“Don’t say stuff like that. You don’t need to be here.”
He got down on one knee, his heart open and bleeding for her to see what he was trying to say.
She yanked out of his hold, and Scarlet was walking away from him. Richard couldn’t allow it to happen. He loved her, damn it.
Without thinking he began to sing. Scarlet stopped and turned to stare at him. He was singing a tune she loved to listen to. He knew this. He’d listened to her humming and singing the song, admittedly off key, in the office. The song itself had no meaning whatsoever. But he noticed it grabbed her attention. Security had come around and were tapping him on the shoulder. He sang louder.
“Richard, what are you doing? Stop doing this,” she said walking back to him.
“I can’t. I need you, Scarlet.” He got to his feet and took her hands in his. “I know I was a bastard for what I did to you, and I’ll spend the rest of my life paying the price.” He got to his knee before her once more. “I want to marry you.”
****
Scarlet stared at Richard, on his knees in front of her. People were staring, but he didn’t seem to care. When he told her he loved her, she didn’t know how to respond. Part of her wanted to believe him, while another part was afraid in case she opened up and was disappointed once more.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered.
“And I can’t go another day without being with you. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I’m really sorry for my part in that. When I got you to sign that damn contract I did it because I wanted you. I wanted you so badly and didn’t know what to do to get you.”
His words enthralled her.
“My family is f**ked up. I mean really messed up. In fact over there is the happy couple,” he said and pointed at a couple she’d been serving most of the night. “Opal is the only good thing to come out of our family. When you walked into my life all I’ve ever wanted is to be with you. Until you came in I thought I’d end up married to a woman I disliked and hate my life.”
Tears fell from her eyes as he opened up in front of her, in front of all of these people. This was a man on the edge, and she could see how much he needed her right now.
“When I found out what David did to you, I wanted to murder him. That day you hated me for warning him, I claimed you and Harry as my own. I want you to be my wife, and I want to have babies with you. Grow old with you and live a life where I want to come home and see your smiling face.”
She watched as he pulled a box out of his coat pocket. “I bought this a few months ago. I thought about you. I always think about you.”
Richard opened the box, and she gasped. The beautiful dolphin was dazzling to the eye.
“Scarlet Hughes, I know I don’t deserve you, but if you give me a chance I know I can make you the happiest woman on earth. I love you, and would you do me the honour of becoming my wife and making Harry my son?”
This was the strangest thing to ever happen to her in her entire life. She never thought a man would propose to her and want to take Harry as a son.
She stared into his eyes and knew she loved him with her whole heart. How could she not?
“Yes,” she said, and the tears were freely falling.
Richard stood and grabbed her in his arms. Cheers and applause were all around. He picked her up and escorted her out of the room and to his waiting limo.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a giggle.
“To go and pick up our son and start the rest of our lives.”
Chapter Fifteen
Scarlet could practically hear them biting at the door. Their muffles and shuffles were distinct through the wooden door.
“You know I can’t concentrate when you’re hovering this close,” she called through the thick door.
“Sorry, it’s Harry’s fault,” Richard said.
“Hey.” Harry sounded outraged.
She chuckled, and after doing her business she placed the stick on the sink counter. Scarlet couldn’t believe how amazingly her life had turned round in the last few weeks. They’d moved into his old family house where four previous generations had lived. Harry thrived under the attention of Richard. They were a happy family.
The date for their marriage was set for some time in the summer. The ring on her finger glinted and always managed to catch her eye.
For the first time in her whole life she knew what it was like to be loved and give love in return.
One minute left.
She wore the dress she’d seen at the store a few weeks ago. She recalled looking at the price tag and putting the design back. Richard had given it to her this morning along with a pregnancy test. He couldn’t wait to know the answer.
The guy was like a big kid, but she loved him with her whole heart.
She rubbed her hands together and moaned in frustration. Why did two minutes suddenly seem like the longest in the world?
****
It was official. Richard was ringing the test companies and complaining. There was no way in hell those things had taken two minutes. Already it felt like a lifetime. Harry sat in his lap and was reading a book to him. They sat against the opposite wall from Lydia, who was on the stairs, and they were all waiting for the news.
Not to mention the guests he’d invited over. Shit, Scarlet didn’t know about them yet. Tony, Wayne and Lily, his sister and few others were invited over.
Regardless of what the outcome was of this test, he wanted to celebrate them moving in together.
“She’s taking so long,” Harry moaned.
“I know, buddy. But remember to always be polite and wait for a woman to make the first move.”
The door opened, and she stood in the dress she’d wanted so much. Her tits looked really good, and he moved Harry away. Richard’s c**k was already stirring to get her alone.
“Well?” he asked.
The suspense was killing him.
Her face lit up like a light bulb.
“We’re going to have a baby?” he asked. Scarlet nodded, and he grabbed her in his arms and spun her around.
“What does this mean?” Harry asked.
“It means you’re going to have a brother or sister in a few months’ time.” Richard ran his fingers through his son’s hair.
“What happens to me? Do I get sold on?”
Scarlet and Lydia laughed.
“No, buddy. You know Auntie Opal? Well, I’m her big brother, and what it means is you’re going to be a big brother when mummy gives birth to a baby.”
“I can live with that,” Harry said and walked down the stairs with Lydia.