Can't Buy Me Love - The End!!

Suddenly Marina's passion became her downfall. She was desperate to see Adam, she refused to even think of him as Nathan any more, but she was reaching the end of a semester in college, had pressing assignments, lots of work. She'd wanted to put this first, over everything, now she wasn't so sure...but she couldn't walk away.

A few days later she plucked up the courage to call Paula. The only contact to Adam that she had.

"Can I speak to Adam Paula?" she asked when the older woman answered the door.

"Is that Marina? WOW!" she could hear Paula click her teeth in a tut. "He's on an assignment, can't be reached..."

It was Marina's turn to scorn, "can't believe you Paula! You were ALWAYS in touch with him when he was with me, and you are on all his other cases I'm sure! I'll expect contact from him..soon! Otherwise I'll find him myself whatever the cost, and will explain EXACTLY what you're doing and what your game is!"

Paula spluttered into the phone, "Excuse me?"

Laughing Marina changed the phone to her other ear, "I want to speak to the man I love, the man who loves me, and yet his confidante, supposed best friend, hah...his ONLY friend, is deliberately blocking me...I need to ask Adam why that would happen? Wonder what conclusion he'd come to? The same as me? Tell him!"

She hung up before Paula had the chance to respond.

For what good it did. She heard nothing from her....or Adam. She had three deadlines before she could relax, and it was well into November before she had the chance to plan an attack, to work out what she was going to do. This time it was after full discussion with Heidi and Sara, both were encouraging and supporting her in this difficult time, Heidi was outgoing, a go-getter, whereas Sara was more cunning and secretive. The perfect combination. As Marina boarded the non-stop flight from Heathrow to LAX she was still unsure of how to play this. If Paula had told him she'd called and he'd not returned it....then this was her making a fool of herself. If she hadn't told him....then this could be everything. Not easy and her nervous stomach as she soared across the Atlantic deprived her from sleep. She was going to look anything but her best after 12 hours of travel. But then she took a deep breath, he'd seen her at her best, and her very worst, all before he'd told her he loved her. She just needed to remember that!

The flight was long, she managed to watch a few films, nothing she was keen on, but they passed the time. She loved tomato juice when she flew, but this time she did sneak vodka into a couple of them! What the hell would 'Nathan' say if he saw her drinking to calm her nerves? She remembered the repeated lectures she'd had from the tutor's at the DUI school, 'planning your drinking', 'drinking for confidence', drinking to cheer you up', 'are all signs that you're becoming dependent!'

Sighing she threw the last Bloody Mary down her throat and prepared to land. She had bad memories of Los Angeles, and hoped that this trip would bring her more luck and fortune than the previous.

It was late evening when she got out of the airport arrivals lounge. She had intended to head straight to Adam's office in Culver City, but at eight pm not even Paula would be there. So she got a cab to a nearby airport hotel knowing that dinner and a good night's sleep would help her considerably in her battle the next day.

There was a KFC near the hotel, it required less pomp than going to the in house restaurant, so she ordered a take away meal and took it back to the hotel. In her room she turned on CNN and watched the democrat presidential candidate talk to the nation, followed by a roundup of the weekend's NBA action, since her trip to the Lakers with Adam she had taken more than a passing interest in the league's results. She tried to sleep, but it eluded her. She knew that the key to beating jetlag was to attack it head on and live at the current time zone. She needed to sleep. So she hit the gym, jogging, cycling and cross training. When she could barely see for the fog of exhaustion, she showered quickly then hit her bad....hard.

She woke fairly early but felt refreshed. It was the nerves of the coming day that disturbed her, not any sense of jetlag. Marina wasn't sure she could deal with rejection now, after all that had happened, but she also knew she had to know. For sure.

Determined to confront Paula as well as find Adam, she ordered a taxi early, taking her to the Culver address she knew held his office. His base. The only place she could guarantee to find him or a link to him. The elusive Scarlet Pimpernel!!

It was a beautiful November day; the sun was low in the sky but warmed the air to a temperature that made a t-shirt more than bearable. The drive to the office took a while; the traffic was heavy despite it being mid morning. The address she had turned out to be a renovated warehouse that was now split into light and airy loft offices. The security/information desk was manned by an elderly gentleman with a large gray handlebar mustache, who directed her to both the lifts and office on the fourth floor.

Her heart was racing, nausea threatening to overpower her as she ascended to the correct floor. Up on this, the top level, it was a rabbit warren of closed corridors, small unmarked doors not revealing the contents of the rooms they hid. Fourth door on the left she'd been told.

Knocking she waited a few moments for an answer before trying the handle. It opened, first time. Sat behind an old-fashioned mahogany desk, tapping into a laptop was Paula. Over her left shoulder was an open door, a further even more regal desk visible through the doorway.

As the older woman's eyes lifted Marina realized she was talking into a phone. A look of pure displeasure swept over her face, briefly, and then she was the usual 'amenable' Paula.

"I have to go....something's just cropped up. I'll call you later!"

As she hung up, Marina felt her confidence grow, leaning against the doorjamb she watched the other woman flap.

"What a surprise!" Paula floundered to find a conversation that made any realistic sense. Instantly Marina knew that Adam knew nothing.

"Where is he? Don't give me 'still undercover'...I want to know now!"

Paula grinned in a nervous way, "he finished his case. He's taking some time, renting a house..."

"I don't give a shit; I just want to know where he is! I'm sick of all this. Did you tell him I called?"

Paula tried not to look too embarrassed, "he hasn't been up to talking yet...."

"Where is he?"

She leant over the desk and scribbled on a piece of paper, "renting a house in Malibu, he needs time....space."

"I'll let him be the one to tell me to piss off thanks!"

Marina snatched the address then headed out of the office.

She didn't feel quite as brave as she strode out into the warm day. There were no taxis around so she called the number on the card the driver had handed her earlier. A vehicle was with her in ten minutes but Marina really needed some strength, to recoup, so she went back to the hotel. She needed to prepare, mentally, and physically.

A visit to the beach, even in a Californian winter called for different attire to an office rendezvous across the City. It was warm here, but there'd be a breeze at the beach. Her current skinny jeans, heeled boots and fitted jacket would look ridiculous. Back at the hotel she changed into flared linen wraparound trousers, a sleeveless tunic and flip flops. The taxi driver waited this time and she paid the horrendous fare once he dropped her at a small beach front house just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

Marina's legs were shaking as she made her way along the drive way to the house. Sitting back in her London flat this seemed such an easy and simple plan. Now here, in reality, it was anything but. Could she cope with him walking away, rejecting her? What if he laughed in her face?

A gentle tap on the door yielded nothing, so she knocked a little harder. The only response was the gentle rustle as the surrounding trees jigged in the wind.

Of all the scenarios she'd thought about, him not being there wasn't one of them. Back on the road she headed towards the shopping center she'd noticed the taxi pass a half mile back towards the City. What to do? She wondered as she kicked at the dust in frustration this was her one hit, her one chance. Now she was stuck here with no way of finding him. Suddenly alienating Paula earlier in the day didn't seem such a great idea.

Marina had only made it a few feet along the highway when she glanced to her right, spotting a few people huddled on the sand, or astride surfboards in the depths waiting for the perfect wave, she suddenly wondered if he was on the beach. He'd once told her he'd love to surf, after being brought up in the depths of Nevada he craved being at one with the ocean. Maybe this was his plan, maybe he was out fulfilling that dream?

It inspired her, after all him achieving one of his dreams was a sign that he was putting himself above work, above others...for the first time. Kicking off her shoes she picked her way across the sand. It was cool between her toes and she savored the sensation, her eyes craning to scrutinize all the people gathered in her view. Too short, too heavy, definitely too female. She ticked each one off as she crossed the beach. Dropping on to the sand thirty feet from the water Marina studied each of the remaining four water based surfers.

Two surfed in on a wave dumping them in the shallows before immediately turning and paddling back out. The next one cruised in wobbling frantically yet staying afloat. And as she watched him triumphantly grab his board and stride through the shallows, she knew this could be no one other than Adam, throwing his board down onto the sand, he made a 'having a drink' gesture to the remaining surfer.

Marina gasped; reaching behind himself Adam unzipped his wetsuit and slid his arms out. She'd dreamed of that chest SO many times, but her dreams had never recalled with such vividness the broad Pecs, flat abs and the smattering of hair that tracked down to the waist band of his dark shorts.

Dry mouthed she waited patiently as he toweled dry his hair, then that glorious chest, finally he lifted his eyes and scanned the sand lazily. Marina could see the second he realized it was her, his eyes had glanced over her in that loose, free manner before his head shot back and his wide eyes studied her intently.

Half staggering Adam dropped his towel then with indecisive steps crossed the short distance to her.

"Marina?" his voice was a breath. So much fear behind that husky word.

Marina stood slowly to her feet, "yep, it's me." Managing to keep her fear her nerves under wraps her voice was strong.

Their eyes were locked on each other, and nothing else seemed to matter anymore. She drank in his face, his expression of wonder, amazement.

"I finally read your letter." She eventually offered.

He shrugged in a nonchalant manner, "well, it wasn't meant to be...."

She held up a hand to silence him, "I've come all this way to talk, to explain."

"Come to the house, we can't do this here."

Without as much as a glance back he marched across the sand to a back gate that obviously led to the home he was renting.

"So you're a beach bum?" she offered following him into the cozy house.

He nodded, "an ambition of mine." He kicked the wetsuit off his legs and dumped it through a door to his right, then stood facing her in just his shorts. "Anyway. What are you doing here Marina? We said all there was to say in Paris."

Shaking her head, she restrained him with a hand on his forearm, "I wanted to explain to you Adam." Ignoring the flinch at her use of his name, she plundered on. "I should never have flown off the handle in Paris. I overreacted, and then ignored it all for months." She searched his eyes for that chink of hope in his veneer of determination. "You had to work; you had so much to you had to do. I know that, I knew it then. Will you accept my apology Adam?"

"Why are you calling me that?"

She smiled, "because it's your name. I love Adam Parkin. It took a lot to make me realize quite how much. I've been let down and ignored all my life, and I think I wanted you to fail me too. If you hurt me then I'd be justified in my suspicions of you....my suspicions of everyone. Poor Marina...it's a facade I grew so used to. I think I've dewelled on it!"

Adam was looking at her, his face incredulous. "Marina, I accept the apology, and want to say the same, neither of us really behaved like an adult."

"We're both hurt, both nervous, damaged goods y'know? I came all the way here to say I want another chance, I've had so much time to think, to work out where I went wrong."

He shook his head and left the room. Following him she found herself in a small kitchen, "Adam, please. You told me you loved me. I really need to know if you still feel that same way."

"I can't do this....you deserve more!"

Marina laughed, "Deserve more? Who do you think I am? Some princess? I'm just Marina, troubled, screwed up Marina, who hasn't slept properly since you walked out on her six months ago. I want you Adam, not Nathan, not Peter...ADAM PARKIN. That's the man I've fallen in love with, and the man I want to get to know a lot better."

He turned to her, "Marina..." And there it was that gasp of desperation. He wanted her, wanted this too.

She placed a finger across his lips, the first contact they'd had in months and it was such a surreal feeling. Her body perspired, her heart raced. With a deep breath she reached up and placed her lips where her finger had been. For a moment there was grim determination, his lips were firm. Then suddenly with a groan they yielded, his lips parted his tongue flew into her mouth, a harsh aggressive passion as he swept her into his arms. Marina's heart soared as she pressed herself against the length of him, her hard breasts pushing into his still damp chest, her pelvis pressing into his, uncaring that she was getting wet. It was everything she wanted, everything she'd needed all these months.

Pulling back she looked up at him, "I am SO sorry Adam."

He shook his head, "I flew off the handle Marina, I was as bad. It's always been easier on my own, not having to think or deal with anything, anyone."

Stroking his cheek gently she smiled, "well it's tough shit because now you HAVE to think about me. I have no intention of going anywhere!"

With a groan he pulled her back into his arms and devoured her, backing her up the stairs leaving a trail of her clothing as he managed to negotiate them both to the bedroom.

Ten years later

"Are you ready?" a deep male voice shouted up the stairs. Marina stood looking in the mirror, the Vera Wang dress seemed to fit her like a glove, a long creation of red silk, coating her curvy body.

"As ready as I'll ever be!" she mumbled to herself before leaving the room.

Stood in the hallway of their home was Adam, looking as stunning as ever in a perfectly tailored tux, a crisp white shirt spanning his chest, his dark hair with the slightest hint of gray curling around his collar.

"Wow!" he was looking up at her as she tried her best to descend the stairs elegantly. "You look...."

"Divine!" added a voice from behind them both; turning gracefully she smiled at Heidi who stood heavily pregnant in the doorway watching them both. She was having her fourth baby, another to add to their happy brood. "Now go enjoy yourself and don't worry about anything!" She held up her phone, "I'll call if I need to, now go!"

She almost pushed them out to the waiting limo.

Adam grinned, reached down to gently kiss Marina's lips, before leading her out of the house.

Had she ever been happier? She asked herself as the car cut through the London traffic.

After their explosive reunion at the Malibu beach house there was still so much to sort out. Her career was important, but so was Adam, and they had to work out how to get through this. Surprisingly Adam resigned the following day. Deciding he'd hidden from life for long enough. After two weeks of sexual heaven and love in a house that was sound tracked by the swell of the Pacific Ocean, they parted. Marina to return to London, Adam to Vegas, he finally needed to be there for Emma.

Three weeks later they met up in France, traveling to Heidi and Alex for Christmas. And since then they'd barely been apart. Her course was grueling, but coming home to Adam every night was a bliss she never thought she'd have. He was experimenting with his cooking, domesticated life, for someone who'd lived out of a hold all for years.

But he'd got bored. She'd feared he would and it scared her. But rather than sinking into depression, he bought a laptop, and started to write. His life, growing up, the Marines, his years in various roles for the FBI, and eventually the job that changed it all...supervising the daughter of a man suspected of multiple frauds.

When he finally let her read the story she laughed, cried, her heart broke for him all over again. So as she graduated and got a junior job on a broad sheet newspaper in London, he was touting his story to publishers, at her insistence. It was not only a best seller, but tonight, a few years on it was a movie, a huge Hollywood budget, and they were guests of honor at the London Premier.

Marina sighed as they sights of London flew past the window. Adam was taught beside her, this was an invasion into his life and she knew he was finding the magnitude of this difficult.

"Hey," she squeezed his hand. "You ok?"

He nodded, "nervous, y'know? What if they hate it?"

Grinning she leaned across and kissed his cheek, "if the film bombs it doesn't matter you won, didn't you? Overcame the odds to be here...now!"

He grinned, "I know, I still pinch myself sometimes to make sure it's real!"

She laughed loudly and he sighed at the beautiful sound, still unable to believe that this wondrous, beautiful young woman was his wife. Their wedding, a very small event in Paris was the second best day of his life. They'd waited until she graduated to marry, and just days before their wedding day he had the confirmation that his book was being published.

Marina hated her job, the world of journalism a long way from the romantic ideals in her head, so a year later she'd found a PR job with a charity similar to Amnesty International it worked to highlight political and economic struggles around the World, and she LOVED it. Both happy, married and content in life, in couldn't have got any better. Then Nathan came along. There could be no other name for their son, and suddenly Adam had the chance to be everything to his child...and then with Mia two years later, children, that he'd missed out on himself. This was the role he'd waited thirty five years for. And he lapped it up with relish.

Smiling at Marina he squeezed her hand, "you feeling ok?"

Nodding she laid a hand over her flat stomach, "I didn't have morning sickness with either of the others, no reason why this time should be any different!"

Marveling at her still petite frame, he knew how she'd bloom; grow rapidly as she had with her previous pregnancies, and that with each day, each inch on her waistline, he'd love her more. The vision of the girl he'd met almost thirteen years earlier was still fresh, her choppy spiky black hair was longer, tucked behind her ears in a cute sleek bob, but otherwise her face still had that youthful exuberance, her wit, humor and that sharp streak of stubbornness were all still there. How he loved battling with her over so many things, from parenting to what to eat.

Yep! Adam Parkin slid his hand into Marina's and grinned. Life did not get ANY better than this.