by Mary Nixon
I want to be loved by you and to belong to you."
He kissed me again... and again and again until my lips felt sore.
"Will you have dinner with me? Tonight?" He asked.
"I will. Where?"
"I will send a chauffeur to bring you to me." He said as he kissed my forehead. "I have to go meet someone. See you later my love."
I watched him leaving and I felt a strange sense of serenity running through me. All the pain I had felt suddenly became easier to bear.
James Lyons's POV
"I swear you are the most random man I know. You give me a heads up only a few hours to your master plan?" Jacob complained as we waited for the jeweller.
He gazed at Keira as she slept soundly in his arms.
"I can't wait for my twins to be born. I am so curious about who they will resemble." Jacob said with a smile on his face.
He was having twins. I envied him. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. Keira's sapphire eyes opened slowly as she smiled at Jacob. His hand was rubbing her belly gently.
"Two months to go mia amore." He said to her.
"I can't wait." She said with a smile.
Watching these two made me want to fix things with Bianca. She didn't know it yet but today I would make her mine. I loved Bianca with a fire that could burn down the world. My misplaced affection for Keira was simply based on the fact that she was pregnant... two years back Bianca had been pregnant too. When I look at her I imagine Bianca and I would have been parents by now.
"Mr. Bellingerre, Mr. Bale," the jeweller piped up excitedly.
He held out a small velvet pillow
with a ring on it... It was platinum with an asscher cut diamond stone. The ring looked divine. I carefully picked it as Keira smiled at me.
"Oww!" She said softly as tears welled up in her eyes. "You're proposing aren't you?"
"I am. I want to do it tonight and I need your help."
She smiled deviously.
"I am at your every command Tony. What do you need me to do?"
***
Keira's POV
Bianca was such a lucky girl. I wish I was as lucky as she was. When Jacob insisted that I accompany him to London, I was unsure. I was worried about travelling when I was already seven months along. I felt heavier than ever but I was happy that it was for a good cause.
I walked into Bianca's shop and found her reading through a bunch of receipts.
She saw me and looked up, a smile on her pretty face.
"Keira, what are you doing here?"
"I followed Jacob here. He says he is in London to see Tony. Do you know where I can find them?"
"Have you checked the office?"
"I don't know my way around London. Can you take me?"
She nodded.
Bianca's POV
Seeing Keira as large as she was in London scared me. She was struggling to walk and I could see how tired she seemed. Why would she follow Jacob to London?
"Why have you followed Jacob to London?"
"Because we had a spat and I want to fix things before Jacob and Keira junior come along."
"Wait! I thought you were having a son?"
"And a
daughter. I'm so excited."
She was having twins... I envied her.
"That's great. Let's go." I said in an effort not to make that moment awkward.
I stood up and pulled her up from the seat. She laughed at herself and we began walking slowly towards my Porsche. I helped her in and I followed. I drove to the Bellingerre Consolidated building.
"How are you Bianca?" She asked.
"I'm okay."
"I'm sorry about your baby."
"It's okay. I'm just happy Tony and I are on the same page."
But in reality, my heart was still bleeding over my loss.
"Do you love Tony?" She asked as I helped her out of the car.
I looked into her eyes and felt she was hiding something but I didn't want to bother her about it.
"Of course I do."
"Why aren't you two married by now?" She asked. "Hasn't it been four years already?"
"You have done your research haven't you?" I asked her with a smile.
"Jacob told me. Don't you want to be his wife?"
His wife. Two years ago I had been unwilling to commit. Now I wanted commitment more than my own life.
"I would love to be his wife."
"I would love to be Jacob's wife as well. If Tony asked you to marry him, would you accept?"
Keira was asking weird questions.
"In a heartbeat. Would you accept Jacob's proposal if he asked?"
Tony had mentioned that Jacob had shown him an engagement ring he had purchased for Keira. This girl didn't know it yet but her wish would come true sooner han she expected.
"In a heartbeat."
We giggled like teen girls as we made our way up the elevator. On reaching Tony's office, we met his P.A. She handed me a crisp white envelope and smiled as she left hurriedly.
I opened it and pulled out a white card with Tony's handwriting.
"Dearest Bianca, when I first met you I knew you would own my heart... I love you."
I smiled to myself and showed the note to Keira. She smiled too and started looking around.
"Are they here?" She asked.
"I don't think so. It's awfully quiet for a Friday afternoon."
Keira pulled out her phone and texted someone.
Keira's POV
I was dying to tell Bianca what was happening but I had to keep my mouth sealed.
Me: It's on... she said she would accept your proposal in a heartbeat. Where to next?
Tony: Brilliant!!! My hotel. Ask my P.A where I could be.
Me: Okay.
Tony: Don't tell her Keira. Keep it a secret.
Me: I promise.
I turned to Bianca who was still smiling to herself.
Bianca's POV
"What if we ask his P.A where they could be?" Keira asked.
"Good thought."
I spotted Sara walking our way and I stopped her. She seemed awfully excited. Maybe it was because of the weekend which was just a few hours away.
"Have you seen Tony and Jacob?" I asked her.
"Yes, a few minutes ago actually. They left for Tony's hotel. I think you can find them there."
I thanked her and off again we went.
We got to the hotel and the concierge opened the doors
for us. I walked up to the receptionist and greeted her. She smiled when she saw me.
"How can I help you Miss Bianca?"
"My friend and I are looking for Tony and Jacob. Have you seen them?"
She reached for something underneath her desk.
Another white envelope.
"I have but they left for his penthouse."
I took the envelope and opened it.
"My dearest Bianca, you are the only woman who has ever owned my heart and I will be privileged if you allow me to own your heart as well. I love you."
I smiled to myself. The handwritten note got me giddy. I turned to see a smiling Keira. For a woman who had a fight with her baby's father, she seemed fine.
"I really need to find Jacob." She piped up.
"Of course. To Tony's penthouse we go."
I walked to the exit with her close behind. Why was Tony leaving me random notes? How did he even know where I would get them? Did she know something I didn't?
Once we were in the car, I asked her.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing." She said defensively. "Other than the fact that Jacob's babies are kicking me like crazy!"
I knew the feeling.
I focused on my driving. Whatever Keira knew, she was not spilling.
I pulled up in front of the building housing Tony's penthouse. The valet took my car and the concierge allowed us in. He handed me the key to the penthouse and we rode up the elevator in silence.
Once we were in Tony's pen
thouse, it felt silent and abandoned. Those two men weren't here although Tony's cologne lingered in the air. On the console table, there was an envelope along with a lot of
red rose stems.
"My dearest Bianca, I know that entrusting your heart to me is a huge step but I was and I am hoping that you can take the leap of faith with me. I love you.
PS: Count the rose stems for me. Jacob ordered them for Keira but I accidentally unwrapped the bow. Can you tie them up when you're done and hold them for Jacob? He wants to give them personally to her.
I gazed at Keira who had sank into the couch. Poor thing was tired. I counted the stems one by one and they totalled fourty two... fourty two... !!!
Fourty two red roses presented to a woman was a silent way of asking 'will you marry me." Was Jacob finally proposing? Is this why he had sent Keira on a wild goose chase and using me to cover up?
I tied them up and walked her way helping her up. She gazed at the roses and smiled.
Keira's POV
Bianca had no idea that Tony had purchased the roses and they were in fact for her and not me as he had claimed. I was just waiting to see her face when she realized I was not the one getting proposed to but her.
I quickly stood up and faced her pulling out my phone for the next clue.
Me: Flowers all tied up... where to?
Tony: Is she catching on?
Me: No. She thinks I'm getting proposed to.
Tony: Good. Call Jacob for where to go to next.
Me: You owe me.
Tony: I know pretty face. I owe you big time.
Bianca's POV
Keira was finishing
her text when she turned to face me.
"I was thinking I will just call Jacob and ask him where he is."
"Good idea."
She called him and in a few seconds I heard Jacob's deep voice on the other end.
"Where are you?" Keira got to the point. "Okay, on our way."
She hang up and faced me.
"Jacob is with Tony at the Bellingerre Manor. Do you know where it is?"
"I do. Let's go?"
She nodded and we embarked on our short journey there. It was at sunset when we go there. As we entered the massive home with the roses still in my hands, Keira started texting again. She smiled to herself and looked up at me.
"Please point me to the bathroom." She said to me.
"Take that hallway on your left. I'll wait for you here."
"No need. Jacob and Tony are at the back. Go on ahead I'll catch up." She said and went her way.
I started walking and that is when I saw the patio doors wide open. The garden was lit up making the place look like it came out of a mystical garden. I kept walking staying on the path until I reached the pool side. There were set up tables with lit candles.
Was Tony having guests over?
I came across a white envelope placed down on the pavement.
I opened it and then smiled as I read it.
"Dearest Bianca, I want to ask you something... something that will determine where we go from here... I have left you four notes and my question is at the back of the notes."
I lay the roses down on the pavement and pulled out the four notes from my bag. I laid them out on the pavement in the order I had received them.
The first one read will. The second read you. The third read marry. And the fourth read me?
I read them again this time continuously as a smile grew on my face.
Will you marry me?
Before I could react I heard footsteps behind me and I turned to see Tony walking my way. He looked sharp in his black suit but was not wearing a tie. He wore a heart throbbing smile on his face.
He reached for me and helped me to stand up to my feet. He then picked up the bouquet and handed it to me.
"Those are for you love. Fourty two roses to ask for your hand in marriage."
James Lyons's POV
"Those are for you love. Fourty two roses to ask your hand in marriage."
She teared up as I got down on one knee holding out the ring to her.
"Bea Bianca Buchanan. Will you give me the honor of being the only woman I will ever love? Will you give me the honor of being your husband? Will you marry me?"
She was surprised.
I was nervous.
What if Keira misread her and she turned me down?
Wayne Bellingerre's POV
We were all by the living room window following the spectacle outside. Tony had called on his friends to come over and show some support. Jacob, Keira, Bruce and Ferrer had not disappointed. Cheryl was also present. Erma Bale was
also there obviously more excited than the soon to be bride.
I don't know how we all fit by the bay window while peeping but we did.
I never imagined in a thousand years that my son would ever propose. I thought he had inherited the bad Bellingerre habit of bachelor hood till the end of time. No man in our bloodline for generations ever married. James Lyons was the first one. I was proud of him.
"What if she says no?" Cheryl asked.
"She won't." Keira said. "She loves him and she will say yes."
"If she says no, Bruce and I have a plan." Jacob announced.
"What plan?" I asked so that I would not be sidetracked.
Jacob became a little serious.
"We are kidnapping her and taking her to an abandoned island where she will be alone with Tony eternally until she agrees to a wedding."
"You guys are such brutes!" Keira shot out at Jacob.
"That's why women can't resist us!" Bruce joked and we all laughed.
Our focus shifted back outside as Bianca jumped up and down excitedly.
It was done.
James Lyons's POV
Bianca's surprised face faded into a bright smile as she began jumping up and down like a little girl.
"Yes Tony I will. I will. I will marry you. I will!"
Those words were music to my ears as I slipped the ring onto her finger. I stood up and lifted her into my arms. I span her around before crushing my lips onto hers.
She was mine... all mine.
My partners in crime soon joined us and when Bianca saw them tears filled her eyes.
"You were all in on it?" She asked. "Even you Keira?"
"I was dying to tell you trust me but I wanted it to be a surprise. Congratulations."
She hugged her as Jacob gave me a hug and held my head in his hands pressing his forehead against mine.
"I'm very proud of you little brother. I'm proud of you."
"I can't believe I have to share you now!" Cheryl joked as she kissed my cheek and hugged Bianca. "I told you everything will be okay love."
She looked at Bianca knowingly and she just smiled.
She gave way to my mother, Erma Bale who hugged me tightly.
"My baby boy!" She exclaimed in an Italian accent. "I am so proud of you! Nonno is proud of you too but he couldn't make it, he is unwell. Congratulations. I need a wedding date and your consent to plan the wedding."
That was Erma for you. She had the wedding planned already I am sure.
"Of course mom, go ahead." I agreed as I kissed her cheek.
My father was next in line after Erma went to give Jacob and Keira an earful about how I was getting married while they just stared at each other. My father gripped my shoulder and pulled Bianca towards him. A waiter stepped forward with a tray of champagne glasses. Everyone picked except for Keira whom Jacob handed a juice box. She frowned and elbowed him.
"Ladies and gentlemen." My father began. "I never thought this day would come. Lyons, Bianca... this is as legitimate as a wedding to me. I am proud of you both. To your eternal happiness!"
I gazed at the woman beside me and pulled her close to me.
"I will love you to the end of times." I told her.
"And I will love you until time stands still." She whispered and we exchanged a kiss as the people around us faded and it was just us tw
o...
=================
Chapter thirty one: Abducted
Four months later
James Lyons's POV
"We should move to Italy. We are always here!" Bianca said with a short laugh.
We were engaged and happy. Nothing could top what we were feeling. We were both excited.
Jacob had proposed and we had agreed he and Keira would get married first then Bianca and I would follow.
We were in Italy because I had also thought of moving. Keira and Bianca had become so close and Jacob and I had decided not to separate them.
I was meeting Erma because she wanted a proper introduction to my fiancée. We had been waiting in the restaurant for a while but for some reason, she was taking forever.
"I'm considering it. There is a villa up for sale near the ocean. It's not too far from Keira and Jacob."
"When can we move in?" She asked excitedly.
"As soon as I buy it."
"You know that I can chip in, right?" She asked.
I never liked talking money with Bianca. I preferred to be her provider in every aspect. That's how Erma raised Jacob and I. She taught us to be responsible, she taught us to be accountable and she taught us that a responsible man will provide for his woman whether it be necessities or luxuries whether she asks it or not.
Sure Bianca had her own money but I didn't see reason for her to spend it if I had more than enough for us both.
"Don't worry love, I got it."
"Tony-"
"I got it."
I spoke slowly hoping to reassure her it was okay.
We remained in comfortable silence as we ate our dinner.
I still wandered what was taking Erma so long. I decide to give Jacob a call and he invited us over to the villa.
"Looks like we will go to her instead. Come on." I stood up pulling her seat out once we were done with dinner.
Bianca insisted on handling the cheque so I let her.
Afterwards, we wound up making out in the parking lot. I was never afraid to give public displays of affection. I enjoyed it, although it made Bianca uneasy and she blushed all through.
I heard someone clear their throat and I turned to see Keira. She was looking a little confused.
"Want to join love?" I teased.
Bianca gave me a sharp jab to my side and I kept silent.