Epilogue
Sophia
Today’s the big day! I’m so nervous, and excited, and nervous, and thrilled, and nervous.
“I can’t do this,” I say, letting my nerves get the best of me.
“It’s a little too late to back out now, babe,” Dominic chuckles in response.
“No, I think I want to stay like this. I’m good. We’re good, right?”
“Nope. Time to move forward with our lives together. There’s no going back, remember?”
His words take me back to our wedding night when we christened our new playroom. The whole day was absolute perfection. We had a small, intimate wedding with only our closest family and friends in attendance. Kayla and Rick brought Dominic’s sisters, Emma and Stephanie, with them. They are both beautiful and fun to be around. We instantly clicked and I have two new best friends now.
My parents have moved to Dallas to get away from the cartel. Shadow helped them severe the ties by changing their names and helping them disappear. Dominic gave my dad a job in his security department at DPS, so they’ve both been around a lot more. Of course, Dana, Christine, Tucker, and Shadow were also there to celebrate our lifetime commitment with us.
Our nighttime Christmas wedding was held inside our new home, in the very room where Dominic proposed to me. My Dad gave me away to Dominic, Emma was my maid of honor and Tucker was Dominic’s best man. The enormous Christmas tree, that Dominic insisted we buy since it was our first together, stood proudly beside the fireplace as we exchanged our vows.
Dominic’s vows to me brought tears to my eyes. “Every day, you’ll feel my love for you. It lives, breathes, and grows stronger every day. I freely give all of myself to you forever. I’ll go to the ends of the earth and back to give you what you need, what you want, and whatever makes you happy.”
“Dominic, all the best memories I have are with you. I promise to give you all my best for the rest of my life. My love, my heart, my thoughts, and my dreams start and end with you. From this day forward, my world revolves around you. I am yours forever.”
We exchanged matching wedding bands that we picked out together but each had secret inscriptions made. His ring read, “I am Her Dom.” My ring read, “I am His Angel.” We both laughed when we read them, knowing that we’re so connected now there really is no going back.
Then we posed for pictures in front to the lit tree and in front of the family tree that has been beautifully venerated in our home. The words we spoke to each other in our vows have been added to the family wall, at the roots of the tree. They are a constant, visual reminder of the promises we made to each other and how those promises ground us, bind us, and make us stronger.
The family tree Dominic gave me for my birthday has become sacred to us both, so it was important that it was included in our wedding photographs. The symbolism of family it represents strengthens us every day. All of our family holds a special place on it and in our lives. Dominic chose to name his unborn baby Cameron Powers, since it can be for either a girl or a boy, though he says he feels like it was a girl. Cameron’s place is lovingly displayed on our family tree and I think Dominic is at peace with what we now consider her final resting place. But here, she will always be with her family. She will always be next to her brother, Hunter Devan Powers.
After our family dinner, we retreated to the playroom for the first time. Even though we’ve lived in the house since the night he proposed, he wanted our first night with the new toys to be our first night as man and wife. Even with my seven-month pregnant protruding belly, his eyes told me I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. His touch said that even after a lifetime together, he’d still never get enough of me.
His flogger, bullwhip, restraints, and clamps each had their own story to tell. Each of their stories all ended the same, though–with me screaming his name in pleasure, over and over again. Since some positions are just too uncomfortable, and even somewhat dangerous for the baby, Dominic and I have made good use of the new love swing he installed many, many times. It gives him complete control of my body–and he loves that.
He promised me, in a somewhat Dominant/threatening way, that once I’ve healed from the delivery, every piece of equipment in the playroom will be utilized to its fullest potential. That promise gave me tingles!
Which brings me back to the present moment in late February and the excruciating pain in my lower back as another labor pain hits me. Gripping Dominic’s hand in mine as I wait for the contraction to subside, he winces in pain along with me.
“That bad?” he asks, obviously concerned for me.
“Yeah, that bad,” I reply on an exhaled breath. “It’s stopped for now. Let’s time it until the next one.”
Dominic is driving us to the hospital in the dark of the early morning hours. I woke him up around one o’clock this morning when the pains started and they’ve progressively gotten stronger. We’re approaching the hospital now and Dominic is still as calm, cool, and in control as he always is.
Me? Not so much. Back to my original argument. “I can’t do this, Dominic! I’m scared! I can just stay pregnant.”
“I’m all for doing what it takes to keep you pregnant, Sophia. Just not always with this baby. He’s coming out to meet us. Today,” Dominic replies, way too happy and excited for my current condition.
“Here comes another one!” I strain to say, as the contractions get stronger.
“That one was closer–three minutes apart,” he says as he pulls into the hospital parking garage. Thankfully, there are parking spots close to the door since I’ve already told him he’s not dropping me off at the door and leaving me alone.
Walking in through the emergency room entrance since it’s still really early, and really dark, and the main entrance is locked. When the triage nurse looks up at me, she smiles and calls for a wheelchair to take me to the labor and delivery floor.
Oh my god, this is really happening! I’m about to have a baby!
The labor and delivery staff know what they’re doing, I have to give them that. I’m changed into a hospital gown, have a fetal monitor strapped around me, and my charge nurse even twisted my doctor’s arm to let me have an epidural early so I don’t have to wait around in pain all day.
Dominic
