15. Chapter 15 Telling the Family #2
"Oh, right…you two…" Tessa shakes her head, her own face turning an unexpected shade of pink. "Yep, okay, shutting my mouth now."
Juliana asks Tessa to be there on the video call when we tell her parents of the engagement and Tessa agrees without hesitation.
My little jewel wants her sister and brother's support when telling Franklin and Paloma.
Soon, she will learn that the only person's support she needs is mine. I will never allow her parents to cause her the distress they have in the past.
My silent vow is put to the test not long after Juliana tells her parents she plans to marry me.
Neither balks at the speed with which we got engaged. Franklin, because he knew it was coming, and presumably Paloma because she is so clearly relieved her daughter is embarking on what she considers a normal life.
"A month is impossible. I'd like at least two years to plan an event like this, but I'll need a year at a bare minimum," Paloma says adamantly.
"Before we can even consult the designer for the wedding gown, Juliana will need to lose at least twenty-five pounds.
You cannot predict how a body will look after weight loss and choosing a style beforehand could be disastrous. "
The joy draining from her expression, Juliana stiffens beside me.
"Mother!" Tessa glares into the camera.
"My little jewel's body is perfect exactly as it is," I say in freezing tones, my own expression forbidding and deliberately using the English version of the endearment, silently telling her parents that to me she is and will always be my little jewel.
"That's a lovely thing to say, but as much as it may pain us, the world is what it is. If my daughter walks down the aisle looking like she does, there will be speculation that you are marrying her because she's pregnant."
Juliana's lovely features lose color.
"Enough!" I snarl. "The only thing people will think I’m marrying her for after seeing her voluptuous curves is her undeniable sex appeal."
Paloma winces. "Really, Prince Gabriel, there is no need to be so crude."
"I am not being crude. Merely truthful. And you will address me as Your Highness if you need to address me at all."
Franklin swells with outrage. "Now, see here—"
"Shut it, dad," Bobby barks, cutting his parent off. "You and mom have never seen Juliana for the beautiful and amazing woman that she is. That's your problem. Gabriel does and that's why he's marrying her."
It's clear Franklin can't decide between setting his son straight and congratulating himself on a well-executed plan.
I make up his mind for him. "I do and anyone who attempts to undermine my wife's confidence will have their access to her severely limited, if not cut off altogether."
"But I was only trying to help!" Paloma says beseechingly. "You know I love you, Juliana. I want your wedding day to be perfect for you."
"No, you want it to be perfect for you. I like my body. I don't want to change it and as my fiancé…" Juliana gives me a significant look, clearly meant to chastise me for referring to her as my wife. "Has said, he does too."
"More than like," I add, just to see the sweet blush steal into Juliana's cheeks to chase away the pallor caused by her mother's words.
"Yes, well. Be that as it may, we will need to outfit you with a new wardrobe, one befitting your new station in life."
Does this woman ever quit trying to "fix" her daughter?
"I'm not going clothing shopping with you," Juliana says baldly. "Nor do I want your input on my wedding dress."
Paloma has the effrontery to look hurt by her daughter's pronouncement.
But the look of shocked pride on the faces of Juliana's siblings tells me they wholeheartedly approve of her standing up for herself in this way.
Franklin simply looks self-satisfied. The plan he devised to get his daughter a husband and see her happy to be married worked.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Paloma says and then sighs, her hurt look changing to one of acceptance. "We never have liked the same styles. I think me pushing you toward styles that hid your extra pounds ended up feeding your desire to wear frumpy clothes."
Juliana sighs. "You're probably right. I always felt like I had to hide my body, but I don't anymore."
"No. You look very pretty in that outfit," Paloma offers sincerely.
The outfit in question has been tormenting my libido since Juliana put it on.
The three-quarter-sleeved, ankle-length dress with a square neckline, doesn't show a single inch of cleavage.
But it clings lovingly to her curvy breasts without revealing more than a hint at the outline of the rest of her body.
It's both modest and deliciously enticing.
However, it's the ultra-sexy bra and panty set she's wearing underneath that has been featuring in the X-rated images flashing in my brain at the least opportune moments.
Like now.
I have reason to be grateful I chose traditional formal dress of tan and indigo checked ghutra, indigo thawb and ocean blue bisht rather than one of my bespoke suits for this video call. My thawb does an excellent job of hiding the state of arousal Juliana's nearness triggers.
"I suppose without the unnecessary makeover component," Paloma gives a self-deprecating, apologetic smile. "I could plan the wedding in nine months' time, but four weeks is still out of the question."
"Here we go again," Tessa mutters.
Bobby just shakes his head. "Mom, you know that when Juliana decides to do something, she does it."
"Perhaps we could compromise on six months," Franklin adds in a reasonable tone.
"As difficult as it may be to hear, Mrs. Caldwell," I say, reinforcing the formal address between us.
"Your daughter is marrying into a royal family with centuries of tradition behind it.
Plans for our wedding are the purview of the House of Al Qadir event staff, trained on those traditions and necessary protocols.
They will have no difficulty arranging the events of the wedding in the time allotted. "
Particularly since they have been in stealth planning mode since given their directive after I decided to be the man of my house that Juliana would marry. I knew I wasn't willing to wait to finalize the agreement with Caldwell Biomedical Holdings.
"You are saying that I will have no say in my own daughter's wedding?" Paloma asks.
"The only voice regarding the wedding that the event staff must take into consideration is that of your daughter." I do not attempt to soften the blow.
"But—"
"This is my voice saying I would rather elope," Juliana slots in, her tone too serious for her comment to be facetious.
I turn to face her so we are talking face-to-face rather than to each other's video image. "Would you truly deprive me of the joy of participating in the traditions behind a wedding of my house?"
"I think I'm going to add manipulative to devious in your repertoire." She pouts adorably and it is all I can do not to kiss her.
"Is that a no?"
Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffs out a sigh. "You know it's not. I wouldn't dream of depriving you or your family of the traditions that are important to you."
"And you? Are there any traditions you want to observe?"
Juliana's eyebrows scrunch together in thought and then she says, "I want my sister to stand up with me, whatever form that takes."
"Just try and stop me," Tessa says with clear but unnecessary warning for me.
"Then it will be done," I promise my bride. "What about DeeDee?"
"I doubt she'll be able to afford the trip here and I don't know if she'll let me help her with it."
"Leave it to me. If you want her here, I will make sure your friend is in attendance at our wedding." She cannot refuse to ride in the royal jet with the rest of Juliana's family as it is a trip the jet would be making regardless.
"From the look on your face, I can't tell if you're planning more deviousness or manipulation."
"Neither. It is simply a matter of expedience. The royal jet will fly your family here for the celebrations and there is no logical reason for her to refuse to accompany them."
"Celebrations as in plural?" Juliana asks suspiciously.
"In Zahriya, a wedding is a weeklong event."