Winter's Arrangement

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Two straight days of love-making, talking about our future together, cuddling, and eating. To think that over a week ago I was in Collins arms ready to sacrifice my birthright for him. A hellish week later and I am back in his arms with the world for once on our side. I was blissfully happy. I have nothing holding me back from being with the man that I love. 

I woke up and turned to face a still sleeping Collin. He kept his arm wrapped around me. I creased his face and kissed his nose. I can’t believe that this is really happening now. 

“Go back to sleep, not ready.” He mumbled. I giggled. I kissed him on the lips. 

“Maybe if you wake up now we can get the parents' situation out of the way. I still have to check out my new condo. Maybe christen it…” I said and started to trail kisses down his neck.

“Mmm. Well I like the Condo idea. How about we go there first?” He said, finally opening his eyes. 

“Well unless you plan on taking us there on horseback. I still think it would be better to have a car, and possibly a change of clothes. You don’t want anyone else seeing me like this do you?” I said. He groaned. 

“Fine, you're right. Let's get this over with.” He said and we finally got out of bed and took a shower. We ate breakfast and changed. I put on his longest shirt and smaller boxers. Collin got the horse ready and then we were off galloping back to the castle. When we got closer I finally got a look at the castle from the outside. 

“Wow, it's magnificent.” I said. 

“I am glad you like it. I will be sure to give you a complete tour when we get there.” He said and we finally came upon the stables. We both dismounted and Collin talked to the stable workers. He grabbed my hand and we made our way to the back entrance into the castle. 

“Where are my parents?” Collin asked one of the servants. 

“Your parents and the Winter’s are in the study. They are all looking for you.” She said and we thanked her. 

“Collin, I want to change first before we see the parents again.” I said and he nodded and escorted me to the room that I was in. I saw my luggage there and took out a simple blue sundress and nude flats. Collin waited patiently for me on my bed while I was in the bathroom freshening us. I came out and Collin immediately took me into his embrace. 

“Gorgeous as usual. Come, let us get this over with.” He said, kissed me and grabbed my hand and we made our way to his father’s study. 

When we got there before we could knock we heard them talking. 

“Maybe we did this wrong. They both are stubborn and will not go through with this.” My mother said, I was surprised that she was willing to admit defeat. 

“Maybe. What should we do now? This Arrangement was so beneficial.” My father said, 

“As much as we all wanted this to happen, at the end of the day, they are both adults and can handle their own affairs. Collin told me he had fallen in love. Maybe we should let them go and find happiness on their own.” Lord O’Donnell said. 

“Yes. I am sorry old friend.” My father said, 

“No need to apologize, we were both a little too optimistic.” Lord O’Donnell said. That is when Collin and I decided to knock on the door. Our parents indeed learned their lesson. “Enter” We heard and Collin opened the door for me and we both entered. All our parents gasped at the sight of us. They were not expecting us and I am sure us holding hands was even more of a shock to them. 

“Where have you two been?” Lord O’Donnell said. 

“Explain yourself now?” My father demanded. My mother was standing next to my father trying to calm him down.  

“Father, Mother, Mr. and Mrs. Winters, Aria and I both feel that what you did to us was wrong. We are adults and capable of making our own decisions. We met other people and fell in love with them. We are not kids anymore for you to dictate our future happiness.” Collin said. 

“Ok son, we understand and we have all come to agree and terminate the arrangement. You are both free.” Lord O’Donnell said. And the rest nodded. 

“Good, now father, mother, I would like you to meet the love of my life that I have been hiding.” Collin said and this time wrapped his arm around my waist and held me close. We heard them all gasp again.

“What”, “How” the mothers were confused. 

“Mother, Father,” I began to say, “This is Collin, the man that I have been secretly seeing and fell in love with.” Then I looked straight at my father, “and the man that you rudely spoke to on the phone before kidnapping me.” I said and all the parents were shocked. 

“When did this happen?” My mother asked. 

“When my father told me about the arrangement, I left for Dublin on my girls vaca. I met Collin at the club. And we saw each other at the masquerade gala, and again in London. We have been calling and texting nonstop between them.” I said.  

“We both knew that we were arranged to marry someone else and tried to only be friends, but it turned into something more.” Collin added. “Now I can’t let her go. I love her.” 

“Wow, this is…” Lord O'Donnell spoke still shocked. 

“What are the chances?” My mother said, 

“Ok. so the arrangement still stands.” My father asked and turned to Lord O’Donnell. 

“I don’t see why not. They are together and that is what we hoped for.” He said. They both shook hands and smiled proudly. 

“So can we push for the wedding sooner since they are already in love?” Lady O’Donnell asked. 

“I think it is up to them.” my mother said. 

“I still want to wait a little bit before we get married. We haven’t had a chance to really enjoy our relationship.” I said. And looked at Collin. Yes we can now be officially together, but what if after some time, Collin gets bored of me. I don’t want what happened with Jake to happen with Collin. 

“Ok, I agree with that. Let us continue with the courtship and then Aria and I can decide when we want to get married.” Collin said. I didn’t know how to feel. We are all talking about marriage already and Collin and I haven’t really enjoyed each other enough. 

“Very well. You both are free to go. I am sure we don’t have to keep tabs on you.” Lord O’Donnell said and we all chuckled. 

“Not anymore father. Now if you will excuse us, I want to show Aria around.” Collin said and everyone nodded. We exited the study hand in hand out into his garage and climbed into his Range Rover and we drove off towards the city. 

“Well that went well.” I said in the car. 

“Yeah, I was kinda ready for another fight. But now we are free to be together. I can’t believe this.” He said and took my hand and kissed it. “I love you Aria.” He said. 

“And I love you Collin. Wow so that makes you the next Earl of Westmeath! No wonder they were pressuring you so much.” I said. Everything was finally making sense.

“Yes, my marriage has to be approved by the council of Lords. My father had already petitioned for our marriage before I knew it. If I backed out then I would lose my title and birthright.” 

“Wow.” Was all I said. 

“My parents kept telling me about you and how your parents spoke so highly of you. It was pissing me off to no end. Here they were talking about you this whole time when I was really thinking about you. The real you that I was lucky enough to experience. Now I know that you are the perfect woman for me.” He said with a billion dollar smile. I was so happy that he was happy. 

“So where to now?” I said. 

“Your new place, of course. But I must warn you, everyone might be there already. They were all on Defcon alert since they witnessed my father take me.” He said. I almost forgot that our friends were waiting to hear from us or try to get in and find out if we were ok. 

“I hope they weren't too worried. At least now we can breathe easier and be free to do what we want.” I said. 

“Yes, speaking of which, I was thinking of a nice dinner and then going back to where it all began. What do you say?” 

“That sounds perfect.” I said and leaned over and kissed his cheek. If his face smiled any wide I am sure it would split. 

Soon enough we were driving into the parking garage and heading up to my new condo. Collin held me close and kept nipping at my neck. I love how lovey dovey we were acting. This was us, unrestrained in the real world. 

He came to my door and took out a key and unlocked it. When we entered it was deadly silent until we heard the shuffling of feet and stuff. I looked around and it was a beautiful rustic brick condo with dark wooden framing and grand windows. It was perfectly retro rustic. The kitchen had deep blue cabinets and dark wooden countertops with stainless steel appliances. I couldn’t wait to check out the rooms. There were four rooms each with ensuite bathrooms. 

“O my god they are both here!” Trish yelled and sure enough All our friends were here including Paul. They all looked worried and stressed with dark circles under their eyes. I felt bad now that they had to endure all this with us. They all stopped and took a good look at us and all smiled thinking that we had won. 

“So what the f**k happened?” Trish said. Her nerves were at the brink that I am sure she would explode. 

“Let's go sit and explain. Is there any food?” I asked. 

“Yea there’s pizza and beer, Aria.” Willy said. I nodded and walked into my grand living room with a burgundy red, and tan carpet with colorful distressed furniture. Yes, my friends did very well with my condo. 

Collin sat and made me sit on his lap. He was definitely still feeling more possessive of me. I am sure it's more assurance that I won’t disappear again. 

“Two or three slices?” Katie asked to assemble my plate. “Three please.” I said and Angie handed both me and Collin an open beer. We both immediately took a chug. Katie handed me my plate and I put it on my lap. I had a slice of pizza on one hand and my beer on the other. I took a big bite and held it to Collin for him to eat as well. He took a bite. 

“So if you're done with the silent treatment. Care to explain.” Bruce asked. I swallowed my bite and took another gulp of beer. 

“So I went back to Alaska to hand in my resignation and terminate the marriage arrangement. But when I spoke with my father and handed him my letter and final reportes he did not take them. He basically laughed in my face and told me that this arrangement is final and we were all leaving tomorrow to meet my betrothed.” I paused and took another sip. “He had four of his guards escort me back to my office to pick up my stuff and go to my parents house and wait there until it was time for us to all go.” I took another sip. “So then I was escorted home and I went straight to my room. My mother tried to get me out and join them to eat, but I didn’t want to see their faces. I was told that my father had important business and had to postpone our departure. Two days later I tried to escape during a break in the security rotation. They shot me with a tranquilizer dart and everytime I woke up I tried to escape but then they kept me sedated until I came here.” I said and then looked at a few more bites of Pizza. 

“You guys saw what happened to me. They basically kept me sedated too until she got here. Turns out we were betrothed to each other the whole time.” We both chuckled at that. All this fight and rebellion led us to just pure acceptance for what it is. “Funny how things just work out.” Collin finished and jugged the rest of his beer and then gave me a peck on the lips. 

“f**k that was intense, what the f**k were your parents thinking? When I see them next I am going to give them an ear full!” Trish huffed, Drew was holding Trish back. 

“What are the chances though, I have heard my fair share of love stories. But this tops the cake.” Katie said. And the rest of the girls nodded. 

“So what does this mean now?” Bruce asked. 

“Well we decided to proceed with the courtship period that’s for sure.” Collin said and we all laughed. 

“I think with all that has happened I just need to enjoy the moment and just breathe.” I said finishing my pizza and beer. 

“Yes, let's all go out for Dinner and then to the club!” Angie said and we all cheered and agreed. Collin hugged me tight and whispered into my ear. 

“Now you are all mine and I can scream it to the world!” I turned my face to look at him. He leaned down and gave me a sweet and tender kiss. 

“And there they go again. Let's go and get ready, everyone. Aria, you have an hour until I’m coming in there with a hose to help you get ready.” Angie said. Collin and I just moaned “Uhu” to them while still kissing to further annoy them. Then Collin effortlessly picked me up while standing and carried me to my room. He walked down the hall into the room at the end. He opened the door and set me down at the entrance to view my room. I walked in and was amazed. It had deep purples and burgundies with dark wooden furniture. I loved everything about it including the big king size bed. I heard the door close behind me and lock. I turn around and see my irish stud come to me. He instantly engulfed me in his arms and kissed me gently. 

“Finally, alone with My Aria. My love.” He said and started taking off my clothes and his. We stared deep into each other’s eyes, not breaking for a moment. When we were both naked he picked up my bridal style and took me to bed. 

“I love you, Aria, My Aria.” He said in between kisses. 

“I love you Collin.” I said back. We spent that entire hour making sweet love to each other. And Right when we finished in the shower Angie began knocking like a crazy woman at my door. Collin was in just a towel, while I was in my fluffy robe. I went to answer it and when the door creaked open Angie and Trish busted in with no regard. 

“Good you took a shower, let's go, we have everything in the other room.” Trish said and they both took my arms and dragged me out. When we got into the next room all the girls were there looking at dresses and lingerie. I sat on the bed with Lily and Katie. 

“Seriously, how on Earth are you standing right now? I swear you shag more than I do and that is saying something!” Trish said and we all laughed.

“And I didn’t even tell you about what happened after we found out that we were each other’s betrothed.” I smirked. 

“Ok this has to be good, where is the popcorn?” Katies said and I chuckled and shook my head at her. 

“Collin and I were left alone in the sitting room. We were too shocked to speak and the parents thought it was simply the silent treatment. So he first kissed me and held me tight then he took me to a secret passageway that led to the stable and we rode a horse to this super secret small wooden cottage. We spent two straight days in that cottage. We finally came back to talk to the parents this morning.” I said. 

“Dam Aria, that is so romantic.” Lily said. They then all started updating me about what was going on in the meantime. I am so glad that we don’t have to worry about this arrangement anymore. 

“Ok, well let’s get ready for the best night of our lives. Aria, you have to wear this one.” Angie said, showing me a deep blue bodycon dress. It was classy but sexy at the same time. Angie did my hair in soft tousled curls and a simple eyeliner with a blush lip. 

Lily wore a yellow dress with a side mermaid braid and natural makeup. Katie wore a black strapless top with a tight low bun. Angie wore a silver halter with loose crazy curly hair. And Trish wore a black bodycon dress with a braided crown and she dyed her hair Fire red. We were all looking as sexy as ever. This time we all had men in our lives and a new chapter to start here in Dublin. We finally emerged to the living room where all the guys were waiting. I saw how Collin was beaming with love and happiness when he saw me. 

“You look stunning, Aria.” He said and took my hand and kissed it. We all made our way out and down to the limo awaiting us. This was perfect. All our friends are finally able to have fun in the open.