Jim stood there surprised, shocked, excited, disappointed oh he didn't know how to feel.
'Well?' June asked 'I know what you said earlier about it being a daft idea but I love you Jim and I want you to be my husband' she continued as she planted a light kiss on his lips
'Um June I don't know what to say, I need time to think' Jim replied
June stood back looking shocked and a little hurt maybe
'I am sorry I just need some time' he continued
'Ok, um ok you take all the time you need' June said forcing a smile as she watched Jim leave the interview room.
June felt a tear come to her eye, she was fairly certain he would want to marry her so she couldn't understand why he wouldn't say yes. Her heart was pounding and she was shaking, she wiped away the tear in her eyes and went back to work.
Meanwhile Jim had gone to the men's toilets, he felt overjoyed but angry at the same time, angry that she had beaten him to it. He wanted to be the one that asked her, he remembered what Dave had once told him about June, saying that no one had ever asked her to marry them. He could never understand why not even to this day as she was the nicest and most beautiful woman he had ever met, although he was silently pleased as he didn't what anyone else to have her, he had always wanted her himself. However this was another reason he wanted to be the person to ask her, make her feel loved and wanted because he wanted her he wanted her very much. He was confused, what should do he thought to himself. As he was wetting his face Jack Meadows walked in
'Jim, everything alright?' Jack asked
'Yes sir'
'Is it the job, I am sorry about the job in CID, both myself and DI Nixon felt that Brandon deserved a chance but if another place becomes available you will be first on the list Jim'
'It's not the job sir, to be honest if you had offered it to me I would have turned you down'
'You would?' Jack said
'Yes, I like CSU, we do a lot of good'
'I agree but I always thought your aim was to get back to CID' Jack replied
'It was originally but things change, I like it where I am' Jim smiled
'Would that have anything to do with June?' Jack asked
'Maybe, yes I do like being close to her but it's not just that I am enjoying the work'
'So if it's not the job in CID what is troubling you? Anything to do with June?'
'Um, yes' Jim reluctantly replied
'Anything I can help you with'
'She has just asked me to marry her' Jim beamed
'Oh Jim that's fantastic, isn't it?' Jack asked
'Well yes and no'
'What do you mean, you have lost me'
'Well it is fantastic because there is nothing I want more than to marry June I love her so much but I wanted to be the one to ask her' Jim sighed
'Does it really matter?' Jack asked 'I mean she obviously loves you very much and you are lucky because we both know June doesn't love easily'
'I know and I know it sounds stupid but it does matter to me, I wanted to make her feel loved, wanted'
'She does already' Jack replied 'I have never seen her so happy'
'I just wanted to be the one to ask her, I had it all planned, I was going to buy a ring and then ask her in front of everyone to show her how much I love her'
'Well if that's what you really want to do then do it'
'But what do I say to June?' Jim said 'I can't say no when I don't mean it. It would break her heart'
'Look if you really want to this your way then, you are going to have to tell her'
'I know'
'When are you planning to ask her?'
'As soon as possible' Jim replied
'How about tomorrow night, it would be a perfect opportunity, everyone will be at The Crown celebrating Brandon's promotion'
'Yes, perfect, oh one problem I won't have time to get a ring and once I have told June, I doubt she will be in the party mood'
'Look you tell June tomorrow, then I will cover for you while you pop into town to buy a ring and leave June to me she will be at the party I promise' Jack said patting Jim on the back
'Thanks sir'
'It's a pleasure I am just glad to see you two so happy'
'Thanks' Jim smiled
For the rest of the shift Jim busied himself with paperwork and then he went home to his flat.
June sat in the house wondering where Jim was, it was nearly midnight now and he still hadn't returned home. She had tried his mobile and his flat phone but got the answer machine on both. She sipped her wine and looked at a picture of her and Jim smiling at each other. A tear trickled down her face, where was he? Perhaps she had scared him off; perhaps he didn't love her after all. Her head was hurting thinking about it so she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
The next morning Jim arrived for work and bumped into June as he hung up his coat 'Hi' he said
'Hi, Jim did you stay at yours last night because I was worried' June said looking worried
'I am sorry, yes I did I just needed time to think'
'I missed you' she whispered
'Look June come into the interview room a minute'
June followed Jim into the empty interview room and shut the door
'Have you decided?' June asked looking nervous
'Yes, look I want you to know that I love you very much'
'But' June interrupted
'But I can't marry you'
'Why?' June cried 'Is it me?'
'No no it's not you it's me. I do love you June more than anything but'
'But you can't face marrying me' June continued
'I am sorry' Jim said as he fought back the tears and walked out
June watched him grabbing his coat and leave as she sobbed. She didn't understand, she knew he loved her but why didn't he want to marry her. Perhaps he didn't love her as much as she thought he did. She sat down and sobbed until she heard Cathy shout her name, she quickly wiped her eyes and returned to work, trying to hide all the pain she felt.
About an hour later Jim hadn't returned 'Cathy do you know where Jim went?' June asked
'No sorry Sarge'
'Problem June' Jack asked from behind her
'Not really sir, I was just enquiring about Jim's whereabouts'
'I see well I think I maybe able to help you there. Jim has gone out on a special job for me'
'Right ok' June said looking a bit confused
'He maybe a while' Jack added as he left
'Since when has Jim worked closely with the DCI' Cathy said
'I don't know' June replied
Meanwhile Jim was at the jewellers in town
'I'll have that one please' Jim smiled
'It must be for someone special with a price like that' a woman said from behind him
'Money's no object and yes she is very special' Jim replied as he handed over the cheque
'Lucky woman whoever she is'
'No I am the lucky one' he said as he took the bag off the sale assistant and left the store.
Jim arrived back at Sunhill and bumped into Jack
'Ah your back good, come in here a minute' Jack said leading Jim into his office 'Right I told June you were on a special job for me ok'
'Ok thanks'
'Well did you get it?' Jack smiled
'Yes' Jim beamed as he took the box out of the bag and opened it
'Oh Jim it's beautiful'
'Do you think she will like it?'
'I think she will love it'
'Thanks' Jim smiled
'How did she take your news this morning?' Jack asked
'Not to well, I felt terrible'
'Well in a few hours you will make her happy again'
'I hope so'
'Right the only thing left to do now is make sure June turns up at the pub' Jack said
'Yeah'
'Well don't worry I have a plan'
'Ok, I had better get back to work and thanks again sir. Well you keep this ring for me?'
'Of course' Jack replied as he took the ring and watched Jim leave.
Jim walked into CSU 'And where have you been?' Cathy asked 'What's all this about a special job for Jack Meadows, since when have you two been so pally'
'It's none of your business' Jim replied sharply before getting on with his work
June looked up at him and then continued to type.
About an hour later Jack arrived in CSU 'June' he said
'Yes sir'
'I would like you to say a few words about Brandon tonight'
'Me but sir I wasn't going to go I...'
'No buts June, you have to be there' Jack replied
'Isn't there someone else' June practically begged because the last thing she wanted right now was to go to a party
'No sorry, see you there at 7' Jack said as he left
June turned around, looked at Jim and sighed. Jim could see the pain and hurt she was feeling, hiding and he felt guilty but he had to do it.
7 O'clock at the Crown Pub
Everyone gathered to congratulate Brandon. June arrived and sat by Tony. Jim bought her a drink and joined them but he found it extremely awkward.
'Can I have everyone's attention please' Jack shouted
Everyone fell silent
'Thank you, well I would just like to thank you all for coming and I would like to propose a toast to Brandon on his promotion to CID' Jack smiled
'To Brandon' everyone echoed
'Thank you' Brandon replied
'Right now I think Sgt Ackland would like to say a few words' Jack said
June reluctantly got up and walked to the microphone 'Well what can I say, Brandon you are a good officer and I am very sorry to be losing you from CSU but good luck for your future career in CID'
Everyone clapped and June stood down from the stage and returned to her seat. The DJ in the pub put music on and the party started.
8'O'Clock
Jim had requested a song from the DJ. 'The next song is for June, requested by Jim' the DJ said
'Ah' Robbie smiled
June looked more confused than ever when 'Everything I Do I Do It For You' started playing
'Shouldn't you get up and dance with him' Tony said
'No I don't think so' June replied sharply and stared at Jim
'June has something happened between you two' Tony asked 'I knew it would eventually, I told you he was no good'
Jim overheard and thought it was time to do something, he walked up to the microphone and started singing along with the song.
'Oh what's he doing, he can see she doesn't care. He's making a fool of himself' Tony smiled
'I think he's very good' Kerry added
'Ah this is so sweet, he is singing to June' Robbie smiled
June couldn't help but feel overwhelmed but she was still very confused.The song came to an end
'June' Jim said 'June would you step up the front please' he continued
June didn't know what to do
'You don't have too' Tony said
'Oh shut up Tony' Robbie snapped
'Please June' Jim begged
'Go on June' Jack smiled
June slowly walked up on to the stage to join Jim
'What are you doing Jim?'
'Something I should have done a long time ago' he replied
Jack walked forward with a bunch of roses and handed them to Jim
'June Ackland I love you with all my heart' he started and gave June the roses 'I have loved you since the first day I met you all those years ago'
'Ah so sweet' Robbie cried
June blushed 'I don't know why I didn't tell you about my feelings before, I suppose I was scared'
'Oh Jim' June said
'But the day of the fire when you were kidnapped I couldn't hide my feelings any longer. That day my heart was breaking to think someone was hurting you, I just wanted to protect you, show you how much I loved you.'
'This is so lovely' Kerry smiled
'Yesterday afternoon June asked me to marry her' Jim continued
'Oh wow' Robbie cried
'But I turned her down' Jim continued
'You did what?' Tony shouted 'Are you mad'
'Jim please do we have to do into this' June sobbed
'I turned her down not because I don't love her or because I don't want to marry her. I turned her down because I wanted to do this' Jim smiled as he pulled a small box from his pocket and went down on one knee
'June Ackland, I love you very much and I know I upset you this morning by turning you down but it was only because I wanted to propose to you properly, so June Ackland will you marry me?' Jim asked as he opened the ring box. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring, which was sparkling
'Oh Jim it's beautiful' June cried
'Is that a yes then?' Robbie shouted
'Yes, yes I will' June smiled
Jim took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger, then he got up and hugged her tightly
'Thank you June and I am sorry' Jim whispered
'Jim you soppy thing I love you' she replied
Jack walked up to them 'Congratulations'
'You knew didn't you?' June smiled
'Yes'
'That's where you were today?' June said 'You were sorting this out'
'Yes'
'Oh Jim you have made me the happiest woman alive' she said as she kissed him lightly on the lips. The kiss turned more passionate.
'Could you all raise your glasses to Jim and June' Jack shouted
'Jim and June' Everyone said
The music started again and everyone continued to party on. Jim and June thanked Jack for his help and slipped away quietly.
They arrived back at June's house 'I am sorry I had to say no June, but it didn't feel right, I wanted to ask you'
'It doesn't matter now, as long as you are going to marry me' June smiled as she led him upstairs.
She pushed him onto the bed and kissed him passionately. They removed each other's clothes, made love to each other and then lay in each other's arms
'So when do you want to get married?' Jim asked
Looking at her ring 'Lets not leave it to long' she replied
'How about February 14th?'
'Valentine's Day, oh Jim that would be perfect'
'Valentine's Day it is then' Jim smiled as he placed himself on top of her again, kissing her passionately.
They made love again and fell into a blissful happy sleep, dreaming about what their wedding was going to be like.