Chapter 10 - Dawn Upon the Water
Two years later.
The morning sun rose over Lake Michigan, casting a golden-orange light across the calm water and illuminating the expansive back terrace of the Lake Forest mansion.
Elena sat in a comfortable wooden rocking chair on the porch, wearing a oversized cozy white sweater, sipping a warm cup of herbal tea. In her arms, wrapped in a soft yellow blanket, slept three-month-old Leo Dominic Caruso—a healthy, chubby baby boy with a thick tuft of dark hair and his father’s bright, intelligent gray eyes.
The glass doors opened softly behind her.
Dominic walked out onto the terrace, wearing a casual navy sweatshirt and jeans. He held two fresh pastries on a plate and a mug of black coffee. He walked with a completely natural, strong stride, without the faintest trace of a limp or tremor.
He set the plate on the side table and leaned down, kissing Elena softly on the lips before placing a gentle kiss on his sleeping son’s forehead.
“How is the little boss doing this morning?” Dominic asked softly, pulling up a chair beside her and sitting down.
“He finally fell asleep twenty minutes ago,” Elena whispered with a happy, tired smile. “He takes after his father. Highly stubborn and refuses to rest when there’s work to be done.”
Dominic laughed quietly, wrapping his arm around Elena’s shoulders and pulling her close against his side. “I’m glad he takes after me. But I hope he inherits his mother’s heart.”
They sat together in comfortable, peaceful silence, watching the gulls fly over the golden water as the autumn breeze rustled the leaves in the surrounding oak trees.
A shiny, newly painted red sports car rumbled quietly up the long gravel driveway, stopping near the main entrance. Marcus stepped out of the car, wearing a casual polo shirt, holding a box of fresh donuts for the staff. He looked up at the terrace, waved warmly to Dominic and Elena, and gave a little salute to baby Leo before heading inside.
Elena looked around her—at the bright, warm house, at the thriving lawn, at her sleeping child, and at the man holding her tight in his strong, healthy arms.
She remembered the wet, dreary October morning three years ago when her old Honda Civic had broken down outside the iron gates. She remembered the fear, the smell of whiskey, the broken crystal tumbler, and the terrifying shadow of betrayal hanging over the mahogany desk.
She looked up at Dominic, tracing the faint pale scar over his right eyebrow with her thumb.
“What are you thinking about?” Dominic asked softly, meeting her gaze.
“I was just thinking about the first rule I broke when I got here,” Elena said with a playful smirk.
Dominic smiled—a wide, brilliant, breathtaking smile that carried no ghosts of his past.
“Which rule was that?” he asked softly.
“Touching you without permission,” Elena whispered, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart.
Dominic tightened his embrace, resting his cheek against her dark hair as the morning sun flooded the terrace with warmth.
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“Nurse Hart,” Dominic murmured softly into the breeze, “that was the best rule you ever broke.”
THE END
