3 comments/ 30932 views/ 39 favorites Recipe for Love By: deepemerald When other teenage girls were busy worrying about boys and dating I was at home taking care of my parents. When my old classmates went off to college, I had to put off my education as my dad had just passed away and mom was not able to take care of herself as she was blind and going deaf, and in very bad health. By the time I was 20 I was all alone. My parents weren't my real parents. They were actually my grandparents. They'd been in their late 30s when they had my biological mother -- their only child. She got pregnant when she was 17. She refused to say who the father was and a week after giving birth to me she slipped away in the night and was not heard from again. When I was 5 my parents got a call from a hospital in a town they'd never heard of. Their daughter had been working the streets as a prostitute and died from a drug overdose. They'd hoped that she'd come back and get me one day, and after she died they started looking for my dad. They talked to all of her old school friends, but nobody knew of her having had a boyfriend. With my distinctive colouring -- fiery red hair and emerald green eyes -- it was obvious that I must take after my biological dad (our family was of Scandinavian ancestry and all family photos showed blonde people), but even with that knowledge, it was impossible to find anyone who could possibly have fathered me. I didn't have to worry about money, my parents had been quite well off, but with no family left and having spent my teenage years caring for mom and dad, I didn't really have anyone to turn to when they'd passed away. There were no friends who could stop me from isolating myself. Perhaps it wasn't a surprise that I decided to sell the old Victorian mansion I grew up in and move to a new house in a new town. I decided against going to college. My inheritance and the money I made from selling the old house were enough for me to spend the rest of my life without any money worries, provided I wasn't careless. I decided to find something that I enjoyed, that paid the few bills I had, and that gave me the chance to figure out what to do with my life, maybe even find a man to marry and have that perfect TV-family that I'd watched with envy as a child. I tried lots of jobs in the first year. I worked at a day care centre, I worked as a hotel receptionist, I was a filing clerk, and I even tried being a secretary. None of those jobs really appealed to me though. I got bored quickly and moved on to the next thing. That's when Ralph's and my paths crossed. Ralph was 10 years older than me and the local veterinarian. I liked him the moment I saw him. He was a tall and muscular man with very intelligent eyes and a wild brown mop of hair on his head, making me think of a nutty professor. And that wasn't very far from the truth. He was incredibly smart with an immense passion for animal welfare, but he was quite awkward around people and the most absent-minded person I'd ever met. He'd hired me to do all sorts of tasks for him, everything from answering the phone, to making appointments to typing letters. There were only the two of us working at the clinic. Every so often he needed the help of a veterinarian nurse and then the nurse who worked with a colleague of his in the next town would come and help, but the rest of the time it was just Ralph and me. I found that I liked it that way. I was so used to being alone that I'd found the other places where I'd worked far too busy and chatty. Ralph, on the other hand, had found it hard to keep assistants as it was such a lonely job and he was a very demanding boss. I didn't mind working hard though and we soon got into a routine that suited us both. I'd worked for Ralph for half a year when we were hit by the worst blizzard in living memory. At the end of the day when I went to drive home I could hardly open the door and my car was covered in inches of snow. "I don't think you're going anywhere tonight, Heather," Ralph remarked from behind me. "Why don't you stay in my spare room?" Ralph lived in an apartment above the clinic so we headed up the stairs. He told me to get comfortable so I kicked off my shoes and curled up on the sofa with a book about veterinary medicine that I was slowly working my way through. Ralph disappeared into his office and closed the door behind him. His dog had followed him into the office, but the cat curled up with me. I'd been up in the apartment to make cups of coffee and tea before so I knew my way around the kitchen. After an hour I felt like a cup of tea and knocked on Ralph's door and asked him if he'd like one. I heard a yes from behind the door. As the water was boiling I looked around the kitchen to see what there was to eat. It was obvious that Ralph was living a typical bachelor existence as there wasn't much in the cupboards to cook with. I did find enough to make an omelette though and I could feel myself getting hungry. As I entered Ralph's office to give him his tea, I asked if it was OK for me to make an omelette. "Oh... yes... of course," he said, looking slightly confused about the concept of cooking. "I'm sorry, I'm not a very good host. Of course you must be hungry. Do I have anything edible in the fridge?" "There's plenty for me to make an omelette with," I said with a smile. "I can make one for you too." "Oh, I don't want to put you to any trouble. Really, I'll just call for a pizza. Can I get you a pizza too?" I suppressed a smile. "Have you looked outside? There won't be any pizza deliveries tonight. Please let me make you an omelette." "That's right. The blizzard. I forgot. An omelette, you say? That sounds marvellous." I went back to the kitchen and rummaged around for some pots and pans. Ralph joined me and watched with fascination when I made the omelettes. It was as though the thought of someone actually using his kitchen to cook was a novel idea to him, one that required investigating. We soon tucked into our food and Ralph smiled at me. "This is fantastic, Heather," he complimented me. "I haven't had home cooked food since the last time I visited my parents. Mom despairs at me since I've never taken the time to learn to cook. It's not that I'm not interested, there's just so much else to learn, I never seem to have the time." After our meal he helped me make the bed in the spare bedroom and then he gave me one of his t-shirts to use as a nightshirt. He also managed to find an unused toothbrush for me as well as some toiletries that his sister had left behind the last time she came to stay. We said goodnight and I went to bed with my book. I could still hear Ralph tapping on the keyboard in the office next to my bedroom an hour later when I switched off the lights to go to sleep. It was pitch black when I woke up. It took me a few moments to remember where I was and then I realised that I needed to go to the toilet. I tried to go as quietly as possible, and I cringed when I remembered how loud the flush was. I cleaned my hands and opened the door and walked straight into Ralph's chest. He obviously slept in only pyjama bottoms as his broad chest was naked in the night and I noticed that it was covered in brown curls. Only his hands on my arms stopped me from falling backwards when I ran into him. "Heather!" he exclaimed, confused at first. "Oh, the blizzard. That's right, you're staying the night." "Uh... uhm... yeah, that's right," I stuttered, disconcerted with the feeling of being so close to him. For the first time I saw him as a man, not just the charmingly confused doctor. His surprising masculinity had an effect on me that I'd never really felt before. His hands were still holding my arms tight and I could feel my nipples stiffen against his chest and an unfamiliar tingle between my thighs. It felt like an eternity that we stood together in the darkness, with the heat of his body spreading into mine like wildfire. His blue eyes looked dark and menacing and just as I thought he was going to lean forward to kiss me, and I knew I'd not only return the kiss but follow his lead to do anything else he wanted, he seemed to wake up and realise that it was not the sophisticated woman of his dream in his arms. It was just me, his young assistant. "Well," he cleared his throat and let go of my arms. "Everything's alright here then. Better get back to sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow." With those words he turned around and walked back to his bedroom and closed the door behind him. I slowly walked back to mine, but it took me forever to get back to sleep. What had happened between us out there? All of a sudden Ralph wasn't Dr Jones, my charming but very professional employer. Now he was Ralph, a man that I desired more than any man I'd ever known. All of a sudden my virginity seemed to hang over me like a curse. A more experienced woman would've known what to do just before. I'd seen Ralph with a few women before, and even though he didn't have a steady girlfriend I knew that he dated occasionally and was considered a very good catch locally. He obviously wouldn't think twice of a silly little virgin when he was used to much more experienced women. After that day our relationship seemed to change. I was sure it was all in my head, but I couldn't help it. It was difficult to be as at ease with Ralph as I'd been before the blizzard when all I could think of was being pressed against his chest and held in his arms. I wanted desperately for him to see me as a woman, but knew within me that he wouldn't. Two weeks after the blizzard Ralph's parents came to visit. I fell in love with them immediately. They were the kind of parents I'd seen on TV when I was little and secretly wished I'd had. Ralph's dad was a recently retired dentist and his mom had been a teacher before having children and then again for a while before spending the last 10 years before retirement managing the dental clinic. I immediately saw that Ralph got his looks and his ways from his father. It was wonderful to see how handsome Ralph would be when he got older, but also painful as I knew that he'd be growing old with some other woman. His mom was very down to earth and practical. She complimented me on how I was running the clinic and for putting up with her son as an employer. She then told Ralph to give me a raise to make sure he didn't lose me. Little did she know that I would work for him for free just to be near him. The day before they left she called me and Ralph up for lunch. "Heather," she turned to me when we'd finished our meal. "I hear that you're a good cook." "I'm OK," I replied. "My mom was old-fashioned and insisted that I learn all the traditional dishes. My tastes are more modern so I like to experiment a little." "Ralph told us about the gourmet dinner you fixed from nothing during the blizzard." "It was only omelettes!" I laughed. "Well, Ralph is 32 years old and it's about time he learns to cook," said his mother and I could see Ralph rolling his eyes at her. "He'll never get around to doing it himself, so I was wondering if you'd be willing to teach him. We'll pay you the going rate for a private teacher if you'll stay after work one day a week to teach him. Nothing fancy, just the basics. What do you think?" What did I think? Here was a chance to spend time with the man I'd fallen in love with. Some time to get to know him as a man, not just as my employer. "I'd love to do it," I replied and smiled from Ralph's mom to Ralph. "But only on one condition." "What's that?" Ralph asked. "I don't want to be paid." "But we have to pay you," his mom protested. "We can't expect a young woman like you to give up your time like that for nothing." "It won't be for nothing," I was adamant. "I'll stay and eat the food so I'll get dinner, and besides, friends don't charge friends." "Friends?" Ralph looked puzzled. "Yes, I'll do this as your friend, not as your employee. Take it or leave it." "It's a deal," he smiled at me and for a moment I wished there was only him and me in that room. "On one condition," Ralph's mom broke the magic. "If Heather's going to do this without pay, then you will do the grocery shopping!" I chuckled to myself as I drove home. Ralph's mother treated him like a teenager, but he never once told her off or was rude to her. It was obvious that he adored her. I was hit by a bit of jealousy. I wanted a mom who worried about me like that. And I wanted Ralph to adore me... The following Wednesday was the time for our first cookery lesson. I'd given Ralph a list to take to the shop the previous day and I was looking forward to our first lesson with nervous anticipation as we closed the clinic for the day. I walked up to the apartment and started examining contents of the fridge and cupboards. I'd decided to start easy with a simple spaghetti Bolognese. Soon I had Ralph slowly chopping onions and grating carrots for the sauce. He was slow, but meticulous and I soon realised that he would make a very good cook if he cared to learn properly. The food was very tasty and I stayed to do the dishes with him. This was more relaxed than the cooking and his arm kept touching mine as he handed me things to dry. But he hardly looked twice at me. The next couple of months followed the same pattern. Ralph cooked under my supervision once a week, then we ate and then we did the dishes together. It was pure torture to me. As it got warmer and we both wore short sleeves it felt like electric shocks every time our skin touched. But it was only Wednesdays when we had that personal contact. The rest of the week it was as though he was avoiding me like the plague. I knew that I had to play all my cards at once and if it didn't work I'd have to look elsewhere for work. This was becoming too painful. "You've cooked me so many wonderful meals now," I said to Ralph one night when we'd finished washing up. "I'd like to repay you." "Repay me?" he looked confused. "It's all because of you. Without you I could only make toast and boil an egg!" "That might be so," I stopped him. "But now I want to cook something for you. You said the other day how much you love pot roasts so please let me make a pot roast for you." "On one condition," he smiled that wry smile that I had come to love. "That you let me help you. I'm sure a pot roast is well out of my league, but maybe I can learn a thing or two from watching you." I agreed to the conditions and we decided that Saturday night was a good time for a pot roast. Ralph would come early to help me cook. On Friday I went shopping after work. Ralph had once said that a green sweater I wore suited me very well as it really brought out the colour of my eyes and I found a nice cotton dress in that very same colour. I also bought some matching sandals and a belt to bring out my thin waist. I normally wore jeans and a t-shirt or sweater to work and I knew that they hid my feminine shape. I then splashed out on some lacy underwear, buying the first push-up bra I'd ever owned. I felt it made my C-cup breasts look huge, but the sales lady convinced me that I didn't look slutty and it really made my cleavage more prominent. On the Saturday morning I went to the salon to get my red curls tamed and I also plucked up the courage to ask the girl for make-up tips. I never did like the heavily made up look, but I just wanted to look a little bit more confident, and not so much like a teenager. It was all or nothing now. I had to get Ralph to see me as a woman. As time drew nearer for Ralph's arrival I was shaking. I nearly lost nerve and ran to change into my jeans and t-shirt, but then his BMW pulled up outside. I smiled as I realised that he'd made an effort too. His hair was still unruly, but it was an inch shorter than it had been the previous day. He was wearing chinos and a shirt and with him he carried a bouquet of lilies and a couple of bottles of wine. "Heather!" he exclaimed, almost breathless. "You look lovely." For a moment it looked as though he might kiss me, but then he turned around and asked where the kitchen was and if I had a cork screw so that we could have a glass of wine while we cooked. The magic was broken and I wanted to cry out to him. Did he want me or didn't he? I put him to work and he was soon chopping away like a pro. He'd been a very attentive student and there was nothing left of the awkwardness he'd displayed when I cooked him that first omelette. The wine he'd brought was delicious and I used some of it in the cooking, as well as drinking quite a few mouthfuls. He'd rolled up his sleeves and even though my kitchen was quite roomy, we were soon banging into each other again. I don't know if it was the wine, but all of a sudden he didn't pull away every time our arms met. I didn't know if I was imagining things, but even though my kitchen was very roomy he worked awfully close to me. And instead of walking round me, he now put a hand on my shoulder and reached around me, almost embracing me. I could smell his masculine scent and closed my eyes briefly. While the roast was cooking he helped me prepare the vegetables and set the table. He then came out into the kitchen and asked for a lighter and when I took the salad to the dining room I noticed that he'd found mom's old candlesticks and decided to light them. He dimmed the ceiling lights and smiled at me. "It's much nicer with candles." I couldn't agree more, and thought to myself that it was probably a good thing since my flushed face wouldn't look so red and my nipples probably couldn't be seen through the material of my dress in the light from the candles. I took a deep breath and brought the pot roast in. Ralph held out my chair for me and like a gentleman he made sure I was comfortable before he served the wine and sat down. It was so different from all our other meals. The dim light, the wine and the soft music that he'd turned on made the evening perfect. And was it just wishful thinking or did his eyes keep straying to my cleavage? I no longer had much appetite, but as Ralph tucked in appreciatively I followed his lead. As we were clearing the table the CD changed to one of my favourite songs. "Oh, I love that song," I said and started humming. Ralph took the pan from my hands and placed it back on the table. He then took me by the hand and walked me through to the living room where he turned up the volume a little and then he took me in his arms and started dancing with me. Halfway through the song he pulled me a little closer. My breasts were touching his chest and I could feel the warmth of him spreading through my body. I couldn't help myself, but rested my head against his shoulder and soon I felt his cheek against my hair. I don't know how long we stood there, swaying in each other's arms, but then I heard the chorus of the next song. I was breathing deeply as I looked up and found Ralph looking straight into my eyes. His chest heaved with every breath and we just stood there, our arms still in our dancing embrace, our eyes locked. "Heather," Ralph whispered and then he closed his eyes and lowered his head towards mine. I closed my eyes and then I felt his warm, soft lips against mine. His lips caressed mine, gently at first and then more demanding. I parted my lips and his tongue invaded my mouth, playing with my tongue, exploring my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and I felt his hands on my hips, caressing my bum, moving up past my waist to my breasts. He cupped my breasts and his thumbs caressed my nipples. We were both breathing heavily when he finally released my lips. "Oh Heather," he sighed. "My sweet, sweet Heather. What have you done to me?" "I've done something to you?" I didn't understand what he meant. "Sweetie, I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't do my work properly anymore. Ever since I held you in my arms during the blizzard, all I can think of is having you in my arms again. But I know I'm too old for you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done this." Recipe for Love He started walking away, but I pulled him back. "I thought you thought I was too young for you. I've seen you date those sophisticated women and I knew I didn't stand a chance. I've wanted you to hold me like this since the blizzard. Please don't walk away now. I couldn't bear it..." "Do you mean...?" "I've fallen in love with you!" I cried out. "And I'm sorry that I'm a virgin and don't know how these things are supposed to work, but if you walk away from me tonight after saying those things, I won't be back on Monday. I can't take it anymore!" "You? In love with me?" He looked shocked. "Mom said that she was convinced you liked me, but I didn't dare hope that the woman I love would love me back." "You love me too?" I couldn't believe it! "Of course I do! Why do you think I went along with mom's idea to have you teach me to cook? I just wanted an excuse to spend some time with you." "But I thought..." "I'm a grown man, Heather. I'm not dominated by my mother. I've dabbled a bit in the kitchen in the past, but I wasn't very good at it, and I don't enjoy eating by myself. She just came up with a solution to two issues. One was to spend more time with you and the second was to have a charming dinner companion." "Oh," was all I could muster and I looked down, feeling silly that I'd fallen for it. "But I'm hoping that I won't have to use learning to cook as an excuse to see you anymore." "You never did." He smiled wryly. "Neither one of us did. Heather. My lovely, lovely Heather..." Once more his lips covered mine, so tenderly at first and then his kisses grew more urgent, full of desire. I felt his hard bulge against my stomach and I started tugging at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin under my hands. He unbuckled my belt and then he started unbuttoning my dress. Soon I was only wearing my underwear and he cupped my breasts and kissed them. I unbuttoned his shirt and he unhooked my bra, slowly releasing my breasts into his hands. "So beautiful," he murmured. "So sexy. So beautiful." He kissed my nipples and I squealed with delight. He kneaded my breasts softly and sucked on my nipples, biting them lightly and sucking again. Then I was completely naked and he picked me up in his arms. His chest hair felt rough against me and he kissed me softly. "Where's your bedroom, sweetheart?" he asked softly and I guided him down the hall to my bedroom with my new double bed. He put me down in the middle and put his hands on his hips. "Will you let me make love to you, my darling?" "Yes," I whispered. "But..." "But what, sweetie?" "But... Well, I've never... I mean... You'll be my first." He kneeled beside the bed and kissed me three times. First on my lips, then on each breast. "That's the most precious gift you can give a man and I'll do everything in my power to make sure it's as wonderful as you hoped it would be." I smiled at him, confident that it would be beautiful to make love with him. He stood up and pulled some small foils packs from his pocket. He smiled at the surprised look in my eyes. "I didn't dare believe, but I hoped..." He then pulled off his chinos and his briefs and for the first time in my life I saw a naked man. The size of his erection intimidated me ever so slightly. It was as though seeing his penis fully erect finally drove home what I already knew about the size of men's sexual organs. But as big and intimidating as it looked, I knew that the female body was made to fit a man's like a jigsaw. More importantly, I trusted Ralph 100%. He lay next to me and started kissing me all over. Where his lips had been his hands soon followed and I was panting for breath. All I could do was caress whichever part of his body was in my reach. Then he parted my legs and gave me the most intimate kiss imaginable. I was shocked and surprised, but didn't think to stop him because it was wonderful. His tongue discovered my most intimate folds, lapping up my juices and teasing my little nub. He entered me with his tongue and then with a finger, then two. I wrapped my legs around his shoulders and squeezed my breasts as I arched my back and surrendered to the passion that had taken over my body. I cried out and shook violently as I experienced my first orgasm. When I'd finally come down from my orgasmic height he gently released himself from the grip of my thighs and started kissing a trail upwards. He stopped at each breast, covering them with kisses and teasing the nipples with his tongue. He then licked the valley between my mounds before our lips met again and once more his tongue invaded my mouth. He tasted different this time, the sweetness of my sex on his lips. I could feel his hardness between my thighs and started raising my hips, wanting him inside me, wanting him to make me a woman. He broke out of my embrace, looked at me and smiled. He then cupped my breast and kissed it, followed by another soft caress. He moved his hand between my thighs and massaged me softly. His finger slid back inside me so easily again. He caressed me more, rubbing me softly between my thighs. My hips moved with his touch, wanting, needing him inside me. He looked me in the eye and I smiled and nodded. He then reached across and picked up a foil package. He opened it and placed the condom on his penis. He then took my hand and placed it on the rubber membrane and slowly rolled it on with my help. He was soft, yet strong and hot in my hand. He got on his knees and pushed my thighs wide apart. The cool air felt erotic on my naked sex and he looked down with a smile. He placed his erect penis at my opening and leaned forward to kiss me. With a gentle thrust he entered me, pushing through my barrier and possessing my body. The initial pain overwhelmed me briefly, but then it ebbed away and the passion and pleasure possessed me once more. Slowly, slowly he started rocking in and out of me. He took it slowly, deliberately enjoying every inch as he nearly pulled all the way out, followed by a gentle push in, burrowing deeply inside me. We started kissing passionately again. We hardly had time to breathe as we devoured each other. All along he picked up the pace, entering me a little faster and harder with each stroke, taking time to grind against my pleasure button every time he was deep inside me. I matched his rhythm, meeting his thrusts with my hips, willing him inside me, wanting him inside me, needing him to possess me. The night air was filled with the sound of our kisses and our union. He was now rocking in and out of me at a furious pace. His breath and mine got more laboured. Being one with Ralph was more pleasurable than I ever could've imagined. I loved every inch of his body and I adored what it was doing to me. Too inexperienced to realise what was coming, I was completely surprised by my orgasm. All of a sudden my vagina grabbed a tight hold of his penis, my toes curled and I cried out with joy as my nails dug into his shoulders. It was what he'd been holding back for and as my body arched under his he made a final thrust and let out a groan as he finally came in wave upon wave. We could hardly breathe as we collapsed next to each other. Ralph wrapped his arms around me and kissed me softly. "That was wonderful, darling. Simply wonderful. I hope it wasn't too painful for you." "Painful? That only lasted a second. I loved every minute of it. Thank you." I hugged him and kissed him to show how much it had meant to me and he smiled and squeezed me back. Then he got out of bed and picked me up in his arms and carried me into the shower. "I don't want you to stain your lovely sheets," he said and turned on the water. He then proceeded to gently washing my battered body, massaging the soap into my skin and kissing every inch of me as the water washed the soap off me again. When he was done I started returning the favour and it wasn't long before his penis was erect again. I licked my lips and took a deep breath before I wrapped my lips around it. His sharp intake of breath told me that it was a pleasant surprise for him. I continued using my hands and my lips until he finally pulled me up and wrapped his arms around me, kissing me deeply. "That was wonderful, darling," he said between kisses. "I want you again, do you think you can manage one more time?" I'd forgotten all about my soreness and nodded at him. He quickly exited the shower and ran into the bedroom. He was soon back, sliding the rubber protection on his member before stepping back into the shower and embracing me again. As we kissed he reached down for my thighs and lifted me up. His penis seemed to find its way to my moist opening on its own and he slowly lowered me onto it. The hot shower water fell over our heads as he pressed me tight against the cold tiles and started rocking his hips against mine. I wrapped my legs around him, holding on to his neck and pressing my soft breasts against his solid chest. What started out as slow, long and deliberate strokes soon grew much more intense, much more urgent. I orgasmed first and then I was just as turned on again as he kept rocking into me. He reached down and massaged my nub as he was ready to orgasm and he soon got me convulsing in his arms once more, providing the extra pressure to trigger his orgasm. We towelled each other off and went to bed. I fell asleep in Ralph's arms and for the first time in years I felt safe and as though someone was there to take care of me. I slept like a child that night. The next morning my body ached from the night before and I discovered bruises on my breasts and arms as the sheet fell off my body. I looked at my alarm clock and it was already 10.30. And I never slept past 8! Then the bedroom door opened and there was Ralph in boxer shorts and a big smile with a tray in his hands. "Breakfast in bed for you, my love," he smiled and kissed me. I beamed at him as I realised that none of the previous night had been a dream. I sat up and covered my breasts with the sheet as Ralph poured me a cup of tea and handed me a slice of toast. "Never feel that you have to hide your beauty from me," he said and caressed my breast through the sheet. "Now why don't you read the paper?" "I don't want to read the paper," I said and put it down as soon as he handed it to me. "But I think you should read the paper," he insisted and I refused to take it, placing a piece of toast in his mouth and kissing him. "Really, my darling, there are some interesting ads." "Whatever makes you happy," I sighed and took the paper. "I'll remember that," he quipped happily and I felt him get off the bed as I started reading the paper. There wasn't much interesting in it, there never was, I didn't even know why I got it every day since I hardly ever took time to read it. Then I turned the page and was confronted by a full page ad. It read: MY DARLING HEATHER, WILL YOU MARRY ME? LOVE, YOUR RALPH I blinked and read it again. It did say what I thought it said. I slowly lowered the paper and there was Ralph on his knees, holding the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. "How... When... YES!" I threw myself in his arms, knocking over my cup of tea, but I didn't care. "Remember that German shepherd I saved from choking when I was out running last week?" Ralph said between our kisses. "It belongs to the publisher of the paper so he owed me a favour." "But the ring?" I said as he put it on my finger, a perfect fit. "How did you get the ring?" "It was my grandma's. She always said that she wanted me to give it to my fiancée so when you invited me over for last night I asked mom to send it. If you don't like it we can go jewellery shopping today and you can pick out a new one. I honestly don't mind. I just want you to be happy." "I love this ring," I said and held my hand close to my heart. "And I love you." "Darling..." he kissed me and it was a long time before I finished my breakfast. The next couple of months went by quickly. Ralph understood my desire for a big family and agreed to sell his practice and my house so that we could move back to his hometown and be close to his family, since I had none of my own. He was more than happy to since he missed it and had only left it to train as a vet and then he'd been offered to take over the practice where I came to work after his mentor retired from it. He had a huge family with a brother and three sisters and they all welcomed me as part of the family. We decided to have a small wedding and Ralph's dad walked me down the aisle. Nine months after our wedding I gave birth to our first son, a week after my sister had given birth to her second child. Ralph and I have five children. After our son we had twin girls and then two more boys. My in-laws have a total of 22 grandchildren now so there are always kids around and there seems to be a huge family celebration every other week. I love it. It's just like the families I used to watch with envy when I was a child. I'm in the second half of my thirties now and I still love my husband with all my heart. We were two awkward loners when we met, but we found the recipe for love and it's brought us both out of our shells.