Bonus Chapter- Three ❤️

Dominic

"What do you think Father wants to say to her?"

Janet shrugged as she munched on the last of the cookies in the brown pack she held in her hand. "He might just want to acknowledge her for being in your life so far. Don't worry, he won't convince her to leave you."

"And what?" My frown was so huge. "Convince her to marry him instead?"

"What?" she chuckled. "Why on earth would get such an idea? Pops won't even do such a thing."

"I know, I was joking."

Janet shook her head. "Gosh, you still don't know how to joke." I gave a small smile. "Hey brother..." She looked up at me, noise from the living room hitting us even harder. "I am sorry I blabbed about the New York thing. I guess I almost ruined things."

"You think?" The look of hurt on Grace's face just made me feel so terrible about myself likewise the fact that I never had the time to really sit her down and tickle her brain with the idea.

"I am sorry, okay? When you told me about it, you mentioned that you would be telling Grace soon, I felt you already did."

"It's fine."

"Is Grace mad at you?"

I looked out which was gradually hitting its night stage. Things were still the same as when I was little. A mountain which was a long distance from our town was visible from our house and like always, whenever night was approaching, the tip always shone like there were a huge star on it.

I should really show Grace the sight. She would definitely love it.

"Dominic, I asked you a question."

My head shifted in the direction of the woman beside me. "Hmm?"

"Is Grace mad at you?"

"I hope she isn't."

"You know, before I forget, I have just the thing to take her mind off this New York thing." She reached for the pockets of her huge varsity jacket which I am certain is her husband's, and brought out a box.

"You didn't forget," I said as she brought the deep blue box to my face.

"How could I? When are you asking her?"

"I am thinking New Year. What do you think?"

"I am sure Grace would love it." Her smile was huge. "You know, I have always wondered why you never did it all these months."

I shrugged as I hugged the box into my palms. "I just feel that now is the right time."

Janet nodded slowly as she also looked outside to enjoy the view nature had to present. "Well," she said after few seconds. ",like I said, Grace is going to love it."

I smiled as soon as I saw her smile in my head, and it became more than certain, Grace Sands had found a rock solid place in my heart.

And nothing could be more heavenly.


~
Grace


As I pushed aside the Samantha issue from my mind for like the umpteenth time- I just couldn't help but think about it- I took my legs up the stairs and made for Dominic's father's room.

With noise from the whole family downstairs, especially the kids, I wondered what it was he wanted to speak to me about.

In no time, I was in front of his room door. I knocked lightly and said, "Mr. Powers?" Gosh, I just recalled when I used to call Dominic that. I just couldn't bring myself to say his name. I sighed dreamily. How times have changed.

The door opened and an ever agile Mr. Powers welcomed me with a smile. "Grace, it is so good to see you again. I didn't get to properly say goodbye the last time we met."

He was just so lively, I had to smile. "It is good to see you too Mr. Powers."

"Oh come in, come in." He ushered me into his room which was just the right amount of comfortable. As he pointed me to a chair nearby, I took my seat and took the room in.

Just like in the living room, there were a lot of pictures, including that of his wife. I wondered how he survives looking at the picture of the woman who left him in the middle of their marriage.

Mr. Powers took a seat at the end of his bed, so he wasn't too far from me. "I am sure you have heard from Dominic about how his mother left all of us."

"Janet was actually the one that told me."

"Really?" His face lit up in surprise. "Janet doesn't really fancy talking about her."

"You miss her, don't you?"

"I miss her so bad, I can't bear to look at another woman." He looked up at me and all I could see was hurt. "I am pathetic, aren't I?"

"No." I reached for his hand and squeezed it lovingly. "All you did was love with all of your being and you just got stabbed all of a sudden. So, no you are not pathetic."

Mr. Powers covered my slim hand with his which were a bit rough and huge. "I am so glad Dominic has someone like you. And that brings me to why I called you here."

"What's that?"

He patted my hand as though he were easing it. "I am about to make the silliest request, because truthfully, no one knows what the future says. But... Grace, I want to beg you with my whole being to please try to stick with Dominic till the end. I want you to fight for him as hard as you can if you notice him slipping away."

"Uh..." I didn't know what to say.

"Listen, Dominic can be stupid at times and very arrogant, but you do a good job of making him see things differently. You make him a better man my dear. And I wouldn't wish for anything less for my last child. So, please, stay with him to the end."

"Huh... Mr. Powers..." I cleared my throat as I processed his words. "Honestly, I can't even bear to think of being apart from Dominic. But, like you said, the future is uncertain. So yes, I will try my possible best to stay with him to the end. I mean..."
I gave a low sigh as a small smile took over my face. "I love that man so much, I am willing to fight for him till I exhaust my strength. Because he makes me a better woman."

"You are such a darling, Grace." He let go of my hand.

"No, you are a darling. And you deserve to find love again. I should speak to Janet about setting you up on a date."

"A date?" He gave a hearty chuckle. "Oh no, I am just too old for that."

"Nonsense. With that gorgeous face of yours, ladies will be crawling over you."

"Now, that sounds scary."

"Well," I gave a light shrug. "Maybe crawling is a strong word, but you will definitely be a fine sight."

"I will be surprised if your plan works."

"Oh, just leave it to us girls, we have got this."

He laughed again as he got off his bed. "Well Grace, let's head downstairs, we have to help prepare dinner."

"Sure." As I placed my hand on his and allowed him walk me downstairs, I thanked the big man above for giving me a chance to feel a kind of fatherly love again and again.

Speaking of fatherly love, I need to call my Uncle Stanley, it has been a while.