I pulled back and my hands instantly flew to my lips. They seemed to buzz with activity. I probably looked awestruck but I couldn't help it. Dom had kissed me! Actually kissed me! Maybe not when I had kissed him which was still kind of embarrassing, but the kiss was all the same. Funny how when it happens, no matter how it does, it's still everything you ever thought it would be. I've been wanting and dreaming of him for the last four years and now that it's happening I felt like I was floating on a cloud. A wonderfully delicious cloud.

"So you ready to talk now?" He asked with a small smile on his face. I quickly shook my head. There's no way I even wanted to chance ruining this moment. If we talked, there was a very good chance that I would screw things up. I was always saying the wrong thing or getting upset and misunderstanding things. I didn't want to lose this. I didn't want to lose this moment. I wanted to forever envision him leaning up against the counter his hands sort of behind him. His eyes were smoldering and staring right into me. I never wanted to forget this. All of this caused my stomach to do cartwheels.

"We have to talk though, you know this right? This," he motioned to both of us, "isn't going to just work it's self out. We gotta figure it out Rox. " I swallowed hard and managed a nod. I don't know why I was so nervous. This was everything I had ever wanted. Why was my stomach flipping? Why did I feel light headed? I was surprised that despite all of these feelings, I wanted to kiss him again. Or more precisely, I wanted him to kiss me again.

"I know Dom and we will. I just want to calm my nerves first. I don't want to risk messing things up." He grinned really big and took two big steps to me. He seemed to be inches from me and I was surprised that I had all but stopped breathing. His lips seemed to hover above mine and he wound my hair around his hand. All I had to do was stand on my tippy toes and my lips would be on his. He started to lean in when the front door opened and slammed really hard. Great who could that be? My stomach seemed to plummet. Despite my disappointment, Dom just grinned. I rolled my eyes and backed up.

"We will finish this later." He said with so much authority, I felt like I was 13 again. It sent shivers down my spine. I managed a small smile then walked into the living room to see what the big commotion was.

I was surprised when I found no one in the living room. That was odd. There was just a loud slam that sounded like the front door. I tilted my head quizzically. I turned my head down the hallway quickly enough to see Mia's door slam. Woah! What was wrong with Mia? She didn't slam the door often. Something must be wrong. I quickly made my way to her room only to be shocked that the door was locked. Mia hardly ever locked her door unless she was changing but I knew that wasn't the case. She had just walked in the door. I knocked lightly

"Hey Mi, it's Roxie let me in." I didn't hear any movement in the room so I knocked louder. Still nothing. This time I gave a police like knock and the door flung open along with my mouth. Mia's beautiful face was swollen on the right side with bruises under her eyes and cheeks. My eyes watered as I reached up to gently touch it.

"OHMYGOD MIA! WHAT HAPPENED?!" I sort of yelled. I didn't mean to make such a reaction but her face. Who could have done this to her? Who would ever want to hurt Mia? She sat down on her bed and placed her head in her hands. I heard her start to cry. I didn't know what to do. Should I call Dom in here. I shook my head. No, if Mia wanted him to know she'd tell him. I leaned up against the doorframe racking my brain as to what could have happened.

"Oh Roxie it was terrible! Johnny took me out to dinner at Mama's, you know the Italian restaurant down the road?" I nodded, trying to figure out what this had to do with the swelling of her pretty face. The boys were going to have a cow. There's no way they wouldn't see it, she couldn't hide in her room forever. I stayed silent waiting for her to finish the story but I was half tempted to go shake her to get her to finish talking. It seemed like forever before she spoke again.

"Every thing was going so well until this guy from a different table came over. He looked at Johnny and shook his head. Then he asked me what I was doing with a bum like him. I could do so much better. I made the mistake of laughing as I told him that johnny was my boyfriend and I'd appreciate it if he would return to his seat. I thought the whole situation was humerus. I honestly didn't even think it bothered Johnny until we got back to his place." She broke off again as the tears ran down her face. I moved over to the bed and pulled her into my arms. She was my best friend. She listened to all my random sort of dumb thoughts. She dealt with my mood swings. Other than about Johnny we had never even had a fight, which says a lot for two teenage girls. What ever she needed I was going to do everything in my power to make sure she got. I started lightly stroking her hair and that caused her to chuckle.

"You know I miss it when your mom used to do that. It always seemed to make it all go away as I listened to her heartbeat. She's not even my mom and I miss that with her. You're lucky."

"My mom is one of a kind but Mi, she became yours too when you moved in with us." She pulled away from me to wipe her tears which was hard with her right side being so swollen. She pushed her hair out of her face and actually gave me a smile.

" I'll never be able to repay you guys for what you did after daddy died. Your parents stepped up even though they barely knew me. They took me in hell they took Dom in too even though he was in prison. Your mom took us every weekend to see him and never complained. They never complained about taking over the garage or even my house until Dom got out and on his feet. I don't know what would have happened to me if it wasn't for you guys. I just want to say thanks."

"They didn't mind Mi, not one bit. My mom and dad are always talking about what a wonderful lady you turned out to be despite everything that happened. You're changing the subject though, I want to know what happened with Johnny." She sighed and turned away from me. She stayed quiet for a few minutes. I reached over and grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. She looked down at the small gesture and that's where she kept her gaze when she finished talking

"He didn't say much on the way home. I just thought he was tired, he said before dinner that he had a long day. When we got in the door he smacked me so hard I hit the floor." The tears started to flow from my eyes. How scared she must have been. The sadness I was feeling was soon replaced by rage. I could kill him for hurting her. I wanted to march in there and get Dom and handle business. I knew that her getting back involved with him was a mistake. I wished I had voiced my opinion of him this time. I was just do afraid of losing her again that I stayed quiet and I realized that was a mistake.

"I stared up at him in wonder. I couldn't believe he had just hit me. He said, 'did you enjoy making me out to look like a fool? In no body's fool. You entertained that man as he talked about me being a piece of crap. You allowed it!' he screamed as he started to kick me in my ribs and my face. I tried to cover myself but it only made it worse. After he calmed down he apologized then we went to bed. Only I waited until he was good and asleep; I snuck out. It seemed like the walk here took forever. I just want to shower and go to bed." I couldn't help the tears that fell again. Why didn't she call? I would have came and picked her up. She should know that. I decided to bite the bullet and ask.

"Mia you should have called me. I don't care what time it was. I would have came and got you. No matter the situation, if you need a ride just call me." She nodded as the tears started to rain down from her eyes again. I pulled her back into my arms.

"My phone was in his car on the charger and I was afraid to get in the car. What if his alarm was on? What if it wasn't and the shutting if the door woke him? It wasn't worth the risk. I'll get a new one. I'm going to call after I take a nap." I nodded and let her go. She needed to sleep after all she had endured.

"Okay Mi, go ahead and take a nap. I'll be here when you wake up. I love you Mia." She stripped out of her jeans and crawled under the covers.

" I love you too Roxie. Thanks for being the sister I never had."