Two Fighters

Two Moments

Dominick POV

I felt my heart racing in my chest as John McCarthy raised my hand once again. Relief swept over me. And still the Bantamweight champion. It wasn't until the world became quiet did I finally think about the girl somewhere across the world. I hadn't ever cared for someone. My mother was always complaining about how I hadn't settled down. I tried to a few times but along that road every woman I met seemed to be out for something. The next day I woke up, in my own bed and my phone buzzing violently on the nightstand.

" Hello?" I mumbled into the phone before looking at the clock reading eleven am.

"Dominick why aren't you up yet?! Your brother, sister, and I are coming over. We've got to get ready for the cook out tomorrow." I groaned while sitting up, my body ached with each miniscule movement.

"I'm up... I'm up... I'll see you soon mom... Love you."

"Love you too." I hung up and groaned falling back onto the bed. My body was throbbing just laying here, but moving around would make this aching pain end sooner than later. I glanced to the nightstand, looking at the crinkled piece of paper I had found in my pocket the last time I saw her. Her phone number neatly written across the lines. It was that idea that finally made me get up. I quickly typed it into my phone, rereading the message a few times for errors before hitting send.

Dom: Tomorrow say 2 for a cook out at my place? I know it's not dinner, but if you can survive war you can survive my family 😁😅 Wear a bathing suit and bring a change of clothes. You might get too drunk to leave.

Lana: Sounds brilliant! I'm about take off for home. See you tomorrow, shoot me your address.

It didn't cease to amaze me that she was just leaving a war zone and roughly a day she'd be completely back to normal. I shoved my phone in my pocket and wandered downstairs, forcing myself to eat a bowl full of fruit and a few eggs in preparation for mainly, my mother's arrival. Admittedly I love my mother to death, but she could be a bit demanding. As if right on cue I heard the front door ping, the sound of my brother complaining along with my sister and my mother's cheery voice.

"Dominick?! Come help your siblings get these bags." I couldn't help but role my eyes. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

Lana POV

I admittedly was a bit nervous about today. I adjusted the string of my red bikini before pulling on my shorts and cover up. I ran my finger over the bruise on my shoulder and arm before sighing slightly, letting the netted white sleeve fall.

"It's okay..." I said to myself. I would be lying if I didn't say I was dreading taking off this cover up. The scar that ran as thin as a hair on my shoulder blade wouldn't go unnoticed more than likely. I grabbed my bag and keys before climbing into my car. It was nice being home in San Diego, the sun and warmth comforting to my hectic mind. It was a bit surprising how close Dominick and I lived, though surely his home was a bit more extravagant. I used the code he had texted me to get past the security gate then parked my car among the others as I took a deep breath before forcing myself to get out. Music echoed from the back yard and from the dozen or so car I got a gauge of just how many people. I walk up to the front door, raising my hand to knock then read the note for everyone to please just let themselves inside. My stomach was in knots just a bit as I opened the door and stepped inside, setting my bag on the step before walking to the back yard. Twenty or so adults and a few kids were scattered between the yard and pool. His tattooed back was to me as he stood chatting with Urijah, an older woman, and two others. I walked out and came up behind him, poking his sides, making him jump before turning around. In a swift motion he engulfed me in a hug before kissing my cheek.

"Hey! I'm so glad you made it! I was afraid you got cold feet."

"I didn't land on time... I just made it in this morning" I chuckled and kissed his cheek before his arm snaked around my waist, the other holding a beer.

"Everyone this is Lana. Lana this is my mom Suzette, you know Urijah, this is Derek my brother, and Joe."

"Hi, lovely to meet you all. Sorry I'm late."

"Dominick! Why haven't I heard of this lovely lady yet!" His mother hollered, I watched his face turn slightly red.

" We just met a few times recently.... I'll be right back I've gotta go check the grill." It felt odd once he'd left me standing there, by the grace of God he'd handed me his beer which was nearly full. I took a sip as his mother began firing off questions.

"Lana what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a Navy Seal.... A few grades above that actually."

"So you just got back from war?" Urijah questioned and I nodded.

"Ever killed anyone?" Derek asked and once again I nodded.

" Yeah I was an assassin for a few years. I collect data now."

" How many people?" Suzette narrowed her hues at me, already I began to feel a hint of judgement. Maybe it was just my paranoia.

"I would rather not say ma'am..."  This beer wasn't going to get me even close to feeling comfortable. "I do what I do... Because I'm good at it... I do other things though. I'm a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu." Joe gasped and pulled out his phone.

" No way! I am too, I just got it recently!" I had to hold back a sigh of relief as he began showing me photos. Suzette seemed to relax a bit, especially when he returned. Almost instinctively his arm wrapped around my waist, it had been years since I dared to have anyone close after what happened.

"You look gorgeous" He whispered against my ear, I held back a laugh and kept listening to Joe talk. Impatience got him and he scooped me up walking toward the pool. Joe snatching the beer from my hand.

"Dom! My clothes!"

"Fine." He smirked and sat me down. The moment I had tossed my shorts onto one of the chairs I was tossed in with ease. I swam to the surface and looked at him before he joined by jumping in near me. I chuckled watching him shake his head like a wet dog before swimming over to me. His hand gently running over the bruises. " Can you tell me what happened?"

"Just an angry civilian. She hit me with a damn pan. Don't even ask." I laughed softly before rolling my eyes. "People get upset sometimes when they see us..."

"I can imagine..." He mumbled before glancing to his mother. "Did she grill you?"

"More like fried me. I don't think she's fond of me..."

" She is... I can tell. Otherwise she would straight out tell you that she doesn't like you." Dom laughed quietly before climbing out of the pool, I followed suit and wrapped a towel around my frame before he motioned for me to come along. We sat down on one of the cushioned outdoor sofas outside, I found myself coiling to his side.

" Your family... Friends seem nice. I'm glad you invited me."

"I'm surprised you were free today... You don't have any friends having any cookouts?"

"I don't really have any friends... And anyone I really know is on base today so I figured why not..." I chuckled softly before his hand brushed my cheek. He gently kissed me, it was surely what I had been waiting for these two long weeks. I was falling... and falling hard.

"Did I say you were beautiful?"

"A few times..." I smirked and got up, heading over to those I happened to know. I stopped, hearing Dom behind me and yanked his towel before shoving him into the water. "That is payback!" I smirked before hurrying off to chit chat with the others.