As Marc had driven up to the villa, Kelly had felt the sensations of happiness filling her soul. She felt real excitement and a sense of joy to be returning to the villa she had grown so much to love, drinking in the look of the familiar landscape, sighing contentedly as he had smiled back at her
“Glad to be home” he asked
Kelly smiled back knowing for the first time that this was really going to be her home. She was no longer a guest, unsure of how long she was welcome to stay. As though sensing her thoughts, he reached out for her hand looking at her with those black eyes
“The place has been so empty without you” he whispered “I missed not eating with you at night, the way you always argued with me”
She had flashed him an indignant look
“I don’t argue…” she had said before laughing as she caught herself arguing with him, the two of them giggling like teenagers.
He had helped her out of the car kissing her as she stood beside him.
“Ready” he asked suddenly very sombre as he held her hand
She had nodded her eyes a little nervous as her mouth smiled happily back at him
Marc had phoned ahead to say that he was returning that afternoon, but had said nothing about Kelly, ignoring the many questions thrown at him as to what had happened and had he found her, and so it was with surprise that Beth had spotted her hovering beside Marc as they crossed the threshold.
Running forward she had cried
“Kelly, thank God you’re home” before grabbing her and hugging her with such deep affection that Kelly had laughed
“We all missed you so much” she cried “Max especially” she added her eyes flicking to Marc.
“Are you back to stay” she asked with real concern in her eyes, as Kelly had smiled back
“Hi Beth” while gently freeing herself from the smothering embrace of the older woman
“Yes I’m back to stay” she said her look flicking to Marc who was smiling at her with such love.
As she had been released Beth had gasped in shocked surprise on spotting the ring on Kelly’s finger
Looking over at Marc she placed her hands over her mouth.
“Your mother’s engagement ring” she said looking at him with surprise
“You… you’re engaged” she said in total shock. Both Marc and Kelly were concerned to see tears filling her eyes, and Kelly was momentarily worried that Beth disapproved of the union between herself and Marc, until she had smiled widely once again throwing her arms around Kelly and then Marc
“Congratulations” she cried
“I’m so happy for you both” and then the tears had started to fall
Looking at each other in concern both Marc and Kelly had looked on at the woman before them
“Beth….” Marc had questioned softly
“Don’t take any notice of me” she cried waving his hand away “I was just so worried that the two of you wouldn’t be able to see how perfect you were for each other, and then when you left Kelly…..”
Kelly had taken her hand smiling softly into her eyes “Well I’m back now…..and I don’t ever want to leave…..besides if I do apparently Marc will just carry me back” she chuckled making the other woman laugh also. Marc had smiled a little sheepishly
“Where is Max” Kelly asked softly, her eyes scouring the hallway in search of him
“Oh” Beth cried running back into the kitchen
Both Marc and Kelly looked at each other with laughter in their eyes. However, in Kelly’s there was also a wary hint of concern
“How will he take what I did” she said biting her lip
“Don’t worry” Marc replied “He loves you”
Just at that moment a small figure came running around the corner. In the two weeks she had been away he had become very sure on his feet and was now running quickly in the lopsided way that toddlers did. He was giggling as he ran from Beth, but when he caught sight of Kelly he had stopped, before running towards her with outstretched arms crying “mummmmy”
With a small sob she had ran forward dropping to her knees to pull him into her arms and swing him high in the air. Marc and Beth had watched as the two had held each other, the tears once again coming to Beth’s eyes.
“So much better” she mumbled.
Marc had moved forward his arms going around the two, kissing each in turn. Beth Green sighed with contentment.
Kelly had been surprised when Marc had carried her bag back up to her old bedroom. Raising an eyebrow as she looked at him questioningly
“I thought…” she said looking down at his room
Marc had smiled “Ah, but you are not my mistress and I am willing to wait for say 2 weeks” he said with a twinkle in his eyes