Her Christmas Prince (Love in the Keys) (16 page)

“
And
to you. How is the family? And the wee prince?” George
smiled. He was a happy and doting father. “He's amazing.
Every day, he does something new. Watching him grow is just
mesmerizing. It's early days, but we're trying for another.”
Henry envied his brother's happiness. He was truly happily married
and in love with his wife, Princess Monique.

“
So,
rumour has it you've met someone. What's up?” Henry looked at
his brother.

“
Well,
she's American. She's a friend of Tom's. And she's amazing.”
George saw the look on his brother's face.

“
Are
you saying you love her?” Henry looked at his brother and
nodded.

“
Well,
that's a first. And have you talked to the parents?”

“
A
little. They didn't react as badly as I expected. She's not
royalty. She's not even European, she's from quite an ordinary
family. I mean, she owns a cafe. She isn't what I would think
mother would approve of as princess material.”

“
Normally,
I'd agree with you. But times are changing. And we have the heir.
And honestly, I think they really just want to see you happy. And
if you love her, she's worth fighting for.” George was right.
She was. And he was going to do all that he could to make Callie
his wife.

Henry
called Biggs. He had some plans to make.

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN

December
27
^th
(in Florida)

Callie
awoke to her cell phone ringing. It was just after six in the
morning. It was Henry.

“
Is
something wrong, are you okay?” The concern in her voice was
palpable.

“
Yes,
I'm fine. Did I wake you?”

“
Yes.
You did. But that's OK. What's up?” He wouldn't be calling
at this hour for no reason.

“
I
want you to come to Laurenia. To spend New Year's Eve.”
Callie was listening but not really processing. Was he
serious?

“
Callie?”

“
I'm
here, you just caught me off guard. Why? Why do you want me to
come?” Callie waited for his reply.

“
Because
I really want my parents to meet you.” Wow.

“
When
were you thinking?”

“
Today.”

“
Today?!
How can I possibly arrange that?”

“
You
don't have to. I've made all the arrangements. And Tom's coming
with you, just in case.” Callie listened.

“
Callie,
I know it's a lot to ask, but I am missing you like crazy, and I want
my family to meet you. And for you to see Laurenia. You do have a
passport, don't you?”

“
Of
course, I do. I'm not a total hick.” Callie bristled at the
implication.

“
Hey,
don't be like that, I didn't mean it that way, really. I've been
caught with an expired passport on more than one occasion.” He
paused. “Please tell me you'll come.”

“
I
don't think I have the right clothes.”

“
You
dress just fine, bring the fanciest stuff you have and what do you
don't have, you can borrow from my sister-
in-
law.”

“
Will
you come?” This was it, take a leap or wonder forever. How
else could she know?

“
Yes,
I will.”

Henry
breathed a sigh of relief. “Great. Can you be ready in two
hours? Tom will be there then.” Callie agreed, and hung up.

First
she called Erin, who was more than happy to look after the cafe while
she was gone. Then her parents' house. Her dad answered. He seemed
totally fine with her going on the trip and was relieved that Tom was
going with her. H
is only
concern seemed to be her safety.

Callie
showed and changed into a cotton pantsuit. She packed as best she
could and at the appointed time, made her way to the back of the
lobby and through the service entrance. Clint was waiting there;
he had agreed to drop her and Tom in Miami. They were booked on an
early afternoon flight to Paris, and the royal jet would meet them at
Charles de Gaulle. With any luck, no one would know she was in
Laurenia until she wanted them to.

Tom
stashed her suitcase in the trunk and opened the door of the squad
car for her. She got in and snapped on her seat belt.

“
Are
you ready, Callie?”

“
Ready
as I'll ever be. Let's go.”

The
traffic to the airport was uneventful. Clint had called ahead and
arranged for them to use the consular/VIP check-
in
and lounge at the airport, citing security reasons. Going to visit
royalty had its perks, it seemed.

Clint
accompanied them into the terminal and handed her and Tom off to the
waiting personnel. He gave her a big hug and wished her good luck.
He also shook Tom's hand and told him he'd best look after Callie.
They waved goodbye to Clint and he was gone.

Their
tickets, boarding passes and security procedures were completed with
lighting speed, and they were whisked to a quiet lounge and offered
beverages. It was a great way to travel, that was for sure.

Unbeknownst
to Callie, Jimmy the Paparazzi was still staked out outside her condo
with the rest of the photographers. He'd made the deal of his carrer
after a bidding war between several magazines, and had sold all the
pictures he had taken of Prince Henry and Callie Meyers. It would
not only be enough for the new car he had been hankering for, but
possibly, to retire. He was uncharacteristically happy that the
pictures had gone to a fairly reputable magazine. After traipsing
around after the couple for a few days, he knew one thing. This was
the real deal, and it was a bona fide love story. He wasn't usually
a softie, but Jimmy was actually rooting for them to make it the
distance.

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

December
28
^th
(in Laurenia)

The
flight to Paris was just as uneventful as the trip to the airport.
They had been booked into the first class cabin, and every little
whim was catered to. Callie availed herself of the reclining seat
and actually fell asleep. The events of the last few days had tired
her out. Tom rested, too. And the flight went by very quickly.

When
the plane landed, there were airport personnel there to meet Callie
and Tom and they were escorted from the plane first, before anyone
else could de-plane. As soon as they saw a customs official, they
were driven by golf cart, with their bags following in a second cart
with the security officers, to a private plane waiting at the far
side of the airport.

As
they approached the small private plane with the crest of Laurenia on
the side, Prince Henry emerged at the top of the stairs and was at
the golf cart as soon as it stopped. He took Callie's hand and
helped her off the golf
cart,
and immediately enveloped her in a gigantic hug. When they withdrew
from the embrace, he also hugged his friend Tom and beckoned them to
board the plane. Henry personally thanked everyone from the airport
staff for assisting that day. He was amazing when he was on duty,
every inch the prince. It was a new side to him for Callie to see.

On
the short flight to Laurenia, the three friends chatted amiably,
aware they were not alone. They talked about Christmas, and
cookies, and even the press. Henry asked if Callie had seen the
magazine expose. She had not. He pulled a copy out of his bag and
gave it to her. All the pictures were taken by one man, and he was
very good at his job, because none of the three of them had had any
inkling he had been around and lurking.

With
trepidation, she thumbed through until she found it. Tom leaned in
to take a look, too. There were pictures of Henry and Callie in her
car, and in his SUV. And of them entering the church in Sunnyside,
holding hands. There were even several shots of their trip to Key
West, at the Southernmost Point, watching the lighted boat parade,
and having what looked like a very romantic dinner at Sunset Pier.
There was a picture of
Callie
from her high school yearbook, and a very blurry shot of her,
obviously taken through a window, serving coffee at the Beach Buzz.
There was even one of Tom and Henry on the boat, having coffee. She
perused the brief editorial copy and shockingly, it was accurate.
And not at all malicious.

Prince
Henry of Laurenia took an incognito vacation in the Florida Keys to
visit with his longtime friend Thomas Davis,
who
he served with in Afghanistan. While there, the Prince enjoyed the
beach, fishing and sampled some of the local fare. He was introduced
to Miss Calista Meyers by his friend Thomas, who'd known her since
childhood. By all counts, Miss Meyers is a well-
liked
lifelong resident of Sunnyside Key. She owns and operates a small
cafe and is known to be active in community causes. She is an only
child and close to her large family. Could Calista Meyers be
Laurenia's own Kate Middleton?

Callie
was actually quite relieved. She had been expecting much worse.
Hopefully it would make meeting Henry's family easier. She still
worried they wouldn't approve of her. But she had to trust Henry.

Before
she knew it, the plane was making its final descent to Laurenia.
Callie excused herself to wash
her
face, brush her teeth and tidy up her make up. Her suit was a bit
rumpled. Just as she was wondering what to do about it, the flight
attendant knocked on the door and handed her a can of wrinkle
remover. They really did think of everything, these royal handler
types. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she returned to
the cabin.

“
Henry,
is there anything I should know? Or expect?” Callie didn't
want to make a
mistake.

“
Not
really. Refer to my parents as Your Highness first, and then after
that sir and ma'am is fine. But wait until they speak to you. And
don't touch them. That's about it, really.” Callie didn't
look convinced. “You'll do just fine. I have every faith.
And even if you don't it doesn't matter. I plan on telling my
parents that we're in love and if you'll have me, my intentions are
heading to matrimony.”

Callie
looked at Henry. And couldn't speak. “So, are you willing?”
She nodded. “I'm not saying it's going to be easy, Callie,
and we have a lot to figure out, but I'm going to fight for us. I
need you to fight, too.”

Callie
took his hand and smiled. “I'm ready, whatever comes.”

The
royal jet landed and taxied to the royal hangar at the Laurenia
airport. The plane stopped, the door opened, and the staircase
lowered. Prince Henry was the first to start down to the waiting
car on the tarmac. As he was halfway down, he noticed Biggs waiting.
And his parents. Odd. He wasn't expecting to see them
‘til later at the palace.

Henry
stepped off the staircase and immediately to its right, waiting to
assist Callie as she came down. When she reached the bottom, she
took Henry's hand and she too saw his parents. She looked at Henry
in surprise. He shrugged his shoulders, I
t
was clearly a surprise to him, too. She could hear Tom coming down
the stairs behind her. And her peripheral vision caught their bags
being loaded into the trunk of a large stretch limo. Henry gave her
hand a squeeze and gently guided her over to where his parents were
standing.

Callie
was terrified. Why were they at the airport? That wasn't the plan.
Henry bowed slightly to his parents and she followed suit with a
subtle curtsy in the way he taught her. Queen Olivia stepped
forward and embraced Callie enthusiastically.

“
Welcome
to Laurenia, my dear. Welcome, Calista! We are so happy to have you
here. And you too, of course, Thomas.” Tom, a few steps
behind, bowed and acknowledged her comments.

Henry
's
father also stepped forward and shook Callie's hands, grinning.

“
I
didn't expect you at the airport, mother.” It was half a
question, half a statement.

“
We
are still capable of the occasional surprise, Henry.” Indeed.

“
Henry,
why don't you and Thomas ride in the limo with your father? Callie
and I have lots to talk about, just us girls. We'll follow in the
town car.” Henry looked at Callie, silently asking if that was
OK. She nodded to him. He came forward, kissed her cheek, and
promised to be waiting at the palace.