Adele POV
We drive about 45 minutes out of town and I have it on good authority where we are going. I can't remember exactly when the last time I came to James' family home, but I must have been around 15 to attend Elizabeth's birthday party. Of course we have security but they are out of sight just like James had requested. I know we only have three hours and I want to make the most out of our short time before James is whisked away before the coronation. It still blows my mind that James will be the King of England. I know what that means but I have no idea what it will mean for us. As much as James told me not to look at any of the media reports, I can't help but to. The press is jumping all over the story that the future King of England is dating an American. I never even thought it would be an issue but when I spoke to my sister this morning on the phone, she alerted me to all the coverage.
James comes over and opens my door then we scurry inside the house. I'm surprised how fast the house was readied for us. There is a fireplace going and a picnic lunch waiting for us.
"I want right now to be all about us. Let's not talk about tomorrow, I just want to focus on you and me," James says kissing my lips before we sit in front of the fireplace.
How can we not talk about tomorrow? I reluctantly agree wondering when we are going to have this conversation and we just sit and eat lunch. I can't help but to stare at James, I can tell he's nervous and anxious about tomorrow. We talked about him becoming King while we were on holiday all those months ago before his dad got sick but he thought we would be an old man before that would happen not at 19.
We finish our delicious lunch and then we just retire to the couch where we just sit facing each other in between our make-out sessions.
By looking at James' face I know he wants to what this all means but he was the one who laid the ground rules for today.
"Are we going to be okay? I mean do you still want to be with me?" James asks taking my face into his hands looking into my eyes. I see that he's scared of my answer.
"I love you James. I would be lying if I didn't say you becoming King doesn't scare me because it does and with me going back to school I'm sadder about being without you more than anything."
"Don't go back then, stay in London with me?" He is so sure of his statement I nearly say yes without thinking of the gravity of his question.
"James, you know I can't."
"I know but I thought I would ask. We will see each other more than you will want, I promise you," He says brushing my hair out of my face.
He leans over and kisses my lips and I feel my body's desire for him take over. I shift so that I'm straddling him and he's pulling off my shirt as I'm taking off his. He's about to remove my bra as our breathing is starting to get out of control when we hear a throat clearing cough.
I look up and see Townsend with his back to us. It's obvious that he found us in our compromising position.
"Sir, the paparazzi have been alerted to your whereabouts and our making their way here. I suggest you and Miss Harper leave with me now."
We're going to leave James' car in the driveway to throw off the media, I quickly throw on my shirt and we hurry out of the house thus ending maybe our last alone time before tomorrow.
As we drive back to London no one knows where we are and for once I feel safe. About two to three dozen cars full of paparazzi fly past us and for the first time today, James looks carefree and even laughs.
After we arrive back to the palace, James gives me a quick kiss as he's needed to prep for tomorrow.
"Will I see you again before tomorrow?"
"Not sure, but if not, know that I love you and I will be thinking about you the whole time," He says before he heads out of the foyer.
I'm happy when Townsend drives me back to Cambridge where I'm reunited with my whole family. I'm elated that my parents, grandparents and siblings were all invited to the coronation tomorrow and the royal reception. It was very nice of James as he didn't have to, but after his reaction to having my family there for his father's funeral I know he loves them just as much as I do.
Juliet is the first to greet me at the door and practically drags me upstairs to my room before I can even say hello to anyone.
"What happened?" She says as I unpack my bag.
"What do you mean?"
"Did he propose?"
I freeze and turn around to face my older sister.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Well, as the King he needs to have an heir and that means he has to be married first. You have to read what everyone is saying. People are already speculating when the royal wedding will be and there is already a betting line in Vegas when you're going to get pregnant."
Half of me thinks she's kidding but the tone of her voice suggests otherwise.
"He did ask me to come and live with him." Shit, maybe I shouldn't have said that.
"You know what's coming next?"
"Juliet, we have been back together all of five minutes, his father just died, tomorrow he will be the King of England and he realized that I'm going back to school so I think he only asked for some stability in his life."
"You didn't say no did you?"
"Of course I did. I'm not dropping out of school, Juliet."
"You do know that your whole life is about to change."
Am I experiencing déjà vu? Didn't she tell me this when I first starting dating James?
"I don't want my life to change; I like how it is right now."
"Well suck it up and put your big girl panties on. You're going to have to decide what you want out of your relationship with James. If you're not ready to make a lifelong commitment to this man then I think you need to reevaluate what you want."
Why does my sister also do this? She says one little thing that flips my entire world upside now and I'm second guessing everything.
Seeing my reaction Juliet heads out of my room without saying another word.
I decide to take a long hot bath and just forget about what Juliet said. I check my phone about a half dozen times to see if James has called or at least texted me but nothing. I know he's busy and he said he would try to call if he could.
After nearly an hour in the tub, I can't help but think about the future with James. I know he didn't propose but he did ask me to move in with him and that's just the first step.
I decide to go to bed early because I know that tomorrow will be a very long day. I text James to tell him that I loved him and goodnight and that I would see him tomorrow.
I don't think I slept more than a few hours because around four I finally decided what I needed to do.
Finally emerging from my bed at seven, I dress in my coronation gown, which is a navy dress that is quite beautiful but very modest. My hands are shaking as I do my hair and make-up.
Townsend arrives at a quarter to eight to pick me up to take me to Westminster Abbey.
"How is James?" I ask and he doesn't respond.
"That nervous huh?"
Once we reach a red light, he turns around and smiles.
"You have no idea; the only bright spot was saying that he would have you by his side when this whole thing was all over."
I know that should have made me smile but that's the last thing I could do right now.
Townsend walks me into the Abbey through a safe and secure entrance and I'm shown up to the family box.
"I thought I was sitting with my family?"
"James asked that you sit here."
I'm all alone for nearly 20 minutes before the rest of his family joins me.
Elizabeth grabs my hand.
"Adele are you okay?"
I look at her and smile.
"Yes of course, why do you ask?"
"Oh it's nothing." She says and just drops it.
I see my family enter the Abbey and they are seated on the ground floor directly opposite me. Juliet spots me and smiles and I smile back. My mother blows me a kiss and I feel like I'm about to cry, but then the trumpets begin and I know that the coronation is about to start. A few minutes later I hear the cheering getting louder so I know James is close.
After my research and from what Chloe told me about the ceremony I know what's going to happen and that comes as some kind of relief.
Then I see him. He is dressed in his black military uniform and he looks so regal. The confidence he is exuding is so different from yesterday and I'm happy. His long red robe trails behind him for what seems like several hundred feet. Finally he walks past our box and I look over to Felicity and I know she is feeling both sad but proud of this very moment.
James turns around and he quickly looks up to our box, we make eye contact and he smiles then I feel sated. During the 90-minute ceremony, James is like a whole new person and I almost don't believe that's the same man I fell in love with four months ago.
Looking so strong and in command, James takes the oath and then is anointed before being dressed in the royal garbs and robe. Then he was presented with the crown jewels that were so incredible. That moment brought a tear to my eye.
At the close of the ceremony, I watch James walk down to his awaiting carriage to be driven down the streets where I will meet him at the palace before the evening's festivities.
When we pull away, I can't believe the crowds of people lining the streets. I hear my name being chanted and I'm waving to those who are waving at me. I wonder if I could get used to this.
James is in the middle of his first Royal photo shoot when I'm shown into the room. I see his whole face light up when he sees me. He just walks over to me, takes me into his arms and kisses me not caring who is in the room.
"I'm so glad that you're here," he whispers into my ear.
"Congratulations, your majesty," I say then step back and curtsy as I was instructed.
"I told you that you are not allowed to do that," He says and pulls me back on the platform for a photo despite my protests.
"I will see you in an hour, I have very big plans for you Miss Harper," He again whispers in my ear during the last photo and I wonder if my blush will be that evident in that photo.
I'm shown to a guest room where I change my clothes before I'm dressed and styled for tonight's ball.
I eat the lunch that is brought in before James enters my room, without knocking of course.
"Now I have you all alone," He says practically attacking me, pushing me onto the bed.
"And what do you plan on doing with me, King James," I say giggling and finally I relax.
"Don't call me that, I'm just James that's all."
He doesn't let me respond because his mouth is on mine and for the next hour I make love to the new King of England.
I don't want this moment to end but I know in about 15 minutes, my style team is due to arrive and I don't think it would be proper for them to find me in bed with the King.
"I don't want to leave," James says kissing me and holding me tightly against his chest.
"You can't miss your party."
"I can't wait to show you off tonight and then it's just you and me okay?"
I stay in bed and pull the sheets to cover me and when James turns around he looks at me.
"You have been really quiet, is everything all right?"
No, everything is not okay but how can I tell him that.
"It's just a lot."
Leaning down he kisses my lips once more.
"I know and thank you for being here to support me. I don't know what I would do without you."
James leaves my room and all I can think about is how I'm going to break up with him.
