Page 83 of Prognosis Bad Timing

‘What about Veronica?’

‘I told you — Veronica is my past. I haven’t loved her for a long time. I certainly never liked her very much. You’re the woman for me. The only woman for me.’

‘But your father...’

‘My father may be a brilliant thoracic surgeon with an unsurpassed international reputation, but he’s also a bigoted fool. If my father likes her so much, he can marry her. All I want is you. I promise you, Carrie, we’ll never have to see my family, my father again. I’ll never let him hurt you or Dana.’

And how would that make her feel? How could she ask that of him? To choose between his family and her? How long would their relationship last if she caused a rift between him and his family? Family was sacred — she only had to look around the centre to know that.

‘I would never ask you to do that,’ she said vehemently.

He shrugged, dropping his hands. ‘I wouldn’t worry. It’s a fairly loose association as it is. I haven’t felt like I belonged in my family for a long time. That’s why I enjoyed spending time with you and Dana. You two are what a family should be. I want that for me. For us.’

Carrie looked up into his eyes, not daring to hope that things could be this perfect. ‘Are you sure, Charlie? I know this has been a big problem for you.’

He nodded. ‘I’m sure. Am I scared? Yes. Am I worried that I’ll screw up? Yes. But every time I look into Dana’s eyes there’s this trust there. It’s like she knows I can do it. You know? And, frankly, life without you, both of you, scares me more.’

Her hands crept up to cradle his face. His stubble grazed erotically against her palms. ‘This is important, Charlie. Your father was right — you’ll be taking on another man’s child. Can you handle that?’

Charlie shook his head. On this he was definite. ‘Dana’s never been another man’s child. She’s been yours. She’s one hundred per cent Douglas. And if you let me and you’re willing to show me how to do it right, I’d like her to be mine also.’

Carrie nodded, tears blurring her eyes. ‘I’m more than willing.’

Charlie smiled. ‘Everything’s going to be all right now. You, me and Dana. We’re going to be all right.’

Carrie swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back tears. ‘I love you, Charlie. Thank you. For everything.’

The words were bliss to his ears. Charlie knew that life was going to be perfect. Or as near as possible, anyway. ‘I didn’t do anything.’

‘Oh, yes, you did. You gave me back my life. You helped me see the doctor inside that was dying to come out, and you gave Dana the one thing she wants most.’

He kissed her on the tip of her nose. ‘A life supply of ding rolls?’

Carrie laughed. ‘A daddy.’

Charlie kissed her full on the mouth. He was going to be a daddy. ‘And you gave me a chance to be a father. A proper father. You gave me Dana. And the centre. That sounds like a fairly good trade to me.’

Carrie nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. ‘Should we shake on it?’

‘I think we can do better than that. I think we should seal it with a kiss.’

Carrie smiled as his lips descended and hoped all their future agreements were sealed so delightfully.

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THE END

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