“This isn’t quite how I was planning this...but….” he said with a small laugh before continuing
“The night that I met your father, do you remember that we had a dinner date?”
Kira nodded
“I knew that your visa was expiring in a week and I had come across a perfect way of keeping you in the country”
She raised her eye-brow
“I didn’t think that you had even given it a thought” she said in surprise
He gave a small laugh “It was the only thing on my mind, despite everything going on the thing I most dreaded was losing you…….ironic really”
Craig put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small box.
As he opened it her hand flew to her mouth as she saw the gold ring with the large perfect solitaire in its centre.
“I’ve kept this all these years” he said softly
“I couldn’t bear to get rid of it”
He smiled softly into her eyes which were glistening
“Kira I love you with every breath in my body. Will you marry, so that I can spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you”
Unable to speak she nodded her head feeling a tear trickling down her cheek
He moved forward kissing her lips softly, before taking the ring from the cushioned interior of the box and slipping it onto her finger
“I want to be here for you….and Alex, and I want to make sure that nobody ever makes you cry again. I need you Kira …… I wish you knew just how much”
Kira beamed down at him her eyes suddenly mischievous, as she stood up pulling him with her
“Really?” she whispered huskily “And how much is that. I believe that I’m no longer at your beck and call Mr Kent…. And right now I think that it’s only fair that you be at mine”
Taking his hand she led him into her bedroom before undressing him leisurely as he kissed her softly. They made love slowly, taking their time each knowing that they had the rest of their lives together.
EPILOGUE
A year later Kira stood by the pool watching the party happening around her. She and Craig had been married two weeks after returning together to the island. The ceremony had taken place on the beach surrounded by his friends and Bill and Marissa. Marissa had held a wriggly Alex in her arms, while Tom had stood by a nervous Craig winking at Marina who had been her bridesmaid. Three months after their wedding they had returned the favour when he had married Marina.
Bill had proudly walked her down the makeshift aisle smiling happily as he handed her to Craig before joining his wife. As they had both solemnly exchanged their vows with such conviction and sincerity there was hardly a dry eye on the beach, and once they had been announced man and wife the two had kissed so passionately that the congregation had clapped.
Now on their first wedding anniversary she stood watching as their friends and family – for to her Bill and Marissa where very much family - were once again joined to celebrate their happiness. She smiled softly as Alex hugged her daddy kissing his chin and cheek while giggling uncontrollably delighting in him throwing her in the air, before catching her and swinging her around. She had very quickly become a daddy’s girl and he had been absolutely devoted to her.
Sitting down talking she could see Bill, Marissa and Paul laughing together. Bill had made such a good job of the Superior refit that soon the commissions had come pouring in, including those from Paul. They had become firm friends, and he and Marissa now spent a great deal of time at his estate. The American side of the business had taken off so well that now they had bought a home just outside Vegas, where they were able to meet up with Kira and Craig regularly.
Hearing Alex laugh loudly she looked over to where Ben and Heather were now playing with the boisterous little girl. While initially surprised to find out about Alex they had become firm favourites of the little girl and had spoiled her almost as much as Bill, Marissa and Craig did. Kira had often laughed in exasperation as she would scold them all, but they knew that the moment their backs were turned she was just as bad herself.
Close by Tom was cuddling Marina whispering something in her ear, which had her smiling as she placed her hand on the small bump in front of her - their first child. Looking down she watched her own bump move slightly, suddenly feeling Craig’s arms circling around her while he looked over her shoulder touching her stomach. He felt the baby move within her, smiling lovingly at her.
“Bumps busy today” he chuckled
With a small sigh she replied “Just like its Daddy…not due for another week…..but won’t stay still….probably in their organising something “