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[h1][color=Brown]Dominic Mason[/color][/h1]

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The trip was supposed to be longer; at least a week. Dominic had already been gone a month and was desperate to see Natalya. There was no chance of him missing her birthday. He sat the end of the block, admiring his thick reddy-brown beard in the rear-view mirror. No doubt she’d make him shave it off later unless she had finally came around to his mountain man look. Dom wasn’t exactly dressed for the San Francisco heat. Having spent four weeks on a mountain he was dressed in thick hiking gear, he’d make sure to swiftly change when in the flat as he hadn’t really had a chance to change since landing back in California. A chime in to his right alerted Dom to a text, it was from Nat.

[B]From: Natalya
[COLOR=7F8EF0]Good morning, sweets! Just seeing how you were doing and I miss you like crazy. Hope you're going to be in town for my birthday. Love ya! ♥[/COLOR][/B]

This was it. It was a bit of a dickish move but if he told her he was home it would ruin the surprise. Opening up his messenger he sent her a quick reply;

[B]To: Natalya
[color=Brown]Hi babe, so sorry. There’s a bit of a snow storm here, they’re not letting us leave just yet. Looks like I might miss your birthday. I hate this. I love you, try and have a good day and I’ll see you soon[/color][/b]

While still on his phone, Dom had a quick look through his Twitter and Instagram. Damn his girl looked good today, he loved that white skirt. His girl had legs for days and he loved it. Finally he watched as Nattie left the apartment, obviously on her way to meet Tasha at the coffee shop. The girls had a routine and they stuck to it religiously. Pulling the truck out of park, Dom moved slowly crept up towards the little red building he had called home for nearly two years. It was a pretty old building with a lot of character. Dom loved it, in fact the entire street had very similar architecture and it was all amazing. Of course someone was parked in his spot, they always are. You go away for a month and someone jumps in your grave.

After finally finding a nearby parking spot, Dom had the arduous task of moving all of his hiking gear up to the top floor of the Red Building to Apartment 2C which he shared with Nattie. Luckily for them, they had a little storage cupboard with just enough space for all of the mountaineering equipment Dominic used. Boy did it take him some time to convince Natalya to let him use the space. Thank god they were both neat freaks or this relationship would’ve been over a long time ago. Reaching into one of his bags, Dom pulled out what looked like a navy blue leather suit case. Placing it on a nearby side table, he opened it up to reveal an old style record player. Nat had wanted one of these for months, hopefully she’d like this one. He had made sure to have it inscribed with her name on the inner lid.

After a quick shower, Dom opted not to shave. Reaching into the cupboard above the sink, he looked at the array of pills in their assorted containers. He hated this part, he really, truly hated this part. One by one he opened each tub and popped two pills from each. There were green ones and black ones and two tone ones and even some pink ones….all to keep his flawed heart healthy.  Exhaling deeply, Dominic stared at his reflection, wiping the condensation from the steamed up mirror. It was hard when looking at himself like this not to see what might have been if he hadn’t been diagnosed with his condition. He was so close, so damn close.

Now it was time to choose some clothes to wear to meet his lady love. Sticking with the simple was Dom’s motto. Some jeans, his boots, a buttoned down black shirt that always look so much better on Nattie than it did him and his dark denim jacket with the fur collar; effortlessly cool or at  least he liked to think so. 

Walking back outside, Dom leaned into the back of his car and pulled out a fantastic bouquet of flowers. He had picked all of them himself during his trek on the mountain and brought them down specifically for Nattie’s birthday. Dom never ever said much, is actions did most of his talking for him he liked to think. Moving down the street with a grin on his grizzled face, Dominic felt happy. Sure he felt alive in the mountains and on the peaks but being home and being able to see Nattie and his friends just elated his damaged heart.

Arriving at the Mighty Bean, Nat was already in a booth with Tas. Oh joy. Of course Tas there, she was always there. Coming up behind them, Dom placed the flowers on the table in front of Natalya.

[color=Brown][b]“You really think a storm can keep me from that smile?”[/b][/color][/center]