Submitting to my Ex Uncle-Chapter 230

Another bonus Chapter. Xoxo 😘

Thank you for unlocking this far.

....

The morning light touched everything gently. It slid through the soft cream curtains, spilling across the room.

Celeste stirred first. Her eyes fluttered open to the weight and warmth beside her. Dominic’s arm was heavy around her waist, as his chest rose slowly and deep behind her.

For a long moment, she didn’t move.

The silence was so full she could hear the faint tick of the clock on the wall, the rhythm of his heartbeat against her back, and the whisper of his breath against her shoulder.

Last night replayed slowly in her head. The look in his eyes when she told him. The silence that terrified her. The way he’d dropped to his knees. The trembling of his hands against her stomach.

A small, helpless smile curved her lips.

She turned a little, just enough to see him. His face was softer in sleep. None of that sharp control or coolness that usually framed him was in sight. Just peace.

Her fingers reached up without thinking, brushing the hair that had fallen against his forehead.

Dominic stirred then, a low hum escaped his throat as his arm tightened slightly around her waist, pulling her closer. He murmured something half-asleep before pressing a lazy kiss to her shoulder.

It sounded like her name.

Celeste felt her chest ache quietly.

She didn’t know how long she stayed like that, memorizing the way his features looked in the morning light, before he finally blinked awake.

He looked at her slowly, still foggy with sleep, but when his eyes met hers, warmth flickered there.

"Morning, sweetheart " he said, his voice rough and low.

"Morning, baby." she whispered back.

Dominic’s lips quirked. "You’ve been watching me." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Maybe," she said, smiling faintly. "You look different when you sleep."

"Better or worse?"

She smiled wider. "Softer."

He hummed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You should’ve woken me."

"I didn’t want to."

Celeste traced her fingers lightly over his chest, stopping where the faint bandage still rested.

"You’re almost healed," she whispered.

Dominic’s lips curved into that quiet, knowing smile of his. "Told you I would be."

She nodded, her touch lingering for a moment before she pulled her hand away. But Dominic caught her hand easily, and his fingers curled around hers.

He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. His eyes never left hers.

"With your permission," he murmured, "I’m asking again."

Celeste blinked. "Asking what?"

"When you’ll finally let me marry you."

Her breath hitched, though a smile tugged at her lips. "A month from now," she said softly.

Dominic’s eyes softened, with the faintest smile tugging at his mouth. "A month," he repeated, almost like he was trying to make sure it was real.

Celeste nodded, her gaze tracing the quiet amusement in his eyes. "A month," she said again, firmer this time.

He leaned closer, brushing his lips against her temple. "That feels too far," he murmured, "but I’ll take it."

"You’ll wait?" she teased gently.

Dominic smiled, the kind of smile that made her chest feel too full. "For you, Celeste, I’d wait forever."

She let out a breathy laugh and rested her forehead against his. Then she felt his fingers drift down, stopping at her stomach. His palm settled there, steady and protective.

Celeste’s smile faltered into something quieter.

Dominic’s eyes flicked to hers, searching. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

Celeste swallowed. "A little overwhelmed," she admitted. "But happy."

His thumb traced slow circles against her skin, like he was memorizing her. "You scared me last night," he said quietly.

She blinked. "I did?"

He nodded, his expression unreadable for a second. "When you told me. I couldn’t speak. I thought...." he paused, shaking his head. "I thought maybe you didn’t want this after tge last time. That you’d regret it."

Celeste’s lips parted. "Dominic..."

He looked at her then, and his voice dropped even lower. "But then I realized... I wanted this. I wanted this so much, it terrified me."

Her throat tightened.

Dominic took her hand and placed it over his, both of them resting against her stomach. "It’s strange," he murmured. "I used to think I wasn’t made for this kind of thing. Family. Kids. The mess of it."

Celeste watched him, her heart aching and blooming all at once.

"I used to think love was supposed to be clean, sharp. Controlled." His eyes softened. "Then you came along. And nothing about you was clean or controlled. You just... fit. And now, this—" he brushed his thumb gently where her hand rested— "it feels right. Just from one kiss,"

Celeste’s eyes shimmered.

Dominic leaned in, kissing the corner of her mouth. "You’re carrying something we made, Celeste. How could I not want that?"

Her breath hitched.

He smiled faintly, pulling her closer until her head rested against his chest. His heart beat steady and calm beneath her ear.

"I’ll take care of you," he said quietly. "Both of you."

Celeste closed her eyes, warmth spreading through her. "You already do," she whispered.

They stayed like that for a long while, neither of them rushing the silence.

Later, when Dominic finally got out of bed, he moved with an unusual care. His shirt was half-buttoned, his hair still a little messy, and yet he looked... lighter. Celeste watched as he picked up his phone from the dresser.

"What are you doing?" she asked softly, still half-curled beneath the sheets.

He looked up with a teasing smirk. "Nothing."

Celeste arched her brow. "That’s suspicious."

Dominic only smiled. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before walking toward the study in the room. He barely uses it. "Just some work things," he said.

She hummed in response, but didn’t push it.

When the door closed behind him, Dominic sat at his desk and unlocked his phone. His fingers moved with quick precision, typing things into the search bar.

’First trimester care.’

’Foods to avoid during pregnancy.’

’What to do when your wife is expecting a baby.’

He read everything carefully, frowning a little when he saw things like "no caffeine" and "limited stress."

Dominic’s jaw tightened slightly at that. He muttered under his breath, "No stress. I’ll make sure of that."

A small, rare smile broke through his usual composure when he saw an article titled ’How to support your pregnant partner emotionally.’

His thumb lingered on it. He clicked.

Outside, Celeste hummed softly to herself as she folded the sheets. She had no idea what was going on behind the closed study door.

When Dominic finally came back out, she didn’t ask why his expression had softened even more. She didn’t need to.

He sat beside her on the bed, his hand finding hers again.

Celeste smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You’re quiet again."

Dominic pressed a kiss to her hair. "I was thinking," he said simply.

"About?"

He looked down at her, his eyes full of something wordless and deep. "About how much I love you."

Celeste exhaled, her chest tightening.

"I love you too," she said softly.