Closer to Love 💚

Chapter 20 - Final

******6 Months Later******

Franny woke up to Richard laying on top of her. "Why am I wearing a blind fold Richard?"

He laughed, "you'll see. Or you won't. But I need you to trust me, and get up."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him as she heard him moan. She felt him pull away, standing up, "is this a sex thing?"

Richard laughed again, "no. Well not right now anyways."

She giggled as she felt him grab her hand, helping her stand up out of bed. "Richard. What is going on? I thought we discussed this last time we were on vacation. I like to sleep in."

"Shh love." He grabbed some clothes, helping her get dressed in some jeans and a sweater while blindfolded. He grabbed her shoulders, guiding her to sit down on the bed.

She felt him putting on her boots, "this is kind of hot though right, you dressing me? Are you going to let me undress you whenever we're done with whatever the fuck we're doing?"

"Yes." Richard laughed, "just behave and trust me. And stop with the sex talk." He grabbed her hand, leading her downstairs and out of the back patio.

"Richard! It's cold as fuck out here." She only heard him laugh as she felt him grab her shoulders, positioning her where he wanted her. "Is it raining?"

"It's Scotland, it's always raining love. And no, it's snowing." He watched her turn her face up as snow began to fall. He chuckled, "ok love. You can remove it now."

Francesca lifted off the blind fold to find it was still dark outside. The entire garden was full of candles with Richard on one knee in the middle. "Richie!"

He smiled as he pulled out a ring box, opening it to her as she knelt on the ground in front of him. "Franny. I know we've known each other only for about a year, but I love you so much. And I have no doubts we were meant to meet. We spent way too much time trying to stay away from each other and I don't want to anymore. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me Francesca?"

Francesca nodded as he slid the ring on her finger, "of course. I love you too Richard." She giggled as he pulled her to him, crashing his lips into hers. She rested her head against his, "afraid I would say no?"

Richard laughed, "no. I knew you would say yes."

She laughed, standing up as he did. "What time is it?"

He shrugged, "just after midnight. I've been planning this and saw it was going to snow. So I wanted to do it now." He felt her wrap her arms around his neck once more, crashing her lips into his. He moaned before pulling away. "We're being watched."

She turned towards the house to see his family watching them, making her laugh.

"My mum was worried I would burn down her garden."

*****************************************************************************

******2 Years Later******

"Richie."

Richard woke up to Francesca groaning, shaking him. He sat up, looking at her clutching her stomach, "what is it love?"

"It's time Richie."

"What?!"

Francesca laughed as she watched him leap out of bed, getting dressed before coming to help her get dressed. "Breathe babe. We're only having a baby."

Richard nodded, smiling, "we're having a baby."

She watched him grab her bag next to the door, "go wake up your mum Richie." She saw him nod, leaving her alone in the room. Living in London, she was happy to have had Pat staying with them the last week knowing the baby would be coming soon. Francesca watched Richard come charging back into the room with his mother following him as she hunched over at another contraction.

******************************************************************************

Francesca looked from the baby up to the door as it opened to Margaret and Justin, "what are you doing here?"

Margaret smiled as she approached the bed, kissing Francesca on the head, "Richard called us yesterday morning saying he didn't think you would be much longer. Looks like we arrived just in time." She motioned to the baby, "can I hold her?"

Francesca nodded, "of course you can." She handed the baby to Margaret, "Samantha, meet Auntie Maggie and Uncle Justin."

Justin nudged Margaret's shoulder, "babe."

Margaret nodded, "I know." She looked at Francesca, "we're pregnant too, just found out." She laughed as Francesca squealed.

"Really? That's so exciting Maggie!" She looked up to see Richard enter, greeting Justin and kissing Margaret on the cheek.

"You guys got here just in time."

Margaret laughed, "that's what I just said. Thank you for calling us."

Richard nodded as he sat next to Francesca, "of course. I knew she would want you here. You're family." He felt Francesca rest her head against his shoulder as they watched Margaret and Justin fawn over the baby. He kissed her on the head. "Love you Franny."

She looked up and smiled at him. "You're the best. I love you too Richie."

~~~~The End~~~~