The Proposal

Two more weeks later..

(Sterling’s POV)

I have spent the last one month in the hospital without moving except when necessary. Two weeks with my unconscious girlfriend and two more weeks with my now conscious girlfriend with massive loads of love to give to our daughter who we haven’t named yet. Today, they both going to be discharged and at that point, I knew that I was a blessed man indeed.

After everything that Phoenix had been through, a welcome party won’t be too much of a task so while Phoenix was taking her morning rest after her medications, I texted Olivia and she replied ASAP.

Sterling: Hey Olivia, I was thinking of something and I knew that you’d be up for it but I still needed to ask?

Olivia: Sure, I am up for it but why don’t you call me instead? Why text?

Sterling: I am in the room with Phoenix and she is sleeping; she just took her meds and I am sure it knocked her out cold.

Olivia: Still, you would have gone outside to call me.

Sterling: You know that I can’t leave her, I am protective like that. Now, to the matter at hand, I need you to plan an urgent welcome back party for her and the baby; nothing too serious, let’s just keep it simple.

Olivia: You have come to the right person. Leave it to me and I’ll take care of it. How soon do you want it done?

Sterling: I want it done today since they will both be getting discharged and I can stall everything so we can be at home by 5pm. It is already 10am so I suggest you get to work.

Olivia: Wait a second, you don’t expect me to use my card, do you?

Sterling: Of course not, ask your boyfriend for my black card and get everything you need done. Get the meals and décor; you don’t even need me to tell you these things. Just get it done.

Olivia: I’m on it boss, I will call you when I am done.

Sterling: One more thing, send the invites to the gang but include Don Luca and his wife, invite my dad and Phoenix mum, go it?

Olivia: Yeah, bye.

When it came to planning an event, Olivia was the right person for the job and I needed no reassurance whatsoever. After texting her, I kept my phone on the table, got into the bathroom attached to the room and had my bath, came out and changed into something nice which made me stand out more, I ruffled my hair to get a devastating awesome look. I didn’t need a mirror to know that I looked good. I came out of the bathroom, placed a kiss on Phoenix’s forehead and went to the children’s nursery.

After being deem fit to breathe on her own, she was taken out of the incubator and kept in the nursery and for the first time since she was born, I get to hold her and Phoenix wasn’t excluded. I stood afar off and watched her giggle and play with God knows who and it brought peace to my heart.

What my father and Phoenix’s father ruined; Phoenix and I were both going to do better with this one. I watched her play with her curious green eyes running all over the place until she slept off before going the receptionist to discharge us by 4pm.

***************

4pm of the same day…

“Babe, can you hurry up?” I said as I packed everything that was brought to the hospital.

“Dude, I am trying; need I remind you that I can’t exactly use my legs right now without being uncomfortable. Come over here, please, help me put on this gown. My hands are getting tired,” she said, sighing.

I went to where she was, picked up the gown and wore it on her.

“Until you are fully recovered, I’ll just have to buy you more free gowns so you will be comfortable, what do you think?”

“Yeah, I thought so too, I can’t wear anything else apart from those, so, yeah, get me the gowns,”

“Perfect”

Everything was packed and I was ready to go get the baby when she stopped me in my tracks with a question.

“What about Brianna?”

“Don’t worry about her, at the rate with which I have handled her, I won’t be shocked if she goes insane or tells the truth out of fear,”

“Eh, what did you do?”

“My love, do not worry, she’ll get what’s coming to her but for now, let me get the baby,”

I left her and went to the doctor’s office who in turn took me to the nursery and handed the baby over to me and immediately she was given to me, she looked at me with her wide, curious eyes and cooed before giggling softly and never have I ever been so proud as I was at that moment.

I walked slowly with her to the private ward and handed her over to Phoenix who just stared at her with so much love and then she said, “What should we call her?” then looked at me before looking down at the baby again.

“I honestly don’t know but I think Emerald will suit her just fine, what do you think?” I said, shrugging but still trapped in her eyes.

“Emerald, I love it…. Emerald Mills Tyrell or better yet, Emerald Tyrell; daddy’s wonder girl,”

When I heard the name, my eyes stung with unshed tears at the honor that I was being accorded with. I had a daughter that I could protect and cherish all day with an amazing partner. I walked closer to both of them, placing a kiss on Emerald’s forehead and a passionate kiss on Phoenix lips.

“I love you so much and I am honored by this,”

“I love you more. Babe and we are both honored to have you in our lives.

Breaking from them, I took my phone out and called Rex.

“Rex,”

“Yes, boss,”

“Get the car ready, we are on our way out now and please tell the other guys to come over here. I don’t need the media or anyone poking their nose into this,”

“Yes boss, I’m on it,”

**********

The drive home wasn’t long one but it went smoothly. Getting out of the hospital with all the attention the troop was getting, shielding Phoenix and most especially Emerald from the prying eyes of the media was important. They wouldn’t mind throwing her into the midst of the social media madness.

Before getting home, I texted Olivia to make sure that everything was ready and she sent back a reply saying that everything was set and waiting for her arrival and after reading her reply, a satisfactory smile graced my face and at that moment, I couldn’t wait to go home.

On arriving home, I got down from the car, carried Phoenix out from her seat in the car and placed her on the wheelchair already set in place by one of the guards, lucky for us; our house didn’t have steps that led to the front door. It was just a plain entrance surrounded with flowers.

I placed Emerald in her arms and wheeled her into the house. At first it was dark and knowing what awaited her, I switched on the light and the guest shouted in unison, “Surprise!!”. The look on her face was priceless and even Emerald couldn’t help but look around.

I looked at her and said, “Welcome home, babe, it hasn’t been the same without you in it,” and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“You knew!!” she screamed, laughing and crying at the same time “Oh my goodness, everyone is here,”

“Mija, you are home, welcome home,” Don Luca came over and hugged her lightly, “Your mamacita and I got the invite and we came,”

“Oh my goodness! Mama Rosa is here? Where is she?” Phoenix asked, looking everywhere for Don Luca’s wife and spotted her talking to Phoenix mother before both women walked hand in hand to where Phoenix was.

“Oh, the little one looks just like you, can I hold her? If your mamacita gets here, I won’t be able to hold again,”

“Sure thing, pop, go ahead,” She handed over the baby to him and as if on cue, the women came over and heaped compliments on her and Phoenix blushed and thanked the women for coming.

“Thank you mum, Mama Rosa, I love you guys,”

They both took the baby from Don Luca and the man started sulking which was an hilarious sight to behold.

I wheeled Phoenix from there and moved her to the living room where Debby, Olivia and Liyah rushed to hug her at the same time. I walked out, leaving the ladies to themselves.

*******************

(Phoenix’s POV)

“Easy ladies, you don’t want Mr. Security there to eat y’all for squashing me, do you?” Phoenix said and laughed out loud, “Oh, how I missed you girls so much; having all the fun without me in it,”

“Girl, please…. It was not as fun as you think,” Debby said, chuckling.

“It honestly wasn’t. When it came to you, Sterling made everyone walk on egg shells around him. Girl, your hunk of a man was miserable when it came to you and we all knew it,” Olivia concurred.

“I second that; he literally stressed me out during this past month that you weren’t around. You need to treat us to a special ladies day out,” Liyah said, sipping her wine slowly while a small smile crept on her face.

The ladies nodded their heads in affirmation and I couldn’t help but laugh—oh how I missed them.

“Hey, girl, you named our baby yet?” Olivia asked

“Yeah, that’s true; don’t you think it’s time?” Liyah asked

“You don’t have a name in mind, do you?”

“Ladies, y’all should chill out; we already named her today,” I said, smiling and they blocked my ears with their squealing, “Her name is Emerald Mills Tyrell, or better still, you can call her Emerald Tyrell, daddy’s wonder girl,” I beamed with smiles as I said her full name to the hearing of my friends and they all agreed that it was a beautiful name.

I was still conversing with them when I heard my name and I turned my wheel to see who it was and I was surprise to see Sterling and his father. What happened to these two while I was away?

“Hey babe, let me official introduce you to my dad, Mr. Damien Tyrell, you have met him before,” he said, standing beside me as he introduced me to his father.

“Good evening sir, nice to finally meet you again,” I smiled at him and I shook the hand he offered.

“Likewise, Miss Mills; I am very delighted to meet you acquaintance, welcome home” he said, smiling at me and that’s when I realized the striking remembrance between father and soon and I was awed.

“Thank you so much for coming sir,”

“My pleasure, I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world but I wouldn’t want to bore you with my stories but someday I will over a cup of tea?”

“I’d like that very much sir,” I replied still smiling like a fool when Sterling whispered in my ears “I’ll tell you all about it later but first, I’d like to do this,” I watched as Sterling went down on one knees and I couldn’t help me scream; I wasn’t expecting this anytime soon.

“Babe, I wouldn’t want to bore anyone here but I love you and I would love to spend the rest of my days with you if you will have me, will you marry me, Miss Phoenix Mills?” He said as he opened the box revealing very simple but elegant wedding ring and I was touched, “It was my mothers’ and it was given to me by her for the woman I will spend the rest of my life with and now, that person is you,”

“Of course I will marry you, Sterling Tyrell; you are my ride or die,” I answered as tears walked majestically down my cheeks and I couldn’t help but cry and laugh at the same time. I looked at the ring Sterling slipped into my finger and it was beautiful indeed. A thin wedding band, with a small size diamond rock on it.

My heart was bursting with love for this man and I was ready to give him all of my love.