"Do you really think I would roam around Las Vegas with the god damn Princess of England without my gun?" Jasper viciously whispers into the receiver of his cell phone. He firmly holds on to Eleanor's hand with his other leading her through a crowd. She can hear James' voice on the other end screaming through the phone.
"Oh bloody hell," Eleanor curses under her breath before ripping the cell from her fiance's ear. "Hello Foxy," she says with a pleasant smile. Jasper stalls in place anxiously awaiting to see what would happen next. "I'll be just fine," she reassures. "Yes, Jasper may be an idiot at times, but has he ever not protected me?" He disapprovingly raises a brow at her.
"And what of the King?" James asks on the other end. "Or the new Queen? Surely Robert will notice that his sister and personal detail are absent."
"We will be back soon, Jamesy. The status of well, everything, is at stake back home. Just do this one last favor for.. Jaspenor," she says while poking a very pensive Jasper. "Do it for love."
Jasper is taken aback by the Princess' vulnerability and calmness which hadn't been present for the past few weeks. He watches her face light up biting her lower lip.
"Thank you Jamesy," Eleanor says with sincerity. "I'll hand the phone back over-" Her mouth twists as she removes the cell from her ear gazing down at it. "Well I guess he hung up."
Jasper accepts his phone back bringing her in for a hug and kisses the top of her head. "You know, I could have handled that."
"No you couldn't of," she states matter of factly looking up at him. Before he can roll his eyes she firmly presses her lips against his.
Later That Evening
The minister was doing a fantastic job of controlling his nerves. It was not every day that he wed the Princess of England and a world renowned bodyguard who took a bullet for King Robert Henstridge.
But this didn't mean that there wasn't a disclosure agreement. Jasper made sure that this would be sealed air tight and far away from the public's eye. As of now, it was only for them to know.
"I, Princess Eleanor, take you Jasper, to be my husband," she recites with modification after the minister. "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."
"By the power vested in me by the State of Nevada," the stubby man brings the ceremony to a close. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Jasper lifts the $20 veil from Eleanor's face revealing the biggest smile he had seen to date. She grips onto the $10 flowers that were purchased just down the block. She's wearing a black strapless body hugging dress and minimal makeup. However no amount of makeup could hide the fact that she was truly glowing from within. It was the most beautiful he had ever seen her. Truly and authentically happy.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Eleanor throws both arms around his neck lunging her body toward his. They lock lips over and over again between breaks to blissfully stare into each other's eyes.
"Well, I guess we're done here," Jasper mentions to the minister without looking at him. Eleanor lets out a yelp as he suddenly scoops her up from underneath her bottom and shoulders. She holds on for dear life snuggling her face into his neck. "Let's get out of here Mrs. Frost."
They walk through downtown at an elongated pace as it was 7 PM, 92 degrees and humid. The muggy environment was uncomfortable but Eleanor had never been to Vegas and insisted a quick tour of his old stomping grounds.
In a lazy attempt to be incognito she wears a baseball cap low over her eyes. It doesn't match the provocative dress and heels, but it seemed to be working so far.
The sound of ear deafening slot machines echo throughout Fremont Street. Bright lights that illuminate the buildings radiate off of each other. The overall culture is fascinating to the Princess. People walk around with foot long frozen margarita drinks and layers of mardi gras-esque beads. Most of the tourists were shitfaced, but that part was not so foreign to Eleanor.
They finally reach The Golden Nugget where Jasper was previously employed. He decides to take her inside to grab a quick drink. They sit by the pool putting their feet in the water. Eleanor leans her head on his shoulder wiping the back of her hand on her sweaty forehead. She stares down at the cosmopolitan in her left hand which for once in her life didn't sound the least bit appetizing.
"Well look who we have here," a familiar voice says from behind them. They turn their heads to find Earl, Jasper's father, in a full suit staring back at them in awe.
"FML," Jasper utters under his breath. Eleanor instantly smacks his chest with the back of her hand. Although his dad was sketchy to say the least she had surprisingly grew rather fond of him.
"Why hello Mr. Frost," she says pulling her legs from the water turning her body toward him. She stands to her feet while Jasper remains content with his feet in the pool. He certainly was in no rush to greet his father who seemed to be following their every move as of late.
"You know, it's starting to get a bit creepy running into you everywhere," Eleanor says with a playful smirk stating the obvious.
Earl lets out a 'psh' with a cool calm and collected expression. "Or maybe you two just happen to end up where I already was," he challenges. "This hotel just happens to have the bar I frequent most. Isn't that right son?"
"Yes," Jasper grumbles with his back to him.
"So what're you two crazy kids doing here? Long ways away from that nutty palace of yours."
Eleanor takes a few steps forward with the back of her left hand pointed in his direction.
"Well I'll be damned," Earl says with a genuine smile. He delicately holds onto her hand, his eyes latched on the sparkling ring. "How'd you afford this one, son?"
"Dad," Jasper replies in a 'don't start with me' tone. Eleanor takes a seat on one of the pool chairs feeling suddenly dizzy and lethargic. The heat had must of been getting to her. She tries her best not to let her overbearing husband notice. But it doesn't take long for him to exit the pool taking a seat next to her occasionally glancing at her.
"So what's the rush, is this a shotgun wedding or something?" Earl jokes taking a sip of bourbon. The scummy grin on his face remains.
"Dad," Jasper repeats himself in the exact same tone.
"No," Eleanor interjects confidently. "Jasper and I love each other and wanted to get away from that 'nutty' palace as you properly call it," she quotes with her fingers. She tries to fight the sensation of an unwelcome wave of nausea. Her body temperature rises as a light mist of sweat covers her cheeks. Setting the cosmopolitan as far away as possible she keeps her focus on the rippling water beside them.
"Are you feeling alright, Princess?" Earl asks nearing them. Eleanor mentally rolls her eyes. Apparently it was in the Frost DNA to have an internal indicator informing them when she wasn't feeling well.
"I'm fine," she lies.
Jasper reassuringly rubs her back now with his full attention on her. "She's had the stomach flu."
"Well surely she's wiped from today's endeavors," Earl earnestly replies. "Why don't you come back to the house?"
"Dad," Jasper repeats for the third time, equally in the same condescending tone.
"No- maybe he's right," Eleanor quickly replies covering her mouth with her hand. "Excuse me, I should go to the restroom."
The Next Morning
Eleanor awakens before Jasper. The hot Vegas sun shines through the windowsill into her eyes. She places her hand on her forehead blocking the light. Rolling on her side she examines his gorgeous face running a delicate finger along his jawline. The stubble on his face roughens the touch. His profound brows and long eyelashes rest peacefully as he slowly inhales and exhales. He was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on. Her husband.
The thought makes her smile.
The sudden overwhelming nausea takes it away instantaneously.
She drags herself to the grocery bag containing medicine and other content they had picked up to ease her stomach.
"Oh bloody hell," she curses before rushing to the bathroom.
"Are you sure you'll be okay to travel, hun?" Earl asks Eleanor bringing her in for a hug good bye. She eagerly nods her head wanting to get on the road already. The excessive smell of cigarettes absorbed by the furniture and walls doesn't help the queasiness.
"Thank you for having us." Eleanor's voice is as tiny as a mouse. She had been extremely short the entire morning and Jasper chalked it up to her simply not feeling well. It was time to get her home. He throws an arm around her shoulders guiding her toward the front door. One of the staff nears them grabbing onto their sparse luggage.
"Yeah, we'll see you next week when you show up as the newest security detail," Jasper says full of blatant sarcasm.
"Son," Earl calls after him. Jasper turns on his heels as Eleanor proceeds to walk toward the limousine out of ear shot. "Watch out for that Robert guy, will ya?"
He nods his head folding his arms. Before he has the chance to turn around his father grabs on to his shoulder. The concerned look in Earl's eyes throws him off guard.
"He's dangerous.. And that's a lot coming from a guy like me."
Jasper raises a brow in elevated suspicion. Once again nodding his head he begins to walk away.
"And Jasper."
He lets out a frustrated groan facing him once more. "What?"
"Congratulations."
"Thank you. She's very important to me."
"I wasn't referring to the marriage, kid."
Jasper tilts his head to the side, this time thoroughly puzzled.
Earl holds up an opened small rectangular pink box that reads Instant Response Pregnancy Test.
Jasper snatches it from his hands without thinking twice. Peering inside the box he finds the disposed pregnancy test. He doesn't have the mental capacity to ask why the hell his dad was even rummaging through the trash.. But it wouldn't be the oddest thing his father ever did. He looks over his shoulder to find Eleanor patiently waiting in the car. Viciously fingering the stick from the box his eyes have trouble focusing on it.
"What does two lines mean?!" he frantically whispers scanning the directions on the box.
Earl chuckles to himself firmly gripping his son's shoulder. "Looks to me like the Frost legacy lives on, kid."