Happy anniversary!

(By Deyse)

"Uncle Johnny!!!" little Reilly exclaimed when she saw the tall blond actor entering through the door, rushing towards him and throwing herself in his arms a second later.

Laughing, always enchanted with the little girl’s cheerfulness, he lifted her in his arms and kissed her cheek, "Hey, my little one! How are you, huh? Did you eat all your dinner?"

"I’m fine... yeah, I did... but the vegetables tasted weird..."

"Well, but they’ll help you to grow strong and now you can have a bowl of ice cream as a reward!"

"Well, yeah..." she inched closer to him and whispered into his ear, "I got three bowls..."

Laughing even more, John whispered back into her ear, "It’s okay, since you’ve been a good girl and ate your vegetables, I promise I’ll keep this secret!"

"Thanks, uncle Johnny!" the smile on her face was such a broad and beautiful one that it melted his heart.

"Where is your mom?" he asked, placing her on the floor and kneeling to be on the same level she was.

"She ran away to her bedroom when you arrived! She said she was horrible and that you couldn’t see her yet!" the tone in her sweet voice was an upset one, as if she had heard the most absurd thing in the world.

"Oh, but that’s impossible! You and her are the most beautiful girls in the entire world!"

"That’s what I told her, but she didn’t believe me! You could live here with us so that you’d tell her that everyday!"

Laughing, he nodded his head: it’d been almost a year since he and the Irish actress had started dating and made public their relationship, and although the blond actor had been thinking very seriously about proposing her. But he still had some doubts: he didn’t want to push her, as he knew better than anyone else all the pain and suffering she’d been through her previous marriages. Besides, they had been so happy along the last year, happier than any other moment in their lives and he was afraid to scare her and that all this happiness ended.

"Maybe one day, sweetie. But I promise I’ll ever, ever love you both very much, even though I’m not with you all the time. You and your mom are always on my mind."

"You’re always on our mind too, uncle Johnny!" the six year old girl replied, and then her smile turned into a mischievous one, "I’m gonna get mommy here so you can tell her that and so you can kiss her!"

Saying that, she rushed to the stairs and climbed them as fast as she could, leaving a very amused John behind.

*

The blond actor was reading a newspaper left on the coffee table when Roma finally climbed down the stairs. "Johnny..."

Her soothing voice was enough to make him stand up and look up, watching with fascination as she looked at him. "Angel..." he spoke, almost in a whisper, marvelled at what he saw.

Love, joy and affection were evident in her soft brown eyes. She was wearing a beautiful black dress that went down up to her knees and had a small opening at the right. Her auburn hair was tied up in a bun and her beautiful face had an extra light that was not coming from the bright lipstick on her lips nor from the light make up that accentuated her delicate and pretty features. Her high heel black shoes made her a little taller and more elegant, making it also easy for him to bend his head and press his lips against hers, hypnotised by the image right in front of him.

"...you’re even more beautiful... than... than ever..." he said, cupping her face with both hands and with his green orbs shining with love.

"Well... you are dazzling yourself, Mr Dye!" came her tender reply, as she was equally marvelled by his elegant figure – black suit that would always give him extra charm, sparkling green eyes that seemed to penetrate her very soul whispering loving words right to her heart and his intoxicating perfume. "Exactly as I wanted you to be!"

Chuckling, he stroked her cheek gently. "Where are we going tonight? You said you wanted to make me a surprise..."

"Oh, yes, and we should better be going, mister, we’re late already!" she took his hand and after they bid Reilly goodnight, the couple of actors left Roma’s house in John’s car.

"I’m at your command... Where to?" he asked, finding it rather funny to obey her orders without questioning or knowing where she would take him – as a matter of fact, it really didn’t matter once they were together.

John drove up to a small but cosy restaurant far from the city centre, where they would never be bothered by any photographer or reporter wanting to take pictures of them or trying to get any new information about their projects for the future.

It was all set for them when they got there – a very polite and friendly manager conducted them to their table, in a reserved area, next to the window, from where they had a lovely summer view of the Utah mountains. Red wine, beef, vegetables and potatoes were served and the couple savoured their delicious dinner chatting happily and exchanging loving glances and tender caresses once in a while. When they finished, Roma made a signal to the waiter and the young man nodded his head, leaving the hall for a few minutes and returning with an album in his hands, which he gave to the Irish actress.

"Here you are, Ms Downey."

"Thank you." she politely said, and then looked at John with a broad smile, enjoying to see the expression of curiosity in his handsome face.

"If I give you a kiss will you tell me what is inside this album?" he asked, taking her hand.

"Hum... I’d show it to you anyway cause it’s my anniversary present for you... But if you insist on the kiss..."

Smiling, he leaned over and their lips touched in a short but rather cute kiss. Then, she gave him the album and looked at him with so much love it melt his heart all over again, like she always did with him, since the very first time he’d lay his eyes on her. "You’re my best present, angel. You know that..."

She reached up and caressed his face, "You tell me that even with your eyes... Now, go on, take a look at it!"

Before he started to flip through the pages, the blond actor covered her hand with his own and kissed its palm. The first page showed a picture of him holding Roma, and he was caressing her visible seven month belly.

Bellow it, he could read:

"Remember when you would protect me even from the wind when I was expecting our little angel?"

(John’s flashback)

"Oh, my goodness it’s kicking again!" Roma spoke, placing her hand over her belly and interrupting the scene she was filming with John, both portraying Monica and Andrew.

The blond actor standing right in front of her was quick to hold her hand and place a supportive arm around her waist, extremely worried. "Are you alright? Don’t you think it’s better to stop now?"

"Oh, no, it’s okay, Johnny... I’m sorry I screwed up the scene..."

"It doesn’t matter, Roma, maybe you could have a seat..."

With a gentle smile on her face and fascinated with all his overprotection, she shook her head, "I’m fine, Johnny, I swear! It’s getting difficult for this little one to get comfortable in here as she’s growing up faster!"

Smiling with tenderness, he gently lay his hand over her belly and caressed it as if it was his baby in there. "She’ll become a very happy and smart little princess, full of life... I can already see her walking around the set, playing with her toys and calling everybody around ‘uncle’ and ‘auntie’!" They laughed and he never removed his hand from her belly, what made it possible for him to feel as the baby kicked for the second time. "Hey! I felt it!" he spoke in a loud, excited voice, "Hey, little angel, looks like you agree with me, right?"

"Wait, hold on a second, I have to take a picture of this!" Della spoke, though she was not filming at that moment, the old actress had been there at the same set and didn’t miss the opportunity to register that tender moment between the two people who had become her foster children. The blond actor wrapped his other arm around the Irish actress’ small shoulders, bringing her closer to him, and they rested their heads together. Their hands remained on Roma’s belly and anyone who didn’t know who they were would certainly say that was a beautiful family.

(End of John’s flashback)

His amazement and visible emotion at seeing that picture and the memories it brought were evident in the spark of his green pools, and after glancing at her with a lump in his throat, he kept on checking the album. The second photo showed the couple of actors a few months later, and John was holding a tiny bundle in his strong arms. The expression on his face was one of contentment and he looked like a proud father. Standing right beside him, Roma was relaxed, as if knowing that her little baby daughter was safe in her dear "uncle Johnny’s" arms.

(John’s flashback)

"... hey, I heard someone is being quite rebellious this morning..." John knocked softly at the door of Roma’s dressing room, which had been left ajar. In there, the Irish actress was trying in vain to make her little baby daughter stop crying. Yet, the only way to make it possible was to hold the little girl, because once she was placed inside the bassinet she would start crying all over again.

"I don’t know what to do... today she doesn’t even accept Julie carrying her!" the actress spoke, she and the nanny trying everything to put the girl’s heart at ease, "I had to be on the set 20 minutes ago..."

Always enchanted with the sweet little baby, he caressed the girl’s pink cheeks and then looked at her mother – yes, they were both adorable: mother and daughter, and if only he had one chance, he would make them both so happy!

"Can I try?" he finally said, turning his eyes back at the baby.

"Do you think you could...?" she was a bit sceptical but happy with the idea, as she trusted him deeply.

"Lets see..." Carefully, he held the little one in his arms and a broad smile appeared on their faces as, this time, Reilly didn’t protest – much on the contrary: after much crying, she finally yawned and settled against his chest, enjoying the comfortable feeling of his strong arms rocking her gently. "Hey, my little angel... Difficult day today, isn’t it?"

"It worked!" Roma exclaimed, eyeing him with gratitude and love; it wasn’t the same kind of love he was feeling, but it was love anyway, and that was enough to make him eternally grateful.

"Now you go, angel. I’ll keep an eye on your little princess." He said, and his heart seemed to skip a beat when she stood on the tip of her toes and kissed his face, "Thank you!"

Martha was the one to take a picture of John carrying the little baby and the fact that Reilly only allowed ‘uncle Johnny’ to do it melted everybody’s hearts at the studio (and caused a certain blond actor to be very proud).

(End of John’s flashback)

"You’re both the most important people in my life..." he said, emotion evident on his face.

"So are you to both of us, Johnny..." she held his hand and squeezed it before he turned the page. On the other one there was only the picture of a pizza, and Roma tilted her head observing as confusion clouded up his strong masculine features. But the explanation was right bellow it.

(John’s flashback)

Roma remained sitting next to her daughter’s bed even after the little girl had fallen asleep. In her eyes, incessant tears were evidences of the great anguish inside her heart – her marriage had finished in the ugliest possible way and she could lose Reilly’s custody to a horrible man and father. She’d been praying to God not to let that happen.

But then the sound of a car being parked in front of her house took the little actress out of her reverie and she rushed to the window to see who it was. Relief filled her soul when she saw it wasn’t David’s car but John’s instead, and, under the heavy rain, he crossed her front garden and was at her door, holding a few packages.

"John, you could get a cold out here!" she gently admonished, quickly making him come in.

"Well, I hope your fireplace is warm enough then, cause I brought us some pizza, ice cream, a nice comedy-"

"Johnny, you didn’t have to... I’m... I feel like I’m not a good company now and you deserve someone much better to-"

He silenced her by pressing a gentle finger against her lips. "Shh, I didn’t finish... I said I brought us some pizza, ice cream, a nice comedy and... well, and a friendly shoulder."

Tears started to fall from her eyes once again and she held him tightly, burying her face in his chest and grabbing his T-shirt as if holding onto the last hope of better days. He never knew how long they had remained like this; of how long he’d held her and soothed her hair, whispering loving and reassuring words in her ear, tightening his embrace on her at every sob that escaped her. They ended up eating the pizza and the ice cream and spent a long night by the fireplace and it was only over when exhaustion finally took over her body and the actress fell asleep in his arms.

(End of John’s flashback)

The blond actor reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tightly once again, "I never told you this, Roma, but that night, after you fell asleep in my arms, I prayed to God to make you happy again... Even if you being happy didn’t mean that we both could stay together..."

"John..." she was surprised and visibly moved at hearing that, and had to fight the tears that were threatening to fall from her brown eyes as he continued to speak.

"I asked God to send someone to protect you, someone to love you and respect you, because you deserve nothing less than this, angel... Even if this someone wasn’t me..."

A tearful smile appeared on her face and she cupped his face, gently brushing her thumb against his cheek, "And little did you know that God had already answered to your prayers by then... That the person you were praying for was holding me tightly and giving me the strength I had lost..."

He placed the book over the table and moved his chair closer to her. Then, John lay both hands against her face and gently pressed his lips against hers. "I love you too..." she said, after they pulled away, looking at him with so much love that it prevented him from speaking. But it wasn’t necessary, she could read what was in the spark for his eyes. The blond actor lay one more kiss on her forehead as she wiped the stubborn tears that insisted on falling from her eyes. "Go on! There’s more for you to see... And I guess you’ll remember the next memory quite well, mister!"

Curious, and smiling at her mischievous smile, he turned the page and saw another picture of them both together. They were in a large hall where dance numbers were rehearsed, and an immediate laughter escaped him, "Well... I remember all these moments very well but... yes, I guess I have that one in a special place..." he said, and his blushing face only caused her to laugh. The picture showed him and Roma during the rehearsal for the memorable dance scene in the episode "The sign of the dove." Whereas John wore simple jeans and white T-shirt, she was wearing spandex pants and a T-shirt, and the fact that those were very form fitting clothes, along with the beautiful smile on her pretty face, was enough to disturb his concentration and make them repeat the steps many times.

(John’s flashback)

"C’mon John, wake up! Where are you?" the choreographer said, pausing the music and shaking her head in disapproval after one more mistake.

"Sorry..." he replied, running a hand through his short hair and sighing with some embarrassment.

"Johnny? Are you okay?" Roma’s hair was tied up in a haphazard ponytail, which accentuated her Gaelic features; her meek face and her kind but worried smile causing his heart to melt even more than it already was.

"I.... well... I guess I didn’t sleep quite well this night..." his face was slightly blushed and that only made him more adorable to Roma. His sweet green eyes and gentle manners had always enchanted her but now that she was finally a free woman and that the terrible memories of her previous marriage were in the past, she had become more aware of his loving and kind personality. If the long talks they used to have were mostly sad ones, when she would ask for his comfort and reassurance, now they had become quite pleasant and whenever there was an opportunity, they were seen having lunch or even dinner together.

And the fact that he was so close to her caused pleasant butterflies in her stomach – she wished there were more dance scenes in the show, so that she could enjoy being in his arms, looking closely at his handsome face. The truth is that she’d just found herself completely in love with him and lately she would spend nights wondering if all the kindness and love there were in his eyes were merely evidences of their friendship. She secretly wished she was wrong and that that kind gentleman who had always showed her and her daughter deep affection felt for her exactly the same she felt for him.

Roma was ready to give him her heart and hardly did she know that he was dying to have it since the first time he’d lay his eyes on her.

The choreographer’s voice drew their attention back and they stood on their place once again: John holding one of her hands and wrapping his arm around her waist – their faces very close to each other. "I want you both to smile and look in the eye; Monica and Andrew are always happy when they dance, you need to pass this to the public!"

Her words were not necessary, however, as they were practically lost in each other’s gaze. The music started to play again but when John held her hand and waited for her to spin, he forgot about everything else just admiring her beautiful form. Roma turned around to face him and when he wrapped his arm around her waist once again, both forgot the next step and the rehearsal had to be interrupted one more time.

"Oh, boy, you guys are really in a bad day today!" the woman spoke, shaking her head and not noticing the way both blushed deeply and the slight embarrassed smile on their faces.

"I guess Louise is really mad!" John whispered, and then placed a few strands of hair behind her ear, his heart racing as she smiled back at him, welcoming that tender action. "I guess you’re right!" she whispered back.

"It’s all your fault, Ms!" he teasingly spoke, encouraged by the look in her eyes. And the way her mouth dropped open and her slight indignant expression on her face only made her even more adorable to him, "My fault?"

"Yes, ma’am! You look so beautiful you’re taking my concentration away!"

Pleased to hear her giggling, and not missing her blushing face, he turned to the choreographer and told her they would start all over again. The blond actor still remembered that they danced for hours and would never, in a hundred years, forget her sweet perfume and the way he guided her beautiful body as they sway. The camera recorded part of that rehearsal and Roma had kept the material with her, all she had to do was to ask a technician to print a photograph of them dancing.

(End of John’s flashback)

Smiling, and still a little blushed even after all this time, he reached out and kissed the back of her hand, "And it felt so good to have you in my arms that, after we shot this scene on the following day, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to dance with you a little more!"

Giggling, Roma nodded her head in agreement, "I still remember everybody applauding us even after it was over! And... it surely felt wonderful to be in your arms, mister!"

"My pleasure, sweetie..."

"It was one of my favourite scene so far, along with our other dance scenes..." Roma spoke, tenderly caressing his handsome face.

"Yes, I agree, so far... But someday, miss, I’ll manage to kiss you in scene, you’ll see!" he lowered his voice, as if telling her a secret.

She too lowered her head and looked at him mischievously, "I do hope so! And meanwhile we can rehearse that kiss as many times as possible, so it’s perfect!"

Laughing, he was the one who nodded enthusiastically, "Well, I do agree with the rehearsing thing but our kisses, angel, are always perfect!"

"I couldn’t agree more!" she said, giving him a peck on the lips.

John turned the page and then, instead of another photograph, he found an airplane ticket to Ireland, dating for the previous year. And then he smiled, perfectly aware of what that meant. "I... I didn’t know you had kept it," he said, with his eyes shining with love for her.

"I’m a girl; girls do that, you know!" she joked, covering his hand with hers.

"Correction, sweetie, you’re a wonderful girl!" he kissed the back of her hand as their memories went back in time once again.

(John and Roma’s flashback)

Roma held a permanent hold of her daughter’s little hand while she waited in the airport hall. The flight to Ireland would leave soon and, although they were going to spend their summer vacations together with the actress’ family, there was a hint of sadness visible on their faces. It was little Reilly who voiced what she was really feeling inside.

"Why can’t we take uncle Johnny with us, mommy?"

"Because your uncle Johnny has a mom, a daddy... he has a family and we have to let him spend some time with them too."

"But we’re his family too and he loves us, mommy, he said so himself!"

The Irish actress felt a lump forming in her throat not only because of her daughter’s sad little face but also because of the impending separation from her dearest, loving friend. The season seven of Touched by an angel had finally come to an end and, along with that, she had found herself completely in love with the blond actor. His loving words or the tenderness with which he treated her were vital to her and his presence had become second nature to her now. And lately, she spent her time praying for a sign that he felt the same about her, as uncertainty was killing her little by little. Sometimes the little actress would cry in secret, thinking about the possibility of facing his rejection, and nightmares of him telling her that he’d been dating someone else haunted her nights.

Trying to send those sad thoughts away, she knelt on the floor right in front of Reilly and tenderly caressed the girl’s curly hair, "I know, poppet, but don’t you think we can’t have uncle Johnny just for us?"

"Why not? That would be great! He’s my Papa Bear!"

Smiling, she took Reilly’s little hand and kissed it, "I’ll tell you what: as soon as we get there, you can phone him, okay?"

The little girl sighed deeply, with some resignation, "Okay..."

Roma glanced at her watch and sighed with equal resignation – and then a sudden and crazy thought came up in her mind: what if John appeared there, all of a sudden, telling her not to go because he couldn’t live without her anymore? She certainly would throw herself in his arms and confess all the love she felt for him. She certainly would kiss him deeply and tell him they would never be apart again. But a voice in the loudspeaker announcing the next departure took her out of her reverie and, with tears in the corner of her eyes, she and Reilly headed to the check-in counter.

*

Meanwhile, in another part of the city...

"Damn it!" John’s angry voice and the way he hit the car wheel certainly were a contrast to his usual gentle and loving manners. But the traffic jam that had kept him stuck for almost an hour was causing him to be more and more nervous, and, with a desperate expression on his face, he glanced at his watch for the tenth time in the last minute, sighing with discontentment. The streets and avenue leading to the airport were all crowded and there was no way he could pass or at least get a short cut.

On the passenger seat lay a bouquet of red roses and a card, where he’d written, "To my eternal angel." Finally, after almost eight years loving Roma in secret, the blond actor had decided to confess his feelings for his co-worker. Maybe watching her leaving, even if it was for a month vacation, gave him the courage to go on and tell her how much he loved her. Her sweet doe-like eyes, the tender way she would always look at him were constantly on his mind, specially now, when he was struggling to see them again. The possibility of her refusing his love had obviously occurred him, but this time he was decided to do it, no matter the consequences. Somewhere deep inside his loving heart he’d been under the impression he had seen love reflected in her eyes while rehearsing a dance scene, about a month before.

"Please, c’mon, I got to be there!" he whispered, impatiently running a hand through his short blond hair. But the car in front of him moved just a few meters away and stopped again. "Angel... please, wait for me..."

*

John parked his car in the airport parking lot and left it in a hurry, carrying the bouquet of roses in his hands, desperately looking for the Irish actress and her daughter in the airport hall. But as he saw the panel with the information about flights, his heart seemed to break into pieces when he realised that Roma’s flight had left about 30 minutes before. He still went up to the information counter but the attendant only confirmed what he had read there. John sighed and sat down on a nearby chair, shaking his head with disappointment and a bit of anger for not being able to get there in time.

Inside the airplane, the actress looked through the window and sighed, wiping the sudden tear that fell from her eye. Maybe that trip would make her think more clearly about what she was feeling inside; maybe it would show her that she and John had better remain good friends. Who knows there was someone already waiting for him back in Mississippi? Roma wrapped her arm around her daughter’s little shoulders and kissed the top of her head, loathing to think about that.

*

The trip to Ireland was a tiring one, and mother and daughter arrived there by the end of the afternoon. Roma’s brother, Joseph, and her sister Patty were at the airport to warmly greet their beloved sister and niece, and while exchanging warm hugs, it was Patty who noticed the slight trace of sadness in the actress’ eyes.

"Is it my impression or we have a lot to talk, huh?" she offered, with a friendly smile, while Joseph held little Reilly in his arms, always enchanted with her sweet and cheerful mood.

"I guess I cannot hide much from my dearest sister, can I?" Roma replied, also smiling.

They headed straight to Patty’s house and, once she and Reilly were settled, they spent hours chatting and catching up with everybody’s lives. By 7 PM, Joseph excused himself as he had his duties at church. And, after little Reilly and her young cousins went to bed, Roma and her sister had chance to talk, sitting at the kitchen table.

"Now tell me, there’s something different with you... I can see some happiness and yet some melancholy in your eyes... What’s wrong, Roma?" her sister inquisitively asked, offering her a cup of coffee that she’d just brewed.

"You’re sure you’re a housewife? You could make a fine detective sometimes!" the actress replied, with mock annoyance.

"No, I just happen to know my sister quite well, even if she lives far from me!" Patty crossed her arms in front of her and narrowed her eyes, "Is there someone causing this? Did you finally start dating again?"

The woman watched as Roma lowered her eyes and sighed, "N-no... I didn’t..."

"Roma... It’s been nearly two years now, I know how much you suffered with David, I know how painful that marriage was for you but you should leave it in the past."

"And I did. David... I don’t even know where he is now and I’m healed, Patty, I am... Thanks to both you and Joseph, thanks to Della... And..." now her sister watched as Roma blushed a little, "... and thanks to Johnny..."

"Johnny? You mean John?"

"Y-yes..."

Only then did the Irish actress look back at her sister, and on the following second a smile spread across the woman’s face, "Oh, my goodness! You and John... You..."

"No... No, we’re just friends..."

"Friends?"

"Yes..." not managing to resist to Patty’s inquisitive gaze, Roma sighed again and lowered her head, "I love him, Patty. I love John deeply, with all my heart, that’s the truth!"

"Oh, but that’s wonderful!"

"He doesn’t know! I never told him anything, I just found that out recently... Though... I guess I’ve been in love with him for... for some time... maybe longer than I thought..."

"And... you’re afraid of what you’re feeling?"

"I guess... I guess I’m afraid he’ doesn’t feel the same... I’m afraid he... he has somebody else..."

"Do you know if there is anyone in his life?"

"I... I guess there isn’t but I cannot say for sure... All I can say is that... I love him so much it aches. I... I cannot imagine my life without him any more; John is... he’s permanently in my heart now."

Patty reached out and took her sister’s hand, squeezing it tightly, "You need to be sure, Roma, before you get yourself hurt again. You’ve suffered so much already, dear, you have the right to be happy again."

"Thank you, Patty..." the actress shed some tears and her sister let go of her hand to give her a warm hug.

*

Roma woke up early on the following day. The time zone difference and the tiring trip on the previous day were stressing her and caused her to sleep very little. Patty had left for the mass, which would be celebrated by Joseph, while her husband had already gone to work. In the silence of the house, as the children were still fast asleep, the Irish actress walked up to the kitchen, wearing a robe over her pyjamas and with her hair tied up in a haphazard ponytail. She was brewing herself some fresh coffee when the doorbell rang, and she rolled her eyes, already knowing who that could be.

"What did you forget this time, Patty?" she spoke, as she turned the doorknob.

But it wasn’t her sister.

Her heart skipped a beat and her mouth dropped open when Roma opened up the door and saw John standing at the doorstep, with a suitcase in one hand and a bouquet of red roses in the other. From the exhausted expression on his face she could easily tell that he’d been travelling all night long, in order to get there at that time of the morning. Yet, his lips curved into a kind, always loving smile as he saw her.

"John? What... what are you doing here? What... what happened?" she wanted to know, trembling from head to toe, a turmoil of different thoughts running in her mind.

He placed his suitcase on the ground and gave a step closer to her, never breaking his warm, penetrating gaze, "I came here to tell you... that I loved you since the first moment I lay my eyes on you... Since the first time I saw your smile and looked in your eyes and heard your voice, Roma."

Love was written in the spark of his green pools and for a moment Roma doubted she’d really heard those words from his mouth. Her heart burst with joy and affection, and a multitude of other loving feelings as some tears quickly formed in the corner of her sweet doe-like eyes. "... And there was no way I could wait until you came back to tell you this." The blond actor added, giving her the beautiful bouquet with red roses – equal to the one he’d taken to the airport.

His heart was racing: in a matter of hours, he’d managed to pack his clothes and get the next plan to Ireland to go after the woman with who he’d been in love for eight years; he’d crossed an entire ocean to tell her that he loved her, even running the risk of facing her rejection. Relief and nervousness took over him once he’d finally voiced his true feelings, but then, on the following second, his previous worries seemed to vanish, as a tearful smile appeared on her meek face.

Crying with emotion, Roma took the flowers in her hands and, lost for words, she wrapped her arm around his neck and held him tightly, his arms immediately encircling her waist. "Oh, John... Johnny... I love you! Oh, God, I love you so much! So much!"

The blond actor lifted her from the ground and spun her around, his heart practically bursting with joy and pure love. "Angel... baby, I waited so much to tell you this... to finally tell you that I love you!" When he placed her on the ground, John pulled away just a few inches, marvelled at the expression on her meek face and at the brightness in her sweet doe like eyes, "You’ve made me the happiest man in this whole wide world!"

"I love you so much, Johnny... but I was so afraid..."

"Afraid? Afraid of what, angel?"

"I thought that... that maybe you didn’t feel the same... That you could have someone..."

A small laughter escaped him as that statement sounded way too absurd, "Roma... angel... Nothing could be farther from the truth. I’ve been loving you in secret for all these years we’ve been working together." John gently admonished her, tenderly caressing her cheek, "You’re my everything, my eternal angel. I don’t think I’d be able to tell you everything that I feel for you, baby, but if you give me this honour, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to do so... I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you more every single day."

"That would be the best present I could ever receive... And you’ve given me so many already..."

All the love in his heart was reflected in the way he looked at her. Overwhelmed with tenderness, John cupped her face in his hand and ran his thumb across her cheek. Roma smiled up at him and they remained hypnotised by each other’s loving gaze for long moments until he broke it to turn his eyes to her rosy lips. She slowly felt his hand pulling her face towards his and closed her eyes as their lips met. Suddenly all of her senses seemed to be heightened, the soft feel of his lips on hers, the musky smell of his cologne and the easy way his arms wrapped around her waist as their kiss went on. Her hands automatically went up his arms to his chest, then travelled to his neck and then back up to his face.

John held her firmly and yet so gently, as if was holding the most precious treasure in all the universe – which was exactly what she was to him. He made her feel like she was in the loving, protective arms of an angel, where no harm would happen to her, and his loving kiss caused pleasant butterflies in the pitch of her stomach; a set of wonderful sensations she would never forget.

As their lips parted and they paused for breath, the couple of actors gazed into one another's eyes. She had taken her hands away from his face and settled them back down to his chest but he took one of them and then placed it to his cheek, brushing his sweet lips to her fingertips, trailing soft kisses over her palm.

"I'm so happy... I love you."

He heard her saying, his heart pounding, his pulse racing. It had been so long ago that they had first met... And now, she was his. She bit her lip as he smiled and leaned down; his warm breath blowing softly against the delicate curve of her neck, causing pleasant shivers down her spine. With a soft sigh, John placed a warm kiss on her smooth skin and whispered against her ear, "I love you, too, angel..."

He gazed at her one more time and lay another kiss on her palm, "... Forever..."

A loving smile crossed their faces and only then did Roma realise they were still standing at the doorway and that she was wearing sleeping clothes and no make up. "Oh, my goodness, don’t you stay there! Come in!" she took him by the hand and made him enter the house. Glancing at his handsome face once again as he did so, "How come you got here only one day after me? When did you leave Utah?"

"Well, just after I got at the airport and realised I’d missed your flight, I brought a ticket to Ireland and went back home to grab a few clothes and the plane left by 7 PM."

"You’ve been to the airport? Oh, John..."

"Nevermind, I got here anyway, didn’t I?"

"You must be exhausted..." she tenderly caressed his cheek, not missing the tired expression on his face. Smiling, he covered her hand with his kissed her palm, "It was worth every single minute! I’d do it all over again!"

"You’re crazy, Mr Dye!"

Laughing, he placed his suitcase on the floor and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him one more time, "Yes... Totally, completely crazy for you!" Then, the blond actor bent his head and kissed her lips once again.

(End of John and Roma’s flashback)

"... that was the best trip to Ireland I ever made..." she sighed, lovingly gazing at him.

"Well, that was the best trip to Ireland I ever made... so far! We’re coming back there soon!" he spoke, leaning to kiss her.

"Oh, definitely. We had such a wonderful time there... And I still remember Patty’s face when she saw you had crossed the Atlantic to tell me that you loved me!"

They both laughed and then he turned the page: there was a picture of the Touched by an angel cast and crew in a small Christmas party, held after they shot the last episode of the previous year, and John had his arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind, and was kissing her cheek at the right moment the picture was taken.

Another laughter escaped them as they saw it, "Well, I still can’t forget the look on people’s face when we arrived there that day!" John’s memory came back in time once again.

(John’s flashback)

John parked his car in front of the Moon Water Studios and quickly got out of it; then, he signalled to the person who was inside the vehicle to wait, and walked around his car, to open up the passenger door. A giggling Roma took his proffered hand and shook her head. "John, you don’t need to do it all the time..."

"I’m the old fashioned kind of guy, you see. Besides, today is a very important occasion!" he replied, kissing the back of her hand.

Roma sighed deeply, as if gathering courage to do what they were about to do.

"Angel? Do you still want to make it? If you don’t want to it’s ok for me, I-"

"No, I do! I want to. Besides, they’ll have to know one day, Della already knows and it’s not fair to ask her to keep the secret or lie because of us."

"You’re right... And the same goes to our little angel..."

"Actually, she was the first one to know... She knew it even before than I did!" the actress joked, "Let’s go?"

"Wait..." the blond actor cupped her face with both hands and, checking to see if there was anyone around in the deserted parking lot, he looked deep inside her eyes, "... may I have a kiss? For luck?"

Biting her lower lip, she returned his mischievous gaze, "I thought you didn’t believe in luck, Mr Dye!"

"Hum... since I got you, I can say I have been blessed with all there’s good in this world..." he said, before their gaze was finally broken; he looked at her rosy lips and just had to bend his head a little – as they were only inches away. The kiss was romantic, slow, leaving a sweet taste in their mouths when air became an issue and they had to part.

Then, hand in hand, they entered the studios. At first, people didn’t find it strange, as they were often seen together and it was no secret to anyone how strong their friendship was. But when they remained holding hands and exchanging caresses, a few close people started to find it rather curious. And it was during the break of the filming that they got their friends together in the set. Martha, Joe, Victor, Valerie, Della, and some other people from the crew were invited to take a seat and hear what they had to say, even though Della already knew what it was about.

"Roma and I... we asked you guys to be here because have something to tell you..." the blond actor started, never releasing the hold in his girlfriend’s hand. "We... we’ve been friends for a long time, since I joined the cast, but lately... Well... lately we realised this friendship had turned into something else... something greater than friendship..."

Smiling at him, and unaware of the surprise in people’s face, it was Roma who spoke now, "Yes, and a lot more beautiful... The truth is that... I love John. I don’t know exactly when I fell in love with him, but one thing I’m sure of: it was the easiest thing in the world, as he’s a wonderful man, even more wonderful than you can possibly imagine." She said, turning to him once again, and loving the smile on his handsome face, "And I’m very blessed to be the one telling you this..."

He took her hand to his lips and returned her loving gaze, "What I can tell you is that Roma is the love of my life... She always has, to be honest. When Martha invited me to join the show I’d never imagine I was about to fall in love with Roma at the very first time I saw her."

Only when they broke their gaze – before they shared one more kiss in front of everybody, did the couple of actors notice the shock on their friends’ face, and a chuckling Della at the back of the room, visibly having fun with that situation. A little embarrassed, they looked at each other again, and John tentatively concluded their announcement, "Well... and that... that’s what we had to tell you... Roma and I are now officially dating."

It was Della the first one to speak, sensing the great shock that unexpected piece of news had caused, "That’s wonderful, babies!" she said, coming closer to them and giving Roma a motherlish hug, "And I’m so happy that’s Lovejuice who’s taking care of my angel girl!"

"I am, Della! I promise!" he replied, and then it was Martha who stood up, still taken aback by the unexpected piece of news, "Gee, guys, I’m happy for you too, but now will I have to make Andrew and Monica fall in love too?"

That was enough to make everybody give a good laughter and finally the ice was broken.

"Actually, Martha, I was going to suggest that, you know," John spoke, wrapping his arm around Roma’s shoulders, "Otherwise how do I get to kiss Roma in scene?"

"Yeah, and CBS executives would probably kill me!" she exclaimed.

"Hum... you can tell them that Monica and Andrew finally found out they’d been in love with each other since they first met and couldn’t hide it anymore!" the blond actor joked.

Martha’s face turned into a mischievous one and she narrowed her eyes, "You know, actually I’ve noticed something different going on with Monica and Andrew lately... I myself was starting to believe that they were both starting to develop a crush!"

"Well, to be honest, John and I we’ve been... Well... we’ve been together for a while, you know.... We were just waiting for the best moment to tell you all..." Roma spoke, finding the surprised expression on Martha’s face rather funny.

But then the producer looked at the happy couple standing before her eyes and the expression on her face softened, "You know something? You two could make a lovely angelic couple anyway!"

Joy and laughter fulfilled the atmosphere at the small party and the ones in there could see how John and Roma loved each other by the look in their eyes or by the way their hands remained permanently entwined.

(End of John’s flashback)

"Martha’s face was priceless!" the blond actor spoke, he and Roma laughing at the happy memory.

"Actually everybody’s faces were priceless, with the exception of Della’s, as she already knew it."

"Yeah... just wish she would go on with that Monica and Andrew dating thing! Gosh, it would be perfect to kiss you in scene!"

Giggling, she inched closer and kissed his cheek, "Yes, I agree, but you can go on with the kissing thing at home!"

"You can be sure of that, honey!" John replied, amused.

He proceeded in turning the pages of the album and found a small envelope. But he didn’t have to open it up and read the small note inside it. His smile brightened up with the memories it brought to his mind and then he looked at Roma’s face, aware that her eyes were sparkling with love for him. John covered her hand with his and leaned forward to kiss her lips lightly, "That is something that will remain alive in my memory as if it happened yesterday..."

"In mine too..." she spoke, her eyes permanently fixed in his own.

(John and Roma’s flashback)

It was almost 10 p.m. when the blond actor arrived at the hotel he was staying at. John had gone to New York to film a commercial for TV and things took more time than expected due to the bad weather condition, and instead of two days he had to spend one week there. One week of his life away from the woman he loved; one week away from his "family" as he considered Roma and Reilly. He and the Irish actress had started dating a few months before and that fact alone was enough to make their absence a lot harder for him to bear.

He got out of the elevator on the fifth floor and headed to his bedroom but stopped walking immediately when he found a small envelope together with a carnation left on the doorstep of his suite. Frowning a little, but also imagining that those had been left there by a fan, he took the unexpected gifts and opened the small envelope. Inside, a short note, but with a familiar handwriting.

"I love you and..."

His lips curved in a slight smile and he turned the door knob, his heart already racing with expectation.

And there she was, standing by the window and watching as the city lights blinked outside. As he opened the door, she turned to face him and her broad smile and the look in those sweet brown eyes made him fall in love all over again. "... and I came here to tell you this in person, one more time..." Roma spoke, feeling a fluttering feeling in the pitch of her stomach just by looking at him again.

"Roma, angel..." he whispered, quickly walking towards her and gathering her in his strong arms. She returned the hug with the same intensity and closed her eyes for a few moments, enjoying to be held like that. "... God I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, John! So much that I couldn’t bear to wait for you to return..."

Chuckling, he pulled away and tenderly caressed her face, "You should have told me you were coming! Roma, you’ve crossed the entire country, you must be exhausted..."

"I’m not, I slept most part of the trip, and dreamed of you all the way!" she replied, never breaking her gaze. Amused, the blond actor shook his head and then tenderly cupped her face, softly brushing his thumb against her cheek. "Well, then it wouldn’t hurt to say I’ve been dreaming of you since the day I got here!"

Her smile grew wider as his green pools now aimed her rosy lips – and on the following second, they were lost in one long, loving kiss; John wrapped his arm around her waist, gently pulling her closer to him, and enjoyed as she lay one hand against his chest and another on his handsome face, caressing it with the usual feather-like touch. Finally pulling away just some inches from her face, he stared at her for long instants, contemplating her sweet doe-like eyes and smiling again, as if they had been apart for a whole century.

"You’re so beautiful." He whispered softy, pushing a few strands of her auburn hair behind her ear, never breaking their gaze.

"I... I asked the room service to bring dinner upstairs... just hope you didn’t eat yet..." she said, with an apprehensive look in her eyes.

"Oh, no I didn’t. In fact we’ve just finished shooting, thank God! I was working until now."

"Good... so now you’ll have a warm shower and be back here in ten minutes, are we understood?"

"Yes, ma’am!" he replied, finding the authoritarian tone in her voice adorable.

Dinner went on very well, but somehow the blond actor sensed that something was different with Roma. There were moments she would gaze silently at him and although he could clearly see all the love she felt for him in the spark of her eyes, there was something else he couldn’t really understand. Sometimes she seemed lost in thoughts and far but his loving words would always bring her back and cause a bright smile to appear on her meek face again. It was not that dinner had been uncomfortable. Much on the contrary – it was very calm and romantic, and anyone who happened to see the sweet way Roma looked at John would be sure she was in love with him.

While John was closing the bedroom door, as the room service took their dishes away, the Irish actress walked over up to the window and stared at the small blinking lights outside, with the Empire States in the back. And then she smiled, remembering of an old romantic movie which had the same scenery. It was then that she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and on the following second John was standing there in front of her. "Angel?"

Roma’s smile grew wider as she looked deep inside his green polls, "The view is lovely..."

"Hum... I prefer this view here..." he half joked, never moving his eyes away from hers.

"I like the idea of being in here... in this small shelter, just for the two of us, even though there are thousands of people out there, in another thousand rooms. I feel like I’m... safe here, with you..."

Smiling, he reached over and touched her hair, lightly touch the tips of it, studying carefully her beautiful Gaelic features, "With you being here... I’m under the impression that there’s nobody outside... That we’re both alone..." the actor spoke, shifting his glance between her lips and her eyes a couple of times.

They gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment as if they needed to recapture something lost. His lips were inches from hers when she finally whispered, "I love you, John." There was no time for a response. He leaned down and gently kissed the lips he thought only belonged to him. Their kiss was tender and slow, and Roma felt she was melting in his strong arms, enjoying it when he held her a bit tighter, but always gently, knightly, as he always did.

They pulled away briefly, only to catch their breath as another kiss started. When air became a problem, Roma heard his tender words whispered into her ear, "I love you..." and it took just a second for their lips to collide in a soulful, loving kiss once again. John ran his fingers through her hair, down to her neck and then the way down her back, settling his hand firmly around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She responded to his caresses by wrapping her arms around his neck, gently caressing his short blond hair and feeling a lump forming on her throat when he slowly slid his hand back up again, entwining his fingers in her auburn strands; his other hand remaining on her waist.

So gentle and tender was the kiss that it felt like the touch of a butterfly's wings. Moving ever so slightly, her head tilted and their lips parted; heir tongues touched as their kiss deepened. She felt her stomach tingling, her whole body melting as their kiss ended, and another started.

Love, passion, desire... all those feelings mixed up together were causing John to have trouble controlling himself – somewhere in the back of his mind he could still remember all the pain and suffering his beloved Roma had been through with David. The blond actor was always there, holding her tightly and telling her that everything would be alright again, that she deserved nothing but to be happy, even if her happiness was not by his side. Exactly due to this, they hadn’t become intimate yet; he had no doubt how much she loved him, but he also knew she was fighting ghosts from the past and promised himself he wouldn’t push the issue until he felt she was ready. And now... now she was in his arms, welcoming his caresses, kissing him back and with the same intensity. She had crossed the entire country for him.

He paused his caresses briefly and pulled away just a few inches, seeking for the answer to his doubts in her sweet brown eyes. As she finally reunited her gaze with John’s, his eyes flickered with kindness and gentleness and she knew she could trust him with everything she was – there was no reason to fear remembering the past, nothing he would do could bring flashbacks of pain and suffering; only joy and happiness instead.

"Roma... I... love you, baby... I love you so much..." he said, gently cupping her cheek.

It was then that Roma suddenly felt the threat of tears in her throat once again as a sweet, loving reaction of his tender touch. Covering his hand with her free one, she leaned her cheek gently against it, as though seeking some form of comfort as she felt the hot tears begin to stream over her cheeks sensitively. "I know... You’ve told me that a thousand times, in the most possible ways..." she turned her head briefly, to lay a kiss on the palm of his hand, and then looked back at him, "I love you, John... I love you completely... and... and I want to share this with you... I’m not afraid... not afraid anymore, as I know it’s you; it’s in your arms that I feel loved... that I feel safe."

With his heart bursting with love and emotion, he smiled, hardly believing what he’d heard from her lips: the woman he loved was giving her heart to him – and knowing what she had been through in the past, it was more than he deserved. He tenderly ran his fingertips along her delicate face, "Angel... I promise you... with all my heart that... that I’ll make you the happiest woman in this world..." he kissed away her tears and then gazed at her again, "You’re so precious to me, baby... Everything of the most precious there is in this world... I love you forever..."

A loving kiss sealed their love promises and it was followed by many others, along with sweet caresses and tender touches. In that hotel suite, all that mattered at that very moment was the fact that she was in the arms of the man she loved, she could feel the warmth of his skin through his shirt and his heart beating faster in his chest, in the same rhythm of hers. Their kisses soon deepened again, this time with more passion, and her hands travelled along his torso, up to his chest and slid back up to his shoulders. She shivered as his hands brushed against her sides, pulling her closer to him, while he started to trail kisses along her delicate jaw and down on her neck. Feeling his warm breath and his lips on hers once again caused her to go limp, wishing nothing but to go on further in those sweet caresses. Wrapping her arms around him, she leaned back and John supported his new wife in his arms as he guided her to bed.

(End of John and Roma’s flashback)

"It was so beautiful... so... I guess that night I found out that I loved you even more than I thought." Roma spoke, with a few tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

John’s heart was equally full of joy and emotion to remember that special moment, and always with the same kind smile, he covered her hand with his own, "That night I felt so incredibly honoured, Roma, that for a moment I even doubted I deserved you..." he confessed, in a low voice, tenderly caressing her cheek.

"Oh, John... You’re possibly the most wonderful loving soul I’ve ever met... And you’re not even aware of this..."

"It was the most beautiful night of my life... along with all the other ones that we spent together..." he whispered, his eyes shining with love.

"Of my life too..."

They exchanged one more kiss and then he wiped away the few tears that finally rolled over her cheeks. "Shh... I don’t want to see you crying, sweetie..."

"My crying is of happiness, Johnny. Every time I remember all the wonderful things you’ve done to me, I feel my heart so full that... That I cannot help but to cry..."

With a warm smile, he cupped her chin and kissed her cheek, "It’s okay then. As long as these are happy tears."

"Go on... there’s one page left..." she asked, wiping her face with the handkerchief he’d offered her.

John turned the page and instead of a picture, there was a note written by his beloved Roma:

Now it was John who felt a lump forming in his throat. Taking her hand into both of his, he tried to find the right words to express what he was feeling at that very moment, but the only ones that came to his mouth were those that summed up what he felt for the little Irish actress who had conquered his heart forever. "I love you so much," he whispered, moved with the extra present she’d given him. Roma had also bought him a black leather jacket – which, according to her, "made him look dazzling and charming," and the first publication of his favourite book – and that alone was quite a loving gesture.

"I know... you never let me forget it..." she spoke, taking his hand up to her face, laying it against her cheek.

John just gazed at her for a few instants, treasuring that moment and the way she looked: so adorable, so sparkling with happiness that it gave him the courage he needed to go on and do what he’d been planning to do a few weeks before – in fact, what he’d been planning to do since the first moment he lay his eyes on her.

Then, feeling it was the right time, he searched for a small box inside his blazer pocket. "There... there’s something I want to give you..."

"John, you’ve given me so much already... these earrings and necklace..." she said, placing her hand over her chest to point out the jewellery that she was wearing – his anniversary present for her a day before.

"And don’t you think you should have that jewellery collection complete?"

He saw the surprise in her eyes when he placed the small box in her hands and suddenly felt his heart beats accelerating with nervousness. But then there was no way he could go back – nor did he want to. Looking deep inside her brown pools, he kept on talking, "Open it, please..."

Feeling her heart accelerating too, the Irish actress slowly undid the ribbon that involved the small box and then opened it up: a gorgeous diamond ring lay in there and it was sparkling like her eyes. Roma bit her lower lip and held her breath, trying to put her thoughts in order to understand the meaning of that single piece of jewellery – was it really what she was thinking?

"Oh, my goodness... John... it’s gorgeous..."

The blond actor took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Roma... angel... I’ve told you many times how much I love you... how much I want to share my life with you and Reilly... And... well... looking at all these moments we’ve had together I can only come to one conclusion, sweetie..." he took some breath and went on talking, "...I could never live away from you... I miss you terribly even when we say goodbye and go to our houses, and listening to your voice on the phone is not enough for me, it never was to be honest. I miss you even in my dreams, angel..."

Moved with emotion and with tears rolling down her cheeks, she lay a gentle hand against his handsome face, "Johnny... You’re so part of me..."

"Angel... there’s nothing in this whole world that I want more than spending the rest of my life with you, loving you every single day of my existence, sharing all the moments of my life with you... I want to raise Reilly with you, Roma, I love her as I’d love my own daughter..."

He watched as the tears streamed down her cheeks and a slight smile started to from on her pretty face. Becoming bolder, he kissed the back of her hand and stood up and knelt on the floor, right in front of her. Then, never breaking their gaze, he went on talking, "Please, give me this honour, sweetie... I want you to be my wife... I want it to be official... to be married with you with God’s blessing... Roma... Will you marry me?"

A small sob escaped her as she heard all those loving words, which only reflected all the love evident in the spark of his eyes. Roma nodded her head and stifled a sob, trying hard to control all the emotion she was feeling, "Oh, John... my John... my answer to you will always be ‘yes’. Yes, I want to be your wife! Yes, I want us to be officially joined under God’s blessing... I love you so much, Johnny, so much! All the moments I recorded in this album, they’re all parts of a good dream, you know, cause having you by my side has always been like a good dream..." another sob escaped her as she concluded, "I don’t want this dream to end... I want to be yours, John, for the rest of my days..."

With his heart filled with love and pure joy, he took the ring and slipped it through her finger, kissing the back of her hand, "Then I’m... I’m the happiest guy in this whole world, angel. And I promise I’ll make your existence sweeter than any possible dream you can ever have; you’re my precious treasure, honey, and I’ll take care of you forever..."

He gently lay his hands on each side of her face and, after one last loving gaze, their eyes turned to each other’s lips. A loving kiss sealed that moment, along with a small audience’s applause. John held his fiancée tightly, lifting a silent prayer for having her love. Then, he ordered champagne not only for them but for everybody who was at that small restaurant.

*

"... there... now we have one more moment to add to our album!" the Irish actress exclaimed, finishing to write "I do" on the white paper, right bellow John’s written question "Will you marry me?".

They were both back at Roma’s house and lying comfortably on the sofa, having the living room illuminated exclusively by the soft light coming from the fireplace. Roma was still wearing the beautiful dress with which she’d gone to the restaurant but her shoes had been left somewhere down the entrance hall. Her hair was now loosen, allowing John to entangle his fingers through her auburn strands, performing a monotonous and pleasant movement. The blond actor had also left his shoes somewhere near the entrance door and had his tie loosen to make it more comfortable. He took the album in his hands and added three more words to it: "I love you."

Enjoying to hear her giggles, he kissed her cheek and watched as she too wrote something else. "I love you too! Forever!"

They finally turned to look at each other’s face and on the following second, their lips met in one more loving kiss.

"We’ll fill all these pages with lots of happy moments, Roma..." he spoke, cupping her face and tenderly brushing his thumb against her cheek.

"I know..." she replied, gazing deep inside his green pools. Then, she turned to look at the beautiful ring on her finger as he kept on talking, "... so many we’ll need more albums to register them!"

As he kissed her lips again, the clock over the mantelpiece rang 1 AM in the morning. He checked the hour and sighed deeply and somewhat reluctantly.

"Stay..." Roma spoke, as if guessing his thoughts. There was a hint of concern on his face even though his eyes held a permanent spark of happiness due to the events of the day. He lay a gentle kiss on the back of her hand ad spoke again, "There’s nothing I want more than staying here with you... To be honest, if it depended on me, I’d never leave... But I worry about Reilly; I’m not sure if it’s right to spend the night here when we’re not officially married..."

Roma’s lips curved in a slight smile: the way John was always worried about her little daughter’s welfare never ceased to amaze her. She caressed his handsome face and straightened her body in order to speak again, "John, you’re not just her mother’s boyfriend..." then, she quickly corrected herself, "... well, her mother’s fiancé now!" They chuckled, looking at her engagement ring once again. Then, she went on talking. "You are Reilly’s true father, you’ve been her loving father ever since I was pregnant. And she loves you so much! Exactly like a daughter would love her daddy."

Smiling, and moved with emotion to think about his "little angel girl," John nodded his head, "You’re right... I love that little one as if she was my little daughter... I’ve always have..."

"Anyone can see how happy she stays whenever you come here, or when you two meet. Anyone can notice how her eyes shine with happiness whenever you tell her stories or play with her or when you teach her something, like riding a bicycle or drawing. I’ll be eternally grateful for that, Johnny, and I’m sure that when she grows up she’ll feel as much grateful as I am. She’ll feel as much loved as I am.

John felt the presence of tears in his green pools, "I’m the one who is grateful, Roma, grateful and honoured for this beautiful family you gave me. You and Reilly... you’re everything to me, angel. You’re my very existence."

She inched closer and brushed a loving kiss on his lips, "And I bet tomorrow, after we give Reilly the good news, we’ll have the happiest little girl on Earth having breakfast with us!"

They shared an amused and happy laugher and John tightened the hold around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. That night they fell asleep in each other’s arms, their hearts were filled with love, joy and a multitude of other loving feelings, and with the certainty that they would belong together forever.

The end.