Page 80 of A Night To Remember

Their audience let out a collective gasp. By now, people who had only been pretending to listen before were openly listening.

“What?” Disbelief filled his piercing gaze.

“I love you. Will you marry me?” Charlie repeated. Her face was hot with embarrassment and her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure everyone could hear.

The incredulous look on his face told her he still didn’t believe her. She wished he would say something because she was growing more worried by the minute. What if he no longer had feelings for her? If that were the case, she didn’t know what she would do with herself, but it was no less than she deserved.

“Is this a dream?” It was obvious he couldn’t believe this was happening.

“If it is, then we’re both dreaming.” She laughed nervously as he grew silent again. Please let him love me.

“Jake?” Charlie didn’t know how much longer she could sustain herself under his intense scrutiny without breaking down.

“For Pete’s sake boy, say yes.” Bill’s loud voice boomed through the crowd.

Jake looked up, noticing for the first time they had an audience.

“Say yes,” someone else called out.

He nodded his head numbly.

“Is that a yes?” Charlie smiled, some of the tension draining out of her.

“Yes.” He finally found his voice.

“Come here.” He pulled her to him with his good arm and kissed her with a hungry passion, which she eagerly returned. He pulled back slightly. “This isn’t a dream,” he whispered then his lips found hers once more.

A burst of applause went through the room. Kristy came running over to them. “Mommy, now can we all live together?”

“Yes. Definitely,” Charlie answered, pulling Kristy up on her lap.

“Oh boy,” Kristy shouted. Everyone laughed at Kristy’s enthusiasm.

“Oh boy is right.” Jake was grinning from ear to ear. His eyes were filled with unshed tears. Before he could say anything else, people began to rush forward to congratulate them.

Jake’s parents came forward to kiss the three of them.

“Finally,” Moira said.

The entire Fox clan walked over to Charlie to welcome her into the family. Even Helen offered her congratulations, although she still wasn’t overly warm in offering them.

Jake turned to Charlie and kissed her gently on the lips.

“I need to be alone with you.” The soft whisper in her ear sent goose bumps along her arm.

“Come home with me,” Charlie replied.

It was another hour before the three of them could leave the party. Jake informed his parents he was going home with Charlie and that she would take care of him. There was no argument from them. The Foxes smiled knowingly to each other, remembering what it was like when they were younger.

Later that night after putting Kristy to bed, Jake and Charlie lay cuddled close together. There were unable to make love because of Jake’s ribs, but they were both content to lay naked side by side, stroking each other’s bodies.

“Charlie, what changed your mind about us?” He cupped a perky breast in his hand, rubbing his thumb over her hardened nipple.

She moaned softly at the feel of his hand on her sensitive skin. She clasped her hand over his to pull it away. She could barely think when he touched her like that.

“When I heard about the accident, I wanted to die. I realized what a fool I was being. You see, I lied to you about my husband, Jake. I’m not in love with him anymore. He’ll always be special to me, but he’s gone and I have to move on with my life. I was just so scared of loving you because I didn’t want to be hurt again,” she explained.

Now that she was finally confessing this to him, she felt guilty. Charlie felt awful that it took a terrible car accident in order for her to realize her foolishness.

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