Second Chance at Love (Love Conquers All) (16 page)

“Thank goodness—”

Karen’s words died on her lips as she stared at Dom’s surprise. “Dom, it’s gorgeous!” she squealed, looking up at the brownstone in the Spring Garden section of the city. Karen had always wanted to live in brownstone. But Gregory would never go for purchasing one in the city. Living in a suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Philly was what he had wanted. And whenever Gregory wanted something, he got it.

Dom was touched by Karen’s excitement. Her eyes shone like a kid’s on Christmas morning. “You want to take a look around?”

“Can we? I mean whose brownstone is it?” she wondered as Dom led her to the front door.

Delaying answering her question, he assured her it was okay for them to go inside. “This is the project I told you I was working on.” Opening the door, he stepped aside to let her in.

“I’m rehabbing the inside for the owner. He just moved back to the area to be with his fiancée and wants me to get it ready for her as a wedding gift.” Dom was eager to get this project underway. Although he was an engineer, his skills as a contractor were well developed by the summers he worked at his family’s construction business while in high school and college.

“Lucky girl. I’m so jealous.” Putting her hands on her hips, she frowned at Dom. “You suck at surprises.”

He put leather-covered hands to his chest as if offended. “I suck at surprises?”

Karen pouted. “Yes, you do. How is bringing me here a surprise for me?”

Dom dropped his head, pretending to have wounded feelings. “I remember the other night you mentioned you always wanted to live in a brownstone. So I figured I’d bring you to see one.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she wished they didn’t have so many bulking clothes on. They made it difficult for her to feel his body against hers. She tenderly kissed his lips apologizing for her playful insult. “You are so sweet.” She kissed him again. “I’d love it if you gave me a tour.”

“Absolutely. But I need to do something first.”

Before she could ask what he needed to do, he covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply. The kiss had them both moaning. Between the passionate fire of the kiss and all their clothing they both began to sweat. Karen moaned disappointedly when he broke the kiss.

She smiled up at him while sliding her hand in his. “Show me the way Mr. Tour Guide.”

The door from the spacious vestibule led directly into a large living room with shabby hardwood floors and a marble fireplace. The windows, baseboards and crown molding appeared to have the original wood work. The ornate wood work of the banister leading to the second floor was gorgeous. Next, he led her to the dining room, which was nearly the size of a small ballroom. “I bet the previous owners entertained a lot in here,” she commented as she stood in the middle of the room, surveying it.

“Probably so,” Dom agreed as he moved her on to the kitchen.

Karen let out a low whistle. “I sure hope you do something spectacular with this kitchen for this guy’s fiancée.”

“Like what?” he asked curiously as he studied Karen. He could see the interest in her eyes as she was imagining how she would design the kitchen.

Walking to the sink, she said, “You should rip this thing out and put one of those huge double stainless steel numbers in here.” Pointing to the old, broken down refrigerator she wrinkled up her nose as if something smelled awful. “And you can most definitely get rid of that and replace it with one of those gigantic double door refrigerators.”

Dom attentively listened and nodded his head as she suggested he put in a six burner stove and oven. A center island large enough to hold another sink with a pot rack overhead was a must. Karen winked at him. “And of course, she must have granite countertops and some type of natural tile flooring.

Karen thought she had died and gone to heaven when she stepped into the master bedroom. “Oh my gawd! This is like three times the size of my bedroom. And it has a master bathroom! I am so jealous of this chick!” Swirling around on Dom she stated, “This could really be a master suite. I’m talking walk in closets and a spa-like bathroom so fierce you would never want to leave it.”

He just had to rub it in when he mentioned there were two full bathrooms one on the second floor, the other on the third, in addition to a powder room on the first floor near the small office and another in the basement. Dom chuckled when she all but stomped past him grumbling, “I sure hope this chick realizes she has a good man.”

After touring the six bedrooms, three on second floor and three on the third floor, Dom took her down to the unfinished basement and the fenced in backyard. Karen couldn’t believe the backyard was actually large enough to host summer events for family and friends.

Although the house needed lots of work, Karen saw the potential it held.

“Thanks for showing me your project. I would love to see it when you’re all done,” she told Dom as they headed down the front stairs of the brownstone.

Dom smiled down at Karen. “I think that could be arranged.”

New Year’s Eve Afternoon

Kyle and Ashley had played out an act of subterfuge as they convinced their grandparents, Donna and Patrick, to take them, along with Zoe, snow tubing in the Poconos the days their grandparents were supposed to stay with Karen. Their main objective was to stay far away from their mom and Mr. Dom so they could be alone. Ashley’s friend at school had told her adults
had
to be alone together so they can fall in love.

After their two days in the Poconos, Zoe had joined forces with them. At the tender age of eight she was very much aware that she had her grandparents, Janet and Dominic, tightly coiled around her little pinky. When Donna and Patrick had arrived at the Perettis’ a few hours earlier, the older couple had every intention of going in long enough to say their hellos, drop Zoe off, and then on their way to drop Ashley and Kyle off at home.

However the youngsters had other plans. It was their mission to do whatever they could to get Karen and Dom to fall in love. And they couldn’t accomplish this if Ashley and Kyle were at home. Kyle gave Zoe a tiny nudge with his elbow.

Just as Donna and Patrick were saying their goodbyes and ushering Kyle and Ashley to the front door, Zoe went into character. Dropping her little head, she whispered, which really wasn’t a whisper since she had meant for the adults to hear. “I’m sure going to miss Ashley and Kyle.” Looking up at her grandfather, she gave him the saddest look she could muster. “I wish I had someone to play with all the time.”

Dominic looked to his wife and then to Donna and Patrick. He had such a hard time refusing Zoe anything, just as he had been with Ava at her age. All three of the children held their breaths as they waited.

Shouts of joy filled the air when Dominic suggested, “Kyle and Ashley can stay the night to keep Zoe company.” He chuckled. “The poor little thing has been starving to be around other children. I guess it gets boring being around old folks all day.”

Donna gave the little conspirators an amused smile. They were up to something and she knew it. “I don’t think Karen will have a problem if they stay the night with Zoe.” Turning to Janet she wanted make sure it was okay. Nothing against Dominic, but more than likely Janet would be the one keeping an eye on the children. “But is it okay with you?”

“Pleaaase, Grandmom,” Zoe begged, holding her tiny hands together in prayer.

Janet put her hands on her hips, giving Zoe a loving, yet stern look. “Only if little Miss Zoe promises to keep her room clean. You left that room a mess before you went out of here the other day.” She raised an arched brow at Dominic.
Keep your mouth closed.
He had been ready to step in and defend his granddaughter.

Dominic gave his wife a boyish grin.
Baby, I hear you loud and clear.

Inquisitive as ever, Zoe hadn’t missed the exchange between her grandparents. Laying it on thick, Zoe dropped her head, letting out a dramatic, weary sigh. “I’m sorry, Grandmom. I promise to keep my room clean.”

Janet smothered a laugh. Her granddaughter was such a character. She definitely was Ava’s mini-me. The both of them could play the drama princess role. And play it well. “Ashley and Kyle can stay.”

A thunderous cheer went up. “Come on, let’s go to my room!” The adults laughed as the children ran off. It pleased them that the children were bonding quite nicely.

“Donna and Patrick, I was just getting ready to fix lunch. If you don’t have anything to do, you’re welcome to join us and the children.”

Donna looked to Patrick, who smiled while nodding his head. “Sure, we’d love to.”

Huddled together on the floor of Zoe’s bedroom, Ashley, Kyle, and Zoe sat Indian style, talking in hushed whispers. They didn’t want Grandmom Janet to overhear them when she came up to get them for lunch. The kids had made a pact that none of the adults could ever find out what they were up to.

Kyle looked from his sister to Zoe. “Do you think our plan is working?”

“I think so,” Ashley answered. “I overheard Aunt Starr talking to Mommy about going out almost every night with Mr. Dom.”

“So that’s good, right?” Kyle’s voice held a tinge of excitement.

Zoe’s long pigtails bounced as she nodded her head. “Uh-huh. Before my mommy and daddy got married, when me and daddy came to visit, they went out all the time.” Zoe hadn’t minded though, because she was left in the care of grandparents who doted on her ridiculously.

“So that means we’re going to have to get them to go out after we go back home,” Ashley said agreeing with Zoe. “You’re mom and dad was married really fast.”

Giggling, Zoe covered her mouth. “And after they get married they’re going to kiss all the time, too.”

“Ewww! That’s nasty!” Kyle said, pretending to spit out something that had an awful taste. Frowning up his face he asked, “Why do big people have to kiss all the time? Auntie Starr and Uncle Kevin kiss. Auntie Summer and Uncle Nick kiss.” Throwing up his hands, totally disgusted, he complained, “Even Grandmom and Pop-Pop Patrick kiss!”

Ashley and Zoe laughed. “Silly, that’s what married people do when they are in love,” Ashley confirmed as if she was the love guru.

Vigorously shaking his head, Kyle adamantly stated, “I’m never getting married because I don’t want to kiss any girls!”

“Well, you better get used to it. Because
when
Mommy and Mr. Dom get married they are going to kiss.”

Kyle smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Oh, brother!” He particularly didn’t like the idea of kissing. But if it meant Dom would become his dad he would put up with the whole disgusting act.

The girls rolled over on the floor holding their tummies as they laughed at Kyle’s antics. Wiping laughter tears from her eyes, Ashley sat up and Zoe followed. The fun was over. It was time to get down to some serious business. Getting back into their huddle, Ashley said, “This is how we’re going to get them alone…”

Janet hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the kids. She had come upstairs to tell them to wash their hands because lunch would be ready in five more minutes. She became intrigued when she heard the children discussing kissing. Just as she was about to barge in to see why in the world they were talking about kissing, she froze in her tracks when she heard Ashley commenting that Dom and Karen would kiss after getting married.

Janet wanted to shout, “Yes!” She wasn’t alone in her quest to see her son marry a terrific young woman with two beautiful children. Children she and her husband would immensely enjoy grandparenting. The woman had to contain herself. She nearly skipped into the room and plopped down on the floor to join her granddaughter, and hopefully, future grandchildren in their scheming. Listening a few seconds longer revealed the children’s plans. She was tickled pink at how clever the three youngsters were. Well, she could be just as clever.

Instead of interrupting the children, Janet made a beeline downstairs. She had left Donna in the living room talking with the men. As soon as her foot hit the bottom step she called Donna into the kitchen under the guise that she needed help in the final preparations of lunch. Once in the kitchen alone, Janet shared with Donna the children’s plan.

Donna held her hands up in front of her face as if praying, hiding the smile on her lips. “Oh, how darling!” Without hesitation she asked Janet, “So what are we going to do to help those babies?” She hadn’t seen her daughter so happy in years. And she knew Dom was responsible for it. She also appreciated how loving and caring he was not only towards Karen, but towards her grandchildren as well. Donna knew all too well what it was like to be a single mother with two small children and having to struggle to do everything on your own. Sure, her deceased son-in-law had left her daughter financially comfortable, but she still had the burden of being the sole caregiver of the children.