DEAN'S POV

"You ready?"I asked River straightening up after helping her zip up her boots.

My princess looked beautiful in official high waisted brown palazzo pants, a light black sweater and black boots. I had no one to impress so I wore a black Adidas hoodie, camo cargo pants and white sneakers.

"No."River mumbled putting on her sunglasses.

My girl was worried, it was clear but I wished there was a way I could reassure her that everything would be okay. I didn't have much power, being at the bottom of the food chain in Kenya with no connections but I had something worth fighting for. River was everything to me and I would be damned if I let her go without a fight. River was going nowhere and by the end of the day she would be assured of that fact.

"We're doing this together."I encouraged pulling her into a comforting hug.

River wrapped her arms around my chest and hugged me back holding on tight.

"Together."River said her voice muffled by my chest.

I waited until she pulled back as she needed that hug as did I.

"Don't forget mom's boxes."River said as we stepped out of the house.

"Shit! Yeah."

I rushed back into the house to grab the two boxes of stuff we were taking to my mom. I had no idea where to take the things I wanted to donate but my mom would. After talking to her the previous night about our current situation she had demanded that we go see before our appointment at the immigration office. I knew she wanted to pray with us and reassure us that everything was okay which we both desperately needed.

River was quiet the whole drive over to my mom's place and I made no effort to start up a conversation. It would only make us more nervous and we'd already had a lengthy discussion the previous night as we prepared for the meeting.

I hadn't even considered the possibility of River being rejected. It meant accepting that there was a chance River wouldn't be by my side forever and I refused to entertain those thoughts. I hadn't been looking for a partner yet when River walked into my life she fit into it perfectly. I couldn't imagine my life without her in it and for that I would fight to keep her there.

River and I made it home in no time and I carried the boxes up with River trailing behind me quietly. My hands were full so I handed River the keys to let us in.

"Mom we're here."I announced kicking off my shoes.

"Don't take yours off."I said when I saw River move to take off her boots.

"That's disrespectful."She scoffed taking them off anyway.

It was good to see that she was being her usual sarcastic self. There was hope after all.

My mom came wading through the house towards us. She ignored me, her first born son, the first fruit of her womb, her pride and joy and went directly for River.

"How are you sweetheart?"My mom asked cupping her face lovingly.

River had a couple of inches on my mom but without her heels on, it levelled them out a bit.

"Hanging in there." River answered with a shrug.

"It'll be okay."My mom reassured pulling her into a hug.

River hugged her back while I stood there boxes still in hand watching them.

"Am I invisible?"I mumbled when my mom pulled River further into the house.

They took a seat on one of the sofas leaving me alone at the door.

"Thanks for the help ladies."I said under my breath setting the boxes down.

It was awesome seeing my mom and girlfriend get along like a thatched roof to fire but they didn't need to make me feel so left out.

"Have you two had breakfast yet?"My mom asked.

"Not really, neither of us was in the mood to eat." River answered as I sat on an armchair across from them.

"You need to eat something. A full stomach provides a clear mind. I'll be right back." My mom said and before we could stop her she was already halfway across the room and into the kitchen.

"So Miss Anderson, trying to steal my mom from me are you?" I asked.

"It's not my fault she likes me better than you." River defended.

"I don't mind sharing as long as you don't hog all her love."

"No promises, her hugs rival yours." River teased.

"Take that back."I demanded holding my palm against my chest as if she had stabbed me.

River laughed, the corners of her eyes crinkling with laughter and I managed to get a glimpse of my happy carefree River. She had been gone since we received the damning email but it was good to see that she was still there.

"You look beautiful baby."I complimented smiling at her.

"Thank you."She blushed tucking her hair behind her ear.

Her blonde locks had grown longer from the time she landed in Kenya because not once had she visited a salon. It was well past her shoulders now falling onto her back lusciously. I knew she didn't like it when it was so long but she looked gorgeous if you asked me. River would always be beautiful to me no matter the length of her hair, long, short, bob or bald. She was my River, always.

My mom came back with a breakfast tray twenty minutes later laden with tea, fried eggs, toasted bread and sausages. I had no idea how she had managed to prepare all that in twenty minutes but I was not about to start questioning the cooking skills of the woman who had bore and raised me.

"Fill up, you need the strength for today."My mom demanded.

River and I knew that arguing with her was pointless so we settled in for breakfast even though food was the last thing on our minds.

After we were done eating River excused herself to use the bathroom while I helped my mom to clean up. I waited until we were alone in the kitchen to talk to my mom about how worried I was about the whole situation. I couldn't show my weakness to River otherwise she would be more freaked out but with my mom I could be as vulnerable as I wanted.

"Mom what do I do?"I asked with a tired sigh

"Fight for her, for you, for your love."My mom answered standing next to me.

"How?"

It wasn't that easy. I knew I was supposed to fight but I had no idea how I was supposed to do that.

"There is more than one way to become a legal Kenyan citizen."My mom reasoned.

Of course I had thought about alternative methods."Yes but most of them take years."

"Not all."She replied tilting her head as if I was supposed to know something I didn't.

The wheels in my head started turning as I thought over all methods of becoming a legal Kenyan citizen that I'd learnt in history class while in highschool over ten years ago. My eyes widened as soon as I realized what my mom was talking about.

"Mom are you suggesting I marry River?"I blubbered.

Marriage was a huge step and nothing to be taken lightly. Sure I'd thought about marrying River but only in the far future.

"You love her don't you?" She asked.

My mom knew me inside out so there was no need to deny what she already knew to be true. I knew what was in my heart but I was yet to admit it out loud.

"With all my heart."I confessed my heart growing tenfold after finally saying the words.

It felt good to admit that I was in love with River. I had slowly but surely fallen in love with my blonde, blue-eyed goddess with crimson lips that always had me weak in the knees.

My mom looked at me with an encouraging smile looking proud of herself for managing to get it out of me. "Do you want to see her taken away?"

"Of course not."I answered.

"Then you need to do right by her because I know she doesn't want to leave you either."My mom asserted as if I didn't already know that.

"But marriage mom?"I challenged.

I was in love with River yes but were we ready for marriage? My mom should have been my voice of reason that it was too much too soon but instead she was encouraging me otherwise.

"It's the only way. Either that or you lose her."She reasoned."Have you told her that you love her?"

I shook my head"Not yet."

"You should and ask her to be your wife while you're at it. It's scary but it'll be okay. You have my full blessings to make River your wife. She's beautiful, kind and loves you which is all I've ever prayed for in the woman you make your wife. It'll be okay son."My mom smiled and with that she left the kitchen to join River back in the living room.

I was left in the kitchen alone with my thoughts.

Marriage?

Big step but my mom was right, it was our saving grace. It was the only permanent and bulletproof plan we had. It would be scary but I had my mom's support and once I helped River see reason then everything else would be okay.

I made my way back to the living room to find my mom and River gushing over my graduation photo. My mom had framed it and hung it up in the living room.

"At least its not baby photos."I grunted attracting their attention.

"Deanie, you were so cute, what happened?"River teased.

"I met you that's what happened. Dealing with you has aged me."I retorted.

River stuck her tongue out at me handing the photo back to my mom.

"We'll be going now mom. I'll call you later to tell you how it goes." River said hugging my mom goodbye.

"Please do. I know it'll be okay. You are more Kenyan than most people who were born here so you're not going anywhere."My mom replied.

"Thanks mom."River answered with a smile getting up.

I waited for her to put on her boots while I hugged my mom goodbye.

"Ask her."My mom whispered in my ear.

I nodded and kissed he cheek because I'd already made up my mind to ask.

"Good luck."She said waving goodbye at us by the door and for me her words had a double meaning.

I took River's hand as we descended the stairs to the car. Neither of us said anything until we were in the highway headed to our most important stop of the day.

"You nervous?"River asked when the silence got too much for her.

"Yes."I nodded even though it was for a different reason.

I was still trying to find the best way to pop such an important question. I didn't even have a ring for crying out loud. It was such a spur of the moment thing but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. I couldn't let River be deported and hopefully she would appreciate my thoughts and efforts to save our budding relationship.

"Me too but I have a feeling something big is going to happen that will change everything."River replied.

Her words took me by surprise. Had my mom told her that I was going to propose?

"Yeah? Like what?"I asked.

"I don't know, it's just a feeling and besides I have you by my side. It'll be okay."She answered.

I didn't know why I was relieved that my mom hadn't told River of my plans to propose. Probably because it was my decision on when and how to ask.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence babe."I said with a smirk.

"You're welcome." River replied confidently making me smile.

It's good that we were able to crack jokes considering the situation we were about to walk into.

All too soon we arrived at the immigration offices at Nyayo house. It was hard finding a secure parking spot but we managed to find one a couple of buildings over.

"Well let's get this over and done with." River said undoing her seatbelt.

Now or never Dean.

"Waridi wait." I rushed out holding River's hand to prevent her from leaving the car.

I rolled up all the windows and locked the car to give us some privacy.

"Is everything okay?" She asked looking concerned.

She turned to me and gave me her full attention and I had nothing to say. My mind was blank. How did men make proposing look so simple? I knew I wanted River in my life forever but asking her that question was proving harder than I thought it would be.

Rivers blue eyes were trained on me making me more nervous than I'd ever been in my life. My question would alter our lives forever so I had to be careful how I asked. I only had once to do it right. I couldn't afford to mess it up.

"You're so beautiful."I blurted out.

River laughed softly looking at me confused while I resisted the urge to face palm. I was not lying but it was the wrong comment.

"Thank you." River said still laughing at me.

Now Dean. Do it now.

Taking strength from the fact that my mom had already given us her blessing I went for it.

"There's on option we haven't considered about fighting for your right to stay in Kenya."I began.

"Which one?"River asked.

Here goes nothing.

"Marriage."I answered.

I'd never seen River's eyes widen to such a size before. She looked like an owl with her big blue eyes staring at me in shock.

"What?!"River choked out when she was finally able to speak.

"Marriage. If you marry me, you automatically become viable to apply for Kenyan citizenship. That will take seven years but being married to me ensures that they can't kick you out of the country."I explained.

I was doing the proposal all wrong and the more I spoke, the more I could see that River was not convinced.

"Dean you're asking me to marry you."River said testing the words on her lips.

"Yes."I nodded.

My confirmation only made the are-you-crazy look on her face get more profound.

"Are you crazy? Dean we've only known each other for three months. You can't ask me to marry you."River screeched trying to reason with me.

She was having the same reaction I'd had when my mom told me just with a higher pitched voice. I could see that I was losing her and worse, scaring her off which I needed to get under control before it became a situation I couldn't salvage.

"River, baby listen to me."I soothed taking her hands in mine.

I sounded way calmer than I was but it did help River calm down which was good.

"Okay."She nodded giving me a chance to argue my case.

"I love you. Definitely not how I thought I'd be professing my love to you but I can't think of a better time than when you need to hear it most. These past three months with you have been the best and I can't give that up. Waridi, I can't give you up."I began bearing my whole heart for her to see that my confession was genuine.

"I can't lose you either but this is marriage we're talking about."River argued.

"I know and I was scared at first when my mom suggested it."I replied.

"Your mom?" She asked wide eyed.

"Yes, baby please let me finish."I pleaded.

The more she kept interrupting me the more she messed up with my train of thought ruining my poorly prepared proposal.

"Okay."She nodded giving me a chance to continue.

"When we first started dating you said that a man always knows within the first week if he's gonna make you his wife or not and I said yes. I didn't know how true those words would come to be until today. I said yes that day but I didn't know that you would slowly become the most important person in my life. You're in my heart, mind, body and soul. There is no Deanie without his waridi and I know this is scary but I know for sure that I want to be by your side for the rest of our lives of you'll have me. I know it's sudden but if you take my last name I promise to take care of you for the rest of our lives, to love you unconditionally and to make you happy. Please say yes."I pleaded.

The only other woman I'd begged was my mom and for River I would happily grovel at her feet like the simp that I was. I wanted to make River my wife and that idea seemed more and more probable the longer it was out there.

"Oh Deanie." River cried tearing up.

"River Mae Anderson will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"I asked hoping I had a ring and was down on one knee but she would have to take what she got.

I expected her to fight a bit more but her next words made me the happiest man in the world.

"Yes, God, yes. You are crazy but I will marry you."River replied cupping my face to kiss me.

I kissed her back feeling my heart beating out of my chest.

"I love you."I confessed unable to stop saying those words to her.

"I love you too." River replied taking me by surprise.

I hadn't expected her to say the words back but by God did it feel good to hear that she shared my feelings.

"You do?!" I mumbled insecurely.

I'd never said those words to a woman who wasn't my sister or mom before or had a woman say them to me. None of my previous relationships had gotten so far but with River it felt so right. I wanted us to go the distance and the first step was getting married.

"Of course you dork. I love you with every fiber of my being." River assured me.

I had no more words so I kissed her to seal the deal.

"We're getting married."I exclaimed as the reality set in.

I was scared yes but I was excited as well and really looking forward to the future River and I were going to have together.

"Yes we are." River affirmed looking just as happy if not happier.

I reached for my keys and removed one of the key rings holding it out for River.

"It's not ideal but it'll hold until I get you the real thing."I said holding it out for her.

River smiled and held out her left hand for me. I slid the ring onto her finger kissing the back of her hand once I was done.

"I love it."River said looking at it as if it was the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen. "And I love you." She gushed launching herself at me for a kiss.

I helped her adjust the ring to fit her finger much better before we alighted from the car, holding hands.

"Now lets go put that immigration officer in his place."I said leading River into the building.

"Told you something big was gonna happen." River grinned at me.

"You called it babe. My little soothsayer ."I nodded.

As we walked into the building hand in hand, having just gotten engaged a few minutes ago, our future was looking brighter than it had been when we received the email. Kudos to my mom for knowing the perfect fix to our problem.

Now we just had to convince the immigration officers that River needed to stay in Kenya as my wife. Fingers crossed they wouldn't give us a hard time or try to trip us up.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Did that just happen? Oh yes it did. They are getting married 🍾🎉🎊...

Spoiler alert but obviously (not really obvious but I'm letting you guys in on the secret) they'll get the pass to get married and all that blah blah blah. Question, should I write about their meeting with the immigration officer or skip direct to the wedding planning.

Please comment what you want to see in the next chapter, it'll really help. I just want to know if you guys will want to read that part.