Hi Readers,

This is my first story ever. I hope you like it. Let me know, please. Since I am new to this I can use all the help I can get. So you can e-mail me if you feel the need to help me. I want to thank everyone who has reviewed already. It sure makes me smile all day. Thanks to all who read my story and especially thanks if you review it.

Special thanks to Kerichi, Jamie, SchnugsAllAround, Kidarock, HappyCauldronScrubber, and Julieanne for your reviews. I hope you all will like the final chapter. So here it is. Please let me know if there is something I need to work on. I appreciate any help.

Sunny

Chapter Seven - True Love Lasts a Lifetime

After their afternoon of shopping, Harry dropped Karen off at the gym. She waved at him carrying her new clothes and shoes in her gym bag. Harry smiled and waved, "I'll be back in an hour."

Harry purposely drove back to Selfridge's department store. He'd had an alternative reason for wanting to take Karen shopping for work out clothes. He now had all of her new measurements since her recent weight loss. He went straight to the women's dress department and picked out an evening dress for the night. It was a knee lenghth elegant black halter top, low cut with black sequin accents. It would hug her curves in all the right places.

Earlier he had made reservations at the Petrus Restaurant in the Berkley Hotel. He couldn't wait to walk in with his beautiful wife at his side. He felt like the luckiest man on earth and he wanted to show the whole world. He was so relieved that Karen had forgiven his foolish mistake. He swore to himself that he would never take her love for granted any more.

He was leaving the women's department with his purchase when he found himself in front of the jewelry counter. He just casually looked when he spotted a spectacular gold three solitaire diamond necklace. It would look fabulous with the dress, but Harry stood there hesitating. Would a necklace bring back all the wrong memories of the one he gave to Mia? He didn't want to hurt Karen anymore, not when they had just gotten back together.

He was lost in thought when Rufus, the salesman who had waited on him before Christmas said, "Back again sir? That is a lovely choice for your lovely lady."

"What? No, I was just looking."

Rufus took out the shimmering necklace and placed it on the counter. "Tis a lovely pendant with three diamonds to signify eternal love, past, present, and future."

Harry said, "Right, that sounds great, but I'm not sure she would want it."

"I assure you, it would be a most welcome gift," the eager salesman said. "But if she should desire something else, it is Selfridges's policy to accept returns with receipts for 30 days after the sale, no questions asked."

He mulled this over. Maybe he could figure out if she would be angry or not and return it if she didn't like it.

"How much is it?"

Rufus grinned. "You are in luck; it is on sale, 75 off for just £520."

"All right go ahead and gift wrap it, but no bloody holly."

"Certainly, sir." Rufus began his intricate gift wrapping flourish.

Harry picked up Karen from the gym with the gifts safely hidden in the boot of the car. When they arrived home Karen questioned, "Did you make reservations?"

"Yes, 7:30 at the Petrus Restaurant."

Karen gasped. "That's a five star restaurant. I've nothing to wear."

Harry smiled and said, "Go on and get your shower. I'm sure you will find something that will do in your wardrobe."

Karen shook her head and mumbled, "The Petrus," as she headed off to the shower.

Thirty minutes later Harry heard a squeal of delight. He smiled as he knew she had found the black cocktail dress he had placed in her wardrobe. He tried to read the newspaper as he anxiously waited for her to come down. Harry's jaw dropped. He knew the dress would look good, but she looked stunning in it. She had fixed her hair and worn the diamond earrings he had given her on their 10th anniversary. He noticed that she did not wear a necklace.

He drawled in his smooth tone, "I see you found something to wear tonight."

Karen spun around for him and said pleased, "Thank you Harry, it's the most beautiful dress I've ever had."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him gently. Harry held her and said, "You make the dress beautiful, but I think the ensemble needs one more thing."

He reached down and placed the elaborately wrapped gift box in her hands. Karen's hands trembled as she opened the box. Tears started welling in her eyes when she saw the diamond necklace.

"If you don't like it," Harry started, "I can …"

Karen interrupted him. "I love it and I love you."

"Let me put it on you." He stepped behind her, kissed the nape of her neck and placed the shimmering necklace around her neck. "The salesman told me the three diamonds represent eternal love, past, present, and future."

Harry wrapped Karen in his arms. His voice was velvet and deep with emotion when he simply stated, "I want you to know that you were right. True love does last a lifetime. I love you, Karen, forever."

I have finally reached then end of my first story. I hope you liked it. I really hope you let me know how you think I did. Please review and give any suggestions. It was fun to write. I really appreciate all the encouragement everyone has given to me so far. It makes me want to do more. I have a lot of stories running around in my head, especially of Alan Rickman movies. I really don't care for how a lot of the movies ended, so different ending are running around my brain. When I get another done, if you like Alan too, maybe you will be kind enough to read and review that one also. If you liked this story, you can let people know it's here; especially if they like Love Actually.

Thank you to all who have read and reviewed. I look forward to your reviews of my final chapter. I feel like I just got a lot of new friends. Bye for now.

Sunny