Let me know what you think! – Heather
Chapter 34
On the floor of the maze was a trail of red rose petals, I took a deep breath and followed them. I came to a junction. The rose petals stopped. Left or right?
Pinned to the hedge was a note, I picked it up.
Take the right because you've always trusted me, even from the moment we met. Take the right because you called me to get you out of those cuffs a few days after I met you, knowing I wouldn't take advantage of you.
I smiled at that; it's true, when we first met I was nervous around him, sure, but deep down, I trusted him.
And I still did. I took the right, my heart pounding in my chest. I came to another crossroad.
Take the right because during the whole Ramos mess you called me and asked if I was ok.
I remember that so well, I'd just found out that maybe there was a hit out on him; that he might already be dead. With my heart in my throat I'd dialled his number and asked 'are you ok?' then I'd gone to try and have a psychic Ranger moment from the building.
I never claimed to be normal.
I took the right to the next intersection, and unpinned the note there.
Take the left because you stayed still for 27 hours so that I could get some sleep. Take the left because you were mad when you thought I hadn't been taking proper care of myself.
He'd looked so tired, so exhausted, and I'd been trying so hard to stay mad at him…but he kept doing all these things to my ear…
I took the left.
I came to another turning.
Take the left because when I was yelling at you over the Silvac thing you got right in my face and yelled back.
I knew now that if we argued it might be loud, it might be ugly, but I'd stand toe to toe with him and say what I thought, and damn the make up sex was good!
I took the left and carried on walking. Ah hah, another note.
Take the left because you tell me that I'm perfect and that I'm the best man you know – even though I'm not. Take the left because you never fail to make me smile and make me laugh.
My heart swelled, it felt so full of love that I had a momentary twinge of worry that it might burst.
I reached another junction – I had to be nearly there!
Take the right because I love you, more than I can ever explain to you, more than I can express. Take the right because you make my life better for having you in it; I can't imagine life without you. I love you Babe.
With a smile on my face, I took the right turning. I stepped out into the centre of the maze; there was a small pool in its centre. And floating on the pool's surface was at least a dozen floating candles; their light cast a gentle glow, lending the surroundings an ethereal feeling.
As I stood gazing at the candles, the soft strains of a Spanish guitar poured out into the night. I recognised the song instantly; it was Have you ever really loved a woman By Bryan Adams.
Ric eased out of the shadows at the other end of the pool. He walked towards me, stopping just before he reached me, and then he bowed. He held out a hand to me as he rose, and I placed my hand in his. He drew me towards him, his hands settling low on my waist. I put my hands onto his shoulders, and held him close.
To really love a woman,
To understand her – you gotta know her deep inside.
Hear every thought – every dream,
And give her wings – when she needs to fly.
Then when you find yourself lying helpless in her arms,
You know you really love a woman.
We danced together to the sounds of the music, our eyes locked on each other. Ric's eyes were dark with a passion so deep and strong that I should be frightened – he would do anything for me. But I wasn't afraid, I wasn't sure I'd ever be afraid again. Because I knew that by the light of the candles, he could see the same look in my eyes. Anything.
When you love a woman you tell her that she's really wanted.
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one,
'Cos she needs somebody to tell her that it's going to last forever.
So tell me have you ever really – really really ever loved a woman?Our bodies moved together seamlessly, neither of us sure where one of us started and the other finished. I moved even closer to Ric, closing the gap between our bodies until it was only our heads that were separate. Ric's gaze burned into me, branding me forever as his own.
To really love a woman,Let her hold you – till you know how she needs to be touched.
You've gotta breathe her – really taste her,
Till you can feel her in your blood.
And when you can see your unborn children in her eyes,
You know you really love a woman.
I wanted to taste him now – knew he could see it in my eyes. I licked my lips in invitation; his tongue darted out and traced the contours of my lips. Then he bit my lower lip gently, seeking entrance into my mouth. I opened my mouth willingly, and felt his hot tongue plunge into my mouth, caressing my tongue, sending waves of desire rushing down my body.
When you love a woman you tell her that she's really wanted.
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one,
'Cos she needs somebody to tell her that it's going to last forever.
So tell me have you ever really – really really ever loved a woman?We kissed like it was all that kept us alive, like it was all that we needed. Ric gentled the kiss then, and pulled back slowly. His desire soaked eyes met mine, both our chests heaving.
You got to give her some faith – hold her tight,
A little tenderness - gotta treat her right.
She will be there for you, taking good care of you,
You really got to love your woman…
As the song ended, Ric eased his body reluctantly away from mine. He took my left hand in his right, and went down on one knee.
'Babe.' Ric said softly, 'I love you. I can't imagine life without you; you're everything I need.' He took a deep breath, 'I want to wake up next to you, I want to make you laugh, and hold you if you cry. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me Babe?'
I felt tears of happiness well up in my eyes, 'Oh god, yes! Yes, Ric, yes!' I threw myself into his arms and he swept me up, holding me tightly. Then he kissed me, and I wouldn't have noticed if the world had ended.
We drew back so we could breathe and Ric reached into his pocket and a pulled out a ring box. He opened the velvet box slowly, and I gasped when I caught sight of the ring within. Bands of delicate platinum were wound together in an intricate celtic pattern, and in the centre was a diamond, surrounded by gleaming sapphires the colour of my eyes.
'Oh Rico!' I said, throwing myself into his arms again. He hugged me tightly, 'You like it then?' he asked, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
'I love it, it's beautiful! Thank you.'
'You're welcome. There were so many rings, but they just weren't you. Aly saw this one, and I knew you would love it.'
'Aly? You took Aly with you?'
'What did you think we were doing in New York?' He asked, amused.
'Bonding, shopping – not buying engagement rings! She's ok with it? You asking me to marry you, I mean.'
'Yeah, when I told her I wanted to ask you to marry me she screamed and started hoping up and down. Then she hugged me and told me it was my best idea ever.'
I smiled, yeah, that sounded like Aly.
'We'd better go to dinner babe, I don't wanna keep Aly waiting.'
Ric navigated us out of the maze and we went back into the house via the French doors in the playroom. Tank and Lester were sitting on one of the couches, ostensibly watching the TV. Tank's gaze flicked to my left hand. Then a huge grin spread across his face, 'SHE SAID YES!' he yelled.
The door to the playroom flew open and half a dozen people ran in, Aly was first through the door, and she all but screamed 'MOM! You said yes!' Then she leapt into my arms and started showering me with kisses. 'You're going to officially be my Mom now! Isn't that the coolest?'
'It's coolest!' I agreed, laughing as I hugged her to me.
We snuck glances at Ric, to see how he took the Mom thing. He looked dumbfounded, 'Mom?' he asked.
'Mom.' Aly and I said firmly.
He opened his mouth to say something, then closed his mouth. 'I…' he said. 'You…' he said. Then he shook his head helplessly and wrapped his arms round both of us. 'I love you.' he said to Aly. 'I love you.' he said to me.
'I love you.' Aly said to Ric. 'I love you.' she said to me.
'I love you.' I said to Ric. 'I love you.' I said to Aly.
Ric's eyes teared up, 'Goddamn dust.' he muttered, swiping at his eyes.
'Yeah.' Said Tank, doing the same.
'Men.' Aly and I said simultaneously.
Then everyone started talking at once and we were showered with congratulations from Tank, Lester, Bobby, Bear (he nodded congratulations), Casey, Aunt May, and my Bro's.
One by one they eventually departed so that Ric, Aly and I could eat. Dinner was perfect, but I honestly can't remember what I ate. Throughout dinner I'd look at Rico and think, 'wow, he's really mine.' And then I'd glance at Aly's impish smile and think the same thing. As impossible as it should be, we were a family.
'I wish my family could meet Aly before she goes back.' I said, wistfully.
'You wanna meet her crazy family?' he asked Aly.
'Uh huh! Oh can I stay just a day longer, puh-lease? Mom's told me so much about them!'
Every time she said Mom this huge smile covered my face, and Ric's too.
Ric pulled out his cell. 'Yo.' He said. 'Can I send Aly back tomorrow evening instead of tomorrow morning?' He paused. 'Stephanie agreed to marry me, and Aly wants to meet her Mom's family.' He paused. 'Yeah. Ok. Thanks Tai.' He hung up.
He turned to Aly, 'you go back on the private jet at 8:30 tomorrow evening, honey.'
'Wohoo!' Aly said.
'As you're having a late night tomorrow I promised Mommy I'd put you to bed now, so go get changed, ok?'
'Ok Daddy! Love you Daddy, love you Mom!' Then she gave us a hug each and ran back to her room.
'Does she walk anywhere?' I asked Ric.
Ric considered it, 'No.' he said, 'she has way too much energy for that.'
We cleared the table and then, together, we went to put our daughter to bed.
Later that night as I lay in Rico's arms I whispered to him, 'Thank you, this has been the best night of my life.'
He smiled, and a wicked glint I know so well entered his eyes, 'the night's still young, Querida.'
