One Night with the Prince (29 page)

“What? I saw it in the back.” I laughed and then spotted my mom in the crowd.

“Mom!” She turned towards me looking shocked but happy. She made her way through the crowd and hugged me tightly.

“What are you doing here?! Why is Zachias, Dem and Cade here?! And-oh my gosh is that a ring on your finger?!” She screamed at the end. I laughed and nodded stepping back and hugged Zach close.

“He asked me to marry him.” She stared dumbfound at me.

“And what did you say?” She asked. I gave her a ‘are you serious?’ look. I shoved the ring in her face with a laugh.

“What does that tell you?” She laughed embarrassedly and scratched the back of her neck. Then she grabbed Zach close.

“You better take care of my baby. If you don’t well, you don’t know want to know what I’ll do.” She said 100% serious. I looked around and didn’t see Dem or Cade but then spotted them kissing Missy and Danny. Awww.

Chapter thirty-six

Anna

Everyone was chatting excitedly on the way home from graduation. Danny could not top raving about my ring. It was pretty funny but I was more paying attention to my fiancé in the seat next to me. Wow, that was weird to think of!

“So I’m going to be Mrs. Christamos.” I murmured to myself. Zach heard me, and his eyes lit up at the name. He kissed me softly before pulling away and resting his head on top of mine. The car quieted down and everyone seemed to be lost in his or her own thoughts. My mom stopped in front of Missy’s house. Her mom wanted to take her but she insisted that she ride with us.

Danny’s parents didn’t mind since we were just dropping him off at his house as well and he was taking Cade with him. Soon it was just mom, Zach and I. I was getting a little tired but nothing I couldn’t handle. I was also excited. Zach was going to see my house! Yes it was no castle but it was my home, well now it was my house since my new home is Zach’s home.

Mom stalled the car in the driveway.

“Hey are we headed somewhere else?” I asked confused. She laughed.

“No Nala. I need to head to work unfortunately. But I’ll be back later tonight so you all can go to the cove for the graduation party, okay?” I nodded and kissed her cheek before heading out.

Mr. Anderson shook his head at me when he spotted me when I arrived back at the stadium. But he was happy as I could’ve done worse and handed me my book thing that holds your diploma. We don’t get our real diplomas until next week in the mail.

Zach took my hand as my mom sped off. And suddenly I became hyper aware that we would be alone. No castle workers to come in or silly Dem to barge in with a crude comment. It was just us. He didn’t seem to feel the nervousness I felt as he took my hand and we opened the door. Most of the nervousness came from him seeing my humble house.

The house was eerily quiet as I could probably hear a pin drop. I chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of my neck.

“So this is my house. C’mon let’s put your stuff away since you’ll be staying here a couple of days.” We walked in my room and now he placed the bags down near the door. We were so used to sleeping in the same room it wasn’t even a question on where he would sleep.

“Your room is very, you.” He smiled gently. I looked around and indeed it was very me.

“Is that a good thing?” I asked teasingly. He laughed a little walking to my fish tank.

“A very good thing.” He answered with humor in his voice. He was looking at my Finding Nemo stickers on Stewart’s tank and chuckled to himself.

“What? Pixar is awesome!” I defended. He smirked at me and shook his head in amusement walking slowly over to me.

He had a dark smirk on his lips that made my heart beat faster. Soon he was right in front of me and when I thought he was going to kiss me he began to tickle me!

“Ahhhh! Haha Haha! S-Stop!” I begged. He was laughing and I struggled to get away. I finally ducked under him and took off down the hall. I could hear him after me but since I was smaller that made me quicker.

“Nananana-na! You can’t catch me!” I said in a taunting voice. He laughed at my taunting and ran harder to catch me. I looked over my shoulder to see him gaining on me and I squeaked in surprise.

“You’re going to get tired eventually!” He teased. I scoffed and ran into the living room behind the couch so we had a barrier. I smirked at him,

“I have high stamina!” I retorted. Suddenly he jumped over the couch catching me by surprise. He caught me by the waist and held me close sitting us on the couch, making me smile like a goofball
.
　

“I can’t wait until you’re Mrs. Christamos. You’ll be my wife and Queen to my country, excuse me
our
country.” He chuckled liking the idea of us being married. “We can have a long engagement or a short one if you prefer. I just want you with me.”

“What about your people. When I left they were pretty dead set on me not being their Queen?” I questioned trying not to grimace. He kissed my slightly sweaty forehead.

“Don’t worry sweetheart. My parents are clearing things up. And I know once they meet you, they will love you.” That settled my mind a little but I still had my reservations. I wanted them to like me.

I moved myself closer to him as I snuggled into his chest. I felt so safe with him. Like nothing could happen to us in our own little world.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make this more special for you.” I heard Zach say. I lifted my head and rested my chin on his chest with a puzzled look.

“What do you mean?” I asked. He sighed and played with my hair,

“I was so caught up in the heat of the moment that I forgot I wanted to propose to you to be something special. A nice restaurant, maybe? And roses, something better than asking to marry you in the airport.” He grimaced. I laughed at him and he looked confused. Taping his nose I spoke.

“I don’t care about that. It isn’t about where you have you’re proposing. It’s about whom you’re with. And I can say proudly I was with the one I love with all my heart.” He smiled and kissed my nose. I laid my head back down on his chest.

I can’t believe that this has all happened in less than a four-month period. It seems insane but if I could go back and change anything I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe the ‘me running back home’ part. I believed everything happened for a purpose. And I’d go through the heartbreak all again if it meant I could be in Zach’s arms like this forever. And because of the ring on my finger I will be.

Epilogue

5 years later….

Anna

“Your majesty? Your husband the King would like to see you.” Lisa, my personal maid told me. She was more like a friend than anything. I rolled my eyes at her.

“Lisa, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Anna or Red. No one else calls me ‘your majesty’.” I shuddered at the thought. It was just too formal for me, and I can barely cope with it at social functions let alone in my own home. She smiled at me.

“I was brought up to say such things. I’ll continue to try…Anna.” When she said my name it looked like she ate something bad. I chuckled at her and walked out of the bedroom. Lisa told me he was in the staff kitchen. I wonder what he’s doing there.

Oh, you may be wondering what happened to Jasmine and Carol. Once I found out Carol was also behind everything I was livid to say the least and did punch her in the face before they both got convicted for treason to the crown.

“Oh! And Lisa? Could you send over the flight plans to my mom? She wants to come visit.” She nodded and instantly took out her phone to put in a memo. She was so serious sometimes I wonder if she ever had fun as a teenager. She was stout and was slightly plump but beautiful with her long black hair and green cat like eyes.

I walked into the staff kitchen and tried to I stifle a laugh. There was my husband with his arms crossed, covered in what looked like chocolate, staring sternly and a little angry with our son Charlie. When we found out he was a boy Zach insisted we named him Charlie.

Charlie was absolutely covered in chocolate and had a sheepish smile on his face. He had Zach’s brown hair but my hazel eyes and my troublemaker attitude. There were days where he looked like a miniature double of Zach though.

“What’s going on here?” I asked, trying desperately not to laugh and failing. Zach huffed, annoyed.

“Why do you always find these situations funny?” He asked. I giggled and walked over to him taking a finger and wiping it across his cheek, making it covered in gooey chocolate and licked it off. I would have done something a little more promiscuous but we did have a four-year-old present. Yes, I had gotten pregnant pretty quick after the wedding.

“Mmmm, because it’s funny. I mean look at you two! My two chocolate monsters.” I cooed at them. Suddenly Zach got a mischievous look on his face.

“Hey son, how about we go give mummy a hug!” I squeaked in surprise and tried to run off but couldn’t.

“No fair! I’m as big as a house! I can’t run!” I laughed as they made their way towards me. I was seven months pregnant for crying out loud! They both gave me a sloppy hug and we were all laughing.

Charlie was hugging my legs while Zach was rubbing his face against mine chuckling the whole time. I broke away laughing and Charlie giggled. I bent over as far as I could, which wasn’t much, so I could get to Charlie’s level.

“Now honey, what did you do?” I asked with one eye narrowed. He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly reminding me of Zach.

“Um…I wanted to see if chocolate could float in da air. Like in the movie!” I sighed and shook my head. That was the last time I let him watch the third remake of Charlie in the Chocolate Factory.

“Charlie. That’s just a movie. Now go to your room and I’ll be in there shortly to clean you up.” Some people would have their maids do it for them, but they didn’t give birth to him. I did. He nodded and kissed my tummy.

“I’ll be back brother or sissy.” He scampered off. Zach and I had decided to not find out if it was a boy or girl. Although Zach swears it’s going to be a girl. He’s so weird sometimes, but I loved him. I stood back up slowly and turned to face Zach.

“You have to be the worst husband in history!” I scolded as I wiped chocolate off of me in vain as it kept spreading. He laughed and walked over to me taking me in his arms.

“You have to be the most wonderful wife in history. So we cancel each other out.” I shook my head at him with a wry smile as he bent down to kiss me softly on the lips. I moved my face from his to lick off the chocolate from his cheek. He smirked against me and I giggled.

Suddenly I could feel the baby kick. I jumped for a moment.

“Oh! The baby is kicking! Hurry, quickly, and feel!” I grabbed his hand and placed it on my stomach while the baby was still moving. Zach smiled the softest smile I had ever seen.

“She’ll be great at football.” He murmured. I rolled my eyes.

“And how do you know that the baby is a girl?” I asked him. He winked.

“I have my ways Mrs. Christamos.” I laughed at his attempt to be mysterious.

“How about you take me up to our room and show me?” I asked in a low voice. He gulped and his eyes darkened.

“As much as I would love to Rose you said to our very dirty son that you would be with him in a moment. Plus we’re having dinner with Danny, Missy, Caidius, and Demetrius later.” I nodded with a pout. Dang pregnancy hormones!

I left him to clean up the mess as I went to Charlie’s room where he had his little bathroom. He was already stripped down and running around like a maniac.

“Charlie, bathroom now!” I ordered pointing to the bathroom. He sighed and took off the towel around his head walking begrudgingly to the awaiting bath. I shook my head at him with a loving smile. He jumped into the bubbles causing some to spill over. I pulled up a chair so I wouldn’t have to bend down so much.

“Mummy? When is the baby coming?” He blew some bubbles out of his hands. I grabbed a washcloth and began cleaning him off. He took it from me and whined.

“Mummy! I’m a big boy! I can wash myself!” I chuckled and nodded while he washed himself.

“Well to answer your question, the baby should be coming in three months.” His mouth gaped.

“Three months?! That’s too long!” He then scooted over and pointed at my stomach.

“Baby! As your big brother I command you to come out!” I laughed at his eagerness and kissed his wet head.

“Sweetheart he or she can’t come out right now.” I said. He pouted looking down at the bubbles.

“Why not?” He asked. I poked his nose with a wry smile.

“Because she or he isn’t done growing yet. Think of it as if the baby is cooking, and the baby isn’t done yet.” He nodded thoughtfully.

“Okay, but maybe you should turn up the oven mummy. That way the baby can come out faster.” I laughed at his suggestion and finished his bath wrapping a towel tightly around him and kissed his cheek.

“Now if you promise to be good, you can pick your clothes.” His eyes shown with happiness and he nodded quickly. He took off into his room and while I cleaned up a little he got dressed. After a few minutes he ran back in and I held back a laugh.

“You look really cute sweetheart.” He had one of his coats on like a cape with his batman pajama pants and a t-shirt that had ‘I’m too cute for my shirt’ on it. He also had his bright yellow rain boots on. He pouted.

“I am not cute! Girls don’t like cute.” He crossed his arms. I smirked at him.

“Girls or, Miley?” I swear he blushed! Awww! Miley was Dem and Missy’s three-year-old girl. She was such a sweetheart and Dem was super protective of her. Any boy besides Charlie who tries to get close to her he scares them off.

Cade and Danny just adopted a little baby girl who was two. They brought her from India. Her name is Naomi. The public was pretty shocked when they finally found out Cade was gay, and besides some narrow-minded people they took it really well.

Speaking of the public, Zach’s parents smoothed over the whole ‘I’m not fit to be Queen’ thing. Soon they got to know me and changed their minds. I had long since forgiven the whole thing.

“Mummy! I heard the doorbell! That means Miley is here! I mean, Uncle Dem and Aunt Missy is here!” I tried not to laugh at his failed attempt. He was just too cute for words. He raced out into the hall and into the front room where the front door was. He passed Zach in a blur and he chuckled at our son because he knew why he was racing.

“Must be Miley.” I nodded at him as we opened the door. There stood Cade and Danny. I guess Miley will have to wait. I could see the disappointment in Charlie. Danny mussed up his hair.

“Good to see you too little buddy.” He said sarcastically. Charlie sighed and hugged him. I then saw Missy and Dem coming up the drive.

“Oh Charlie?” He looked over at me and then to where I was pointing. He began jumping up and down smiling so big it probably hurt his face. Once Miley and he saw each other they ran into one another’s arms.

“Hi Miley!” Charlie shouted. Miley blushed and said a quiet ‘hello’. She took after her mother. I went up to hug Missy.

“Hey! How are you guys doing?” She smiled and kissed my cheek.

“We’re great. Miley has been so excited today, knowing we were coming here.” I laughed knowing Miley equally likes Charlie. We chatted for a little while before I looked around to see Charlie and Miley was nowhere in sight,

“Charlie?! Miley?!” I called out. No answer. My motherly instincts kicked in and I began to worry.

“C’mon let’s go look for them.” Zach suggested. We nodded and headed around the front yard until we rounded into the training yard. We kept calling out for them but got no response. I began to really worry until I heard screaming and saw both of them running towards us.

“I’m sorry mummy!” I gave him a questioning look before I saw why he was apologizing. Coming over the hill towards us were a flock of chickens. Everyone groaned while I was cracking up and I ran, more like waddled while Zach grabbed up Charlie and Dem with Miley and we ran away.

“Only your son!” Zach called out over the clucking. I smiled proudly.

“Dang straight!”

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