Toward that end, I revived my socials with news about my pregnancy and Fern’s engagement. Of course, everyone wanted to know when the baby was due, but the big question was if Auggie was going to make an honest woman of me before that happened.
I answered none of it, and Audra fielded all calls with, “No comment.”
It all proved very effective. Auggie’s show sold out. Our socials exploded with new followers, while PING stagnated. We were the first place they came for the latest news, and since we were now on Royal Baby Watch, all eyes were on us.
“Imagine if we had the book done by now,” I teased. “It’d be a best seller.”
“In time,” he’d dismiss, bringing me in for more cuddles.
In addition to being on Royal Baby Watch, we also ended up on Royal Wedding Watch. Aldayne hadn’t had a royal wedding in decades, so many of Auggie’s countrymen and women left comments to coax him into popping the question.
We had talked about being together. We had talked about the future. But neither of us ever mentioned marriage. It was almost too much reality for our little fantasy world to bear. I was truly fine with it. I knew marrying Auggie would have a whole new set of complications. I was an American commoner, like his mother. Things hadn’t worked so well for her. She couldn’t adapt to the trappings of royalty, and I wasn’t too sure I’d fit in well, either.
So, neither of us broached the topic. Neither one dared.
I did mention it to Fern, asking her if she was worried about the changes her life would undertake as a member of nobility. “That’s the difference between Gav and Auggie,” she said. “For Gav it’s mostly ornamental. He has no political responsibilities that go along with his title unless he chooses them by being a part of the Court, like Audra.”
“All the privilege and none of the responsibility. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig.”
She laughed. “You’d think, but apparently the culture there is one of service, particularly if one is nobility. It’s not required but it is expected.”
“Are you scared?” I asked.
“As long as I’m with Gavin, I can handle anything. He makes me better,” she said. “And you should hold tight to the people in your life who do that.”
I nodded. I agreed. That night I snapped a photo of us in bed, holding each other close, and captioned using my sister’s quote. “Holding tight to the one who makes me better.”
He liked it right away and reposted it. “Never letting go,” he commented.
So what that Christopher ‘liked’ both entries?
Jack fluttered again, like a nervous little butterfly. I cradled my tummy. “It’s gonna be okay,” I promised.
God, I hoped and prayed I was right.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I was glad to go home to Los Angeles, but I was gladder still to leave it. The day after the concert, we all headed across the ocean to Hawaii. Fern and I had never been, so we turned into complete tourists, checking off all the boxes. There were leis and luaus, pineapples and sightseeing. Auggie got us a room overlooking Waikiki Beach, and Fern and I used the opportunity to record more of her workout videos right there on the sand. We put out a call for any fans to join us. About fifty joined us for a half-hour routine.
We also took our routine to an assisted living center, which was the first time either Fern or I orchestrated Charity Day. Fern amended her normal routine to help older people get a little movement and the entire dance troupe followed her lead. A 98-year-old woman named Kallani immediately stole the show, teaching us how to hula.
By nightfall, both videos had gone viral.
By Wednesday I expected to do some solo sightseeing while everyone prepared for the concert on Saturday. I also wanted to get some shopping done.
Instead, Auggie nudged me awake at daybreak. “Hey, sleepyhead.”
I blinked awake. “Why are you so chipper?” I asked.
“I’ve got a surprise,” he grinned.
“What surprise?”
“You do understand the definition of surprise, right?” He pulled down the covers. “Let’s get dressed.”
“How can I get dressed if I don’t know where we’re going?” I asked.
He produced a garment bag. “Trust Darcy,” he replied.
I sighed as I took the bag into the bathroom. I unzipped to find an elegant wrap dress in deep purple. The material was super soft and fit like a dream, though there was no denying the little pooch of my belly.