Someone’s Someone

by Curious Girl

I've always been someone's someone. I will always be known as the sister of. The sister of the wonder child; the sister of the Nobel prize laureate; the sister of Princess Anastasia of Romanov; the sister of the next Queen of England; the sister of the Olympian... and the daughter of Troy and Gabriella Bolton. But I am so much more. I am Josephine Bolton.

31. Chapter 31

Josephine

I wake up for the first time since one year and four months in my bed without dreaming of dancing with Oliver's ghost but instead I wake up next to him. Next to Oliver.

Next to my husband.

It still feels surreal. I can see the platinum wedding band on his left ring finger and I can feel my sapphire wedding band on mine - but it doesn't scare me. It doesn't scare me at all. I slowly and carefully move away from him and stare at him. I've halfway slept on him, like I have been in the last weeks and prior breaking up with him. We're back in our old ways... except we're not. Because we're married. His family - my two brother-in-laws and mother-in-law - is sleeping upstairs. They're here. With him. In my home. In our home.

I don't know why this thought makes me grin like an idiot but it does.

I have him back. Back in my bed. Back in my penthouse. Back in my life. I'm feeling a kind of happiness I didn't know I could feel. I feel like Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Like Baloo from the Jungle Book. Like Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh.

I'm on a kind of high I never felt before. I'm high on my husband! My husband!

Suddenly, Oliver stirs underneath the blanket next to me. I forgot that his body clock is in complete synchronisation with mine. Whenever the sun goes up, we wake up. No matter the place.

The moment his sea foam coloured eyes lock with mine I feel my heart go haywire. A grin stretches his lips and shows me the wrinkles around his eyes. Oliver has always shown me a genuine smile. It was never fake. "You're grinning."

"So are you." I counter.

"You're happy."

"I feel like Tigger." I admit and for a moment I actually want to get up and jump on the bed with him or dance through our bedroom. Oliver does crazy things to me - and I've come to embrace and enjoy them instead of fear them.

Oliver chuckles, "Oh, if you're making an analogy to Winnie-the-Pooh than it has to be serious."

His chuckle creates goosebumps all over my skin. I lean over and seal my lips over his - just because I feel like it.

He returns my kiss and I feel his cock twitching against my stomach. Oliver and I - we can't get enough of one another. I missed this heat, the passion... the endless hours of sex. I never had that with Edward. I only have that with my husband. My husband...

Oliver rolls me on my back and spreads my legs without losing lip contact. We're right where we left off but it's different at the same time. Last time we were having morning sex in this bed was when there was still a contract between us. This time, we're married - with a prenup but that doesn't count.

Oliver

"Gosh, how much I missed this." My wife says with a grin on her perfectly plump lips.

I run my fingers through her silky chestnut curls. I love her curly hair structure. She hasn't worn her hair straight once since we met in Rio - unlike before. She used to hide herself behind masks and words but she doesn't anymore.

My heart beats for her.

Josephine looks over my shoulder at the clock. Her sapphire blue orbs widen at the time. "Shit, I have to shower." She curses before climbing out of the warm bed.

I look at the watch. It's only five thirty. "Where do you have to be at this hour?"

My wife struts into the bathroom without answering me. I watch how her hips move and follow her. We're like magnets, even when we were separated by an ocean, our subconscious still found a way to bring us together.

"I have a doctor's appointment."

"Now?!" I ask her shocked. I thought all clinics opened at seven or eight but not earlier.

"Yeah. I go in earlier than the rest so no one knows who my gynaecologist is. Just imagine the papers when they find out who my doctor - and of the rest of the females in my family - is."

Of course. She has to protect her sisters. "Well, can I at least join you in that shower?"

She fakes a laugh, "Oh no! We both know we'd continue with what we started in bed and I really have to be on time today."

True. She and I are addicted to one another. "Well, then I'll just watch you."

She climbs into the shower and turns on the water. The glass starts fogging up from the heat as she starts washing her hair and body. I lean against the double sink and although I can't see her, I still can't leave her.

This woman is my everything.

Suddenly, she starts singing. My heart fills up with warmth as goosebumps starts covering my body. I don't know the song, but that doesn't matter. She has sung under the shower the whole last two weeks but hearing her here is different. Her voice is so beautiful! It's crystal clear like she was a professional. Perhaps she has that from her mother, after all she's in the business. Charlotte once told me that Josephine's singing voice is breathtaking but I had no idea how much.

Before I know it, she turns off the water and gets out of the shower. She picks up one of the two white towels and wraps it around her hair before wrapping the other towel around her body.

When our eyes meet, I'm still amazed.

"Why are you looking at me like I have three heads?"

I gulp, "You're a marvellous singer."

She blushes at the compliment. "You obviously haven't heard the rest of my family. They're better than me." She says before rushing out of the bathroom.

I can't imagine someone sounding better than my wife.

I follow her into the walk-in closet. Josephine is like a tornado, quicker than I can blink she's already dressed in an all black outfit. Her family still has no idea about us. "When will you be back home?"

She pulls off the towel from her curls as she slips into her black stilettos. "I should be back in an hour."

"I like your curls."

"I've come to embrace them." She shows me a small smile before rushing back into the bathroom. Josephine's the only human on earth that has so much energy in such an early hour.

I pick up a fresh pair of boxer briefs before joining her in the bathroom. She puts on the blow drier as I get into the shower. As she blow dries her hair, I quickly shower.

I get out of the shower the moment she finishes off her makeup. She has pinned half of her hair back and put on very little makeup. But she's glowing. Her sky blue eyes transition into a royal blue as she eyes my naked body. I grab a towel from the towel radiator and wrap it around my hips. "We don't want you to miss your appointment."

She walks over to me with a grin on her lips. "No, we don't because it's going to ensure we can keep doing what we love doing most without bringing a child into this world." She wraps her arms around my neck and inhales deeply.

Children. She knows I want them. She knows I want lots and she knows I want them with her. But I understand now more than ever that my wife needs time. She'll be ready one day and than we'll have a whole soccer team - or until she says stop. Her scent is intoxicating. "You're having an appointment at your gynaecologist?"

"I do and I'm late so I really have to go now." She says before kissing me passionately.

"You're still on the hormonal shot? I thought you wanted to go off because of your headaches."

She runs her long slim fingers through my damp hair. "You remember that?"

"Of course I do."

She shows me a soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "I'm still on the contraception but it's a lighter version."

"Be back home quickly." I Tell her before kissing her passionately.

She returns my kiss but tears her lips off of mine before it gets any hotter. "I will but only if you let me go now."

It's the hardest thing in the world. "I'll never let you go."

Josephine

"Josephine, I'm so glad to finally see you again." Dr. Ross says to me with a genuine smile on her lips. "How are you?"

"Good. How are you?"

"Busy." She answers before we sit down at her glass desk. "I left you quite a lot of messages."

"I know. It's just been some crazy weeks. I've had a lot going on in my life..." I start wiggling with my sapphire covered wedding band. It's sparkling like crazy, sending rainbows through the whole examine room.

Dr. Ross' blue eyes catch the source of the many rainbow coloured strikes of light pretty quickly. "You got married?"

I look up from my ring, "Yes."

"How lovely! Congratulations! No wonder you didn't call me back. How long have you been married for?"

"Oh, it's still fresh. Just a few weeks..." I mumble. I still have no idea how to tell that my parents.

"Well, I'm sure it was a lovely ceremony. I wish you a marriage full of bliss."

I run my left hand through my hair, "Yeah, about that... don't mention it towards my Mum. I haven't told her yet. The wedding happened rather spontaneously in Rio."

"You got married in Brazil?"

I nod, "I was in Rio for the last semester. To build a school, a hospital, a women's shelter and a public swimming pool in Rocinha. It's one of the favelas there that the Bolton Foundation has decided to help."

"You changed jobs as well?"

I shrug, "It felt right."

"I'm glad you're in such a good place in your life." Dr. Ross smiles at me before picking up her notebook and pen. "Let's just get over the usual questions so I can give you the injection."

I nod. It feels like forever since I've been here.

"When was your last period?"

"It was due a couple of days ago but it hasn't come yet."

She nods. "That's completely normal since we've decided to go with a lighter version of the hormonal injections. I say, there's no need to worry."

"That's a relief." I breathe out, not that I was worried. Still, these questions before every hormonal shot make me nervous. Especially the pregnancy test I have to take. I know it's always negative but that doesn't mean I don't start getting doubts even if it's just for five minutes.

Dr. Ross makes another note with her sparkling pen. "When was the last time you had sex?"

"This morning."

"Did you use a condom?"

"No."

Dr. Ross continues with her scribbling before picking up a transparent plastic container. She hands it to me. "You know the drill."

I do and I hate it. I pick up the transparent plastic container and rise from the chair. As I walk to the door a thought hits me like a lightning strike. "Dr. Ross, when was my last hormonal shot?"

"Let me check, your Brazilian doctor sent me the details..." Her blue eyes look at the iMac that's on her desk. "According to your doctor in Rio it was 13 and a half weeks ago." She answers with a neutral voice.

I never wait until the 13th week, let alone halfway to the 14th week. I always get my hormonal shot in my 11th week to be on the safe side.

But finding a qualified gynaecologist in Rio was tough.

"I wouldn't worry, though. Just give me the sample and we'll do a test." Dr. Ross is totally calm. She reminds me of my Mum. My Mum rarely loses her shit as well.

With shaky legs, I walk into the restroom. I can't be pregnant. It's not in my agenda - ever. I close the door of the toilet and start peeing into the plastic container. Maybe I should talk with Dr. Ross about cutting my tubes but now that I'm married to Oliver, I should talk to him about it as well. I know he wants kids. I know he wants to have his own family and maybe I'm not enough but if that's the case... then perhaps we should get divorced in a year.

I know we said we won't. I know I want to stay married to him - hell, I even promised him to have a proper wedding on our first anniversary! But children... biological children... that thought gives me a fear like no other.

---

I stare at the tiny little stripe that's laying on top of the red lid of the transparent plastic container that has my pee in it. I have a minute of torture left. I can't be pregnant.

I didn't had unprotected sex until I saw Oliver again! Why the hell couldn't I keep my legs closed?! Why couldn't I just make out with him and cuddle?! Why the hell did I had to have sex?!

Sex leads to babies!

Especially when you're two and a half weeks late in getting your contraception!

Suddenly, two thin stripes appear in a deep purple. Purple.

Did Dr. Ross get new pregnancy tests? Is purple the new green? If so, my new favourite colour is purple!

Except that thing has never turned purple before.

"Well," Dr. Ross starts and I look at her. "We should do an ultrasound. This could be wrong but from what it seems like, you are pregnant."

"No!" I shake my head. "Take my blood and do a bloody ultrasound. Let's be as precise as possible. I am not pregnant!"

Dr. Ross licks her lips. "I suggest we all calm down. Take a few deep breaths and relax. The urine test is usually pretty accurate but only an ultrasound and even better a blood test can give us certainty."

My thoughts are racing as I rise from the chair and walk over to examine chair. I lay down, "Shouldn't we do a vaginal ultrasound?"

"No, I don't think that's necessary. We'll try this one first."

I free my stomach and feel how my pulse goes haywire. I squeeze my eyes close and pray for nothing to be there. Mistakes happen. Tests are false. I'm not pregnant - that becomes my mantra for the next minutes as Dr. Ross moves the transducer on my stomach. The gel is quite cold but I don't care - everything is alright with me if I'm just not pregnant.

Oliver

With bare feet, I walk down the hallway until I reach our kitchen. Our kitchen - it feels surreal to even think that but her penthouse is our home now. Caio, Johna and my Mama are still asleep upstairs. We came back from Rio just a few hours ago and given the time difference, I shouldn't wake them up. Josephine and me however have been awake since six in the morning. She's already left to get to an appointment. After I took a shower, I decided to make breakfast for my family. I missed this place more than I knew. I stop in front of the glass facade that gives the penthouse a 360 degree view over London. It's such a beautiful autumn day here. The sky is blue and the sun is already out. The Thames is glittering and St. Paul's to my left is just as beautiful as the Parliament to my right. I love this view!

I love being back home.

After a few minutes of gratitude, I walk into the open kitchen. It still has the same white marbled countertops and walnut cupboards. The island is still the same just like the dining table and couch. Nothing changed in the whole penthouse. Everything stayed exactly the same. It almost feels like I wasn't gone for over a year at all. I open the fridge and get out all ingredients I need for my special omelette that my wife loves so much. I grin at my own thought - my wife. I've always wanted to call Josephine that, however I didn't think it would happen so quickly after we saw each other again. But this feels right. We are meant to be. This marriage is meant to be - I know it and more importantly Josephine knows it as well.

I start cutting the chives, tomatoes, yellow and red peppers and mushrooms. I make large amounts for my two brothers, my mother, wife and myself. I haven't cooked for my family in what feels like forever and I missed cooking in this kitchen.

Josephine

The doors of the lift glide open and I storm out of it. I spot Oliver standing in the open kitchen, sipping on his cappuccino. He turns around with a smile on his lips but that smile drops as soon as he sees the mood I'm in. He places the mug on the white marble countertops just as I reach him.

I greet him with a slap so strong that his head swings to the right with the force. "How dare you! How dare you do this to me! How could you-"

"Josephine, what are you talking about?" He interrupts me as he loosens his stiff chin. I've left quite a red mark on his cheek.

"You knocked me up!" I yell at him so loudly that the glasses in the hanging cupboards start shaking.

"You're pregnant? We're having a baby?" He asks me with the brightest smile I've ever seen and as if I was suddenly his property, he moves his hands to my belly.

I slap his hands away, "Don't touch me!" I hiss at him.

"We're having a baby..."

"No! No we're not having a baby!"

"You want to have an abortion?"

"No, I'm not a murderer. I'm just..." I let out a growl full of frustration. "Gosh, Oliver I hate you!" I yell at him. "I'm pregnant because of you!"

"Woah, hold on. We've never used condoms and you were well aware of that whenever we were intimate. If this is anyone's fault than it's your own. But this is great. I've always wanted-"

"But I didn't. I didn't want marriage and children. I didn't want vomit, shit and sleepless nights because of a crying baby that kept me up at night! I'd rather have sleepless night because of amazing sex. I never wanted marriage and motherhood! The two Ms were always something I was keen to avoid and now look us. Look at me, pregnant with a bloody wedding band around my left ring finger!"

"But this is amazing! We're pregnant!" Oliver moves his hands to touch me again.

I slap his hands away once more. "This is not amazing! This is biology doing what I didn't want!"

"Can't you just be happy about it? We're becoming parents!"

"I don't want to be a parent. I am an awesome aunt but babies..." I shake my head. "Maybe the issue is going to resolve itself."

"Issue?!" Oliver asks me shocked. "Our baby is not an issue!"

"It's not a baby yet! It's a two week old embryo that could die at any time of the day. Any time I could start having cramps and bleed-"

"Don't you dare talk like this ever again! Our baby won't die! Our baby won't-"

"It's not our baby! You're not doing bloody anything for the next ten months! It's me who is going to get fat and round and... ugly."

"Pregnant women are not ugly."

"I won't fit into my clothes anymore! I won't fit into my shoes! I'll have heartburn and back pain... and all sorts of other pain as well! My point is, while I will be breeding this thing-"

"You mean baby."

"It's not a baby yet! So while I will be breeding this thing you will live on carrying on business as usual. Your life doesn't change, but mine does!"

"No, that's where you're completely wrong. You are not alone in this." He promises me, reading between the lines as always. "I will not leave you just because you will get round. Your physics is not what attracts me the most to you-"

I laugh out loud, "Yeah right. I know men. They all go crazy for full tits, a slim waist and a nice ass."

"I won't deny you're hot as hell but that wasn't what attracted me the most when we met, Josephine. I have always been attracted to your heart and your characteristics. Your generosity is what I fell in love with and it's what I still admire about you so much! You're the most generous human being on earth because you give from your heart not your mind." He tells me and grabs my hands before I can slap them away again. "I love your soul, the inside of you, more than the outer shell you seem to be so obsessed about."

"I'm not obsessed with my body image. I just know a certain image is expected of me and a pregnancy does not fit into the calculations!"

Oliver grabs my hands, "Josephine,"

"It's not about my body imagine. It's about..." I inhale deeply, "the responsibility."

My husband's eyes soften, "You're worried you're going to be a bad Mum."

"Yes. I'm terrified." I admit.

He squeezes my hands, "You won't be a bad Mum."

He doesn't know that! "I don't know about that..."

"You've had the best role model there is. Your own mother has done an incredible job with you and your siblings. You have sisters to seek for advice and a freshly new mother-in-law." He ensures me with a smile on his lips. "This is great news!"

"It's not great news. It's terrifying news. It's scary.. it's..."

"It's the start of a new chapter in our lives. It's a change. A natural change. It's the next step in our relationship."

"I don't like this." I say while shaking my head. This is not how imagined my life to turn out. It was being CEO of Bolton's Enterprises not... not this. Not working for my sister and brother-in-law's foundation as well as my family's foundation. Not being married to anyone and definitely not being pregnant.

This is not how my life should have turned out!

Oliver lets go of my hands and cups my face. I stare into his sea foam coloured eyes and the fear within me starts shrinking. "This is good. This is amazing news! We can do this. Together, there's no boundary we can't take. We've formed our own world. We can raise a baby together."

I don't know why but his eyes have something totally mesmerising. The hypnotic effect is so strong that I don't even hear what he says. Even as he starts fondling my cheeks with his thumb, all I can do is stare into his eyes.

My husband's lips move but I don't hear a word he says. Everything's a blur except for his eyes. I can feel his platinum wedding band on my right cheek. It's a sign of our commitment to one another. It's the ultimate sign of commitment.

And the other sign of commitment is now growing in my uterus.

"I'm not alone..." I mumble.

"I won't leave you, Josephine. We're in this together. This marriage means the world to me."

I wrap my hands around his wrists and feel his pulse. It's in sync with mine. Our hearts have always beaten as one for as long as I can remember. "You won't leave me..."

"No. You have me until my last breath." He promises me.

My heart does this weird thing again. It fills with warmth and nearly explodes in my chest. I'm not alone. We're in this together - as parents. I seal my lips over his and feel a wave of emotions overcoming me. He returns my kiss immediately and within seconds all of my worries have vanished. The heat inside of me rises as our kisses gain passion. I can feel the outline of his erection against my lower abdomen. Suddenly, Oliver picks me up without his lips leaving mine. He knows what I want - he always did. He carries me into our bedroom and I lock the door. As he places me on the soft bed and I eagerly pull his boxer briefs down. He helps me out of my sweater and jeans just as quickly. He pulls his shirt over his head as I eagerly get out of my bra and panties. I run my fingers up his abs as we're finally naked. His muscles vibrate from my touch and his sea foam coloured eyes start glowing. I have this man until his last breath.

I pull him into another kiss as he climbs on the bed with me. Oliver's ready to go whenever I am. That's something I never had with Edward.

Suddenly my throat tightens and tears start forming in my eyes. I treated Oliver like rubbish. I used him as a sex object and I didn't care about his feelings, his background or his family. All I cared about was my pleasure.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

I was worse than any evil. I used him until I found Edward. And then... then when Oliver wanted to get real, I pushed him away - I am the reason he was sent back to Rio! I tried to drown my heartache in alcohol and when that stopped working I decided to ruin Edward. I went so far with it that I stood him up on our wedding day. I humiliated him and his whole family in front of the world's media. Then I fled to Rio to do social work for the Bolton Foundation but more so to find Oliver and apologise to him. But what happened instead? I married him 24 hours after bringing his family into my suite. And now... Now we're in London, married... and I'm pregnant!

I try to gulp down the lump in my throat with no success. "I'm so sorry for the way I treated you, Oliver. I am such a horrible person!"

"You are not a horrible person." He tells me.

I run my hands up his arms, "Yes I am. I used you and when you were ready to get real, to commit to me, I pushed you away. I ended us."

"Because you were afraid of love. I think it was actually a good thing."

I frown, "How was me breaking us up a good thing?"

He sits down cross legged on the bed and I mirror his gesture. "Because if you hadn't broken us up, you wouldn't have had this relationship with Edward. And let's be honest, if you didn't give Edward a chance you would have asked yourself what if for the rest of your life. And every time you would have met him, you would have gotten weak and sleep with him again. Because you saw him as your forbidden fruit while you were in a relationship with me. And you were in a relationship with me, I don't care if you deny it. We were in a relationship."

I don't even want to deny that. Not anymore.

"So, now that you've had a bite of that forbidden fruit, you found out that you're better off with me after all. Because while being with Edward gave you a thrill in the rush of the moment, you realised that he's not your end game. This right here is your end game - our end game. We belong together and you're finally seeing it yourself. I don't care about the circumstances of how or why we got married. All I care about is that we're married."

It's fascinating to see how well Oliver knows me. Edward and I never had these kind of conversations. We never had this connection. We never could have even if we tried.

"I love you and I know you love me, too. Even my Mama knows we're madly and deeply in love with one another. This between us is real and good. It feels right. It feels destined. Especially with the recent news."

I still haven't digested everything that happened at Dr. Ross' clinic. "Oliver,"

"I know you can't say that you love me back yet but I'm a patient man, in case you haven't noticed it. I'll wait forever for these words from you. Because I know you can feel it, too."

"Oliver, there's something I have to tell you."

Oliver

I frown at her words. There's more than the fact that we're going to have a baby? "Okay."

"While I was at Dr. Ross' today, we did a normal ultrasound first but couldn't see anything. So we did a vaginal ultrasound."

"I don't know what that means." And why she's telling me this.

"It's an internal ultrasound. Basically, it has the shape of your penis but it's a bit longer and thinner. It goes into you, so the doctor can check your cervix and ovaries and all that internal stuff."

"Okay..." I still don't get where she's going with this.

"Dr. Ross found scar tissue in my uterus."

"Scar tissue?" I ask her confused. "How did you get scar tissue in your uterus? Did someone rape you? Did Edward-"

"No, it wasn't him. I never got raped. I never even got punched there. The scar tissue was about a year and a half old, maybe a little younger according to Dr. Ross. I didn't know what she was talking about because my last internal scan was shortly before we started getting intimate and everything was fine back then. I usually get a scan every year but last year was a little crazy and so busy that I forgot to make an appointment. Hence, the big gap between the two appointments."

Okay, but why is she telling me this?

Suddenly, she grabs my hands. "Dr. Ross asked about what happened last summer so I told her about us and about how I broke us up and ran off to French Cay where I got drunk so badly that I still have no memories of most days of that week. She then asked me if I had any memory of a bleeding, period like cramps or other abdominal pain. She asked me if I had a fever or any other symptoms during that week. But I couldn't recall it because I got so drunk that I didn't feel anything in the end. No pain and no heartache. I felt numb." She licks her lips, "And then she revealed to me that this scar tissue only forms when you have a miscarriage."

I heard her but the words don't sink in. "What?"

"I was pregnant when I broke us up, ran off to French Cay and was drunk for a week straight. I killed our first... embryo." Her eyes are full of tears but she refuses to let any drop.

"No. No! You would have known if... But you were on your contraception!"

She nods, "Yes but just like this time, I waited 13 instead of 11 weeks to get my hormonal shot. Usually women get their hormonal shot every 14 weeks but I've always been on the safe side by getting it every 11 weeks and I guess my body got used to it. So when I missed it by two weeks... it was a big enough time window to get pregnant. Especially with us because let's face it we barely can keep our hands off of each other."

She was pregnant. She was pregnant with our baby! She had a miscarriage! She lost our baby!

"Oliver, please say something. Dr. Ross said I couldn't have been very far otherwise I would have noticed the miscarriage - even in my rather drunken state. She also said that miscarriages are a very normal thing within the first four to eight weeks and that lots of women miscarry without knowing."

"How far along are you?"

"Two. It's very early to even talk about it to anyone. But I was so mad, so shocked and scared that I couldn't help but yell at you... and slap you. I'm sorry for that."

Her outburst was adequate to the situation. It was a normal reaction from a woman who never wanted to have children - until one day she finally is having a child.

She scoops closer to me and sits down on my lap, "Oliver, please let me in. Talk to me."

I don't know how I feel about this. Just five minutes ago, I was in euphoria thinking I'm becoming a father for the first time and now it turns out I already am a father - to an unborn two week old embryo. A miscarriage. "I need time to process this."

She nods as she runs her fingers through my hair, "I know. I didn't expect to receive such news today as well. It's a little much."

"It's a little world changing."

"That, too. Very, very world changing." She licks her full lips and stares deeply into my eyes. "We're in this together?"

Hell will freeze before I turn my back on my wife. I wrap my arms around her and press my forehead against hers. "We're in this together. Forever."

She giggles, "That's quite a promise there."

Her giggle makes my heart nearly burst with love for my wife. "I didn't expect our first morning back home to be so eventful."

"Neither did I. I thought I'd pay Dr. Ross a visit, get my shot and go back home to carry on life with you. But instead, I found out that I'm two weeks pregnant and had lost an embryo last summer. It's a lot to take in and process..."

I press my forehead against hers and inhale deeply as I fondle her back. My love. My wife. The mother of my children. "We won't loose this one." I promise her.

"You don't know that."

I sigh, after this conversation I'm not in the mood for sex right now. Something I never thought would happen with Josephine. "I made you breakfast."

Josephine

His words slice through the air and the fog like the first sunbeam. He made breakfast? Food? "You cooked?"

He nods with a soft smile on his lips, "Yes. My Mama and brothers are still asleep, so it's just us for the moment."

Just like old times - when I wasn't pregnant. "You do realise that we're naked in our bed, talking about food instead of having sex?" That has never happened to us before!

He chuckles, "The irony is definitely not lost on me."

I run my hands down his back. My feelings for this man go beyond my comprehension. He calls it love - I still don't have a name for it. It can't be love because I loved Edward and my feelings for Oliver are so different compared to my feelings for Ed. They're much stronger and beautiful... and I'm unable to put them into words. "I don't want to leave this bed." I whisper against his lips. I don't know why or how but being with Oliver here right now calms me.

Suddenly, my stomach starts growling very loudly.

"I think your body's protesting."

"That doesn't mean I'm hungry. It just means my stomach is working." I sound like Della.

"I won't waste my perfectly made omelette."

My heart skips a beat, "You made me my favourite omelette?"

He nods, "Yes and I even sliced some avocado."

That man knows ways into my heart like no other. "Then we should put something on again because there's no way I'm ever saying no to one of your omelettes."

I pour Sriracha sauce on my omelette that I've topped with avocado and sesame seeds. Oliver's omelettes are the best in the world!

"Isn't that too spicy?" Oliver asks me as I put the Sriracha bottle back on the table.

I look at my husband, who is sitting across me - just like old times. "No. You know I love spicy food."

"Yeah but doesn't that ruin the taste?"

I cut into my omelette and put a bite into my mouth. "No. It enriches the taste. Just like you enrich my life. My life was perfectly fine before we met but then came you and I never ever want to eat my omelette without Sriracha sauce again."

"I'm the Sriracha to your omelette? You really have to be hungry." He grins before starting to eat his omelette as well. His brothers and my mother-in-law are still asleep but as it's only eight in the morning, I think the jet leg is not that bad. Plus, it's the weekend. They deserve to sleep in a little. "When are you going to tell your parents about us?"

"I was planning to go there after breakfast." It's a Saturday, which means my parents are at home with my brothers as they're on their autumn holiday.

"Do you want me to go with you?"

I shake my head, "No. It's something I want to do myself first. Their reaction - especially my father's - could be very, very harsh and hurtful."

"All the reasons more for me to come with you."

"No. They don't know you and my father would freak out and break your bones."

He looks at me with wide arms, "Your father's that aggressive?"

"He calls it protective and yes. He did that with Wlad, but to be fair my Mum beat him up first, so..."

"But they didn't do it with George?"

"No! Gosh, no! They would never lay their hands on the future King of England! But bare in mind, my parents saw the development of Rory's relationship with him first hand. They know him for over eleven years now. Whereas with us... they don't know you at all. They knew Ed but not you. They don't know our history so there's a lot of explaining for me to do."

He finally nods, "Okay. I'm going to show the city to my brothers and Mama then."

"Sounds like a good plan, but don't forget an umbrella." This is London after all - the weather changes in the blink of an eye. "Oh and I'll give you your Amex before you leave."

"Amex?"

"It's a credit card. You can use it for almost everything here in London. For the tube or black cabbie, in the pub or grocery shop - everywhere you want to buy something."

"I don't need-"

"Yes you do. And you have one now. You're my husband. You have access to millions of pounds. Buy yourself and my in-laws something nice. Have fun today. Don't worry about finance. You won't have to worry about money at all anymore."

He nods, "Okay."

"I expected more resistance from you."

"I like to choose my battles with you wisely. Because I know we will have lots of disagreements in the future. Especially with raising our child."

Our child - Oliver also views it as so much more than it really is. "Oliver, this embryo inside of me is the size of a peppercorn. It's teeny tiny, nearly invisible."

"It's there and it won't go away like you think. It's going to grow and flourish like our love did. We will have that baby, Josephine."

I decide to finish my omelette in silence.

---

I park my Tesla in front of my childhood home, a beautiful Spanish mansion in Richmond. It's a beautiful sunny autumn day. It's actually quite warm, so I didn't put in a jacket and am walking in sneakers. I walk into the house and get greeted by silence. I know my brothers are home from Le Rosey and since it's such a warm day, they must be out with our parents and Zeus. I walk through the marbled foyer, down the marbled hallway whose walls are full of framed photos of our family and through the white marbled kitchen that has white countertops. Just as predicted, the glass door that leads to the balcony is wide open. They're probably playing tennis on the tennis court. I walk out of the house and down the stone pathway that leads me past the infinity pool with a jacuzzi, the peonies rose garden, pool house and the barbecue area. Then a stoned staircase leads down the little hill on which the main house is on. The guesthouse comes into my view along with the waterpark and trampoline park to my left - both a product of my father's midlife crises, but I don't judge, I actually enjoy both very much - and a tennis court along with another special rectangular pool, that was used for Nate's swim race training, to my right. Mum's private studio is behind the guest house. Just as predicted, Elias, Calloway, Gideon and Mum play tennis under the warm autumn sun. Of course, Calloway and Gideon are better players than Elias and Mum as they are taking tennis lessons at Le Rosey. Elias is more into gymnastics and horseback riding like me.

"Jo!" Calloway and Gideon cry out at the same time as they spot me. A smile washes over their faces that's there every time we see one another. While Della's Elias' favourite sister, I'm that for Cal and Gideon.

I rush down another stone pathway that leads to the tennis court and embrace my twin brothers tightly.

"My turn!" Elias cries out before hugging me after Gideon and Cal.

"Wow, you guys missed me, huh?" I ask with a chuckle before embracing my mother. "Hi Mum!"

"Hi, Sweetie. How are you?" Mum looks so happy and carefree. I don't want to ruin her mood with my news, but I have to. I promised Oliver to tell my parents today.

"Good. Really good, actually. What about you?"

"I'm good as well. We're enjoying the sun before lunch."

"You're joining us, right?" Cal asks me.

I have no idea how our parents are going to react to the news, so I shouldn't make promises. "Hm, that depends. What are you having?"

"Grilled salmon with a salad and roasted veggies."

"Do I get a grilled corn cob?" I ask with a smirk on my lips.

"If she gets one, I want one as well!" Elias cries out.

"You'll get your corn cobs." Mum says before rolling her chocolate brown eyes.

"Good, then I'm staying. But I didn't see Dad at the grill on my way down to here."

"He's stuck in his study."

My Dad's just a real workaholic. "How about we start grilling the fish and veggies already?" I ask Mum before looking at my three brothers, "And you're going to help!"

To my surprise they don't even protest. The boys just place their tennis racks on the benches and walk away from us.

"We'll get started with the salad!" Elias announces as he leads the trio back to the main house.

This gives me the time window I need. "Mum, I need to talk to you and Daddy after lunch. Or even before that. Whenever you have time for me."

"We always have time for you. You know that."

Shit, this is harder than I thought. "I know. It's just something that might surprise you guys a little..."

"Are you pregnant?"

I laugh nervously at her question. My Mum's intuition is always on point. But I can't confirm that yet. I want to wait at least 13 weeks before doing so. Hence, I have to lie. "No, no I'm not pregnant and I don't plan to get pregnant any time soon." Shit, maybe that was a little too much.

"Okay. Is it work related?"

"No."

"Do you have a new boyfriend?"

Boyfriend - Oliver and me are way past that stage. We're in the 'becoming parents' stage now. it scares the shit out of me. "No, I..." I inhale deeply, "I guess, I have a husband."

"What?!" My Mum's so shocked that she looses her balance for a moment. "You're married? Y-you... Josephine Ophelia Elise Bolton, what the fuck have you gotten yourself into?!"

I gulp, I didn't expect her reaction to be this... this harsh. "He's nice..."

"Nice?! Your husband shouldn't be just nice! He should be the love of my life! He should be your partner in crime and your best friend! He should be-"

"Like Wlad or Sasha or George, I know." Frankly, I don't think I can compare Oliver to my brother-in-laws. All relationships are different.

"How did this happen?! I didn't even know you were seeing anyone!"

"I wasn't... we weren't seeing each other in the traditional term... we were just... you know." I should have practiced it more on my way to here.

"God, lord, Josephine! You married the man you were just fucking?!"

"Mum!"

"What?! Tell me what happened!" she demands. She sounds just like Daddy - but I know this will be even worse.

I lick my lips and try to gather my thoughts, "We saw each other for a while. I had him signed an agreement to shut up about our sex life. But he wanted more. He wanted dates and just, you know, get to know me. So we agreed to three months and after those were over, I ended it."

"You ended it? But you're now married. How did this happen?"

"He... he told me he loved me and I couldn't say it back because obviously I didn't return his feelings. So we went out separate ways. And then I quit my job and started working with Rory and George on the Oxford Royal Foundation... and I don't know, I guess, that kind of got the ball rolling..." This is not going well for me. "And then came Ed and Rio... I started questioning everything in Rio because I suddenly really enjoyed the kind of work I was doing for the foundation more than I did working for you guys. So when Brazil was brought to the table by Wlad, I didn't hesitate because I knew that Oliver is from there. I figured I could combine work with pleasure - something I was always careful to kept divided." I brush through my hair, I really should have practised this. I can't repeat that with Daddy. "One day after work, I started to look for Oliver but couldn't find him. Two weeks before I had to leave the country found him living in the slums of Rio with his Mum and his two little brothers. I couldn't have left him there whether I return his feelings or not, that's not a place to live. When he told me he couldn't go back to London because he was an illegal immigrant with no papers, I only saw one option."

"So you married him out of pity?! He's your own little charity case, Josephine! He is not-"

"Mum!" The anger starts boiling within me. He is not my charity case! "I don't know if love him and I do feel sorry for him and his family but that doesn't make him my charity project. I married him because it was the only way to get his family and him out of there."

"And where is that Oliver now?!"

"At my penthouse with his family, getting settled in."

"Are you sure they won't steal anything?!"

"Mum! They are not thieves!"

"But they were poor. Very poor and now they're suddenly swimming in money! Fuck, did you have him sign a prenup?!"

"Of course we have signed a prenup! I'm not stupid!"

"No, just blinded by your Mother-Theresa-heart!" She hisses at me. "Your Dad..." My Mum shakes her curly head. Just this morning Oliver commented on my curls that I've inherited from her. "He will loose it. I thought what Della did was bad or even Sasha, but this... I swear, this, Jo, this tops everything!"

"Yeah, now that I've said the story out loud for the first time I'm starting to think I might skip lunch."

"Oh, no you won't. And you will even have dinner with us tonight and you will bring that Oliver and his family with you."

Hell no! Oliver and his family won't survive a dinner with my parents. They're going to get eaten alive! I have to protect them. "What? No! This is not a marriage based on love."

"That doesn't matter right now. I have to meet him and so will your Dad."

"But they don't have anything to wear! Literally! They didn't even fly with a suitcase back to London."

"Then I guess you will have to go shopping with them today!"

---

I wait until my mother is out of my father's study and has closed the big ivory coloured door before I even dare to say another word. Just like expected, Daddy freaked out but Mum thought she could protect me from him. She thinks she cleared everything with us. She thinks after Daddy yelled at me, ordered Wlad here to yell at him some more, he is done but I know better.

Because I'm just the same.

The moment the door shuts, I look at my father who is still furious with me and my decision. He thinks he can scare me off and undo what I did. He has no idea he's the reason for all of this. For who I am and what I do. "You fucked me up!" The words are out of my mouth before my brain has a chance to process them.

"What?"

I shake my head. I shouldn't have opened this box of pandora.

"Oh, no young lady. You accused me of something and now explain!" He hisses at me.

"Everyone cared about Rory and Nate when you left us. Rory stopped training and so did Nate. They were Mummy's focus so I kept my mouth shut about my very own pain. I promised myself to never ever let a man get close to me. This is why I had those contracts, it's why I never introduced a man to you guys. Because no one was important to me. They were all replaceable like toys." I gulp as my throat suddenly tightens. Shit, are those the pregnancy hormones already kicking in?! "But then I met Oliver... Once, twice, a third time... it took me a while to understand fate's message or God's or the universe's - whoever it was. But then I decided to take the risk, make a contract that lasts longer than a night..." I shrug, "Honestly, I still don't know how Oliver did it but he opened my heart. He helped me see men in a different light but when it became too serious, I backed out. I pushed him away and turned to Edward. Simply because he didn't look at me the way Oliver did. He didn't see me the way Oliver did. He saw a lucrative union, as something that would be great. So when he said he loved me, it didn't pull the floor away underneath my feet. It didn't hurt me to say it back. It didn't even hurt to say yes to his proposal. And you want to know why? Because when I looked at Edward, I saw Oliver; but without all the arguments, the differences in our upbringing and bank account. I saw the easy way; the way that made sense. I thought I loved Ed, I thought I had to become his fantasy to be the perfect bride. I lost myself but when you sent me to Rio I found myself again. And I found Oliver. He's my person. I won't let go of him ever again. I don't care what you think of us, how you feel or what you want to do. He won't leave me and I won't leave him. " I explain to my father and cross my arms in front of my chest. "Him and I are a package. A union." A family of three, I add in silence. Peppercorn is a part of us whether I like it or not.

"Josephine,"

"Look, I can try to meet you halfway." I offer him my peace offering. "I'll come for dinner tonight. With Oliver, his Mum Maria and two brothers Caio and Johnathan. And for that you will give him a chance. A real chance to prove he's worthy of being my husband or whatever issue you have with him."

"I'm not-"

"Do we have a deal?" I interrupt him.

"Okay."

"Shall I put that in writing or is your word enough?" I ask him again.

Daddy nods, "You know me better, Jo. I'll give him a chance."

"Good. And you won't tell Mum about what I just told you because she has no idea how I really felt."

"I might not be okay with this marriage but I would never tell your Mum what you just said." He runs his fingers through his chestnut hair that I've inherited. I'm such a mixture of my parents that it sometimes frightens me. "Because I had no idea how much I've really hurt you."

"Of course you haven't! You came back and expected everyone and everything to go back to normal! You never even apologised to us! You just expected us to carry on right where you left off! Why do you think Nate, Rory and I wanted to go to Le Rosey so badly?!" I hiss at him. "Because that would mean we wouldn't have to come home every single day, in fear that our father might have took off from one day to another again! Do you know how we felt when we came home from our school trip?! Can you even imagine how hurt, how confused we must have felt?! Did you know that Nate's first words were I hate you to Mummy? He hated her - the only person who was just trying to hold us all together and be a shoulder to cry on to. He let out his anger on her! Rory got so depressed that she stopped playing tennis!"

"And what was it for you? What did you do?"

I swore off men. I promised myself I would never end up like Mum - left by her husband with five children. I went through my very own darkness. "I decided I didn't need love in my life because it would only ever bring pain."

My Daddy's navy eyes transition into the icy blue I know from Rory. "Josephine, that's not what love is all about."

I'm beginning to see that. I still don't know how to label my feelings for Oliver but I know that love is not what I feel for him. Because I loved Edward and I don't feel the same for Oliver.

"I'm deeply sorry for the pain I've caused you."

"I know. But I never confronted you with it."

"I love you and I'm here to protect you. I devoted my life to your protection. You are a part of me-"

"Spare me that Della-shit." I hiss at him.

"I'm sorry?"

"Della told me you gave her the same line."

"It is true for all of my daughters and sons." He says in a dead serious voice.

I gulp, "I have to go. I'll see you at seven."

Oliver

Showing my family our new hometown is the best way to spend a Saturday. We visited Westminster Abbey, the Parliament, toured Buckingham Palace - I told them everything Josephine told me when she was my tour guide last year - and even had lunch in a pub at the River Thames. Johna and Caio were fascinated by the red double decker busses, the London Eye and the Tower Bridge, so we checked that out as well. As my wife predicted, we even got our first wet welcome from the sky, so we weren't carrying our umbrellas for nothing. And we went to the Chin Chin Labs in Camden Town to have hot chocolate with a caramelised marshmallow topping while we waited for the rain to stop. It was absolutely delicious, even my Mama loved it. My wife recommended this place and as always she did not disappoint. After all, London's her hometown.

It was so hard for me to not tell my Mama the news, but I kept my lips sealed. I gave Josephine a promise - and I don't break my promises.

Still, the thought of becoming a father makes me grin like never before - and then I remind myself of the one she lost after we broke up and my smile fades. This is our second pregnancy, not the first. I don't care that she said she was not even a month along, it's a baby to me. It was a baby to me back then as well.

"What do you think of London?" I ask my Mama as we stare out at the Thames. Caio and Johna are eating fish'n'chips.

"It's definitely not Rio. The sun's not out, there aren't beaches and the people are different... much stiffer and cold."

I chuckle, "You'll get used to it."

"I know... I know."

"Caio and Johna seem to like it."

"For now. They're seeing this as a holiday."

"This will stop tomorrow." I tell her. "Josephine arranged a doctor's appointment for us at the hospital with her sister Ana. We'll get vaccinated and have a blood test done. After that we're going to have an appointment at a dentist."

My Mama's eyes widen, "How are we going to afford that?"

My wife's a giver. She has always been and as such she likes to take things into her own hands. "We're now very well-insured."

"Because of the marriage."

"Well, yes. But that won't change any time soon."

"How do you know?"

"Because I just do."

My Mama sighs and brushes through her dark brown curls. "I just wish she would love you as much as you love her."

She does. She may even love me more than I love her. She just shows it differently. "Don't worry about me or my heart. I'm doing just fine."

"And them?" My Mama nods to my two brothers. "Which school shall they attend?"

"Wherever you want them to. There is no financial limit anymore. They could go to the best private schools."

"This still feels like a dream."

"It's our new reality." I promise her. "How about we go home?"

"Home... That penthouse is huge!"

I chuckle, "Yes, it is. If you don't like it, you can always live in the flat six levels lower than the penthouse."

"You won't move down with us?"

"No." I belong with Josephine - and our unborn baby. Wherever she goes, I go.

"I think we should have a look. I don't feel comfortable living in a home that feels like a hotel."

"The flat is in the same building as the penthouse."

"I know, but-"

"Josephine gifted it to me. I didn't pay for it."

"Yes but it's smaller. It doesn't feel like a castle made of glass."

I know what she means. I felt the same way when I first started living with Josephine. Being up there, seeing whole London lay beneath your feet... it's hard to not feel like you can take the world. "I'd feel more comfortable if you guys lived with us but we will check it out."

Josephine

I get out of the lift and step into a completely silent home. I walk down the hallway and stop in an empty living area. There's no one sitting on the couch, at the walnut square dining table or in the white marbled kitchen with walnut cupboards kitchen. It's empty. There's no Johna running around, no Caio looking at everything with big eyes and no Maria... But most of all there's no Oliver. No Oliver!

Fear starts crawling up my spine and my chest feels tight for a moment. They're gone! They left me!

Oliver

I watch how my mother has another long look around in the living area. There's a huge glass balcony attached to it in the shape of a wave. Everything here still looks like it did on the day Josephine showed it to me. It's the same couch, the table dining table, the same light fixtures and kitchen. Everything is clean and polished but it looks unused. Because it has been unused.

"What do you think?"

"I like it. It's cosier... more homely."

I expected her to say it. "You prefer it over the penthouse."

She looks at me and shrugs. "I mean, you're newlyweds-"

"Don't use my marriage against me." I hiss at her.

She sighs, "Oliver, the last two weeks have been a lot to take in. Just a heartbeat ago we were still living in Rio and now we're here. I saw no Brazilian on our tour through London today. I didn't understand a word the people spoke or what the signs said. I don't feel comfortable living off of Josephine's money."

"But she's part of the family now. And you will learn the language, get a job and therefore be able to afford this place without any help from her or me."

"I don't know-"

"You know this day was coming. I promised to get you guys here and now you're here. In a different way than we all thought but it is what it is. I love her and she loves me."

"I hope she does." My Mama grabs my hand squeezes it firmly. "But I think I'd feel more comfortable here."

"Okay, but give it a few more days before moving out."

She nods with a soft smile on her lips.

"Caio, Johna, we're leaving!" I yell because Caio and Johna are in the rooms that Josephine picked out for them. They really like their rooms.

The doors open and I can hear my brothers joining us in the living room.

"This place is awesome!" Caio grins at us.

"Good because Mama wants to live here with you guys."

"Without you?" Caio asks me surprised.

"Without Jo?"

"I'll be living in the penthouse with her while you guys live here."

Johna looks at Mama, "Can we afford this?"

"Yes you can. It's my flat and I'm giving it to you. Money will never be a problem again."

"Because of Jo?" Caio asks me.

"Yes."

My brothers nods.

"But we're having pizza night tonight!" Johna suddenly remembers.

"We're not moving in here right away. I just wanted to check it out to see if it was a better fit for us."

"Which school will we attend?" Caio asks me.

"We'll talk about it with Josephine."

---

The doors of the lift open and everyone gets out before me. Johna and Caio get out of their shoes before running into the living room. Suddenly, I spot Josephine standing at the end of the hallway, in front of the floor to ceiling window front. Just for a split second she gives me a look that's full of panic and fear. But before I can react to her look, she has already put on a big smile.

"How do you like London?" She asks Johna and Caio.

"It's wet." Caio says.

My wife chuckles, "I told Oliver to bring umbrellas."

"We had umbrellas but the rain was still no fun."

"The red buses are cool!" Johna says. "And Buckingham Palace was nice, too. It's gigantic!"

Josephine smiles before looking at my Mama. "I was at my parents' place today. They invited us for dinner. How about you pick something up from my closet?"

To my surprise, my Mama nods before walking into the master bedroom.

"Does that mean we won't have our pizza night?" Johna asks her.

"Sadly not but we can do that tomorrow." Josephine answers before walking over to me. I expect her to say something to me but she doesn't. Instead she walks past me into our bedroom.

Whatever it is, she doesn't want my brothers to know about it.

I follow her into our bedroom and notice the open door of the walk-in closet where my mother's going through my wife's clothes. It probably looks like a luxury shop for her. I know that's how it looked to me when I first walked in.

Before I can even say a word to Josephine, she has already wrapped her arms around me very tightly. I return her embrace and enjoy the moment.

"Everything okay?" I ask her after a few minutes.

She shakes her head. "When I came home you guys weren't there... I started panicking. Never ever leave me."

"I won't." I promise her and cup her face. I fondle her cheeks and notice her trembling lips. She was really scared. "You have me until my last breath."

"Good because I don't know what I'd do without you." She admits.

I don't care what my mother says or thinks - Josephine loves me. I can feel it and she can feel it as well. She wouldn't say those things if she didn't. "How did your parents react to the news?"

"Mum freaked out, Dad freaked out - Wlad got the blame."

"What?" I ask her with a chuckle. "What has Wladimir to do with us?"

She shrugs, "I don't know... I think Daddy was mad because Wlad didn't tell him that we knew each other prior to the social work I did in Rio. But Ralph kept his mouth shut and didn't inform Wlad, so..."

"Is Ralph going to get fired?"

"No. I'll make sure he's going to stay with me. If Wlad threatens to fire him I'll throw a tantrum."

I chuckle. "And now we're expected for dinner?"

"Yes. You, your brothers and your Mum."

"Okay. We would have met sooner or later anyway."

She nods, "Yeah..." she embraces me tightly again. For minutes we just stand there inhaling each other's scenes, feeling each other's bodies and comfort. I don't ever want to let her go. I will never leave her.

"I will never leave you." I whisper into her left ear. "We're married and that means the world to me. It means I will stand behind you no matter what you do or say. It means I will protect you with everything I have. It means I will laugh with you and love you even when we fight and disagree. It means I will never stop loving you."

Josephine lifts her head off of my shoulder and looks at me. "There was no reason for my panic attack."

"No. I'm with you and I'm not going anywhere. And if you ever feel scared again just look at your left ring finger. We're entwined. We're one. Okay?"

She nods.

I run my hands up and down her arms. Goosebumps cover her arms just like mine. "But you're okay?" I ask her without asking her what I really want to know. She's not ready to talk about this baby, our baby, without freaking out. She needs time to digest the news, time to get used to this change. If I know something about my wife than it's that she's no fan of change. It's why she pushed me away so many times in our relationship. But that's also why I was so shocked to see her in Rio. It's the first time she wanted the change.

She tilts her head softly to the right and gives me a soft smile. She always understood me just like I always understood her. We have a connection like no other. "Yes, I'm okay."

Suddenly, I notice my Mama eavesdropping on us through the open door. I don't care but maybe that's going to change her mind about Josephine. My Mama's chocolate brown eyes are soft and she shows me a small smile.

I look back at my wife. I have a feeling her parents will be even more reluctant about me than my mother is about her, but just like with my Mum, we will show them that we're meant to be. We belong together and now we've got a child along the way.

A baby that will be loved by its parents more than it can imagine.

"When are we expected to be there?"

"Seven."

That's in two hours. "We should start getting ready."

She nods. "I have to shower again. I'm drenched in sweat from my panic attack."

Her words pain me in a way I didn't know was possible. "I won't leave you." I repeat my promise. I don't care if I have to remind her for the rest of my life.

She runs her long slim fingers through my beach blonde hair, "I know... I know." She whispers before untwisting from my embrace and walking into the en-suite bathroom.

I walk into the walk-in wardrobe that I share with my wife. Unlike the last time we lived together, she has now given me half of the space. I don't need it but it's a nice gesture. She sees me as an equal... There's no arrangement, no deal between us. We're equals.

"Have you found something?" I ask my Mama.

My Mama looks a little lost in our wardrobe that looks like a luxury boutique with all the illuminated shelves, the dark polished wood and the white marble island. "She has so much!"

"Believe we, it used to be much more. She has downsized quite a bit."

My Mama picks up a black ruffled dress with short sleeves that I've never seen on Josephine. "What about this?"

"Black is always a good option." I answer. It really comes in handy that my mother and wife are the same size - at least for a little while.

She nods, "Okay. I'll wear the black heels that she bought me in Rio."

"Sounds good."

"She loves you, too."

"I know. She just express it differently than you or me."

"I shouldn't have doubted her. She's a very good person. I just... I guess I've had prejudices because of her background and bank account." She shrugs, "I should apologise to her before we leave for the dinner."

It's ironic how prejudices develop. You have them whether or not you have money, you have them no matter the background. "How about you get ready and I make sure Caio and Johna get ready as well?"

"I'll do Caio. You do Johna." She says with a nod.

Josephine

I put on a burgundy coloured lipstick to finish my makeup. I'm wearing a classic winged eyeliner with a little blush and the red lipstick. I put on a tight black dress with long sheer sleeves because thanks to this pregnancy, the days that I will fit into a dress like this are now being counting. Faster than I can look, I have to buy a whole new wardrobe - maternity clothes!

I shiver as my body tries to shake off the feeling. Then I run my fingers though my curls and look at my reflection once more.

The woman in the mirror doesn't look like a Mum, yet Dr. Ross proved me otherwise this morning.

Suddenly, I remember the day I introduced Ed to my parents. I didn't feel nervous then but I am freaking out tonight. Although my parents already know about this marriage, I still want them to like my husband. Because he's the most incredible, genuine and kind person I've ever met. He's the most important person in my life!

I will not leave him. I will not divorce him.

I will have a baby with him.

We will be a family. We are a family. I guess, I want them all to get along. At least, he's no former FBI agent, future King or assassin that turned into a Russian prince. Oliver's a simple man that has my heart. Something Edward never had.

I walk out of my wardrobe, through the bedroom and down the hallway. Johna and Cairo's chatty voices fill my ears and I can't help but smile. I really enjoy having them here. It makes the penthouse fill with so much more joy. And I guess by the beginning of July there will be two more feet in this house. The hand of fear starts squeezing my heart but I shake the feeling off as I see Johna and Caio.

"Wow, you guys look incredible! So chic!" I tell Johna and Caio as I see them. Just like their older brother, they're wearing a white Oxford shirt with dark jeans. Caio and Johna are wearing sneakers but my husband opted for fancier leather shoes.

"Do your parents speak Portuguese?" Maria asks me. She chose a black ruffled dress by Valentino out of my collection. It looks very pretty on her. I'm going to gift it to her after tonight. I've only worn it a handful of times.

I nod, "Yes. My whole family does."

"Even your little brothers?" Oliver asks me surprised.

"Yeah. They're learning it at Le Rosey."

"Where?" Caio asks me.

I look at Oliver's smaller brother. "Le Rosey. It's a school I went to with my siblings and now my little brothers are attending it as well. It's located in Switzerland."

"That's very far away!" Johna says to me with a pointed finger. "I had that at school in geography!"

School. We haven't talked about school yet. I look at Maria, "We can talk about a school tomorrow."

Maria nods, "Okay. Then we should get going."

Oliver

Josephine stops the Tesla at big iron wrought gates. There's a camera looking at us and a very pretty coat of arms hanging on top of the gates. It's made of gold and painted in colour. I can see a bear and a unicorn and lots of pretty flowers. On the shield are lily-of-the-valleys in different forms. The words Familia, Concordia, Integritas, Misericordiam. Family, Unity, Integrity and Kindness. It fits the Bolton Family perfectly.

Josephine looks straight into the camera and the gates open. She drives through them and I see an alley of big oak trees, lavender and grass fields to my left and right. It's so pretty and huge!

For minutes we drive down the driveway until suddenly a huge Spanish styled mansion comes into the view. It has a two floors, ivory is climbing on the sides and big transom windows fill the house with light. It has an U shape and there's a glass dome in the middle of the house.

This is where she grew up? It looks like a palace! I mean, it's no Buckingham, Kensington or St. James' but it surely would pass as a palace.

Josephine parks the car next to the huge black wooden front doors. "Okay, we've arrived."

The doors of the car open and I can hear how my brothers and mother get out. I look at my wife and notice her shaking fingers that are still wrapped around the wheel. "It's going to be fine."

She looks at me, "You don't know that. You weren't there when I told them about us. You didn't hear what they said. You don't know what's going to happen."

I should have gone with her. I should have been by her side when she told her parents about us. I shouldn't have listened to her and let her go alone. She needed me and I knew it but she didn't. I should have known better but instead of telling her all of this, I grab her hands and squeeze them softly. "Good, here's what I know: I love you and I won't leave you no matter what will happen in the next hours. I will be by your side for the rest of my life. This marriage is real and it means everything to me."

She shows me a soft smile, "Okay, lets do this."

"Is there any last minutes tips you can give me?"

"No. Just be honest. If you aren't, they're going to find out." She says before getting out of the car.

That was a tip I didn't expect. "I want your parents to like me. They're my in-laws after all." I tell her as I get out of the car and join my Mama and brothers at the front door.

"Ready?" My wife asks me.

I nod and intertwine my fingers with hers. "Yes." I say with a soft squeeze.

Josephine opens the double doors and steps into her childhood home. I follow her and get greeted by a huge white marbled foyer that has two curved white marbled staircases on the right and left that lead to the first floor. The ivory walls at the staircases are covered in framed photos of the family. There's a glass dome in the ceiling that lets in lots of natural light and a small round table is standing across us. There's a crystal vase filled with pink peonies standing on it. It makes me smile. The love of peonies seems to lay in the family.

I haven't seen much of her childhood home but I already know she's had an awesome childhood. Not because of the luxury items around me but because of the framed family photos that catch the whole family in various situations. Some are milestones like birthdays, graduations or weddings, others are candid moments. That's the real luxury in this house: family time.

"Wow, this is just like in Buckingham Palace!" Johna breathes out. He's definitely not wrong with that.

"Johna!"

Josephine chuckles and suddenly I can hear footsteps coming closer. One pair is light and airy, the other pair is heavy. Gabriella and Troy Bolton. The pulse starts humming within my ears. I can't see them yet but I'm already hearing them and that makes me nervous like never before. We might have met at Luigi's over a year and a half ago but that was different. We weren't married. We weren't expecting a baby. But we were in love, although Josephine refused to admit it.

Her parents come into my view. Gabriella Bolton is wearing a simple pair of jeans with a blouse. She's barefoot, probably because there's floor heating everywhere in this house. Her dark brown curls are open. She's wearing very little makeup and she's glowing. She looks like a fairy. Troy Bolton on the other side is wearing dark pants with a grey sweater and leathered shoes. He may not be wearing a suit but that doesn't mean he's not intimidating. His blue eyes are dark and his straight short hair has a chestnut colour, the same that Josephine has.

They look like the perfect couple.

To my surprise, Josephine doesn't embrace her parents. Instead she keeps holding on to my hand. Whatever happened earlier is still bothering her. "This is Oliver. Oliver, these are my parents. Troy and Gabriella."

I shake Troy's hand first because he's the alpha in the family. Though, with a daughter like my wife and a partner like Gabriella, I'm seriously doubting it the second he shakes my hand very firmly. "Nice to meet you, Sir."

He doesn't say a word or moves a muscle. Yep, it's going to be a long way until they accept me as their daughter's partner, husband and father of her child. But I've got time. I'm not going anywhere.

I look at Gabriella next, who frowns me.

"I've seen you before." She thinks out loud.

I can't believe she remembers me! "I was your waiter once at Luigi's. Last spring."

"You were?" Troy asks me surprised.

I nod, "But I don't work there anymore."

"No... No, that's not where I saw you..." she mumbles before shaking my hand. Her handshake is firm but also soft. Suddenly her chocolate brown almond shaped eyes widen, "You're the mystery man from the photo!" She calls out.

"You saw him?" Josephine asks her shocked.

"What photo?" Troy asks them.

"Yes but I kept my mouth shut because I figured you didn't want to talk about him."

I have no idea what they're talking about either, so I look at my wife. She's got some explaining to do.

Josephine gulps, "The evening I introduced you to Ed..."

I close my eyes. What a great start to this evening. We're meeting her parents as a married couple for the first time and she brings up her ex-fiancé that she stood up at the altar.

"I was in the kitchen, looking for a photo of our coat of arms when I found a photo of Oliver and me. I must've taken it without really trying to do my best because they were blurry and..." She gulps, "I broke down in tears and Mum found me that way. I played it down, found the photo of our coat of arms and asked her to return to the table outside."

"You didn't talk about him and asked me to not ask about him. And now you're bringing him home?! Now you're married to him?" Gabriella asks her daughter.

"I'll answer every question you have tonight and from everyday forward now." She vows.

Gabriella looks at me before looking at our joined hands. She shows me a soft smile before looking behind me. "You must be Maria, Johna and Caio." She says while shaking their hands. "Very nice to meet you. Take off your jackets and shoes... Make yourself at home."

To my surprise Troy puts on a smile as well. "We grilled some steaks and veggies for dinner. And a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc."

"I'm not drinking tonight. I'm driving." Josephine informs her father casually as we all get out of our jackets and shoes.

Her father nods and I hand Josephine my jacket. She puts it on a hanger before hanging it into the built-in wardrobe underneath the left staircase.

"It's a gorgeous home."

"Thank you. We've done our best to provide a home to our children, who don't come nearly enough to visit us." Gabriella narrows her eyes at Josephine.

"I just got home yesterday and I was already here this noon. I'm going to come by now more often."

"Pass on the message to your sisters as well." Gabriella waves with her hands before walking down the three steps that lead into a huge living room. "This is the living room." There is a about twenty meter high floor to ceiling window front. It overlooks the backyard that has a pool that's bigger than the pool at the abandoned hotel which I used to hang out at just a month ago. Then the little hill on which the house stands on stops but as far as the eye can see there's no end to this property. I believe they also have their private dock because the Thames is within eyesight. Privacy is sacred to the Bolton Family.

It reminds me of Josephine's penthouse.

Suddenly, a dog comes running over to us. That must be Zeus. He's 13 years old according to my wife but he still looks young. He has long white fur and black dots. His long ears are black just like his nose that's typical for English Springer Spaniels. Josephine bends down and runs her long fingers through the fur. "Hey, buddy!" She giggles as he starts licking her nose.

"That's Zeus." She says to us. "Bend down and hold out your hands so he can smell you guys first. Then you can pet him."

"He doesn't look like 13." I tell her as my brothers and Mama start petting Zeus after he smelled them.

"That's because we go on a 22 kilometre run every morning." Troy answers for Josephine.

"Every morning?" I ask him surprised. Winter is coming but somehow I can imagine them running through the snow as well.

"Yes. Through Richmond Park."

"He's so adorable!" My Mama says with a grin on her lips. Caio and Johna are already in love with Zeus.

"Don't give him any ideas. One pet is enough." Gabriella says with a chuckle. "Let's eat."

"Where are Eli, Cal and Gideon?" Josephine asks her parents.

"They're spending the night at Della's place." Troy informs us.

Clearly, he sent them there to keep them out of the war zone.

Josephine grabs my hand again and we follow her parents into the formal dining room. There's a huge square shaped mahogany table that has 22 seats standing in the middle. A chandelier is hanging above it. The same window front as in the living room is letting the light in here. Josephine grew up in something that's pretty close to paradise.

"I'll give you a house tour later." Josephine promises me before we sit down.

Josephine

The dinner is pretty civilised considering my father's prejudices about them. We're having steaks with grilled veggies and roasted potato wedges. It's delicious and I'm sure the Sauvignon Blanc fits to the food perfectly. But I can't have any - because I'm pregnant. But at least Oliver and his Mum are enjoying it along with my parents.

"So, how did you guys meet?" My father asks us.

"I already told you how we met."

"I want to hear his side of the story." My father sounds just like Maria when we first met. He's suspicious and I can't blame him. He doesn't know Oliver and although I told him about my history with my husband, he is still worried.

Oliver gulps down the piece of steak he just chewed on before he starts talking. "We met in a café in Battersea. She bought me a cappuccino because I forgot my wallet. I wanted to pay her back but she was not having it. A month later we met again in a soup kitchen and then again in Greenwich when she worked on the kindergarten for the Bolton Foundation. We even met in a church where she helped out once as well. Fate kept pushing us together."

"And then we started dating." I say with a shrug. "We broke up, I met Ed but things didn't work out... Then we met again in Rio and now we're here."

"Yeah, that's what I don't understand. What happened between then and now?"

"I won't tell you every detail." I hiss at him.

"Don't you think I deserve to know that?"

"No. It's my relationship - my marriage. Not yours."

"Alright, who wants a brownie for dessert?" My Mum asks us, trying to change the subject.

"Me!" Caio and Johna cry out.

"I'm good." I tell her.

"Me either."

"I'll help you with the dishes." Maria starts before rising from the chair.

My Daddy takes another sip of the wine as my Mum, Maria and her sons walk away with the dishes. "I don't know what to think of this."

"I don't care what you think of this. I informed you because you deserve to know but that's all."

"Josephine," Oliver grabs my hand and squeezes it softly, "I understand this seems very sudden for you and your wife. Given my background I also understand your fear of me being a gold digger but believe me my only interest is making you daughter happy and feel loved for the rest of my life."

I don't know what to say to this. I didn't expect Oliver to play with such open cards.

"What are your plans here?"

"Josephine suggested I should try working as a model."

My Dad's eyes look at me. "Are you serious?! You're dating a model?"

"Not dating, we're married. And until he has found out what he wants to do, modelling is a good choice. He has the looks for it."

My Dad looks back at me. "Do you want to work in the foundation?"

"You're offering me a job?" Oliver asks surprised.

"You're family, whether I like it or not. People will ask about your occupation and telling them you're a model is a bad idea whereas working at the foundation with my daughter sounds better."

"Dad, you can't offer him my job!"

"It's not your job, it's a job beneath you."

I look at my husband. "You don't have to say anything right now."

"No, I'll take it. Doing social work is more my thing than modelling."

"So we'll be working together?" I ask him.

He leans forward until I can feel his hot breath against my left ear. "You'll get to boss me around now at work as well."

I chuckle as I hear my Mum calling me. "Yes?"

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

I nod before rising from the chair. I follow my Mum down the hallway and into the library. "What do you want to talk about?

She closes the door of the library, "Do you love Oliver?"

Oliver

"I think we should continue our conversation in my study." Troy demands of me as my Mama, Caio and Johna come with their plates filled with a slice of brownie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

"We'll be right back." I tell them before rising from my chair and following Troy down another hallway. We walk past the open living room before getting greeted by a long hallway with lots of closed white wooden doors. He stops at one before opening it and walking inside. I follow him and get greeted by a huge study! There's even a red pool table at the front, standing on the polished mahogany floor. I close the door behind me and watch how Troy walks past the pool table, the seating area with an open fireplace and bookshelves. In the back of the room, in front of transom windows is his huge mahogany desk. The windows show the front side of the house and I can spot Josephine's Tesla.

There are a lot of hoops for me to jump through and I guess this is number one.

I follow my wife's father and sit down in one of the two emerald chairs at the desk. Troy fills two glasses with bourbon before sitting in an impressive chair across me.

Without a word he slides one glass over to me. The amber liquid doesn't even move in it. "Is this the part where you try to pay me out?" I ask him without picking up the drink. If I show weakness - if I show my nerves - than Troy Bolton will eat me alive.

"Jo told me you were smart but I didn't expect this."

I don't know if that's a compliment. "I told you before. I am not after her money."

"Yet your mother and brothers seem to enjoy what my daughter offers them."

I lick my lips. He's trying to provoke me and he knows a man like me only has two weak spots: the family and the woman. "If you want me to sign another prenup than I'll do that. But I won't leave her."

"You may be able to fool my daughter, but you can't fool me."

"I'm not fooling her but if you want to check on my background, go ahead. There's nothing you're going to find that says otherwise."

"I already did." Troy says to my surprise. He turns around and opens a safe. Then he gets out a few folders that are as thick as encyclopaedias.

I frown, what the hell did he find out? Did my father have some kind of secrets that I don't know about? Is my Mama hiding something from me?

"This is what I found out about my other sons-in-law." He starts explaining while pointing at the folders. "There's Wladimir, Sasha and George. This right here is the folder for Edward Rothschild."

Josephine's ex-fiancé.

"And this is yours." He holds up a thin folder.

"I don't know what bothers you."

"There's nothing in it except for the basics. I know where you went to school, who your family is and where you worked in the last five years. But there's no dirt. No secrets. No skeletons in your closet."

Because I never did anything illegal - except for living here without papers for two years. "And now you want me to fabricate some skeletons and tell you lies?"

"Everyone has secrets. It doesn't matter if you're a the future King, a FBI agent or a former assassin. Everyone comes with dirt."

"But I don't." I tell him into his face.

"I don't believe you."

"What do you want me to do to convince you otherwise? Clearly my words don't do it. Do you want my salvia? A strand of my hair or some blood to make some tests? I can also give you my fingerprint. I'll do anything to make you see that I'm no danger to your daughter."

"That would be a start." Troy says with a nod.

I didn't expect him to accept my offer. I wasn't joking but I didn't think he'd take me seriously as well. "Okay. What else do you want from me?"

Josephine

"I'm sorry?" I cannot believe she's asking me that!

She walks over to me. "Do you love Oliver?"

I shrug before sitting down in one of the emerald armchairs, "I don't not love him."

"Did you love Edward?"

"Yes. I think I still do."

"Sweetie, what's going on with you?" She asks her before sitting down across me.

"I really loved Edward. I thought I would spend the rest of my life with him but then on our wedding day... I couldn't get out of the car." I whisper and feel how my throat tightens at the memory. "As much as I wanted to, I couldn't marry him. I broke his heart."

"So, what does Oliver mean to you then?"

I sigh, I can't even explain it to myself and now my mother wants an explanation? "Oliver and me... We have this deep, very strong connection. It's a kind of connection I can't explain. It's a relationship like no other. He knows me like no one else. He understands me better than I understand myself. With him... With him, I am the person I want to be without even trying. He tore my walls down without me noticing it. He has gotten under my skin so fast that I couldn't even fight him on it. I can't seem to cut him out of me. He's always going to be the man I'll compare other men to - even Ed. But Ed, he... he has a special place in my heart as well."

"You're in love with two men."

Is this what's going on with me? Am I in love with Oliver and Edward at the same time? "I don't know. I don't... I don't know if I love Oliver but I know I love Edward. Oliver's different. He... He stands above everyone else. The connection we have is like no other. I feel comfortable around him and he's making me feel desired and adored but so did Edward."

"Sweetie, you're in love with two men." She repeats.

I don't know how she can see that so quickly, yet it took months for me to understand this. Frankly, I'm still clueless. I run my fingers through my hair, "Then tell me why I couldn't marry Ed despite planning the wedding for three months and Oliver in the blink of an eye? I didn't feel an ounce of panic when I signed the papers and later bought the wedding rings. I wasn't indecisive about the style of our wedding bands. I knew exactly what I wanted but with Ed... it took me 48 dresses try-ons to find my wedding dress. But with Oliver, I married him wearing a freaking morning gown. I didn't care what I looked like and he didn't either. With Oliver, I was never afraid of anything because I knew I had him by my side. But with Ed, I was sacred every step of the way. Because I knew the importance of meeting his parents and you meeting him. He always had to push me to take the next step in our relationship but Oliver... with him, it's me who takes the next step. He doesn't push me. He waits until I am ready for it... And now bringing Oliver and his family here... I wasn't even nervous. Explain that to me. Explain why I am such a fucking mess!" I growl out in frustration. She doesn't even know about the cherry on top - the pregnancy. "I've had conversations with Oliver that I never could have had with Edward and vice versa. Edward is in my league, we play on the same field while Oliver wouldn't even be in the audience because he comes from a whole different world."

"Yet you married him without any fear or panic attacks." She points out.

"But Oliver doesn't understand why we go to charity galas, polo matches and tennis tournaments. He doesn't get the public image which comes with being wealthy and Edward does. I've never had problems convincing him to join me to a charity gala or going to a polo match. He understands the image, the responsibility that comes with being a Bolton. Edward and I are on the same level. Money has never been an issue. Status will never be a topic we have to discuss. Charity is not an alien concept for him. But it is for Oliver."

"Maybe Oliver just needs time to adjust to all of this."

"And maybe he just doesn't want to. Wealth, being a Bolton, having British and Russian Royalty in the family - all that comes with responsibility."

"Did you talk to him about it?"

"Not in such detail. He looses it when I buy him anything so the fact that he has to make an appearance at Ascot will not amuse him. He's laughing about the hilarious hats and outfits the women wear. Because he doesn't understand the publicity they seek. He doesn't get it and I think he never will. So in that way, Edward is the better choice. He always has been. But Oliver... He's very important to me as well. I didn't like my life without him it. He enriches it like no one else. It's why I chased him down in Rio. We know each other inside out. The connection we have is indescribable... It's something I never had with Edward."

"Well, then maybe you did the right thing by not marrying Edward and marrying Oliver."

"But I miss Edward as well." I admit without thinking. I miss the simplicity because we are from the same world. Ed would understand why we'd have to send our children to private schools, become members in exclusive tennis or polo clubs and be present at galas. Oliver won't. He is only going to see the money that's getting wasted on it. Money shouldn't be a topic of discussion but it always has been and it always will be.

"You can't have both men in your life. Not in the way you want to. A triangle relationship won't work. Knowing Ed, he won't do it and Oliver... that man is beaming with love for you. He won't do it either. "I know... What the hell have I gotten myself into?!"

"How does being married to Oliver feel like?"

"I don't know... He and I... it feels natural. I don't feel suffocated in any way. He always gives me room to breathe, unlike Ed. But I liked that about Ed. He held me close to him, he kept me within his reach." I don't know how my mother does this. One word from her and I'm pouring out my emotions and thoughts like a waterfall.

"And Oliver is not like that?"

"No... But then again, I haven't been with him long enough to know. We spent 15 weeks together, that's like nothing compared to roughly the year I spent with Ed. But at the same time I feel like I know Oliver better than I know Edward. Being with Edward would be the right choice because it would be easier but being with Oliver... actually feels easier. Sure it comes with disagreements and he obviously has a lot to learn when it comes to surviving in my world but it feels easier, more natural."

"It sounds like you made the right choice then."

"Then why am I so afraid? I was never afraid with Ed. Being with him never scared me but being with Oliver... it scares the hell out of me. I never feared losing Edward but my biggest fear is to loose Oliver again." I bite on my lower lip, "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Sweetie, nothing is wrong with you." My Mummy grabs my hands and squeezes them softly to emphasise her point. She eases my fear so easily. "Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes everything. And that someone is Oliver for you. It's why you're so attached to him. He opened up your heart for love and taught you to trust someone beside your family. And when you ended things with him, you were still open to let someone else into your heart. And that someone is Edward. Both men will always have a special place in your heart, Jo. They will always be the two men that shaped you like no one before and after them." She explains to me. "But what you have to decide now is whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. It's clearly not Edward otherwise you wouldn't have had those panic attacks. So the only man left is Oliver. But are you ready to let him into your heart?"

He already owns my heart but letting him completely in is a different story. "I don't know."

"You don't have to figure this out right now. Give it time. Take it step by step; day by day. But don't excoriate him. Don't play with his heart because that's not fair."

"You sound like his Mum."

"She's just protecting him. Life doesn't always give you second chances but it gave you guys one."

"Life didn't give us a second chance. I hunted him down in Rio and convinced him to let me help him."

My Mum chuckles as if I told her a joke. "And then you married him the first chance you got?"

"No, I only married him because there was no other choice to get him and his family back to London."

"I see... Yet, you feel good about being married to him."

"Not good... but not bad either. I guess I feel neutral about it."

"Neutral?"

"Yes. Comparing Oliver with Edward is like comparing a Monet to kindergarten-daubing. They're different, yet both are art."

"Is Oliver the Monet? Or is Edward the Monet?"

"Both are art, so it shouldn't matter who is what... but it does. It matters a lot. Because one is worth millions of pounds while the other has only a sentimental value - it's only worth for the person whom it was made for. We can get divorced in a year and they can stay in England. Or move to Portugal or anywhere else in the world. My point is, they can do whatever they want. Because they will have papers. They'll be legal UK citizens. And that's all I want... that's what Oliver always wanted and dreamed for." Actually, he always wanted to have children, too - and I fulfilled this wish as well, I guess.

"Josephine, let me tell you something."

"Mum, you rarely call me Josephine."

"So you better listen. Falling in love. It's always something that comes unexpected. Suddenly it hits you; you're in love, just like that. And maybe that's what makes it so wonderful. Having absolutely no control is scary but if you just let it happen, beautiful things can come your way. The best love is unexpected. You don't just pick someone and cross your fingers it'll work out. You meet them by fate and it's an instant connection, and the chemistry shared is way above your head. You just talk and notice the way their lips curve when they smile or the colour of their eyes and all at once you know you're either lucky or screwed. I always wished for you to fall in love with someone who wants you, who waits for you. Who understands you even in the madness, someone who helps you, and guides you, someone who is your support, and your hope. Fall in love with someone who talks with you after a fight. Fall in love with someone who misses you and wants to be with you. Do not fall in love only with a body or a face or with the idea of being in love."

She's confusing me. Does she mean Edward or Oliver with that? "I don't love Oliver. I don't feel the same way for Oliver as I feel for Edward. I love Edward but I don't love Oliver. Yet, I couldn't marry Ed because... because I kept thinking of Oliver. And now I'm married to him. To someone I don't love. And in a year we're going to be divorced so it doesn't matter that I don't love him."

"Jo, always remember someone's effort is a reflection of their interest in you. And from what I've been seeing tonight, Oliver's putting in a lot of effort into this relationship he has with you and making a good impression on your father and me."

I lick my lips, "I know..."

"I really like him, regardless of where you guys will be in a year. He has his heart in the right place. But meeting someone with the same mindset as you is rare, incredibly rare - and you found two men."

"So you're saying I should be grateful for having Oliver in my life and hurting Edward by eloping from my own wedding literally a minute before I was about to wed him?"

"Maybe not grateful... but lucky. Both men were and still are in your life for a reason. They teach you something and you teach them something. But if you want my advice, I'd say go with the one who is not only proud to be with you, but will also take every risk to keep you."

"In other words go with Oliver. Or rather stay with Oliver and see where it goes... in a year I will be wiser. Maybe we'll be divorced by then, maybe not." We're definitely going to be parents.

"Do you see unicorns and dance on rainbows with Oliver?"

"What?" I ask her confused. She starts sounding like Rory.

"You said that the morning after you got engaged to Ed. You said you don't see unicorns and dance on rainbows but you were happy. So, I'm asking you now: Do you see unicorns and dance on rainbows with Oliver?"

I think for a moment and suddenly smile. "I never saw unicorns or rainbows with Ed. And with Oliver... It's a whole kaleidoscope I see. It's much more than unicorns or rainbows. It's rather like fireworks or..." I bite on my lips. "Or Northern Lights."

My Mummy frowns. "Sweetie, I don't-"

I rush out of the library and down the hallway. I stop as I see Oliver standing in the living area, looking out the window front into the backyard where I grew up.

"Oliver, I have to talk to you." I say before rushing down the three step that lead into the living room. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I don't know why I didn't see it sooner. And I certainly don't know how my mother figured this out in just one honest conversation with me. Seriously, how is she doing this?!

He turns around when I reach him. "Do you love this other man? Do you love him like you love me? Do you love Edward?" Oliver asks me.

I lick my lips. "I loved him. But I only surrendered to him because I freaked out when we got closer... because I was scared that I'm going to hurt. And then when I thought I gave him my heart... the night before my wedding to him I realised that I didn't give him my heart. Because I couldn't give him what I didn't have. You left my penthouse that day not empty handed. You left it with my heart. What I have with you... what we have... it goes beyond my comprehension. It's stronger than... than this word." I brush through my hair. "I don't love you Oliver. I never have. Because what I feel for you is so much stronger than love. There is no word in any language that can describe what I feel for you." I start explaining. "Before you, I had a heart of stone. I hated to show feelings. I hated to be weak. But boy, your smile, your eyes, your laugh, your everything and most of all your love have changed me in a good way, I'm open to receiving and giving love."

"Tell you can feel it too. I know you love me! I can see it in your eyes and your body language. I can hear it in your voice! I love you so much that it hurts and you - you can't even say it back?!"

"Because I feel so much more!" I hiss at him. It's really frustrating to try to explain my emotions to him. "I've never felt more with anyone on this earth! Why is this so important to you? Why do you need me to say those words back to you? Can't you just... Can't our feelings for each other be enough as they are? Why do you have to try to label them, label us? Why do you want to put us into a box?"

"I'm not-"

"Yes you are! You're trying to make us ordinary and we are not ordinary, Oliver! I was extraordinary with this other man but I am one in a million with you! One in a fucking million, Oliver!"

Oliver

"In your eyes I'm alive. In your eyes I know I am home." She whispers to me. "I wasn't looking for love until I found you." She says with a shrug. "I'll be yours for a thousand lives... It's like rain bounces off of me. I'm walking through the streets like I'm high. I have sun rays in my head and a belly full of songs. I can't stop singing in the shower since two weeks! I never thought something like this would ever happen to me. I don't know what this is or where this is going but with one smile you turned my plans inside out. The melodies are flying into my belly and I hope you hear them, too." She inhales deeply. "You are my safe haven. You've always seen all of me. You are my home. My heart beats, breaks, loves and aches for you. Only you."

Shit, Josephine doesn't voice her emotions often but when she does she always knocks me out. "Josephine,"

"I never fell for you. I never fell in love with you and I think this is why it was so hard for me to distinguish between you and Ed. Because I fell in love with him but not you."

She's starting to confuse me. "I don't understand..."

"I guess I've always felt that way for you from the day we met. There wasn't a moment in which I fell for you. I can't pin point it like I can with Edward. Because there is none." Suddenly she grabs my hands, "My Mum once told me to be with someone who feels like home. And if I found that someone, I should never let go of him. Well, I did find that someone but I've pushed you away. Because my feelings for you scared me - they still do. Because I can't put them into words. I can't describe our connection and the depth that goes beyond my comprehension. You and me - us -, we are something I will never be able to explain properly to anyone. I can't explain what I feel for you not because I don't feel these feelings that you call love, but because I feel too much. It's an overwhelming amount of emotions that rush through me whenever you enter my thoughts, which is 24/7. I can't tell you I love you because I feel so much more than just love. I thought I loved Edward. It's why I accepted his proposal. But my feelings for you... they are so much more than just... love. It's so intense... It consumes me. It's like you are a part of me. You understand me with just a glance."

My throat is too tight to breathe. Tears are burning in my eyes. I have the most wonderful wife in the world.

She licks her lips and grabs my hands in hers. "My Mum and Dad have this quote they use when the emotions they feel for each other are too much to put into words properly. You want to know what they say?"

I nod because my throat is still too tight.

"They say 'A Million Times More'. Because they love each other a million times more than yesterday and a million times more than a second ago. I didn't understand that until I found you. Now... Now I understand the true meaning of 'A Million Times More'. Because I feel the same way as I imagine they feel for one another. I'm not saying we have to use this phrase... but a simple I love you is not enough for me. It doesn't grasp my emotion in the least."

I've waited over one and a half year for her to say this... I waited over one and a half year for an I love you, but she... she's giving me so much more. "Tesouro..." The word has left my lips before my brain had a chance to catch up. But she is my treasure, the most sacred in my life.

She shows me the most wonderful smile, "I think you've found a nickname for me."

"Northern Lights." I whisper to her as her eyes remind me of the beautiful light play that we witnessed in Finland over a year ago. We stayed in that bungalow that has a transparent igloo... and the Northern Lights were the second most beautiful thing I ever saw.

"Northern Lights." She repeats the words in her angelic voice that gives me goosebumps, makes my heart race and my lips grin from ear to ear. "I like it... It has a meaning, a special connection to us."

"It was the night when I told you I loved you for the first time."

She frowns, "I don't remember that."

"You were asleep and my words were only a whisper..."

"Northern Lights." She whispers before resting her forehead against mine.

I inhale her scent and feel a moment of pure bliss and peace. She's committed to me. She opened up to me. She even let me in. "Northern Lights." I whisper against her lips.

This is way better than an I love you from her. It's our own secret code. Our very own way to say I love you.

Northern Lights. I couldn't wish for something more special.

"Do you still don't want any brownies?" Cairo's voice fills my ears.

"They're awesome!" Johna's happy voice rings through the living room but it doesn't reach our bubble. Our perfect bubble that's glowing like Northern Lights.

I never want to leave this bubble.

Suddenly Josephine lifts her forehead off of mine. "I'm going to show Oliver around while you guys enjoy our slices, okay?" She asks them with a smile on her lips.

I turn around and look at my brothers with their big eyes.

Johna and Caio nod before returning to the dining room. As I turn around again, I notice Troy and Gabriella standing in the hallway. They watched the whole thing but I don't feel exposed. Whatever Gabriella said to her daughter, she helped her immensely.

"We still have to take Zeus out for a walk. We'll do that with Maria, Caio and Johna so you have the house for yourselves for a moment. There's a lot to show." Gabriella says with a small smile on her lips. "Don't forget to show him the bucket list wall in your room, Jo."

Josephine

We walk down the hallway on the first floor. The spaces between the many dark wooden doors are filled with framed photos taken by my father. Some are photos of my childhood, others show my sisters and brother in adult life. Either way, they're all stunning. It took us nearly an hour to tour just the main house. Our family has gone half an hour ago to take Zeus on a walk through Richmond Park.

Oliver stops in front of one framed photo of me. It was taken on my eighteenth birthday. I'm grinning into camera. The black and white photo shows a closeup of my face, so my heart shaped birthmark underneath my left eyelashes and the birthmark on my right temple in the shape of a star can be seen.

"These were all taken by your father?" Oliver asks, totally stunned. He has looked at every family photo that's hanging here in our house - which are over 200 photos. He looked at them for so long that I think he memorised them. He asked me all kinds of questions about where it was taken and what happened... and somehow I always ended talking about the photos for over half an hour. And he was very fascinated of our engraved wooden height chart that's in the hallway downstairs. It has all of our family members there with lines in different colours and our age in brackets. Even Rory's kids are on it. It's a wonderful thing to look on for hours and remember old times.

One thing let to another and it feels so easy to talk to him about my family. We have different backgrounds, but our hearts are the same.

Edward never asked me questions about the photos. He bought of them as a waste of time.

"Yes." I confirm. I don't know why, but it doesn't surprise me that Oliver's not impressed by the cinema, spa, games room, garage or gym. He's impressed by the photos. He's impressed by this family dynamic... by our love.

"They're breathtaking. Now I know who gifted you with this talent."

"They haven't seen my work." I admit.

My husband looks at me, "No family member knows?"

"No. Just you." I can feel how my cheeks get hot and I know I'm blushing. "You were the first person I ever showed them to. They're too intimate to be seen by anyone else."

"There's no reason for you to be afraid of showing your work. You have an incredible talent. People should know about it. They're life changing." He grabs my left hand and kisses the back of it.

I don't know why but this makes me blush even more. "Stop it. You're making me blush."

He grins, "I like those rosy cheeks."

"That's my room. The last stop on our tour." I change the subject before opening the door of my room. Oliver walks into my beige coloured room. One wall is full of gold dots and there's a light grey stripe going through all four walls with coordinates or city names that I want to visit. A few I've already crossed out - including Northern Lights in Finland. Oliver looks around the room and stops at all the trophies that I won in show jumping and dressage riding. After all, I was the European champion. There are even a few from my sailing days back at Le Rosey. He smiles as he reads each label. "No wonder you're such a good rider." He mumbles. "You told me you've won a few but this... this is more than a few."

He has a close look at the old framed photos that stand on the mantelpiece above my white marbled fireplace. "Seeing photos of you as a child along with the future King just shows how big your history with his family is... and how deep your roots are. He seems nice."

The last time I had a man in here it was Ed. But my husband looks better in this room than my ex-fiancé. "He is nice. You can meet him next week."

"Next week?" Oliver asks me surprised.

"Yeah, I won't tell my sister that I got married via phone. I'm going to do that in person and you will come with me. Perhaps we're going to run into Char and Nate."

"Okay." His green eyes scan the stripe that stretches through the whole room. Because of the Commonwealth Tour last year, I got to strike out the Great Barrier Reef and Taj Mahal. But there are still a few places in Europe that I haven't seen like Rome and Positano in Italy or Santorini in Greece. "This is your bucket list?"

"Yes."

"It's still quite long." His eyes stop at Cape Town in Africa. "We have some work to do."

I smile at his words as I remember our deal. We wanted to travel through Europe together and now we can even travel the world together. I grab his hand squeeze it softly. Goosebumps start covering my arms and legs at the touch. "We do."

He mirrors my smile before looking around once more. The bookshelves on each side of the fireplace aren't filled with lots of books but instead with trophies and framed photos. The two cobalt blue armchairs have been used a lot before I went to Le Rosey. I used to have lots of friends over and they always asked me to braid their hair. I was the braid queen in my prep school days. But then Nate, Rory and I decided to go to Le Rosey and everything changed. We met George and Char... and Rory became the real future queen. Nate fell hopelessly in love with my best friend, who was too blind to see that. And I... I started to focus on sailing, riding and photography.

"So, this is where you talked about boys and heartache with your girlfriends?"

I look back at Oliver, "No. At least no heartache on my side. I've always used men for as long as I can remember. First to carry my backpack in school and then for sex when the time came. I never gave away my heart, not until I met you. You are my first love and you were my first heartache. You're my first relationship as well. And marriage."

"I'll be your last marriage."

"I don't doubt that." I tell him. Frankly, I can't see myself with another man by my side. Not even Edward.

"We grew up in two different worlds..." His green eyes stop at my king sized bed that has beige bedding.

"Yes but we're here today. We built our own world."

He pulls me into his arms and I stare into his green eyes. "Northern Lights."

I grin, "Northern Lights." I promise him. "Do you really want to work for the foundation?"

My husband nods, "I enjoy doing social work."

I run my fingers through his chin-long beach blonde hair. I know what he really wants to do. He wants to be a doctor. And now that I've brought him and his family to London, I can work on part two. Making sure he can fulfil his other dreams.

And becoming a doctor is one of them.

"Good, then we'll be working together." I whisper, "But get ready for many disagreements."

"At work or at home?"

"Both." I can feel how he runs his hands up and down my waist and it drives me crazy. My whole body awakes with desire so suddenly that I can't control myself. I seal my lips over his and get lost in the passion between us.

He returns my kiss as always and our tongues start dancing their beloved dance.

I let go before the heat between gets too hot. His eyes have started to glow in this sea foam colour. I run my fingers through his blonde chin long hair. My fingertips are prickling from the touch. Him and I... We are above any label. You can't put us into a box.

"What are you thinking of?"

I tilt my head to the side, "Of the Northern Lights you make me see."

He shows me a dreamy smile and brushes my lips with his thumb. "I see them, too."

Oliver

I put a piece of Gabriella's brownie into my mouth as I watch how my wife pours hot water into two mugs. She's making tea; lemon ginger for her and hibiscus for me. The kitchen I'm standing in looks like one from an interior architecture magazine. There are white marbled tiles on the floor that match the white marbled countertops, white cupboards and glass hanging cupboards. And the most gorgeous white marbled kitchen island. It's huge and has ten barstools but even those aren't enough for the Bolton Family. Their home is huge, everything is bigger and better but most of all everything and everywhere I look there's this significant sense of love. From the pink peonies in the foyer and every bedroom of the Bolton women - because Nate loves blue balloon flowers, Elias loves white roses, Cal's favourite are sunflowers and Gideon loves daisies- to the countless framed photos that hang and stand everywhere. This is a family's home, no museum or show-off.

Josephine was lucky to grow up in a place like this. A place of unconditional love and support.

She looks over her shoulder, "And? Do you like it?"

"It's bloody amazing! I can't believe they're sugar and dairy free! They taste so good."

"They're made with sweet potatoes as well." She tells me.

"No! Really?"

My wife nods,"Yes. You can't taste them."

"No, you really can't." I agree with her.

She picks up the two mugs and I follow her into the open living room. Her parents, my Mama and brothers are still gone.

Even here there are framed photos of the Bolton family everywhere. Underneath the gallery hangs a pretty expensive Monet. I think it's the Water Lilly painting but I'm not sure. My eyes stop at the huge black piano. "Did you learn how to play piano here?"

Josephine stops in her tracks, "Yeah, my Daddy taught me." She says with a soft smile on her lips and a dreamy look.

"Not your Mum?"

"No. Della and me were always more Daddy's girls than Mummy's. They both know how to play the piano and use it almost daily. I started playing as a toddler. I used to sit on my Daddy's lap and play the keynotes with his hands on mine." She places the cups on the coffee table and walks through the room. "I think there's still a photo of us on the mantelpiece."

I follow her as she picks up a silver framed photo.

"There you go." She hands me the photo. "I just started to sit I think. I was six or seven months, something like this."

I look at the photo and see baby Josephine sitting on her father's lap with her fingers on the keynotes of this very same black piano. Troy's hands are holding her tightly as they both look at the notes in front of them. It's a monochrome photo.

"Ana took it." Josephine explains to me.

"It's a beautiful photo."

"Well, the sounds I made on the piano certainly weren't." She says with a chuckle.

I hand her back the photo, "Would you play for me?"

She has only played for me once and it was before she told me she had cheated on me with Edward for the first time. It's time to make new memories with my wife playing piano.

"Sure. What do you want to hear?" She asks me as she places the photo back on the mantelpiece.

"That song we danced to in Rio the first day we saw each other again. Do you know how to play it?"

She smiles, "My Mum wrote that one but I can try to recreate it." She walks over to the black Bechstein piano and sits down on the barstool. "I might get a few notes wrong. I haven't played in over a year and a half. Apart from yesterday... and yesterday I played songs I can play blindfolded."

Since she last played for me. "You didn't play the piano at home?"

"No. Not since I played for you, Caio, Johna and Maria yesterday." She admits before inhaling deeper and starting to play.

I recognise the melody immediately. It's so beautiful, so pure and full of love. I stare at her long fingers that hit each note on his keyboard with precision. It looks like magic and it's absolutely mesmerising.

"That's my wedding gift!" Gabriella's voice fills the room. The rest of the family is still in the foyer. I can hear them getting out of their outwear.

My wife stops playing immediately.

Wedding gift? Surely she means the other wedding that didn't happen. I narrow my eyes at Josephine.

She gulps, "It was never Edward and mine song. It was always Oliver and mine. When you played it for me for the first time I didn't think of Ed. I thought of Oliver. I saw Oliver and not Edward. I couldn't picture a future with Ed but I could picture it with Oliver."

Gabriella looks from her to me before looking at her again. "Really?"

"Yes."

"But why didn't you call off the wedding then?"

Josephine shrugs, "Because that's simply not how it's done."

"Right, you rather wait until the limousine stops in front of the cathedral." Gabriella's ironic voice and her eye roll almost make me chuckle.

Josephine licks her lips, "You wrote this song as a wedding gift and it is one. Does it matter whose wedding? It's a beautiful song."

"But I didn't think of Oliver when I wrote that song!" She argues back before looking at me. "Sorry."

I don't feel offended because she didn't knew I existed.

"Well then who did you think of? Edward?" Josephine asks her back.

"No." Gabriella whispers. "I thought of your soulmate."

I hold my breath at the last word.

Josephine nods slightly towards me. "Bingo."

Before Gabriella or me can react, Troy, my brothers and Maria walk into the living room.

"How was the walk through Richmond Park?" I ask them.

"So cool! The park is gigantic!" Johna answers before anyone can open their mouths.

Troy chuckles, "Zeus had a lot of fun."

Maria nods, "And they recommended Sergej to teach me English."

Sergej? Isn't that Wladimir's father?

My wife nods, "That's actually a very good idea."

"What about a school?" I ask them.

"We've decided on the Anglo-Portuguese School of London for Johna until the end of the year. Then he will hopefully join Caio at Westminster School."

"Good choice." My wife says with a nod.

"How far is that from home?" I ask her.

"Twenty minutes with the tube." She says with a shrug. "A little less by feet."

"We'll make some calls tomorrow and by Monday you guys can start at your new school." Gabriella promises them with a smile.

Josephine

I stare at the closed lift doors as it moves up. I have no idea how this evening went for Oliver and me. Maria, Johna and Caio got the kitty-treatment - no bullshit, no yelling and no nasty words. But I got the slap for them and I even presented my other cheek. Mum was mad but my Dad was worse. He's suspicious and I get it, I really, really do... but Oliver's no danger. He's coming from nowhere. He's coming from nothing. Yet, he doesn't want anything. All he wants, all he needs is me.

And now he has me. Secured by a ring - and I have him in return. What's dangerous about that?

"Josephine,"

I wince at Maria's voice and realise that the doors have opened. I step out and make space for the rest of them to get out. It was a strange first meeting and I have a feeling it's going to take more meetings like this until it gets normal.

Gosh, Christmas is going to be a disaster!

I get out of my shoes as the last person.

"We're heading to bed. Goodnight you two." Maria smiles at me.

"Goodnight." I whisper as Johna hugs me.

"Goodnight, Jo." Caio says to me before following his mother and brother down the hallway.

"Everything okay?" Oliver asks me.

I shrug, "This wasn't as I expected it to be."

"Worse or better?"

I shrug once more, "I don't know. My father is seeing you as a threat and that's the hardest label to remove. I could've worked with the label charity case but not with a threat. It's very, very hard to remove. If not impossible."

"He didn't believe me when I told him I have nothing to hide."

"He probably did a background check and didn't find anything, right?"

My husband nods. "I gave him my fingerprint, salvia and a strand of my hair."

I almost do a double turn, "What?!"

Oliver shrugs, "I have nothing to hide. He can check on my DNA, see if he finds some police record or secret agency documents on me. He can even do a drug test. I don't care. I told you before and I'll tell it again: There's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

"You shouldn't have done that." I say with clenched teeth. No other man in the family had to do this! Not Wlad! Not Sasha! And definitely not the future King!

"I know but I wanted to. As I said, I have nothing to hide. He can scan through my clothes and I'd even give him access to any electronics if I had anything. If I'm not open towards your father than his suspiciousness is only going to grow."

"You're cutting him too much slack."

"We're talking about your father here. He is the only one you have. Don't be so hard on him. He just wants to protect you."

Oliver

I stare at her belly. Our baby is growing in there. It's mind blowing! I reach out to touch the unborn product of our love.

Josephine slaps my hand away, "Don't touch me!"

"We've just had breathtaking sex. You weren't against me touching you then either."

"That was different. That were my hormones taking over... but this is you connecting to the thing."

The thing. She's calling our unborn baby a thing. It hurts me more than I thought it would. "Could you maybe call it something else than thing? It's a human being that we created."

"Because you're just too good with your cock!" She hisses at me.

I smirk, "I didn't seduce you an hour ago. It was you who started ripping my clothes off as soon as we were alone. How could I not give you more than one orgasm when you begged me for it? You kept saying more - I just fulfilled the wish."

She blushes and keeps her lips pressed together. "It wasn't my wish!" She complains. "It was the wish of that thing you planted within me!"

It's just getting worse and worse. "Could you call our baby something else?"

"It's not a baby yet. It's an embryo. It's smaller than a peppercorn."

"Well then I don't know call it a flower or something."

"It's not a flower either. It looks like a teeny tiny bubble on the sonogram."

"Bubble! I am fine with bubble. You may call it a bubble."

"But you won't call it baby." She hisses at me.

I roll my eyes at her comment. "Do you want a boy or girl?"

"I don't want a baby at all. I still hope this issue will resolve itself!"

She has no idea how much she's hurting me when she's being so cold and distant. Especially towards something that was created by our love. She may still not be able to voice her feelings the way I am but I know she loves me. I can see it every day.

Just not now when she's being a bitch.

I sigh, "Josephine..."

"If it doesn't resolve itself than a boy would be my choice." She admits.

"Really?" I ask her surprised. I thought she would go with a girl since she's a woman as well.

She nods before looking into my eyes. Her sky blue eyes are filled with a kind of fear I have never seen. She's scared. I know she is scared because this is her typical behaviour when something scares her but this level of fear is new. It makes me want to hug her and never let go. "A girl would have to live up to the constant comparisons to not only her mother, but also her aunts, grandmother and other relatives." She explains with a shrug. "She'd be compared to the Duchess of Oxford, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Anastasia of Romanov, Dr. Dame Adaline Bolton, Dame Gabriella Bolton, her cousins the Princesses of Oxford and the Princesses of Windsor, Bella and Carol... me. Bolton women are tough nuts to crack but it's even harder to live up to their standards. She wouldn't survive this kind of pressure."

Josephine wishes for an easier way for our baby. She wants it to be protected from the press. She wants it to have a pressure free life. She's already a mother, whether she likes it or not.

"So, no girl. A boy. Definitely a boy."

I gulp down the lump in my throat, "Josephine..."

"You want a girl, don't you? You want someone that looks like me. You want someone with my hair and your eyes. Someone who will blow this world up with her tough attitude. Someone with a backbone made of steel and a heart made of gold. You want a girl."

How can she read my mind so easily? "Yes." I admit with a smile on my lips. "But that heart of gold better comes from her mother than her father."

She shows me the tiniest smile before putting her poker face back on. "We'll find out in thirteen weeks."

"Thirteen weeks?" I ask her.

She nods, "I'm in my second week. The 15th week scan is usually the time when you can tell the sex of the... bubble. If the bubble doesn't burst before that appointment."

I like her talking in metaphors about the potential death of our baby more than saying the words so bluntly. But it still hurts me. "Our bubble won't burst."

She shrugs, "We'll see."

"Do you think we're soulmates?" I ask her straightforward.

My wife gulps, "I don't know. When I look at my parents, I see two people riding the same emotional wave. I see two people who think as one and who get better because they're together. My parents laugh together so much but when they quarrel it's so bad that you should hide at the other end of the world. It's bad but they never fight about us, about their children. They fight about work and how one workaholic tells another workaholic to work less. It's a vicious circle, one they have been in ever since they started dating. But apart from this, they're so in-tune with each other. They support each other, they strengthen each other and they respect each other. If that's what soulmates are about, if that's what makes soulmates... then yes, yes we are."

My wife is a freaking superhero. "We are." I tell her because I can feel it deep in my heart. "Love is not rational, it's magical."

"That's what my Mum also said to me. And I guess that's my problem with it. I never believed in magic. I never believed in fairytales and unicorns. I never saw rainbows with lots full of gold at the end and unicorns but then I met you. And whenever I look at you I see unicorns, rainbows and these bloody northern lights. Part of me wants to rationalise them, to see what's behind the curtain, but the other part just wants to believe in magic. I want to believe that love is magical." She licks her full lips, "But I also see it rational. I see the fights, I see the hard times and good times... I see how it really is."

"But that doesn't mean it still can't be magical."

"I know that now, too. I can't put my feelings for you into words, other than Northern Lights. But what we have is so magical... it has never been rational."

---

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!

Gabriella's song for Jo is the piano version of Taylor Swift's Lover. I heard it on YouTube and it's absolutely stunning. Check it out!

What do you think of Jo's pregnancy and her parents' reaction to Oliver? What's going to happen next?

As always, please review!

In gratitude,

Nicole