Epilogue

Three years later...

“Hank!” I skidded around the corner, socks sliding over the hardwood.

Hank didn’t have the same problem. The last I saw before he disappeared into the kitchen was his wagging tail. I vaulted after him, and Alex watched with an amused glint in his eye as I chased the mutt around the kitchen island.

“He never listens to me!” I huffed.

“He just likes to play with you.” Alex said.

On his lap, Beatrice giggled maniacally. She got that from her father.

“What are you laughing at? It’s your blanket I’m trying to retrieve.”

Hank ran toward the back door, but with nobody to open it for him, he was out of luck. With a victorious yell, I grabbed the blanket from his slobbery jaws and held it in the air.

“Look at that, Bea,” Alex said, bouncing her on his lap. “Mommy got your blanket back.”

I had, only it was coated in saliva. Bea pointed a finger. “Ew!”

Alex laughed and I nearly chuffed him. All the same, I couldn’t deny how funny the situation was, even if it meant struggling to catch my breath.

“Mr. and Mrs. Rainhall,” announced our butler, Gerry, stepping into the doorway. “You have guests.”

“Guests?” I asked, staring at Alex in confusion. Had he invited someone without telling me?

Just then, Jo forced her way into the kitchen. She never waited in the front room like she was supposed to, even though she knew how much it vexed poor Gerry.

“Hey sis!” She pulled me in a hug. “Why are you so out of breath?”

Tristan followed behind her with a little more shame, but smiling nonetheless.

Beatrice jumped down from Alex’s lap and launched herself at Tristan, squealing with delight. “Uncle Tristan! Uncle Tristan!”

He was so good with kids. I always wondered when the two of them would have one of their own, especially since Jo finished university a month ago.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked.

Jo pulled back from the hug. “Is it crazy to want to drop in on my sister and niece?”

I cocked a brow.

“Fine.” She laughed. “We’ve got good news.”

“Let’s go outside,” I said, catching Gerry’s eye. “Could you please bring us some lemonade on the patio?”

He nodded. “Right away, ma’am.”

I still wasn’t used to that. Not sure I ever would be.

We spilled out onto the concrete, warm from hours spent drinking in the late summer sun. The air was thick with the smell of hydrangeas and freshly mown grass, and honey bees buzzed around the flowerbeds and gave the afternoon a lazy feel.

Bea and Hank immediately raced onto the lawn, playing some sort of game of tag that only they knew the rules of, and the adults settled onto the furniture just as Gerry came out with our lemonade.

“What’s new with you two lovebirds, then?” asked Alexander.

Tristan opened his mouth but Jo spoke over him. “We’re going on a trip!” she said. “We’re going to backpack around Europe for a month since we didn’t get to have a long honeymoon.”

“That’s a great idea,” I said. “When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow.” Jo sipped her lemonade and sighed.

“So soon?” I asked. “What’s the rush?”

“It’s got to do with the big news.” Sunlight danced in her irises and made her skin glow. “I’m pregnant.”

I shot up out of my chair and wrapped Jo in a tight hug. “That’s incredible! I’m so excited for you!”

“I know!” she squealed.

“Have you told Mom and Dad yet?” I released her and took my seat, vibrating with energy.

Jo shook her head. “We’re having dinner with them tonight.”

“They’re going to be thrilled,” Alex said.

I laughed. “No kidding. I bet they’ll be glad they moved here.” An idea popped in my head. “Hey! Why don’t you invite them here for dinner? We could have a barbecue, make a thing of it.” I smiled shyly. “I’ve got some news too.”

Alexander whipped his head to look at me, eyes wide. I had his full attention.

“What’s that?” Jo asked.

I patted my belly. “I’m pregnant too.”

Jo screamed but I barely heard her since Alex threw his chair back and raced over to pull me into his arms. My chair clattered to the ground.

He kissed me, softly at first, but with more pressure the more the news sank in. We were having another baby. I could barely believe it still.

“I love you,” Alex said, setting me on my feet.

Jo and Tristan were staring at us, holding hands and smiling. It was a good thing we were outside, because I found it hard to believe our house could contain this much happiness without the roof bursting off.

“Why don’t we invite Edward, Clarissa and Victoria?” I asked.

Alex’s eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically. “Maybe my dad will be available too. We could tell them all at once.”

I held his face, my grinning threatening to tear my face apart. “I would love that.”

Alex kissed me, and he tasted of sunlight and honey blossoms. He tasted of home and safety.

Our family was royal. We lived in the public eye and performed our duties, fulfilling obligations set by a thousand years of monarchy, but we were more than that.

We were a family.

Sometimes we wore crowns, but most of the time we were a close-knit, down-to-earth group who always looked out for each other.

Princess of Nowhere came to a natural conclusion after three seasons, and even though I’d been swamped with offers I’d decided that would be the natural conclusion of my acting career too. At least for now. The gossip magazines didn’t understand why, but I didn’t care what they thought. This was what I wanted.

Alexander. Beatrice. Mom and Dad. Jo. The charities. They were my entire life, and I liked it that way. Whatever I’d been looking for pursuing acting, I’d found with them.

Princess of Nowhere was in my past. I was a princess of somewhere now, and it felt good.