Chapter 18

"Mom you are back" Alicia said standing up,

Alicia collected the cup from her mother and made her sit on her bed

"When did you come back mom, you weren't around when I came back", she asked sipping the coffee.

"Its hot Alicia be careful", Julie said

"I just came back a while ago" she replied and made Alicia sit beside her.

"Mama, what is it" she asked looking at her,

"Julius called and told me everything that happened at the mall earlier today my dear", Julie began

"Mom..." Julie covered her mouth cutting her short

"Don't say anything Alicia, just listen to me. My dear do you know how much I and your father love you and how much your brothers love you"

"You are the apple of our eyes and we will do anything in this world to make you happy, so don't make any sacrifices for us my dear, we can lose anything in this family but not you baby, Not you"

"Did I tell you the story surrounding your birth my dear, twenty years ago before I even found out I was pregnant with you everything in our lives was going wrong baby, Julius fell critically ill, business went down, we had debts piling up and I lost my job. We were on the verge of giving up, the Collins family did everything they could to help but it wasn't enough, and in the midst of this heartbreak we found we were pregnant".

"Your father and I didn't know what to do but we were sure we didn't want an abortion, so we decided to have the baby. I was five months pregnant with you when I was kidnapped because of an old feud some people had with your grandfather, thank goodness the Collins family came to our rescue on time or we both could have died that day, and we went through so many downs within that year Alicia, but the expectation of our baby girl was what kept us sane and going and the day you were born Alicia this family was on cloud nine"

"Your father's joy knew no bounds and while he was so happy about your birth he got a call that the deal he had been pursuing for months finally pushed true and the business could finally get back on track, the very same day your brother surgery was finalized because the doctor that had originally refused to perform the surgery finally agreed and later that day I also got my appointment that I had been employed in the City hospital. That is why up until today my dear December 31st the day you were born is this family's lucky day because that day our family started a beautiful and prosperous new year and ever since then we have never faced a year as hard as that.

"And Julius still believes that you are his lucky charm because he got another chance at life the day you were born. You always used to ask why we never even once missed doing charity for the poor ones on your birthday for the the past twenty years, its because its the day this family received the heavens most abundant blessings. Alicia you are this family's treasure and never ever forget that no matter where you go or where you find yourself, just the way you are a princess in this house you deserve to be treated as a queen in your husband's house and nothing less than that.

"Don't think we are using you to pay for an age long promise because we would never do that if he isn't good enough for you no matter who the person was my dear, but Nathan is one in a million and you my dear deserve the very best. We didn't tell you anything about Nathan Collins because you never asked and you were so certain you wouldn't go through with the wedding so we weren't sure if you were even ready to know about the boy".

"We have said it before my dear and I am going to say it again we won't force you to marry Nathan, at least now you have met him and am sure Sarah and Susan have told you certain things about him as well, and you have probably already searched the internet for some more if there is anything else you want to know you can ask me or leave it to ask Nathan yourself"

"Whatever you want to do honey think about it carefully and give us an answer tomorrow or we might not be able to call off the wedding anymore in case you still don't want it. Not all relationships have a happy ending baby, but I am certain yours will if you give it the right attention, whether you want to marry Nathan or not is your choice so think well and then decide sweetheart, you know we will always support you right", Julie said and by the time she was done Alicia was already crying buckets.

"So emotional, don't worry am not sending you off now", Julie said and laughed and Alicia just cried harder,

"Don't worry so much my dear all will be well, stop crying or your father is going to throw me out of the house tonight. Did I ever tell you he loves you more than me"

"That's a lie mom, dad loves you so much", Alicia said wiping her tears

"And he loves you even more, so stop crying"

"I will send dinner for you now, so eat before going to bed OK", Julie said and Alicia nodded in reply before Julie left.

After she left, Alicia laid on her bed and closed her laptop. She kept the laptop in its place and heard the door been opened. Sarah abd Susan were standing by the door and Sarah asked

"Can we come in",

"uhmm", Alicia nodded and they both came in, Susan was holding a plate of food and juice,

"Aunt sent this for you" she said and kept the food on the table. Alicia opened it and saw that it was her favorite dish, she finished eating everything on the plate within a few minutes,

"Wow so i was so hungry" she said and Sarah and Susan smiled

She packed up the dishes and finally noticed the pairs of eyes that had been watching her all this while.

"What is it", she asked once she was done drinking her juice.

"While you were up here with aunt, Brother Julius and Justin told us everything there is to know about your proposed marriage with our cousin", Sarah said holding Alicia's right arm

"See Alicia, you are our cousin too so I wouldn't lie to you, brother Nathan used to be one of the most caring person I knew even though he was always cold and non- smiling, he is someone who loves completely from his heart and he always shows his love through his actions and not words, he doesn't talk much but he cares a lot, yes he is cold but not unfeeling.

"Five years ago he was brutally betrayed in love and I don't think he has gotten over it yet, I won't tell you cousin is the best choice for you but he is definitely not the worst one Alicia. Think carefully Alicia, marriage isn't a decision you can take on a whim, so think carefully before you decide what to do and in case you have anything you want to tell us or ask us then go ahead, we won't lie to you", Sarah said

"The Collins family is an awesome one, dear and every single member of that family is humble and down to earth take my mom for example don't think we are saying all of this to defend them because we are a part of their family, its because we have seen their characters and how they behave even with strangers ever since childhood so I can assure you that getting married to brother Nathan can't be such a bad choice. But the ball is still in your court so choose well uhmm", Susan concluded

"Goodnight little sister" they both said, kissed her forehead and left.

After they had gone Alicia stood by her window for a long while,

"I have made up my mind, I know what I want to do now but I will tell everyone my decision tomorrow, she said looking at the picture in her bedside drawer,

"Fate is such a fickle mistress it can change sides anytime" she thought and put it back in its place and finally went to sleep.

"I woke up earlier than usual today I guess its because of everything on my mind" Alicia said looking at her bedside clock, there was still an hour for her alarm to ring, she switched it off and went to the bathroom to wash her face after which she went for her routine morning jog,

On her way back she saw two different couples, one of them were jogging together while smiling and holding hands and the other couple were arguing about something, they argued for a while and the guy soon apologized when the girl started crying. They both hugged each other and ran after the other couple trying to catch up with them.

Alicia suddenly remembered what Zia had once told her

"Every relationship has its ups and downs but the true meaning of companionship is always been there for each other", she had said

Alicia had decided to get married to Nathan Collins but the question on her mind was

"Can he ever be my true companion?",, she kept on asking herself as she jogged back home.