Page 14 of The Princess Home for Christmas

Chapter 6

Thomas and his mother and the three children pulled into the palace gates. Hot chocolate and caroling. He would normally be super pumped to be able to spend the evening with Dahlia, and he loved the caroling event the crown hosted every year. But Theresa had finally woken up from her drunken stupor, and she was super unhappy. His phone kept buzzing and ringing and beeping at him. She had tried to finish her shouting conversation, or rather her shouting diatribe, which he had tried to ignore but it was very loud.

“I should be the one raising my kids. It was one bottle, Thomas. I had a rough night. The kids were in bed! Sleeping! What am I supposed to do while they sleep? Stare at the wall?”

He had held the phone away until finally he just hung up. And then the perpetual dinging and buzzing began. He should block her number. He would, but first he needed to make sure she was well. Tomorrow they were taking her to a facility that kept its patients that were a menace to themselves, on lockdown. Authorities had reached out about the children, and they were in negotiation. Luckily his mother was so well respected and volunteered so often in the public arena that they had a record of many years of clean background checks. Also, the Castellanos family could technically be the next of kin, depending.

He frowned. Why wouldn’t Theresa share all she knew? They needed to clear up all question of parentage for the children’s sake. But she held out, as if to torture him.

Joe grabbed onto his hand and smiled up into his face. His haunted worried expression had relaxed more and more, and Thomas hoped a feeling of security comforted him, at least while they could keep him close.

Dahlia rushed over to greet them. “So many have come!”

Thomas followed her gaze over the courtyard. There must be well over one hundred people gathered. The Baldeez brothers, many of the royals from Mediterranean countries, the ministers, and their families.

Nico stepped out to the center of the courtyard. “Attention everyone.”

They quieted.

“We will divide up into different routes. Just choose your vehicle. All music and routes and instructions are inside.” Nico raised his hand as a line of open air vehicles pulled into the drive. “And when you’re through, join us for hot cider, hot chocolate, treats from Stefanos, and games inside.”

Everyone cheered and Dahlia reached for Thomas’ hand. “Let’s go in that one.” The bus was decorated like Santa’s workshop, having toys, trees, even Santa himself, painted on the side.

The children squealed. And ran for the bus. Thomas’ mother hurried after them. Dahlia’s midnight hair reflected the palace twinkle lights, and Thomas was more enchanted with her than anything around them. When she turned to face him, her eyes, clear, inviting, he wanted nothing more than to spend days on end at her side. Her mouth stretched in a lovely smile, and she held out her hand.

When he laced his fingers with hers, warmth spread up his arm and a feeling of oneness comforted the tightness in his chest. All his worries about Theresa, his stress about his plans seemed to trickle away, leaving only warmth and peace. He had found home. At least he hoped he had. Dahlia was a tough one to read, one moment into him and the next keeping her distance. But he would take this new happy turn of acceptance for as long as she offered.

Once out of the valley, the buses turned in all different directions. Their bus would take a few of the northern cities and then end on Main Street downtown. As part of their activity, each group had food and clothing and toys to leave with different locations in need. And of course, Dahlia had ensured she and Thomas would visit the orphanage.

Their first two stops were more fun than anything. Joe, Carrie, and little Stefanie screamed with delight as they tossed candy out into the streets, watching their peers gather it all up. Thomas stayed put. Dahlia pressed up against him on their bench, his arm comfortably curled around her shoulders. He didn’t want to lose the magic of their moment. The Christmas music, blaring from microphones on their bus, the decorations in each passing town, the twinkle lights shining back at him in her eyes. He thought their snapshot of time one of perfection and enjoyed it as long as he could.

After another slow drive through a city on their way, they pulled into the orphanage. They would get out here and deliver gifts and greet the children, singing in their great hall. Dahlia squeezed his hand one more time and then pulled away. She directed each person to carry at least one gift. Then they entered through the front door. Makeshift snowflakes hung from the ceiling. Each one looked to have been cut by a child. Charmed, Thomas met Dahlia’s eyes. She winked, then they hurried into the great hall. The children were waiting for them in chairs. Their group started passing out gifts, leaving extras under a great tree at the front of the room.

They sang, song after song. The children at the orphanage joining them and requesting more, so many until Thomas’ voice sounded hoarse to his ears. The activity director approached him. “We have several children who were too unwell to join us.”

Thomas’ heart ached. “Might we deliver something to them?”

Her face lit. “They would love that.”

He motioned for Dahlia and grabbed a handful of the gifts. When she came to stand beside him, he winked, “Special deliveries.”

They walked together, following the director, to the first room. As the door creaked open, a golden glow stretched in a faint light around the bed of a young boy. He held a book and a stuffed toy. When he looked up, his mouth stretched in a wide grin.

Two rooms later and all the toys and cheer had been shared. Back on the bus, headed for Main Street to join the other buses and sing in the center or town, he sighed.

Dahlia turned to him with a question on her face. “Happy or sad?”

“What?” He chuckled.

“Your sigh.”

He lifted her hand that he again cradled in his own and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “Most definitely happy.”

“I can’t believe this, you, and me.” She moved closer and turned to face him.

He toyed with her long straight hair. He loved it when she styled it simply and let it hang freely.

Her lips were full, inviting, her eyes deep, searching his own.

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