Dominick was born in France after his mother, Felicia, had left Los Angeles. Felicia had originally been convinced that her baby belonged to Nick Marone, and even gave her son his name. It was only when Felicia's cancer became terminal that Dante Damiano, with whom Felicia had spent one night in Paris, brought up the idea that he could be the baby's father. A DNA test soon proved Dante to be the father, and Dante became an active role in little Dominick's life, bestowing the nickname Dino on him. At some point in time during this period, his surname was legally changed from Forrester to Damiano (the change did not occur on-screen.) After Felicia's 'death' from her cancer, Dante and Bridget took over raising the boy, but when Felicia returned, she wanted her son back. Dino went back to Felicia, and after Bridget and Dante's relationship fell apart, Felicia and Dante worked on beginning a future of their own with their son. Dante went to Italy to work on a commission, and although Dominick and Felicia visited him, he didn't return to Los Angeles.