The corridor is deserted, as always is, and Bella's attention is on the floor beneath her feet. Pacing the corridor outside of Josh's study, Jensen inside in a council meeting, she thinks that, every time she has been to Josh's study, it has always felt as if her life was in the balance. Today is no different.
Her mind starts wondering what Josh will say when she and Jensen tell him of their plans. Sure, when Jensen told him he wanted to court her, Josh had given him his blessing, but this is different. She knows how important it is for Jensen to have his brother's approval and blessing, and she can't think of what a refusal will do to him.
Bella looks at the closed door and smiles softly, before resuming her pacing, knowing that she isn't alone in this fight. She is sure that together they can convince Josh to let them go ahead with their plan. Jensen will fight just as hard as she will for the chance to be together and that knowledge soothes her nerves.
The door opens and the Lords that make up the Private Council walk out, none sparing her a look, Jensen right behind them, smiling at her and signaling to her to join him. Bella smiles back, takes a deep breath to steady her nerves as she straightens her back, and follows him inside, the door closing behind her.
Josh is leaning over a map, studying it, when they walk in, not acknowledging their presence. Jensen clears his throat, standing right next to her, his hand on her lower back, and gets his brother's attention. "Here we go.", she thinks before Jensen begins to speak.
-"We need to talk." - His brother straightens and looks at them.
-"Something happened?"
-"You need to know that, last night, I asked Bella to marry me and she said yes. We want to marry as soon as possible and I plan on speaking with the Cardinal to see if he can marry us today."
-"Is this what you want?" - Josh looks at Bella.
-"Nothing will make me happier than marrying Jensen." - Bella sees Josh letting out a sigh, as he looks at them both.
-"You know that if your father finds out, there is no telling what he will do."
-"I know."
-"Josh, I've been your Military Commander for years and I've never asked you for anything. Well, I'm asking now. Please, let us get married."
-"It's not that simple, Jensen. For all intents and purposes, Bella is still a Princess and once her father finds out about this, only God knows how he will react."
-"If it makes you more comfortable with this, I'll renounce my title as soon as I leave here. I have no intention of going back home and I will fight my father until my dying breath."
-"You would do all that for my brother?"
-"I will. All we want is to be together, and I know just how important it is for Jensen to have your blessing. I hope you can give it to us." - Bella states, seeing Josh sighing before turning to Jensen.
-"You better be prepared to fight like hell, brother, because her father isn't going to let this go."
-"Does this mean we have your blessing?" - Jensen asks, tentatively.
-"Only if I get to be at the wedding." - Josh smiles at them.
Jensen smiles back, rushing around his brother's desk and hugging him tight, thanking him. He will admit that he was unsure of how Josh would react, thoughts of having to marry Bella without his brother's blessing having kept him awake all night. But he should've known better. Sure, Josh would try to know if they were certain this is what they both want and the consequences of it, but, ultimately, he wouldn't keep him from being happy. And Bella makes him happy.
Josh pulls from the hug and makes his way to Bella, pulling her into a hug of his own.
-"I am proud to give you both my blessing. I have seen how happy you make Jensen and him you. There is no way I am going to get in between the two of you." - Josh smiles at Bella, before turning to Jensen. -"Talk to the Cardinal as soon as you leave here and start making plans for the wedding. I should warn you though, I am sure mother and Mackenzie will go all out with the preparations."
-"Actually, we've agreed that we don't want a big wedding. Just a small ceremony in the Castle's chapel, with just you, Donna, Mackenzie and Jared in attendance." - Bella tells him.
-"Are you sure?"
-"We're sure." - Jensen reassures him.
-"A big wedding would be the same as asking for more trouble with my father. This way, we can keep it to ourselves for as long as possible."
-"If that is what you both want, then I won't try and convince you otherwise." - Josh smiles.
-"Josh, thank you, truly." - Jensen places a hand on Josh's shoulder. -"Now, we need to talk to the Cardinal and you, brother, need to clear your night. As long as the Cardinal agrees, we are getting married tonight."
-"Can't wait."
Josh smirks at his brother, the happiness the man is feeling in that moment incredibly contagious. He would have to be a fool to refuse to give his blessing to them. From the moment he realized Jensen was in love with Bella, he had a feeling that this is where they would end up, and he couldn't be happier for them.
He watches Jensen and Bella leave his study hand in hand, their smiles mirroring each other, making him smile as well. Then a thought enters his mind, the thought that they deserve a moment of pure and unaltered happiness before the darkness that approaches.