Rain on a Tin Roof: the conclusion!

Author's note: Hope you have enjoyed taking this little journey with me, and I'm kind of sad to see it end, but this is the final installment of Rain on a Tin Roof. This chapter has a bit more levity in it, because I wanted to end on a happy note. Thanks to all who let me know they enjoyed the story. Tell me how you like the end, and I COULD be persuaded to write a sequel, even though I have no plans for one at the present time.

"That's the last of them."

I sit on the couch with great dramatics, simply to illicit some sympathy from her. I don't get any.

"You moved six boxes. That's like a fifth of what the movers did, plus they moved big furniture, too."

"Six heavy boxes, I remind you."

"Yeah, linens, towels, pillows, magazines, office supplies, and newspapers. Poor baby."

I don't say anything, but I chuckle and close my eyes for a second. The French doors are open so I can clearly hear the Pacific Ocean hitting the sandy shore as the tide begins its ascent, cutting the distance from our condo to the water in half. The wind is picking up, and I can tell that a rare southern California shower is on the way.

This place is very different from the last place I lived. It was small, just big enough for me, and hadn't been redecorated in years. This place was bright and new and the perfect size for us. She spent lots of time and money in making sure that it was decorated to her expectations.

I open my eyes, and am treated to a nice view of her backside as she leans over to open the box of magazines that I worked so hard to bring in. To my disappointment, she stands up and looks at me, giving me a disapproving look. She rolls her eyes, but she is smiling, and moves to a different part of the house.

I stand up and walk out onto our deck. I look out into the deep blue waters, and realize how I almost lost the best thing that ever happened to me. Four months ago, I sat on her doorstep thinking that I had screwed things up, never to be repaired. But she followed me out to the street. We spent the next few days just talking things over.

It was a slow process. I'd treated her badly, and she should never have taken me back. It took a while to regain that trust. But fortunately, she gave me a chance, warning me that Southern women rarely give out second chances, and never thirds.I honestly don't think that will be a problem, though.

She finally opened up to me and told me how miserable she was at the White House, so I suggested that she move out here with me. I helped her get a job at a law firm that belongs to a friend of mine from Duke. He's from North Carolina, so they get along great. We are planning on having he and his wife over for dinner next week, after we get the place set up to her standards.

What has been most enjoyable about the last few months has been the moments when it's just the two of us alone. Those other times before, it was just comfort sex. Now I sleep with the woman I love every night, without the awkwardness, without the pain it caused before.

"Sam!?!"

I hear her call frantically, drawing my name out to four syllables, and I smile as I make my way into the office that we will share.

I lean in the doorway and innocently ask her what the problem is.

"Sam what is this?"

She is holding the blue velvet box that I secretly planted in the box of office supplies.

"What does it look like?"

She looks at me with an incredulous look. I love it when she gets flustered.

"Ainsley, I think you know what it is. Aren't you going to open it?"

She swallows and holds it out to me, her hands shaking.

"You do it."

I walk over to her and take the box from her, opening it as I turn it around so that she can see the contents.

She gasps as she takes her first look at the three square-cut diamonds on the platinum band.

"Sam…I."

I place a finger over her lips, because I know if she starts, I'll never get a word in, and I have lots of words to say right now.

"Ainsley, I know that this seems fast, but you know that I love you. We tell each other that everyday. We've got this great new place, but I want it to be the Seaborn home, not Sam and Ainsley's love shack."

She chuckles at my lame attempt at humor.

"Seriously though. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know that I've given you reason after reason not to trust me, but I think that we're past that. I hope we are at least. I want you to be my wife. I'll do anything to ensure your trust, for as long as I live. So…"

"Just love me, Sam. That's all I need."

Our lips meet briefly, and she pulls the ring from the case and hands it to me, holding out her left hand. I put the ring in its proper place, and kiss her again.

Then the rain begins to hit roof, and everything is perfect.