“You love me?”
“With all of my heart,” he told her and handed her the wedding band. “I don’t need this anymore and this is the only proof I can give you that I’m ready to move on.”
She took the ring from him. “This is the one you wear all the time.”
“I know. But I don’t need it because while I’ve been away I found this.” He pulled the necklace out that he’d taken to wearing since leaving Cape Falls. Hanging from the centre of the necklace was a diamond ring.
“Miss Laura Cox, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
* * * *
Laura couldn’t believe what was happening. It didn’t feel that long ago she’d been watching him leave. Now he stood before her asking her the question she’d wanted to hear so many times in the last three months.
“I’ve got to tell you something first,” she said. Laura didn’t know how he’d take to learning she was pregnant with his child.
“What do you need to tell me?” he asked, sitting down on the bed beside and taking her hand in his.
She knew she should be angry with him. But how could she be angry? He was back and for the first time in a long time she could smile again. She loved him and wanted him to be near her.
“I’m pregnant.”
“Peter, told me. I’m so happy about this. I want us all to be together. A family.”
“What about what people think?” she asked.
“Do I look like the type of guy who cares what someone else thinks? I left because I was worried about you. I don’t want you to be gossiped about. I love you, Laura,” he told her. He cupped her cheek and leaned down to kiss her lips.
She gasped and in an instant her heart opened.
“I understand if you hate me...” Dean started to say, but she stopped him with a finger over his lips.
“Shut up," she told him. "Just promise me you won’t leave me again and then hold me. I can forget about the rest.”
Laura knew how she felt about him. The past and the hurt was forgotten at the thought of being with him for the rest of her life. Her happiest times had been with him.
“You’ll never get rid of me. I didn’t put the house up for sale, Laura. I still own it. I want you to be my wife and live with me there” Dean wrapped his arms around her.
She smiled as his scent surrounded her, comforting her.
“You’ve got to start eating though. I don’t like seeing you this thin. I want my Laura back.”
Epilogue
Dear Diary,
You may think I’m mad, but I took him back. No arguments and no fear. I’d missed him since he’d been away and having him back meant more to me than sending him off and making him work at being with me. We were married at Christmas. It was a simple ceremony. My parents refused to attend and some of the town folk don’t like us being a couple. Peter gave me away and signed as a witness. He’s my friend and I hope to see him happy with a woman of his own soon.
I didn’t lose the baby and I’m seven months along. Dean is nothing but attentive.
I’ve had a book dedicated to me, and a title named after me. Can you believe that?
Dean wrote about our encounters and how much I meant to him in a book titled, "To My Saviour, Laura Cox." At first I thought it would be insane and a stupid idea. When he wrote the blurb he explained that he’d combined a story based around characters in our lives. He and I and everyone else were made up, apart from Peter. He’s in it, of course.
My writing is back on track, but I’ve not returned to college. I don’t want to return, but Dean has put his foot down. I’ll be returning in a year or two. I hope I can keep him distracted so I don’t have to return to college. I love being his wife and I don’t need anything else.
Who would have thought I’d be married and happy in the few months of getting to know Dean? He means more to me than anything. We’ve crossed so many boundaries to be together. I love him with my whole heart.
* * * *
A note from Dean,
Thank you for giving me a second chance, even though I don’t deserve it. I love you and will cherish you always. Being with you and crossing the boundaries from being friends to lovers and from lovers into a married couple has been the best decision I’ve ever made.
I’m pleased you turned up that night and forced me to recognize my feelings for you.
I love you, my Laura.
The End