Coming Home

Chapter 23.

Adrian and I spend the next two days in bed, making love and attempting to repair the pain from the last few weeks. I roll over to see him watching me thoughtfully.

My fingers run through his hair and I smile softly. "What's going on up there?"

Adrian hand reaches to strokes my cheek. "I don't know how I would've made it without you. You've got a hold of my very soul Caroline. You're a part of me."

He leans over and kisses me lovingly before taking my left hand in his, seeing that my ring is still in its place. "I'm glad you kept it. It was made for this beautiful hand."

"I never took it off. I couldn't."

His eyes meet mine and a flash of pain crosses them. "God, and I was doing...what I was doing, while you were home mourning us wearing the ring still."

He sits up and runs a hand angrily through his hair. I lean up and kiss his shoulder, stroking his shoulders. "It's ok. I'm not angry anymore Adrian. Honestly. I know you were dealing with it the best you could, and so was I. I just want to forget we were ever apart. Do you think we can do that?"

He turns and nods, leaning to kiss me lovingly. "I'd like that too."

The next few days fly by as I arrange to have my things packed from the condo at home. As they arrive, Adrian and I merge our things and the apartment quickly begins to look like the both of us.

"I like having your things here. Now it feels like our home."

I smile and take it in. "It really does, doesn't it?"

"I can't wait to marry you Miss Carmichael." A shadow crosses my eyes and he catches it. "What's wrong Caroline?"

I shake my head tightly. "I'm ok. Just thinking about my dad. I don't know how I'll get through the wedding without him. It's just going to be really difficult."

He pauses in thought before kissing me tenderly. "It will be all right. We will get through it together, and your dad will be looking down watching you."

I give him a sad smile and nod. "You're right. I'm so glad I'll have you waiting at the end for me. That will make it all so much easier."

The next day, I wake to an empty bed. As I walk out into the living room, I see Adrian ending a phone call. He's flushed and seems excited.

I kiss him good morning and sit down with my cup of coffee. "What's got you so bouncy this morning?"

"Oh, we're just close to closing a big deal and I've been waiting for this for a while. So, I have a surprise for you."

I smile over my cup at him. I've never seen him like this. "I like seeing this side of you. I'm intrigued. Do tell."

"I've booked the company jet for this evening. Will you go somewhere with me?"

I wink and take another sip of my coffee. "How could I say no?"

He smiles before whisking me off for a day of pampering. After a manicure and pedicure, I get my hair and makeup done.

Adrian is waiting with a private car, ready to take me to the plane. "You look stunning."

"Thank you, but what is all of this for Adrian?"

He gives me a mischievous smile and shakes his head. "It's a surprise. You'll just have to wait and see."

As we get onto the plane my thoughts begin to race.

What on Earth could he be planning right now? Where are we going?

The plane takes off with a nod from Adrian. Before I know it, we're landing in the surprise destination.