Chapter 127: Chapter 127

“Are we there yet?” Madison queried, her hands flailing about in the air as Damien kept leading her to somewhere unknown, his hands covering her eyes.

“Almost…” He chuckled heavily, and she just groaned lightly.

She hated this suspense, and whatever it was, he wanted to show her it had better be worth it cause she was running out of patience.

Discarding the worrying thoughts out of her head, Madison instead decided to use her sense of hearing to grasp the knowledge of where she was at the moment since she could barely see a thing.

The light sand, which buried her feet now and then as they walked, signified that they were either at the beach or some park.

It was the beach! She could hear the soft billowing sounds of water waves from afar, and with the cool evening breeze blowing past, carrying with it the scent of murky dust, she knew her assumption was right.

But which one in particular? She wondered, and again why had Damien brought her to the beach of all places?

Her curiosity soon died down when she heard him ask, with a whisper in her ear. “We’re here. Are you ready to see your surprise?”

They’d stopped walking, and breath hitching, as words suddenly stuck in her throat, she bobbed her head frantically, her lips stretching in a quirky smile.

“Say something, Maddie.”

“I just nodded, Damien.” She huffed and added, “That should mean yes, and I know you know.”

Chuckling heavily, he placed a kiss on the base of her neck, and then he gently removed his hands from her eyes.

“Here you go….” He trailed off, blinking, and as she tried to clear her eyes, Madison’s jaw dropped open when she saw the sight before her.

Roses… so many of them, were scattered on the floor. There was also a long trail of lines of bulb lamps on the floor, and it shone brightly, illuminating the scene in front of her.

What was happening? She opened her mouth to ask, but before she could say a word, something caught her eye, and she froze.

There was a bench just a few feet away from where they stood, and recognition slammed through her heavily.

That bench… they’d stayed in that bench when they were still so young, and every evening they’d met at the beach, their safe spot for talking and relaxing; they sat there.

“Wait… I…” Madison stuttered, her jaw dropping open as she turned around to stare at Damien, who had a smug smile.

The cool breeze blew past his hair, ruffling the strands, and Madison’s chest squeezed at the sight of him, all handsome, manly and looking at her with all the love in the world.

Like she was the only one that existed at the moment.

She was the only one in front of him now, so…

“Damien…” She started to say again, “I… This beach. It’s the same one we used to meet in those years, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh my…” She gasped, removing her right hand from his and placing her palms over her mouth as her eyes widened.

“You… you asked the driver to take us to Kettlesworth?” She asked, and he nodded enthusiastically.

“You didn’t notice? The buildings and….”

“I… I didn’t put all my focus on the road. I had some thoughts running through my head.”

“What thoughts?” His eyes dimmed, and she could see the concern in his eyes, but she didn’t want to bore him with the details, so she said nothing.

Instead, she wanted to know what this surprise was all about. Or did he want them to come here and spend some time together like in old times?

“Damien…” She called, sniffing as she continued, “What’s happening, though? Why all these?”

She finished, turning around again, and this time she faced the ocean stretched out in front of her.

Its surface reflected the dawning sunset perfectly, and as she took in her surroundings, her heart melted once again.

Nothing extravagant… the gesture with the roses scattered about was romantic and perfect for her.

Swallowing, tears stung in her eyes; she shook her head slowly, unable to find any words to describe what she was seeing.

What would she say? That it was beautiful? Gorgeous? Stunning? How did someone even begin to describe an environment like this? And it’s not like anything could truly capture her feelings at the moment.

Everything was surreal, and coupled with the fact that this same spot had been their favourite place back then, she...

“Madison Connor…” She heard Damien call from behind, but she didn’t turn to face him.

Instead, she murmured out loud, “This is so beautiful, Damien. I love this, and I wish I could even spend the night here.”

“With me, right?” He asked, and laughing; she bobbed her head.

“It’s so gorgeous and perfect. I know this place would even be more beautiful when night falls.”

“We can stay here just as you said. It’s perfect to me too.”

“Wait, what?” She turned around with a snicker, noting his serious tone but then she saw another shocking scenario in front of her again.

Damien was on his knees. In his hands was a gold-plated jewelry box, which was already open and inside the box sat a sparkling ring that shone brightly even in the dim lighting surrounding them.

“Damien…” Her voice faltered as her lips quivered, and she asked, “I… What are you doing? Why are you… I…”

She stuttered incoherently because she was still in shock.

“Madison Connor. My soulmate. My fated one. I want to make you mine forever, and I never want to let you go. Through thick or thin. In suffering and health, I want to be by your side.”

“Oh, Damien…”

“It’s how the universe and fate keep bringing us together at every turn. From the first day, I saw you, and damn I told myself you weren’t for me. That you were a threat, but still, I got you. Then we got separated, but even after everything and all the hurtful things I did to you, we’re still together. I’ll never forgive myself for what I did, so I want to make things right at every turn. Now I want to make it permanent, and I’m asking you to marry me, Maddie. Make me the happiest man on earth by accepting to be my wife, and I promise you that I’ll never cause you any more pain.”

Damien was proposing to her. He’d probably been planning this for so long, and just after they’d gotten the good news from the hospital, he’d decided to pop up the question.

“Damien… I…” She trailed off as a stray tear fell down her cheeks.

“Madison, please.” He groaned, and Madison could also see tears falling down his face.

Slowly, with more tears running down her cheeks, Madison nodded, and with a squeal, she jumped up and screamed, “Yes. Yes, Damien. I’ll marry you. I’ll be your wife.”

……..

“Yes. Yes, Damien, I’ll marry you. I’ll be your wife.”

Damien’s eyes widened the second Madison gave her answer, and his thumping heart calmed down instantly, his lips stretched into a happy grin.

“Yes, Damien. I want to be your wife. I want to carry your children, and I want to build a home with you. I want to be yours for life….” Madison continued to say as he stood up, and walking towards her, he grabbed her left-hand finger and slid the expensive Diamond carat ring on her fingers.

“Gosh, this is so pre….” She started to say, but tackling her sharply, Damien grabbed her waist and pulled her in his arms.

Whirling her around, the moment he lifted her off the ground, their lips met, and giggling, she melted into his embrace, her hands going to his hair as they kissed passionately.

All these years, he’d dreamt of this moment.

Right from when they were just silly teenagers in love to the years he’d slept in his cold bed, thinking about the woman he’d lost, and then months later after he’d seen her.

He’d caused her pain and strife, but deep down, he’d wished he could turn back the hands of time or even change their fate.

Maybe if he’d had the power, he would have done things differently.

Madison would have been born into a nice family, and they would have met in the best circumstances.

But one thing Damien was coming to note was that things happened for a reason, and another tear fell down his face when his lips tore away from hers.

“I love you, Madison Connor. From now till eternity. You have my heart, and you share it with no one.” He whispered in her ears and smiling shakily, she nodded happily, agreeing to all he was saying.

He was…

Suddenly his cell phone started to vibrate in his pocket, and his brow raised; he gave an excuse and brought the device out.

It was Alvarez, video calling him, and instantly Madison flashed him a knowing look, her brows raised.

Laughing, Damien said before swiping the answer button, “I know you think Alvarez knows about this, but I can swear to you and God, who made me that he doesn’t. I have no idea why he’s calling me.”

“Well, answer then; let’s see.” Madison urged, and he just nodded.

“Hello, man.” Damien said as soon as the phone screen brightened, revealing Alvarez dressed in weird clothing.

Scrubs and a mask. Like he was at the hospital or something.

“Hello, brother. Is that Madison?” Alvarez replied with a query as he removed the mask from his face, and Damien nodded enthusiastically whilst Madison greeted him.

“Hey, best friend.” She waved, and Alvarez smiled back at her.

“I’ve tried your line, but it didn’t go through.”

“Yes… I… I left my phone at home. Damien and I went out. However, what’s up? Why are you in those clothes and….”

“Better time to break this news.” Alvarez cut in with a broad smile and tilted his phone camera to allow Madison and Damien ample view of where he was; he announced, “My wife just gave birth some minutes ago to a bouncing baby boy.”

“Wow.” Madison squealed, jumping on her feet while Damien watched, and his grin widened.

“Brother, congratulations, man.”

“Thanks so much.”

“Congratulations, Alvarez. Damn, I’m so happy. How are Ivy and her mama doing?” Madison asked, and smiling, Alvarez replied, “Doing okay. Ivy is happy she has a brother now, and my wife is sleeping.”

“She’s exhausted, of course.” Madison agreed with a smile, and then flashing her ring finger in front of the phone, she screamed, “And we also have good news for you. We’re getting married.”

“Whoaaaa, what! Yes!” Alvarez roared, fist-bumping through the phone, and Madison clapped her hands happily.

“Wow, this is good news. So much good news today. Man, I’m so happy for you both.” Alvarez said, facing Damien through the phone; he added, “I’m happy you got your shit together, and you’re doing the right thing by Madison. I can’t be happier as it is. I’m so proud of you, man and glad we all finally got our happy ending.”

“Ending, you say…” Damien replied, sniffing back happy tears, “This is just the beginning of more things to come, man.”

“Yes, yes.” Alvarez agreed.

“Damn! I can’t wait to get home and inform everyone I’m engaged. See this pretty ring. Oh my…” Madison squealed yet again, and as they all rejoiced, Damien couldn’t stop the lone tear that flew down his cheeks.

With Madison in his arms and Alvarez chatting away, his chest tightened excitingly rather.

This was the beginning of so many better things to come. This was just the start.