CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 35

Ingrid hadn’t said it. Why hadn’t she said it back? She felt it. She loved her; she knew that. She’d known it before last night, but after last night, she’d known it. The way Elin had looked at her in the elevator, standing there, slowly removing her clothes for Ingrid, had almost made Ingrid come without being touched. Then, feeling Elin pressed to her for the first time and understanding how important that moment was almost made her confess her feelings before Elin had even gotten the chance. After Elin had said it, though, something hit Ingrid.

She was in the Queen’s suite. They’d just made love for the first time and then, technically, the second time, and there would likely be a third and many more times after that. Elin’s father’s words entered her brain: they’d have to come out to be considered official to everyone else; she’d have to quit her job. Her family would be put under a microscope, including the biological father she didn’t talk to anymore. They’d likely have a timeline for their engagement and then, their wedding. It would be a huge affair that the whole country would watch on TV, and the rest of the world might even tune in. She’d be Queen Consort of Norway. She’d have obligations. She knew Elin didn’t want children now, but she could change her mind if her father continued to pressure her…

‘No.’ Ingrid shook her head. ‘That wasn’t Elin. That wasn’t her Elin – Elin knew what she wanted and didn’t want; she wouldn’t let anyone talk her into something like that.’

“Well, hi there,” Lillian said.

“Oh, shit!” Ingrid wrapped the towel tighter around herself.

“I see we’re no longer using the more formal ‘Her Royal Highness’ now that you’ve slept with my sister, huh?”

“I’m sorry; I was just surprised. Your Royal–” Ingrid went to bow her head.

Lillian laughed and said, “I was kidding, Ingrid.”

Ingrid had woken that morning alone to a note that Elin had written telling her she had some work to do that morning and she’d try to make it back before Ingrid had to leave for work, which she needed to soon or she’d be late. She’d known Elin would be leaving soon, too, and they didn’t have a lot of time together. She’d hoped they would stay in bed for a little while this morning to say a proper goodbye until Elin got back from St. Rais. Ingrid had showered in Elin’s bathroom and hoped the woman would be back by the time she was out, but instead, it was Lillian who sat on the end of the still-mussed bed.

“Good morning,” Ingrid said.

“Do you want to get dressed?”

“Yes, please.”

Lillian laughed again and said, “I’ll be out there.”

“Oh, okay,” Ingrid replied, wondering why Lillian was here at all.

Lillian stood and left the room, likely going to the sitting room to wait for Ingrid. Ingrid brushed her wet hair and pulled it back into a messy bun. She changed into the clothes she’d worn last night but didn’t bother with her underwear since they were ruined. She’d been lucky Elin had returned to the elevator to pick everything up for them after they’d made love in bed, slowly this time. Ingrid’s clit throbbed just thinking about Elin on top of her, moving against her and inside her so slowly, and she nearly cried at how good it all felt.

“So, it finally happened,” Lillian said when Ingrid walked in.

“Ma’am?”

“Lillian; or Lil, if you like,” Lillian said, taking a drink of her coffee. “I had them bring you one, too. I know you like two sugars, but I thought you could add them yourself.”

“You know how I take my coffee?”

“The same way my sister does now,” Lillian stated simply. “You’ve turned her into a coffee girl, I think.”

“I don’t know why she started drinking coffee, actually,” Ingrid replied, sitting down next to Lillian. “She’s always enjoyed tea.”

“Because she missed you, and it was something that reminded her of you, Ingrid,” Lillian explained. “She hated not having you here. She kind of turned into a shell of my sister there for a while.”

“She did?” Ingrid asked, adding her sugar. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think it was right for me to work here when–”

“You were in love with her?”

Ingrid swallowed. Then, she nodded.

“And now?”

“Now, we’re together,” Ingrid replied. “So, it wouldn’t be app–”

“No, I meant that she told you.”

“Told me what?”

“Ingrid, she told you she loved you.”

“How did you–”

“She showed up to my room this morning and told me she finally told you, and she also mentioned that you didn’t say it back.” Lillian sucked between her two front teeth. “And I know you feel it, so I was hoping we could maybe get to the bottom of why you didn’t tell her how you feel.”

“Is she okay?” Ingrid asked, concerned now.

“She’ll be fine. She’s mostly worried.”

“About us?”

“I get the impression that you two took your relationship to that next step last night. She didn’t say anything, but it seemed that way to me. I’m guessing she said it after?” Lillian lifted an eyebrow, but Ingrid didn’t say anything in response. “Okay. Well, I’m going to butt in here, even though I probably shouldn’t – because that’s how my family works, and you should get to know that now. Do you love my sister, Ingrid?”

Ingrid nodded.

“But you didn’t say it back?”

Ingrid shook her head.

“May I ask why?”

“I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. Elin and I should talk.”

“Yes, you should. But she’s leaving soon for Palmer’s thing.”

“I know.”

“Look, I am no expert in love… I’m not even sure I’ve ever been in love myself.”

“Trust me, you’d know,” Ingrid replied.

Lillian smiled thoughtfully at her and said, “I’m sure that’s true. It’s the Queen thing, though, isn’t it?”

“It’s fine. I want Elin.”

“I have an idea,” Lillian replied.

Then, she pulled out her phone and dialed.

“Hey, do you have a minute?” There was a pause. “Ingrid is here. Can you talk to her about something for me?”

“Who are you–”

“It’s Palmer. You should talk to her,” Lillian said to Ingrid. “Great. I’m going to give her the phone.” She handed Ingrid the phone and added, “I’ll be in my room. Just bring it back when you’re done.”

“I don’t–”

“Ask her what it was like for her, Ingrid. If anyone gets this, it’s her. Just remember: Elin is just a person, like you. She’s in love with you. She has been forever. And if you’re not in this, you need to tell her now. If you are, though – I promise you, she will be the best partner in the world. She’s already the best sister. She’s a great aunt to Palmer and Elizabeth’s kids, and she will be to mine, too. She’s already on her way to being the best Queen. Sorry, Palmer! No offense to your wife.” Lillian said that last part a little louder. “Just give it a chance. Don’t freak out. Don’t ruin what could be the best thing ever for both of you, okay?”

“How did you know I–”

“I saw the terrified look on my sister’s face this morning, Ingrid. I don’t ever want to see that look on her face again.”

Lillian left then, and Ingrid reluctantly put the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Queen troubles?” Palmer asked.

“Princess troubles at the moment. Lillian is insistent, though. My Queen is working right now, and then she’s on her way to see you,” Ingrid replied.

“You’re freaking out about the whole possibility of being a consort one day?”

“Not just that,” Ingrid said. “I thought I could handle it; I really did. I just… I don’t know. It hit me last night.”

“So, let’s walk through it,” Palmer suggested.

“Walk through it?”

“She’s a Queen, and you know how it works because you worked for her. You know there’s the official coming-out-to-the-world thing that has nothing to do with the fact that you’re two women. They take official pictures of you and everything. Then, people start asking about the engagement. In fact, you’ll be on engagement watch from the moment you go public. Elin technically has to propose to you because she’s the Queen, but you could always lie about that later, if you have to. People would expect a wedding within a year or two, at most. Of course, at that point, they’re going to wonder about the kids you two don’t want, from what I understand, and you’ll have to address that. You’d have to quit your job; at minimum, once you’re married, but people will expect you to do it once you’re public. You can’t be a royal and earn a paycheck. It’s a lot, Ingrid. Elizabeth once told me that someone had to love her enough to want to not only be with her the person, but to be with her the Queen. They’d have to be okay with our children taking over this whole thing one day. You know all of this, but once Elin decides she’s ready, people will pull you into a room. They did it to me, too. I had to learn a lot more than you do since the whole thing was foreign to me. People I hardly knew at all asked me personal questions about my family, why I wanted to marry the Queen, and whether or not I believed in divorce.” Palmer chuckled. “They’ll start telling you the things you can’t do anymore, or the things you do that you have to change now. It’s going to feel like your chest is tightening, and you’re going to wonder why you’re even considering putting up with all of it. You probably won’t ever be truly alone again; security will always be somewhere close by. You’ll live in a mansion that’s never empty. It’s going to feel like you have to choose between the life you want with Elin and the life you get with Elin.”

Ingrid didn’t say anything when Palmer paused.

“There will be this moment where you hesitate; you’ll think that this is maybe too much. Then, you’ll think about all the best moments in your life and realize they’re with her. You’ll think about how, at the end of the day, it’s just you and Elin falling asleep next to each other. I thought of the first time Elizabeth made me coffee in her old little cottage. I thought about how I held her when she cried after it all happened. I thought of the flowers I’d given her and the ones she’d given me. I thought of what an amazing woman she is and how much I love her. It’s not just the life I get with her, Ingrid; it’s the life I make with her. That’s how I see it, anyway. I have a remarkable wife, two beautiful children, and I get to help people. I don’t really know how it could get any better than that.”

“I don’t know if I’m good enough for her; for this.”

“I’m an American reporter with blue-collar parents. Who’s to say who’s enough for something like this? Do you love Elin?”

“With my whole heart.”

“Has she ever treated you like you’re not enough?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“Then, you are,” Palmer replied. “And I’ll happily talk to you more about this anytime, but I have to go now – we’re doing last-minute prep for the event. Will you be here for it?”

“No, I have work. And honestly, Elin didn’t invite me anyway.”

“You need to tell the world you’re together first, probably,” Palmer suggested. “She can’t bring you as her date formally unless–”

“Yes, I know the outdated rules,” Ingrid interrupted, laughing lightly.

“Well, I hope I get to see you soon,” Palmer replied.

“Hey, Palmer?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” Ingrid said.

“No problem. Now, I see my son has a crayon dangerously close to his nostril, so I have to let you go,” Palmer replied.

Ingrid laughed and disconnected. Then, she grabbed her things and walked to Lillian’s room, where she knocked. Lillian opened the door a moment later, and Ingrid handed her the phone.

“Well?” Lillian asked.

“Thank you,” Ingrid said.

“Elin’s in her office; my dad’s old one.”

“I know,” Ingrid said. “I’ve got to get to work, though. I’ll call her later.”

“She’ll be in St. Rais.”

“I know,” Ingrid repeated. “I just need to think about some things.”

“Don’t take too long, Ingrid.”

“I won’t,” Ingrid replied.