style="font-size:15px;"> ‘She said she knew Clair, implied things about your father. I swear I told her I didn’t know what she was talking about.’
‘I believe you. I’ll never doubt you again, my darling. I love you. With all my heart and all that I am.’
He kissed her deeply, lovingly with no reservations. Cradled her as close as humanly possible, only breaking away to breathe. Found the air clogged his throat at the love shining in her eyes.
‘I love you too, Matt.’
He slipped from the sofa onto his knees in front of her and held her hands in his.
‘Lauren Taylor, you are sweet and courageous, and I’ll love you ’til my last breath and beyond. I’m yours, only yours, for ever. Marry me?’
Lauren couldn’t speak. Her head spun as if she’d drunk too much champagne; the electrical zing from his fingers through hers was zapping along her veins at airship speed. Her already pounding heart threatened to burst from her ribcage.
The love in Matt’s eyes wrapped her in an aura of soft warmth, a haven where there were only gentle caresses and love. A special place of devotion and commitment. For two.
‘Yes. Oh, yes, please. I love you, Matt. I’m yours, now and for ever.’
He let out a roar of triumph, scooped her up and swung her round. She clung to him as her joyous laughter mingled with his. When he stopped, his kiss was gentle, reverent. He laid his forehead to hers.
‘I ache to make love to you, darling, but I promised Pete and Jenny we’d go and tell them the good news.’
‘Confident, huh?’ She tried to sound stern; it came out husky and adoring.
‘Optimistically hoping I hadn’t misread the signs when we were together, the passion when we made love. No way was I going to walk away unless you looked me in the eyes and swore you never wanted to see me again.’
He kissed her again then set her on her feet and nuzzled her neck.
‘We’ll still have all night.’
* * *
Matt missed the earliest flight home in the morning, caught the next and went straight to the office. He stood in the doorway, taking in the expensive décor, the stunning views and his father’s top-of-the-range desk. He didn’t need all this to define himself, never had.
Knowing Lauren loved him gave him a goal to be better than he was. It was time to lay the first ghost to rest. He strode purposefully across the deluxe tiles, through the first door and into the bedroom.
It was neat, tidy and impersonal. Overwhelming sorrow shook him as he thought of how much his father had risked for the brief encounters in this cold place. He thought of his mother knowing the truth and living a lie.
Closing his eyes, he conjured up Lauren’s lovely face as he’d kissed her goodbye, hair tousled, eyes shining. Together they’d face the uncertainties ahead. Together—a couple united by a vow to share life’s fears and sorrows, its triumphs and joys.
Leaving youth’s judgement and bitterness behind, he scrolled for his mother’s number. From today he’d make up for the years of estrangement.
* * *
That evening, Matt held his mother close without censure and, for the first time in nine years, embraced his father. The hug he received in return filled his heart with love and relief.
Marcus was almost his old self and pleased with the gift of his favourite wine. As Matt opened it he regretted missed opportunities like this, reflected on his culpability then let it go. The past couldn’t be changed but it could be left behind if they were all willing to face the future.
‘I’m in love with a very special lady and she’s agreed to marry me.’ He couldn’t keep it in any longer, and was elated at how good the words sounded out loud. Even more so when his mother hugged and kissed him and his father shook his hand.
‘She’s flying in from Sydney on Friday and I’d like Lena, Mark and the boys to join us here for lunch on Saturday to meet her.’
Before he left he had a private talk with his mother, pledging his and Lauren’s support in caring for his father. They’d sworn together to keep their knowledge of his father’s infidelity a secret from her, saving her any more pain.
Finally acknowledging that loving someone meant accepting their faults and weaknesses, he put his arm around her. Holding her close, he regretted the years they’d lost.
‘I was young, arrogant and so very wrong to keep distance between us for so long. If I hadn’t you’d have been able to confide in me and that reporter would never have had a story to write.’
‘You have your father’s pride, Matthew. Promise me you won’t let it come between you and Lauren.’
‘I promise. She’s more than I deserve, and is willing to help us keep Dad at home with you as long as possible.’
She wrapped her arms around him and he clung tight, grateful that he had the chance to make amends and heal the rift between them.
* * *
Mid-winter, the twenty-third of June. Lauren woke before the alarm, stretched and smiled at the blue skies behind the treetops outside. Sunshine as predicted for her winter wedding day, though not even a cyclone could mar the occasion. Tonight she’d be Mrs Matthew Dalton.
She threw back the covers, and ran to the shower, leaving the door open in case he rang early. He did, but by then she was perched on the side of the bed, wearing her dressing gown, and combing her towel-dry hair.
‘Happy wedding day, my love. I missed you.’ The sound of his voice, gravel rough from sleep, was her favourite way of starting each day.
‘Me too, Matt. I’m lost in this bed without you.’ She lay back into the pillows, wishing he were here beside her in the Fords’ guest suite.
‘Wasn’t my idea to spend the night apart. Clair and our mothers ganged up on me. Never going to happen again if I can prevent it.’ The low growl in his voice skittled up and down her spine. He’d only begrudgingly agreed after she’d said it would please the older women.
‘I’ll make it up to you.’ She dropped her tone, trying for seductive, laughed when he growled again.
‘You will, my love. I kept myself awake compiling a list.’
She quivered with delight, imagined ticking off each item. ‘I love you, Matt. Four o’clock is a long time away.’
‘Longer until we’re alone. Then we have two weeks, just you and me where no one can find us.’
Someone tapped on her door.
‘I have to go. I’ve got company.’
‘Look in the bottom drawer on my side of the bed, darling. I’ll see you at four. I love you, Lauren.’
Her mother peeped in as she ended the call. Along with thrilling Matt and Lauren
