Her Return, His Regret
Chapter 117~ Approval

Days

earlier.

Ryan went to the Davis mansion to see Freya Davis when Lora was at work.

"You didn't waste time, huh? Thirty days on the dot," Freya remarked as she held a mug in her hand, stirring her tea.

"I've come for feedback," Ryan replied confidently. He smiled and said, "Honestly, I wouldn't blame you if you still don't want me in your daughter's life. As a parent now myself, I can't even imagine someone hurting my children."

He took a sip of the tea he was served before he continued, "But I do believe people change for the ones they love... I might have been indifferent to Lora back in the day but now, I know what she means to me. I know she's a treasure that I can't lose. I know that without her, there's no me. I would lose myself completely if I lost her again. This is why I will never do anything to hurt Lora again, I promise."

Silence fell over the place and Ryan waited patiently for Freya's response. His heart was galloping wildly in his chest, hoping for a positive answer. For what he wanted to do, he needed Freya to approve of his relationship with Lora.

Ryan knew Lora wouldn't take the next step with him until she was sure both her parents were ok with it.

So, he desperately needed Freya's approval.

"I've been watching you for the last thirty days and..." Freya trailed, a frown plastering her face.

Ryan's heart jumped to his throat, his stomach twisting this way and that. He was anxiously waiting for Freya's response like his life depended on it.

"Oh, come on, honey. Give the man a break," Jack Davis' voice echoed in the room before he came into view holding his own cup of tea.

He sighed and said, "He had already eaten the world's hottest chili and never gave up! Give him a chance. I think he will make Lora happy."

Freya suddenly chuckled. She looked at Ryan before saying, "You passed the trial! Like I said, all I care about is my daughter's happiness and I can see that she's happy when she's with you. Take care of her, she's my one and only daughter." Ryan's eyes lit up, relief washing over him as he replied, "Thank you so much-"

"But..." Freya interrupted. "If ever, at any point you feel like you're tired of her... or if you fall out of love with her, please don't mistreat her or use bad words on her. Just return her to me, I'll be waiting for her with open arms."

Ryan's heart clenched, touched by Freya's words. Lora was so lucky to have parents who loved her dearly and he was so happy for her. She deserved to receive all the love in the world.

His face turned serious as he proclaimed, "You don't have to worry, Mrs Davis. As long as I'm alive, I'll try my level best to make Lora happy."

"Call me Mom... I'm not Mrs Davis to you," Freya requested and Ryan immediately felt at ease.

He smiled and said firmly, "Thank you, Mom."

Looking at Jack, he was about to call him Dad when Jack shook his head and uttered, "You're not allowed to call me Dad... call me Sir. You will only call me Dad when I see a certificate with the name, Lora Davis." Ryan nodded and replied, "Makes sense, Sir. I'll be calling you Dad soon."

...

Present time...

Ryan stood on a raised platform, family and friends seated on chairs under a white tent as he waited for the helicopter to land.

His heart was racing, beads of sweat coating his forehead as nerves twisted his stomach.

By now, he was sure Lora had seen the surprise he had prepared. Would she say yes? He knew she loved him but... what if she changed her mind about being with him forever? There was only one way to replace out...

Soon, the helicopter landed nearby

and Lora was escorted by the twins. She did look surprised to see her parents, and her best friend seated under er the tent. However, her erthe

attention was soon stolen by the man who looked like he had just

seen his whole world.

Ryan's eyes watered when he saw Lora in the gorgeous dress he had picked for her. Like Ethan, he too wore a navy suit with a rose gold bowtie. The family of four were twinning. Lora looked so beautiful and he couldn't wait for her to walk down the aisle on their wedding day.

When Lora and the kids got close, Ryan stepped down from the raised platform to receive Lora. When he looked into her eyes, he saw how teary they were and he couldn't help

but drop a few tears himself

It had been a long journey of ups and downs but now... he was going to do right by her. She was the love of his life.

"Thank you for bringing your mother, Ethan and Ella," Ryan remarked, stretching out his hand towards Lora.

The twins smiled before leaving Lora and went to sit with their grandparents.

Lora slid her hand into Ryan's, her eyes never leaving his. They stepped onto the raised platform that was decorated with gardenias and rose gold balloons.

"Ryan..." Lora said in a shaky voice. She was still trying to take in everything. "You did this for me?"

"Yes, my love. I invited our family and friends to come and be witnesses as I..." Ryan got down on one knee, still holding Lora's left hand. "Ask you to be my wife."

Looking into Lora's eyes, Ryan said, "I know we have a certificate that says, Larisa Bennett and Ryan Kingsley. But now, I want to have one with your real name... Lora Davis."

He swallowed the lump in his throat,

trying to prevent more tears from

falling and continued, "I love you,

de

Lora Davis. You're the only woman ̧ I've ever seen myself growing old with... Loved you even after death... e determined to follow you soon. However, a miracle happened and you turned out to be alive, now all I can think about is spending forever with you. I want to wake up next to you, go on dates with you, raise our children with you and see our gray hair with you."

"Lora Davis, will you make me the happiest man on this earth by marrying me again?"

Lora's tears rolled down her cheeks, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest. The love she felt for Ryan was so strong that her heart ached.

Nodding, she replied, "Yes, Ryan. I'll marry you again... I love you and I never stopped loving-"

Lora's lips were sealed by Ryan's sudden kiss. He cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply, pouring all his emotions into the kiss... love, passion, care. The crowd whistled and erupted into a warm applause.

Pulling away from the kiss, Ryan slid the ring onto Lora's finger before he raised it to his lips for a soft kiss.

Looking into her eyes, he stated, "Thank you for saying yes, baby. I'll make sure our wedding is grand... I want the whole world to know that you are my wife."