A FRESH START

Sapphire stretched and rolled over. Dom felt her when she moved. Felt
the wholeness as their bodies touched. Even after three months it
still shocked and amazed him that she could make him feel like
everything was good in the world. With a shock, he realized he didn't
think about Letty anymore. Her death no longer haunted him. I guess
she has me completely bewitched he smiled.

Dom brought his hand up to gently stroke her jaw feeling that need to
make love to her coming to life. Thinking about the gift that he was
going to give her today helped to control his desire a little. He
couldn't wait to see her face. He knew she'd like it, it was just
what she had always wanted, that she had told him so herself.

As he looked down at her, he knew that he really had fallen in love
with her. He would do anything for her.

He had loved Letty, whether she believed it or not. When Letty died,
he thought he'd never be happy again. Sapphire taught him he could
and he loved the way she made him feel.

It had been different with Letty. She had been his trophy.

Sapphire was his partner, his queen of sorts. She kept him in check,
but not with force or anger. He knew when it was time to make up for
something he'd done accidentally or on purpose.

Kissing her gently he saw her eyes flutter open. He smiled and
said "good morning beautiful" and was rewarded with a sigh of
contentment as she stretched and said "morning sexy."

Sapphire wrapped her arms around Don't neck marveling at the feel of
his skin next to hers. The warmth of his body enveloping her.

Today was the day she thought as she snuggled closer to Dom. She
found out for sure that she was pregnant yesterday. Today she would
tell him. He had already told her he had a surprise for her. This
would be her surprise for him. She knew Mia hadn't told anyone. Mia
was to good of a friend for that. Besides, Mia was hiding a secret of
her own.

She was brought out of her thoughts when Dom again kissed her.
Caressing her jaw he softly told her to get up and get dressed. "I
can't wait anymore, I have to see your face when I give you your
surprise."

Boy is she gonna freak he thought to himself as he got out of bed to
get dressed. Especially when she sees the second part.

Thinking about it he becomes nervous wondering how she will react.

The first part he knows she'll love, he just hopes she'll love the
second part as much.

He was amazed at how much he loved her and at the love he felt from
her.

He began to think back about everything they had gone through in the
past three months. The nightmares had finally stopped.

The fire that night had affected her so much. More than anyone had
realized until she freaked when she saw the flames come from the back
of his car.

Since that night, she stayed away from the races.

He would still go occasionally to let everyone know he was still the
best, but never hung around long after he raced. His need to be near
her to strong.

Even Letty hadn't had this much control over him.
 

Finally after much restraint, the two headed down stairs for
breakfast. As they walked hand and hand past the one empty room in
the house, Sapphire could have sworn she heard a slight whimper. "How
odd" she thought, now I wonder why I would be hearing that here.

They could hear Mia and Brian in the kitchen discussing something. As
they entered, Mia said to Brian, "I just don't wanna tell Dom until
the right moment. Want him to be completely shocked."

"Tell Dom what?" he asked startling both Brian and Mia.

Mia turned to Dom nervously and smiled. "Didn't know you two were up,
want some breakfast?"

Dom leveled a stern gaze at Mia. "What Mia? Don't change the subject,
spill it."

Knowing that it was useless to try to fight him, Mia glanced at Brian
and cleared her throat.

Dom saw Sapphire smile out of the corner of his eye. "Damn women," he
thought, "now they're teaming up on me."

"Okay. If that's the way you want it big brother, I'll tell you.
Brian asked me to marry him, and I said yes."

Dom smiled broadly looking from Mia to Brian, "It's about Damn time."
he shouts.

He reaches over and hugs Mia close to him.

Mia returns Dom's hug briefly then pushes away a little. "Wait Dom,
there's more."

Dom looks at Mia and raises and eyebrow questioningly at her.

Mia just smiles and says, "how ready are you to become Uncle Dom?"

Dom stood there in shock for a moment, what she had just said running
through his mind. Mia is pregnant. I'm gonna be an uncle.

Just to make sure he understands correctly, he slowly asks, "Are you
telling me that you're already pregnant or that you and Brian are
going to try?"

Mia laughs, "No need to try, already on the way."

Dom looks at Sapphire and notices he's not the only one in shock. Mia
apparently hadn't told Sapphire about the pregnancy. He glances at
Brian and sees him smiling happily at all three.

Just as Dom was about to say something, Brian interrupts him. "That's
not all. The Doctor said it's gonna be twins." Brian beams.

"Twins" Dom repeats. "Oh brother, you're in for a world of hell now."
He begins to laugh happily.

He's going to be an uncle he thinks happily. Not once, but twice at
the same time.

Mia smiles and looks at Sapphire encouraging her with out speaking to
tell hers now.

Sapphire smiles and shakes her head mouthing to Mia "not yet."

Dom decides while they are already started with the surprises of the
day, he may as well give Sapphire hers. Then the day will be totally
and enjoyably shot. Nothing is gonna get done for the rest of the
day, he can feel it.

He looks at Sapphire and says stay right here, I'll be right back in
a second. Okay? And no cheating."

Sapphire nods her head, and Dom heads out the room and up the stairs.

Sapphire talks quietly with Mia and Brian waiting for him to return.

She always feels him enter the room, and new a few moments later that
he was back.

Sapphire slowly turns around not sure what to expect, and squeals
with happiness as she sees the wrinkled little creature in Dom's
arms. She wasn't hearing things, she really did hear a puppy, a
Sharpei, just like she had described to Dom. She ran to him and the
puppy quickly began to lick her face in greeting.

"Dom, this must have cost a fortune." Dom just smiles and hands her
the puppy.

Sapphire begins to pet her new puppy and play with him when she
suddenly stops. There is something hanging from the collar that feels
like.

Sapphire is a little more than shocked, is it what she thinks it is
she wonders?

Slowly she looks up and Dom, then looks down at the puppy's collar to
see what it is.

As tears begin to fall, she hears Dom ask, "Sapphire, will you marry
me?"

Sapphire slowly hands the puppy to Mia, and looks at Dom with tears
running down her face.

Just as Dom begins to get a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach,
he is taken by surprise when Sapphire throws herself into his arms
shouting, "Oh God yes. Yes I'll marry you."

Dom kisses her passionately the joy in him evident to everyone
including the new comers that had just entered the room.

Mia nudging them and clearing her throat interrupts sapphire and Dom.

Sapphire smiles without looking at Mia and says "I know, I'm gonna
tell him Miss impatience."

Mia smiles happily knowing that Dom was about to be even happier than
he was at this moment. She had never seen Dom look so wonderful and
at peace with the world.

"Tell me what?" Dom asks never taking his eyes from Sapphire.

He feels Sapphire tremble slightly as she begins.

"I have a surprise for you too Daddy."

Dom is completely shocked and speechless for several seconds. Slowly
the fog begins to clear and his smile grows rapidly as he pulls
Sapphire to him.

Not even caring that everyone was in the room he lowers his head into
the curve of her neck whispering softly to her as the tears begin to
roll down his face, "I love you baby."

Everyone in the room is shocked even Mia who has always witnessed
Dom's emotions.
Never has he allowed anyone to see this side of him. No one but Letty
and Sapphire. At this moment, Dom didn't care if the world say it.
All he cared about was the woman in his arms and the fact that she
was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and she
wanted him. As if that were not enough to make him the happiest man
alive, she was carrying his child. Their child. He wanted everyone to
know how much he loved her.

Mia looked around as Brian walked over and put his arms protectively
around her. Everyone in the room was looking at Dom and Sapphire and
crying. If it weren't for the smiles on everyone's faces, you would
swear this was the saddest they had ever been.

More to Come, Just give me some time.