Holy crap! 30 reviews for just the prologue?! Oh my God, you guys! I think I am literally going to cry! That is the most reviews one chapter of my stories has ever gotten and not just that but the stats were through the roof as well! I wanted to take this moment to just say that I am touched by every one's response to this story, you all are amazing. (: And because of that, I updated again.
So this goes back to a few months before the prologue happened. It's not dramatic, mostly just fluff and the back story to them. But. But. You get to meet Emily! Yeah, you guys are going to hate her eventually, might as well start now. Ha. Anyways, enjoy this. I worked hard for it.
Sitting next to me was the most beautiful woman in the world, but I could be a little biased, I mean she is after all my wife. My heart fluttered at the thought of us being married, it was still so new to me, and it still took my breath away to know that we were bound together for all eternity. Just a few short weeks ago we stood on the banks of Aruba, promising that we would love each other for the rest of our lives, that we would not let any one come between us and we would be together forever. I can still see her standing in her delicate gown with the breeze blowing through her dark brown curls and the bright smile upon her face. I can still taste her lips upon mine when the judge pronounced us wife and wife, I can still hear the way our families erupted in a round of applause as we pulled away. It felt so amazing to know that she and I were going to be together forever now, with no exceptions. Our souls were bound together for all eternity and I would not have it any other way. I finally had my happily ever after that I so desperately deserved in a form of my very own queen.
I can still remember the day that I bounced up the stairs in search of my father to find her sitting on the bed opposite of mine, looking around in such amazement that someone could live in such a small place. She was so out of place in Lake Monroe but she took on normal life with such grace and pride that I couldn't help but watch her in such wonder. She fell right into place in school, she was one of the smartest kids in our class, speaking six different languages and making teachers swoon over her intelligence. She didn't get angry when Chelsea set her up in the Yogurt shop, she didn't try to fight back, instead she only turned the other cheek. She knew exactly how to get Donny to pine over her, just for her to tell him that she was not interested in him. She knew exactly what to say when she was elected home coming queen, she finally let her walls down that night and let every one see how amazing she was inside. She wasn't even afraid when she came face to face with the man who tried to steal her country away from her, she didn't even dare flinch when he held me in his arms and she was more than grateful when my father came to our rescue. She held me in her arms, crying about how I would actually do that for her and how she could have lost me. She never knew that I would have given up in my life in a second for her that night because even then, she held every piece of my heart.
She squeezes my hand softly, catching my attention as I look at her with a bashful smile. I wanted so bad to hate her when my father moved her in with us, I wanted to hate her for having Donny swoon after her just for her to tell him that she didn't want to be with him, I wanted to hate her for having everything that I ever wanted. Yet every time that she looked at me with those big brown eyes, every time that she smiled with the blush creeping into her cheeks, every time that she tried her hardest to be normal, I fell in love with her a little more. It was nearly three years ago that we finally got together and we have been going strong ever since, nothing has dared to slow us down.
"What are you thinking about?" She asks, playing with my fingers softly, smiling as she slips her fingers through the golden band that she placed upon my finger. I couldn't help but wonder if she always knew that this was going to happen, if she knew that from the second that I stepped into my room wearing ball shorts and a t-shirt that she was going to spend the rest of her life with me. I sigh as I softly play with her light arm hair, allowing my eyes to meet with her own and it takes me a moment to catch my breath, but when I do, I chuckle weakly.
"I was thinking about how I almost lost you that night at homecoming. I was thinking about how if my father would have been a few minutes later, how if I had not tricked you into wearing that dress that you could have....he could have.." My voice trails off, the tears appearing in my eyes as the shaky breaths escape from my small body. She only smiles, placing her fingers to my lips and I kiss them softly. I watch as she shivers, closing her eyes for a moment as she swallows hard, trying desperately not to give into the desire that I knew was racing through her petite body at this exact moment. Instead she shakes it away with a roll of her shoulders before she softly plays with my brunette curl that escaped from behind my ear.
"But he was not, now was he? He knew that you were going to protect me because you cared about me, just like he did. He knew that you would do anything to make sure that I was safe, just like he would do anything to make sure that you were safe from harm as well. He came not only to protect me but you as well. And you were so amazing that night, you did not flinch when he took you, you did not cry, you did not even try to tell me that he was there. I never understood that about you, Carter. You were willing to give up your life for me and I was just some girl who came to live with you for a little while. Why did you do that? Why did you put yourself in danger for me?" She pleads, the sadness appearing in her voice as well. I reached forward, allowing my fingers to stroke her perfect cheek, the smile softly curling at the edge of my lips.
"Because I loved you. I couldn't let something bad happen to you, especially something like that. I had to protect you from him because you didn't deserve that, Rosie. You were finally happy in our stupid little town, you were normal and you didn't have to worry about the crown or being a princess. I thought it was a fair trade, he got the bait girl while you had your night in the spotlight. Besides, if I let him take you, my life would be nothing. My life is nothing without you. I had to save you from him even if it cost me my life because I was in love with you and I would rather see my own life end than to know that you were in pain," I whispered and she sniffles, a single tear falling down her cheek and I brush it away with my thumb as I softly place a kiss upon her lips. She smiles into the kiss, opening her mouth just slightly and I pulled away, batting my eyelashes with a bashful grin.
"You cease to amaze me, Carter Mason," She smiles and my heart flutters in my chest at the sound of my name. She leans in for another kiss, her lips crashing softly upon mine and it doesn't take long before we are both reacting to each other. Her fingers twist in my hair as she pulls me closer to her, my hand cups the back of her neck as we move together as if we are one person. My fingers softly slip down her petite body until they are on the inner part of her thigh, that was when she pulled away, much to my dismay. I looked at her with a wrinkled brow, sticking my tongue out as I rolled my eyes, leaning back against my seat, crossing my arms over my chest with a sigh.
"Tease," I grumbled and she laughs, placing her head upon my shoulder, snuggling close with me. It doesn't take long before I am playing with her hair, allowing my fingers to slip through her brown curls of innocence and I slowly feel my eyes beginning to close, "Rosalinda?" I mumble and she looks up at me, innocence sparkling in her eyes and I smile with a yawn, "you are the best thing that has ever happened to me." I whisper and I hear her sniffle with a laugh.
"You are such a mushball," She snorts with a laugh, placing a kiss upon my cheek before she rests her head upon my shoulder once again, allowing the silence of our car ride to fall around us. The night had fallen outside as we are heading home from our honeymoon, I knew better than to fall asleep when we were so close to being home, yet the sleep deprivation that were the effects of our actions in Aruba were slowly beginning to take effect on my body. I listen to her breath for a long while as I allow my eyes to close and before I drift into a state of unconsciousness I hear her whisper, "but you are my mushball." And I smile as I hold her a little tighter. She was certainly right, I was hers...forever.
I was awoken to the slowing down of our car and the warm body that was cuddled next to mine, slowly raised forward, with a groan. I watch as she stretches, pushing her arms above her head as her body trembles from the action. She softly scratchs behind her ear before she looks at me with a blushing grin and I only giggled.
"You are so cute sometimes," I cooed as I reached for her hand, allowing her fingers to slip easily through my own. I was amazed at how easily her hand fit in mine, how our fingers locked together so perfectly, it was a sure sign that we were soul mates. I never thought that this would happen to me, I always saw myself living in Lake Monroe for the rest of my life, working in that bait shop with my father until I was old enough to retire. I never thought that my father would go away on a mission and bring back the woman that I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Then again, when I saw her sitting on my other bed with her fingers intertwined around one another, I knew that nothing was ever going to be the same again. She smiles, bringing her face close to mine, just close enough so that I could feel her warm breath upon my face and my entire body ached for her touch.
"Not as cute as you," She smiles and I laugh as I kiss her. Her lips move swiftly against mine, she knows exactly what she is doing when she slips her bottom lip under my tongue trying to remain unnoticed. I push my body close to hers as a quiet moan escapes from my lips before I pull away with a blushing laugh and she only smirks. She pulls away from me as she opens her door, slowly slipping out in front of the large palace, dragging me out behind her. I was instantly amazed at the large building that stood in front of me, the windows that were tinted with a golden ray of light, it was at that moment, I knew that I was living a fairy tale.
"Mrs. Rosie! It's so good to see you!" A man called out to her as she breaks away from me. I watch as he wraps his arms around her, holding her tight as a warm laugh escaped from his lips and the jealousy rushed through my small body. He was a beautiful man who could not be older than us, his blue eyes sparkled against the dim moon light and suddenly I felt like I was watching Donny ask her to homecoming all over again, "where is this Mrs. Carter that the entire staff has been talking about?!" He asks clearly excited and Rosie smiles as she takes my hand in her own.
"Thomas this is my wife, Carter Mason. Carter, this is Thomas. He is our butler and he also happens to be my best friend. His father used to work with mine, so we spent a lot of time together when we were growing up," She explains with a simple nod of her head and the smile plays at her lips when my eyes meet hers. I say nothing, instead I only nod my head as I reached my hand out to him, it took him a moment but he finally took it.
"It's very nice to meet you," I smile and he nods his head, the smile spreading on his face.
"Likewise. Rosie always talked about you and how amazing you were. I was beginning to think that she made you up since none of us had ever really seen you. But now I know that you are real and you are just as beautiful as she described you to be. I know that Costa Luna is going to fall in love with you as their queen. Yet again, they love you already for making our dear Rosie so happy. We have been working non stop on preparing for your arrival. The master suit has currently been reinvented and we have prepared the most amazing dinner for you ladies if I do say so myself. So please, continue this way," He directs us as he disappears behind the wooden door. I wrinkle my brow as I look to the brunette who was smiling brightly at me, her eyes sparkling with admiration under the dark sky and she quickly wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me close to her.
"What do you think, Carter? Are you ready to be the wife of the queen of Costa Luna? Because once we step foot in that palace, I'm not just Rosie anymore but I am Rosalinda Mario Montoya Fiore Mason, and I am responsible for the people of my country," She asks with a tilt of her head, the playful smile now turned into a straight face and curiosity written in her dark orbs. I softly brush her hair away from her face, allowing my fingertips to touch her soft skin and I chuckle at how she shivers at the brief meeting of our skin.
"As long as I am with you, I really don't care who you are,"I reply and her familiar smile soon finds it's way back onto her face as she allows her lips to meet with mine briefly. She smiles pulling away as she takes my hand in her own, leading me into the large towering palace as if it was nothing new. I was quickly taken back by the beauty of the palace, of the hovering chandelier that waited for us in the foyer, of the winding stairwell that seemed to be made of pure marble. My breath was taken away by the sculptures that stood in the corners of our new home, of the paintings that decorated the walls, of every inch of hardwood flooring that seemed to stretch for miles. This was a true fairy tale, "R-Rosie...oh my God. I-it's so beautiful. You live here?" I ask and she shakes her head softly, grabbing my leather jacket as she tugs me toward her.
"No. We leave here," She smiles and my heart races in my chest as I look around in pure amazement, to dumbstruck to even speak. She giggles at my sudden quietness as she grabs my hand, slowly racing up the stairs, "if you think this is amazing, you need to see our room!" She was like a little kid who just opened their Christmas present to find a brand new toy, I honestly was beginning to think that she was more excited than I was. I laughed as I stumbled up the stairs after her, following the chase until a warm voice stopped her.
"Mrs. Mason! Mrs. Mason, wait!" It was a female voice, obviously one who did not know Rosie as well as Thomas or I did. Rosie, much to my dismay, stops, turning to find where the voice came from. I groaned with a soft curse, as I turned as well to find a blond standing at the foot of the stairwell, her hair up in a messy pony tail and a dimple revealing smile upon her face, "I am so sorry about this. I know that it is your first night home with your new wife but we have some pressing matters that can not wait any longer, I promise it will not take much of your time. I would like to discuss some things with you, if you do not mind." She asks so politely and Rosie looks at me with a wrinkled brow as she stares at the young girl.
"Excuse me, I do not think that we have formally met before," Rosie shakes her head and the young girl quickly blushes.
"Oh my goodness, how terribly rude of me. I just barge in here and demand that you talk to me and you have no idea who I am or why I am even here. I apologize for my lack of manners. I am Emily Robbins, your mother hired me to help handle the oversee of Costa Luna. At least until the other Mrs. Mason truly understands the responsibilities of this country. It's so very nice to meet you," She coos and Rosie simply nods her head as she steps down toward the blond. I gnawed hard on the inside of my jaw as I watched Emily react with Rosie, the way that her face lit up at every little word that came out of her mouth, the way that her eyes twinkled with such innocence. There was something not entirely right here, with her, yet I simply brush it off as jealousy and impatience. After all, Rosie's mother would not directly put her in harms way on purpose.
"Emily. I truly appreciate everything that you have done for us, especially over the past few weeks that I have been absent from the thrown. Yet, it is late and I would love to spend the night with Carter. Can this possibly wait to the morning and we will handle it as soon as the morning comes?" Rosie asks so politely and the smile curls at my lips. How did I get this lucky to have her? Emily sighs as she stares at the paper on her clipboard, tapping her pencil against it before she looks up at her.
"I would really like to handle this as soon as possible. It is what is best for the country," Emily exclaims and Rosie sighs as she cradles her neck in her hands before she turns back to me, a sympathetic smile upon her face. I knew that smile, I knew that look, for I had received it many times in the years that I have known her. So to say the least, I was not surprised that I became a second to her country, but it was, after all, her duty.
"I promise, I will not take long, Carter. Then I will join you," She explains and I simply nod my head as I watch her disappear with Emily, discussing something very intently. That was the first night that Emily Robbins took my wife away from me, if only I had been aware that it would not be the last.
I lay in the large, ironically queen, sized bed staring absently up at the ceiling, playing with the golden band upon my left hand. The cool breeze that blew through the open window was just enough to send chills up my tan arms and I tug softly at the shirt that swallowed my usually small and petite body. Even though I was married to a queen, I still dressed in my usual attire, my baseball shirt curved around my body, my ball shorts hugged perfectly around my hips, yet I wish that I was wearing something different tonight. I wish that I was wearing the sexiest lingerie, something to make me feel beautiful, something that made me feel like I deserved to be with Rosie, something that I wasn't feeling right now.
I sigh, rubbing my temple with my fingers as I glance at the clock, it was nearly a quarter past midnight. Exactly how late was this discussion going to last? I tried to not let my mind wonder to the gorgeous blond who wisked by wife away as soon as we stepped in the door, she was, after all, doing what was best for Costa Luna. She wanted to help Rosie create and rule the most amazing island in the world, to make Costa Luna worth being noticed, but I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit uneasy when I saw them walking away, arms looped together as if they had known each other their entire lives instead of three seconds. Maybe it was jealousy, or maybe it was my impatience to carry my queen to her bed and have my way with her, either way I was no fan of Emily Robbins at this moment.
I pulled at the sheets that rest below my knees, pulling them up over my body as my eyes slowly began to close. I hated that we were going to spend our first night in her palace apart but I also understood that I would always come second to Costa Luna. This was who she was and I wasn't going to ask her to change it for me. I felt myself drifting into the welcoming state of unconsciousness when I heard the door softly open and close. I didn't open my eyes, instead I only let out another sigh with a quiet groan, trying desperately to fall asleep. Yet I couldn't. I felt the bed shift to the weight of a new body and I opened my eyes to find Rosie straddled over my body, an apologetic smile upon her face. I snort as I look away and she sighs, allowing her fingers to brush against my skin, before she leans down and kisses me. She makes it so hard to be mad at her, sometimes.
"I am so sorry. I tried to get out of the meeting as soon as possible but Emily just had so much that she needed clearance on and so much has happened since we left for Aurba. It's like I just walked into this position all over again. There is still so much that we did not get to discuss but I told her that we would cover it tomorrow because I missed my wife," She explains, balancing herself as she continues to sit, straddling me at my waist. I stare at a spot on the wall, counting her breaths for a moment before she begins to speak again, "please do not be mad." I looked into her dark brown eyes that were practically wet from tears that were caused from her thinking that I was upset with her and I only sighed.
"I'm not mad. I-I just...I don't want this to be what our marriage is like. I don't want to go to bed without you anymore. I don't want to be sitting up here while you are talking to Emily about this country, wondering if you are thinking of me or if you remember that we had a date. I know that Costa Luna is your life, Rosie and I'm not asking you to change it and put me first. I-I guess, I'm just asking that you include me in your life," I mumble, feeling so stupid for being insecure and selfish but I could not control the nagging feeling that twisted in the pit of my stomach. She stares at the golden ring on my hand for a moment before our eyes meet and there is a new passion held in her dark brown orbs.
"You are the biggest part of my life. Costa Luna is who I am but it is not all I am. I am sorry that we did not get to formally spend our first night in our palace together, I wish that I could change that for us. But I promise you that I am never going to leave you in this bed alone again, especially not for Emily Robbins. You are my wife and you are the most important thing that I have because even after I step down as Queen, you are still going to be here. Y-You are still going to be here, right?" She stutters and I smug a warm grin as I roll my eyes.
"Yes, I'm still going to be here. I didn't just marry you because you are the queen of some island. I married you because I was in love with you, I still am and I always will be. I'm sorry if I am being insecure and selfish, I just don't want to share you," I whisper, reaching forward as I brush a curl away from her face, allowing my hand to cup around her neck where I scratched softly, watching as her face turned into pleasured expression. She softly pushes her lips against mine, allowing her tongue to brush against my bottom lip but I do not grant her entrance, instead I pull away and she groans, sticking her tongue out playfully.
"I hate you!" She shrieks, punching me playfully in the shoulder and I stare up at her innocently. How was it possible that I get to spend the rest of my life with her. Isn't queen's supposed to be with the most charming men of their country? Shouldn't she have found her prince charming at some royal ball when she was sixteen years old? Why, on earth, would she chose to be with 'bait girl'?
"That doesn't work now," I mumble and the smile slides off her face as she softly strokes my cheek with her thumb.
"In that case, I love you, Carter Mason. And that is never going to change," She explains and I pull her hard against me, our lips colliding together in a passionate kiss. There was nothing shy nor quiet about it, was fierce and understood, both of us battling for dominance. I finally give into her, allowing her tongue to curl around my teeth as I pull away, laboring hard for a breath and a chuckle escapes me.
"I love you too, Rosalinda Mario Montoya Fiore Mason. Always and forever," I whisper as our lips find their way together again. Our bodies move together as one as our legs became a tangled hot mess, hands discarding clothes as lips trailed discreet parts of our bodies. Entrances were granted to usually private body parts as our moves were as smooth as velvet, both understood and wanted. Being with her tonight was the happy ending that I had been searching for my entire life of tragedy, she was the princess that I was meant to ride into the sunset with. For once, I was happy.
Review? Please? You spoiled me last chapter, remember that. (;