Life goes on (110)

Marcus sat in the Judge's office waiting for him to get through with court.

"It will be all right." Mr. Samuels said patting him on the shoulder.

Soon the Judge came in taking off his robe. "Ok tell me what is going on?"

Mr. Samuels told him everything and handed him the orders.

"What was Duke thinking signing these." He took out a paper and started writing. Then he looked up, "Marcus, who is this girl to you?"

"She is my life, my heart, my better half."

"Do you plan on marriage?"

"Yes, as soon as the time is right. We have only known each other a short time and I want to... as my grandfather use to say... woo her a little and surprise her with a proposal." He smiled and the Judge smiled back.

"Sounds good." He then signed the document and called in his clerk to stamp and witness it. After making a few copies Marcus thanked everyone and headed off to get his Mermaid.

Ariel had walked down to the beach and was watching the waves roll in and out. She thought back on their picnic here.

[[a blanket and basket awaited.

"You did all this?" She smiled.

"I would like to say yes but Heny did what I asked."

"Looks fabulous, you must thank him for me."

"I will." he helped her sit on the blanket and he knelt down and got the wine out of the ice bucket. He then took a tool off the tray and opened the bottle when it went 'PoP' Ariel jumped then laughed.

Marcus poured two glasses of wine and handed her one.

"Thank you." She said taking the glass. She took a deep breath of the sweet wine before taking a sip. More fruity now then sweet. It was smooth. "This is very good."

"I'm glad you like it. I picked it up last year in a french auction."

He then took out the plates and utensils. "Looks like we have cornish game hens. Sweet potatoes casserole and asparagus tips. With chocolate cake for dessert."

"Sounds good. Do you need help serving?"

"No sit back and relax. I've got this." He smiled as he started filling the plates with food.

She looked out over the water and watched a sail boat glide across the water.

"Do you like sailing?" He asked.

"Yes, I went once when I was still in high school. They let us each take a turn behind the wheel. It was a lot of fun."

"Then we should go. We have a large vessel."]]

She felt two arms hold her tight and looked up to find Marcus with a big grin.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"The picnic, you made me a promise to take me sailing with your friends." She turned and snuggled closer to him.

"Then we need to do that."

"Is it alright for you to be here?"

"Yes, I got my name and property off the restraining order. You can come home now."

"Will everything be alright, I am really scared to lose you now." Tears started to run down her face.

"Everything will be fine and you will never lose me. I will fight anyone who wants to separate us. Please don't cry."

"I can't help it. Everything is just so overwhelming." She barried her face in his chest.

He held her tight. This feeling was killing him that his family caused this much pain to her. He then scooped her up and carried her back up to the bungalow. Along the way he felt her relax and fall asleep in his arms. This made his heart beat a little faster that she trusted him so much.

Everyone was sitting around talking when he walked in.

"Is she alright?" Harper asked.

He shook his head no, "I am going to take her home right now. Thanks for taking such good care of her."

"Anytime." Everyone said.

"She wants to go sailing soon. Harper and Mickey can you decide a date for that?"

"Sure" Mickey replied.

"Make sure everyone can be there. She wants to sail with us all."

They nodded and smile.

Ariel had fallen asleep in his arms and he was glad he had his driver today. He held her all the way home. The guards at the gate were given the new court papers and told that no one from his family was aloud to bother Ariel. If they were to show up while he was out then the police should be called.

That night Ariel slept in his arms and he did not let go. He was going to provide all the support he could so she would never feel this overwhelmed again.

The next few days was filled with an overwhelming amount of backlash from Marcus's brother and father interfering in his business. Heny and him had to contact a lot of investors and had two televised conference to stay ahead of everything.

Stock prices finally began to stabilize and projects moved forward.

Ariel worked from home and the people she hired were on top of everything. Even Kimberly's group had two fundraisers ready to be lunched. One: a $100 plate dinner with a live show. The other a small street fair like the one the firemen put on. It would be for both classes of people.

The work on the building had come to a standstill until the court could hear the case but Marcus was confident justice would win.

"Are you ready?" Marcus said straightening his tie in the mirror.

"Yes, but I am still a little scared." Ariel said putting a set of pearl earings in.

"I will be right by you; along with the best lawyer my grandfather could found. He has never lost a case." He took her hand and they headed out the door.

The drive seemed to take forever for Ariel. She wanted today to get over with. Marcus watched as she fidgeted and did not know what to do. He reached over and covered her hands with his and she smiled at him.

"Deep breaths. Everything will be alright." He said and she smiled back at him.