Dominic had to wait until the next morning to pick up his paintings. He had them delivered to Perkins’s art gallery and took Rachel’s portrait to his hotel room, eagerly anticipating the moment they would see each other again.

I don’t know what the future has in store for us, little bird. I’m still torn, but I want you to have this. I owed you a portrait, anyway. I can’t be around it anymore, not without you in my life. It’s only going to remind me of all that pain in your eyes.

Dominic went over to the art gallery and preoccupied himself with explaining to Perkins his technique. Happily for him, time flew by, as he and the aging gallery owner discussed the details of their partnership. Before leaving, he received a text message from Jean with Rachel’s address.

The night had fallen, when he got out of the limo, with the painting firmly in his grasp. Standing outside Rachel’s old apartment building, Dominic felt his heart pounding in his chest.

I’m at a loss here. There are so many things I want to say to you that I don’t know where to start. ‘I love you’? ‘I’ve missed you’? Stop thinking about it, Dominic. When the time comes, just let your heart speak and say all that needs to be said.

A middle-aged man was coming down the stairs. Dominic saw an opportunity and did not let it go to waste. He jumped up the small staircase and eased the painting down, as the man pulled the entry door open. Then, he picked it up once more and walked into the building. He could feel the tension running through his veins, as the elevator stopped at the second floor.

“This is it,” Dominic said to himself, lightly knocking on Rachel’s front door. The sight that greeted him made his lips curl into a bitter smile. She was fast asleep on the couch across from the door, covered with a red blanket. Strands of her blonde hair were all over her face. A blue stroller was next to the armrest. A few beams of moonlight were coming through the window over it. Too distracted, Dominic failed to notice the tall brunette in front of him.

“Jesus Christ!” Kate exclaimed with her eyes open wide, as she raised her hand to her chest. “Oh, God, oh, God…”

“Um, hi,” He croaked. “I’m…”

“I know who you are,” She interrupted, speaking too fast. “I’m Kate. I’m Rachel’s friend. Come on in.”

“I can come some other time,” Dominic said in a soft whisper.

“No, no… Come in,” Kate urged. “Talk to her. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Thanks,” he sighed, stepping into the living room. Kate gently closed the door and left them alone. Dominic sucked in a deep, cleansing breath, staring down at Rachel. With a heavy heart, he started towards her. He eased the painting against the wall to the left and then knelt down in front of the couch. Reaching forward, he tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. Dominic cupped her cheek, watching as Rachel’s eyes flickered. Running his fingers along her jawline, he leaned over her. He closed his eyes, as he laid a tender kiss on her forehead.

“Who are you dreaming of, little bird?” He whispered, his hot breath on her skin, as he ran his thumb across her cheekbone. Her eyelids twitched, as his hand slipped up and into her hair. Dominic’s hand shook, his fingers getting tangled, as Rachel slowly opened her blurry eyes to slits. Shock tightened her face. Speechless, she gazed into his eyes, as a hesitant smile formed on his lips. Swiping the blanket away, she wrapped her left arm around his neck and pulled him close, as his other arm went around her back. But still, Rachel would not speak. Resting her head on his shoulder, she stroked the back of his neck, as the edge of his beard brushed against her skin. Two tears streamed down her face, as she entwined her other arm around his back. Dominic felt her body trembling in his arms. He bit his lower lip, as she held him tighter by the second. The sound of her muffled sniffles filled his ears, as her hot tears soaked his skin.

“I knew it…” she said, her voice broken, as she squeezed him in her embrace. “I knew I’d see you again.”

“I missed you…” He whispered, threading his fingers in her hair, as he dragged his hand up her back.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” Rachel sniffled, leaning back. “I lied to you.”

“Don’t be,” Dominic breathed, lightly shaking his head sideways. “You were right; you had no choice.”

“You’re not mad at me?” She wondered, her sweet voice going up an octave.

“No,” He let out a deep, heavy sigh. “Why would I be?”

“My sweet king…” Rachel’s love filled whisper made his body tingle. Angling her lips, she closed her eyes. His heart fluttered, as he felt her salty mouth on his. He removed his hand from her back and brought it to her face, as they got lost in a long, tender kiss. Cupping her cheeks, he felt her hot breath and her tears on his skin, as her fingers crept around his neck. Rachel tightened her grip around him, as Dominic massaged her temples with his fingertips. By now, his heart was thumping in his chest, his lips quivering as she caressed the side of his neck. He laid one last kiss on her lips and opened his watery eyes, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I’ve brought you your portrait,” Dominic whispered, his voice shaky as he looked deep into her eyes. “I want you to have it.”

“My portrait?” Rachel asked with a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Yeah,” he uttered and gave a sad nod. “I owed it to you and me just…” He faltered. “I just can’t be around it anymore. It hurts too much, you know?”

“I see,” she sighed. “When did you get here?”

“Last night. I’m staying in New York for a while,” A sparkling hope lit up her look, as a small smile spread across her face.

“How long?” Rachel whispered.

“Does it matter?” Dominic answered her question with a question. “We can’t, Marianne.” Upon finishing his sentence, he squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his jaw. “Sorry. I meant ‘Rachel’.”

“It’s ok,” She assured. “Why?”

“There’s going to be three of us in this relationship, baby,” He said, his voice dropping an octave. “I’m not sure I can handle that. Can you?”

“I don’t know,” Rachel shrugged. “Little Dominic is a noisy little fellow. He takes up most of my time.”

“Dominic?” He stared at her slack jawed in utter disbelief. “You named him after me?”

“Yeah,” She breathed, nodding at the same time. “Would you like to hold him?”

“I can’t believe you did that…” Dominic whispered, running his gaze down her face. “He’s sleeping. I don’t want to wake him up.”

“You won’t,” Rachel reassured. “He’s a heavy sleeper.”

“Alright,” He smiled, removing his hands from her. Dominic rose from the floor, still unable to wrap his mind around the fact that the infant would bear his name. Rachel got up and moved around him, as he turned to face them. She stood in front of the stroller, staring down at the baby, as Dominic noticed a red, laser dot on her left shoulder. Slivers of fear sliced through him, as it slowly went to the left. Finally, the dot stopped at her heart.

“Get down!” He screamed at the top of his lungs, reaching forward as he lunged at her. In an instant, a bullet shattered the window, sending hundreds of tiny shards of glass into the living room and onto the stroller cover. Dominic’s right hand landed on Rachel’s right shoulder. He pushed her to the left at the last second, throwing her against the wall. The bullet entered his left chest, just below the collarbone. It knocked him backward, sending his body plummeting to the floor. Dominic landed flat and hard on his back and screamed in agonizing pain, as he banged his head against the floor.

“Noooooooo!” Rachel screamed, dropping to her knees beside him, as baby Dominic’s cry ripped through the living room.

“Rach!” Kate yelled, sprinting towards them, as a pool of blood spread across Dominic’s chest. “Rach, what happened?”

“Call 911!” Rachel shouted, settling her gaze on his face, as she took his hand into her hands. “Baby, stay with me, stay with me…” she said, her voice overflowing with tension and fear.”

“I already am…” He spoke in a faint voice, as a tear toppled over the edge of his eye.

“Don’t speak. Please, don’t speak,” Rachel begged, leaning over him. “Don’t go.”

“I never will,” Dominic whispered, as a rough cough rose from his chest. “Remember me, little bird. Remember us.”

“Stay awake!” She cried, as two, thick tears spilled from her eyes. “Stay awake, you hear me?!”

“I can’t,” He uttered, blinking hard, as she loosened her grip on his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“No! No!” Rachel screamed, cupping his face in both of her hands. The world around him darkened. Dominic could not feel her touch, or hear her words. Rachel’s image began to fade into a gloomy dark, as Kate came into view. Feeling the searing pain on his chest, he let his eyelids fall shut…