'What!' Olivia exclaimed, searching his eyes, wondering if he was joking, but the serious intent in his eyes assured her otherwise.

She remembered a previous conversation of him hinting at having six children, she knew he was kidding. She understood they would probably have a second child, she assumed, it would be after they married; after he told her he loved her. Fedor noted the sadness in her eyes and questioned her.

'What is wrong darling? Do you not want another baby?'

She shrugged her shoulders, reluctant to expose herself, as she hung her head.

'Talk to me,' he whispered. 'There is one thing, we are good at ... no two,' he chuckled softly. 'We are excellent communicators and we are excellent in making love.'

Her face lifted. Her eyes searching his with a little trepidation. She swallowed nervously, then lowered her head again.

'Olivia speak to me,' he murmured, becoming concerned by her silence. 'I don't want you walking out on me again. Talk to me please!'

She inhaled heavily, and met his eyes squarely. 'You want more children Fedor, but what about us?' Her cheeks became inflamed.

"'Us?" What do you mean?"

She jumped off Rebecca's bed hastily. 'You're happy to play family, wanting to get married and have children, but do you love me Fedor? I can't ... do you love me damn you?'

He rose slowly, his eyes not leaving hers. He observed the tears streaming down her cheeks. He lifted her one hand, and gently pressed a kiss to it, before placing it against his racing heart. She could feel it beating erratically.

'I didn't think words were necessary,' he murmured gutturally.

'They are to me,' she sobbed, hiding her face against his protective shoulder.

He took a step back, his finger tenderly lifting her chin, forcing her hazel eyes to meet his russet brown ones.

'Then I love you with all of my heart, with every fiber of my being and with every breath, I breathe,' he whispered passionately.

She sobbed even louder, throwing her arms around his neck. 'And I love you,' she hiccupped though her sobs. 'I've loved you since before I fell pregnant, but I didn't just want to be a meaningless woman in your life providing you only with sex on tap.'

'You were never that!' He refuted fervently. 'I loved you then too. When you walked away from me, I assumed it was because you were bored, that the passion had run dry and that you wanted out.'

Her head flung back, her glistening eyes filled with her love for him. 'You loved me then?'

He nodded, pressing his lips to hers. Her arms tightened around him, hugging him.

'You see how important communication is?' she finally smiled through her tears.

'I see now,' he grinned.

'Now I will give you all the children you want,' she laughed, 'although six is just too much.'

'I'll settle for four,' he lifted her and twirled her around in his arms.

She laughed happily, lowering her head to kiss him passionately.

'I love you,' he smiled, his eyes darkened, his love suddenly evident.

'I love you too,' she whispered, 'and don't stop telling me you love me.'

'I won't,' he grinned, walking to their bedroom purposefully. 'Now let me show you.'

         'Come on darling, you do not normally take this long!' Fedor whined.

'You said we only need to be there at eight. We have plenty of time, besides I am ready,' she dabbed some perfume lightly behind her ears and on the inside of her wrists.

Fedor checked his watch, then admired his lover in her sexy ostrich blue tiered gown. It had been delivered to her this morning, courtesy of Fedor. He had told her they were attending a cocktail evening with a new client. Her hair was pinned up, to show off the glittering crystal earring dangling from her dainty ears. He held his breath. She looked stunningly amazing and he told her so.

'Are they Russian?' She asked, as his limo drove them to the fancy restaurant at Kew Gardens.

'Who?' Fedor asking dipping his head to kiss the silky skin on her throat.

'Your new client,' she pushed him away before he got carried away. She did not want him being late to his new client.

'Vsego odin potseluy dorogaya ... Just one kiss darling,' Fedor's hand trailed under her dress, between her thighs.

Olivia noted the limo had come to a standstill. 'We're here, sorry,' she grinned.

Fedor smiled and kissed her lips. 'I guess I have to wait until I undress you tonight,' his warm breath fanned her cheek.

Olivia was almost tempted to kiss him back. She had to clench her hands at her side, to prevent herself from wrapping her arms around his neck. She took a huge breath, to calm herself down, as Fedor opened his door.

'Thank you,' she smiled into Fedor's eyes as he held the door open for her, and reach out a hand to assist her.

'You look ravishing darling,' he smiled, placing his palm at the small of her back guiding her out of the limo.

'I'm surprised you're bringing clients to dinner at romantic Kew Gardens,' Olivia teased.

Fedor looked at Olivia, and half smiled. Olivia wondered at his seeming nervousness. Fedor was normally confident, his actions always calculated, bold and decisive.

'We're not dining in the restaurant?' Olivia asked, as Fedor steered her outside, to a secluded area in the gardens. There were a select few tents set up for those who wished to dine outside.

'It is a beautiful warm evening,' he smiled. I thought you would enjoy the picturesque gardens and breathtaking landscape.'

Olivia smiled, taking in the tropical plants, tumbling flower wall and bedecked ferns looking ornamental all over the place. The botanical greenhouse was surrounded with flowers. She thought it looked magnificent.

Fedor held out a chair for Olivia in what seemed like a secluded, private area. There were huge vases with red roses placed aesthetically around the tent. Their table was set for two. An ice bucket to Fedor's left, had very expensive French champagne chilling.

'Fedor? This table is set for two! Where are your clients going to sit? She looked around, trying to see if the space could accommodate three or four more chairs.

'Would you like a drink darling?' Fedor asked, but poured for her anyway before, she could reply.

'Thank you,' she accepted and watched as Fedor poured himself a drink, swallowed it all and poured himself a second drink.

'Are you comfortable?' He asked.

'Yes, thank you.'

'You're not cold are you? I could give you my jacket,' he began unbuttoning his tux.

'No. It is lovely and still warm.' She smiled

'We will order just now okay?' Fedor's eyes met hers, 'but first I must do something.'

'What?' She laughed softly. 'You're making me nervous.'

Fedor swallowed his second drink, stood just in front of Olivia and went on bended knee.

'Olivia Chadwick. I love you my darling. Will you marry me and be my wife for eternity?'

Olivia's hand flew to her mouth. She stared at Fedor in absolute amazement. She looked around the stunning private tent, the romantic décor, the beautiful red roses enveloping them and finally at the most gorgeous, handsome, sexy man, on bended knee, still waiting for her response.

'Yes,' she responded with an adoring smile. 'Yes,' she repeated, as if to assure herself that he heard her.

'Good,' Fedor laughed and stood up. He extended his hand to Olivia.

'That was nerve wrecking darling,' he wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her lips.

'So no client dinner then, I take it?' Her arms curved around his neck, as she kissed him back.

'I hope you find this more appealing, than dining with clients,' he finally smiled.

'I do. You know I do,' she kissed his lips.

'Right. I have something for you,' he grinned, dipping a hand into pocket and fishing out a stunning, sparkling platinum engagement ring. He slipped it onto her ring finger and admired it together with Olivia.

'Wow. It is stunning,' she whispered. 'I love it. I love you.'

Fedor smiled into her eyes. 'And I love you. Would you care for some dinner now?'

                                                                -end chapter 14-