CHAPTER 46: The Proposal

CLAIRE’s P.O.V.

After we asked for grandma’s permission, she let us leave. We are now on our way to the park, where Darren said that he asked someone to help him set up a small picnic there. Alexa was happily sitting in the passenger seat, eating tons of popcorns while me and my daughter are currently sitting on the backseat. Cloey is now asleep, and I’m thankful for that because she’s saving her energy for later.

I often caught Darren glance at me in the front mirror. I’ll just smile, before I saw him blushing like a silly teenager. I’ll just laughed to myself, afraid that if ever Alexa, my little sister, hear it again, she will teased us nonstop.

“We are almost there,” Darren announced, looking glad by the sound of his voice.

“Yay! This is my first time going into that place! I wanted to see how does it look like!” Alexa energetically beamed.

I saw how Darren bit his lower lip, like he’s currently thinking about something. I wonder what is. Is it about their company? Maybe his Dad called him saying that he needed him to be there. Anything that could make him looked bother could be the possible reason for his recent actions.

When we finally arrived at our destination, Alexa hopped down from the car and she excitedly ran towards the wide field of the park. Cloey woke up just in time, looking happy after her short nap.

“Claire! Let me take Cloey there!” Alexa pointed her index finger towards the small gazebo made for children.

“Sure... Just keep a close eye on her. I’ll let you two enjoy the place for a moment.”

After I said that, Alexa took my daughter from me to bring her into the tiny gazebo. Cloey looked amused, seeing a place like this for the very first time. Her face was nothing compared to when we had our outing in a fancy resort.

“Let’s just let them enjoy the place first, Darren,” I told him as soon as he hopped down from the driver’s seat.

“Sure. Cloey looked so amused...”

“Yeah. She look exactly like you when I brought you to the park for the very first time...”

He looked at me, surprised for a moment before he secretly smiled to himself. But I still caught him.

“Why are you smiling?” I asked.

“Nothing... I just... I didn’t thought you would still remember that moment. I thought you already chose to forgot everything about us.”

I looked down, before smiling unconsciously. Yes, I’ll admit it. The day I found out that I was carrying his child, I tried to forget everything and chose to focus on my daughter. But as soon as I saw Cloey’s face, I instantly knew that I couldn’t forget him that easily.

“I tried. But I didn’t... Cause it turns out, I don’t want to forget, Darren. Even if you didn’t come here... I would never forget you...”

I saw a glint of red on his cheeks before I caught him bit his lower lip again. I could see that it was now swollen because of his doings. I don’t know when and where did he developed this kind of unhealthy habit.

“Why are you staring at my lips?” he asked, before waving his eyebrows up and down.

“It’s swollen, Darren,” I stated, worry is undeniably visible in my tone.

That’s when he realized that I wasn’t joking or something. The playful look on his face was now gone before I felt him reached for my hand.

“Are you... Worried about me?” he asked.

“Of course I am! You looked bothered since earlier...”

“I’m sorry... I’m just nervous, you know.”

“Nervous for what?” I asked, confused.

“Nothing. Please don’t mind me.”

He intertwined our fingers before we started to walk towards Alexa and Cloey’s direction.

“Is this your way of getting on my good side?” I asked, before I chuckled.

For all I know, we are just talking about something earlier and now he have my hand. I’m amused by how fast he got me because of that one simple conversation.

“Maybe. But seriously... Do you know what will make this swollen lips of mine even again?”

“And what is it, Mr. Herrera?”

“Your lips.”

I blushed, looking away for I didn’t want him to see me in this state. I heard him laughed, before he grabbed my waist so that I’m now closer to him.

“I missed you so much, Claire... And I love you. I’ll patiently wait for your response.”

I looked at him, feeling the butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to say something and answer that phrase right now, but I couldn’t anymore. Because as I was about to open my mouth to speak, Alexa ran towards us carrying Cloey.

“Hey! What took you so long?” Alexa asked us both.

Darren just laughed before he took Cloey from her arms. He then motioned us toward the large oak tree near by the small benches here in the park. I was surprised to see that everything has been set up in here. There are various of foods and other beverages for us. There is also a carpet laying down in the green, Bermuda grasses.

“Do you guys like it?” Darren asked us.

“I like it very much!” Alexa squealed before sitting there joyfully.

“How about you, Claire?”

“I love it. Thank you.”

Darren smiled before blushing, again. I couldn’t contain myself anymore so I let my hands pinched his blushing cheeks.

“Ouch!” he complained.

I just laughed at his reaction same as Alexa and Cloey. I sat on the carpet beside my sister, before I patted the space next to mine in order for Darren to sit here as well.

“What do you want to eat, my princess?” he asked Cloey as soon as we all sat down.

She pointed the pizza and Darren gladly gave it to her. I help him feed our daughter while Alexa is happily enjoying the food herself. After we ate, the kids decided to play around while Darren and I packed our things up. As soon as we finished cleaning, we sat beside each other on the carpet watching Alexa and Cloey play with each other.

“This is great... I mean, imagine having a big family with joyous children. Me sitting on the ground watching them play with my wife by my side, of course.”

He slowly put his arms around my shoulder, before pulling me closer towards him. I looked at him, before smiling mischievously.

“You’re taking granted of the moment,” I stated that made him laugh.

“Am I?”

“Yeah. Are you sure you’re alright though?” I asked, worried. I was taken aback when I saw his pale face. “You look pale, Darren. Are you sick?”

I face him, not bothering the close distance between us. I raised my hands towards his face and felt his warmth. He doesn’t have a fever or anything, in fact, he’s so cold.

“Look, I’m fine.” He grabbed my hand before giving it a kiss.

“Stop pushing yourself to the limit. Come on. Let’s head home right now.”

I was about to stood up when he pulled my hand, causing me to lost my balance and fall... At the top of him.

“Darren!” I tried to stood up again but he didn’t let me. Instead, he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist like he didn’t want me to go.

“Please don’t go...”

“The kids could see us!”

“Let’s just stay like this for a while, please... I just... I missed you so much. Could you imagine how long I waited for this moment to happen? I searched for you for more than two years... But I didn’t give up. Now that you’re finally here with me, I could say that it was all worth it. You are worth the wait. I love you so much.”

“D-Darren... Why are you telling me this right now?” I asked, trying to suppress my tears.

“Because I wanted to make you feel so special. I wanted you to know how much I really love and I’ve been longing for you.”

I couldn’t hold my tears anymore. I cried out of happiness. I just let him embraced me for a while, thinking that this moment was all worth it.

“Please don’t cry... I don’t want to see you crying...”

“But I can’t help it... I’m too lucky to have you in my life, Darren. I-I... I love you too.”

He looked surprised, and I know that he couldn’t believe it for a moment. He sat up, along with me.

“W-what did you say?”

“I still love you, Darren. I’m sorry if I just gave up before... I’m sorry if I leave you...”

He smiled, before hugging me tightly. I felt him showered me with a thousands of kisses on my hair.

“That’s fine, baby. Please don’t cry now... And hey...” He lightly pushed me away from his body before cupping my face. “I know I told you before that I’ll patiently wait for your answer... But now that you finally gave yours, I just got the assurance that I needed. Ms. Claire Braganza... My epitome of beauty... Will you be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me? Your answer will make me the happiest man on Earth if ever. Will you marry me? For real, this time...”

I covered my mouth in shocked as he pulled something from his pocket. A tiny box, to be specific. He opened it, revealing a silver ring with a small diamond at the center.

“Darren...” I cried.

“Will you? Please?”

“You don’t need to plead. I love you so much, Darren. And yes, I’ll marry you...”

A smile slowly formed on his lips before he grabbed me for a hug. I nearly laughed at his reaction, but the happiness inside of my chest was still the one who’s keeping my senses awake. It was a bliss of pure love and joy. He then took my hand and put the ring on my finger.

“It’s beautiful...”

“No. You are beautiful.”

I stare at him, my eyes still filled with tears. He cupped my faced, before he slowly moves his lips towards mine. It all collided with passion, love, and trust. The first time we kissed after we’ve been separated for more than two years.

Now that I finally got the man that I love, I realized that fate wasn’t so cruel after all. It brought us to each other again, after a long time of waiting. And now that we have each other along with our daughter, I couldn’t ask for more.