NEW BEGINNINGS

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

He looked at her and hugged her. He kissed her forehead and pulled her close to him

"Just let him stay a few more days"
"C'mon. Is he not stressing you?"
"How can you say that? He's adorable"
"I can't stay away from my son while I'm around"
"Then stay here. It's not big a deal. You can stay here for a while and go home later on in the week"
"You know I can't stay here forever "
"Just for a couple of days and I promise that I wouldn't stop you. Just stay till the weekends"

He sighed and nodded in agreement. He was going to do anything for her. With her birthday coming up, he had plans and he was going to throw the big question that day. He was going to ask her to marry him that day. He wanted to do everything with her now. He wanted to have her make his meals. He wanted to go to work and come back home to her. He wanted to have her in his bed every night and he wanted her to be the mother of his children. He pulled her closer and took her scent in. She fitted perfectly

Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. It was her birthday already. She got up from her bed and decided to have her bath. She turned off her phone because she didn't want any calls. She didn't want to have any surprises either.

***

"Her phone is switched off!" Dylan said to his best friend
"Then maybe you should go to her place. I would head to the venue and make sure everything is in place. You just tell her that you need to take her out for the day and you drive her there. It's not that much of a big deal"
"It kinda is. I want everything to be perfect"
"And it will be. Just do what you have to do and hope for the best"
"Hope for the best?"
"Yeah. I mean I know she's not ready to settle down"
"She's twenty-five today. How could she not be ready to settle down? She's been hinting on the marriage thing for a while now"
"Whatever you say though"
"What if she doesn't come with me?"
"Then tell her you have a meeting and you would like her to come with you for emotional support"

Gabriel said and his phone rang. He looked at it

"I have to pick this up. It's Lucia. I'm guessing she's there already. I'd see you there right?"
"Yeah sure"

Dylan said as Gabriel walked out. Dylan got his car keys and headed to Wanda's house. He got there and rang the doorbell, still calling her phone. There was no response on either of the two. He kept at it for some minutes before she finally opened the door.

"Hey, baby. Good morning" he said
"Uhm hey, what's going on?"
"Nothing. I just have this meeting and I would like you to come with me"
"Oh okay. Sure. I would go get dressed"
"Wait, hold up. Why is your phone not going through?"
"I turned it off"
"Why would you turn off your phone Wanda?"
"I turned it off because..... It's nothing to worry about. I'd get dressed"
"Uhm okay. Can you wear something nice? I mean, you look nice in everything you wear but can you go for a dress? I would love to take you out for dinner tonight"
"Who would look after little Gabby?"
"Gabriel would "

He said and she nodded. She went to her room, a little bit heartbroken. He had forgotten her birthday this year. She pulled out a black dress and slipped into a pair of heels. She let her hair down and applied some makeup. She went down to meet Dylan

"How do I look?" She asked
"You look amazing. C'mon "

He said as he grabbed her hand and headed to the car. They got to what looked like a hall. She smiled at him

"I don't want any surprises"
"Why would I surprise you? What's the occasion?"
"Oh, I thought..."
"Thought what?" He asked
"Nothing"
"Are you sure?" He asked

She nodded and got out of the car. She walked ahead and noticed he wasn't following. she looked back

"Babe, can you go ahead? I forget my phone in the car. I'd catch up"
"Sure"

She said and she entered the hall. It was pretty dark. She was definitely in the wrong place. She turned to leave and the lights came on. A loud happy birthday rang in the air. She smiled, she knew that Dylan couldn't forget her birthday. Lucia walked up to her and hugged her

"You know I don't want a surprise "
"Well, this is the least of surprises you'd be getting today," Lucia said as she showed her an engagement ring on her finger
"Oh my goodness, you're getting married!"
"Yeah, I am. He asked me yesterday"
"Congratulations, I'm happy for you"
"I am happier for you," Lucia said
"What do you mean?"

Wanda asked and Lucia turned her around. Dylan was there, on one knee. Tears welled up in her eyes

"Wanda, my love. The first woman to make me feel this way and probably the last woman I want to feel this way about. We met well, in high school. We were two teenagers who fell in love even though we couldn't handle it. Life hit us hard and we fell apart but we came back together, defiling all odds. It was hard but then we fought and we pulled through. You've been a mother, an amazing girlfriend, a partner, a confidant, a friend, the list is endless. You've been there for me right from the beginning and now, I want you to be there till the end. I want to go through thick and thin with you. I want to do it all with you. I don't deserve you but I want you regardless. Wanda, I want to start it all over with you by my side. I want new beginnings with you and I want to grow with you. I love you so much and I don't want to go on if it's not with you. So please, would you marry me?"

Silence hung around the hall. All eyes fell on her. She screamed yes and he stood up and buried his lips in hers. Tears flowed freely and she couldn't stop them. Finally, she could have all she wanted, a new beginning.