Page 132 of Heavy Crown

“I felt it too,” I say. “When I woke up in the hospital room, you were so familiar. Later, I convinced myself it was because you were famous. But the familiarity didn’t end there. It was everywhere, constant.” I let out a self-conscious laugh. “Since we stopped seeing each other, I’ve been having such vivid dreams of you, here, us.”

We reach the apartment door, and Alex smooths my hair that’s been caught by the ocean breeze. “I had similar dreams. I don’t know what to label us, but whatever it is, it’s powerful and real, and I have faith it’ll never end.”

I rise on my toes to kiss him, and one of his arms circles my waist while the other takes something out of his pocket. He tucks me against his side.

He slides the key into the door to my apartment. “I wasn’t making phone calls this afternoon.”

When the door swings wide, the apartment is crammed with daffodils, and I let out a gasp of surprise. “Alex, what is this?”

“A promise,” he says. “That I’ll pay attention, and when I screw up, I’ll make it right. I’m sorry I wasn’t as honest with you as I should have been. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a plan as soon as you asked for one. I’m sorry I ever made you think there could be anything more important than you or our child.” His voice is husky. “Because there isn’t, and there never will be.”

I wander through the small space, touching petals and marveling at Alex’s ability to get something huge done on short notice. There are petals on the bed, and I glance at Alex over my shoulder. “This seems very romantic for you.”

He smirks but doesn’t say anything.

When I get closer to the bed, I realize the petals spell something. I stare at the words, dumbfounded.

Marry Me.

“Alex?” When I turn around, he’s behind me, and there’s an open ring box in his hand. Inside is a jade-and-diamond ring that matches the necklace he gave me for my birthday. “Oh my God.”

“I made a choice four months ago to take the road less traveled, and I never want to veer off it again. What do you say, Rory? Want to come on the ride of a lifetime with me?”

“Yes!” I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tight. “Yes!” He chuckles in my ear.

My hand shakes when Alex removes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. Tears pool in my eyes as I stare at the proof that we’ll be together forever. “Thank you.”

Alex loops his arm around my shoulders and draws me close to kiss my temple. “I bought the ring before I left Denmark. Same shop as your necklace.”

“It’s beautiful.” I take in the flowers and the message on the bed again. “This was perfect.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Alex releases a sigh. “Come in,” Alex calls.

The door creaks open. “Your Highness?” Desmond calls. “Are you in here?”

“Make your way through the daffodil forest,” I say.

Desmond appears at the corner of the kitchen and peers at us. “Ah, I see congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“Any news?” Alex asks.

“In fact, there is. The king and queen just finished verifying the last document. King Henry’s heir to the throne exception was never revoked by another sovereign. Technically, should you both wish, Aurora Wilson can become queen of Bellerive.”

I suck in a sharp breath. While we knew it was possible, most of me didn’t expect it to end up being true. “Oh.”

“Once you’ve had a chance to process the news,” Desmond says, “the king and queen would like to see you both to discuss next steps. Julia has had a response from Simone, and she’s agreed to our proposed PR strategy if we need it.”

“Thank you, Desmond,” Alex says. “Rory and I will discuss the newest development and then meet with my parents.”

“I’ll let them know,” Desmond says.

The door clicks behind him, and Alex turns to me. “You’re not hovering over the toilet, so I’m wondering if this news isn’t terrible?”

“What are you talking about?” I laugh.

“You haven’t noticed? When you get emotionally overwhelmed your morning sickness is worse. It’s why I put the garbage can next to you at the meeting the other day.”