I smile as I watch her walk away and then look back to my shocked family members. My mother tries to shake it off and looks at me for an explanation.
'You never told me that you were a godfather, how old is she?' she asks curiously, and I narrow my eyes at her inquisitive tone.
'She's twenty-three. I accepted the position when I took over the business. Why are you here?' I ask and my sister studies me.
'You look at her differently than your wives,' she states and I swallow the lump in my throat, but my mother jumps in.
'You can't be seriously thinking of courting this girl. Its like incest,' she says and I glare at her.
'You married your step brother without blinking. If you are not going to tell me why you are in my house then you should leave,' my anger rises and they stare at me in shock.
'Dominic, can I speak to you for a second,' I turn to see Claire holding Selene and looking at me sternly. I make my way towards her and she looks up at me in a way that urges me to listen to her demands.
'They obviously came here to see you, perhaps you should let them stay. At least for the night,' she says and I sigh after studying her.
'Are you sure? They treated you like some common hooker,' I ask and she shrugs.
'You were icy with me for almost eight years. Despite their insults towards me, they do care for you,' she convinces me, and I nod.
'Go ask Greta to prepare two more places. You owe me, little one,' I say, and she smiles, winking at me before walking away. I turn back to my mother and sister, gesturing for them to follow me to the dining room. I see Greta putting down to places for them and Claire sits down with Selene in her lap fast asleep. I sit down and dish for Claire and myself.
'I have a feeling I'm going to need some tea tonight,' I say to Claire after seeing my mother and sister exchanging looks and Claire looks at me with concern.
'I'll make you some after dinner, but you shouldn't work late again,' she bargains and I nod, taking a bite of the lasagne Louise made for us.
'Dominic has always been a hard worker, just like his father,' my mother comments and Selene whines a bit.
'Whose child are you babysitting then?' my sister asks and Claire smiles.
'Brigit and Luke's. I figured they needed a night to themselves and I offered,' Claire explains and my mother scoffs.
'They should hire a nanny then. What will you do when you have children and need to work?' she challenges and Claire smiles as Selene blows raspberries.
'Well, I haven't thought of it. My partner will have to be equally involved in our children's care,' she says and I nod in agreement, but once again my mother disapproves.
'Men shouldn't have to worry about such things-,' she starts but Claire interrupts.
'Unfortunately, there is a large generation of people who have daddy issues because their fathers were not involved in their lives and there are studies that support this. So, my husband or life partner will be involved,' I put a hand on her shoulder to calm her and she huffs but stays silent.
'This is all fine and well, little one, but first, we need to get your career started,' I say and she nods, looking at me.
'How would it work? Would we share an office? It would be ideal to be able to ask one another for advice,' she says and I smile, nodding as I eat my food.
'No business talk at the dinner table. You'll give Selene a headache,' Greta reprimands us and Claire laughs as Greta takes the cooing baby out of her arms.
'So, Claire, how long have you lived here?' my sister asks and Claire smiles.
'About seven-year, although I was gone for four years to study, but I came back a few days ago,' she replies and Louis comes rushing in speaking rapid French. Claire and I stand and Claire clams Louis.
'Calm down, louis. Breathe. Now tell us what's wrong,' she says and he pants out.
'It's Anubis, he's gone mad. Kicking and screaming. He's in the paddock now,' he says and I try to stop Claire but she bolts in the direction of the stables.
'Claire, no!' I shout as I run after her but she's already out and I watch as she jogs to the paddocks, calling out to the horse.
'My god, he'll trample her. Dominic do something,' my mother panics and I watch as Claire climbs over the fence, slowly approaching the horse. He seems to calm down as she speaks to him and I frown as she bows slightly at him. He neighs a few times, shaking his head and she backs up a little. I grab his halter and slowly approach the pair.
'It's alright Guardian, it's only Dom. We've come to take you inside,' she sooths and he watches me come to stand next to Claire. She gently take the reins from me and slowly hold it up for Anubis, but he shakes his head, looking back at the woods. Claire looks at me and Anubis stomps his feet again.
'There's something in the woods,' She whispers, and I nod.
'I'm fetching my gun, stay close to him,' I say and she nods, looking back at Guardian. I walk back to My mother and sister, who are standing by the fence with Greta and Louise, only to feel an exploding pain in my shoulder followed by horrified screams.
I look back as I hear horrified screams and see Dominic fall to the ground. I forget about Anubis and rush towards Dominic's slumped form.
'Get inside!' I shout at the others and Louis and Greta take Mrs Wanton and Dom's sister inside. I fall next to Dom as a bullet hits my leg and I cry out. I hear Anubis' thundering hooves come to me and he allows me to put Dom on his back. I hear another shot go off but keep leading Anubis to the stables and feel another hit my arm. I close the stable doors and Dom groans as I help him lay on the floor.
'Dom, can you hear me? Stay awake okay? Has someone called an ambulance?' I ask and his sister kneels next to us.
'I did. Mom fainted as soon as we got in here,' she says as I quickly rip open Dom's shirt to see where he was shot and see the exit wound on his right peck.
'Thought you wanted to take things slow little one?' he wheezes out as he watches me take off my shirt and press it to the wound.
'Not the time, Dominic. The bullet might not have killed you but lose of blood might,' I scold him and he chuckles, coughing up some blood.
'Oh my god,' his sister gasps and I take her hands, putting it where mine were.
'Keep pressure on it. His lung is filling up with blood,' I say, limping to the medic kit and take out the largest needle there is, limping back to them.
'Little one, I need to tell you something,' Dom whispers and I shake my head.
'No, save it. This is going to hurt,' I warn and push the needle in between his third and fourth rib and pull out the back of the syringe. His breathing becomes smoother and he groans.
'How did you know that would help?' his sister asks and I hear sirens coming. I gesture for Louis and Greta to fetch them and I feel the adrenalin fade.
'Claire, you're bleeding,' Dom says, and I look down at my leg, just as the paramedic's rush in. they put Dom on a stretcher and then help me on to one after binding my leg. I hear him shouting for them to bring me with them and they have to restrain him as my eyes close from exhaustion.