The Wicked Prince

“There you two are.” That was Elias. “I want to introduce you to someone . . . ”

I lost track of what he was saying because I caught a glimpse of Adeline clutching the chair beside her and holding her belly. I must have gasped, because both men turned to me.

“What’s the matter?” Aramis asked.

“I think Adeline is going into labor.”

We all rushed toward her and what followed was a blur. There were shouts and shuffling and soon enough we found ourselves in the back of the SUV headed to the hospital.

“Is she doing all right?”

“She’s doing great.” I glanced over at Esmée, who was sitting in the chair beside me with a boot instead of a cast, and smiled.

Adeline was doing perfectly fine and the baby was as well. Prince Louis. I smiled at the name. Smiled because my friend got all of her wishes—the unconditional love of a husband and an adorable, healthy baby. It was more than I’d ever thought about for myself, but I knew Addie wanted both of those things. I’d always been very pragmatic when it came to the idea of marriage. I knew it was something I wanted to do, but I wasn’t actively thinking about it. The same went for kids. I wasn’t even positive I wanted any of my own, but I figured when I met the right person I would re-evaluate.

“I owe you an apology,” Esmée said.

“What for?” I turned to her once more, this time tentatively.

“The television interview. The way I treated you in my house.” She offered a small smile. “I guess I stupidly thought there was a chance that Aramis would see me as more than just a one-night stand, or the mother of his child, you know?”

“I’ve never tried to sabotage a relationship, so, no, I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry.” She glanced down at her hands. “I have no excuse. It won’t happen again.”

“In that case, apology accepted.”

“Really?” She looked surprised when our eyes met again.

I shrugged a shoulder. “We can’t be enemies and be on the same team when it comes to Oscar.”

“I’m glad you’re in his life.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re in all of our lives.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.” I looked at her boot. “When does that come off?”

“Not for another two months.” She sighed heavily. “My bones hate me.”

“That’s awful.” I cringed. “At least you get to walk around a little better.”

“That is definitely a plus.”

“No more climbing on top of ladders though.”

“Definitely not.” She laughed. “I think my father would knock me off himself. I’m surprised he hasn’t tied me to the couch so I don’t move.” She rolled her eyes.

“It’s good that he looks after you.” I smiled.

“I guess it is.”

My own parents were free spirits. Such free spirits that I wasn’t sure they’d take care of me at all if something like that happened to me. They were busy traveling the world. Currently on a sailboat. I’d learned to accept that long ago and even though my friends used to think it was disturbing that they were like that, it definitely taught me that I didn’t want to be that person in life in general. It wasn’t only about parenting to me, it was about being present.

Aramis and Oscar walked down the hall back to where we were.

Oscar ran up to us. “The baby is so small. Tiny. The size of my head!”

“He can’t be that small,” Esmée said, laughing.

“He’s a tiny little thing,” Aramis said, smiling wide. He reached out for my hand. I took it and stood. “They’re ready for you.”

“I can’t wait to meet him.”

“I think we’ll get going.” Esmée stood as well. “I promised Papa we’d have supper with him after Oscar met his cousin.”

“They’re ready,” Aramis said to the security guard standing closest to us before looking at Oscar again. “I’ll see you this weekend, okay?”

“See you this weekend.” Oscar wrapped his arms around Aramis’s legs, then my waist. “We’re going to have so much fun and we’re going to have ice cream.” He turned to his mother and gave her his hand.

“Ice cream? Wow.” Esmée smiled and waved goodbye to us as she walked toward the security.

Aramis pulled me down the hall quietly and pushed open the door where Adeline, Elias, Adeline’s mother and father, and The Queen Mother were. There was a bundle in Adeline’s arms. I let go of Aramis and walked closer, unable to take my eyes off the baby.

“He is small,” I whispered.

“You want to carry him?” Addie asked.

I shook my head. “I’ll wait until he’s home.”

“Come on, Joss. How are you not going to carry my baby?”

“Trust me, I will, but he literally just exited your vagina. I think he needs a moment to acclimate to the world first.” I leaned over him and tugged the blanket softly out of his little mouth, smiling at the tiny bubbles of spit there. “He is so, so, so, so cute.”