Chapter 2

"I'd like to be everything you want…..hey girl let me talk to you…if I was your boyfriend I'd never let you go." Lux sang as she unlocked her door and entered the dark apartment with the earbuds from her iPod hanging around her neck. Going straight to the fridge she popped the door open looking for a mid- morning snack. The tiny light from the fridge lit up the kitchen just enough for Lux to notice a shadow behind her.

Not to draw attention to the fact she was aware of their presence, Lux continued singing while reaching into her bag for the near empty can of pepper spray.

Dom watched her every movement with a smirk, he saw her hand slowly creeping into the bag hanging on her shoulder. In the same instant she spun around Dom stepped forward and grabbed her wrist holding it high above her head. "Lux."

Dropping the can immediately, Lux felt her heart pounding through her chest. His voice was undeniable. "Dom?" Lux tried to catch her breath. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"My sister is getting married." Dom shrugged as if it were no big deal he was in her house. "Were you really going to pepper spray me?" There was a hint of amusement in his voice as he released his grip.

"Before I knew it was you…..yes! I thought you were one of the crazies from work or something." Lux squeezed past Dom and flicked the light on.

"Waitressing that dangerous? What you give someone a regular coke instead of a diet and they follow you home?" Dom bent down and picked up the pepper spray. "It's almost empty."

"You think it's a prop? No, I actually use it." Lux took the can back and put it in her duffel bag. "So…."

"I need a place to stay, just until after the wedding."

"And you came here?" Lux knew Dom but they were never that close, unfortunately she was always seen as Mia's friend.

"I knew I could trust you and you live out of the way of the old neighborhood." Dom let his eyes take inventory of Lux. Dom was curious as to why there were 5lbs of makeup caked on her face when he remembered her being quite beautiful naturally. With natural golden honey blonde hair and green-hazel eyes that stood out against her naturally tan skin due to her mixed ethnicity, Lux had a look unlike any other.

"….Do you mind the couch?"

"No."

"Alright. I'll be right back."

Dom walked further into the living room where a large plush dark gray couch with a chaise lounge on each end took up a majority of the room, one entire wall was made of windows and on the other wall a big screen TV. Lux was doing pretty well for herself.

"Okay so I brought you a couple sheets and blankets and two pillows. Hopefully that's enough?" Lux set the blankets down and Dom smiled, she had washed off all the makeup and was now in a pair of boxers and a long sleeve off the shoulder shirt, she now looked like the girl he remembered.

"Thanks." Dom began to set up the makeshift bed.

"No problem." About to head up the stairs Lux stopped. "If you need anything feel free to help yourself. I'll see you in the morning."

Morning seemed to come all too soon, that could be because Lux didn't get home until nearly 4am meaning Dom didn't get to sleep until after 4am. Still, Dom tried to drown out any and all sound but his ears couldn't help but tune into Lux's low whisper.

"Pssh…pssh Ariana. Ariana get over here." Lux called for her daughter to get away from Dom, the 3yr old had been anxious to wake up the bulky man since she got home.

Dom kept his eyes closed but was now awake, he was wondering what time it was, it was still dark out or so he thought. Adjusting a bit on the couch Dom felt his cross necklace being lifted off his bare chest. Opening his eyes Dom came face to face with the little girl he had seen sleeping at his sister's house the night before. Seeing he was awake the little girl's eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face. "Hi."

"Hi." Dom's voice was deeper than normal and a bit gruff but he smiled to let her know he was a friend.

"What's…." Ariana took a break mid-sentence as she began to pull herself up on the couch and on top of Dom. "What's this?" Ariana asked once seated on Dom's stomach, still holding the cross pendent.

"Ariana." Lux walked down the small hall connecting the kitchen to the living room. "I am so sorry she woke you up." Picking the little girl up, Lux playfully tipped her upside down causing the most innocent laugh to fill the room. "So…uh Dom…this is my daughter, Ariana."

Ariana laid her head on Lux's shoulder giving a small wave. "Dom."

"Yep that's Dom." Lux pointed. "You know Mia?" Ariana nodded. "Dom is Mia's big brother."

Ariana kicked her legs indicating she wanted to get down. "I want a brother." Ariana sighed dramatically.

"No time soon baby. How about breakfast instead?"

"Okay." Ariana changed her mind and easily agreed, skipping over to the dining room table.

"What about you? You hungry?" Lux smiled at Dom, he still looked exhausted.

Dom had listened to everything but wasn't awake enough to join in the conversation. "What time is it?" The living room was still pitch black.

"Almost 8:30. I kept the curtains closed so you could sleep in but Ariana had different plans for you." Lux had to look away when Dom finally stood up and stretched his muscles sans shirt. The school girl crush came back hitting her full force like an 18 wheeler.

"Wasn't she at Mia's? When did you leave?" Dom was a light sleeper, being on the run and constantly looking over his back made him that way. Dom prided himself on the fact the chirp of a cricket could wake him yet somehow Lux had been up, showered, dressed, left the apartment and came back with a 3yr old and he managed to sleep through it all. "How didn't I hear you?"

Lux shrugged. "About an hour ago, I usually get home and get a few hours of sleep and pick her up from your sister's." Lux explained with a shrug. "And it's called being considerate. You were tired and sleeping so I was quiet. If you're still tired you can go to sleep in my room so Ariana doesn't keep you up."

"Huh?" Ariana looked up from her coloring book at the sound of her name.

"I'm good but I think I'll take you up on that offer for some food." Dom stretched and looked around a bit. "You mind if I take a shower?"

Lux walked over to a bag behind the couch and held it up to Dom. "I picked up some of your old clothes from Mia's. Hopefully they still fit."

Lux disappeared into the kitchen and Dom made his way up the stairs unsure of where the shower was he made his way into Lux's room. The room was beautifully designed for being an apartment with little self-expression allowed. The walls were still white but Lux managed to coordinate around them with a black bed and black and white pillows. On the wall was a collage of black and white photos a few of her and Mia, most of Lux and Ariana, and one of him working on the old beat up 1970 Dodge Charger.

The bathroom looked like any other woman's bathroom with make-up and scented lotions. Candles sat on the edge of the tub and inside Dom couldn't find non fruit or cotton candy smelling soap.

Walking down the stairs fully awake and refreshed Dom's ears were met with an indescribable sound.

"Baby you…life…nobuddy else…smile…..MAKE YOU BOOTYFUL!" Ariana jumped up and down while leaning into the TV and singing. "So co-co-come on you got it wong…right I put in a so-so-SONG!"

"Okay, alright that's great babygirl but it's time for breakfast." Lux walked over and turned the TV off and went to pick Ariana up. Smelling the air she turned and looked towards Dom trying her hardest not to laugh.

"Don't say anything." Dom warned but held a smirk.

Lux bit her lip. "I'll pick you up some manly scented soap when I go to the store."

"I appreciate that." Dom and Lux held eye contact before Lux remembered she had food cooking and took off to the kitchen.

"You need help?" Dom surprised Lux by coming up behind her as she balanced the three plates of food on her arms.

Lux smiled. "I am good thank you." Regardless of her words Dom took a little plastic pink plate and an adult size plate from Lux and headed to the table.

"Hi Dom." Ariana waved with a smile as he placed her princess plate in front of her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Dom was impressed with her manners as Lux put the last plate down and a sippy cup in front of Ariana. "You're not at work you know." Dom spoke up as Lux brought cups of coffee, utensils and syrup to the table as if she were still a waitress on duty.

"I'm a mom, I'm always working."

"He has more." Ariana pouted looking at her single pancake compared to Dom's short stack.

"He's bigger than you." Lux explained.

"I big." Ariana stressed with furrowed brows.

Lux cut up the pancake and put a drop of syrup. "Yes you're a big girl now eat up."

"No grace?" Dom asked.

"Uh….I guess we can?" Lux laughed it had been four years since she had said grace before eating. Dom placed a hand palm side up on the table and Lux placed her hand in his. Dom reached over and took Ariana's hand to find it sticky with syrup.

"Dear God thank you for allowing me this opportunity to come back home to my family, thank you for turning things around and giving my sister someone that loves and cherishes her. Dear God thank you for Lux and Ariana allowing me to stay with them and thank you for this hot meal. Amen."