36. “Euphoria” - Loreen
Three Months Later
The day is unseasonably warm for September. I adjust the belt of my floral-print dress and hope I don’t sweat through it, then wink at Axel on the seat across from us. He’s kicking his short legs, probably imagining the ice cream cone we promised him if he came along.
After the initial uproar following Preston’s press leak, the public accepted the fact that we’re not any more perfect than they are. When we issued a statement concerning our choice to keep Axel a part of our lives, the response was overwhelming.
Henry is acting as a sort of surrogate father to him, filling the shoes that William never could—for Henry or Axel.
And while they may be brothers, they can certainly pass for father and son.
My fears were completely unfounded, because Henry is a wonderful dad.
He would rather cut off his own arms and legs than hurt Axel.
Elizabeth and I tolerate each other. I can’t say that she wouldn’t love to steal my husband, but I’m no longer worried about it. Henry drives those thoughts away every night. Sometimes during the day, too.
His eyes catch on mine and darken. I flush as that familiar tingling starts between my thighs. He grins as if he knows exactly what he’s just done.
The car stops, and I scan the crowd waiting for us outside. They’re behind steel barricades, waving small Wesbourne flags, holding posters and banners, and grinning in anticipation.
It’s incredible, this feeling of bringing so much joy to people. Just my presence is enough to make them take the day off work, to stand in the heat or the rain. To be the highlight of their week, or in some cases, their year—there’s nothing like it.
Henry helps me out of the car, and I reach back inside for Axel. The crowd goes wild, their applause thundering. We smile and wave dutifully. Axel sticks his thumb in his mouth and clutches my hand with his free one.
Rosalind, Beatrice, and Olivia are exiting their own car. Bea and Davies are still seeing each other, but they’ve chosen to keep it a secret for now. I don’t know if their relationship will last, but I trust Davies with my life. There’s no one better on the planet to protect my sister than him.
I study her for a few more seconds. She’s finally regained her color, and a genuine smile is stretched across her face. In some ways, having Axel around has helped draw her from her cocoon of grief. Now he spots her and bolts toward her, and she opens her arms wide for him.
Olivia smiles at the two of them. The woman is unflappable. I was a mess when I thought my husband had had a child without me. She found out her husband raped a woman while they were married, and there she stands like the goddess she is.
My mother tugs on the back of Bea’s dress, urging her to stand up straight. I hide my grin. Why should I worry about putting my best foot forward when I have my mum to do it for all of us?
I let my eyes wander over the crowds again, hoping my plan will work.
A hand gently squeezes my elbow. “You okay?” Henry asks, his breath warm against my neck. Goosebumps scurry across my skin in spite of the warm day.
I nod and turn my smile on him. “Perfect.”
He grins back. “I know. That thing you did last night—”
I pinch what little skin I can grab on his stomach.
“Ow,” he says, still smiling like a bloody prat.
Davies approaches my right shoulder. “You’re all set, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” I tell him before turning back to Henry. “Ready?”
We make our way to the people directly ahead of us.
Their cheers grow even louder. Henry and I split up, each going in a different direction to shake hands with as many of them as possible.
We’re planning to sacrifice several hundred engagements over the course of the next year between our two schedules, but if it means that we can do more of them together, it’ll be worth it.
Time passes quickly. Davies remains nearby, encouraging me to continue walking and ready to step in if necessary. Fortunately, it never is. We don’t discuss that night in the corridor three months ago. I think we both prefer to pretend it never happened.
I want this day to be perfect. I’ve spent weeks planning for it, and I just want to get as close to the vision in my head as possible. We have ten more minutes of greetings before it’s time to go to the rendezvous spot, where the six of us will meet up and wave our final goodbyes.
When we’re several yards away from the end of the line, Davies approaches. “Ready for this, ma’am?” His voice carries that cool professionalism I’ve come to rely on.
“I think I might be sick from nerves,” I say under my breath. “Does that count?”
He smiles. “Say the word, and I’ll put a stop to it.”
“I’m not sure even you are powerful enough for that,” I tease him. I smile at the group of teens pressed against the barricade, glad they’re not too cool to come see their queen.
After the final greetings, my gaze darts over the crowd. If they don’t play their role soon, my plan will fall apart.
Suddenly, a voice shouts through the hubbub. “Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
Relief floods my veins. Everything is going as planned after all. A quick glance at the rest of my family confirms they have no clue what’s going on.
Henry steps closer and slips an arm around my waist. “What are they congratulating us for?”
“Being happy, I guess,” I murmur, reaching up to press a kiss to his lips. The din from the crowd grows louder.
A gasp sounds from beside us, one I recognize as my sister’s. I break off the kiss as Olivia squeals. My mother hisses at Bea, “What’s going on?”
Henry and I leave our bubble to face the crowds. It takes a split second for my eyes to find them: a cluster of people holding up colorfully designed signs that say You’re Having A Baby!! Henry is smiling at Axel and ruffling his hair, completely oblivious to all of it.
“Oh my god,” Rosalind says when she finally notices the posters.
Olivia walks over to us and folds me into her arms. “I’m so happy for you.”
Henry meets my eyes over her shoulder, and his frown all but shouts What the fuck is she talking about?
I can’t stop the grin spreading over my face. He scans the people surrounding us, and I watch as recognition hits him. His mouth goes slack, and he swivels his gaze back to me. Olivia steps out of my embrace and wipes tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Is this real?” he says breathlessly.
“Is what real?” I grin like a drunk who just won a free pitcher of beer.
He yanks me against him. “You know what.”
I bury my face in his suit jacket and inhale amber, whiskey, and pine. The fabric rubs against my cheek as I nod. “You’re going to be a dad. For real this time.”
He crushes me in his arms and bows his head over mine, emotion trembling through his body. My own heart is a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
“How long have you known?” His voice is muffled by my hair.
“Two months.”
His arms tighten even further. “And you didn’t tell me before now?”
“I wanted to make sure everything was fine after Bea . . .”
At the mention of my sister, I pull away just enough to spot her. She’s smiling, but there’s a tightness to the lines. This won’t be easy, but I hope we can work through it. Given enough time, she will find her own happily ever after. Maybe with Davies, maybe not.
“I can’t believe you did all of this.” Henry drags his gaze over the spectators, who are going nuts over our announcement. “Actually, on second thought, yes I can.”
I meet his lips again, my arms still snug around his waist. “Sometimes a little control is a good thing.”
Thank you for reading Crowns We Save!