Afterwards
He drummed his hands on the steering wheel impatiently checking the rearview mirror every few seconds.
He had a newspaper on the passenger seat, darting his eyes to the job section, circling a few with red pen while he waited. He resolved that getting at least a part time job for the time being would be a good idea. He wouldn't miss his man as much.
He heard them before he saw them-their peals of laughter and feet pounding on the pavement. He glanced up from the paper and saw them running to the car in the rearview mirror, their book bags swinging, Phillipa's ponytail swinging. Dom smiled and unlocked the passenger doors.
They were out of breath, cheeks flushed, grins plastered on their faces. "Hi Daddy!" James squealed as he opened the car door. He was greeted with other warm "Hi's". Phillipa was helping Julian and James into their car seats. Dom was very pleased she was taking the big sister role so seriously. They embraced Julian very quickly and he was very touched. Julian was a sweet child-quiet, obedient, strong willed and reserved much like his father and Dom grew to love him like his own. He knew Rob (he was Rob now, all formalities stripped away) was scared that the children wouldn't accept them but they did and Rob was always so sweet to them. They were a family now.
Rob had encouraged him to go back in the extraction business since he knew he loved it, regardless of the risks and he knew how much he missed his friends and comrades. Dom would eventually but he still wanted his time off and he loved his time with Rob during the day on his off days from working his carpentry jobs. It was their nesting/honeymoon period he would tell Rob as they laid in bed together.
Once he saw that the kids were all adjusted in the back he put the car in gear and started the journey home. They all had moved into Rob's house, which seemed like the logical choice given it was larger.
Dom adjusted his wedding band as it slipped on the steering wheel. He still wasn't used to wearing the new one after wearing such a different one with Mal.
They had married quickly-knowing it was right. Knowing that their families deserved to be together.
It was a very small ceremony with only close friends and relatives. Arthur was Dom's best man and to be unconventional they had another instead of a maid of honor. Rick acted as best man for Rob. The Cobb family took to Rick very easily as well, he was very good with the children.
To Rob's suprise and pleasure Browning did attend though was still bewildered at the decision. He offered as much support as he could. Rob and him had made amends to an extent. Browning had seen Julian for that first time that day and he scooped him up into his arms and wouldn't let him go the rest of the reception. That was enough for Rob to put some of their differences aside, knowing that he excepted Julian finally.
Miles was also there, "giving them away"-smiling his knowing smile at them both. Ariadne seemed happy for him but she couldn't hide her hesitation and slight sadness. Both men hugged her tightly in the receiving line and she seemed a little more willing to wish them luck and congratulations. Yusuf and Saito flew in to his pleasure and Arthur and Eames of course were very supportive. Dom and Rob teased them about when they would tie the knot. They would just look to each other, holding hands and would smile. They knew they would eventually. Rob had forgiven all his friends, even Saito-explaining the same things to Dom-that he had them to thank for his new life. They were all very happy for Dom, especially Miles and Arthur-telling him he's never looked happier. He knew Mal would want him to move on, to be happy. He for once felt no guilt.
They pulled up in the driveway and Dom saw Rob's car and he grinned hugely, his heart quickening.
The kids were bouncing up and down like crazy.
"Dad's home!" They screamed almost together. Dad was Rob and Daddy was Dom-that was the simplest way they could keep it straight.
When Dom parked they hurried to unbuckle and get Julian out and they were running into the garage, into the house.
"Whoa, no running!" Dom was yelling after them.
And he was at the door-work clothes still on. The pack of kids running into his arms. Julian around his neck, James and Phillipa at his waist. He hoisted Julian on his shoulders and took the other children's hands. Dom closed the car door, his heart still racing. Even after living together for several months-he still had that effect on him. Rob's eyes finally met his. He was a mess-dirty from work; finger nails dirty, sweat glistening on his brow and Dom believed he looked best like that. His breath caught in his throat. He loved seeing him like this-disheveled.
He walked over to him never breaking their gaze.
"Hi," he smiled.
Rob was a mass of kids who wanted his attention but he only had eyes for Dom.
"Hi," he returned sloppily.
Rob had put down Julian and ushered the kids inside telling them he would be in a minute-promising piggyback rides or whatever else they wanted. Dom knew he was trying to get rid of them-it was rather cute really. Once the door was closed and they were alone in the garage Dom advanced on him quickly, embracing him-taking in his familiar scent, inhaling deeply, grabbing the back of his neck, wanting him close.
"I missed you," he murmured into his shoulder.
It was true. Rob was away more often with his work but did have periods of time when he was with them nonstop for a week or so. It was hard for Dom to adjust to but never really put up much of a fuss.
Rob kissed his shoulder. "I missed you too."
I love you's and kisses aside they made hasty plans for later after the kids were asleep involving their huge shower.
They walked inside together to share their family time-arms around each other's backs.
Rob made them pinwheels while Dom watched on. Dom was never good at making things but played with Julian, blowing into the pinwheel, making it spin, making him laugh.
When Rob made sure the kids were asleep (they insisted he tuck them in) he grabbed at Dom's hands bringing him up from his recliner by the roaring fire they had going and told him he wanted to show him something.
Dom followed him into the bedroom where Rob was rooting around in the closet they shared. He pulled out a shoebox, sitting on the edge of the bed. Rob patted the space next to him and Dom sat.
Rob showed him all the things he had collected from his past life. Dom felt touched that Rob would show him all the intimate objects that he felt were precious.
"That was my past life. I felt I needed to protect it but not anymore. I don't need to hold onto these things."
Rob took Dom's hand. Dom knew what the gesture meant-that he was his new life, he could let go of everything else completely now.
Rob expressed interest in burning the shoe box in their fireplace and was about to close it but not before Dom deposited something into the shoebox himself.
Rob's eyes grew wide when he took in the object.
"Are you sure?" he grimaced.
Dom nodded. It was time.
Like a funeral dirge they walked silently back to the living room, to the fireplace. They both crouched in front of it.
Robert gave a quick glance to Dom- one last look of consent. Dom nodded again.
Rob opened the fireplace gate and threw the shoebox in, shutting it quickly.
Rob rested a hand on Dom's knee as they watched the flames lick and eat away at the flimsy cardboard.
"It won't really burn though. The metal..."
Rob's eyes were trained to the flames as the box was all ready becoming partially destroyed.
"It'll melt it at least," he took Robert's hand, squeezing.
Rob shook his head. "I thought you needed it though." He was looking at Dom now, searching his eyes for any apprehension in his decision to throw it in the fire.
"I did too. But I don't. Mal doesn't defy me anymore," Dom squeezed his hand again looking into his pale clear eyes. "You do. Maybe you can help me make another totem? You're a hell of a lot craftier than I am," he winked.
They laughed lightly together sharing each other's closeness as they watched the shoebox slowly disintegrate in front of their eyes. The pinwheel's paper curling around the now charred top becoming less and less and less until nothing at all.
FIN