*Eva*   

Kent and I have been together for two years now. It has felt both short and long. He was this prince I came to know and love and, in one week's time, he will be my husband.

The king is thankful his son found a life partner. He is getting old and wanted to ensure his son will be set up for success, and it will help to have someone by his side.

I still remember the day three months ago when he led me to a gazebo overlooking a shining lake and asked me to marry him. Now, I am marrying him.

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I am getting married. Not only that but to royalty. I am marrying a prince.

One day I'll be queen.

The enormity of it terrifies me, but I am so happy and comfortable in my relationship with Kent, that I refuse to let that stop me. Besides, I know Kent will help me through.

Time, if possible, is moving even faster now that I'm wrapped up in all this wedding planning.

Today I am going shopping for my wedding gown. It is super last minute, I know, but I couldn't find anything that suited me, and today they got a new shipment in. I hope I find something I like, otherwise, I will just have to compromise. Kent wanted to come along, but I told him I wanted it to be a surprise. He got a little pouty but didn't push the matter.

I twist my ring up and down my finger, something that has become a nervous habit of mine.

***

"Eva." Miss Talaway, the owner of the Dress Emporium smiles.

"Hi." I smile back as I let the door close behind me.

"I know you are on a tight schedule, so I'll lead you right to the back."

"That would be great. Thanks."

She shows me a few gowns and they are less classic than the ones I have seen prior, but none of them are super interesting to me either.

"I have one more to show you." Miss Talaway peels back the garment bag and I know I found the dress I was seeking. It's classic yet different.

I take it from her hands with a thank you and go to the dressing room to try it on. It's an ivory gown with a halter top. The bottom is made from tule and there are silver flowers that swirl around the dress.

I can already tell it needs to be taken in a tiny bit under the arms but otherwise, it's perfect.

I step out from the dressing room, ready to ask Miss Talaway for her opinion. What I wasn't ready for was to see the person standing beside her.

I am so shocked that I can't find the words.

"It's good to see you too Eva," Alexia teases.

I take all of her in. She is definitely very pregnant and very happy.

I step close, wrapping her in an embrace, "I missed you." I pull back, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to surprise you."

"Well surprise me you did," I laugh, "And it's good you came because I need your opinion." I twirl around to show off the gown.

She walks around me, examining it from every angle and I fidget a bit.

"So, what do you think?"

"I think it needs a bit of tailoring but otherwise it's great. It's also very your style." She smiles.

"I agree."

"Amazing," Miss Talaway says, "And I think I have just the veil to go with it." She reappears a few minutes later, "May I?"

"Please."

I face the mirror as she clips it on top of my head. It's a double-layer ivory veil with a beaded design.

"I love it," I say.

"You look great." Alexia grins and when I turn to face her I notice her eyes are glistening.

***

When we return to the palace, we find Ricky and Kent talking in the main hall. Sometimes I forget they are best friends too. It feels great that we are all reunited.

When we draw near, Kent kisses me on the cheek. "How did it go?"

"Very good. I found a gown that I love and I'm going to pick it up tomorrow afternoon."

"Great. I'm glad you found something you like," Kent replies.

There is a knock on the massive oak doors. "That must be the wedding planner. We are finalizing details." I peel myself away from Kent's side.

We all make our way into the sitting room and Cassy opens her notebook. "So, the silver napkins are coming in tomorrow. I sent in your flower arrangement request. And I confirmed that the menu is in order."

"That all sounds perfect. Thank you. So, what is left?"

"The band canceled, unfortunately. I wanted to discuss other options with both of you."

"I played the flute for a year," Ricky voices.

Alexia laughs. "I didn't know that."

Cassy clears her throat, "In all seriousness, I found two potential bands. They excel in different styles and I don't know if you prefer cocktail piano or jazz."

"I think we should go with cocktail," Kent states.

"I'm going to agree with him. Cocktail style it is," I say.

"Great," Cassy says as she gets up. "I will be in touch if something else comes up, but right now everything is in perfect order."

I walk her out.

When I return to the sitting room, Kent's father is perched on one of the chairs.

"It's so nice to see you again Ricardo," I hear him say as I join Kent on the couch.

"You too, Your Majesty, and for such a happy occasion."

The king turns to Kent and me and smiles. "Indeed."

Our attention is turned to a maid who scurries in. "The cook asked me to tell you that dinner is ready Your Highness."

"That is great news. I'm quite hungry." He rises from his seat. "Won't you all join me? We haven't had this much company in a while."

So, the four of us trail behind the king and into the dining room.

***

*Alexia*

My stomach is extra bloated from all the food I just ate. I'm ready to pop.

With my arm through the crook of Ricky's, we stroll around the lake, the cool night air blowing through my long hair. Hopefully, this walk will help all the food settle.

A Gooshin soars overhead, landing gracefully in the glistening water. I almost forgot how beautiful they are. Such majestic creatures.

I find myself drawn to it, taking slow steps toward it.

"Careful." Ricky's firm hand holds me in place. "Remember they're dangerous. It's not safe to get too close."

"Right, my bad."

"How about we go sit down?"

I smile at him. "That would be great. My swollen feet are killing me!"

He guides me to the gazebo, which is lit up at this hour by little lamps. I plop down on the bench and look at my husband, who's taking a seat beside me.

"What?" he asks.

"You know last time I was here, I was begging Eva to give me a potion that would make me forget you," I find myself admitting.

He raises a surprised eyebrow and I quickly continue. "You see, I was betrothed to Kent then and my feelings for you were so empowering, I was nervous I wouldn't be able to go on with my marriage to Kent. My heart was yearning for someone else. So I thought by forgetting you, all would be better."

"But you didn't go through with it in the end."

I shake my head. "No, I did not. And thank God I didn't."

  He takes my hand in his, placing a kiss on it. "I don't know what I would have done if you did forget all about me."

I lean my head on his shoulder. "Yeah, me neither."

He's now placing a kiss on the top of my head, his fingers getting tangled in my hair. "I love you so much. You know that, don't you?"

I meet his eyes. "Are you serious?"

Heat rises to his cheeks. "It was a rhetorical question. Of course, I know that you are aware of how much I love you." He places his hand on my belly and bends down to whisper to it. "And you too, little one."

I smile at that, my heart overflowing with so much love.

Not only do I have the most amazing man out there for my husband, but I also have a strong and healthy baby on the way.

What more could I ask for? I have it all.

***

"Alexandra."

I turn around and there he is in his royal garb, golden crown glistening upon his balding head. I totally forgot that he was scheduled to arrive tonight.

"Hello, Father." A forced smile makes its way onto my face. How can I forgive him for not being there at my wedding? Yes, he did gift me my mother's ring, but after that, he went all ice-cold on me again. Upset that I chose to marry a commoner. Upset that I chose to make earth my home.

He showed me no love, so I will do the same.

"Alexandra," he says again, his eyes solely fixed on my protruding stomach. "Why didn't you tell me?" He takes a step closer and I take a step back bumping into Ricky. His hands hold me up by my shoulders and wow, am I so grateful to him at the moment.

It's clear to see that my father is hurt, his eyes watering and his lips trembling. I'd never seen him cry before, and now all I could do is stare at him in shock.

"I know that I haven't been the best father, but I would still want my daughter to share the wonderful news with me. The child is my grandchild."

"It's a girl," I hear myself saying and quickly clamp my mouth shut, upset at myself for speaking.

I still hate this crying man before me.

"A little girl." He smiles as he wipes a tear away. "I'm looking forward to the day I get to meet her."

Now, I'm really angry, my body on fire. "You don't show up to my wedding, but you'll like to meet my daughter. Where is the logic there?"

He flinches. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there, I was very sick then and couldn't make the trip."

He has to be lying to me, but now when I do examine him more clearly, I can see just how frail and weak he looks.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" My voice quivers.

"I didn't want to worry you," he admits, glancing away. "I've caused you so much pain by being a terrible father. I just wanted you to finally be happy."

"But by not telling me, you made me believe that all this time my father didn't approve of my actions." I look at Ricky, who gives me an encouraging nod. "That he didn't approve of the man that I married and that I stepped away from the throne," I finish my eyes now back on the king before me.

"I'll admit that I was very upset with your actions, but I knew that once your mind was made up, nothing would be able to change it." He smiles at me. "You're just as stubborn as your mother was. And I'm sure your baby girl will be just as stubborn as you. It sorts of runs in the family."

I look at him, my heart breaking into two halves. He's still my father and nothing will ever change that.

Before I can change my mind, I'm flinging myself into his arms, holding him closer than ever. "I'm so sorry for being such a tough daughter that you had to raise all on your own."

"And I'm so sorry for being such a terrible father when I was the only parent you had."

I pull back slightly, so I can look him directly in the eyes when I ask, "From now on can you be a part of my life? Can you be there for me, Ricky, and little Josephine?"

My father's eyes glisten with tears once again. "You're naming her after..."

"Mom," I finish in a whisper.

He nods and then says with a big smile on his face, "I would love to be there for you and your family from this day and on."

Then it is settled. From now on, we are going to be one big happy family.

Now, I truly have it all.