Chapter 45: Chapter 45

ONE YEAR LATER

Lucy smiled at the brightened stars.She feels that her dreams has come through and she couldn't be happy less. This past few months had been a rollercoaster for her . So many had happened in just a short period of time but luckily for her everything is now in place and nothing else is more exciting as that .

She is now a full graduate. Yes, she had graduated from her University. It's just like yesterday when things seems to be hard for her at school but now look at her, a full graduate.

That smile still refuses to wipe off. It just as if she was created with it , joking.

" Lucy"

She went back inside at the call of her mom . She locked the door and went straight to the kitchen to meet her .

" Mom? You called"

Her mom turned around to face her with a wide smile " you won't believe who just called"

Lucy with furrowed brows asked" who?"

" It's your grandma. She's on her way to Nigeria!"

"are you kidding me!" Lucy didn't expect that great news " wow this is the most happiest news I just received"

" Yes dear.  I'm also surprised too and the funniest of all is we talked last night but she didn't mention it. That woman and her antics"

Lucy chuckled " she got that from you, remember"

" Whatever" her mom said but still chuckled nevertheless.

" So  she's staying in my room right ?" An excited Lucy asked. She always loves it when grandma stays in her room with her .

" Yes dear"

" That would be great. I can't wait for her arrival"

" Me too mom"

Her mom switch off the gas and drop down the cooking pot.

" So dear have you and Sarah talked yet ?"

" Yeah she promised to come over tomorrow hopefully."

" I'm missing that girl so much. She's really going through alot lately and it pains me that I can't be of help at all" she said sadly

" Mom, you of all people should know that Sarah loves you and she understands that you're trying and moreover her boyfriend had promised to help her win the case since he has so many sources out there" Lucy told her.

" Wow that's so nice of him. He must love her so much to want to go extreme"

" He really does loves her alot and it's written all over his face when they're together"

" That's so sweet of him"

" Yep"

They finally walked to the sitting room. Both have their seat. Lucy picked up the remote and changed the channel to a drama channel.

" So dear, how is Ivan doing ? Hope you two talk alot ?"

The kind of smile that graced Lucy's lip was beyond words " yes mom we talk alot. "

" Woo! That must be nice then. The kind of smile on your face can definitely make millions of people smile. I'm so happy for you dear"

" I'm happy alot that we are back to normal and he calls often unlike before "

" So how is the game going for him?"

" They are the winning team mom, you don't need to ask"

The older later laughed out "Someone is proud"

" Yep, I'm so proud of him and it feels so nice to see him winning"

" That's good then"

***

Abby landed the airport. It feels kinda weird to be home but she guess it's because she's been abroad for about four years now .

She took in a deep and calm breath. She stared at the crowd hoping to see her ride and there he was staring at her with a big rose flower in hand.

Abby stayed glued to the ground " she couldn't believe that that handsome guys staring at her with a flower in hand is her boyfriend,hers alone.

She dropped whatever she was holding and ran off to give him a tight hug, almost choking him in the process but James doesn't care, he hugged her tight as much.

They stayed in each other's arms for a while without saying anything. Her man is now healthy, he won the Battle between him and the disease. He won.

They finally pulled back. Abby had tears in her eyes. She couldn't be happy less. James is here standing in front of her looking as healthy and handsome than ever. Who would have thought this day would come sooner than she expect.

" I miss you" she said

James smiled and wiped her tears " I miss you more than you can imagine"

" God James!" She hugged him tight again.

James chuckled " I can't believe you miss me this much"

" What do you mean by that?" She glared with teary eyes.

" You know I was only joking . Common let's go home "

Home? Her mom.

***

Ivan smiled at a joke his father said. He couldn't contain his joy. His dad looks more older than before same as his mom.

" Dad hope mom has been taking care of you?"

" Yes, she's been taking good care of me. Can't you see that I'm looking a little younger " he joked and they all smiled.

" Emily would have been so proud of you. I know she's watching right now " said his mom who has been quiet all this while. The death of Emily really took a toil on her.

Emily was her only female child and nothing hurt more than knowing you lost a child. Life proofs not to be easy at times.

" I know she is mom" said Ivan sadly.

" So common let's have Dinner. It's about time we eat, I'm seriously hungry right now " she said while the rest quickly got up as if they were  already waiting for her to say that.

" Thought you'll not mention that " Ivan's dad says

They all went to the dinning table to have the sumptuous meals Ivan's mom prepared.

" It's been long I tasted your food mom and I can't just wait to have this. I'm very sure it's as delicious as before"

" Ofcourse son, your mom is just the best cook I've ever seen" Ivan dad said and they all laughed over it.

***

Sarah groaned as her dad's hand came in contact with her skin. She knew it's will definitely leave a mark.

She wiped the threatening tears that dropped down her face and here she promised not to cry.

" You just proved to me that you're a bastard. I'm very sure I'm not your father if not you wouldn't have done this to me. Your mother is to be blame for all this." He was about to give her another blow but Sarah's boyfriend held the hand before it comes in contact with her skin.

" If you dare lay a finger on her one more time, I'll definitely break this hand. You're the bastard father!" He spit.

The father couldn't believe what was happening, he stared at his daughter who was hiding behind the young man in front of him. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish .

Sarah's mom who has been crying all this while pleaded " please don't do this to us. Tell your boyfriend to please talk to them"

Sarah looked at her mom with hate " Mom, you need rehab and thet is exactly where you're going to. You and Dad haven't been the best parents and it's so saddens me all the time.if you know you weren't ready for a child then why have one ?"

" No need for small talks. Officers, take them away. " Steve said.

" Please,I promise to be a good mother to you and your siblings. I'll change but please don't let them take us away" she held sarah's hand tightly.

Sarah stared at her with eyes filled with unshed tears " you'll never change mom so it's best they take you to a place where you'll learn to change"

" You stupid girl! Why are you on this people side when you should be on our side. For God's sake we're your parents and it's so crazy for you to do this to us"

Sarah shrugged " it is what it ease mom. Officers please take them away. It's high time they learn their lessons over what they've done to me  and my sister "

" MOVE IT!"

***

Lucy was bothered. Why? Why because she's been trying Ivan line but it's switch off and this has never happened since they got back together. He always pick his call at one ring. This got her worried that maybe something happened to him or something else.

Even her mom noticed her change mood and  couldn't help but ask her what was wrong. Lucy couldn't hide her worry so she told her mom what's going on.

" Dear, just calm down. I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about. Maybe his battery has run down or something "

" But mom,this is not Nigeria we're talking about. Ivan is abroad and you know they always have light 24/7."

" Okay just breath and try calling him later" Lucy's mom adviced.

Lucy nodded " I will try"

A knock interrupted them. They both look at each other confused

" Are you expecting a visitor ?" Lucy asked while her mom shook her head

" No I'm not"

Lucy stood up  " let me check who that may be "

" Alright please do"

Lucy twist the door knob and as she opened the door she saw a young boy of about eight years standing with a flower smiling at her widely.

The little boy's smile was contagious. Lucy smile back in return " Hey little Man"

" Hi, my name is Emma. My uncle told me to give you this" he hand over the flower to her and ran off before Lucy can ask who the uncle was.

Lucy looked at the flower lovingly. She smelled it . She stared at the direction the child ran off too and there he was , the child waved her over.

At first Lucy stared at the child confusingly .

" Go dear. Go and check why the child is calling " her mom told her.

Lucy nodded then walk towards the direction with the flower in hand. She took her time to get there.

" What is it Emma?" She asked the child.

The child pointed behind her . Lucy was confused but still turned around to see what the child was pointing at.

She turned slowly and when she saw what was behind her or rather who was behind her , she almost fainted. She didn't know when the flower fell on the ground. She was glued to the ground but her eyes were set on the particular creature smiling at her.

" Ivan" she gasped

" Yes it's me in the flesh" he said cockily.

A smile broke her face . God! She miss this arrogant guy standing in front of her. Lucy couldn't help it anymore so she ran to hug him tight like never before. She never knew he was in Nigeria already.

" I hate you"

" But I love you" he said with this smile on his lips.

She pulled away " why didn't you tell me you're back?Why?"

" Because I wanted it to be a surprise" he chuckled.

" I miss you so much "

" I miss you more than you can imagine"

" Kids come in dinner is already set" Lucy's mom yelled from afar.

Lucy stared at Ivan with wide eyes " you planned this with mom right "

Ivan shrugged " you can't blame me love. It had to be done "

" You two are just insufferable"

" But you still love us nevertheless"

" Yes I do"

They both walk hand in hand towards the house " so who is the little boy?"

" That's my cousin, Emma. I decided to let him in on the plan"

" He's too cute"

Ivan glared playfully " but I'm more cute"

" Don't tell me you're jealous of a child for crying out loud. I can't believe you Ivan"

" Whatever let's go in before dinner gets cold and moreover there are more surprises inside the house"

She stared at him " Really?"

" Yup come on let's go"

***

Ivan pushed the door open and motion for Lucy to get in, the moment she entered everyone screamed_

" SURPRISE!!!"

She almost loose her balance. Lucy became speechless and next thing she began to shed tears.

There standing in front of her are people she cared about so much. Her long time friend, her secondary school friend. All looking good and grown.

Ivan gave her a side hug and kisses her head.

" You've got to be kidding me!" She said " mom, you were in this too?"

" Oh dear, I have to be in this too. These are the people that matters alot to you"

" Yes Lucy. We miss you so much" Abby said with eye full with tears.

" Abby! I miss you so damn much " Lucy pulled her in for a tight hug.

" I miss you too"

" Ok guys let's settle down and eat. We'll do alot of catch up later"

They all agreed and have their sit.

**

After the delicious meal, Ivan stole Lucy away from the crowd. He took her outside the garden.

" I've missed you so much and those people won't just free you for me " Ivan told her.

Lucy giggled " is that why you had to steal me away from them?"

He shrugged " I just had to do the needful"

" You're not serious"

" For you, I'll do anything Lucy and you know that. Since I set my eyes on you I've always known that you're the one for me " Ivan stared

Lucy went silent.

" I've waited long enough for this day" he put his hand in his trouser pocket and brought out a shinning diamond ring.

Lucy gasped because she knows what comes after this.

Ivan stare at her loving " Lucy will you marry?"

She didn't need to be ask twice. Lucy nodded frequently.

" Yes, I'll marry you Ivan. I will definitely marry you" she said excitedly.

He chuckled and placed the ring round her finger and it fits beautifully.

" I can't wait to live the rest of my life with you"

" Me too"

Ivan smiled and moved more closer to her. He wrap his hand round her waist and slowly they began to kiss. It's been a while.

THE END