Nora got ready for bed as Christian sat at his desk, watching her, trying to remain inconspicuous and busy.
He couldn't believe the day had arrived already. She was under the impression they still had two more months of planning until the big day. He couldn't wait to show her what she meant to him, to give her this gift.
He was the king. He was the one with all the responsibly and all the worry yet she made him feel like a person, normal. She didn't treat him like anything other than a man. A good man. A man that loved her.
"What?" Nora broke his wandering train of thought. She walked over to him and sat on his lap, messing his hair.
"I was thinking that I'm glad you're here," Christian said.
"I'm glad I am here, too."
"We have had quite the ride together. And I'm happy, I'm so happy I found you."
Nora smiled.
He kissed her, pulling her to him and holding her tightly.
Just a few more hours, he thought, one more sleep.
*******************
Erik paced the room. Pearl was taking way too long in the shower.
"Finally," he said as she walked in the room.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know I was on a shower time constraint." She said as she sat down on front of the fire.
He sat down next to her and took her hand.
"Are you alright?" She asked him, knowing he was out of sorts.
Erik kissed her hand and looked into her eyes, " Yes. Yes I'm fine." He leaned in to kiss her.
"Erik, you've been a nervous wreck the last few days. What is going on?"
He looked at the fire and then back at Pearl.
"I'm just excited, that's all. For Christian. For us."
She nodded. She was excited as well so she understood.
"And I'm excited you've decided to meet your biological brother. He doesn't know who you are and I think the element of surprise will be wonderful for him."
Pearl nodded. "Yes. It will be nice to get away for a bit as well, maybe spend some time in the hometown."
"Yes. Yes it will be nice to get away for a bit. Anywhere with you, my love." He kissed her hand again.
"I'm going to take a shower now, if that's alright?" He stood up and gathered a few things.
He kissed her forehead and left the room. She sat back and smiled, feeling the heat and light from the fire warm her face. She heard a buzz and glanced over to her left, realizing it was Erik's phone on the table next to her. She wouldn't of looked at it more than a glance, but what the text notification said got her attention.
"I will be free tomorrow evening to meet. Let me know when you're available. Erik, I know it isn't nearly enough but for what it's worth, I'm so, so sorry." She held his phone in her hand, reading the banner across the lock screen. The message itself was puzzling but what was even more shocking was who it was from. It was from Gail.