Chapter 21

"Because I was afraid you wouldn't want me if you found out that I was older than you," Porter answered him.

"Oh, so you did think I was that shallow. I thought that you thought better of me than that, Porter. I guess I was wrong," he sighed and let go of her hand to pick up his fork and begin eating the food that had been sitting forgotten on his plate.

Realizing the extent to which she had hurt this wonderful man, she hung her head and said, "No, it's not that I thought you were that shallow, I was just that unsure of myself. I am so sorry that I hurt you, AJ."

"What hurt the most is that you wouldn't talk to me about what the problem was. If you had explained this in the beginning I could have told you that your age didn't matter to me."

"Yes, I should have talked to you about, but I was just so worried that you would end our relationship, and I didn't want that."

Putting his fork down he once again took her hand in his, and said, "You should have trusted in my love for you, my darling."

With a sigh, she said, "Then if you were to ever ask me that question again, you just might get a different answer."

AJ got up from his chair and kneeling down next to her, pulled the ring from his pocket and repeated the words that he had asked of her just a week ago, "Porter, would you give me the only gift that I could ever want from you, and do me the honor of marrying me?"

Stunned that he was still carrying the ring he had bought for her in his pocket, Porter looked down into his eyes and said, "I would be honored to give you that gift, my black knight."

With a grin starting to form on his face, AJ just had to be sure that she meant what he hoped she did, "That was a 'yes' wasn't it, my love?"

Her heart lifting with joy, she felt free to tease him a bit, "Let me put it in terms you will understand better…the party of the first part is offering an affirmative response to the terms and conditions that the party of the second part has put forth in this venture."

"Thank you, darling, you've just made me the happiest party of the second part that ever lived!" his grin lit his face now and he slid the ring onto her hand. It didn't escape his notice that she no longer wore her wedding ring set from Neville, and he was pleased that even though she had thought he was about to end their relationship, that she had still removed her rings. This told AJ that she was truly ready to move on with her life.

He stood and drew her into his arms for a tender kiss before suggesting, "I think we should finish dinner before I show you the gift my daughter sent to you and I ask you the other question I have for you this evening."

Smiling up into his grinning face, Porter replied, "I am learning to trust you on things like this, so if you think that is best then let's eat now."

Dinner was completed with much handholding and many long slow sensuous glances. When they were finally finished, AJ told her that she would find the gift from Francesca in his room. He explained that he would clear away dinner while she went to find it. "You do remember which room is mine, don't you, darling?" he asked with a loving look.

"Yes, I do," she answered and then added, "But how will I know what is the gift she sent?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll be able to figure it out, but if you need a hint, it's hanging on the back of the closet door," he informed her and began to clear the table.

Intrigued, Porter walked into AJ's bedroom and gasped. There on the back of his closet door hung a tea length gown of ivory lace, matching shoes sat on the floor beneath the dress and on AJ's dresser was a small hat that would compliment the outfit. Carrying the gown carefully in her arms she found AJ waiting for her in the living room. "What does this mean, AJ?" she questioned softly.

To be continued….