The Baby Bet: The Royal MacAllister Part 16

In the small office in the rear of the gallery, Alice snapped on the desk lamp as Brent closed the door behind them. She turned to face him, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze directly as she ignored her trembling legs and thundering heart.

"I'm...I'm very surprised to see you here tonight," she said, wis.h.i.+ng her voice was steadier.

"It took me this long to come to my senses, figure things out," Brent said, staying by the door. "It's just a coincidence that I arrived in Ventura on the night of the showing, which is why I'm not dressed properly for it." He paused. "Alice, there's so much I want, need, to say to you. I hope you'll listen, really hear, what I... Will you? Listen to me?"

"Yes," she said.

"When I saw your self-portrait in the pewter frame," he said, "I knew, with no lingering doubt, that you loved me every bit as much as I loved you. I knew that I was wrong, had accused you of things that weren't remotely close to being true."

"But, Brent, it's been weeks since I left that portrait for you."

"I know. I was still a mental mess, Alice. Yes, I knew then that you loved me, but it didn't solve the problem of your career taking you away from the Island of Wils.h.i.+re, from me, for weeks at a stretch as you promoted your work."

"Oh, but I don't intend-"

"Please," he continued, raising one hand. "Let me finish."

Alice nodded.

"I finally put the puzzle together," he said. "I remembered how focused I was during all those months I was producing the Renault-Bardow wine. I was centered on my dream and spent little time with my parents, King Chester, my friends on the island. I understand about dreams, Alice, I truly do, but I was so selfish and self-centered I didn't want you to pursue yours at the cost of our being continually together. I was so d.a.m.n wrong."

"But-"

"I sat on a hill above the vineyards, the place where I hoped we'd build our home, and I realized that I needed to compromise, be willing to share you with your career, cherish the time we would have together. I finally knew, sitting there under the stars, that I would always be there, waiting for you to come home to me."

"But-"

"Alice, I heard what you said to the man from the television station," Brent said, rus.h.i.+ng on. "You said you don't intend to tour with your work, that you just want to paint. But I've come here to beg your forgiveness for the horrible things I accused you of. I came here to tell you that you should never give up your dream. I came here to tell you that we could make it work by being partners, soul mates forever. I came here to ask you, again, to marry me, stay with me, until death parts us."

"Oh, Brent," Alice said, tears filling her eyes.

"You believe me, don't you? You know I'm not just making this all up because I heard what you said to that guy? I swear it's true, Alice. I would be there, waiting for you, every time you came home. I even accepted the fact that we wouldn't have children because you'd be traveling so much. Oh, G.o.d, tell me you believe me."

"I do," she said, a sob catching in her throat. "Yes, I believe you."

Brent stared up at the ceiling for a moment, to gather his emotions, then looked at Alice again.

"Thank you," he said, his voice raspy. "Will you forgive me for the pain I caused you? Will you paint a portrait of us together, which we'll put in another pewter frame and hang in a place of honor in our home? Will you create babies, little miracles, with me? Ah, my Alice in Wonderland, will you marry me?"

Alice smiled as two tears spilled onto her cheeks. "Yes. Yes. Wait. Let me remember how many questions you asked. Yes. And, oh, yes, Brent Bardow, I'll marry you, be your wife and the mother of our children. Oh, G.o.d, Brent, I love you so much."

Brent let out a pent-up breath, then opened his arms to Alice. "Come here, please."

Alice ran across the room and into Brent's embrace, encircling his neck with her arms. They held fast to each other, allowing the depth and the warmth of their love to chase away the chill of loneliness and heartache that had consumed them.

"I love you," Brent said finally.

Alice tipped her head back to meet his gaze, seeing the tears that s.h.i.+mmered in his blue eyes.

"And I love you," she said, her own eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears.

Brent's mouth melted over hers and the kiss sealed their commitment to forever. Desire suffused them and hearts beat in wild tempos of want and need and love.

Brent broke the kiss and spoke close to Alice's lips.

"You'd better get back out there," he said, his voice husky with pa.s.sion. "This is your night to s.h.i.+ne and you deserve to enjoy every second of it. I'll wait for you until the show is over. I'll wait for you, Alice."

"I've been here long enough," she said. "I'll leave my paintings behind to speak for me. It's time for me to be with my future husband. It's time to begin our life together so that in the years to come we can stand side by side on the Island of Wils.h.i.+re and say to each other, oh, look at us. My darling Brent, your Alice in Wonderland wants to go home."

end.