Cross the Line
The End

A/N Added the final chapter for all you who are intently following...new story soon! :)

It was snowing! Naomi couldn’t think of anything more perfect than that on a Christmas morning. She glanced across to the empty bed beside her and wondered just where Conor had got to. Sighing, she pulled herself in to sitting, resting her head on her bent knees and sighed. When did life ever get so good?

Christmas had been a time she’d avoided for years, she’d hated being alone when everyone else was engrossed in fun with loved ones and family. One year she’d worked in a homeless hostel, another she’d holidayed in Borneo, visiting orphaned Orang-utan’s. This year she was having ten for dinner. Conor’s mother, Liam and Seamus had arrived the previous evening from Ireland, as had Patrick and Lucinda from the States, and Simon, Stephanie and Sarah her neighbour were all joining them this morning in the converted barn that Conor had insisted they buy and move into on the outskirts of town.

She’d never cooked for so many people, but she could see Conor was relishing the thought of being Lord of the Manor! Stretching, she glanced around the room finally spotting her dressing gown, she had to remember there were guests in the house and curb her instinct to go and replace him as she was...naked. After a quick shower, she towelled dried her hair, then re-entered the bedroom to see Conor sat excitedly on the bed.

“Merry Christmas!” he announced with a huge smile.

She laughed, “And you!” She accepted his kiss, allowing him to pull her onto the bed. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re going to be like a child all day?”

Laughing too, he kissed her nose, “because I LOVE Christmas, and I LOVE you...and all the other people I love...well most of them are here to join us!”

Melting into yet another passionate toe-curling kiss, Naomi couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier. She was starting a new job in January, both Conor and Simon agreed that whilst they hated to lose her, the working arrangements weren’t ideal, and she deserved the offer of a more established role at a large law firm in a nearby larger City. So the future was definitely looking bright.

“I need to get dressed then get on with starting breakfast and dinner Con...” she reluctantly suggested, trying to peel herself out of his possessive arms.

“But we haven’t done presents, can’t we first?”

Shaking her head smiling at the almost childlike pleading of this grown man she replied, “All the presents are under the tree, with everyone else’s. You know that!”

Groaning he flopped back onto the bed an arm tossed over his face, the protest meant she had chance to dress. Pulling on some underwear, and the Christmas dress she’d selected at a shop a few weeks ago, she checked out her reflection as she started to blow dry her hair. The dress was silver grey and caught the light as she moved without being too gaudy, and she loved it.

When she finished drying her hair, she stopped to comb it then wrap it into a neat French pleat at the base of her skull.

“What do you think?” she asked the lounging Conor’s reflection in the mirror as she applied a little lip gloss.

His eyes betrayed the coolness of his response, “dress looks fine, but you look a little...underdressed.”

Conor ignored the look of pain that flashed across her face; instead as she inspected herself in more detail he reached into the drawer of his bedside table and pulled out a velvet covered box.

“Naomi...” his voice was quiet, but as she turned he could see the pain still evident in her face at his less than enthusiastic response. “I think this will help.”

She glanced at his hand, and then back to him, just as he popped the lid to reveal a beautiful diamond and sapphire pendant and matching dropper earrings, all in what she hoped was only white gold, but might well be platinum. She gasped, unable to contemplate the beautiful and she was sure extortionately priced jewellery in his hands. Naomi’s fingers shot up to cover her gaping mouth. Her heart still racing, she lifted her eyes to meet his, and saw the humour at her response, but the love and respect there.

“They’re beautiful...” she finally breathed. Her heart almost stopping as he took the necklace from the box then turned her to secure it behind her neck. She watched their reflections as he secured it, his hands then slid down to her waist, and he dropped his chin to her shoulder. Looking at her in awe.

“I knew it would look stunning on you.” His voice was a rasp and they were both floored by this intimate and special moment.

Turning in his arms, Naomi looked up at Conor, “I must’ve been a Saint in a former life to deserve having you in this one!”

He pulled her close, “I’m hardly deserving of you Naomi.” Smiling he dropped his hands from her and sighed, “Suppose I’d better go and get dressed, we’ve a house full!”

As he reached the door to the en suite bathroom, Naomi halted him by breathing out his name. He turned to look at her, his face lighting up at the look on her face.

“Conor...I...love you!”

His face broke into a smile and he almost bowled her over in his excitement to pull her into his arms, as his lips descended on hers in a mash of passion and desire, he knew life couldn’t get any better. He knew she loved him, they were perfect together, but her admission was more than a token gesture of words. Finally she’d given everything to him!

Eventually he loosened his grip on her and smiled down at her dazed expression.

“You knew anyway...” she offered trying to take the attention out of the moment.

But he was having none of it, “I am enjoying every moment of this young lady, I’ve waited six months to hear that I’ve done enough to make you believe in me!”

She sighed, “I always believed in you, I just don’t think I believed in myself!”

Smiling he stepped back, “you have no idea how much I hoped you’d say that today!” Turning away from her briefly, when he turned back, he dropped to his knee, a similar smaller velvet box in his hand. “Will you marry me?”

It was a morning for shocks, Naomi was reeling, her knees weak and nausea rising, but this time it wasn’t through fear or anxiety, but through the exquisite pleasure and excitement that this moment brought. They were in a home, a beautiful shared home, filled with family and friends, and now, here, he wanted to marry her, make this official, legal and for all to see.

“Yes...” she breathed then giggled at the ‘whoop’ he yelled at full volume. Jumping to his feet he spun her around and around until they were both dizzy.

“You will not regret this Naomi, I promise you that!”

As she joined him in a celebratory glass of champagne, him still in his boxer shorts, her adorned with the priceless gifts, she knew he was right, she’d never regret it!