We eventually arrive home. Alex pushes the button to the private elevator which quickly carries us up to the penthouse.
I spend the rest of the night showing Alex just how grateful I am.
*
“I’ve missed you,” I say, my voice low and soft. I stand completely still, staring, unable to tear my gaze away.
“I’m right here, darling,” Alex says, glancing at me, puzzled, while picking up our bags.
“Oh no, not you, honey. The car. I’ve missed the car,” I reply in mock exasperation, waving my hand dismissively. My eyes return to the vintage Porsche, gazing at it lovingly.
Alex laughs out loud. “Oh, so now I have to compete with a car?” he says, feigning hurt.
“Aww……Mr. London is jealous,” I say, teasing him. I walk over to Alex, wrapping my arms around his waist. He drops our bags, leaning in for a kiss.
We’re leaving London today, sticking to our plan of an extended holiday at Alex’s countryside home. We decided a couple of months would be the right amount of time away.
“We better leave now before traffic gets too heavy,” he says.
“Okay,” I grin, slipping on my sunglasses.
I hop into the passenger side of the Porsche and before I know it we’re outside of London, speeding along the A40.
By the time we arrive, it’s well into the afternoon. The house is just as picturesque as I remember, even more so. The rolling green pastures seem greener, the clear blue sky even bluer.
We unpack, and afterwards eat a late lunch. “Let’s go for a walk,” Alex says, extending his hand.
“I’d love to,” I reply. The sun is just beginning to set, and there’s a slight chill in the country air. I reach for the white cashmere scarf, wrap it around my shoulder
s.
Alex smiles, running his hands down my shoulders. “You look beautiful in that scarf,” he says.
We walk around the back of the house, the green pastures in full view. We stroll along, hand in hand. The sky is ablaze with shades of orange and pink. A soft breeze blows.
“It’s so peaceful here,” I comment.
Alex stops and looks out across the land, still holding my hand. We stand in silence for a few moments, taking in the natural beauty of the area.
“Yes, it is peaceful here,” Alex says, breaking the silence. He turns to face me, his eyes gazing down at me. “You’ve given me peace, Katherine.”
I don’t say anything, just look into his handsome face, giving him a soft smile. Suddenly, I feel a lump in my throat.
“And a new life, a second chance at happiness,” he continues. “I couldn’t imagine life without you.” Alex reaches into his jacket pocket and produces a black velvet box. He drops down onto the green grass, on bended knee, opening the little box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.
“Katherine, will you marry me?”
I begin to shake, my emotions overwhelming me. I reach out for Alex, bending down to embrace him, the tears spilling over.
“Yes,” I say, nodding my head, my voice cracking. “Yes, baby, of course I’ll marry you!”
Alex gently holds my hand, sliding the beautiful diamond ring onto my finger. “I love you,” he murmurs, wrapping his arms around me tightly.
“I love you, too, Alex.”
We hold onto one another, our arms wound tightly around each other, and watch as the sun dips below the horizon. And I realize that wherever life takes us, I’ll always have Alex. My Mr. London.
Epilogue