by Calista King
"Yes, really. I'll do whatever it takes, wait for as long as you need me to, to be with you. I mean it, Laila. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'm not going to let you go."
EPILOGUE
Three Years Later
Laila gazed at herself in the full length mirror. The stunning strapless ivory lace gown with fitted bodice was designed by a local Castonian designer by the name of Christophe Mar. It featured a six foot long train and veil embroidered with French Chantilly lace. It was topped off with a jaw dropping diamond tiara lent to her by the queen. She almost didn't recognize the beautiful regal woman staring back at her, and felt tears stinging her eyes.
"Oh shit, I need a tissue quick," she said to the room of attendants helping her get dressed. She waved her hand in her face to stave off the tears and keep them from ruining her makeup.
Laila was finally getting married to the man of her dreams--her prince charming. When she had asked for a long engagement, she hadn't expected it to last three years. Andreas had been wonderfully patient throughout, showering her with love and affection. He never mentioned the wedding to her unless she brought it up first. Laila knew he must have been pressured by his parents to just tie the knot already, but he never let her know.
Her career had taken off like she had hoped, and she had been cast for several more films and television roles. She had been worried at first about how Andreas would react to her burgeoning career. After all, she thought he would want her to give up her acting and be a full time wife and royal, accompanying him on all his speaking engagements, but he had surprised her again. He was her number one supporter and encouraged her to challenge herself and go for more roles.
"You'll always wonder and regret it if you don't try," he had said. She smiled thinking of how Corinne had said the same thing to her about her relationship with Andreas. And now three years later, here she was, with no regrets.
Laila felt a deep sense of peace and satisfaction. She knew this was where she belonged, with Andreas. He was her rock and her partner in life and she knew that wherever he was, was home. She took a deep breath and smiled, realizing that after today, she would finally be married to Andreas. It filled her with a sense of peace and contentment. She had not felt nervous or anxious all day, which just reinforced the fact that, in her mind, this was the right thing to do and he was the right man.
"You look beautiful," Corinne said, as she helped Laila adjust the veil over her face.
Laila had asked her to be her maid of honor. There was no one else she wanted to ask; she had been a good friend through some tough times in her life. Corinne had seen Laila at her best and at her worst, and she wanted her there to witness the happiest day of her life.
Besides, it was partly thanks to Corinne that she and Andreas got back together. Shortly after their reconciliation, Andreas had confessed that it was Corinne who told him when Laila would be arriving at Grand Central that day three years ago.
"Thank you. Let's hope I can keep from crying and ruining my make up."
"Oh I don't know, you might start a trend with your raccoon eyes," Corinne joked.
Laila swatted her arm and rolled her eyes laughing out loud at the absurdity. "I wouldn't put it past some people to think that," she said.
There was a soft knock on the door before it was opened by Andreas himself. The room full of women gasped and tried to shoo him out, but he held his ground.
"Please allow me a few minutes alone with my bride," he said to the room. "In private."
It was not really a request, but a command, but he said it with such a charming smile, that everyone filed out of the room, smirking as they left. Corinne was the last to leave.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she said, giving them a wink before shutting the door.
Andreas stared silently at Laila, his eyes full of love and adoration.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself," she said, admiring the fine cut of his black morning coat with gray striped trousers. It was paired with an ivory silk waist coat and burgundy tie.
He stood by the door not moving, as if mesmerized, and Laila quirked a brow at him in amusement. "Did you have something you wanted to say?" she asked. "You know you're not supposed to see the bride until the church."
"I did, but I can't seem to remember anymore," he said grinning at her. He walked closer into the room and held his arms out for her. She placed her hands in his and stood as close to him as the full skirt of her gown would allow. "Are you nervous?" he asked.
"No, I'm not actually. I feel ready, like this is where I'm meant to be," she said.
"I know exactly what you mean," he said. "It has been a long time coming, but it's been worth the wait."
"I feel like this is the right time. Three years ago, I wasn't ready to get married. Everything was too overwhelming, exciting, terrifying, but mostly just confusing."
"But now?"
"Now it's like everything feels right. It's like our path to happiness has been cleared. Your parents are finally accepting me, Henriks is in jail where he belongs, and I don't have that damned video hanging over my head."
Andreas nodded his head in agreement. "A lot can change in three years," he said. "Three years ago, I could never have imagined inviting Caroline to our wedding."
"I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. Your parents probably thought you had lost your mind when you sent out that invitation."
"To be sure, but it's because of her that we can have this day. She gave me the proof I needed to put Henriks away for a long time. Besides, she's a changed woman. Caroline and I will never be as close as we used to be--"
"You better not!" Laila interrupted.
"...but she and I have come to an understanding," Andreas finished. He chuckled at the affronted look on Laila's face. He lifted the veil off her face and leaned in closer for a kiss.
"Shouldn't we wait?" she teased. "After we say 'I do?'"
"No, that's a horrible idea," he quipped.
Laila rolled her eyes, but smiled at him despite herself. She stood up on her toes and leaned in to give him that kiss when a knock sounded on the door. It was soon opened, and Frederick poked his head inside.
"Aha!" he shouted in triumph. "I thought you'd be in here."
He walked into the room, and his face was transformed by his bright smile and laughing eyes. Laila wondered why she had ever felt intimidated by him. When she had first met him, he always looked so serious and stoic, but as she came to know him, she saw a softer and gentler side.
She often wondered if he would be more carefree if he weren't the crown prince. She realized that what Frederick needed most in life was a wife who would bring out the laughter and teasing personality in him that she had only caught glimpses of.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Andreas asked, annoyance written clearly on his face.
"Tsk tsk brother. Don't use that tone with me. I'm here as a service to you. It was either me or Mother, and you know what she would say if she caught you in here like this," he said.
"What does Mother want?" Andreas asked.
"For you to get your ass to the church already. We're behind schedule. You look beautiful by the way," he added, turning his attention to Laila.
"Thank you," she smiled. "Now, you two better get going. I need to finish getting ready."
Frederick kissed her hand before turning and walking towards the door. Andreas stood still, not making any move to leave.
"Well?" she asked.
"I never got my kiss," he said.
"Any day now, Andreas," Frederick called from the door.
"Oh go to hell!" Andreas snapped, sending Frederick a lethal glare. He turned back to look at Laila expectantly.
"You'll have to wait until we're married," she said.
His face fell comically and Laila had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing at his puppy dog expression.
"You would deny me a kiss?" he a
sked.
"Not deny, just delay. Go to the church. I'll be there soon," she said.
"Tick tock tick tock," Frederick said.
Andreas rolled his eyes and looked like he wanted to throttle his brother. He finally shook his head and smiled ruefully down at Laila.
"If he weren't my brother I would seriously hurt him right now," he said. "But, I should go now." He grabbed her hand and kissed it softly.
Laila felt her fingers and toes tingle at the scorching look he sent her as he turned her hands over and kissed her wrists, lingering there for a moment longer. She saw the promise in that look and at that moment, she wanted to skip the whole pomp and ceremony of the wedding and head straight to the honeymoon.
"Ahem," Frederick coughed loudly, interrupting them from the door. Andreas closed his eyes and groaned.
"You should really go now," Laila laughed. "If you keep doing that, we might not even make it to the wedding," she added in a whisper.
Andreas straightened up and gave her a cheeky grin. "We can't have that now, can we?"
"No. I'll see you at the church, my love," she said.
"I'll be waiting," he promised.
Andreas squeezed her hand before turning to leave. She watched him walk out the door, and thought about the long and winding road that led them there that day. She never imagined as a young girl, that she'd be marrying a prince. When she met Andreas all those years ago, he had swept her off her feet. She didn't want to like him at first, but he had made it impossible.
All throughout their relationship, he had made her feel treasured and adored. More than giving her the title of princess, he had made her feel like one every day that they were together. In a few short minutes, Laila would follow him out that door and walk down the aisle towards her future and the man she loved. Her prince.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Calista Kyle started her career as a journalist and finally made the leap to writing fiction. A true romantic at heart, Calista loves not only writing but reading romances. When she's not busy thinking up and typing away at her next novel, you can find Calista swimming or kayaking by the lake near her home in Maine with her husband and dog Bo.
