Lily’s POV.
I blink my eyes open when I feel drops of water and look up to see the dark sky then Ryan comes into my view. I slowly sit up by his support and drink some water he brings for me.
“Looks like my proposal really made you swoon just like Vance said.” Ryan says as he sits beside me.
“Is there any possibility that I was dreaming all of that?” I ask.
“Nope.” Ryan says with a small smile.
“Okayyyy.” I say as I try to understand what happened earlier.
“You should know this first before you answer that this was not spur of the moment decision. Guess girls aren’t the only ones who weave dreams.” Ryan says and I stop breathing for a second.
“Really?” I ask gingerly.
“Boys do that too. Please listen to me. When my and Freya’s marriage talk was going on, I only agreed because I was in a relationship with her for a long time and thought that was the next step. And when Freya denied somewhere in my heart I felt relieved. And I doubted that maybe I never wanted to be with her. And that feeling got confirmed when I met you.” He says softly and I am entranced as he speaks.
“When I met you, I never thought that I would think about spending my life with you after just one month but I did. And when I realised that fact I got scared and that is why when we had little disagreement about the future, I pulled that stunt on dinner.” Ryan says and I finally get the real reason behind his behaviour.
“But I got more scared when I thought that I was going to lose you, so I made the decision that I am going to do what my heart says. And spending time is what my heart wanted the most. I got so used to you that it again started to make me feel scared that what if you are not there where I am and that stage is, love. There used to be many nights where after you were asleep I used to whisper in your ears about how I feel.” Ryan says as he kisses my hand and single tears run down my cheek.
“Then why did you tell me that you don’t know when I asked you?” I ask.
“It was stupid of me. I was trying to make you believe that I want a relationship but not something else but actually I was planning this all for you, so I could surprise you and also it could lessen some of the hurt I caused. I have been carrying this ring for a month now. I was ready to propose for marriage but you are still so young and I thought maybe you don’t want the same and would totally freak out. That is why I tried to know your thoughts on some things.” Ryan says sheepishly.
“That is why you were asking how long I want to keep working and at what age do I want babies?” I ask in astonishment.
“Yep. But then Freya came and created the mess. That night I wanted to really punch myself for hurting you but then I let Vance do it instead. I freaked out when you said that you don’t want to be with me and I didn’t want you to go. I now know how you must have felt at that time. In just three months, I realised that I could not get anyone better than you or to better put it, I did not want anyone but you. Because by then I came to the conclusion that you are the only one for me. So, I will ask you this again. Lily, will you marry me? Because I love you so so so much.” Ryan says as he again holds out the ring box to me.
Instead of answering him, I hug him and say as I sob, “I love you too.”
I never thought Ryan and I were on the same page. I never thought he really loved me. Emma was right that I should not make assumptions about what and how he feels. I stay in his embrace as I try to process everything.
“So what is your answer?” He asks.
I chuckle and take the tissues he offers when I come out of his arms. I wipe away the tears and go to answer him when I see my bag behind him and realise that we have to talk about one more thing.
“One more question then I will answer yours.” I say.
“Okay.” Ryan says as he cleans my face of tears.
“What do… What do you think about… kids?” I ask hesitantly.
“I would like to have them but only when you are ready. I know that you are still young and need some time as you said before. So I will leave the decision to you. Now can I get the answer? Because my knees are hurting and I really want to put this ring on your finger so I can be totally assured about us.” Ryan says.
“In a minute. What if I say that I want a baby next year?” I ask.
“As I said, it is up to you. If you want, I will give you a baby right now. Unless… you are on period.” Ryan says.
“Well I am not and I don’t think I will be for the next coming nine months.” I say and when he looks at me in confusion I continue, “What if I say that we don’t have to try but still we will get a baby next year?”
“That is not happening.” Ryan says as he looks offended.
“Why?” I ask in shock.
“I mean we will have a baby but not by some other means, by natural means. We can try that way when my method doesn’t work.” Ryan says and I understand what he misunderstood and stop him.
“You are such an… I mean to say that if I am pregnant would that be any problem?” I ask directly what I fear.
“You are pregnant?” Ryan asks as he looks at me in wonder.
“I… maybe I say.
“What do you mean by maybe? Let’s go to the doctor and confirm it.” Ryan says as he starts to get up.
“No, there is no need. I checked the kit and it was positive but I wanted to be hundred percent sure before that.” I say.
“So?” Ryan asks.
I take out the reports from my bag and give it to him and say, “You read and tell me if it is positive or not?”
“Fine.” Ryan says as he takes a deep breath and takes the reports from me.
“What does it say?” I ask after a few minutes when Ryan does not say anything.
“It says that you are pregnant for three-” Ryan says but I interrupt him.
“Three weeks. I knew I was pregnant somewhere inside.” I say as I feel the happiness bubble inside me.
“No, it says you are pregnant and you are three months along.” Ryan says by putting weight on the month and I look up at him in shock.
“That can’t be. Let me see it.” I say and take the report and see for myself and Ryan is right, I am twelve weeks pregnant.
“How come you didn’t know about it?” Ryan asks in confusion.
“Well I had a period for the last two months even though they were quiet no, a lot different from regular ones. And then I started getting actual symptoms for the last two weeks. Though now that I think about it I was feeling tired before also.” I say.
“You also used to get very hungry too and would sleep too much.” Ryan says.
“You are right. But I was just so busy with a new job and you that I thought it was all because of that. So?” I ask as I look at him in nervousness.
“So?” Ryan asks.
“So, are you not mad at me?” I ask.
“Why would I be mad? Even though I think you will be after you will know what I did?” He mumbles the rest of it but I hear it.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. So, we are going to be parents. Shall we not get engaged too?” Ryan asks.
“I would love that too.” I say and finally see relief in his eyes.
He is not worried that I am pregnant, nor is he upset. He looked happy by the news but he is so focused on getting the answer he is waiting for. So, I gave him my hand for the ring finally. He puts the ring on my finger and kisses my hand.
“I am so happy.” I say as I look at him through my tears.
“Me too.” He says.
“I am hungry too.” I say.
“Me too.” He says.
“We can eat later. First I need to kiss you.” I say and he smiles and kisses me.
“So, do you want to go out for dinner to celebrate our engagement?” Ryan asks as I lay in his arms on the couch.
“Yep. Let me go to my apartment and get changed.” I say as I get up and kiss his cheek.
“Why don’t you get changed here?” Ryan says and I feel that something is off.
“But I don’t have any clothes here.” I say.
“Yes, you do have.” Ryan says.
“But they all are not suitable to wear outside as they are night suits, I think.” I say as we go inside and I enter the kitchen to have one more glass of water.
“Why don’t I find something for you while you take a shower?” Ryan asks and smiles at him.
“Okay. If that is what you want. Wait a minute, isn’t this my mug? But I don’t remember ever bringing it here.” I say as I look at the mug that says *’Best Aunt Ever’ which Ethan wrote with his hands and gifted to me last Christmas.
“Okay. I have to tell you this.” Ryan says as he lets out a heavy sigh.
“What, dear?” I ask as I go near him and rub his arms.
“I kind of did a spur of the moment thing.” Ryan says and I look at him in confusion.
“What?” I ask even though I don’t know why but I know what he did.
“I actually moved all your stuff in my apartment. So please don’t be mad.” Ryan says and I look at him in shock.
“What? But why?” I ask after a minute of processing it.
“Because I wanted to show you that I don’t care if Dad knows about us as I am going to marry you anyway. And also I officially wanted to live with you before marriage.” Ryan says simply.
I look at him and my heart melts. How can I stay angry with him while he looks at me with his cute pout face and especially not on the day when we got engaged and got such amazing news of becoming parents.
“Fine.” I say.
“Really?” Ryan asks in surprise.
“Yes. I want to live with you too. And I was not that eager to go back to the flower house. Don’t get me wrong, it was a beautiful gesture but it got me very nauseous in the morning.” I say as I make a face.
“So you found the meaning of flowers?” Ryan asks as he puts arm around my waist.
“Well there was no red rose. So, I didn’t have any clue that you love me.” I say as I put my arms on his shoulders.
“Well that’s because you were looking for it in the wrong place.” Ryan says.
“Really? Then where should I have looked for it?” I ask.
“Here. In my heart.” Ryan says as he takes out a single red rose from the inside of his coat.
“You are getting cheesy.” I say as I take it and smile shyly.
“Don’t you like it?” He asks.
“I love it.” I say and place a quick peck near his mouth.
“Let’s get ready and have a celebratory dinner.” Ryan says and nudges me towards the stairs for his room.
He has already gotten showered and just had to get changed. So, I take a quick shower while he feeds Lady and Teddy. I come out of the shower to see Ryan has placed a dress for me on the bed.
It is the dress I bought while I had gone on the mission with Kathy and bought it when I first saw it. I wear a pink halter neck satin dress with ruffled fishtail hem. As it has spaghetti straps, I take the coat with me.
As I wear the necklace that Ryan gave me, my eyes go to the ring. It is a vintage rose gold ring with oval shaped sapphire in the middle and small diamonds surrounding it. It looks beautiful and I see there is something written inside.
I take out to read and my throat gets choked up with tears again. It says, ‘Ryan and Lily Anderson.’ and I wear it back with a new excited smile. Oh my god! I am engaged and going to be Mama too.
I calm myself down and take some deep breaths, still the excitement keeps bubbling inside me. I wear flats as I don’t want to take any risks and pin up half of my hairs and leave rest to cover my bare back.
“You are glowing not because you are pregnant but because of my love, would be Mrs. Anderson.” Ryan says with a smirk.
“Well that is true. But it feels so weird to be called that.” I say and he kisses my hand which has his ring.
“Well you should get used to it.” He says with possessive heat in his eyes, “We should go before I change my mind to celebrate it another way.”
“What about Teddy and Lady? Where are they?” I ask as I look around for them.
“I called in help. He will be looking after them while we are out.” Ryan says.
“You think of everything, don’t you?” I ask as we get inside the elevator.
“Not always. But from now on, I always want to think of everything for you and this little one.” Ryan says as he puts his big hand on my belly which I now notice has a slight bump but not much noticeable.
I put my hand on his and smile up on him and say, “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Ryan says and that words have become my favourite words in the world.