You guys cease to amaze me. Seriously, you do. I can not thank you enough for reading this story, I love writing it and expressing what I am sure we have all endured, 'the other woman.' And I am loving the fact that you guys hate Emily and a few hate Rosie for allowing her to weasel her way into their marriage. But I promise, you may not see it now, but neither of them are that bad. Well, Emily is. But she has her reasons. But until then, hate away, because it makes me smile.
Also, my story is very read between the lines. I'm not giving anything away, I'm just saying there is clues through out this entire story as to why certain things happen, you just have to put them together. So, have fun. Enjoy this piece of fluff and drama, all mixed in one.
Standing up on this runway, with my hands by my side, I felt like a caterpillar trapped in a cocoon about to turn into a butterfly. I was wrapped up in a blue dress, much like the one Mr. Elegante made me for homecoming, a pair of flats upon my feet, jewels adoring every inch of my bare skin, my hair falling upon my shoulders in nothing but curls. I felt like such a princess standing here, and needless to say, I did not like the feeling. I missed by pair of distressed jeans, my converses, my old beat up t-shirt that I got three summers back and my hair in a messy pony tail. I did not do this whole dressing up business, if I couldn't wear my jeans and converses to the event, then it was simply one that I would not attend. Yet, this was different, just as homecoming was different. Rosie asked me to go to homecoming for her, so I went, and Rosie asked me to do this coming out ceremony, and because it was so important to her, I stood up here, allowing Mr. Elegante dress me up like a china doll, even if I felt like flinging myself from the nearest window.
I watch as the women dress Rosie on the runway beside of me, preparing her with the most beautiful fabric and offering her the finest jewels that I have ever seen. She seemed so at ease with this process, as if it came as a second nature to her. She didn't jump every time that someone poked at her, she didn't squirm every time that someone measured the size of one of her body parts and she did not cringe when they began to curl her hair in the way that I did. It was quite clear that she was used to this type of treatment as she cooed over the warm fabrics and held the jewels in her hand, twirling them around her fingers with a soft laugh. They quickly slipped a peach colored dress upon her tan petite body and I smiled at the quick glance of the beautiful woman that I had chosen to spend the rest of my life with. Pearls quickly find their way around her neck as a golden chain is placed upon her left wrist, I smile at the golden band that seemed to sparkle against her new outfit. Her eyes quickly met mine and I blush almost instantly with a soft giggle before I return my attention to Mr. Elegante who was presenting me with a new pair of flats, saying they supported the outfit better, but I still noticed her watching me and the smile continued to play at my lips.
This had to be some kind of cosmic slip up, though, right? It didn't seem right that after everything that has happened to me, that I get to live happily ever after with the world's most amazing woman. Emily was well aware of my insecurites and she was far to quick to prey upon them, just like this morning. I felt my stomach churn as the banter plays through my head like a movie without sound, the way that she brought up my father without a single ounce of compassion within her, I swear, I could have killed her in that second. If it wasn't for Rosie, I would probably still be pounding her face in, but I knew that those actions would be frowned upon by the Queen and I would rather die than disappoint her. I knew that she was going to try her hardest to break us apart, she was going to try to weasel her way into Rosie's life, but it was my job to protect her and I was defenitly going to take my job at heart more than ever before. It wasn't just some type of crush that Emily had on her, no, this was something more, I just couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Mr. Elegante steps away from me, his eyes venturing over my body that now felt like it was trapped in a beautiful cocoon. He places his hands out, allowing his thumb and index finger to form a L, before a smile quickly turns upward on his friendly face.
"Perfection. You look absolutely stunning, Mrs. Mason, if I do say so myself," Mr. Elegante beams and I shake my head with a snort. He was such an amazing man, he took care of Rosie and I like we were his own children. Other than Rosie, he was the first person to comfort me after I found out about my father being killed, he held me tight in his arms and told me about what an amazing man my father was, and how he saved Rosie from General Kane at her practice coordination. He was the only other man, other than my father, who I trusted with my life.
"You're crazy. I probably look like some beat up version of some kid's barbie doll or something. You can try as hard as you can, Mr. Elegante, but you could never make me look stunning. I think it's the tom boy in me, really. As the wife of the queen, I should probably work on that though, don't you think?" I ask and he smiles at me, rolling his eyes. He quickly takes my wrist in his hand as he pulls me from the runway and he pushes me in front of the full length mirror and suddenly I am taken back to the day that Rosie and I got our dresses.
"You are just so good with every body. Kids, old people, you are probably even good with dogs," I point out, balancing the book carefully on top of my head.
"That is true," Oh, wow, she is so humble, isn't she?
"You are so much more generous than I thought you would be," I respond, and she was. I expected her to come into this house, and demand everything be all about her. I expected her to want the students of Lake Monroe to swoon over her because of her beauty and grace, but she did not want that, even though it came to her anyway.
"It is a princess' job to help people," She states the answer as if she has said it a million times and I can't help but wonder what is really going on inside of her head, what she really wants to say instead of the safe answer like that one.
"I guess I never thought about what it really means to be a princess," I exclaim as the book slides off my head, I catch it with a gasp before we both crack up in giggles and my heart flutters at the sound of her warm and inviting laugh, it was like a perfect melody, "like this. I can't believe you actually have to do this." She looks at me with a smile as she lays her book upon her bed and I try to not focus on her bare skin that is revealed.
"Oh, no, you don't," She replies.
"Wait, then, why am I doing it?" I ask, taking the book from my head and feeling like a complete idiot.
"Because it is funny," She laughs and I roll my eyes with a playful gasp, pushing her slightly.
"What?! I hate you!" I laugh with a shriek.
"You do?!" She asks and I can't help but laugh a little softer. Of course, she would think that I actually mean that I hate her. I wish that I could tell her different, I wish that I could tell her that I didn't hate her, that I cared for her more deeply and passionately than any one else ever would. Yet, she is a princess and this behavior, I knew, would be frowned upon.
"No! No! No, no, no. I didn't mean it that way. I didn't mean 'I hate you', I hate you. I meant, 'I hate you' like you are my best friend," A blush quickly appears in her cheeks and my heart races at the sight.
"Oh! Well, then, I hate you, too. And that dress is ugly!" She shakes her head in a teasing manner.
"It is?" I ask, placing my hands on my waist, staring down at the blue fabric that wrapped around me and she smiles with a soft laugh, placing her hand upon my shoulder softly and I melted into her touch.
"No! It is beautiful," She smiles and the smile slowly slips away from her face and our eyes collide together in a hard gaze, "and so are you. Look." She leads me over to the full length mirror as I gaze at myself, wrapped up in this blue fabric that made me feel very much like a princess. I watch carefully as her right side curves at my waist as she pulls the crown from the shelf beside of us, "you are becoming a princess on the inside and now you look like one too." She smirks as she places the crown upon my head and I try to not let her see me shiver when her fingers brush against my neck. Instead I only smile as my eyes become lost in hers in the beautiful reflection the mirror projected back at us.
She had me practicing that stupid balancing a book on my head for hours before she told me that she didn't have to do it, she just thought it was funny. Well, it wasn't funny, it was just a pain but I would do it all over again for her, and she knows that. I honestly thought my chest was going to explode in happiness when she told me that I was beautiful, just like now, when I found this complete stranger staring back at me in the mirror. I jumped when I felt her hand upon my waist and she giggles from behind me as she places her chin upon my shoulder, gazing at the reflection of the two of us together. Her fingers quickly intertwine around mine and I softly trace the golden band upon her finger.
"You are so beautiful," She smiles at me and the blush once again, appears in my cheeks. I hate it when she does that, when she says the simplest of all things and my stomach practically does flip flops at the sound of her voice, even after all of this time. Our eyes meet through the reflection and I can not stop the bashful smile that continues to spread upon my pink lips.
"Yeah well, Mr. Elegante had a lot to do with this. If it wasn't for him, I would still look like Carter Mason, bait girl from Louisiana. But now, I look the part of the wife of a queen, don't you think?" I ask and she only laughs as she places a kiss upon my cheek. I chuckle as I turn to face her, swaying our hands at our side as I trace every perfect curve of her body and I watch as her cheeks blush a soft pink, "oh my God, you look.....amazing." I struggle to catch my breath and she smiles, twirling around before she stops with a bright, beaming smile.
"A queen must always look her best," She teases and I roll my eyes playfully at her as I pull her body hard into mine, causing the distance that was between us to slowly disappear. I brought my forehead against hers as I shiver against her warm body and she does the same, I allow my top lip to brush against hers softly and she groans, "Carter, we can not. I have to give a speech." She mumbles and I laugh as I press my lips hard against hers, stopping her breath as she kisses me back. Her hands quickly curve around my waist as she allows her mouth to move against mine, her bottom lip slipping under my tongue and I pulled away after a few moments, watching as her eyes scanned my face before she smiles, "you do not play fair."
"Well, if someone would actually come to bed at a Godly hour instead of spending all of her time with Emily then this would be fair," I tease her and her face falls at the mentioning of her name. It killed me to know that she was with her last night instead of in bed next to me, allowing me to fall asleep listening to her soft breathing, especially since I knew that Emily wanted to be with her. She doesn't say anything for a long time, instead she only stares at me, her dark brown eyes sparkling with such love and admiration that it takes my breath away, and I curse myself for ever believing that she wanted to spend her time with Emily instead of me.
"You do not have to be jealous of her, Carter. I know that I am spending a lot of time with her instead of you and I am sorry that I have not been giving you the attention that a new wife deserves. I wish that this was different, that I did not have to spend all my time worrying about this country and I could spend all time in bed with you, talking about our future together. About our future children and how we will be when we are old ladies. But you knew that this was my life, you are, after all, my protector and you knew that this would be how it is. But please do not think that I would rather be with her than you, because that is simply just not true. And I am sorry if I ever made you feel that way," She exclaims and I can't help but feel like such an idiot. She had been selfless with me, she had given up so much for me and here I am, demanding that she not talk to Emily or protect her country. I sigh as I tuck a stray curl behind her ear, closing my eyes tightly as I try to forget about the tears in her eyes.
"I know. You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just being stupid and insecure and I hate that. I wish that I could pretend like it doesn't bother me to know that I have to share you with every body else. I just wish that sometimes you wasn't royal, that you could just be normal for one second so that I could wake up with you in the morning or go to sleep with you every night. But that's selfish of me, and you deserve more than that. And I feel like such an idiot for even doing this to you, I-I just...I love you," I chuckle and she smiles as she places her lips softly upon mine, allowing herself to melt against me before she pulls away, placing a soft kiss upon the tip of my nose.
"I know you do. I love you too," She laughs before Mr. Elegante clears his throat. She quickly parts herself from my touch as she takes in a long breath, steadying herself on her feet before she turns to me with a serious face, "come on, Carter. It is time that I present you to the people of Costa Luna as my loving, yet insecure but loyal wife." She teases as she takes my hand in hers and I let out a sharp breath.
"Rosie. Rosie, wait!" I plead as I stop and she stops as well with a sigh, "what if I humiliate myself? We both know that I am not very good with words. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I trip and fall? What if...what if.." She interrupts me.
"Carter, stop. You will be fine. Do not worry about saying or doing the right thing, just present yourself with pride and confidence and they will love you. Trust me, they will see how happy you make me and that will be enough for them to accept you as my wife, you do not have to pretend to be something that you are not. I love you and so will they. Just breathe, it is going to be okay. I promise," She smiles and I sigh, closing my eyes as I place my palm within hers, wishing that this was over before it even begins.
She walks so confidently, each step as graceful as the last as she walks with her chin squared, yet held high. I tried to kept my pace up beside of her, holding tight to my dress, lifting it as I walked, trying to remember the four counts in my head that allowed me to look as graceful as she was. She has done this many times, I know, gave speeches in front of the people of her country without a single flinch or wrong word from her lips, but still, it would be nice if she showed a little bit of nerves. I mean, really, we can't all be as perfect as her, now, can we? She stops behind the red curtain, allowing a soft breath outward, clinching her eyes tightly shut.
"Oh my God, are you actuallynervous?" I ask with a soft laugh and her eyes quickly collide with mine. Sometimes I forget that she is a queen, I forget that people need her to lead them and protect them, because at moments like these, she only reminded me of the innocent and shy girl that moved into my house after my father saved her from her attacker. I can't help but smile at her with a simple shake of my head as I reached forward, brushing that stubborn curl behind her ear and I listen to her gasp for a breath, "you don't have to be nervous. They are not going to throw tomatoes at you, I promise. And if they do, well then, I give you permission to use me as your human shield. Although I don't think Mr. Elegante will appreciate that every much." I tease and she laughs, wrinkling up her nose as she gives my hand a tight squeeze.
"You always find a way to make me laugh. They will love you, Carter. I have no doubt," She smiles at me and I place my lips against her cheek as she giggles softly. She was such a little girl at moments like this, the way that she blushed every time that I touched her, or the way that she giggled every time that I pulled her into a kiss, it made me love her even more.
"Attention! Attention! I present your queen, Mrs. Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fiore Mason!" The archbishop introduced her as the people clapped and cheered for her attention. She smiled brightly as she turned free of my hand, presenting herself in front of the red curtain and I swiftly moved behind the red silk, peering out at all of the people who watched her with wide eyes. The archbishop smiles at her as he steps aside, clapping his own hands for her as she whispers a soft thank you. I try not to focus on Emily who has quickly joined Mr. Elegante and I behind the curtain but I couldn't help but notice the smug grin pressed upon her pink lips. I shake my head as I inhale a sharp breath, watching as Rosie takes her place behind the podium.
"People of Costa Luna, I thank you for coming out today, I have a matter that I would like to present to you. I want to bring your memory back to a few years ago when our country was seized by General Kane, my mother quickly put me in the care of Major Mason. He was a brave soul who quickly freed me from General Kane's grasp and I will always be grateful to him for saving me. What he did not realize at the time, he saved me in more ways than just one that day. He moved me into his home with his loud, rude daughter," I knew that I should be offended but I couldn't help but stop the smile that was forming at my lips, I loved the sound of her voice, I could listen to her talk for hours. Emily steps up beside of me, a smile on her face and I shake my head, muttering the curse under my breath.
"You must mean a lot to her for her to speak so highly of you to the people of her country. You are aware that she could be forced to step down as queen once she introduces you as her wife. They could see this as a disgrace to their country and her entire family will be forced to step out of the royal society. She must really love you to be willing to give all of that up," Emily snarls and so many thoughts flood through my mind, so many things that I knew that I should be telling her, yet so many things that I did not want Rosie to be angry at me because of.
"Yeah. You know, if I was you, Emily, I would be jealous too. I mean, Rosalinda is such an amazing woman and it must really suck to watch her be happy with someone else. Especially if that someone else wasn't born into the high and royal family like you are. You may think that you are best for her, and I am not going to disagree that socially you are. But you are not the one who was there when she was crying in the middle of the night, you were not the one who was there when she was afraid to go to sleep so you let her stay in your bed, and certainly you were not the one who was willing to give your life up for hers the night of homecoming. You can stand here and try to make me as angry as you want to, but it burns you up inside to know that she is out there talking about me, her wife. It kills you to know that you can't have her," I exclaim back at her and she shakes her head with a snort, her eyes burning with passion and determination.
"Oh, how naive you must be, Carter. I can have her and I will have her and there is nothing that you can do to stop me," She chuckles. How dare she? How dare she stand here on my stupid coming out ceremony and threaten me? Who did she think she was? I open my mouth to dispute her last statement but before I can, Mr. Elegante places his hand on my shoulder and I know that it is best if I stay silent. If not for Rosalinda but for the people of Costa Luna as well, this was certainly, not the time to make a scene.
"I did not think much of Major Mason's daughter at first. I thought that she was rude, impossible and I was sure that we could not be friends. But after a few weeks, I realized that Carter Mason was so much more than I ever thought that she could ever be. She was the first person who looked at me and saw more than Princess Rosalinda, she was the first person who truly cared for me as a person, she taught me how to love without limitations, and that, my friends, is the greatest thing that you could ever give someone. General Kane found me the night of their 'homecoming' dance and she was willing to let him take her instead of me, that was the night that everything changed for me. That was the night that I realized that I had not been living my life as a person, I had only been princess, that was the night that I realized Carter and I were so much more than what people saw. You see, the reason that I was away for so long is because I married Carter in Aruba. She is my beautiful, wonderful wife. And I am proud to introduce her as the equal to the thrown. People of Costa Luna, I present to you, Carter Leigh Mason, my wife." I swallowed hard, as I brushed my hair away from my face, steadying myself as I slowly pushed myself forward. I felt Emily's foot wrap around my ankle as I started tumbling forward but quickly Mr. Elegante takes my hand in his own with a warm smile.
"Careful, Mrs. Mason. It is a step up," He smiles at me and I shake my head, my brow drawn together and I know that he could feel the anger radiating off my small body in waves. He wraps his arm around my shoulder as he whispers in my ear, "you have to be careful with people like her. She only wants what you have, Senòra and she will humiliate you to gain her own happiness. I'll protect you just like you protected our Queen." He chuckles, placing a kiss upon my cheek before he places my hand within Rosalinda's and I smile bashfully at her.
"Are you okay?" She whispers under her breath and I nod my head with a short breath.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What now?" I ask with a soft chuckle, looking at faces of the people of Costa Luna. They were all so different, so complex and unique, clearly each having their own different lives, but they were brought here today for the same reason. They came to show their respect and loyalty to Rosalinda, they came for me.
"Now? You give a speech," She exclaims and I stare at her, my mouth open slightly and she chuckles as she presses it close with her thumb, placing a kiss upon my forehead, "do not think about it. Just say what is in your heart, Carter. Say what you think and how you feel about me, about being here in Costa Luna. Just be yourself, do not worry about saying what is right or what you think they want to hear because that is not what is right here. Do not think about it, just talk. It is not hard, I promise. And I will be right beside of you, the whole time." She whispers and I shake my head with a shaky breath as I place my hands upon the podium. I stare at all the people who await to hear what I have to say before my eyes meet with Rosalinda's once again and suddenly I am aware of exactly what I have to say.
"When my father first brought Rosalinda home, I thought he lost his mind. My mother died when I was six in a drunk driving accident, I can barely remember her, so it's pretty much always been him and I. Then, he brought Rosalinda home from one of his missions and I thought she was just the worst thing that could ever happen to me. She was high and royal, snotty and I didn't think that she would be able to handle normal life. B-but then, I watched her with Ed and Donnie and Chelsea, and she was a completely different person. She tried so hard to be normal and she told me about her father and her mother. And I fell in love with her, I couldn't really help it, you know? She was so kind, so sweet, so compassionate and forgiving. She never once lost her temper or said something that she did not mean. She taught me how to believe in myself and I never thought that I could ever feel this way about any one, let alone a princess, but Rosalinda was different," I exclaim, my eyes meeting hers and suddenly the tears just started pouring down my cheeks.
"She is the one good constant thing in my life. I've been beaten down, worn out, screamed at, broken and scarred but she takes it all away for me. She looks at me with her smile and suddenly, everything is just better. She understands when I am upset, she knows exactly what to say to stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks. She doesn't run away when I'm angry, she just holds me in her arms and tells me that everything is going to be okay. Rosalinda is such an amazing person, she gives and gives and never asks for anything back. She taught me how to not be afraid of everything that scares you, she taught me how to stand on my own two feet, she taught me how to love, which is something that I've never been able to do since my mother's death. And I look at her and I know that she is going to change the world some day but she does not even know it yet. Costa Luna is the best thing that happened to her and she would give her life to protect you guys, just as I would give my life to protect her. She leads you and I watch her with so much pride and love. She is everything that I am," I mumble, watching as the tears soaks her cheeks and my heart longs for her touch. I shake my head with a sniffle as I turn to the people who stand before me, tears in their own eyes and the smile quickly forms at my lips.
"I'm standing up here today, because Rosalinda is your Queen. When I married her, I knew that Costa Luna would always come first in her life, I knew that she would love and honor this country probably more than she ever would me. She wants me to be her equal in thrown, she wants you to accept me as her wife and view me also as your leader. I don't necessarily want that as much Rosalinda does, I am not the best leader, I have no patience, I'm loud, I don't take time to think before I speak. I don't know a lot of things and maybe that doesn't allow me to your leader. But what I do know is that I love Rosalinda, she is my life and I'm going to do everything that I can to make sure she is as happy as she can be, as well as Costa Luna. I am going to protect her and this country as much as I can, because this is who I am now. Protecting Costa Luna is who I am. Loving Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fiore Mason is who I am. And I hope that is enough to earn your respect," I exclaim and for a moment there is silence. My heart breaks in anticipation as the people of Costa Luna search each other's faces, but suddenly there is a loud burst of applause, as every one chants my name. Rosalinda smiles through her tears as she steps toward me, clapping her own hands in applause as the tears stain her perfect face.
"You did it, Carter," She smiles and I shake my head with a sly grin.
"No, Rosie, we did it," I chuckle as I pull her toward me, our lips colliding together in a warm, passionate kiss. The people of Costa Luna chant our name in loud cheers as I pull away with a soft giggle, the tears falling from my eyes like water breaking from a dam. I smile bashfully at the brunette standing in front of me as she only stares deep within my eyes and I try my hardest to ignore Emily, who stands with her arms crossed, in front of the red curtain. Because, this moment was not about her, about me or Rosalinda, but this moment was about Costa Luna and our lives together.
It was late when I finally got out of the shower, I glanced around the empty suite with a wrinkled brow. I saw the balcony doors open, I wrinkle my brow, tossing the towel onto the floor below me as I find the brunette staring up at the sky that was exploding in different colors. Fireworks, I chuckle, I had not seen them since the last Independence day that Rosie spent with us. I smile as I step out onto the balcony, placing my hands upon the bar, staring up at the midnight sky that was alive with different colors, each telling a completely different story. I felt her eyes upon me and the smile plays at my lips as my eyes meet hers and I can't help but feel my chest expand with such pride.
"You were truly amazing today. I think they may very well love you more than I do," She chuckles, stepping toward me as she intertwines her pinky around mine. I gaze into her dark brown eyes and I find everything that I have ever been searching for, the comfort, the love, the answers to all the years of pain that came with my father's constant disappearance and my mother's absence. She was everything I needed, rather she knew it or not.
"I only spoke the truth. You told me to be myself, to say what was in my heart, but you are in my heart, Rosie. I didn't want them or you to think that the only reason that I am in this relationship is because you are royal. You could be working at the dairy shack and I would still feel the same way about you that I do right now. You are all I need, you had to know that and so did they," I reply and I watch as her nose wrinkles up as she brings her face close to mine and I shiver at the thought of her finally being the dominant.
"I have missed you," She whispers in a soft laugh and I raise my eyebrow, biting my bottom lip softly.
"Yeah? I've missed you, too," I mumble as she presses her lips against mine. I smile into the kiss as we move together, I press her back against the banister as I hover in front of her, allowing her to grasp tightly at my waist. Suddenly though, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and I pull away from her with a groan, "hold on, I'm vibrating." I chuckle as I take the phone in my hand and find the directors number flashing on my screen. I wrinkle my brow as I step away from Rosie, pressing the phone against my ear. The news was devastating, I wasn't even aware that I had been pacing until Rosie's worried eyes collide hard with my own. I sigh as I turn my back to her, finishing up the phone call and I try to keep the tears from falling down my cheeks. I roll my shoulders as I turn back to her with a bright smile, wrapping my arms around her waist, "now, where were we?" I smile as I place my lips upon hers. She kisses me back half heartily before she pulls away, confusion written on her face.
"What is wrong? What did she tell you?" She pleads to know but I simply shake my head. She was my wife, I was going to protect her from this, I was going to keep my secrets just as my father kept his from me. I knew that once she knew, she would worry and I did not want her to worry about more than what she is wearing tomorrow or what we are going to name our first child. I smile as I allow my fingers to slip through her brunette waves as I kiss her softly, breathing her in.
"Don't worry about it. It's fine. Now, can we get back to you missing me?" I tease and she laughs weakly. She nods her head as she presses her lips softly against mine once again. I smile as I give into her, allowing my hips to collide with hers and my fingers twist in her curls that now dance around her shoulders. She opens her mouth slightly, allowing my bottom lip to slip under her tongue before she pulls away with a chuckle.
"I am sorry. But you were pacing. A-and you only pace when it is something bad, which means that whatever the director told you, it must me something really bad since you were pacing and you refused to talk about it. Just tell me what is going on, please," She pleads and I groan as I slam my hands down hard on the metal bar with a sick chuckle escaping from my lips.
"Well, damn it, Rose, what if I don't want to talk about it?! Huh?! Did you ever think about that?!" I yell at her and she pulls away, cringing at the acid in my voice. I never yelled at her, I nevercursed at her and I hated myself for doing it now. It wasn't her fault that this was happening, it wasn't her fault that my father died and left me to deal with this alone and I should not have taken it out on her. I sigh as I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight against my body as I place a soft kiss on her forehead, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's not your fault. Um, the director has gotten news that General Kane's daughter is planning on seeking revenge on the people who put her father in prison. She's, uh, she's coming after you, and nobody knows who or where she is. It's like we are blind and playing with fire. A-and I d-don't know what to do." I exclaim and she pulls away from me, tears quickly appearing in her eyes.
"She is coming after me?" She asks in a soft, vulnerable voice, almost child like. I sigh as I nod my head, watching as her face contorts in different expressions, the pain written in her eyes as she stumbles backward against the bar, using her palms to support her weight and when she looks at me again, it is like a completely different person has taken over her body, "Oh my God. S-she is coming after me. She is coming for Costa Luna and Major Mason....he is not here...she will take Costa Luna from me, no matter what the cost, won't she?" She cries and I stare at her, the fire burning inside of me.
"No. She isn't going to take anything away from you, okay? My father may not be here anymore but he trained me on how to be the best, just like him. I'm going to protect you from her, Rosie because not only is it as my job as your protector but my job as your wife. She is going to try to con and weasel her way into your life but I am going to stop her because you do not deserve this again. Not after everything that you have given up to get to this point in your life, like hell, is some little spoiled brat going to come in here and take it away from you. I'm going to do everything in my power to protect you from her, even if that means I have to give my own life for you in the process," I exclaim, my jaw locking tightly and she shakes her head as she buries her fingers in my white t-shirt, pulling me hard against her body.
"I can not lose you, Carter. I need you," She cries and my heart breaks in my chest.
"I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'm right here. I am always going to be right here, with you and nothing or nobody is going to change that, not even some spoiled General's daughter. I'm going to protect you from her, you are going to be okay, I'm going to make sure of that, even if it is the last thing that I do. Everything is going to be okay," I whisper, placing a kiss upon her forehead and she shakes her head, staring up at me through her tear filled eyes and I hate the person who is putting her through this hell once again, suddenly she looked just as scared and broken as she did all those years ago when she gave herself up to General Kane at homecoming.
"You can not promise that, especially with General Kane's daughter coming after the both of us. Everything can change in a moment, Carter, and one of us could be dead because, if she is anything like her father, she is not going to care how far she has to go to get what she wants. So do not put fake hope into my heart when you just admitted that you have no idea what to do," She exclaims and I shake my head, as I brush her hair away from her face, my heart breaking for everything that I know is going through her head at this moment.
"You're right, I can't promise that. But you just have to believe me when I say that I'm going to go to all extents to make sure that you are safe and happy because you deserve that much. I may not know who she is or where she is at this exact moment but I know that as long as I am with you, you are safe. I promise, you have to believe in me and my love for you, okay? I love you, Rosie. I'm in love with you, and I'm notgoing to let anything happen to you," I reply as I place a soft kiss upon her lips as I pull her close to me, allowing her to bury her face into my chest, "everything is going to be okay, you'll see." I whisper, kissing her softly upon the head as we melted together, shades of blue, red and green creating color to the midnight sky surrounding us. Both of us, blissfully unaware of how much our lives were truly going to change, but fully aware of our love for one another.
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