'There's always something to celebrate!' ~ Thunder.
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Lylas' POV:
Seven years later:
Seven years have gone by in the blink of an eye and today I will be walking across the stage to receive my diploma for that last time in my lifetime. Thankfully not much has happened and it's been an easy going seven years. Luca and I had moved in together after my first year of undergrad, and due to us being use to sharing space with each other it was an easy adjustment.
Luca, as always, was thriving in his career and luckily so was I. Matteo had companies all around which made it easy for me to keep working reasonable hours whilst still attending school. Him also having companies everywhere meant I could get a job in my field no matter where I went.
It's been hard trying to balance school, work, and on top of that still keeping our relationship alive and healthy. Luca and I haven't been as intimate nor as affectionate as before but we tried. He was always tired from work and I was honestly also really tired from everything going on in my life. We tried to make time for each other and still try to show affection here and there even if it was just a simple kiss or words of affection, so far it's worked for us.
After today though things were going to change for us both and I wasn't sure if it was going to be for the better or for the worst. When it came to sex, Luca and I weren't really too concerned nor cautious about it which led to today's news. After a regular checkup with my doctor I found out I was currently two months pregnant and the bad thing about it all is that I was nervous to tell Luca.
We never spoke about where we stood on the kids subject nor if we even wanted to have kids. If I'm being honest I wasn't sure how he'd react, and it was a little scary thinking about someone growing inside of me and not having support, but I've known Luca long enough to know well enough that he'll never do that to me...or so I hoped. Though I haven't told Luca I'm pretty sure he's noticed my subtle changes here and there but luckily he hasn't said anything about them.
Currently I was getting ready to leave the house and meet up with Estrella who was going to do my hair and makeup due to me being too lazy to do so. I wore a black loose fitted dress as to not draw too much attention to my stomach. As I walked down the stairs making a final check I smiled seeing Luca on the sofa with his laptop on his lap as he focused on some work email or lesson plan, I really wasn't sure. Since I had to do a lot before the graduation ceremony I decided to just have Luca meet me there. Going up to him I kissed his cheek not bothering to even glance at his laptop.
"Leaving to meet with Estrella, don't be late." Luca smiled still looking at his laptop.
"When have I ever been late?" His eyes met mines and my heart like always fluttered.
"I guess." I spoke with a smile only he could get out of me.
"I'll see you later." He just smiled at my words as he slightly nodded. After pecking his lips quickly I made my way to the door but stopped when he spoke.
"Don't forget to leave the ring baby." When my eyes looked towards him Luca's eyes were on his laptop screen as he typed away causing me to roll my eyes with a smile.
Throughout those seven years Luca had picked up the habit of making me leave the engagement ring so he could get it cleaned though it hung around my neck and not on my finger. For what it's worth the ring has been mostly like a promise ring since I'm guessing Luca wanted to give me enough time to think on it. The first time he did ask for it I thought he was going to actually propose and tell me it was time for us to plan our wedding but it's been years and still nada. Though if I'm being honest I'll go mad if he waited any longer.
"I will, see you later." I said as I took the necklace off and placed it on the table near by.
"I love you!" He spoke making sure I heard him causing a smile to form on my lips as I looked at him still focused on whatever he was going.
"I love you too!" I spoke with that stupid smile I could never get rid of when he was around me. Right after that I left and went on about my day until it was time to finally get my doctoral degree. I've gotten so far from that girl I once was and truthfully without Luca I wouldn't have been here.
As I accepted my diploma I smiled brightly, shaking the deans hand along with several other people and posing for pictures making sure to look at Luca where he stood rooting for me and taking pictures like he always did. I loved seeing that proud smile on his face whenever I achieved something or stuck to it like my studies. The sight always almost brought me to tears that I had such a cheerleader on my side.
The moment the ceremony finished I immediately went to find the man of my dreams. A smile formed on my lips when I saw him searching for me as well. The moment he spotted me his smile widened as he came for me as if no one else was in the room, though if I'm being truthful every time I locked eyes with Luca everyone else just disappeared. I squealed in excitement when his arms wrapped around my waist and he picked me up spinning us around.
"That's my girl!" Luca placed me on my feet and gave me a knee melting kiss like always.
When he spoke those words they beamed of pride and joy which made me get butterflies like always. He gave me a bouquet of my favorite flowers and kissed my cheek before asking someone to take our picture. My happiness couldn't show any less than it did now. My cheeks hurt from genuinely smiling so hard.
"My feet hurt." A fake pout took over my lips as he let out a short chuckle. Luca shook his head slightly before placing a kiss on the tip of my nose and picking me up bridal style. I was definitely a blushing mess.
Once in the car my heels immediately came off and I rubbed my feet feeling so relieved. Luca got into the car and as he drove he made sure to hold a hand of mines and kiss it from time to time as he caressed it. We arrived home and as I watched my bare feet, my hero came to the rescue and pulled out a pair of flats from the back seat giving them to me. We kissed and Luca came around to open my door. We settled into each other so easily that it just added to my security of thinking he was the man for me. Luca opened the house door after helping me out and the moments I flicked the lights on I almost peed myself.
"Surprise!" Everyone had shouted in union causing me to slightly stumble back at the shock.
Estrella was here with her boyfriend, Lorenzo and his partner were here, a couple colleagues and just people we considered family were around causing my smile to grow as I turned to face Luca. He stood behind me with a shy smile causing his adorable face to look even more adorable. After giving him a kiss and thanking him I started greeting everyone and dividing my time evenly until I inevitably ended up spotting Estrella.
"There's the grad!" Estrella beamed happily as she hugged me tightly.
"Hey." I smiled once we pulled back and right after we started talking about everything under the sun.
It had been a while that we'd been conversing for which led me to be oblivious to the silence that fell upon us. Once I had noticed though it was hard to not feel weird. Along with the silence I looked around and everyone's expressions were a little creepy. When my eyes went back to Estrella who had fallen silence with a weird look on her face I knew something was up.
"What?" The confusion in my voice and on my face was definitely noticeable. Everyone staring weirdly was just making me uneasy.
"I...why are they staring? And why are you looking at me like that?" I whispered to Estrella and she chuckled before placing her hands on my shoulder and turning me around.
Once turned around a soft gasp left my lips when I saw a happy smiling Luca down on one knee with a black velvet box in hand that held my ring. I didn't think he'd propose! He's done this so many times I stopped expecting it though I truly wished he'd do so!
"Luca what are you doing?" I asked with tears in my eyes. I was crying and he hadn't even asked me.
"Something I've been wanting to do for a long time now." He spoke with that dashing smile and loving eyes.
More tears spilled from my eyes as I started to loose my mind. The emotions I felt the first time he asked me came rushing back like a ton of bricks in the best way possible.
"Lyla.." the warmth of his hand holding mines swallowed me whole along with his gentle voice and dashing smile.
"I love you....and I want to spend the rest of my life with you no doubt about it." Simply he spoke.
"At one point you were just an annoying girl in my life but now...actually you still are." He let out a soft chuckle when I glared at him. Everyone around us also softly laughed.
"I wouldn't have it any other way though; Lyla Valentine...will you make me the happiest man in the world and annoy me for the rest of my life?" I knew he wanted to say so much more but I already knew how he felt, because I felt the same exact way.
Eagerly I nodded before verbally agreeing to his proposal as a sob slipped past my lips. Luca removed my promise ring and placed my engagement ring on it before placing a kiss on my knuckles. Immediate I cupped his face and kissed him deeply as everyone cheered. My happy tears stopped when realization dawned on me.
"Uh...Luca.." worriedly I said as I pulled back. The worry look mirrored onto his face before he spoke.
"What's wrong?" He looked so concerned. Taking his hand I led him into the kitchen.
"What's wrong? You're scaring me." His eyes searched mines but I broke eye contact before getting the courage to look into his eyes again.
"I...Luca I'm pregnant." I spoke fiddling with my fingers as he stood there frozen with look of shock taking over his face.
"Uh...Luca?" Worriedly I tried to get his attention seeing as how he was frozen in shock for what felt like 10 minutes.
"You're what?" Luca asked as if he hadn't heard what I had said.
"I'm pregnant..." the words left my lips a little awkwardly since I really couldn't believe it myself but I've had time to wrap it around my brain...somewhat.
"You're pregnant?" I nodded at his question.
"And it's ours..." an eye roll emerged from me before I smiled and nodded at the fact that he was taking forever to understand.
"So...that means..." I bit my bottom lip excitedly waiting for him to connect everything.
"I'm going to be a dad?" I giggled and nodded.
"We're going to be parents?" He asked shocked.
"Luca get there faster!" I spoke annoyed.
"I'm going to be a dad!" He spoke excitedly before his arms wrapped around my waist and he picked me up spinning us around. Once on my feet he pulled me in for another breathtaking kiss.
"We're going to be parents!" I smiled as Luca pretty much ran towards Lorenzo and spilled the beans.
I stood near the kitchen door once inside of the living room, just enjoying the sight of Luca beaming with joy of becoming a father. Everyone heard and their eyes widen as they looked from him, to me, then my stomach then back at my face. I awkwardly smiled and eventually everyone started celebrating like crazy. So many congratulations were given I lost count.
Never thought this would be how my life would turn out but I did love the unexpected.
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We have like 3 chapters left, if not less:(
Xoxo,
~Thunder~
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