Chapter 10

Have you ever noticed that there is never the right amount of time? Time can either goes by too quickly or two slowly. There is never the perfect speed. This was how I was feeling about my first day of medical school. I couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone by nor could I believe how quickly this summer went or the fact that Eddie and I were engaged to be married again.

"How do you feel?" Eddie asked as we got into the car. He wanted to drop me off for my first day of classes.

"Excited and nervous. What if being a doctor isn't cut out for me? What if I -"

Eddie silenced me with a kiss.

"You will be great a doctor one day, Paige. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind."

I smiled at him. He could make me feel so much better about everything. Before I knew it, we were at the University (I mean it was technically within walking distance) and I kissed Eddie good-bye. I got out of the car and began to walk to my first class. I looked around and couldn't believe that this was truly happening. I mean, I was starting medical school today! Four more years and my dream would be accomplished! The reality of everything that was going on was truly hard to absorb up. By the end of the next four years, I would be married and a doctor. It was crazy!

I got to my first class about fifteen minutes early. It was Organic Chemistry. I usually liked to sit in the front for my classes, but I didn't want to draw anymore attention to me that I already had, so I decided to sit in the middle.

"Hej! Hvordan har du det? Jeg er Jake," I guy said to me as he sat down next to me.

"Oh shit," I thought to myself and frantically pulled out my schedule to make sure that this class was going to be taught in English.

The guy looked at my expectantly. I had no idea what to say.

"Ja," I smiling at him which meant "yes." I hoped maybe that was the answer to his question.

The guy burst out laughing and smiled at me.

"You obviously don't speak Danish. Do you speak English?" He asked me. He had an American accent.

"Yes, I do," I said smiling. "I working on the Danish," I said looking down at my desk pretty embarrassed.

"You're American too!" He exclaimed.

"Yes, I'm from Wisconsin. You?"

"I'm from Oklahoma," he replied. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Paige," I said extremely thankful he didn't know who I was. "What's your name?"

"Jake," he said. "Nice to meet you," he said extending out his hand.

"Nice to meet you too," I said shaking it and gave him a smile.

"So, what kind of doctor do you want to be?" he asked me trying to keep the conversation going.

"I'm thinking just a general doctor and specializing in hospital care. What about you?"

"Surgeon," he replied right away.

Our conversation was interrupted by the professor coming into the classroom and immediately starting the class.

"This is the one and only time that I am going to take role just to make sure that everyone is on the list that I have here," he said beginning.

I waited patiently until my name was called and part of dreaded the moment too. It was the moment when everyone would recognize me and my name. Would I every really get used to this? I wanted to be just another name in the crowd and not a name that everyone knew along with details about my life.

"Paige Morgan," my professor called.

I raised my hand up and he marked me as present.

"Paige Morgan as in the King's whore?" someone in the back asked snidely.

I could feel my cheeks turning red and I pretended to be looking at the syllabus. Seriously? Could people truly be so rude?

"I don't know what you're talking about but leave her alone guys," I heard Jake said.

"Seriously? You don't know-" The girl began to say.

"Enough!" My professor said sternly, cutting her off and continued to take roll.

This was going to be such a fun class, I thought with dread as I began to mark some of the important assignment and test dates into my planner.

"Hey!" I heard Jake yell to me. It was later in the day and I was in line to get some coffee at the Starbucks on campus.

"Hey," I said turning around.

"Hey, I don't mean to be too forward, but I was just wondering if you were okay? Ginger can be such a bitch sometimes-" he began.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said. "I don't really care. I mean, not everyone is going to like me or accept me, and it's something that I have to learn to deal with and accept."

"Are you really the Paige that is dating the King?" he asked hesitantly as though he was unsure of whether to ask me that or not.

"That's me," I said trying to lighten the tension.

"That's crazy!" he exclaimed.

"What is?" I asked.

"That possibly the future Queen of Denmark is in my Organic Chemistry class!" He exclaimed.

"Well, you're from the United States so you understand what a complete foreign concept this is to me. I don't picture him as the King of the country. I never have and I don't think I ever will. He's just Eddie to me. I know his life isn't what we would consider to be normal, but I don't put him up on a higher pedestal than anyone else except he obviously does mean a lot to me."

"I completely understand," Jake said. "I assume the whole situation is very strange," he said smiling.

"It is," I said smiling back at him.

"Well, anyway, I am going to go off to class. I just saw you here and just wanted to check that you were okay. I'll see you later," he said leaving.

"Bye," I said.

Well, I could officially check off that my first class was a complete disaster and as well as my first day of medical school. I sighed, got my coffee, left the Starbucks and tried to find a place where I could just enjoy my coffee in peace. That task proved to be much harder than I ever expected.

Chapter 11

"How was your first day Paige?" Eddie asked as he picked me up later that day.

I leaned my head back against the head rest and just shot him a look with my eyes that explained it all.

"That bad, huh?" he asked as we began to drive.

"I mean, it wasn't bad. It was just different," I began. I wasn't sure how to begin.

"How so?" Eddie asked. He wasn't going to let me keep anything bottled up ever again.

"Well, everyone knows who I am. It's just so weird! And I guess the Danish people don't like me. I was called the 'King's whore' today. It just wasn't what I was expecting," I said looking at Eddie.

"It was just the first day. Maybe things will get better," he said gently, taking my hand and squeezing it. "You know if this all becomes too much for you; you just have to say the word and we can pack up and move wherever you want us to," he said reassuringly.

"I know," I said rubbing his arm.

"Now, probably would not be the best time to let you know that we are schedule to go on Good Morning Denmark on Friday morning to publicly announce our engagement," Eddie said hesitantly.

"Great," I mumbled.

"Also, I just found out from Soren that a script has been written about our relationship, and they want to make it into a movie. Apparently, they have chosen the cast already, and they would like us to meet up with the main characters so they learn how to accurately portray us," Eddie said.

"You're kidding," I said surprised. "Our lives aren't that interesting," I said.

"Well, apparently, we are much more interesting that we would ever think," Eddie said chuckling. "Would that be something you would be willing to do?" he asked. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I don't mind meeting with the actors and actresses to talk to them. It's just weird that they want to make our lives into a movie. And then, people will be watching it. I just can't wrap my head around it," I explained.

"It's strange for me too," Eddie said. "I wasn't expecting that people would want to do something like this," he said.

"I'm worried to see what movie will contain," I said.

"Me too," Eddie said.

"I guess we can try to coach the people playing our characters as best as we can and let them know that half of the stuff probably isn't true," I said laughing, putting my head down on his arm. I was so exhausted from today, but I was so happy to be able to spend time with Eddie.

"And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my mother wants to have dinner with both us tonight and just us," Eddie said.

"If every time you pick me up, you have such bad news, I may have to fire you," I said teasingly.

"How did Danish 101 go today? Are you fluent yet?" he said teasing me too.

"Completely," I said going along with his joke and laughing.

"Let me hear something!" He said laughing pretty hard.

"Tak," I said looking at him smiling. "Ja."

Eddie burst out laughing and I was too. In fact, we were both laughing so hard that we were practically crying.

I snuggled my head against his arm and looked up at him.

"I love this," I said.

"Love what?" he asked. "Me picking on your Danish?" He asked smiling.

"No," I said hitting him playfully. "I love it when we are alone and we are able to enjoy the moment like this."

At the next red light, he leaned over and kissed me passionately. I wished all of our days could be like this, but since I was going to be the future Queen of Denmark, I would not have that luxury and it pained me so.

Chapter 12

The funny thing about life is that you never know what is coming. I had never dreamed in a million years that I would be engaged to the King of Denmark, nor that I would be going to medical school at the University of Copenhagen. Life is funny like that. You never know what exactly is coming you way.

I finished the homework and reading that was assigned to me from today, and I prepared myself for dinner tonight, both mentally and physically.

I changed into a blouse, black skirts, and heels. I pulled my sides and bangs back with my hair and touch up my make-up. I wasn't sure why I was trying so hard. I mean, Rosalind already hated me. However, part of me really hoped that she would accept me and maybe, just maybe, that acceptance would start tonight if she saw I was truly trying to make an effort.

Eddie knocked on my door at about 6:50 pm. We were supposed to meet his mother at 7 pm sharp, and she meant it. We walked arm in arm into the dining room where we would be eating tonight. My heart began to beat slightly faster as I saw Rosalind, and her scowling face. Eddie seemed to sense my nervousness, and he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before pulling my chair out for me across from his mother. The table was small and circular. Eddie technically sat next to me, but he was also next to his mother.

"I suppose you told Paige about Good Morning Denmark on Friday?" Rosalind asked Eddie.

"Yes, I have," Eddie said.

"I just hope we don't have another incident like last time," Rosalind said snidely and looking at me.

"Paige did a wonderful job last time! I will not allow you to criticize her all the time!" Eddie exclaimed.

"She threw up three minutes before you guys went on stage," Rosalind snapped.

"The comments are going to stop, mother. And they are going to stop TODAY," Eddie snapped.

"Is that any way to talk to your mother?" Rosalind snapped back.

"Is this any way to talk to my finance? The woman who will be bearing your grandchildren one day? The woman who will be my wife and a part of this family forever? She's staying whether you like it or not," Eddie said sternly.

Rosalind was actually quiet for a few seconds and seemed to be pondering what Eddie just said.

"You're right, Edvard. I am truly sorry for my behavior and attitude toward Paige. Paige, my sincerest apologies," Rosalind said very sincerely.

I turned to Eddie completed surprised. I wasn't sure whether to believe her or not.

"Thank you," Eddie said diplomatically.

"So, when were you guys planning on having the wedding?" Rosalind asked us. "I was hoping we could work some details out over dinner," Rosalind said looking at us as though she was truly interested.

I looked at Eddie not knowing what to say.

"We...," Eddie said started. "We haven't actually given it much thought," he finished.

"Well, you certainty must have some idea of when you would want to have the wedding!" Rosalind exclaimed.

"We aren't actually sure if we are going to stay in Denmark," Eddie said hesitantly.

We both awaited his mother's reaction.

"Well, I guess you both have to do what you feel is best," Rosalind said way too calmly.

I looked at Eddie surprised. Why was she acting like this?

"We need to have some plans to tell the public when we announce your engagement on Friday. If you were to stay in Denmark, when would you want to have the wedding?" Rosalind asked.

"Probably sometime in the summer," I said looking at Eddie and he nodded in agreement.

"So, Paige, you aren't planning on finishing medical school before you get married?" Rosalind asked.

"No, I wouldn't want to wait that long. I really can't wait until we are married," I said.

"So, if you both plan to stay in Denmark, we can say probably either this summer or next summer," Rosalind said.

"Alright," I said.

"The next thing is- the proposal story. I really want to hear about the proposal and then you two need to decide what to tell the public. But please, tell me about it," Rosalind asked, acting as though she was truly interested.

"Well," I began, "it was really cute. He asked my dad's permission for my hand in marriage. On the day of the actual proposal, we went out to dinner that night," I said smiling at the memory.

"And we played some miniature golf, got some ice cream, and then I took her to the same place where we had our first kiss and asked her to marry me there. It was the best nights of my life," Eddie finished, smiling at me.

I giggled happily and put my arm through his and smiled at him. Eddie was looking down at me and smiling at me too. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash go off.

I looked over at Rosalind, surprised.

"That was just too cute not take a picture of. I'm going to send it to both of you," she said showing it to us on her phone. She was right, the picture was very good.

"So," she said putting her phone down, "what are you going to tell the public about your engagement?" Rosalind asked.

"I was thinking that we went out on a romantic date and then I popped the question to her," Eddie said.

"No, that won't be good enough. People will think you proposed to her after you slept with her then," Rosalind said. "The story will be that you both went out to dinner and then spent the rest of the evening in town together. Then, you took her to a romantic spot and asked her to marry you. That gives some details but not too many details," Rosalind said.

"Alright," I said.

"And it will be best if Paige tells the story on Friday. They won't think that she holding anything back," Rosalind continued.

My stomach dropped a few inches when I thought about Friday. I made up my mind to be strong and try not to vomit beforehand this time.

"Okay," I said.

"You may get asked some questions about children. If you do decide to stay in Denmark, Paige, then you will be expected to have at least one child with Edvard to provide Denmark with an heir. Do you understand that?" she asked looking at me.

"I understand," I said nodding.

"If they ask you about how many children you are going to want, what is going to be your response?" Rosalind asked.

"Maybe two?" I asked looking at Eddie.

"Yes, I would like about two or three," he said looking back at me intently.

I think reality truly hit us both. We were no longer with each other for the summer trying to work things out. We were no longer just dating. We were no longer boyfriend and girlfriend. We were each other's finance. I would soon be his wife and he would be my husband. He would be my best friend, the father of my children, my supporter, and a part of my life until the day I died. He was the person who completed me. This was really happening. It was surreal.

I could tell he was thinking the same things as me by the way he was looking at me and I was looking at him.

"Come here," he said whispered, gently cupping my chin and pulling my toward his lips to kiss him where he kissed me.

I sensed the flash again and I figured that Rosalind took another picture.

"Oh," she exclaimed when we broke a apart, "I am just so happy for both!"

I couldn't believe what my ears just heard. Did Rosalind, in her way, just finally congratulate us on the engagement?

After the dinner, which was actually quite pleasant, Eddie walked me back up to my room.

"So, did you mother take some sort of medication or something?" I asked taking my earrings out and putting them on my dresser.

Eddie chuckled, laying down on my bed.

"I'm completely serious!" I said walking over to my bed.

"I don't know," Eddie said chuckling as I laid down next to him, and took his hand. "It was nice though."

"I just don't trust her. It seems fake," I said. "I mean, she so adamantly hated me before. I can't believe she could go from hating me to loving me after you just simply told her that I wasn't going anywhere. You've told her that before and she just ignored it," I said.

"Well, maybe she's truly willing to change and accept you," Eddie said.

"I hope so. It's just going to take a while until I can trust her," I said.

"Just try to build a relationship with her while she willing to make one, please," Eddie asked me.

"Of course," I said. "I've always wanted to have a good relationship with her even before I knew she hated my guts."

"She does not-" Eddie started.

"Eddie, she hates me," I said with more emphasis on the words.

"Maybe tonight will be the turning point in your relationship," he suggested.

"Maybe," I said.

He pulled me close to him and I snuggled my head in his chest and closed my eyes as he began to stroke my hair. I put my one arm around his waist and tried to pull him even close to me.

"I never knew that I could love someone so much," I said as I buried my head in his chest. I loved the cologne he was wearing today.

"Who are you talking about? My mother?" Eddie asked jokingly and was laughing.

I looked up and glared at him playfully.

"Of course! Who else would I be talking about?" I asked teasingly and leaned forward and kissed him passionately.

"I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you either, Paige," Eddie said stroking my hair behind my ear and looking intently into my eyes.

I rested my head on his shoulder as he continued to stroke my hair.

"I really need to get to bed since I have an 8am class tomorrow, but I don't want to leave your arms," I said as I intertwined my hand with his free hand.

"I don't want to leave either," Eddie said and he gently kissed the top of my head.

"Do you just want to sleep here tonight?" I asked looking up at him.

"Just don't tell my mother," he whispered in my ear.

"Deal," I said giggling.

I got up and showered as Eddie went down to his room to get his pajamas and a change of clothes for the morning. I was in bed reading as Eddie came out of the shower and walked over to my bed.

"You look so sexy," he said crawling into bed next to me.

"I'm wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants and I'm reading a book," I said laughing.

"You're beautiful and sexy no matter what you wear," he said leaning over to kiss me.

"Goodnight, Paige," Eddie said after we broke a apart. "I love you so much."

"Good, Eddie," I said smiling at him. "I love you too."

We turned off our lamps and laid our heads down on our pillows. Eddie put his chest against my back and put his arms around my waist. He kissed my head and we fell asleep.

I wished that nights would always be like this one. I wished that Eddie and I would be together forever. I wished that time would stop moving. I wished that Eddie knew exactly how much I truly loved him.