Chapter 43

I watched as he got down on one knee, pulling out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a beautiful ring.



I gasped once again, covering my mouth and my eyes widening.

Oh my God.

" Keith." I breathed out behind my hand, not knowing what to say or do.

My knees felt weak and my stomach was swirling with butterflies.

" Akiandra my Angel, a patient woman you've been, one who never gave up on me even if at times I proved to not deserve you, in the slightest. You are one of a kind my sweet, an Angel sent from above, just for me. We may not have started out the cliche or romantic type of way, but our story is not worth to be defined as such, simple or compared to others. Our story is ours to tell.

I've done so many mistakes with you that at often times I wondered how you could still stay with me. You saw something in me, something undiscovered, something unknown and with that, you held on till my walls broke, your heart reached out to me and captured my own. Without you, I'd be left bare and cold and I don't want that.

I'm in need of you, wherever I go, I'm in need of your kisses, your hugs, your smile and more. Most importantly I'm in need of your strength, your faith in me and definitely your yes.

A yes to our story, with hearts combined, not one searching the other no, this time for us as one.

Will you marry me, the right way this time?"

" Yes." I murmur, a tear slipping out.

A smile breaks out of my face just as the crowd erupts in cheers. He slides in the ring on my finger, it's coolness bringing goosebumps on my finger. He rises to his feet and immediately pulls me to him, capturing my lips for a sweet kiss.

I blush so hard when he breaks the kiss, and has me facing everyone. I hide into his chest, looking down at my feet, a smile on my face.

"How do you feel Akiandra?" My head snaps up in surprise, that someone has just acknowledged me.

" Come on my beautiful wife, answer them." He whispers in my ear, kissing behind it before leaning back.

" Uh hello." I wave awkwardly, blushing under their eyes.

This only seems to make them chuckle, watching me in amusement. The flashes have ceased now and most are just watching me, looking interested?

" To answer your question. I'm so happy, my heart feels like it'll burst out of my chest." I say, stealing a glance his way, his smirk making my blush to deepen.

I hear awws and oohs.

" I know people may not know me but I want to say, I'm just a woman in love, her heart belongs to one man and I can't express how grateful I am, that we didn't get kicked out for ambushing Mrs Jill And Gregory Salvatore's night." People laugh at that.

" Anyway, I won't waste anymore of your time, so thank you everyone and God bless you." I say, turning to Keith, who takes my hand and leads me off the stage.

As if people had been waiting, we are soon bombarded by congratulations and best wishes. The attention gets so overwhelming that all I do now is nod with a smile, listening to them talk. I grip Keith's hand, trying to get his attention when I feel a bit suffocated.

His response, is him dragging me away from people and away from the party and into a hallway.

" Where are we going?" I ask, trying to keep up with him.

" We need privacy." He mutters, giving me a quick glance over his shoulder before continuing.

We soon find a private room with a balcony.

He guides me to a long couch with comfy cushions, settling beside me with my legs across on his lap.

We stay seated, just staring into each others eyes, no words being said.

The love I have for this man is beyond words. He is just perfect for me, the right one for me. His eyes that always seem to hold me in a trance, are shining and are happy.

This is what I've always longed to see his eyes express, this gives me a peace of mind, to know that I make him happy. Doubts have no place right now as I stare at him. He pulls out the pins that held my hair, letting it fall around me.

" God you're beautiful." He breathes out, his thumb making circling movements on my cheek.

I look down at my lap, blushing.

The ring on my finger shines and sits proudly. It's so beautiful and unique with my favourite colour blue.

" What happened to the other ring?" I ask him looking up.

" It's kept in a safe place, but we won't be needing those anymore."

" Why not?"

" I meant it when I said I want a start over, that includes everything. "

" You don't have to- ."

" I need to. I've got something specially made for you." He says proudly.

" I can't wait to see it."

" Well I can't wait for the after, when I make love to you." I blush so hard at that. " I can't wait for us to travel and when I show you off to different parts of the world. God, I just can't wait to spoil you rotten."

" You already spoil me rotten." He scoffs at that.

" I haven't even started."

" You really surprised me tonight." I mention.

" I could say the same about you, showing up the way you did." He leans forward to rub my nose with his, before leaning back. " But I'm glad you did. Things wouldn't have ended up this way."

" Yeah." I smile at him.

" Why did you walk away, did you not trust me to handle the situation?" He asks.

"Honestly, I did, but that doesn't mean I could handle watching everything happen in front of me." I admit.

" I'm sorry." He says, stealing a kiss.

" Thank you for tonight." I say.

" You deserve the best. No exception." He tells me.

A small smile lits my face, as I rest my head on the head of the couch.

His hand rests on my cheek, his face curious." I'm happy you're here but what brought you here?"

My head shoots up, the smile slipping off my face when I remember another reason of being here.

I needed to tell him something.

My serious face gives him a hint that what I'm about to tell him is serious.

" Keith the doctor- ," I'm not aloud to finish, when I push off the couch and rush to an open door, leading to a bathroom.

I get down on my knees, lurching forward, throwing up my lunch. My hair is held out of my face and I cough out, breathing out the word water.

" Okay, stay here baby." He tells me, pushing my hair to the side and then rushing out of the bathroom.

Placing the toilet seat down, I place my head on it, sighing at the coolness.

I hear footsteps rushing in and Keith helps me to stand upright. Taking the water bottle from him, I start on washing off the bad taste, drinking after to cool off my dry neck. I'm then given a mint which I appreciate.

I sigh out when I'm done, closing my eyes for a moment and resting my head on his chest. " I need to sit down for a moment." I tell him.

He guides me back to the room, helping me down on the couch, resting my legs on his lap. I feel him stare at me before his palm rests on my cheek." What is wrong with you?" He says, sounding confused.

I open my eyes to look at him. His eyes show concern." This is more than a bloody fever." He says, almost growling out.

" I'm fine." I mumble.

"You're not bloody fine!" He snaps and I wince at that. " I'm sorry angel, I'm just so frustrated."  He breathes out, kissing my forehead.

" The doctor told me that it was more then a fever." I tell him.

" When did he tell you this?"

" When he - ."

" Kea! Kea - oh my gosh Kea I saw him and - ." Theresa barges into the room, her eyes quick to find us.

"Theresa."

" Oh my gosh Kea - What's wrong with Kea?" I'm too tired to look at her but I know the question was directed to Keith.

"I'm just tired that's all." I say, not even looking at her.

" She just threw up."

" What?"

" I'm taking you home, we need to call the doctor." He says, taking out his phone.

" But he already came." I tell him.

" What are you talking about?" He says, but then his phone rings.

" He said you called him." He frowns at that, standing up and taking a step away from Theresa and I, to answer the call.

Theresa takes his place, placing her palm against my skin.

" You're burning up. Shit, they did something to you. Kea answer me this, did you take the cream?"

" No, Sarah threw it away."

" Did anyone come see you earlier or did you eat something?"

" The doctor. He came earlier and gave me a shot."

" A shot?"

" Yeah to prevent pneumonia, you know for precaution."

" We need to leave, now!" Keith says, rushing over to pick me up, carrying me bridal style, I wrap my arms around him.

" Keith?"

" I'll explain later. I just need to get you out of here." He tells me, rushing us out of the room and heading to a different direction, then the one we all came from.

" What's going on?" Theresa asks behind us, probably trying to catch up.

Instead of answering, he stops and glances over his shoulder at Theresa. I don't know what look he gives her but whatever it is, makes her walk faster and ahead of us.

Keith guides us to a back entrance where the underground parking lot is. Alex is already waiting for us, all doors opened.

Keith places me on my feet and as carefully as he can, helps me inside. I move as far as I can to create space, Keith jumping in after me, pulling me impossibly close and Theresa sitting in the passenger seat.

As soon as all doors slam shut, Alex drives us out of there, speeding out of the premises. I turn to Keith, my head resting on his chest. He wears a blank expression but I know him better than that, he's tense and stressed.

"Keith." I tug at his shirt.

" Mhm?" He looks down at me.

" Do you know why I waited for you?"

He shakes his head no.

" Because my heart chose you first before I did."

We stare at each other for a while, till he leans in and captures my lips against his.

" I love you so much." He tells me.

" I love you more."

" Impossible." He says, nuzzling my nose with his, making me smile and to close my eyes while laying my head against him.

" I love you my first and last." I say, just to one up him, but of course Keith always wants to have the last word.

" I love you my forever." I chuckle at that, patting his chest.

I could never get tired of hearing him tell me he loves me.


We finally arrive at home and Alex takes the lead, walking ahead of us. Keith holds me close as we walk, refusing to let me go.

We enter into the house to find the house smashed and trashed. The furniture is broken and everything is a mess.

" What the fuck?!" Keith shouts, pulling away and walking ahead, only to be stopped by Alex.

" Sir, please stay back." Alex holds up his hand.

Right then, Alex pulls out his gun walking ahead.

" Where's Joe?" I ask before coughing.

Right when I mention his name, a scream comes from upstairs. The two men rush upstairs to see what's going on.

The coughing doesn't cease, my throat feels dry and scratchy." Hey, you alright?" Theresa asks, standing in front of me.

" Water." I breathe out.

" Okay." She says, rushing off.

The more I cough, my throat tightens and my air supply is closing on me. I stagger back, holding onto my neck, I hold my hand against my mouth.

Holding it out, I notice a red substance. Blood.

I'm coughing out blood.

My eyes trail up as my vision gets blurry, on the wall above, it's written two words.

SAY GOODBYE.

I stagger back in shock, tripping on my feet and falling on the floor, my hands planted on the cool tiles.

" Oh my God. Kea, Kea."

" Ke-Ke..." Because I can't get a word out, I try hold up my ring finger for her to see that I'm calling out to Keith.

I want to see him before I say goodbye.

' For better or worse, till death do us part.' Those were our vows to each other and I'll still stay true to them.

I want my last goodbye to be for him.

" Keith, Keith!!!" Theresa screams for Keith, her hands around me.

She's shaking, she mustn't cry for me, I'll be fine.

I hear loud footsteps come down the stairs, I don't have the strength to look up.

" Kea?....Kea!" I hear him before I feel him, his arms laying me against him.

" Kea?...Baby, angel...no, no." His hand pats my cheeks, demanding my attention.

I do all I can to blink away the blurriness, the tears wanting to block my view but I fight it all, just to see him one last time.

I see his beautiful face, his blue eyes shining as a tear slips out. No, he mustn't cry, my beautiful strong man. My Keith.

" No, no. Kea, keep your beautiful eyes on me. Don't you dare close your eyes."

Since I can't say anything, with my last strength, I place my palm right where his heart beats. My favourite song.

This is my way of saying I love you and goodbye.

He shakes his head." No goodbye, no goodbye." His voice cracks.

I hear distant crying but my focus is on him, only him.

I try smile but it's impossible, my body starts shaking, throwing up and closing in my air supply. Exhaustion hits me like a wave right after, before my body succumbs to no movement.

The last I see is him.

The love of my life.

My Keith.

Before my eyes close, blocking the world and everything, letting me take my rest.

Finally.