Chapter Thirty-Six - Close your eyes...

*A few weeks later*

*Ana POV*

I am upstairs, in James's and my bedroom, getting ready. He said he is bringing me somewhere, but he didn't tell me where. He said it's a secret. Today is a warm day, so I decide to wear a nice dress.

"Babe, you ready?" I hear him say from down the stairs.

"Almost..." I reply.

"Okay. Take your time." He replies. "I'll be outside by the car, okay?" he adds moments later.

"Okay," I reply.

I quickly do some brief final touches on myself right before I spray some sweet perfume on me.

After that, I walk in front of the big mirror in our closet, looking at myself, my stomach is continuously growing, bit by a tiny bit, I look at my belly before I gently caress the small bump.

I can't believe that there is a baby in my stomach...

Once I realise the time, I quickly head downstairs, grabbing my coat from the hanger right beside the door. I can hear the engine of the car running from outside whilst I slip on my shoes and tie them.

Today Miss Sue is not in the house, so I quickly grab the belongings that I need, along with the house key before heading out the door. The first thing I do is I lock the door before heading to the car. I am greeted by James who opens the door for me.

"My lady," he says, allowing my in. When I sit and settle myself, he closes my door right before walking around the car and taking his place in the driver's seat.

Seconds pass before we begin moving, we reverse out of the driveway before driving off.

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"Can you at least now tell me where you are taking me?" I ask.

He replies with a smile.

"No, I can't. It wouldn't be a surprise then," he replies.

I roll my eyes, even though I know he is right, it wouldn't be a surprise if he told me now. But I really want to know!

"If it will make you feel better, it's not too far away, we will be there in about... ten minutes, maybe a bit less.".

I nod to his words.

"Okay, but can you at least tell me if 'this place' is a restaurant, or like a building, or is it outside...".

I hear him chuckle.

"It's not inside. Where I am taking you, it's somewhere outside. But that's all I'll say," he says.

"Okay..." I reply, "fair enough.".

I divert my eyes outside my window. I see we have left LA, the sight of buildings is now replaced by the sight of a desert with small bushes scattered everywhere, above the deserted ground is the rose sky, the rose colour smears into a blue colour, turning a navy towards the opposite side of the sun. There are a couple of clouds scattered here and there, adding to the beauty of the sunset. Moments pass before I lay my eyes back on James, I see him with a smirk still stretched across his lips.

He briefly looks at me, broadening his smile, him smiling causes me to smile too.

"I love you," he says.

"I love you even more," I reply. With that, he places his right hand on my left leg, diverting his eyes back to the road. I place my hand onto his, intertwining my fingers with his. I feel his reaction, he softly rubs his finger in my leg, fondling me.

Next, he breaks our hand embrace, but he wraps his hand around my body.

"Umm, James, I don't think it's safe to do that now... you are driving..." I say, gently taking a hold of his hand and moving it closer to the steering wheel.

"Okay," he replied, taking my hand into his before kissing the top of my hand.

I blush at his action. To show him my love, I extend myself out, giving his cheek a quick smooch. When I move back, that is when realise I have accidentally smeared some of my lipstick onto him.

It comes off quickly with a couple of gentle rubs of my thumb.

"There..." I mutter under my breath.

"That was lipstick, wasn't it?" he asks through a smile, I feel my cheeks redden.

"Maybe...".

He laughs at my reply.

"I knew it...".

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"I want you to close your eyes... okay?" James says. I give him a weird look.

"It's a part of the surprise," he adds.

"Do I have to?" I ask.

"Yes," he replies.

I listen to him and close my eyes.

I hear James turn on a blinker before turning off the road. We drive for an extra second or two before stopping. James powers off his car.

"Don't open them, okay?".

"Okay..." I reply.

I hear him exit, seconds later my door opens.

"Okay, I have you in my hands. I will lead you to the spot. I'll also tell you when to open your eyes, okay?" he says into my ear.

I nod before answering "yes".

I feel his body gently push me forward, his hands landing on my eyes. We both make small, slow steps.

It felt like minutes pass before we stop.

"We are here... don't open your eyes, not just yet," he says, but I feel his hands come off my face. "I'll tell you when to open your eyes, okay?".

I nod.

"Okay..." he mutters. I can hear him step back a step or two.

"Okay... are you ready?" He asks.

"Yes..." I say, nodding.

"Okay..." I hear him take a breath. "Open your eyes...".

When I open my eyes, I am revealed to one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. I can see the sun is just above the horizon, giving off the orange-pinky colour that changes to a blue in the sky. To the left is the city of Los Angeles. Slowly, more and more lights ignite the city, making the sight so much better. I look a bit more to the left and I see the 'HOLLYWOOD' sign, showing off its beauty, seconds pass before the lights illuminate it too.

"Wow..." is all I can say before covering my mouth. I am in total awe.

"Do you like it?" James asks me.

"I love it..." I say. I can't take my eyes off the wonderful view.

I hear the crunching of the ground behind me before a deep sigh is heard.

"Ana..." I hear James say my name, his voice quivers.

I turn to him at his mention of my name.

"Ana, I know we have gone through some things, but the end of the struggle showed that our relationship only became stronger... I know we will run through many more problems in our future, but there is no one else I'd like to solve those problems with but you..." he pauses. Taking my hands into his

"James? Is everything okay?" I ask. He chuckles at me.

"Honestly, if I am to be honest, I don't know if I'd spend my life with anyone but you. Mainly because I love you. A lot.". From my hands, he takes a gentle hold of my cheeks

"I love you too, baby, I love you so much! Too much!" I say, causing both me and him to giggle. I wrap my hands around him.

"And I will love our little baby when it comes out... I love it so much now too.". He gently moves his hands from my cheeks to my stomach. His words cause my eyes to tear up ever so slightly. "Me too..." I whisper to him.

"I just want you to know that I love you so much".

He breaks from our embrace and

I see him take a small step back.

"So much that..." he begins, before pulling something out of his pocket and straight after going down on his left knee.

No way... he... he is not...

More tears instantly flow down my face, my hands go over my mouth.

"I want to ask you... Ana Lazarevic. Will you make me the happiest man on Earth and marry me?".

I nod over my breakdown. "Yes... yes, yes, yes!".

Immediately, he hugs me before he begins kissing me. I can hear his merry chucks as he lifts me up and spins me around.

We quickly break from our embrace do that he can put the ring on my finger and straight after that his hands wrap around me. I can hear people cheer around us as both James and I sway gently in our embrace.

He loosens his grip on me, before resting his head on mine. Our noses just about touch. I look at the majestic look on his face.

"I love you," he whispers to me.

"I love you more...". My voice quivers.

He smiles at me before landing his lips land onto mine.