Two days later, Cyrus scooted gently next to Mia, trying to not disturb her. She was off life support and was doing well on her own. She had yet to wake up, but the baby was doing well.
Watching the TV news report from the small television set in the room, Cyrus huffed when he saw Mia’s face on the screen. The media were relentless the last few days, trying to get images of her in her comatose state. Cyrus had set her parents up in a hotel room and they had spent as much time with her as they could. Because of their age, they had little energy to be there as often as they liked.
Caleb had told Cyrus that Mia was their surprise pregnancy, and how much they struggled to have a child. They were older parents, and she was the joy of their life.
Cyrus turned off the television after seeing several politicians, the judge, and district attorney in their town were arrested.
He looked over at Mia with a sigh. “Serves those corrupt jerks right, huh Mia. I hope they rot in jail. I hope they find Grayson soon too.” Cyrus took a brush from the side table to brush Mia’s hair and kissed her cheek. “I wish you would wake up, flower. I just need to see that pretty smile again and know you’re okay. Wraith called. He says they have the flash drive and Miles has enough evidence to put them away for good. Looks like many people will get their homes and properties back.”
Cyrus reached in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful ring with a heart-shaped diamond. He spun it around his finger and looked over at Mia, saying sadly, “I love you, flower. I always have. Since the first time we chatted online, I knew you were the one. I asked your father yesterday if I can marry you. He gave me shit for sleeping with his daughter out of wedlock, but he said yes. I like them. Your dad is a jokester, and your mom is a hoot. She gives your dad the business and they are always teasing each other. I can see you every time I look at her. You look just like her.”
Taking Mia’s hand, Cyrus slipped the ring on her finger with a kiss. “Marry me, flower. Wake up so we can start our life together with our son, and that little one growing inside you. They’re going to need their mommy. Please wake up and tell me you’ll marry me?” Cyrus laid his head on her shoulder, kissing her fingertips.
“Yes.” A frail voice filled the quiet room. “I’ll marry you if you will just let me get some dang sleep.”
“Huh?” Cyrus sat up. Mia’s eyes were still closed, and he shook it off. “I must be hearing things.” He laid his head back down on her shoulder.
“Cyrus.” Mia let one eye open with a sly smirk. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
Cyrus jumped up, looking at her with disbelief. “You’re awake?”
“Yes. I’ve been awake off and on for a while. My head hurts and the lights were making it worse, so I kept my eyes shut.” Mia tried to sit up.
“No, baby. Be still. You were in an accident.”
“It was no accident.” Mia pushed the hospital buttons on the bed to prop her up. “Grayson did this. I know because I saw his face. He watched the whole thing. It was a setup.”
“Forget that for now. Did you say you’ll marry me?”
“Yes. Did you say something about something growing?”
“Mia, I don’t know how to tell you this, but… you’re pregnant.”
“Pregnant? What? The baby… is it okay?”
“It’s fine. You’re about two-and-a-half months. Flower, we’re having a baby.” Cyrus smiled down at her.
A slow smile crept over her face. “I knew it. I have been feeling icky every morning for a few weeks.”
“You’re not upset? I know you wanted to wait.”
“Come on, Cy. We haven’t exactly been careful. I want this as much as you do. Our baby boy is going to have a little brother or sister. I’m happy and I’m going to marry the man of my dreams and start a family.”
Cyrus sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her into his arms. “I love you, Mia. You scared me. I was afraid you were going to leave me.”
“I told you I would never leave you. I meant it. You’re stuck with me for eternity.”
“I’ll take it,” he said with a relieved smile.
Holding her close, Cyrus looked up at the doorway. His sister was standing there with tears in her eyes, holding a bouquet.
“Is my bestie okay?”
“I sure am. My future sister-in-law needs to get over here and join in this group hug,” said Mia.
“You asked her?”
Mia nodded, showing the ring. “He did.”
Holly rushed over to see the ring on Mia’s finger. Holly and Cyrus joined in a group hug and a grumbling voice came behind her.
“Is there any room in there for me?”
Wraith walked over with a big grin and Cyrus waved him over. “Get over here, Brother.”
Mia smiled. “The more the merrier.”
***
Two weeks later...
“Cyrus! Stop fussing over me. I’m fine.”
“But you just got home. The doctor says you need to rest for the baby.”
Mia looked over at Holly and Isis with an annoyed grunt. “Is this how it’s going to be for the next six or seven months?”
“Try the rest of your life. You think Cyrus was overprotective before, wait until you see what Daddy Cy is going to be like. He’s already super protective of Elias. Just think how he will be with a little girl.” Isis shrugged. “It’s what he does.”
“No one will mess with Daddy’s girl. Isn’t that right, my little dumpling? No one will stand a chance with Papa Cy and big brother Eli.” Cyrus leaned over, kissing Mia’s belly.
Mia giggled as Cyrus tickled her. “I love you babe, but I’m fine. Just bring me our baby boy. Mommy Mia misses my little buddy.”
Isis waddled over to the couch and flopped down, rubbing her pregnant belly. “Mia, at least I will have someone to talk prego mom talk to. Holly needs to have a baby now too, so we can all be MILF’s together.”
Holly shook her head no. “Not yet. One year. That’s the plan.”
Isis rolled her eyes, rubbing her six-month baby bump. “Don’t bet on it. Sometimes these little ones come unexpectedly.”
Holly laughed. “Unexpected? What do you expect when you and Gage hump like you are trying to repopulate the world, all on your own?”
“I can’t help it. He’s sexy and I can’t get enough.”
Cyrus blushed with embarrassment, letting out an irritated huff. “Can we change the subject? I don’t enjoy talking about my sister and cousin’s sex life. It’s creepy.”
Mia giggled. “Awe. Baby, are you embarrassed? You are so dang cute. You can never talk about sex without blushing and getting all flustered.”
“It’s just… I like to keep that between me and the one I love.”
Holly laughed, throwing a couch pillow at Cyrus. “Really? Mister, I like to screw my girl in the woods. That’s why Mia’s pregnant. You two and your kinky roleplay games.”
“Don’t you two brats have someplace to be?”
Isis stood, heading to the door. “On our way. Meet us at McGregor’s pub tomorrow at six for dinner. Don’t be late.”
Cyrus nodded. “See you there.”
***
Mia slipped on a flowy, floral yellow summer maxi dress and pulled her hair into a loose, messy bun with little tendrils of hair cascading around her face. As she put on her lip gloss, she started singing a song to herself.
Cyrus walked into the bedroom leaning on the door frame listening to his flower. “I love to hear you sing. You’re so beautiful.”
Cyrus walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, kissing her bare shoulders.
“I look horrible. I have bruises and cuts everywhere and I can’t cover up this black eye. I had to wear my hair up to cover the wound. I hid the bandage under my bun.”
Cyrus rested his head on hers while looking at her through the mirror. “You look beautiful to me. Just seeing you smile at me again is everything. Are you sure you’re okay to go to this party? I know Isis got a little ahead of herself with this little engagement party.”
“Yes. I’m fine. My head still hurts a little, but if I get a headache, we can head out early.”
“Just don’t push yourself too much. You still have staples in your head.”
Mia turned to face him, looking up with a smile. “We’re really getting married?”
“Whenever you’re ready. I can wait.”
“Once the bruises heal, I want to do it, as soon as possible. No long engagement. I just want a small little country wedding with all our friends and family.”
“I have my mansion in Chicago. We can do it there. It’s by the lake.”
“No way. Too fancy. I want this…”
Mia went over, pulling a photo off the wall of Cyrus’ parents from the couple’s wedding day. Cyrus’s beautiful mother in a vintage lace wedding gown and his father kissing her forehead, just the way Cyrus always did to Mia. They looked so in love.
Cyrus took the photo and smiled. “You want a country wedding like my parents?”
“Holly says they married right here at the cabin next to the lake, right before this house got built. She told me that your father built the cabin with his own hands. Ya know, it would be a nice place to raise a family.”
Cyrus looked at Mia in awe. “It would have to step down from my executive position at IWX if we did this.”
“I’ll follow you wherever you want to be. I remember you telling me how unhappy you are in that big mansion. Gage says you barely keep the place up because it’s just not really a home. You seem happy here, Cyrus.”
“I am. I hate Chicago. You would be okay if I were just Cyrus the Crusher and not Cyrus the business manager?”
Mia ran her fingers over his scruffy beard. “I love Cyrus the man. The rest doesn’t matter to me.”
“Okay. I guess we’re home then. Wow… I didn’t realize until now how much I miss home.”
“Well, welcome home Cyrus.” Mia kissed the tip of his nose. “Now. Take your fiancé and the future mother of your children to her engagement party. Let’s go have some fun.”
“Yes, my flower.”