Later in the week, Donna knocked on the door of Gerard’s bedroom in the middle of the day. Gerard and Dominika were side by side in his bed, engrossed in the news report that blared from the television on his dresser. The conflict in Russia had been main headlines for most of the week and although Gerard usually discouraged her from watching news broadcasts due to the media’s tendency to embellish and falsify information, today seemed to be an exception.
Dominika moved away from Gerard in the bed as he called his Mother in, re-positing herself to sit on the edge of his mattress. Donna’s eyes fixed on Dominika at first but her attention was quickly turned to the screen, frowning.

“Gerard” Donna scolded gently “should you two really be watching this? You’ll give Domi nightmares”

“She’s a big girl. Besides, I’m only in the next room”

A knowing smile lifted the corners of Donna’s mouth, in a way that had Dominika wondering if she was in fact smirking at them. Her eyes flicked back and forth between the pair and she shook her head, laughing softly.

“Your Father and I weren’t born yesterday” she said, and Dominika was relieved to see humor in her eyes. She wasn’t sure why she’d been so nervous about Gerard’s parents learning they’d become a couple of their own free will. Donna had made it clear when Dominika had arrived in America they more than approved of the idea. Still, to have it out in the open now would be easier for them, since they apparently hadn’t fooled anyone anyway.

“You don’t have to go sneaking around” Donna continued “You’re adults, well almost for you, Domi, but I think being the future queen gives you a few bonus years. Regardless, you should know that seeing you together makes us both very happy”

Dominika was quiet as Gerard chuckled beside her.

“Thanks for making it officially awkward, Ma”

“Nothing is awkward here, son, we’re all family”

“That…doesn’t sound right, Ma”

Donna was flustered then, and smoothed the non-existent creases from her navy blue pantsuit with her hands.

“You know what I mean, don’t be silly Gerard” she said “jokes aside, I wanted to tell you both about events upcoming we’d very much like you to attend”

Dominika and Gerard groaned in unison.

“Really?” he questioned, his eyebrows raised in mock horror “you’re going to start trotting us out to the public and press already? I’m still a cripple, Ma”

Donna frowned at her son, disapproval written all over her delicate features.

“Don’t use the ‘c’ word Gerard” she chided “And no, you’re not being shown off, son, we just want you and Domi to accompany us to a charity dinner in a few weeks. You don’t have to do anything special, it’s just a show of good faith for the press”

Gerard pondered his Mother’s words for a moment, his gaze boring into Dominika’s back as she sat at the end of the bed. She was quiet, and he wondered what she was thinking, but without seeing her eyes there was no real way he could tell. He looked back to his Mother and sighed, deciding it wasn’t worth the argument.

“Okay” he said, resigned “we’ll go, as long as it’s alright with you, Domi?”

“Of course” she said softly. Donna clasped her hands together enthusiastically and turned her attention solely on Dominika.

“Excellent. Now for the exciting news, Domi, I’ve had the top floor sitting room converted into a makeshift studio for you to practice in whilst you’re staying at home with Gerard. I didn’t want you to have to make do”

Dominika was surprised and a little overwhelmed at the unexpected gesture. Gerard’s parents had displayed endless generosity and kindness towards her since her arrival in America, but once again they had managed to outdo themselves. Every time, she struggled to find the right words in English to express her gratitude, and today was no exception.

“Oh Donna” she said quietly, her cheeks glowing pink “you didn’t have to do that for me. Thank you”

“It’s my pleasure, darling, we are so grateful for everything you’ve done for Gerard”

“It’s nothing” she whispered.

---

It was late in the afternoon and Dominika was in the disused upper-story sitting room, recently converted into her own personal ballet studio. The sun hovered over the horizon in the distance and cast warm orange light into the room that refracted off the assortment of mis-matched ornate mirrors leaning against the walls. The space wasn’t overly large but still big enough to give her plenty of room to dance whilst still feeling cozy at the same time. She was deeply absorbed in a complicated portion of her routine, practicing the same combination of moves over and over again in an almost obsessive-compulsive way. Dominika had always been a perfectionist, obessessed with executing every movement of her body with expert precision. Despite this, she had an ability to captivate her audience with her passion and longing through her dance.

She was poised in front of the largest mirror in the room, so colossal it almost dominated an entire wall by itself. Eyes fixed on a stable spot in her reflection, she twirled around en pointe again and again, concentrating on landing the tip of her worn slipper against the same knot in the wooden floor each and every time.

The sound of a throat clearing behind her brought Dominika back to the real world, and her eyes widened in surprise when she spotted Gerard behind her in the mirror, leaning on his crutches in the doorway. His eyes blazed as they fixed upon her, and she looked away, shy, when she recognized the lust that simmered beneath his gaze.

“You’re perfect, kid, too beautiful for words”

Notes