Rome

I’m so proud of her!

What Carlene has achieved in twelve short months is only slightly short of miraculous.

Today, we’re celebrating the opening of the Colanara Outdoor Adventure Center. A specialized facility set up specifically to give kids of all ages the opportunity to experience things they never normally would. The facility offers high-ropes, ab-sailing, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain bike riding, orienteering, camping, plus a whole heap of other animal related adventures like looking after cattle, dogs, sheep, pigs, poultry, and horses.

We stand in a little circle as we watch the last bus load of tired kids driving out the front gates. The newly appointed staff of counselors, guides, animal handlers, chefs, and maintenance all let up a massive cheer as the bus departs the property.

“Well done, everyone!” Carlene yells over the shouts. “We did it! Now we get a day’s reprieve before they all arrive on Monday for our first full week of campers.”

Now it’s time to take it all in. Take in all our hard work.

Somehow, we’ve made it through the first day. A good-natured chorus of groans goes up at the reminder. Everyone has worked tremendously hard the last few weeks to get the place ready for opening.

Shortly after Carlene and I got together, she settled on the idea of the adventure camp. As much as living on the land had been very tough on her, it also made her incredibly resilient and capable. This center is about giving a little taste of all that to kids who more than likely would never have that opportunity otherwise.

She found a large parcel of land which suited her purposes perfectly. Fortunately, the property adjoined a National Park and is also only a short drive from the Gold Coast. With the help of a business advisor and a very capable commercial architecture firm, she’s pulled it all together in record time.

There’s a party for the staff in the big hall tonight. They’ll all be attending. For now, they all quickly disperse to finish off their responsibilities for the day.

Carlene turns to the couple beside her. “We couldn’t have done it without you both.” She’s addressing Elizabeth and Peter, the couple she appointed to manage the camp day to day. Elizabeth is a child psychologist and her husband a physical education teacher. Finding them was an absolute stroke of luck, or was it fate?

“That’s lovely of you to think so, but it was definitely a team effort and will be going forward.” Elizabeth pats Carlene on the shoulder.

“You’ve been the driving force behind it all, Carlene. We’ve just taken your vision and run with it,” Peter assures.

A phone starts chirping, and Elizabeth pulls it from her pocket and moves discretely off to the side.

“What last minute items are left on your list for Monday?” I ask Peter. I hope to get the bulk of tomorrow with Carlene, but also understand if it isn’t going to be the case.

“I think we’re looking good from Monday, Dan. Just a couple of deliveries tomorrow and that should do it. In fact, I’m thinking resting up is going to be the order of the day.”

I like the sound of resting up and spending a lazy day tomorrow with Carlene. Not that I think it’s going to be so easy to convince her everything is set.

“Are you sure?” Carlene probes.

“Yeah, nothing we can’t handle here. It is, after all, what you pay us to do,” Peter assures her.

Elizabeth moves back to join us. “That was the produce supplier, just confirming our order for Monday. They’ll be delivering at seven in the morning. Stop worrying, Carlene, everything will be fine.”

“We were just telling her that.” I wrap an arm around Carlene and draw her to my side good naturedly.

“I still worry,” she admits.

“Well, stop it. Today was great and next week will be even better.”

We all agree before Peter and Elizabeth excuse themselves to go check on a few chores as part of the nightly routine for the camp.

I gently turn Carlene in my arms and pull her in for a kiss. “You did it, baby. I’m so proud of you. Of your vision for this place and how you’ve made it all a reality.”

“Thanks, Rome,” she says bashfully. Most of the time, I’m still Rome to her. Which doesn’t matter to me at all. Sometimes, I get Daniel. I really don’t care as long as I have her. Rome is a huge part of me and so is Daniel. Together, we are Carlene’s. Which is all I ask. “But I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I didn’t do much, Oz.”

She scoffs. “No, you did nothing at all! Just acted as my sounding board for every little decision. You listened to me bitch and whine. You never complained when I was working late into the night pouring over documents, spreadsheets, and plans. I can’t even begin to list all the ways you helped and supported me.”

I lean down and kiss her forehead. “And I loved every second of watching and supporting you make your dreams come true.”

Carlene takes my hand and looks around the property, surveying all she’s achieved.

“It’s hard to believe how different it looks from what it was.”

I glance around the property and can appreciate what she is saying, but I also see massive changes in Carlene as well. She is much more open and embracing of life than when I first met her. To me, it seems the more confident she became in our relationship, the more confident, open, and accepting she became in every other aspect of her life.

Knowing our relationship as a couple could bring her such strength and purpose, fills my heart with the best kind of joy. I feel it too, in everything I do, every decision I make. I have someone to love, to share my life with.

Not long after Carlene and I got together, I decided to leave my life behind in the States pretty much for good. Roxie and Anton are doing an awesome job running Perfect Gentlemen, and I pay them both very handsomely for their efforts.

For all intents and purposes, I’m a silent partner, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Occasionally, I’ll come across a guy who I think would be a great addition to the team.

If he’s interested, I’ll point him in the right direction, and if he happens to pass the Roxie test, then he has well and truly earned his spot on the roster and in the game.

We’ve been back to the US every three months or so to check on things and to see my parents, and each time, I’ve shown Oz a little more of the US. My parents seem to be warming up to me again slowly now I’m not working in the game anymore. Having Carlene by my side doesn’t hurt. My parents think it’s definitely a step in the right direction for me to have found someone again for a permanent relationship.

In their words, “I’ve finally grown up.” I don’t argue with their logic. There’s no point. I’ve done what I had to do, and I didn’t regret it. After all, being an escort led me to Carlene, so how can I regret that?

Even Jayden finally took me up on my offer and is just about through his rehab program. Another great outcome. I just hope he stays clean and can settle on a path that fulfills him.

I watch Chelsea and Jackson move over to join us. Chelsea carries a bottle of Champagne and Jackson four glasses.

“We thought it was time for a little celebration,” Chelsea announces as she begins to open the foil around the neck of the bottle.

“You’ve done an amazing job, Mum. I can’t believe how this place has come together. It’s like the best kids’ camp ever! Why didn’t we have one of these a few years ago?” Jackson whines.

“What do you mean a few years ago, Jacko? Don’t think I haven’t seen you testing out all the activities,” Carlene chastises him with an amused tone, like only a mother can.

Right from that first brunch, both the kids and I have gotten along like a house on fire. They were both very supportive of our relationship and have both said to me separately how pleased they are to see their mother happy for the first time in years. Having their support and approval has made a huge difference. It means Carlene has not been torn or made to feel guilty for loving me, a retired escort.

“Make yourself useful, Jackson, and hold the glasses still while I pour this,” Chelsea bickers at her brother. They do a lot of this. Mostly, it’s all with affection. Occasionally, like any siblings, it flows over into more.

I take a couple of the glasses from Jackson to make it easier on him, while Chels pours.

Once we have the four glasses filled, Jackson goes to pass one to his mother, and I watch the hesitation on her face as her eyes meet mine in a silent message. I give her a little nod of understanding.

I immediately spot Chelsea looking between us with keen interest. “What’s going on?”

My eyes meet Carlene’s again, and she raises her eyebrows in a silent “you or me?” I give her a nod.

“They’re doing it again, Chels. That secret little communication looky thing they do,” Jackson accuses playfully.

“They do that all the time. They’re hiding something, brother dearest.”

Carlene looks to the glass then me before moving to her two adult children. “Um, there’s no easy way to say this, I’m pregnant.”

“What?” Chelsea screeches, spilling a little of her Champagne.

Jackson’s eyes just about pop out of his head. “How did that happen?” he sputters.

I’m about to respond, but Carlene beats me to it. “Do you mean to tell me you’ve just about finished your medical degree and still don’t know how babies are made? What are they teaching you at that school? Are they taking their fees under false pretenses?”

I shake my head with my best contrite look and can’t resist joining the ribbing. “Man, if you’re intent on becoming an OB/GYN, I think you’ve got some work to do.”

Jackson spins around and still looks stunned. “But…”

“But what, Jackson?” Carlene patiently persists.

Chelsea just doubles over in laughter.

Jackson’s waving his free hand at Carlene and trying to get some words out. “A baby?”

“Yes, Jackson. Mum has a sex life,” Chelsea answers for her.

He spins around and looks at me again as if to confirm it is true. It really is comical. “Yep, and it’s a damned good one too!”

Jackson turns back to stare at Carlene.

“Do you need Rome to spell it out for you on how it actually happened? It won’t be the first time you’ve asked him for pointers,” Chelsea reminds her brother and winks at me. I chuckle at her. Apparently, getting to sit down and have a beer with an escort is something cool to do. I do seem to be fielding more and more calls from Jackson and his buddies on their women troubles. Maybe I should start charging for the advice? I’m just glad he’s accepted me regardless of how I made my living before.

“It’s just you weren’t expecting it,” Carlene offers, trying to help her adult son out of the hole he’s dug himself into.

“I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy for you both. I guess I just never thought…”

“Your old mother would get pregnant at forty-one.”

“You’re not old, Mum,” Chelsea counters.

Carlene looks at me and shrugs.

“You’re not old, babe, and still as sexy as hell. I’m positive you’re going to be a great mom once again. Look what you’ve done with these two.” We all burst out laughing. They are great kids, and we all get along exceptionally well.

Carlene has edged over to me, and I place my arm around her waist again, loving having her back at my side.

Jackson clears his throat in a very formal sort of way to get our attention from all the laughter. “Well, now that you’ve shocked the shit out of me and somehow you two have managed to defy the odds of natural conception, I guess we’d better congratulate you.” We’re all struggling to stop laughing as Jackson finishes his toast. “To Mum and Rome.”

I look down at Carlene, and she looks up at me with nothing but love in her eyes. “To us!” I take a sip and watch Carlene hesitantly raise the glass to her lips.

“Take a sip, Mum. It’s okay. I’m a doctor, or will be in a few months’ time.” Carlene did as Jackson suggests barely touching her lips to the liquid.

“Heaven help us, when you’re still struggling with how babies are conceived,” Chelsea reminds him.

“Yeah, whatever.” Jackson shrugs her off then turns to me and shoots me a very serious look. “Rome, you and I need to have a chat.”

“Yeah? What about?” I wonder what’s on his mind now.

“The very real problem that my mother is going to be an unwed mother.”

I shove my hand in my pocket, and my fingers close around the small velvet box I put in there earlier today. I figured today is about the perfect time to hopefully add another little celebration to our family.

“Already on it, Jacko.” I nod to him as I pass him my champagne glass and get down on one knee in front of Carlene.

She takes a small step back and looks very surprised but also has quite of a hint of amusement in her eyes.

I gather her hands in mine.

“Carlene, I know I’m the guy that has a romantic plan for just about everything, but I have to admit, I didn’t really have a plan for how I was going to do this. I just knew I wanted to do it today, and I can’t think of a better time than surrounded by the people I hope will be not just your family but our family. In the last year, you’ve changed my life for the better in every way. I don’t think I could love you more than I do. You’re everything to me, and I can’t wait to welcome our baby to the family you’ve already made for us. Carlene, would you please do me the honor of marrying me and to let me be part of your family?”

The tears start pouring down her cheeks when I mention the family. When I get to the question of marrying me, her smile is more brilliant than the sun rising over the ocean we wake up to every morning.

“Yes, Daniel. I’d love to marry you, join my family with you.” Then she pats her belly which has just started to have a hint of a curve. “And expand it with you.”

I remove the ring I had designed for her from the box and slip it onto her hand. It’s a solitaire diamond, set in white gold. Simple, elegant, timeless. Just like the woman I call mine.

“It’s beautiful, Rome,” she gushes.

I stand and close my arms around her. My lips immediately find hers. No sooner have my lips settled on Carlene’s than I feel her arm being pulled from my shoulders.

“You’re going to have to wait with the mushy stuff. I want to see the ring, and if you start kissing her, you two will never come up for air,” Chelsea says staring at the ring on my fiancée’s hand.

Jackson grabs the opportunity to shake my hand and pull me into a loose man-hug. “Congratulations, Rome. You’re so good for her. She’s never been this happy.”

“I plan to keep her this way from here on out.”

“What, pregnant?” Chelsea quips with a big smile on her face. She’s been hugging Carlene.

“No! Don’t tell me there’s going to be more,” Jackson insists. “I’m just trying to get my head around having one little brother or sister at my age.”

Carlene bursts out laughing. “Your age. What about my age?”

I wrap my arms around her. “They say life begins at forty, Oz. Definitely seems to be the case for us. And looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing if it brought me right here to this place. And Jackson, I’m not saying never.” God, I love those kids already. They’re such fun.

“Life definitely started looking up for me at forty, Rome.” Carlene’s smile says it all.

Forty is not so bad at all, and I can’t wait to see where we’ve got to by fifty. We have a hell of a lot to look forward to.

I hope you loved Rome and Carlene.

Up next will be Anton and Tessa. We’ll get to see just what happens when Anton needs to get that knee attended to…

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