Chapter 23

Text from Penelope to Luke:YOU WENT TO THE BALL????

Luke:Oh great, how did YOU find out, of all people.

Penelope:Grandpa Gray said he saw you there. And he told me ALL about it. The way Ellie walked down the stairs alone, and then you showed up and the room went quiet for a whole new reason. And then the dances and the announcement and how you and Ellie spent the whole evening together until you had to leave. AHHH!! Luke!!!

Luke:You could have just waited to talk to me today since you're back in Skymar, instead of blowing up my phone with your book-long messages.

Penelope:Oh my goodness, Luke! It's that scene in all the royal romance movies where the woman stands at the top of the stairs and the guy sees her and is totally amazed at her beauty. Except you're her. You ARE the Hallmark heroine!

Luke:You've been waiting to type that paragraph all morning, haven't you?

Penelope:I thought it looked really spontaneous. And now we have it in writing! See? I can be really funny.

Luke:Semantics.

Penelope:So... how did things end with you and Ellie? Was it really goodbye this time? Please say no! It will disprove all of my happily-ever-after movies AND break your heart.

Penelope:Okay, so the priority is not in that order. Your heartbreak is much more important than my obsession with HEAs.

Luke:Thanks for clarifying. I might have lost sleep over that.

Luke:It was a weird goodbye to be honest. She said something about trying to see me before I leave, but my week is crazy through Friday. I hope we'll find a time, but I'm not sure what else there is to say or do. She mentioned something about another option.

Penelope:Are you open to another option? I mean, you did survive a fancy luncheon, a press conference, tabloids, and a ball! I think you've proven you are somewhat adaptable to change of the most mind-boggling kind.

Penelope:Mind-boggling for you. I've planned to live moments like that my whole life, so I feel prepared.

Luke:I don't know, Penny-girl. I can't imagine what option she can offer. I'm a background guy. She's a princess.

Penelope:Which is exactly what Ellie might need most, Luke. Someone who keeps her grounded and doesn't mind staying in the background. I know you've always been that person for me.

Luke:You're trying to make up for the Hallmark heroine comment, aren't you?

Penelope:No! I mean it. I can't imagine having a better brother, but even more than that, you're a great person. You don't always know it, but you are because of how you change other people's lives by living yours so well. You're good at loving.

Luke:The romantic vibes of wedding week are sending you over the edge, aren't they?

Penelope:I know you appreciated what I said because you deflected. :) I've thought a lot about your situation after nearly breaking down on the phone with you last week. Maybe your brand of care is exactly what a whole country needs! Sounds like something your stalwart, testosterone-loving heart could handle. You know? Saving a family, or a country, or a PLANET!

Luke:Don't get carried away there, Penny-girl. Oh wait, that's your MO. Never mind.

Penelope:I'm just saying, I think you'd make a great consort to a princess. Ooh, just the idea gives me lovely tingles.

Luke:Sounds like you might need to see a doctor about those.

Penelope:I'm rolling my eyes, just so you know.

Penelope:But I also wanted you to be the first to hear a secret. Matt asked me to marry him last night on the Darling House theater stage!!! It was super romantic and sweet and I just can't wait to be his wife and Iris's mom!!!

Luke:Congrats, Penn! I'm really happy for you. And the only thing people will be surprised about is that you kept it a secret! Why aren't you proclaiming this from the social media mountaintop?

Penelope:Because I don't want to distract from Izzy's week at all. I plan to tell her in private too, because it's so wonderful to just celebrate her and Brodie right now.

Luke:That's sweet of you. Mature.

Penelope:Well, I'm going to be a mom! I'd better garner a little more maturity. Good moms can be silly too, though, and that can be just as wonderful.

Luke:Then you'll be all set on that part.

Penelope:(Ignoring.) Anyway, I really am in love with a wonderful guy, and I want you to be happy too, Luke.

Luke:Penn, I will be. Just like you've told me so many times before, I can choose joy. That might be tough right now, but that doesn't stop me from still trying to choose joy, because there's so much to celebrate right now for you and Izzy, and even with Josephine and the twins.

Penelope:Well, choose joy but don't close off possibilities. Remember: "Impossible things are happening every day."

***

Weddings were hard-core.

Or maybe just this wedding since it happened in a different country than home?

And... it was his family.

Luke couldn't have known ahead of time, but between getting family members settled in—especially those with twins and a bad case of jet lag—navigating the last parts of his reno job for Mr.Gray... er... Lewis, and helping repair a broken wedding arch two days before the ceremony, he needed a vacation from his vacation.

The calmest people of the bunch were the bride and groom.

In fact, Brodie and Izzy rolled with all the difficulties like they were floating through a lovestruck cartoon and nothing could dampen the anticipation.

Even the stag party for Brodie kept a low profile, with steaks and drinks and talk about life and books and hunting. After a ball—an unusually good night with his lovely princess—and a week of wedding prep, a little bit of testosterone-driven time talking about nothing related to romance fit the mental health bill.

Except, Luke kind of wanted to talk about romance.

With one person. And only one person.

He grinned as he waited in the foyer of the beautiful stone church, dressed to the nines for a second time in less than a week. Though at least this monkey suit proved to be a sleek-looking gray suit and tie instead of a tux.

Brodie and Izzy wanted a simple affair. Close family with a larger reception afterward, and Luke was honored Brodie asked him to be a groomsman. Him and Matt, with Anders as best man. Of course, Izzy had Penelope as her maid of honor and Josephine as matron of honor. Brodie's two sisters were included as well—the youngest, Fiona, guided by her elder sister down the aisle. Izzy had even been thoughtful enough to include Matt's daughter, Iris, in the festivities as a flower girl.

He sighed. Everyone he loved best in the world was right here.

Except one person.

The music began and Luke took turns with Matt escorting guests to their seats down the stone aisle. Roses decorated various places in the room, the soft red color a nice contrast to the gray stone walls and floor.

But just before the ceremony was about to start, Matt met him at the beginning of the aisle with a strange sort of grin on his face. "I think you ought to escort the next guest, mate."

Luke frowned and turned toward the foyer.

Standing in a simple light pink dress, golden hair spun up in some twist on her head, stood Princess Elliana St.Clare, Duchess of Mara and the North Country. Luke's brain stopped working altogether and he blinked.

She was still there.

Luke looked back over at Matt just to make sure they both were seeing the same thing, and with a reassuring nod from the latter, he shifted forward a step. Then another. Until he came close enough to breathe in the scent of oranges.

"What are you doing here?"

Her smile faltered. "Well, I've been trying to meet with you all week, so I took whatever advantage I could to get your attention."

He gave his head a firm shake, just to make sure he saw straight. "You've definitely done that." He lowered his voice and offered his arm to her. "But... even as a princess, don't you need an invitation to a wedding?"

Her grin returned. "Well, I received a rather humorous and exuberant message from your sister Penelope through Lewis Gray."

Luke cast a look behind him to find Penelope peering around the back entrance to the church, her grin as wide as ever. His chest tightened. What was happening?

"And with a little bit of inventive thinking, I worked my way onto the guest list as your plus-one." Ellie raised a brow, her arm squeezing into his as they started walking down the aisle. "Assuming you're fine with having me as your date?"

He peered down at her, forcing words through his throat. "My date for today, then?"

Her gaze held his, some secret message within those blue depths. "Well, let's start with today."

He froze, waiting for her to expound on that little hint, but all she did was take her seat with the other guests and leave him standing in the aisle dumbfounded, like one of the church statues at the four corners of the room.

If the Lord of the Rings theme hadn't started playing from the string quartet in the corner, Luke would have joined Ellie in the pew to get the rest of the story, but that particular song was his cue to make it back to the foyer for the bridal party's entrance.

All throughout the ceremony, his gaze kept straying back to Ellie's, and each time, he found her looking right back.

Even when Brodie and Izzy spoke their vows.

And just before the prayer.

And once during the reading of the love chapter in Corinthians.

And definitely as he escorted Brodie's sister back down the aisle during the recessional.

But it wasn't until the transition from the wedding to the reception that he had a chance to locate Ellie and pull her into one of the small alcoves in the back of the church for some privacy.

"Blast it all, Princess. Your eyes kept saying something the whole service that your lips didn't clarify back there, so I'm not waiting another minute to get resolution."

Without hesitation, she wrapped her fingers around the lapel of his suit and rocked up on tiptoe to press her lips to his. His body stilled for half a second before he pulled her into his arms and finished what she so sweetly started.

He wouldn't have referred to his side of the kissing as sweet.

Powerful? Hungry? Grateful?

Definitely the latter. And maybe a little of the middle. Because she tasted so good.

"How was that for a little more clarification?" she asked, stepping back, her cheeks as pink as her dress and her breath a little shaky.

"Ellie, though I appreciate the nonverbal answer, I'm a man. I need direct and clear, because you're sending off messages I'd like to be able to answer in the affirmative, but—"

"How would you feel if I flew back with you to the U.S. on Wednesday?" She kept her hands on his jacket, her gaze searching his, her lips close and smiling.

He tilted his head, studying her as if one of them had gone crazy. "What did you say?"

"My parents have offered me a proposal." Her eyes fairly glowed with words she hadn't said yet, and his entire body tensed in anticipation. "In light of my affection for you, but also my desire to serve Skymar as a working royal, they have offered a compromise. A way to hopefully meet halfway."

"Meet halfway?" Luke's brain didn't compute. "We're not merfolk, Ellie."

"Merfolk?" A laugh burst from her. "No, we're not. We are, however, two people who I believe make a better pair together than apart, and my parents see that too. Especially after the press conference and the ball."

The halfway part still tangled in his thoughts.

"Since most of the duties and meetings that require my physical presence happen between January and June every year, I've been given the opportunity to join you in the U.S. from June to December. I can work as a liaison between Skymar and the U.S., which is something Father has been hoping to enact for a while now."

He blinked. What was she saying?

"I can't work a paying job due to royal restrictions, but I thought my interior design skills could benefit your business." She kept searching his face and saying words, but they couldn't be real. "Assuming our relationship continues to move forward in the way I hope."

"Wait a minute." He didn't even believe the words getting ready to come out of his mouth. "You'd move to the U.S. for half a year to be with me?"

"If you want me to, I will." A sliver of uncertainty flickered across her face.

"Want you to?"

"And if you were willing to return with me to Skymar for the rest of the year, Father has hopes that you would be willing to take on some responsibilities that I believe he has discussed with you already."

Luke looked away, the pieces of it all starting to click together. Help with building and orphans and forestry... and be with Ellie, but also learn the royal world?

"As a younger sibling in the royal family, I have more freedom to live a quieter life, which is what I would prefer." She looked down, focusing on where her hands held his jacket. "But being with me would require certain social and public responsibilities. A sacrifice on your part."

"You'd move to the U.S. to be with me?" He still couldn't quite comprehend it.

"Of course I would."

"Ellie, you're a princess and I'm just some country carpenter who lives in a really small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. People in my world name their cats Princess. They don't expect to meet one."

She laughed. "I can handle that."

"My life is simple." He needed her to understand so she would straighten out this crazy story he kept hearing, but not believing.

"I like simple whenever I can get it. But the real draw is you." A flicker lit her eyes and a playful grin tipped her lips. "Don't forget, Luke—most importantly, I am... just a girl..."

Warning alarms started blaring in his head. "What?"

"Standing in front of a boy..."

He began to recognize the quote from one of Penelope's ridiculous rom-coms. "Don't you dare say it."

"Asking him to—"

He captured her lips before she could finish the disgustingly sweet quote. She tasted of cinnamon and pastry and forever. He'd have groaned at his own thoughts, if he didn't feel them with such certainty. But thinking them didn't mean he had to say them out loud, so at least he could hold on to a little pride while he gave his heart completely to this amazing woman in his arms.

She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving with as much thoroughness as he did. He breathed in her scent. All right, maybe he could work up saying the words too. If he had to. And maybe that was why all those silly movies ended up sticking with people. Deep down they communicated something everyone wanted. Everyone hoped to find.

Being worthy of someone's love just as you were. Being enough.

His chest squeezed. She thought he was worth it, and he'd spend however long it took to convince her she'd made the right choice, from one side of the ocean to the other.

He drew back first, his gaze roaming her face. She'd leave her world for him. No one did that. Definitely not a princess. But she would? His thumb skimmed over her chin. "You don't have to ask me to love you, Ellie." Emotion pressed his words into a rasp. "I already do. I think I have since the first moment I saw you."

She laughed and cupped his face with her palms, her smile so close. "I'm so glad, because it would be horribly inconvenient for this to be one-sided."

"No, ma'am. I'm all in. On both sides of the sea." He snuck a kiss. "You can be my country girl princess."

She chuckled. "And you can be my flannel-wearing knight?"

He groaned. "Naw, let's stop right there. It's starting to sound way too much like a really bad country music song."

"Or the makings of a sappy, dramatic, unbelievable, and wonderful happily ever after?"

"I'll take the unbelievable and wonderful parts, but let's leave the sap and drama out of the planning, okay?"

She raised a brow and he sighed. "All right, sap and drama are bound to come, but we'll keep those to a minimum."

She pulled him into another kiss, leaving him ready to go in search of the preacher to make things official. "All right, a little sap may not be bad either."

Her expression sobered a little, but the tenderness in her eyes stayed the same. "I love you, Luke. I want you in my future, no matter where that future takes place."

He kissed her again, because he could. Because she'd not only chosen them but fought for their future when the easy thing would have been to give up. And if she was willing to meet him halfway, merfolk or not, he'd match her.

And they did match.

An unlikely, unusual, unexpected match.

But perfect.

Above them, the sound of church bells rang through the evening air.

A chime? He rolled his gaze heavenward, making sure God knew he got the humor of the moment. Then he drew in a deep breath of Ellie's sweet citrusy scent and pressed a kiss to her forehead, like the romantic he was trying to hide. Maybe this happily-ever-after gig wasn't so bad after all.

But he didn't have to admit that to Penelope.

Ever.

***

Text from Izzy to Penelope, Luke, and Josephine:Brodie just showed me our plane tickets and itinerary after keeping the location of our honeymoon secret!! NEW ZEALAND!! He is taking me to NEW ZEALAND!! I am going to live my lifelong dream of being a hobbit! Move over, Samwise and Rosie. Here come Brodie and Izzy!

Izzy:Penelope, I thought you'd appreciate the capitalizations and exclamation marks.

Izzy:Luke, I thought you'd just appreciate Brodie's perfect honeymoon destination choice.

Luke:For you, it's stellar. He ran it by me a few months ago.

Izzy:You knew? Why are you so good at secrets and I end up telling everything?

Luke:I just like to have things to hold over people. It gives me a sense of superiority.

Izzy:Truer words have never been spoken... texted?

Penelope:Proof positive he's meant for royalty.

Luke:Nope. Stop with the royal jokes. You've already exhausted them in person. Let's not contaminate our texts too.

Penelope:But why not, when you're such a Prince Charming?

Luke:You're gross, Penny-girl.

Penelope:I'm wonderfully romantic. It's my crowning achievement.

Penelope:And you should see them together, Iz. Ellie and Luke are sitting on the couch across from me in Grandpa Gray's house and Luke looks so smitten. I can't stop grinning. It's adorable.

Luke:Never use the word "adorable" about a grown man. It makes me want to beat my head against a wall.

Josephine:New Zealand? Oh, Izzy, the scenery is magnificent. I don't know if you remember that I visited there once. It was the only time I ever rode horses bareback across the plains with those glorious mountains on every side. Unforgettable.

Izzy: ...

Luke: ...

Penelope:Oh, Josephine. That's... amazing.

Josephine:I was on a strictly fish diet at the time. For some reason, besides it giving me very oily hair, I often felt a sense of euphoria. It was where I met Patrick, if you remember. He was interning to provide foot care to poor communities.

Izzy:Josephine, you have completely altered my image of you in my mind.

Luke:So... let's change the subject from the clear paradox Josephine has set up for the rest of us, because I don't think any of us are prepared to process everything that unfolded there.

Luke:Mission: Impossible and The Last Samurai were filmed in New Zealand too. Hobbits, bioterrorists, spies, and samurai. Sounds like a place everyone should visit.

Penelope:Ew, clearly your romance gene is severely underdeveloped, Luke. Bioterrorists and spies for a honeymoon? Ugh. Though I'm not sure how well hobbits fit in with that either, but it will make Izzy happy and that's all that matters.

Izzy:Speaking of secrets and romance... I'm so happy for you, Penelope. Engaged!!

Penelope:I'm in love with a wonderful guy! What can I say?

Josephine:And Matt has assured me he and Iris plan to remain in the U.S. with Penelope. He's even started applying for citizenship. What a comfort!

Izzy:Luke will be there part-time, Josie! ("Josie" seems to better fit an adventurous bareback rider.)

Penelope:Because the other part of the time he has to go fulfill princely duties. AHHH!!

Luke:Whoa there, y'all. Ellie and I haven't even gotten on the plane to the U.S. yet. There are still a lot of things to work out.

Izzy:We know you, Luke. If you love her, you'll find a way.

Penelope:And we'll all have each other to help us get through all the craziness of life, no matter what side of the world we're on.

Luke:The real question is... what will Josephine do with all her free matchmaking time now that we are all happily matched?

Josephine:Don't you all worry about me. There is always the next generation.

Izzy:I'm sure Luke will have a whole lot to say about that.

Penelope:Not right now! He just took Ellie by the hand and disappeared out on the terrace. For someone who doesn't like to talk about romance, he sure doesn't mind it too much when he's been sprinkled with his own fairy dust. I don't think we're going to get a text back from him for a long time. *sigh* I love happily ever afters.

Izzy:So do I, Penn. So do I.

And they all lived... happily ever after.

THE END