And much later that night, Justin held her in his arms, caressing her body with featherlight fingertips. Kelly shivered with pleasure and hugged him closer. Justin kissed her hair.
'Kelly, I should have asked you…' he murmured. 'Would you like your portrait painted?'
She nestled her head contentedly over his heart. 'I liked your answer to the children better.'
'It's true, you know. Every time I look at you, there's more about you that I love. I don't want a portrait of you, Kelly. I want you.'
'I know,' she said. 'And the portrait of Noni belongs there, Justin. It's part of us, part of Marian Park…'
'Yes. Tonight I was remembering the first time I kissed you.'
'So was I.' Kelly smiled.
'At the time I thought… just this once.'
'Did you really?'
'Mmm. Very foolish thought.'
And he rolled her on to her back and set about kissing her again. Very thoroughly. And Kelly felt a great surge of love for this man who cherished her so much. So it would always be, she thought blissfully.
She remembered having once said that all life was a risk. And in a way it was true. But not this part.
Not her love for Justin, or his for her. That was rock-solid until the end of time.