"Mummy, I want togo for a walk. Can you and Daddy come with me, please?" Tam looked at her,a pleading look in her eyes.
"Sure, I guess so.I've been sitting around all day. A walk would do me good." She let go ofTam and stood up. "Where do you want to go?"
Tam looked at herfather before answering. "Down to the lagoon. It's pretty downthere."
Rooney glanced betweenthe two of them. "Okay. Let's go then."
Stevie held her hand,and together they walked down the driveway until they got to the stand of weepingwillows overhanging the lagoon. He opened the gate and waited for them to go infront of him.
"Oh, howpretty." Rooney looked at the picnic blanket and basket sitting under thetree before glancing at Stevie. "I sense something planned between the twoof you here. What's going on?"
"Come and sit withme?" Tam ran over and fell down onto the blanket.
"What have youdone?" she asked.
"Go and sit. Allwill be revealed. I promise." They walked over and Rooney eased herselfdown to sit with Tam, glancing up at him.
"I know I have alot to make up for, to both of you." He held up his hand when she openedher mouth to speak. "I know I have. If I hadn't been so reckless, thingswouldn't have happened the way they did the night you left. Now you've come back,and I'm not prepared to miss another moment with either of you." Hedropped down in front of them on one knee. Taking a small pink box from hispocket, he spoke. "Tamara, would you do me the honour of acknowledging meas your father? From this day forward, I pledge to be there for you, to shieldyou from evil and to be the man you want me to be."
She giggled as heopened the box. Taking the small gold heart shaped ring, he held it out to her.
"Yes,Daddy."
He gripped her hand andslipped it on one finger, then another until he found one that it fitted.
Tam stood and wrappedher arms around his neck as he fought back a wave of emotion. Looking atRooney, he saw she was as effected as he was.
Okay, now for the realdeal. He took a deep breath and took a small, blackvelvet box from his shirt pocket. Opening the lid, he turned it to Rooney andsaw her eyes widen. "Rooney, I've loved you ever since I realised thedifference between girls and boys Earlier if the truth be told. I've mademistakes, I'll accept that. What I won't do is let you go again. I can't bearthe thought of living without you and our daughter. I love you with all myheart, Rooney Williams. Please say you'll marry me."
She lifted her hands toher mouth and let the tears run down her face freely. Stevie felt his chestconstrict as he waited for her answer. A sob escaped her throat and he couldn'ttake it anymore. Reaching for Rooney, he pulled her into his arms.
"Tell me, forGod's sake, just tell me what’s wrong?" He kissed her head. "Is it toosoon, did I ask you wrong? Tell me, Rooney. I can't stand seeing you intears."
She laughed through hertears. "Foolish man. These are happy tears, Stevie. I never thought we’dever get to this point. Even at my lowest, when I was struggling with a babyand uni, I never could have dreamed we would be here together like this."She wiped her eyes and sniffed. "I can't bear the thought of livingwithout you. It was nice falling asleep last night in your arms. I don't wantto be alone again, Stevie. Of course I'll marry you."
He held her tight ashis heart beat slowed to normal. Then letting go of her, he picked up the boxhe'd dropped when he grabbed her. Taking the pink diamond solitaire, he placedit on her finger before kissing her soundly.
"We need a party,"Tam cried, throwing herself at the pair of them.
"Sounds like agood idea. We can do with some fun in the house." Rooney kissed him on thelips, mindful of the child snuggled between them. "I can't wait to sharethe news."
"I...um…askedRuss, so he knows but nobody else."
"You asked mybrother? How sweet you are."
"Now we’re goingto celebrate and have a couple of hours to ourselves before we go up and sharethe news." He reached for the basket and took out a chilled bottle ofchampagne and a couple of glasses.
Rooney held the glasseswhile he popped the cork. "Cheers." They tipped glasses and sippedbefore Stevie took snacks and juice from the hamper. He leaned back and watchedthe ducks floating on the water he’d skinny-dipped in with Rooney when theywere growing up. He wished with all of his heart that Tam would have such thecarefree existence they’d had.
ChapterThirty-seven
"Lizzie, open thedoor." Russ knocked, paused and knocked again.
She could feel thevibrations as she leaned against it, willing him to leave her alone.
"Go away."Her voice was muffled and she tried again, stronger this time. "Please,just go away."
"I'm not goinganywhere. We need to talk."
She looked around her lounge,debating ignoring him and climbing under the bedclothes shutting herself offfrom the world. But that wouldn't make anything better. What was done was done,and she had to live with it. What she didn't have to live with, was theaccusations pointed at her all over again because some stupid love-struck girlfancied the new doctor. Life was cruel and unfair. The very reason Lizzie hadtried not to get involved with Russ Williams, because sooner or later someonewould spill the story to him and he would run. They always did.
"Lizzie, I'm notgoing to go away. I don't care if I sit out here all night. We need totalk."
Tired and suddenlyeager to get it over and done with, she unlocked the door and pulled it open.It stunned her how beautiful he was. A blond god with gentle blue eyes and asmile that made her knees tremble. "What do you want to say?"
"Do you think Icould come in? I don't think this is something the neighbours need tohear." He smiled and walked past her, stopping in the middle of the room.
She shut the door,sliding the lock closed from
