‘Laurie, I want to take your hopes and dreams and make them happen for you. Everything you ever wanted, or will want, because they’re more important than anything to me. Will you take mine, and hold them in trust for me?’
She saw it. Ross’s way forward, a clear road that led to their future together. He might not be able to trust in life, but he knew that he could trust her.
‘Give me your dreams. I’ll take care of them and I won’t let them hurt or disappoint you again. I’ll give you mine, because I know that they’re safe in your hands.’
‘You’re sure?’ He blinked, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.
‘Yes, I’m sure! Listen to what I’m saying to you for once, will you?’
Ross grinned. ‘Okay. I’m listening. If I promise to always listen, always love you and try my best to make you happy, will you marry me?’
Tears filled her eyes and Laurie made no effort to brush them away. She didn’t need to any more. Leaning forward, she flung her arms around his neck.
‘Yes, Ross. I’ll marry you.’
She felt his chest heave with emotion. Gently he disentangled himself from her arms. ‘Close your eyes. I’m not letting you get away this time...’
She squeezed her eyes shut. There was a moment’s pause and then Laurie felt him slip a ring on her finger. Then his lips were on hers as he kissed her. She kissed him back, holding onto him tightly.
‘You can look at it now...’ His lips brushed hers as he murmured the words.
‘Is it nice?’ She clasped her fingers together behind his neck. ‘Feels heavy...’
Ross chuckled. ‘I spent a while choosing it. Nothing was going to really be good enough for you, but I got the best I could find.’
‘Then I love it. I’ll look at it in a minute. Right now, I can’t take my eyes off you, because it’s been far too long since I’ve seen you.’
‘Yeah. You’re stuck with me now, that’s not going to happen again.’
The world had shifted, and it was a different place now. Laurie stared at him, tears running down her cheeks, and Ross gently brushed them away, before folding her in his arms.
‘Do you feel different?’
‘Yeah, I feel different.’ Ross chuckled quietly. ‘It’s everything, Laurie. Your love and mine, your dreams and mine. Nothing’s going to stop us now.’
EPILOGUE
Four years later
THIS YEAR THEY’D picked Munich. The same hotel suite that Ross had booked for the World Championships three years ago. With the same hot tub to luxuriate in together, and the same stunning view over the city.
‘How have I been doing as caretaker?’ Ross handed Laurie a glass of champagne. It was the same question he asked every year, on the anniversary of the day they’d given their dreams to each other for safekeeping.
‘Beautifully.’ Laurie smiled up at him. ‘Each year I wonder how you’re going to surpass the last, but you always manage it.’
‘More stamina than you expected?’
‘A lot more.’ She leaned into his arms, stretching to kiss him. ‘I never thought anyone could love me so well. Or be such a great rowing coach.’
‘I just cheered you on. Win or lose.’
‘That’s what made all the difference. And you made a very good job of cheering the last time we were here.’ Ross had been hoarse for a week afterwards.
‘It was worth it. I’ll never forget the look on your face when you stepped up onto the podium and received your gold medal.’ He bent to kiss her. ‘Or the one when you made my dream come true and married me.’
‘Hey! Are you pinching my dreams, Ross? A girl’s wedding day is supposed to be her dream.’
Ross chuckled. ‘Too bad. It was my dream as well. You can share, can’t you?’