Laura sat starring at Jake her face frozen in shock. 'Right lets start again shall we? You have organised a wedding for me and I'm guessing you've done it because I'm pregnant and I'm just supposed to go along with this?'

Jake looked down at the ground shuffling his feet this was not going as well as he had imagined it would. He thought she would be happy, delighted that he wanted to marry her. But, it didn't appear that way.

'Laura can't you see we have to get married now you are pregnant with my child, that means something for me.'

'Well, I'm glad it does. It changes everything for me and for you in each of our lives. However just putting my sensible hat on here as I really think one of us needs to be doing that. We have known each other a few weeks and you want to get married? Are you crazy?' She was angry now he could hear it in her voice her eyes narrowed as she focused on him.

'Laura in around eight months you are going to give birth to the child that will carry on the Harrison name, one day take over the Kinkade Group so I am being sensible, I am thinking ahead and no child of mine will be born without us being married. The media would have a field day, it could damage the company today let alone in the future.'

Laura stood up walking around the garden. Jake watched her as she struggled to take in what he had said. He had thought she would be happy. He was willing to provide security, his name, a marriage. What more could she want?

She stopped and looked across at him her face full of anger and confusion. He stood up and walked over wrapping her in his arms. His face nuzzled in her neck as he spoke. 'Don't fight this Laura you know it makes sense and think of Charlie he gets a stable life and a new brother or sister. We can make this work you know, we can be a family.'

He felt her still as she let him hold her, she said nothing then quickly pushed him away. She put some distance between them and turned to look at him. He tried to read her face but for the first time since he had met her she seemed to be hiding everything she was feeling.

'Jake I'm so grateful you want to do this and believe me on another day maybe I would say yes. But, you make it sound like we are having a board member who is going to run your business one day. This child he or she can make up their own mind about their life. You are welcome to be part of it in fact I want you in their life. But, I wont get married just because you tell me to. And I don't give a stuff about the stupid media.'

She walked towards the house leaving him standing there looking after her. He couldn't move, didn't know what to say. Once again he had made a hash of it. How was it he had become this blithering idiot who was unable to form coherent sentences?

Had he made it sound like a business deal? She was partly right, somewhere in London his law firm were drafting the pre-nup agreement. If this had gone badly how the hell was he going to get her to sign that. Jim Bennett had told him clearly no marriage until it was signed off, there was far too much at stake.

He sat down on the bench running his hands through his hair. Everything was a mess he was hiding stuff from her and he didn't want to but how could he tell her about Will? He didn't know where to start and he was in deep. How could he let her know he thought he loved her? Should he tell her? She probably wouldn't believe him right now. He didn't know what to do. He thought about his Father. He would have known what to do next. It was a disaster.

Standing slowly he walked into the house. Laura was no where to be found downstairs. He had one foot on the stairs to go up to her when he stopped himself and turned around. He walked to the front door and let himself out.

He looked up as he climbed into his car she was at the window upstairs starring back at him. He went to wave but she had turned before she saw him do it.

Driving off the car phone rang and he hit answer. 'Boss right I have the plane booked for Sunday from Heathrow. Car will pick you up from the apartment at 10.00 and then wheels up 12.30 gives you plenty of time to get through the VIP suite and just incase you want to do any shopping in Terminal 5.'

'Hmmmm listen slight change of plan.'

'Oh Jake, have you cocked this up? You had one job to do.'

'I know, what the hell is wrong with me I can't do anything right these days.'

'Its simple you love her and with that all sensibility has flown out the window. It's actually quite hilarious and something I will definitely be putting in my memoirs about life with the great JH. The day he lost his mind.' Laura burst out laughing on the other end of the phone.

'Funny Lauren not. What do I do? Dad would know what to do now, I cant talk to Mum she would be down here in a flash. And I never said I loved Laura just to point that out.'

'Ooh no talking to your Mum so not a good move. Okay here is what you do. Go back to that hotel and get yourself a brandy leave it to me to sort this out. Now did you say it's Jules who is Lauren's friend?'

'Oh no not the two of you I beg you stay out of it.'

'Oh dear sorry I cant hear you bad line crackle, crackle.'

'Lauren you are bloody saying that I.' The line went dead. 'Dont want you spoiling anything.'

Jake banged the wheel as he drove slowly. Shouting at himself and generally feeling very pissed off. He rang Lauren's number several times but it just went to voicemail. Women - he was surrounded by stubborn women how had he managed that?

As he climbed out of the car he heard a voice behind him and turned to see a pretty angry looking Jules starring back at him. 'Jules please tell me you haven't had any phone calls.'

Jules eyed him up and down. 'I don't know how you manage it Jake Harrison but luckily for you Lauren and I are on the case. I feel pretty confident I can sort it.'

He took her arm leading her back towards the hotel. 'You stay out of this both of you, tell your new bestie that too. I will sort it she just needs some time to get used to the idea. She only found out she was pregnant a couple of days ago.'

'Hmmmm bit late to tell us to stay out of it. I mean come on Jake; Lauren is booking doctor appointments I'm surprised you didn't tell her to go and pick up a ring.'

'Point taken but don't you agree she needs to see a doctor and make sure everything is okay? Promise me you'll stay out it?'

Jake looked at Jules as they stood outside the hotel. He could tell she was thinking about the request. Phew problem resolved he thought to himself.

'No can do love, Laura is my best friend and I want her to be happy. For some reason I think you can do it but I tell you this cock it up again and I will break your legs.'

Jake laughed nervously Jules was starring at him with a very serious look on her face. 'I mean it don't mess with me Jake.' He held the door of the hotel open and nodded for her to head inside. She shook her head. 'Nope like I said Laura is my best friend and right now she needs me.'

Realising he had lost this battle he kept walking ending up in the office he was using. He sank heavily into the chair and swung it around to look out the window. He pressed speed dial on the phone and took a breath. She answered on the second ring. 'Right Lauren you and I are gonna fall out.'

'Jake boss listen we can help, its doable you know that.'

'This is my life you two are messing about with and more importantly its Laura's life I don't like it one bit.'

'Come on, don't talk to me about messing people about when you are carrying the secrets of the Harrison family.'

His head sank as Lauren uttered the words that brought him back to reality. 'Yeah okay point taken what a bloody mess. Right listen up you need to do something for me. Take the company credit card out of my safe the one for emergency use.'

'Ooh we have an emergency eh fantastic?"

'Lauren shut the fuck up and listen my temper is frayed enough as it is.'

'Sorry carry on.'

'Right go to Tiffany I need an engagement ring and a wedding band for Laura. What?'

'I said you need a band too.' Lauren spoke quietly as though to let the word register.

'Right yes fine get me one too.' He heard Lauren giggle and realised he must sound like a sulky petulant kid. 'Sorry.'

'It's okay boss I've heard worse. Right I will get this sorted shall I send you photos of engagement rings so you can choose one?'

'You choose it its fine.'

He heard her sigh.' No actually that's not fine you need to pick it so I will send you a choice and once you decide I will send them down to the hotel. I think I have an idea what ring size she might be so will give it a shot.'

'Fine whatever.' He cut the call and looked out. His carefully planned world had gone out the window the first day he had met Laura Jones and everyday since had been nothing short of well pretty wonderful actually and now she was carrying his baby maybe a son who would look like him and Charlie brown mop of hair and big brown eyes or a little girl who looked like her big eyes, pouty lips and a beautiful nose. He took a deep breath and opened his laptop trying to concentrate on replying to emails. Work could always be guaranteed to occupy him.

An hour later and Lauren started pinging photos of rings. He stopped at the second one and felt his chest tighten as he looked at the photo. He replied quickly this one.

Three hours later and he was looking at the ring in his hands. It was perfect. A heart shape diamond surrounded by diamonds. The Tiffany Soleste Heart - Lauren had told him on their last call. He turned it over in his trembling fingers and smiled this was definitely the one.

So I really am in love….

Laura eyed Jules suspiciously as she made them both a drink. 'Lets sit in the garden I love that the warmer weather is coming don't you?'

Laura followed her outside and sat down on the bench. 'So did he send you to sort me out?'

Jules laughed. 'Oh Laura love this is not a movie. No one sent me I came to see you. I'm worried about you, the baby and Jake.'

'Hmmm right well don't be worried and don't tell me what I should be doing I am so tired of it already today. Bloody man.'

Laura turned to look at Jules who was smiling. 'Laura you just need to stop fighting you know that don't you?'

'Fighting what are you talking about?"

Jules gave a deep sigh as she spoke. 'Right lets break it down and see if you understand. You met a guy he seems pretty nice, bit of a looker and oh he's bloody rich too. Really good thing is he seems to be into you. Nice odds so far. Then you have some mind blowing sex and oops you get pregnant. But, what happens he doesn't run the opposite way he says marry me be mine for ever.'

She tutted as she finished up. 'I mean love, marriage proposals they don't come every day. Say yes marry him you know deep down you want to.'

'Hmmmm thats what you think.'

'What I think is you are scared he is gonna disappear with a super model but you cant plan for that. No one can predict the future. Laura he likes you I would even suggest he probably is a bit in love with you and doesn't even know it. And whats not to love you are a catch funny, beautiful, bit stroppy but hey cant have everything. Don't pull that face you ain't 10 anymore kiddo. Think of Charlie and how this could change his life don't you think you deserve a break?'

'I just don't like being given an ultimatum thats all. You will marry me, we will do this, we will do that. Is that how my life will be if I say yes. I don't even know if I love him.'

'I think you are falling in love with him and your marriage will be what you what it to be. Unless you say yes you wont know and if you let him go who knows what super model he might end up with. You know they are all nutters they live on lettuce. To be honest you owe it to him to take him off the market.'

Laura started laughing. 'I'll think about it.'

'Well, thats a start. Now let me tell you about Brian's morning meeting. It was hilarious.'

Laura sat back in the garden chair not really listening to Jules. Say yes to Jake and then what? How on earth could this work? They came from completely different worlds. Would he make her give up her job? Would she have to live in London? Too much to think about just for her and what about Charlie and school. He was just settling down here.

'Huh sorry what did you say?'

Jules was standing up. 'I said I'm off got to go back to work or else I will be in trouble.' Jules leaned down to give Laura a hug. 'Think about what I said. But, if you don't think he's the one Laura then don't do it.'

As Jules left Ellie and Charlie arrived home. Charlie was full of stories of his day at school and the next couple of hours flew by.

She gave him his bath after dinner and said he could watch TV for a bit before bed. They were sat on the sofa cuddled up watching a Disney movie she had no idea what it was but he seemed to be enjoying it. Charlie looked up at her. 'I got a secret.'

'A secret? Ooh thats exciting. Whose secret Mrs Goddard? Ellie?'

'No silly Jake.'

Laura sat up. 'What secret of Jakes?'

'Cant say.' Charlie put his finger over his lips and shook his head. Laura knew what she could do to make him talk and started tickling him. 'Tell me Charlie or else more tickling.'

As Charlie wriggled around on the sofa giggling under the tickle attack she heard him say something and stopped. 'Say that again.'

'Jake loves you but it's a secret.'

'Charlie how do you know that?' Charlie wriggled away from Laura and sat on the edge of the sofa. 'He told me, we had pancakes.'

Laura lay back on the sofa. Could this be true? Charlie crawled onto her lap and nuzzled into her neck. 'I love you too.' She looked down at him his big brown eyes gazing up at her. 'I love you too Charlie. Now I think it might be time for bed.'

With Charlie in bed Laura decided to head for her bed too. She was exhausted too much thinking and morning sickness had worn her out. She tried to read her book but couldn't focus so reached for her phone.

She wrote a message to Jake it simply said yes.

He replied straight away I'm coming over be there in 15.

Jake was on one knee in front of a bemused Laura. He held the out small blue box out to her but seemed to be having a problem getting the words out. 'Do you want me to just say yes again Jake and then maybe drop me an email tomorrow with what you wanted to say.'

'Funny Miss Jones. That wont be necessary.' He took a deep breath and started again. 'I've got this.

Laura I know this is probably as far removed from romantic proposals as it goes but I promise I will be a good husband and a good father. I cant always promise I will always be in a good mood I don't think thats possible. But, I wont let you down.' He looked up at as he finished. 'Well?'

Laura had tears in her eyes and the start of a smile on her lips as she looked at him and said. 'Yes.' Her voice merely a whisper. He opened the box and took out the ring placing it on her finger. He brought his lips down to her hand and kissed it. 'Thank you I know I started off like an idiot today but I will get the hang of it I promise.'

'Hmmmm you've started well I don't know where in Lower Ripple we have a Tiffany shop.' Laura gazed in awe at the ring. It was huge - a diamond heart surrounded by diamonds and diamonds on the band. She didn't think she had ever seen anything so beautiful. 'Did you choose this?'

'I did as soon as I saw it I knew it was you. You have a big heart Laura so that deserves something in return.'

She sat still studying the ring. Was this really happening? Looking up Jake was still kneeling in front of her a serious look on his face.

Leaning forward to him she whispered. 'You are a bloody idiot and I must be one for saying yes. This wont be plain sailing but always be honest with me and I will do the same we cant ask for more than that right now. Now kiss me Jake Harrison and take me to bed.'

As he brought his lips to hers she saw a flash of something across his face but dispelled it and closed her eyes. There was no turning back now…..

Just in case anyone is wondering about the ring it does exist on the Tiffany website and is quite lovely!

Thanx as always for the lovely comments Jake is a brat and I think we have some hurdles to cross before we reach the end of this story….