by Grady, D. R.
After her shower, she picked up the phone and called the airlines again, not surprised there wouldn’t be another flight to Sandovia until tomorrow. Making the necessary arrangements she disconnected the phone, resigned to the wait. She sorted through her closets and drawers, selecting items she had missed and repacked her bags.
When she finished, she located a can of soup in her bare cupboards. After filling her rumbling tummy, the only empty part of her she could alter at the moment, Julia called a moving company and arranged for her things to be packed and moved to Sandovia. Glancing around she finally decided to go to bed. She hoped the night passed quickly.
Extra early the next morning, she was up, dressed and on her way out the door when a knock reverberated through the space. Startled, she peered through the peephole and saw a huge bouquet of daisies, carnations, and roses in a mixture of yellows and whites. Smiling, Julia tugged open the barrier. The flower bearer pressed the flowers into her arms. The arrangement was the happiest, brightest, non-sneezy-est, most perfect bouquet she’d ever received.
Mallen looped his left arm around her waist and picked her up. With his right he slung two of her bags over his shoulder then handed over her purse. He pulled out the handle from the other suitcase and wheeled the bag from the room.
“Am I being kidnapped again?”
“Oh no. I don’t plan to knock you out this time. And how many kidnappers bring you flowers and chocolate?”
“Chocolate, where is that?”
“In the car. It’s an enticement.”
“You’ll put me back on my feet so I can walk all by myself to this chocolate?”
“I didn’t say that.” His response was quick and firm.
Julia tapped her chin. “So, technically, I am being kidnapped again.”
“You can look at this situation any way you like, love. However, am I giving you the opportunity to bolt again? No,” he told her firmly as he locked the door and tugged it closed.
“I didn’t bolt.”
He ignored her rebuttal. “Good to see you didn’t unpack.”
Belatedly she realized they had an audience.
Mr. Lemont and Mrs. Halbert stood in the open door of her apartment, watching them with amusement.
“Glad to see you picked a keeper this time, girly,” Mrs. Halbert congratulated Julia.
“We told you there were some good men in this world. ‘Bout time you found one,” Mr. Lemont added.
“Did you get rid of the other one?” Mrs. Halbert wondered aloud.
Mallen tipped his head to Sebastian, who sat with patience and regal regard at his side. “He took care of the vermin.”
“Well, you’re a good boy, then, Mr. Cat.” Mr. Lemont patted the proud, royal head.
“Sebastian didn’t seem to like George,” Julia told the couple wryly from her vantage point above the floor, clasped tightly against Mallen’s side.
“We’re happy to see you so happy. You write us sometimes. Keep us updated on the babies.”
Her cheeks flamed bright red. Mallen laughed. “Of course, but we must hurry, we have a plane to catch.”
“Have a good trip, kids. And a good life,” Mr. Lemont called after them.
Julia waved weakly as she rested her hot cheek against Mallen’s shoulder. At the last minute, Julia mentioned the moving company who were coming in the morning and Mrs. Halbert, who had a key to her apartment, offered to take care of them.
Once they cleared the stairway she decided she should remind her kidnapper of certain facts. “I can walk you know.”
“I have you.”
“Aren’t I getting a little heavy?”
“No.” He didn’t even reposition her.
Mallen set her luggage down beside her rental car and tumbled Julia into the passenger seat, hooking the seat belt for her. “Don’t even think about moving.”
Unfortunately for him, she wasn’t the least bit intimidated by him. “Can I breathe?” Her lips twitched. So did his.
“Yes, but that’s all.” He opened the back door for Sebastian before stowing her luggage in the trunk.
He slid in on the driver’s side and unhooked her seat belt. Before she could move, Julia found herself on her back, with a big, serious man pressing down on her.
“You will not ever leave the palace without telling me first.”
Julia scowled at him. “I did tell you.”
“A note propped against your pillow doesn’t count.” He sent her an exasperated look.
“Right.” She had to touch him, so her hand grazed over the side of his face. “I really didn’t think you wanted to see me again. I definitely didn’t want to see you.” A ball of regret closed off her windpipe as she shuddered at the remembered pain.
He closed his eyes and crushed her against him. “While I can understand your reasons for leaving,” he told her huskily, “I don’t agree.”
“Which is why you’re taking me back?”
“I’m taking you home.” His tone was as firm as his hold on her.
“Ah.” That was all she managed to utter because his lips descended on hers and she met him passion for passion, need for need, sorrow for sorrow at what they might have lost.
“I love you,” he told her tenderly and Julia choked back a sob.
“And I love you.”
“You were made for me, Julia, only for me.”
“Just as you were made for me.” Her eyes met his amber-green ones.
“Correct.” He nuzzled her neck and then nibbled her bottom lip.
“I had a return flight booked for this morning.”
He rewarded her with another kiss. “I figured that by your luggage.”
“We should have had this conversation yesterday morning.”
Mallen shook his head. “I wasn’t ready then.”
She arched an eyebrow.
“I didn’t understand what you were trying to say yesterday morning. Not until after I heard, from my mother, that you left,” he inserted with much emphasis, and Julia smiled. Apparently, she wasn’t going to be forgiven for leaving for some time. “I realized I hadn’t given you much choice in the matter. You wanted a mate, a life partner, and I wanted someone to protect so I could prove I was worthy.”
She thought it would take her a long time to help Mallen through what he saw as his failure to protect his younger sister and her. Yet she couldn’t help but think it would be possible. He would always err on the side of over protectiveness, but she could live with that. He was willing to try and so was she.
Women did a lot for love. They also were very good at nurturing that love.
“I wouldn’t love you so much if you weren’t worthy.”
He kissed her again in answer. They split apart after Sebastian yawned, loudly, from the back seat.
“I see your annoying pet hasn’t changed his thinking at all.”
“Of course not. Sebastian likes himself just the way he is. As far as he’s concerned he’s perfect and so is his life.”
She smiled. “So is ours.”
His eyes blazed with a fierce light she liked. “Yes, so is ours.”
Chapter 23
Sandovia came into view and Julia smiled at the welcoming beacons of the sun that lit her new homeland as the plane descended. It was amazing to her how this new land, gleaming and well loved could welcome her so whole-heartedly after such a short period of time. She had come to think of the Sandovians as family. Of course, should their king decide to live somewhere else, Julia knew she would be just as comfortable there, too. Her home would always be with Mallen.
Jenna greeted her with a big hug as did Lila. With amazement, Julia returned to Sandovia to hear that her folks and siblings would be celebrating the holidays with them. All her siblings had spent Thanksgiving with their in-laws so they could have Christmas with her in Sandovia. Something Mallen had arranged for her soon after she arrived, and told her about one evening in the family room.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise.”
“Then why tell me now?” She planted a kiss on his chin, another to his cheek, and one for his nose.
“Because I worried you might feel lonely this Christmas without your family. And now that I’ve had to fetch you again...”
“I’m still not forgiven for that?”
“No,” he stated emphatically as he stole a kiss.
“I see. What can I do to make this up to you?”
Julia really liked the desire burning in his eyes.
He stroked his chin as he thought. “We could go back to the lab and run another experiment.”
“No!”
“Unwillingness, as usual, I see,” Mallen muttered as he rolled her under him on the sofa they shared.
“You wouldn’t have me any other way.”
“No, I wouldn’t. And I’m glad you don’t want me any other way.”
“I didn’t say that.” She yelped as his hands found her ticklish spots and she returned the favor. They rolled off the couch and onto the floor, where they continued their tussle.
“I love you.”
“And I love you,” Mallen replied as he brushed a curl tenderly from her face.
Jenna glided up to her on Christmas Day and Julia was concerned by her cousin’s frown.
“Did you speak with Damon and Emmy?”
“With Damon, yes. He’s spending the holiday with our great aunt. But I keep getting voicemail on Emmy’s cell phone.”
“How likely is that because she’s working?” Emmy worked as a chef and could easily find work today.
“Very likely, but even though I’m Damon’s sister, I’m also her best friend.”
“Why don’t we try calling her later today, together?” She hoped to pull Jenna from her gloomy thoughts.
“Okay.”
“I think you need to stop worrying and try to enjoy this day.”
“I will.”
“Good.” Julia squeezed her hand.
Amidst shouting children and many adults, most of them resembling McNeals, the Saltaires enjoyed the time with their guests.
“Thank you for allowing my family to converge on you, Lila,” Julia sincerely told Mallen’s mother in a brief quiet moment.
“Oh, Julia, this is a pleasure and privilege for us.”
She quirked a brow in question.
“Last year was the worst holiday season ever, sweet. We’d buried Celeste and lost Hugo, and we were supposed to be happy for the holidays. The three of us haunted the halls, lost in memories of happy times we felt would never return. It was the most pathetic and wretched holiday ever.”
Julia placed a hand over Lila’s in sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
“We’re fine now. We’ve been so excited for you and your family to be here. The palace is again filled with love and laughter.” Lila smiled at the commotion of two McNeal children squabbling over a desirable toy.
“Yeah, lots of love and laughter,” Julia remarked dryly as she broke up the impending fight.
Giselle arrived at the two would-be combatants at the same time as Julia and they grinned at one another. “Happy?” Julia asked her. It was more than obvious, since Giselle glowed brighter than any light bulb Julia had ever seen.
“Never more so.”
“I’m so pleased for you.”
“As I am for you,” Giselle said, but before she could respond, Mallen and the rest of her family entered the room.
“Presents!” Brad, Julia’s nephew, yelled as he and his sisters raced to Tanya and Jonathan. Tanya rolled her eyes at Julia.
“Like Brad, said, presents,” Mallen echoed as he and Jared started passing them around.
She collected a nice pile around her feet but waited until Mallen finally settled beside her on the loveseat she occupied. He had stacked his presents near hers and they both snapped pictures of each other and the festivities.
Eventually they opened their gifts and Julia collected various sweaters and other clothing items, some crystal, a few plants, books, and a little figurine of a pouncing panther that bore Sebastian’s name. She rubbed the big cat’s head and thanked him, but her eyes remained on his owner. Mallen wouldn’t spill, but she suspected who had purchased Sebastian’s gift for her.
After everyone finished, Mallen removed a small box from his pocket. He knelt on a knee before her and opened the box.
Inside gleamed a diamond, marquis cut like Giselle’s, but in an old fashioned setting that instantly appealed to Julia. Tears sprang into her eyes as he asked her a simple question. “When will you marry me?”
She burst into his arms and shouted, “Tomorrow,” as Mallen stood and twirled her around. He had just enough time to slide the ring on her finger before their family accosted them.
“Isn’t the proper question, will you marry me?” Annie asked Mallen with a big grin when she hugged him. “Jared didn’t ask me that way, either.”
“I wasn’t taking any chances by giving her loopholes to wriggle out.”
“Like he didn’t know I’d say yes.” Julia glided up to them, and slid her hand into her betrothed’s.
“I’ve learned to not underestimate you, love.” He squeezed her hand.
“Never, ever underestimate a McNeal,” Annie stated emphatically.
“What’s this?” Jared wrapped his arms around his wife, his hands flowing to the small mound of her abdomen.
Annie was the picture of innocence. “Never mind.”
“We were merely discussing McNeal tendencies,” Mallen said nearly as innocently. “And you know, it’s probably time to cut the cake.”
Julia laughed up at him. “Is that all you think about?”
“No.” Desire surged into his eyes.
“Oh.” Her knees went weak. “Can we get married tomorrow?”
“Probably not, my love, however, my mother suggested we opt for the thirtieth. We’re hoping we can keep your relatives here long enough for us to be married then.”
Her eyes went wide. “The thirtieth is only five days away.”
“You said you’d marry me tomorrow.” His reminder didn’t help.
“Five days.”
“Relax, Julia, remember that dress you admired the other day in the window of Raquel’s?” Giselle asked.
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s your size and she’s nearly finished with the alterations. The bridesmaid dresses to match yours fit your cousin and me exactly, so we picked those up, too. The food won’t take long, the flowers will come from the palace greenhouse like mine did, and most of the guests are already here.”
“What about the license?” Julia asked, bottom lip between her teeth.
“Umm, Jules, you’re marrying the king,” Jared inserted before Giselle could. Giselle sent him an amused look which he returned.
“Oh, right,” Julia said, as her cheeks grew warm. Mallen ran a hand down her face. His eyes had never glowed so warm before. The plant of confidence and love inside her bloomed with glorious blossoms as her happiness increased another increment.
“Five days?” she heard her mother exclaim, and Julia laughed.
“It’s okay, Mom. We’ve got the gowns and everything we need,” Julia hastened to assure her.
“You’re getting married in five days?” The news had already circulated and before long, Mallen had to officially make the announcement.
She pulled his head down for a kiss, so excited she could barely contain herself.
“We’re getting married in five days.” She loved the promise she read in his eyes.
Chapter 24
The thirtieth of December dawned with promise and Julia couldn’t be more excited. She woke and not caring for tradition, bounded through the panel into her intended’s room. She crawled under the covers and breathed in the scent of sleepy male. What a wonderful scent. Strong, masculine arms enfolded her and warm lips pressed against hers.
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to see you until you come down the aisle to m
e today,” Mallen said in his too sexy morning voice.
“I couldn’t wait that long.”
“Good. I wasn’t planning to wait, either.”
Julia laughed. “Guess what?” she whispered.
“What?”
“Tomorrow we actually get to wake up together.”
“Yes, and for the rest of our lives.” Mallen pulled her closer.
Three hours later, Julia, resplendent in a long white gown, with a dainty band of pearls around the waist, a rounded neck with the same beading, and a gentle cascading skirt, carrying a bouquet much like the yellow and white one Mallen had brought her in the states, flowed down the aisle on her father’s arm to her groom. Jenna and Giselle had preceded her down the aisle. Mallen waited in a black tux and she laughed when she caught sight of his bowtie.
He wore his bright yellow one, the one she gave him for his birthday, with the white smiley faces dotting the still elegant fabric. “It’s the happiest occasion of my life, I had to wear my best tie,” Mallen whispered to her when she reached his side.
She gently patted his face before turning to the magistrate who would marry them. Hugo Saltaire stood proud and tall at his son’s side, the first time he’d been able to stand on his own since his return. Stefen stood beside him.
As she spoke her vows and stared into the warm amber-green eyes of the man she loved, Julia took a happy moment to reflect again on why she lived.
About the Author
D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She loves gadgets, books, plants, shoes and writing stories that resonate with others. You can generally find her in her “office”, a chair in the living room, hopefully writing, but sometimes playing Angry Birds or reading.
-Coming Soon-
The Nerd and the SEAL