Chapter 132

The rest of the afternoon and into evening became an engagement party of sorts, back at Al’s, the TV playing to itself in the corner.

Jon put out a few calls to places and lots of party food appeared as if by magic. The kids thought it wonderful, Al just told him off!

‘Blondie, you didn’t have to do this, we’ve got enough food to feed a damn army in this house! And you cater in more!’ She rolled her eyes at him.

David walked over and slung an arm about her shoulders, ‘Babe get used to him taking over. He forgets he’s not the boss of others half the time, it’s his age.’ He dropped a kiss on her and headed off with Jon’s curses floating after him.

‘Well this will be the last time you do that, won’t it blondie?’ She glared at him and picked up a statue, and tested its weight.

Jon gulped and promised he’d try to hold back his instincts, the unlady like snort echoed about the walls again, he pouted, shrugged and kissed her, ‘Hey that’s what brothers do for family.’

‘Bossy, pushy, younger ones by the look of it.’ But she laughed and elbowed him in the ribs just to make sure he knew he did anything again without running it passed her, his ass would be canned.

‘Ally.’ Steph suddenly yelled to her, ‘You need to see this!’

Al pushed her way to the TV, where Steph had paused it, ‘What?’

‘This.’ And she hit resume.

'Good evening and welcome back to Showbiz News!

Well folks have we got a mega exclusive for you tonight!

It seems that this afternoon love was in the air at the Ritz in London.’

Al groaned, no they couldn’t know! Tico walked over and hugged her and stayed with his arms about her wondering what else they were going to throw at them.

'And fortunately for us we had someone inside who took these photos of Tico Torres, the drummer with Bon Jovi, proposing to the woman we saw on Frank Skinners show, who at the minute we only know as ‘Al’.

The lady in question, said yes and as our pictures show Mr Torres and the rest of the band were very happy when she did!

Let’s hope this one last longer than his others!

Congratulations to you both.’

Through the piece they’d shown pictures of Tico and her arriving, a few of Jon and Liz, the rest of the band, but no children. Then Tico going down on one knee and all the flurry of hugs and kisses after she’d said yes, and then the toast to the happy couple and smiles all around.

There were several males swearing under their breaths after the end bit. Al buried her face in Tico’s neck and cursed, assholes, how could they say that!

‘Holy hell, is this how it feels like when someone does this to you? Tico, how could they say that shit? It’s just not right’ Al’s face was ashen, hell she’d had snaps taken with them by fans at the concerts, and the debacle of Skinner, but this was a very private moment made public, and to say they hoped it lasted longer than his other marriages was just sickening. She felt more for him than herself.

‘Aw darlin, I’m sorry, we’re normally more ‘aware’ of people around us, but we got caught up in it.’ Richie said as he pulled her from Tico and in for a bear hug, he’d like to get the leech who’d photographed this and the bigger moron who’d written the script!

‘It’s fine Rich, just a shock. I’d better be making some phone calls to the girls, just so they don’t get caught unawares and think I didn’t remember them.’ As she started for the stairs Richie caught up with her.

‘Tell the girls Dave and I will phone them later, okay?’ She nodded and he dropped a kiss on her nose. ‘Ally, I’m glad you said yes, don’t let this get to you, you’re his other half and I’m so damn happy for you both.’ His smile faltered a little.

‘Rich, thank you, and it only hurt me when they had a go at Teek! One day when you least expect it you’ll find your other half too, trust me on this. There’s someone out there for everyone.’ Standing up several steps she ruffled his hair and kissed his cheek, then headed up to blow the girls minds!

She was still on the phone when she got invaded by the guys saying their goodbyes and shouting into the phone bye to the girls.

‘Well be back early tomorrow shorty.’ Jon laughingly threatened her as he hugged her goodnight.

‘You mean if you can get Lurch outta bed.’ She snickered loudly at Richie’s indignant face.

‘Hey if he’s not he can make his own damn way here.’ Which earned Jon the bird, and they all piled back out laughing and bitching at each other.

‘Hell honey, sounds like you’ve got your hands full. Want any help there?’ Purred Jo.

‘Hey yeah, we could all come to help out.’ Sandy chortled gleefully, she’d love to see David up close and personal after all the hot and dirty phone calls she’d been getting. Hell even the emails had a smut edge to them, and when they’d hooked up the webcam… she blushed, the things he’d tried to get her to do, and failed…… damn the man!

‘Well just know if I need help, you’ll be the first ones I shout for.’ They laughed and chatted for a little longer, the girls again congratulating her on the engagement and then signing off for the night, Jo making her promise to send them all pictures of her ring, Al saying she’d get on it tomorrow and hanging up.

With a smile on her face she sat for a while just looking at her ring, it was beautiful, and it seemed Tico and she had the same taste in rings.

A thought hit her; she could give him an engagement gift too. With that thought in her mind she took off for her studio.

She realised, when she got downstairs, all the kids were gone and Carol and Tico were nowhere about. She wasn’t bothered that they weren’t there and went into her studio.

Pulling out the necklace she’d made the other night, and the ring she’d done weeks ago, she went in search of her love.

Chapter 131

He strode back to his seat with added pep to his walk; he saw all the men looking at him and smiled.

He noticed Al looking at him and cocking her brow at him. Walking over he kissed her and sat down, the males rolled their eyes, not believing he was making them wait.

‘You okay? You looked a little pasty.’ Al checked him over with her eyes and couldn’t see anything wrong any more, just love and adoration shining from his beautiful brown eyes.

‘Nah I’m fine, just a bad case of gas.’ He waggled his brows at her.

She shuddered and barfed loudly, ‘Thanks for going to the loo, don’t think the Ritz is ready for your farts baby.’

David laughed loudly, ‘Yeah we’ve been on the receiving end of them and they ain’t nice!’

Liz snorted, ‘Hell David you were the one that gassed us the other night in the car! Odour Pepe Le Pew has nothing on you.’

That started everyone laughing and throwing about who they thought did the same as David. Al was in the thick of it.

He took the chance and with her distracted he dug the ring out of his pocket and took it out of the box, taking a deep breath, pushed his chair out and dropped to his knee, and waited for her to turn; those sat near him and across from him, stopped laughing and grinned. Little Hector was bouncing up and down with his hand over his mouth.

Al noticed the table going quite and frowned, glanced at Tico, saw him kneeling and asked ‘Honey, have you lost something?’ Moving the tablecloth out of the way, totally missing the ring in his fingers.

‘Mi amour.’ He said quietly his other hand grasping her hand and squeezing.

‘Huh.’ And that’s when she noticed the beautiful ring in his fingers, her jaw went slack. She’d thought he’d pop the question in the next few days even a week but not that day, she took in the table and everyone was grinning at her.

‘Mi Corazon, I’ve told you how much I love you and what you mean to me. Since we met you have made my life glow and sparkle again, bringing colour back into it, and the laughter, lots of laughter! Alice, would you make me the happiest man alive and do the honour of marrying me querido?’

A hush had descended not only on the table, but the whole room, and Tico was now holding his breath, she’d said she’d say yes, but he needed to hear it!

Al was stunned her gaze fixed on the beautiful ring he offered her, she could feel the hand that held hers was sweating and trembling, he was nervous! Her heart pounded, trying to break out of her chest and launch itself at him; her eyes started to fill with tears, and she prayed she wouldn’t turn into a blubbering wreck!

‘Oh for god’s sake Ally say something! You’re killing us!’ David whined.

She tore her eyes from Tico’s and realised they were all waiting for her response, blinking she turned back to Tico ‘My heart is yours and yours alone honey, I’ll marry you whenever and wherever you want to.’ With that she threw her arms about his neck and hauled him in for a mind blowing kiss that had the whole room whooping and catcalling.

When she let him go, he picked up her hand, kissed her finger and slid the ring onto it, kissing it again. ‘You’re mine miel and I’m never letting you go.’ He just managed to say as Hector threw himself at his pappy and Ally, shouting his happiness and knocking Tico to the ground in his haste.

Al laughed then screamed as she found herself lifted off the chair and into Richie’s arms and once more thoroughly kissed, ‘Congrats Ally, you’ve made us all happy.’

‘Yeah you may be able to control this mob, where I’ve failed.’ Carol laughed, hugging and kissing her. Al let out a very unlady like snort at that, but thanked her.

With that everyone else gathered to congratulate her and Tico, and Hector too, hugs and kisses and some tears from the women followed, the others in the room stood and clapped them, making Al smile and blush.

Liz and Anna grabbed her and they had a three way hug, laughing when Jon moaned about being left out. No comment was made as the children were there, but the promise in Liz’s eyes told him she’d make it up to him later.

Finally Tico reclaimed his fiancée and kissed her soundly before sitting down with her on his lap. The waiters appeared and began to serve champagne, compliments of the hotel, and sparkling non alcoholic wine for Richie and the children so they could join in a toast to the newly engaged couple.

The man in the corner saluted them too, then hurried out, he’d scored big time here! His friend at the news station would kiss his feet for the exclusive photos of them getting engaged.

Chapter 130

Christ he really needed to pull himself together, he’d never been this bad proposing to his other wives before, but then again, he didn’t think the others mattered as much as Al did.

He splashed cold water on his face and dried it, looking in the mirror he didn’t see the young man he’d once been, he only saw the old man he’d become when he wasn’t looking. Would she want him? Oh sure she said she loved him and had said when he asked she’d say yes, but had she really thought this through? He was nearly a decade older than she was.

He sweated some more and paced up and down.

He pulled out the ring he’d got, when he’d seen it he’d immediately thought of Ally, he just hoped she loved it, or they’d be heading back to the jewellers! He’d sneakily took the ring Liz had mentioned Al sometimes wore when the girls went out, to stop men hitting on them. She’d laughed and told him it worked, to a degree. He’d found the ring, and pocketed it before she could catch him this morning. He’d grabbed Hector and headed into town a list of jewellers in his pocket.

The fifth place they’d tried came up with the Bespoke platinum ring with lilac sapphire and diamonds in it, he’d also purchased the matching wedding band that came with it, making it all fit together snugly, looking like one ring. To him it symbolised Al and he fitting together, as one.



The damn thing was now burning a hole in his trouser pocket where he’d shoved it back in. He was surprised there wasn’t a neon glow coming threw the material!!

‘Teek quit worrying a hole in the damn floor!’ The statement from Jon making his heart hit the back of his throat.

‘Fuck Kidd, scare me much more and you’ll have a funeral to attend!’

‘Bro, Ally’s wondering what the hell’s wrong with you. If you’re going to ask her, man up and go for it. If not, calm the fuck down.’ He’d seen Tico propose to his ex’s and he’d never been this bad, he rolled his eyes Christ it must really be love this turn round!

‘Ah shit Kidd you’re right! I’ve just got myself worked up into such a mess it’s unreal! Look even my hands are shakin!’ To prove it he held his hand out and damned if they weren’t acting like they’d got a vibrator in them!

Jon slapped him on the shoulder and dragged him in for a hug, ‘She loves you, hell, she worship’s the ground you walk on! Now go on, go get your woman.’ With that he headed out the door, not wanting to miss when he finally proposed.

He silently prayed for a minute, looked in the mirror once more, called himself a pussy, grinned and headed out to meet his destiny full on.

Chapter 129

By the time they got to the Ritz it was well passed six, but the massive crowd streamlined when they hit the hotels doors, filtering in two by two. The maitre de looked a little nervous thinking he’d got to turn them away till Jon walked over and gave his name, then grins appeared and they were shown to table’s right at the back; away from too many prying eyes.

Al noticed the lustful looks the men were getting from women scattered about, she missed the looks the men were throwing at Anna, Liz and herself.

The food arrived and they dug in like they’d never seen the stuff ever before!

At one point a little cream sailed over and landed on Jon’s nose, no one owned up to throwing it, but under the table Richie and David knocked fists and smirked.

No one noticed the unassuming man in the corner reading his newspaper. They didn’t see the camera lens being aimed at them and pictures being snapped off. He’d got some nice ones of Bon Jovi and his new lady canoodling, but he’d realised straight off that the drummer and his squeeze were news at the minute too, they’d been on TV and so people would be interested in them.

He’d been careful not to take any of the kids, he knew if he did without Bon Jovi’s permission he could end up black balled, and he wasn’t that stupid.

Tico was sweating; Hector kept looking at him and frowning. He knew if he didn’t do something soon his hijo would take matters into his tiny hands, after all he was his father’s son.

His prayers seemed to be answered as Al and the other girls, all of them, got up on mass and excused themselves to go to the ladies; all the men rolling their eyes.

He knew when she came back it’d be now or never, he started to sweat even more.

‘Bro you okay? You look a little flushed?’ David was full of concern, never seeing Teek this flushed.

Before he could answer Hector beat him to the punch. ‘Pappy’s askin Ally to marry us!’ He declared to his uncles, crawling onto Tico’s knee and kissing him.

Every jaw at the table dropped in shock, ‘Seriously bro? Now?’ Richie asked and at Tico’s nod, grabbed him and Hector into a bear hug, ‘Congrats man, she’s a wonderful woman, and mind you she really could do better and trade up.’ He winked and punched Tico’s arm, making the older man wince.

They all started to congratulate him and he held up his hand, ‘Don’t, I don’t want it jinked. She hasn’t said yes yet.

‘She will bro, she will, she’s head over heels with you. Just like you are with her, anyone can see it.’ Jon said, deadly serious about it, the others agreed.

‘Shit I just let me get the dvd camera set up! This I’ve gotta take.’ Said Obie rushing to get his hand held out before the girls returned the others chuckled.

‘Calm down Ob you’ll give yourself a stroke man!’ Richie laughed at him.

‘So are you askin as soon as she gets back or what?’ Mike asked.

‘I’ve no idea, just none of you give it away, I’m begging you, and hijo you need to stay quite till I’ve asked her, okay?’

Little Hector solemnly nodded his head, he just really wanted his pappy to get on with it!

‘Well bro, don’t look now but your future wife is on her way back to the table.’ Tony told him, and then they snickered as he went white and broke out in a sweat.

‘I gotta go to the head!’ and with that he jumped up and nearly ran from the room, leaving the males laughing and Al with a bemused and worried look on her face.

Chapter 128

The day was busy, hectic and full of laughter.

To people looking at the large group, they saw a large family trolling about Hyde Park, kids running screaming from a crazed tall dark haired man growling like a monster. Even the older children ran from him while the other adults just shook their heads and laughed. They saw love connecting them together, older couples stopped and watched them, smiling in memories of doing this with their children.

People who recognised them couldn’t believe what they were seeing, but laughed at Richie’s antics along with other people about them, some took video, others took a few snaps of kids being held upside down by their ankles, laughing and squealing.

The one thing they didn’t do, was interrupt the group, it was nice to see rock stars acting like normal people, some laughed and shook their heads as women were thrown over different shoulders and ran with, shrieking and cursing the carriers!

They did the history museum first and the kids were enthralled by the massive skeletons guarding the main doors.

They loved exploring different parts of the museum, laughing when Al made a crack about the Neanderthal exhibit missing one of them, and pointing to Richie. He threatened retaliation when she least expected it, she laughed harder.

Lunch was a shipping order of sandwiches on the go, the children wanted to look around Big Ben and St Pauls Cathedral, so food on the go was a must.

Al was having a wonderful time her camera was on the go nearly all the time, she’d videoed Richie menacing the kids in the park, loving the warmth coming from all the adults and children, and she was included in it!

They did the London Eye, David making barfing noises as they stopped at the top to take in the view.

The kids loved it. Jon not looking happy to be there, but manning up. All caught on Al’s camera, for posterity.

Jon nearly coming to blows with Richie and Mike as they tried to get the car to ‘swing’ a little. Liz having to kiss Jon to distract him. Carol threatening said males if they carried on. Said males, cowering like kids from their irate mom!

Children’s laughter at the adult’s antics.

The only thing Al missed totally was the shifty looks Tico kept giving her and patting his pocket, and Hector grinning up at his pappy.

Chapter 127

Everyone scooted about and got ready to head out, Liz and Anna followed Al to her studio on the pretext of getting her gear to take with her.

‘Ok, spill it sister you’ve had a sappy look on your face since we walked through the damn door! I take it Tico didn’t spend the night on the couch like you said he would!’ Anna shot at her as the door closed.

‘Nope, he didn’t.’

‘Come on what’s going on with you?’ Liz chimed in, the look on Al’s face was one of pure happiness something she’d not seen in years.

‘Well…………. I’m just happy with life.’ She started to load her cameras into her backpack, knowing the girls wouldn’t let it go.

‘Bullshit! Something’s happened, now talk before I get my needles out!’ Anna threatened.

‘Nothings happened, Tico and I made wonderful love last night and I think he’s going to ask me to marry him.’ She continued to pack.

She found herself spun and up against the wall her two friends pinning her there. In unison ‘What!

She started to laugh, ‘He told me to think about marrying him, and girls the only one who has me up against the wall is Tico, now let me go please.’

‘And?’ Anna wanted to slap the answers out of her, but restrained herself, just!

‘And I told him I’d already thought about it, and when he asked me properly, I’d say yes!’

Whooping a hollering ensued, hugs and kisses were passed about, till one of them realised what she was telling them.

‘Fuck!’ Liz uttered then sat heavily on the couch.

‘What’s wrong?’ Anna asked still hugging Al.

‘Don’t you get it? If she marries Tico, she won’t be living here any more.’ Liz’s emotions vied back and forth from happiness to major sadness. ‘It’s going to be the end of an era.’

Al walked over and sat down hugging her friend, ‘Hell don’t you think I’ve thought about this. It’s scaring the crap out of me!’

Anna sat down next to them both and looked stunned, ‘I never even thought about that. Shit!’ The three sat there looking glum and despondent.

That’s how Tico found themn minutes later; looking like their favourite puppy had died. ‘Mi amour, you okay, what’s wrong?’ He was worried, they looked close to tears and damned if he could cope with Al let alone the other two where tears were concerned.

‘Nothing querido, we were talking and got maudlin, but we’re fine now, aren’t we girls?’ She begged them with her eyes not to let on.

‘Yeah, we spotted a picture that she painted of our friend, and got to wondering how he is. We’ve not seen him in years, sorry about the pity party.’ The other two thanked god Anna was a on her feet thinker.

He didn’t believe her, but let it slide, ‘Well we’re ready to go if you ladies are?’

‘Yep, time Bongiovi fed us!’ Al said as they walked back into the main room.

‘Hey, who paid for the food yesterday?’ He pouted, hearing he was being slandered again.

‘Actually that’d be me.’ David piped up.

‘What do you mean, you?’ Jon frowned; sure to god he’d paid.

‘You may have paid for the first load bro, but I got stuck with the last four trips! You owe me.’

‘Aw damn Lemma, why didn’t you say something?’

‘You were too busy schmoozing, as usual.’ David laughed.

‘Bite me!’

‘Nah, that’s a job for Lizzie girl.’

Liz went beet red and headed for the door saying it was about time they went for food. The kids nearly ran her over trying to get out the door!

Chapter 126

By the time she walked back out Tico had vamoosed! She smiled, she’d heard him rattle the door, and then it had gone quite. She’d carried on with getting her shower, a small smile playing her lips, he’d finally realised what she’d said, he asked and she’d say yes. Yes to a life of love, happiness, joy, with him and his son in the middle of her universe.

Now she’d got to wait and see how it played out. Smiling she dressed and headed for the kitchen.

When she got there Carol was the only one about, ‘I take it everyone’s still in bed?’ She emptied the coffee Tico had brought up for them and got a fresh one, sitting with the older woman, sipping the hot brew, she could feel it diving through her veins, kicking her into full awareness.

‘No, Tico and Hector left ten minutes ago.’

Al’s mug hit the counter, ‘What? Why? Are they okay?’

‘Calm down honey, Tico said they’d an errand to run and would be back before breakfast was served.’ She chuckled at the panic in Al’s eyes.

Al slumped back against the chair for one nasty ass minute she thought he’d re thought the whole thing and legged it! She checked the clock nearly ten, god she hoped things were okay between them; the doorbell had her nearly screaming and jumping six foot off her stool. Carol laughed out loud, ‘Aw honey, you need to calm down before you stroke out.’

Al got up and headed for the door, ‘Tell me about it.’ Carols laughter still following her. Opening the door Richie, David, Obie, Jon, Tony, Mike, Hugh, Mandy, Anna and Liz poured in each kissing her as they passed. ‘Holy shit Bongiovi did you have to blast Sambora out of his pit? And damn it man we could have been having a lie in it is Sunday after all!’ She rolled her eyes, closing the door and followed them into her home!

Richie flicked the bird at her, stood at the bottom of the stairs and shouted in a deafening voice, ‘Time to get up kids if you want breakfast!’

‘Christ Rich, you’ll hurt their hearing!’ But as the words left Al’s lips she heard a squeal of ‘Daddy’ and then the thunder of feet rushing about upstairs.

The others laughed, ‘Darlin how the hell do you think he greets them at home?’ Jon laughed.

‘You’re looking okay there, take it the boys aren’t too bad today?’ Al asked.

‘Nah the boys are okay thanks, just a little tender when touched.’

Liz went bright red and the men snickered. ‘I meant by material you assholes!’ But by then the damage was done and no one believe him.

‘Where’s Teek?’ David asked starting to go pour out coffees, ‘We’re on about going out for breakfast so you and Rich don’t have to cook.’

‘He’s not here; he’s nipped out with Hec. But he said he’d be back for breakfast, but I don’t think he knows you want to go out, does he?’ Carol asked.

He went to push it, as Ally was still there, but one raise eyebrow from Carol told him his ass would be in a sling if he kept talking, making him shut the hell up.

A while later all the kids were washed and dressed and greeting their fathers/uncles etc.

‘Okay, itinerary for today, first breakfast, then we’re off to the London Eye.’ The kids whooped at that. ‘Then the Natural History Museum, and before you bitch you did put it on your ‘want’ lists back home.’ Jon forestalled Jesse and Colton’s reactions.

‘Hey we were the ones who wanted to go there dad!’ Jesse said indignantly as Jon looked at them both after his statement.

‘Okay, calm down, I’m sorry. But I should have thought its dead things.’ He shook his head. ‘Well after that we’re having afternoon tea at the Ritz, so best behaviour please, that includes you two.’ He said giving Richie and David the hairy eyeball.

‘Why us?’ Richie asked with an injured air.

Jon snorted loudly, ‘Last time we went there you started a damn food fight that nearly got us kicked out!’

Al gaped, ‘A food fight at the Ritz, damn I bet you were popular.’ She tried for a straight stern face in front of the kids; she nearly cracked it, till Richie chimed in.

‘Hey, that was over a decade or two ago and those stuck up waiters asked for it!’ he protested.

Al went under, she’d seen the waiters, and it was why people paid to eat there. ‘Anyone got pictures of that one.’ She laughed even harder when Jon glared at her.

‘Yeah I did.’ Obie winked at her.

‘Ob, those I’ve got to see!’

‘Ally, when I get home, there yours.’

Al heard Jon groan and swear under his breath, he grabbed Liz and kissed her, making everyone laugh, so he didn’t swear louder in the kid’s presents. Liz even stroked his hair when he let her up, saying ‘There, there honey, it’ll be fine. Ob, I’m next in line for those please.’ Earning her a sharp slap on her butt from Jon.

As they all laughed the front door opened and Tico and Hector walked in, seeing his uncles he laughed and ran to greet them.

Tico wandered to Ally and kissed her thoroughly, ‘Mornin baby.’

‘Morning querido. Where have you been?’ She was dying with curiosity.

‘Out with my son.’ He kissed her again, smirking at her miffed look.

‘I noticed my painting mysteriously walked itself out of my studio to my bedroom wall sometime last night. Know anything about it?’ Her hand now firmly in his back pocket, squeezing his ass cheek.

‘Yup, I did it, no ones going to have a half naked me, on their wall lady!’ He growled tickling her ear with his fluff and then nibbling it with his teeth, making her squirm.

‘How’d you know it was you, it could be any man!’ She could feel herself melting into a puddle as his teeth grazed her jugular, heading for the other ear.

‘Darlin if that isn’t me, then you’re in big trouble!’ He bit down harder on her neck, knowing this would make her drenched.

‘Christ sake Teek there’s kids about! Let Ally alone.’ David gently reminded him.

‘Sorry, I’ll be more careful in future.’ But the grin he gave Al said he didn’t care who saw them, and she struggled to stay upright!

Chapter 125

Tico didn’t wake her as soon as Hec had gone he sat and watched her sleep, god he loved this woman more than any before her, even Alejandra, and he thought he’d found his other half, but she’d decided she needed a life, and that one didn’t include him; he’d been devastated, but now, this with Ally felt more right in just this short time than it ever had with Alejandra. He prayed she’d consider what he’d said.

‘Aliado, querido es hora de despertar y de beber su café. Venido en subida y brillo del bebé.’ (Ally, darling it’s time to wake up and drink your coffee. Come on baby rise and shine.) He gently nuzzled her neck, peppering small kisses across her shoulders, making her groan and start to move, she gathered her pillow into her arms and cuddled it, still not moving from on her stomach. He chuckled; when she wanted she could be a real bed bug and not want to wake. He ran his ‘fluff’ over her shoulders, and then licked the same path.

‘Damn it Teek you just don’t play fair.’ She groused turning over and throwing her arm over his shoulders pulling him down onto her, and plastering her curves to his, her lips aiming for his and he obliged.

Just as things started to get to hot to stop he pulled back, ‘Damn woman you’re trying to kill me off!’ He was gasping for breath and trying to get his dick to calm down, talk about walking about with a raging hard on.

‘Hey asshole, I didn’t start this you did!’ She followed him and curled into his side, playing with his chest fur; his arm came about her, stroking down her arm, sneakily stroking the side of her breast every other pass. ‘Keep that up and I’m gonna jump ya!’ She growled at him as her nipple pebbled and ached for his full touch.

His hand immediately stopped, shit he needed to talk to her …………..

‘Oh for fucks sake Tico, you as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof, calm down!’ Al moved till she was laid on him, her legs lying between his, she could feel that he was pleased to see her, but his face was just one big ass frown, and boy did she know why!

‘Miel …. Querido, mi vida…’ He stuttered to a stop.

‘Aw baby, you’re nervous, how sweet, I’ve consider your proposal amour, now shut up and kiss me you idiot.’ She grinned down at the shocked look on his face, damn she needed to keep a camera by the bed, and she laughed evilly that could be sooo damn dirty to. She knew he was worried about what he’d asked as he threw her over the edge of sanity this morning, so had she been. That’s why she’d gone and worked out her feelings on that painting, she needed to know herself if this is what she truly wanted.

She knew she’d have to leave London, to make a home with him wherever he was, and Hector and that would mainly be in Florida. She also knew she’d never give up her home here, hell, she’d not even told him she’d just brought the place next door to extend her home! Plus there was the gallery; no way would she sell that! She’d got Liz and Mandy to run it, but she had a vague feeling they wouldn’t be about much in the future either. She’d racked her brains till she’d fallen into a disturbed sleep on the couch, but she’d felt his warmth about her, subconsciously, as he’d found her and brought her back to their bed. But by the time she’d awoken with Hector snuggling into her arms, she’d made a decision, and that was to love the man and his child till she’d no breath left in her body, to follow him and be by his side forever. Once she’d come to that decision, she’d snuggled Hector in her arms and fallen asleep, feeling so contented and free for the first time in decades!

Tico looked up at her and swallowed, did she really mean…. ‘You mean you’ll think about marrying me amour?’

‘Nope.’ She grinned down at him and kissed him tenderly, barely touching lips.

‘Then what do you mean?’ He was now totally confused!

‘I mean that whenever you ask me to marry you, I’ll say yes! I don’t need to think about marrying you Tico, I’ve already thought about it, now I’ll wait till you ask me.’ She pressed a hard kiss to his lips and leapt off him and the bed, heading to the bathroom. Looking back at him she laughed throatily at the stunned look, sauntered into the bathroom and locked the door.

He lay there for what must have been five minutes, his brain a total whirl, and then he smirked, the smirk changed to a grin, which in turn turned into a full blown belly laugh! She didn’t need to think about it! She’d say yes! His eyes grew wide, crap! Now he had to ask her! Jumping off the bed he headed to the bathroom, turning the knob he realised she’d locked the damn thing! Well fuck! He took it to mean she didn’t want him proposing to her in there, and then he laughed again, damn she knew him!

Chapter 124

Tico awoke and realised she’d gone; there was no residual warmth so she’d been gone for sometime. Grabbing his sweats he yanked them on pulling a t-shirt over his head as he left the bedroom.

He didn’t even try Hector’s room, he knew exactly where she’d be, the same place he’d be. He took the stairs two at a time praying he wouldn’t fall and break something, he hit the bottom and jogged across to the studio. Opening the door he spotted her, fast asleep on the over sized chair she had in there for just these sorts of nights.

He stood and looked at her; purple rings under her eyes told him she’d not long fallen asleep. He glanced about and noticed a new painting, walking over his mouth fell open; his own face stared back at him, well the side of hi anway! She’d captured him as he slept; face down on his stomach, one arm under the pillow and the other hugging air, or where she would have been, his arm reaching for her in his sleep. He could just tell it was himself and no other man, one of his burns was showing, plus his black hair and the tapered waist gave it away too. He grinned like a fool, he checked the paint, nearly dry, he took it off the easel and without waking her, took it up and hung it in their bedroom, where it would stay, and no one else would get to buy this one!

After he’d hung it he went back down to wake her, ‘Miel, querido, time to wake up, come on sweetie, you’ll have a hell of a bad neck.’ Still nothing, sighing he gathered into his arms and carried her back to bed, where she snuggled back under the covers with a sigh, not really waking at all. Glancing at the clock he saw it was only five-fifteen so he crawled back in with her. She felt his nearness and wiggled into his arms, kissing his chest, making him smile, even in her sleep she knew he was there, with that he nodded back off too.

Several hours after that Hector crept in and jumped on his pappy, making Tico sit bolt upright in bed, he’d not really missed his son’s wake up call. ‘Hey son, how about you and I leaving Ally to sleep a little longer?’

Hector giggled and lent over, kissing Al’s cheek, she smiled in her sleep, then he jumped up and after Tico got his pants on they headed downstairs.

There they found Carol inhaling her first cup of coffee; Hector ran to her and climbed up for a hello kiss, while his pappy got him some juice.

‘I take it you didn’t have to use the couch last night?’

‘Nope, I didn’t, but she did.’

Carol frowned, ‘What do you mean Tico? You didn’t fight, did you?’

‘Nah poco momma (little momma), she got up and headed to her studio sometime after I went out like a light. Hey where do you think you’re going hijo (son)?’ He’d noticed Hector heading back upstairs.

Hec smiled cheekily, ‘Desee ir sueño con el aliado!’ (Wanna go sleep with Ally) and he scampered off before his pappy could stop him.

‘Seems like his pappy’s not the only Torres male who wants to be loved by Ally.’ Carol smiled, though Tico had loved his ex wife, she’d just been too young to be tied down, it was a shame. But she’d given him Hector and father and son doted on each other.

‘Yeah, thrown out of my own bed by my baby boy.’ He grinned and shook his head.

‘So, what sent her to her studio, and don’t tell me you don’t know!’

He laughed, they could never pull anything over on Carol, ever! ‘I think I may have freaked her out.’ He had the grace to blush.

‘Spill it!’

‘Well while we were…. Erm …. Making love, I told her to think about marrying me.’

Carol’s mug hit the counter with a thud, ‘You did what? What did she say?’

‘Well that’s just the thing; she didn’t get much of a chance to say anything.’ He could feel himself blushing even more.

‘Oh don’t tell me you said it just as you ….’ Tico nodded, now the colour of a fire truck. ‘Oh hell! Héctor Samuel Juan Torres! Don’t tell me you dropped that on her just as, well, oh good lord man what were you thinking? No don’t answer that, I know what you were thinking!’ She sat looking at him, stunned.

‘Damn Carol I know, but, we, well fell asleep straight after, and when I woke up several hours later she was gone, I found her fast asleep in her studio; she’d been painting. I carried her back to bed, then Hec woke me up before I could wake her and talk to her.’ He lent his head onto his arms, hell he’d fucked up again!

She checked the clock, it was just after eight-forty-five, ‘Tico honey, I think you need to go and talk to her before the others arrive, you know Jon he’ll be back here damn early. You need to sort it out, and I take it you want her to marry you?’

‘Of course I do! And I know your right, ok if I send Hec to you while we talk?’

‘I’d be insulted if you didn’t, you know I love him, hell all of the kids like they were my own. Now go, talk to Ally, and honey, I’m praying she says yes, she’s good for you.’

‘You don’t think I moved to fast do you?’ A deep frown appeared between his brows.

‘No, if you know she’s the one, then time is irrelevant. Go get your girl!’ She smiled as he took off with two mugs of coffee and a determined look on his face. A few minutes later Hector walked down and crawled onto her lap.

Chapter 123

Before going to bed they wandered about the rooms checking the rest of the children, both kissing Hector who was sleeping in a room with Romeo, they would have their room to themselves for tonight and tomorrow at least.

Holding hands they slowly made their way into their room, locking the door behind them, they’d unlock it before they fell asleep.

‘I need a shower first.’ Al told him, peeling off her clothes and throwing them into the laundry bin in her closet. Tico stood taking in his fill of her, it may have only been one night, but he felt like they’d been apart for weeks! He took in her flushed cheeks from their lovemaking downstairs, the tangle of her hair where his hands had caused havoc. Her full firm breasts, her beautifully rounded hips, his eyes took in the darker blonde hair that glistened with her need for him. Then she shapely long legs, for a short woman she’d got legs that defied her height!

And as she sashayed to the bathroom, her gorgeous, curvy ass, beckoned him, damn she filled out in all the right places! He made short work of his jeans, his throbbing dick springing free in anticipation of being buried in her, ‘El hombre apesadumbrado, no apenas todavía, calma el infierno abajo!’ (‘Sorry man, not just yet, calm the hell down!’) He muttered to his dick. He quickly followed her into the shower and took the shampoo from her, ‘I’ll help.’ With that he made good on his word, soaping her hair, then rinsing it, Al purring as his fingers massaged her scalp. He even conditioned it, making her smile, he’d remembered. Then after he’d rinsed her again, he took hold of her bath sponge and squirted a good amount of coconut shower gel onto it and then lather her all over.

By the time he’d finished Al was a quivering mass of need. He’d not put a single finger out of place and when she’d said she’d return the favour, he’d said gently, no, he’d do it and in a blink of an eye he’d showered.

Taking her hand he pulled her out, and wrapped her in a fluffy bath towel, gently drying her hair, then the rest of her body, not leaving a drop of moisture on her, well except between her thighs, that, he couldn’t, wouldn’t stop just yet!

He dried himself of and taking her hand led her to bed.

He climbed on and held out his hand to her, she took it and he pulled her on and tucked her body under his, his need now so great, the shower had him on the edge for so damn long he was praying for patience so he didn’t go off like a hair trigger.

Al opened for him and he slid into her, stopping and staring down at her when he was seated as deep as he could get. ‘Te amo tanto aliado, le deseo con mí siempre. Piense de esto para mí, cáseme.’ (‘I love you so much Ally, I want you with me always. Think about this for me, marry me.’) Al’s eyes grew wide, then her brain shut down completely as he started to move, with every thrust he moved her higher and higher, leaning down he kissed her with such passion it striped away any layer of resistance she had left, she wrapped him in her arms and let him take her as far as he would.

With one last thrust they shattered into a million pieces, each sighing the others name, sleep claiming then minutes after they came down.

An hour later Al shot awake, his words coming back to her, holy fuck she was certain he’d meant what he’d said, he wanted to marry her! Fully awake now, she knew sleep was gone for a long time as her brain churned his words over and over. She slid from his arms and did the only thing she knew how to do when she was like this; she headed to her studio, taking the picture of Tico sleeping soundly with her.