A/N – Thanks for all of your comments and follows! Glad you guys liked what Courtney said. I'm happy that I was able to turn that character around for you.

Chapter 28 – Pleasant Surprises

Jason found AJ and kneeled in front of him. "Brother, what is going on?"

"I think she's gone," AJ said looking up at Jason.

"What do you mean she's gone?"

"She wasn't in our bed when I woke up and I cannot find her."

"Did you check the gardens?"

AJ nodded. "Milo did. I keep going over the night in my head to see if I said something wrong."

Jason put a hand on his shoulder. "Courtney loves you. There is no way she would run away with your child."

"What else am I supposed to think?"

"You do snore like a giant bear. Perhaps, she went into another room."

AJ glared at him.

Jason smirked and stood as he held out his hand. "Come on. We'll check every room in this ridiculously huge castle if we have to."

AJ took his hand and Jason pulled him up.

They went room by room, skipping their parent's quarters. They finally came to Elizabeth's room and Jason gently pushed the door open. He looked inside and smiled. Turning to look at AJ, he pulled him forward. AJ frowned and followed his gaze sighed. Backing out of the room, he shut the door and eyed Jason's bemused expression.

"Don't give me that look."

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to," AJ said rolling his eyes.

Jason smiled. "We should get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

AJ nodded. "Thanks."

"Anytime," Jason said. He is relieved that the crisis had been averted. He had started to get a little nervous when they were running out of rooms. Sighing he walked back to his room and got back into bed.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The next morning, Courtney woke up and rolled over, and reached for AJ. When she felt long hair, she jumped up and let out a screech.

Elizabeth's heart leaped. "What's wrong?" she said trying to focus.

Courtney started laughing. "I thought I was in my bed and I felt your hair and thought maybe I had done something untoward."

Elizabeth chuckled. "It is just me. Thank you for last night though. I appreciate everything that you said to me."

Courtney smiled. "It made me feel useful. You are like a sister to me. Anytime you need to talk, you can come to me."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said smiling. "Why did you come to talk to me anyway?"

Courtney shrugged. "I couldn't sleep for some reason. You know how everything just feels so perfect and you're waiting for the other brick to fall?"

Liz nodded.

"That is how I feel with AJ. Like I'm going to wake up and find him not there. It's silly, I know. Maybe it's the hormones." She slipped off the bed.

"Courtney, try to focus on all the good and relish it. AJ is trying. I can see how he looks at you differently."

She nodded. "I see it too." She turned to leave. "I'll see you at breakfast."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

When Courtney returned to her room, she found that her husband is still in bed, so she slipped next to him hoping that he hadn't noticed that she was gone.

He felt her settle and rolled over. At first, he said nothing and just studied her. Looking into her eyes, he reached out and touched her slightly swollen belly. "I thought you left me."

Courtney gasped. "AJ I would never…"

AJ closed his eyes as he listened to her ramble. It was the sweetest sound he had heard all night. "Courtney…"

"Yes, AJ," she said before placing her hand on his.

His blue eyes seemed to deepen in color. "I couldn't bear it if you left me. Just know that."

Courtney realized she was holding her breath and slowly let it out. She nodded and then moved closer to him until their foreheads were pressed against each other. AJ closed the distance and began to kiss her so passionately that she moaned into his mouth as his tongue and lips claimed her. He ravished her as he made love to her, letting her know that she was important to him. AJ is softening to his wife and it made Courtney love him even more.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth smiled at Jason and popped a grape into her mouth as he grinned at her. It seems everyone at the table is in a jovial mood.

Monica watched them and chuckled. "Remember when we were so crazy about each other?"

Alan grinned. "Oh, I remember, but I'm still crazy about you."

Monica blushed. She glanced at AJ who is wiping away a spot on Courtney's face and she almost melted. "Look at them," she whispered.

"I know. I think Elizabeth and Emily's plan is working."

Monica grinned. "That it is."

"I remember marrying you like it was yesterday."

Monica touched his face as she got lost in his loving gaze. "Me too."

There was a small disturbance and Monica's head jerked toward the door, and then a groan left her lips. "How did she find out?"

Tracy strode across the room, and she didn't look happy at all.

"Who's that?" Elizabeth asked.

"That is my Aunt Tracy. She is shall we say, a little ornery with most people." Jason cast a glance at AJ who gave him a knowing look.

Alan met her halfway and pulled her out of the room to the study before her angry tongue could do any damage.

"How dare you not invite me," Tracy yelled.

"Oh, calm down. It's just the announcement. It's not like we didn't invite you to the wedding."

"It does matter. I am family."

Alan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Honestly, Tracy, why do you always have to be so dramatic?"

Tracy's hand smacked the table. "Do not turn this around and act as though I'm the one in the wrong. I had to find out about Jason's betrothment from a chambermaid. Do you understand how embarrassing that is?"

Alan sighed. "I'm sorry."

Jason entered the room followed by Elizabeth. "Aunt Tracy, it's so lovely to see you."

Tracy turned around right as Jason kissed her on the cheek, and she immediately softened. "Hello, nephew. You look well."

"As do you. May I introduce you to my betrothed?"

Tracy smiled. "Please…"

Jason held out his hand to Elizabeth. "Princess Tracy, this is Lady Elizabeth of Rothsbury."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." She is pretty and she is grateful that Jason had chosen someone with grace.

Elizabeth smiled warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you too. Please tell me that you will attend the wedding." Jason had explained the dynamic as they strode to rescue his father.

Tracy glanced over at Alan and licked out her tongue before smiling back at Elizabeth. "I would love to attend."

Elizabeth steered her over to the couch and they talked about the preparations.

Alan faced his son. "Thank you for the rescue."

Jason smiled. "Anytime, father. I thought you could use some help."

"You have no idea," Alan said as he watched the women chat. His sister is a bit high strung. All she does is argue. When King Edward was still alive, it was usually the two of them against him, but when it came to the Princes and Princess, she loved openly and doted on them equally.

AJ and Courtney joined them. Tracy grinned and got up and hugged him before taking his face in her hands. "You look good."

"Thank you, Aunt Tracy. It's so good to see you."

Courtney stood off to the side. She and Tracy never spoke because Courtney was told to stay out of her way. It was clear that she hadn't approved of the arranged marriage. She fought Alan tooth and nail. The siblings didn't speak for six months after the wedding.

Tracy eyed Courtney.

"It's good to see you, Princess Tracy," Courtney said respectfully.

Tracy nodded.

"Aunt Tracy, Courtney is with child," AJ said smiling.

"Oh, my," Tracy said, clearly shocked. "Well, congratulations are in order then."

AJ smiled and held Courtney's hand. "We are very excited. Why don't you sit down?" he said leading Courtney to a chair.

Tracy focused on her brother in a state of shock but was only met with a smile. AJ was never that attentive to Courtney in the past. She wondered what had changed. Sitting down, she studied them and took note of their affections, and smiled. It is a most welcome surprise.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Georgie walked through the gardens with John at her side. They chatted merrily and the more they shared, the more taken they were with each other.

They stopped and John pushed a curl off Georgie's face and pushed it behind her ear. He ran the back of his fingers down her face as he stared intently.

"Georgie, I definitely would like to court you."

She smiled. "Really?"

John nodded. "I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like you."

She blushed.

"And who would I need to address my intentions to?"

Georgie was at a loss of words for a moment. "Well, I'm not sure. I suppose you could talk to the Duke."

She had never thought of this situation before, but she is sure that the Duke will know what to do.

John wanted to kiss her so badly. Georgie shivered at the way he is focused on her.

"Georgie, may I kiss you?"

She sighed. "Please do…"

He grinned. "Your wish is my command, milady."

Georgie closed her eyes as John's lips began to tease hers. He gave her a few small kisses before running his tongue along the seam between her lips. Georgie's lips parted in surrender and John's tongue danced around her mouth as she almost swooned. The kiss went on for a few minutes longer before John placed his forehead upon hers and tried to catch his breath.

Every nerve ending in her body is on fire; a feeling that is new and exciting.

John kissed her on the forehead. "Let's walk before I get us into trouble."

Georgie smiled and put her hand in his as they continued, and John told her funny stories.