Page 32 of The Crown

“I got your fellowship opportunity transferred to a university in Greece. It’s not far. People take boat shuttles to commute there during the week and come home on weekends. It was the closest thing I could find to what you’re looking for.” He paused, hope and worry competing on his face.

A great sense of peace filled her. “So, you went to all this trouble. I’m guessing you still want me around?” Everything was going to be happy after all. She could be with the man she loved.

“Ha. Come here, you.” He pulled her to her feet and wrapped her in his arms. “I didn’t handle our first big trial very well. I got drunk and tried to party like I used to, and then I couldn’t handle the resulting pressure like the strong leader I must be.” His eyes hurt her with their pain.

“No Nico. You were great. It is I that should have been more patient. We are just so new. I was unsure. Monique.” She hated to say it, but what was the situation with Monique.

“She’s gone. For good. I have never had any interest in Monique. You must know that.”

Jo didn’t know. “You looked kind of cozy together sometimes.”

“She is just really great at inserting herself. She’s been around a long time and knows how to be present at opportune moments.” He held Jo’s hand in his own. “But I never have, and never will, feel for her what I do for you.” He held her gaze, showing sincerity in his eyes. “We will get a new palace press liaison.”

“One who likes me?” She lifted half her mouth.

“That will be easy to find.” He pulled out a newspaper. “Once Monique’s influence was missing, this was the very next article to print.

She grinned.

“Bring Back Jo.” A huge headline across the top of the paper read.

He held it up with a flourish. “I’m just here to do what my citizens want. Whatourcitizens want.” He held out his hand and went down on one knee. “Jo, please marry me. Come back, be my wife, my queen too if you want, but be my wife.”

She laughed. “Yes Nico. I will. Let’s go. I can’t even wait another second.”

Her dad entered the kitchen followed by Nurse June and Trane, clapping. Trane looked at his watch. “About time, you two. We’ve got to get back. You’re both needed for a press conference and mother already has the date set for the wedding. Says there’s too much sadness. We need a party like Torren hasn’t had these past two decades.”

Epilogue

She walked down the same aisle, of the same church, that they had walked for the funeral, that Nico had for his coronation, and that her children would someday walk. And she felt at home. The distance to get from the back of the room to Nico, who looked as if he were a tiny Lego figure in height, looked longer than a football field, but the time to get there felt bitter sweet. Her father stood at her side. Strong and happy, although walking slower than when he was younger, but as joyful as she had ever seen him. He kept up a stream of conversation through his teeth. “You look more beautiful than ever.”

“Thank you Daddy.”

“You make him be good to you.”

“You know he will be.”

He chuckled. “I’ll be right here if he’s not.” After a moment. “You okay not moving away from your parents?”

She smiled and nodded to people as they passed. “Of course.”

He kept easing her nervousness and making her smile all the way up to the altar and then, with her hand on his, he led her to Nico and left her there. Before he could move away, tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“I love you, Jo.”

Then she turned to Nico. And her heart expanded, exploded. She didn’t know a heart could feel so much at once.

* * *

Later,many hours into the evening, Nico sat, worn out, watching his wife on the dance floor. Very few were still moving. Nico was too tired to stand. But Jo kept going. Her body flowed and bounced with the beat and he couldn’t believe the love he felt for his wife.

His body had finally worn out as his week caught up to him. He would hear about it from her later. One time they made a deal that whoever left the dance floor first would have to swab the deck. He chuckled. Tonight, she won. And he was happy to let her. Because he had just found a new source of enjoyment: watching his wife do what she loved.

* * *

Trane pulledup a chair beside him followed by Lucan, Daniel, Tripp, and Thad. They all wore equally pleased smiles.

“Do I want to know what’s gotten into you lot?”

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