Chapter 11
Alone, Richie grabbed his guitar from the case and took a seat at the foot of Dominique’s bed. He began to play: Life is a road, forever winding, searching for a pot of gold…time leaves a trail of broken hearts, so many arrows just keep missing their mark, baby, that ain’t us…Nothing else matters when you’re in it for love, together we can only go higher, we can reach any rainbow you’re dreamin’ of, nothing else matters at all when you’re in it for love baby…Sharin’ the laughter, sharin’ the tears, and the promises we keep…life can be crazy, love can be cruel, but it’s always been a two-way street…You try and give it all you have to give, so many people don’t know how to forgive, baby, that ain’t us…Nothing else matters when you’re in it for love, together we can only go higher, we can reach any rainbow you’re dreamin’ of, nothing else matters at all when you’re in it for love baby” Richie stopped singing for a few minutes, simply playing his guitar before starting again…”You try and give all you have to give, so many people don’t know how to forgive, baby, that ain’t us…no…nothing else matters when you’re in it for love, together we can only go higher, we can reach any rainbow you’re dreamin’ of, nothing else matters at all, when you’re in it for love babe…when you’re in it for love baby…in it for love…when you’re in it for love…when you’re in it for love, when you’re in it for love….in it for love…” and his voice trailed off as he finished the song. He set the guitar down and moved to sit beside Dominique who had opened her eyes as he’d been singing.
“You wrote that for me, didn’t you?”
“It’s the one I started the other night. Do you like it?”
“I love it,” she smiled putting her hand on his leg.
“I had beautiful inspiration,” he replied. Richie watched as she closed her eyes and tears were squeezed out. “Want to talk about it?”
“I hurt…all over…but mostly cramps.”
He put his hand on her belly letting the warmth radiate. “Want me to get Noah to give you something for it?”
“No, I don’t want anything that will make me sleepy.”
“Don’t try to be brave, Princess,” he whispered as he caressed her cheek. “We’re going to share the tears.”
Dominique began to cry in earnest. “How could he do this to me, Richie? How could he love me and destroy me at the same time?”
“I don’t know, Princess,” soothed Richie as he leaned to kiss her.
“Hold me, please.”
Richie moved carefully avoiding all the wires and tubes and gathered her in his arms. With her head on his shoulder, he began to play with her hair. “We’re going to get through this, Dominique…together.”
“Why are you being so wonderful?”
“Because you stole my heart and I don’t want it back without you in it.”
Dominique sighed. “Chris sent me to hell and you’ve rescued me and taken me straight to heaven.”
“That’s where angels belong. Have you given your dog a name?”
“I really haven’t had time to think straight. I’ve been asleep since….I don’t know when I went to sleep. The last thing I clearly remember is saying good-bye to you at the hotel.”
Richie slipped the dog out from under her arm and held it up so they could both look at him. “He’s not a ‘Spot’ or a ‘Rover’,” said Richie with a thoughtful look on his face.
Dominique giggled because he was using one of his funny voices she’d heard him use in interviews. “How about ‘Uncle Richie’?” she suggested.
“No, he doesn’t look psychotic enough.”
“How about PePe then?”
“He’s not a poodle.”
Dominique thought for a minute, then said, “Star…because my rock star gave him to me and because you like stars so much.”
Richie rolled it around in his head before pulling the stuffed dog to him and began to whisper in a stage whisper, “Star, you have a pretty serious job to do for me. See, I can’t be with Dominique all the time so you have to look out for her for me. She’s going to have some rough times so just be there for her and listen when she needs to talk.” Richie pulled the dog to his ear to listen, then said, “Yeah, she’s extremely special to me. That’s why I’m asking you to look out for her.” Holding him to his ear again, Richie listened once more. “Thank you, Star.” Richie put ‘Star’ back under her arm and said, “Tell me something about you that you haven’t already told me.”
“Like what?”
“Where did you go to school?”
“Before I was kidnapped, I went to Queen of Angels Catholic School. It was all girls.”
“Did you finish school?”
“No. When Chris first kidnapped me, he would let me join his sons and their private tutor but when we returned to Miami, he kept me locked up too much….or strung out.”
“Maybe you can get your high school diploma now.”
“I don’t know. It’s been so long.”
“You can do anything you set your mind to, Princess. What about your drawing? Do you still do it?”
“How did you know I drew?”
“Your dad let me get a shower in your room when I first got here. I saw the one you did of me….it’s awesome.”
“That’s my favorite…and I did it from memory after I met you at Daddy’s club.”
“Do you still draw?”
“I can’t remember the last time I did. Chris use to buy me materials but the first time I did one of what I remembered of Port Charles, he ripped it up and took all my materials.”
“Did you ever try to do one of me before he took your stuff?”
“I did a really small one that I hid in my room. I use to pull it out when I was daydreaming about you. I guess it’s still in my room at Chris’ place.”
“Before I leave, I’m going to buy you all the supplies you need and leave them here for you so you can start drawing again,” promised Richie.
Dominique was quiet for a few minutes thinking about getting out of the hospital and being with Richie. She remembered him telling her he had to get back for the next show but she had no clue how long ago he’d told her.”
“You’re mighty quiet.”
“I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“How long you’ve been here. I can’t keep track of time.”
“I’ve only been here a couple hours, Princess.”
“I’m so confused, Richie.”
“I know, but it’ll get better when your system is clean.”
Dominique grew silent again closing her eyes and relaxing in Richie’s arms. She was so tired but the words Richie had sung reached her and she realized he was singing now too. She drifted off to sleep feeling safe.
