Chapter 415

"Are you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I" Christian asked as he kissed her after they finished together.

Their lovemaking had been intense the entire night. It was already changing, more focused, more intimate. If this was a glimpse of what married sex was going to be like with Nora, Christian was starting to regret mentioning the long engagement idea.

"No. It was just, I'm sorry I'm crying. It was just really intense. Good intense." Nora said. He knew what she meant. It had been.

He rolled onto his side and pulled her into his arms.

"What do we do now?" She asked him.

"I'd think I'd like some grapes, maybe. And water." Christian said.

Nora laughed. "I meant what do we do now, with our life?"

Christian looked over at her. "I guess our journey kind of begins now. Which is what I wanted. So many people do it all wrong." He said. She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Like my mum and Dylan, for example. They loved each other, intensely, like us, right at first meeting. But they made choices that lead them, my mum particularly, in all the wrong directions. Well, not completely wrong because I needed to be here, but you understand what I mean. They lost so much time. I learned from that. Now, we can figure out this life thing together. We don't need interference or second guessing. We can be solid and let the world around us crumble and rebuild a million times. I met the love of my life at 21. You, at 31. We know it and now we have decades to make it incredible." He said, smiling and rubbing her back.

"I've never looked at anything the way you do. I love it. It's absolutely insane yet completely logical." She said.

"Well, I need to meet you father. And your brother. Maybe we could do that while we are still in the country?" He said.

"While we are in the country?" She asked.

"Yes. You are coming to London with me. You have to meet my family and see the palace. Not just my bedroom." He said with a wink. She smiled.

"Wow. Just like that, the new life begins." She said.

"Only if it's alright with you." He said.

"Of course it is. I said yes. That didn't mean yes to half of what you are. I guess now, we do this." She said.

"Good. We will fly back to your place and gather some of your things, meet your father and brother and then get you settled. I cannot wait." He said.

"Christian, are you sure? About all of this? About this commitment?" She asked, looking at her gorgeous ring.

"Yes." He answered. She smiled and kissed him.

"I am too." She said.

"My Nora." He said.

"Yours." She said.

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Christian heard her on the phone the next morning.

"Hello Dad. I was wondering if you're going to be home tomorrow night? For dinner? Yes. I want you to meet someone. My fiancée." She said. He felt nervous and listened closer.

"I know. No, I wasn't seeing anyone for a long time. But now I am seeing him. No, he's not a tattoo artist. Yes. I know that makes you happy. No. He's not a musician either. Well, it's complicated. Long story. We can fill you in at dinner. Is Marcus going to be home? Great. Ok. See you tomorrow then. Love you."

He ran to the bed and laid back down.

She walked in and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Good morning, my love." Christian said as he pretended to wake up.

"Good morning." She said.

"Everything alright?" He asked.

"Yes. I told my father. I hope you're ready because we are having dinner with him tomorrow night." She said. He smiled and pulled her back and into his arms.

"Wonderful." He said. She smiled.

"You have no idea what you're in for." She said.