30. Courtney
CHAPTER 30
COURTNEY
I roll over and stretch across Jakob’s massive bed, joy bubbling through my every cell. The nap has done wonders for my energy, but as I sit up and smooth the crinkles from my shirt, a flutter of anxiety tickles my chest. Tonight, I’m to meet Jakob’s family, and my suitcase is laughably devoid of anything remotely appropriate for a palace visit.
I rise, pacing the plush carpet, my mind racing through a wardrobe that won’t materialize out of thin air. How does one even dress to meet a king and queen?
A knock at the door pulls me from my fretful reverie. Jakob enters, a soft smile playing on his lips that makes my heart do an involuntary leap.
“Are you ready?” he asks, though his eyes are teasing, knowing full well I’m far from it.
I let out a sigh edged with frustration. “Jakob, I can’t possibly go to the palace like this. My clothes are…” I gesture hopelessly to the worn suitcase sitting in the corner.
“Ah,” he says, his blue eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “I thought you might say that.” He steps aside, revealing a rack of dresses behind him, their colors rich and varied, fabrics shimmering even in the dimming light.
“Last-minute deliveries are quite efficient here in Bergovia,” he explains with a modest shrug, as if summoning haute couture with the snap of his fingers were an everyday occurrence. “When you’re a prince, anyway.”
I’m momentarily stunned, speechless at the sight of the beautiful gowns. My gaze travels over each one, from the elegant black sheath to a breathtaking emerald number that seems to pull me toward it with an invisible thread. But it’s the deep-blue dress, its fabric flowing like midnight water, that captures the essence of what I’d envisioned — if I had dared to envision anything at all.
“Jakob, they’re beautiful ,” I breathe out in awe.
I step forward, my hand grazing the luxurious materials, my mind whirring with the thoughtfulness of his gesture.
He watches me with warmth. “Only the best for you,” he says softly, and something about the way he looks at me, so full of care and adoration, crumbles the last of my nerves.
“Thank you,” I whisper, reaching up to press a grateful kiss to his cheek.
His stubble tickles my lips, and I linger there for a brief moment longer than necessary, savoring the closeness.
“Try them on. See which one feels right,” he encourages, stepping back to give me space. “I will go and take a shower.”
I choose the blue — it reminds me of his eyes, of Bergovian nights, of new beginnings — and slip into the changing area with an excited flutter in my stomach. As I smooth the fabric over my curves, I feel transformed. The dress fits as if it was made just for me.
Catching my reflection in the mirror, a glamorous stranger blinks back at me with wide, green eyes. The sparkle of the delicate sequins on the gown seems to echo the new sparkle in my life. Jakob and I are together! We’re expecting a baby!
It's all almost too much to believe.
I twist, and the dress twirls with me, the skirt billowing softly. My heart does a little dance of its own. Being with a prince… The thought sends my mind spiraling into possibilities that yesterday seemed galaxies away. How will my life change? Will there be protocols, etiquette lessons, or scrutinizing glances from courtiers?
A wave of apprehension tightens my chest, but it’s swiftly washed away by a tide of excitement. This isn’t just about the glitz or the title; it’s about us, Jakob and I — and our little one. A complete family. That’s the real adventure I’m looking forward to.
“Okay, Courtney, you’ve got this,” I say to my reflection, trying to steady the butterflies that have taken up residence in my stomach.
As I wait for Jakob to finish his shower, I pull out my phone and dial Mimi’s number. She answers after the second ring, her voice bubbling with the same infectious cheer it always has.
“Guess who’s back in Bergovia?” I say, unable to keep the grin from my voice.
“You are? Courtney!” Mimi squeals, her excitement palpable even through the phone. “When can we meet up? I want to hear everything!”
“Soon,” I assure her. “There’s a lot to catch up on, Mimi. Trust me, you won’t want to miss a single detail.”
“Are you in the city? Tell me you’re staying for good this time!” she presses, ever the detective.
“Let’s just say my visit might extend ‘extra long’ this time.” I tease, knowing full well the news of my pregnancy will send her over the moon when I’m ready to share it.
“Ooh, cryptic! Now you’ve got me all curious,” she laughs. “We’ll talk soon, then?”
“Definitely,” I promise. “I’ll call you. And Mimi… thank you. For everything.”
“Anytime. Take care and stay safe.”
“I will. Bye.”
I’m smoothing down the folds of the dress once more when the bathroom door opens. Jakob steps out, a vision of regal charm wrapped in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and lean figure.
“Wow,” escapes from my lips before I can catch it. It’s an entire sonnet compressed into a breath, as Jakob stands there, looking every bit the prince he is.
He strides over with that confident yet tender walk of his, and my heart does a little pirouette in my chest.
“You look…” His voice trails off as his eyes roam over me, drinking in the sight. The dress, a delicate concoction of silk and lace, feels like it was spun from dreams specifically for tonight.
“Stunning,” he finishes, reaching for me.
Our kiss is a promise, a silent language we’ve grown fluent in. His lips are warm, a gentle pressure that speaks of love and a shared future. Pulling back slightly, Jakob cradles my face in his hands, his thumbs caressing my cheeks as if to memorize the feel of this moment.
“I have never felt so fortunate,” he murmurs, his gaze conveying depths of gratitude and wonder. “To think that soon… we’ll be a family.”
My heart swells, a tide of emotion that threatens to spill over.
“I can’t wait either,” I whisper back, my hands finding their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my palms. For a man who carries the responsibility of a kingdom, he has a way of making me feel like we are the only two souls in it.
“Let’s go make some memories.” Jakob’s smile lights up his entire face, his arm sliding around my waist as he leads me toward the door and into the next chapter of our story.