Once inside the walk-in closet, Colton Royal went straight to where the safe was. He punched in the password and took out the jewelry box.
Closing the safe, he opened the box and exhaled when he came face to face with what was in it. He caressed the item with a finger and then, he closed it.
Colton ran a hand through his hair, took two deep breaths before going back to the bedroom with his hands at his back.
Mia didn't move an inch away from where he left her. She had her arms folded with a small smile on her face. She watched as Colton approached her with his hands at his back.
"You seem nervous? Everything okay?" She asked, the small smile slowly leaving her lips.
Colton nodded. Telling himself that it was now or never, he internally heaved a sigh, went down on one knee, and brought his hand forward, revealing the black velvet squared box.
"Oh, my God!" Mia whispered with her hand on her chest. She was about to turn around and perhaps take a few steps away from where Colton was but he stopped her by holding onto her hand with his free hand.
"Please don't walk away from me, Mia." He pleaded, sounding vulnerable.
Mia said nothing but stared at him with a hand over her mouth. She didn't try to walk away again. All her attention was on him and on the jewelry box he was holding. Colt tried to read her facial expression but he couldn't even guess what was going through her head.
He had started anyway, so he decided to complete what he was doing.
Colton sighed for the uncountable time. He had practiced his speech for this moment but now that the moment was here, he seemed lost for words.
He opened the box, revealing the precious ring. Mia's eyes started to water at the sight of it.
"Mia, you have no idea how blessed I feel and how grateful I am to have you in my life. You mean the world to me, babe and I don't want a life where you are not in it with me."
"Your absence these few days and lack of communication with you made me appreciate your presence in my life the more. I don't know how many years we have left on earth but all I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making beautiful memories and putting a smile on this beautiful face of yours."
"I love you so much, Mia and I know you love me too. I can be stingy with what belongs to me and I'm not shy to say that I want more of us. I want you to make me the happiest man on earth by becoming my wife and in return, I promise to be the best husband you could ever ask for. I'll love you, cherish you and protect you even if it costs me my life."
"Mia Gwyneth Edwards, I will be so honored if you agree to be my wife. Please, will you marry me?" He looked at her hopefully. Not minding the fact that his heart was beating thrice faster, in fear of what her reply would be.
He saw as a tear rolled down Mia's left cheek but she quickly wiped it away with her hand.
"Please say something," Colton whispered.
Words failed Mia so she nodded slowly.
"Yes?" Colton asked, just to be sure.
"Yes, love. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you!" She managed to put up a smile despite her glossy eyes.
Colton internally heaved a sigh of relief. It was as if a very heavy burden had been taken off his chest.
He took out the ring from the box and wore it for Mia, sliding it into the exact finger. He smiled at how well the symbol of their love fitted her perfectly. It was as if it was meant to be there.
Standing to his feet, Colt pulled Mia into a possessive hug. Sniffling, Mia returned the hug.
With Colton's arms still possessively wrapped around Mia's waist, he looked into her beautiful eyes and spoke. "Your positive response came from your heart, right?. You said YES because you really want to spend the rest of your life with me and not because you feel pressured or you don't want to break my heart, Right?"
"I would be beyond devastated if you said NO but I think that's better than you doing what doesn't come from your heart."
With a small smile on her face, Mia caressed Colton's cheek. "You're saying this based on my reaction at first. Aren't you?" She asked.
He nodded after a while.
"Babe, I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of my existence with you by my side. I reacted that way because I was shocked. I knew you would eventually propose but I didn't see it coming tonight. I thought you were about to present me with some beautiful earrings or so, but then, I saw you on your knees and I didn't know how to react."
"I wasn't going to walk away at that moment. I guess I was about to take a couple of steps back, take a few breaths and assure myself that this was really happening. The love of my life was about to propose to me!"
"Babes, I didn't say YES to you out of pity. I said YES because that's what my heart wants. It's an honor to be the wife and life partner of the man I love so much. You're my ride or die, Colton Royal!"
Colt couldn't help with the smile that crept to his lips. He leaned closer to Mia and kissed her, pouring his heart and gratitude into the kiss.
Leaning against her forehead, he spoke. "I could let you go on and on, confessing your love for me. It makes me feel really special. And thank you for agreeing to be my wife. You have no idea how happy that has made me."
She shook her head, cupping his face in her hands. "I think I'm the happier one. It's hard to find a good man and I'm blessed to have someone like you." She kissed him.
Releasing her hands from caressing his face, Mia stared at the ring on her left finger. She smiled.
"You like it?" Colton asked with a smile on his face, even though he could tell from Mia's reaction that she loved it.
She nodded. "It's so beautiful and it feels very light on my finger."
"I'm tempted to ask how you got my measurement because of how perfectly the ring fits but you're Colton Royal and you always have your way."
Colt chuckled. "The jeweler gave me something to get your measurements. I did it when you were asleep."
Mia nodded in understanding. "So I assume that you've had the ring with you for a while."
"Yes!" Colton answered with a shy smile. "For five weeks I think."
"Five weeks?" Mia said in disbelief with a small smile on her face.
Colt nodded, possessively circling his arms around her waist. "It took this long because I was nervous."
Mia chuckled. "You thought I was going to say NO?"
"That's not the point. I just wanted things to happen at your pace. I didn't want to scare you away so I was waiting for what I felt would be the right time. Also, I was still contemplating on the kind of proposal surprise to give you."
"I'm sorry if I didn't meet your expectations. A whole Colton Royal proposed to you in his bedroom. Truth be told, I didn't see myself proposing tonight too but with all that happened this evening, I couldn't hold back any longer."
Mia cupped Colton's face in her hands. "You have nothing to be sorry about. And I couldn't have asked for a better and more unique way of you asking me to be your wife. It doesn't matter that it happened in our bedroom or that I was putting on nothing but a sexy nightie to impress you. The point is, you caught me off guard and you spoke from your heart. I wouldn't have had it any other way."
"Wait, was this proposal the reason you insisted that I take you to my mom three weeks ago?" Mia asked the moment it hit her. He was literally on her neck to take him to her mother's grave.
"Yes, love. While we were there, you gave me a moment with her. I not only promised her that I was going to take good care of you. I also asked for her blessings to propose to her princess. I had asked your Dad and siblings too, days before we visited your Mom."
Mia tried to hold back her tears. "My exes never went to see my mom with me. You don't know how happy I am to hear that you asked for her blessings. My mother and I were very close. She still means a lot to me and I'm glad you consider her as an important person in our lives. She will be so proud of me that I've found love in a good man."
Colton placed a kiss on Mia's lips. "She will always be an important person In our lives. I now consider your family as my family too. If you want, we can have an engagement party. We will invite our families and close friends so they can celebrate with us."
Mia smiled. "I would love that very much."
Colton nodded. "Again, I want you to know that we don't need to get married immediately. We can always get married whenever you want us to. Be it right now, next week, or next year. Just let me know when you want it so we will start early preparations."
"Thank you for being so understanding but I can assure you that I won't be able to wait until next year to officially tie the knot with you," she whispered.
Colton laughed. "Someone honestly can't wait to be my wife"
Mia blushed. "I'm really honored that you chose me, Colt. Even thinking about being your wife sends chills down my spine."
"Don't get me wrong, I don't mean the title in the literal sense but the fact that I get to have someone as amazing as you for a life partner. I really look forward to all the beautiful things that our future holds for us. And yes, I can't wait to be your one and only, Mia Royal."
Colton had a proud smile on his face. "I love the sound of that Mrs soon-to-be, Mia Royal." He placed a quick kiss on Mia's lips.
"I hope my father and brothers didn't give you a hard time?" She asked.
Colton chuckled. "At first they did but I understand the reason for their reaction. They were so concerned about you but we are now on good terms. I told them that there was nothing to worry about because you're in good hands."
"Of course, Tessie gave me her blessings straight away. I met with her and your younger brother the same day. He seemed cool by the way and he warmed up to me."
"I went to Ohio the next day to see your father and your elder brother, Brad." Colt caressed Mia's cheek. "They will be around for the engagement party. I'll make sure the private jet will be available to go pick them up."
Mia nodded. "She tiptoed and kissed him on the lips. "Thank you for all you do for me. I won't get tired of telling you how blessed I am to have you."
"Anything for you, My Queen." He placed a long kiss on her forehead.
"So, you said you have a gift for me?" Colt said to Mia, looking at her curiously.
Mia chuckled, "Did I?"
Colton nodded.
With a shy smile on Mia's face, She wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's true that I have a gift for you but you'll have to wait till tomorrow."
"No problem. I trust you! Tomorrow is almost here anyway."
"I think it's time to take off this gorgeous nightie and explore the body under it." Mia chuckled as Colt picked her up in his arms.
"Colt, that's not the way to the bed." She giggled when he walked out of the bedroom with her in his arms.
"I know, sweets. I have something exciting in mind."
"I bet it's going to be a long night for us." She smiled.
Placing a kiss on her cheek, he spoke. "You have no fucking idea!"