Chapter 7 – Dreaming
Eleanor slept through most of the flight back, giving Jasper time to think.
After the meltdown in the car both of them calmed down and went back to Jaspers apartment. Eleanor only had her new stuff to pack and he didn't want to bring a lot of clothes for a period this short.
Packing was done within the hour and after a call to Jo, telling her where they went, and a second call to the airport, they left for their flight back to London.
Jasper as well as Eleanor was aware that Vegas was one of the favourite spots for many paparazzi, searching for the next big scandal. So far it was a miracle they hadn't been caught in some photos during the time Eleanor was here.
To prevent any possible headlines about 'Princess Eleanor's Dirty Secret' or 'Former Princess Catches New Boy Toy' Jasper decided to wear one of his usual bodyguard suits. No one should suspect they were a couple or ever married.
He had been in many pictures with Eleanor in the past, always being close to her, shielding her from all possible threads. Even the paps knew the difference between a bodyguard and a lover and without real prove for it to be any different they had no reason to assume anything. As long as the couple didn`t show anything suspicious.
Jasper hated being on a plane in a suit, especially since the royal plane was still not available and they had to take a regular plane.
Sure, first class, but still very uncomfortable.
And not just uncomfortable for Jasper but also very risky for his wife.
They needed to be very careful not to talk too loud on the plane or draw any kind of attention to themselves. One might think paparazzi are bad but they were nothing against nosey, gossipy rich people. The queens assistant might filter Eleanor's social media but not of those around her.
Luckily Eleanor fell asleep soon after the start.
Even Jasper could feel how mentally exhausted he was from their morning but – being the good bodyguard that he was – it would appear to be very unprofessional to be sleeping on the job.
Even when no one would ever pay him for doing it.
And even if he could risk sleeping for a bit he would have been not able to.
His mind was too busy imagining what it would be like being with Eleanor for the rest of their lives. It was only a dream but one he couldn`t keep out of his thoughts.
He could understand why it just wasn't possible for them to stay married, at least not like this.
If only things would have been different.
If only he wouldn't have been such an asshole. Why didn't he realize sooner that Eleanor was the best to ever happen in his life? No Money and no diamonds could ever give him what being with her did.
The sensation he felt when she smiled.
The warm feeling in his stomach every time her hand touched his.
Jasper wished he could show her how much he loved her.
He wished he could make her happy just the way she made him happy with her sole existence but even if she wanted to stay with him – as unlikely as it may be - the queen would never allow it and she would do everything in her power to separate them. She did it once and she would do it again. It´s not like Helena didn´t want to see her daughter happy but even now that Eleanor wasn`t a princess anymore, she´d definitely prefer a suitable match for her and not an American ex-con artist out of the shadiest district of Vegas.
Still Jasper couldn´t get the thought out of his head about how their life would be.
Every single scenario he could imagine seemed like heaven. His entire life he always saw relationships as a temporary thing.
A few months and that´s it.
But with being by Eleanor`s side for the rest of his life was the best dream he ever had.
Even while being awake.
They could have ordered a car from the Palace but Eleanor just didn´t want to.
She was grumpy anyway. Only the prospect to go back to the Palace darkened her mood instantly. For the last few days she didn´t do any drugs and didn´t even have much to drink but as soon as she was back home she knew she would take something right away just to get through the day.
How else was she supposed to deal with that weird family of hers?
The Palace probably already knew about her return to England and if she could avoid going home at least for a few hours she´d gladly do that.
Jaspers flat was exactly like she had imagined it.
It was small but more than enough for a single person. The interior was simple, functional and obviously rarely used. Of course it was as Jasper had spent most of his nights in London at the palace with her – whether it was his shift or not.
The flat wasn´t ugly or anything, it was pretty much his style, but Eleanor could not imagine living here forever. She liked it fancy, that wasn't a secret. Still she liked it much better than the palace.
Not because of how expensive or luxurious it was.
It was because of the feeling she had when entering. No king, queen, or royal guard could decide what she could do and what not. Her entire life she never even considered living outside of the palace but suddenly the thought wasn't very far away.
But at the moment it wasn't important.
What was important was for her to get back to her family and pretending all she did in Vegas was getting drunk and high. Eleanor wished Jasper could come with her back to the palace.
She wasn't a bad liar but he was the best one she knew – except her own mother of course. But she knew she had to face this on her own. The Queen probably knew Jasper returned with her from her trip, the MI5 always had an eye on previous employees. So far that wasn't a problem as long as the only assumption she made was they hooked up again and nothing more.
Eleanor left her clothes in Jaspers luggage. It's not like she didn´t have enough clothes at the palace.
She couldn´t describe the sadness she felt when Jasper dropped her off at one of the secret entrances to the tunnels. It was early afternoon and while she only had been away for a few days it felt like forever.
"You know…if you need my help or anything just call and I´ll be there in less than 30 minutes."
"I know. It will be fine."
She squeezed his hand before letting go and entering the tunnels.