The Greatest Sacrifice

[Shezza]

What a fantastic chapter. I loved it because they were actually talking their way through their problems and not just ignoring them or just jumping in to bed together. So well written. Please keep writing this I know Tony and Rachel are not in the show anymore but I love this story and want to follow it to the end. I hope you write more

[soph1303]

Don't think I've ever commented on this story, but i've read all of it now, and I really enjoy reading it .

More soon please

[TachelHolden]

Haha laura I can't reply to your pm won't let me for some reason, and that thing we were talking about I can't help you I'm more adult nursing lol. I wonder who the persistant reader is??? Hmmmm loved it tachel are so cute wish they were still in h&a

[Sabrina]

Great chapter!

I'm glad Tony and Rachel talked things through.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

[charmed60]

Wow wow wow thank you for such an amazing response! I'm surprised I'm still getting readers seeing as none of my characters are current cast anymore but to see all my regular reviewers (Red Ranger, Carina, Zetti, Suzanne, TachelHolden and Sabrina) as well as new readers (Shezza and soph1303) You guys don't realise how much it makes me happy to know you're enjoying my story Again life has been nonstop lately, I'm in the middle of a huge writing project for my job so all my time goes on that but I just realized that I had a little bit that I'd written that I haven't posted yet so thought I'd share it with you all I'm trying to write the next bit to now so fingers crossed it won't be too long.

Hope you all have a wonderful and happy Christmas Thank you for all your comments, past and present.

“Morning sunshine” Tony smiled as Rachel squinted and blinked her eyes against the light.

“How long have you been awake” she sleepily croaked; the sound of the waves outside causing an instant peace to wash over her.

“Only about an hour” he shrugged, turning over onto his side as he brushed a stray piece of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

“You haven’t been staring at me have you” she cringed, her cheeks blushing.

“Only a little bit” he whispered; a sly smile on his face. “It’s just so nice to see you looking so relaxed. It makes me happy.”

“It’s because I’ve gotten to spend so much time with you” she beamed, linking her fingers through his. “And last night kind of helped to” she winked, giggling as Tony

leaned forward and kissed her.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it” he whispered, running his hand over her hair. “Did you want to take a walk on the beach? You can borrow my boxers.”

“That would be appreciated” she laughed.

“Come on then” he grinned, placing his hand inside the top of his bedside drawer before grabbing Rachel’s hand.

“What right now” she shrieked, “at least let me have a shower first.”

“Don’t worry about that love, it’s not like we’re sharing the beach. There’s no-one around.”

“Okay you win” she sighed, “what have you done to me.” Rachel scrunched her hair in her fist in an effort to make it look more presentable before Tony pulled her out of the door.

“I thought we were going for a nice relaxing walk not a sprint” Rachel called after him as he quickly made his way along the beach. He was looking around the beach

distractedly as if he was searching for something; Rachel’s hand still tightly gripped by his.

“This looks like a nice spot” he breathed deeply, finally looking at Rachel with a nervous smile on his face.

“A nice spot for what?” Rachel hesitated; raising her eyebrows at him.

“Rach, I know how you’ve been through hell this year” he frowned, holding her hands tightly in his. “And because of that I know how important it is to you to feel secure and stable and I want to be able to make you feel like that.”

“You do” she interrupted, a grateful smile playing on her lips.

“But I want you to know that despite all the madness and insecurities in your life; there’s one constant thing that’s never going to change. And that’s me. I want you to feel safe and loved and I’m getting really nervous so I’m just going to blurt it out so…I wanted to know” he swallowed heavily, his mouth dry with fear. “I wanted to know if you’d marry me.”

Rachel froze, her face falling as she struggled to comprehend what he’d just asked her. She was aware of his eyes boring into her, begging her to respond but no matter how much she tried to; she couldn’t move a muscle.

“Rach erm” Tony sweated, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “Look as much as I know you need security, I also know that you’ve been overwhelmed with everything and the last thing I want to do is make that worse for you.” He cleared his throat, hoping she would take opportunity of his pause and talk to him, but she still didn’t answer. “We don’t have to get married straight away; I’ll wait years if I have to…”

“You wouldn’t mind?” she feebly interrupted, her voice shaking with nerves.

“No, no of course I wouldn’t” Tony insisted, breathing a slight sigh of relief. “In fact, that’s what I was thinking anyway. I wanted to propose to you so that you knew how committed I was to you but I was thinking that we could hold off the wedding until you’re ready and settled back in again. However long that takes.”

Rachel smiled at Tony, ashamed of her reaction. “Tony I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to be such a downer when you’re doing such a beautiful thing” she apologised, cupping his face in her hands. “Like you said though everything’s just been really overwhelming for me and we’re only just getting back on track again. I just don’t want to rush into anything.

“That’s okay” Tony smiled sadly; part of him disappointed that she wasn’t as excited as he hoped she would be.

“You need to know that I do love you though, so much. You’re the only reason that I’ve been able to get through this past year and I don’t ever want to be without you.

You’ve kept me strong and never given up on me and because of that” she paused, the corners of her mouth turning, “I would love to marry you.”

“You would” Tony smiled, “I really thought you were going to turn me down for a second there” he sighed, breathing in deeply.

“I’d never turn you down” she beamed, kissing him passionately. “You sure you don’t mind waiting a little while?” she whispered, running her hands through his hair.

“Seeing as I was going to wait seven years for you to be released; I think I can wait” I winked, returning her kiss. “Did you want your ring?”

“You got me a ring” Rachel beamed, anticipation building as Tony reached his hand into his hoodie pocket.

“Of course I got you a ring” he laughed, opening the box nervously for her. “I’ve had it since before you went inside; I was planning on proposing to you after the trial. I was so convinced you’d be coming home.”

“You’ve had it that long?” Rachel tearily exclaimed, casting her eyes on the beautifully intricate diamond. “Tony it’s so beautiful, it’s…perfect” she gushed; “okay now I’m crying.”

“Happy tears I hope” he smiled, wiping her tears with his thumb before placing the ring gently onto her finger.

“Very happy” she smiled, wrapping her arms tightly around him as she kissed his lips. Closing her eyes she felt the weight of the world lift slightly off of her shoulders. After the most horrific year imaginable, Rachel relished in the realisation that things were finally starting to look up.

Preview:

Tony is concerned about Rachel's request, will she be able to go through with it?

[HighwayUnicorn]

Deleted.

[Red Ranger 1]

Awww, that was lovely.It was a nice gesture of Tony's and I like that he understood it would be hard for Rachel and was willing to wait.Hope you have time to update this soon!

[soph1303]

Great update,

Glad that Tony was so understanding about how she's feeling !! And she said yes !!

More soon please

[Shezza]

I have missed this story I am loving Tony in this story. Can't wait to read more

[Zetti]

Aww. That was a very cute chapter, it was really sweet of Tony and I am glad Rachel accepted the proposal

So looking forward to more