but I walked forward on trembling legs, guided by Auggie’s hand on my elbow. He bowed to Edwinna and she to him, then she turned to me. I offered my bouquet with a bow.
I realized now how different this introduction would have gone had I said yes to Auggie’s proposal.
Even the photo on screen was coordinated for my acceptance, mirroring his mother’s own wedding bouquet.
I wondered just how many people noticed I was wearing her ring on the wrong hand.
Edwinna and I stepped aside so that Auggie could address the crowd.
“Hello, Ademar!” he bellowed, much like he would at a rock concert. And just like a concert, the crowd clamored for more. “It has been my distinct pleasure to partner with you for all these many years. I’m both proud and inspired by your ingenuity, your passion and your devotion, not only to your country but to each other… and the world.” He paused for a moment. I sensed something a little more candid was coming. “I was almost fifteen years old when my mother first told me she had ovarian cancer. I was a scared kid. I didn’t know what that would mean. The prognosis wasn’t good, and I could tell she was scared, though she tried her best not to show me. We were frightened and alone. It was the people of Ademar who opened their hearts to us. You fought with us every day for sixteen months, until my mother finally succumbed. She died in the very hospital that would go on to bear her name, one that decided that no cancer patient, or their family, should ever suffer through this disease alone. It is a promise I made to you in return the minute I became your Duke.”
I saw some women wiping tears from their eyes as they listened. They truly loved him. It was almost impossible not to.
“Today I celebrate your Independence. I celebrate you, Ademar. You are truly in my heart always. I will always call this island my home.” The music swelled as if he was finished, but that was when he turned to me and held out a hand. I stepped forward, saying absolutely nothing. “And when our child is born this November, I know it will be his favorite place, too.”
I gulped back any reply. What could I say? I just smiled and waved to the crowd who erupted over the news.
It was the first time he had broadcast any news about the baby, aside from the fact there was one. Now he had dropped a due date, sorta, and a gender.
He turned back to the crowd. “Tonight is your night, Ademar. Long live your Independence!”
The band kicked up a rousing rendition of something that sounded suitably patriotic, as we bent to kiss Edwinna on both cheeks before heading to our spot on the podium next to Audra, who looked elegant and regal as always.
The concert went on for nearly two hours, then we were whisked away to a high-rise hotel resort that had a perfect view of the falls from its revolving restaurant at the top. Champagne flowed like a river as we were treated to exquisite regional cuisine featuring exotic tropical fruit and all manner of seafood. On the dessert table sat a white twelve-tier cake that was adorned with gold filigree and tropical flowers in soft pinks and yellow.
When he fed me a bite, I realized it was red velvet. I suspected this was no accident.
Regional superstars took to the stage to perform. Auggie pulled me out to the floor more than once to swing me around in front of the appreciative crowd. I had never learned how to dance formally, but he was an expert teacher.
I truly felt like the belle of the ball.
A pregnant belle of the ball, one who was hiding yawns behind her hand as the party raged on into the night. Auggie took pity on me, suggesting we make an early night of it. We stopped at Edwinna’s table to bid her goodnight. She stood to kiss both of us on each cheek. “Thank you for joining us,” she said to me personally. “I look forward to seeing more of you in Ademar.” She patted my tummy. “You, too.”
I laughed. “You can count on it, Auntie Edwinna,” I promised, before I reached forward to kiss her again. “Thank you for everything.”
“The honor was mine,” she assured.
When we reached the ground floor, the state car was waiting. Auggie let me get in first, then