A Royal Wedding: The Royals Series Read online

  A small bridge crossed the pond. My father led me to it, walking me over the bridge. We paused so I could take it all in. It was too much.

  Aiden stood under a large tree with lights and flowers hanging above. He smiled and I shook my head in disbelief.

  How had he managed it? I knew the tents and trees were off-limits for me leading up to the wedding, but this was something out of my range of imagination. I couldn't have guessed anywhere near this level of beauty.

  Dad handed me to Aiden, hugging him.

  “Hi,” Aiden said, his eyes calm and cool, sparkling with the tiny lights and flowers and the fact he had managed to pull this off.

  “How?” I whispered.

  His eyes widened. “Magic.” He pulled me to him. “And yet, you are the most beautiful part of this.”

  “You’re a liar,” I muttered. “The tree and the pond are way better.”

  “Not a chance.” He slipped his hand into mine and turned us to face the priest.

  I was grateful it wasn't our first wedding. My eyes wouldn't stay still. They ventured around the tents, finding new places more exceptional than the last spot they visited.

  “And now for the vows. Queen Consort Finley, would you like to go first?” the priest asked me.

  “Okay.” I didn't want to go first at all. But I turned and faced him, the man I’d already been married to for months. Butterflies filled my stomach. “I don't have the same thing you do—the ability to write something perfect and make a person feel your words with every inch of their soul. I don't have the talent to say things the way you do. And when you said we were doing this, I have to admit I panicked. I even Googled ‘awesome vows.’” I lowered my gaze as the crowd laughed softly. “But in the end, I decided we already said vows. We already got married. So instead of vows, I just wanted to say thank you.” This part tried to choke me up, but I toughed through, “When we met, I was going the wrong way. I was lost and stumbling down a path that wasn’t meant for me. And I don't know if I believe in God,” I paused and glanced at the priest, “Sorry,” then back to Aiden, “but I believe you were meant to come into my life when you did. And I think my mom sent you,” I lifted my gaze to his, noting he’d grown rigid, “because she couldn't save me from myself, but she knew you could.”

  His eyes filled with tears.

  I’d shocked him. It was evident on his face and in the way he clenched his jaw. He swallowed hard, nodding then licking his lips. “Okay.”

  “Okay.” I blinked a tear down my cheek.

  He lifted his hand as though we were alone and wiped it for me.

  “I did the same.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t write vows. Apparently, neither of us is very good at following directions.” He chuckled, making everyone else laugh with him. “I too wanted to than-thank you.” He tilted his head and his voice cracked when he spoke, making more tears threaten my makeup. “As you know, I had a plan for a life I was going to live. A plan of no plans. Adventures and cultures and exploring the world. It was carefree and selfish, two traits I didn't realize I suffered from. But then I met you, and it was as if Peggy on the Cove had come to life for me. A girl, a lost girl standing on the rocks, staring at the water, as a storm approached. I knew the moment I saw you, my heart would never recover. I had to win you over. And it was harder than I expected. You had to be the only woman in the world who wasn't impressed by my being a prince.” He laughed, with the crowd, again. “But I never doubted we were meant for each other. And I want to thank you for taking a chance on me, and my people. And being the brav-bravest girl I’ve ever met. I lo-love you.”

  Tears flooded my eyes.

  Our fingers gripped tightly to each other’s as he slid the ring, which he had taken from me yesterday, on my finger. Giving it to me once more with the promise to love me forever.

  “You may kiss your bride.”

  Aiden grabbed me, kissing me like he meant it. It wasn't a kingly kiss. It wasn't a public kiss. It was more. It was everything. We kissed under the light of the moon and stars and the secret glowing forest scene he had created.

  The moment of being married under the tree was only trumped when I learned the dance floor was the pond and the water and the floating flowers were under glass.

  As the stars grew brighter, we danced on the water, our reflections amongst the sky and flowers and lights.

  It was magical.

  And this time the party was filled with faces we loved. And people we wanted to see. Even his mother laughed and danced, her face also lighter than I’d seen it in years.

  Warm from dancing, overwhelmed and needing a minute away from it all, I hurried to the back tables and climbed onto one of the chairs, watching it all.

  The beauty of the party was a perfect view from here.

  I sat and stared until Aiden carried Ella over. “Sitting all alone on your wedding night? Isn’t that bad luck?”

  “No. The view’s great from here. I don’t know how you managed to pull this off, but it’s off the charts. I am stunned. Like legit stunned.” I took Ella and let him drape the blanket over us as I unleashed one of my breasts on the poor thing while soaking the other one up with a receiving blanket. “I feel a little crazy breastfeeding in this expensive dress.”

  “I doubt the little princess feels the same.” He sat next to me when he was certain I was covered, wrapping his arm around me and kissing the side of my head.

  “Thank you, for everything.” I leaned into the kiss. “This was perfect.”

  “It truly was.” He kissed along my neck. “Are you ready for bed soon?”

  “I’m ready for sleep,” I said with a smile.

  “I think I can persuade you to stay up.” He ran his face along my neck and cheek, planting tiny kisses until he reached my mouth.

  “I suppose once Ella is sleeping, we can do rock-paper-scissors for it.” I leaned in, whispering, “I’m going to pick rock.” I winked.

  “Sexiest thing you’ve said all day.” He chuckled and we stared at the party for a moment.

  “I can’t believe we’re finally here. Married and parents and completely together. Nothing can shake us now.”

  “You and me both.” He moved the blanket so he could see Ella feeding. “She looks like a little hungry bunny when she feeds. Moving her nose that way.”

  “I guess.” I lifted my gaze. “Her first nickname? Hungry bunny.”

  “She is such a tiny little thing. She must be the size of a small bunny.” He stroked her back and kissed my cheek. It was a dull but spectacular moment in an otherwise outrageous night. And it was just the beginning. It was one of many nights we would spend staring at her as she ate or slept, as if something fascinating would happen.

  And fascinating happened all the time. Just a different kind.

  Epilogue

  The small airport in Spokane was exactly how I remembered it. We’d come for a funeral, Linna, Jess, Tracy, and me. A friend from high school had died in a car accident.

  As we got to the security check-in desk and the gate for private jets, a woman from the desk for the airline next to us spun around, her eyes familiar to me. She paused, tilting her head and smiling wide. “Hey, I know you.”

  I prepared for the spiel but she surprised me.

  “You’re the kid whose parents sent her to Canada alone. Like ten years ago.”

  “Airline lady!” I said loudly. “Oh my God, it’s you! I think I still have your card somewhere.”

  “Look at you now!” She eyed me up, walking toward us. “Clearly, Canada was good for you.”

  “Yeah, it was.” I smiled. “It was a great trip and I ended up meeting my husband and sort of finding myself. I’m headed there now, to Halifax. Going to see some old friends.” By old I meant old.

  “That’s amazing. Good for you. And they were nice, huh? Those Canadians are so nice,” she gushed.

  “They were. Very nice.”

  “Excellent. I thought about you a lot over the years. It’s never happened
since, someone’s parents sending them to Canada as punishment.” She chuckled. “Well, you guys have a great trip.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I can clear you for security so you can go to the section for private jets.” She peered down at my passport. Her eyes did a second trip around it. Then a third. “Your Highness?”

  “Yeah.” I waved a hand at it.

  “Finley Roze. I never put that together until now. Holy shit!” Her eyes widened. “That’s who you met in Canada? King Aiden?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded.

  “Wow, that’s some find in Canada.”

  Her comment made me laugh. “It was.”

  Her eyes darted to Tracy. “So he’s—”

  “My guard,” I said with a sigh as Tracy handed over his documents.

  “Jeeze. Fancy. I need to go on over to Canada and see if I can’t find a king and a hot guard.” She flirted with Tracy right in front of us. His cheeks flushed and his eyes lowered. “Have a safe flight,” she said, sounding bewildered.

  “We will, thanks.” I smiled and made my way to the door that would lead us down a quiet hallway. Tracy was speaking to someone in a suit and Linna and Jess paused to have the airline lady look at their passports.

  I was alone when I saw her. I finally saw her.

  Same dark hair. Same smile. Same sparkly eyes.

  She was standing alone in the middle of the wide airport hallway, wearing the outfit from the video where she gushed and sang, “Two Little Boys.”

  “Mom?” I whispered.

  My heart stopped and my mouth dried, but tears popped into my eyes.

  She stared at me so intently, nothing but love coming from her.

  I lifted a hand, offering a slight wave but it was more like reaching.

  Her lips lifted a little more, her smile growing like she wanted me to know she was happy and she needed me to see it. She did the same wave, almost reaching, but then an announcement came over the loud speaker. They were calling a flight and somehow it was hers. Her head turned and she nodded, maybe hearing something different than I did.

  She gave me one more look before she turned and walked into the crowd of people heading for security.

  She’d come to say goodbye, meaning she had been here all along. She had never left me. Not once. But she was going now. Because everything was sorted. My life was blissful.

  I didn't need her to help guide me.

  “Ready?” Jess asked as she stood next to me, frowning at the expression on my face.

  “Yeah,” I said, realizing I’d seen a ghost.

  “You okay?” Linna asked. “You’re pale as hell.”

  “Yeah. I think I’m hungry,” I brushed it off.

  “God, I hope you’re not pregnant again. Three kids is a lot, you know,” Linna mocked me.

  “Well, I am.” I stuck my tongue out.

  “What?” Jess’ eyes widened. “Oh my God! Does Aiden know?”

  “Not yet. I just found out.” I smiled. “He wouldn't have let me leave if he’d known I was.”

  “That’s true.” Tracy scowled, getting the door for us. “And if he finds out I knew before him, again, he’s going to be right angry.”

  “He won’t find out.” I waved him off.

  “Famous last words,” Tracy muttered, knowing Aiden always found out.

  He always found out.

  The baby would be our last daughter, completing our efforts to maintain the royal family’s line. Two sons and two daughters.

  Our dad married Muriel. I was a bridesmaid with Jess and Alex. It wasn’t magical, at all. In fact, it was awkward as hell. But we made due. Particularly when we saw the guy Alex was dating, an older man with a lot of money. He had a fancy title and castle and reminded me of Big Daddy when Adam Sandler went on the “old balls” rant. Linna and I did the impressions all night long.

  As for everyone else?

  Of course, Linna married Riley and moved back to London for his career, but she was the superstar, using her social media presence to create a buzz about art and history while working at the Natural History Museum in London. Absolutely no one in the world saw this coming. But people change. Even Linna.

  Bea and Carter married and had a baby within a year of their engagement.

  Dee and Mark got pregnant the moment their adopted daughter arrived, giving them two kids under the age of two. It was aggressive, but Dee handled it with perfection.

  Johan and Jess married, but they eloped on a beach after being engaged for five years, delaying the wedding. I ended up being the better daughter-in-law. No one saw that as a possible outcome.

  Mary broke up with Kennington the Turd after three years of dating and started seeing his cousin, Sybil. It was a great moment to see Mary bring her home. I was proud of the queen mother for being cool. I hadn’t expected that.

  Aaron and Holly got divorced, not so much of a surprise . . . He was still in Madrid last we spoke, and came to visit frequently, bringing a different girl each time.

  Jack went off to St Andrews to fulfill the family schooling. We didn’t hear much from him, but the staff complained a lot. The walk of shame from an estate of that size was more like a ride of shame and everyone talked.

  Andrew and Marbles were going strong the last time I visited, but we lost Sarah to a heart attack in her sleep. Something Marbles said was like winning the lottery. Hanna wasn’t doing so hot, meaning a visit would be in order, which was why we were going there.

  Hattie loved Scotland, finding herself a man about her age to fall in love with all over again.

  Carmen married the dentist and left the Garden to work at his practice.

  Janet was still working at the Garden last time I was there.

  Mrs. Bates was still alive. And likely never going to die. Evil things such as her didn’t die. It was science.

  Mr. Stinky finally passed away. His replacement, Boots, would never fill his shoes for mouse killing, but we liked him a lot better. He was a snuggly cat, except where Ozzy was concerned.

  Sheila married the old guy. Dad continued to call him the poor old bastard.

  Suzzy had twins a year after their first and ended up with three small kids. She didn’t handle it with perfection. Not at all.

  And Aiden’s mom finally met a dude who made me smile all the time. He was French and funny. No one else really liked him, he wasn't a duke or a lord or anything titled, but I adored him. And he changed her for the better.

  Everyone lived their own version of happily ever after, depending on what they wanted.

  Even Lucas Reid, who I last heard was married to a girl who looked suspiciously like me. He was such a stalker.

  My dreams of becoming a journalist changed. Likely because I was constantly hot news and it sucked and I hated journalists. My fears of clowns and ghosts and magic never died, unless the magic involved the kind Aiden had pulled off on our wedding day and the ghosts were visits from my mom in airports.

  My fairytale ending was nothing like I’d imagined. We weren’t two people on the precipice of greatness. We were just two people. The greatness came from the love surrounding us. The lives that intertwined with ours.

  And no matter what, he would always be a king and I would remain a girl from Spokane. Forever two people destined to be together.

  Even the paparazzi agreed on that much.

  The End

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  If you liked this book check out Pretty Girls Die First. It’s been said to be Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars. Just turn the page for the first chapter.

  Sample chapter

  Crimson Cove Mysteries

  Book One

  Pretty Girls Die First

  By Tara Brown

  Mission Impossible

  August 3rd

  The red maple trees lining the streets always made me feel like I was home, no matter which part of town I was in. T
hey were our calling card and namesake, Crimson Cove. A cove of red maples.

  The East Coast had maples everywhere, but only Crimson Cove had the red ones exclusively. We were famous for the drive into town along the shores from Stamford, Connecticut. We were the small cove just between Stamford and Darien, a red splotch on any aerial map. It was small with only 18,733 people and even that number was dependent upon who you asked. I know my father didn't count the laborers or the service workers as residents of our town. Even if their families had lived here longer than ours.

  I leaned my head out the window, wondering what kind of treasures I would find in Vincent’s bedroom today.

  Maybe I should feel guilty for snooping in people’s things but I didn’t, and Vincent’s room was my favorite.

  I considered it boot camp-style training for being an investigative journalist. There was nothing like the real thing to teach you how to do it, and I was in the perfect place to learn. There was no town with secrets as good as ours, or scandals that ran as deep in all of the United States, including Hawaii.

  Andrew, my partner in grime, gave me a look from the driver’s seat of our work truck as he drove down the highway. “Lindsey, earth to Lindsey!”

  A scowl crept along my face as I stared at him, realizing he was talking. “Did you say something?”

  “A few somethings. You wanna grab lunch first or after Vince’s house?” He chuckled.

  I sighed and turned to look out the window at the downtown core passing by me. “Whatever. I don't care. What are you in the mood for?”

  “Well, to be honest, I really want some sushi.”

  I turned back and laughed with him. “We don't have time to stop for sushi. We still have the country club to do.”

  He nodded as he offered up his adorable dark stare. “I know, but I was thinking maybe we could be too long at sushi and Vince’s house and the other team could do the clubhouse.”

  “I like where you’re going with this.” Neither of us said it, but we both were ashamed of the fact we worked for my father. It was so far beneath us we didn't really know how to protest it. Andrew had been hired on because of a drunk driving incident two months ago. I had been forced into it with a “learn some work ethics” spiel from my father, most likely spurned on when I rolled my eyes and told him I planned to be a journalist and didn't need his money.