Ally collapsed back down onto Cole. Her face buried in his neck and her arms draped around his shoulders.
His kissed the side of her face and her head repeatedly as he was trying hard to bring his breathing back under control.
“Ally, I love you so much,” Cole finally said as he took Ally’s face in his hands. ”Please don’t ever forget that.”
Chapter 13
“We’re home,” Cole whispered to a sleeping Ally as the car came to a stop in the car park of the apartment building. She grumbled in her sleep that she wanted five more minutes and it made Cole laugh. He climbed out of the car, walked around to Ally side of the car and opened the door. He slipped his arms under her, lifted her from the car and held her close to him.
Ally had refused to go back into the restaurant, so Cole returned, settled the bill and apologised for the scene that had taken place. Thankfully there was no sign of Fitzmaurice either. Which was a good thing because Cole was looking forward to round two. But he knew it couldn’t be tonight with Ally waiting outside for him. No, he would sort Fitzmaurice out good and proper for insulting Ally and humiliating her on what was meant to be the happiest night of her life.
Cole took Ally to a quiet little piano bar where they finally manage to spend a nice relaxing evening together but it wasn’t the right time or place to propose to Ally. He wanted it to be special. To be everything she deserved. So he would have to wait.
Nick led the way into the lift, carrying Ally’s bag. When they got off the lift, he opened the doors to the penthouse and held them open wide as Cole carried Ally inside. As they walked along the hallway to Cole’s bedroom, Ally woke up.
“I can walk,” she sighed sleepily, lifting her head from Coles shoulder at looking up at him.
“We are nearly there gorgeous girl,” Cole replied and kissed her. Nick opened the bedroom door and stepped back, then said goodnight.
Cole stepped into the bedroom and stood Ally down on the floor. Holding onto her as she got her balance.
It took her a moment, but when she turned around into the room, her breathe caught when she saw the bedroom. There were dozens of tiny little candles twinkling everywhere and hundreds of red rose petals scattered on the bed and some on the floor too. On the bedside table there was an ice bucket with Champagne chilling in it and next to it two crystal champagne flutes. The room was perfect.
Ally was speechless. It was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. She could feel happy tears prickle her eyes.
Suddenly the sound of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls filled the room. Ally spun around to face Cole.
“OH GOD” She exclaimed as her hands flew to her mouth in shock. Before her was Cole bloody Thomas, down on one knee, with a small black velvet box in his hand and the biggest smile on his face and tears glistened in his eyes too.
“Ally Brody,” he began nervously and quickly cleared his throat before he continued. “I know you have already said yes. But this moment in every girl’s life should be perfect. I have loved you since that cold night you yelled at me on the side of the road in Dublin. And you have held my heart ever since. I know I have been stupid and I have made mistakes. But the biggest mistake I could ever make, is not to spend every day, for the rest of my life, showing you just how much I love you.”
Ally could not hold back the tears. She had never been happier than she was right in that moment.
“So, Ally Brody,” Cole said as he cleared his throat once again and opened the little back box slowly to revealed the most perfect solitaire diamond ring Ally had ever seen. “Would you please do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
“Yes,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation and laughed out loud through her tears. “Yes, yes, yes. I will marry you. I will become your wife.”
Cole stood up and walked to Ally, drew her into his embrace, kissing her softly.
“Thank you,” he whispered against her lips. Then he pulled the ring from the little box and slipped it onto Ally finger. “Perfect, just like you.”
“I love it,” Ally said half laughing, half crying.
He kissed her again, but this time with so much passion and desire. He slowly backed Ally up to the bed and lay her down. He climbed over her and smiled down at her.
“Now it’s my turn,” he said with a big smile. “And this is going to take all night.”
****************************************
They spent the night in each other’s arm, making love then talking till the very small hours of the morning, before they made love one more time and drifted off to sleep.
When Ally woke the next morning she was still on cloud nine. She looked down at her ring and smiled then turned to watched Cole as he slept.
She really did adore him. Yes he had flaws, but then again, so did she. However that didn’t take away from the fact she knew he loved her unconditionally and it was the best feeling in the world. And one she returned with all her heart.
“You know it’s creepy when you watch me sleep.” Cole said suddenly without opening his eyes. Ally laughed and leaned in to kiss him, but he grabbed her and rolled her over so she was on to her back and he was above her.
“So when will you let me make you Mrs Cole Thomas?” he said taking Ally completely by surprise.
“I haven’t really thought about that part.” Ally replied honestly. “Oh god, we have to plan a wedding,”
“Well that’s what engaged people usually do,” Cole laughed. “You have any special time you would like to go with?”
“Not really,” Ally replied. “What about you?”
“Sweetheart I would marry you tomorrow,” he laughed, then his face turned serious. “We could you know. We could fly out to Vegas tonight. We could get married today.”
“And kill my grandmother altogether?” Ally laughed. “It’s gonna be a shock for them when I go home and say I am engaged. They would never forgive me if I ran away to Vegas.”
“No, neither would my Mother,” Cole sighed and half laughed. “But I want this soon. Okay.”
“Okay,” Ally nodded and smiled.
************************************
It was almost seven when they pulled into the cobble locked driveway of Cole’s parents’ house. It was about an hour’s drive outside London, in a very picturesque part of the English countryside.
Cole explained he had grown up in Hampstead Heath. And that when his father was retiring from work. Cole insisted on buying them this house so they could enjoy their retirement in comfort.
“Are you ready?” Cole asked, sounding almost nervous, as Nick switched off the engine of the car. Ally nodded and smiled but the nerves were coursing through her like a steamroller too. Cole could see she was nervous too. “Relax, they are going to love you.”
Nick opened Cole’s door and Cole unfastened his seat belt and slid out of the car. He turned back into Ally and reached out his hand. She took it as she climbed out of the car.
She looked at Nick and he gave her a reassuring smile and she couldn’t help but smile brightly back.
Suddenly the door opened and a pretty blonde woman appeared at the door. She was dressed in a pair of black trousers and a baby pink cashmere jumper and a string of perils. She was exactly how Ally had pictured her except she was so much younger looking.
She greeted Cole warmly and Ally smiled as they hugged. Then Cole stepped back and her eyes fell to Ally and her smile widened.
“You must be Ally,” she exclaimed as she stepped forward and hugged Ally tightly. Then she released her and held her at arm’s length so she could take her all in. “Cole has told us so much about you, and he wasn’t lying when he said just how pretty you are.”
“It’s lovely to finally meet you Mrs Thomas,” Ally smiled, feeling her cheeks burning bright red. She instantly like this woman.
“Please call me Ella,” she replied squeezing Ally’s hand. Then, linking with Ally, she turned towards the house and led Ally inside. “Come on in out
of the cold, dinner is almost ready.”
Ally looked back at Cole and the nervous look he had moments before, had been replaced with a look of sheer happiness and the biggest grin Ally had ever seen.
They walked into a beautiful parlour, where Cole’s father was standing next to a big open fire. Ally was struck by just how like Cole he was, only older and with greyer hair.
“Ally.” he smiled as he came towards her, he took her by the shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you my dear, Cole has told us so much about you.”
“It lovely to meet you too Mr Thomas,” Ally said feeling more and more relaxed.
“Please, call me James,” he replied. “And please, sit down and make yourself at home.”
Ally took a seat on the large soft cream cushion sofa and Ella say down next to her.
James turned to Cole and greeted his son warmly.
“Have you been to see…?” He said in a hushed voice as not to offend Ally.
“It’s okay Dad,” Cole said and smiled at Ally. “Ally knows all about Ben. And yes I was with him yesterday.”
Ally watched as Coles face lit up at the thought of Ben and she could feel a tiny pang of jealousy deep in inside her. She pushed that feeling back down deep inside her quickly.
“You must have been very shocked by all this,” Ella said, smiling sympathetically at Ally.
“I was,” Ally replied honestly with a half-smile. “In the beginning I was very upset. But I love Cole, and I want to support him, I understand Ben is his son. And I am behind him all the way.”
“I still say you should insist on a DNA test.” James added, much to Ally shock. She had assumed this was something he has already had done. She looked at Cole and he looked uncomfortable.
“I told you already,” Cole snapped back. “I am not arguing about this with you again. Ben is my son, you need to accept this. I have nothing else to say on this matter.”
An uncomfortable silence fall over the room and Ally stared down nervously at her hands and she spotted her engagement ring and it made her smile. And it reminder her just what Cole meant to her and she knew what she need to do.
“If I can just say, I am very proud of how Cole has stepped up to look after his son,” she began nervously. “So many men these days, walk away from their responsibilities. I think you should be very proud of him too.”
For a moment no one replied. Then it was James who was the first one to speak.
“You are a very wise girl, my dear,” he smiled at Ally. “And very kind and understanding. I am proud of Cole for how he has taken to his responsibilities.”
Then he turned to Cole and slapped him on the back.
“If you let this one get away,” he laughed and looked back at Ally. “You would be a good damn awful fool.”
“Actually, there is something I want to tell you both,” Cole said looking straight at Ally and he couldn’t wipe the huge grin from his face. “I have asked Ally to marry me and she has made me the happiest man alive, by saying yes.”
“Oh my goodness,” Ella exclaimed with the biggest smile on her face. “That is wonderful news, I couldn’t be happier.”
She hugged Ally once again before she jumped up and threw her arms around Cole and hugged him tightly. James came to Ally and kissed her on both cheek before he too turned to Cole and shook his hand and slapped him on the back once again.
Ella turned back to Ally and this time Ally stood up to join the rest of them.
“I am so happy for you both,” she beamed at Ally and Ally couldn’t help but smile back. She hugged Ally tightly and whispered. “You are exactly what he needs, I know you will make him happy.”
“This calls for some champagne,” James announced. He hurried to the kitchen and returned back a few minutes later with a bottle and four champagne flutes while Ella had a close look at Ally’s ring and hugged her again.
After they all had the champagne and toasted the happy couple, they all moved into the dining room for dinner.
Ally felt completely at home and relaxed with both Ella and James. Ella and Ally swapped numbers and Ally promised she would do lunch with Ella before she headed back home to Dublin.
It was almost midnight before they finally kissed Coles parent’s goodnight and climb to the back of the Rover.
Ally waved out the window of the car as Nick pulled the car down the driveway and out on to the road.
“Thank you,” Cole said as he reached for Ally’s had and brought it to his lips.
“For what?” A very tired Ally asked.
“For standing up to my Dad for me,” he explained. “For being you.”
“I will always stand up for you,” Ally replied looking him the eyes. “That’s what love means, never having to face the world alone.”
“Well it meant a lot for me to hear you do that,” Cole replied. “Just one more reason for me to adore you.”
Ally smiled at Cole and leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips.
They drove for a few minute in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Ally thought about what James had said to Cole, and although she stood up for Cole she actually agreed with James.
She couldn’t believe the first thing Cole hadn’t insisted on, was a paternity test. She was surprised his legal team hadn’t insisted on it too. She knew she should let it go but she couldn’t. It was far too important just to sweep under the carpet.
“Cole,” she said nervously.
“Yes, gorgeous girl,” he said as he turned and smiled at Ally.
“How come you didn’t asked for a DNA test?” Ally said, her voice barely a whisper.
Cole sighed and his face dropped and Ally was immediately sorry she had asked the question.
“Ally, Ben is my son,” Cole replied. “I can feel it in my heart every time I hold him. I know that sounds stupid, but I know he is part of me. He is my child. And I am not going to put him through some test to prove what my heart already knows.”
Ally wanted to argue the point but the expression on Coles face made her rethink and she said nothing else. She glanced towards Nick and once again, their eyes met in the rear view mirror. She knew just by the look in his eyes he agreed with her. But she also knew he would never say anything against Cole, so she just turned her face out into the night and stared at the vast blackness.
Although they didn’t argue, Ally could feel a sudden distance between them and it made her feel sad and a little disappointed.
Later that night when they climbed into bed and Cole kissed her goodnight and turned over to go to sleep. As she lay there in the darkness, she swore to herself she would never bring up the subject again. She had promised him she would be there for him and stand beside him from now and that was just what she intended to do.
Chapter 14
When Cole woke the next morning he was surprised to find Ally’s side of the bed empty. He sat up and immediately, he felt anxious.
He wasn’t happy the night before that she had questioned him about the paternity test and he had behaved like a child and sulked.
And the reality was, she had every right to ask him these questions. She had agreed to be his wife. She should be allowed to discuss what she wanted with him. But he was so tired of the same argument every time he spoke to his father. He always went on and on about the same thing. So had George Statham, his solicitor. He had demanded Cole get the DNA test the moment the baby was born. But the minute he held Ben in the hospital, Cole had fallen in love with him. He was his son, of that he was sure. George went berserk when Cole told him he was not going to push Steph for a paternity test.
But Ally wasn’t his dad or George. She was Ally, his Ally, the love of his life, the woman who he was going to spend the rest of his life with.
But now she was gone and he wasn’t sure where. He jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom thinking he would find her in there but the bathroom was empty too.
He opened the bedroom door and called out h
er name but there was no response. He could feel the panic rise in him. What if she had bolted again?
He searched room after room but there was no sign. Then finally he reached the door of the gym, he found her on a tread mill, with her iPod in her ears and lost in a world of her own.
He stood for moment as watched her jogging nowhere special, with her eyes closed and her music blaring, completely in the zone.
Suddenly he had an over whelming urge to hold her. He walked up behind and wrapped her in his arm and lifted her off the treadmill.
“Cole, what are you doing?” she cried out with fright as he stood her down on the floor next to the tread mill. He turned her to face him and took her face in his hands and kissed her softly, yet passionately.
“I’m sorry,” he said as he parted his lips from hers and stared deep into her eyes.
She stared up at him in confusion.
“I acted like a child last night,” he explained and sudden realization filtered across her face. “I want you to be part of my life. And I mean every part, so that includes Ben too. You had a right to voice your concerns last night, I was just being stubborn and impossible. But I promise I will think about it.”
“Cole you don’t have to prove anything to me,” Ally reached up and gently stroked his face. “If you say Ben is yours I believe you. I just want you to be happy that’s all.”
“I was scared when I woke and you weren’t there, I thought that you had left,” he whispered as he pressed his head against hers.
“You have to stop this,” Ally sighed, “Cole I love you, I am not going anywhere. Ever. You can’t keep panicking every time we have a disagreement or every time you don’t know where I am. I have promised to marry you. I swear I am going nowhere.”
He pressed his lips against her and drew her closer to him, pressing her body shear against his. Ally could feel how much he wanted her and she wanted him just as much too.
How Many Chances Page 11