The day slowly came to an end without Maria waking up. But her family kept vigilant waiting to see her open those pretty sea-green eyes.
As the rising sun, slowly climbed over the horizon, casting a soft, golden light on the magnificent city landscape, the quiet of night gave way to the vibrant hum of another beautiful day.
Maria finally opened her eyes only to find her family members including Henry all snoring peacefully, scattered around the room in different sleeping sitting positions.
But the sight that melted her heart the most was the sight of her children.
Amelia was nestled in her husband's protective arms like an adorable baby, sleeping peacefully with Blaze also resting his head on the couch headrest.
Parched and unable to voice out a single word, she just remained still watching them until her very sensitive and alert son finally opened his eyes to meet her gaze.
Blaze's deep voice and movement caused Amelia to stir and open her eyes too. She followed her husband's gaze, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Maria's wide opened eyes.
"Mom!" Amelia's sharp voice chimed like an alarm bell, waking everyone from their deep slumber.
Blaze and Amelia quickly got to Maria's beside, their eyes brimming with excitement.
"Mom!" Amelia called softly, taking Maria's hands into hers as the latter smiled sweetly at her. "Hi..."
"Eugene quickly get the doctor," Blaze instructed his cousin before returning his attention to his mother who was still smiling as she acknowledged everyone standing around her bedside with her eyes.
"Do you want water?" Amelia asked and Maria nodded her head.
"Let's wait for the doctor to come before we give her anything," Vera suggested while beaming happily at her sister-in-law.
When did doctors and nurses finally arrived, everyone was asked to wait outside the room.
Upon stabilizing Maria's condition, and assessing her level of consciousness as well as any potential neurological deficits, the chief doctor certified her out of danger.
Over the next couple of days, Maria slowly began to recuperate with intensive nutrition, physical exercise and therapy.
By the end of the fifth day, she was finally discharged.
When Maria arrived home with his proud son and daughter-in-law on either side, she was stunned to see so many vehicles packed outside the mansion premises.
"Blaze, what is going on here? Are you having a party?" Maria asked, as she slowly stepped out of the car.
"Maybe," Blaze replied casually as he helped his mother out of the car.
"What is the occasion?" Maria paused, as she waited for Amelia to join her.
"How about you come with me and find out for yourself, Mom," Amelia replied mischievously giving her husband a thumbs up from behind.
"What are you two up to this time around." Maria's eyes darted suspiciously between her son and daughter-in-law, who had been acting like two inseparable identical twins.
"Nothing Mom." Amelia leaned closer and kissed Maria on the cheek before leading her into the mansion while Blaze followed closely behind.
"Welcome back Mrs Anderson, senior." The elegantly dressed butler, bowed curtly as he opened the door wide.
"Thanks, dear." Maria smiled, her sensitive nostrils already picking up the appealing aroma of tantalizing meals blended with different perfume and cologne.
"Where are the..." Maria didn't get to complete her statement when all her family and friends came out of their hiding places cheering loudly and throwing confetti and balloons in the air.
A beautifully designed banner that said 'welcome home mom' was hanging by the entrance to the living room.
"Welcome home, Maria!"
"We love you so much!"
Everyone was cheering and clapping.
Maria cupped her mouth, completely shocked to see her husband's family all present with their children and grandchildren, amidst friends and well-wishes cheering for her.
"Welcome home, mom." Blaze and Amelia said together each of them kissing Maria on either side of her cheek.
"I love you, two so much." Maria embraced each one of them, kissing them on the forehead, her heart swelling with pride and joy.
"Thank goodness you are fine my sweet angel." Mamo came forward to receive her daughter-in-law.
"Thank you, mum." Maria couldn't hold back her tears as they both embraced.
"Don't you ever scare us like that again, okay. We can't afford to lose you too." Mamo wept silently in her daughter's arm as memories of his eldest son's death washed over her.
"Okay, mum. I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Mamo pulled away stroking her chin.
"Although Vera and I still have scores to settle for keeping such information away from me." Mamo glared playfully in Vera's direction making the latter chuckle feverishly.
"I thank the heavens for being so merciful and keeping you alive, my dear child." Maria's father-in-law came next, embracing her.
One by one, everyone present came to welcome her including Amelia's father and her aunt.
Maria was super thrilled to see Naomi and her infant child, amongst other grandchildren present. She bragged about being the next grandmother in line, her beaming gaze on Amelia and Blaze, who were busy being the amazing hostess and host.
The sound of laughter, music and merriment filled the room as Maria got to spend quality time with her friends, chatting, laughing her heart out and keeping up-to-date with the trending news.
Amelia was busy playing with children running around her when caught sight of Henry staring hopelessly at her cousin as she helped around sweets for the children present. She was about to go to him and tease him when Naomi came around and pulled her away to the terrace for a juicy gist.
While the party was ongoing, Blaze received a disturbing call from Marcus that knocked the air out of his lungs and almost made him go limp with shock.
Blaze briskly excused himself from the party to avoid alarming his wife or Mom.
When he was finally inside the mansion study, he listened as Marcus gave a detailed report of the alarming crisis that had befallen his recently acquired mining field worth billions of dollars.
According to Marcus, he had just temporarily excused himself to take an urgent call when an explosion erupted from beneath the surface.
Consequently, due to the high power diesel propelled machinery, and other explosives, present at the mining site, the first explosion led to multiple catastrophic explosions.
Aside from the loss of properties and billions of dollars worth of investment, Blaze felt parallelized by the loss of two visiting active investors, and ninety- seven field workers, minus those buried alive in the rubble.
By the time Marcus was done with his report, Blaze was practically drenched in his sweat, panting for air.