NOWHERE MAN CHAPTER 6 THE UNEXPECTED

It was some weeks later. Jude was lying across the couch, his head in Lucy's lap as she read a course book. He thought how much better she looked. The colour was back in her cheeks, her blonde hair was freshly washed and her eyes were more alive. Deep down she was still hurting but she had come to terms with the fact that it would be there until she got definite news. She was trying to stay positive without giving herself false hopes. She was glad that College had started again. Studying kept her occupied and left her less time to brood.

She had found herself quite a heroine amongst her fellow students and the College newspaper had approached her to write an article along the lines of her speech. If only she would get some good news about Max.

Jude's hand reached up and caressed her bare arm while she stroked his hair.

"Like a drink, sweetheart?" he asked. "There's some Bordeaux open."

"Yes, thanks," said Lucy.

Jude sat up and swung his bare feet onto the floor. He went into the kitchen, poured two glasses then came back with them. He handed one to Lucy and sat down beside her as they drank.

Then they heard the phone ring. Lucy, who was nearest, jumped up. She couldn't understand why she felt so apprehensive as she picked up the receiver.

"Hi. Lucy Carrigan speaking."

She heard the line cackle – then she almost dropped the receiver as she heard a familiar voice.

"Lucy! Is that you?"

"Max!" exclaimed Lucy. "Is it really you?"

Jude looked up, almost dropping his glass. He jumped up and went over to her side.

"Yes, Lucy, it's me!"

"But we thought you might be dead!" Lucy was trembling so much Jude had to put his arm around her to support her. He strained to listen to the conversation. Lucy mouthed "Max is OK," as she listened to her brother's story.

"Our boat was shot at and went adrift. We ended up on some godforsaken island. It took us a long time to get back to base."

"Oh, Max. I've been so worried. We all have." And Lucy dissolved into tears.

Jude held her to his chest with one arm and took the receiver with his free hand.

"Hey, Max, man. Great to hear from you again. Can't keep you down, can they? When will we see you again?"

"In a few weeks, I hope. I have some leave coming up. I can't wait to see you all again."

"And we can't wait to see you. So get home quickly, you bugger."

"OK, Jude, great to hear your voice. Put Lucy back on. And you'd better take care of her until I get home."

Lucy spoke to Max a few more moments while Jude kept his arms around her. When she hung up and turned to look at him with a radiant smile, the tears were running down her cheeks. Jude picked her up and swung her around until she was dizzy. Then they clung to each other, sobbing with emotion. This was a miracle. Jude wanted to run out into the street and scream with ecstasy. But there was another way he could celebrate.

He went into their room and took a small package out of his drawer. He had intended to give it to Lucy some time back but with the state she had been in he didn't think it would be appropriate. But he couldn't think of a better time than now.

Jude came back into the room, his hand behind his back. He grinned at Lucy.

"I've got something for you."

Shyly he handed her the package. Lucy opened it and gasped to see a diamond ring. It was not an expensive ring – but it could have been the crown jewels.

Jude now sank to his knees before her. He took her hands and looked at her with his deep brown eyes in a way that always made her melt inside.

"Lucy," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You're the most beautiful girl I have ever known and I love you more than anything in this world. I have never felt this way about any other girl and my time with you has been the happiest of my life. And Lucy." He hesitated then said quickly "Will you marry me?"

He looked at her, his eyes brimming with tears as they pleaded for affirmation. Right now his heart was in her hands. For a moment she seemed speechless and Jude felt with a sinking heart that she was going to say no. Then her lips trembled and tears spilled from her eyes as she whispered huskily "Oh, Jude, yes. I will marry you."

With a cry of joy Jude sprang up and took her in his arms, swinging her round. "Oh, Lucy. You've made me the happiest guy alive."

They kissed each other passionately as their tears mingled. Finally their lips parted and they gazed lovingly at each other. For a moment neither knew what to say. They had gone through such joyous emotion in such a short time it was almost too much for them. Already Jude was picturing their life together, the children they would have. (He felt sure that Lucy would eventually want them.)

"We don't have to get married straight away," he murmured as he wiped away the remaining tears on her cheeks with gentle fingers. "It can be a long engagement."

"But not too long," replied Lucy. "I don't want to wait until I'm 64. I want to be young enough to have children."

"I thought you didn't want them," said Jude, grinning at the prospect of Lucy having his babies.

"Well, having your babies is quite an attractive proposition. But not immediately. Let's wait until we're ready to be parents."

They kissed again, Jude's hands going up Lucy's back then through her hair. Then they wrapped their arms around each other, Lucy laying her head on Jude's chest, listening to the beating of his heart. All the overwhelming joy made her feel weak and light-headed and she just wanted to melt into the arms of her lover. She saw her left hand resting on Jude's shoulder and saw it was still bare.

"Jude," she said softly. "You forgot to put the ring on my finger. We're not engaged until you do that."

"Some proposal, I didn't even put the ring on," Jude said drily. He took the ring from the box then taking Lucy's hand, he dropped back onto his knees and slipped the ring onto her third finger. He then kissed her hand before looking up at her.

"I would have liked to have got you a more expensive one -," he began

"It's perfect, Jude," Lucy interrupted. "I wouldn't have wanted a more expensive ring. Money can't buy love."

As Jude got to his feet Lucy looked into the face of the young man she loved. The young man she would one day marry and whose children she would bear. The man who was her lover, her friend and her soulmate. The young man she had almost lost. But as he had told her when he first come back nothing would ever come between them. And Lucy knew it wouldn't. For the long and winding road would always bring them home – to each other's arms.