If You Were Mine(11)

Daisy reached out and took my hand in hers, giving a light squeeze. I drew strength from her and I knew as time went on that would only grow. This was the first day of the rest of our lives. I knew that without a doubt.

“Noah is who will lead this country after Father. Noah is the one who would make you proud.” I stared right into my father’s eyes.

“You think you don't make me proud?” my father asked, sitting up straighter, the surprise on his face clear.

I didn't respond, because the truth was I knew I didn't make him proud, not like Noah did or could.

“You're my son, whether you want to take the Crown or not, whether you want to be deep in royal tradition or not. You are still my son and I am proud of you.” And then he surprised me by standing up and walking around the desk. He helped me to stand and embraced me, his hug strong, welcoming.

My father wasn't one to show much affection. More of a strict and rigid parental figure, he made sure to instill what this life was really about, and how we were to serve the people of our country. But right now I didn't feel like he was the King. Right now he was just my dad.

My father pulled back and clapped me on the shoulder. “You care for this young lady?”

My mother had taken residence beside my father. I looked over at Daisy and held my hand out for her to take it. She stood and I pulled her in close. “I do. I care for her a lot.” I looked over at my mother and father. “I want her in my life and I'm keeping it that way.”

I don’t know if I expected my father to argue over the fact she was of “lower class” than us, which seemed an outdated and almost barbaric way of thinking. But the smile he gave me did shock me. It was filled with acceptance and understanding. In that moment I felt horrible for thinking that my parents wouldn't see how happy I was, and understand that this was what I wanted.

I didn't know what the future held, but I wanted to experience it all with Daisy.



Daisy



One month later



I knew people watched, that there were cameras on us, but I didn't care. In this moment it was just Lennon and me, getting to know each other, learning about the other, and taking in the fact that this was our life.

“Are they bothering you?” Lennon asked and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer. “We can leave, go someplace more secluded.”

I didn't know if Lennon was speaking about the guards that had accompanied us to the park, or the tabloids that I knew were placed around us, partially hidden from view.

I turned to face Lennon and smiled, not wanting them to interfere with us. “They don't bother me if they don't bother you.” And then I cupped his face and brought him in closer. I slanted my mouth on his and really gave the cameras a show.

Our little display of affection would probably be on the front paper tomorrow morning, but I didn't care. Let them see. Let them know how much I loved this man, how much he consumed me.

I might not have ever envisioned myself with Lennon, maybe even thinking I wasn't worthy of his attention or affection. But now that he was in my life, I wanted the world to know that my feelings for him were genuine, true.

We parted at the same time and Lennon smiled at me. “I could really give them something to take pictures of if I didn't think it would humiliate you.” He started laughing softly and I could only shake my head, grinning from ear to ear.

“Nothing you could do could embarrass me. And I don't care about the tabloids. I don't care what anyone thinks about me. All I care about is the next day we have together.” Maybe what I said was sappy, but I didn't care. I was on cloud nine with Lennon.

I’d finally found the puzzle piece that I had been missing in my life. I’d finally found another person who knew me, who could look into my eyes and know how I felt without me saying a word.

Sure, the coupling we’d shared had been instant, fast. But it had felt so right. It had felt like I’d finally found what I had been missing. And I knew Lennon felt the same way.

As Lennon had said before, fuck anyone who thought we didn't belong together.





Epilogue One





Lennon



Five years later




She was mine now and forever. I pulled her close and inhaled deeply, the sweet scent of her filling my lungs, imprinting in my very cells, the marrow deep in my bones.

Daisy rested her head against me, fitting perfectly right up against my chest. Our bodies were sweaty, the act of me fucking her, taking her… claiming her still covering both of us. Every day, every minute, hell, every second I wanted to show her with my body that I was hers the same as she was mine.

I smoothed my hand down her arm, slipped my fingers through hers, and lifted her hand. I’d married Daisy two years ago, the ceremony grand, royal, of course. But we’d just been two people, neither of us better than the other, both of us just madly in love. We’d waited, planned, made sure everything was set before we’d said our vows.

I’d wanted her to get to know me, the real me, and I’d wanted to learn everything I could about Daisy. I’d wanted us to be as close as two people could be.

I stared at the ring, smoothing my finger over the rock, along her skin, and down her digit. I’d picked this one out especially for her—had it custom made, wanted it unique, the same way she was to me.