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Photographer in the Park	By : NutsAboutHarry Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Joshua Bell Views: 1770 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not know Joshua Bell (Do you think I'd be writing fan fic about him if I did?) the following story is TOTAL FICTION the prouct of my extraordinarily overactive imagination. No profit of any kind is made from the writing and publishing of this story!

Chapter List
- 31
- 32
- 33
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As soon as his sons returned to Lisa’s at the end of the week Josh started moving his belongings from the loft to Louisa’s house in Long Island. He moved all his favourite photos from his ‘autograph wall’ and all his favourite books from his library to Louisa’s where he spent a week intricately (Louisa called it anally) unpacking everything, hanging his autograph pictures in the living room and adding his books to the large room off the front foyer where the previous day with help of Colin and Margaret Louisa’s next door neighbours he and Louisa had rolled the piano from the lounge room to the centre of the high ceilinged room Louisa had converted into a music room/library. She took a day off toward the end of the first week and followed him over the East River to help him move the final carload of things which consisted of his entire sheet music stockpile. They had to use both their cars and the entire backseat of Louisa’s SUV was taken up with his sheet music alphabetically categorized into their composers.
‘How many years of sheet music is this?’ Louisa asked incredulously as Josh carried yet another box of music labelled ‘Mendelssohn’ down into the underground parking lot.
‘Thirty nine’ Josh said squeezing the box into the backseat of his Porsche and shutting the door with a bump from his hip ‘I have the very first piece of music I was ever given to stuff Mr Gingold willed me when he passed away’
‘So you can play every piece in here? There must be thousands of pages!’
‘Yeah there is’ Josh said ‘I suppose I could play every piece in there I’m not going to try it though there’s too many pieces in there for me to go through. Jo will be out of school and well into college before I got to the end of it’
‘D’you mind if I have a look through it all once we get back to the house? Louisa asked peering into the box labelled ‘Bach’ there’s some really interesting stuff here I wouldn’t mind tackling’
‘Sure you’re welcome, as long as you can tackle something else when you’re finished’ Josh said with a grin playfully slapping her backside.
‘J we’re in a public place do you really want to run the risk of someone busting us?’ Louisa breathed as Josh wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her on the neck ‘Jo did it before Easter’
‘Relax’ Josh whispered pulling her closer to him ‘no one is going to bust us’
Louisa whimpered as Josh suckled on her neck and pulled her against his growing hardness.
‘J back at the house!’ she whispered as he put his hands under her blouse and under her bra strap ‘I can’t stop once we start and I am not making love where there are security cameras filming!’
Josh kissed her languidly.
‘Neither do I’ he murmured releasing her ‘I just wanted to give you a taste of things to come’
‘Babe I know what’s to come after how you woke me up this morning’ Louisa said holding his face in her hands ‘let’s get back to the house and unpack this last load and I promise we can get cosy. It’s been a while since we’ve gone for a skinny dip’
Josh grinned.
‘Sounds good’
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Josh quickly fell into the routine of living with Louisa and inwardly he felt like a different person. He walked around the Conservatorium wearing a stupid grin on his face something that was not missed by Mark as they gathered one day after the school day ended a few weeks later to jam in one of the Strings Faculty’s practice rooms.
‘Pal what is it with you?’ he said tucking his viola under his arm and taking a swig from the bottle of water resting on top of the piano ‘you’ve been walking around with a ‘I’ve had the best sex in my life’ grin plastered across your face every damn day for the last month’
‘Well I might’ve been getting the best sex in my life every day for the last month’ Josh said with a snort’ I may or may not have. I’m not going to divulge that sort of information to you’
‘You don’t need to’ Mark said dryly ‘your face says it all. I take it co-habitating with Louie is going well then?’
‘Brilliantly’ Josh said flopping down into the nearest lecture chair ‘I finally feel like my life is going in the direction it should be you know?’ Professionally it’s been perfect all along, how I’ve wanted it to be but my personal life less so. I’ve finally found the woman that makes me happy and makes the boys happy. I’ve hit the jackpot pal I really have’
Mark clapped his friend on the shoulder.
‘About time’ he said cheerfully ‘next is the wedding ceremony. I hope when it dopes I get an invite to the stag night. I am legend when it comes to stag parties’
The look Josh gave Mark made him do a severe double take.
‘There is going to be a stag party?’ he yelped ‘you’ve proposed to her already?’
Josh chuckled and shook his head.
‘No but I’m going to’ he said with a grin.
Mark choked on his water.
‘Are you serious?’ he yelped.
‘Deadly serious’ Josh said ‘I’ve got an appointment at Cartier’s at five thirty to look at the ring I’ve commissioned them to make for her’
‘Jesus Christ! Cartier’s?’ Mark exclaimed ‘you are serious. When did you make the decision to propose?’
‘The day she auditioned for that World Record Show at the end of July’ Josh said ‘she rang me to say she’d made it onto the show then I decided to propose upon hanging up and Jo asking if I was going to ask her. I thought that night after I put the boys to bed ‘I have to do it, I want to do it. Louie’s my soul M she really is, she’s the one’
Mark smiled.
‘Well it’s about time you found the one’ he said flopping down onto the piano stool ‘you’ve changed since you’ve met Louie Pal you really have....in a good way. Have you asked her parents for permission yet?’
‘No not yet I’m going to wait til the ring is finished before that. I’m hoping if I tell them the ring is already made they’re not going to say no’
‘Dude from what you’ve told me about Louie’s parents they’re not going to say no’ Mark said ‘that Easter trip went well didn’t it? You’ll be fine’
‘Well I hope so I’m going to propose anyway’ Josh said with a chuckle ‘I will not be told what I can and can’t do especially in regard to my love life’
Mark let out a great snort of laughter.
‘Well good onya’ he said ‘now how about one more song before you go?’
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All was in readiness. The final element the ring was ready just waiting at Cartier’s in Fifth Avenue to be collected. All Josh had to do now was ask Louisa’s parents for permission. He waited til she left for work one day then retreated to the upstairs study he and Louisa shared to ring her parents. He chose Jennifer’s mobile first and immediately put his Blackberry to his ear. It rang a few times then picked up.
‘Josh?’ was her surprised greeting ‘how are you doll is everything alright? Is Louie alright?’
‘Y-yes Louie’s fine, just fine’ Josh said stumbling slightly over his words ‘she just left for work about ten minutes ago. I was wondering if you could get George to come to the phone I need to speak to you together’
‘Is everything alright Josh? It’s not like you to be so mysterious’
‘Jen trust me everything’s fine I’m fine, Louie’s fine....’
‘The boys?’
‘They’re fine Josef’s at school and Sam and Ben are at pre-school. They’re coming here Sunday night for a week while Lisa’s away on a tour with the New Jersey Symphony’
‘Okay then you’ve convinced me just hold on a sec I’ll go get George’ Jennifer said ‘won’t be a tick’
As soon as he heard the thunk of Jennifer putting her phone down Josh let out a long and protracted sigh.
‘Oh God let them say yes’ he muttered listening to the chattering conversation at the end of the line ‘nah fuck it I’m going to ask her anyway whatever their answer is’
A moment later there was a scuffing noise on the other end of the line and Jennifer spoke again.
‘Josh you there honey?’ she said.
‘I am’
‘I’ll put you on speaker alright? George is here’
‘Sure thing’
There was a loud beep and another thunk.
‘Can you hear us mate?’ George asked.
‘Loud and clear’ Josh said ‘how are you?’
‘I’m fine but Jen seems to think you’re not’ George said ‘her words were ‘he sounds pre-occupied’
‘Well I am a <i>little</i> Josh admitted ‘but both you and Jenny can help lessen that a lot’
‘Well spit it out mate it’s not going to get any easier if you hold it in’ George said sagely.
‘You’re right, well I’m just going to come out and say it’ Josh said ‘I’m ringing to ask your permission to marry Louie you can say yes or no but know I’m going to ask her anyway’
There was a long silence and Jennifer burst into tears.
‘Yes’ said instantly ‘a hundred million times yes’
‘George?’ Josh asked.
‘You’re serious?’’ George said after a moment ‘you’re not full of shit?’
‘I’m deadly serious George I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life’ Josh said earnestly ‘I’ve subconsciously been thinking about it since Louie and I got back from out trip to visit you at Easter especially during my tour to Eastern Europe and Asia afterwards. And most of all since I returned from that tour’
‘I’m glad you are son because so help me God if you fuck with Louie like her son of a bitch ex did I will hunt you down and kill you’ George said forcefully ‘no if you even think about doing to her what her ex did I will hunt you down and shove the Strad somewhere that will require a trip to surgery then I will kill you. No one but no one screws with my baby girl. I hope you realise that’
‘Oh George!’ Jennifer exclaimed loudly.
‘Oh I do’ Josh said earnestly ‘my trip to visit with you guys at Easter brought that to the forefront. I saw firsthand how Leisl defended Louie against Finlay and Sarah and heard stories of similar ilk from Kurt and Fred. I am not going to screw with Louie in any way whatsoever. I’m not like that. I love Louie my boys love her. In fact my eldest asked me if I was going to propose to her while she was away in L.A auditioning for that World Records show’
‘He’s a cluey young fellow’ Jennifer said with a watery chuckle.
‘Yeah he is’ Josh said with a laugh ‘I think he knew I was going to ask Louie to marry me before I did’
‘Well I can’t exactly say no after you poured your guts out can I?’ George said in amusement with a much softer tone ‘I’ve met you Josh and I know you care for and love Louie more than anyone else has before. I knew that within ten minutes of meeting you back at Easter time. Yes you can marry my girl and I look forward to welcoming you to the family’
Josh felt his insides leap and he silently pumped the air with a clenched fist and mouthed the words YES!.
‘Oh thankyou thankyou thankyou!’ he said in relief seriously you have no idea how good you’ve just made me feel’
‘I have a feeling it’s not as good as you’re going to make Louie feel when you eventually pop the question’ Jennifer said with a chuckle ‘when are you going to ask her?’
‘The fourth of September’ Josh said ‘this coming Sunday it’s the one year anniversary of us meeting in Central Park. Louie’s working half a day at the clinic and I have an early appointment to pick up her ring from Cartier’s in Fifth Avenue’
‘Holy shit Cartier’s?’ George exclaimed ‘how much are you spending on the ring there?’
‘Oh George that’s none of your damn business!’ Jennifer yelped incredulously.
‘Yeah it isn’t sorry mate bit nosey’ George apologised.
‘No problem’ Josh said in amusement ‘I’m not going to tell you the exact amount but it’s more than the average person pays for their house’
‘Jeez Louise’ George said ‘can we tell Fred, Leis and Kurt?’
‘Yeah but swear them to secrecy’ Josh said ‘they can’t tell anyone else in the family til Louie says so. And tell them if they want or need to ring to text me first and to try and do it during the hours when Louie would be at work’
‘We’ll do that’
‘Well good luck Josh we know she’ll say yes’ Jennifer said ‘we’ll talk to you soon alright?’
‘Okay then Jenny thanks so much’ Josh said ‘you too George’
‘No worries matey chat to you soon....bye’
‘So long’
Josh hung up and immediately swung around in his chair with a childish and gleeful ‘Whoo hoooo!’
All was in place.
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Josh woke up on the morning of September fourth his eyes immediately falling on Louisa who was sprawled out on the bed the covers bunched around her waist and her flame red hair spread over her pillow like a halo. He leaned over and kissed her on the lips while rubbing his hand over her abdomen in lazy circles.
‘Wakey wakey sweet girl’ he murmured in her ear.
Louisa squirmed when Josh started nibbling on her neck.
‘You arse Joshua Bell I’m trying to sleep here’ she mumbled her eyes still closed ‘go away’
Josh dipped his head and captured Louisa’s right nipple in his mouth circling it with his tongue and gently nipping at it.
‘You have to get up to get ready for work in half an hour I though we could lay her and cuddle for a bit’ he murmured working his fingers between her legs and circling her clit with his index finger.
Louisa slowly opened her eyes and smiled.
‘You know how to convince a woman don’t you?’ she said with a yawn.
Josh kissed her on the lips.
‘Morning sweetheart’ he said with a smile ‘happy anniversary’
‘Wha-huh?’ Louisa said sleepily.
‘Today is September Fourth it was a whole year ago today we met’ Josh said feeling her body tremble beneath his touch.
That comment seemed to wake Louisa up quite significantly.
‘Oh it is!’ she said with a dawning of comprehension ‘well happy anniversary to you too My Hunky Spunk’
‘It’s been a good year hasn’t it?’ Josh said still keeping the pressure up on her clit ‘we’ve travelled. Made love in the most ridiculous places moved in together and I’ve finally got you to play the twenty fourth Caprice by memory’
Louisa let her legs fall open.
‘That only took ages’ she breathed allowing Josh to move between her legs ‘oh this is going to be a good anniversary day isn’t it?’
Wordlessly Josh dipped his head and with a swipe from his tongue began feeding on Louisa’s warm centre. She arched off the bed and threaded her fingers through his hair as a jolt of the most exquisite pleasure raced up and down her back and settled deep in her pelvis.
‘Oh holy fuck J make it happen pleaaase I need you!’ Louisa moaned.
‘Patience sweetheart all good things come to those who wait’ Josh said circling her clit rapidly with the tip of his tongue ‘I want to come with you’
‘Let me ride you then’ Louisa moaned feeling her pelvis become heavier and heavier with every passing moment ‘oooh gooood!’
When Josh was sure Louisa was close to reaching her peak, the clue was her constant swearing he lay back won on the bed and helped her on top of him. She leaned down to kiss him hungrily before grasping his hardness and sinking down on him.
‘Holy shit!’ he cussed as her wet heat surrounded him ‘God Louie I’ll never get sick of that feeling!’
Louisa leaned down and nibbled on his neck.
‘I love you’ she murmured starting to ride him.
Josh kissed her hungrily.
‘I love you too sweetheart’ he murmured as he felt her squeeze him ‘oh god don’t do that or I’ll go off early’
Louisa did it again with a lascivious smile.
‘You know I like to try and make you go off before me’ she said leaning back and arching her back so her hair tickled his legs ‘I know it drives you nuts when I tease you’
Josh sat up and wrapped his arms around Louisa’s waist.
‘You tease me this time and I will fuck you into next week’ he growled in her ear as they rocked against each other ‘I’ll make what I did to you in the shower last Thanksgiving look like fairy dust’
‘Oh is that a challenge Joshua?’ Louisa breathed resting her forehead against his ‘I dare you to anyway’
‘No you’d enjoy it too much’ Josh groaned as he felt the beginnings of his own climax start to stir in his pelvis ‘let’s do it together babe I really need you’
Louisa kissed Josh hard and rocked and rode against him raking her nails against his scalp til in perfect synchronicity they reached their peak together. Josh came hard with a loud guttural groan spilling himself deep inside Louisa and she arched her back with a piercing yell.
‘Aaaaaah!’ she yelled as each aftershock washed over her ‘Oh that was gooooood!’
Josh chuckled.
‘Isn’t it always?’ he said with a grin kneading her backside.
Louisa rolled her eyes.
‘You’re such a man Joshua Bell you all think whenever you get off it’s good’ she said dryly rubbing the back of his neck ‘thanks for waking me up like that. You can do that every morning if you like’
‘Mmmmm that sounds like a good idea’ Josh murmured as he kissed her languidly ‘seeing as you’ve only got half a day would you like to go out for lunch? My shout’
Louisa’s eyes sparkled.
‘Valentinos?’ she said with a giggle.
‘No I was thinking of somewhere al fresco’ Josh said ‘I know of this special little spot near Central Park that you might like. Perfect for a picnic’
‘Oh I’d love a picnic!’ Louisa exclaimed ‘we haven’t been on one since the summer both of us have been too busy’
‘Well the weather’s still warm enough so I thought while you’re at work I’d weave my magic in the kitchen, prepare a gourmet feast and we could sit out in the sun and watch the world go by’
‘Sounds a brilliant idea’ Louisa said happily looking over his shoulder where the clock read ‘8:00AM’ ‘oh fuck it’s eight already! I’ve gotta get to work! Damn you for being so good in bed!’
‘Well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!’ Josh said with a laugh as Louisa got off him and ran into the ensuite bathroom ‘next time I’ll be rubbish shall I?’
‘Like hell you will!’
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As soon as Louisa left for work Josh swung into action. He showered and dressed for the day before making his way into Manhattan to shop for the picnic ingredients. Confident he had gathered everything he then stopped off at Cartier's in Fifth Avenue to pick up Louisa’s ring before heading back over the East River to the home he now shared with her. The manager and chief creative jeweller Matthias Greenberg greeted him warmly upon the bell above the door tinkling softly.
‘Ah Mr Bell good to see you again! Here to collect your purchase?’
‘I am’ Josh said ‘I don’t want to be rude but can we hurry things along a bit? I’ve got a rather tight schedule today’
‘Of course of course come right through’
Josh followed Greenberg through to the back of the vast shop and was shown to a small room decorated with claret coloured carpet, gold leaf framed paintings and chocolate brown chesterfield lounges.
‘If you’d just like to take a seat in here Mr Bell I’ll be back shortly with your purchase’ he said ‘shan’t be long’
‘Thanks’
Josh flopped down on the nearest lounge and steepled his fingers under his chin. What he was about to do later in the day was weighing heavily on his mind. Asking a woman to marry him was something he had only considered once before his life and that didn’t end very well. The love he felt for Louisa was all empowering and the shapely red head was never far from his thoughts.
Greenberg re-entered the room minutes later carrying a small dark coloured ring box and a folder of papers.
‘Right now all I have to get you to do is sign the papers and come to the front counter to finalise the transaction’ he said brightly shutting the door behind him ‘would you like to inspect the piece first?’
‘Of course’
Greenberg opened the ring box to reveal a demure three set diamond set platinum ring. The soft light of the room glinted off the piece and it was then Josh was assured what he was about to do was the right direction to go in.
Josh quickly signed the papers of purchase and made his way to the front of the shop to pay the balance on the ring. He then got his car and roared across the river to Long Island. He was engrossed in preparing lunch when Louisa arrived home the engine roar of her SUV causing Mocha to leap off her doggy bed on the back porch and race through the house barking loudly. Josh washed his hands hurriedly stowed Louisa’s ring inside his Strad case on top of the dinner table then made his way down to the front door just as Louisa made her way indoors.
‘Hey beautiful girl’ he said with a smile striding forward and wrapping his arms around her waist.
‘Mmmm you’re awfully touchy feely today Mr Bell’ Louisa whispered as he kissed her hungrily.
‘I’m always touchy feely with you sweetheart’ Josh murmured kneading her backside ‘how was your morning?’
Louisa tipped her head to the side to allow him to nibble on her neck.
‘Good very productive’ she breathed ‘got a whole week of surgeries planned next week. You know it’s very hard to talk about work when you’re feeling me up’
Josh chuckled.
‘How about you head upstairs and get ready to go?’ he suggested ‘I’ve just got to pack up our lunch and we can go’
Louisa’s eyes sparkled.
‘Sounds great’ she said ‘I hope you’ve made a lot, after this morning’s effort I’ve built up quite an appetite’
Josh patted her backside.
‘Maybe after we get back from lunch we can repeat this mornings effort’ he said with a grin as she headed up the steps ‘I’ve got some sugary food in the picnic basket that will give you a definite energy spike’
‘Ha!’
Louisa disappeared up the stairs and Josh rushed back into the kitchen he took her ring out of the Strad case and pocketed it. He then put the picnic basket by the front door and took his Strad upstairs. Louisa had put her iPod in its portable dock and had the volume turned up full blast so she could sing and dance along to Lady Gaga while showering.
‘Are you going to P-p-poke my face?’ Josh yelled over the music in amusement as he leaned against the ensuite door.
‘If you’re a good boy I might!’ Louisa said with a lascivious grin jiggling her breasts at him ‘are you just going to stand there and ogle me?’
‘Uh huh I’ve had my shower for today plus I like ogling you’ Josh said with a grin striding over to the dock on the vanity sink and lowering the volume ‘you’re a beautiful woman and I like looking at you. And I have a feeling you like me looking at you’
Louisa winked.
‘I may or I may not I choose not to comment on the grounds I may incriminate myself’ she said with a giggle ‘did you play the Strad today?’
‘Yeah for a short while I had some business to attend to in Manhattan so I could only manage an hour’ Josh said as Louisa scrubbed her face with cleanser ‘I really don’t have anything to practice for at the moment so I’m only playing for fun’
Louisa stepped out of the shower minutes later and Josh wrapped a towel around her.
‘I’ll go and pack the car up, you get dressed’ he said kissing her neck ‘behave yourself won’t you?’
‘Never!’
Josh went downstairs and put the picnic basket in his Porsche. He made his way back inside just as Louisa came downstairs in a flowy knee length summer dress and flat sandals her long hair pulled back in a high ponytail.
‘You ready to go?’ Josh asked holding out his hand.
‘Of course I’m busting to see where you’re taking me’ Louisa said brightly slinging her handbag over her shoulder ‘you sure you’re not taking me to a KFC or Burger King?’
‘Ha ha no, I am not taking you to a KFC or a Burger King’ Josh said dryly locking the door behind them ‘I have a little more class than that’
They got into his car and made their way over the East River. Josh parked his car in a secure lot near Central Park and led Louisa into the bustling patch of greenery.
‘We haven’t been here in ages’ Louisa said with a sigh squeezing his hand.
‘That’s why I thought it would be a good place for us to veg out for a couple of hours’ Josh said as a pair of horses trotted by ‘both of us have been so busy the last few months and not had much time to spend together and I thought going somewhere special to both of us would be the best go’
Louisa kissed him on the cheek.
‘I look forward to seeing what you have prepared’ she said with a wink.
Josh led Louisa throughout Central Park for half an hour til they came to the pond side area they had met at twelve months earlier.
‘Oh our spot!’ Louisa said with a sign as Josh began setting up the picnic ‘oh this is lovely J!’
‘I thought you might like it’ Josh said smoothing out the rug ‘come and sit, we’ll eat’
Louisa sat down on the rug and leaned over kissing Josh on the lips.
‘You’re sweet you know that?’ she said as he began unpacking the basket.
‘I try’ Josh said going pink ‘how are you for coleslaw, potato salad and egg, lettuce and mayo rolls?’
‘I’m starving I’ll eat anything’ Louisa said eagerly kicking off her shoes ‘you made this all yourself?’
‘Yeah all except the salad and meringues I bought for afters’ Josh said handing her a spoon ‘so really just the egg, lettuce and mayo rolls’
Louisa bit into one of the rolls.
‘And they’re the best egg, lettuce and mayo rolls I’ve ever tasted’ she said after swallowing the first mouthful.
‘You’re kissing up to me’
‘Is there any reason I shouldn’t be?’ Louisa whispered kissing his neck.
‘No you can kiss up all you like’
After a long and leisurely lunch Josh leaned back against the base of the large elm tree and drew Louisa close. She snuggled up to him with a contented sigh.
‘I’ve had the best day today’ she said softly as he rubbed lazy circles on her abdomen ‘a short day at work then the best filling lunch with the sexiest man on earth who right now is feeling me up as much as he legally can in public without being arrested’
Josh chuckled.
‘If I felt you up any more we’d have to go home’ he murmured in her ear ‘and I just want to sit in the sun with my girl for the moment making love can come later’
‘Can we do it for the rest of the day?’ Louisa whispered nipping at his neck.
‘And all night too if you like’ Josh returned looking around and momentarily massaging her breasts.
They sat in silence for several long minutes before Josh decided now was the moment.
‘Can you turn around for a minute sweetheart?’ he asked.
Louisa turned around to look at him her blue eyes filled with worry.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked her voice wavering dangerously.
‘Nothing is wrong trust me I wouldn’t bring you here if anything was wrong’ Josh said lacing his fingers through hers ‘you know I love you don’t you?’
‘Yeah of course I do I love you too’ Louisa said ‘you know in the movies this is what is said before the boy dumps the girl. You’re not dumping me are you?’
Josh stroked her face.
‘No I am not dumping you’ he said kissing each of the knuckles on her left hand one by one ‘you have changed my life so much you know that? I seriously have never been as in love with anyone as I am with you. You make my sons happy you make me happy. All of our lives are so much better for having you in them. I want you to be in my life forever, I want you to be in the boy’s life forever. I want to wake up to you every morning even when you’re in a cranky mood and have funky morning breath’
‘I have funky morning breath?’ Louisa said with a watery chuckle as she swiped at her eyes.
‘Well this morning you didn’t’ Josh said with a grin reaching for his pocket where the ring was nestled safely in its box ‘but I need you to know that you’re the only woman for me, I need you in my life really I do. Now you don’t have to answer me now because I know you’ve been badly hurt in the past, but I was wondering....’
Josh took the ring box out of his pocket and flipped it open revealing the brilliant cut platinum and diamond ring inside.
‘If you would marry me?’
Louisa’s hands flew to her mouth and she squealed loudly.
‘Are you kidding me?’ she shrieked ‘Oh my god oh my god OH-MY-GOD!’
‘You know people are staring at us’ Josh said in amusement as Louisa stared at the ring ‘the cops will turn up in a minute and arrest me on suspicion of harassing you’
Louisa began crying.
‘Oh my god you’re seriously asking me to marry you aren’t you?’ she said with a long sniff.
‘Yeah I am’ Josh said ‘I’ve thought about this subconciously since we got home from our Easter trip to Australia but in particular after you got back from L.A for the world records show audition. Josef asked if I was going to ask you to marry me and I asked him if he reckon I should ask you and he said yes. And I rang your parents on Monday and asked them permission’
‘Oh my God, really?’
‘Uh uh I said ‘I’m ringing you to ask for permission to marry Louie. I said you can say yes or no but know I’m going to ask her anyway’
Louisa giggled.
‘What did they say to that?’
‘Well your Mom granted me her permission straight away. Your Dad then proceeded to tell me if I was to even think of doing to you what your ex did he would track me down insert the Strad up somewhere that would require urgent surgery then when I recovered he would kill me’
Louisa looked mortified.
‘Oh my God Dad said that?’ she yelped ‘I will kill him!’
‘Before you do you have to answer my question’ Josh said brushing her cheek ‘will you marry me?’
Fresh tears trickled down Louisa’s cheeks and she nodded wordlessly.
‘I will’ she whispered holding out her hand.
Josh picked the ring out of the box and slipped it onto Louisa’s finger. He then grasped her head gently and kissed her softly right as several people around them began applauding.
‘Nice going pal she’s a babe!’ one young guy called as he walked off with his dog.
‘Yeah she is!’ Josh called back.
‘Oh you bugger why won’t you discuss with the WHOLE of Manhattan how attractive you think I am?’ Louisa said in mock anger.
Josh kissed her softly.
‘I’ll take an out a full page ad in the New York Times tomorrow’ he said with a grin.
Louisa playfully slapped his arm.
‘Oh you’ she said with a giggle ‘oh God how are we going to tell everyone?’
‘How about we send a mass text message and talk to whoever rings first?’ Josh suggested with a grin.
Louisa lit up.
‘Sounds great’ she said with a grin retrieving her phone from her handbag.
Louisa had Josh take a photo of her ring then sent the following text message to all her friends and family.
‘Today the wonderful Joshua Bell asked me to marry him and I am proud to announce that I accepted. This is the ring he gave me....I’M GETTING MARRIED EVERYONE!’
Louisa pressed ‘send’ and sat back in Josh’s arms.
‘Fifty bucks Rachel rings first’ Josh said with a chuckle fingering her ring.
But Josh was wrong. Louisa’s phone went off first with ‘Call to the post’ Charlotte’s ringtone. Louisa picked up her iPhone and answered it immediately putting it on speaker.
‘Good afternoon the future Mrs Joshua Bell speaking’ she said with a giggle.
‘Oh my god! Are you serious HE PROPOSED?’ Charlotte squealed ‘really?’
‘Yeah really’ Louisa said with a grin ‘he’s the one this time Charlie he really is’
‘Oh honey I’m so happy for you!’ Charlotte said ‘that ring is GORGEOUS! Where did he get it?’
‘I dunno’
‘Cartier's’ Josh said as his phone began ringing ‘excuse me....hello?’
‘Holy shit he got your ring the same place my Josh got me mine!’ Charlotte exclaimed ‘oh babe this is seriously wonderful has George rung you yet?’
‘No you were the first person to ring after I sent the text’ Louisa said giddily ‘and in the two minutes since you’ve rung the phone has been beeping which means people are trying to ring me or send text messages’
‘Well I better let you go then, pass my congratulations onto Josh and you two must come down here for dinner when you’re down here next week for the World Records taping’ Charlotte insisted ‘it’s we need to celebrate’
‘We’ll do that’ Louisa said ‘before I go though I was wondering....’
‘Hmm?’
‘Would you be one of my bridesmaids?’ Louisa asked ‘you and George? I want you George and Leisl to stand with me’
‘Of course I will! Honey you’re one of my best friends that’s why I’ve asked you to stand with me when I marry my Josh in February!’ Charlotte said ‘it would be a privilege for me to be one of your bridesmaids’
‘Thanks Charlie that means a lot’
‘Now I better get off the line so you can talk to everyone else’ Charlotte said ‘Josh sends his congratulations. I’ll be in touch alright?’
Louisa laughed.
‘Okay chat to you later Charlie bye!’
‘Bye!
**********************************************************************************************************************************
Two hours later Louisa and Josh finally finished talking to all their friends and family.
‘Well how about we go and celebrate at Pieces?’ Josh suggested as they packed up the basket ‘we went there for dinner a whole year ago today’
‘Sounds good’ Louisa said with a grin ‘Is it your shout this time?’
‘I’m gathering by your tone it’s a demand not a question?’ Josh said in amusement.
‘It’s a question with a pretty pretty please because if you do you’ll have the best sex in your whole entire life when we get home cherry on top’ Louisa whispered in his ear.
‘Hmm that’s an alluring incentive’ Josh said with a grin squeezing her hand.
‘You are so male!’
Within fifteen minutes Josh and Louisa were ensconced in their favourite booth at the back of Pieces.
‘God I’m engaged’ Louisa said incredulously staring at her ring once their orders were taken ‘and to the right person this time’
‘Now you can have lots of fun planning’ Josh said with a chuckle ‘I have no doubt when we’re down at Josh and Charlotte’s during the week for the World Record taping you and Charlotte will get together straight away’
‘George too’ Louisa said with a grin. You and Josh might want to go off somewhere for a blokes day because Charlie, George and I are dangerous when we get together’
Josh laughed heartily.
‘I have no doubt you are’ he said leaning back in his chair with a relaxed sigh ‘girls as a species are, Rach, T.J and Terry are. They were forever going off hell knows where when I was growing up’
‘J girls are not a species’ Louisa said dryly ‘we’re a variety human is the species’
‘Nope I beg to differ girls are a whole ‘nother species Josh teased ‘you’re way too different to be human. I will stand by that opinion forever and a day’
Oh you’ Louisa said dryly throwing her napkin at him ‘I caould say the same about you men in fact...’
And as they sat there ribbing each other Josh though back to something his father had told him many years before as a young and impatient teenager that reflected the way he felt about Louisa ‘Good things come to those who wait Joshua you just remember that. It may take a while but good things come to those who wait’
‘Yeah Dad they do’ he thought ‘she most definitely did’
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Photographer in the Park