Page 59 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

Axel put the ring on Hope’s finger, but she didn’t look at it, she looked at him. ‘Yes, Axel Drakos, I’ll marry you. I love you.’

He gathered her close and they kissed and it was only when they came up for air that they noticed that the entire plane seemed to have migrated down to this end and the curtain had been pulled back and they were all holding up phones to capture the moment.

Hope ducked her face into Axel’s neck, and Laura, the other steward, started to shoo the passengers back to their seats because they were landing any minute now, and Axel had to go back to his seat but one of the passengers at the back let Axel sit in his seat and he took the one at the front.

So Axel and Hope were only separated for the actual landing, but as soon as the plane touched down she unbuckled and was in his lap. He said, ‘I have something else for you.’

She pulled back a little. ‘I don’t need anything.’ She was home. She was loved. She was chosen. Here on this little budget plane. In Axel’s lap.

But he said, ‘The villa on the island, it’s in your name.’

Hope’s mouth dropped open. ‘Why?’

‘Because you’ve always wanted a home and you loved it so much and, no matter what happens, it’s yours to do with as you will, but I hope you’ll let me share it with you.’

Tears flowed down Hope’s face. How ironic to realise that she didn’t actually want a home any more because all she wanted was Axel, but now she had that too.

She kissed him. ‘Thank you. I love you and of course you can share it with me.’

* * *

A short while later, Axel insisted on standing beside her and holding her hand as she saw the passengers off the plane and then finally, when she was ready to go, he took her small case and carried it down the steps to where Derek, the driver, was waiting with Axel’s car.

Hope snuggled close to Axel all the way back to his house. Inside they went straight to the bedroom and Axel joined their bodies and lavished her with kisses and entreaties of love and promises.

She only thought of something afterwards and lifted her head from Axel’s chest, feeling a knot in her belly. ‘Axel, we didn’t use protection.’

‘I know.’

The knot eased. ‘You don’t mind?’

He looked at her. ‘Why would I mind?’

Hope rolled her eyes. ‘Because we might get pregnant.’

‘I thought you wanted a big family.’

‘I do…but are you ready?’

Axel flipped them so that Hope was on her back and he was over her. He pushed her thighs apart with one of his and she could feel his body stirring against hers. ‘Yes, Hope, I’m ready…are you?’

She wound her arms around his neck and moved against him, inviting him into a deeper intimacy. ‘I was ready as soon as we made love for the first time and I knew I wanted to have your babies.’

He smiled at her. ‘I was ready too but it took me a little longer to understand what was happening—you see, I’ve been under the crazy illusion that I’m in control of my life.’

‘And you’re not?’

‘Not since I set eyes on you. And I happily relinquish it, for ever.’

Hope grinned. ‘Me too. I love you, Axel.’

‘I love you, Hope.’

Epilogue

Five years later—the Caribbean villa

Hope heard the sounds of children playing in the distance. Splashing in the sea. Squealing. She was lying on a day bed soaking up the heat in the sun, under the shade of a huge umbrella.