Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11681 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
“I know they are Catholic. So am I..”
“That’s great. The Pope will have no issues blessing our union. Uskians are still quite old-fashioned. Girls who get caught kissing a boy find themselves down the aisle so fucking fast.
“That’s crazy. It’s 2023.”
“I know.”
“I can’t marry you like this.”
“You must. I can’t rule if my people do not respect me.”
“Are you… threatening me?”
“What? No. I’m just stating a fact. I must lead by example. I’m going about this all wrong.”
“Ya think? Do you even want to marry me?” I ask, needing to be sure.
“Of course I do. I never would have taken you if I didn’t. I know it’s normal for a man my age to remain a virgin, but it’s how I was raised. I will never stray from your bed, Ashlee. I knew you were meant for me the moment I looked into your eyes. I saw our future. This was always going to happen, but I didn’t think we would have to do it so soon. Please, let me try again.”
“Okay,” I whisper, his words making me want to cry. He’s still standing in front of me naked, and I’m in his, too big for me, robe. But it’s perfect for us. He drops down onto his knee and grabs my hands.
“Will you marry me, Ashlee? I know it’s too soon, but I don’t care. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Épouse moi, s'il te plaît.”
“Oui, je veux t'épouser, George,” I say, grinning down at him. This is all kinds of fucked up, but people have married for less.
“You speak French?” he asks as he stands up, still holding my hands.
“I speak several languages.” I say before rattling them off.
“You are a continuous surprise, Ashlee.” Then he kisses me, and I lose all track of time.
“What’s next?” I ask when he finally lets me up for air.
“Alors que tu pourrais être ma reine.” All I have to do is be his queen… I can do that.
After spending the last several hours on the phone with his mother and grandmother, who were ridiculously gracious, I now find myself on a private plane to Vegas. As in Las Vegas. To be married to the man of my dreams under crazy circumstances. Everything feels like a whirlwind.
Before I know it, I’m standing in front of a Captain Picard impersonator saying my vows. Then I’m married and a freaking queen. A queen. His queen.
We have to get back to New York today because he needs to be available if the U.N. needs to speak to him again. Sandrine also scheduled a press conference for nine o’clock tonight, which was coordinated with both Uskia’s and Stacee’s public relations teams.
When we touchdown in New York, everything feels weird. It was decided that once George was no longer needed in New York, we would head to Uskia for our wedding reception, which the planning for is already underway. We will also renew our week-old vows in St. Isabelle, the church the royal families of Uskia attend. Afterward, I will be coronated, and then we party.
Our press conference clears things up for Stacee and announces our marriage. It worked out well.
Before we leave, we find out that both Uskia and Rirockia have been admitted to the United Nations. God, did we celebrate.
One Week Later
“Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?” Father Dominic asks us.
“I will,” George replies, and I smile. I get to marry the man of my dreams for the second time.
“I will,” I say.
“Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.”
I, George, take thee, Ashlee, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, sickness and health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
I, Ashlee, take thee, George, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, sickness and health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.
“You have declared your marriage vows before the Church. May the Lord, in his goodness, strengthen and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, we must not divide. Amen.
“May the Lord bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity. Amen.”
“Amen.”
“Ashlee, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
“George, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife on behalf of God and His Church. You may now kiss the bride.” And oh, God, does he. My lips tingle when he’s done, and I can’t help pulling him back toward me by the chain on his cape and kissing him again. I vaguely hear laughter, but nothing matters but us. We might as well be all alone for all I care about the others in this church right now.