Love Conquers All



~ Chapter 67 ~ 
    Gillian stood before the mirror in her bedroom, examining herself.  Turning in a full
circle to get a view from all angles, she could hardly believe she’d found the courage to
buy something like this.  She would certainly make an impression at the party tomorrow,
that’s for sure!  
	But she also knew there was a time when she wouldn’t have thought twice about
wearing a dress like this, and she wanted to return to that time.  Somehow, when she was
with Jake, she’d become a person that wasn’t really her at all.  She’d found herself
dressing and behaving in certain ways she felt were expected of her. And the longer their
relationship had lasted, the less and less she saw of herself in the person she’d become. 
	But that was all going to change from now on.  Having Ryan back in her life had
given her the confidence to be who she really was -- no more pretending, no more
changing, no more hiding her true self.
	Gillian glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly midnight.  Ryan had called
around ten o’clock, saying he was tied up at work, but wild horses couldn’t stop him
from coming to her that night.  Smiling, Gillian had in turn promised that she would stay
up and wait for him.
	Sighing, she unzipped her dress, fearing it would wrinkle before the party, and
began to slip out of it.  Ryan would have to skip the dress and go straight to the lingerie,
she thought, looking in the mirror. But, somehow, she guessed he wouldn’t mind.
	Yawning, she grabbed her journal and climbed into bed, content to write while
she waited for him.

              ******************************************

	The offices at WRCW were a buzz with activity, even at this late hour.  Talk of a
possible new merger had spread like wildfire among the staff, and several people had
volunteered to stay late and help in whatever way they could.
	Going over the last minute details one more time with Liza, Ryan glanced at his
watch.  Seeing that it was well past 12:30, he grimaced.
	“What’s the matter, Lavery?” Liza teased, annoyed at his lack of focus.  “What --
am I keeping you from a hot date?”
	Ryan didn’t answer, but the look on his face said it all.  Liza grinned from ear to
ear.
	“I am!”  she said, laughing.  “A little dependent are we?  Oh, how the mighty
have fallen.”
	Ryan still did not answer, but continued to sit before her, looking thoroughly
miserable.
	“All right, go,” she said.  “But don’t forget, no matter how long of a night you
have, our flight leaves at 6:00 am sharp.  Do not be late.”
	Grabbing his coat, Ryan shot out of the office, a man with a mission.


            ******************************************
	Arriving at Wildwind, the house was mostly dark, but Ryan noticed the light was
still on in Gillian’s bedroom.  Half running up the stairs and through the hallways, but
still careful not to wake anyone, Ryan made his way to her room.
	Gently knocking on her door, but receiving no answer, he slowly entered the
room.  Gillian lie on the bed, enshrouded in pillows, wearing a white, silk camisole that
Ryan ached to run his hands across.  Her journal lay open, face down on her stomach. 
Her pen rested alongside her leg.  And she was fast asleep.
	Sighing, Ryan closed the door behind him and walked over to her bed.  Sitting
down beside her, he silently watched her sleeping.  She was so beautiful, and he had
wanted to make love to her so badly.  His desire to do so now was still almost too intense
to fight.  He had been surprised, but thrilled, by Gillian’s invitation to join her tonight. 
He’d waited so long but, much to his own disappointment, he knew waiting a little longer
wouldn’t hurt.  Consequently, he decided not to wake her up.  To Ryan, she looked like a
goddess laying there before him -- so perfect in every way.  He didn’t have the heart to
disturb her.
	Gently reaching down, he brushed her hair away from her face.  He was lucky --
incredibly lucky -- to have her in his life.  She had saved him from an eternity of
loneliness and emptiness, never knowing what it was to love and to be loved in return. 
And, once upon a time, he’d almost thrown it all away.  It terrified him now to think of
how close he’d come to losing it all forever.  But he would never lose her again.  No
matter what it took, no matter what the cost, he would never let anything separate them,
ever again.
	Slowly moving her journal and ink pen, he placed them on her desk.  Then began
writing her a letter.
	
	Princess, 

	I came to Wildwind tonight, like I promised.  I was a little late, but I still made it. 
Because, as you will see, I’ll never break a promise to you.  As I’m writing this, I’m
watching you sleep, and you look so beautiful I can barely breathe.  You have no idea
how sorry I am that I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you before leaving for New
York.  But you look much too angelic and peaceful for me to wake you.  But I promise
you, as soon as I come home, we’ll celebrate all of our dreams coming true.  I love you,
with all my heart and soul, and you’ll be with me every second that I’m gone.

					Ryan


	Slipping the paper inside an envelope, he laid it on the pillow beside her. 
Bending, he couldn’t resist gently kissing her lips.  She stirred slightly in response to his
kiss, but did not wake up.
	“Goodnight, Princess,” he whispered, before quietly leaving.

~ Chapter 68 ~ 

	Gillian stood before her mirror, putting the finishing touches on her hair, and
remembering how she had stood in that same spot the night before, waiting for Ryan. 
She’d been thoroughly disappointed that morning when she found Ryan’s letter and
realized she’s missed him. She hated herself for falling asleep, and desperately wished he
would’ve woke her up. But now he was in New York, and she was going to the party with
Jake.
	Glancing back in the mirror, she couldn’t help feeling that something was
missing.  Walking across the room, she retrieved the necklace Ryan had given for
Valentine’s Day.  Putting it on, and softly touching the three diamonds -- each
representing a special phase in their relationship, as Ryan had explained -- she now felt
that her appearance was perfect.
	Stepping back, she examined herself one final time.  She was wearing the same
daring, red dress she’d told Ryan about.  It had a plunging, scoop neck, showing a
considerable amount of cleavage.  The gown was back-less, leaving her skin bare to the
base of her spin.  And though the dress was long, there was a slit up the left side of her
leg that her precariously high black heels accentuated.  Her dark hair was pulled back
away from her face, then left to cascade in curls down her bare back.  Completing the
look, she wore Ryan’s necklace and a matching pair of earrings.
	Giggling to herself, she thought of how her appearance would shock Pine Valley’s
elite society.  But she didn’t care. It reminded her of salsa dancing, and fun, youthful
things, and she was tired of always being the picture of matronly perfection.  At least for
this one night, she wanted to act her own age, and be reckless and wild -- and do just
exactly as she wanted, without a thought about what other people might say.  She ached
for Ryan to be there to share it with her, but his absence would not stop her from making
the statement, nonetheless.
	Walking down the stairs, she saw some of the other guests that were just arriving. 
Amongst them, she spotted Jake, who had been waiting for her arrival, scanning all the
incoming guests.  He saw her, and immediately was overcome with desire.  She was a
vision, and he wanted her so badly he could hardly stop himself from reaching out and
touching her.  But he desperately tried to keep his feelings in check, knowing if he only
played his cards right, by the end of the night, she would be his.
	“Gillian, you look beautiful,” he said, offering her his arm.
	“Thank you.”
	Studying her neckline more closely, he added, politely, “That’s a pretty necklace. 
I think I’ve seen you wearing it before.  Where did you get it?”
	Gillian’s mind was filled with images of Ryan, and how he had fixed up this very
ballroom for her as a “Christmas surprise”. 
	“It was a gift,” she said, and left it at that.
	“Well, shall we dance?” he asked her.
	“I just need to go say hello to Dimitri first.”
	“All right.  I think I see Tad and Dixie over there.  I’ll just go talk to them.”
	Left alone, Gillian breathed a sigh of relief.  She knew it was wrong of her, but
for some reason she couldn’t help feeling that Jake’s words and very mannerisms tonight
were much more romantic then she would’ve liked.  Telling herself she was just being
paranoid, she walked over to Dimitri.	
	“Gillian, you look exquisite,” Dimitri said.
	“Thanks,” she said, smiling. “You don’t look so bad yourself.  How do you feel?”
	“I feel fantastic.  Now turn around and let me look at you,” he instructed.
	Laughing, she spun around for him.
	“You’re quite daring this evening,” he said. 
	“Well, I thought Ryan was going to be here,” she explained.
	“Ah, so the dress was more for him then for you.”
	“Something like that,” she admitted.
	“You miss him,” Dimitri concluded from the tone of her voice.  “You’re
miserable tonight, aren’t you?”
	“Is it that obvious?”
	“Only to me.”
	“What are you saying that’s made Gillian’s so upset?” Alex asked, joining them.
	“Nothing,” Gillian said, attempting to perk up.  “You guys enjoy yourselves. 
Don’t worry about me.”
	“Try to have fun tonight,” Dimitri whispered, as he was walking away.  “Who
knows?  You might even enjoy yourself.  Stranger things have happened.”
	Laughing, Gillian walked off to find Jake, but ran into Scott and Becca instead.
	“Gillian, you look -- wow,” Scott said.  “I bet Ryan’s sorry he had to go to New
York.  I’m sorry for him!”
	“Scott,” Becca chastised.
	“She knows I was just kidding,” he said.
	“Just kidding about what?”  Jake asked, walking over to Gillian’s side.
	“I was just telling Gillian how nice she looks,” Scott said.
	“Well, you’re right about that.  Are you ready for our dance now?” he asked her.
	“Sure,” she said, taking his hand and letting him lead her to the dance floor.
	

             *****************************************
	
	An hour later, Gillian was mingling, with Jake closely at her side.  He had been
waiting patiently all night for the right opportunity to tell her how he really felt. 
Knowing that the night was quickly getting away from him, he decided now was the
perfect time.  
	“I’m going to go get us some champagne,” Jake told her.  “I’ll be right back.”
	“Okay,” she told him.
	She waited there for Jake but, after several minutes, began to wonder what was
taking so long.
	“Miss. Gillian,” Stella said, quietly, walking over to her side.  “I’m sorry to
interrupt.  But I have a message for you.”
	Handing her a note, Stella was gone.
	Confused, Gillian opened up the note and read it aloud.  
	“Come upstairs to your room, as soon as possible,” she read.
	Her first thought was that something had happened to Eugenia, and panic
immediately flooded her heart.  But seeing that Eugenia was safely dancing with Tad, the
panic began to subside.  Then she wondered if something wasn’t wrong with Dimitri. 
Looking around the room, but coming up empty, her heart began to pond.  She briefly
scanned the room for Jake, to inform him of the crisis, but he was nowhere to be found.
Thinking that was strange, since he told her he was only going to get them some drinks,
she all but ran out of the party and towards the stairs.
	The hallways leading to her room were dark, except for the small light fixtures on
the walls that burned dimly.  Approaching her doorway, still without a clue as to what
was wrong, Gillian felt hands reach around from behind her and gently rest on her waist.
~ Chapter 69 ~ 
	Feeling someone’s hands on the bare skin at her waist, Gillian jumped and spun around
to see who was touching her.  Looking up, she was completely amazed.  There stood
Ryan dressed, like the other partygoers, in a tuxedo, looking the picture of perfection.
	“Ryan,” she said, shocked, “what are you doing here?”
	Before he got the chance to answer, Gillian threw herself into his arms and
hugged him fiercely.  Stumbling backward slightly, Ryan regained his balance and his
arms softly encircled her.  Finally breaking the embrace, Gillian pulled back, but kept her
hands on each side of Ryan’s face.
	“Let me touch you,” she said, “to make sure you’re really here.  Aren’t you
supposed to be in New York?” 
	“I was in New York.  But I couldn’t stay there.  All I could see -- hear -- think --
feel -- was you.  I kept imagining you getting ready for the party, looking so incredibly
beautiful I’d lose control at the very sight of you.  Here,” he said, gently pulling her back
away from him, “let me look at you.”
	Almost shyly, Gillian stepped back and turned around so he could admire her.
	“God, you look...,” he softly said, searching for the right word, “...breathtaking.”
	Ryan reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back towards him, and moving
to kiss her.  Gillian smiled, but moved back to avoid his kisses, seeking an explanation
first.
	“But, aren’t you supposed to be making your business deal?” Gillian asked. 
“What did you say to Liza -- and the man you were supposed to meet?   They just let you
leave like that, right after you got there?”
	“Actually, I didn’t ask them,” Ryan said, flatly.  “I just left.”
	“Ryan,” Gillian said, dumbfounded, “that was your whole future.”
	“You’re my future,” Ryan said.  “There was a time I would’ve sold my soul for
that kind of a deal.  But you’re all that matters to me anymore.  I know it’s crazy, but
you’re everything to me now.  I’m too madly in love with you to even think about being
responsible.”
	“Ryan, I -- But won’t you be fired for this?  I don’t want you to get in trouble
because of me.”
	“I’ll work something out with Liza,” he said.  “And if not, then it’s too bad. But
listen, I don’t want you to worry about any of that now.  I just want to be with you
tonight, Princess.”
	Relenting, Gillian softly smiled.
	“When I first got your note, I didn’t know what was wrong.  I thought maybe
something had happened to Dimitri,” she began.  Then suddenly remembering, she said,
“He told me I might enjoy myself tonight, after all.  It looks like he was right.”
	Ryan laughed. 
	“Don’t give him too much credit.  He knew I was here all along.  Who do you
think brought the note downstairs?”
	Gillian’s mouth fell in surprise.
	“All along?” she questioned.  “How long have you been here?”
	“For a while,” Ryan answered.  “I’ve been planning your surprise.”
	“And it’s the most wonderful surprise,” she said, wrapping her arms around his
neck and kissing him exhaustively.  
	Softly sighing, Ryan pulled her body more tightly against his.  She had
misunderstood by thinking the surprise was merely his presence at the party, but he was
enjoying her far too much to say so now.  After a few minutes more of kissing her, their
lips parted, and he smiled into her eyes.
	“There’s more to the surprise,” he said.
	“There is?” she asked, shocked.
	Nodding, Ryan took her hands and lead her forward, opening the door to her
bedroom.  No light came from the open doorway, so Gillian questioningly walked in. 
Immediately, she was speechless.
	Every square inch of free space in the room was covered with what must have
been hundreds of burning candles.  The room was dark, save for the light of the candles,
and soft music played in the background.  Gillian couldn’t help thinking it was
enchanting as she watched the shadows of candlelight dance on the walls and ceiling.
	“Oh, Ryan,” she said.  “It’s beautiful.”
	He smiled.
	“I thought we could have one dance alone before I was ready to share you with
the rest of the world.”
	It was almost more than Gillian could fathom.  Here he was at the party, after
having walked out on the greatest opportunity of his life, only to be with her.  Now he
had taken the time to do all this, just to have one magical dance with her that would only
be for the two of them to remember.  
	“I love you,” she said, the feeling all but overwhelming her.  
	A tear softly fell down her cheek.
	“I love you so much,” she said, softly.
	“I love you,” Ryan answered, tears forming in his own eyes.  “Come here,” he
whispered, holding his arms out to her.  “Dance with me.”
	
	If you’ve never felt what happens when two hearts fall together
	Or never seen love written in the stars and knew it was forever
	If you don’t believe that destiny can start with just one wish

	Gillian slowly walked into his arms, where she had longed to be all night.  Ryan’s
hands fell naturally to her waist, as she slipped her arms around his neck, and their bodies
molded perfectly together, as if they were made for each other.
	
	Watch this -- I’ll show you love like you’ve dreamed of
	I’ve got so much to give -- watch this
	Don’t be afraid -- You’ll be amazed 
	At all the ways that I can show you what you’ve missed
	Just close your eyes and watch this

	Ryan gently caressed Gillian’s face as they looked into each others eyes,
completely lost in one another.  Reaching up around his neck, he took her hand and spun
her around so she faced the opposite direction.  Ryan placed his arms around her waist,
stroking her bare skin, as he pulled her back against him, and their bodies began to sway
together.

	A broken heart can’t always live in fear, afraid to fall
	I can make those feelings disappear in no time at all
	If you wanna feel the world stand still from the magic of one kiss

	Turning in his arms to face him, Gillian gently brushed her lips across Ryan’s jaw
line, longing to feel his skin against her own, as they slowly danced cheek to cheek.
	
	Watch this -- I’ll show you love like you’ve dreamed of
	I’ve got so much to give -- watch this
	Don’t be afraid. You’ll be amazed 
	At all the ways that I can show you what you’ve missed
	Just close your eyes and watch this
	
	Gillian finally spoke.
	“Ryan,” she said, softly.
	“Hmmm?” he asked, gently nuzzling her ear.
	“Make love to me.”
	Ryan’s movements stopped, and he slowly pulled back to see her face.  Gillian’s
eyes locked on his.
	“Make love to me, Ryan,” she repeated.


“Watch This”
Clay Walker
~ Chapter 70 ~ 
	“I’m sorry,” Ryan said, stepping back. “I thought I just heard you ask me to make love to
you.”
	Gillian’s eyes danced playfully in the candlelight.
	“You did,” she said, simply.  “I miss you, Ryan. I miss waking up to find you
lying beside me. I miss the feel of your hands on my body.”
	Sighing heavily, Ryan pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair.
	“Oh, God, I’ve missed you, too,” he said. “I’ve been going crazy wanting you
these past few months.”
	“Me, too,” Gillian said.	
	Kissing him, she tugged at his tuxedo coat and he willing slipped out of it.
	“I’ve imagined this a thousand times,” she said, in between kisses. “I just, I don’t
know, I was -- I was afraid of loving you. That’s why I didn’t want to listen to you when
you begged me all those months ago for a second chance. I was afraid of losing my heart
to you again. But then I realized you’d had my heart all along.”
	“I was afraid, too,” he said, as she unbuttoned his shirt. Helping her, he pulled it
up and over his head. “That’s why I -- I let you go.”
	“No more letting go,” she said, firmly.
	“No.”
	“I won’t run away from you anymore,” Gillian said. “I promise.  And you won’t
run away from me?”
	Ryan looked at her lovingly, reaching up to caress her face.
	“There’s no place that far,” he said.
	Kissing her, he slid his hands around her waist and began to unzip her dress.
Breaking the kiss, Ryan slowly peeled away Gillian’s dress, never taking his eyes off her.
Picking her up into his arms, he carried her over to the bed, gently laying her down.  
	“I love you, Princess,” he said.
	“I know,” Gillian answered, kissing him. “I love you, too.”
	“I forgot how soft your skin is,” he said, running his hand up her leg and placing a
trail of kisses along her neckline. “All I want in this world is to get lost in loving you.”
	Ryan and Gillian kissed passionately, as they began to make love, their souls
suspended in time, blended perfectly. 
	 
	 
            *****************************************

	“Ms. Colby, this kind of behavior is simply not expectable.”
	“Mr. Foster -- you know I agree with you completely. I’m not sure what’s gotten
into Ryan,” she added, angrily. “I’m certainly not trying to excuse him, but he’s just
getting back together with his ex-wife, and there was a ball tonight -”
	“Princess Andrassy?” he asked.
	“Yes. Why? Do you know each other?”
	“We met when I was in Pine Valley Hospital.”
	“Oh. I completely forgot about that.”
	“And Dr. Jake Martin, too. He saved my life,” Mr. Foster said. “But I -- forgive
me if I’m confused, but I thought Dr. Martin was engaged to Ms. Andrassy.”
	“Well, they were,” Liza began. “But she - she called off the wedding and got back
together with Ryan.”
	Mr. Foster stood there, completely stunned, recalling an earlier conversation with
Jake.
	
	“You remember the woman that was just in here -- Gillian?”
	“Yes.”
	“Well, we were supposed to be married a couple months ago.”
	“She’s your fiancé? Congratulations.”
	“Yeah.  Thanks. But if you really want to do me a favor, this is what you can do. I
need you to send Ryan Lavery out of town next weekend.”
	“Why?”
	“Like Gillian told you, he’s her ex-husband and, well, he’s still rather hung up on
her.  That’s why we had to postpone our wedding.  He crashed our last one.... He’s a bit
delusional about Gillian.  He thinks she’s still in love with him.  It’s really very sad.” 

	Remembering back, he recalled another conversation with Gillian, when they had
spoke about Ryan. The look on her face had been so revealing, he’d asked her if they
were married. It was then that he remembered she showed him her hand, and that she was
wearing no wedding or engagement ring.
	“My God,” he gasped, realizing the truth.
	“Uh, Mr. Foster? Are you all right?” Liza asked.  “I’m sorry, but I don’t
understand what Ryan and Gillian’s relationship has to do with this merger.”
	“Nothing,” he said. “It’s nothing.”
	“Well, I’m going to make sure that Lavery is justly rewarded for running out on
this meeting. He’s been an employee at WRCW long enough to know that we do not
desert our prominent clients on a whim.”
	“No,” Mr. Foster said. “I don’t want him to be punished. In fact, I really insist that
he stay on as front-runner of this deal. To be completely honest, before now I wasn’t sold
on this merger, but Mr. Lavery has sold me. This deal is full steam ahead.”
	“I, um,” Liza said, speechless. “That’s -- that’s great. We can just finish up here
then.”
	“No. I want to wait until Lavery’s back on board. Go on back to Pine Valley and
we’ll rearrange a more convenient time for all of us.”
	“But I thought the deal needed to be made this weekend?”
	“Not anymore.”
	“Okay,” Liza said, reaching for her cell phone. “I’ll try to track Ryan down and -”
	“Let me call him,” Mr. Foster said. “There are a few things I need to discuss with
him. But it can wait until the morning -- Let him enjoy his evening.”