Grace giggled as Charlie led her in her blindfold squeezing her hand. "Charlie where we going?"

"It's a surprise my lady" He lifted her hand and kissed it then helped her onto the train. He had set them up with a private car and a candle lit dinner. He was in love with Grace, and he felt like it was time he told her so. He wanted it to be as special as possible. The only person that knew what he had planned was Charity, and he had told her to keep it a secret as to surprise Grace. He told only one other person that he had loved her and the 'puppy' love that he had felt for her didn't even compare to the love he felt for Grace. Over the past few months he had started to wish that he had not given himself to that girl in London and consequently all the other girls since then. He wished he had waited for Grace. But he could not change that now. All he could do was try to make it up to her for the rest of his life.

He winked to Brianna and Jemima who were seated towards the front. Destiny and Sean were seated behind them. Grace could hear the kids giggle, but Charlie still did not remove the blindfold as he led her back to the private car.

Once inside the car he removed the blindfold. Grace was stunned. The car was beautifully lit with candles and there was a bottle of champagne on the table. "Oh my, Charlie!" She looked up at the handsome man she had fallen in love with.

"Well, are you surprised?" He wrapped his arms around her and placed his hand under her chin as she nodded. He placed a tender kiss on her lips then led her over to her seat.

"Yes, I am," she said softly as she sat down. She watched as Charlie poured them each a glass of champagne.

After a dinner of roasted chicken and the works, Charlie led Grace over to a couch as the table was carted away by the staff. One bottle of champagne had been consumed as well, and Grace asked Charlie to order another. She had never tasted champagne until Lilly and Javier's wedding, and she had decided that she really liked the taste of it.

Charlie smiled as he watched Grace's eyes danced as she talked away. She had the most beautiful blue eyes and angelic face. Her long blond hair was pinned up in the latest fashion, and he wanted desperately to take it down and run his fingers through it. Before he knew it, he was doing so, and she kept on talking not even stopping him. He wanted her more now then ever but was frightened of her pulling away. He didn't realize he was admiring her beauty and not listening to her until she broke his thoughts.

Grace giggled again as Charlie ran his fingers through her hair, "Charlie?"

"Yes beautiful," he smiled to her and pulled her even closer.

"I forgot what I was going to say" She looked at him and swooned as he pulled her over his lap and kissed her passionately.

A few minutes later he broke off the kiss and looked at her. Her small frame was underneath him, but she wasn't pushing him away. He looked down at her and ran his hand across her cheek, "Grace, I love you."

Grace reached up and touched Charlie's face, "I love you too."

Charlie's heart filled with joy 'she loved him, too.' Finally, he realized all his hopes and dreams could come true. He wanted to marry Grace, but he also wanted to do everything right, and that meant going to Teaspoon and asking for her hand in marriage. He couldn't bear to think of what would happen if Teaspoon denied him but also knew it wouldn't matter. If Grace would have him, he would still make her his wife, but he wanted to have Teaspoon's blessing.

He shook off the thoughts of Teaspoon denying it and began to kiss Grace again. He wanted this beautiful young woman, and he knew the only person that would deny her to him would have to be Grace herself and she was responding to his every move.

The next morning Grace woke up and wiped her eyes. Sun filtered through the window of the train. She blinked her eyes and felt two strong arms wrapped around her. Looking down at herself, she noticed she was in her undergarments. She sat up and Charlie opened his eyes.

"You fell asleep, and I didn't have the heart to wake you." He gently pulled her back down to him and smiled at her, "It was nice waking up in your arms, my beautiful lady." He had stopped them from going all the way, wanting to save that for their wedding night. It had taken all his strength to do so because Grace responded to his every touch.

Grace blushed. She had slept with Charlie. She loved him with all her heart, but they weren't even married. Suddenly she realized Rachel and the others would be waking soon if not already awake. "Oh my God! Charlie what will everyone think?
I . . . I have to get home, what will I tell them?"

Both Charlie and Grace quickly dressed. He wanted to talk to Grace more, but he could sense she was very upset.

They rode back towards the Station in silence. Grace looked over to Charlie and wondered what he was thinking. "Charlie?"

He looked to her, for awhile he was scared she was not going to speak to him again. "Yes Grace?"

Grace stopped her horse and looked at him, "Did you mean what you said last night? Do you love me?"

He reached over and took her hand and kissed it, "Grace Hunter, I love you with all my heart and soul." He knew he would have to speak with Teaspoon soon. This morning had been wonderful. He had not slept well in a long time, and he wanted Grace to be in his arms every night.