As Alex disappeared underneath the water, the feeling of peace overcame him. Completely submerged he drifted, waiting for Grace to join him. They both watched, mesmerized, as the huge fish swarmed around the massive tank. Their personal guide stood waving to them from the other side of the thick glass walled tank, camera poised, ready to capture this moment for them forever.
Time seemed to stand still while they were drifting with the sharks and huge sea turtles. Neither one of them was in a hurry to exit the display; the instructor had to cajole them out of there. Showing them to the changing rooms he left them to dress in privacy.
“That was amazing! Thank you so much. I don’t think I will ever forget today.” Grace stood on tiptoes, encasing his neck in her arms as she rewarded him with a kiss. “This is the best date ever.”
“It’s not over yet, babe. I have another surprise for you.” As they left the changing room Alex dragged her over to the shark gift shop, selecting a shark headgrabber on a stick for her and the photo of them swimming with the sharks.
The adrenalin spiked through his veins as he led her through the aquarium towards his final surprise for the day. He hoped to God he hadn’t misjudged this. He was more than ready for what he was about to do but he knew she was prone to panic. If he hadn’t read the situation correctly this could all go massively wrong and he had no idea what he would do if she turned him down. He didn’t want to go back to London alone. He had spent the last few weeks making sure everything was perfect and he knew exactly what he was about to say; he didn’t want to mess it up. If she was going to agree he knew he had to have the right words in order for her not to go into a meltdown in front of him.
As they stood at the entrance to the ‘The Cool Seas’ display their guide wished them a good evening. “Everything should be in there ready for you, Alex. Any problems and just use the phone on the wall by the main tank.” Alex shook his hand and thanked him for everything. Grace’s eyebrows were pinched together not quite understanding that statement; what was in there? What on earth was he planning? Rooted to the spot she could only stare at him, examining hisface for some kind of clue as to what was going on but he was giving nothing away.
“Don’t you look at me like that! I told you I had one final surprise for you.” He grabbed her hand, leading her down the almost black corridor which wound around in a semi circle of darkness. When they reached the room in the centre Grace was speechless. They were stood beneath a dome shaped tank which was filled with thousands of jellyfish. It felt like they were in the ocean with them; the whole room like a small pocket inside a larger tank. Only the floor beneath them was solid, everywhere else was glass. The soft blue light emanated around the dome lighting up the mesmerizing creatures as they drifted and pulsed in gentle motion. Slowly turning around she took in the full view; nothing but beautiful jellyfish everywhere she looked, glowing as they pulsed around inside the tank.
“Alex, this is amazing. So breathtaking.” Grace wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly. “Thank you so much.”
“You really like it? I hope so because we are sleeping in here tonight.” Alex held his breath waiting for her reaction. Her jaw dropped open when she finally saw the makeshift bed set up behind them.There was an airbed, sleeping bags and a cool box all ready and waiting for them.
“Seriously? I mean we get to stay here...all night...until tomorrow?” Grace asked him. “Just the two of us?”
Alex nodded. Guiding her to their bed for the night, he made her sit on the bed before taking his place in front of her.
“Alex, this is too much. I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
He shook his head. “Nothing is too much for you. You deserve the best of everything and I intend to make sure that is exactly what you get from now on.” Grace stared at him intently as he spoke. “I know that being with me can be...challenging at the best of times, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I really hope you feel the same.” He reached into his jacket pocket producing the small black leather box.
Grace was glad the room was too dark for him to see the colour drain from her face. She couldn’t take her gaze from the box but at the same time she didn’t want to see what was inside it either. This was all too much too soon. Would she say yes when he asked her? She really couldn’t think straight now. Her thoughts were all jumbled together as she tried to calm herracing mind.It’s just a box,she reminded herself.Just a box.
“Grace, stop panicking. I can see the fear in your eyes. They are glowing more than the damned fish!” He chuckled. “It’s not what you think.” He saw her shoulders drop slightly as she took a breath. “One day I am going to propose. I am putting a ring on your finger. I want you to have my babies, but you’re not ready for that yet. I am. God, I have been ready since the first time you agreed to have dinner with me. You, however, need a little more time for that.” He held out his hand, offering her the small box. “Open it. Please.”
Grace tentatively took the box from his hand. It didn’t go unnoticed that she was shaking like a leaf as she held it. Checking his face for encouragement she cautiously flipped open the lid. A look of confusion spread across her face. “You bought me a key ring?” She lifted out the little enamel lighthouse from the box, admiring it.
Alex chuckled; he knew if she hadn’t been freaking out so much she would have realised exactly what it was. Fishing in his pocket he pulled out his own bunch of keys, carefully removing a brass key from the ring. “I couldn’t fit the key in the box. I didn’t just buy you a key ring, I bought us The Lighthouse. That’s your front door key. I want you to move in withme. I want it to be our forever home. If you’ll have me, that is. I want to relocate to Scotland to be with you.” He waited as she took in the enormity of his words.
She stared at the gift, turning it over and over in her hand. “I don’t know what to say. I mean...yes. YES! Of course I will move in.” She jumped into his lap, showering his face and neck with kisses as he allowed himself to breathe again. “There are a couple of conditions though.” Adjusting her position on his legs she made herself comfortable.
“I thought there would be!” He chuckled. “C’mon then, let’s have them.”
“Okay, firstly, I’m not selling the flat. Just in case this thing with us doesn’t work out. Secondly, I want you to call one of those numbers you have stashed away at home. You need to get back to work. If I am going to live with you then I want the full Alex Carter experience that was promised to me in the brochure. That’s non-negotiable.” She really hoped that she had played this right, if he refused than she would have to carry out her threat and not move into the lighthouse. She felt sick at the thought.
Alex studied her face, waiting for the familiar fear to build in his stomach, the fear that always arose when he thought about working again. When it didn’t happen he nodded his head in affirmation. He coulddo anything with this woman by his side; she made him invincible.
“I love you, Alex.” The pride was evident in her eyes.
“Forever and a day, Gracie. Forever and a day.”
Six months later
The show Alex was about to go on would be his first ever interview as a solo artist. He was only doing it as a favour to Mark. This being his first venture into television after years as a successful radio presenter – where the pair had met and become friends – he had begged Alex to be his first guest. He had given in only after laying down a few ground rules about the interview. He was actually looking forward to it in some strange way; not his usual reaction to this sort of thing at all. It wasn’t that long ago that he would have done anything to get out of doing an interview.
“Just you leave him alone and don’t forget the list of ‘no go’ questions I gave to you. I will be watching from the audience and don’t you forget it!” Grace teased the presenter; she knew her man was safe inMark’s hands. The television presenter laughed loudly. Not only did he have Grace to contend with but Alex’s mother too who was now watching her son in a very overprotective manner.
Mark ran through what to expect with Alex. He would be seated at the bar, with his family in the soft seating behind him. Mark would be playing the role of bartender as he carried out the interview. Grace had refused to be on set, preferring to stay in the audience where Alex could see her if he needed any reassurance.
A runner poked his head around the door, giving them all a countdown. Mark shook Alex’s hand as he promised to take it easy on him and stick to Grace’s list, then disappeared out of the door. One of the set assistants rounded up his family, all of which were very excited at the prospect of being on television. Emma had been on a diet especially for the night; apparently TV put pounds on you and she wanted to look her best.
Alex watched from the top of the make shift staircase from where he would eventually make his entrance once Mark had built up his part. His mother was fussing over his father’s tie, Cam was deciding whether or not to hold his pint in his hand or leave it on the table and Emma was fussing over her dress,realising it was a little shorter than she would have liked once seated on the sofa. Peering into the crowd he tried to make out Grace, smiling as she fidgeted with her outfit and hair. A sudden calmness washed over him. For once she looked more nervous than him.
Alex listened as the set assistant hushed the audience and began counting down from five. The theme music began blaring out across the audience as Mark made his entrance from left of set.
