Page 67 of A Royal Arrangement
“If I may say so, I think you might prefer it to be a surprise.”
Colin ran his hand along his chin, now smooth from his morning shave. “All right.” Looking at his daughter, he asked, “Do you want to get Rosie from her room?”
Before Addie had finished squealing, she was out of sight, running into Rosalie’s bedroom. She came back out a few minutes later, holding Rosalie’s hand.
“Good morning.” Colin smiled at her. “That looks delicious.” He nodded at the half-eaten cinnamon roll she held in her hand.
She gave him a playful grin. “It just magically appeared on my table this morning.” Rosalie knelt down next to Addie. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
Addie giggled in response, her eyes darting to Colin. He moved his hand back and forth in front of his neck in the ‘cut’ gesture, trying to get her to stand strong and not tell Rosalie he was behind everything.
Rosalie narrowed her eyes at him with a look that said,I know what you’re not saying,and then looked back at Addie. “Was it talking unicorns?” she asked, looking around as if magical creatures might jump out at any moment. “Or maybe fairies?”
His daughter fell into a full-on fit of giggles. “No, silly, it was Daddy.” She pointed up at him.
Colin sighed. But honestly, he should’ve known better than to expect a five-year-old to keep a secret. Maybe it was good that Rosalie knew everything was from him.
They walked down the stairs together with Addie standing in the middle, holding each of their hands. When they reached the bottom, she ripped her hands away and started running toward the palace’s entrance before Colin could stop her.
“Nana! Papa!” Addie cried out.
Colin finally paid attention to his surroundings, looking at the older couple who stood just inside the mainpalace doors. His mouth fell open when he realized Isabella’s parents were here. “Richard? Beverly? What are you doing here?”
“Now, is that any way to treat your in-laws?” Beverly held a hand to her mouth, glancing at her husband and then back at Colin. “Are we still allowed to call ourselves that?”
His expression softened. “Of course you can.” Colin walked over and hugged both of Isabella’s parents. Her mother held onto him, even when he loosened his grip. She only let go when Addie came back for another hug.
He glanced over his shoulder and noticed Rosalie was hanging back. “Sorry, I’m being rude.” Colin extended a hand out to call her over. She joined him, her cheeks a little rosier as she shyly waved at Isabella’s parents. “Beverly and Richard, this is Rosalie.”
They started curtsying to her, but Rosalie quickly stepped forward, reaching out and setting a hand on each of their arms to stop them. “Please don’t. There’s no need for formality amongst family.”
Beverly’s hands flew to her chest as she audibly sighed. “Oh, aren’t you as sweet as pie?” She turned to Richard, grabbing his arm. “Didn’t I tell you I thought she was going to be the sweetest from all the pictures we saw?”
Richard played along with his wife’s antics, patting her hand. “Yes, dear, you thought she was going to be very pleasant.”
“Pleasant?” Beverly gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks this time. “Listening to music ispleasant. Taking a walk outside ispleasant.” She stepped forward and pulled Rosalie into one of her bone-crushing hugs. “This girl right here is agem.”
Rosalie’s eyes widened as they found Colin’s. He knew his in-laws meant well, but Beverly could be a bit much to take in before someone got to know her. Colin stepped forward, lightly patting Beverly’s arm. “You don’t want to crush the gem.”
Beverly’s cheeks turned pink as she released Rosalie. “Oops, sorry, dear. I guess I got a little too excited. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Beverly.” Rosalie smiled at her, and Colin realized how lucky he was. Not many women would have handled this situation with as much grace as Rosalie.
Isabella’s parents had been a gift to him in the first months after her loss. They had stepped in and acted as his own parents would have if they had still been alive. They’d taken care of Addie and made sure her needs were met while allowing Colin the space to grieve, even as they’d grieved the loss of their daughter. They truly were the kindest people, and it made him feel even better about his new marriage to see Richard and Beverly embracing Rosalie like they were.
“My family and friends get to call me Bev.”
He watched as his mother-in-law hooked her arms through Rosalie’s and started walking toward a sitting room like she owned the place. Richard was close behind, carrying Addie on his hip.
As Colin followed after them, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. This was what family looked like. It wasn’t always the people who were related to you by blood. It was the people who would drop anything to help you when you were in need. It was the people who loved you regardless, in any situation. It was the people you chose—and who chose you right back.
They spent the whole day with Richard and Beverly. It felt more easy and natural than Colin could’ve hoped for.
“I’ll go put Addie to bed so you can say goodbye,” Rosalie said, standing from the dinner table. After Addie said goodbye to her grandparents, Rosalie gave them each a quick hug and then led Addie from the room.
When they were alone, Beverly shot him a giant smile that was honestly a bit frightening.
“Rosalie is good for you and Addie.”
