Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Vanessa

Of all the things my father–in–law could’ve said at this dinner table, I didn’t expect it to be his grandchildren, and now Dominic has just choked on his drink while next to me.

Quickly, I take the glass from him as he coughs and I rub his chest. I don’t know if this will help or not, but I’m genuinely concerned.

“I’m fine,” he says to me, gently placing his hand on top of mine.

“Are you sure?” My voice is laced with concern.

He smiles at me as he coughs again. “Don’t worry. I was just caught off guard.”

It’s only for a second, but the two of us stare into each other’s eyes. My heart even races a little. I wonder if he knows that I’m not acting by trying to ease his cough. I’m not able to tell.

“Well, you had us all worried there for a second, son.”

My father–in–law’s words break my eye contact with Dominic. Leven drop my hands and clear my throat as I compose myself.

It’s only now that I look around the table at everyone else and it turns out they were all worried about him.

“Did you really have to talk about your grandchildren right now?” Dominic says to his father, leaning back in his seat with a sigh of relief.

“Why not? I admit that I didn’t intend to make you choke on your drink, but I guess I was just too excited.”

“I can’t wait to have them running around the housel” My mother–in–law chimes in with enthusiasm. “it’s only a matter of time before they arrive. We only need to wait since you’re already working on it”

Everyone chuckles, except me, but I still fake my amusement at my mother–in–law’s comment and look over at Dominic, who seems to fake his reaction, too,

We even share a knowing look that th

they’re all waiting for nothing

Dominic’s never made love to me. I’m still a virgin and he told me he’d never sleep with me, which I don’t mind at all. The closest I had ever gotten to feeling aroused was on the beach–when he kissed me so passionately that it gave rise to certain feelings in my body.

Even with that, there were never plans to get intimate.

He’s with Carmella and I wouldn’t want to be intimate with him since he’s currently sleeping with her.

But now that everyone at this table is joining in on the conversation and talking about the children, I know that my father will start mentioning it, too.

After dinner, we all head to the living room and I’m with Sophie. The two of us have already made plans to go to a spa together.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop thinking about what happened at the dining table, and I catch Dominic stealing glances at me a few times as he walks with his father. I wonder what they’re talking about because Dominic seems affected by it. Could it still be about having

children?

Just then, loud and heavy thunder from outside makes me flinch, just like everyone else and Sophie and I look at each other with wide eyes.

“Well, it’s been a while since anything made my heart jump like that!” Jake chuckles as he unhooks his arm from his mother’s arm, then

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Chapter 32

places his hands on her shoulders. “I enjoyed being here tonight, but I have to go now. There are other things to take care of.

“What do you mean?” She looks at him with disapproval. “Didn’t you just hear how hard it thundered outside? You’re not leaving.”

“Mom-”

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“No, in fact no one’s leaving.” She looks around at all of us who don’t live here. “No one is going out there. It seems it’ll only get worse! You’re all spending the night here.”

The moment Dominic and I look at each other, we already know what this means for us.

Despite e how it really seems to get worse out there, I’m still holding onto the hope that there’ll be no thunderstorms and we’ll be able to

leave.

Back in our home, it’s so easy sleeping in separate bedrooms, but it’s definitely not possible here. I can’t imagine myself in the same bedroom with him the whole night. Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll sleep on the couch in our bedroom.

to me a

Even when my mother–in–law later comes to

the exact same way about tonight.

me and engages me in conversation, I still keep glancing at Dominic while wondering if he feels

He also won’t stop looking at me as he speaks to his siblings and father.

“My dear, remember that birthday gift I wanted to give you?” My mother–in–law says to me, once again grabbing my attention,

“Of course, I remember. How could I forget?” I give her a warm smile.

“Part of me is actually thinking I should wait a little longer.”

“What do you want to wait for?” I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

“I think I should wait until you’re pregnant.” She giggles.

“What?” My eyes widen with a fake smile.

“Yes, it’ll be perfect and I know it’ll be anytime soon! Now I can’t stop thinking about it. Oh, my sweet Vanessa…” She trails off and lovingly holds my hand. “Considering how you’ve shown so much compassion for the children at the hospital, you’ll be one great mother, and I’ll be one great grandmother!”

She bursts into a heartfelt laughter and I can’t help but join in, even though I don’t mean it.

Everyone seems so convinced that it’s only a matter of time before I announce that I’m pregnant.

“By the way, since you’re spending the night here, I have a little something for you.” Her expression turns a little suggestive as she lowers her

VOICE.

“What is it?”

“I’ll show you later, when you’ll be getting ready to go to your bedroom with your husband, but it’s spicy,” she whispers and winks at me, then places her hand over her lips with a light giggle.

I raise my eyebrows with a nervous chuckle. What does she mean by ‘spicy‘? It can’t possibly be what I think it is. There’s no way.

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