One morning, having awakened and discovered Ayla missing, Lane stood on the balcony in an almost-military "at ease" stance, staring off into the early morning distance, absorbing the beauty that was the Towers land. (I never thought that I would be living at a place like this, loved by the most remarkable woman ever...If you're listening, God, thank you...) He bowed his head and allowed his hair to cover his face and hide the powerful emotions that badgered his mind. (Whatever I did right, I'm thankful for the way it turned out...) He heard the door open and close and glanced around to see Ayla approaching him, her hands behind her back. (She's planning some surprise or other...) "Sweetheart, I've been missing you...Where've you been?" He stepped toward her, held her precious face in his hands, and gave her a little peck on the cheek.

"I've been having breakfast with the family. I thought you could use the sleep, so I didn't wake you. How are you feeling, Darling?"

"Good, I think." He looked over his shoulder at the expanse that was behind him. "I'm home," looking again at Ayla, "and have a woman who loves me." A brilliant smile lit up her face. She lowered her eyes and blushed, before looking him straight in the eyes. "I have something to tell you, a surprise of sorts..." (Thought so...)

Ayla started the formal speech she had prepared. "Dear one, I believe you know what it entails to be formally 'the Towers at the Towers on the Crest.' You've been so wonderful and pretty much assumed the role anyway, haven't you?" Lane cocked his head and lifted his brows. He nodded his head slightly, affirming her assertion. "The main change would be taking the Towers name." He nodded again.

"You love me." He closed his eyes momentarily, then gazing at her through his dark lashes at her adoring face, smiled his sweetest smile. She blushed, knowing what he was thinking. "And you love the Towers herself..." Another nod.

She took one step closer, requiring that she look almost straight up to see his handsome face. She took his left hand in her right and queried, "No one has been invited into the family since Great Granddad." Lane 's face cycled through a couple expressions: curiosity, anticipation, before she finished, "Lane Joseph Crawford, my wonderful love, will you marry me?"

His face went blank as his mind whirled. They had joked and talked about this for about a year now, but it still took him by surprise (...as she had hoped...) to have her really ask for him. ("Shouldn't she be asking my Dad for permission, for my hand in marriage?" he thought nearly hysterically.)

"Yes...God, yes, Sweetheart." His heart was bursting with a joy for which he hadn't realized he was capable. His voice dropping to a whisper, he murmured, "I didn't know how much I really wanted this." He queried softly, "You really do want me...for your husband?"

"Lane, my beautiful, wonderful love. I've wanted you from the moment I first saw you. I told you before. In my heart, I've been married to you for a long time." She reached up, stretched her arms around his shoulders, and standing on tiptoe, softly kissed his lips. "This proposal is only a formality."

He wrapped his arms around her. "May I kiss the bride?" She nodded several quick little nods. Drawing her close, he leaned her slightly back, and kissed her as sweetly, as deeply, and as heartbreakingly desperately as he could. With his strong arms around her and his tender kiss on her lips, she couldn't have felt more loved. After a few long moments, he released her lips and buried his face in her neck, overcome with the joy of her.

He finally felt in control of himself again, and asked, "Set a date?"

"We can have a big party for the family and for friends to celebrate with us...whenever you're ready." She continued, "But it's official. You're mine now..."

"We're married?"

"If you want to be...The Towers Covenants allow the heir apparent to become the heir inherent immediately. If he wants, he becomes the 'Towers.'"

"So, I can be the 'Towers' now?" He was still a little unsure, and trying to make sense of what was happening. She nodded. Trying to reassure him, she touched his anxious face with a gentle hand.

"My Lane Towers..."

He was still holding her, and rocked her gently back and forth. She unwound his arms from around her, took his left hand, and slid a second ring on his finger. He heard a soft click. Staring at his hand, he recognized the turrets of the Towers lapping across his plain gold band, so perfectly matched that it seemed to be one ring. (Blinking slowly, he mused, "I think I just married the Towers on the Crest.")

Suddenly dizzy, he dropped his arms, paled, and looked like he was going to faint. She threw her arms around him and searched his face for a clue. "Baby, are you all right?"

He mumbled a little shakily. "For a minute there I thought I was going to pull a 'best man' and faint..." Taking a couple of deep breaths, he smiled his warmest smile. "Sweetheart, I'm better than all right." He looked anxious again. "But I don't have a ring for you. I should..."

"Shh...I have my ring. I don't need anything but you. As I said, I've been married to you for a very...very long time." Enfolding her in his arms, he again kissed her deeply, tenderly, with such passion that she teared up from the power of his emotion. After a couple moments, they stood staring into each other's eyes, the physical attraction mirroring their emotional upheaval.

Moving his arms to wrap her shoulders, he kissed her again, passionately, then more demanding, his tongue teasing her lips to open. She opened her mouth eagerly as he plunged his tongue into her sweetness. She sucked his tongue and pressed herself closer. Feeling his male excitement against her abdomen, she arched her back, bringing her hips hard to his, crushing him against her warm femaleness.

Gentleman that he is, he started to unbutton her blouse for her. Impatiently, she ripped it off, and tore her bra off and threw it. "Oho, so that's the way it is..." Lane observed. It turned into a race to see who could get naked first. Lane won, and running, he jumped into the middle of the unmade bed. Lying on his side, he held the covers up for her, as she crawled in beside him.

She scooted over next to him and draped her leg over his hip. His eyes searched her face as he ran his fingers through her hair. Bringing his mouth to hers, he kissed her fervently, licking her lips to coax her to allow his tongue to enter. Opening to him, she didn't wait for him, she plunged her eager tongue into his mouth, caressing and sucking his. (...God...too much...There goes foreplay...) He grabbed her hips and shoved his maleness into her heated depths. She was arching her back and pounding herself against him.

Moaning softly, she begged, "Lane...darling...I can't wait...longer...I've needed you...all...all morning..." She could only get a couple words out between gasps. She wanted him...now. That was all the invitation he needed. Still holding her by the hips, he began an even rhythm, moving slowly and as tenderly as he could manage at that moment. His own neediness was building in leaps and bounds, making an easy, slow motion very difficult. His body kept insisting that he speed up. Watching her face, he knew when she was ready and crushed his lips to hers, his tongue diving into her mouth. Immersing himself as deeply into her womanhood as he could, he moved very gently, holding as still as his body would let him.

The familiar pulsing flutter of her pleasure drove him over the edge. He struggled to stay with her, but it was too late. He dived over the crest into heat and ecstasy, compounded by the powerful emotions he had just experienced and now glowing in series on her beautiful face. He shuddered to a heart-stopping close just as her moist eyes opened. She peered through her lashes at him. His mouth worked but nothing came out. Closing his eyes momentarily, he recovered his sanity. In a small breathy voice, she whispered, "My wonderful Lane...how I love you."

"That's...all I...live for." He pulled her close, so close that their lips nearly met and lay his head on her pillow, his gorgeous honey-brown eyes worshiping her through his dark lashes. She caressed his handsome face and laid her hands against his chest, gently stroking the blond "fur" that she so loved. The morning sun breaking over the hills shined through the balcony door, causing his blondish hair to glint gold. He squirmed around until he could kiss her pretty breasts before lying back on her pillow, lips touching this time. Their legs were still intertwined from their lovemaking, their bodies still joined.

"I love you." "I love you." They spoke simultaneously, Lane chuckling at the "jinx."

He mumbled, "You owe me a Coke..."

"You owe me a Coke."

"Will you settle for a kiss?"

"Mm-hmm." He rolled a little closer, his hips slightly over her. Her leg still over his hip, he felt her heated center against his starting-again-to-be-interested manhood. He pressed his mouth to her reddened, kiss-softened lips, plunging his tongue into her mouth. Kissing her deeply and tenderly, he felt intoxicated and more than a little dizzy. She moaned softly, and managed to draw her lips away long enough to sigh his name. He could hear no sweeter sound in the world. They moved closer and drew together again seeking the sweet pleasure that only they could give each other.