Taking the other glass of champagne, Addie thanked Charlie for the toast and drank the bubbly as everyone else did the same.  It was almost more than she could process.  Charlie was usually such a reserved, salt-of-the-earth kind of guy so this exuberance mannerism was quite shocking to Addie's sensibilities.  She thanked the crew for helping them to celebrate this moment in their lives and then politely asked for some privacy.  She wanted to be alone with her fiancee.

Fiancee.  She loved how that word sounded coming out of her mouth.  

The crew returned to their duties and Addie took the champagne glasses and sat them down on the deck of the boat.  She took hold of each of Charlie's hands in one of her own and she entwined their fingers. Holding their hands chest high she pressed herself against him.  Speaking softly she looked into his eyes, "Charlie Bryant, you have made me the happiest woman in the world.  I can not begin to express my joy in these gifts you have given to me.  Not because of their monetary value of them, but because of the thought and care you put into choosing the gift."

Addie smiled, "This is quite the original idea you came up with.  As for a house, if that is what you want than that is what we will do. I do not care where I live as long as it is with you."  She chuckled a bit, "I did not grow up rich.  In fact it was a very simple life, and there is much to say about a simple life.  In fact my twin brother rather enjoys it.  He would have it no other way."

Releasing Charlie's hands she moved hers to gently rub his hips, "In many regards I am a very modern woman, but it might surprise you that my views on marriage are still very traditional.  At the time of our marriage, all that I have, including the money my cousin has left me will be given to you as a dowry by my brother." 

Technically, Addie's wealth belong to her nearest male relative up until the point she married.  Tradition said that the dowry value was to be determined by that male relative and presented to the groom at the point of marriage.  Now there was nothing that said that Giovanni would have to give Charlie everything that Addie had, but Addie smirked knowing he would.  He would give it all to Charlie or she would take a wooden spoon to him until he did.  Nonna had taught her well.

"Money will not be an issue for us and with your permission I have some great plans for some very lucrative business ventures."  She smiled and wrapped her arms around Charlie's neck.  "All that is mine is yours.  All that I am is yours.  Now and for always, Charlie Bryant."  She lifted herself onto her toes to kiss Charlie deeply.

Charlie couldn't help but to let his hands and then arms wrap around Addie as she kissed him. He wanted to tell her about his own childhood, about his life, about his time away, about retirement, about everything. He wanted to remind her that he had a pension, and that she didn't need his permission to go into business. He wanted to ask her when he would meet her brother, and when she wanted to get married, and where.

Nothing came out except for a sigh though.

Heavenly sweet. That was the only way for Charlie to describe the scent of Addie as they lay there on the deck in the mid-day sun. Her soft skin still pale and she still thinner than she should have been. She was getting better, but Charlie would make sure she was right as rain before they got married. It was the one thing he knew she would want, to look good in her dress, and in the pictures that they would take if they could afford a photographer.

"You know that I would like a small house Addie. Just you and me for a while. I like the apartment, but when you get married, you're supposed to be the man of the house. I have to ask you something though. Do you want to stay in Chicago, or go somewhere small? I know you found someone to work for lately, and it's not your cousin, maybe that gives you some excitement, maybe it's just all you know here. We haven't talked about it. I could give you a happy life away from all of this if you want. Or, I can be your Charlie like I was for Billy. Whatever makes you happy."

Addie slide off Charlie to lay on her side next to him.  She kept her leg draped over his and she used her free hand to unbutton his shirt to expose his chest.

"I would like to stay in Chicago.  Eventually they will come back."  She did not say who, but she knew he would know.  Even out here on the lake she wanted to guard her tongue even if for no other reason than to form the habit.  "When they do, I would like to have done what was in my powers to see that it is a better place for the family than when they left.  I need to try and continue networking to that effort.  Don Winchester runs Chicago and will one day become the Godfather if the fates will allow it.  It is a great location to be in.  Already I seem to have gain some standing with him.  I will do well by him and in return I believe he will do well by me.  He seems to be a man worthy of my loyalty."

She used her finger tips to rub Charlie's chest lightly as they run through the fine, soft hair.

"As for being my Charlie, well, you already are my Charlie."  She grinned at him.

"I very much would like you to be in charge of my security, but perhaps we should consider having someone without the emotional ties be my bodyguard?"

Charlie sighed as he let his hand rest on Addie's upper thigh.

"Mmmm, I was afraid you would say that. I want to be honest with you. I'm afraid. Afraid that I will lose my purpose once you are healthy again."

He had picked up on her cue to leave names out, and so he followed suit as he continued.

"They won't have any need of me when they do come back. Not if you and are are married at least. He would never let me go back into being his body man. I don't think even you realize how much that gave me something. Now, you are my purpose. You being healthy and happy. Once you are though, what is there for me to do?"

He brushed her skirt up and out of his way so that he could caress her bare skin in the sun.

"I am very glad to be yours, your Charlie. I am just not so sure who your Charlie is yet."

He face fell slightly then. The words took on a new meaning now that he had spoken them out loud and not just in his head.

Charlie shook his head.

"No. Business was never in my blood the way it is yours and your family's. I was always built to protect people. I just don't know how to manage that nowadays. That's all."

He closed his eyes then and leaned his head against hers as they lay warming in the sun like two cats lounging in the rays of light through a window. If he didn't know better he would have said that Addie was the Queen of Sheba herself. Charlie knew better.

"We can figure it out once things are settled and I need purpose again. Right now. I have you, and that's enough."

He kissed her then as he rolled over. He let their bodies just barely touch, his way of inviting her for something later should she choose to celebrate in that way. Then he put both hands on the deck to give himself the leverage to stand. Once up, he held his hand out for Addie to join him.

"Come on my darling, you brought our swimsuits, let's go swim. Give the order and the captain will stop your boat for you."

Charlie pawed playfully at Addie as she snatched up some of the snacks and then laughed as he caught her.

"You might want to ask if anyone else wants to take a break. They are people after all, you know, and it IS hot outside."

He flicked his head toward the crew an watched as Addie went over to the captain and whispered something to him. He nodded in response and Charlie then too it upon himself to drag Addie over to the stern. He kicked a rope ladder over the side then and made to start down first.

"How well can you swim?"

He asked with a sheepish grin as he launched himself into the cool water of the lake. He reemerged a brief second later and looked up toward the boat.

"I must say this feels wonderful, you coming in?"

Addie smirked, "You do realize that I grew up on an island, right?"  Forgoing the ladder, Addie instead jumped off the edge of the ship aiming for the water just to the side of Charlie.  Curling herself into a ball she held her nose and grinned.  The shape was intentional and meant to create as big of a splash as she could.  Just before she broke the surface of the water she could hear Charlie's protest of the inevitable, "No! Addie!"

A moment later, Addie burst back above the surface laughing and expecting retaliation.