TWENTY

Kylie stirred as the bright sunlight shinning through the window finally invaded her restful sleep. She grumbled and rolled to her side, burying her aching head beneath a pillow in order to escape the offensive luminescence. Instantly a familiar scent surrounded her, a combination of soap, aftershave, and the unique muskiness of Dom.

Sighing as she came fully awake, Kylie moved the pillow aside and opened her eyes. She blinked in the bright light and sat up slowly, wary of her churning stomach. A glance at the clock confirmed that it was much later than she and Dom had been getting up; it was ten thirty.

Kylie listened to the silence, not really wanting to face anyone. Her stomach had another opinion though, and as it heaved she crawled out of bed and hurried across the hall to the bathroom. She dropped down on her knees in front of the toilet and retched, but her stomach, being empty, only managed to bring up acid and bile. She gagged, her throat burning painfully.

Once her stomach finally settled, Kylie rinsed her mouth, brushed her teeth and splashed cold water on her face. When she finished, she slipped silently down the stairs, cautiously listening for any indication that she wasn't home alone.

As she crossed the living room, she heard a lone voice singing along with the radio. As quietly as possible, she eased into the doorway and stopped, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she took in the sight in front of her.

Dom, a pair of light gray sweats low slung on his hips, was singing along with the radio. He was chopping up garlic and onions at the table, where he stood, dancing along with the music.

Kylie's breath caught as she watched his muscles flex and ripple with each movement. She felt tiny zings of desire low in her stomach. God! The man could turn her on without even trying. Her eyes focused on his chest and she remembered how the skin over those strong muscles tasted. The sound he made when she lathed his hard male nipples. The feeling of power it gave her, knowing she could undo this tightly controlled man.

Dom turned to the stove, dumping the garlic and onions into the skillet with the heated olive oil. He turned back, wiping his hands on a hand towel.

"You gonna stand there all day, or bring your pretty ass over here and gimme a kiss?" he asked, never even glancing her way.

"Sorry," she muttered and immediately crossed the room to stand beside him.

Dom turned and pulled her into his arms. She pressed her cheek to his bare chest, then peppered light kisses up the middle until Dom cupped her bottom and picked her up, bringing their mouths level.

Turning and resting her bottom on the table, Dom brought one hand up to cradle the back of her skull. His other hand parted her thighs, which he immediately stepped between, then moved to her lower back, pressing her forward until their groins met.

"Don't be sorry, Little Girl. I like knowing you enjoy watching me," Dom replied before his lips grazed hers softly, sweetly.

He pulled back slightly and rested his forehead against hers, his dark espresso eyes gazing into her own violet ones. He grinned at her.

"Hungry?" he asked, his thumb caressing her cheek.

Kylie shook her head. "Please, don't say anything about food right now?" she begged softly, a hand going to her stomach, a frown marring her features.

Concerned brown eyes instantly studied her. "Don't ya feel good?" Dom asked, his hand now beneath her chin to keep her from looking away.

Kylie gazed into his deep chocolate pools as she answered. "I, uh, I think it's the baby."

Dom couldn't help the grin that immediately creased his face. He so loved the sound of that.

Kylie's eyes filled with tears. Why was Dom grinning? Was he happy she didn't feel good? Kylie knew that couldn't be true, but still, she became angry. She poked Dom in the chest.

"What's so funny? she demanded, her blue eyes blazing.

"Hey, Baby Girl. I'm sorry. I-, it's just that you said 'the baby', and it made me smile." Dom explained. "'The baby', 'my baby', growing inside of you, 'our baby', they all make me smile."

Kylie sighed and closed her eyes. After a few seconds she opened to find Dom standing there watching her. God! Why am I being such a bitch? A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I'm sorry," she told him softly. "I don't know why-"

"Ssh," Dom whispered, wiping the tear away with his fingers. He leaned in and kissed her softly. "It's hormones."

He grinned at her again and she rolled her eyes, then burst out laughing. Dom kissed her again, a kiss so sweet and gentle that she melted inside.

"Love you," he told her giving her soft sweet kisses.

"I love you, too," she replied.

"When I think about how close I cam to losing you," Dom confessed, his voice rough with emotion. "Promise me, Ky. Promise me, no matter what, you'll never do that again, you'll never try to hurt yourself or the baby. I couldn't take it if I lost you, I can't survive without you."

Kylie heard the anguish in his voice and her heart broke. She knew what it took for a man like him to plead with her.

"I-I promise," she assured him, sobbing as tears streamed down her cheeks.

F&F

A few hours later, the couple was seated on the sofa, looking through some pregnancy books. Dom had run out to the book store while Kylie took a quick shower and watched the simmering pot of sauce he'd finished putting together.

Kylie was stretched out, her head resting on two plump pillows, her feet in Dom's lap. His feet were resting on the coffee table. Both held a pregnancy book. Dom's hand gently caressed Kylie's bare leg.

He felt her tense up when the sound of car motors roared up the driveway. He squeezed her knee softly offering her his silent support. Then he rose and went out to the kitchen.

Kylie listened to the others greet him. Then the discussion switched to dinner. Mia and the girls set about setting the table and making pasta to go with Dom's sauce. Rome made garlic bread, and Angel started a salad. Brian, Vince and Leon headed to the bathrooms to grab quick showers.

Kylie pretended to be asleep whenever anyone came into the living room. It worked like a charm until Dom came to get her for dinner. He sat down on the edge of the sofa by her hip.

"I know you ain't sleeping, Girl," he told her in a low rumbling voice.

Kylie opened her dark indigo orbs and grinned up at him. "How'd you know?"

"Baby, I've spent hours watching you sleep. You can't fool me," Dom replied tapping her on the nose with his finger.

Kylie shook her head and laughed softly, the sound was music to Dom's ears. He took her hand and tugged her up. "C'mon, time to eat, Little Girl."

Kylie reluctantly allowed him to lead her into the dining room where the others had gathered. As they sat down a the table, Kylie now sitting to Dom's right since Letty no longer needed a seat, she realized the conversation had ceased. Her stomach flipped and her face burned. She kept her eyes down starring at the plate on the table in front of her.

Dom cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention, then he said a quick prayer. After that bowls and platters of food were passed around, and conversation slowly started backup.

Kylie managed to eat a few bites of spaghetti. Dom's sauce was delicious. While she ate, she listened to Dom and the guys discuss Race Wars. At the same time Rachel, Angel and Lydia were talking about coworkers, and Mia and Lexie were jokingly discussing baby names.

Loneliness swamped Kylie. No one seemed to even notice she was there. She knew the others were angry about Letty and her pregnancy, despite Dom's claims to the contrary. She hadn't felt this alone since she'd left her parents home, five months ago.

As tears prickled her eyes, a wave of nausea washed over her. She took a few breaths trying to fight it, but moments later knew she'd lost the battle. She dropped her fork, clamped a hand over her mouth, and jumped up so fast her chair tipped over and crashed to the floor. She ran to the bathroom, Dom followed right behind her.

He knelt in back of her, holding her hair and rubbing her back, offering her words of comfort the whole time. When she finally stopped retching he helped her up, got her a cup of water, and fixed her toothbrush so she could clean the vomit and acid from her teeth.

Kylie leaned against Dom. She loved the way he took care of her. No one, that she could remember, had ever even cared if she felt sick, let alone took care of her, doing all the little thing that Dom had done. She felt safe, cherished, and loved.

Dom's muscular arms held her close. He leaned down and rested his chin on the crown of her head.

"Ky?" he spoke softly.

"Mhm," she replied.

"Remember when we talked earlier about you going to see Dr. Hammond to help you deal with how your parents treated you?"

Kylie pulled back sightly, tilting her head back so she could look up at him. "Yeah?"

"I, uh, I think she might be able to help you sort out things with the team, too. The stress, you know. I read that it can cause vomiting, so it really isn't good for you or the baby."

Kylie looked up at him for a minute. She could see concern and love in the coffee colored eyes that studied her so often. Slowly, she nodded her head. "OK. I'll go see her, but, um, w-will you go with me, j-just the first time, please?

Dom grinned down at her. "If you want me to, Baby Girl, I'll go with you every time." Then he leaned down and kissed her.

F&F

AN: I am so sorry this update took so long. I ended up starting it over twice and saving what I'd already written for the next chapter. Please forgive me and send me more love. I'll get to work on finishing up chapter 21 tomorrow. Mrs. Letty, thanks for the PM. It was the kick in the pants I needed and has haunted me all week! LOL!