*Two Years Later*

*Alexia*
I stand on the beach with my toes curled into the warm sand, my eyes fixed on the vast ocean laid out before me.

From all the places on earth that Ricky and I have traveled to, it always came back to this one place. L.A. The place where the ocean calls to me.

I take a step forward; the cool water washing over my bare feet and I go back to that day. The day that Kent parted with us. Ricky and I decided to continue traveling across Europe. Eva, of course, joined us. But soon it was clear to see that she was missing Kent and that being our third wheel was taking a toll on her. Ricky and I had our happiness together, and she too deserved that. So, I convinced her to go back to Pluto. To go join the love of her life.

At first, she tried to argue with me, but I was persistent and put my foot down. As much as I enjoyed having her there with me, it was time for us to part ways. She was going back, no matter what.

So, we said our goodbyes. Bear-hugs given, tears spilling down. And then, I watched her go, promising to call each other every day.

"What are you thinking about, my love?" Strong hands wrap around my waist, drawing me away from my memories and I lean back, melting into the safety of his arms.

"Just how much has happened in the past two years," I respond as I twist the sparkling, diamond ring around and around on my finger.

Although I can't see his face, I sense the smile there. "Yeah, a lot sure did happen." His warm hands move along my waist to my rounded belly, which keeps on growing bigger and bigger each week.

I give a smile of my own. "Wait till my father sees me next week. Oh, is he in for a surprise."

Ricky chuckles at that. "I'm actually kind of afraid to see what he'll do." And then he's kissing the back of my earlobe, whispering the next few words into my ear. My heart fluttering. "I'll like to meet our little princess before your father decides to kill me for making you my wife. For giving you my heart. For loving you."

"Don't worry, my father would do no such thing. Maybe he'll just lock you away in the dungeons for the next one hundred years. But I won't let that happen. I'll help you escape."

"How sweet of you," he says as he chuckles once again.

I twist around in his arms to face him and wrap my arms around his neck— my swollen belly in the way of pressing myself closer to him. "I can be sweet at times," I smirk.

"Oh, believe me, I know." He smirks back.

I press my lips to his, giving him the sweetest kiss out there. Sweet as sugar.

Just then my compact mirror rings and I turn back towards our homey, beach house where the rounded object awaits on one of the beach chairs on the large porch deck.

I look back at Ricky, who gives me a reassuring nod. "It might be important. Go check."

"Ok, I'll be right back," I tell him, before running off, actually make that wobbling off.

I reach the stairs to the porch and stumble up the five steps, grabbing my compact mirror off the chair, and answering it on its last ring.

Eva's hologram appears and I smile. "Hey, how are you?"

"I'm good," she says, her eyes looking past my shoulder at the beach. "You're  very lucky to be living in such paradise."

"Yeah, I really am."

She then gets all serious and I wait patiently to hear what's on her mind. "I actually called because I have a dilemma."

"Ok," I say, waiting for her to continue.

She raises both hands, revealing the two glistening, massive diamond rings on her ring fingers. "Which one?" She asks with a dramatic sigh. "I just can't decide. Kent is really making it difficult for me by giving me two choices. I know it's really sweet of him, but you know me, if I like them both I can't decide between them."

"I know." I take a step closer to her hologram, my eyes trying to capture every detail of the rings. They're both absolutely beautiful, but one seems to be standing out more than the other and I know that that is the one designed for Eva.

"That is the one," I say, pointing to the ring that has a large princess-cut diamond and two small turquoise stones on each side.

She smiles. "I was thinking that too, I just needed a second opinion, you know. Especially yours."

"Since I have such great taste," I smirk. "I'm flattered."

"Of course, you should be. I wish you were here to help me with the wedding plans. It can be so flustering. And the wedding is only two weeks away." She places her hands over her heart. "I feel like my heart might fail me from all of this stress."

I take her hologram hand in mine. "You'll be fine. And at the end of the day, you'll be married to the prince you love..."

"I know, but as you just said the prince I love. Kent is a prince, Alexia. I'm marrying a prince which will make me a princess and someday a queen. What am I getting myself into?"

"A marriage that you'll be very happy with. I assure you; you have nothing to worry about. Kent will be there by your side the entire time, lending you a hand if you need it." I smile big. "You're going to have a great life together."

She sighs. "I know, but still can't help myself from worrying, can I?"

"No, you can't."

We both stare at each other, unsure of what else to say. Finally, Eva speaks. "Want to give me a tour of your newly renovated house?"

I grin. "I'd love to."

Compact mirror in hand, I lead her inside, showing her the large, modern gray and white kitchen and dinette area, then the living room with its red couches and white armchairs. Next, I lead her upstairs to the room we've been working on for the baby.

"I love it," Eva gushes, taking in the wooden cradle, with the pink canopy. "It's so girly."

"Well, it is a girl," I say, taking a seat in the rocking chair set up in the corner of the room.

"A little princess." Eva smiles.

"Yeah."

I begin to rock back and forth, my hand on my big belly. "Well, this is where the tour is going to have to end since I can't go any further."

"No worries." She blows me a kiss and I catch it. "I'll see you at my wedding in two weeks!"

"You bet. I won't miss it for anything."

"Even the baby?"

I laugh. "Don't worry, this baby won't be here for at least another six weeks."

"So exciting." Eva beams. "Well then take care and I'll see you real soon."

"Can't wait!"

She hangs up, her hologram slowly fading, till there's no trace of her left.

"I see you didn't tell her that we'll actually be in Pluto next week." Ricky is standing in the doorway, a smug smile on his handsome face.

"Nah, it's supposed to be a surprise, remember?"

"How could I forget? It's all you've been speaking about for the past month."

I struggle to stand up and he comes to lend me a hand. "What can I say, I'm really excited to be reunited with my best friend. It's been a while."

"I know. I'm looking forward to seeing Prince Kent too."

We both share a smile.

"Should we start packing our things?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me."

Together, we head to our bedroom, where the suitcase awaits.

Dear Pluto,

We'll be there soon :)

Love- Ricky and Alexia.