Love All

Love .... Always

Tom ran down the stairs and out across the concourse. Suit jacket flying, tie slung over his shoulder he sprinted for his life. There was no time to lose. It she left here, he knew he might not catch up with her in time. She could leave his house - and his life - forever.

His heart was racing, his chest tight. It wasn't the running. He was a fit man who could - and had - run with Usain Bolt. No, it was fear making him burn.

Fear he was about to lose the woman who'd smiled and laughed her way into his life and away with his heart. He scanned the surprised faces as he ran, pushing through the crowds, excusing himself here, apologising there.

"Cara! Cara! Where are you? CARA!" He called out, not caring who heard. In fact, he was relying on someone, somewhere, hearing.

Passers-by were stopped, arms grabbed, and faces searched. "Please? Have you seen a woman, petite, green floral dress, beautiful green eyes, and hair like silk?" His description was typically him. A mish-mash of romance with a touch of police style Identi-fit.

In his wake, he left a trail of negative answers, astonishment, and no small amount of curiosity. People turned to stare after the handsome and usually reclusive Hollywood actor, who was currently behaving as if he was starring in the denoument of some romantic film.

He grew dizzy, scanning left to right, up and down. Turning as he ran, desperately trying to find her.

"Caraaaaa!"

As he skidded to a halt at the gates, his stomach churned, and tears, unexpected and unstoppable, pricked his eyes. "Oh Cara, darling, where ARE you. I'm so sorry. So very sorry. I can't lose you,darling. I think... I love you." His hands on his head, he stood still, waiting. For what, he wasn't quite sure.

He hadn't realised he'd said it all out loud until a small voice behind him said.

"You love me?"

He spun on his heel, and there she was. Looking up at him, tears in her eyes, a small and hopeful smile on her face. She was, quite simply, the most beautiful woman in the world, and she was also, if he could perform a miracle, his girlfriend.

That miracle started with a kiss. Gathering her shaking body into his arms, he kissed her passionately. Without a thought, without a care. All he wanted was for her to feel even a tiny fraction of the love flooding through him.

Real, deep, endless love. The kind that made you weak at the knees. The kind that took your breath away. The kind that pierced your soul and filled it with a warmth and a desire so strong it made you want to yell and shout and cheer.

The kind that made you want to cuddle at night and share croissants in the morning. Sit watching the fire burn as the rain lashed and walk the dog through the park in the sunshine. The kind of love that had no name other than enduring.

When at last he was sure he'd convinced her with his lips, he let her go. "Yes," he paused, searching her eyes and finding his own feelings reflected. "Cara," He said softly. "Your name.. it means beloved in italian, doesn't it?"

She nodded, "Yes, my mum loves opera.."

He smiled and, still standing in the middle of the concourse, he stroked her cheek gently, gazing diwn at her. "Cara... cara mia . Ti amo infinamente amore mia..... I love you infinitely, my beloved."

"And I love you." She took his hand, threading her fingers through his. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you." She lifted his hand to her lips, and he gave her a soft look.

"I'm sorry I gave you cause to." Tom smiled and started to walk away, a battery of cameras and phones capturing every moment. For once, he couldn't care less.

"Come on, mum's waiting for us. She likes you already, you know. Threatened me with violence if I lost you " He grinned as she blanched.

"How... how does she know me?" Suspicion creeping up her spine. Surely not....

Tom winked. "Oh darling, you're going to love this...."

As they walked back towards the restaurant where their table, Tom's mum, and most importantly, the start of their future awaited them, Cara knew one thing.

No matter how much she was about to love the story, she would never love anything or anyone as much as she loved Tom.

Theirs was definitely a game, set, and love-match. Infinitely.