Page 78 of Redemption of a Prince

“You know, if you’d like to call us Papa and Mum, we’d be honored,” he told her softly.

Tears filled Nikki’s eyes again. “You’re going to make me cry. I can’t cry until after I’ve started down the aisle and there are pictures where I don’t look all red and puffy.”

They laughed together which helped Nikki to not cry. “Thank you,” she told him, serious again. “You didn’t have to accept me with open arms, especially not after we found out the truth about, well, you know.”

The former king squeezed her hands. “Regardless, you still gave us our daughter. She filled a spot in our hearts, left by children that we wanted but were never able to have. A spot we thought would never go away. We love her, and we’ve always loved you for giving her to us. We are ecstatic to make it official.”

Before either one of them could say anything else, the door opened to let the coordinator in. “It’s time,” she said with a smile.

Nikki took a deep breath and slid her hand into his offered arm. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

* * *

For the first time ever,Zeke danced with hiswifein his arms.

He’d cried when he saw her walking down the aisle with his father. Not big weeping sobs, but definitely tears streaking down his cheeks. He tried to hold back as much as he could. He was ridiculously happy to finally be marrying Nikki, but a king should only let an appropriate amount of emotion show in public, right?

There were still prying eyes at the reception, hours after he pledged his life and his love to the amazing woman now in his arms.

Cameras were focused on them. So were friends and family. Politicians. Royalty from around the world - like the new king of Auverignon who had surprised everyone when he showed up for his coronation with a wife the week before. Zeke spoke with them in passing.

“This is perfect,” Nikki told him softly. “This whole day has been perfect.” She moved back slightly to look up at him. “Your father even said I could call them Papa and Mum if I want.”

He bent down and kissed her lightly. “I’m happy to share them. I’m sure my brothers and Lydia are, too.”

Seeing Nikki and Lydia grow close, had been one of the highlights of Zeke’s spring. All through September and October, while he learned to be king, they worked to train Lottie then worked on the focus group for the resort together.

The entire group Nikki had won the trivia contest with were in the group. Lydia was one of several in the younger generation bringing their perspective.

But this wasn’t the time to focus on those things. He needed to focus on Nikki.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you, too.”

The song ended, and they danced with his parents next. His mother simply gushed about the wedding over and over. Nikki and his father were laughing together.

When the dancing ended, they cut the cake. Then toasts began. After more dancing and laughter and time with friends, everyone trailed behind them toward the helipad.

Zeke still wore his military uniform, but Nikki had changed into something less cumbersome than her wedding dress.

He’d funded a helicopter ride to the mountain home from his personal finances. They could have stayed at the palace, but after much discussion about their honeymoon, they’d decided to postpone their official getaway.

Instead, they’d spend the rest of the weekend at Mt. Paloma Manor before returning to New Ancora.

Since their conversations weren’t private, they held hands but didn’t say much.

It wasn’t public knowledge that he hadn’t moved into the monarch’s quarters at the palace, but the mountain home was different. His things had been moved to the monarch’s apartment where they’d danced before the helicopter arrived to take them to New Ancora, and everything changed.

He knew his parents weren’t entirely comfortable continuing to live in the monarch’s quarters in New Ancora, but they didn’t want to disturb Lydia any more than necessary during the transition. Once the coronation happened the next summer, it would be time. Zeke didn’t much care one way or the other at this point, and he knew Nikki didn’t either.

The helicopter landed, and they were ushered out.

Zeke held Nikki’s hand as they made their way to the elevator and then the top floor.

When they reached the door, Zeke tapped on his phone then turned and rested his hands on Nikki’s hips. “You ready for this?”

Nikki grinned up at him, winding her arms around his neck. “I’ve been ready for what seems like forever.”

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