My Prince Charming - A Steele Fairy Tale

The doorbell rings, and I wonder if it’s the dog walker. Walking over to the door, I check and it’s an older man in a pair of jeans and a dress shirt. I open up the door just slightly, and Jack goes wild wagging his tail. “Jackie boy. Come to Papa.”

He works his body into the door. “You must be the princess Edward told me about.”

“I’m sorry, but you’re not the dog walker, are you?”

“No, I’m Edward’s father.” I take a step back, creating a distance between us.

“Please, just relax. I’m not here to threaten, accost, or lie to you like my soon-to-be ex-wife did.”

“You’re getting a divorce?”

“Yes, the party was the last straw. I’d been working, so I didn’t arrive until after Edward left. She knew very well that Edward was bringing you, so she sought out the people who could hurt you the most. She’s never cared about what makes Edward happy. We always want our best for our kids, but that includes letting them do the things that make them happy. From the cameras, I got just a glimpse of your sweetness. Don’t let that wench take that away from you.”

“I can’t believe you’re getting a divorce because of the way she treated me.”

“No offense, but it was the last straw, and it was because she hurt my boy by hurting you. I’d do anything for Edward. He’s my only child. A part of me wishes I’d divorced Elaine years ago. I always just went along with it and since Edward left, it made no difference to me to just work and ignore her.”

“Oh. Where are my manners? Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

The doorbell rings again. “I’ll get it,” he says.

“Where’s Jack?” a woman says.

“He’s cuddling up to my future daughter-in-law.”

“Oh yeah.” A woman in her thirties comes into the room. She’s pretty and fit in a pair of yoga pants. I remember what Edward said to keep the jealousy at bay. “Hi, I’m Dani. I usually walk Dr. Prince’s Jack.”

“Hi, I’m Ella.”

“Your arm? Oh no. That looks painful.”

“Thank you. Luckily Edward’s a doctor and helps take care of me.”

“I’m going to walk Jack. I should be back in about twenty or thirty minutes, depending on his mood.”

“Thanks.” She nods and then takes Jack’s leash off the hook.

“Be careful, Dani,” Mr. Prince says.

“Wow, she’s beautiful,” I sigh, trying not to laugh as he stares at her. “And I didn’t see a ring on her finger.”

“The day my divorce is final, I’ll be marking my territory.”

“The fuck you will. First Mom, and now you?” Edward storms in the house. I walk up to him, and he cups my cheek.

“Edward, he’s not referring to me. He’s talking about the dog walker.” I press my hands to his chest and stare up at my handsome man.

“Oh. Then what are you doing here?” He holds me close with his hand around my waist.

“I came to apologize to your princess for your mother.”

“We were just about to have some coffee when Dani came to take Jack.”

“Coffee. I could really use it.”

“How was your shift change?”

“Brutal. I hate these switches. So, what’s this about a divorce?”

“Sorry, son, but it’s been a long time coming.”

“Oh no. I think it’s the right move. I’m surprised you stayed that long.”

“Me too. Complacency, I suppose.”

“Was she always like that?”

“Not at first. When we were first together, I should have recognized the signs. She came from old money. I came from new money, but I was in med school to become a neurosurgeon. Eventually, I made a lot of my own money over the twenty-eight years, and she found new and creative ways to spend it, including the inheritance from her parents after they passed. When Edward was five, I learned that she had a tubal ligation during a supposed visit to see her parents a year after you were born.”

“I never knew that. She said she had some complications having me so she couldn’t have any more kids.”

“Complications like it hampered her social life. She had the most pampered pregnancy, and you were even a good boy without giving her too many symptoms. A part of me wished that we had divorced then, and I kept you, but I knew that she’d fight me for you and with my insane schedule, they’d give you to her. She’d ruin you just to spite me. I’m fifty years old and I wasted my life with a lying, heartless woman.”

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

“Maybe some grandbabies will make up for it,” he says, winking at me.

“I’m sure Edward’s trying.”

“Damn right I am.” He kisses my lips hard. “I’m starving. Do you want to stay for breakfast, or I can order an early lunch?” It’s closer to lunch time, but when your schedule is off, it really doesn’t matter when you eat.

“I have a meeting with my lawyer for lunch to go over the divorce.”