Mr. Sabatino was standing next to the refreshments table with Father, the latter of whom was pouring him a little cup of eggnog to celebrate the launch of Brooklandia’s latest welfare program policy. They’d been working on a new social welfare safety net for the kingdom’s most vulnerable and finally gained enough votes in Parliament to have the policy pass. They didn’t always agree on everything or see things eye to eye, but they were at least able to keep things civil.
Mr. Sabatino, unfortunately, could not return to his role as a senator after his failed coup, but he’d been making himself useful as a private consultant to the King. Father was even allowing me to join in on several meetings, giving me more responsibilities as the future Queen of Brooklandia. Since I had extensive experience with charity work, Father often looked to me for advice on how to better assist our people.
Fixes to the economy and helping the poor didn’t happen overnight, but we were at least seeing improvements. Our border issues with Allendes was still an issue, but Father promised that he would look at alternative methods of negotiation. Resorting to more violent, aggressive strategies was not only not popular with our people, but an awful waste of resources and time. Instead, the army which had been gathered on our northern border was tasked with assisting in rural building projects, yet another suggestion set out by Mr. Sabatino.
Mother and Mrs. Sabatino were by the massive Christmas tree handing out presents to the staff. They passed gifts to one another, calling for people to step forward for their holiday presents. Standing next to one another in matching knitted sweaters, one could have mistaken them as sisters. I thought it was poetic, really. Sisters squabbled from time to time, but ultimately came together when it counted.
Brandon was over by the dessert table, officially having been promoted to pâtissier. The little treats he’d concocted were amazing, as always. The whole table was full of colorful macaroons, fruit tarts, slices of lemon cake, plain gingerbread cookies for the children to decorate themselves and more. Oliver was naturally invited, holding onto his godchild as he snuck Brandon a kiss on the cheek.
I skipped on over and smiled at my son, who instinctively reached for me. His big blue eyes were even brighter and brilliant than his father’s, though his nearly platinum blond hair definitely came from me. He was dressed in a custom-made outfit that Oliver designed. It was a set of cute little jean overalls, a pair of slip-on white sneakers, adorable little socks, and a white polo beneath it all. Oliver actually had an entire line of baby clothes designed in honor of his godson. From what I’d heard, it was selling like crazy. Everybody in Brooklandia wanted to dress their children like Prince Thomas.
“There’s Mama,” said Oliver.
Tommy clapped and jumped up, cheering, “Mama!” as I took him in my arms, though he said nothing comprehensible.
I giggled. “Are you being good for Uncle Oliver, little man?”
Tommy grinned, his little gums causing him to drool.
Oliver chuckled. “I haven’t seen Rodrigo. Where is he? I thought he would have been here by now.”
I smiled fondly. “Rodrigo might not make it to the party. He had some interviews that he simply couldn’t reschedule, I’m afraid.” Rodrigo was in the process of finishing his law degree and was interviewing for intern positions with prestigious law firms all about Brooklandia.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Brandon.
“Don’t be. He’ll be here for Christmas, at the very least.”
Little Tommy giggled happily, kicking his little feet as he smiled at Brandon.
Brandon shook his head, brows knotted slightly in concern. “What does he want?”
I laughed at Brandon’s odd response. “I think he wants you to hold him.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He scoured, shaking his head.
Oliver gave him a devilish grin. “Oh, come on. Are you scared? He’s just a little one.”
“Yeah, I don’t do well with…” Brandon gestured to Tommy like he was an object. “Children.”
I placed Tommy in Brandon’s arms and spoke directly to my sweet boy in a loving voice. “Mommy has to go potty, my sweet prince. Bran-bran will keep an eye on you.”
Tommy cooed, and shock was evident on Brandon’s mortified face. “You wouldn’t, Princess.”
I shrugged. “I do have to go to the bathroom,” I lied. “I won’t be long now.”
“I– No, wait,” Brandon whined, reluctantly taking my son. Tommy immediately grabbed at Brandon’s pristine chef’s jacket and refused to let go. “Princess, please come back.” He turned to Oliver. “Babe? A little help?”
“No, no. I think you’ve got things under control.”
“What if he starts crying?”
“Oh, come on. He’s a happy little fellow, Brandon. It’s not that bad. How are you going to handle having our own kids?”
“That’d be totally different,” replied Brandon. “I’m not allowed to spank the Prince.”
Oliver let out a dramatic gasp. “You’d spank our children?”
“What? No. I mean, only if they were particularly bad.”
“Like when I’m bad?” teased Oliver.
Brandon groaned. “Why are you like this?”
“Because you love me, and I know I can get away with it.”
Brandon grimaced and looked to me for assistance, but I left the grand hall just as Oliver and Tommy laughed together at Brandon’s misfortune.
It was nice to get away from the party, even for a little bit. As much fun as it was, the tiniest feeling of loneliness managed to creep in as I wandered down the dark hall. I listened to the click of my heels against the cold, polished floors, admiring the silver moonlight that shined in through the big open windows overlooking the royal gardens.
A feeling of nostalgia washed over me. So much had happened in the course of three years. I’d fallen in love with a stranger who wasn’t a stranger. I’d had my heart broken only to be fixed and made whole once again. Despite all the ups and downs, despite the tumultuous journey it took to get here, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. Well, maybe I’d change the fact that Rodrigo wasn’t back yet. He’d returned to Brooklandia three years ago and swept me off my feet, and while we were madly in love and had a family of our own now, he still had law school to finish. Only a few more months before he’d graduate, and we’d be together again. We hadn’t missed a holiday one since being reunited three years ago, and although he wasn’t here yet, I knew sooner or later, he’d show up. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Tommy, Rodrigo, and I would spend Christmas together. I just needed to be patient.
I was about to turn back to return to the party when something red in the corner of my eye happened to capture my attention. I squinted in the dark and tried to get my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Cautiously, I approached the tiny thing. As I drew closer, I realized that it was a single red rose petal.
My heart jumped, a sudden excitement shooting through me. A little way further was another red rose petal, followed by another, and then another. I grinned to myself, amused. As it turned out, there was an entire trail of rose petals, which eventually turned into individual roses. My journey led me outside into the gardens, just beneath the veranda where Rodrigo and I kissed for the very first time all those months ago.
The garden lights weren’t on, so I was confused to find the royal garden’s center fountain surrounded by a soft golden glow. Somebody had strung a bunch of fairy lights about the space, hanging off of the edges of the fountain, laced between trimmed bush hedges. The ground was covered in a pile of rich red roses like something out of a dream. I stepped forward slowly, looking around to see if anyone was nearby.
That was when I caught a glimpse of the mistletoe hanging from one of the wooden banisters. Standing beneath it was a familiar, very handsome young man. Rodrigo broke out into a smile that was more brilliant than the full moon above our heads. My heart swelled when I saw him. One would have thought I hadn’t seen h
im in years instead of weeks. That was just how much I’d missed him.
I giggled as I joined him beneath the mistletoe, staring dreamily into his eyes. “Well, hello there. When did you get in?”
“About an hour ago,” he said. “It gave me the time to set this up.”
He tilted his head down and pressed his lips to mine. I savored the taste of his mouth and breathed in the scent of his cologne.
“I’ve missed you,” I said.
“I missed you too.”
“Did your interviews go well?”
Rodrigo grinned. “Aced them. I’ve already got several offers to work at law firms based in Allendes.”
“Do you think you’ll go?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “It’d mean being away from you and Tommy, so probably not. But we’ll cross that bridge in the spring, after graduation. In the meantime, I want to spend the holidays with my family.
Off in the distance, the big brass bells of the cathedral in the center of town chimed loudly, alerting everyone that it was officially a new day. Rodrigo kissed me beneath the mistletoe and twinkling stars.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered to me.
“Merry Christmas,” I whispered back.
When he pulled away, he smiled down at me and cupped my face, kissing me again and again and again. I didn’t know how long we remained there in each other’s embrace. It eventually got to the point that I couldn’t stop shivering against the evening chill.
“Let’s go inside,” I said. “We have to save Brandon.”
“You left him in charge of Tommy, didn’t you?”
I winked at my husband. “Guilty as charged.”
Rodrigo took my hand as we walked back toward the palace together. “You’d better stop picking on him. Otherwise, Santa’s going to put you on the naughty list.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want that,” I teased as I reached around to pinch Rodrigo’s butt.
He laughed mischievously. “Why don’t I believe you?”
I giggled and ran ahead of him. Rodrigo caught up to me in no time, capturing me in his arms to pepper kisses against my cheek. He chased me down the halls like we did as children.
But this time when he caught me, he knew I was forever his.
THE END
Thank you so much for reading Royally Loved. We hope you enjoyed these love stories. If you did, we think you will love our upcoming series – the Royal Matchmaker books.
Sign up for our newsletter and get the prequel to our new series FREE!
Then read book 1 – Royally Matched.
The Royal Matchmaker is determined to find the Prince of Oxlandia a perfect match. But instead, Prince Miles is drawn to the most unsuitable woman in the room. Enchanted by her cello and her almost mystical presence, he’s determined to possess her, no matter the cost.
Also by Mckenna James
THE ROYAL ROMANCES
Royally Schooled
Royal Academy
The Prince’s Baby
Her Royal Physician
Royal Holiday
INHERIT LOVE SERIES
Baby Inheritance
Inheritance Goals
Royal Inheritance
Inheritance Reversal
Lucky Inheritance
Forgotten Inheritance
Royal Matchmaker Series
The Matchmaker (FREE Prequel)
Royally Matched
Royally Arranged
Royal Runaway Bride
Royal Alliance
About Mckenna James
Mckenna James is the pen name for a collaborative writing duo who share an addiction to sweet tea and a love for wealthy, attractive men.
Since they don’t know enough devastatingly handsome men with boatloads of cash to spare, they decided to create some. They specialize in fairytales for today’s world featuring modern princes and heroines who speak their minds and carve out happily ever afters on their own terms.
Join Mckenna’s reader group on Facebook
Follow Mckenna on Facebook
Follow Mckenna on Instagram
Follow Mckenna on Pinterest
Follow Mckenna on Bookbub
Follow Mckenna on Goodreads
Royally Loved: The Royal Romances Books 1-5 Page 85