37- History Repeats Itself
Beth and Dominick Giran arrived in the Bahamas almost eight hours after they left New York. It was pouring rain and they had to run to the airport terminal.
“I can’t believe it’s raining,” Beth muttered, picking up her suitcase. Dominick put his arms around her and kissed her.
“Don’t worry hon. We’re going to have a wonderful time no matter what,” he promised. She smiled, taking his hand and following him toward a cab. They told the driver where the house was, and paid him when they arrived. Dominick unlocked the front door and held it open for her.
“It hasn’t changed a bit,” she said, standing in the doorway that led to the living room.
“It’s weird that my parents still own it after all these years. Mom bought it when she was seventeen and she’s fifty four now. That’s a long time,” he said. Beth laughed.
“Dad used to come here all the time with my birth mother. This is where everything came together for them.”
“Let’s hope it goes just as well for us,’ he said, putting an arm around her waist. She smiled up at him.
“It will. Let’s get unpacked so we have the rest of the trip to enjoy.” He nodded, following her toward the bedroom.
The next morning Beth woke up in Dominick’s arms. They had fallen asleep on the living room floor. A large blue blanket was covering them both, and several pillows were under their heads. She sighed contentedly and rolled over slowly.
“So you’re finally awake?” Dominick murmured. She smiled.
“Finally. What time is it anyway?” she asked. He kissed her on the lips, then on the neck, then on one of her bare shoulders.
“Ten thirty. Are you hungry?” he murmured.
“Mmm, yeah. What’s for breakfast?” He shrugged.
“Would it be inappropriate to ask you to go lay naked on the counter?” he asked, looking at her hopefully. She laughed and gave his shoulder a playful nudge.
“Yes! What do you really want for breakfast?” she demanded. He laughed and kissed her one more time.
“How about some French toast?” he suggested. She pulled on the T-shirt he had been wearing the night before.
“I’m borrowing this, ok?” she asked.
“Do I have a choice?” he retorted. She laughed, standing and going into the living room. He smiled and followed her after pulling on a pair of shorts.
Almost a week later Beth and Dominick returned from touring the island. Beth dropped her shopping bags in the living room and pulled her hair from its ponytail.
“What a day,” she muttered.
“I have never seen anybody shop so much! We’ve been everywhere on the island at least twice,” he said. She grinned, sliding her arms around him.
“I’m sorry. You should’ve told me you were bored… I would’ve come home,” she said.
“Yeah right. You would’ve killed me if I asked to come home. It’s ok though, I forgive you,” he promised. She laughed.
“Well aren’t you sweet.” He nodded and gave her a kiss.
“Yes I am. What should we have for dinner tonight?” she asked. He shrugged.
“Burgers?” he suggested.
“Great idea.” They walked toward the kitchen and he watched as she got the hamburger out of the refrigerator.
“Do you feel like going for a hike tomorrow? There’s that trail that goes through the forest that’s supposed to be pretty,” he said. She frowned.
“I don’t know Dom,” she muttered, thinking that the last mountain trail they’d been on hadn’t been such a good time.
“Hon, there are no mountain lions in the Bahamas. Come on, it’ll be fun. I read that there’s a pretty view of the ocean.”
“OK, then we’ll go,” she said. He smiled and started to make a salad.
Early the next morning Beth and Dominick arrived at the trailhead. They went into the woods and started their ascent up the trail.
“This is beautiful,” Beth said, stopping to take a picture of the view.
“I told you this would be fun. Come on, we still have to get to the scenic overlook,” he said. She followed for awhile, but then suggested they find a spot to rest.
“Thank you for talking me into it, I’m having a good time,” she said, following him along the path. They were approaching another scenic overlook, walking fairly close to the edge. Suddenly Dominick lost his footing and fell, managing somehow to catch the edge of the rocks before he fell to the ocean below. Beth scrambled to him, grabbing his arms and trying to pull him back up.
“Beth pull!” he exclaimed. She pulled as hard as she could, but still couldn’t get him back onto the ledge.
“Dominick I can’t,’ she whispered. He looked at her with wide, fear-filled eyes.
“Yes you can. Pull,” he said. She took a deep breath and pulled with all her might. Somehow she managed to get him back up. He fell into her arms and they sat holding one another. Beth closed her eyes, swallowing hard.
“I love you,” she said. He nodded, but didn’t say anything. She stroked his hair, holding on to him tight.
“You just saved my life,” he said, looking at her seriously.
“What would I do without you? I had to save you,” she said, forcing a smile. She leaned closer and kissed him,
“Come on, I’ve had enough excitement for one day. Let’s go home,” he said. She nodded, standing and following him back down the trail.
Back at home Beth and Dominick ate an early dinner. Beth left soon after, saying she wanted to take a quiet walk on the beach. After nearly an hour Dominick decided to go look for her. He found her on the beach, sitting in the sand with her arms wrapped around her legs.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked. She glanced up and smiled.
“Nope, it’s all yours.” He sat down and watched the waves roll in.
“So what’s the matter?” he asked. She was silent for a long time.
“I almost lost you today,” she said, looking at him with serious eyes.
“You didn’t lose me though. Don’t forget that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t forget that I’m still alive and well. You could’ve talked to me about this before. I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. I just need time to sort things out in my head.”
“I’m sorry you were worried, but I’m ok. Do you want to go up to the house?”
“Nope. It’s so nice out, and the sunset is pretty tonight.” She put her head on his shoulder and snuggled close. Dominick tilted her chin up and kissed her gently. She smiled against his lips, putting her arms around his neck. He rolled on top of her, neither one caring that the incoming tide washed over them.
“You’re beautiful,” he said when he pulled away, brushing hair from her face. She laughed as another wave washed over them.
“I look like a drowned rat,” she muttered, kissing his neck.
“I’ve never seen a prettier drowned rat,” he said. She smiled, continuing to kiss him. He took her face in his hands and kissed her on the lips again.
“Maybe we should go up to the house,” she murmured.
“I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to roll around in the waves with a beautiful girl. Now that I have the chance I think I’ll give it a try.” She laughed, pulling him back toward her.
They returned to New York almost a week later and were met by their families. They each hugged their parents and their in-laws.
“Did you have a good time?” Sam asked. They both nodded.
“It was beautiful. I’ve got the best tan,” Beth said. They walked out to their cars.
“I talked to the rest of the staff and the think it’s a great idea that you take the other big house,” Jason said suddenly. Beth smiled at Dominick and then hugged her father.
“Thank you so much,” she said. He grinned at her and they all got into the car. Cotey and Sam got into their own car.
“We’ll meet you at our house, alright?” Jason called to them. They nodded, driving away.
Beth and Dominick walked into their new house and gasped. It had been completely furnished and decorated. They looked around upstairs and down, in awe at all the work that had been done.
“Was it your parents or mine?” she asked him. He shrugged.
“No idea. Nobody told me anything about this,” he said. She nodded, going into one of the upstairs rooms. She smiled when she saw all the ribbon cases, and trophies on shelves. The room was split in half, one half for her and the other for Dominick. There was a picture on one wall of Dominick riding Objection over a huge fence. On the other wall was a picture of Beth and Lion cantering through the water jump on the cross country course.
“They set up a trophy room for us. Look, there’s my medal,” she whispered, pointing to a locked case. Dominick put his arms around her waist.
“This is amazing. Pretty soon you’ll need your own room for awards though,” he kidded. She laughed and kissed him.
“Let’s go start unpacking, we have a lot to do,” she said. He smiled and followed her toward their bedroom.
Beth awoke early the next morning. Dominick was still sleeping soundly. She got out of bed quietly and pulled on a pair of breeches and a T-shirt before going downstairs. She started a pot of coffee and left Dominick a note, and then went down to the barn. She found her father and smiled at him.
“Hey Daddy, what’s up?” she asked. He led a horse named Mischief out of his stall.
“You’re riding this nutcase right now. He has a race in two weeks, so this’ll be his last hard work until then.” She nodded and followed him to the training oval. She hooked the chin strap on her helmet, then got a leg into the saddle.
“Alright. What do you want me to do with him?”
“Gallop a quarter then breeze the eighteenth.” She nodded, trotting onto the oval. She worked the horse into an easy gallop, then at the right spot let him out. They flew around and then Beth stood in her stirrups. She rode the spirited animal out of the oval and looked at her father.
“How as that?” she asked. He smiled, reaching up to hold Mischief so she could dismount.
“Beautiful. Too bad you got so tall… you would’ve made a good jockey,” he said, patting her shoulder. She grinned.
“Thanks Daddy. I’m going to take him up to the barn and then work Lion.”
“OK, be careful sweetie.” She nodded starting toward the barn. Suddenly, though, she thought of something.
“Daddy? Tell whoever got everything for the house that Dominick and I really love it,” she said. He smiled and nodded, watching as she continued on her way.
Dominick was riding one of the thoroughbreds in the arena, his seat deep. Jason had asked him to train the spooky animal. A sudden noise made the big gelding jump to the side.
“Easy big guy, it’s ok,” he assured the nameless horse. The animal was six years old and had been at an auction. Jason had bought him on a whim, but so far had had no luck with him.
“Dom what’re you doing?” Beth called from the rail. The gelding jumped again, spinning around. Dominick grinned.
“Trying to ride this beast. He’s a little afraid of everything, and your Dad asked me to try him.”
“I wonder why he never asked me to have a go at him?” she muttered. He dismounted.
“Be my guest hon,” he said. She walked into the ring and swung into the saddle. The big horse started to walk before she was settled, but she put gentle pressure on the reins to make him stand still.
“What’s his name?” she asked.
“He doesn’t have one yet. Your Dad bought him a couple weeks ago.”
“Thanks. Would you open the outside door? I’m going to take him out into the pasture.” He hesitated, but then did as she asked, watching as she made the large animal trot around the large field at an even pace. He shook his head and smiled, knowing he had one hell of a wife.
