Saying 'I do'
2385 Words
James POV:
Of all the ways I would have expected Julianna to react, the laughter I faced was not at the top of that list. She’d began nervously laughing seconds after the stunned silence that had followed my confession. Frozen in my own shock at her reaction, I sat there, staring unblinking as she raised a napkin to wipe the tears now streaming down her cheeks. Though from humor or another emotion I was unsure.
“Julianna?” I asked softly, pushing my chair from the table with the purpose of making my way to her side.
“Don’t!” Julianna practically hollered, sobering quickly and raising a hand as if she could force me to comply with her demands with but a wave of her delicate fingers.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t come over here. Do not get out of that chair. Just stay right there, I need a damned minute.” She all but yelled. But I understood the sentiment and respected her request. Leaning back in my chair, I watched her curiously as emotion after emotion tailed across her face. Julianna was an open book with her thoughts, and after the years of dealing with experts in the area of lies and manipulation, I found her frank honesty to be refreshing.
“Are you teasing me because of the nickname I gave my son?” She asked quietly after a while, her gaze staring at something on the table rather than meeting my eye.
“No, I am not teasing you over the nickname you gave our son.” I emphasized the last bit, a soft reminder that although I hadn’t known about him till recently, he was every bit as much my child as hers. “It may have been a nickname when you started using it, but Charles is in fact a prince.”
“I thought royals cared about legitimacy for their thrones. Charles was born outside of wedlock; doesn’t that mean he has no claim to a title or crown?”
“Hence the ‘marry me’.” I chuckled, the confusion that flashed through her gaze had me sobering quickly. “I can see that you are wondering how marrying me now, after his birth, would legitimize his claim.”
“Well, yeah. Marrying me now doesn’t change the fact that he was born out of wedlock.”
“Normally you would be right, except I have powerful friends. People who will ensure the marriage certificate is back dated to the night we met.” This was true, I’d already had the documents drawn up and checked over by my lawyer, a judge willing to testify that he performed the wedding in an intimate affair, and a group of the worlds best hackers I paid off the books just for circumstances likes this. All I needed was her ‘I do’ and we’d be man and wife, as far as the rest of the world was concerned.
Observing Julianna, I expected her to begin firing off questions again, but she sat there, staring at me. What I wouldn’t pay to hear her thoughts at this moment. If I had to guess she was trying to figure out a way to politely tell me I was insane and to never come around her or our son again. Which was fine, I had more aces up my sleeve. But she surprised me once more.
“These friends, they could make our marriage legitimate?” Pausing for a moment, Julianna took a deep breath and glanced away. After a moment she turned back, her chocolate brown gaze meeting mine, a new fire alight in her. “Make Charles legitimate?”
“Yes.” I didn’t feel anymore words were needed at the moment. She was an intelligent woman; she’d understand the importance of the life I was offering our son.
“What if it doesn’t work out between us? Are we allowed to divorce, or is your country against such things?” I tried not to let the joy I felt spread in my chest at her consideration of my proposal show on my face.
“My father frowns on royal divorce, but it is legal. Besides, my father is older and of frail health, my brother will be crowned king soon, and he would grant us a divorce if we asked.” Julianna frowned at me as I grew quiet, the seriousness of that look making me uncomfortable, causing me to shift in my seat nervously.
“That is a terrible thing to think of your father.” She whispered.
“When you meet him, you will understand. He’s the product of a different period for this world, Lenova is ready to move into the future and he will need to step down for it to happen.” Julianna continued to stare at me quizzically before nodding her head in understanding. This entire conversation was going much smoother than I had expected. “You are considering my proposal.”
“Well, yes, of course. It would be stupid not to consider it given the future a life with you could offer our son.” She mused, “How long do I have to decide what I want?”
“Not long at all I’m afraid. My family is sick and needs me home to put a pretty smile on for the cameras while they recover.” I answered honestly, nervous that pushing her would change the trajectory of our current conversation.
Silence settled over us, stretching for so long that I began to fidget uncertainly under the table. Unable to sit still while such an important moment in my life dangled before me in the pretty little fingers of the one woman who’d buried herself in my subconscious and refused to leave.
I wasn’t afraid to admit to myself that I wanted her to agree to this for more then just the future of my son. I wanted her. She was younger than I would have chosen, but she checked off every box I’d ever found I wanted in a partner. Which was exactly what I wanted. A partner. I didn’t need a passive little woman who’d sit down, be quiet and do as she was told. I needed a woman in my life who’d stand up to me when I was being an ass. Who’d have no problem setting me in my place. Someone who could withstand the media coverage and the scrutiny my life came with.
The fact that I found her incredibly attractive, and I wanted her in my bed, was a very happy plus.
“Okay.” The soft word floated to me on the cold nights breeze. Snapping my gaze up I found Julianna to be staring at her plate while she absently slide her fork through the sauce. Had I misheard? Made up the word all together? Heard what I wanted to hear?
“Excuse me?” I asked politely, scooting to the edge of my seat as she raised her warm brown eyes to meet my own.
“I said, okay.” She answered, this time with conviction.
“As in, ‘okay, lets do it’ or like ‘okay, you sound like a crazy person’?” Julianna giggled softly at my words, though sound bringing color back to her pale cheeks.
“Can a single word mean two phrases?” She joked, flashing me a small smile that had my heart skipping a beat. Jesus, I was in trouble.
“That’s a lot of pressure to put on a single word.” I quipped back, grinning like a fool when she laughed again.
“Yes, I suppose it is.” With a sigh, Julianna put her fork down and folded her hands gently in her lap. “Okay, lets do it.” The butterflies in my stomach did backflips and I felt as if I were going to be sick with the joy those four little words gave me. “But I have conditions.” And now I felt sick for other reasons.
“Let me hear them.” Picking up my champagne flute, I refilled it, both needing something for my nerve ridden hands to do and because I needed the alcohol to help calm said nerves.
“First, we agree that the marriage is for one year. At the end of said year we can decide if we’d rather separate or continue living as husband and wife.” I nodded, easy enough to agree too, though I wouldn’t confined in her that I planned on making her forget all about said condition. “Second, if we should divorce, we split time with Charles, and if said time is spent in Lenova, I am to come with him. There’s no way I can spend months away from my son.”
“I completely agree. I’ll even go as far as to agree that wherever I am for my time with Charles, you are always welcome to come. I’ll provide you with an apartment or home so that you can stay comfortably nearby.” Her eyes grew wide in surprise, but she nodded in agreement.
“What about a prenup?”
“A prenup?” I asked in confusion.
“Well, you are a wealthy man, and apparently a prince. I’d assume you’d want to protect your assets, should we decide this farce of a marriage is not to our liking. Right?” It was starting to aggravate my nerves how easy she was able to speak of our future divorce, and we weren’t even officially married yet. I reminded myself over and over that this was a business transaction to protect our son, even if I had plans to make it so much more.
“I don’t feel a prenup is necessary. Like I said, I’ve done my research on you and what I’ve found tells me you like to earn your way in this world. Taking me for all that I am worth does not seem your style.” Julianna raised her eyebrows in surprise, but nodded her head and glanced away, saying she wasn’t going to argue with me over it. Smart girl. “Are there any other conditions?”
“Not that I can think of right now, but I’d like a clause added to the document that we can add conditions at a later date if it becomes needed.” Exceedingly smart girl.
“Should we seal it with a kiss?” I asked with a wiggle of my eyebrows, which had her chuckling softly under her breath before popping another ravioli in her mouth. “Should I take that as a no?”
“I’d prefer we seal it with a note of republic.” She answered after washing the cheese filled pasta down with a sip of water.
“Excellent, I have one on standby downstairs.” Taking my phone from my jacket pocket I sent a text off to the gentlemen I had waiting downstairs. Placing the phone on the table, I flashed Julianna a smile, only to notice her slack jawed expression. “Why do you look shocked?”
“You had a note of republic just waiting downstairs in the hopes that I would say yes to your schemes?” Julianna asked in astonishment, eyes wide as she blinked rapidly in disbelief.
“Well, I hoped you’d see the brilliance in my plan and be willing to jump aboard with me immediately.”
“You mean abroad…” She whispered under her breath as she brought her water glass to her lips.
Clearly the words weren’t meant for me to hear, so I ignored them. Besides, three men in suits and carrying brief cases filed through the door at the perfect time. Rising from my seat, I made my way across the room to shake hands with each man in turn.
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here tonight gentlemen.” When I turned around Julianna was rising from her seat, she looked beautiful, cool and confidant, but I could see the question in her eyes as she looked between the three men and myself. “Let me introduce you to my wife, Julianna Ortega. I assume you’ll want to keep your last name, dear?” The endearment tasted off on my tongue, but I had to admit I liked it. Her reaction to it was just icing on the cake, her pretty cheeks flushing.
“I prefer to, yes, and hyphen Charles’ name as well.” Walking forward, her heels clicking rhythmically on the floor, Julianna plastered a beautiful smile on her lips and reached a handout to greet each man in turn.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ortega, I’m Judge Schuller.” The older of the three greeted her enthusiastically, as if he weren’t a government official I’d paid an extraordinary amount of money to have here tonight.
“Mr. Monroe, Attorney at Law.” The next man said simply.
“Alex Riddle, you can call me Alex. What a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Ortega." The last man greeted, he was the young notary I often used when I needed things done quickly.
“I must admit, being referred to as Mrs. is a bit odd.” Julianna confessed, pulling a bark of laughter from the judge, and a smile from Alex. Mr. Monroe was the same somber gentleman I had grown used to dealing with over the years.
“Well. Let’s get this done.” I stated.
Within an hour, everything was done. Amazing what enough money could buy if you were willing to break a few laws. Julianna had sat before the three men reading and signing every document that met her scrutiny. Those that she didn’t agree with were easy enough to have re-typed up. By the time the gentlemen were done and gone, Julianna looked as if she’d been caught in a whirlwind.
We were officially man and wife. Prince and Princess of Lenova. Charles was officially third in line for the throne of Lenova, a royal prince who would be raised as such.
And it was time to introduce my wife and son to my family and country. Let the fun begin.
- Writer
