Grayson scrolled through the channels, trying to find something to occupy himself while he waited for Ari, but couldn't find anything. But he was glad that Ari and her mother were talking. It was a step in the right direction, at least. And no matter what happened, the line of communication between then was now open once again. He turned his attention back to scrolling, when a video of him at his press conference flashed on a channel, just as Ari walked out of the bedroom with her mother.He quickly turned off the television. He had hoped that maybe they could come to America and temporarily leave the past behind, but Grayson knew that wasn't going to happen. Grayson stood. "How did it go?" he asked, taking her hands into his own."Good." But there were tears in her eyes, no matter what she said.Grayson raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"Then a broad smile spread across her face as she nodded. "Yes, of course.""That's my girl," Grayson whispered and then kissed her forehead, pulling
Grayson walked purposefully toward the elevator as everyone stared. Then he hit the button, when he heard steps coming up fast behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Ari. He turned back toward the elevator, turning his back to her. "Go back to your family."She pulled on his arm and turned him around, forcing him to look at her. "You are my family!"He shook his head. "Family comes from years of bonding and acceptance." He nodded toward the direction of Henley's room. "Clearly, I'm not one of them.""Bullsh*t," Ari replied. "You're a part of me now, and that makes you a part of them, too. If they want me, then they have to accept you."Grayson shook his head, and then kissed her forehead. "I don't want to come between you and your family." The elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside and faced her. "I'll give you a divorce as soon as we get back to Estrea."Ari jumped into the elevator before the doors closed. "What if I don't want a divorce?"Grayson sighed. "Ari, don't—
Despite everything that had happened, Ari and Grayson had a wonderful evening alone together that night. Ari remembered thinking that if it could be just her and Grayson, and the rest of the world would just fade away, then maybe her and Grayson would have a chance. When it was just them, everything was perfect. But it seemed that the outside world was determined to tear them apart.But Ari was determined not to let that happen.After all, she was Grayson's wife, for better or for worse. There was no choosing the parts you cared about. You either accepted the whole person for who they are, or not at all.Ring! Ring! Ring!Feeling disoriented, Ari woke in the middle of the night to the sound of her phone ringing on the nightstand. When she realized what it was, her heat sank. No good news came from a phone call in the middle of the night."Hello?""Ari?" her mother said, with a catch in her voice as if she had been crying."Mom, what's wrong?" She sat up, immediately wide awake.There w
They spent the early morning and into the day waiting and praying. Ari prayed that God would save her sister and be by her side during her time of need. Ari knew He was listening; she just hoped He agreed with her request. But time would tell. Throughout the day, some of Henley's friends from college, as well as some of her professors, came and sat with them to wait, too. Ari wished there was something more she could do to help her sister, but praying was the only thing she could do. But then again, Ari knew it was the best thing she could do.Ari gave Grayson's hand a squeeze. "Why don't you go back to the hotel. There's nothing more we can do right now."Grayson shook his head, smiling as he slid his arm around her shoulders. "I'm not going anywhere without you." Then he kissed the top of her head.Ari patted the top of his leg. "Do you know how lucky I am to have you?"Grayson shook his head, leaning against hers. "No, you have it all wrong. I'm the lucky one." Then he leaned back
When Ari and Grayson reached Henley's floor, doctors and nurses in white lab coats were moving quickly in and out of Henley's room."No!" Ari yelled, running down the hallway with Grayson and Vickie hot on her heels, but her mother stopped her. In that instance, she felt the life go out of herself, too."Ari! She's okay!" her mother said, grabbing her shoulders."What?" Ari looked toward Henley's room through her tears, suddenly crazed beyond all reason."Ari, look at me!" her mother yelled, placing her hands on both of her cheeks. "This is the team of doctors that Grayson called in."Ari nodded and then bent down to her knees, sobbing hysterically from relief. A moment later, she was being lifted into strong arms and carried down the hallway and into a room."Ssshhhh...." Grayson cooed, pushing her hair back away from her face, holding her on his lap, rocking her back and forth. "It's okay, baby. I'm here... we're going to take care of her... it's okay, baby...." Then he kissed her te
While the specialist and his team were in with Henley, they all decided to go to the waiting room down the hallway where Grayson had taken Henley.When they entered, a staff member had just made a fresh pot of coffee. "I thought you might like some," she said sheepishly. "Thank you," Ari replied, "That was very kind of you."Vickie smiled. "But only if you'll have a cup with us."She returned Vickie's smile. "Maybe later." She started to leave but turned back. "I'll let the doctor know you're here.""Thank you," Celeste replied.After the young girl left, Celeste sat on the small sofa, while Grayson and Ari sat at the table.But Vickie placed four coffee cups on the counter. "Everyone, how do you take your coffee?"Ari smiled, grateful that her friend had come. "Here. I'll help. You go ahead and make yours." She made her mother's coffee just how she liked it: two creams, one sugar, and handed it to her. Then she realized that she had no idea how Grayson took his. She looked in his dir
That afternoon, Grayson was still at the hospital with Ari and her family, when his phone rang. He wasn't going to answer it, but it was his father, so he felt compelled to take it. Henley had done well over the night and had held down her lunch. So, he felt he had to speak with his father.He patted Ari's leg and then stood just as the ringing stopped. Ari stood, too, and rubbed his arms. "What's wrong?" "It was my father." Grayson held up his cell phone. "I'll be right back."Ari smiled, inclining her head toward the door. "Go. Take it. Henley's fine."Grayson gave her a smile and then headed out into the hallway.The king answered on the first ring. "Son? Are you still in America?""Yes. Why?" Well, hello to you, too, Grayson thought. "What's wrong?""How is your sister-in-law doing?" his father asked, ignoring the question. "Better, thank you." Grayson paced down the hallway, out of earshot. "Thank you, also, for the number of the specialist. He came right away, and his expertis
As he boarded the family's private jet, Grayson missed Ari already. "Hello, Your Highness." The flight attendant, Sue, bobbed a curtsey. "Anything before takeoff?"Grayson nodded. He had been about to order a Scotch, but he hadn't been drinking as much since he arrived in America with Ari. Sure, they had spent most of their time at the hospital, but it was more than that. Despite the reason they were there, Grayson had felt more relaxed than he had in years, away from the responsibilities of the Crown. "Do we have iced tea?"The flight attendant cocked her head to the side and smiled. "I'll make some." Then she turned around and headed toward the back. Grayson slipped out of his heavy overcoat and laid it on the seat beside him. A few minutes later, she came back. "Here. I'll take that." Sue reached for his overcoat. "If you don't mind me asking, is the princess not joining us?"Pain gripped his chest as he shook his head, smiling. "No. She's coming on a later flight."Sue nodded. "I
Grayson was proud of his father's efforts to unite Estrea once again. It was clear that the old ways were no longer working. It was time for a fresh start. And King Maxwell of Estrea was determined to do just that.The election was held the next month, as King Maxwell promised, and the Royal Council was selected. But through it all, the feeling in Estrea had been one of new hope. In the news, King Maxwell was praised for his bold initiative to bring the realm into the Twenty-First Century.A few weeks later, the first meeting of the Royal Council was held on April 1. The board voted to continue holding the meetings twice a month, on the first and third Mondays, to keep the council abreast of the happenings of Estrea. The king then promised to make the proceedings and decisions made by the council known to the public in the interest of full disclosure. There was also a procedure set in place for grievances, ensuring that everyone's concerns would be heard. "So, what about the name Maso
The next day, Grayson was working in his office at the castle when Xavier walked in. Without a word, he crossed the room to the television and flipped it on. Then he stood back and folded his arms across his chest."And in the news today," Ella J. Scott said to the camera. "The body of Prince Marcus Pierce was found in an old abandoned warehouse, along with the bodies of other men. One of the men has been identified as Piers Wingfield, former head of security for the Crown. King Maxwell Pierce and members of the Royal Family have made no comment as to the cause of death. In other news—"Xavier sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "I don't think you have to worry about paying Piers now.""Let's speak with Father," Grayson said, already headed toward the door.Xavier followed. "What should we tell him?"Grayson sighed, turning around to face him with his hand on their father's door. "The truth."Xavier looked at him for a moment, and then nodded his agreement.Grayson knocked on th
A week later when Ari was feeling better, she finally had that meeting with the hospital administrator about Henley's House. This time, Henley, her mother, and Vickie attended. Grayson had wanted to go, too, but Ari had to persuade him to let her go without him. After all, she couldn't live in fear for the rest of her life."This is a wonderful idea. I appreciate you bringing it to us," said the hospital administrator, Dr. Sienna Gallagher. "We look forward to hearing more about it. And please be sure to tell His Majesty King Maxwell Pierce and His Highness Grayson Pierce how much we appreciate it. Cancer patients, and their families, will be very appreciative."After speaking with Dr. Gallagher, and at Henley's insistence, Ari had decided to expand Henley's House to include all cancer patients treated at Estrea Medical Hospital, not just leukemia patients.Ari held out her hand. "The pleasure is ours. Thank you for offering us the land on which to build. I'll speak with my husband and
Ari had fallen asleep on the way home, despite her best efforts to stay awake. But the lack of sleep and the continuous motion of Grayson stroking her hair, made sleep inevitable. But now that she was with Grayson again, the world could fall apart, and she wouldn't care. Her stomach hurt a bit, waking her."Are you alright?" Grayson asked, his voice filled with concern.Ari nodded. "My stomach's hurting just a bit, but I'm fine. I just need to rest.""And eat," Xavier added, looking at her in the rearview mirror. Ari laughed. "Well, that's a given." She thought for a moment, wanting to word it correctly. "Xavier, Grayson, thank you both for coming to my rescue.""It's my pleasure, my lady," Xavier teased."You know I would move heaven and earth to get to you," Grayson replied, his voice low and husky.Xavier nodded. "And he is not exaggerating."Ari laughed. "Well, I truly appreciate it." Then she thought of something. "I had to do something that I'm not proud of." She bit her lower
Ari ran through the forest as quickly as she could, headed toward who knew where. She remembered that there was a road that lead back to the village, and she had to find it. She couldn't follow the beach; she'd ever get home.Home.A small word that held so much power. As she ran, all she could think of was Grayson and going home, their home together, at the castle. Then she fell, stumbling over a root protruding from the ground, but caught herself with her hands. But she got up and started running again. After a bit, she looked behind her to see if anyone was following... and ran straight into something. When she looked up... it was Piers."No!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her knees buckling under her. But to her surprise, he caught her in his strong arms."Quiet!" Piers said, holding a finger to his lips."Hold it right there." When she looked up and saw Grayson holding a gun, her heart leapt with relief and joy."Grayson!"Piers quickly pulled her in front of him. "I want
Grayson rode with Xavier into the night toward the shore. Although the chances of finding her in the dead of night was slim and none, he knew he had to try. And from the moment Xavier had heard, he was along for the ride. Without question. "Thank you for this," Grayson said, looking over at him.One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "You don't have to thank me. You would do the same for me, if the tables were turned.""Without question."Xavier shrugged. "But then again, I'd do it for Ari, anyway."Grayson chuckled. "Of course, you would," he teased. "I'm glad that you two get along so well.""What can I say? She's a nice girl...." Then he grinned. "and I'm a nice guy."Grayson laughed. "Yes, you are... but I didn't say that.""Of course not." Xavier looked over at him and smiled. "So, have you seen anything suspicious?"Grayson shook his head. "No. Nothing that could be used as a fortress or a hideout.""The shore is farther away than I thought." Xavier sighed."Which is why I
Ari looked around the warehouse, taking everything in. Maybe she would find a clue as to where she was. She kept hearing the crashing of waves, as if she were near the ocean, which meant that she was a few hours away from the castle. Either way, it would be a long walk back.One thing was certain: she couldn't just run back down the road to the castle, even if she did manage to escape. But then again, if she could just get out, then she could easily find her way back to the castle. Surely, someone would know the way and could give her a ride. Although she had no idea what time it was or how much time had lapsed, she knew she had much less than twenty-four hours now and, although there were no windows, she knew it had to be dark—or close to it—making it the perfect time to escape. But she was also getting hungry and she knew she had to eat soon. Also, when she came out of the restroom earlier, Piers had put another zip tie around her wrists again. So, she had to escape when the Zip tie
Grayson called Xavier, knowing he couldn't just sit there and wait. At that moment, he would give anything to have Ari back."Yeah," Xavier answered on the first ring. "Find anything?" Grayson asked, pacing the floor in his office. "Yeah, I think you'd better get down here." From the sound of it, Xavier was pacing, too.Grayson sighed, fearing the worst. "I'll be right there." He clicked off and was ready to walk out when the door slowly opened. "Where's Ari?" Celeste asked, slowly walking in, obviously having overheard something. "Do you know where she is?"Grayson sighed, biting his lower lip. "Please, sit down." He knew he had to go, but her mother deserved to know the truth before he left.Celeste said nothing but slowly walked into the room and folded her arms across her chest. "Where is she?"Grayson looked directly into her eyes, pain ripping through his whole body, as if someone had physically shoved their hand into his chest and ripped his heart out."Ari's been kidnapped."
Ari looked around the warehouse and all eyes were on her. Marcus gritted his teeth as he walked purposefully toward her and slapped her across the face. "How dare you say that about me?" He raised his hand again, but Piers caught it.Piers shook his head. "You gave your word that she will not be harmed for twenty-four hours."Marcus glared at him for a moment, and then ripped his hand out of his grasp. Then he turned his attention to Ari. "Kill me, will you?"Ari raised her head and glared at him, staring daggers into his eyes looking through her hair covering one eye. "Mark my words. You will never get away with this. You should have taken the deal that King Maxwell offered you. It's as good as you're going to get." She shrugged. "It's more than I would have given you.""Why you—" Marcus made a move toward her again, but Piers stood in his way and shook his head in warning."Not while I'm here," Piers replied. Quicker than Ari would have thought possible, Marcus whipped out a gun an