Chapter 127

"I am so sorry for any lies I had to tell you. I have loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I fought it for so long. The mission was heaven and hell. I wanted you and didn't think I had a chance, and then with the amnesia all my dreams came true."

"Really, AJ? You're telling me the truth?" she exclaimed, the tears now falling down her cheeks.

"Yes, I love you with all my heart," he smiled, wiping away her tears; still on one knee in front of her, he pulled her rings from his pocket, and held them out to her on his open palm. "These past weeks having you and Angela with me, have made me so very happy. Please, say you'll give me a chance to prove I love you."

"I think I've known it all along, my love. I was just so afraid to look into your eyes and see I was wrong. To see regret," cried Sarah.

"Sarah, my love, look deep into my eyes and tell me what you see. Tell me what my heart has held in secret these past eight years. Tell me what I can no longer deny, what I wish to tell the world. Look into my eyes and see the love that burns there for you."

Gazing into his warm chocolate brown eyes, Sarah could see the love there. How could she have missed it all these years? So much love filled his eyes that she could almost feel the touch of it on her body. So warm and tender, and yet with a promise of overwhelming rapture. "Oh, AJ, you truly do love me as much as I love you. Can you forgive me for being such a fool, sweetheart? Can you take Angela and I back home where we belong?"

"There's nothing to forgive, my beautiful princess. Will you take your mother's ring back, my love?" he requested, placing it gently on her finger, after she nodded. "This wedding band and engagement ring, I chose for you the moment I saw it. It has so much beauty and fire just like you, my Sarah. Will you wear it for me again, and be my wife in all ways?"

"Yes, my handsome husband, but I insist upon a real wedding. One I will always remember. I want to walk down the aisle to stand beside you and say our vows. A day I will remember when I'm old and gray."

"Sarah, my love, you will never be old and gray in my eyes. You will always be as beautiful as you look at this moment. But if a wedding is what you wish, then a wedding is what you shall have!"

The limo pulled up in front of the Willard hotel and the doorman opened the door for the officer in Mess Dress uniform and the woman in blue jeans and a 'Marines do more before you get up, than you do all day!' T-shirt. AJ swept her up into his arms and was led to their suite by a bellhop, even though they had no luggage. Carrying her over the threshold once the bellhop opened the door, he whispered, "The royal suite for my princess!" and kissed her tenderly on the lips while still holding her in his arms. Slipping the bellhop a tip, they were soon alone.

"How is it you remember everything I say, my love?" she smiled tenderly at him. "I have always wanted to be a princess, and now I feel like one, because of you."

"I remember the things you say, because every word you utter is important to me. You are my life, my love, my heart, my princess, but most of all my wife, and I love you with all my heart."

"Oh, AJ, and I thought you didn't love me. How could I have been so wrong? I should have known, since I love you so much, sweetheart," she whispered. "I need you, AJ. I need you, right now. It's been so long since we made love. Please, let's not wait, but make love now."

"That was my plan, darling!" He smiled as he lowered her to her feet and reached for the hem of her T-shirt.

To be continued….