The next morning, Chris Martin's sister, Lydia arrived on the island, not understandably very happy since she had just visited her brother a few months ago and he was alive and well, complaining of that snivelling rich girl Rose Tyler who wouldn't look on him except as a friend. Now her older brother was dead, in his own swimming pool with a slither of glass through his chest, who did that sort of thing?
Mr Silverton had not been very forthcoming on the phone after she had received a call from a Detective Sergeant Bordey of the island's police department who wouldn't go into great details, just he had died unfortunately. She didn't even know if there were any suspects, except maybe that Rose Tyler but since she had turned him down and not the other way around, unless she had got tired of him bothering her, she doubted the woman had the guts. Once in the island's tiny Police Station, she asked who the lead detective was, Chris had mentioned there was a Scottish one a few weeks ago who had just arrived and wondered why he seemed absent.
''What? He's a suspect? Why would a police detective inspector want to kill my brother?''
''Miss Martin, that's what we are trying to find out but we all believe he was not the one. They had a fight, over Miss Tyler and he threatened your brother after Chris attacked her in her own home.''
''My brother wouldn't attack a woman,'' Lydia sobbed.
''I'm sorry but he did, we have a witness and DI Hardy was on his way to her house, with her friend and Chris was there, we were all there ten minutes later, he did attack her.''
Lydia looked up from her wet handkerchief. ''She must have encouraged him in some way, she was trying to play hard to get, he told me.''
''Did he tell you she was in a relationship with DI Hardy at the time he attacked her?''
''No, I didn't know that. So my brother got jealous, maybe he went to persuade her to leave the detective? Why isn't he in custody if he's the main suspect?''
''That's what I want to know, I said the other day he should be detained,'' Mr Silverton chipped in.
''DI Hardy has placed himself under house arrest, he is in the care of Miss Tyler and her stepfather has just arrived so the commissioner is happy with the arrangement plus he had surrendered his passport. He has no reason to leave the island, he and Miss Tyler have a very stable relationship and neither of them had a motive to kill your brother. We think maybe one of his rivals over here or a jealous ex girlfriend or maybe someone he turned down.''
''There was that other British woman, Sophia but Chris wasn't interested in her, all he did was talk about the Tyler woman, I never met her. Chris never hardly mentioned her except for a charity event he was at with Rose Tyler, this Sophia kept watching them.''
''We've already interviewed Miss Hunter, she claims she hasn't seen him recently. Have you been to your brother's villa?''
''No, I checked in at the hotel, I can't stay there, I'm putting it up for sale once it's released to me. Can I see my brother?''
''Of course, Sergeant Best will take you there, you can make arrangements once we've concluded our investigations.''
''I'm taking him home with me, I'll stay as long as I have to. If this Hardy is responsible, I'll see him in prison for it.''
''Miss Martin, we don't believe he's the right person. We are making further enquiries.''
''What about the threat he made?''
''He was angry, he was just protecting his girlfriend. Your brother signed a statement to say he would stay away from Miss Tyler but he broke the arrangement a few hours later and tried to get back in her house while DI Hardy was out.''
''So he did have a motive? If what you say is true and my brother just wanted to talk to her again, Hardy seems like he's the jealous one.''
''I've know Rose Tyler a year, she's happy with Hardy, she would never leave him for your brother no matter how persuasive he was trying to be. Chris never showed her any signs he was interested in her and she certainly never expressed anything other than being a friend to your brother. I'll let you go see your brother now.''
Dwayne was already out, trying to persuade his sometimes girlfriend not to publish the facts of Chris Martin's demise other than he was found dead in his swimming pool and not to put down he had fought with the island's newest detective outside the Police Station and it was more likely another fight that went wrong and Hardy plunged the glass into his love rival's chest.
Jake had gone over in Rose's car to pick up Pete and the legal team after breakfast and they were all talking when the commissioner arrived.
''Miss Martin has arrived on the island to formally identify her brother. I understand you have surrendered your passport Alec, a wise move. There is no need for you to be restricted to the house, as long as you are accompanied by Miss Tyler or her stepfather. You should be aware we are trying to keep this quiet but it is a small island and you are new here but with Mr Tyler on your side, showing his support, there should be no trouble. We will do everything we can to keep from formally arresting you over this.''
Alec sat back, sort of relieved but it was doing his health no good and the sooner this was all over with the better. Pete noticed the man wasn't looking too good.
''Alec, I think I should get that surgeon over here to take a look at you, I'm worried about you and so is Rose. I'll have him over here tomorrow and meet you at the hospital if he says he can perform the surgery there. I don't think you should delay any longer.''
''Fine, I'll meet with him but there is something you need to know, he may have my medical records but he can't discuss them with you. I only have a slim chance of getting through the surgery, Rose already knows that. We've talked about it already. That was why I kept putting it off and I would rather go back home for the operation so if he says I'll last a bit longer, I would rather just go back and have it done as planned. That way, I will have had three months with Rose and I'll go peacefully but there is one thing. Will everyone else excuse us?''
Jake and the two lawyers went back inside, Jake sliding the patio door behind him. Alec took Rose's hand.
''Pete, I know we only just met but when I first met Rose, I knew she was the one for me and within a few days, I asked her to be my girlfriend and spend my time here with her and she readily agreed. I figured if I only had three months, I was going to make the most of it. The time I have left, here with your stepdaughter is all I could ask for. Once this is over, I'm resigning from the island's police force and put myself back on medical leave and live here until it's time to go back, with Rose. Mr Tyler, I'd like to ask your permission to ask Rose to marry me, right away, here on the island.''
Pete wasn't surprised and neither was Rose the way they had been inseparable the last couple of weeks. So if Alec wasn't going to make it through the surgery, she was going to make sure he was happy for the time he had left.
''Alec, I never thought I would see the day but yes, you have my permission and I think you just asked Rose herself but I'll leave you two alone. I'll call her mother, Tony is feeling better now to travel, I'll have Mickey bring them over and never mind all this going on, you make your plans. If I have to pay for the surgeon's time staying here, I will do but I insist he comes out to see you to assess you, he is top in his field. Rose, you'll have to talk to your mother as well but I'll break the news to her. Can I give her a date?''
Rose looked at who had suddenly become her fiancé. ''As soon as everyone can get here, I'm sure the magistrate from the mainland can come over, I'll ask the commissioner when the earliest time is he can get here, just as long as he's not convicting my fiancé at the same time.''
''I don't think it will come to that Rose, we all know Alec is innocent. Don't let it get in the way, you two have a lot to talk about.''
Pete went back inside to tell Jake the good news, Jake said he had an idea what was going on judging by Alec's enthusiasm last night and how Rose had managed to keep so quiet, he had no idea, Alec must have gagged her or drowned out her noises with his own. Pete had fun explaining to Jackie that the couple were already making wedding plans and then rang off to call the airline to arrange three return tickets on the next scheduled flight to the island and booking a family room, changing his own and leaving Jackie to explain to her son his sister was getting married and call a not so surprised Mickey to tell him to get packed.
Rose laid down on the new lounger that had just arrived and Jake was going to sort the hammock out later but Rose hadn't known Alec had also ordered a garden swing with soft cushions and canopy and she had joked the mail order company must have booked the entire plane to get them over.
''So, Rose Tyler, I know I don't have a ring to give you but we can go choose one. I meant it, I want you to be my wife, for the time I have left.''
''You might just get stuck with me, I hope you're not going to give up so easily?''
''Oh I'm going to fight, you can count on that. I know this is right Rose, you felt it too, that Saturday afternoon.''
He stroked her cheek then kissed it. ''I love you Rose, marry me, let me go happy if I have no choice in it.''
''You do have a choice Alec, you have every chance of getting through it and I won't let you go through it alone. I want to marry you.''
So since Alec had been told he could now leave the house, he drove them to the other side of the island that evening, to a little restaurant by a bay having been out with Jake earlier to choose a ring and over dinner, he slipped it on to her finger, kissing the back of her hand.
''I didn't plan this when I came here and if you think it's too soon, we can put it off a few days.''
''No, it's not too soon, besides, if you've dragged my mother out here promising her a wedding and you let her down, she won't be too happy about it.''
Alec smiled. He didn't want to go upsetting his mother-in-law before she actually became it, even if it was only for a couple of months. Well not from what Pete Tyler had told him about her and what he had read. What Rose didn't know was that he had booked a room at the hotel to save driving back and setting the satnav, drove the short distance, getting a carrier bag out of the back of the car. He booked them in just after nine and lifted her as he opened the door. Rose giggled.
He threw the carrier bag on the bed and let her down after kissing her. He had found her favourite dress shop and asked the woman who worked there to choose a nightdress and underwear set out for him to give to Rose. Natalie had been only too pleased to help. Rose wanted to tease him by going into the bathroom to get changed as he took off his tie and toed off his shoes.
''Relax lover, I'll be right back. It will be worth your wait and don't you take that shirt off just yet.''
Alec grinned and sat on the bed, taking his socks off and his trousers, she'd said nothing about that. Rose came back out looking stunning and sauntered over to the bed then pushed him back, placing her legs either side of his, then began unbuttoning his shirt.
''I see you cheated.''
''Just saving time sweetheart, I didn't want to crease them.''
He placed his hand on her tummy, under the nightdress, pleased to discover she had opted not to wear the bra, he never knew why she wore one anyway, it just kept getting in his way, maybe once they were married, around the house he could get her to forgo the item or just wear a loose bikini top. There was no doubt in his mind he had just done the right thing and asked her to marry him as his shirt came off and he lifted the nightdress over her head, revealing her true beauty.
The next morning, Alec drove them back home to find the commissioner waiting for them.
''Ah, the happy couple, congratulations. I've contacted the magistrate, he can be here on Monday and Detective Sergeant Bordey is re-interviewing Miss Hunter as we speak. We found a fingerprint on the piece of glass protruding from Mr Martin's chest.''
Alec was surprised they had missed it in the first place but there was no forensic team here but it was good news.
Camille was sitting across the desk from Sophia.
''So Miss Hunter, would you care to explain exactly what happened? You were with Chris Martin the night he died?''
''I'm not saying anything without my lawyer, it was an accident, he rushed towards me, I couldn't stop him.''
Camille called the commissioner, who was about to leave Rose's house. ''Sir, Miss Hunter just admitted, she killed Mr Martin by accident after a glass broke and she picked up a piece and he slipped on the wet patio.''
The Commissioner relayed the news to a relieved Rose and Alec. Sophia was formerly charged but was expected to get off lightly, not that it pleased Lydia Martin. She was due to appear in front of the magistrate after he had performed Rose and Alec's wedding ceremony. Alec had gone to the commissioner's residence to submit his resignation from the island's police force, it was totally expected.
They were all waiting in the island's tiny airport, well landing field and a building. The two lawyers were going home, Jake was staying, having got Mickey to call and collect his best suit for the wedding. An excited Tony was peering out of the small aircraft's window as they were coming in to land, he'd told his mother this plane was much better than the big one. After a happy reunion, Alec even getting a hug from Jackie, they all went out to dinner at Catherine's bar, Alec arranging to have the wedding reception there on Monday. The surgeon was arriving Sunday night and would see Alec before the wedding took place, Rose was insisting on going with him.
They had a family party by the pool on Sunday afternoon after Rose and her mother went dress shopping and Rose getting a lecture about getting married from her mother.
''Are you sure about this Rose? It's rather sudden.''
''Mum, I want to make him happy, he may not have that much time left. He's stopped working and we're just going to take it easy and explore the island and after the specialist sees him tomorrow, we'll have a better idea. We're hoping that now he's not under any stress, his chances will be a lot better. We're very optimistic about it. What about this one Mum?''
The dresses chosen, Rose bought her wedding underwear and they set off back home. Mickey and Jake were in charge of the barbecue, Alec was getting to know Tony who had a captive audience about police cars and Pete was giving Rose the father of the bride talk. Jackie was watching how good her new son-in-law was with Tony. There was nothing traditional about Rose and Alec spending the night apart and the next morning, just hours before they were getting married, Alec was being assessed by the specialist Pete had flown in from London.
It was good news as Alec was putting his shirt back on, now more used to Rose trying to get it off him again as he buttoned it, she was waiting to be called in, two hours before the wedding at two. Her dress was ready for her to step in to and the commissioner had kindly said they could use his garden for the venue. Camille was being maid of honour, Jake best man and Jackie was fussing that Tony would step up at the right time with the rings and they were all waiting for Rose and Alec to get back.
Rose was called into the small office that the specialist, Mr Mason had borrowed. She had insisted Alec be examined on his own so he wouldn't get distracted and would answer the specialist's questions honestly and not hold back any vital information she didn't want to hear.
''I have good news Alec, you'll be fine until your scheduled surgery date and whichever hospital you choose, I'd like to be the one to perform it, if you'll allow me and I don't know why you were told your chances were not good, they are excellent according to my findings. The diagnosis may have been rather hasty but I expect that's down to the health service's limited time they have to study an individual case. I've performed numerous operations on people with a lot less chance than you were given. I noticed you'd had a fairly recent attack? I'm very surprised they didn't just do the surgery at the time.''
''It was a small community hospital where I used to live. I chose Exeter university hospital for the surgery as I expect to be recalled back home to a hearing of a case I worked on.''
''Well there's really no need for you to wait the three months, I can arrange it all for you, just give the word.''
Alec looked at the woman who in just a few hours would be his wife. Would she see now there was no actual need to get married? Maybe he should have waited to get the opinion of the specialist first before hastily proposing to her.
''It's something we need to discuss then, we're getting married in just over an hour, we thought you would say exactly the same as the other consultants I've already been seen by.''
Mr Mason smiled. One of the reasons he was so highly regarded in his field was his talent for assuring patients he would give the best option to survive and his rate was extremely high. That was why he could justify his fee but as a favour to Peter Tyler, he had accepted the trip to the small Caribbean island as payment and only charge his fee for the actual operation.
''This is good Alec, it's what we wanted to hear. Let's get back and get ready for the wedding and we can let Mr Mason know when we've decided on a date for your operation. Thanks for coming all this way. Alec and I get married at the commissioner's residence at two, you're most welcome to attend.''
''Thank you for the invitation Miss Tyler. I'll finish up here and go freshen up and get a taxi to the venue. I look forward to seeing you when you return to London. Congratulations of your forthcoming wedding.''
Rose and Alec drove back to get ready, Alec electing to get dressed in the guest bedroom not previously occupied by Jake, who had since moved out the previous evening and was going with the wedding party to the venue then Mickey was coming back for Rose and Pete. Once they were alone, Pete stood in Rose's bedroom doorway.
''Well this is something I never expected to see, my stepdaughter marrying a police Detective. He makes you happy Rose, I can see that but why didn't you call it off when you found out he would be ok?''
''Because I spent too long not telling the Doctor how I felt, I love Alec, I'm not making the same mistake and in the back of our minds, there's always going to be the feeling when he goes for his operation that something could still go wrong. If that happens, I want to be his wife, that way I can take care of all the arrangements, he was dreading his ex wife doing it. We never even talked about it on the way back, even after he was told his chances were good.''
Mickey arrived and Pete locked everything up and they drove to the commissioner's residence but as they approached, the road leading up to it was lined with people, children were waving flags and throwing flowers at the car and cheering, Rose was in tears at the reception they received.
Mickey pulled up outside, Jackie and Camille were waiting outside, Tony was being instructed by Jake when to step up with the cushion holding the rings and the magistrate was awaiting the bride as was a rather anxious Alec, wondering if her silence on the way back was a sign she was backing out. They may have only known each other a short time but he knew what he wanted and as Rose was arranging her dress outside in the hallway, Camille handing a bouquet of white flowers to her, Pete took her hand and placed it in his arm, patting it and said, ''This is it Rose, this is your big day.''
Alec turned around to see his bride walk towards him and if he had died on the spot he would have gone more than happily but the fates were kind to him that day, he'd been given the hope he would survive his operation and he was minutes away from marrying Rose Tyler.
After all the guests had left the bar, they called a taxi to take them home, Bob congratulating the happy couple and insisting the ride was on him, Alec carried Rose over the threshold and managed to carry her up the stairs. He'd had Maria come in an hour ago and place candles in the bedroom and they were burning steadily as they entered, a sheer red thin strapped nightdress laid across the bed and rose petals on the pillows as he put her down in the middle, telling her to stay right there, she was not sneaking off to the bathroom to get changed.
ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo
Six weeks later
Rose and Alec were preparing to go back to London to spend some time with the family and Alec wanted Rose to meet his daughter and to explain to Daisy he was undergoing heart surgery. He persuaded his daughter to travel to London and wait with Rose and her mother while he was in the operating theatre. Alec was preparing himself and Rose left him to talk to Daisy while she and her mother went off, not telling Alec she was going to get a pregnancy test. Rose got back just before the orderlies came to take him to the theatre and asked to be alone with her husband.
''You have to come back to me Alec, you're gonna be a dad again, I just got tested.''
''That's wonderful Rose. Don't worry, I am coming back, you gave me a reason to go on already, now we can be a real family. Do you want to go back to Saint Marie?''
''Well it would be a shame to put all that garden furniture to waste and the commissioner is keeping the job open for you. It would be a great place to bring up our kids 'cos we're not stopping at one. Dad says he'll buy the villa for us as a wedding present. So what do you think?''
''Ask me when I get out of the theatre and if I don't make it, you made me very happy, I love you Rose Hardy.''
''I love you too Alec, I couldn't ask for a better husband than you've been the last few weeks. We'll all be waiting for you when you come out of surgery.''
As Alec opened his eyes again when the pacemaker had been fitted, he saw his wife's beautiful face smiling at him.
''Rose, Saint Marie will be the perfect place to raise our kids.''
The End!