by Marie Kelly
“She is fine. Has all the nurses wrapped around her finger though”, chuckling as he flicked another look at her. “And why wouldn’t they? She has got to be one of the cutest little kids I have ever seen” The honesty of his words made Sara swallow hard, the lump in her throat the only thing holding down the tears, tears of happiness. “Yes she is”, she confirmed, as together the two moved from the room.
“Dinner?” He asked softly, as Sara gave a nod. “Yes…but Darius…what about?” He pulled her around, silencing her with a kiss, the kiss full of fire, Sara whimpered, her body swaying as he pulled back. “Not here…we will talk later…when we are alone”, his fingers pressing the elevator button as she meekly followed behind him.
It was only as they reached the street - Darius not ushering her into a car but moving down the sidewalk - that she began asking where they were going, as he gave a soft chuckle.
“What is it with women? Always asking questions”, his eyes full of playfulness. When he moved into the hotel next door to the hospital, she frowned, her brows knitting in confusion but holding back the questions as he pulled her into yet another elevator.
Finally they moved to a suite, Darius leading her into the small dining room, the smell of food making her mouth water with the realisation that she had only eaten that morning, too upset with the drama of almost losing Carly and then busy looking after the little girl. She stared intently at Darius, determined to have some answers as he pulled a seat out for her. “Darius…what is going on?” her voice sure as he grinned back at her. “First we eat. You still look pale, and I bet you didn’t eat all day”
Giving an irritated sigh, she told him that she had eaten breakfast, a fact that seemed to matter little to him as he placed a plate before her ordering her to eat. Lifting the cutlery, she decided that she would get answers faster if she just did as he asked, finding herself enjoying the mouth-watering chicken dish. “I thought that you would be in Italy”, her soft voice saw his head lift to look intently at her before a big grin filled his features, his hand moving to take hers. “There are some things that are more important” Sara gave a small nod, her eyes betraying the depth of her thanks to him, as he directed her to eat more before she could say anymore.
The loud knock on the door of the suite as they were finishing the meal made Sara jump, her eyes flying to his questioningly. “Who?” all she had time to ask as he rose to his feet, a large grin on his face. She heard him talking to another man, unable to make out what was being said as she sat back impatiently, waiting for his return.
“OK…I have eaten - can we please talk about this afternoon?” she cried as he once more entered the dining room. In his hand he clutched a large brown envelope, a satisfied expression on his face. With a chuckle he took her hand and pulled her over to a couch, the two sitting together facing each other, Darius looking deeply into her eyes.
“I am so sorry Sara” She had not known what to expect, but an apology had not been it, Sara giving him a wavering smile, “For what? I nearly lost Carly…and you stepped in like a knight in shining armour…you have nothing to be sorry about” He grinned softly, his fingers entwining within hers. “I blackmailed you to be with me…I blamed you for my getting fired…but none of that was ever true was it Sara?” Sara gave a sad smile, “No…I told you that” Darius nodded softly as he sighed wearily, “I went to see Ted Roberts today”
She gasped loudly, her eyes opening wider. “I asked him about that day six years ago that I was fired, and he told me everything. He told me that your father was determined to have me put into prison” Sara gave a sad confirming nod, “Yes…he didn’t like you. You stood up to him and he didn’t like that” She felt as his hand squeezed hers gently. “He also told me that you stood up for me. Told him that if he went through with an arrest then you would cause a fuss, not something your father wanted his ‘friends’ to know about”
Sara grimaced at the memory of how furious her father had been his face red with anger. “He really didn’t like you”, she chuckled, as he gave a small laugh back. “There was one thing that Ted said that really made me think” Sara’s eyes looked back at his questioningly. “He said that your father told you that if he just fired me then you would owe him a big favour” Darius felt as Sara stiffened, her look becoming wary. “I remember when you told me that you agreed to marry Nigel that your father had forced the issue because you ‘owed him big’” Sara looked away, her teeth savaging her lips.
“Did you marry Nigel because of a deal you made with your father Sara? A deal made to keep me out of prison?” A pained groan left her lips as her eyes flew back to his. “He told me that the charges would still stand up in court because he had kept all of the evidence, and would make it appear that you had fled the country to avoid being arrested. He told me that it would be very easy to have Darius Larosa found and charged” A rueful smile came to her lips, “Wish I had known that you changed your name. I just didn’t want to see you in prison”
Darius lifted her hand and kissed it so softly. “So I am responsible for you being married to that animal?” His voice was full of pain as she shook her head, “No…How were you to know?” His eyes held hers. “I was so unfair to you Sara. You did all that for me and I blackmailed you in the worst possible way” Sara gave a sweet smile, her other hand gently caressing his cheek.
“I felt you pull back from me Darius. That first night…I knew that you didn’t intend to sleep with me…but I wanted it. I told myself that it was because you were forcing me to be with you…but that wasn’t the truth…I wanted to be there” She saw the fire that lit within the darkness of his eyes as he groaned softly.
“I want to be with you Sara” His simple declaration took her aback as she blinked in surprise before a smile filled her lovely face. “I want to be with you too Darius” His eyes shone at her response, before the doubt surfaced in hers. “But…I have to think about Carly. What you said today…it will only be a matter of time before they realise that you were not telling the truth about us being engaged…and then they will use that to stop me adopting her”
At this Darius dropped her hand reaching for the envelope which he passed to her. “Before we say any more…you should read this” In confusion she opened the large manila envelope and pulled out the officious papers, her eyes scanning the words as a small sob broke from her lips, her eyes flying to his in disbelief, a gentle smile on his mouth.
“I had my lawyer contact the Adoption Board as soon as I left you. He pointed out that you were the chosen guardian for Carly and were independently wealthy and therefore more than able to take care of her. He also pointed out that if they did not grant you instant adoption to her that my whole legal team would be descending on them the next day” Sara stared at him, wonder in her eyes as a small tear slid down her face, her hand wiping it away before she gave a small confused frown.
“I’m not independently wealthy”, causing a boyish smile to come to his face. “Ah…yes…I also had a million dollars put into your account…you are pretty independently wealthy Sara” Her eyes once more flew down to the adoption papers in her hand, a sob leaving her mouth as she launched herself into his arms, hers wrapped around his neck, clinging to him as the tears flowed from her. After all the weeks of worry and guilt, she would have her daughter back. She would be taking Carly home and it was all thanks to Darius, this man she loved.
“How do I thank you?” she sobbed against him, as Darius allowed her to cry, to release the emotions held back for so many weeks. Finally as her sobs diminished he pulled her back looking gently into her face, his hands reaching for a tissue which he used to dab the tears from her cheeks. “I wanted you to have that so that you know that you and Carly will be together no matter what. That you are not under any obligation to me” Sara felt the bubble of laughter rise with her as she stared back at him, the love within her so strong that it could no longer be contained as she raised her finger to his lips, a huge smile on her face.
“I love y
ou Darius…I think I always have” She was surprised to see that his eyes misted over, his face full of stunned disbelief before he wrapped his arms around her and hauled her in harder to him.
“I love you Sara…I love you more than I ever thought I would be capable of” Pulling back, the two could only smile at each other, both laughing; his hand enveloped hers as he pulled it to his mouth. “Sara…about what I said…about us being engaged” She chuckled, nodding, happiness filling every part of her. “Would you consider making that engagement real?” Sara’s hands flew to cover her mouth, her eyes dancing with both happiness and fun.
“What kind of proposal is that?” she laughed, tears once more sliding down her face. Darius grinned back, “A really bad one”, before he moved to kneel before her, the laughter in her eyes disappearing as he became suddenly so serious.
“Sara Balfour - will you be my wife? I love you and I already love Carly too” The love once more filled her as he talked about the small girl. “I promise to be the best husband to you and the best father to her” With a strangled sob, she nodded her head, throwing herself into his arms.
“Yes…yes I love you so much” His arms held her so tightly against himself, his kiss full of the love he felt. Rising, Darius swept her into his arms, Sara chuckling as she clung to him, her mouth kissing along his jaw, feeling his smile as he strode with purpose to the bedroom.
He dropped her gently on the bed, his eyes full of desire, before he stood back “You must be tired, I should let you rest”, his voice husky. Sara rose to her feet, standing on the bed. “Yes you should”, her tone seductive, as her fingers slowly began to remove her own clothing, her eyes holding his as she removed everything, Darius clutched the end of the bed until she was finally completely naked. Pulling the bobble from the back of her head which held her long hair away from her face, she allowed it to cascade around her body, his eyes closing as a small shudder ran through him.
“I am trying to be a good and considerate fiancé here Sara”, his words strained, almost inaudible as she dropped to her knees and crawled to where he stood. Rising still on her knees, her hands slid along his shirt, her eyes flicked to his lips she moving close to him allowing the tip of her tongue to slide against the crease of his mouth. “Then be a good fiancé and make love to me”, her tone seductive. This was all he needed, as his hands wrapped around her and flipped her onto her back. “Yes ma’am…but just remember I offered to let you rest”, he laughed, stepping back slightly as she laid watching him, his hands pulling his own clothes from his body before he joined her.
As the two made love it was slow, gentle, each taking their time to tantalise and tease the other. When neither could take it any longer, Darius laid over her, his body moulding with hers, their eyes locked, the love flowing so fiercely between them as together they climaxed, each clinging to the other. Sara’s last thought as she momentarily felt the earth shift with the intensity of their orgasm had been crying his name and declaring that she loved him. Complete contentment filled her. She loved him and he loved her.
Lying in bed, the glow of happiness surrounded them both, Darius was playful, fingers entwined within her left hand, staring at her ring finger, “I wish I could whisk you away right now and find the biggest diamond so that everybody in the world knew that you are going to be my wife” Sara chuckled, her eyes meeting his so bright, “Anybody who can get adoption papers signed in one day can do anything he sets his mind to” Darius gave a return laugh, nodding sheepishly. “Well…I might have been a bit…insistent”, he admitted ruefully, Sara laughing even louder. “Oh my God…poor Board. No wonder they signed…they must have been terrified”. He pulled her back in for a kiss, such depth in his eyes. “Well…they were upsetting my future wife…and daughter” Sara smiled softly, the sound of those words once more sending electric tremors through her.
With a frown she flicked her eyes thoughtfully to the ceiling. “With everything that was going on I forgot to ask…why do you have a hotel room next door to the hospital?” Lifting himself to lean on the palm of his hand he looked down dreamily at her, his finger tracing her jaw and neck. “Because…you needed to eat and we needed to talk…somewhere quiet where we would not be interrupted but close enough that you could get back to Carly quickly if she needed you”
Sara felt her already full heart swell even further at his thoughtfulness as he added more gently, “That plus…I couldn’t sleep last night without you beside me…so I figured if I was close to you it might be better” She stared up at him, her look so full of the love she felt. “I love you Darius Garelli”, she whispered, his own lips curling as he repeated the words, “I love you” back. Looking at his watch he gave a deep sigh.
“It is getting late…we should shower and get you back to the hospital” Sara grinned, rising and moving into the bathroom, her look sensual and seductive. “Now…remind me again how you share a shower with someone…I seem to remember the last time you did I was left feeling a little…unfulfilled”. Pushing the covers from himself he grinned, “Well now, we really can’t have the lady feeling that way”, quickly reaching her as she squealed happily.
An hour later, hand-in-hand the two entered Carly’s room, the small girl still sleeping, her small hands clinging to the teddy bear Darius had bought for her. He sat down with Sara on the comfortable couch that lined one of the walls. She pulled her legs up, curling them under her as she snuggled into him, the two talking softly.
He had only meant to stay for half an hour, determined to give her the chance for a good night’s sleep on the other bed in the room. Half an hour he thought to himself, just half an hour, his last thought before sleep took him; Sara curled up beside him sleeping also. The nurse who checked on Carly later smiled, draping a blanket over the two. Looking at the little girl and the couple, all sound asleep she felt the smile rise to her lips. A beautiful family she thought to herself before once more leaving them all to their rest.
Chapter Nine
The last two years had been the best of Sara’s life. She and Carly moved into Darius’ home two days after he asked her to marry him. Looking down at her ring, her lip curled with the memory of the three of them choosing the solitaire which sat on her finger, Darius agreeing to wait until Carly was well enough to join them, wanting her to be involved in their happiness. The small girl very quickly became the apple of Darius’ eye, Sara shaking her head softly knowing that they had bonded so perfectly, often both working together to get what they wanted.
Three months after they moved in together, the two married. Carly the cutest flower girl as Darius lifting her as the two exchanged their vows, the small girl wrapping her arms around the man she had grown to call her father, Sara sure that her life was perfect.
The information she found on Nick had soon seen Darius’ detective locating her brother-in-law. He having been hidden the whole time in his girlfriend’s house, the money still untouched. Nick had been brought to see Darius, Sara never asking or being told what happened within the confines of her husband’s office. With a smile she knew just how ‘persuasive’ Darius could be. She only knew that after their meeting he was allowed to walk free on condition that he return all of the money and grant Angela a divorce and full custody of her son.
A year later Angela married Joe, Sara finding that her sister had become a different person married to the kind and gentle man. Not only was she happy, but David too flourished, Joe a wonderful father to him.
That day she waited for Darius’ return home. Away for a week on business, she missed him terribly, Sara knowing from the many calls and texts that he felt the same way. The sound of the key in the door saw Carly jumping to her feet, the small girl having refused to go to bed before her dad arrived home, her long blonde hair swinging down her pink pyjamas.
“Daddy…daddy”, she cried, running to the door, her excitement making Sara smile softly as she rose to follow. By the time she reached the hallway Carla was already perched in her father’s arms, clinging to yet a
nother teddy bear. Grimacing softly she moved forward her mouth curved into a large smile. “Yep…just what she needs…another bear” Carly holding it out for her to examine as she declared so seriously, “But …this one has a pink heart mummy”
With eyes full of adoration, Darius moved his arms around his wife’s waist, kissing her tenderly as the small girl rolled her eyes seeing the two kiss once more. “I missed you Mrs Garelli”, his mouth whispered so sensually against hers as she gave a soft half-groan, half-growl back. “I missed you too” Their eyes locked, full of emotion. Stepping back and releasing Sara, he once more turned to his daughter “Now let me guess…you are not in bed because you made mummy let you stay up till I got home”.
With a giggle, she nodded, her whole body moving as her head bobbed backwards and forwards. With a wink at Sara he strode up the stairs carrying the small child, all the while talking to her, throwing Sara a big smile as he called down “OK…I will put you to bed while mummy opens what is in the bag for her”
As the two disappeared, Sara opened the small case grinning at the bottle of expensive champagne - still chilled - which sat within it. Moving to the kitchen she placed the pre-plated meals on the table, opening the expensive wine and pouring them drinks. By the time Darius joined her she had lit candles and put on soft music, the mood perfect for what was to come.
Stepping into the kitchen, he paused to look at his wife. Still the most beautiful woman he had ever met, with a heart big enough to help all those who needed her. Since marrying Sara, life had been better than he could ever remember, so glad that their lives had reconnected. Not one to normally believe in fate, he knew that something wonderful had been responsible for what happened between them both.