Chris sighed as he stood up, kissed Rachel’s head, took hold of her hand in his and walked towards the living lounge.

Alice sat down, looking down at her watch as she glared at Lily and William. She knew that she really should have just turned up earlier; after all she had every right to be here and before time.

Her Chris had got himself a girl without her permission. She shot daggers at Chris’s parents as they sat next to her.

Chris and Rachel reached the lounge and Rachel saw a woman with beautiful hair resting her head against the table top, seemingly reveling in the peace of the moment.

"I bloody hate Chris Evans, How dare he betray me like that. I mean how could you let him do that to me?" Alice asked as she sat up quickly, eyeing Chris’s parents.

Chris offered a greeting in lieu of acknowledgement as the woman crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him and Rachel, an infuriated scowl resting on her face. Rachel seemed all the more wary looking at the woman glaring at her. 

Chris guided Rachel to a seat and winked at her before hugging the woman and whispering cheerfully, "My, my what a pleasant surprise. Oh...What's wrong grandma?"

Rachel let out a huge breath and watched fascinated as his grandma rolled her eyes. "I hate you."

“Grandma, you look more beautiful than ever,” Chris chimed and took her offered hand and lifted it to his lips.

“Rascal,” Alice Evans accused,” You didn’t tell me about this girl of yours, I don’t like you very much at the moment.”

"I am a charmer, you shouldn’t be saying things like that, and they really hurt, grandma. I know you love me," Chris scolded playfully.

“Ha! Right. I don’t even know why I put up with you?” Alice added, frowning at him.

"Grandma, you have no choice. I am your grandson," Chris reprimanded, "Want to meet my girl?"

Rachel struggled not to smile. Did he have to be so damned charming?

"Just because you think you’re so handsome and that girl of yours seems to be a beauty doesn’t mean that I will forgive you easily," Alice Evans said cheekily,” and especially you two are in loads of trouble,” she further added looking at Lily and William.

“Maa, Come On. I apologize. You know I was going to call you just now,” William Evans muttered as he looked at his mother pleadingly and Lily nodded her head in pure agreement.

“Sure enough, don't try your silly antics on me” Alice chided,” I raised you, don’t you forget that. And if you will excuse me, I will take this opportunity to talk to the young girl who seems to have captured all of your hearts.”

Alice extended her hand for Rachel, Rachel stood up, her heart thundering in her body.

She was utterly nervous, Chris’s grandmother seemed like a total spitfire and it seemed she was  likely to simply gobble her up.

"My name's Rachel," Rachel said politely as she took her hand and moved to sit in the seat opposite to her.

Alice was furious as she said the next words, "So, you’re Rachel Whitaker, I presume. And let me start by saying that my grandson, this Chris Evans is a git of the worst kind. Why do you want to do 'dirty, dirty things' with him then?" 

That last comment made Rachel go a vivid shade of red.

"I-I….”

“Grandma?” Chris looked utterly mortified as Lily and William burst out laughing.

“Shh! Chris. I have a right to know when I can expect beautiful grand-children,” Alice said nonchalantly, she stood up and demanded a hug from Rachel, and Rachel complied dutifully still stunned by her comments as Robert and Anna walked in to the room.

“Aha! Here’s the man I love,” Alice said hooting at Robert.

Robert smiled and hugged her;” You make my heart beat faster, Alice.”

Alice’s laugh was a sound of pure, feminine appreciation,” Scoundrel, forty years ago I would have given the girls you go for a chase for their money.”

Robert went and perched on the arm of her chair, “Alice, there simply would have been no competition.”

Rachel and Anna giggled as Alice winked at them.

“May I introduce Anna Bell to you, my beautiful Alice,” Robert smiled.

Alice Evans looked at Anna, “It’s a pleasure to meet you girl; you better take care of him.”

Anna looked horrified as she said, “No-no. We’re not….”

But, Alice had turned her attention back to Rachel,” So where were we? Oh yes, grand-children. Won’t you agree with me Lily?”

“Oh yes, maa, most definitely,” Lily laughed as she saw Rachel blushing.

“Mum, not you too,” Chris rubbed his face as he gazed at his mother and mouthed her to ‘stop’ embarrassing them while Lily twinkled at him in return.

“So, tell me more Rachel? You know, that’s an endearing thing, Rachel. Your blush, gosh! I would have swooned right now but I just don’t swing that way. If you know what I mean. Pity though but as you can see William here is the incriminating evidence but definitely that doesn’t mean that I have to be straight,” Alice added thoughtfully as William coughed and Anna giggled.

“Mum, enough,” Lily squeaked as she looked at Rachel’s flustered face,” have mercy on the little girl.”

“Oh! Alright,” Alice agreed after a dramatic sigh, “why don’t you bore me with all the cute, unexciting details about you and Chris?”

Rachel's smile lit up her face as she recounted all sorts of very adorable and sweet things that Chris had said or done, Lily had no idea her little monster of a son could be adorable or cute. And though Alice pretended to be bored but inside she was cooing like a fan girl.

"So, cute," Alice laughed loudly.

Rachel smiled as Chris winked at her and as he made to stand up his arm brushed Rachel’s.

They both blushed as fire of uninterrupted longing erupted in their bodies.

Anna and Robert watched in amusement. Rachel and Chris were usually extremely comfortable in each other's company; Chris would quip, Rachel would retort and it would end in a playful fight.

Nonetheless, Robert and Anna were sure that Rachel and Chris were acting odd.

And they both knew why.

Rachel and Chris were just pining away to be alone and indulge in some sinful acts.

The two exchanged looks over the table and grinned.

“Awww. Adorable,” Alice grinned,” That is what I love about love; it just makes you feel so high. Chris, I approve of your beautiful girl, our Rachel. Rachel, welcome to the family and Chris, I would love to have a glass of wine,” she quipped as she ignored Chris and engaged Rachel in her talks.

Chris shook his head and all the men stood up and walked over to the bar.

“So, Rachel any naughty bits you want to share with us?” Alice looked at her and wiggled her eyebrows.

“Yeah, Rach,” Anna butted in,” why don’t you tell Alice about your sexy, wet dream?”

“Wet dream? Ooh la la! Now, that is what I am talking about, make it extra wicked,” Alice leaned forward very excited to hear Rachel spill the details.

But, just then men returned each equipped with a drink for the ladies.

"Rachel, dear," Alice said, and Rachel glanced up, blushing already. "What were you going to say about Chris before?"

Rachel sat upright and seemingly froze.

Gosh! The elder woman was witty and cunning.

Chris looked appropriately startled, his eyebrows shooting up and his eyes flickering over to where a frozen Rachel sat beside him.

"Er...Rachel? You were talking about me to my grandma? Are you okay, she didn’t ask embarrassing questions, did she?” He looked at his grandma as she raised her eyebrows and hurriedly added, “Of course not! She is a sweetheart.”

"Better." Alice approved, beaming. "Now, Rachel, what were you going to say again?"

"Er..." There was an expectant pause. Rachel cleared her throat once more. "Ju..Just...Nothing."

"Oh," Robert smirked, looking infuriatingly mischievous. "I think that it was more than something. Care to share?"

"No, I'd rather not," replied Rachel, her cheeks heating up.

Robert nudged her playfully in the shoulder. "Come on, Rach," he encouraged innocently.

"I will help you here, it is regarding the conversation you had with me," Anna added, grinning.

Rachel shot a deathly glare at Anna and crossed her arms stubbornly, refusing to look anywhere near the direction of Chris.

Alice clucked her tongue irritably; this would not do. There was no doubt in her mind that this was the girl for Chris and, there was no denying it, Alice very much liked Rachel. The girl was witty, intelligent and genuinely loved Chris and Chris seemed to really love her too.

They were perfectly made for each other.

She could pick up underlying the sexual tension between them and that really excited her as that meant they were more to each other than what she had perceived.

However that didn't stop from taunting the poor thing.

"Oh yes, do tell," Lily Evans encouraged, a mischievous glint appearing in both eyes. "I'm sure Chris would love to know."

Still slightly red in the face, but gazing at Rachel with a curious stare, Chris frowned. "She doesn't have to if she doesn't want to," he argued.

Snorting, Anna gave Rachel a look. "Of course wants to," she smiled sweetly. Anna glanced over at Rachel, blinking her eyes innocently, "Or I could always tell you about that dream she had the other night where you-"

"I need to go to the bathroom!" Rachel blurted out, causing everyone to giggle.

"I'll come!" chirped Anna.

Glaring at her best mate, Rachel insisted through gritted teeth; "No it's fine, I'll just be a minute."

Chris smiled and winked at her letting her know that he knew what she was on about.

…………..

“Where is Chris?” Rachel asked Lily as she came out after fifteen minutes.

“Oh! Sweetie, he is in the back garden, why don’t you go and ask him to come inside,” Lily said as she smiled at Rachel and patted her cheek affectionately.

“Sure,” Rachel turned and walked to the back door.

She saw the garden and her breath caught in her throat, it was breath-taking.

A garden that symbolized both beauty and romance filled with majestic fountains and lush orchids.

It was a sight to behold.

She found him standing near a fountain that gave a surreal feeling of the entire garden.

She smiled as she became blissfully aware that Chris was hers. That handsome man who just made her senses crumble was all hers. She loved his family, she loved the love she received from them and hoped one day she would officially be part of them- The Evans.

Rachel moved towards him and touched his arm,” Hey!”

“Hey,” he murmured as he lowered his mouth towards hers,” I missed this.”

“Me too,” her lashes lowered as his lips brushed hers, her nerves began to tingle and she drew a long sigh full of content, ”more,” she said.

He dragged her against him and crushed her mouth with his. Instant fire burst into their hearts, bodies and seemed to penetrate their souls. Rachel moaned. The sound had nothing to do with pain or wonder but simple, raw desire. Her body strained into his as she found his tongue with hers and let passion and intimacy merge blindingly.

He loved her, her taste, her scent. Her scent was airy, romantic, her mouth ripe with passion. He drew away from her as she protested by gripping his shoulders,” Chris.”

"Don't be mad, my darling," Chris pulled Rachel against his chest, as he weaved his fingers through her hair,” I love you and I have to do this now. It is the perfect time.”

Rachel looked up at him, surprised at the intensity of his gaze as she replied,” I lov….”

And to her utter surprise then and there, he dropped down to one knee.

Rachel’s knees seemed to buckle as her eyes filled with tears, she was beyond surprised.

She loved him, she knew he loved her but she definitely wasn’t expecting a proposal this soon. It all seemed like a dream.

She was going to start a new life with her love. Was she ready for this big step? She didn’t know what to say, what to feel, what to do as she looked and Chris and saw true love for her in his eyes.

Chris smiled and grabbed her hand in his and kissed it,

“My little bunny, from the day I first saw you, I was smitten. Every day since then, my feelings have only grown deeper. I love you, Rachel. I love you for everything you are. We can get through anything together Rachel, I really believe that. I want to look after you, if you'll let me,” Rachel's breath left her in a gasp,” You are my everything: flowers and hearts and sunshine and butterflies and rainbows. All the magic and wonder in my world. You know why I hold on to you so tight? Because life is a maze full of twists and turns and I want to get lost in it with you. Because when I’m with you the world stops turning and gravity disappears and it’s all I can do to stop floating away. I want to be the one you take great leaps with and face lightning storms with, the one who holds you up above the waves and laughs with you all the while being drowned, the one you split your desserts with, the one who’ll sit in the seat facing the wall so you can have your back to it and the one who will push you around in shopping carts.”

“I'll love you every moment of forever. I want to spend our lives together, I want you to have my children and I want you to be the one that I come home to every night. If I could wake up next to you every morning I'd be the happiest man in the world, you’re my soul-mate. I am yours and you’re mine," from his pocket Chris kissed her hand again as he produced a black velvet jewellery box, opened it and presented it to her.

Rachel gasped again, as she saw the ring a heart shaped diamond with sapphire side stones and some small diamonds intermingled on the band itself, her mind was whirring as she tried to desperately catch up with just what Chris was doing.

"Marry me Rachel? Please say, you'll marry me. Be my Rachel Evans?"

She realized at that very moment, she loved him with all her heart and there was no point in waiting, she was ready for him, for their future together, she was ready to be Mrs Chris Evans as Rachel threw her arms around Chris' neck, her tears saturating them both as she whispered against his skin.

"Yes, yes, yes! Oh Chris…yes."

"Really?" He pulled away from her, looking as if he hardly believed her response. "You mean it Rachel?"

"Of course," she gasped, frantically showering him with kisses. "Of course I'll marry you, my love. I love you so much."

"Rachel," he groaned as their lips met. He kissed her, pouring her heart into it, etching their souls,  mingling their fates together in that one kiss.

A kiss they would undoubtedly remember for the rest of their lives. A kiss which symbolized their new jouney as an individual and as a team, partners for life. Breaking away from her embrace, he slipped the ring onto her finger. They continued to pepper each other with light kisses as they gazed into each other's eyes, seemingly lost in their own world, weaving their own dreams. 

Rachel fingered the ring as she looked at Chris and read the carving-

 “Forever and Always Yours- C E”

They both stared at it, laughing and crying, and Rachel thought that the look of pure elation on Chris' face as he looked at her, might have been the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.

Cheers and cries greeted their ears, as they looked up to see their family members and friends, waving and yelling out to them from the back porch. She saw her parents beaming as they repeatedly blew kisses over at them.

"They knew?" She asked Chris in disbelief.

"Of course," he grinned, as he wrapped his arms around her, unwilling to let her go even for a moment. "You think I could have got up the nerve to do that without their help?"

"You thought I'd refuse?" Rachel laughed, kissing the hollow of his throat.

"I was worried," he admitted as he shivered delightfully.

They were all waiting for them, waving frantically, cheering and cat calling. She was embraced by everyone, her parents hugged her and kissed her cheek, Lily and William demanded she called them ‘mum and dad’, Alice wolf-whistled as Rachel blushed adoringly, Vanessa squealed and Anna gushed over her ring as Robert patted Chris’s back.  

Rachel was finally handed back to her fiancé's waiting arms, she had never been as happy as she was in that very moment.

Come what may, Chris was her past, her present and her future, her first and only love and with him by her side, Rachel was promised of a future filled with happiness and pure love.