Chapter 12
The day had been a tough one with the withdrawal but Richie had held her through it all. Unfortunately though, the time slipped away and her mood darkened knowing he’d be leaving soon.
As a few tears fell, Richie wiped them away. Soothingly, he said, “Hey now. What’s up with the tears?”
“You’re getting ready to leave and I’m scared.”
“Scared of what, Princess?”
“That you’ll leave and never come back.”
“Not going to happen.” Richie had been waiting for the perfect time to give her the gift he’d bought. Now was it. He got up and went to his guitar case where he reached in and took out a box. With it behind his back, he went back to her bed. “Close your eyes.”
Dominique did as he asked.
Richie took her hand and slipped the ring on her fingers. “Okay, open your eyes.”
“OH MY GOD! It’s beautiful,” she cried. “What does it say though?”
“Il mio coure el tuo per sempre,” he said, “It’s Italian for ‘My heart is yours forever’. I bought it to give you when Sonny called and told me he was sending the jet for me. Now, you have my promise that I’ll always come back to you.”
“When will you be back?”
“I talked to your dad and I have a show tonight and the next night. After Jacksonville, I have a two-day break before I have to be in San Juan. Your dad is going to fly me back here before taking me to Puerto Rico. He also said something about you possibly going with me to Puerto Rico if the doctor said you could handle it.”
“What are the guys going to say?”
"Jon’s gonna be a little ticked but I really don’t care.”
“Have you told them about me?”
“Not yet. I want you to myself for a little while,” smirked Richie as he kissed her hand.
“When are you going to introduce me to them?”
“Depends on when you are able to join me. If you’re able to go with me to San Juan, I’ll introduce you then. Dominique, I don’t want you overwhelmed by my world. It gets crazy with the reporters and the fans. On tour, there’s always something we have to do….meet and greets, interviews, promotions….”
Dominique looked down at the ring. “It’s okay, Richie.”
“Princess, I DO want you with me for it. I just want you to be ready for it all.”
“You do want me with you?”
“Of course! I need my number one fan by my side and when you’re ready, I’m going to tell the world just who you are and how special you are to me.”
A smile spread and this time, it reached her eyes. “Really?”
“Really!” smirked Richie touching the tip of her nose with his finger. An alarm went off on his watch and as he looked at it, he frowned, “I’ve got to get going, Princess.”
“No!” she pouted.
Richie laughed, “I’m sorry. I don’t want to leave but I have a job to do.”
“Call me?”
“Of course,” he said taking her face in his hands. He placed a kiss on her lips. “I have the number here and I’ll call as much as I can.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart,” he said as he made an ‘x’ over her heart. “Behave! No flirting with the cute doctors.”
“I only have eyes for my rock star!” she answered looking into his eyes. “Don’t YOU go flirting with some gorgeous fan that’s waiting for you at the back door.”
“Never!” He kissed her again, slowly, his fingers playing in her hair. “See you soon!”
