To Save a King, page 33
As much as she loved the farm, saying goodbye actually broke her last ties to Vegas. In her short hindsight, Gemma concluded it was a good thing.
Then again, if it wasn’t for the farm and the newborn puppies, she’d have never become friends with the prince. She’d have never danced at a royal ball or been filled with the light of the Heart of God.
Maybe she’d have never met Adelaide, the princess angel. No use denying it. God was up to something. All she had to do was say yes.
Arriving at the farm, Gemma slowed and turned down the driveway. B. A. Carpenter was already there, walking the grounds with his hat pushed back on his head. When he saw her, he came her way with a nod and sheepish expression.
“Howdy, Miss Gemma. Sorry to have you come out here again so soon but—”
“What do you need? Is something wrong?” She glanced around. “Everything looks like I left it.”
“Well, there’s something in the barn that isn’t quite right, and I wondered if you could help me explain to the Kingstons…”
“Sure, if I can. There was a lot not right with the barn when I bought the place—” Gemma hesitated at the barn door. Did she smell pizza?
She looked back at B. A. Carpenter. “Is someone else here?”
“The new owner. He wants to meet you.”
“The new owner…a Kingston?” Gemma made a face. “Why?”
“Sometimes why is not the right question to ask, Miss Gemma.”
* * *
John
Once upon a time Prince John believed in fairy tales. And after this summer, he still did. He’d also discovered the author of his love story had a divine sense of the happily ever after. He was finally launched out of a horrible Act One and into a promising Act Two.
Crown Prince John was no longer bound by grief. He was free to love.
And, after three weeks of intense communication, working late into the night, he was about to execute his romantic plan. At least he hoped it was romantic. In hindsight, it might have been wise to communicate with his intended a time or two before springing the whole palaver on her.
Best of luck to you, mate.
He jerked to attention when he heard footsteps and reached for the light switch. He’d been so focused on details he’d not prepared for nerves. He was sweating now that he stood in the barn, the puppy stall wrapped in a thousand twinkle lights, soft music queued to play from a portable speaker, the round table in the corner draped in blue linen cloth, holding a bucket of champagne and a hot pizza from Angelo’s. Would Gemma remember their first meal together was pizza?
He should’ve called her. Texted. Kept up the appearance of being friends. But once he decided, he put all his efforts into making his second proposal one she could not refuse.
Also, he feared if he talked to her, even texted her, his mounting love would just spill out. And he needed to tell her in person. Let her see in his eyes, hear in his voice, her past did not matter to him.
Mac and Mauve, their haul of friends, Imani, Justin, and Penny, were his boots on the ground. To his surprise, they kept his secret well. Then five days ago, he’d arrived at Buck and JoJo’s to hide out until he could conclude business with the Kingstons through B. A. Carpenter.
Which brought him to this moment. Gemma arriving at the barn. He’d flip on the lights—which he hoped reflected those from the Heart of God.
In the meantime, he’d started a face-to-face relationship with Imani. She must know she was as much a part of his plan as her mother.
Last night they’d dined in secret on Buck’s back deck.
“If I’m marrying Gemma, I’m making a commitment to you as well. You will join my family and if you want, I will be your father.”
There were lots of tears, laughter, and goodness, the girl could rattle off the deepest, most thoughtful questions.
“Can I finish high school here?”
“Can I keep my parents’ name if you adopt me too? Do you like me this much?”
“Can I think about all of this?”
“What exactly is royal life?”
“Would I get an allowance?”
John answered yes, yes, yes, yes and yes, and a lot of We’ll talk replies. But mostly assured her he liked her a lot. Even loved her.
There were things to work through but in the end, he had Imani’s blessing to propose to her mother.
He’d never forget her expression, her soft tears, and the way she flew into his arms. “Yes, please, make her happy.”
He’d cleared the parent hurdle, the daughter hurdle, and now for the fiancée hurdle. Words like insurmountable and fortress came to mind.
* * *
Gemma
Standing in the dark center aisle, she glanced back at B. A. Carpenter who was hustling to his car.
“What am I doing again?”
“Go on, you’ll see.”
Gemma turned back to the barn and the stalls. “Hello? Mr. Kingston?”
Lights flashed on, flooding the aisle and spilling out from the old puppy nursery. Music sounded, drawing her farther in.
“Mr. Kingston? It’s me, Gemma.” She never met the man before so she didn’t know what to expect—or what this was all about—but she was quite sure she didn’t anticipate Prince John stepping out in front of her.
“I’m not Mr. Kingston but a future king. Will I do?”
With a low gasp, she stepped back, wrapping her arms about her waist. “Prince, what are you doing here?” She loved how his blue eyes glistened. Hated how her soft voice quivered.
“Well, it occurred to me my mother was never going to change the marriage writ and I had to get on with finding a wife. Then I said, ‘Prince, you actually proposed to a lass who turned you down but I think she needs a second chance.’”
Gemma shook her head. “No, John, no, I can’t let you do this.”
“But oh, I beg to differ, darling.” He walked toward her, reaching for her hands. “You see, not only are you my best friend, but I love you. I fall more in love with you every time I see your face in my mind’s eye.”
“But you know the truth. Which is all well and good if we lived in a barn, but we won’t live in a barn, Prince John.”
He kissed her forehead. “Call me love or darling, babe or honey, but not Prince John. And no, we won’t live in a barn but in a very giant fishbowl, but I think we can be the sharks those pariah need.”
A tear dropped onto the back of his hand. “So much has happened since I came home. I’ve changed. Healed. But John, darling, love, honey, and babe, I cannot let my mistake plague you and your family.”
He touched her chin and raised her gaze to his. “Do you love me?”
“More than I care to admit.”
“Then marry me. We’ll face whatever scandal comes, together.”
“But you already know how it will be. Honestly, how’s it been for you since the video went viral? That MP Fickle loves to bring it up every week.”
“Who cares about him? Let him fight his own battles. We will focus on our love, our lives, and making a difference through the House of Blue, strengthening a thousand-year reign. Even Jesus’s lineage had a prostitute.”
“If you’re trying to cheer me up—”
“I’m trying to get you to marry me.” He tugged her toward the stall. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
“John, darling, love, honey, babe, this is amazing.” Twinkle lights dangled from ceiling to floor. Stringed music spilled from two little speakers. The hay had been swept away and the floor covered with a deep purple rug embroidered with the queen’s cypher. C R I.
“Champagne and Angelo’s pizza.” He held out her chair.
“Like on our first date. Except without the champagne.”
But before she could be seated, he hooked her to himself and kissed her. “I think I knew the moment JoJo paired us together in the 4th of July race I wanted you in my life. I knew you were special, Gemstone. But I really knew the afternoon of the wedding dress shoot. Marry me?”
“But darling, love, honey, babe, there’s so much to work out. Imani’s doing well in school and—”
“I guess I have to lay out my entire plan. You’re a tough one to get a yes from, Gemma Stone. I bought this place.”
“What?”
“Your dad helped me track down Mr. Carpenter and I made an offer to the Kingstons. They accepted. This is our place now. I’ve set aside a remodel budget. Your parents have agreed to move their trailer here until we can get the house plans set. Cole Danner will be our contractor. We’ll live here, if you don’t mind, as much as possible while Imani’s in school. I can travel back and forth as needed. You can come with me and Imani will stay with your parents. And yes, she loves this plan. I already asked her permission to marry you.”
“And she said yes?”
“After several dozen questions, yes.”
Gemma laughed. “Sounds like her.”
“I won’t lie to you, Gemma. Life with me won’t be easy. It won’t be fair. But I promise you a loving husband, a loving home, and if you want, a loving father. I mean, I hope we have children. The queen is counting on an heir and—”
She couldn’t resist another moment. Raising up, she kissed him, her hands wound into the oxford threads of his princely O’Shay shirt, the scent of his skin like the field after a rain.
When she pulled away, he was breathless. “Can I take that as a yes?”
“I might be crazy but after what I’ve been through the past few years, but I love you, Prince John, darling, love, babe, honey.”
“Is that how it’s going to be? All my pet names because you love me so much?”
Gemma pressed her forehead to his chest. “I love you more than I knew. More than I thought I had a right.”
If Hollywood, Matt, Vegas, and a viral video maximizing her shame led her to this, she’d take the journey of a thousand bad decisions all over again. Okay, maybe not every bad detour but it was her life, her journey, in which all things worked together for good.
Even better, she had her very own princess angel. Finally, Adelaide made sense.
“What about your parents? The Family? The government of Lauchtenland?”
“The queen understands. She’s happy if I’m happy. Look, there is a lot to tell you. A lot to unpack, but it changes nothing about how I feel. About what I know is right. Are you willing to step out in courage with me?”
“You haven’t even asked me about the video. The show. What I was doing on that stage.”
“I’m curious, certainly, but in the end, whatever reasons you give me won’t change my feelings or my mind. I want you to marry me.”
“Then please, let me tell you. I can’t marry you otherwise.”
The prince nodded and gave her arms a squeeze. “Go on then.”
Suddenly all the important details and reasons she’d collected to be her explanation vanished. Her newfound boldness waned. Was she really the woman being washed by light in the Heart of God? While wearing a mystical wedding gown?
“Gemma?” John said.
“Sorry, now that I’m free to speak about it, I can’t. I almost don’t want to give it another moment of my life.” Oh the irony. “I spent over two years hiding the fact I did the show, worried sick that people would find out, and now that it’s in the light, I feel like I was screaming the sky is falling when really it was just a bit of rain.”
“I didn’t watch the whole thing, but you didn’t seem like you wanted to be there.”
“Not in the least. The only way I could get through filming was to check out. My body was there but my mind was not. I fell off the stage that day.” She patted her hip. “Woke me up, really. Best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I assume the chap Matt Biglow was involved.”
“Yes, but in the end, John, I walked out on that stage. Leading or being led makes no difference. I surrendered to it.” She reached for his hands. “I’ve learned though. No one will ever force me against my beliefs or values again. I won’t do what I know is wrong in my heart.”
“That’s the woman I know and love.” He pulled one hand away, reached in his pocket and slipped a cool band down Gemma’s ring finger. A diamond surrounded by gemstones. “When the jeweler brought me this piece, I knew it was the one, except if you don’t like it then we can shop for—”
She pressed her full lips to his. “Do you forgive me? For the video and—”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I admire you all the more for having the courage to change your life, to walk away from a dream that was dying. For trying to protect me. But Gemma, love, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Prince John, darling, honey—”
His kiss came hard and fast, and with an electric passion. Taking her in his arms, he raised her up and spun her around. Now she was where she was always meant to be. This was the world in which she’d make her mark, leave her peace. It would be for a lifetime.
“THERE’S GOING TO BE A ROYAL WEDDING IN DECEMBER!”
—@LoyalRoyalsBlog
“Prince John says mysterious white feathers played a part in his journey to finding love after the tragedy of losing his wife. Find out more as royal reporter Melissa Faris interviews Prince John and Gemma Stone tonight at 9:00 on LTV-1.”
—LTV-1 Voiceover
“Gemma Stone will wear a hundred-and-ten-year-old wedding gown for her wedding. She told me the dress was very special. ‘It helped me heal from past pain. I know God is with me.’”
— Tuppence Corbyn on Tuppence Corbyn & Friends
Prince John and Gemma Stone, to be styled Her Royal Highness Princess Gemma, were married Friday evening, December tenth, outside Clouver Abbey by the fountain in the Heart of God. The bride stunned in her antique wedding gown. Prince John dressed in the official military uniform of the House of Blue. Gemma’s daughter, Imani Shumaker Stone, wore a Melinda House gown and served as maid of honor. His Royal Highness Prince Gus served as best man.
— the News Leader
“The crown prince has officially sworn his oath to be the King of Lauchtenland. The investiture ceremony was performed after he and the newly styled HRH Princess Gemma exchanged vows. She also swore her allegiance to Lauchtenland and the cause of the crown.”
— Perry Copperfield, Cable News PF
I love Gemma already. She’s cool. I know the video thing was weird, but I think she’s going to be great for our prince. For us.
— @StefwithanF on Instagram
“Wow, what a story, Maddy.”
“I agree, Hy. From widowhood to a raucous video to a proposal in a barn—I loved those photos—to a wedding outside in December. I think we can safely say Prince John has found his happily ever after. As well as Gemma. And she’s stunning. More beautiful in person than in photos. There’s a light in her eyes I can’t describe. Well, to you Prince John and Princess Gemma, many years of happiness.”
— Madeline & Hyacinth on the Madeline and Hyacinth Live!
“The Chamber Office announced today the queen’s daughter, Ms. Scottie O’Shay, will join the family at Hadsby Castle for Christmas and New Year’s. ‘This is a joyous occasion for us all.’”
“Her Royal Highness Princess Daffodil was delivered safely of a daughter, Tuesday, December fourteenth, at 6:20 in the evening. Mother and child are doing well.”
—The Chamber Office
Let’s end here…
Gemma
December 14th
Port Fressa, Lauchtenland
“Hurry.” Her hand clasped her husband’s of ten hours as she led him down Queen’s Avenue toward the moving lights of the Heart of God. “The clocks are about to strike.”
“Darling, it’s almost midnight and freezing. We have a nice suite waiting for us with a crackling fire.”
“I know, so get a move on.” Gemma put her head down against the chilled breeze and stretched her stride against the skirt of her nineteen-twelve mystical, wonderful, divine wedding gown. “This won’t take long.”
“Why are we reenacting a fairy tale? I had something else in mind for our wedding night.” He reached for her waist, but she twisted beyond his grasp.
“You’re the one who believes in fairy tales.”
“Yes, and I have my Swan Princess.” He caught her this time and pressed a cold, sweet kiss to her lips. “What’s this all about?”
As he tapped his forehead to hers, a gust of wind brought a swirl of thick snowflakes. Gemma raised her face to the icy droplets.
Maybe she was making too much of it, but she wanted to return to the place where she’d ended their fairy tale last August. Where she chided him for seeing meaning in a feathered gown.
“The Heart of God,” she said, moving through and into the lights. “Where I first turned you down.”
“Is that why we’re here?” John flipped up his coat collar and followed her farther into Heart. “Should I expect some sort of apology?”
“You should expect this.” She retrieved the long necklace box from her coat pocket, shivering when an icy gust slipped in and around her neck.
John gave her a curious glance. “I don’t understand. This is the box I found in Holland’s closet. The one with the necklace.”
“Open it.”
“I’m not going to find a rather large and ostentatious diamond, am I? Are you confessing some insider trading, conspiracy entanglement?”
“John, darling, love, honey, babe, you ask too many questions.” They’d grown accustomed to the string of pet names. Like some sort of royal moniker. If a future king had four legal names, why not four terms of endearment? “Just look.”
Removing his black leather kid gloves, he raised the lid. Inside was one large white swan feather.
“Darling, you’re giving me one of my feathers?”
