tell you both when she’s ready.”
Alice doesn’t say anything as she puts the chicken and potatoes in a container. I take it from her hands and open the fridge.
I’m taken back by the amount of food in here. Dom steps up behind me and double takes.
“Mama?” Dom questions, pointing at the full fridge.
“I didn’t want you to have to cook when you just got here. Besides, you’d don’t have anything yet.” Alice gestures at the empty transparent glass cabinets.
“Thank you, Alice,” I say politely as Dom says, “thanks, Mama.”
Alice waves it off.
I’m glad Alice doesn’t bring up Dom and I again as we make conversation about the house and what’s left to do.
“It’s a beautiful and simple design,” Alice tells me. “I’m presuming you made most of the interior decisions.”
