Chapter 14 - Reviving

Their texts started out in an almost shy manner.

None of them really knew what to say but still they wouldn't stop. It was the last beam of light their relationship had and Eleanor as well as Jasper knew this was their last chance to make things right.

They had so many chances in the past, there was just no way their luck would continue like this.

Eleanor sighed while her mother went on and on about how it is her duty to do the best she could for the monarchy and the country and about how reckless her behaviour had been.

In the Queens eyes the royal family fulfilled only one purpose: to exist above all other people in this country and to behave in exactly that way.

Sleeping with the help? It has at least to be a Lord.

Getting married? Only if it's someone with a title, of course accompanied by a worldwide broadcast to profit from.

She broke both these rules. But Eleanor didn't feel guilty about it one bit. Back in Vegas she had but not that wasn't the case anymore.

"She's still talking?"

Eleanor smiled as she read his message. "At some point she must be out of breath, right?" she answered.

"I wish I could see you right now."

"Being yelled at by the queen?"

"No. Maybe. I mean in general."

"Me too. Wanna meet up?"

"Will you be able to sneak out?"

"I'll do my best."

"Dinner?"

Eleanor let out a soft giggle, earning another angry look from her mother.

She felt like a teenager having her first date. But it was not her first date and the guy she was meeting was the man she came to think of as her husband.

Sneaking out of the palace turned out to be herder than expected but not impossible. The queen made sure security was extra careful nut to let her slip away – who knows what shenanigans she'd get in this time. But with a little help from Liam Eleanor managed to be outside right on time for Jasper to pick her up. It felt like coming home.

Jasper had been nervous.

Despite their history they never had been on an actual date. But then, when she finally stood in front of him, he could do nothing but smile brightly.

Eleanor felt as if someone took a huge weight of her shoulder as soon as she saw Jasper smiling at her. She had been more than just concerned about how the evening would go. Was it a last goodbye? A quick hook up? Luckily neither. Jasper had chosen the location well, a small restaurant in the suburbs, no paparazzi, no tourists.

"What did Liam say?" Jasper asked before taking a sip of his beer.

"He was so disappointed he was almost angry at me for fucking this up."

Jasper laughed and so did the princess.

They continued to eat in comfortable silence for a bit.

"I miss you" Jaspers words were no more than a whisper, but Eleanor heard. He missed her. His eyes were soft and almost fearful, but Eleanor took his hand with new found confidence.

"And I miss you."

Eleanor was happy. Happier than she had been in the past. It had been less than a week since their `first` date but she knew they used their last chance well. Her mother didn't know, and Eleanor hoped she wouldn't find out any time soon what or who made her daughter so happy.

But something was missing.

She couldn't quite put it into words. Something in her heart was not quite full yet. But still, she was happy.

Every minute Eleanor was available he had been spending with her, Jo was almost angry not to spend enough time with her brother on her vacation, but she understood. She was happy for Jasper.

"It's so sad?"

"What?"

"Your fake marriage. You're kind of fucked now, aren't you?"

Jasper just sighed but his sister kept talking.

"You don't have a job, you don't have this apartment for much longer since your contract will end soon, and Eleanor is also gone."

"She isn't gone, we are just at the beginning again, dating and all that stuff."

Jo rolled her eyes. "So, you went and got married and then started dating? You two are so weird. Maybe next you'll move to Alaska together or some shit."

This time Jasper didn't even answer, making some coffee instead. Jo was right, it was strange, and Jasper knew exactly what to do. And he could only pray it would work.

He didn't really plan how he was going to do it, he only knew he had to get in the palace one way or another. For a moment he considered calling Eleanor to let him in, but he quickly decided against that. The tunnels had to do.

Maybe some security cameras had seen him enter but since no one came running down the hallway to arrest him, his guess was that they got used to him sneaking around the hallway a long time ago.

Without knocking he pushed the doors to Eleanor's room open, the same way he always did when he still was her bodyguard. Half expecting her to not be there Jasper sighed in relive when he saw her sitting on her bed with her phone, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Jasper? What…what are you doing here?"

Slowly she slid off the bed, taking hesitant steps towards her former bodyguard. Jasper hadn't moved so far, still standing in front of the door. But suddenly his legs moved all on their own rushing towards his princess. Their lips met, and Jasper was glad she responded with just as much passion as he did.

Jasper could see she was confused. The kiss ended, leaving them both out of breath but smiling widely.

"You came here all the way just to kiss me, Jasper?"

"No. I came here to tell you that you are the best to ever happen to me and that I can't imagine a life without you and…"

"Jasper…"

"Please let me say this, Eleanor. I love you more than you can imagine, god I love you more than I ever thought possible. And I know I'm gonna stand here looking like an idiot once you say no and that's okay."

He once again took a deep breath.

"Eleanor Henstridge. Will you marry me?"

Author's Note: The next chapter is gonna be the last one:) finally