CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (14 page)

“And we would like to get married here, in
this house, in two weeks time and you’re all invited.” Tristan then turns,
places his glass down and takes my ring out of his pocket. He takes my left
hand, and slowly slides my engagement ring down my finger.

“You could have told me you were going to
say that!” I whisper to him. “But I do,” I add, trying to take the sting out of
my words. Because what he just did was sweet and brave!

His face almost splits in two. I can't help
grinning back at him. He leans down and we give each other a peck on the lips –
I want to French kiss him, but I don’t think my family and friends would
appreciate that.

I turn and look around the room. Gladys and
Malcolm are quietly smiling up at us both. Joyce and Phil, who of course don’t
know, look like they’re going to expire. Rob and Carlos beam at one another,
George blows me a kiss and Erin and Ellie are quietly smiling up at me, holding
each other’s hand. Bob, is smiling, but looks a little upset.

Then Lily startles us all by jumping up
from her seat. “Yay!” She screams, jumping up and down. “Can I be a
bridesmaid?” she asks running over to me.

“Yes,” I whisper, she screams in delight. “I
knew you loved Aunty Coral,” she says jumping up and down in front of Tristan. We
both look at each other and burst out laughing.

“Married?” Debs chokes standing to her feet.
Then whips her head round to Gladys. “You knew!” she says.

“We only found out yesterday,” Gladys says.
Guess the tables have turned!

“Oh!” Debs seems to calm a little. “Seriously,
you’re getting married?” She adds in disbelief.

“Um…yeah,” I say. “Whatever you do Deb’s,
don’t congratulate us,” I add sarcastically.

“Shit, sorry!” She gasps, then runs over to
me and pulls me into a bear hug. “My little sister,” she chokes, “finally
getting hitched!”

“Yeah…” I gasp. “Debs, you’re crushing me!”

“Oh sorry,” she sniffs, stepping back. She
smiles warmly at me, her cheeks red and tear stained, but I can also see the apprehension
behind her smile – she’s worried.

“When you come over, I’ll tell you
everything,” I whisper to her.

Her mouth pops open in surprise. “Oh…ok.”
She nods once at me, her eyebrows still pulled together then turns to Tristan.
“Congratulations!” she says reaching up to hug him.

Tristan and I are then passed from person
to person for more hugs and congratulations. Gladys, Debs, Joyce, Erin and
Ellie all admire my ring, and agree it’s a beautiful piece.

Yep, Tristan did very well, I think to
myself. Until finally, I am back in Tristan’s arms and everyone is chatting
again.

“Coral,” Rob says marching over to us. “We
have so much to do. Have you two really thought about this?” He adds, crossing
his arms.

We both grin at Rob. “Rob, we haven’t just
decided to do this on a whim!”

He shakes his head in frustration. “Ok, ok.
But there’s so much to do,” he frantically says. “But first things first, you
guys need to get your wedding rings sorted,” he orders.

“Coral and I will take a look online tomorrow,”
Tristan tells him.

“Oh…ok good.” Rob says. “I’ll get onto the
registrar, and Coral, you need to take a look at wedding dresses – like
today!
If you like what I picked out we need to order it Pronto!”

“Ok, Rob, calm down…” I say, but Rob seems
frantic. “Rob, if this is going to stress you out…?”

“No, it won’t” he says. “But we need to get
organised
!”

“Ok, ok, come by tomorrow we can spend all
afternoon
getting organised
,” I giggle.

He seems to relax a little. “Ok, tomorrow,”
he says…

TWO HOURS LATER WE FINALLY
have the house to ourselves. Nurse Terry has been and given me another shot, Edith
and Stuart have both retired for the evening, and after a wonderful spread of
food, and plenty of champagne, my family and friends have gone home; a little
worse for wear I might add.
It’s weird not drinking when other people do!

I am stood in the bedroom, gazing out at
the stars, it’s a really clear night tonight. Tristan wraps his arms around me,
his front to my back and kisses the top of my head.

“Hey beautiful.” He says, kissing my hair.

“I’ve been spoiled,” I say.

“You think so?” He says.

“Yes, so many presents. It’s…overwhelming!”

“Coral, sometimes I don’t think you realise
how much everyone loves you.”

“I do…I just…” I trail off, turn around and
wrap my arms around his back. “Thank you Tristan, for my presents, for
today…for everything.”

He chuckles slightly, I feel it vibrate
through me. “You are most welcome,” he says. Hmm, feels so nice, wrapped up in
his warm arms, I could stay here forever. “Come on, let’s get ready for bed.”
He says, kissing the top of my head again.

“Ok.” Reluctantly, I release my arms from
his waist. Tristan helps me undress, until I’m practically naked; well apart
from my knickers.

“Tired?” Tristan asks as he slips one of
his t-shirts over my head.

“No,” I say. “Why are you putting this on
me?” I ask.

“So I can't see that gorgeous naked body of
yours,” he says, grinning widely at me. “Come on, into bed.” Tristan pulls the
covers back and I gently slide myself in.

“I’m not tired,” I say, in-fact I feel
wired. “I spoke to Bob.”

“Yeah?” Tristan unbuttons his shirt, and
pulls it off, revealing his very sexy torso.

I immediately lose my train of thought. Every
muscle down below instantly clenches in delight –
Man I want him!

He slowly saunters over to the chair in the
room, throws his shirt over it and strips off his trousers, so he’s just stood
there, naked in the room; well apart from his boxers.

“Tristan, can you please stop parading round
the room half naked and put on some clothes!”

He stops, slowly turns to me and smiles
that enigmatic smile of his.
Holy Crap!

“I’m not kidding!” I squeak, wanting to
throw a pillow at him. “You have the same effect on me you know,” I grumble.

“Ah, then I’m not being fair,” he says and
quickly covers himself up with a t-shirt. I shake my head at his teasing ways. “So,”
he says climbing into bed. “What did Bob have to say?” We both scoot down so we
are lying on our pillows, facing one another.

“What were you talking to George about?” I question.

“You first.” He grins –
Git!

“Fine! I gave him our offer of moving in
with us,” I say.

“And?” Tristan prompts.

“He said he’ll think about it. Oh and he’s
coming over tomorrow for a roast dinner.”

“Did you tell Edith?”

“I
asked
Edith and she said yes. Oh,
and I invited Rob and Carlos, if they’re coming over they should eat too,” I
say.

“Good idea.” Tristan grins.

“Now, I don’t want you to moan at me,
because it will only take about ten minutes, but I will be in the kitchen
tomorrow. I’m going to show Edith how to make West Indian Roast Chicken.”

“Are you now?” Tristan teases.

“Yes, I am.” I say a little petulantly.

“As you wish,” he teases some more. I laugh
and shake my head at him, then my face falls remembering what’s going on
tomorrow.
Ugh!

“Nine o’clock,” I grumble.

“For the detective?” Tristan guesses.

“Yeah…I’m looking forward to that like a
hole in the head,” I grumble.

“Baby, if this is too much…?” He says.

“No, I think I’d rather get it done, out of
the way,” I muse.

“Ok.” He says.

“So…” I say tucking my good hand under my
pillow.

“So…” Tristan says doing the same. I can't
help giggling.
Why am I finding this funny?
Tristan starts chuckling
too.

“Why are you laughing?” I laugh.

“I have no idea!” He chuckles.

“We need to talk,” I titter.

“I know.” Tristan sighs.

“Do you want to go first?” I ask.

“Do you want me to answer all the questions
you fired at me earlier?” He teases.

“You remember?” I ask quite astonished.

“Yes baby, I do.”

“Ok,” I whisper.

Tristan shakes his head. “I’ve changed my
mind, ladies before gentleman.”

I frown back at him. “Ok. Why were you
frosty with Dr Green?”

“Next question,” Tristan says, his jaw
clenching, his pupils dilating.
Grrrrr!

“Why?” I question, frowning at him.

“Next question,” he warns.
Ok, maybe
leave that one for last!

“Ok,” I sigh. “Why did you want to walk out
on me, after I told you about Susannah?”

Tristan sighs. “I am so very sorry that I
reacted that way Coral. I pride myself on being able to read people very well,
and I got it so wrong with Susannah; and I was so mad, about so many things’ –
“What things?” I interrupt.

“Well, when you showed me that report, I
realised I had got it completely wrong with Olivia.’ – My heart sinks – ‘You
were right Coral, I should have believed her, not Susannah. But then again I’m
glad it ended, because if it hadn’t I wouldn’t be here now with you.”

Ok, feeling better!

“Ok, but it still doesn’t explain why you
picked up your jacket and went to walk out on me? It really hurt me when you
said ‘I have to get away from you’ I never thought you would ever say anything
like that to me.”

Tristan closes his eyes for a moment. “I
know, I was mad with you for not telling me sooner, mad with you for
investigating it all, mad that it was you stood in front of me with information
that was making my whole world shift on it’s axis, and I was mad with myself
because I had put you in harm’s way. If you were right and Susannah was
unstable, I’d not seen it and she could have done anything to you…” Tristan
trails off.

“So you just wanted some space?” I
question.

“Yes, I was never going to leave you Coral.
I was just so frustrated, I can remember thinking, ‘why couldn’t it have been
Joyce, or Stu that was handing me this information?’ but oh no, it had to be
you. I was also worried, I didn’t want you involved in it, especially if it was
true, which it turned out to be.” He says, his cheeks flushing, his eyes
darkening.

I can't help frowning, it still doesn’
t
answer the question.

“What?” he asks gently stroking my cheek.

“When I grabbed my bag and I asked you if
it was over’ – His lips press against mine, instantly silencing me. “I never
answered you,” he says.

“I know, but you know me, I think the worst
I can't help it.”

“Coral, never in a million years…I just
needed the space.”

“Then why didn’t you just say that at the
time, like ‘no we’re not over I just want some space’ that wouldn’t have been
hard to say, and I’d at least have known where we stood. But instead, you tell
me to go?”

“I know…I know it was stupid and wrong
and…” Tristan shakes his head. “I think it’s fair to say that I’ve learned a
hell of a lot. About myself, about you, about relationships…I want to put this
right Coral. The last thing in the world I want is for us to be fighting and
you’re secretly wondering when I’m going to walk out, because I’m not, and I
won’t, ever. I promise you that.”

“I promise I won’t either,” I say. “No
matter how mad I am with you.”

“Good.” Tristan leans in and softly kisses
me.
Oh boy! Here we go again, my libido is wide awake and ready to rock.

“Stop,” I mumble against his lips. “No more
kissing,” I breathe.

“Why?” Tristan smiles.

“Because I can't take it any further, and
right now I want to!”

“Me too,” he says, smirking at me.

I shake my head and laugh. “Stop it, it’s
not funny!”

“No, it’s not!” He says still chuckling.

“What did you do when I left?” I ask.
Tristan instantly stops laughing.

“I told you, I called Susannah, we talked
and she denied it. Then I went for a swim to clear my head, I was about to head
out to find you when Susannah knocked on my door.”

“You…you were going to come and find me?” I
squeak.

“Yes. I figured you were at Rob’s, but I
didn’t know where that was, so I was about to call Joyce see if she knew.”

“Oh!” I swallow hard, he was going to come
and get me, just like before.

“Any more questions?” He asks.

“Yes,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “Did you
speak to Olivia?”

“No, I didn’t get the chance.” I open my
eyes and gaze at him.