"I believe there's another one up front," the captain said. He again gestured with his hand for me to walk along the side of the boat up towards the bow. As I moved forward towards the bow, I looked around desperately for Ryan, but I didn't see him anywhere. I was confused. Was this some sort of cruel joke?
I made my way up towards another table with a white tablecloth over it, and in the middle, there was a large vase of roses, and a box. Still looking around hoping that Ryan was going to jump out and surprised me, and at the same time terrified that I was going to be disappointed, I reached the table. I picked up the box and removed the lid. Inside there was a little charm of two little booties, one pink and one blue. There was no stopping the tears that burst from my eyes, even though I didn't know what they meant. It had to mean something good. I reached down and picked up the charm, eager to put it on my bracelet and wishing that I had worn it so I could put them on right now.
"There's one more thing that you left behind."
I whirled around at Ryan's voice. He had emerged from inside the cabin and now he stood before me looking so handsome in his suit. He had dark circles under his eyes and he might've lost a little bit of weight. Perhaps he was feeling bad like I was, after all.
I could only stand and watch as I wasn't completely sure that this was really happening. He walked toward me extending his arm. In his hand, he held the ring that he’d given me the other night.
"I don't blame you for leaving this behind the other night. But I'm hoping that after tonight, you’ll want to take it back."
After tonight? I was ready to take it back now. I clasped my hands behind my back just in case there was something more to his plans for tonight and I wasn’t supposed to have it yet.
"I was an ass that night. The truth is, Kellie, I've been terrified of love. Ever since I saw what it did to my father when he lost my mother, it seemed safer to focus on the things that would last. Like Strong Incorporated. You changed all that, but when I learned of your secret, how long that you kept it from me, for some reason it brought back all that fear. I just went a little bit crazy and messed up.”
It was time for me to say something, and I hoped my voice worked as I opened my mouth to tell him what I was feeling. "I'm so sorry Ryan. I knew I should've told you when I was just I just —"
"You were afraid. Now I understand why. I had been telling you that this thing between us didn't mean anything. That we were just friends having a good time. It was easy for me to say because I’m your boss. But for you, there was so much you could lose. I hope you know that I would never have fired you, but maybe you didn't know that. And then when I acted the way that I did, you probably wondered what kind of man would treat a woman like that when she was having his child.”
Tears were streaming down my face, and it was probably a good thing that I hadn’t put on makeup. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I wasn't sure if we were at that part yet so I just stood there like a silly girl, staring up at the man that I loved.
"This is my attempt at a do over," he said. He gave me a sheepish smile. "This time I’m going to get it right. I’m going to start with the most important thing."
"What's that?” I asked
“I love you Kellie."
My heart was soaring, and feeling so happy, I couldn't stop myself. I flung myself into his arms and held on like I was never going to let go. "I love you too Ryan. So much. So so much."
For a moment he just held me, and sank into his warmth and strength.
“I’m afraid I’m dreaming,” I said as I clung to him.
“If you are, we’re having the same dream together.” He kissed the top of my head.
I tilted my head up, wanting to taste his lips. He must have wanted it too, as his mouth covered mine and for the first time since I left this boat the last time, my world finally started to tilt back on the right axis.
When he broke from the kiss, he sank to his knees, his hands holding my hips as he placed kisses on my belly.
“I hope it doesn’t know how poorly I reacted when I learned of it,” he said, resting his head against me.
“I don’t think it has ears yet, so I think you’re safe.”
He stood, his hands holding my face. “But you have ears. I don’t want you to think I don’t want this child, because I do. I want both of you. Will you forgive me?”
I gripped his shirt with my hands. “Yes. I hope you’ll forgive me too.”
He nodded. “I do.” He looked at me for a moment like he couldn’t believe I was here. “Do you want to finish our engagement cruise?”
I nodded. “Yes. But my boss might be expecting me to work tomorrow.”
“I know your boss. I’m sure I can persuade him to give you another day off.” He scooped me up and carried me to the main cabin. He looked up toward where Captain Lawrence stood outside the bridge. “Take us out, Cap.”
He brought me to the bedroom as the engine roared on and we left the dock. “Let’s try this again.” He set me down, kissing me as he slipped his hands under my shirt, running them along my skin. He undid my pants, sliding them down my legs, followed by my panties.
He kissed my belly again. “Can we make love? It won’t hurt the baby?”
“No. It’s fine.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “It will be easier if you get naked too.”