A/N: I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Royal Residence, Kendell Hall, Kendell

"Have you talked to Sara about meeting Their Majesties yet?"

Gil shook his head. "I haven't had that much time to talk to her since our dinner with them. She's been working a lot."

"Right," Catherine said. "Keeping us safe."

Gil frowned. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"It's not. I don't mean that at all. I just think it's a tough job – especially for a woman who's dating the Prince of Graccia."

Gil smiled slightly. "She said something along those lines once."

"And?"

He shrugged. "It's her job. If she's happy with it, so be it."

"For now," Catherine said.

He nodded. "For now."

Catherine let that subject drop, but returned to her original point. "So, when is this dinner going to be?"

"I don't know. I need to talk to Sara about it."

"Can I come?"

Gil laughed. "You sound like you're eager to watch the show."

"Well … sort of. But, I also think that Sara's going to need all the support she can get."

"Yes, that's true."

Catherine studied him for a moment. "And …"

"And, what?"

"You're going to need all the support you can get, too."

Crime Lab, Downtown Wendelsburg

Sara walked across the parking lot, pleased to be leaving work at the scheduled end of her shift for the first time that week. She took out her phone to call Gil as she climbed into her car.

"Hello, Sara," he said, answering on the second ring.

"Hi," she said. "What are you up to?"

"I was just at my sister's house," he said. "I'm on my way home now."

"Are you busy tonight? I finally got off work on time, and …" She blushed a deep shade of red.

"And?" he asked, his smile carrying to her.

"I can't believe I'm asking you out," she said.

He laughed. "Aren't you a liberated woman? I thought all those gender roles were long gone."

"They are," Sara affirmed. "Except when talking to a prince."

"Don't stand on ceremony for me," Gil said, still chuckling. "What are your plans for us for tonight?"

"Would it offend you if I asked you to come over and watch a movie?" Sara asked.

"Why would that offend me?"

"Because … it's not … fancy. Or special, really."

"I'll be with you," he said. "That makes it special."

Sara grinned, feeling happiness spread through her. "Come over at seven."

"I'll be there."

Sara's apartment, Downtown Wendelsburg

Promptly at seven, there was a knock on Sara's door. Beaming in giddy anticipation, Sara opened the door and jumped into Gil's arms. Laughing, he backed them into her apartment, holding her tightly to his chest.

"Miss me?" he teased.

"You have no idea," she said, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Yes, I do," he said, leaning down to kiss her.

Their kiss quickly escalated, and soon had them fumbling deeper into Sara's apartment.

"Wait," Sara gasped, breaking the kiss.

"What's wrong?" Gil asked, looking a bit dazed as he stared into her eyes.

"This wasn't supposed to happen yet."

"What?"

Sara bit her lip and looked down, then up again. "I had our whole evening planned. We were going to have dinner and watch a movie, then get to this part."

Gil laughed. "So, I'm rushing things?"

"Well, it's not that I'm not ready for you to rush things, but …"

He laughed again and hugged her, kissing her forehead. "If you want to watch a movie first, we can."

Sara looked at him for a moment, then took his face between her hands. She kissed him soundly. "Forget the movie. My bedroom is this way."

Laughing, Gil chased her down the hall to her bedroom.

Later, wrapped up safely in Gil's arms and her tangled sheets, Sara kissed her prince's chest.

"I do love you," she said.

He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. "I love you, too." He took a deep breath. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Sara nodded against him. "What's on your mind?"

"I was talking to my parents about you the other day."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes." He hesitated. "I … Sara, I told them about your parents."

She rolled over so she could rest her chin on his chest and look up at him. "Why?"

"We've talked about the impact the media has on our relationship," he said. "I was afraid someone would dig up that information and print it before I had a chance to talk to my parents about it. I'd rather they hear it from me than from some tabloid."

Sara nodded. "That makes sense. How did they take it?"

"Not as badly as I had feared."

Sara smiled. "So, no harm done?"

"That remains to be seen."

"Okay, now you're not making sense."

"Honey … they want to meet you."

Goosebumps broke out all over Sara. "To meet me?"

"Yes." He smiled slightly. "They seemed a bit put out that Catherine got to meet you before they did. So, they've invited you for dinner."

"When?" Sara squeaked. Terror like she had never known filled her.

"We can find a day that works for all of us." He tightened his arms around her. "Are you okay with this?"

Sara shook her head. "Gil, this isn't just meeting my boyfriend's parents. It's meeting the King and Queen!"

"Sara, don't think of it like that."

"How can I not? Oh, what will I wear?"

"Sara, please …"

"I'm sorry, Gil, but I really think I'm entitled to panic over this one!"

He sighed. "How about if I call Catherine? She can help you with what you're going to wear, at least."

"Well … don't call her right now."

He smiled. "No. I know she wouldn't be able to see me, but I still can't quite handle the idea of talking to my sister in this state."

Sara couldn't help but smile at that. "Gil …"

"Yes?"

"Do you think they'll like me?" she asked in a little voice.

He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against it. "They'll love you. I just hope you'll like them."

"How can I not? They're the people who gave me you."

He reached for her, pulling her up so that he could kiss her lips. Sara broke the kiss as he rolled them over so that he was on top of her.

"Gil … seriously? You stress me out beyond belief, and now you want to make love?"

"I've heard it's excellent stress relief."

Sara's laughter quickly turned to moans as his lips descended on her.

"Well," she gasped, "I suppose it's worth a try."

Private Residence, Royal Palace, Downtown Wendelsburg

"You're here," Gil said blankly as he walked into the kitchen, where Catherine was sitting at the counter, nursing a mimosa.

"Mother wanted to spend some quality time with her granddaughter on her school holiday," Catherine said. "They're in the garden."

"Oh," Gil said, pouring his own mimosa.

"Where have you been, might I ask?"

He blushed.

"With Sara?" Catherine asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes."

"Where did you two go?"

"To her place."

Catherine glanced at the clock. "How long were you with her?"

Gil sighed, knowing exactly what she was asking. "Yes, Catherine, I stayed overnight with her and didn't leave until she had to go to work today."

Catherine grinned. "Good for you."

"Listen, I need to talk to you about her."

"Okay."

Gil sat down across from her. "I talked to her about coming for dinner."

"How did that go?"

"She's scared out of her mind."

Catherine sighed. "Understandable, I suppose."

"Yes," Gil agreed. "She's even worried about what she should wear."

Catherine smiled. "Give me her number."

Gil's eyes opened wide, and Catherine laughed.

"You, dear brother, are useless in this situation. I'll talk to her, and help her pick something out."

"I told her I'd ask you to help her.."

"Well, if you want to ask just so you can keep your promise, go right ahead."

He grinned. "Catherine, will you talk to Sara and help her decide what to wear for dinner with Mother and Father?"

"Why, Gil, I'd love to."

Crime Lab, Downtown Wendelsburg

"Hey, Sar."

Sara looked up as Nick came into the layout room. "Hi," she said.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Probably because you're staring at a folder that isn't even open."

Sara sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm not really okay," she said at last.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Remember when you told me to pretend that Prince Gilbert is just any other guy?"

"Yeah," Nick said, sitting down across from her. "I'd say it was good advice."

"For a while," Sara said.

"What happened?" Nick asked.

Sara exhaled. "He wants me to meet his parents."

Nick's mouth dropped open. "When?"

"That's still to be determined."

To Sara's great surprise, Nick burst into laughter. She frowned.

"How is this funny to you?"

"It's not, Sara, it's not."

"Then, why are you laughing?"

"I just … Sara, do not let Greg find out about this. His head will explode!"

Sara smiled slightly. "True. Keep it to yourself, okay?"

"For sure." He stopped laughing. "And, listen, I'm not trying to be insensitive. I can't even imagine how stressful this must be for you."

"Really?" Sara asked, suddenly relieved. Having her feelings validated made all the difference in the world.

"Yeah, for sure. I think your man's parents are a little different from the people we're used to meeting."

"Yeah, that's for sure." She shook her head. "Gil and his sister are so normal, though. Maybe their parents are, too."

"Maybe," Nick acknowledged.

Sara's phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She picked it up, frowning at the Private Caller that showed on her display.

"This is Sara," she said in greeting.

"Hi, Sara. This is Catherine – Gil's sister."

"Oh!" Sara exclaimed. "Hi."

"Gil gave me your number," Catherine said. "He said you've been invited to dinner with our parents."

"Yes," Sara said.

"And, he said you were a bit worried about your wardrobe for the event."

"Yes, I am."

"Okay. May I help you with it? I've been to a dinner or two with Their Majesties in my time."

"Would you?" Sara asked gratefully. "I'd appreciate it so much."

"I'd love to," Catherine said. "When is a good time?"

"I'll be home this evening, and all day tomorrow – I'm off."

"I'll come over this evening. Maybe around eight?"

"That sounds perfect," Sara said, suddenly a nervous wreck.

"Great! I'll talk to Gil to get your address, and I'll be at your place at eight."

"See you then," Sara said.

"Bye, Sara."

Sara ended the call, and looked at Nick in shock.

"What?" he asked. "Who was that?"

"Her Royal Highness, the Princess Catherine," Sara said, clearly dazed. "She'll be at my apartment at eight tonight to help me pick out something to wear to dinner with Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Vespuccin."

"Oh, Sara," Nick said. "You'd really better make sure Greg doesn't hear any of this."

In spite of her near-paralyzing fear, Sara couldn't help but smile.