Chapter 54: Chapter 54
Celeste parted from the kiss, slowly, reluctantly. Her breath trembled as she looked up into Dominic’s eyes, still reeling from the shock of seeing him here. The night air curled around them, but her skin felt impossibly warm.
"You came," she whispered.
Dominic smiled softly. "Of course I did."
She turned to Nana, her eyes already glassy. Celeste stepped forward and threw her arms around her, gently but firmly, holding on as if the moment might vanish if she let go too soon.
"You shouldn’t have left the house, Nana. You should be resting," Celeste said against the woman’s shoulder, her voice thick.
"Nonsense," Nana said, pulling back and cupping Celeste’s cheek with one wrinkled but warm hand. "You only turn twenty-two and graduate once, sweetheart. I couldn’t miss this for the world."
Celeste blinked back tears, laughing through her emotion. "You didn’t just show up. You walked in here like you’re so healthy. Also, I’m almost twenty three,"
"Someone had to make an entrance," Nana replied, winking. She made no comment about Celeste age correction.
Dominic smirked and placed a hand on his mother’s back, gently guiding her into the house. "Come on. Let’s get you inside before you catch a cold."
The moment they stepped in, Amara’s parents, along with some aunts, uncles, and cousins, turned their heads toward the door.
Mrs. Carlisle was the first to stand, a wide smile on her face. "Well, look who the wind blew in!"
Never in her years of living did she think she’d get entangled with the Cross. Her heart fluttered, feeling important.
"Dominic!" Amara called, half-rising from her seat, glass in hand. He didn’t respond to her, and she rolled her eyes, giving Celeste a funny mocking look concerning Dominic.
Mr. Carlisle came around the table to greet them. Dominic offered a respectful nod, his usual composed air in full display. "Mr. Carlisle."
"Always a pleasure," Mr. Carlisle said, shaking his hand. "And Mrs. Eleanor! My goodness, you look wonderful."
"Flatterer," Nana said, grinning as she leaned in for a warm embrace. She took her time with each person, hugging Amara, Mrs. Carlisle, and even the cousins.
"You look amazing! We didn’t think you’d be able to make it." Mrs. Carlisle mentioned.
Nana smiled. "Where else would I be? I’m just happy to see these girls graduate."
Celeste laughed. She left Dominic’s side, and walked over to Amara. squeezing her arm beside her. "I knew you were going to say that." She said to Nana.
Nana smiled softly. She hugged every one so tight like it was her last, and it broke Celeste’s heart a little.
"Come on, we’re getting the camera ready again." Mrs. Carlisle announced. "Just a few more shots, then we’ll eat. Amara, stand with her. Dominic, would you mind stepping in for one or two?"
Dominic gave a polite nod. "Of course."
Photos were taken in another round of clusters. Celeste and Amara shoulder to shoulder, then one with their arms thrown in the air laughing, and another where Dominic joined, standing behind the girls with a composed smile. Nana even snuck into a few, standing proudly beside Celeste.
They even gave Dominic and Celeste a floor to themselves with more pictures.
Once satisfied, Amara’s mother led everyone to the dining area where the table was now brimming with steaming dishes. Peppered chicken and goat, grilled vegetables, rice dishes, fresh salads, and glasses of wine.
Dominic took a seat beside Nana, and Celeste naturally slid into the chair beside him. He reached for her hand under the table, his fingers curling around hers gently. It was subtle, but grounding.
"So, Dominic," Amara’s father began, reaching for the wine. "We’ve all been wondering. How exactly did you get Celeste?"
Dominic gave a reserved smile. "Fate, I suppose." It was a harmless question so he replied.
Nana chuckled softly beside him. "That’s a charming way of putting it. But let’s say they met under... persistent circumstances."
Laughter followed, and the energy around the table remained warm and inclusive.
"And what do you do, Mr. Dominic?" Amara’s uncle, seated at the far end, asked.
Dominic tilted his head slightly. "Business, mostly. International investments and restructuring." He replied, a bit grounded.
"Ah, the very polished kind," Amara’s aunt said with a wink.
Nana leaned in, smiling proudly. "He’s much too modest. He’s been running some of the most efficient portfolios globally."
"You must be proud of him," Amara’s mother said to Nana.
"I am," Nana replied simply.
All the while, Dominic’s hand remained wrapped around Celeste’s, occasionally brushing his thumb against her knuckles. He did that especially when some questions got a little too probing or jokes were tossed a bit too far.
Dinner flowed from topic to topic. Memories from school, plans after graduation, and old funny stories Amara’s parents loved to recount. It was warm, and genuine.
So good that Celeste almost forgot visiting her mother for the first time in years again.
At one point, Nana reached over to fill Celeste’s plate again, and Celeste leaned her head briefly against her shoulder.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Nana whispered.
"I’m perfect. Thank you for coming."
Nana kissed her forehead. "There’s no other place I’d rather be."
Mr. Carlisle leaned back in his chair, a glass of red wine in hand. "Alright, now that we’ve grilled Dominic enough for one night," he said with a chuckle, "I think it’s only fair we let the rest of you spill a few secrets."
Amara groaned immediately. "Dad, no. Don’t you dare."
The whole table erupted into laughter, especially the cousins seated near the end. One of them, Jamal, raised his hand mock-seriously. "I think we all deserve a reenactment."
Dominic’s lips curved in amusement. Even Nana laughed, nudging Amara affectionately. "Let’s hear it."
"Oh, it was magical," Aunt Taylor declared, launching into the story. "Amara bought this dress online. It was gorgeous in theory, full of golden glitter in reality. She didn’t realize that glitter sheds. So everywhere she walked, she left a trail like Tinker Bell. It ruined the dress,"
"It was months before we got it all out of the car," Mr. Carlisle added.
Amara lifted her glass. "May the glitter rest in peace."
Celeste leaned into Dominic, stifling a laugh. "They’ve been waiting years to unleash that one." She read their tones.
He smirked. "Glad I’m here for the premiere." He didn’t find anything funny but he smirked because she was smiling.