TITLE    : She was the One
STORYID  : she-was-the-one
SUMMARY  : Young man and his foster sister fall in love.
AUTHOR   : AnAverageGuy61@lit
DATE     : 2023-11-17
CATEGORY : adult-romance
FLAGS    : h
TAGS     : |love story|romance|


British English language and spelling, unless stated otherwise the story is set in the UK. In some stories the legal process will be different to what readers from the USA are used to, over here we have laws that apply nationally, not state by state. Whether they are right or wrong, it's only a story. It's not real life, it's how I write it in my world.

I write for my enjoyment, and hopefully that of others.

To those of you who favourite my stories or follow me, thank you, it means a lot.

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<em>She was the one, I just didn't know it at the time.</em>

When I first met Caron Jackson I didn't realise the impact she would have on my life. I grew up in a loving household. My Mum, Helen Brooks, worked as a cook at the local high school. My Dad, Steve, worked as a plumber. I had an older brother Gary. Gary was a pain in the arse towards me. He was five years older than I am, we had our own groups of friends and very little in common.

My Mum was a registered foster carer. Sometimes we had kids stay with us for a few days, some stayed for a few weeks. One kid, James, stayed with us for almost a month. His Dad was overseas in the military, his Mum had a major operation. James and I, Mike by the way, became good friends. Mum used to take James to see his Mum in the hospital, when he returned home we kept in touch.

My parents were a loving couple, Mum had fostered kids for as long as I could remember. Mum was a short, slim woman, she was 5' 4" tall. Her dark brown hair hung just below her shoulders. My Dad was taller at 5' 8", he was of average build with short light brown hair. My brother and I got our height genes from our Dad.

I liked the idea of having other kids around, my brother Gary took very little notice of them. He would occasionally grunt a hello, that was his idea of being involved.

I was thirteen when I first met Caron, Mum told me Mrs Winters, the social worker was bringing someone over to stay. When Mrs Winters brought Caron to the house I felt sorry for her, she was dressed in a tatty old t-shirt and shorts, the plimsolls on her feet were fit for the bin. Mrs Winters introduced us to Caron, Mum and I said hello, Caron nodded and looked at the floor.

"Mike, take Caron through to the lounge please. I need to talk to Mrs Winters." Mum asked.

Caron followed me into the lounge, I turned the TV on to watch cartoons.

"You want to watch cartoons?" I asked. Caron just shrugged and stared at the TV. I wasn't upset by her silence, it sometimes happened with foster kids so Mum said. Caron was of mixed race, her skin had that dark tint. She had big dark brown eyes and a mass of long black curly hair. She had that look of innocence, but there was something that told me she had been through a lot, probably seen more hurt than I ever would.

We sat there watching the TV, Mum and Mrs Winters were talking in the kitchen. Mrs Winters came in and spoke to Caron, she told her she would be back to see her in a few days. Caron nodded, she didn't say a word.

Mum came in and spoke to Caron. "Would you like something to eat?" Caron just shrugged her shoulders. "I'll make a start on dinner, Mike keep an eye on Caron please."

I tried talking to Caron, she didn't seem interested. It was the same as we ate dinner, apart from saying thank you to Mum, she stayed silent. I noticed Dad watching Caron and looking at Mum, Gary ate his dinner and went to his room, this was normal behaviour for him.

Mum bathed Caron and dressed her in a baggy t-shirt. She joined me and Dad watching TV. Mum said she had to go to the supermarket, Dad just smiled and said okay. When Mum arrived home Caron had fallen asleep, she carried her upstairs to bed.

"Is she okay?" Dad asked.

"It's hard to tell, Steve. Her Mum has a lot of problems, mostly drink and substance related. Her Dad is nowhere to be found; I have a feeling she will be with us for a while. She's been through a lot for a ten-year-old." That was when Mum told us that she thought Caron could be here longer than usual.

Mum had gone out to get Caron some clothes, she kept the receipts so that social services would pay her back. Mum said that the clothes Caron arrived in were the best of a bad bunch. I could see Dad wasn't impressed, like Mum he hated to see kids neglected. I went upstairs to bed, Mum and Dad were talking.

There were only three days left before the school summer holidays, almost six weeks with no school. Caron missed the last few days of school when she was taken into care, when school started again she would be attending the same school that I went to. Mum said she would go uniform shopping near the end of the holidays.

Two things happened over the summer holidays, my brother left home to join the army. Mrs Winter asked Mum if Caron could stay with us long term.

"What did Mrs Winter mean by long term, Mum?"

"It means Caron will be with us until she is eighteen years old. Her Mum is in no fit state to look after a child, she can barely look after herself. I was thinking of decorating Gary's room, Caron can have that. If Gary comes home, he can use the small bedroom.

We sat down at the table for dinner, it was strange without Gary. When we finished eating Mum spoke to us.

"Caron, I spoke to Mrs. Winter this afternoon. She has asked if you can stay with us until you are eighteen years old, is that okay? Do you want to stay here?"

Caron nodded. "Can I still see my Mum?" She asked.

"Of course you can. If your Mum is well enough, you can see her. Now, as you will be here for a long time we are going to decorate Gary's room, you can have it now he's not here."

Dad grabbed some colour charts from the counter. "Let's pick a colour, Caron. You can choose whatever colour you like, within reason."

Caron started to cry, Mum rushed to comfort her. "What's wrong Caron?"

Caron took a minute to settle down. "Nothing's wrong. It's just you are all being so nice to me. I get to stay here with you, and I get my own room." Caron dried her eyes.

"You're part of this family now, you will get treated the same as Mike." Dad assured her. Caron shuffled around and looked at the colour charts, Mum looked at me and smiled, I smiled back.

"What colour was the bedroom in your Mum's house?" I asked.

"Yellow, and it was horrible." Caron replied. "It's much nicer here." Caron eventually picked Apple White, a white with a hint of green. I looked after Caron while Mum and Dad decorated her room, by now she was over her initial shyness and smiling a lot. She had a lovely smile and beautiful white teeth.

We were sitting in my bedroom talking, Caron was looking at my books and CD's.

"Are these all yours?" Caron asked.

"Yeah. Most of the CD's are presents, you know birthday and Christmas."

"Can I put some music on?"

I let Caron choose a CD, most of my stuff was rock music. We sat listening and talking, Mum came in to say Caron's room was ready. I don't think I'll ever forget the look on her face when she walked into her bedroom, it was freshly decorated, the curtains and bedding were new so they blended with the room colour.

Caron turned and hugged Mum. "Thank you, I can't believe you did this just for me." Mum was struggling to hold back the tears, Dad stepped forward and hugged them both. I stood and watched as Caron cried and smiled at the same time.

Caron and I spent the rest of the summer holidays together, if my friends called for me Caron tagged along. James came over a few times, he and Caron spent a lot of time talking. It was weird in a nice way having Caron around, she just joined in and never made a fuss. Towards the end of the holidays Mum took us both uniform shopping. I only needed a new pair of trousers and a few shirts, Caron needed everything as it was a new school for her. I noticed as we got closer to going to school, Caron became apprehensive.

On our first day Mum took Caron to school, she had some paperwork to complete. I walked with my friends as usual. After a few days I found out why Caron was nervous about school, it had nothing to do with it being a new school. Due to her Mum's condition, Caron had missed quite a bit of school, she had some serious catching up to do.

Mum and Dad's rule was homework first when we arrived home, after that our time was ours. Both of us sat at the dining table, I got on with whatever homework it was I had set. Caron sat quietly then started to cry.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Mum fussed over her.

"This, I don't understand any of it." Caron replied. "I can't do this."

"Yes you can. Let me see if I can help." Mum looked at the homework. "Mike, does any of this make sense to you?"

I looked at what homework Caron had been set. "Yeah, I can help with that." I pulled up a chair and sat next to Caron. I spent the next hour talking and showing Caron what to do, I saw Mum smile at me from the doorway.

"You should be okay now, if you get stuck just ask." I returned to my homework.

Mum said she would cut me some slack. "You can do your homework later, as you are helping Caron."

Me helping Caron and finishing my homework after dinner became the norm. I wasn't bothered as I never went out after school, especially at this time of the year. One evening I was finishing off my work when Caron looked at me. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I asked.

"Sorry that you have to do your homework late, because you are busy helping me. I know I'm stupid and should be able to do it on my own." Caron replied, I could see tears in her eyes.

"Hey. You're not stupid. You need the help, it's no big deal, this won't take me long." I hugged Caron as I reassured her.

Despite her comment about being stupid, Caron was quick to learn. Within a few months she was up to speed, so much so that we used to joke while we worked. Mum spotted the difference and spoke to me one night when Caron was taking a bath.

"Thanks for helping Caron these last few months. God knows what I was thinking when I offered to help." Mum laughed. "You're a great kid, please don't change and turn into another Gary."

That comment surprised me, Mum knew Gary could be an arsehole, she just never said anything, Sure he got punished if he deserved it, Dad was always stricter with him than Mum was. By the time Christmas rolled around Caron was getting good marks at school, she wasn't top of the class, but not far off it.

Caron had settled in well at school. She had made several friends, we saw each other during the day as we moved between classes. Caron always walked to and from school with me, we usually discussed our day and what homework we had. Apart from one incident with an idiot in the playground, school was fine. This particular kid racially insulted Caron. I know I should have reported him, but smacking him in the mouth was more pleasing.

As Christmas got closer Mum was thinking of what to get Caron as a present. The only thing I could think of was a mini Hi-Fi, that was the one thing I had that she didn't. I never minded Caron being in my room and using mine, I thought it would be nice if she had her own. Mum found one that was in the budget, so I brought her two CD's by a band she liked.

Just before Christmas Mum took Caron to see her Mum. The visit didn't go well, according to Mum, Caron's Mum, was a real mess. Dad suggested that maybe she shouldn't see her Mum until she was better. Listening to what Mum said, I doubted that would ever happen.

Caron and I got press ganged into helping Mum decorate the tree and put up the decorations, I could tell this was all new to Caron. She had a great time helping Mum. I just shifted the boxes for them. Gary phoned home on Christmas eve, we knew he was overseas and wouldn't be home for a few months. We all wished him a Merry Christmas before Mum hung up the phone.

On Christmas morning I let Caron open her presents first. Mum and Dad watched as she unwrapped her mini Hi-Fi system. Caron had a smile on her face a mile wide when she opened her present. She jumped up and hugged my parents. "Thanks Mum, thanks Dad."

Mum was almost in tears, that was the first time she called her Mum. Before that it was always Auntie Helen and Uncle Steve, from that day on it was Mum and Dad. I saw my Dad secretly try to wipe his eyes, I smiled knowing Caron had that effect on them both.

My brother Gary spent some time at home on leave, I couldn't believe the change in him. He was polite to everyone, he also spent a lot of time talking to Caron. The other noticeable change was Caron always sat next to me at mealtimes, previously she always sat opposite me.

The only drama we experienced was when Caron's Mum checked herself out of the rehab clinic. Mrs Winter warned us, she also reassured us that she didn't know where we lived.

"You just need to be careful. We have no idea what she intends to do, all I can say is, she doesn't know where Caron is living."

"You have no idea where she is, or what her plans are?" Mum asked.

"None at all, I'm afraid. She just checked out and disappeared. I don't think she poses a threat in any way, but best to be careful, all the same."

Caron's Mum never turned up or tried to contact her. As Caron grew up she became a lot more confident, she was excelling at school. Not bad considering the struggle at the beginning. When I started attending sixth form(year 12), Caron was in year nine.

Two years later I left school and started working in graphic design. Caron said she would miss walking to school with me. Whenever I arrived home from work Caron always hugged me when she greeted me, I didn't think much of it. Mum thought it was kind of fun that she missed me.

I started dating Julie, a girl I met at work. My parents took to her okay, Caron was polite, but only spoke when she had to. The relationship fizzled out after a few months. I wasn't broken up about it as I don't think it was destined for the long term anyway, Caron seemed happier that Julie wasn't around.

When Caron left school she went to university, she was studying Finance. During the time Caron was at university we kept in touch via text, occasionally we would call each other. I saw Caron when she came home at Christmas, and occasionally during the summer. Mum kept me updated on how she was getting on.

The day Caron graduated I went along with Mum and Dad, my current girlfriend Angela went to work as usual. Caron had the offer of a job, it meant her moving out of home. Mum knew this day would come.

"You're still young enough to foster kids, Mum. Who knows you might get another long term placement like Caron." I reassured Mum.

Caron promised to keep in touch, she said we were her family. Caron used to visit and take Mum and Dad to lunch. I would occasionally go and visit Caron, she had a small studio apartment near to where she worked.

Angela and I had been together for nearly a year when I sensed a change in her, nothing major, but she was different all the same. Angela dropped her bombshell one evening.

"Mike, I have met someone else. Sorry but I am moving out." I sat there stunned.

"Would you mind telling me who it is?" I asked.

"It's a guy I met through a friend. He's a junior partner in a law firm." Angela informed me as she packed her clothes into a suitcase.

I figured if he was a junior partner, then he was probably older than Angela.

I knew I could afford the rent for the apartment on my own, just as well as we had another year on the lease. Mum and Dad were both shocked when I told them.

"Sounds like she's traded up for money, Mike. One day she'll learn that money isn't everything." Dad replied.

"You'll be okay, love." Mum reassured me.

I got on with living my life. Work kept me busy, the evenings on my own were the worst time for me. I went out with the guys from work a few times, I wasn't a big drinker, I just felt the need to spend time with other people.

Three months after the break-up I was sitting at home. It was Friday night, there was nothing on the TV that interested me. I sighed and turned the TV off. I stood up about to put some music on, the doorbell rang startling me.

When I opened the door, Caron flung her arms around me. "I'm sorry Mike, I was working overseas and didn't know about Angela." I hugged Caron.

I made us a coffee, and Caron chose some music. We sat and talked about our jobs and stuff. It was late when Caron was ready to leave, so I drove her home rather than have her pay for a taxi.

Caron and I started visiting each other regularly, it was like an adult version of when we were kids. She is great company. It was a Friday night, we were listening to music and sharing a bottle of wine.

"Are you seeing anyone?" Caron asked.

"No. It's weird, I hate being on my own, but I can't be arsed to go out and meet someone. I'll be okay, I just need to sort myself out. How about you, are you seeing anyone?"

"Nope. I was but it didn't work out, it seems we had different ideas on what exclusive means."

"I'm sorry, Caron. I know how you feel, nobody deserves that."

Caron put her glass down and stood up, I watched as I wondered what she was doing. She leant forward and took my glass from my hand, placing it on the coffee table. Caron knelt astride me on the sofa, I looked straight into her eyes.

"Typical man. I dropped so many hints recently, and you haven't even noticed." Caron leant forward and kissed me. The kiss turned into something more than a peck on the lips. I pulled Caron close, we kissed and started to make out. I got an erection, Caron couldn't fail to miss. After a few minutes Caron pushed me off her, I thought I had fucked things up.

"If you're going to undress me and make love to me, at least take me to bed." Caron gasped.

I took hold of Caron's hand and led her to the bedroom, slowly we undressed each other. In all the years we had known each other I had never thought of Caron in this way. I stood and admired the beauty before me. Her coffee coloured skin with her dark nipples, Caron shaved her pubic hair into a small strip. Those deep brown eyes drew me in, the long curly hair flowed past her shoulders.

We kissed as hands explored the other's body, Caron moaned quietly as I kissed and sucked her nipples. Her hand gently stroked my hard cock, Caron slid down and started sucking my cock, I knew I wouldn't last much longer.

"I'm close Caron, real close." I warned her. Caron carried on sucking my cock, with a loud groan I erupted into her mouth. Caron swallowed my cum then smiled at me. As she lay back I got between her legs, my tongue explored her pussy. I could hear her gasp and moan as my tongue flicked her clit.

After I got Caron off twice she pushed me away. "Make love to me, Mike."

I lowered myself forward and slowly slid my cock into Caron. "Oh God." Caron hissed. We made love slowly and passionately. Caron gripped my shoulders as she orgasmed, her legs wrapped around my waist. We stayed together as I pulled the covers over us, when I got hard again Caron rode me to orgasm.

Caron cuddled into me. "I love you, Mike. I always have. If you want me, I'll be yours and only yours."

I kissed Caron. "I love you too, I just didn't realise it before now."

Caron and I became a couple after that night, we decided to prank Mum and Dad when we told them.

I went to visit my parents, I knew Mum would ask if I was seeing anyone.

"Yes Mum, in fact she is meeting me here later. I hope you don't mind, I invited her round so that way you get to meet her as well." Mum smiled, Dad sat drinking tea.

We were talking about Gary when Mum answered the door. "Hello love, come on in. Go through to the kitchen, Mike's here as well.

Hi Mum, how are you and Dad?" Caron asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"Sit down love, I'll get you a cup of tea." Mum fussed. "It's great to see you. It's nice that you're here as Mike's new lady friend is coming over, at least we all get to meet her at the same time."
<hr pg="2" />Caron and I looked at each other and burst out laughing, Mum looked at both of us.

"Mum, Dad, meet my girlfriend, Caron."

Mum stood and looked surprised. "Oh my god, I can't believe it."

"Are you okay Mum?" Caron asked.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. Just a little surprised."

"I'm not." Dad piped up. "I am surprised it didn't happen ages ago."

"What makes you say that Steve?" Mum asked.

"I could see the way these two got along was different. They were too young to realise it, but I could see the signs. The way Caron looked at Mike gave it away, I don't think Mike saw it, but I did. I knew Caron was upset when Mike dated Julie, then Angela, she didn't hide it very well."

Caron smiled. "I didn't think it was that obvious."

"It was." Dad Replied. "I could see it. When Angela walked out on Mike, I wondered if you two would get together."

Mum wiped a tear from her eye, Caron hugged her. "Sorry Mum, we didn't mean to make you cry."

"Don't worry love, I couldn't be happier right now. So how long have you two been together?"

"A couple of weeks. I got fed up with dropping hints and Mike not seeing them. I told Mike how I felt about him, luckily he feels the same way."

The four of us sat talking. The doorbell rang, Dad went to the door, we all heard a familiar voice.

Dad showed Mrs Winter to the kitchen. "Hello everyone."

Caron and I replied and called her Mrs Winter. "I think you are both old enough to call me Barabra, how are you both?"

"We're good, thanks."

"Caron, I can't believe you are all grown up. I still think of you as that kid I bought here years ago.

"Mike called around to introduce us to his girlfriend." Mum told Barbara. "He turned up and Caron arrived shortly after. That's when they told us Caron was Mike's girlfriend."

Barbara laughed. "That's not the first time this has happened, although it's not common. I'm pleased for you both. I won't stop, I just called round to find out if you can take an emergency case tonight? It will only be for a few days, just until her grandparents return from holiday.

Mum nodded. Barbara left, she wished us well. Caron and I left as Mum needed to get ready for the foster child.

Caron moved in with me the following weekend. On Sunday I was making coffee when the doorbell rang, it was Mum.

"Be a love and put the kettle on Mike, I'm parched."

"Already on Mum, I was just making some coffee." Mum turned to say something, she stopped when Caron walked out of the bedroom. I watched as they hugged and greeted each other.

"No need to ask how you two are getting on."

"Nope. Caron moved in yesterday." I replied. Mum wasn't upset, I think she was surprised we hadn't said anything. "We were coming over to see you and Dad later, we planned to tell you that Caron has moved in with me."

Mum laughed. "Please do, then I can collect my winnings from your Dad."

"Winnings. What winnings?" Caron asked.

"I bet your Dad you two would move in together before the end of the month, he said you would wait a while. I bet him twenty pounds, and now he owes me."

"Are you making bets on us getting married as well?" I asked.

"No, not yet. But that's not a bad idea." Mum laughed. "I'm only kidding, there's no pressure on you two to get married."

Mum left after drinking her tea, we promised to visit later.

Dad opened the door and greeted us, we followed him into the lounge.

"Couple of waifs and strays." Dad laughed as he called out to Mum.

"So what's new with you two?" Dad asked.

"Not much, Dad. Both of us are still working, oh and Caron moved in with me this weekend."

Mum stood by Dad with her hand out. "Okay, a bet is a bet. Here's your twenty quid." Dad took a twenty out of his wallet and handed it to Mum.

Mum walked away smiling. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"How did you know we would stay for dinner, Mum?" I asked, thinking she might have arranged it with Caron earlier.

"I didn't. You're both welcome to stay for dinner. if you don't stay, then your Dad has cold chicken and chips for dinner tomorrow night."

"We'll stay, thanks Mum." Caron answered for us. The three of us went through to the kitchen, Mum was looking out of the window. I could see a small boy kicking a football.

"That's Charlie, he's with us for this week. Let me call him in."

Charlie came running indoors, he looked at Mum. "Charlie, this is my son Mike and his girlfriend Caron."

Charlie looked at me and said hello, then he looked at Caron. "Wow, you're pretty!" He turned and went back outside to play with his football.

We all stood and laughed. "He's not shy is he?" Caron commented.

"Nope, he's right as well." I replied. Caron smiled at me.

"He's a lively one, is Charlie." Mum said. "He's been like that since he got here."

The five of us sat down to dinner, Charlie kept looking at Caron and smiling. When we finished eating he talked to her as if they had known each other for ages, rather than an hour. Mum and Dad thought it was hilarious. When we left to return home, Charlie said goodbye to me, Caron got a hug.

Caron made a comment as we drove home. "If we have kids one day, I hope they are like Charlie."

I laughed. "So you want kids then?"

"Yes I do. I would like two, I'm not bothered if they are boys, girls or one of each."

"Before we think about kids we have to find a house, we can't raise kids where we live now." I replied, stating the obvious.

Caron smiled at me. "We need to get married as well. Call me old fashioned, but I am not going to be an unmarried Mum."

I might have missed all the hints that Caron was interested in me after my break-up with Angela, that was a hint I couldn't miss. Although my relationship with Angela ended badly, I was sure if I married Caron it would be different. Later that evening I raised the subject of us buying or renting a house.

"I don't mind what we do Mike. Buying would be nice, but if we have to rent then so be it. Mum and Dad rent their house and they seem happy enough. I can vouch for that and say it was the best home I ever lived in."

"You have always called them Mum and Dad, now it seems really weird, especially when you throw marriage into the conversation." Caron burst out laughing.

One evening we sat down and looked at our finances, it was obvious we wouldn't be able to get a mortgage. I knew exactly what Caron was thinking.

"Let's look at renting somewhere, maybe something nearer Mum and Dad." I smiled at the Mum and Dad comment.

"We need to decide soon, the lease is up on the apartment in three months. It would be nice to have a house by then." Caron agreed with me. The following weekend we started looking into renting a house, the first ones we looked at were okay, but we knew there were better houses out there.

Caron found a house that she wanted to look at, it was a ten minute walk from Mum and Dads place. The agent explained it would be available shortly, it turned out shortly was the same time the lease was up on the apartment. We agreed to rent the house and signed the paperwork the following week. Caron was really excited, all she talked about was the new house.

The homeowner was going to be working overseas for at least six years. He said it was okay for us to decorate it to our taste, all he asked was if we wanted to make any major changes to get his approval beforehand.

Caron had already decided she liked the layout and there was no need to change anything. Mum was pleased, especially when she realised it was a short walk from where they lived. Although we still lived in the apartment, Caron's focus was on the house. She was mentally planning what would go where, and what colours to decorate the various rooms. The coffee table was littered with colour charts and a few wallpaper samples.

As it got nearer to moving day we started to pack stuff in the apartment, Caron held up a small ceramic teddy bear. "Is this yours, Mike?"

"No, I think Angela must have left it behind." I replied, as I heard the teddy get dropped in the bin.

We both hoped the weather would be nice on the day we moved, after all, nobody wants to load and unload a van in the rain. We got our wish, the day we moved was the first day of a mini heatwave in the UK. We were both shattered at the end of the day, due to the heat. It was made more difficult for me as Caron chose to wear some tiny shorts and a short camisole top, trying to keep my eyes and my mind on whatever I was doing was hard work. Several times Caron caught me staring at her backside as she carried stuff into the house.

"Pervert." Caron called out.

"Yeah, but you love me either way." I replied, smiling.

"Maybe, maybe not." Caron replied as she walked indoors, I could hear her giggling to herself.

That evening we stood in the lounge and surveyed the chaos that was boxes and furniture, we still had a lot of work to do.

Caron hugged me. "I love you." She said, then kissed me.

"I love you too." Before I could say anything else my phone rang, it was Mum inviting us to dinner.

We walked into my parents house, Mum smiled, Dad just looked shocked at what little Caron was wearing.

"I take it you haven't unpacked your clothes yet?" He asked, a grin on his face.

"No, this was all I could get my hands on." Caron replied as she walked over to Dad. "You're lucky I didn't turn up in my finest lace lingerie." Dad's face was a picture, Mum and I stood there laughing.

"Take no notice of him, Caron, he just wishes I had the figure to wear clothes like that." That bought more laughs from all of us.

"Dinner will be gammon and salad. If you want to come over for dinner tomorrow, you're more than welcome. I don't know what we will be eating, I'll think of something." Mum asked.

"Thanks, Mum. That would be nice as we still have a lot to unpack." I replied.

We ate dinner and spent a short time with Mum and Dad. We left to return home knowing we still had a ton of work to do. Caron started to unpack the groceries we had bought with us, I started searching for the small box of fittings for our bed. After what seemed like hours I gave up, we made the bed up on the floor for tonight. Caron thought it was hilarious, particularly as I very rarely lost things.

I woke up with the sun blazing on my face. We hadn't put curtains up at the bedroom window yet, the sheet we pinned up had slipped. Carefully I slid off the mattress, I quietly made my way to the bathroom. Returning to the bedroom I stood at the foot of the mattress and stared at Caron. She was laying face down, one arm above her head, the other by her side. Her hair splayed over the pillow, I admired her perfect skin.

"Fuck! How did I get so lucky?" I muttered to myself.

"Hmmm, what?" Caron stirred and turned to face me. "Mike, did you say something?"

"Yeah sorry, I looked at you and asked myself, how I got so lucky."

"You got lucky because you're a decent guy. If anyone should be asking how they got lucky, it should be me. God alone knows how my life would have worked out if it wasn't for you, and your parents."

We hugged and I kissed Caron. "Let's get dressed, we have a lot to do." I shrugged. In all honesty I was hoping for some early morning fun.

Beside the two hours we spent with Mum and Dad, we spent the rest of the day unpacking and putting stuff away. Caron had a list of furniture she wanted to get, most of it was from IKEA. Over the next few months we decorated the house to our taste. Caron invited Mum and Dad over for dinner one Sunday. Mum was a great cook, clearly she taught Caron well.

We ate dinner and sat in the lounge afterwards. Caron was talking to Mum about our plans for decorating upstairs, Dad sat alongside me listening. He nodded his head and indicated for me to follow him outside. I don't think Mum and Caron saw us leave the room.

"When are you planning to ask Caron to marry you?" Dad asked.

"Not sure yet, why?"

"No reason, just curious that's all." Dad replied.

"Come on Dad, out with it. You don't ask me that and tell me you're curious."

"Okay, I'm taking your Mum away on a cruise next year, she doesn't know yet. We will be away for most of July."

"I'll bear that in mind Dad." We turned and went back indoors. Mum asked where we had been.

"Just offering some advice on the garden." Dad replied.

Mum and Dad left after another hour or so. I helped Caron wash the dishes and tidy the kitchen up, and we sat in the lounge listening to music.

"What were you really talking to Dad about?" Caron asked.

"He told me that he is taking Mum on a cruise next year, they will be away for most of July. Mum doesn't know."

"Okay, I won't mention it." Caron replied.

Mum called me one evening, she asked what I was getting Caron for her birthday. "I have ordered some clothes she likes, I am also taking her out to dinner."

Mum bought Caron's birthday present and card round earlier in the day. She stayed for a short while and hoped we enjoyed the meal later. I dressed in casual trousers and a shirt, Caron chose to wear a cream coloured figure hugging dress. As usual, Caron turned heads when we entered the restaurant.

When I booked the table, I asked if we could be seated in the corner out of the way. I had a surprise for Caron, one I didn't want to do in the middle of a packed restaurant. After we had eaten we sat talking, I waited until the table had been cleared. I sat and looked at Caron.

"What? What's wrong, have I got food on my face?" Caron asked.

"There's nothing wrong." I looked and nodded to our waitress, she carried a cake over with one single candle on it. "Happy Birthday to the woman I love." Caron welled up but held off crying.

"I have something I want to ask you." I had the ring box in my hand. "Caron Jackson, will you marry me?" I opened the box, showing Caron the ring.

"Yes, yes I will." Caron was almost in tears. "This is the best birthday present ever."

I offered to get another drink, Caron declined as she wanted to go home and relax. We left the restaurant, Caron was quiet on the drive home. She sat looking at the engagement ring on her left hand.

"Can we go and see Mum and Dad? I want to tell them." Caron asked. I drove to my parent's house.

Mum greeted us, Dad was almost asleep in the armchair. "Did you have a nice meal?" Mum asked.

"It was really nice, this has been the best birthday ever." Caron gushed, she held her hand out to show Mum the ring. Mum hugged Caron, they were both crying.

Dad congratulated me with a hug. "Well done, Mike."

Mum asked if we had set a date for the wedding? As she didn't mention the cruise, I assumed Dad still hadn't told her.

"Not yet, Mum. We are thinking of June next year."

"I hope the weather is nice, nothing worse than rain on a wedding day." Mum replied as she smiled at Dad.

"Yeah, it was roasting the day we got married. I was sweating like hell in my suit." Dad moaned.

"You didn't regret it though, did you?" Caron asked.

"Absolutely not, best thing I ever did." Dad replied, kissing Mum's cheek. We all started laughing, despite my Dad's moaning, I knew he loved my Mum to bits.

We left after a short while, Caron wanted to celebrate our engagement privately. I was shattered when we finally settled down to sleep. We spent the Sunday talking about the wedding, when, who would we invite, that sort of thing. Given the cost of weddings these days it is normal for the bride and groom's parents to split the cost, as my parents were technically Caron's parents, we had to think about it. Caron asked if I had any money saved up?

"Some, but not much. This place took a lot of it."

Caron nodded. "Okay, here's my thinking. As I have no natural family to invite, we offer to help with the cost. It will only be a small wedding anyway, your extended family is not big. I can think of three friends I want to invite." We agreed to call on Mum and Dad, to get their thoughts.

Monday evening we sat talking to Mum and Dad. Caron explained that we had a few thousand we could contribute to the wedding, Dad sat there with a smirk on his face.

"Okay, what's going on, Dad?" I looked at Dad. Mum was smiling as well.

"Firstly, your Mum knows about the cruise, I told her yesterday. She wondered why you were so set on June for the wedding. If you guys pay for a part of the cost, I will cover the rest of it." What nobody knew was Dad had been banking his bonus cheques for years, he reasoned if we didn't need the money, he might as well save it.

"I am treating your Mum to the cruise, the rest of the money will go towards your wedding." Caron jumped up and hugged Dad, she kissed him on the cheek. I looked over and saw tears in Dad's eyes. That was twice I had seen Caron have that effect on him. Mum was sitting dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

Naturally when the four of us were together the talk was of our wedding or my parents cruise.

"Has anyone remembered we have Christmas to get through first?"

Dad looked at me and smiled. "It's cancelled this year, due to lack of interest."

"No it is not!" Mum replied. "He doesn't want to help me put the tree up and decorate the house."

"I'll help you, Mum. Mike can help me do our place, then I'll help you." Caron looked at me. "Won't you Mike?"

"Yes dear." I replied, sarcastically with a smile.

"And so it begins." Dad muttered. I laughed at his comment.

Mum stared at both of us. "Honestly, you two."

"Okay, okay." Dad and I both replied, holding our hands up in a mock surrender.

Caron sprung a surprise when she invited Mum and Dad to spend Christmas day with us.

"I thought you would be coming here." Mum replied.

"We could. I just thought you might like a rest for a change. For as long as I can remember you have always hosted Christmas." I looked at Mum as if to say it was fine by me.

"What if I have a foster child here for Christmas?"

"Bring them along, it doesn't matter." Caron replied.

Mum didn't have a foster child at Christmas, her and Dad spent the day with us. It's a good job we live close by, both of them had a lot to drink and staggered home later in the day. It was funny for me, I couldn't remember the last time I saw my Mum drunk.

We went to my parents for lunch the following day, she insisted after we hosted Christmas day. Dad told me it took them twice as long to walk home, both he and Mum stumbled and fell over. Caron found it hilarious. Mum asked what plans we had for New Years eve.

"Nothing Mum, we are thinking of staying home and having a quiet night in."

"Same here, no party for us this year. Why don't you two come here, the four of us can see in the New Year?"

"Sounds like fun. Okay we'll be here." Caron answered for both of us.

The four of us had a good evening. My brother Gary called to wish us all a Happy New Year, mum took the opportunity to remind him about our wedding, apart from that it wasn't mentioned. We spoke about our future plans, kids and that sort of thing. Mum made a comment about being too young to be a grandmother, Dad laughed, we all knew she would love a grandchild or two. Dad and I watched as Mum and Caron got some snacks ready. It wasn't until Mum was standing close to Caron I realised how slim she was, despite her moaning occasionally about needing to lose a few pounds, Mum had a good figure.

We all had too much to drink, it showed as we staggered to bed at about one o'clock. I remember kissing Caron goodnight as we settled in bed, the next I knew it was almost ten o'clock. Mum was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, Caron was setting the table. Mum went upstairs to wake Dad.

"I was looking forward to making love last night." Caron whispered to me. "Never mind, you can make it up to me tonight." Mum reappeared before I could answer, I gave Caron a knowing smile.

Caron and I were talking about the wedding one evening, mostly about how we were going to seat people in the church. Usually it's the bride's family on the left, grooms on the right. As Caron had no family we decided to seat my extended family on the left. Mum at the front, to be joined by Dad after he walked Caron down the aisle and gave her away. Mum's brother, sister and their families would sit on the left, Dad's sisters would sit on the right with their families. We agreed to seat mutual friends on both sides. I raised a question for Caron.
<hr pg="3" />"What about your Mum? I know you haven't seen her for years, but do you want her there?"

Caron thought for a few moments. "I'm not sure. I know as my Mum she should be there, but if she is still messed up I don't want her there. Besides, we don't know where she is."

I suggested that we could try and find her Mum, if she was clean and sober we would consider inviting her. We tried to locate Caron's Mum without any success, we even asked Barbara if social services could help. Barbara looked into it, and she came back with no news. There was no record of her passing away, it just seemed as if she had disappeared completely. Caron asked that we not devote any more time on finding her Mum. "I have the family I want right here."

Knowing my brother was going to be there, I asked him to be my best man. Gary agreed, he had got permission to wear his number one uniform on the day. Caron picked two girlfriends from work to be her bridesmaids. Normally Mum is a relaxed person, she doesn't get flustered. As the wedding day got closer Mum was fretting about anything and everything.

"Mum, calm down, it's all arranged." I assured her. She was driving Dad nuts worrying about things.

The night before the wedding Caron stayed at Mum and Dad's, upholding the tradition that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride the night before the wedding day. Gary stayed at our house to keep me company, his girlfriend stayed at Mum and Dad's.

Gary and I went out for breakfast in the morning, we avoided going anywhere near Mum and Dad's house. Strangely I didn't feel nervous, we laughed and joked as we ate. Back home I showered, shaved and got dressed in my suit. Gary did the same, I had never seen him in his number one uniform. We stood around chatting to relatives and friends until it was time to go inside the church.

Mum smiled at me from the front pew, Gary and I were talking quietly to each other. His girlfriend sat just behind us, I saw her smile at Gary a few times.

"You're next mate." I joked.

"I know. I am going to propose next month when we are on holiday, I only have another year before I leave the Army. If I am getting married then I'm getting out."

We both turned and looked as the wedding march started playing. I had never seen Caron looking so beautiful, her dress was amazing. Something I noticed was that Caron had her hair straightened, she had spoken about it before. I wasn't sure how it would look, but it looked amazing. She was wearing her hair up as well. Dad looked so proud as he walked her down the aisle, Mum was dabbing her eyes with a tissue. I looked at Caron and mouthed the words 'I love you.' she smiled back at me.

When we exchanged vows I spoke clearly, I was told later it was very clear, the guests at the back heard me. Caron spoke quietly, I heard her and that was all that mattered. When the vicar said I could kiss the bride I didn't hesitate, we kissed and turned to face everyone. Caron held my arm as we walked out of the church as man and wife. As we walked back down the aisle I wondered what the future held for us. My one hope was that we would be as happy as my parents after being married for over thirty years.

