where I would return to see my family. Dallas and Dash had no idea I was pregnant and would likely have many questions. I knew Mom and Dad had plenty of questions about Auggie.
Fortunately, Fern planned to introduce Gav to the clan as well. Fingers crossed they would be preoccupied with those dramatic changes instead.
I arrived back at Fifty Oaks on June 16th, this time with Auggie as he returned home. Audra, Kelly and Sean accompanied us, each of them settling down in their own quarters of Auggie’s California castle. Paparazzi were waiting outside, but I knew they couldn’t see us in the back of the Alda limo, any more than they could see who was leaving the Santa Barbara airport and heading to Ojai and Maggie Farms.
It was odd to return to Fifty Oaks. As we drove past all the stone sculptures of the past kings, I felt like I knew them now. I hadn’t gotten much of Auggie’s story over the past couple of months, but I certain had been schooled on the history of Aldayne.
Now Fifty Oaks still loomed like a gothic mausoleum, a tombstone marking the Duke of Mayhem’s former life.
On stage, he was still a wild man. But when he was with me, he was doting and tender, like any father-to-be. We had yet to make any promises, except his stating he wasn’t going anywhere.
That meant this grand castle was now my home. Yet in many ways, I still felt like that nauseated newbie who arrived in March.
Auggie made quick work of that, swooping me up into his arms and carrying me across the threshold. I giggled all the way up the grand staircase, an area that was once forbidden. In his arms, nothing was forbidden.
He didn’t stop until we reached his massive master suite, that was bigger than my old apartment in North Hollywood. Between two windows was a huge four-poster bed, draped in black and purple fabric. The family crest was carved into the mahogany headboard.
He laid me down gently. “Welcome home,” he said, before kissing me softly.
“Keep saying that and I may want to stay,” I teased.
“How cute,” he murmured. “You think I’m going to let you go.”
My heart raced. I loved it when he said those things, even if I had no idea what it meant. I was too afraid to ask. I pulled him down for another kiss, which turned a little too passionate almost immediately.
It was getting harder and harder to put on the brakes.
“Come,” he said, pulling me up off the bed. “Let’s pick out a nursery.”
I finally got my first official tour of Fifty Oaks. Portraits lined the walls and frescos covered the ceiling. Like the planes, it looked like I was staring off into the clear blue sky. Only this time there were fat, happy cherubs flying around with Aldaynean white roses, likely offering their protection.
I met the staff at last, getting to know each one of their names and their jobs.
“Whatever she wants, we will get for her,” Auggie announced.
“Yes, sir,” they recited dutifully with a slight bow.
I stole a glance as we headed up the stairs. “They work for Old Mother,” he clarified. “They’re very… traditional.”
At the end of the tour he brought me into a smaller room overlooking the garden. It was currently used as a guest room, with bright blue walls and velvet furnishings.
“Let me guess. The Blue Room.”
He laughed before walking me over to a shelf that was hidden behind a drape. He pulled a thread and the material floated gracefully to the ground. On the shelves were all the snow globes I had purchased from all the spots we had visited on the tour thus far. I gasped a little, holding my hand to my mouth. “A room fit for a prince,” he said, taking me into his arms. He cupped my rounded belly. “Think Peanut can be happy here?” he asked softly. He searched my face. “Do you think you could be happy here?”
I squeezed him tight. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m happy wherever you are.”
He liked the sound of that. He lifted me off my feet in a powerful hug. “It’s yours to design,” he granted. “Something we can come home to after returning from Aldayne.”
“Auggie,” I said slowly. I was still trying to find the seam in this magic carpet. Then I decided better of it. I needed no ring on my finger. My baby was completely provided for already, prince or not. Auggie’s love