Chapter 19

They fell asleep in each other's arms, waking up just before dawn to make love again, this time slowly but not less thoroughly; their mouths and bodies locked in heated delight.

'Good morning,' Bo kissed her awake when the sun shone through the bedroom window. Carly's eyes fluttered open and she gave him a drowsy smile as she slipped her arms round his neck. 'Good morning, sailor.' She murmured, her lips brushing against his. For a few minutes, they kissed deeply; deliriously happy to be back together again.

'I love you,' Bo murmured, brushing back strands of hair from her forehead.

'I love you too,' Carly stroked his cheek. 'I've never been happier than I am right now.'

'Then how about making me even happier. I proposed to you before now I'm asking again. I want you to be my wife, Carly Manning. As soon as possible.'

Carly smiled wider, running her hand over that beloved face. 'I guess we're both too old for a lengthy courtship, huh?'

'I wouldn't say we're too old, not after what we did last night... and early this morning.' Bo's eyes glinted at the memory of their scorching passion. 'And you haven't given me a straight answer, princess. Will you marry me?' he asked.

'Of course I'll marry you, Bo Brady. I can't imagine wanting anything more.' Her radiant smile suddenly faded and Bo cupped her chin when she lowered her eyes. 'Hey, hey… where did that smile go? What's wrong?'

'Sailor...' Carly rubbed his arm, looking up at him. 'Are we really going to make it this time?'

'You still don't trust me?' he asked, a hurt look on his face.

'No…no, it's not that.' Carly assured him immediately. 'It's just…I guess I just need to feel reassured fate won't play another cruel joke. Whenever I'm happy, my happiness suddenly gets taken away from me. I don't want to go through that all over again.'

'It's never going to happen again, princess.' Bo assured her. 'We have each other, we have Starr and we're finally going to be happy. I understand what you mean but enough of the negative thoughts okay? We agreed to leave the past in the past. Fate brought you back in my life but I had to learn a few lessons myself before reaching this moment with you. I should've known the day you left the station that I'll never be free of you. And I'm finally where I'm meant to be; with the woman I never stopped loving.' He touched her face. 'You believe me, don't you?'

Carly was so overwhelmed by his words that she could only nod. Lowering his head, he kissed her passionately. Her arms moved up to encircle his neck and they began making love all over again, their bodies moving restlessly against each other's, hands touching and caressing as they expressed their love.

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After leaving the loft, Melanie picked up Starr from Caroline's as Carly asked her to. Caroline was adoringly reluctant to let Starr go and very pleased to hear that Bo and Carly have finally made up.

'Well,' she grinned on seeing Carly in the kitchen making coffee, 'someone had a wonderful night. '

Blushing and smiling, Carly gave Melanie a reproving look before lifting Starr from her carrycot. 'Hey sweetheart… did you have a great time at grandma's?'

Melanie sat down on one of the wooden stools at the counter. 'Nick bought drinks all round after you guys left, you left a crowd of people very happy for you.'

'I'm very happy myself,' Carly admitted as she sat down at the kitchen table, Starr gurgling in her arms.

'So, where's "Romeo"?'

'He went home to change, but he'll be back later. We're spending the day together, dinner afterwards. Which means…'

'I know, I'll make myself scarce; don't worry about it.' Melanie grinned. 'So, aside from what obviously went on last night, what else happened?'

'Well, before he left, Bo asked me to marry him.'

'Sweet!' Melanie clapped her hands, rising to kiss Carly on the cheek, hugging her. 'Congratulations… have you fixed a date?'

'No, not really. But it probably will be soon; there's the marriage licence to get for starters. I guess Bo will want us to have a quick simple wedding at City Hall. Maybe E.J can officiate if Bo doesn't mind.'

Melanie frowned. 'But Mum, you and Bo deserve more than a "quick do" at City Hall. All that time apart, you deserve a real memorable wedding.'

Carly looked thoughtful. 'I guess. But still, we don't want to make a huge fuss…'

'Oh come on, Mum!' Melanie objected. 'If you had to choose, what sort of wedding would you like to have?'

Carly thought for a few seconds. 'I would like to have a real traditional Mayan ceremony at Chichén Itza; in Mexico.' She smiled nostalgically. 'It's kind of a long story but Bo and I had a Mayan wedding ceremony at the very top of that pyramid, El Castillo. I was still legally married to Victor at the time unfortunately but Bo said we could still make vows and pledge our love to each other. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. Since it was symbolic, it wasn't valid. But it was really beautiful.' She sighed. 'But even if Bo would go for it, we can't. No one's allowed up there anymore, the stairs got too steep for tourists to climb. But I would really love to be married there again, with friends and family to witness us take our vows.'

Melanie of course couldn't tell Carly about her journey with Isabella; her favourite part in Carly and Bo's past being that Mayan wedding. Maybe it was symbolic but she'd never seen a greater love being expressed by any couple. And how Carly looked enchanting in that traditional Mayan huipil and the simple flowers in her hair.

She deserves to have that wedding, she thought determinedly. I'm going to make sure of it, with a little help and a serious talk with Bo.

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Starr tucked in her crib for the night; Carly went downstairs to the living room where Bo had dinner set out on a picnic blanket covering Carly's carpet; Chinese food, peach cobbler from Caroline and a bottle of wine. What they'd always preferred, having dinner in front of the fire at home rather getting dressed and going to a fancy restaurant, although they also did that back in the day and a few times after her return.

'This cobbler's delicious, I have to ask Caroline to show me how to make one of these,' Carly said, stabbing the piece on her plate with a fork and taking another bite.

'You're sure you're up to that?' Bo teased. During their days on the boat and when she lived with him at his house, Carly did her best but was still a disaster in the kitchen, no fault of hers- given her privileged background of servants and old money.

Carly raised her chin. 'You wait and see; I'll be like Julia Child yet and really surprise you with my new found culinary skills.'

Bo chuckled, putting his plate aside. 'Come over here, Julia,' he said, hand outstretched. Curious, Carly put down her plate and took his hand. He drew her closer to him. 'I've got something for you,' he removed a pink velvet box from his pocket and gave it to her. Trembling with happy anticipation, she opened it. 'Oh my…' she whispered at the sight of the exquisite antique ring. A round one carat diamond with three smaller ones on either side and set in platinum.

'It belonged to my Nana,' Bo explained. 'I wanted to buy you a ring but Mum insisted she wanted you to have this one.'

'But Bo, this is an heirloom, I can't possibly accept it.'

'She wants you to have it, princess and to be honest, so do I. It not only expresses my love for you but by accepting and wearing this ring,' he stroked her hair, 'you're returning to the family and taking your rightful place.' Which was what Caroline wanted Carly to realise.

Carly was deeply touched. 'That's so sweet. I love it,' she sniffled, kissing him on the mouth. 'And I love you.'

'I love you too, princess.' he replied, kissing her back. Pulling the ring out of the box, he took her hand and slipped it on her finger.

It was a perfect fit, which to Carly was a very good omen. And when Melanie saw it the next morning, she proclaimed it, "the most fabulous ring in the world."

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'Oh there's nothing to thank me for, dear.' Caroline hugged Carly after Carly expressed her gratitude. 'You more than deserve this ring. I know that you and Bo are going to be very happy from now on. Just like we're all happy to have you back among us.'

'I'm very happy too,' Carly replied. 'But Caroline, I don't know if Bo ever told you… what went on at the boat that last day…'

'He finally told me, when I gave him the ring to give to you. I realised what I should have known long ago, you were a victim of circumstances. What Lawrence and Vivian did to you both was unforgivable; at least we'll never be bothered by them. I'd just like to see Vivian dare set foot in this town again. Don't think of that time, Carly; it's all behind you. You have your future ahead of you now.' She soothed, hugging Carly again. 'Now, when is the wedding and what sort do you hope to have?'

Carly mentioned the possibility of a civil wedding at City Hall and Caroline voiced her disapproval of it. 'What's wrong having it in church? Technically Bo's not a divorced man; you both will be allowed to have a proper church ceremony.'

Carly hid a smile, wondering what her future mother-in-law would say if she knew the type of wedding she really wanted. So far, Bo didn't know about it and she didn't want to tell him so he would go through a lot of trouble making her dream a reality. The civil wedding was good enough for them, they could have a small reception at the house and their honeymoon destination was of Cancun; they'd mutually agreed on that one at least. She couldn't wait to see it again, the place where she and Bo really lived their love.

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'Hatching another plan, ladies?' Nicholas joked, finding his girlfriend and sister chatting animatedly in the living room. The Alamain mansion looked a lot better than it was during Lawrence's time after its face lift; no longer gloomy and austere instead now more homey and pleasant.

'In a matter of speaking. You're just the man we've been waiting for.' Melanie said.

Abby waved him over. 'You need to be a part of this, honey. Come sit.'

Curious, yet amused, Nicholas moved to sit next to Abby. 'I'm all ears.'

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Days later, after Bo moved his things in and Melanie moved to the loft, the girls and Nicholas showed up, a large white cardboard box in his hands.

'An early wedding present for you, Mum, from me.' Melanie said, taking it from her brother and handed it to Carly.

Carly looked at them suspiciously, they looked as though ready to burst. 'What's going on?' she asked.

'You'll see in time, just open it Carly, please!' Abby begged, clapping her hands excitedly.

'Go on, Mum.' Nicholas urged.

'Okay…' Settling down on the couch, Carly tore off the cellophane and opened the box. Something was wrapped in tissue and she brought it, unfolding it. 'No…. way…' she gasped. It was a Mayan wedding huipil, beautifully embroidered and made of lace. 'Mel, where did you get this?'

'It's amazing the things you can buy online,' Nicholas grinned. 'Melanie found it on eBay.'

'It's beautiful!' Carly held it against her chest, it was floor length and some people might regard it as bohemian but she loved it very much. 'This is really exquisite, thank you!'

'There's more.' Abby beamed. 'Honey?' she said turning to Nicholas.

'Melanie told us about your dream of getting married at Chichén Itza and wondered if there was something that could be arranged.' Nicholas explained.

'Oh you really don't have to do anything!' Carly protested.

'No, no… it's already been done; hear us out.' Nicholas continued. 'I made some calls and you and Bo will be able to have your wedding- an authentic and binding traditional Mayan wedding- at the foot of El Castillo. Plus, a two week stay at the honeymoon suite at the Hotel El Corazon in Cancun. And one more thing, it's my wedding gift to you both so it's all on me.'

'I can't believe this!' Carly could barely let out her words of astonishment and delight. 'Is this for real?'

'It is!' Melanie put her arms round Carly's shoulders. 'You deserve to have the wedding of your dreams.'

'Oh my,' Carly was still trying to digest this wonderful surprise. 'But what about Bo? I have to discuss this with him first.'

'Discuss what?' Bo asked from the foyer as he closed the door behind him. Hastily, Melanie snatched the dress from Carly.

Bo entered the living room, smiling on seeing Melanie and Abby hastily hiding the dress from view. 'I take it that's your wedding dress, princess?'

Carly raised an eyebrow in askance. 'You knew about this?'

'Are you kidding? These two spent half an hour gabbing…' Melanie and Abby bristled indignantly while Nicholas chuckled, 'and stating their case over why you should have your dream wedding, not realising it I already agreed with them within five minutes.'

'Oh, you…!' Melanie flew at him in mock anger and he dodged, laughing.

'So, you approve?' Carly asked.

'What's not to approve?' Bo put his arms round her. 'We pledged our love there years ago, why shouldn't we go back to the very place that meant so much to us? Getting married to you there will be great,' he stroked her hair,' more than great and I'm aching to see Chichén Itza again.' Carly grinned happily; pleased to see they were on the same wavelength.

'It's beyond generous, Nicky,' Bo shook his soon to be step-son's hand after Nicholas explained he was paying for their wedding and honeymoon. 'But you really shouldn't have.'

'It's not only for Mum, it's for you Bo. You two should've been married years ago, it was more than obvious you belonged with each other but I was a stupid, arrogant little boy who didn't know better and my father and aunt's influence didn't help.' A flash of bitterness spread across Nicholas' face. 'And I failed Mum in so many ways, refusing to admit she was better off with you and my father was a bastard to have won her through his selfish manipulations. Please do me the honour of accepting my gift, Bo. It's my way of making up for being such brat years ago and also…' he hesitated, 'I was hoping if, well Melanie and I hoped…' He turned to his half- sister who suddenly looked shy as they both moved closer to Bo and Carly, their eyes on Bo's face.

'Bo, if I had you as a father figure, you would've been a stronger and better influence to me than Lawrence Alamain, because you've always been a loving and caring man. ' Nicholas went on. 'I'm lucky to have the love of a good woman and I would count myself lucky if I had you for a father, like Shawn D is.'

'Bo, I love you as much as I love Daniel and not just for Mum's sake. I love you because you're you; you're protective of the people you love, you made your mistakes but overall, you're selfless. And if it wasn't for fate's cruelty, I would be a Brady today. So as far as I'm concerned I've got two Dads, if you can regard me as your daughter from now on.' Melanie said, her voice breaking with emotion.

Nicholas' face wore a solemn expression but his green eyes were emotional. 'And I would be beyond honoured if you can regard me as your son,' he said.

Without a word, Bo let go of Carly and drew Melanie into his arms, hugging the sobbing girl. Walking up to him, Nicholas received a hug as well, which he returned without hesitation. Hand pressed against her chest, Abby watched the touching scene before her with tears filling her eyes, resting her head against Carly's shoulder when she put her arm round her.