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He raised his eyebrows. ‘Patient? You? Since when?’
She was glad he could still joke with her. She kept her hand where it was. ‘I won’t pretend this will be easy. You may see a lot of tears. The news I couldn’t tell you before was the other part of my speech. Andreas stole from Mirinez. Money, artefacts, who knows what else. After some negotiations he’ll be extradited from Bermuda. I’ll have to watch my brother be tried in court and sent to prison. I won’t pretend with you that in private I won’t be breaking my heart and be sobbing about it.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
She shook her head slowly. ‘I was trying to take it all in. I didn’t want to believe it at first. The palace advisors kept telling me not to discuss anything. I didn’t know what to do.’
‘And now you do?’
She smiled. ‘I’m starting to find my feet. I’m hoping someone else will be able to give me a bit of balance.’
He turned his head to watch the rippling lake. ‘Do you really think we can make this work?’
She nudged him with her shoulder. ‘I think this will be messy. I missed you. You’ve only been gone three weeks. What happens when you’re away on a mission?’
It was reality. She knew that once Sullivan felt better he would want to return to work. She’d never stop him. But it would be hard. It was best just to lay it all on the line.
He nodded slowly. ‘That’s part of the reason my phone’s still off. I’m avoiding Gibbs.’ He turned towards her. ‘There’s work to be done in Mirinez at the community clinics. People without insurance will still need surgery. I’d like to think that I can work between Doctors without Borders and the community clinics.’
‘You’d do that?’ Her heart swelled up in her chest. If Sullivan worked between both, it meant they’d actually spend some time together. Missing him would be hard but knowing he’d be back to work with her would make it so much easier.
His expression was so sincere. ‘Of course. If you want me to.’ He gave her a smile. ‘I can’t imagine a day without you, Gabrielle. I just had to know that I had something to offer you.’
She moved, putting both hands around his neck. ‘You saved me, Dr Darcy. How about you let me save you right back?’
He smiled as he slid her arms around her waist. ‘That sounds like some kind of deal. But how do we seal it?’
She slid her hands through his hair, ‘Oh, there’s only one way to seal this.’ And she tilted her chin up and put her lips to his as the setting sun sent the last of its orange and red rays spilling across the lake.
EPILOGUE
Two years later
‘READY?’ ADMIRAL SANDS looked even more nervous than she was as he tilted his arm towards her.
She straightened her veil and took a deep breath. ‘Absolutely.’
He’d been the perfect choice to walk her down the aisle. With her own father dead and her brother in prison, her options had been somewhat limited. But Joe Sands had been a great support during Sullivan’s recovery and he’d become one of their greatest friends. It was the first time in the history of Mirinez that someone had given the bride away and also played the role of best man.
He leaned forward and whispered, ‘You look absolutely beautiful, Your Highness. I’m so proud of you both.’
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you, Joe.’
He signalled to the staff at the door of the royal cathedral. The trumpets sounded as the doors opened and they started to walk down the red carpet.
The cathedral was packed. So much for the quiet wedding they’d both wanted.
One of Mirinez’s tiaras glittered on her head, as well as the emerald and diamond engagement ring glittering on her finger. She’d been so touched when Sullivan had proposed with his mother’s ring. It had made their closeness even more complete.
Her gown was traditional, covered in lace made by traditional lace-makers in Mirinez, with a long sweeping train. Thank goodness they’d chosen the cooler spring for their wedding instead of summer.
Sullivan was waiting at the top of the aisle. Breaking with tradition, he turned to watch her coming towards him. In his dress uniform, with his tan from his recent mission, she’d never seen him looking so handsome. His face had filled out a little in the last couple of years and she could see the gleam in his pale green eyes even from where she was. That man was so sexy.
She couldn’t wait to be his wife.
It was almost like he’d read her mind.
He started walking towards her, ignoring the sharp intake of breath from the wedding guests in the cathedral.
Joe Sands started laughing. ‘Never could tell that boy what to do.’
He met them halfway up the aisle. ‘What are you doing?’ she whispered.
‘This,’ he said with a grin that spread from ear to ear, putting his hands around her waist, tilting her backwards and putting his lips to hers.
It was a kiss that promised everything. And spoke of the journey they’d taken. Sullivan starting back at work. His ever-steady presence during her brother’s trial and conviction. The new radical decisions she’d taken about developing Mirinez’s own health service for its citizens. And the joy she’d felt waking up next to the man she loved. She pulled her lips back for a second. ‘We’re causing a scandal.’ She couldn’t help but smile.
‘Just wait until they find out about the twins,’ he whispered in her ear as he eased her back up a
nd took her other arm.
She winked at him as she smiled at the men on either side of her.
‘Gentlemen, shall we? I think we have a wedding to attend.’
All three of them laughed. And that was the picture that made the headlines the next day across the world.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Scarlet Wilson
A ROYAL BABY FOR CHRISTMAS
ONE KISS IN TOKYO...
THE DOCTOR’S BABY SECRET
A TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from MIRACLE FOR THE NEUROSURGEON by Lynne Marshall.
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