CHAPTER 16

“It seems someone finally got laid over the weekend with the way you are glowing” Lizzie said, sauntering into Claire’s office. She pulled the chair across the table out to sit.

“Lizzie!” rolling her eyes heavenward “I’m working here”. Grinning at her.

“Yea right, spill it. How was the weekend?”

“Alright I will tell you, so you can stop pestering me. Leo took us out for a picnic and it was so much fun” smiling wistfully as she recalls the moment.

“Awn, so after that, did you guys—” Lizzie asks with a drawl, winking at her.

“You are so naughty. Yes we did—”

“Yes! I knew it.” Clapping her hands with glee.

Claire giggled, “oh Lizzie! I had the best time this weekend, all of us together in one place, having fun. It was heavenly.” She said with a sigh.

“I’m so happy for you Claire.” Coming to hug her.

“Now let me tell you the best part.”

“There’s more?”

“He asked me to marry him again, but this time I said yes!”

“Wow! Oh my God! You finally said yes” her hand claps together over her mouth in awe.

“I did, and it feels so good to say it. I realize I love him and I don’t want to lose him”

“Awn dear friend” smiling with warmth at Claire. “Congratulations. We are getting married!” giving her another tight hug. “When and where is it happening?”

“It’s going to be a small wedding, I don’t want any over the top stuff, and it’s happening here.”

“Really? And Leo did not mind?”

“Surprisingly he accepted, we both agreed to do it here then we will later travel to Nigeria once the school is on holiday, so as not to disrupt Tonya’s school plan.”

“Makes sense, that means I get to be your maid of honor”

“Yes you are going to be.”

“Thank you! So happy for you. Let me leave you with your work.” Sashaying out of Claire’s office, her face beaming with excitement

“alright.” she said, returning her attention back to the system in front of her, going through the orders they have.

Claire’s phone buzzed with an incoming message, she pushed it open and smiled when she saw that it was a message from Leo. Let me take you out for dinner, tonight? The text says.

She typed back her response. Yes. Another response came in quickly from him.

Will pick you up at your place by p.m. along with Tonya, so that her nanny can baby sit her.

Perfect, will be ready.

Kisses.

Kisses.

Claire sighs with delight, placing her phone back on the table. Her mind no longer on what she was working on.

“Claire there’s a delivery for you!” Lizzie said, entering with a box. She placed it on her table.

Claire removed the small card attached to it, with a message on it, for tonight. Hope you like it. Xoxo. Leo. “It’s from Leo” she whispered, undoing the package.

“I figured.” Waiting for Claire to finish opening the package, curiosity eating her.

They both gasp when the content inside the box was revealed. It’s a long off shoulder red gown with a slit reaching to the thigh. There’s also a silver sandal heels with matching clutch purse to go with it.

“These are beautiful” Lizzie mutters.

“It is”

“Dinner plans for tonight?”

“Yes, he just told me, and I was thinking of what to wear, then this came in.”

“He is crazy about you Claire, so romantic.”

“I need to call him.” Bringing out her phone.

“Go ahead, excuse me.” Retreating out of the office.

Claire dials Leo’s number on her mobile; she smiles as she heard his playful drawl.

“Hello darling. Did you receive the package?”

“Yes I did, that’s why I’m calling you. It’s so beautiful, thank you.”

“You are welcome but you don’t need to thank me”

“But I feel like you are spoiling me”

“You deserve it and I didn’t do much anyway. How is work going?”

“Very well, and you?”

“Same here may travel next week to join Liam for a meeting with some of our clients. We will talk about it at dinner”

“No problem.”

“See you soon darling.”

******

The car came to a halt in front of the restaurant, and the valet took the key from Leo to park the car. Leo helped Claire out of the car, and they both entered the restaurant with her hand clasp in his. They cause quite a stare as they were ushered into their booked table. The red gown molds to Claire's body and as she walks the slit gives a tantalizing sneak peak of her thighs.

Claire had left the shop early to check in to the saloon, her hair was styled and light make up was done for her as well. She smiled with delight as she recall the look on Leo’s face when he came to pick her and Tonya at her place. They dropped their daughter at Leo’s place, before coming to the restaurant.

“Did I tell you how breathtaking you look dear?” Leo asks in a husky voice, his eyes glinting with unbridled passion.

“Yes you did, but I won’t mind hearing it again” Claire replies with a chuckle.

“Well then, you are breathtaking”

“Thank you. You are not looking bad yourself” she compliments him. Leo was looking dapper in his black bespoke suit. If he thinks she is breathtaking then, he is the real definition of breathless. She felt like a teenager who is on a prom date. She feels giddy with excitement.

“Well I try” he drawled.

The dinner date went smoothly, enjoying each other’s company around the comfortable chatter of others in the five-star restaurant.

“You mentioned that you will be travelling for a business meeting?” Claire ask, sipping her red wine while they wait for their order.

“Oh yes, my brother is flying in to California and he has asked me to join him, I’m sure he will also want to come to LA to see you and our daughter before he travels back.

“That will be wonderful”

Claire was so sure he will propose to her officially during the course of the dinner, but he didn’t. she finally give up any hope of such happening when their dessert arrived and nothing like ring was in the chocolate mousse she asks for.

“Are you alright darling?” Leo asks.

“Sure I’m fine, why did you ask?”

“Well you kind of look a bit disappointed with your dessert, is it not what you want?”

“Oh its nothing. The dessert is fine; the whole night has been wonderful.” Smiling at him.

Leo lips twitched with amusement, he can make a bet on what’s running through Claire’s mind at the moment, she thought he will give her an engagement ring at the restaurant, but it’s not how he has planned the night. She will have to wait and see; after all he waited for months before she accepted his proposal.

He helped Claire out of her seat, after sorting out their bills.

The valet brought the Car to the front and they both climb in. Leo drove out of the restaurant, with his right hand clutching Claire’s.

“Hope you enjoyed yourself?” he ask glancing at her briefly.

“Yes I did. Thank you”

He draw her hand to his lips, pressing a light kiss on it, as they both settled to a comfortable silence.

Leo hope the message he sent home earlier was received, to alert them that they are on their way. The car pulled to the driveway, and he jumped out to help Claire out.

“Thank you darling”

“You are welcome.” He mutters, holding her hands.

“Why is the surrounding light not on?” she asks as they made their way to the house. The moment they stepped into the lawn area that grazed the front entrance, the light came on. Claire gasp at the suddenness of the light, she noticed the rose petals in her pathways. “Oh my!” She whispered as Leo went down on one knee with a ring that glimmers in the night light.

“I didn’t know how much I need your light around me until you and our beautiful daughter came into my life. You lighten up every dark corner around me. I’m not perfect, yet I found something rare and perfect in you both. Claire Braithwaite please marry me?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” stretching out her hand for him to slip the ring on. Tears of joy steamed down her hers, as she rain kisses on his face. “It’s a beautiful ring, I love it!”

“I’m glad you did. It belongs to my mother.” He said solemnly.

“Thank you” she whispered in awe.

“Now let’s go inside, because our daughter is very much awake and so is the rest.”

“You all planned this together? It’s so beautiful. I thought you would never ask.” Chuckling as they pushed the door opened.

Tonya who is in her night wear rushed to meet them, throwing her hands around her mother’s waist. “Did you say yes mummy?”

“Yes princess. Thank you for the surprise.”

“You are welcome. Daddy made us promise not to tell you” she said with a mischievous smile. It still amazes Claire how much their daughter resemble Leo, especially when she has that look on her face.

”You did well darling” Leo said, hugging her close.

”congratulations” Percy and Marie chorused.

“Thank you both.”

Percy opened a bottle of champagne as instructed by Leo to commiserate the moment, putting juice in Tonya’s cup.