"Well, Just Matthias." Brent gestured into the house. "Please come in."
The floorboards creaked beneath my feet. Rather than sounding eerie, it gave the place a homier feel.
In the kitchen, Ally's mother was flipping pancakes on the stove. "Good morning, Matthias! Have you eaten?"
I nodded. "I have, thank you. And I don't want to impose on you anymore than I am."
Brent ushered me into a seat and then took up the one opposite. "No imposition at all," he assured. "Delilah loves to cook for people. Just be careful accepting any of her baked goods."
Delilah threw a chocolate chip at her husband, who laughed and batted it away.
Even if I couldn’t be king, I would be more than happy with this kind of life. As long as it was with Ally.
"So you said on the phone that you had a favor to ask?" Brent pushed away the newspaper in front of him and rested his elbows on the table. "I double checked Ally's schedule before she left this morning, and she assured me she’d be at the library until at least six."
I nodded along. "It's not a big favor," I said. "But when I went walking with Ally through your garden last night, I had a vision."
"Oh, been there," Delilah chimed in. "If that garden could tell tales..."
Her husband breezed right over her statement. "Tell me about this vision. Unlike my wife, I assume you're speaking less literally."
I chuckled. "It was more of a thought."
I told Ally’s parents about my idea, and they were on board enthusiastically.
"This sounds wonderful!" Delilah cooed. "Oh, I can't wait. I'll start calling around right away!"
She flounced from the kitchen, forgetting the one pancake still in the pan. Brent stood up and seamlessly took on her task, as if it was something he was used to doing.
And though I was nervous, the first fluttering’s of excitement raced through my belly. I just wished I didn't have to wait until tonight.
By the time night fell, I was exhausted. I'd spent the afternoon running around to a list of houses and farms given to me by Ally's mother. After that, it had been a matter of preparation.
Brent had taken on the task of distracting his daughter after she finished work, if need be. He seemed excited about the idea, muttering something about finally teaching the girl how to milk a goat. I laughed, unsure if he was serious or not, but grateful for the help either way.
Ally’s mother assisted me in setting up all the lights. She then asked if I wanted something to "take the edge off" while I waited for Ally to come home. They were an odd couple, but Ally's parents were fast becoming some of my favorite people.
Finally, it was time.
Ally's headlights flashed up the long drive, and I stepped out into the back garden and waited. I could hear her footsteps crunching across the gravel as she approached the front door. It was thrilling, knowing that she didn't expect me to be here. I'd hidden my car down the road some ways so she wouldn't suspect anything.
We had agreed to meet up this evening to discuss our plans, but I'd avoided setting a time with her all day.
Unbeknownst to her, the time was now.
My hands shook with nervous energy. I clenched them into fists, but then decided that looked too aggressive, so loosened them again. I hadn't brought a suit up with me, so I'd gone out and bought one earlier today at Huntswood's only men's store.
It was cheap and wasn't the best fit, but it would do the job.
Just as I was beginning to worry her parents couldn't convince Ally to go outside, the screen door banged open. She emerged from the house looking more beautiful than I'd ever seen her. Maybe it was the moonlight in her hair. Maybe it was the way her eyes widened with surprise when she was me.
Maybe it was just the fact that today was the day I was going to officially ask her to marry me.
"What's... what's all this?" Ally stepped forward, tilting her head to take in all the lights and flowers.
A lit path led under the archway and up to the gazebo steps, which I had filled with borrowed string lights and dozens upon dozens of flowers. The Dylans had lots of friends and neighbors with gardens, and they'd all been happy to donate some to the cause. The result was an explosion of color and perfume, which I could tell right away delighted my girl.
"I know how much you love it here," I told her, striding forward to take her hand in mine. “Hopefully after tonight you’ll have another reason to love it." I grinned. "Or I could end up ruining your memory of this place forever. I guess this could really go either way. "
She chuckled and smacked me on the arm. "As long as it doesn’t actually involve us milking any goats, like dad just told me he was going to force me to learn tonight, then I think you’re safe."
"No goats," I promised, pulling her forward and up onto the steps of the gazebo. Her full lips curved into a blissful smile.
"This is incredible."
"You're incredible."
She snorted. "Were compliments the way you expected good memories to be built here? I mean, given your history, I expected something a little more… "
My lips quirked into a mischievous grin. "Oh really?" I slowly lowered myself onto one knee. "How's this?"
I saw her eyes widen slightly but she still managed a nod. "Getting there."
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a small, square box.
Ally's hands flew to cover her mouth as she let out an audible gasp.
"Ally Dylan," I proceeded. "You're the most beautiful, clever, and inspirational woman I've ever met. You've challenged me since the moment I met you, and it is my deepest desire to have you continue to do so for the rest of my life." I flicked open the box, revealing the stunning ring inside. "No matter how you picture your future, I only hope that you'll consider having me in it with you. I love you, Ally. And I cannot wait to start our family." I took a deep breath. "Will you marry me?"
Ally began fanning her face, mouth pulled into a tearful grin. "Yes! Yes!" She began bouncing on her heels. "Oh my god, yes! Get up here so I can kiss you!"
I laughed and rose onto my feet, only to be tackled by her in excitement. She clasped her arms around my neck and hung off me. I looked down into her eyes, feeling like I'd just made the best decision of my life. I was sure of it.
I could never doubt Ally, or my love for her. And I would never have to again.
Our lips met in a slow kiss, like we were melting together. I brushed the hair from her face and pulled her closer, basking in the feel of her skin against mine. She sighed and pressed her chest flush with my own, anxious to crush away any space between us.
Ally was the first to break the kiss. "I have something I wanted to tell you, too."
I frowned. "If this is when you tell me that you've been a princess the whole time, I have to warn you, that would be a bit cliché. "
She laughed. "No. Just an ordinary librarian." Her eyelashes brushed against the creamy expanse of her cheeks, then she looked back up at me. "I love you, Matthias. And I want to move to Caspierre. I think it's the best way for both of us to follow our dreams."
My heart swelled to an impossible size. My family would be so relieved. Hell, I was relieved. Ally alone would have been more than enough to make me happy, but this decision meant I could return home and take the throne as I had always expected to do.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
She nodded. "I’ve thought about it a lot. I think you'll make a great king, I just hope it won't be a responsibility you need to undertake too soon."
"Me neither, chérie." I pressed my lips to her temple, letting the flood of happiness sweep me away. "And for what it's worth, I believe you will make a wonderful queen."
She tipped her head back and kissed me, and I imagined I could taste the relief and happiness on her lips. My feelings were a perfect match, and in moments our kiss became even deeper.
I pulled her even tighter, our bodies curving around each other without a thought or a care for who might be around to see. For one perfect moment,
we were on our own plane of existence.
Hands anchored to her ass, I ground her against my hardening bulge with relish. Ally’s fingers tangled in my hair and pulled my hard cock against her. I responded in kind with a firm squeeze.
Then she pulled apart, breathless. “My parents,” she murmured. “I don’t think they’ll mind, but maybe we could…” She glanced over the railing of the gazebo to the darkened garden behind. “…take this to the lawn?”
I laughed and released her from my grip, gesturing for her to lead the way. Ally snatched my hand from the air and pulled me along behind her, nearly wrenching my arm from its socket. Her unbridled enthusiasm sent a zap of electricity to my throbbing cock. Fuck, I’d missed her.
We came together again behind the gazebo, hidden from view by the wooden base and an assortment of shrubbery. For a kiss that had started off so sweet, we were both eager to take it to a different level.
Ally’s hands ripped at the buttons of the cheap suit, which went flying in all directions. I hissed against her mouth and pushed her to the ground, covering her body with mine and pinning her to the earth.
Her shirt was easy to pull off. The same could not be said for her jeans. I nipped at her lip in frustration, eliciting a chuckle of delight from my fiancée.
“Sit back for a second.”
I did as she said, and watched from my heels as she wiggled her long legs free from the tight denim. We locked eyes. Ally grinned and pulled down her panties too, revealing her beautiful pussy for my inspection.
I dove forward for her mouth again, slipping a finger down to test her wetness. Her folds were hot and slick, and I couldn’t wait for her any longer.
“I don’t have any protection,” I muttered.
“Doesn’t matter anymore,” she moaned. “And anyway, I want to feel you.”
The sultry tone of her voice drove me wild. I jerked on the zipper of my pants and pulled out my aching cock. Ally’s tongue traced along my lips and I nearly came right there.
A second later, I was inside of her. It took only a couple of slow thrusts until our hips were flush.
“Holy shit,” Ally whispered. “I missed you.”
I pulled out and slid forward again, spine tingling. “I missed you too. God, your pussy is so tight.”
Within moments we had taken up a frantic rhythm. My legs quaked with my need for her, and the pure sensation from my unsheathed cock meant I was already close to reaching my peak. Ally’s muted moans began to rise in pitch, and I hastily covered her mouth over with mine.
Suddenly she began to shake and pulse around me, milking my cock for everything it was worth. It took every fiber of my being not to roar with pleasure as I drove into her one final time. The intensity of my orgasm was like a blow to the face, almost knocking me from my senses.
When the world came back into focus, Ally was staring up at me with gleeful eyes. I kissed her on the tip of her nose.
“This was exactly how I was hoping the evening would go.”
She laughed. “Did you have a contingency plan for if things went south?”
I rolled onto my back and did up my pants. “Naturally.”
Ally shimmied back into her jeans, then cuddled up beside me. The grass tickled my open palm, and I brushed my fingers over it almost reverently.
“So? What would you have done if I’d said no?”
“Easy.” I kissed the top of her forehead and then settled back against the earth, eyes dragging from star to star. “I’ve always wondered whether or not Veronika would make a good kidnapper. I have a feeling she’d be up to the task.”
Ally laughed for a moment, then paused. “Wait—where is Veronika tonight? Did you not bring her?”
I grinned wryly. “Oh, she’s here,” I replied with a chuckle of my own. “I left her to chat with your parents.”
We both had a good laugh at that mental image, then relaxed once more into a dreamy daze.
“I love you, Ally Dylan.”
“And I love you, Matthias Janis.”
“Shall we get married and have lots of babies?”
Ally nestled her head closer to my chest. “Let’s.”
Epilogue
Ally
It wasn't going to work. It didn't matter how much tulle or ribbons we threw at my midsection, there was no way to hide the bump.
"I really don't think it's that noticeable," said Candace, cocking her head to the side to examine me.
I turned to view myself in side profile, frowning.
I wasn't ashamed of my pregnancy. On the contrary, I loved showing off the tiny bump to everyone with a spare few minutes and a pair of eyes. I was becoming notorious for it in the palace.
But when I pictured my wedding day, I had always imagined that I would look fabulous. And not pregnant.
"You worry way too much." Candace picked at the sash around my midsection. "Sure, you may look a little pregnant on your wedding day, but I doubt anyone that doesn’t already know will even notice. Besides, I would gladly go out on my wedding day looking like the Hamburglar if it meant that I got to stand up there next to a hottie prince like Matthias." She glanced down and smiled. "Or Juris…"
I sighed. "Please, no more talking about Juris."
"I can't be held accountable for how sexy your husband-to-be's brother is. Besides, you know I’ve had a rough few weeks." She sniffed. "What with my relationship with Alan going down like the Hindenburg, and all."
I just signed and shook my head while she gave me her best innocent smile and went back to work on my sash.
After the addition of a little makeshift ruching, the dress finally sat on my belly in such a way that I could look in the mirror without frowning. Realistically, I should have gotten a less form fitting gown. But I’d wanted a mermaid wedding dress since I was a little girl, and I’d be damned if one little baby bump was going to stop me.
Thankfully, the problem was now solved to my satisfaction.
“I still can’t believe that in less than an hour, my best friend is going to be a princess,” Candace chattered. “And then one day you’ll be queen. Queen of Caspierre! And holy hell, it it gorgeous here. Have you seen the beaches?”
I snorted. “I’m also going to be a wife, Candace. Remember? That’s the real reason I’m here.”
Candace shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat, but you’re more useful to me as a princess than you are as a wife.”
I laughed harder than I should have, given that I was wearing a lot of makeup and I wouldn’t have time to fix it if I laugh-cried it all off. But this was exactly why I’d brought my best friend along as my maid of honor. That and the fact that I never would have met Matthias if it wasn’t for her and her shenanigans.
Candace’s phone beeped, and she grabbed it from the vanity. “They’re ready for you,” she said, reading the screen. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, taking one final look at myself in the floor-length mirror. My eyes were brighter than I’d ever seen them. My hair had been curled and pulled back into an intricate updo with what felt like more pins than I had strands of hair. I had to admit, though, I’d never looked any better than I did at that moment.
I was ready.
“I’ll tell them the princess is on her way.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not a princess yet.”
“The future princess is on her way.”
“If you actually type that to the palace staff, I will kill you.”
Candace glanced up at me, chuckling. “Loud and clear, boss.” She grinned. “Let’s get your pregnant, grumpy ass married.”
It seemed like the entire country had turned out for our wedding. It would have been overwhelming, but I only had eyes for the man at the end of the long aisle.
My dad squeezed my hand as he led me toward Matthias. I squeezed back. If nothing else, getting married was worth it to see my parents in formal clothes. Though I shuddered to think what the press would think if their commoner bride’s parents showed up wearing hemp. As it was
, my mom said she had to convince dad not to bring Amy on the plane. I wasn’t entirely sure whether she had been joking, either.
But, so far, everything had gone off without a hitch. The bright and airy church was filled with smiling faces. Some were even crying with happiness. The king’s health was still not ideal, but he was stable for now. It looked like he was out of immediate danger, which meant that Matthias and I were looking forward to a lengthy honeymoon.
Most important of all, everyone I loved was there to witness the happiest day of my life.
Matthias’ devilish grin sent a wave of goosebumps along my arms. It reminded me of the first time our eyes had met, across a room full of drunk and rowdy women. There was less between us now than there had ever been.
No disguises.
No secrets.
No misunderstandings.
Just a few short steps to the rest of our lives.
As a family.
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