Chapter 9 - The Garden of Wildflowers
Six months later.
Spring had arrived in Long Island, blanketing the estate grounds in vibrant green grass, blooming cherry blossoms, and fields of wild purple lavender.
The high concrete perimeter walls surrounding the estate had been taken down, replaced by elegant wrought-iron fencing draped in climbing roses.
In the backyard, where a cold stone patio had once stood, a beautiful, sprawling wooden playground had been constructed—complete with swings, a slide, a sandbox, and a small wooden playhouse painted light blue.
Seven-year-old Valentina, six-year-old Lucia, and four-year-old Mia were running across the lush lawn, chasing a fluffy golden retriever puppy that Dominic had bought for them for Easter. Their loud, musical laughter echoed across the garden like wild birds singing in the breeze.
Standing near a white wooden gazebo overlooking the lawn was Elena.
She wore a floral summer dress, her long dark hair falling softly over her shoulders, holding a tray of fresh lemonade and homemade blueberry muffins.
Dominic walked up behind her, wearing a comfortable linen shirt and trousers. He looked younger, healthier, and completely relaxed. The dark shadows under his eyes were gone, replaced by a deep, peaceful warmth.
He reached out, wrapping his strong arms around her waist, drawing her back against his chest.
Elena leaned her head back against his shoulder, letting out a soft, happy sigh. "They're getting so big, Dominic."
"They are," Dominic whispered, kissing the soft skin behind her ear. "Mia told me this morning that she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Lucia says she wants to paint butterflies."
"And Valentina?" Elena smiled.
"Valentina said she wants to be strong like Miss Elena," Dominic replied, his voice thick with quiet emotion.
Dominic gently turned Elena around in his arms so he could look into her dark, beautiful eyes.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet-lined mahogany box.
He opened it.
Inside sat a breathtaking platinum ring. In the center was a flawless, radiant-cut three-carat purple sapphire—glowing like sunlight catching a butterfly's wing—surrounded by delicate diamond pave leaves.
Elena caught her breath, her hands flying to her mouth. "Dominic..."
"Fourteen months ago, this house was a tomb," Dominic said, his deep voice trembling with profound love and devotion. "I was a dead man walking through empty rooms, watching my children fade away in the dark. You didn't just save my daughters, Elena. You brought music back into my life. You taught me how to love again."
He dropped to one knee on the lush green grass, holding the ring up toward her.
"Elena Vasquez," Dominic asked, his gray eyes shining with tears of pure happiness. "Will you do us the honor of becoming my wife? Will you make this family whole forever?"
Before Elena could answer, three tiny pairs of feet came sprinting across the grass.
Valentina, Lucia, and Mia slid into the gazebo, crowding around Elena, grabbing her dress with beaming, eager faces.
"Say yes, Miss Elena!" Valentina cheered, clapping her hands.
"Please say yes!" Lucia giggled, jumping up and down.
Mia reached up, pulling Elena’s hand down so she could whisper in her ear: "Please be our Mom, Elena."
Tears of boundless, overwhelming joy spilled over Elena’s lashes. She dropped to her knees on the grass, throwing her arms around the three little girls, pulling them into a tight hug before looking up at Dominic with a radiant smile.
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"Yes!" Elena sobbed happily. "Yes, Dominic! Yes!"
Dominic gathered all four of them into his massive, strong arms, lifting them up into a group embrace as the warm spring wind rustled through the blossoms above.
