Deporting Dominic (18 page)

“Hey mom,” she said
brightly. Morgan still has on her swimsuit cover up and shorts.

“Hey guys. Sorry we were sleeping,” I explain
ed with a weak smile.  Bryce runs to me as soon as my uncle sets him down.

“Mommy look I hurt
my knee,” he whimpered pointing to two Band-Aids covering most of his small knee.

“What happened baby?” I am concerned by how serious the bandages look.

“We took care of it. He was running near the pool and fell,” Uncle Winston answered for Bryce. Bryce shakes his head as a few tears stream down his cheeks. I pull him onto my lap lavishing attention on him immediately. 

“That happened like
five hours ago,” Charlie informed me but I still console Bryce and his boo-boo.  Dominic finally puts in an appearance and my grieving son quickly forgets me. He is in Dominic’s arms explaining his injury before the bedroom door is shut. 

“Hey Morg, Charlie, Uncle Winston, Aunt Camille. How was your day?” Dominic
asked politely as he scoops Bryce in his arms. My heart melts at the love he pours into my son with a simple hug and kiss to his dirty blond hair.

“We had a great day lounging by the pool. My friend and his wife grilled up a nice feast for us,” Camille explains.

“That’s awesome thanks for that.” I moved to give my aunt and uncle hugs of appreciation. 

“Did you tell them the
good news Sammie?” Dominic asked as he inspects Bryce’s boo-boo.

Everyone turns their attention to me. I have a sinking feeling my aunt and uncle think I am about to announce another unplanned pregnancy. The queasy looks in their eyes confirm my suspicions so I quickly dispel that notion with the truth.

“We set a date with the church to be married at the end of this month. It would mean the world to me Uncle Winston if you could give me away.”

Relief washes over my Uncle and Aunt like a summer rain. Uncle Winston immediately hugs me again beaming with surrogate parental
satisfaction. 

“Of course I will sweetheart
. It would be an honor,” he said kissing my hair softly. 

“I am so happy
for you two,” Aunt Camille cried softly.  Does this woman have an endless supply of tears and is this where my emotional education has come from lately?

“Morgan I want you to be a bridesmaid and Charlie we have a special job just for you.” I
said pulling them in my direction for hugs. 

“
What about me mommy?” Bryce asked no longer interested in his boo-boo.

“You get to carry the rings buddy,” Dominic
informed him with a tickle to the tummy. My son giggles with laughter as he tries to defend himself from the tickling. 

“That’s all the good n
ews right?” My Aunt Camille questioned nervously.

“Yes Aunt Camille. No other surprises,” I
smile brightly. I can physically see my aunt and uncle heave another sigh of relief.

Wedding plans move fast and I am working hard to get the business reorganized. Dominic has been amazing getting the kids to camp, helping with dinner, and just being a wonderful fiancé.  The past week has been a fast one for us with all the kid’s activities with camp and Dominic practicing every chance he gets. I am still uncomfortable knowing that the scheming Mackenzie is there most times but I trust Dominic. When I have some free time I try to attend his practices to show my support and to stand my ground where she is concerned.  So far so good she has not tried anything untoward and is generally polite to my face anyway. 

I am sitting in the living room on the couch surrounded by all things wedding.  Morgan and I are looking at pictures of wedding dresses. I have decided to wear my mother’s wedding dress
and a local dress shop has promised to give it some modern touches. I want to be sure of what I want it to look like because once they start augmenting the dress there is no turning back. After much debate I settle on changing the neckline of the dress and adding some embellishments.  Morgan helps me as we cut out pictures taping them to a much larger picture of my mother’s wedding dress.  The neckline will go from an off the shoulder style to a V-neck halter style. I know it is a sexier look but I am not too top heavy so it shouldn’t look indecent. I love my arms and with this style of dress I can show off how well toned they are. I just have to work on toning up my midsection a little more to pull off my mom’s slightly smaller figure.  The silhouette of the dress will remain a sleek column however the seamstress is going to add champagne colored sash that will wrap around my waist and lead to the train of the dress. The sash will have embroidered beadwork that will give it a more modern feel.  Since those are the only changes I am making to the dress I am working out almost every day in preparation for our big day.

“I love this for the bridesmaid
s dress,” Morgan said holding up a picture of a young girl wearing a daffodil cocktail dress. I am imagining the dress in the champagne color I have chosen and I love it. The dress is made of chiffon with a V-neck top and pleated A-line knee-length skirt. The dress looks simple but elegant and flirty without being garish. I like that it can have an ivory ribbon encircling the waist of the dress forming a small bow at the hip. I allow Morgan to make the call and after thirty more minutes of looking through pictures she goes back to her original choice.

“I am picturing all of you wearing this dress and it works Morgan. Great job we just have to make sure it’s available in a champagne color,” I remind her.

“It said here that it is available,” Morgan said pointing to the color chart next to the dress. Opening my brown wedding folder I insert the picture of the dress that Morgan has just torn out of the magazine into a protective sleeve.  I put the picture of what I want my wedding dress to look like in another sleeve towards the back so that Dominic does not see the final product. 

Morgan is getting ready to head out for a few weeks to gymnastics camp after completing an intensive two weeks with her new coach.  I wanted to make sure that she had input on the wedding before she left for camp.  It is important to me that everyone
has a role in the wedding so that we bond as a family. Morgan will be back in time to participate in the wedding before she has to return to camp. 

“Mom
, we can go tomorrow so I can try on the dress,” Morgan said excitedly after hanging up the phone. After calling four bridal shops she has finally found one that has the bridesmaid dress in stock.   Dominic and the boys walk in from playing basketball spying the wedding stuff they all groan collectively. 

“Mom we wanted to play on the Xbox,” Charlie exasperates.

“Sorry we can move to the table,” I apologize as Morgan and I collect up the magazines.

“Charlie all you had to do was ask not whine,” Morgan retorts sticking out her tongue.

“Sorry ladies can we please have that area so I can cream Charlie in some Madden,” Dominic asked politely blinking his eyes rapidly. Morgan and I move everything we have to the table while they plop their sweaty butts on the couch to play video games.

We can stand only another hour of wedding preparations as the guys have become very loud with the video game.  However we do have the bouquets picked out, my shoes, the bridesmaid shoes, and flower arrangements for the church pews.

“Sweetheart I forgot to tell you that we can have the reception in Biltmore hall,” Dominic informed me as he works the video game controller forcibly. 

“That’s great news,” I
said clapping my hands before high fiving Morgan. If we had the reception at the rectory we would not be able to play any music other than gospel music. While I am okay with gospel music I really want to be able to dance during the reception.  I look down at my folder and the working budget I have constructed smiling pleasantly.  We have kept our wedding down to the bare minimum and it will still come off as quite elegant considering the rush.

My Uncle Winston has insisted that he pay for the wedding as my surrogate father. We came to an agreement that he would cover the reception and we would cover the wedding expenses.  Charlie, Bryce, and I went to pick out Dominic’s wedding ring together.
I deferred the final decision to Charlie who will host the wedding. He will make sure everything runs smoothly and act as master of ceremonies at the reception.  We decided on a simple platinum band with two stripes of detailing and our names inscribed inside.  Dominic and his friends are going next week to get measured for their rented tuxes.  Considering the costs involved with his family traveling from Guadalajara we have absolved them of paying for any portion of the wedding. Dominic’s siblings are sending their measurements ahead of time so that we can have their wedding clothes ordered before their arrival. 

Dominic is happy with my crazy A-type personality at a time like this. He knows I will not wait until the last minute nor will I spend too crazy.
My Aunt Camille is handling the caterers after I submitted the menu that Dominic and I chose. This takes another weight of responsibility off my shoulders. I am sending out invitations now that we have confirmed the location of the reception in a few days.

We attend our pre-marriage counseling classes with Father Foster and it helps us to understand how to deal with conflicts that can arise
in a marriage. The counseling also helps us to focus on the fact that the commitment we are entering into is a huge undertaking.  I continue with my conversion classes having great debates with Father Foster regarding the interpretation of the gospel. Morgan was able to try on the bridesmaid’s dresses before leaving for gymnastics camp. After providing her thumbs up to the decision I informed the other bridesmaids of the dress style. 

“Buenos dias
Mrs. Castillo,” I said into my cell phone.

“Buenos dias Samantha. How come the wedding plans?” She
asked her accent thick and heavy like buttermilk in my ear.

“They are coming along fine. We have everything we need so far to pull off a successful wedding. How is the travel plans coming along?”

“We have tickets to be there one week before wedding,” she responds cheerily. I am excited to officially meet Dominic’s family.  I have spoken to his sister Isabella regarding being a bridesmaid and she is extremely happy to have an active role.  Consequently we are giving Dominic’s younger siblings a similar role to Charlie’s role in making sure the wedding goes off as planned. She and I talk a few more minutes before we end our conversation about the wedding. 

“I have an idea Dominic. The apartment downstairs is a two bedroom and its empty your family can stay there instead of paying for a hotel,” I suggest hanging up the phone. 

“But what about furniture?” He asked mulling the idea over in his head.

“I found a furniture rental place that would be able to get us a good deal. Plus I am thinking of keeping it furnished and renting it as such. It’s one of the things I would like to implement to keep the transference of bugs down in our buildings. What do you think?”

Dominic gets off the couch walking to me with a rather pensive expression on his face. “I think my wife to be is very darn smart. Oh and I love her and that idea.”

Wrapping my arms around his neck I coo
ed, “She loves you very much.”

When this man kisses me my legs go weak as
the place below my waist start to heat up. Thankfully we remain chaste as the boys interrupt our intense kiss, coming into the apartment from playing basketball. 

“Mom what’s for dinner,” Charlie
asked as we pull apart. 

“I want some mac-e-roni,” Bryce chimes in smiling.

“Don’t you mean macaroni?” I correct him as he shakes his head no. “Okay mac-e-roni it is.”

“Dominic you have to be here to let in the furniture people please,” I said pushing my hair into a serious looking bun. 

“I was going to head to the pool for some practice Sammie,” he protests.

“Sorry it’s my turn baby. I need to get to the other apartment building for a lease signing. Plus I am headed to the gym to workout afterwards. I have a wedding dress to fit into.”

“Fine I will stay but as soon as you are done we have to switch off. I really need to practice.” He
licks his tongue at me prompting me to ball up a piece of paper and throw it at him.  My son is at the table coloring while Charlie is practicing on his new keyboard.  I give all the men in my apartment kisses before I leave.

Dominic and I h
ave been doing amazingly well at refraining from making love. I believe since we have all started attending mass on a regular basis this has renewed Dominic’s faith in self-control.  We still have this insane desire swirling between us as we mentally rush the days along to get to our wedding night.  It’s not just to have sex we both miss making love and the intimacy it brings. 

Sherbrook Terrace is a
small brick and wood building housing six units as does Gable Apartments. However there are no three-bedroom units in this building. The two-story building is a mix of mostly two-bedroom apartments with only one one-bedroom apartment. I am grateful that its location still makes it a prime rental for students, faculty, and university employees. This was the first apartment building my parents purchased almost seven years ago. I am thinking it maybe time for some renovations but I will have to look at the net operating income this building generates.  The HVAC system, thankfully, was updated a few years ago under my uncle’s watch.  The small laundry facility generates additional income from the machines however maintenance on them is a pain in my hindquarters.

I meet with my new tenants, two female graduate students in the last rental unit I have available in Sherbrook Terrace.
They eagerly sign their new lease after we complete an intense inspection of the apartment. The small building with six units is completely rented out for at least the next six months. I am going to implement my new furnished apartment plan after Dominic’s parents leave at Gable Apartments. Starting with the one unit I can increase the rent to cover the costs of the furniture rental. I can decrease the amount of money I spend on pest control in the long run especially with the rising cases of bedbugs hitting the area.

When the girls have their keys I am on my way to hit the gym for some much needed relief. Not having sex with Dominic
has me so overly energetic. I have no idea what to do with the energy except workout.  My workout usually consists of thirty minutes on the treadmill and another thirty minutes running on the indoor track.  Today after the track I still feel rather amped up so I do some crunches and sit ups to improve this tummy of mine.  With two weeks until my wedding day I am thinking I need to rev up my workout a little more.  I haven’t lost a lot of weight but I have gained muscle, which I love, especially in my legs.

The rental furniture looks amazing in the apartment that Dominic’s family will occupy. I was able to secure a six month lease on the furniture and after talking to the manager we may have worked out a new contract for any unit that becomes available.  While the furniture is sparse it gives the rooms a homey feel that I think his family will love.  I run my hand over the soft brown leather couch as I take it in.

“This looks great Sammie. I think this was a great idea. The rest of my family is going to be a little jealous,” he said smiling wrapping his hands around my waist. 

“Thanks but they do not have to pay a zillion dollars to fly all the way to Arizona like your parents do. Besides I do not have any more units available,” I
informed him.

“So with the three houses and two apartment buildings this is the only empty unit?”

“Yes sir! We are almost at full capacity.” I keep a huge grin on my face as I speak. 

“I am proud of you Sammie. Your parents would be very proud of how you are keeping their name and business going so well.” Dominic gives me a kiss on the neck and I turn to face my fiancé.  His beautiful eyes glimmer with love and I give into the
m as I kiss him passionately. 

“Two more weeks and I get to call you wife,” he
whispered against my lips, “Oh and make love to you until you beg for mercy.”

“What makes you think that I want mercy?” I
said seductively as he pushes himself against me to tempt me. I giggle trying to keep our lower halves from touching.

“Oh you will want mercy. I want you so much and when you become my wife I will have you all the time.” Dominic waggles his eyebrows making me laugh even more.
             

I finally stop
laughing looking at my husband-to-be taking in all his fine facial features as I spoke. “You shall have me whenever you want me husband. I love you so much.”

Dominic exhales sharply before he resumes kissing me, “Wife
, I love you.”

“Hurry two weeks please,” I beseech as he runs his tongue the length of my neck. It takes what I assume to be a lot of will power for Dominic to tear himself from our embrace.  When he leaves
heading to the pool I miss him immediately.

In the apartment Bryce is taking a nap while Charlie reads over some music for his piano class at the summer camp. 

“Hey Charlie,” I announce dropping my gym bag on the floor near the door. 

“Hey mom, I washed a load o
f clothes downstairs,” he smiled up at me sweetly.

“Wow! What are you trying to get out of me?” I ask
ed with the same phony sweetness.

Charlie looks around for a second before he announces, “I just want to get a new game for the Xbox, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.”

“I knew it was something sneaky bugger.” I laugh and give him a hug around the neck. “When Bryce gets up we can go get the video game but you have to pay half of it with your own money Charlie.” An eager nod of his head ensures that he is willing to comply with the request. I am grateful he does not go into his room and wake Bryce up immediately.  Instead I have one hour of quiet to work in my room before we head to the local gaming store to purchase the new game.